Chapter 8
Tara slept. It was late in the night, and many hours had passed since she had been disconnected from trying to locate Willow. As she slept, she dreamt of a woman with long blonde hair and a motherly look walking toward her.
"Mamma, is that you?"
The woman smiled gently at Tara and nodded softly, her eyes showing unending compassion. "Yes, little one, it's me. I'm sorry you're hurting so badly, baby. I wish I could do something more for you, but I wanted you to know that the gods have given you a chance to live again, so that you could live out your life with your soul-mate, Willow. I've come to give you all the memories you need to save her from He Who Holds Her. I also give you a gift. This gift is the magic that I possessed in life. It will help you when the time comes. I have to go now."
"Mamma, please don't go! I need you so badly! I miss you so much!" Tara held onto her mother tightly as tears ran down her face.
"I'm always with you, Tara. Don't forget that. Tell Willow I'm glad to have her in our family. I love you always, Tara. Be safe and find your love."
Tara's mother disappeared, and the world returned to its normal state as she sat up in bed and began to cry. After some time, Tara walked to the window and looked out. She sent a prayer to the gods for help to find and rescue her beloved Willow. Tara turned away from the window and headed back to her bed, curling up with the little black kitten Spike had gotten her. "Come here, little Mrs. Kitty. We are gonna find your mamma soon, and then we'll all be together. I promise you, we will." The little kitten meowed and wiggled into Tara's breast as she fell asleep.
The morning sun shined brightly into Tara's room, and a knock sounded from her door. Faith's voice woke her abruptly. "Yo, T! Rise and shine! We all need to get to the Magic Box. Cammy says it's time we plan to rescue your girl."
"Give me a few minutes to get dressed, Faith. Then I'll be out."
After showering, dressing and gathering her supplies, Tara walked out the door and followed Faith and Cammy to the Magic Box. Spike had to go through the sewers to get past the daylight.
Buffy was sitting on a lone table giving Xander a talking to about his latest failure to get back with Anya. Dawn sat near listening silently, but was obviously fidgeting in her chair. "When's Tara gonna be here? I want to see her, Buffy. Please?"
"Soon, Dawn and when she does get here, don't tackle her. She's been through a lot lately, and she may not feel up to your frenzied affection."
Dawn pouted as she crossed her arms across her chest. "Fine!"
Xander looked to Buffy. "How'd Tara look when you saw her, Buff?"
"She's lost some weight and was a bit weakened, but other than that she seemed fine. Fine, except for that lone, sad look she had with what happened to Willow."
The Magic Box's bell chimed as Faith, Cammy, Cordelia, and a woman wearing a lot of clothes, a large baseball cap, and dark sunglasses walked in. Spike quickly followed with his coat smoldering behind him. The two groups stared at each other.
Buffy stepped forward. "Everyone into the training gym. We will need extreme privacy for this meeting." Everyone moved to the training room each giving the other a good amount of space.
Xander was the first one to speak out, blurting loudly. "What in the world are Psycho Girl and Dust Bait doing here, Buffy? Not to mention, what is Cammy doing here? I mean, I know she's Cordy's cousin, but come on! What is she gonna be able to do? And who's the lady trying to play secret agent?"
Buffy smiled and nodded to the heavily clothed woman. "You can take off the disguise. Its safe."
The woman removed the extra clothes, looked up, and smiled cutely at the others. "Hi Xander, Dawny, Mr. Giles. I'm back." At once, everyone, including Giles, rushed forward, engulfing Tara in a group hug. They cried as they held her.
Xander looked to Tara. "Tara, I am glad you're alive. But what is going on? How can you be back? Shouldn't you be resting in peace with Willow?"
Tara turned to look at Cammy. "Its time, Cammy. We need to tell them what's going on."
Cammy nodded, sat down, and started to explain everything.
Dawn looked at the lone girl after Cammy finished explaining. "If you're Tara's sister, how can that be? You look barely older than me."
"I don't know all the details of what happened. I have a bit of amnesia, but what I know is Tara's mother got pregnant at an early age before she met Tara's father. She had to give me up for adoption, and I went to live in Europe. After our mother's death, I received a letter saying I had a little sister named Tara. It was a few years after I lost my memory when it happened. All I know is it had something to do with Bison. My body has been changed. Tara and I spoke some, but we lost contact. I later heard Tara died in a shooting, so now I'm here to save Willow with Tara's help."
Giles leaned back and looked toward Cammy. "So, what is your plan Cammy? It won't be long until this so-called Bison gets to Sunnydale and brings Willow with him."
"I think Faith and Spike should patrol while Buffy and I talk to some of the locals to see if Bison or his people are around. Tara, I think you should stay here with Giles and the others."
Buffy turned to Cammy. "Let's get going. We can pay a visit to the local Hellmouth weasel, Willy." The two walked out, followed by Faith and Spike.
Tara headed to the back of the Magic Box and sneaked out silently. "Sorry all," she whispered. "I've got to find Willow."
From out of the shadows, a familiar voice spoke out. "Well, if it isn't dead girl! This is my lucky day."
Tara spun around and looked directly at the girl in front of her. She remembered the face as the one who had helped with her beloved's downfall.
"Amy."
