Times of Darkness, Times of Light (completed 02/28/07)

[justin]

WillowRulez: Thanks. I'm glad you liked that part.

Update soon you say? How about one now?

Title: Times of Darkness, Times of Light
Author: Justin
Rating: R
Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters in this story, nor the setting.
Distribution: Anyone can take it, just let me know
Summary: Tara goes home
Note: Many thanks to AntigoneUnbound for betaing this story.

Family Redux

Chapter 2

The going was easy to start off with but as they moved away from Sunnydale they began hitting more and more traffic. “Can't we put some music on?” Dawn asked.

“Sure,” Willow said as she reached over to push the play button on the CD player. The song “Road to Nowhere” started playing. “I don't remember this being in there.”

“I put it in,” Tara said. “I thought it'd be appropriate.

When that had finished Willow said, “Let's put another disc in.”

“Here's one,” Tara said. Looking at the label she said, “'The Rocky Horror Picture Show'?”

“I think that one's Giles',” Dawn supplied.

“I never took him for a Rocky Horror fan,” Buffy said.

“I wonder if he gets all dressed up in the... well you know if he gets into...” Willow stopped as a small voice asked if she really wanted to finish that thought.

A silence fell over the group as they all considered the possibility.

It was finally broken as Tara said, “I suggest for the next ten, twenty minutes, none of us look at the others.”

***

“Aren't we going to stop?” Dawn asked, sounding a little desperate..

“What's wrong, do you need to go potty?” Buffy asked, in a high, annoying tone.

“There was somewhere I wanted to stop. Don't worry, we're almost...” Tara put the turn signal on, “Here.”

The place seemed to be quite busy and they could hear a lot of noise coming from it as they approached the doors. That is till they actually entered. A hush fell over the room as everyone turned to eye up the new comers.

“Okay...” Buffy said, “This is all kinds of unnerving.”

“I think we should just find a table...” Dawn started.

“And hope that no one mentions squealing like a pig,” Willow finished.

They quickly found a table near the window and sat down around it. “So Tara, why did you want to come to this particular place?” Buffy asked.

Tara looked out the window a moment before saying, “Do you see the tree out there? I don't know if you can still read it but at one point it said, 'Tara was here' on it.”

“You were into vandalism when you younger?” Buffy asked.

“I wrote it four years ago, when I was coming to Sunnydale. My father was busy so I had to get the train. There's a station nearby here where I had to change trains. There was about an hour's wait between trains, so I had lunch here while I was waiting.” Tara shrugged, “I guess I wanted to leave some sort of mark of my leaving. It wasn't as if anyone was going to miss me.”

“Didn't you have any friends there?” Dawn asked. She couldn't imagine Tara not being wildly popular, she was so cool.

“One. Her name was Sarah,” Tara answered, hoping that she wouldn't blush as she said this. No, that was too much to hope for. Maybe they wouldn't notice though.

“Did you have a crush on her?” Willow asked.

So much for that hope.

“Maybe a little one,” Tara gazed at Willow a moment, “Are you jealous?”

Willow slipped her hand into Tara's then asked, “Who's hand are you holding?”

“Yours.”

“So, why should I be jealous?”

“How far have we got to go?” Buffy asked.

“Well it's another hour to the motel we booked. It's pretty close to the town centre, though it's half an hour's drive to the farm from there.”

“Right.”

***

As they were leaving the cafe Tara said, “I'll drive the rest of the way.”

Tara had barely finished when Willow shouted, “Shotgun!”

“Shot...” Buffy started, “Oh.” She gave Dawn an annoyed look.

“Don't frown at me, I'm not any happier about it than you are.”

“Just don't take up all the space this time.”

As Dawn and Buffy headed to the car Willow waited a few moments. She then said to Tara, in a low voice, “When I was young I used to wish for a younger sister. Now seeing those two I'm sort of glad I didn't get my wish.”

“It would have been cute if you'd had a little sister. She'd have followed you everywhere and copied you all the time.”

Willow considered this, then smiled, “You're right. I was lucky to be an only child.”

They were interrupted by the horn sounding.

“I think the kids are getting impatient.”

As they got in the car, Buffy and Dawn pointed at each other, saying, “She did it.”

Willow shook her head. “Your children ...”

Tara cut Willow off, saying in a hurt tone, “Oh sure, when they do something wrong, then they're my children.”

Dawn leaned over and whispered to her sister, “I think they're making fun of us.”

“Yeah. Willow, maybe you forgot but I'm older than you.”

As Willow pulled out of the car park Tara shook her head and said in a sad voice, “They grow up so fast.”

***

“Hey guys,” Buffy said, “I think this is the place. It got kind of a Bates Motel look to it.”

“Don't worry,” Willow said. “It had a lot of good reviews on the net.”

“Well I guess.” Buffy tried to sound optimistic, but failed miserably.

They pulled into the parking lot then walked to the front desk. After collecting and divvying out the keys they all went to their rooms.

***

“We're not due at my father's till eleven. If you don't mind getting up a bit early, I'd like to show you round my home town.”

“I'd like that,” Willow said. “Will we have time?”

“Don't worry, Carolfield is very small. It won't take long.”

“Yeah, I remember your father was surprised at how large Sunnydale is. Still it'll be nice to see where you grew up.”

Tara smiled as she took Willow's hand. “It'll be nice to show you.”

***

A part of the beast woke up. There were newcomers here. Newcomers bringing their own conflicts and arguments to a town which was already on the verge of tearing itself apart.

The beast waited. It wouldn't be long before the fireworks started to fly.

TBC

[WillowRulez]

Oh wow! Thank you for updating that fast!
It was nice to have lighter part for once! Now I am prepared for all possible darkness you wanna throw at us.
Cant wait

[spells42]

Mmmm, Justin, not liking the sound of this beast. Will it manage to work its nastiness on W/T B & D? I hope they wake up to there being an evil influence on the town.... Will it be a job for the Slayer, or the witches this time? Can't wait to find out.

Anne

[justin]

WillowRulez

Oh wow! Thank you for updating that fast!

Well my scheme for posting is to write out each story then get it betaed before posting each of the parts of the story. So when I'm in the middle of a story the updates should be pretty quick.

It'll just be the gaps between stories which are longer.

I'm glad you liked the lightness. Preparing for some darkness is probably a good idea


Spells42: Thanks for the feedback.

Will it manage to work its nastiness on W/T B & D? I hope they wake up to there being an evil influence on the town.... Will it be a job for the Slayer, or the witches this time?

Answers to these questions and more in the next edition of Soap

Title: Times of Darkness, Times of Light
Author: Justin
Rating: R
Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters in this story, nor the setting.
Distribution: Anyone can take it, just let me know
Summary: Tara goes home
Note: Many thanks to AntigoneUnbound for betaing this story.

Family Redux

Chapter 3

As they left the motel Tara said, “I would show you my school, but it's almost an hour's drive away.”

“That's a long way out, for such a small town.”

“Well we shared the school with two other towns.”

Willow nodded. “That explains it.”

It took just a few minutes to reach the town centre which was little more than a crossroads with a few shops.

“It's bigger than I remember it,” Tara said, looking around.

“Bigger?”

“Well there's a new mobile phone shop.”

Coming to a sudden halt Willow turned around in a slow circle, a shocked expression on her face.

“Willow, what's wrong?”

“There's...” Willow stopped, having trouble to finishing the sentence, “There's no Starbucks here.”

“Wow, you're right. I guess they're not everywhere after all.” Tara looked wide eyed as she said this. “Come on.”

Tara led Willow into a book store. “I used to spend most of my free time here. The owner used to say I was trying to read all the books in the store.”

“I was trying that as well. Except it was all the books in the library.”

“Well our school library only had five books. It looks like this place has new owners.”

As they were leaving Willow noticed a symbol, a circle with an eye in it, sprayed on the window. Just when I thought there was no graffiti in this town.
***

After quickly going round the bookshop Tara took Willow out to a small grove of trees a short way from the town centre.

“This is lovely,” Willow said, “Did you come here often?”

“I came if I wanted to meditate, or get away from stuff.”

“Was that stuff stuff, or family stuff?”

“A bit of both,” Tara grinned, “Donnie always wondered where I was going but somehow he never found this place.”

“Good, I'd hate to think of the mess he'd make of it.”

After spending some time in the grove Willow and Tara started walking back to the motel. As they were heading down the main street a voice called out, “Tara!”

Willow and Tara turned to the voice. They saw a young woman with bleached blonde hair who was wearing low hanging jeans and a top which showed off her midriff. Oh look it's cousin larleen come to visit from the trailer park, Willow thought.

Raising her hand Tara called, “Sarah!”

Oops.

“Ooh, so this is Sarah,” Willow said, her voice low.

Tara gave Willow a playful smile. “You said you weren't jealous.”

“And I'm not, doesn't mean I don't want to meet your first crush, I mean your best friend at school.”

“Come on.”

When they had crossed over Sarah hugged Tara saying, “Tara, I thought that you'd gotten away from here for good.”

“I'm just here to visit my father.”

Stepping away Sarah said, “So aren't you going to introduce me to your girlfriend?”

“This is Willow, my...” Tara stopped as she realised what Sarah had said. “You knew?”

“That you're gay? We were friends for years, of course I knew. Well I suspected. Seeing you with Willow here kind of confirmed it. Hello Willow.”

“Hello,” Willow answered. Willow chided herself for her initial thoughts. You shouldn't judge a book by it's cover. After all you never liked it when Cordelia made fun of you for your clothes. Besides she seems nice and if Tara was friends with her there must be more to than meets the eye.

“How's your father?” Tara asked.

“Didn't you hear? No I don't suppose you would have. He died last year.”

“I'm sorry.”

“Well if you have time, maybe we can catch up?”

“Sorry we're due at my father's. Maybe we can meet up this evening.”

“I'd like that.” Turning to Willow she said, “It was nice meeting you.”

“Likewise.”

As they were walking away Sarah said, “I was wrong.”

Turning back Tara gave her a confused look.

“The last time I saw you, before you left for university, I said you should have chosen somewhere closer. I was wrong. Getting away from here was the best thing you ever did.”

Tara took a step forwards, then stopped, “Sarah, is something wrong?”

“Ever since my father died...” Sarah shook her head, “I don't want to get you caught up in it all. Just don't make the same mistake as Lot's wife.”

***

Willow and Tara went straight back to the motel, where they were forced to wake Buffy and Dawn up. Once the two sisters were ready they went across to the cafe opposite the motel. After finishing breakfast, they set off again.

"So here we are," Tara said as she pulled up alongside a large timber frame building. It looked like it had once been kept in good repair but was starting to show signs of neglect. Some of the boards were starting to come loose and the windows obviously hadn't been cleaned in a while. A set of steps led up a porch ran along the length of the house.

"It's really big," Buffy said, moving her head to take in the extent of the building.

"Yeah, my grandfather made a lot of it and my father did the rest." Tara ran up to a set of wind chimes that were hanging next to the door. “My mom got these. She used to collect them.” She knocked a couple starting a soft ringing sound. “I don't think my dad really liked them but he never got rid of them.” Leaving the chimes Tara went to the door and knocked on it and waited. After a couple of minutes she knocked again.

“We're not early are we?” Buffy asked.

“No, he said eleven o'clock.”

“Maybe he got held up somewhere,” Willow suggested. Walking up to Tara she noticed something painted next to the front door. It looked like the graffiti she'd seen on the shop in town.

“Maybe.” Tara walked away from the porch, looking up at the windows, “Where are Donnie and Beth? Maybe there was an emergency they had to go to.”

Willow went to join Tara. Taking her hand she asked, “So what...” She stopped as a police car pulled up into the drive. Feeling Tara tense up she asked, “Are you okay?”

Tara just nodded.

The door of the car opened and a youngish man got out. “Tara, so you are back.”

“Jimmy? You're a deputy now?”

“Yeah, Sheriff Morrison hired me.”

“I guessed he would have taken over from Hendricks. So what's going on? Is something wrong with my father?”

“Tara, I'm sorry to do this.” He leaned over and pulled a shotgun from out of the car, “but you and your friends are under arrest.”


***

The beast studied the newcomers. The first was a slayer. Boring. The problems with slayers was they had no nuance. Then there was a normal, the sister of the slayer. She seemed to have a certain amount of insecurity about her place in the group, how much she contributed. Which might be interesting, if you were into that sort of thing.

The next was a witch. Now this was more like it. She had a fierce protective streak when it came to her lover, which might be manipulated.

Then there was the last one. For a while the beast couldn't believe what it was sensing. She'd come back. One of the two only people to not be affected by the darkness that pervaded the town. She had changed so much though, it almost hadn't recognised her. She had left, scared and alone but was returning confident, and with friends. The beast wondered how the town would deal with this new and improved version.

This was going to be all kinds of fun.

TBC

[WillowRulez]

Getting more and more intrigued here!

“There's...” Willow stopped, having trouble to finishing the sentence, “There's no Starbucks here.”
“Wow, you're right. I guess they're not everywhere after all.” Tara looked wide eyed as she said this. “Come on.”

Ohwow, a town mainstream hasnt hit yet haha.
Sarah and Tara... hihi, you couldnt resist hm?
Cant wait for an update and more info on the graffiti!

[tarebear]

hey justin... i've seen this thread for a while now but i've never had the time to start reading and i'm kicking myself because of it... i'm still on the second page, but i really absolutely am engrossed in the story! i will leave proper feedback when i do get to finish through it... i just wanted you to know that i really am hooked to this story now and can't wait to finish up the rest of the story so far...

this is just an amazing story, justin.... i just found another story to look forward to and you found another fan in me!

keep up the great work!

[justin]

WillowRulez: Hi,

Ohwow, a town mainstream hasnt hit yet haha.

Shocking isn't it?

Though mainstream is starting to make it's presence felt, with the mobile phone shop. So maybe it won't be long before every other shop is a Starbucks

Cant wait for an update and more info on the graffiti!

Well you won't have to wait for the update. However info on the graffiti will take a bit longer

Thanks for the feedback

Cecille: Thanks I'm glad you're enjoying what you've read so far.

his is just an amazing story, justin.... i just found another story to look forward to and you found another fan in me!

You're making me blush

Thanks for the feedback and the kind words


Title: Times of Darkness, Times of Light
Author: Justin
Rating: R
Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters in this story, nor the setting.
Distribution: Anyone can take it, just let me know
Summary: Tara goes home
Note: Many thanks to AntigoneUnbound for betaing this story.

Family Redux

Chapter 4

"Come on Tara," Emily, her mother said. "We're almost there."

Tara nodded as she sped up, not sure what was going on. All she knew was that her mother had come in the middle of the night, while her father was off playing cards with his friends, and told her to get dressed. Once they'd packed up some clothes they'd gone out and started walking towards the local train station.

"Now where do you think you're going?" a voice asked from behind them.

Emily froze a moment. "We were just going for a walk, Deputy."

"Is that so," Deputy Morrison said as he walked round in front of them. "You wouldn't be thinking about leaving the town would you?"

"So what if we are?" Emily asked. "I don't see how it's anything to do with you."

The deputy backhanded her across the mouth. "You see, that's where you're wrong. Your husband asked me to keep an eye on the two of you, make sure that you didn't get any funny ideas."

All her life Tara had been told that she was a demon. Never had she believed it more than that night as she felt her blood boil with anger at seeing her mother struck. She threw herself at the deputy, but he caught hold of her, holding her by the throat.

"Let my daughter go!" Emily shouted. She began to move towards the deputy, her face twisted with anger. Tara quailed a little at this behaviour from her normally quiet spoken mother. She wondered if this was another sign of the demon within her.

The deputy drew his gun and aimed it at her. "Or you'll do what? Now why don't we all go home, wait for your husband. We'll see what he has to say about your little 'walk'."

***

The Carolfield sheriff's office contained three cells. They had never all been used up till now. Buffy and Dawn were in the first cell, Tara in the second and Willow in the third.

After locking them up, the deputy put the keys away in a drawer in a desk on the other side of the room, much to their annoyance. He then went outside.

A while later a middle aged man walked in. He looked over the occupants of the cells before saying, “Well if you just aren't the biggest load of reprobates I've ever had in my cells.” He went to stand in front of Tara's cell, “I've heard stories that you can do magic, and maybe they're true. Your mother was a weird one. Though I think if you could you'd have escaped by now. Anyway if you were planning anything then think on this. If you do try to escape make sure you succeed and you all get away because if you don't I'm going to kill one of your friends."

"I'd like to see you try," Buffy said.

Morrison's pistol was out in a moment and pointing at her. "Did you say something?"

"You're brave enough when you've got a gun in your hands."

Dawn hissed, "Buffy, don't mock the man with the gun."

Morrison laughed. "So your name's Buffy? That figures, it goes so well with your intellect."

“She's right though,” Tara said. “You're a coward unless you're pointing a gun at someone.”

Paul turned back to Tara. “So what happened? You suddenly grow a spine while you were in California?”

Folding her arms across her chest, Tara just stared at him.

Paul stepped back and levelled his gun at Tara. “You can stop looking at me like that, right now.”

“I do hope you're not planning on shooting my daughter,” Donald Maclay said from the doorway.

Paul holstered his gun. “No, I was just teaching her some manners.”

“I find a slap round the mouth normally does the trick. The vicar is ready and I assume your son is... well enough.”

Paul looked annoyed a moment. “He's as sober as he's ever going to be.”

“Well then we should get going.”

The sheriff walked up to Tara's cell. “You remember what I said about what would happen to your friends.” He unlocked the cell door and beckoned Tara out.

“Tara!” Willow cried, running to the cell bars.

“Willow, I...” Tara stopped, not knowing what to say.

“Come on,” The sheriff grabbed Tara's arm and led her out.

“Tara, I'm going to stop this,” Willow shouted after her.

***

Shortly after the sheriff had left with Tara the door opened and Sarah came in. Standing the deputy said, “Sarah, what are you doing here?”

“I wanted to see the prisoners.”

“I'm not sure that's...”

“Tara was my friend for a long time. I wanted to see the people who made her forget her place.”

“Well I guess...”

Ignoring him Sarah walked to the first cell. “You people disgust me. How could you? Taking advantage of a poor girl like Tara, is that what big city folk like you do for fun?” Without waiting for a response she went on to Willow's cell. “And you're the worst of the lot. I don't know what you did to her but it sickens me.” Without warning she grabbed a stone and threw it at Willow. It missed by a narrow margin, hitting the wall behind her.

“Now, Sarah, I think you should go,” The deputy said, looking faintly embarrassed by this outburst.

“I've said my piece. I could do with some help though. My boiler's playing up again.”

“Well...” The deputy looked at the cells.

“What are they going to do? Magic themselves out of there?”

“Well I guess it won't hurt for a little while.”

When they had both gone Buffy said, “So that was the girl Tara had a crush on. No offence but Tara's taste in women left a lot to be desired. Um, until she met you that is.”

Willow had been crouched down, looking at the stone Sarah had thrown at her. Standing she said, “I think she had great taste.” She held up a key, which had been taped to the underside of the stone.

“What?” Buffy said, “Where did she get that from?”

Willow turned to unlock her cell door. “I don't know. Maybe we can ask her when we see her next.”

As Willow unlocked the door to Buffy and Dawn's cell Buffy said, “Right we've got bigger things to worry about. Though, for the record I take back all the bad things I thought about Sarah in the last few minutes,”

TBC

[WillowRulez]

You totally fooled me there! When Sarah was being mean too I started suspecting that it's the town making people evil... since i couldnt picture her being evil on her own. But yay! She is genuine... but Mr Maclay... now what is up with that prick?
Men and guns... unbelievable. Hope Buffy will get a chance to kick some ass!
Great update, as usual.

[Useful_Oxymoron]

Wow, poor Tara. :( Being set up for what's basically a shotgun wedding here. Yay for Sarah, though! You had me fooled there for a moment.

Morisson making fun of Buffy's name? Oh, that was a bad move... I sense violence ahead. Uh, please?

Do update soon, let Willow kick out that drunk and take his place at the altar.

UO

[Tues]

Justin, you just had to didn't you?

Actually on second thought, don’t post anything new, I can barely read the few fics I’ve ventured into and keep up on my own.

I'm afraid I'm going to have to disapoint you, since I'll be posting more in the next few days.

I know I'm just so mean

"Mean", but in a good way! Ok, I am throughly distracted at this point so I might as well enjoy myself. And I am enjoying your fic, each installment gets better and better. There's so much going on, not just with each chapter but the background story as a whole.

So, I'm always wary of Tara's family when they show up.

[justin]

WillowRulez:

I started suspecting that it's the town making people evil... since i couldnt picture her being evil on her own

I'd hold onto that thought

Great update, as usual.

Thanks


Useful_Oxymoron:

I sense violence ahead. devil devil Uh, please?

Another order of hiney whooping.

Thanks for the feedback, I hope you like how the rest of the story

TuesBlu

each installment gets better and better.

Thanks. I'm glad there's improvement. Though a lot of that is down to the adivce of my beta, HoMary

So, I'm always wary of Tara's family when they show up.

With good reason it seems

Thanks for the feedback

The next chapter should be up in the next few days

[justin]

Title: Times of Darkness, Times of Light
Author: Justin
Rating: R
Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters in this story, nor the setting.
Distribution: Anyone can take it, just let me know
Summary: Tara goes home
Note: Many thanks to AntigoneUnbound for betaing this story.

Family Redux

Chapter 5

As soon as they reached the house, Willow sped up running towards it. “Willow, wait!” Buffy called. “Their cars aren't here.” Realising Willow hadn't heard her, Buffy said to Dawn, “You better wait in the car.” She then sprinted into the house. As she got into the house Willow came rushing downstairs.

“They're not here!” Willow moaned.

“Tara's father said something about a vicar. They've probably already gone to the nearby church,” Buffy guessed.

“But we don't know where that is.” Willow could feel herself become hysterical.

Buffy grabbed Willow's shoulders and steadied her. “Willow, calm down. We'll find her.”

Willow stopped and took a couple of breaths. “You're right, panicking won't solve anything. We need to come up with a plan.”

“Or we could ask the person who just drove up here,” Dawn said, having entered the room. Following her out the front they saw a car in the drive.

The door opened and Sarah got out. Seeing them she smiled and said, “Good, you managed to get out.”

“Thanks to you, yes.” Running over to her, Willow said, “They've taken Tara to see a vicar. Do you know where the church is?”

“Damn, they're really going to make Tara marry that drunk. Yes. I'll take you all.”

As they were getting in Willow said, “What? Marry? Marry who?”

“Jeb, the sherriff's son. A few days ago he was boasting about how he was going to marry Tara. I didn't pay much attention since he had a tendency to get drunk and claim he was going to marry someone or other from this town.” Sarah shook her head. “It makes sense though. That bastard Morrison gets his hands on the Maclay money, while Donald gets someone to keep Tara in line.”

“Buffy, We...” Willow couldn't finish the sentence.

“Don't worry we'll stop this.”

Sarah started the car and sped away.

***

Donald took Tara into a side room. “We'll just wait in here while Paul gets his son ready.”

“Why are you doing this?”

Donald spun round to face her, “Why? You have to be kept under control. Can't be allowed to wander round free. Who knows how many people the demon in you will hurt.”

“I don't have...” Tara stopped realising her father wouldn't listen. “Do you really think this will work? I have friends who know where I am. They'll find me, have the marriage annulled.”

“So? The sheriff and I have friends. Friends in the local council who will swear you agreed to this willingly. If your friends try to force things then maybe things will go badly for them.”

As Tara looked at her father it dawned on her. When he had visited Sunnydale he had said that Tara's grandfather had told him he would need to control her. She now realised that he had become so obsessed with this idea, that it had destroyed any ability for rationale thought. Why else would he try such an insane idea. That thought made Tara stop. Did she really think her father was insane? Tara was forced to admit that she did.

There was one thing she needed to know. “If you're so convinced you need to control me, why did you let me leave? Why let me go to University?”

“Well you were starting to get a bit above yourself. Starting to think for yourself a bit too much. Since you were such a shy girl I figured that if I let you go out by yourself, well you'd be so frightened by what you saw, you'd come running right back. Begging us to protect you from the big bad world.” Donald scowled. “Well that didn't work out, but I'm going to correct that mistake.”

***

“We're almost there,” Sara said as she turned off the main road onto a narrow dirt track and soon a small church was in sight. Sarah pulled up behind the sheriff's car. “Okay, so what's...” Buffy stopped as Willow threw the door open and jumped out. Buffy quickly got out after her saying, “Willow! Wait, we need a plan.”

“Buffy, go 'round the back and be ready to provide backup.”

“Backup?” By that time Willow was entering the church. Buffy turned to Sarah and Dawn. “Wait out here and cover our backs.” She then ran to the back of the church.

***

Tara was having trouble getting her mind round what was happening. She was still finding it hard to believe her father was doing this. It had all been a lie. He hadn't wanted to make amends. He had just wanted to lure Tara here so he could force her to marry.

“We are all gathered here to witness the marriage of Jeb Morisson and Tara Maclay.”

Tara glanced at her husband to be. He was barely able to stand up by himself. When Tara had left he had had a reputation for a violent temper. Tara shuddered at the thought of being married to him. Come on you've got to shake yourself out of this, Tara thought to herself. You need to come up with a plan. There was a spell she could use but it would be difficult to finish it without being caught. Tara knew that if something went wrong then it would be Willow who paid the price. She decided to wait and hope for an opportunity.

“If anyone has any reasonable objection why these two should not enter into holy matrimony then speak now or forever hold your peace.”

For some reason Tara felt a glimmer of hope, even though she knew there was no one there to object.

The door burst open. “I object!” Willow shouted.

Even with the current situation Tara couldn't help smiling. She had told Willow several times that she'd seen Shrek too often, and this just proved it.

“What the hell?” Paul started towards Willow his hand on his pistol.

Realising that this was her chance, Tara began chanting the words for the spell.

Turning away from the interruption Jeb noticed that Tara was mumbling something. “Cut that out,” he said, backhanding Tara across the face. He reeled back in pain, an angry red mark across his face.

“A justice spell?” Willow muttered, glancing at Tara. “Are you sure that's wise?” She turned to Paul who had drawn his gun. “You don't want to do that,”

“Now why wouldn't I want to kill a pervert like you? The fact is I'm rather giddy at the idea.” Raising the gun he pulled the trigger. The pistol exploded. Paul shrieked with pain as he cradled the remains of his hand to his chest.

“What have you done?” Jeb grabbed Tara by the shoulders and shook her, only to find himself thrown back away from her. The window smashed and Buffy came flying in.

“Now boarding the express train to Painsville,” Buffy said, as she scanned the room.

“Buffy wait,” Tara said. “I cast a justice spell.”

“A what now?”

“A justice spell,” Willow repeated as she moved towards Tara, keeping a wary eye on all the others in the room. “Any attempt to harm anyone in this room will rebound on you.”

“Tara, end this nonsense,” Donald said.

“No, I'm leaving and I'm never going to come back here again. This place isn't my home any more, it never was.”

“You heard the lady,” Buffy said. “If I see any of you in Sunnydale, believe me when I say that you won't leave again. Ow!” Buffy reached to the back of her head.

“Buffy, remember, justice spell?” Willow said. “Death threats really aren't a good idea.”

Buffy looked annoyed. “But they had it coming.”

“Yeah, well justice is blind.” Willow shrugged.

“That's the problem with this sort of spell,” Tara added. “Everyone is judged.”

“Yeah, well it stinks.” Buffy muttered.

“No!” The priest moaned. Turning they saw what he was looking at. The statue of the Virgin Mary had started crying. He spun round to face Tara. “You did this, using your heathen magic in here.”

“No, it was you. Forcing someone to marry, is that the right thing to do? Is it the Christian thing?”

“How dare you, a person like you, criticising me. It's intolerable.”

Tara shook her head, knowing that she'd never get through to him. Turning to Willow and Buffy she said, “Let's get out of here.”

Tara had taken a couple of steps when she heard the all too familiar sound of a shotgun being pumped. She felt a chill remembering the times her father made her go with him and her brother on their hunting trips. She had come to hate the sound of them loading their guns, seeing it as a sign something was about to die. Turning Tara saw her father aiming it at her. “Tara you come back to the altar and you go through with this wedding.”

“Haven't you been paying attention? Don't you know what will happen if you try to shoot me?”

“Oh I know, so do you. I guess you have no choice but to end the spell and come back here, unless you want my blood on your hands.”

“Tara he's bluffing,” Buffy said.

Tara stared at her father and knew her earlier thoughts about him being mad were right. “No he isn't.” Tara chanted a few moments then said, “The spell's ended.”

“You always were weak.” Donald grinned and beckoned for Tara to come over.

“Tara, you can't do this,” Willow pleaded.

Tara turned to smile at Willow. “Come on, I've had enough of this place.”

“But didn't you end the spell?” Buffy asked.

Tara nodded and started towards the exit. Willow and Buffy hurried to catch up with her, with Buffy staying behind the other two, hoping to shield them from any shots.

***

Donald levelled his gun at his daughter. “Tara, you come back here or I swear to God I will shoot you dead.”

They kept walking, not paying any attention.

Donald let his gun fall a little, hesitating. Wouldn't it be better to let her leave, never see her again? But then a voice whispered in his ear, “Do it. Do it now.” Donald raised the gun and pulled the trigger.

Donald felt himself being punched in the chest and was thrown backwards. He tried to stand, but his legs wouldn't move. He tried to ask what had happened, but all that came out was a wet gurgle.

He sensed Father Graham kneeling beside him, and starting praying.

Those are the last rites. Why is he reading...

***

Running over, Dawn asked them, “Are you all okay?”

“Yes, but we need to call for an ambulance,” Buffy answered.

“No,” Sarah said. “You need to get out of here.” Turning to Tara she went on, “Remember I said you don't want to get caught up in this, I meant it. You better get going. I'll call the state police.”

Paul came running out of the church. “Stop!”

Sarah pulled a revolver out of her bag and aimed it at him. “Stay where you are.” She turned to Tara. “Go! I won't let anyone find out you were here.”

Paul started edging towards Sarah, hoping to get the gun from her.

“You killed my daddy.” Sarah pulled back the hammer on her gun. “Just give me an excuse.”

***

Driving back to the motel Tara stared out of the window, barely aware of the passing scenery. Behind her she heard Dawn saying, “We heard gun shots. Was anyone hurt?”

“Tara's father.”

“Is he...”

“Not now Dawn,” Buffy said. “We'll discuss it later,”

***

When they got back to the motel, none of them really felt like eating, but also didn't feel like going straight to their rooms. Sitting in a small foyer at the front of the motel Tara felt herself slipping into a daze, as she had in the car. She was barely aware of Willow putting her arm around her, or the others talking.

Buffy asked, “So do you think the police will come after us? I've done the whole fugitive thing and I don't really want to do it again.”

Forcing herself to come round Tara answered, “I doubt it. Sarah said she'd keep them from finding out about us, and I trust her.”

“Do you think your father's okay?” Dawn asked.

Tara shook her head. “He was hit at point blank range with a shotgun, there's no way.” Looking down Tara realised that she'd been ripping her napkin up. Collecting the pieces together she shoved them in her pocket.

“But you said you had ended the spell,” Buffy said.

“I had.”

“So why did his gun backfire?”

Tara shrugged. “I really don't know.” Tara rubbed her eyes. “I feel so stupid. I was actually starting to hope that they'd changed, that I might actually have a proper family.”

Willow took Tara's hand and squeezed it. “You do.” All the others agreed with this.

Looking round at the small group Tara smiled. “Thanks, I appreciate all your support.” Tara tried to express how she was thinking, but couldn't. All she felt was empty. Turning to Willow she said, “I think I should get some sleep.”

“Sure,” Willow said, standing.

As they left Dawn muttered to Buffy, “I wish we hadn't come.”

***

Donald Maclay tried to work out where he was. He seemed to be in a large white room. Standing he looked round. There didn't seem to be any way out. No sooner had he thought that than he spotted what seemed to be a door. It was the same colour as the walls, which was why he had missed it. Walking over to it Donald pushed the door open. He stared through into the next room for a few minutes, without moving. Then, overcome by what he'd seen, he sank to his knees, sobbing loudly.

***

The beast settled down, satisfied at the outcome of the days events. It had just had to nudge things a little and now a whole can of worms had been opened over the town. Now it was just a matter of sitting back and watching the fireworks.

TBC

[WillowRulez]

Those are the last rites. Why is he reading...

Oops... Mwhaha!
What is he doing in a WHITE room? I say, get the dark one out!
What's gonna happen next??? I have my theories on what he saw but I dont wanna embarass myself. Even though I wasnt too wrong about my thoughts about the last update...
Please update real soon!

[justin]

WIlowRulez: Thanks for the feedback.

The next update should be in the next couple of days

[Useful_Oxymoron]

Well, an ass-whuppin' you surely delivered, kind sir. Sherrif lost a hand, Donald Maclay is somewhere in a white room... makes me wonder what he saw, though.

I seems that, even though the spell had ended, the universe wasn't quite ready to let him off the hook that easily. Nicely done.

[Tues]

Justin-

I knew I didn't trust Tara's father . Ha - payback! But, I tell you that demon worries me. And, what about that 'wish' at the end?

...maybe I read to much into it all.

So what merry little ride will you take us on next?

-TuesBlu

[justin]

Useful_Oxymoron: Glad you liked the ass-whupping

makes me wonder what he saw, though.

He saw Keith and Orville singing Orville's song. Enough to reduce anyone to tears

I wish I could fly right up to the sky but I can't

*shudder*

Thanks for the feedback

TuesBlu:

I knew I didn't trust Tara's father

Definitely not trustworthy

And, what about that 'wish' at the end?

Don't worry there were no vengeance demons around at the time.

So what merry little ride will you take us on next?

WIll be revealed shortly

Thanks for the feedback

Title: Times of Darkness, Times of Light
Author: Justin
Rating: R
Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters in this story, nor the setting.
Distribution: Anyone can take it, just let me know
Summary: Tara goes home
Note: Many thanks to AntigoneUnbound for betaing this story.

Family Redux


Chapter 6

Tara woke up to a feeling of warmth. Willow had rolled up behind her and had put an arm around her, as though shielding Tara from the world. Tara couldn't help smiling. She knew it would be a while before she could come to terms with what had happened, but she also knew that as long as she could keep waking up like this, it didn't matter.

“Morning,” Willow breathed in her ear. “I know it's a dumb question, but how are you feeling?”

“Numb mainly.” After a while she said, “Willow. Do you think I messed it up?”

“What, sweetie?”

“Reversing the justice spell. Do you think I did that wrong?”

“Well if you did, it wouldn't have been your fault. I mean with everything that was happening it wasn't a good time to be doing magic.”

“So maybe I shouldn't have cast the spell in the first place.”

“No. You didn't have any choice. Not good choices anyway. Your father did though. He could have let you leave but he chose to try to shoot you. Anything that happened to him is a result of that choice.”

Tara nodded.

“Besides you may not have messed the spell up.”

“Dad always kept good care of his firearms. I don't know what else would have made it backfire.”

“I think I sensed something in the church. A presence. Didn't you sense anything?”

“No.” Tara thought back to what had happened, trying to recall anything out of the ordinary. All she could remember, though, was her father levelling shotgun at her. “Though as you said it was a rather intense situation.”

“Well I only sensed it for a moment, but it seemed nasty and bad, very large with the badness. Maybe that was...”

Tara interrupted, “I guess we'll never know for certain.”

“No, I guess not.”

***

There was a knock at the door. Going to answer it Tara saw that it was Sarah.

“Hi, I wanted to see how you were doing, and let you know the news.”

As Tara moved to let the other girl in, Willow asked, “So what's going to happen?”

“Well the state police arrived just in time to hear Father Graham confess.”

“Confess?” Tara looked confused. Had he told the police about the wedding?

“Yeah, seems he saw the sheriff shooting my dad and had been blackmailing him. He confessed everything and they've both been taken into custody.”

“What about us?”

“Don't worry, no one knows you were there. The sheriff was thinking about telling till I explained that if he did some of his fellow inmates in prison might somehow find out that he's a cop. That put him off the idea.”

“Sarah can I ask you something?” Willow asked. “Where did you get the key for the cells from?” She knew it was a small thing but it had been bothering her.

“Didn't I tell you?” Tara said. “Sarah's father was the sheriff here.”

“He had a spare set of keys he left at home,” Sarah added. She shrugged. “I guess I never got round to turning them in after he was murdered.”

“Thanks for all your help,” Tara said. “You've been a good friend.”

Sarah looked uncomfortable at this. After a moment she said, “Tara, can I talk to you alone?”

They both went outside. As Tara closed the door Sarah said, “I heard you cast a justice spell in the church? Make people pay for their crimes? I guess it's a good thing I wasn't in there then.”

“But you haven't done anything wrong.”

“Haven't I? Sometimes inaction is a crime, if you know something bad's happening and you remain silent.”

“Sarah, what's this about?”

“Tara remember I said I always suspected you were gay. That wasn't the only thing I suspected. I mean how many times can one person walk into a door, or a wall. No one's that clumsy.”

“Sarah...”

“I suspected what was happening, but I never asked. I never asked because I was afraid you'd tell me, and I didn't want to know.” Sarah broke off a moment. Swallowing she went on, “I was happier not knowing.”

“Sarah it wasn't your fault.” Tara looked away as she felt her eyes fill. “You couldn't have done anything.”

“I could have told someone!”

“So could I. So could my mom, but neither of us did, because we thought we deserved it.”

“You didn't.”

“I know. There's only one person to blame for what my dad did and it isn't you.”

“I know but...”

Tara took Sarah's hand. “You can't change the past Sarah, all you can do is learn from it.” Tara put her arms round Sarah and hugged her. Pulling away she said, “Sarah, there's something I want you to do.”

“Anything.”

“I want you to follow your own advice. Leave this place, and don't look back.”

Sarah nodded. “There's nothing here for me any more.”

When Sarah had left Tara dried her eyes and went back inside.

“So what did...” Willow started, walking towards Tara. Seeing that her eyes were red she said, “Tara, what's wrong? Did she say something to upset you?”

Tara shook her head, blinking in an effort to keep the tears in. “She just reminded me of some things. Things I'd tried hard to forget.”

Willow slipped her Tara. As Tara returned the embrace she let herself start crying. Letting the built up emotion from the last couple of days pour out of her.

***

Willow left the room at the same time that Buffy was leaving hers. “Oh hi Buffy. How'd you sleep?”

“Terribly. The bed was terrible and...” Buffy blushed. “I didn't sleep at all well.”

Tara came out to join them. “Hey Buffy.”

“Morning Tara, how are you?”

“Coping. Glad I've got my friends with me.”

“We're all glad to be here.” Buffy looked round to Dawn's room. “I'll get the sleepy head up, then we can get going.”

Willow nodded. “We'll get the car packed up.”

***

Once Dawn and Buffy were ready they headed to the car. Seeing Willow on her own Buffy asked, “Where's Tara?”

“She's just using the girls room.”

After waiting a few minutes Tara joined them saying, “Buffy, did you bring any weapons?”

“A couple of stakes and a sword. Why? Did you see a monster in the toilet?”

“Willow, remember you said you felt a malevolent presence in the church? I think we should check it out.”

“Are you sure?” Buffy asked. “I'd have thought you'd want to head straight back home.”

“I do, but I don't like to leave whatever it is there.”

They drove back to the church. Willow and Tara began getting supplies from the car while Buff checked to make sure no one was about. Once she had reported that the coast was clear they all headed in. Willow and Tara began drawing symbols on the floor while Dawn set up some candles and Buffy kept watch. Once all the preparations were made Willow and Tara began chanting.

After a while a tall, skinny figure with dark grey skin appeared. “Alright, I hear you.”

“Is this the thing you sensed,” Tara asked,

Willow nodded.

“What are you?” Tara asked the beast.

“I am known only as the Beast. I have been been in this town for a long time, watching all the conflicts between the townspeople. How I enjoyed them.”

“Watching?” Willow said. “Don't you mean causing them?”

“Sometimes I interceded, like yesterday but mostly I didn't need to. You see there is a darkness eating away at the spirit of this town. It's touch has affected everyone who lives here, corrupting them in some way. I mean almost everyone.”

“Who hasn't been affected?” Tara asked.

“You witch, and your mother. You both seemed to be immune to it's influence. Not that it matters since your mother is dead and you will be soon.” With that it charged at her. Tara realised that while it had been talking the beast had been moving, getting into position so it could attack her. She knew there was nothing she could do in... There was a flash of movement and the beasts head came off, rolling to a stop at Tara's feet. Looking round Tara saw Buffy by its body, sword in hand. She worked out that while the Beast had been moving to attack her, Buffy had been moving to stop it.

“H-how... How did you know?”

Buffy gave Tara an incredulous look. “I am the slayer.” She twirled the sword round once. “The knights of Byzantium might have been an annoying bunch but they made good swords.”

“Do we need to...” Dawn started to ask, stopping as she saw the Beast's body dissolve.

“Well that's that taken care of,” Buffy said.

“What about this darkness it spoke about?” Willow asked.

“I don't know,” Tara said. “I don't even know if it's telling the truth.”

“Well I suggest we get out of here,” Buffy said. To which everyone agreed.

As they walked out of the church Buffy said, “You're probably pretty wrecked with everything that's happened so I thought I'd drive, let you get some rest.”

Both Willow and Tara looked doubtful at this.

“What? I'm a good driver.”

“Of course,” Tara said. “Thank you.”

Getting in the back seat Tara rested her head on Willow's shoulder. “I'll be glad to get home.”

“You and me both.”

They were thrown forward as Buffy slammed the brakes on in order to avoid a car. “That maniac. He came out of nowhere.”

“Of course he did, Buffy.” Willow put her arm round Tara. “You should get...” She stopped when she saw Tara was asleep.

***

The man walked towards the new school building. How long had it been since he had started hearing the voice? He knew it had only been a few months, yet a part of him felt as though he'd heard it all his life. Ordering him about, telling him what to do. He would be free of it now, though. There was just one thing thing he needed to do. Finding a window he smashed it and clambered in. He then walked slowly towards where the trophies were kept. Finding the display case he began looking through all the trophies, looking for one in particular. It had been won years ago. Having survived the explosion it had been kept in storage till the new school had been built and put among the new trophies. Finding the one he wanted he smashed the glass of the case and grabbed it. Putting it on the floor he got a large hammer out of his coat. “At last I'll be free.” He slammed the hammer down on the trophy, breaking it. There was a gust of wind and a light floated out of the trophy. It rose up off the floor, growing in brightness, till he couldn't see any more. When the light vanished, it took a moment for him to be able to see again. When he could, there was a woman standing in front of him.

“Thanks,” she said, before plunging her fist into his chest. Pulling his heart out she dropped it on top of him before skipping away.

TBC in She's Back

[WillowRulez]

I knew Buffy was in town for a reason! Hehe. Though that killing seemed kinda too easy to me. Or am I just being paranoid?
Am really curious to find out who that 'he' is and I assume the 'she' is Mrs. Madison? Oh dear lord, I hope not
Great update, as usual

[Thianne]

you know, i really like it so far, and i'll wait anxiously for an update, but....just for the record, did you know that tara's mother's name continued changing from samantha to melissa to emily? or did i just dream that? it could be, i am very tired, after all.....
anyway, good job!

[justin]

WillowRulez:

I knew Buffy was in town for a reason! Hehe.

Yes, Buffy's always handy to have around if there's something you want decapitated

Though that killing seemed kinda too easy to me. Or am I just being paranoid?

Don't worry that's the last we'll see of the beast

I assume the 'she' is Mrs. Madison?

Could be

Thanks

Thianne:

just for the record, did you know that tara's mother's name continued changing from samantha to melissa to emily? or did i just dream that?

No dream. That's her name Emily Samantha Melissa Maclay.

Donald has an aunt called Emily so he uses his wife's middle names.

That's my story and I'm sticking to it



I'm glad you're liking the story. Thanks for the feedback and for pointing out the "deliberate" mistake.

[justin]

What can I say? Sorry for taking so long with this update.

Title: Times of Darkness, Times of Light
Author: Justin
Rating: R
Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters in this story, nor the setting. Please don't sue me, and for the love of god don't set Captain Copyright on me.
Distribution: Anyone can take it, just let me know
Feedback:
If you like this story, leave a novella of your views
If you can't write a novella, then a paragraph will do,
If you can't write a paragraph, then write a line or two,
And if you can't write a line or two, then god bless you.


Summary: An old enemy returns, and much zany fun ensues.

Note: This update hasn't been betaed. If anyone would like to beta the rest of the story, then you will have my undying gratitude.

ETA: I've found a beta. Thanks Inlerf for offering

She's back

D minus 12 days

It was a largish cardboard box. It was made out of plain brown card and was held shut with a generous amount of brown string. There was an envelope taped to the top of the box which had Tara's name and address written on it in an elaborate script.

“So what do you think it is?” Willow was moving her head about, peering at the box from different angles, as if trying to see through it.

“The writing looks like Sarah's,” Tara said, indicating the envelope. Pulling it away she ripped it open. Removing a sheets paper, she read it out to Willow.

Dear Tara

I paid a visit to your house today. I found Donny and Beth arguing over the contents. Neither of them seemed interested in talking to me. Which is probably for the best, seeing as how talking to them gives me hives. Anyway there was a box of your mother's things on the porch. While Donny and Beth were arguing over a truly hideous lamp, I managed to, shall we say, liberate it. Hope to talk to you soon.

Love Sarah

Tara read on a bit then said, “Apparently Donny says I'm not to go back to Carolfield.” Tara shrugged, “I wasn't planning on it.”

Willow stared at Tara a moment, not quite trusting the nonchalant way in which Tara said that. reaching out she took the letter from Tara's loose grasp.

PS one thing Donny did say to me was that if you ever return to Carolfield he'll shoot you dead

“The little bastard,” Willow swore, the letter crumpled as her grip on it tightened.

“Willow!” Tara looked shocked as she lifted her head to stare at Willow. “You don't swear.”

“I do when I read about people threatening you.”

Taking Willow's hand Tara said, “It's okay. Like I said, I've got no intention of going back. Why would I? It's not my home any more, this is.”

Willow smiled at Tara a moment before turning to the box. “So this is your mother's stuff?”

“It seems so. I wonder what's in it?”

“Only one way to find out.” Standing, Willow left the room. She came back in with a knife that she handed to Tara.

Opening the box Tara said, “It looks like there's some of my mother's letters in here and her note books. She used to love drawing. Oh!”

“What?” Willow said, trying to see what had surprised Tara.

Tara pulled a necklace out of the box. Holding it up she said, “My father gave this to her shortly before she grew ill.”

It was a simple gold chain with a small gold disc at the end. Looking at it Willow noticed a symbol engraved on the disk, of an eye within a circle. Willow reached out to the necklace saying, “I've seen that...” As Willow's fingers came in contact with the chains she gave a cry of pain and her legs gave way. Quickly grabbing for the table she was able to slow descent her slightly, giving Tara enough time to be able to catch her.

Pulling Willow into her arms Tara asked, “Willow what's wrong? What happened?”

Willow just moaned softly in pain. Her eyes were rolled up into her head.

Hearing the scream Buffy rushed downstairs. Stopping in the doorway she demanded, “What's wrong?”

Tara looked up, confused. “I don't know, she just collapsed.”

Slowly Willow stopped shaking and her eyes returned to normal. As she started to grow stronger she managed to whisper, “I think I'm okay now.”

“So what happened?” Buffy asked, coming into the room and approaching the two women, From the way Willow had been screaming it had sounded like she was being burnt alive.

“It was when I touched the necklace.” Willow indicated the necklace on the floor, causing Buffy to take a step away from it. “It just felt as though my skin was on fire.” Willow shuddered, remembering the intensity of the pain.

After making sure Willow was okay, Tara bent to pick the necklace up.

“Tara don't,” Buffy warned.

“It's okay, I've touched it before.” Tara picked up the necklace without any harm. Tara stared at the necklace. She could remember when her father had gotten it for her mother. It had been an anniversary, the anniversary of when they had met. Her mother had been so happy to get it. After all Donald had never really cared about things like that. This was another indication of the change that seemed to be happening to him. Ever since Tara and her mother had tried to escape he had been a different man, as if he had realised how close he had come to losing them both. Not that it did him much good. A few months later Tara's mother began to grow ill, and she was dead within a year. Tara looked away, realising that Buffy had said something. “I'm sorry?”

“I said, where did it come from?” Buffy didn't like the idea of evil enchanted necklaces hurting her friends. It made her want to find the people responsible and make them feel the same pain.

“It had belonged to my mother.” Tara turned back to the necklace, wondering how something so innocuous could have hurt Willow in the way it had.

The silence was broken by Willow saying, “I think we need to get that to Giles.”

***

Before long they had arrived at the Magic Box and Willow was sitting at the main table, watching the others while she explained what had happened. Giles was looking at the necklace with a certain of amount of apprehension, despite having been told that it wouldn't hurt him. Buffy was pacing near the main counter, and Tara had commandeered the kettle in order to make Willow some herbal tea.

“So you're saying you saw this symbol while in Carolfield?” Giles said, finally picking up and examining the necklace. He turned it in the light, trying to get some idea of the magic within it.

“That's right,” Willow answered.

Tara handed her a mug saying, “Drink it all.” She watched Willow with concern, still frightened by Willow's earlier attack.

“Thanks.” Willow reached up and took Tara's hand a moment, giving her a small smile, silently reassuring her that she was okay.

Turning to the others Tara said, “I'm going to start researching.” She went to one of the bookshelves, with Buffy, obviously glad to have something to do, following,

Willow took a sip of the tea, grimacing at the heat, then went on, “It was on a shop and Tara's father's house.”

“Well I don't seem to be able to detect anything magical. There are some tests I can do which will show us if there are any spells hidden within it.” Giles carefully put the necklace into a small wooden box which he closed and placed on one of the shelves beneath the counter.

“Thank you Mr. Giles,” Tara said, as she returned from the book shelves. She and Buffy had gone to look for books on enchanted items and had each returned with a sizeable pile of books.

Giles looked a little surprised at all the books Buffy had.

Seeing this look Buffy said, “Okay, so I don't like research, but if we've got a magical doo-hickeys hurting Willow then I can deal with it.”

***

Buffy peered down the alleyway before slowly moving down it, motioning for Dawn to stay behind her. She was constantly scanning each side, watching out for any signs of an ambush. As they reached the end Buffy looked around for any possible hiding places before turning to Dawn and asking, "Are you sure you heard vampires down here?"

"I definitely heard someone screaming," Dawn insisted, wondering if she had been hearing things after all. As Dawn said this a cat jumped up onto a bin. It Meowed loudly, then ran off. Buffy turned to her sister, a smug expression on her face.

"Um well..." Dawn stammered. “Well shouldn't you have known, I mean with your fancy slayer hearing.”

“I guess I was too busy listening to you complaining,” Buffy counter automatically. she didn't have to think about bickering with her sister any more, it just came to her naturally.

Having checked out the alley they started back down it, but stopped as they saw two figures blocking their way. "Are they?" Dawn asked.

"Yes." Buffy answered as she drew a stake. She ran at the one on the left. The next moment she found herself flying down the alleyway. Buffy was still trying to figure out what had happened as the vampire approached her.

The second vampire slowly walked towards Dawn, who pulled a cross from her pocket. Holding the cross up Dawn began to back away down the corridor. The vampire snatched the cross out of her hand. It studied it for a few moments, then dropped it to the floor, before lunging at Dawn. Dawn quickly pulled a bottle of holy water and threw it in the vampires face. The vampire jumped back, clawing at it's face. Taking advantage of it's distraction Dawn grabbed a stake and struck at the vampire, only to have it grab her wrist as she was about to hit it. The vampire twisted her wrist, causing her to cry out in pain as she dropped the stake.

Buffy, who had been just about managing to hold her own as she fought the the vampire, turned for a moment, letting the vampire hit her. As she was recovering from this the vampire tripped her. Buffy closed her eyes as the vampire moved to strike her again, only to find herself being covered by dust. Opening her eyes Buffy saw Spike standing over her.

"I never saw you have that much trouble before now, you must be getting old." Spike smiled, any day in which he got to play the hero and save Buffy, was a good one in his books.

"Dawn!" Buffy gasped.

Dawn was quickly backing down the alley, trying to stay out reach of the vampire. "You might want to look behind you." Dawn said. The vampire just sneered then, spinning round it grabbed the stake Buffy had been swinging at it and pulled it out of her hand, before shoving her back.

Realising that it was outnumbered the vampire said, "Soon the time of darkness will be upon you and when it is you'll wish you had died tonight." With that it struck the stake into it's own heart.

"They're always with the threats." Buffy muttered. Then seeing Dawn cradling her wrist. "Dawn are you okay?"

"My wrist is hurt." Dawn answered.

"We better get you home." Buffy looked round for Spike so that she could thank him, but he had disappeared. "Oh great, now he's turned into Angel."

***

After getting ready for bed, Willow paused a moment to watch Tara. She was sitting up in bed reading a note book, a look of concentration on her face. She thought to herself, “That's the woman I'm going to marry.” Before lifting the sheets and crawling into bed beside Tara.

Tara closed up the book she'd been looking at and rolled over to look at Willow, “Are you okay?” Her brow furrowed with concern.

“Yes,” Willow smiled, trying to relieve Tara, “I mean it hurt a lot, more than a lot, I mean that's the kind of pain you don't want to go through more than once or even...” Willow stopped as she saw she was making Tara more, rather than less, concerned. “But no lasting harm done. I'm completely over it.”

“I don't like seeing you hurt,” Tara said. “It's a bit unnerving, knowing something so harmless looking could hurt you like that.”

Willow nodded, “Well I'm sure that Giles will be able to figure out why it affected me the way it did.” Noticing the book that Tara was holding she asked, “Is that one of your mother's note books?”

“Yes, I was looking at some of her drawings. Some of them seem to be telling a story.”

Tar a pointed at a picture which showed a woman chained to a wall. She was surrounded by demons who seemed to be enjoying her plight.

The next showed a young girl opening the woman's chains.

Tara turned the page. The next picture showed the woman killing the demons with a shining sword.

The last one showed the woman standing in a forest with various animals watching her.

“Well that's a happier picture,” Willow said.

“Maybe not,” Tara corrected. She pointed at a corner of the picture which showed the young girl lying on the ground, her neck broken.

“Okay, not so happy. I wonder what inspired these pictures?”

“I don't know. Unless it was the demon myth.”

Willow gave Tara a cheeky grin. “So do you want to look at the book or do you maybe want to do something else?”

Tara closed the book up and putting it on the table she rolled over to put her arm round Willow. “You have to ask?”

***

Tara tried to work out the scene in front of her. Her father was tied to two poles, his arms and legs pulled in an X formation. Wasn't he dead though? Then from Tara's left, Willow stepped into view, except looking different from how Tara had ever seen her. Her hair and eyes were black, and her face was twisted in a cruel sneer. Raising her hand she threw a bolt of lightning at Mr Maclay, causing him to scream with pain.

“Willow stop!” Tara pleaded.

Willow turned to Tara and grinned, “What's wrong lover?”

TBC

[inlerf]

rrr, rah. (pm, justin.)

[WillowRulez]

Hmhmhm... you weren't kidding about the darkness! The symbol, that dream... all very disconcerting.

Buffy looked round for Spike so that she could thank him, but he had disappeared. "Oh great, now he's turned into Angel."

Please no. Angel is so much more pleasant
Yay for updateness! I have been waiting (patiently) for one!

[justin]

WillowRulez: Thanks, I'm glad you enjoyed it. Yes there's quite a bit of darkness and there'll be more later *cue ominous music*

Sorry about the wait for an update.

Title: Times of Darkness, Times of Light
Author: Justin
Rating: R
Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters in this story, nor the setting. Please don't sue me, and for the love of god don't set Captain Copyright on me.
Distribution: Anyone can take it, just let me know
Feedback:
If you like this story, leave a novella of your views
If you can't write a novella, then a paragraph will do,
If you can't write a paragraph, then write a line or two,
And if you can't write a line or two, then god bless you.


Summary: An old enemy returns, and much zany fun ensues.

Note: Thanks to Inlerf for betaing the story

She's back

D minus 11 days

“Dawn!” The yell echoed through the house.

“Frogs,” Willow whimpered as she woke up.

Tara moved slightly in her arms. “Was that Buffy I heard shouting?” Tara frowned slightly as she remembered parts of the dream she'd been having. She pushed those thoughts aside, concerned with what Buffy was shouting about.

Willow nodded. “I wonder what Dawn's done now.” She also wondered how someone so small could be so loud.

“Dawn did you borrow my top?” They heard Buffy asking, in a loud voice.“The new one I bought last week.”

“No, why would I?”

“You're always taking my stuff.” The angry edge to Buffy's voice surprised Willow. Buffy didn't like Dawn borrowing her things, but normally didn't get this upset over it.

“I didn't take it, I don't even like the stupid thing.”

“This has got to stop.”

Willow sat up in bed. “Buffy's sounding really angry.”

“Maybe we should...” Tara started.

“What?” Dawn asked.

“If you take anything else that belongs to me then I'm sending you to live with Dad.”

“We don't know where he is.”

“Then I'll send you to a foster home.” They heard a door slamming shut, then footsteps stomping downstairs.

In the silence that followed, Willow and Tara stared at each other, with similar confused expressions on both their faces.

Finally, Willow said, “What was that all about?”

“I don't know.” Tara was shocked and worried.

“We should talk to them.” Willow paused as she worked out the best way to handle this, “Split up to deal with them separately.”

Tara nodded. She didn't really like the idea of talking to Buffy so she decided to try for the safer option. “I'll talk to Dawn.”

“Um...” Willow hesitated, not certain about talking to Buffy in this mood.

“Or I could talk to Buffy if you like.”

“No, she is my best friend. I'll talk to her,” They quickly got dressed then left to carry out their plan.

***

Willow shuffled her feet nervously in front of Buffy's door, wondering how she was going to handle this. She raised her hand to knock, but before she could, the door swung open. Buffy stared out with an angry expression.

“Oh, hi Willow,” Buffy said, her expression softening.

For a moment Willow wondered if this was what a vampire felt like, just before being on the receiving end of a stake. “Buffy, can I talk to you?”

“Sure. Come on in.” Buffy moved back to let her friend in.

“Um, we couldn't help overhearing...” Willow hesitated. “You know.”

“Oh, sorry. I didn't mean to disturb you.”

“It's not that. We're just worried about you both.”

Buffy shrugged. “Nothing to really worry about. Just your typical sibling squabble.”

“Of course. I mean you wouldn't really send Dawn to a foster home.”

Buffy looked embarrassed. “Of course, I'm not sure why...” Her voice trailed off and she looked off into the distance.

“Um, Buffy...” But she didn't seem to hear her.

After a few moments, Buffy turned back to Willow, her features hardened. “She needs to learn.”

“Learn? Learn what?”

“She can't just keep stealing things. I mean I thought she would have learnt her lesson after the trouble we had last year, but she's still doing it.”

“Buffy...” She didn't know what to say.

“Sorry Willow I have to get ready for work.”

“Sure.” Willow left, not sure she'd helped at all. She had just gotten out the door when her phone rang.

***

Tara found Dawn in the basement sitting on the stairs and Moved down to join her. “Dawn are you okay?”

“Buffy doesn't want me around.”

“You know that's not true,” Tara said, her voice gentle.

“Do I? She'd rather I didn't exist, that I was just a figment of her imagination.” Dawn snorted. “Even being in a mental hospital is better than having me around.”

“That was just a demon thing. She really does loves you.”

Dawn didn't seem to have heard this. “I wish we hadn't brought her back.”

“Dawn...” She didn't know how to respond to this.

“We were better off without her. Just the three of us.”

“I know you're upset, but your sister loves you and you love her.”

Dawn stood up. “Sorry Tara, I have to go.”

Tara stayed where she was for a moment, wondering if she'd helped at all. After a while she pulled herself up and went upstairs. As she got through the basement door she heard the phone ringing.

***

“Hi, Xander, what's up?” Willow said into her phone.

“Oh hey Anya,” Tara said as she picked the phone up.

“You had an argument?”

“What was it about?”

“Well I'm sure it was a misunderstanding.”

“I'm sure he didn't mean it.”

“If you just talk to her about it...” Willow stopped when there was no response, “Xander, are you still there?”

“Yeah I'm still here,” Tara said.

“Anya can be a bit annoying, I know...”

“Divorce? It's just an argument.”

“What are you talking about divorce for?”

“Well you were the one who brought it up.”

“Okay I'll talk to you soon.”

“I'll be at the shop later.”

After they had hung up. Willow and Tara both stared at each other for a moment.

“What's going on here?” Willow asked.

***

Tara tried to work out the scene in front of her. Her father was tired to two poles, his arms and legs pulled in an X formation. Wasn't he dead though? Then from Tara's left, Willow stepped into view, except looking different from how Tara had ever seen her. Her hair and eyes were black, and her face was twisted in a cruel sneer. Raising her hand she threw a bolt of lightning at Mr Maclay, causing him to scream with pain.

“Willow, stop!” Tara pleaded.

Willow turned to Tara and grinned, “What's wrong lover?”

Tara's point of view changed so that she was looking at herself from a few feet away. She watched herself stepping forwards, a cruel smile on her face. Like Willow her eyes and hair were black. “Stop hogging all the fun,” Tara purred, “Save a bit of him for me.”

TBC

[WillowRulez]

Oh boy, Dark Willow & Dark Tara? (That's too good to be true )
What's up with Buffy & Dawn? Still with the nasty? Dawn is very, very annoying. She could just tie her up in the basement.
Great update - as usual! WHere are all the other people? Force them to leave feedback! Just kidding...

[spells42]

Oooooh, Justin, it's all very mysterious. Looks like there's a bad mood demon affecting everyone, but why hasn't it got to W&T?

I enjoyed the resolution of the trip back to see Tara's family. So glad to see them get out there in one piece.

Keep up the good work
Anne

[WillowsGirlXX]

Just started reading this story, I really love it. Cant wait to see where you go with this, mmm Dark Willow and Dark Tara,.

Please please update soon ok, please

Rachel

[justin]

WillowRulez:

Oh boy, Dark Willow & Dark Tara? (That's too good to be true

well if you like Dark Willow and Tara (well vampiric Willow and Tara) you might like Shadows and Sunlight by JustSkipIt

Dawn is very, very annoying. She could just tie her up in the basement.

Hmm, good suggestion. *runs off to edit next part*

Great update - as usual!

Thanks

Spells42:

Oooooh, Justin, it's all very mysterious.

Yes, very mysterious

Looks like there's a bad mood demon affecting everyone, but why hasn't it got to W&T?

How do you know it hasn't

Keep up the good work

Thanks. Glad you liked the end to Family Redux

Title: Times of Darkness, Times of Light
Author: Justin
Rating: R
Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters in this story, nor the setting. Please don't sue me, and for the love of god don't set Captain Copyright on me.
Distribution: Anyone can take it, just let me know
Feedback:
If you like this story, leave a novella of your views
If you can't write a novella, then a paragraph will do,
If you can't write a paragraph, then write a line or two,
And if you can't write a line or two, then god bless you.


Summary: An old enemy returns, and much zany fun ensues.

Note: Thanks to Inlerf for betaing the story

She's back

D minus 10 days - part 1

Tara leant against the wall of the shower, letting the warm water wash over her back. Her mind kept going back to the dream. It had seemed so real, she couldn't shake it from her mind. She wondered what it meant. No, it didn't mean anything; it was just a silly dream. Yet She couldn't help feeling there was some sort of message there. Maybe that if she began abusing magic again, Willow'd take her down as well. She shook her head, there was no way she'd use magic like that. And yet she couldn't forget how she had enjoyed using magic to hurt her father. It was just a dream, just a dream, Tara told herself.

Getting out of the shower Tara stopped to look at herself in the mirror, trying to think what to do. She knew she couldn't let the things in the dream come to pass. The easy answer was to bind Willow.

No! That would be a last resort.

What other option was there? Tara decided she'd talk to Willow, get her to give up magic.

***

When Willow got home she found Tara staring sadly at the wall. Walking over, Willow knelt down in front of Tara and took her hands. “Tara, what's wrong?”

“Willow I want you to do something for me. It's very important, so you need to listen to me carefully.”

“Sure.”

Tara stared into Willow's eyes a moment, composing herself. “I want you to give up magic.”

She almost laughed at this. Seeing Tara's expression Willow managed to stop herself. “You're serious?”

“Oh Willow, I've never been more serious about anything in my life.”

“But I don't understand. I mean, you were the one who wanted me to start using magic again. You said you trusted me.”

“I know. I... I was wrong.”

“But... I've been doing well. You said so yourself. What changed?” Instead of answering, Tara just looked away. “Tara?”

She wondered for a moment if she was doing the right thing. Closing her eyes she took a breath to steady herself. She had to do this. Had to be strong, for Willow's sake as much as her own. Tara turned back to Willow, “I... I can't do this again. Either you give up magic or I'm leaving, for good.”

Willow stared at Tara in shock. She tried to think of something to say, but couldn't.

“I'll give you some time to think about it.” Tara moved to the door.

“Tara, I love you,” Willow said.

Tara stopped with her hand on the door. “I know. Which is why I know you'll do the right thing.”

***

When Tara was gone Willow sat down on the bed, still not entirely believing the conversation she had just had. A part of her still expected Tara to come back into the room, laughing, and say, “Fooled you!”

She couldn't understand what had happened to cause this. Just last week Tara had told her how well she had been doing. How proud she was of the way Willow was learning to understand her powers and not abuse them. How had Tara gone from being proud of her to demanding that Willow give up magic.

She's jealous of you, she always has been.

No that couldn't be right, she argued.

“It frightens me how strong you're getting.”

No, Tara wasn't jealous of her. If Tara wanted her to give up magic then she obviously needed to give up magic.

But could she do that? Just give up something she had worked so hard for without any sort of explanation?

She just wanted this to be over. She just wanted Tara to forget about the idea. Without thinking about it Willow went to one of the bookshelves and took a book out. Opening it up she picked up a leaf of Lethe's Bramble which was pressed between the pages. Holding the leaf up, Willow said, “For...” She stopped, her eyes widened in horror, and she threw the leaf down. “Tara was right. Goddess, she was right.”

Willow ran out of the house.

***

Sitting out in the back garden Tara was only vaguely aware of the front door opening and closing. Up until she had spoken to Willow she had been so certain of what she was doing. Now, though, she didn't know if she had done the right thing. She knew that she couldn't risk Willow falling again, and yet why did she assume that Willow would? All because of a dream.

Tara remembered how hurt Willow had looked. It tore her up knowing that she was the one that had caused that pain. The question was, did she really think Willow couldn't cope with using magic?

Maybe, the question was why was she having these doubts now? Was it a coincidence that it was happening at the same time that Buffy was fighting with Dawn and Anya was fighting with Xander? Or was it something else?

Tara was broken from her thoughts by the sound of someone coming into the house. Getting up she decided to find out whom it was.

***

Going upstairs Tara called out, “Hello!” She didn't get any response but did hear someone moving about in Buffy's room. Mentally preparing a protection spell Tara went to see whom it was. She found Anya, going through Buffy's drawers. “Anya! What are you doing here?”

Anya spun around, “Oh. Tara it's you.” She turned back to her search. “It has to be here somewhere.”

“What are you looking for?”

“The amulet that D'Hoffryn gave to Willow. It's not at the Magic Box, so I bet she gave it to Buffy for safe keeping.”

“Why on Earth would you want that?”

“For vengeance of course. If I find the amulet I can call D'Hoffryn, convince him to make me into a vengeance demon again, so I can get vengeance against Xander.”

“Vengeance? Vengeance for what?”

“For cheating on me!”

“What? Xander's been cheating? But... how do you know?”

The question seemed to shock Anya, “Well... I'm not sure. I mean, I just know he is.”

“Anya look at me.” Anya turned toward her. “There's something going on. I'm not sure what exactly but there seems to be something making us all argue.”

“You mean someone's manipulating us?”

“I'm not certain but I think so.”

Anya's brow furrowed, “You might be right. What should we do? Should we tell the others?”

“No, we don't want to tip off the person responsible. We need to keep acting normally.”

“I can do that.”

***

When Anya was gone Tara tidied up Buffy's room then returned to her own to get some books for research. She had just taken one of the books off her shelf when she sensed another presence in the room. She turned and found an older woman standing there.

The woman smiled and said, “So you figured out it was a spell. I guess you're not as stupid as you look."

"You must be if you thought this would work."

"And I thought that you were the shy one."

"I don't like people casting spells on my girlfriend."

"You mean apart from you? Of course, that spell is nothing compared to what you're doing now. How does it feel to know you're putting your friends in danger just by being alive? You should have stayed dead like a good little witch."

Tara fearful for a moment as she remembered the voice that had taunted her in the basement of the magic box. "That was you. How?"

"Did Buffy ever tell you what she did to me?"

Tara shrugged. She didn't even know who the other woman was.

"They trapped me in my cheerleading trophy. After a while I thought that I would go mad trapped in there, but then I found I could project my thoughts, and watch what was going on around Sunnydale. If someone was particularly sensitive I could communicate with them. Still you didn't answer my question, how does it feel knowing that just by being alive you're putting everyone you care about in danger?"

"But we beat the great one."

Catherine shook her head. "I'm afraid not. That thing you defeated was a decoy, a red herring. Well it's been fun." With that she vanished. Tara ran downstairs knowing she had to tell Buffy both about the woman and what she had told her.

Once Tara was gone Catherine reappeared and took a piece of Lethe's Bramble out of her pocket. Holding it up she whispered, "Forget."

***

Tara had gotten a few paces away from the house when she realised that she didn't know why she had left. She turned back, and wondered what they were going to have for dinner.

***

Willow didn't seem to be able to stop herself from shaking as she went back home. She was certain that Tara wouldn't be there, that she'd just find Tara's things gone. The worst thing was a part of her believed that she deserved that. Opening the door she was surprised to see Tara there. She was even more surprised when Tara smiled at her and said, "Hi, where have you been?"

"I was just taking a walk." Willow tried to work out what was going on. If this was Tara's way of punishing her then it was surreal to say the least. "Aren't you angry with me?"

"What's there to be angry about?"

"The argument... You...”

Tara gave her a puzzled look. "What argument?" Tara turned to get a book off the shelf.

"Um well you know me giving up..." Willow stopped when she saw Tara's shoulders sagging, she walked over . "What is it?"

Tara spun around and slapped Willow on the face. "You bitch!" She held up the Lethe's Bramble. "Is this why I don't know what happened?"

"Tara, I..."

Tara threw the Lethe's Bramble at Willow. "How could you do this to me again?" Before she could answer Tara turned and ran out of the house. Clutching the Lethe's Bramble Willow curled up in the corner and cried.

***

When Buffy got home she found Willow in the same position. Taking Willow into her arms she asked, "Willow what's wrong?"

"She's left me."

"You mean Tara? Why would she..." Willow shook her head and held up the Lethe's Bramble. "Oh God Willow, tell me that you didn't..." But Willow was too upset to respond.

***

As Buffy explained what had happened to Giles his expression grew more and more incredulous. "I can't believe she would do something like this. After everything that we've been through."

"I'm having trouble believing anything that's happened today. Best case scenario is waking up to find that this was all a dream."

"Well, you know what we need to do."

At first Buffy didn't know what Giles was suggesting, but as it dawned on her she said, "No, we can't do that."

"But..."

"We don't know what's going on here. I don't want to do something this drastic until we know all the facts."

"Very well, I agree we need to find out more before deciding on a course of action, however..."

She stopped listening to Giles, and instead listened to a voice in her head. 'She's losing it again. You all knew this would happen if she started to use magic again. Now it's just a matter of time before she becomes a threat to you again. If you don't do this now then maybe this time you'll have to kill her.'

Buffy turned to Giles. "We have to bind Willow."

"Quite.”

***

Tara walked slowly through the park. It was full of life and sounds; couples having picnics on the grass; people rowing boats out on the lake; children playing on the park. Tara was oblivious to it all. She stopped on the bridge, remembering the time over a year ago when, escaping from research, she and Willow had come here. Leaning on the railing she stared down the river as she sang to herself, “I'm under your spell, how else could it be anyone would notice me...” She couldn't believe it had happened again. That after everything they'd been through, Willow would be willing to play with her mind again.

Sighing, Tara turned away from the river and continued on. Maybe it would make more sense if she knew what Willow had wanted her to forget. Had they been arguing about magic again? That didn't make sense. She remembered how well Willow had been doing, learning how to use her abilities rather than abusing them. She shook her head. Whatever it had been it must have been sudden since they'd been perfectly happy yesterday. They'd been a bit worried about the fighting between their friends but nothing else. That made Tara stop. She and Willow weren't the only ones who had fought. She continued on thinking it was probably nothing. But what if it wasn't? What if some outside force was manipulating them, setting them at each other's throats? Maybe that force had somehow made Willow cast the spell on her.

Tara knew she was clutching at straws, trying to find some way to justify what Willow had done. What was the alternative? That she had been so very wrong about Willow, about who she was? That after years together, she really knew nothing about the woman she loved, the woman she had pledged her heart and soul to? Realising she needed to talk to the others about this she turned and started to quickly head back home.

***

Giles stood at the counter of the Magic Box. In front of him were a bell, an open book and a candle. Lighting the candle he said, "I call on the north and the power of the earth to bind her. I call on the east and the power of air to bind her. I call on the south and the power of fire to bind her. I call on the west and the power of water to bind her. I call on the centre and the power of the divine to bind Willow Rosenberg so that she may do harm to none." He picked up the bell and rang it once; then he slammed the book shut. Picking up the candle snuffer he whispered, "Forgive me Willow."and snuffed out the candle.

***

Willow woke up with an intense headache. Sitting up she was going to get some Aspirin when she suddenly felt sick. Running to the bathroom she only just made it to the toilet before being violently sick. Her whole body seemed to be on fire. As the pain intensified Willow cried out in agony, then passed out.

***

Tara stopped as she was overcome by dizziness. At first she thought it was from not having eaten but the dizziness grew stronger until she fell to her knees. After a couple of minutes the spell passed and she was able to stand up again. Realising what it was Tara raced home.


TBC

Sorry about the cliffhanger, but the chapter was way too long, so I had to split it in two

[WillowRulez]

Tara pushing Willow into deciding, Anya being insane (hm... I know it doesnt sound extraordinary but in this case, it was) and Willow almost turning to the dark magic again... of course they had to be infected. Okay, when Tara went nuts I still thought: Hm... that's quite normal, Anya is always crazy so I didnt suspect anything either. It was really Willow's behavior that ticked me off. And Catherine - I knew it! Grrr....
Has all this been just to get someone to bind Willow's powers? To eliminate at least one powerful witch? Or well, her powers, not her. Although her reaction kinda reminded me of why they didnt bind Willow in S7, that it would be 'unhealthy' to bind her, that she needed to learn how to control it. Is this what's happening here?
Really enjoy these fast & long updates!

[justin]

WillowRulez: Yeah there seems to be a nasty bit of infection going round and Grrr at Cathering So was this getting rid of a powerful witch or just revenge?

Although her reaction kinda reminded me of why they didnt bind Willow in S7, that it would be 'unhealthy' to bind her,

I haven't seen S7, but I will just remind you of this conversation from reflections and Introspections

Tara tried to think of the best way to put this that would make Willow understand exactly what she was suggesting, "Willow you could hurt people with your hands. Would you agree to have your arm's cut off?"

"Nu huh." Willow answered forcefully, "Will this spell be like that?"

"Maybe or maybe worse. You see in some ways this spell is like a magical lobotomy. It's possible that you won't be you afterwards."

Thanks for the feedback

Title: Times of Darkness, Times of Light
Author: Justin
Rating: R
Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters in this story, nor the setting. Please don't sue me, and for the love of god don't set Captain Copyright on me.
Distribution: Anyone can take it, just let me know
Feedback:
If you like this story, leave a novella of your views
If you can't write a novella, then a paragraph will do,
If you can't write a paragraph, then write a line or two,
And if you can't write a line or two, then god bless you.


Summary: An old enemy returns, and much zany fun ensues.

Note: Thanks to Inlerf for betaing the story

She's back

D minus 10 days - part 2

Tara found Willow bent over the toilet, barely concious. She grabbed a cloth and used it to clean Willow up before flushing the toilet. "Come on we'd better get you to bed."

She helped Willow through to their room, then tucked her into bed. All the while Willow stared at her thoughtfully. After a while she said, "Tara, you came back."

Tara was relieved that Willow recognised her but at the same time, dismayed at the lack of emotion in Willow's voice. "Of course I did," She whispered.

"I feel strange.”

She was going to ask Willow about it when she heard someone coming into the house. Tara kissed Willow before going downstairs to find Buffy and Giles there. Before Buffy could say anything she asked, "How could you?"

"Tara we had to do it, surely you see..."

'She's always been jealous of what you had with Willow. She'd do anything to break you two up. She was glad when you were killed and since you came back she'd been looking for an opportunity like this. Kill her. Kill her! KILL HER!'

***

Buffy stopped her explanation when she realised that Tara wasn't listening. "Tara." Tara opened her eyes, and Buffy took a step back as she noticed that Tara's eyes had gone black.

"Now, Tara I know that you're upset..." Giles started.

"Tara we were doing this for..."

Tara raised her hand up to her head. "Oh goddess. I... I have to go." She turned and bolted out of the house.

Buffy quickly followed her. "Tara!" As Tara stopped she caught up with her.

Tara turned to Buffy."There's something, someone trying to control me. I can hear this voice in my head, telling me things and..."

"Even though you don't want to believe it, you can't help yourself." Buffy finished.

Tara looked confused. "How?"

"I've heard it as well. It was before... before we did the binding on Willow."

"So someone's using magic to turn us against each other."

"It seems that way. Maybe that was even why we've been arguing so much. That could also have been why Willow used the forget spell on you. I mean if someone was controlling her."

"We need to speak to Mr Giles."

"That's just what I was about to say."

***

When Buffy and Tara had explained their theory to Giles his first response was, “Dear Lord!” Pacing the room he went on, “If something really is manipulating us then we have done a great harm to Willow, one I'm not sure we can reverse.”

“But there has to be a way to undo it,” Buffy argued. Turning to Tara she said, “Tara you found the spell. Where did you get it from?”

“Buffy I...” Tara stopped to compose her thoughts. “My mother gave it to me. It was one of the first spells she taught me.”

“It was to control the demon, wasn't it?” Giles asked in a quiet voice.

Tara nodded. “She was worried that father wouldn't be able to control her. So she gave me the spell to use if her demon side got loose. She... she never taught me any way to reverse it. I should never have given Willow that spell. I'm so sorry Buffy.”

“Why? You wouldn't have found the spell if we hadn't forced you. We thought it was for the best, not that that's much consolation right now.”

“Okay,” Buffy interrupted, “All this self recrimination isn't helping us to help Willow.”

Before anyone could respond the door opened and Xander came in. He was followed by a giggling Dawn and a cross-looking Anya.

“Xander, what's wrong?” Buffy asked. “What's up with Dawn?”

“Xander's gotten her drunk,” Anya answered.

“Xander!” Buffy exclaimed.

Xander gave Anya an exasperated look before saying, “She isn't drunk. I think someone's cast that blood rock who-jits spell on her.”

“A bloodstone vengeance spell?” Giles asked as he walked over to examine Dawn.

Dawn laughed as Giles bent over her. “Giles is so old.”

“That too,” Xander said.

After a few moments Giles straightened. “He's right. Someone has cast a bloodstone vengeance spell on her.”

“So if we don't reverse it, she'll die?” Xander asked.

“Amy,” Buffy said. When everyone turned to her she went on, “Come on, the only person we know who's used that spell is her mother. She must have gotten her mother's spell book when she vanished.”

She had a grudge against Willow for taking so long to turn her back into a human. What better way to get back at her than to hurt her friends, make you bind her. You know what you have to do. You know the only way to save Dawn.

As Buffy started towards the door, Giles said, “Buffy we need to find her spell book to reverse the spell.”

“There isn't time. I have to find Amy and cut her head off.” Buffy opened the weapons chest and pulled a sword out.

As Buffy went out of the room Giles called, “Buffy come back!”

Buffy stopped and walked back in.

“Oh well good,” Giles said, surprised that she had listened to him.

“It wasn't Amy,” Buffy said.

“How do you know?” Tara asked.

“Because whoever's behind this wants me to kill her.”

***

As Amy made her way towards her mothers hotel suite there were two questions going through her head. Firstly how her mother had managed to afford such an expensive suite and secondly why she was doing this. It didn't take her much thought to work out the answer to the second one. It was because since she had helped trap her mother in the statue her mother would most likely come after her for revenge. Amy was interrupted from her thoughts when she noticed a man approaching her.

"I'm not here, I'm not here," she muttered to herself. She breathed a sigh of relief as he walked past her without noticing.

Reaching her mom's room Amy cast a quick unlocking spell and opened the door. Going in she looked around for her mothers spell book. She spotted had just taken a couple of steps towards it when she heard a voice say, "Thicken."

Amy stopped as she felt the air around her solidify. Turning towards Catherine she said, "Shatter." The spell holding her broke.

"Well, look at you, my black eyed girl. You have been studying. And to think all I thought you were good at was turning yourself into a rat." Catherine looked thoughtful a moment. "There's an expression that really sums up how I'm feeling at the moment. Now, what is it?" Catherine smiled. "Oh yes. I owe you pain!" She raised her hand and a bolt of lightning came out of it, striking Amy. Amy cried out in pain as she fell to the floor. She tried to stand, but as the lightning kept hitting her, she eventually blacked out.

***

"You know she should be here soon."

"Who?" Amy managed to ask, the pain she was still feeling making it hard to talk.

"The Slayer. You see I put a little spell on her sister."

"And she thinks that I did it?"

"Pretty much, so it won't be long before she gets here to kill you." Amy was actually relieved to hear this. She had wondering what Catherine was going to do to her and at least this way it would be quick. "She thinks it'll reverse the spell. Of course it won't and all she'll be able to do is go home and watch her sister die." Catherine laughed.

"You really are evil."

"I'm not evil.” Catherine glowered at Amy through the bars. “Just pissed."

"Why Dawn? She's done nothing to you. She wasn't even alive when you were trapped in the statue."

"Maybe, but this is the best way to hurt her sister. I guess those monks messed up when they made her the Slayers sister. I mean even I can see the dangers of making something as valuable as the key related to someone who's constantly fighting the forces of darkness."

"Yeah well I guess it's hard to think about stuff like that when you've got a hell goddess trying to kill you."

***


"Okay, so that's the sand taken care of," Buffy said.

She had just drawn a circle around Tara while Xander had set up and lit some candles. Tara sat down and closed her eyes. She spent a few moments clearing her mind then began focusing on the magical energies which were flowing around her. She opened her eyes and frowned a little at seeing Buffy -- She was darkened, as if standing in the shadows.

"Did it work?" Buffy asked.

Tara just nodded, looking around at everyone else. Everyone else was shadowed like Buffy. Turning to Dawn, Tara saw someone standing behind her with her hands on Dawn's shoulders. For a moment Tara thought she recognised the woman, though she didn't know where from. Quickly grabbing a pad she began sketching a picture of the woman. Xander and Buffy both moved to take a look at the picture.

After a few seconds Xander said, "That's Catherine Maddison."

"Amy's mom?" Tara asked.

"Yeah."

"I thought she was gone for good."

"It seems that she's back," Giles put in.

"Earlier I had the urge to go to the Belford hotel,” Buffy said. “That's probably the best place to look for her."

Dawn stood up saying, “I'm going to...” Before she could finish she collapsed back down into her seat.

“Xander look after Dawn while I'm gone.”

Before anyone could move the door burst open and Spike came running in, a smoking blanket over his back. A moment later Amy followed him hesitantly, clutching a large book to her chest.


***

Amy lowered her head in resignation as she heard the door opening. She knew that it was Buffy here to kill her.

"Well look at you, all trapped there." Spike grinned at her predicament. "I'm surprised you haven't turned yourself into a rat yet."

“So Buffy sent you to do her dirty work. I'd have thought she'd want to do it herself.”

“Hey, there's going to be no dirty work here. Besides, I haven't seen Buffy for a couple of days.”

“So why are you here?”

“A frie... well more of an acquaintance, a bloody annoying one at that, suggested I come here. Now hold on.” Grabbing the bars Spike managed to bend them enough for Amy to get out. “So where do you think your mum's stashed her spell book.”

Amy looked round the room, thoughtfully “I'm going to guess it's here.” Amy went over to a desk and opened the drawer up, taking a book out.

"Well then. Let's get going."

Amy nodded, hoping she'd be able to explain what was going on to Buffy before the enraged Slayer took her head off.

***


"Spike," Buffy said as she approached them. "Amy.”

Amy looked round all the people in the room. Holding the book up like a shield she said, “I know you think it was me who put the spell on Dawn but I swear it wasn't.”

"It was your mother," Buffy said.

“You knew?” Amy looked both surprised and relieved as she said this.

“We're not idiots,” Buffy scoffed. Turning to Spike she went on, "So how did you get mixed up in this?”

"I met up with a demon by the name of Whistler. He told me where to go to get Catherine's spell book. I just happened to find Amy there." Spike took the book in question out of Amy's hand and gave it to Giles.

“A demon?" Giles asked. "Can he be trusted?"

"Did you say Whistler? I've met him and I really didn't like him," Buffy said.

"Yeah well, he does have a habit of rubbing people up the wrong way but he is one of the good guys."

"Well then we'd better get on with reversing the spell on Dawn," Giles said.

"I'll do it," Tara offered.

"Are you sure? It is rather painful."

Tara just nodded and took the book from Giles.

***

Once the spell had been reversed Spike and Buffy set off to find Catherine.

"Are you sure this is the room?" Buffy asked. There was no sign that there had been anyone staying in the room for a while.

"Of course I'm sure."

"So she's gone and we have no idea when she'll come back for more revenge." Buffy shook her head. It annoyed her when they got away, she liked closure.

"Yes. But next time we'll be ready for her," Spike pointed out,

"I hope so."

***

Catherine stopped, realising that there was something in the street with her. Every so often she would see something out of the corner of her eye. Yet, when she tried to focus on it, it disappeared. “What are you?”

“We serve the Powers That Be,” a voice answered. It was a deep resonant voice that seemed to be being projected into her mind. “You know too much, you must be eliminated.”

“Wait.” She backed away, trying to think of some way of escaping this thing. “I know what you want. I can kill her for you.”

“You would fail. If they let you live then they would find out what you know.”

“But...”

***

Hearing a scream Buffy ran down a side alley. At the end she found Catherine lying in a heap. A quick look didn't show any sign as to what had killed her. “There isn't a mark on her,” Buffy muttered to herself. “Well, maybe one mark,” She added, seeing a picture of an eye inside a circle on her forehead.

TBC