Author's Note: Hi everyone, sorry it has taken me so long to update but I wanted to make sure this chapter connected all the dots. Hope you enjoy it. Oh and don't worry everyone will discover Tara soon.

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After the Slayer slut and her pet had left, The First came back into view. Looking like Spike, The First tilted its head, debating whether it should send it's minion after them. Shame really that Lexi had gone to hunt. Could of had a party, it thought. Hearing a groan come from behind The First turned and walked towards its invisible prisoner. Sneering it watched as Tara shimmered back into view,

"Come out, come out wherever you are" it said looking at her, continuing The First pressed itself against the cage.

"Sorry you had to miss that Love, but... you know... couldn't have you ruin the surprise".

Tara was lent back against the wall curled into a ball. Sobbing at how close Buffy and Spike had been to her, she could feel despair growing within her. Earlier when the First had heard voices from above it had cursed and started to prepare a spell. Tara had been desperately trying to call out but her throat was too dry to make any sound.

Crying harder she had watched silently as the spell had made her hand invisible and travelled up her arm, before covering her entire body. She had then sat and watched as The First had taunted her friends and almost killed Buffy. To weak to stand, she had tried to crawl towards them but had collapsed at the cage bars, mere footsteps away from Buffy. Seeing this The First had laughed at her, thinking that it was laughing at them Buffy and Spike had ignored it.

Tara's hope had left the cave with the parting duo. It was over... leaning against the wall Tara closed her eyes and counted...

"One... two... three" she whispered hoarsely, with that she fell forwards and her head hit the ground as darkness took over.

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As Lexi jogged through the graveyard, she searched excitedly for an enemy. The destruction of others amused her easily and pain made her feel alive. It was the only thing she liked in this hell. Her master had earlier told her to hunt and make sure the Slayers friends saw her. Watching some of them leaving the hospital moments ago, she had raced to the graveyard, as she knew they would soon pass. Now... she just hoped she could find something. Feeling her skin tingle, she looked to her left quickly. Vampires... four of them, it would not take her long to dispatch them. Watching the old man's car stop at the lights she sensed the opportunity approach.

Unsheathing a sword from her back, she picked up her pace. Moving through the gravestones as swiftly as possible, she jumped straight into the middle of the pack. Spinning, she claimed the head of the nearest vampire as she landed. Moving towards the next, she smiled as he came at her. Jumping up she landed behind him and sliced at his throat. As the dust settled, she moved towards the third. Blocking the kick she heard his leg snap, before she could dispatch him the other one grabbed her around the neck. Moving his mouth towards her throat, she grasped his head and twisted her body whilst holding her arms firm. Throwing his head down towards where his body fell she stepped through the dust.

Looking out of the corner of her eye, she could see the car's passengers watching her. Sensing the need to make the show look more appealing she centred her concentration on her power. Feeling it build she reached out her senses until she could feel the aura of the last vamp, who by now was limping towards the road. Green light pulsed around her; using her dust covered sword to point at him she shouted,

"Stop... Vampire".

As the light travelled down her arm, it erupted from her fingertips straight into the back of the frozen vamp. As it hit him, he convulsed and exploded leaving nothing but dust. Turning towards her captive audience, she watched, smiling as they sped off at a speed worthy of a police ticket.

Sheathing her sword she laughed as she left the graveyard and walked towards the lair. Her master was right... being on evils side was much more fun.

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After walking around for what felt like days Willow stopped at the School. She had not meant to come here but it looked like she was drawn here. Obviously, her feet knew something her mind did not. Wiping her eyes she hiccuped as another sob tore from her throat. Falling to her knees, she could not stop crying; she had not thought of Tara for a few weeks, unfortunately this just made her feel guilty. Minutes passed as she gradually stopped. Tara's death would always hurt but there was nothing she could do but mourn. She was not strong enough then to bring her back... and now... now she had Kennedy. Not that that brought much comfort. She was definitely breaking up with Kennedy tonight; she could not be what the Slayer wanted... so why try.

Feeling her stomach ache from all of her crying she leant forward and slowly stood up. Once again drying her eyes on the back of her hands, she took a hesitant step towards the school. Before she could continue, she stopped. No, The First would only taunt her... she was not ready for that. Hearing a noise from behind her, she turned quickly. Seeing nothing there, she shook her head. Looking back at the school, she made up her mind. Stepping in that direction she moved swiftly through the entrance doors and towards the cave.

She had to face it. The First was not going to win, and would probably use this against her later when the others needed her to be strong. So, she decided... best to get it over with now. In addition, Tara face was fading from her memory and seeing The First may give her the strength she needed. She knew none of this made sense but it seemed logic had left her for the moment. Sure that later her friends would probably kill her for this she nodded to herself and centred her focus.

Stopping at the stairs, she looked down to find the discarded torch Buffy had left earlier. Picking it up she watched as light flooded the cave's entrance. Moving she stopped as the cave rounded a corner. Breathing in and out trying to calm her nerves she thought of what she was doing. Stupidity could be described as her worst trait.

Putting on what she hoped was her best scary face; she felt her power pulse around her like a protective shield. Hoping that she was as prepared as possible she switched off the torch and moved towards the self-lit cavern. Turning the corner she gasped as she stopped within metres of the one face she had... after all this... never forgotten. Maybe this was not a good idea after all... she was definately not prepared.

"Tara", she whispered.

With that, she promptly fell to the floor unconscious as someone hit her from behind.

Lowering the blunt end of her sword Lexi looked towards The First and Tara.

"Well that was interesting", she said as Tara screamed from the cage.

"Willow..." she sobbed, standing she reached her hand through the bars, desperately trying to reach Willow. Grasping nothing but air she sobbed harder.

Walking over to the fallen red head, The First knelt down and traced its finger over her cheek. Looking up at Lexi, it smiled.

"This was too easy, take her to the Summer's house and leave her on the doorstep".

Nodding at the orders Lexi picked Willow up and laid her over her shoulder. Before she could leave The First added,

"Oh and be sure you kill one of the child Slayers before you go and leave the body beside the Witch... I think it's time for the fun to really begin".

Leaving the lair Lexi laughed as she shifted the Witch on her shoulder and heard the tortured cries of her lover from below. Yes, she thought, Evil was definitely more fun.