This is a bit of a short one, sorry. hope you enjoy it anyway!
The next week passed by slowly. Anu started on making Tara's white dress while Atem continued meeting with Tara at least once a day. It had been a while since she'd had another spell like she did that night on the roof, Atem was grateful for that. Anu would meet up with her every now and then, planting small ideas in her head. She'd already told Tara that she was making an outfit for her, which made Tara happy. She'd also make sure to ask how things were going with Atem and Tara always gushed about how sweet and loving he was, and about how she always felt like they had known each other for much longer than the 2 short weeks that had passed.
Isis continued to tell Atem and Anu of the progress she was having. She couldn't pinpoint exactly how much longer Tara had but Atem knew things needed to happen soon. He could tell Tara was getting weaker; she was tired often, her normal energy draining. She kept going though, never admitting that she needed to rest. Atem was worried about her, and about the progress of recreating their engagement. Tara wasn't showing any signs of remembering him or Anu. Besides her feeling a vague recollection of knowing Atem she hadn't shown knowledge of any other memories. Isis continually told him that things were going well but Atem was beginning to think otherwise.
He was getting together again with Tara tonight. If Isis prediction was right, they had a week left before they might lose Tara forever.
A week, seven days, Atem had never been so on edge, and he'd defeated evil so many times it was almost a daily occurrence.
He sighed, pulling a jacket on over his shoulders, Anu sat cross legged on the bed watching him as she put the finishing touches on Tara's dress.
"If I didn't know any better I'd say that dress looks better than the first one." Atem said smiling at Anu.
"I want it to be perfect." She said. Atem sat down next to her on the bed.
"It looks beautiful Anu." He said, Anu sighed setting the dress down and dropping her head into her hands.
"I am just so worried something's gonna go wrong and we'll lose her." Anu said, her voice cracking. Atem let out a sigh of her own and pulled Anu in close.
"I feel the same way Anu." He said, letting her rest her head against his shoulder.
"I know you must feel worse than I do." She said.
"Anu, you've known Tara much longer than I have, I know this must be much harder on you than it is on me." Atem said.
"But it'll all turn out for the best, this was you're idea after all remember." He added, looking down at her with a smile.
"You're right." Anu said, taking a deep breath and sitting back up straight.
"It'll be okay Anu." Atem said, pulling her into a tight hug.
A knock came at the door and Anu let Atem go, picking up the dress and getting back to work.
Atem opened the door to find Tara smiling at him.
"Hey." She said, pulling him into a hug. He kissed her hair and turned to wave goodbye to Anu.
"Have fun kids, don't stay out to late." Anu said.
"You got it mom." Tara said with a laugh. Anu smiled and waved them off.
"So where are we headed?" Atem asked, wrapping an arm around her waist as they walked down the sidewalk.
"I thought we'd go catch a movie, then maybe get some dinner." She said, once again he was thankful for the knowledge he retained from Yugi's time.
"Sounds good." He said.
They made their way to the movie theater and picked a movie, an action flick Tara said she'd wanted to see for a while. Atem paid for the tickets and Tara insisted on paying for snacks and drinks.
They made their way into the darkened theater and took a seat. The room was full, only a empty seats left when the movie began.
Atem sat through 2 hours of futuristic action, not paying much attention to what was going on in front of him. Tara was restless next to him, crossing and un crossing her legs every few minutes, biting at her nails, sipping her drink. Finally Atem took one of her hands in his own and she whispered an apology. Atem gave her hand a squeeze, letting her know it was okay.
They walked out of the darkened theater and into the night. The restaurant was only a few blocks away and they saved all conversation until they were seated with food.
"Are you okay?" Atem asked, noticing how she was shifting her food around on her plate.
"I've just been really anxious lately, like something big is going to happen." She explained. Atem nodded, taking a few bites of his food.
"I want to tell you something, but you have to promise you won't think I am crazy." She said, eating a bit of her own food.
"I could never think you're crazy." He said. Tara smiled and started her story.
"I had a dream last night, you and Anu were there, we were in Egypt and you were a Pharaoh and Anu and I were part of some kind of dance troop. It seemed so real, but, weird right?" She said, giving a little laugh. Atem smiled, taking another bite of food.
"Well, you did say you thought we knew each other in a previous life." He said.
"Well yeah but, I mean," She stuttered to a stop, not sure what to say and Atem regretted ever saying what he did.
"Don't think about it, I am sure it was just a dream." He said, trying desperately to change the subject but Tara had lost the glimmer in her eyes, her expression going blank.
"Tara?" Atem said, taking her hand.
"I need to go home." She whispered.
"Okay, can you give me a minute to go pay?" He asked.
"Please take me home love." She said, grasping his hand. He looked into her eyes and realized this was Tara speaking to him, the Tara from the past, her soul.
"I'll take you home soon my love I promise, very soon." He said, looking deep into her eyes.
"Relax, you can't take the pressure of this time, let your other back in now." He said. He knew what she was going through.
This was Tara, her body, mind and soul, but somehow it had adjusted, strengthened so it could survive here, but the old Tara was still in there, and she was weak and tired and wanted to go home where she belonged.
Right now though she needed to let the stronger part of her soul take over so he could get her home in once piece.
He watched her eyes closely, the cloudiness slowly drifting away and she was back.
"What happened?" She asked, her voice wavering.
"We're going home." He said, standing with her.
They paid and Atem insisted on taking a cab , in case she blanked out again.
She rested against him on the ride home and he walked up to her apartment with her.
"This sure seems familiar." She said with a laugh. He smiled and followed her over to her bed. She kicked off her shoes and lay back, sighing deeply.
"Join me?" She asked, moving over so there was room for him to lay down. He smiled, slipped his jacket and shoes off and lay down next to her.
She smiled and let him pull her in close, closed her eyes and rested her head against his chest.
"You feel okay?" He asked quietly, running his fingers gently through her hair.
"I am okay, just tired." She said, he could tell, her voice sounded distant.
"I should let you get some sleep." He said, kissing her gently.
"No, don't leave yet." She pleaded, wrapping an arm around his waist. He settled in next to her, holding her close.
"Why is this happening to me?" She asked, Atem sighed
"It'll be over soon." He said.
"How do you know?"
"Trust me." Was all he said. She sighed and settled into his embrace. Her breathing slowed soon after and he could tell she was asleep. He looked down at her, her face peaceful and relaxed. He smiled and kissed her softly, then pulled himself from her embrace.
He wrote her a note, telling her he'd gone home and that she should rest. He also asked her to call him so he knew she was okay in the morning. Then he slipped out of the house and made his way back to his apartment.
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