Problems in Paradise
by Net Girl
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: The Buffy the Vampire Slayer characters and Charmed
characters are property of their respected owners etc. All characters
belong to them.
Spoilers: Nothing, much, almost nothing about Dawn as I said, just a
sister of Buffy's and for Charmed? I have no idea. If there are,
please tell me.
Setting: After Five Witches and A… Baby?
Symbols: [] indicates a flashback. <> Indicates a thought. <<>> Is a
place or time stamp.
Warnings: Riley has never existed in my stories, so if something is
wrong with a description that is because Riley never existed.
Author's Notes: This story follows Inner Demons.
The song `I Was Made To Love You' is written by Deviller,
K.Follese, Hosein. It is sung by Bart and Sita from StarMaker.
Dedication: The whole willtara list for liking the story and
supporting me, you guys keep me going :-). And a special dedication
to Vlumila, a friend of mine, who told me never to stop writing.
And another special dedication to Mel for the spell.
The past week had been really quiet for Willow and Tara; Tara had still been recovering from the time she spent with toddler Dawn. It was quite a kid; they had never seen a kid so busy. But then again, it was Dawn and even in her teens Dawn was a little over excited with everything.
Willow on the other hand loved playing the caring role and took care of Tara's every needs. But something was worrying her; she hadn't seen Buffy or Faith in over a week and was getting worried. Every time she called Joyce had told her the same thing over and over again, that they needed some time together. Either time together was *really* time together or there were problems they needed to discuss. Of course Willow hoped it was the last thing.
Tara had taken full advantage of Willow's caring role, but she had noticed something was wrong with Willow. It seemed like Willow had her worry face on 24/7 and Tara wanted to take the worries away, but hadn't been able to do that. "Willow?"
"Hmm?"
"What's wrong?"
"It's nothing."
"Come on… you are frowning way too much these days and I don't like it when your frowny. I like you happy."
"It's just… nothing, never mind."
"What?"
"I'm worried about Buffy" Willow let out with a sigh of relief and worry. Relief that she told Tara and worrying for Buffy and even worried about Faith. Even if she and Buffy were together now, she never really trusted Faith. Willow hadn't told Tara about it, hell she never even told Buffy about it. She could see Buffy was happy and didn't want to come between that.
"That isn't the only thing that is going on in that pretty little head of yours" Tara said as she gently placed a kiss on Willow's lips.
"No it isn't" Willow admitted.
"Care to tell me?"
"I want to, but I'm afraid."
"Afraid of what?"
"That you will get upset by it."
They had been in bed all morning not wanting to get up. Tara pulled Willow closer who was now laying with her back towards Tara. She put her arms around Willow and placed her head on Willow's shoulder and whispered, "I can never get upset with you."
Willow smiled and moved her head a little giving Tara better access to her neck, which she had been playfully kissing. "You still want to know what I was thinking about?"
"Yes I do honey, you know you can tell me anything" Tara said and gently placed kisses on Willow's neck.
Willow was still thinking whether she should tell Tara or not. "I still don't really trust Faith," She just blurted out. Willow immediately knew something was wrong; the small and gentle kisses on her neck had stopped. "Tara?"
"Hmm, what?"
"Are you upset by what I just said? Cuz you stopped… you know… with the kisses."
"No I'm not, it startled me a little, that's all" Tara said, "You told me what she did to you and to the rest of the gang. I never expected you just to forgive her, those things take time."
Willow turned her head and met Tara's eyes with her own. She put her hand on the back of Tara's head and pulled her in for a kiss. "Thank you for understanding" Willow said between the kisses and turned around to completely face her lover.
Tara laid on her back and pulled Willow on top of her, "I love you, and you know that right?"
"I do… And I love you too."
<<Summers Home>>
"Mom, why haven't they been down this week?"
"I don't know Dawn, they just need time I guess."
"Time for what?"
"I don't know Dawn!"
"Sorry."
"It's ok, just a little stressed about the gallery."
"Need help?"
"Sure, come on" Joyce said and walked out of the kitchen with her youngest daughter, "Buffy, Faith! We're going to the gallery."
"Ok" both girls said from upstairs.
"Come on Dawn. Let's go."
"Are you ready to tell me what's wrong?" Buffy asked Faith. The dark haired slayer didn't answer Buffy's question, she just moved away from the safety of her arms and moved to the end of the bed. "Faith?"
"B, don't."
"Don't what?" Buffy asked surprised, "What do you mean?"
"Never mind."
"No Faith, what am I not supposed to do?"
"Don't love me!"
"What?" Buffy was surprised, how could she not love her. She loved everything about her, hell they were soulmates, <Don't love me? What does that supposed to mean?>
"Just don't" Faith said, "How can I be loved, after all I did to you, your mother, red and the others."
"I thought we already had this conversation."
"You did, I just said those things to make you happy" Faith replied, "How can you love me? I almost killed you, your mother and red. Hell! I even tried to kill Angel."
"Is this because we haven't…" Buffy said as she moved closer to Faith.
"No! It's not about that, aren't forgetting something? I was the one who pushed you away remember, every time you tried… I knew you weren't ready for that… weren't ready for me."
"What are you talking about?"
"I don't even understand why I'm still here" Faith said, "Your mother doesn't trust me, you don't trust me. Even red doesn't trust me!"
"How can you say something like that?"
"Because I can see it in their eyes" Faith replied, "Your mother doesn't trust me because I almost killed her. Red had that look in her eyes ever since I woke up in the hospital."
"Red… I mean Willow does trust you."
"How can you tell? Did she tell you? She certainly hasn't told me that she can trust me."
"Faith…" Buffy said and put a hand on the dark haired slayer.
"Don't touch me… just don't" Faith said and got up from the bed, "Look B, I can't take this anymore" Faith kissed Buffy with more passion then ever before and left the room, "I'm sorry B."
"Faith!" Buffy now was in tears but didn't get a reply. She put her head in her hands and started crying. How could she do this, why this sudden change of actions? She loved Faith and now she just threw that away by saying she doesn't trust Faith. Buffy knew she needed Faith, she needed Faith more than life itself. "I'm going to get her back, even if I die trying to."
Both Willow and Tara laid exhausted on the bed, they had been making love for the past two hours, they couldn't get enough of each other. Tara loved Willow even more every time they shared something; a kiss, a touch, a secret, feelings. She loved Willow more because it meant she trusted her, trusted her enough to tell her things, tell her about how she felt, that was the exact reason why she loved Willow so much.
"Something is wrong."
"Did I do something."
"No it's not you Tara" Willow reassured her, "It's Buffy, I can feel it here" She said and put a hand above her heart, "I don't know how to explain it, but she's hurting."
"I know. I can feel it too" Willow looked surprised at her lover, "I mean… You and Buffy are connected by heart and soul, in a friendship way. And I… I'm connected to you by heart, body, mind and soul."
"What are you saying? You can feel what I feel?"
"Yes I can, I feel everything you feel and more" Tara replied, "That's why I can feel that Buffy is in pain too, I can feel it because you are open to Buffy's feelings. If she's hurting it hurts you the most. And if you are hurting, I'm hurting."
It was the sweetest thing Willow had ever heard, she moved a string of hair away from Tara's ear and put it behind her ear, then she moved her hand behind Tara's head and pulled her in for a kiss. Their kiss was abruptly ended when they heard someone knock on their door, this person was in big need to get in.
"Coming" Willow said and jumped up from the bed. She walked to the door and opened it, seeing who it was, she wasn't surprised about it, "Buffy…"
"Hey" It was all she could say, close to tears she walked in and sat on a chair.
"What's wrong?" Tara asked.
Buffy didn't reply right away, not sure of what to say to the two girls. After a silence of over 10 minutes she finally spoke, "She's gone."
"What do you mean?" Willow asked, "Who is gone?"
"Faith is, she's gone."
They weren't too sure how to handle the news Buffy just told them, but they could clearly see that she didn't like it at all. "What happened?" Tara asked.
"We talked, she said I can't love here, she kissed me, stood up and left."
Willow and Tara looked at each other trying to let the news sink in. How could Buffy not love Faith, Faith meant everything to her and they could see in her eyes that Faith loved Buffy too.
"What are you going to do?" Willow asked her best friend.
"I'm going to find her and make all those doubts go away."
"Ok, that was fast" Willow stated and smiled, "She loves you Buffy, I know that. I can see it in her eyes and I think she loved you ever since she met you."
"I know she loves me Will, that wasn't even the problem."
"Then what?" Willow asked.
"Should I g-go?" Tara asked.
"No, it's ok Tara. Doesn't matter, you can stay" Buffy looked at Tara and smiled. She got a shy smile back from the blonde witch and continued what she was saying before, "She does love me, I know that. She thinks we don't trust her."
"What do you mean?" Willow asked.
"She can see it in your eyes that you don't trust her."
"I do trust her!" Willow said. She got a what-did-we-talk-about-before look from Tara and Buffy also looked at her if she was hiding something, "Ok, so I don't really trust her."
"Why?" Buffy asked her.
"It hasn't been easy you know" Willow began, "She came in to our lives, we barely spoke, she slept with Xander, nearly killed me, your mother and Angel. Hell, she even tried to kill you! And then you suddenly loved her? Yeah sure, you're soulmates, then why hasn't it stopped her from almost killing us all!"
"Will" Tara whispered and took her lover's hand.
"No it's ok Tara" Buffy said and turns to Willow, "She IS good now."
"I know that" Willow replied, "It's just… How can you tell if she won't go back to her old homicidal self? She seemed to enjoy it the last time!"
"Will, that's not fair…" Buffy said, "It's not like she wanted to kill that deputy mayor. After her first real kill, she went out of control. And when she got out of control, she took the easiest way out."
"What do you mean by first real kill, she killed demons…" Tara said.
"She killed a human, the deputy mayor was a real human" Buffy replied.
"O, never mind then."
"I know that Buffy" Willow said, "I know she went out of control, but why did she, couldn't she just ask for help?"
"I don't know Willow" Buffy replied, "Faith is a really complicated girl, she hasn't told me everything yet. She told me a lot, but it never went further back then the time she got called."
"What are you saying?" Willow asked.
"I'm saying that I think something went completely wrong when she was a child."
"Abused?"
"Yes Tara, I think she was" Buffy replied, "Every time I ask something about her childhood, she just blocks me out and I end up comforting her when she starts crying again. And it happened a lot the past week."
"I'm sorry" Willow said.
"Sorry for what?" Buffy asked her friend.
"For everything that I said" Willow replied, "I can't say they aren't true but…"
"But what?"
"I don't know if I could ever trust her."
Buffy sighed and looked at her best friend, "That's one of the reasons she left."
"What do you mean?" Tara asked.
"She's afraid that nobody trusts her, she wants to show that she has changed. But she doesn't want to show it, because nobody trusts her. She even thinks I don't trust her."
<<Hotel just outside Sunnydale>>
Faith was laying on a bed in a room of a cheap hotel thinking of what happened. All she wanted to do is get back and take Buffy in her arms, but she knew she couldn't. What was the point in going back if they didn't trust her…
And if they didn't trust her, if Buffy didn't trust her, how could she be complete… Where were these feelings coming from, one moment she was perfectly happy and the next… She didn't even want to think about it, but how could she not. She had just left the love of her life, her everything.
It didn't make sense, she loved Buffy more then everything. Hell, she loved her from the first time they met. She wanted so bad to be a part of their group, the so-called scoobies. She wanted to be a part of their close friendship. She wanted so bad to be a part of Buffy's life that it made her cry at night when she was laying in bed.
Faith sat up straight in bed and made a decision that was going to change her life for good. A decision that changed her life in a good way. "I'm going to get her back, I don't care what happens next. I'm going back, win their trust and get Buffy back in my life. I don't care how, I'm just going to do it." She laid back on the bed and closed her eyes and trying not to think of what happened and get some sleep.
After a few hours she heard some noises and sat up in her bed, there wasn't much she could because it was already night. She looked around but couldn't find anyone or anything, when she about to lay back down someone grabbed her from behind and put a cloth over her mouth with chloroform. She knew what it was, she had used it herself on other people before.
It didn't take long for the drug to take affect, all Faith could hear before she completely went out was her attacker speaking, "Payback's a bitch isn't it… Sweet Faith."
It was night, after Buffy's comment that Faith thought she doesn't trust her Buffy went out to patrol. Patrolling without Faith by her side, the hardest thing she even had to do. They were connected by mind, heart, body and soul and they were in perfect harmony every time they went on patrol together.
Now… now she had to patrol alone. Normally she wouldn't be scared at all, but now she was… scared for herself and for Faith, without Faith she felt lost and alone. If it wasn't for her slayer strength she would have been killed already.
Two vampires came from nowhere and took her by surprise and it nearly killed her because her thoughts weren't on the slaying, her thoughts were with Faith and getting Faith back in her life. Hoping Faith would open up to her and tell her what really happened when she was a little kid.
Buffy was so deep in thoughts that she didn't hear someone coming behind her. The person behind her stepped on a twig and startled Buffy who turned around attacking the person with her stake. She was just in time to see it wasn't a vampire, "Willow!"
"Sjees Buffy, calm down."
"Ow, sorry Will" Buffy said, "Thought you were a vamp."
"Me? A vamp, you kidding?" Willow replied, "That only happens in an alternate universe" She looked at Buffy and they started laughing. "So… how are you feeling?"
"I'm cool" Buffy replied.
"You sure?" Willow asked her.
Buffy looks at Willow and tears start rolling from her eyes, "No" is all she can bring out and breaks down in Willow's arms. Willow can barely hold her up and starts walking back to Buffy's home, the slayer asked her not to go there and Willow takes her to her and Tara's apartment.
"How is she?" Tara asked.
"She's still asleep" It had been an hour since she brought Buffy to her apartment. She had laid Buffy on the bed in the guestroom. She had seen how Buffy rolled up like a little ball and cry herself to sleep, it broke her heart to see her best friend like that.
"I'll get it" Willow said and walked to the phone, "Hello, this is Willow."
"Hey Willow, Joyce here."
"Hey Joyce, how are you?"
"I'm doing good. Have you seen Buffy anywhere?" Joyce almost asked in panic. She hadn't seen her daughter since she went on patrol and started getting worried about her. Normally it wouldn't take that long for Buffy to patrol.
"She's right here, she's having a tough time."
"About what?"
Now it was time for Willow to be surprised, "She hasn't told you?"
"Told me what?"
"Uhm I… I should let Buffy tell herself."
"Willow? What is it?"
"She and Faith kinda broke up."
"What!" Joyce said almost screaming in the phone, "Ok, I'm coming to you."
"Uhm I don't think that is such a good idea."
"What are you talking about, she's my daughter."
"I know" Willow replied, "It's just… she's resting right now. When I wanted to take her home she almost begged me not to take her back."
"Ok" Joyce reluctantly said, "Tell her I love her and that I will see her tomorrow."
"Sure of course" Willow replied. They said goodbye and Willow hung up the phone.
"Who was that?" Tara asked.
"That was Joyce, she was worried" Willow replied, "And now I'm even more worried, she hadn't told her mother about the semi break up between her and Faith."
Willow walked up to the guestroom and saw Buffy was still sleeping, she noticed that now and then a tear rolled down her cheek. She put her head against the side of the door opening and sighed, Tara heard the sigh and walked up to her. She put her arm around her and rested her chin on her shoulder and gently kissed her neck. "They're going to get through this love" Tara said, "I know they are, if there are two people that were meant to be, it's them."
Willow raised a brow at Tara's statement, "And what about us?"
"Yes love, we were meant to be" Tara said and used her hand to turn Willow's head towards her and kissed her gently, "I was talking about people beside us."
"Yeah… I knew that" Willow replied and turned her head to look at Buffy again. Tara pulled away from Willow and took her hand, "No Tara, I need to watch over Buffy." Tara looked a little disappointed at Willow's comment but respected it. As soon as she saw Tara's face, she couldn't resist it and decided to go to bed anyway. "You want to get all snugly don't you?"
"You know me so well" Tara said and smiled, "Listen Willow" Tara said with a more serious voice "You can't help her right now. Let Buffy get her rest, she'll feel a little better in the morning and then she will go and find Faith."
"I know, it's just… she's hurting."
"I know that love, but she needs her rest and so do you" Tara replied and guided Willow to their room. They both put on a t-shirt and went in bed, Willow rolled on her side looking out the window. It was a full moon out and she enjoyed the sight of a blue and silver like room. Tara moved in close behind her and put her arms around the redhead holding her tight and afraid of letting her go.
"Promise me something."
"What?" Tara said as she placed gentle kisses on Willow's neck and shoulders.
"No more secrets, not ever" Willow replied, "I almost lost you when your family came to visit. I can't bare the thought of coming even close to losing you, I can't live without you."
"No more secrets Will, I promise" Tara said and held Willow even tighter. She knew there couldn't be anymore secrets and Tara knew that she still had to tell things to Willow, but not now, not this night. Not now she was so close to Willow. Soon, she promised herself… soon.
Faith slowly recovered from the chloroform and opened her eyes, there wasn't much to see it was still dark. She was laying on a mattress in the floor of what seem to be a small hotel room. Faith tried to get up but something held her hands against the wall, she was handcuffed to a pipe on the wall. The dark haired slayer was still to weak from the chloroform to break the pipe or the handcuffs and gave up trying.
"Why do I always get chained up?" She asked her self and looked around, her eyes weren't used to the dark yet and couldn't see much. Faith could hear a lot and decided to just keep quite so she could hear if someone was coming.
She noticed that the person wasn't coming, that person was already there, "Show yourself!" Faith yelled. The other person started laughing, Faith somehow knew that laugh.
"Sweet, sweet Faith" the voice said, "You didn't think you could get rid of me that easily now did you?"
Now the voice sounded really familiar to Faith. It was a female voice and she recognized it from her past, but couldn't place it, "Who are you?" Faith said in a threatening voice.
"You're not in a position to threat anyone" The female voice said, "And don't say you don't know me, after all… I was your first. Your first love and your first punch bag!"
The girl stepped out of the darkness and in to the light of the moon that shined in through the window. Faith's eyes widened as she saw who it was, "Michelle?"
"That's me" she replied, "So you haven't forgot about me… that's a good sign, the more this will hurt." As she said that, Michelle made a fist and hit Faith on her nose. She hit Faith so hard that it actually broke her nose.
"You are so going to die" Faith said trying not to show her pain.
"I'm going to die? That's a good one sweetheart" Michelle replied, "Look at you, you're chained to the wall and as weak as any slayer could be. O yes love, I know about you being a slayer."
Faith was a little surprised about it, but didn't show it. All she could think of was getting out as fast as she could.
"And you know what? I'm going to keep you this weak."
"Nobody can keep me weak" Faith replied, "Not long ago I got the crap beaten out of me and I healed quicker then you can say my name."
"I know, honey" Michelle replied, "But what I'm going to do to you, is far worse than what that demon did to you."
Faith's eyes widened at Michelle's revelation, her eyes grew even wider when she saw Michelle coming at her again, this time with a belt…
Faith closed her eyes and rolled up like a ball, trying to ignore the pain when she got hit with the belt. She prayed it would stop, she was screaming of pain… It didn't help, it only made Michelle lash out harder on her back.
"No!" Buffy screamed. Both Willow and Tara jumped out of bed and hurried to the blonde slayer. It had only been an hour since they fell asleep and at that time it sounded like Buffy was a sleep too.
"Buffy? What's wrong?" Willow said and sat next to her on the bed.
"It's Faith" Buffy replied, "She's hurting… bad."
"What do you mean?" Tara asked, "Can you feel her?"
Buffy nodded and looked at Willow, "She's hurting real bad. Physically and mentally." Buffy couldn't hold back the tears and started crying, "I have to find her Will."
"I know" Willow replied, "And we're all going to help you."
"Tomorrow" Tara said and looked at Willow.
"Yes tomorrow" Willow replied and hugged Buffy. She stood up from the bed and walked back to her and Tara's room.
<<Next Morning>>
"Good morning sleepy head" Willow said to Buffy. Tara and Willow had been awake an hour before Buffy was and she needed the sleep. Buffy wasn't looking that good, she had puffy red eyes, "How long have you been awake last night?" Willow asked her, she knew that Buffy didn't go to sleep immediately.
"Too long" Buffy replied and sat on the couch.
"You want something to eat Buffy?"
"Sure, thanks Tara" the blonde slayer replied.
After breakfast they went to Giles' place and filled him in on the situation, he was shocked at first to hear what happened between Faith and Buffy, but he was sure of it that they would get back together and that they would find her.
"Where do you think she could be?" Giles asked Buffy.
"I don't know, but where ever it is, it isn't good" the blonde replied, "I can feel she's hurting."
"I know."
"What do you mean Willow?" Giles asked the redhead.
"It's a heart and soul thing, too long to explain. Ask Tara" They all raised a brow at the comment she made and decided to figure it out later. Now they needed to concentrate on finding Faith and from the look on Buffy's face, they knew they had to find the dark haired slayer fast.
Faith's back was covered in blood and the dirt from the floor only made it hurt worse. After the first ten times the blue-eyed girl had hit Faith, the dark haired slayer was losing conscience. Michelle didn't want that to happen and kept her awake every time. She wanted to make sure Faith felt the belt every time it hit her.
The beating lasted for an hour, which seemed days to Faith. After that hour Michelle became tired herself from hitting the dark haired slayer and went away. After the girl left Faith even cried harder, crying of pain and of being so powerless.
When morning came Faith was happy to see some light through the window of the room. Now she was able to see the room completely. It wasn't really big, it was only enough for one person to stay in. Faith could also see that someone had already stayed there for a long time, "She has been watching me" Faith said to herself looking around. Faith tried to move and sit in a more comfortable position, but the pain was too much.
"Hello love, sleep well?" Michelle said walking in the room, "This does bring back some memories doesn't it? The way you hurt me and then we always made love… let me correct that, YOU made love to me. I hated it every time you touched me."
"Then why the hell did you stay with me?"
"Because I loved you" Michelle replied, "At first it was ok, but when you started hitting me… let's just say something snapped."
"Look I never meant to hurt you, I needed to…"
"… blow off some steam. Yes I've heard it and I was the only one around" Michelle said, "Did you needed to blow off steam every single time? Or did you just enjoyed it after a while?"
"It hurt me to… I really loved you, I never meant to hurt you" Faith said, "Every time I hit you something broke inside of me."
Michelle seemed to show some sympathy towards Faith, but she changed her mind real quick. She was going to hurt Faith over and over again for what the dark haired slayer did to her. Michelle took a bucket of water and soap, she grabbed a cloth and started cleaning Faith's back. She thought as it of cleaning her back, but it was pure torture for Faith.
It didn't take long for Faith to black out from the pain and Michelle smiled, "You rest now sweet Faith, there's a lot more coming for you." Michelle left the room and closed the door, she needed to look in on something…
"We're going to check all the sleazy hotels in Sunnydale" Willow said as she grabbed Tara's hand and stood up. Everyone, especially Buffy, gave Willow a quick look, "What?" the redhead asked, "She stayed in one before."
"Willow is correct about that" Giles said and sat on a chair.
"I know" Buffy said, "Ok, Willow and Tara you check the hotels in Sunnydale, I'll check the hotels just outside Sunnydale."
"Why outside Sunnydale?" Tara wanted to know.
"I know a place where she stayed before" Buffy replied, "Will, Tara, how long do you think it will take before you checked the hotels?"
"I guess about an hour" Tara replied, "There's not much town in here."
"Ok, then we'll meet back at Giles' in an hour."
"Ok, sure" Willow said and walked out of the door with Tara.
"You need any help Buffy?"
"You can't come with me, I have something else to do for you" Buffy replied, "Can you check the nearest airport and harbour. I don't think she'll skip town, but just to make sure."
"Ok, I'll see you in an hour then."
"Yes an hour, bye Giles."
<<Thirty Minutes Later>>
"Willow, we've been to every hotel in Sunnydale."
"No Tara, there are two more places" Willow replied, "And they're even sleazier than sleaze."
"Are you sure you want to go?"
"Yeah I am, besides you are here to protect me right?" Willow looked at Tara with puppy dog eyes, she knew Tara couldn't resist them. She sometimes even used it to get what she wants.
"Do you feel that?"
"What Tara?"
"It feels like someone is watching us."
"Don't be silly" Willow said and squeezed Tara's hand, "Come on, we'll walk a little faster."
Tara was right, someone was watching them. That person was in fact Michelle, she had been following them ever since they left Giles' house.
"Come on Faith, where are you" Buffy pleaded as she walked towards the hotel Faith had been in before. She opened the room where Faith had been in before and saw someone had been in there. She looked around and saw some clothes laying around on the floor and bed. She noticed the bed wasn't made, Faith wasn't always miss clean but she always made the bed.
It looked like there had been a struggle, when she found a pair of leather pants she knew this was the place where Faith had been. But she couldn't find Faith herself, Buffy looked a little closer on the sheets and noticed some blood stains, "Probably from the attacker" Buffy said out loud.
"Damn, time's almost up" Buffy said as she looked at her watch, "Where are you Faith?"
"Guess who's back" Michelle said and sat in front of Faith. The dark haired slayer was still in a lot of pain from the damages Michelle had done to her back, but she was awake again.
"No more" Faith pleaded. At this point she had completely broken down, she wasn't supposed to plead for her life. She was one of the chosen two, she is the one that made other people… or demon plead for their lives, not the other way around.
"No more she asks" Michelle replied, "Did you stop when I pleaded you to stop? But you are lucky, I'm only going to hit you 5 times, need to be somewhere." With that statement Michelle grabbed the belt and started hitting Faith, the pain was unbearable and the dark haired slayer started to scream. A scream that could be heard by anyone if they paid attention.
"D-did you hear that?"
"Yeah I did" Willow replied, "That was a scream of someone in great pain."
"I think it was coming from that direction" Tara replied, "Check it out?"
"Sure, it's on our way to the next hotel."
<Almost there> Buffy thought as she walked back to Giles' house. "Damn Faith, where are you" Buffy whispered.
"That's it for tonight Faith" Michelle said, "I have to be somewhere."
Faith's back was once again drenched in blood. This time Faith didn't pass out, she felt the belt every time it hit her. After Michelle left, she just started to cry; cry because of the pain and cry because she wasn't near the person she loved more than anything in the world.
"There isn't anyone here" Tara said and looked around.
"I know, but I could have sworn somebody screamed."
"Yes" Tara replied, "Come on Will, there's the last hotel" The two girls walked to the hotel and went inside. There wasn't much to see, no people, no nothing. "Come on" Tara said.
"No wait" Willow replied, "I got a nasty feeling about this… this hotel is too… empty."
"Come on Will, there's nobody here." After Tara said that, they heard a noise coming from some place close. "Over there" Tara said and pointed at one of the rooms. Both girls slowly walked towards the room and looked around if nobody was there.
After making sure nobody was, Willow tried to open the door. After a few seconds she gave up trying. When Willow and Tara were about to walk away they heard a voice. "Hello?"
"Did you hear that Will?"
"Yeah I did" Willow replied, "Come on we got to open that door."
Both girls started banging against the door, they were hurting their shoulders but kept on doing it. The voice they heard earlier was calling again and it sounded really familiar. It took the girls a while to open it, but when they eventually did, they wished they hadn't. It was a sight they weren't about to forget soon.
Willow was the first one to speak when they found what was in the room, "Faith?"
Tara and Willow stared in shock at Faith, how could a girl like her get beaten up so badly. "O my god. Tara, we need to get her to a hospital."
"No hospital… just help." It was all Faith could say before she passed out again. The girls got to Faith and tried to free her, but the chain wasn't coming off that easily. With a small spell Willow had learned they eventually got the chain off and both of them held Faith. They didn't know how fast they had to get out of the hotel, just in case Faith's attacker came back.
<<Willow and Tara's apartment>>
"Yes, you have to come over here quick."
"What's wrong Will?" Buffy asked on the other line of the phone.
"It's Faith… she's hurt."
"What happened?"
"We don't know Buffy, just hurry."
It took Buffy a little over 5 minutes to get there, when she heard that Faith had gotten hurt she didn't even know the fastest way was the fastest for her.
When Buffy walked in the room she saw Faith laying on some kind of stretcher on her stomach. Buffy was shocked when she saw the marks with still fresh blood on the dark haired slayer's back, Willow and Tara had put her in the living room because they had better access to the slayer and there wasn't enough room in any of the other rooms.
If Faith would heal as quickly as she always did, the girl could be moved to the guest room. But for now, she was still in a lot of pain and it looked like her wounds got worse after every movement by Faith or every touch from the others.
Luckily the wounds weren't getting worse, there was a lot of blood that made it look worse. "What happened to her?"
"We don't know Buffy" Willow replied, "But it seems someone had a lot of fun doing it."
"Look at her" Tara said feeling sorry for the dark haired slayer, "Every gash looks like it started out from multiple. How can anyone survive this kind of beating?"
"She's a slayer" Buffy replied.
"I know" Tara said, "But this is still a lot more than your usual beating someone with a belt… or whip or whatever they hit her with."
"Not they… who."
They all looked at the stretcher Faith was laying on, the girl was even had a hard time breathing.
"Faith" Buffy said, "Are you ok?"
"I got hit with a belt a few times, but yeah I'm ok."
"At least she's still got her humour" Willow said and got some clean water for Faith's wounds.
"Hey B" Faith said, "Still love me?"
"Always" Buffy replied and sat down in front of the dark haired slayer. Faith couldn't see Buffy, the pain of her back prevented her to do even the slightest movement like moving her head. Willow returned with the clean water, Buffy asked her to give it to her so she could clean Faith's back.
Willow handed her the water and grabbed Tara's hand, "Alone time for them" she whispered and pulled her towards their room. Willow closed the door behind them and looked at her girlfriend, she gently caressed her cheek and pulled her if for a deep passionate kiss. Willow moved from Tara's mouth to her neck, she was stopped by Tara who pulled away. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing."
"Then why…?"
"I just want to know what we do with those two" Tara replied, "It's obvious Faith can't be moved right now. And I think Buffy wants to be with her in her own home."
"Don't worry about that love" Willow said, "Buffy knows what's best for Faith right now and that is not moving. And besides, we got a guestroom right… Buffy can stay in there and still be close to Faith."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes I am" Willow replied. The redhead moved closer to Tara again and started kissing her neck, Tara cupped Willow's face and brought their lips together for another passionate kiss. Willow's arms caressed Tara's back who left out a soft moan from the gentle touch of Willow's hands.
"Three guesses of what they are doing now" Buffy said smiling.
"They got a good thing going on" Faith replied, "A very good thing" Faith turned her head away from Buffy with a lot of pain and sighed.
Buffy was curious on why she did that. She moved to the other side of the stretcher and locked eyes with Faith who closed hers. Buffy didn't take any effort on pushing her to tell what's wrong and gently started cleaning Faith's back. Faith flinched under every touch of Buffy, flinched because of pain and embarrassment. Embarrassed that she couldn't take care of herself, she had to be taking care of.
"Who did this to you?" Buffy whispered to Faith. The dark haired opened her mouth but said nothing, she couldn't tell Buffy about Michelle. What would she think of her if she found out that she tortured her former lover.
"I…"
"What is it Faith?"
"Nothing, never mind."
"Ok…"
Faith could feel the hurt of rejection when Buffy said that. "Buffy…"
"No it's ok, if you don't want to tell then don't."
"Then why are you so upset?"
"I just… I thought you at least trusted me."
"I do… it's just that…" Faith took a deep breath, there was no time for hiding anything anymore. And so she began to tell her everything that had to do with Michelle, the rest of her past would follow soon… not now.
She told Buffy everything; that Michelle was her first love and the person she hurt the most. When Faith told Buffy about her past, the blonde slayer gave looks of horror when she heard what Faith had done to Michelle. The horror went away as quickly as it came when she saw the guilt in Faith's eyes, the regret of hurting the person she loved.
Faith didn't know Willow and Tara had been listening to everything she had said and was startled when she heard her name, "Faith…" Willow whispered, "I'm so sorry" Faith turned her head to face Willow, the dark haired slayer had a single tear rolling down her cheek, "I'm sorry" Willow said again.
"Don't…" Faith said, "It's part of the past, a past that I don't want to relive." Faith tried to sit up, but even with her fast slayer healing she wasn't able to because of the wounds. Michelle had hit her so hard that you could see some flesh. When Faith had tried to sit up some wounds started to bleed again.
"Don't move again" Buffy said.
"I'm sorry" Faith said.
"I'll get some new clothes and clean water" Tara said and grabbed the dirty clothes and water. When she returned she took a good look at Faith's back. "Some of these cuts need stitches. We need to get her to a hospital."
"No hospitals" Faith said and grabbed Tara's hands, "No hospitals." Faith wasn't too keen on hospitals. She had knew some of them in side and out, but could never get used to them.
"How are we supposed to close the wound?" Buffy said and looked at Faith.
"Willow…"
"What? No Faith… I can't."
"Yes you can, trust me…" There it was again, trust. Willow had to trust her, the dark haired slayer almost pleaded Willow to trust her. "Honey…" Tara said and looked at Willow with puppy dog eyes. Willow could never resist that look and told them she would do it.
"Ok, but I need to get the right equipment for it."
"I'll go to the hospital and get some."
"Uhm Buffy, can you do that?" Tara asked.
"They'll never find out." And with that note Buffy went to the hospital to get the supplies. The others just watched her as she left the room, still surprised that she would just `steal' the stuff. Buffy returned after a short thirty minutes and had gotten all the supplies she thought Willow needed. Willow stitched up Faith's deepest wounds, the rest had to heal with time.
"Hello Faith, sleep…" Michelle looked around the room but couldn't find her, "…well?" She finished her sentence. "She's gone" Michelle grabbed the first thing in reach and threw it against the wall where Faith had been in earlier. "I'm going to find you again Faith… and I know exactly where to look. But first a little preparation time."
The blue eyed girl looked around and found exactly what she needed. She already had a knife in her hands, but was looking for something else, something more effective. Something that could kill in an instant without knowing what literally hit you.
And then she found it, it was lying in front of her the whole time; A gun…
"How is she doing?" Willow asked her best friend.
"She's been asleep ever since you finished."
"Good, she needs the rest" Willow said, "These few days have been hard on her, physically and mentally."
"I know" Buffy replied, "I just wish I could take the doubt away that she has."
"Give it time" Willow said.
"Will, where's Tara?"
"I don't know, she said she was going to get something for a new spell" Willow replied, "But she didn't tell me which one."
"Ah… How are those spells going anyway?" Buffy asked her with a questioning look.
"Magical" Willow replied dreamy, "Absolutely dreamy."
<<Magic Box>>
"Hey Giles."
"Hello Tara" Giles replied, "How are you?"
"I'm good."
"How is everything with Faith?" Giles said.
"You know?"
"Yes, Buffy called me an hour ago."
"She's doing ok, she's hanging in there" Tara replied, "It has been hard on her."
"Yes it has been."
"I'm going to get some stuff for a new spell."
"Ok, help yourself. You know where it all is, you almost know the whole shop."
Tara smiled at Giles and searched for the stuff she needed for the spell. A spell that could mean the end of her relationship with Willow or a whole new beginning.
"What are you looking for?" Giles said.
"Nothing" Tara replied, "It's a new spell."
"What kind?" Giles asked. Tara looked down at the floor afraid to answer his question, Giles noticed it, "What's wrong?"
"It's n-nothing" Tara replied, "J-just a s-spell to <make someone understand>" The last piece of the sentence wasn't heard by Giles, because she only thought of it.
"A spell to do what?"
"M-make s-someone understand."
"Are you sure? These spells can be very dangerous" Giles said.
"I'm s-sure" Tara couldn't believe she was stuttering again, after all this time without it. Giles noticed it too and asked her why she did that.
"I d-don't know" Tara replied.
"Whatever it is she'll understand" Giles said. He already understood what Tara was talking about, the only spell that matched Tara's description was that of letting people know or understand something from their lover's past.
Tara looked up at Giles and smiled, "Thanks."
"Your welcome."
"I h-have to go now" Tara said, "I got everything, can I pay you later?"
"Just take it, these aren't the expensive stuff."
"Thanks. Bye."
<<Evening, Willow & Tara's apartment>>
"Where's Willow and Tara?"
"They went out" Buffy replied, "They thought we needed some space." Buffy stood up from the chair beside the stretcher Faith was lying on and turned on the radio. The first notes from a song started to play followed by the first part of the lyrics.
## The way our hands fit The way our eyes meet The way I melt when you're holding me There's not a piece that's out of place I can see the way I feel it's written on your face And there is no mistake ##
Buffy moved back to the stretcher and thought about the lyrics that just was sung. It was completely true on everything she felt about Faith.
## The way I tremble when you touch me The way I shiver when you say you love me One kiss and my heart knew Oh Baby I was made to love you Every hour every minute With every thought I think you're in it Without a doubt I know it's true Oh Baby I was made to love you ##
After the chorus played Faith asked Buffy to help her turn around on her back carefully, Buffy doubted to do that, but Faith insisted on it.
## The way I talk The way you listen The way you know just what I'm thinking Long before I even say it I'll never understand it and I Pray it never ends But I know where it begins ##
Faith listened deeper to the second verse and knew it was true. Buffy always listened to her, Buffy always knew exactly what she was thinking.
## The way I tremble when you touch me The way I shiver when you say you love me One kiss and my heart knew Oh baby I was made to love you Every hour every minute With every thought I think you're in it Without a doubt I know it's true Oh Baby I was made to love you ##
By the time the second chorus was over Faith had turned on her back with much pain, but the thought of seeing Buffy's face made it all go away.
## A love this strong isn't bound by time or space Anything or place What's meant to be will be I was meant for you, you were meant for me ##
The bridge was completely true, they're love wasn't bound by time, space, anything or place. They were meant to be together, ever since the first time they met. Nothing could keep them apart anymore. They both knew it when they looked in each other's eyes. Buffy leaned in close enough to whisper the three words Faith had been longing to hear ever since she got captured by Michelle.
"I love you…"
A tear rolled down Faith's cheek, "I love you." Buffy closed the gap between them and kissed Faith with more passion then ever before. Faith opened her mouth a little and let Buffy feel her warmth as the song finished.
## The way I tremble when you touch me The way I shiver when you say you love me One kiss and my heart knew Oh baby I was made to love you Every hour every minute With every thought I think you're in it Without a doubt I know it's true Oh Baby I was made to love you The way I tremble when you touch me The way I shiver when you say you love me When you say you love me ##
<<Weatherly Park, private spot>>
"What spell did you wanted to do?" Willow asked her lover.
"You'll see" Tara replied.
"Oh Come on, can you tell me a little?"
"The only thing you have to do is be open to it" Willow got a questioning look on her face. "Will, what I mean is that no matter what happens you have to trust me."
"You know I trust you" Willow said
She pulled Tara in for a kiss. Before their lips met Tara turned away. "Maybe not after this." She whispered.
"What did you say Tara?"
"N-nothing, n-never m-mind it."
Willow wondered why Tara's stuttering was back, she had tried so hard to stop it and now it came back again. "What do I do?" Willow asked.
"J-just sit in the c-circle" Tara said and guided her to it. They both sat down in front of each other, "G-give me y-your h-hand" Tara said and Willow gave it to her. Tara knew she couldn't recite the spell out loud, because she knew Willow would immediately stop it. And so she thought the words to the spell.
After a few seconds a blue wind surrounded Willow and Tara. Willow opened her eyes and looked around, "What the…" the redhead was stopped by Tara who put a finger on her mouth. Tara cupped Willow's face with her hands and brought her face closer to hers, "Don't talk Willow, just look."
"Look at wha…" Tara stopped Willow's sentence by kissing the redhead. As Tara slipped her tongue inside Willow's mouth the images began. Images from Tara's past, from the day she was born until now.
["A girl, is that what you gave me?" Mr Maclay yelled at his wife.]
It were disturbing images about Tara's childhood, her father never wanted a daughter.
[A ten year old Tara sat in the corner of her room crying when her mother walked in. Her mother already knew why she was crying, her father told her not to use magic like her mother. Mrs Maclay knew her daughter had the gift like herself.]
As their kiss deepened so became the images more intense. Willow could see how Tara's brother abused her. Now she finally knew why Tara backed up when her brother Danny pointed at her and practically ordered her to get in the van or he would beat her down. Willow had never seen such fear in her lover's eyes before.
Willow moved her hand to the back of Tara's neck and her other to Tara's lower back and pulled her closer, never breaking their kiss. Willow slowly laid down on the floor, still in the circle and pulled Tara on top of her. Both hands moved to Tara's lower back and started making circles with her fingers.
Tara's hands never left Willow's face, stroking her hair, cupping her face, caressing her chin. The need to touch every inch of the redhead's face. Willow wasn't shocked by the images she saw and it made Tara happy, she knew Willow fully accepted her for who she was.
Tara rolled over on her back and now Willow was on top of her, she moved her hands under Willow's shirt at her back. The images of Tara's past were still coming through, the moment she moved out of her house to Sunnydale to the moment she met Willow in the wicca group.
Willow rolls off Tara and sits up pulling Tara up also, she looks Tara in the eye who just nods. Willow leans in for another passionate kiss and puts her hands on Tara's side rubbing with both of her thumbs. She pulls Tara closer and deepens the kiss, she moves her hand under Tara's blouse and touches her breast with a gentle touch.
[Willow is sitting on Tara's bed and talking about Faith. Tara comments about Willow being safe with her because her friends don't know she exists. Willow puts her hand on Tara's knee for a second, "Hey."
"I-I mean, t-that's totally cool. It-it's good. It-it's better."
"Tara, it's not like I don't want my friends to know you. It's just... well, Buffy's like my best friend, and she's really special. And there's this whole bunch of us, and we sort of have this group thing that revolves around the slaying, and-and I, I really want you to meet them. But I kind of like having something that's just, you know, mine. And I, I usually don't see so many words to say stuff that little, but do you get that at all?"
"I do" Tara replied. Willow let's out a small sigh and said she should call to get a situation update. She gets up from the bed and walks behind Tara, "I am you know."
"What?" Willow replied.
"Yours."
And there it was, Tara's first declaration of her love for Willow. Not in so many words, but it did quite good. Willow smiled at her and knew in an instant that the other girl loved her and she loved the other girl.]
Tara let's out a small moan when Willow's hand stroke her neck and reached for the buttons on her blouse. While she unbuttoned Tara's shirt, Willow placed small soft kisses in her neck and trailed the opened buttons of Tara's blouse. Willow placed small kisses on Tara's breast who let a small moan by the simple touch of Willow's mouth. The redhead let her tongue slip through her mouth which made Tara even more exited.
[Tara and Willow talk about Oz's return. Tara is obviously upset of his return.
Willow nods, "But, you know, it was intense. Just talking. We have a lot to talk about" Willow frowns, I kinda feel like my head's gonna explode."
Tara struggles for a moment, "Whatever, you know, happens … I'll still be here. I'll still be your friend."
"Of course we'll be friends! That's not even a question."
Tara now looks upset, "But I'm saying, I know what Oz means to you."
"How can you, when I'm not even sure? I mean, I know what he meant to me. But he left, and … everything changed. I changed, and … then we."
"What?" Tara asked.
Willow is getting all teary eyed and continues, "I don't know. I just – life was starting to get so good again, and…" She sighs and steps closer to Tara, "You're a big part of that" Willow can't keep the tears in anymore and cries, "And here comes the thing I wanted most of all, and… I don't know what to do, I … I wanna know, but I don't."
Tara looks sympathetic and brushes the tears of Willow's cheek, "Do what makes you … h-h-happy." Willow leans in and hugs her letting tears come freely again, as a form of comfort Tara strokes Willow's hair.]
Willow removes Tara's blouse and Tara does the same with Willow. The need to hold the blond wicca overpowers Willow and pulls Tara closer and wraps her arms around her. Flesh against flesh, it had never felt this good. Tara kissed Willow again, but never let her go, their bodies felt too good against each other.
[Tara was looking out the window, feeling horrible. When she heard someone knocking on the door she opens it and is surprised and happy to see Willow.
"No candles? Well I brought one, it's extra flamey."
Willow steps forwards and gives Tara the candle who steps back to let Willow in.
"Tara I have to tell you that…"
"No, I-I understand. You have to be with the person you l-love."
"I am."
Tara looks amazed, "You mean…?"
"I mean" Willow replied, "Ok?"
"Oh, yes."
"I feel horrible about everything I put you through. A-and I'm gonna to make it up to you. Starting right now."
Tara starts to smile, "Right now?" Willow nods and looks at Tara who blows out the candle.]
Willow could feel the joy in Tara's heart when she declared her love for the blond wicca.
They're love making continued all through the night, like it did that same night. Nobody was able to see them in the park. That was one thing Tara had made sure of when she and Willow arrived at the place.
"Where have you two been?" Buffy asked as Willow and Tara walked back in the next morning.
"We.. uhm… I…" Tara began.
"Tara showed me something" Willow finished.
"Must have been one hell of a thing she showed you" Faith said, "You two stayed out all night."
"It was" Willow said, "I'm going to take a shower." Then she looked at Tara, "Care to join me?"
Tara grabbed Willow's hand and smiled, "Always" Faith and Buffy looked at the two and raised a brow.
"That was weird" Faith said.
"Totally" Buffy said in confirmation, "How's your back feeling?"
"It hurts like hell, but I'll live."
"Good to hear" Buffy said and kissed Faith, "I'm going to make us some breakfast and for the two in the shower. You want some?"
"Sounds good."
Willow turned the water on, took her clothes of and stepped inside the booth. She turned around and aimed the water to her. She leaned against the wall and closed her eyes, remembering the past night. Tara finished taking of her clothes and stepped in the booth. She looked at Willow who seemed to be in deep thoughts and smiled, she leaned forward and gave Willow a soft kiss on her mouth.
"Hmm."
"What are you thinking of?"
"Last night."
"Nice thoughts?"
"Very nice" Willow replied, "Thank you for sharing."
"You said no more secrets, now it's all in the open."
Willow turned Tara around, wrapped her arms around her and rested her head on her lover's shoulder. "I love you" Willow whispered in her ear before giving small kisses on her neck.
"I love you too" Tara replied.
"One question" Willow said.
"What?"
"Which spell did you use?"
"I can say it again, but memories will come back again" Tara said, "But I can control them, only happy memories this time."
"Only happy memories" Willow confirmed.
Tara looked at Willow and smiled, "Here we go."
"Gnomes of the North
Flames of the South
Oceans of the East
And dunes of the West
Pull back thine sands of time
Take our minds to where we may see what I seek"
Tara turned around and kissed her lover and that's when the images started again, but this time only their happy times together. Willow was more then happy about them and deepened the kiss to show Tara how much she loved her.
"It won't be long now Faith" Michelle said and walked towards her hotel room. She would get her back soon enough, "Only a matter of time. And in this case… time is running out."
Michelle opened the door to her room and went inside, she grabbed the gun and aimed it at one of Faith's they had taken when they were still together. She put her finger on the trigger and squeezed…
"Nothing" Michelle said, "Nothing, Nothing, Nothing…" Michelle began to hit the wall with her head, first softly and then harder, still saying the same word… `nothing'.
"Get a grip Michelle" She suddenly said to herself, "You're not going to get her back by acting all crazy."
<<One week later>>
"You are healing quite fast" Buffy said as she turned around to face Faith who was doing some sit ups. Faith had woken up early in the morning to do some sit ups. Buffy woke up ten minutes after her, "That doesn't hurt anymore?"
"A little" Faith replied, "Only the deeper ones."
"Come here" Buffy almost ordered and Faith was happy to oblige. The dark haired slayer crawled on the bed and laid behind Buffy and put her arms around the blonde slayer, "Much better" Buffy said caressed the arm that was around her.
"A whole lot better when I do this?" Faith turned Buffy's head towards her and gave the blonde slayer a passionate kiss.
"Definitely a whole lot better" Buffy replied. She laid her head back on the pillow and closed her eyes, Faith held her close and gave soft kisses in the other slayer's neck, "Ok, don't get upset" Buffy said, "But what about Michelle?"
"Baby… don't worry about that."
"We don't know where she is" Buffy said, "She could take you away from me again."
"B… nothing is going to keep me away from you ever again." With that said, Faith held her even tighter and places kisses on Buffy's neck and shoulder, "Nothing…" she said again.
It had been 2 days ago since they moved back to the Summers home. Faith had been recovering from the beating that Michelle had given her. Normally there wouldn't be that much scars, but Michelle had beaten her so badly that there were. It hurt Buffy every time she saw Faith's back.
<<Outside the Summers' Home>>
"So, how do you think Faith has been doing?"
"I don't know honey" Tara replied, "If she heals as fast as Buffy does."
"Yeah, but the wounds were pretty deep."
"I know" Tara replied, "Come on, let's see if some one will open the door."
Just as Tara wanted to ring the bell, Dawn opened the door, "Tara, Willow!" Dawn practically jumped at them for a hug, "Long time."
"It's been a week Dawn" Willow said trying to get some air while Dawn was still holding them.
"Not that I don't like being greeted this way, but I need oxygen" Tara said. Dawn let go of the two witches and smiled.
"Sorry, just happy to see you" Dawn said, "Faith and Buffy have been upstairs all week and mom is on a work vacation. It's good to actually see someone."
"They have been upstairs all week?" Willow asked surprised.
"Yeah, but they didn't do the thing or whatever" Willow and Tara eyes grew wider as Dawn made that comment, "What?" Dawn said. "I'm in the next room, don't you think I would have heard something."
"Let's go inside" Willow said and turned Dawn around. She and Tara stepped in the house after her and closed the door, "So they're still upstairs?" Dawn nodded, "Ok then I'm going to get them" Willow finished.
"Faith, Buffy!" Willow said and opened the door to Buffy's bedroom. When she looked inside the two slayers were in each other arms sleeping. It was the sweetest thing she had ever seen and almost regretted it to wake them up, "Lovebirds! Wake Up" Willow said.
Faith opened her eyes and saw Willow standing in front of her, "Hey."
"Good afternoon."
"What! That late."
"Yup."
"B, wake up."
"Hmm, not now mom, no school" Willow and Faith looked at each other and started laughing. Buffy opened her eyes and saw her best friend and her girlfriend laughing, "What?" She asked.
"Good afternoon to you too" Faith said and gave Buffy a kiss.
"Afternoon?"
"Yes honey, we fell a sleep again this morning."
"Ow."
"You guys get dressed, we're going to the mall" Willow said and walked back downstairs, "They're coming" the redhead said to her girlfriend.
"Where are you guys going?" Dawn asked Willow and Tara.
"We're going to the mall" Willow replied.
"Can I come?" Dawn said with puppy dog eyes. The two girls looked at each other not really knowing what to say. "Please… I promise I'll behave."
"Ok, but behave!"
"Yay!" Dawn said and hugged both Tara and Willow, "Thank you, thank you, thank you!" Dawn said and ran upstairs to change her clothes.
"What was that all about?" Tara said, "She seemed a little too exited to go to the mall."
"We have to find out" Willow said, "Maybe she has the hots for a cute boy or something."
"Definitely need to find that out" Tara said and pulled Willow in for a passionate kiss.
"Break it up you two!" Faith said as she walked down the stairs. "B will be here in a second."
"How are you?" Willow asked.
"I'm ok, thanks."
"A-and your back?" Tara asked.
"It still hurts a little, but I'm healing."
"She was doing sit-ups earlier" Buffy blurted out as she walked down the stairs.
Faith stuck out her tongue and grabbed her jacket, "We going?"
"Not yet" Tara said and looked a little uncomfortable.
"Wait up you guys, I'm coming" Dawn yelled from up stairs.
"You didn't."
"WE did" Willow said and grabbed her girlfriends hand, "She did the eye thing" Willow said.
"Never mind" Buffy said, "I don't know how she does it, but every time with the eyes! We need to find a way to see through them" They all nodded and waited for Dawn to come down.
<<Sunnydale Mall>>
"So we're enjoying the time out?" Willow said looking at Buffy and Faith.
"Yes we are, thank you" Buffy replied, "Where's Dawn?"
"Getting Ice Cream" Willow replied, "She's totally into that kid who hangs out there."
"What? Dawn has a crush on some boy?" Faith said, "That's so cute." Buffy gave her a `that's not cute' look and the other just started laughing, they had never heard Faith say anything like that, "What?" The dark haired slayer asked.
"Nothing" Willow replied.
Suddenly Faith's happy look on her face changed to fear and anger, mostly fear. She stood up from her chair and pulled Buffy up and behind her to protect the blonde slayer. Willow and Tara didn't know what was going on but stood up anyway and walked behind Faith, "Faith…" Willow said but got no answer.
"Faith, baby. What's wrong?" Buffy tried, but she also didn't get an answer.
Finally Faith spoke, "Willow, Tara. Get Dawn and get back her fast." The two witches didn't know what was wrong, but by the look on the slayer's face they knew it was serious. The got Dawn and walked back to the dark haired slayer. Faith looked behind her and saw they were back and spoke, "Remember Michelle?"
"Uh huh" Tara said.
"That's her" Faith said and pointed to a blonde girl with a shotgun in her hand. Buffy looked at the girl and started getting angry and tried to attack her, but was stopped by Faith. "Don't, please don't" she said, "She'll shoot you before you get to her."
Willow and Tara could see Michelle had lost it, she was crazy. They didn't like crazy people, especially not when they were heading towards them and had a shotgun, "Could we go…?" Willow asked, "Like now!"
"Right behind ya Will." Buffy said and started heading for the exit, then she looked around and noticed something, "Is it just me or are we like the only people here?"
"I-I noticed it to" Tara said and tried the open the door, "A-and I n-noticed s-something else."
"What?" Dawn said.
"T-the d-door is l-locked."
"That's just great" Buffy said angry, "We're locked in here with a psycho bitch that hurt my girlfriend and has a shotgun. And might I say that she hurt my slayer girlfriend that is like really strong, which should have easily kicked her ass!"
"B honey, calm down" Faith said.
"Tell that to my brains" Buffy replied, "Can't I just attack her?"
"You can try" Willow said, "But if she really is that strong as Faith said she is, then… good luck."
"Will! You are supposed to support me here" Buffy said.
"I know, but I'm not good at fighting just magic."
"Then use the magic!" Faith yelled.
Willow looked at Tara and smiled nervously, "Oh yeah, use the magic, silly me." Willow raised her hand and began to chant something and soon there were bright lights surrounding Michelle and blinding her. Buffy ran towards her and grabbed the shogun from her hands and stood behind her.
Willow lowered her hand and the lights were gone. When Michelle got her vision back she looked around for the shotgun and saw Buffy had it, "It's ok, I still got this" Michelle said and pulled out a knife.
"That's a really… really big knife" Dawn said and stepped behind Faith.
"Michelle right?" Buffy asked.
"Yeah, who wants too know?"
"Buffy Summers, Faith's current and lasting girlfriend" When Buffy said that a big smile came across Faith's face.
"So you are the one who took her away from me…"
"Actually, that would be us…" Willow said and waved. Tara gave her girlfriend a `what did you just say' look. Willow smiled at her and shrugged, "It's ok, Buffy is going to kick her ass" She looked at Buffy and saw Michelle hitting her, "Ok I was a little over exited."
Michelle turned around and lunged at Buffy again, but this time Buffy stopped her and hit her back. She still had the shotgun in her hand and hit Michelle with it who stumbled back a little. Michelle held the knife in front of her and just started running towards her, Buffy held the gun in front of her and tried to stop her, but Michelle kept running.
The next thing they heard was a scream and a gunshot, both Michelle and Buffy fell to the ground.
"B! No!"
They were all still in shock of what had happened. Faith was the first at Buffy's side and held Buffy in her arms, Michelle stabbed the blonde slayer in her stomach. "B?"
Buffy opened her eyes and looked at Faith, "Am I in heaven, cuz I'm seeing an angel."
"No you're not, still alive" Faith said smiling, "How are you feeling?"
"Well, it hurts, but other then that, I'm cool" Buffy replied and smiled. Faith leaned in and kissed her forehead. After Willow and Tara checked on Buffy they sent Dawn to call the police and looked at Michelle who was lying on the floor.
"That's a big hole" Willow said looking at Michelle's body.
"Uh huh" Was all the sounds that came from Tara's mouth. She was still a little shocked on the sight of the hole in Michelle's body.
"Is she?" Buffy asked.
"I'm thinking yes" Faith said looking at the body.
Willow felt Michelle's pulse and confirmed Faith's thoughts, "Yes she is."
"Oh god!" Buffy yelled.
"What?" Faith asked.
"I… she… I killed her."
"Buff, it was an accident" Willow said.
"It's not your fault B" Faith said, "She was the one running towards you with a knife, and the gun went off in the struggling between you and her. It has written accident all over the place."
"I know, but it were my fingers that pulled the trigger."
"Police and ambulance are on their way" Dawn said as she came back.
"That's good" Buffy replied, "Cuz it's hurting badly and I'm getting a little dizzy here."
Dawn kneeled beside her sister and took her hand, Buffy smiled at her and everything went black in front of her and she closed her eyes, "Buffy?" Dawn said in a sad voice, "No, Buffy!"
"How is she?"
"Is there an adult here that I can speak too?"
Dawn grabbed the doctors arm and was getting angry, "How is my sister?"
"Dawn!" Faith yelled a little angry at her girlfriend's sister, "I'm sorry doctor, you can speak to me. Dawn go with Willow and Tara to the waiting room and stay there."
"But I…"
"Go!" Faith yelled once again. She saw Dawn was getting teary eyed and placed her hands on her shoulder and looked Dawn in her eyes, "I'm sorry Dawn, just go to Willow and Tara and I'll let you know as soon as the doctor told me."
"Ok."
"Come here" Faith said and pulled Dawn in for a hug, she signed Willow and Tara to take her with them to the waiting room. Willow put her arm around Dawn and took her to the waiting room.
"Are you going to be ok?"
"Yeah I'm fine Tara, thanks" Tara nodded and headed to the waiting room. Faith turned to the doctor and apologised again, he didn't mind.
"How is she?" Faith asked, "And give me the truth."
"Buffy has lost a lot of blood and is…"
"What?"
"She's in a coma."
Faith felt like she just got hit in the stomach and sat down on the bench behind her. She buried her face in her hands and started crying.
<That's not good> Tara thought as she looked at the dark haired slayer, "Willow honey, could you get something to drink for us and take Dawn with you, she'll need the walk" Tara stood up and stood in front of Willow and Tara so they couldn't see Faith sitting on the bench crying.
"Sure, yeah." Willow replied, "What do you want?"
"I'll just have water, here take this" Tara said and gave Willow some money and then Dawn and Willow headed out. Tara knew that it would be hard on both of the girls to see Faith and thought is was best to send them out so she could talk to Faith.
She walked out of the waiting room and headed towards Faith who was alone after the doctor had told her about Buffy, "What's wrong?" Tara asked as she sat beside the dark haired slayer, "Is she…"
"No" Faith replied, "She's in a coma and lost a lot of blood. Buffy needs blood and the best is from her family, from Dawn or Joyce. But it's a whole lot of blood she needs and, but Buffy needs the blood and… and… now I'm starting to sound like Willow… I'm babbling."
"Shh, it's ok" Tara said as she wrapped her arm around the dark haired slayer.
"I just don't know what to do" Faith said as she started to cry.
"Does Joyce know what happened?"
"No… god, no she doesn't, I haven't called her yet."
"Don't worry I'll call her" Tara replied, "Go get Dawn for the transfusion."
"I can't."
"Why?"
"She's not an adult" Faith replied, "She needs permission from her parent."
"Not in these kind of situations" Tara said, "Go get her and Willow. Can you tell them what happened, they don't know yet. I send them off to get some drinks."
"Yeah Ok, You'll call Joyce?"
"Yes of course I will" Tara replied and headed for the phones.
After she left Willow and Dawn came back and saw Faith was in tears, both girls started to panic a little thinking Buffy hadn't made it, "O god Faith, is she…" Willow asked.
"No she isn't" Willow and Dawn let out a small sigh, "But she is in danger, she has lost a lot of blood and is in a coma" Faith sighed, "And she needs blood from her family, that's the best choice."
"She needs blood from us?" Dawn asked.
"Yeah she does. It's the best for her now."
"Where do I go?"
"Wow Dawn, are you sure you want to do this, she needs a lot of blood" Faith said.
"She is my sister and mom is coming isn't she?"
"Yes, Tara is calling her."
"What are we waiting for then?"
"I guess nothing" Willow said and took Dawn's hand, "I'll go with Dawn, you wait hear for Joyce and Tara."
"Ok thanks" <God I hate hospitals> Faith thought and laid down on the bench she was sitting on. After ten minutes Tara returned and saw Faith laying on the bench a sleep. The stress was getting to her and she needed the rest. Tara took of her jacket and laid it on Faith, she held her up a little and sat down on the bench and let Faith rest her head on her lap.
The gentle touch of Tara never woke up Faith and she was still a sleep when Joyce arrived twenty minutes later, "How is she… How is Buffy?"
"Dawn and Willow are still in there" Tara replied.
"What do you mean Dawn and Willow? I thought Buffy was…"
"Yes she is, but Buffy needed the blood from Dawn."
"Aren't they supposed to ask permission for that?"
"Not in these cases."
"What cases?"
"She's in a coma Joyce" Tara replied, "From the blood loss, they probably need some of your blood too. There's Dawn and Willow" Tara said and pointed towards them.
Joyce walked up to them and hugged her youngest daughter, "Are you ok honey?"
"Yes mom, but could you let go of me, still a little dizzy."
"How is Faith?" Willow asked and looked at the sleeping slayer.
"She's been for a while now" Tara replied, "It's been hard for her. First Michelle beats the crap out of her and then the same girl stabs the person she loves more than life."
"Wow, back up a little" Joyce said, "Faith was beaten? Why didn't I hear of that."
"Remember that week they stayed with us?" Willow asked.
"Yeah."
"That's why, Faith was recovering" Willow said, "It's been really hard on her. Oh there's the doc" Willow said as she pointed at the man in the white coat coming at them.
"Joyce Summers?" He said looked at Joyce.
"Yes" Joyce shook his hand and he introduced himself as Dr. Moore.
"Isn't he the same guy that took care of me?" Tara whispered to Willow who was sitting in the chair beside her.
"Yeah he is and now that you mentioned it, he also walked in Dawn's room a couple of times and he was the first doctor to see Faith" Willow whispered back and looked at the man.
"Strange" Tara mumbled.
"What was that honey?"
"Nothing" Tara replied to her girlfriend.
Joyce and Dr. Moore entered an examination room so they could talk about Buffy. He explained to her what her condition was and what they could do about it, he told her they already had blood from Dawn and they were going to need more. There was another operation needed to repair some of the damages Michelle had done to her.
Joyce walked out of the room and thanked Dr. Moore for the information and walked back to the rest. Faith had waken up in the mean time and was eager to know how Buffy was doing. Joyce told them what was going to happen.
The doctor had also told her that she had woke up from her coma, but that the pain was so severe they kept her sedated until after the second operation, "That's good news right?"
"That's what he told me Willow" Joyce replied.
"Thank god" Faith said, "If Michelle wasn't already dead, I would have killed her."
Everyone looked shocked when they heard Faith say that, especially Joyce, "Girls, could give me and Faith some time alone please."
"Sure" Tara said, "Come on Dawnie, let's get you something to drink and eat" Tara grabbed her girlfriend's hand and Dawn's hand and pulled them towards the cafeteria of the hospital.
"Look, I understand how you feel Faith, but don't you ever say that stuff when Dawn is around."
Faith looked at Joyce and could see the worry and hurt in her eyes, "I'm sorry" Faith said and started to cry again. Joyce sat next her on the bench and put an arm around her. She pulled Faith towards her and held, Faith was reluctant at first but gave it up and started crying even harder.
"Shh, it's ok" Joyce said trying to calm her.
"I couldn't protect her" Faith said through her tears, "I was able to fight, but I froze. That never happened."
"It's not your fault" Joyce said, "After I heard what she did to you, I can't blame you for freezing in a fight and I can't blame you for wanting to kill her. Hell I wanted to kill her, but I can't and I was hoping you couldn't anymore."
"What do you mean?"
"I know that you killed the deputy mayor, but that's a long time ago Faith" Joyce said, "You've changed for the better and if I like it or not, my daughter has a huge part in that. You are the world to her."
Faith's face lit up when she heard Joyce say that, "I am?"
"Yes you are, you're her everything" Joyce replied, "She even loves you more then she loved Angel and you have the whole soulmate thing going on."
"You know about that?"
"Well yeah, it was the first thing she told me when you two had kissed and yes she told me that to" Joyce said, "And no, she hasn't told me about the uhm… sex part. You have or you haven't had uhm…"
"No we haven't" Faith replied, "She says she is ready, but I know she isn't."
"Come on" Joyce said, "The doctor said I could visit her and that someone could come with me." Both women walked to the room where Buffy was in and saw her laying on the bed. It was painful to see her like this, with all the tubes and wires.
Faith grabbed a chair and sat on it beside Buffy's bed. She took Buffy's hand in her own and gave a kiss on it. She held it to her cheek and a tear rolled down it, Joyce stood behind her and put a hand on her shoulder, with the other she caressed Faith's hair as comfort.
As she brought up Buffy's hand again to her kiss it, she heard the monitor bleeping with an irregular beat. She looked at it and saw the triangles turn in to one solid line.
"Get the doctor!" Joyce yelled at Faith.
Faith ran out the door and almost bumped in to one, the same as before, Dr. Moore. He hurried to Buffy and began to check on her, "What happened?" he asked.
"We don't know" Joyce replied.
"Was there anything out of the…"
"Just help her!" Faith yelled at him with a panic in her voice and stood up from the chair in a threatening position.
The doctor gave Faith a look and continued working on Buffy. Though the monitor said otherwise, the blonde was still alive, "What is happening here?" Dr. Moore said.
"What's wrong?" Faith asked.
"She is alive, but the monitors say otherwise and there's nothing wrong with them."
"Then what the hell is this?" Joyce said was now getting angry.
"I'll check the monitors again" the doctor said. He looked at them and pressed a few buttons and the sighed, "Thank God."
"What? Is she ok?"
"Yes she is, something went wrong with the monitor."
A sigh of relief came from mother and girlfriend, they had never been so glad about something in their whole life. Faith sat back on the chair and took Buffy's hand in her own. "Don't ever do that again B" she whispered.
"Joyce, would come with me so we can take blood from you also?"
"Yes, I'll be right out" Doctor Moore left the room and waited outside for Joyce.
Joyce walked to Faith and put a hand on her shoulder, "Are you going to be ok?"
"Yes, I'll be fine. Thank you Joyce."
"I'll be back in a few" Joyce leaned in and kissed Faith on her head. Although it startled her a little, Faith didn't let Joyce see that, "Take care of my daughter."
"I will."
Joyce walked out and followed the doctor to one of the other rooms where they would withdraw blood from her.
"Where are they?" Dawn asked Willow.
"I don't know" Willow replied and saw one of the nurses walk by, "Excuse me miss, but have you seen our friends?"
"The dark haired girl?"
"Yes that's her."
"She went in there" the nurse said and pointed to one of the rooms.
"Thank you."
"Sure." The nurse replied and walked on.
"Come on" Willow said, "Let's check on Faith."
They walked to the room the nurse pointed out and noticed that it was the room where Buffy was in. They were at the ICU but Buffy had been given a private room for some reason none of them had asked for it.
"Faith?" Tara said.
"Yeah."
"Hey, how is she?" Tara asked.
"She's holding on."
"And you?" Willow asked.
"I'm fine, thank you Will" Willow grinned, "What?" Faith wanted to know.
"You said Will."
"Yeah and I'm planning to do that more often."
"Ok, just wanted to know" Willow said and grabbed a chair.
"Is Dawn here?" Faith asked, she hadn't looked behind her yet, she couldn't keep her eyes off Buffy.
"Right behind you."
Faith turned around and looked at her, "Come here." Dawn walked to Faith and asked what it was. Faith just said it was nothing and pulled Dawn on her lap, wrapping her arm around the kid in the process, "You looked like you needed a hug."
Dawn smiled, but was more serious the next moment, "Where's mom?"
"She went to donate blood for Buffy" Faith replied, "She should be back in a few."
"Oh, Ok."
Tara looked at the two girls and smiled. She also grabbed a chair and put it beside Willow, the redhead looked at her and smiled. Tara give her a soft kiss on her cheek and leaned in so her mouth was beside her ear, "I love you" she whispered to the redhead.
"And I love you" Willow whispered back at her lover. She brought their mouths together and gave her a small, but passionate kiss. Tara broke the kiss and just sat on the chair looking at Buffy, Willow took Tara's hand in her own and kissed her cheek. After getting a loving smile from her, Willow leaned her head against Tara's shoulder and closed her eyes.
<<One Week Later>>
"Come on Buffy, faster."
"Dawn, leave your sister alone" Joyce yelled from the kitchen.
The blonde slayer was only walking downstairs, but it was still hard to do after the stabbing. Even with her slayer healing powers the duration was longer then expected. Faith had heard Dawn saying that to her girlfriend and also came down. Halfway the stairs she stopped to see Buffy struggle to go down.
Faith picked up Buffy in one gentle move and carried her downstairs. She gently laid Buffy down on the couch and sat beside her, "How's that for a service."
"Wonderful honey" Buffy said and pulled Faith in for a kiss, "Just wonderful." She said again and smiled. It had been two days since she left the hospital, after the second operation everything went fast. They had waken her from her coma and gradually stopped the pain killers.
And that's when her slayer healing powers kicked in, she could go back home only two days after the second operation. The doctors could only see it as a miracle, but the others knew better then that. But they couldn't tell them about that.
The only problem now was full healing and that hadn't happened yet. Buffy was still weak, probably from the medication, she didn't mind it though. It only got her more attention from her sister and mother AND her girlfriend, so she didn't mind it at all.
"Could you get that?" Buffy said to Faith when she heard the doorbell.
"Sure" Faith stood up from the couch and opened the door, "Hey Will, Tara" The slayer said and gave both girls a hug.
"Hey!" Both girls said, "How's everything going?"
"Good" Faith replied, "You?"
"We're good" Tara replied and smiled at her lover.
"Buffy!"
"Hey Will" the blonde slayer replied.
Willow walked to her and gave her a big hug, which caused Buffy to flinch in pain. "Ow sorry" the redhead said with puppy dog eyes, "Still hurts?"
"Yeah a little, but it's getting better."
"So when did you have to be back in the hospital for check up?" Tara asked.
"Today actually" Buffy replied, "That's what we were planning to do when you two came."
"Ok, let's go then" Willow said grabbing her coat which she had taken off only a few seconds earlier.
"You sure? I know you guys have better things to do."
"We do…" Tara replied "… but you're more important."
"Awh, don't say that" Buffy said.
"It's true" Willow backed up her girlfriend, "You are more important."
"Ok, now that's said, let's go" Faith said.
Everyone got to the door when they noticed Buffy wasn't one of them and looked at the couch, "I was going to stand up, but it was way too hard, so little help please" Buffy pleaded. There were apologies all around and Faith hurried back to her girlfriend and helped her up.
<<At the hospital>>
"You don't have to worry about a thing Buffy" Dr. Moore said, "Everything is healing good and if you keep healing like this it will only leave a minor scar."
"Thank you doctor."
Everyone looked at Buffy and smiled, they could finally leave everything behind and move on. Buffy was going to be fine and that was all that matters. Suddenly everyone heard someone yelling in the room next to them, "Be careful!" the woman yelled, "I ran my hand through a wall and you're making it hurt more, that is not how it's supposed to go. You are supposed to make it better."
They all recognised the voice, there was no other like it. Everyone stepped out of the room and opened the door from the other room a little to see if they were right about the voice. Dawn lost her balance and fell against the door opening it completely, the woman in the room didn't seem surprised and simply looked at them, "Hi guys."
"Hi" Everyone said at the same time with surprise written all over their faces. It was true, she was back. After leaving to Los Angeles they thought she would never come back again and follow where ever Xander would go.
"So… Anya, what brings you back to little old Sunnydale?" Buffy was the first to speak.
"Xander and I broke up" Anya stated, "He left me for Big Bad." Always direct answers.
"Who's Big Bad?" Dawn asked. The other were already cracking up on the thought.
"Remember Spike?" Anya said, "That's Big Bad."
"Spike and Xander?" Dawn yelled.
"Yup" Anya replied, "And could you guys stop laughing, it's not funny. He hurt me!"
Everyone looked serious again, "I'm sorry Anya, it's just that… Xander and Spike…" Buffy said and started laughing again, the others followed shortly after.
After everyone calmed down, Tara was the first to speak, "What happened to your hand?"
"I ran it through a wall."
"That's what we heard in the other room, but why?" Willow said.
"I was mad."
"So when you're mad you ran your hand through a wall?"
"Good girl Willow, you are so smart" Anya replied sarcastically.
"Hey!"
"Willow, calm down" Tara whispered to her girlfriend.
"So why did you came back to Sunnydale?" Faith asked.
"Well, I was hoping on a place to stay" Anya replied.
Everyone looked at each other, nobody really wanted to take the wise ass ex-demon in their homes, "We're kinda full" Buffy said.
"Don't you two have a guestroom?" Dawn said pointing at Willow and Tara.
Willow and Tara looked at Dawn if they were ready to shoot her when Anya spoke, "You do? Cool, then I'll come with you."
"But…" Willow tried.
"Ah please, I promise I won't do the things you hate. Just tell me what you don't like and I'll do my best to not say or do them." Now it was Anya's turn with the puppy dog eyes.
<Why do they always use the puppy eyes on me> Willow thought and sighed, "Alright, but only till you find something for yourself."
"Yay" Anya yelled and smiled at the two witches, "Doc, can you hurry up already!"
<<Two hours later>>
"Am I not done yet?" Anya asked. Everyone except Willow and Tara had gone home.
"No you are not" Willow replied a little impatient with Anya. She was getting tired and wanted to go home with Tara… alone, but she had to deal with it for now.
"So Anya right?" the doctor said.
"Yes."
"You can go home, you have to stay in bandages for two weeks." The doctor said, "Then you have to come back and let it be examined again to see if it's healing correct."
"That means you're done?"
"Yes Anya he is done" Willow said annoyed, "Thank you doctor we'll take it from here."
Anya grabbed her stuff and gave it to Willow and Tara. She put on her coat and walked to the door, "Hey!" Willow yelled, "Carry your own stuff."
"I'm wounded, can't do that."
Willow grabbed her jacket and followed Anya out of the door. Tara looked at the two leaving and sighed, "O boy, these few weeks will be hard."
...continued in Old Friends, New Beginnings...