P0st Finale Fic (updated)

[Shaniezak]

Now it's my turn to complain to you about a cliffhanger, y'know, Rane.

[Ed Wood]

That was sweet Rane, but how do you mean Willow is far, far away? I hope you don't put some galaxies, DeathStars, Ewokses into the story. Okay?

[Ginner]

*Paces the living room then sits down and starts knitting. Notices all the kittens watching her*

I need to do something to pass the time...

[Rane]

Oops! I figured since she’s freaking out at Faith that it’d be obvious she’s not really *all there* at the present moment. I meant as in like, her eyes were far away. That doesn’t sound right either... argh! Why do I bother to write when I don’t know how!?

************

Tara pleads with Willow as Faith is lifted off the ground.

Faith- What the hell are you doing, Willow?! Put me down!
Tara- (tearing up) Willow, please. Look at me.

Angel and the gang come in.

Lorne- (looks at Willow) Oh honey, no. Your aura’s all wrong.
Angel- (realizes the severity of the situation) Willow.
Gunn- (to Wesley) Slayers can fly?
Wesley- It’s Willow. She’s doing this.
Gunn- Damn, girl.
Wesley- (whispers) Quiet.

Tara is now sobbing. Willow is still holding Faith up in the air. She doesn’t seem fazed by the newcomers.

Willow- I wont let you hurt her again.
Angel- (inching closer to her) Willow. (he reaches out touch her) Hey, Willow.

Before he makes contact a flash of lighting bolts out of Willow and Angel is sent flying back towards the wall. Faith falls hard to the floor. Tara quickly reaches out to Willow and pulls her close. The redheads nose is bleeding, her tears spreading the blood down her pj’s.

Gunn- (doesn’t realize Willow is bleeding) Now that could solve California’s energy problems.
Wesley- (not meanly) Oh shut up, Gunn.

Wesley and Gunn help Faith as Lorne helps Angel up.

Lorne- You ok big boy?
Angel- Yeah.

Wesley- (to Faith) Are you hurt?
Faith- I think my elbow is broken.
Gunn- Your shoulder looks dislocated too.
Faith- How is she?

She sees Tara holding Willow and trying to stop her bleeding.
Cordelia- (entering in her bata de casa (don’t know how to say it in English *g*) What the hell is all that noise? Trying to sleep here. Oh my god. What happened?
Fred- (behind her) Y’all making breakfast?

************************

Wesley and Gunn take Faith to the hospital. Willow and Tara are in the office. Lorne and Angel walk in.

Angel- Um, Tara? Can I speak with you a second?
Tara- (looks to make sure Willow is ok) Sure.

They exit.

Willow- (not looking at Lorne) Stop staring at her butt.
Lorne- Shocked I tell you! I was doing no such thing. Please don’t turn me into a green, horny demon. I mean a horny, green demon. I mean- Why don’t you smile?
Willow- Maybe it’s because a demon keeps flirting with my girlfriend.
Lorne- Please, honey. We both play for the same team. (Willow grins a bit) But that’s not it.
Willow- What is it then?
Lorne- Your best friend just sacrificed herself for the world and your girlfriend was almost taken from you.
Willow- Duh.
Lorne- But see, she’s really your problem.
Willow- Who?
Lorne- Your blonde goddess.
Willow- Tara?
Lorne- Yeah. She’s your energizer bunny. Catch my drift?
Willow- No.
Lorne- Something about her keeps you going and going.
Willow- So?
Lorne- Maybe you should stop and think about what exactly it is you’re doing, going, and is it worth it.
Willow- Is this how you predict peoples future? No wonder you work at a kareoki bar.
Lorne- Hey, feisty, I own the joint! And this is exactly what I am talking about, Scarlet.
Willow- What?
Lorne- Your anger. You want to protect everyone and feel like you’ve let them down when it’s beyond your control.
Willow- I did let them down.
Lorne- No. You didn’t.
Willow- Like you know.
Lorne- I do.

**************
tbc..... so? whatcha all think?

[This message has been edited by Rane (edited June 12, 2001).]

[Ginner]

quote:

---

Originally posted by Rane:
Whatcha all think?

---

Amazing Rane...*Stands up and claps* amazing...can we expect more? Please?

quote:

[Warduke]

It's great Rane but I need...more!

[knike74]

Rane,

You are the bomb.........always waiting for the next tidbit...

[Catwoman]

Oh i love this. It's getting darker and more dramatic now. Very interesting. I love how you write Lorne's character

[CaptMurdock]

Y'know, I know we're not competing here, but how the hell can I keep up here!

Aw, who am I trying to kid? I'm so loving this.

[Arwen]

this is so exciting! you must, you must write more! please? *batting eyelashes*

------------------
"Back off, polygrip. You think you're bad?
All mean and haunty and picking on poor
pathetic Cordy? Well get ready to haul your
wrinkly translucent ass out of this place,
'cause lady, the bitch is back."
Cordelia - "Room w/a Vu"

[xita]

OH rane this is great. I am really hanging by a thread here. Hmm.. the blonde goddess do you mean Willow shouldn't have a power supply, or that Willow is actually draining the goddess herself. Oh geez.. stress.

[Rane]

WARNING: this is the end! for true! ok, not a cliffhanger or something weevil. i'll expand some stuff in the narrative but i am beat, and out of ideas, and i wanna read all the other fics on this board! ok, hope you like the rest...

**************************************

Next morning. Willow and Tara are gathering their stuff in the lobby.

Willow- Are you sure you packed everything?
Tara- Yes.
Willow- Ok.
Tara- Cordy!
Coredlia- (running towards them) No! You can’t leave yet! My cookies aren’t ready!
Willow- But we have to be in Sunnydale by noon.
Cordy- Don’t make any pee stops. Please! I want to send them to her. 15 minutes.
Tara- Ok.
Willow- (not sure) Tara.
Tara- We’ll go staright to the house.
Willow- (sits on the couch we first saw her in) Fine.

Faith- (entering with Gunn)- Mad cute that nurse. She was totally hitting on you.
Gunn- Nah.
Faith- (to Tara) Hey. (looks at Willow) Will.
Tara- How’s your arm?
Faith- (she’s wearing a sling) Not broken, just bruised. Gunn here popped the shoulder right back in.
Cordy- (suddenly remembers) The cookies! (runs off)
Gunn- She bakin’? (runs after her)
Tara- (to Faith) It hurts doesn't it?
Faith- Other parts of me hurt.
Willow- I’m sorry about that whole thing, Faith.
Faith- Not a problem. You, uh- Misunderstanding. So, umm, you ladies off to Sunnydale?
Tara- Yes. That thing with Dawn.
Faith- Man that’s crazy. Girl’s been through enough.

Willow sits back a bit peeved about the whole situation and conversation.

Tara- It’s been quite a year.
Faith- Yeah... I’m going to go to the bathroom a second. Uh, I’ll be right back.

Faith leaves.

Willow- Why would we care where she goes?
Tara- It’s her way of saying to not leave without saying goodbye.
Willow- Why would she care about that?
Tara- Willow.
Willow- No. I mean it. I’m sick and tired of all of this, Tara. (tearing) I want to go to sleep and wake up and have- That is so childish of me. I need to deal with this.
Tara- Right.
Willow- (crying) I don’t know how. Buffy’s gone, Dawn’s going to be taken away and you-
Tara- Me what?
Willow- (quietly) You’re changing.
Tara- What?! How?
Willow- I don’t mean it like that, I mean...
Tara- What?
Willow- You’re becoming this extraordinary person. More than you were before. And I’m- I’m headed in the other direction. You’re so in control and I’m- I’m falling apart.
Tara- No. That is so not true. Willow, you brought me back, baby. You weakened Glory.
Willow- (not proud) I used the Darkest Magick book.
Tara- (realizes what she means) No.
Willow- Yes. Why do you think this is happening to me?
Tara- (hugs her close) We’ll deal with it.
Willow- There is no we. Look at what I did to Faith. I was so far gone, Tara. I’m scared.
Tara- (sighs) We’re going to go back to Sunnydale and see Dawn off. Then- I think you should come back here.
Willow- (looks up at her) What? Why?
Tara- They can help you.
Willow- (scoffs) Wesley?
Tara- Angel, and Faith.
Willow- No.
Tara- Willow.
Willow- Come back with me.
Tara- I-I can’t.
Willow- Why not?

Tara smiles and kisses her. Wesley enters the lobby.

Wesley- Cordy? (embarrassed) Oh, sorry. (bit peeved) Must you two be all over each other all the time?
Faith- (walking towards them) Chill out, Wesley. Whens the last time you were in love?
Wesley- Quite recently thank you. She broke up with me.

Willow and Tara laugh. Willow kisses Tara’s cheek.

Cordy runs in with a basket. Gunn is eating one of the cookies.

Cordy- Ok! Here ya go.
Faith- (to Gunn) Are they edible?
Gunn- They were frozen.
Faith- Figures.
Cordy- Hey! It was very hard to cut them.

Angel and Fred walk in.

Angel- What’s going on?
Fred- (childish glee) Cookies!
Cordy- Not for you.
Willow- (grinning) One wont hurt, Cordelia.
Cordelia- But I figured Xander will eat ten, then Giles would have about two. You two would have about two and then there’s only four left for Dawn.
Tara- I’ll give her one of mine.
Willow- (grabbing all the bags) We should go.

Everyone hugs goodbye.

Wesley- Cheers to Giles.
Cordy- Come back and visit! Hope they like the cookies.
Gunn- Nice to meet you.
Angel- You’re always welcome here.

Only Faith is left.

Faith- I’ll walk them out.

Once outside they load up the car.

Faith- (to Tara) I, uh, I still have your stake. It’s upstairs and I- I don’t want Red turning me into a rat or something. So...
Tara- (grins) You know, the Magic Shop has a training area. If you’re ever in Sunnydale--
Faith- Magic Shop?
Tara- Right. You dont know about that.
Willow- (softly) Tara? We need to go.
Faith- (itching to leave too) Well, see ya then.
Tara- Bye, Faith. Take care. (unexpectedly hugs her)

Faith turns around to walk away.

Willow- Faith?
Faith- Yeah?
Willow- I’m really sorry.
Faith- Me too. For everything.
Willow- I’ll see you soon, ok?
Faith- I guess.

Faith turns away again.

Willow- Oh, and Faith?
Faith- (trying to hold back her tears) Yeah, Red?
Willow- She loved you too.

Faith nods uncertainly and walks into the hotel. The witches head back to Sunnydale.

END! =) or =( i dunno....

[Rane]

xita linda. what i meant to say was that Willow's feelings for everyone especially Tara are making her dig deeper into her own magick/power/energy. not that she's draining anyone. i'll try to explain that in the narrative.

thanks for the questions kittens! this is really helping!

anything else?

[Warduke]

You rock Rane, this is so good

[xita]

Preciosa Rane, that's it? oh but it was going places and stuff. and it was good and ahhhhh... Thank you. It was great. Hmmm.. so Willow would have to come back to LA on her own to deal with this?

[Rane]

well, i guess i could do a continuation later on. after i finish the narrative. how about that? is that ok?

edited to add: there could be a whole bunch of people visiting LA during that time period. remember that Hank lives there. doesn't he? lil dawn, faith and Angel, that'll be fun. No! not in a sexual way people!

[This message has been edited by Rane (edited June 13, 2001).]

[This message has been edited by Rane (edited June 13, 2001).]

[tommo]

Tra la la...that was great. O Faith, when will you be mine forever? So tortured, so hurt. I bet Willow can understand that to some extent now as well.

------------------
"You lying little tramp! You're not the Moderator Fantastico, you're nothing! Just another worthless Willowhand. Now bring me the buttshot!" ~ Ruthificus

[Rane]

oh, it was pointed out to me that angel said he investigated freds parents when it really was cordelia who did it while she was at the computer. that's what i meant to say but messed it up. (see what happened when you write with no outline?!) it'll be fixed by the narrative...

a couple of more scene may be added. there will be a scene between Tara and Angel while lorne is talking to willow, kinda like the one with tara and anya in the bathroom. should be funny.

um, what else? thanks for all the feedback and comments! feel free to add. hope you all liked the story...

[Elfie]

great job!!!

No more, tho? *pout*

-Nora

(oh, I think that bata de casa would be a nightgown. But I'm not really sure)

------------------
Do I contradict myself?
Very well then I contradict myself.
-Walt Whitman

[fell]

hey hon, you've got some great stuff here, esp the whole Willow/Faith/Tara thing. very moving and interesting. also, i can't get over how well you do lorne-love him!! you could work lots more of him in when you expand this (hint, hint).

i'd like to see the Dawn/Giles/Hank thing resolved. it left me feeling so bad for poor dawnie.

reading this i had a bit of an epiphany: everybody talks pretty "normal" when they're freaking out and everything is dire but when they're just interacting and being themselves, that's when the really quirky phrases etc show up, esp Willow and Tara. well, you probably already knew that, but it was a eureka moment for me.

my fic i going to center much more around our girls plus Faith and lots of Fred cuz i think she's cute. i know where it's going but i have no idea where it's going to end!

[Arwen]

da end? it's all ova? bwahaaaaaaaaaaaaaa *sniff*sniff*

awesome fic, yer so awesome rane.

------------------
"Back off, polygrip. You think you're bad?
All mean and haunty and picking on poor
pathetic Cordy? Well get ready to haul your
wrinkly translucent ass out of this place,
'cause lady, the bitch is back."
Cordelia - "Room w/a Vu"

[Ginner]

*Blinks for a bit*

All *sniff* over?

*Bottom lip trembles*

Edit: Wow 900...and i've only been here since March...this board is addictive...Gay Now here i come! Uh...i mean...

[This message has been edited by Ginner (edited June 14, 2001).]

[Rane]

tell ya what, fell, i'll do the hank/dawn/giles thing when i write the second part. if there is a second part. there should be a seond part cause i wanna deal with faith and willow and those three too. so yeah. dunno when i'll do it though.

edited to add: dont worry kittens i'll write some more soon! i didn't see those posts until after i posted.

[This message has been edited by Rane (edited June 14, 2001).]

[Ginner]

quote:

---

Originally posted by Rane:
edited to add: dont worry kittens i'll write some more soon! i didn't see those posts until after i posted.

---

*Stops her wailing*

Oh...okay then.

*Goes off to play, whistling happily*

[This message has been edited by Ginner (edited June 14, 2001).]quote:

[Rane]

ok, dont know if anyone will read this but it's a kinda epilogue yet the beginning to the next fic. warning: no resolution to anything yet, just the goodbyes...

******************************************
At the Summers house. Dawn opens the door.

Dawn- Dad.
Hank- Hello, Dawn. (they hug awkwardly. Wendy enters behind him) This is Wendy. (he notices Giles is standing aside) Are you the social worker?
Giles- No, I’m- A friend of the family. Rupert Giles. (shakes his hand)
Dawn- He’s been taking care of me since...
Hank- (nods) Thank you very much for helping Dawnie. I appreciate that.
Giles- Sure.

Dawn sees Tara and Willow pull up.

Dawn- They’re here! (she runs out to greet them. Giles follows)

Uncomfortable, Wendy and Hank stand about in the foyer. Wendy looks over to the family room and sees Spike sitting somberly on the couch. The room is a bit dark, has the blinds drawn due to the fact it’s daytime and there’s a vampire in the house (they dont know this of course). She grabs Hanks hand.

Hank – (follows her gaze) Hi. Who are you?
Spike- I’m Spike.
Wendy- Spike? What kind of a name is that?

Giles enters carrying the overnight bags. Dawn is being hugged on both sides by the witches. Willow’s holding Cordy’s basket.

Willow- (grinning as she finished a story) And so it was all her fault.
Dawn- Leave it to Cordelia to make others wait. Even if she isn’t even in the same town.
Hank- (to Willow) Hello.
Willow- Hi. I’m-
Hank- Willow Rosenberg. I remember your face. (hold his hand out to her, she shakes it a bit confused he knows who she is.) I like your hair shorter. (it was a bit painful for him to speak.) Buffy... She, uh, she showed me pictures of all of you last time I... Saw her.
Willow- (tearing up, with a sad smile) I’m sorry.
Dawn- (wanting to change the subject) This is Tara. She and Willow-
Tara- Baby-sit. (nods hello to Hank) Sir.

Hank sadly smiles at her. Willow’s glaring a bit not understanding why Tara would do that.

Wendy- Could I trouble someone for some water?
Tara- I-I’ll get it.
Willow- I’ll go leave the cookies in the kitchen.
Spike- (Perks up from the couch) Cookies? (jumps and follows them to the kitchen)

Giles motions for them all to go sit in the family room.

In the kitchen.

Willow- Ok. What was that about?
Tara- He doesn’t need to know about us.
Willow- Why?
Tara- Willow, if we want Dawn to even be able to at least visit, he can’t know.
Spike- (agreed as he ate one of the cookies as he sat on the kitchen counter) Wiccies got a point. He could be a total ‘phobe. Never let you near the girl again.
Willow- What?! No.
Tara- You don’t know him, Willow.
Willow- Yeah, but... (thinks back to Tara’s father and where she’s coming from) Right.

Awkward silence.

Spike- Are we actually letting the nibblet go with him?
Willow- We?
Tara- There’s nothing we can do, Spike. We’re not kin. He’s her father.
Spike- Dejavu much, loverwicca?
Willow- Shut up!
Spike- Hey, if it wasn’t for me she’d be at home milking cows right now.
Tara- We don’t have cows.
Dawn- (entering) What’s going on?
Willow- Spike is being his annoying self as usual. How are you? (hold up the basket to her) Cookie?
Dawn- No thanks. (sit’s next to Spike) The so called adults are having a conversation in the living room. If they are going to pretend I’m not in the room I may as well not be in it.
Tara- Oh, Dawnie.
Dawn- Wendy’s pregnant.
Willow- Who’s Wendy?
Dawn- Dad’s new wife.
Tara- Wife? I thought she was the social worker.
Dawn- No, they were on their honeymoon. Too busy boinking to return calls. (no one says a word) They’re talking about the house and stuff.
Tara- What happened with the Council?
Dawn- They’re pulling a Hank Summers. They’re not returning Giles’ calls. I don’t think Giles wants me anyhow.
Willow- Dawn! That is not true! We all want you to stay. I mean, I’d even apply to be your legal guardian if I could.
Dawn- Why can’t you?
Willow- (looks to Tara, back at Dawn) I don’t know if I can.
Dawn- Cause you’re gay? If that’s what’s scaring you Spike can pretend to be your boyfriend.
Spike- I did think you looked kinda sexy in that outfit once.
Tara- Hey!
Willow- Spike!
Tara- What outfit?
Willow- Doesn’t matter... Dawn, we’ll figure out a way. A legal way. I promise.
Wendy- (entering) Water?
Tara- Oh! I’m so s-s-sorry about that.
Willow- Here, let me get it.
Wendy- Are you bags all packed, Dawnie?
Dawn- It’s Dawn, and yes. Well, no. I still have some stuff to- Spike? Come with me?
Spike- Sure thing.

They exit. Willow hands Wendy a glass of water.

Willow- Here you go.
Wendy- Thank you. (drinks it all in one sip) This is so odd.
Willow- Yeah.
Wendy- the way Hank spoke of Buffy- I would have never thought she’d kill herself.
Willow- She did not kill herself!
Wendy- Well, then why was she up on that tower?
Willow- you don’t know anything about Buffy Summers.
Wendy- No. I guess I don’t. (walks out of the kitchen)
Tara- Willow...
Willow- (runs into her arms, crying) She did not kill herself.
Tara- I know, baby. We all know.

Upstairs. Hallway is littered with boxes. Dawn and giles had been packing up things. they enter Buffy’s room. also full of boxes.
Spike- What do you need help with, little bit?
Dawn- This.

She walks over to a chest. Takes out some weapons and spreads them on the bed.

Dawn- Buffy would have wanted you to have them. You know, to protect yourself.
Spike- (amazed as he handles the weapons) No. These were her pampered darlings. I can’t do that.
Dawn- Well, it’s either you or the next Slayer who will be using them. I’d rather it be you.
(Spike nods appreciatively) You’ll protect them, right? Willow and Tara and Xander? Anya? (tearing up) Giles?
Spike- I’ll do my best, love.

In the kitchen.

Tara- (stroking her hair) Are you ok?
Willow- Just keep holding me and I will be.
Tara- Always, baby... Doesn’t Hank live in LA?
Willow- I don’t know. I think so. Why?
Tara- Well, if you- you know. You’ll be near her. You can check up on her.
Willow- I still don’t understand why you won’t go back with me.
Tara- If I’m there- You, you need to concentrate. I can't help you with that. I’ll just be in your way.
Willow- No. But I can’t do it without you. You help me concentrate. You know together my magick is stronger.
Tara- It’s not about magick, Willow. It’s about you. You didn’t need me there when you- (sighs) This is something you need to do for yourself.
Willow- Tara, I can’t be away from you. Ever. Again. I won’t go without you.
Dawn- (entering with Spike) Go where?
Willow- (bouncing off Tara) Jesus, Dawn! You scared me!
Dawn- Sorry. Where you going?
Willow- LA.
Dawn- What? Why?
Willow- Um, Angel and them... And, you.
Dawn- (eyes wide) You mean it?! You’re going to be in LA?!
Willow- Yeah. (Dawn runs and hugs her)
Dawn- (to Tara, hopeful) You too?
Tara- (looks to Willow and back to Dawn, nods) Yes.
Dawn- For how long?
Willow- A couple of weeks, I guess.
Spike- (eating another cookie) Am I not invited?
Giles- (enters) Dawn... They’re about ready to leave.
Dawn- No. (starts to tear up,) No! I don’t wanna go. (runs to Tara, hugging her) Tara...
Hank- (enters) Dawn, We- uh... We should go. We’ll be waiting outside. Thank you all for your generous support. I’ll- Bye. (exits)
Dawn- (lets go of Tara, to Giles) I don’t want to go, Giles.

He’s speechless and hurt. It’s painfully obvious.

Willow- Dawn, listen to me. Pretend you’re going on a vacation. We’ll see you real soon. I promise.
Dawn- (nods and hugs her) I love you, Willow.
Willow- I love you too.
Dawn- (turns back to Tara. hugs her again) Tara, I never told you-
Tara- You don’t have to say anything, Dawnie.
Dawn- But-
Tara- Dawn, knowing what I went through... I’d do it again. To protect you. Always.
Dawn- (crying) Thank you.

Dawn sniffles and wipes her tears as she turns to Spike. They have no words for each other. Willow’s crying now and holding Tara close. Spike just opens his arms wide. Dawn embraces him.

Dawn- Thank you for everything, Spike.
Spike- Not a problem. Be good.
Dawn- (chuckles) You too.

She turns to Giles and they walk out together. He’s got his arm over her shoulder and she’s hugging his waist.

Willow- (crying) Dawn...

The three just stay in the kitchen. Silent.

The end... for now. *weevil laughter*

[This message has been edited by Rane (edited June 16, 2001).]

[Warduke]

That was great Rane, I loved the conversation between W/T, Spike and Dawn, very funny

[RomanceJunky]

WOW Rane! This is really an incredible story! I can't wait to see what your evil little mind will comw up with next...

The Junky...lovin' every min. of it!

------------------
"I am, You know."
"What?"
"Yours."

[Rane]

thank you so much. stay tuned for more. soon. i need a break...

[Lonewolf]

"Rane" that was sooooo great and sad my eyes are tearing up as I write this, but can you answer me one thing: Why would Tara not want to go to LA with Willow I still don't understand that? Once again absolutely great fic.

Lonewolf

[Rane]

aw, you are sooo sweet, lonewolf!

re: Tara and LA, i'm trying to be all artistic and angsty (something i suck at) but the reality of it is it has something to do with *restless*. tara is speaking to her and says something like *i cant help you with that* re: when people find out about her or something. i'm thinking willow's growing power and/or lack of self control. it's willow who needs to deal with it and she cannot be helped by someone else.

do i make sense now?