Boris Yeltsin - It's almost over...
spike'smate - Thank you for reading. I wish I had the time to make this longer for you.
Author's Note: SORRY for the delay in posting, life got in the way...there are two more chapters after this...Thanks to everyone for reading and reviewing!
Chapter 35 - Preparing for the Final Battle
It was another couple of days before the dizziness had subsided enough for Willow to start moving around the house. Tara hadn't left her side, and no matter how often they tried, Buffy and Giles couldn't convince her to take a break.
"Can we move downstairs?" asked Willow, as she and Tara were cuddled together on the bed. "I need a change of scenery."
"Of course. Are you hungry?"
"I could eat."
"Let's go downstairs and you can sit with Buffy and Giles while I make you something to eat."
The couple made their way slowly downstairs. Willow smiling as she saw Buffy and Giles doing research in the living room.
"Mind another set of eyes?" asked Willow as she sat down on the loveseat in the living room.
"How are you feeling?" asked Giles.
"Better. Moving around is getting better. I don't feel like throwing up once I start to move. And, I have an appetite back," Willow said as Tara placed a sandwich in front of her. She smiled up at Tara and then picked up the sandwich and started to eat.
"That's good to hear."
"What are you researching?"
"We're cross-referencing the spell that Sister Morrigan found to bind Celia and Rack. We want to make sure that it is solid and there is no way for either of them to escape."
"What can we do to help?" asked Tara as she sat down next to Willow, the redhead leaning into Tara's side.
"If you feel up to it, I'd like both of your feelings on what we've found so far. Tara, you know what the Sisters of the Light represent and have taught. Sister Lara stated that you were more advanced than Celia was, even though she had been here longer."
"That was b-because of my f-family h-history."
"Well, I think you'll be able to tell us if you think that Celia can break the hold. And Willow, you are going to be some of the power behind the spell to make it stick."
"Me?"
"Yes, you and Tara are two of the strongest witches here, plus you have both gone against Celia and Rack and come out winners."
"I don't call what we're having to do to Celia a win," stated Tara. "She was a friend at one time when I didn't have many."
"I didn't mean to offend you. I just meant that you…"
"Stop while you're ahead," said Buffy, putting a hand on Giles' shoulder. "We get it. They both were able to fight off the dark magic and not feed into what Celia and Rack wanted."
Willow smiled at Buffy and mouthed 'thank you'. She was grateful that Buffy was able to stop Giles from putting his British foot in his mouth again.
The four spent the rest of the afternoon researching and cross-referencing the spell. When the darkness outside was complete, Giles and Buffy excused themselves to go to the cottage they were staying at. This left Willow and Tara alone.
"Finally, alone," said Willow, pulling Tara close and kissing her softly.
"Mmmm, I like alone."
The couple kissed for a long time on the couch before Willow extended her hand and led Tara upstairs. They made love for the first time that night, both needing to feel the other and the closeness that it brought.
"I love you," said Tara as she cuddled into Willow's embrace.
"I love you, too." The couple drifted off the sleep, both exhausted from the day and evenings adventures.
Morning arrived and the couple showered and got ready for the day. Just as they were getting downstairs they heard a knock at the door. Willow opened it to find Giles, Buffy, Sister Lara, and Sister Morrigan standing there.
"Um, hi," said Willow, motioning for them to enter. The group entered and Willow told them to have a seat in the living room while she went and told Tara who all was there. The couple exited the kitchen together holding hands. "To what do we owe this pleasure?"
"We wanted to see how you were feeling for starters," said Sister Lara.
"I'm better. I would say 90% healed. It's time to do the spell isn't it?"
"Only if you and Tara are up to it," said Giles.
"Why the rush?" asked Tara.
"The longer we wait the more opportunities Rack and Celia have to escape. And I have a feeling there is someone in the Coven who is willing to help them," said Sister Morrigan.
This news caused Willow to pale, Tara to shiver, and Buffy to get very tense.
"What do you mean?" asked Buffy. "You mean that someone is helping them? Won't that hinder the spell?"
"We have reason to suspect someone is helping them. After going through the pictures that Willow and Tara were sent. Celia is seen in some of them which meant she had an accomplice somewhere. We need to stop them before something worse happens."
"Okay," said Willow, sighing deeply. "When do we cast the binding spell?"
"Tonight if you are up for it," Sister Lara said.
"Wills? Do you think you'll be up for that tonight?" asked Buffy, seeing the strain on Willow's face.
"I have to be."
"Willow, if you aren't up for it, we can do it another time," said Sister Morrigan. "We just don't want to wait too long."
"I'm up for it. Tara? How are you feeling about this?"
"I need you safe," Tara said, pulling Willow closer and kissing the side of her head.
"Alright. Then tonight, we gather at Celia's and do the final binding spell."
"Then what do you do with her?" asked Buffy.
"Then we send her away from here. I know of a group of ex-coven members that are willing to work with her to get her back into society," said Sister Lara.
"What is to stop her from just coming back and physically attacking us?" asked Willow.
"Part of the binding spell will wipe her memory of magic."
"So, she won't remember all her years or friends here?" asked Tara, softly.
"I'm afraid not."
This bit of information was disconcerting for Tara. She knew that she and Celia could never be friends again, but all of the other Sisters that she was friends with will lose her as well. Tara struggled with this for a few minutes, but then she remembered that this was for Willow's safety, and that was the most important thing to her. She needed Willow safe.
"Who all is going to be involved in this spell?" asked Giles.
"Sister Lara, Willow, Tara, a few of our older Sisters, and myself. There is a total of eight of us," Sister Morrigan responded.
"What happens if something goes wrong? How are Willow and Tara going to be protected?" Buffy asked her concern for her friend's safety first and foremost.
"There will be all of us there," said Sister Lara.
"I'd like to be there," Buffy said. "I may not be able to do the magic mojo, but I can certainly protect Willow and Tara. Especially if there is someone in the Coven helping Celia."
"I'd feel better with Buffy there," added Willow and Tara nodded her agreement.
"That is fine with me," said Sister Morrigan. "We'll leave you to learn the spell and prepare for any outcomes that you can think of."
With that Sister Lara and Sister Morrigan stood and left the cottage.
"We'll leave you two as well," said Giles. "We'll be back before it is time to do the spell. Buffy and I will do what we can to ensure that everyone is safe."
"Thank you," said Willow and Tara in unison.
tbc...