Part 16
Tara felt herself being shaken. She tried to ignore it, she just wanted to sleep. "Tara." Buffy's voice pushed through. Tara struggled and opened her eyes. She couldn't seem to focus.
"Sit her up." A voice said.
Tara felt arms around her, pulling her up till her head rested on a shoulder, arms around her shoulder. "Please." She whispered. "So…tired…" Her eyelids drooped, her head seemed so heavy that she couldn't hold it up. "Tara." Buffy said again
"Buff…"
"Here, you have to drink this. It will help you. Your grandma says to drink it all." Buffy brought the cup to her friends lips. "Tara." She said louder, trying to wake her again. Tara whined but managed to part her lips for the cup to pour out its liquid. Once she started drinking, she couldn't seem to stop. It's warmth seemed to fill her, and she opened her eyes. Buffy was afraid she'd choke or get sick, drinking as fast as she was and started to take the cup away. The witch grunted and grabbed her hand, forcing the cup back to her lips.
"More?" She pleaded in a whisper, her hand dropping away. The warmth seemed to receed, but not much.
"Later, dear." Her grandmother said tiredly, coming over to check on her. "Those are very powerful herbs, you have to space the time in between ingesting them. They'll help you regain your strength. Close your eyes now, and rest."
Tara did as she was told, and closed her eyes, her head still on Buffy's shoulder. "Gramma?" She whispered. "Yes, dear?" Tara didn't speak for a minute, then asked, "Willow?" Amilia sighed, and brushed back Tara's hair from her face. "Rest, child. Tomorrow we will find her. You will need all your strength. Rest, now."
Buffy gently laid the girl down, placing a rolled leather shirt under her head. She watched her sleep then walked over to the pot that held the herbal drink. She dipped some into the the bowl Tara had used, and walked to where Amilia sat. She handed it out to her, "You need to drink this too. We're going to need you tomorrow." Amilia smiled weakly, then took the offered cup. Buffy looked back at Tara, then stepped around the sleeping rebels to go stand at the entrance. Corwitthen and several other men stood there, guarding.
Buffy took a deep breath of the night air, staring out at the darkness. "You should be sleeping." Corwitthen told her. Buffy shrugged. "I'm used to being up nights." "She is lucky to have a friend like you." Buffy looked back into the cave. Tara moved in her sleep, then rolled over. "No, I'm lucky to have her…and Willow as my friends. We're the Scoobies." She said, a small smile appearing.
"Scoobies?"
Buffy chuckled. "Just a…term. We fight evil together. We do everything together. Well, we've had our growing pains, but we always end up closer than ever before. We're…." She paused, thinking.
"Family?"
Buffy looked at him, then nodded. "Yeah. We're family."
*******
Tara opened her eyes. She looked around, seeing the sleeping men and women. Her grandmother curled up near the remains of the fire, sleeping soundly. She looked for Buffy. Not far from the cave entrance, Buffy slept sitting up, a sword near her hand. Tara frowned. Her eyelids grew heavy again, but she forced them to remain open. Something had awakened her. She tried to summon the energy to seek, but her source was still empty. It was then that she noticed the shadows. There wasn't enough light to make shadows, her mind told her.
She opened her mouth to call for Buffy, but it turned into a scream as the shadow shot tendrils at her. They wrapped around her, pulling her, freezing her as they touched her skin. Tara screamed again as she was completely enveloped, nausea began to build as she felt like she was speeding through a dark tunnel. She gasped, her lungs burning for oxygen, but she couldn't seem to breathe. The cold bit through her body and she began shivering violently.
Buffy snapped her head up at Tara's first scream. She grabbed the sword and was on her feet running in seconds. She seemed to be running in slow motion as she saw the shadows come alive and twist tendriled fingers along the floor, reaching and wrapping around Tara. The witch struggled and screamed, but they pulled her into themselves, deeper into shadow. Buffy reached the spot where Tara had been laying. A few feet back she could see the solid stone wall. The deeper shadows were gone now. Buffy looked confused. "Tara?" No door. No monster. Where was she?
Buffy turned around and saw that the rebels were either standing or sitting, staring at her. Amilia was on her knees. "Oh, goddess." Buffy walked to her. "Where is she? Where is Tara? What was that?" She demanded. The older woman looked up at her, tears in her eyes. "Shaldedon." Buffy sank slowly to the ground. "I failed her."
"No, Buffy. It is not over yet. We will get her back. We will get her and Willow back." Amilia sighed, and sat back, pulling the blanket over shoulders. "It's just not going to be easy."
******
The priestess let her pets play with the witch again. She had the girls clothes removed to allow them better access. Their teeth were for biting and sucking, not tearing thick material. She watched as one drank from the girls stomach, and the other from her leg. Willow groaned as she was fed upon, tears trailing down her cheek. One of the Syraneaks lifted it's head and hissed at the other. The priestess rolled her eyes. They were always bickering at each other. "Play nice children." She scolded them. The hisser looked back at her, then back at it's meal. It moved up, sniffing the girl. It smelled of fear. And blood. The Syraneak sniffed then licked from the wound on the shoulder. It set its mouth over the top of it, and sucked slowly.
Willow lay there as her life was being drained painfully away. Each piercing of teeth drew her from the grasp of darkness. Images of her family fluttered through her consciousness. Buffy, Dawn, Spike..heh, yeah, even spike…Chro…poor little Chro….Oh, Tara. I'm so sorry. She had lost all hope many hours before. She would never see Tara again. Forgive me, Love, for giving up. She swallowed, darkness kept threatening to take her. I just can't hold on.. Willow felt the darkness again, and went towards it, sinking in.
Don't go.
Willow frowned. Her was disturbing her, trying to stop her. Pain burned her, and weakness dragged at her soul. She let it.
Willow. Don't go.
I Must.
You are needed.
Ask the tadpoles.
…..
Willow. Tara. Tara needs you.
Tara. I'm sorry.
Tara needs you!!
Tara?
******
Tara opened her eyes and found herself standing in a land of dark ice. Black frozen hills rose into the dark sky. Wind pelted her, slashing at her. The shadows lunged at her, taunting, mocking. Something reached for her and she spun around. Nothing. Nothing was there. Just more of the dark cold. She looked at the desolate landscape. "Where am I?" Her breathing quickened and fear spread through her, following the same paths as the cold. Dark clouds floated by, casting more shadows. Shadows? There was no light..how could there be shadows? Her mind cried a warning to her and she spun again, this time she saw it. It's red eyes burned her, tearing through her. She screamed Willow's name.
*********
Willow's eyes flew open. The darkness shoved from her mind. Tara. Tara was here? She stared at the beasts feeding on her. Rage began to build. She another scream, and knew the voice. "Tara!" Adrenaline pumped through her suddenly and she drew up her legs and lashed out at the beast to her left. She cried out as it's mouth was torn from her side. The other blood-sucker looked up in surprise. Willow glared at it and before she realized what she was doing, she raised her hand under it's chin and said, "Inferno." It's head erupted in flames, falling back. She lunged to her feet, and sent bolts tearing through the second Syraneak. How did I get it back? Not bothering to figure it out, she stumbled towards the door, leaving the two burning corpses behind her.
Willow moved along the wall, her legs were shaking and barely held her. She had to keep blinking to focus her eyes. She stood there a moment trying to regain her strength, as blood trickled from her various injuries. Tara…. She pushed away from the wall and moved down the corridor. The altar. She remembered the altar. That's where she is. Tara. I'm coming Tara.
Tara lay on the stone altar, the demon on one side of her, Shaledon on the other. "Give her essence…to me." Shaledon rasped. "She must live."
"The transfer will kill her…she is weak." The demon told him calmly.
"No. She is mine. Her body lives."
"Then we will have to wait. She will not survive this weakened and depleted of her energies."
Shaledon howled furiously, and smashed some of the candles. He would have to release the link he had with her. She had to rest. Then he would rest too. He left her mind. As he receeded, Tara's eyes began to focus. "Willow?" She whimpered. She blinked, and saw the Shaledon and the demon. She screamed and tried to move but she was strapped to the altar.
Shaledon glared at her. He ran a claw lightly down her arm, "Mine." She shuddered at his numbingly cold touch. "Never." She cried. He laughed at her. "Who will save you? Grandmother? Your bitch lover? They are dead. Everyone of them."
Tara shook her head in denial. "No. No." Willow?
Willow made her way to the huge room. Behind her she heard the angry cry of the priestess when she discovered her 'pets'. Willow tried to move faster but almost fell. Her body and soul ached. Tara. Tara needs me. Tara's scream echoed down the hall, spurning Willow to move faster. As she entered the room, she saw the demon and Shaledon…and Tara. "Oh gods, Tara."
The red head bit back a snarl as the Shaledon said everyone was dead. His touch caused Tara to cry out again and Willow was running. The demon looked up and his eyes grew big as a blue electrical bolt flew at his face. He raised a hand but he was still thrown backwards. The Shaledon whirled, it's red eyes flashed and burned with hatred as they fell on 'his' witch's lover.
Tara pulled at the ropes that held her wrists, managing only to cause them to tighten and bite harder into her wrists. The Shaledon shot forward but he was hit with a wall of fire. He countered the spell and crouched, raising it's claws and hissing. Tara saw who he was fighting then. "Willow!" She pulled harder, crying in frustration. "Willow."
Willow sent bolts firing at the beast who had dared touch her girl. She lashed out at him. All her pain and fear were gathered and used as fuel. Each time Tara cried her name, a bullet was added. The ground beneath the Shaledon began to heave and shake, Willows hands were held out at her sides, her eyes solid black. The ground cracked and hissed as the earth began to pull apart, the Shaledon stumbled and fell at the edge of the gaping whole.
Tara whimpered as one wrist began to slide free, her wrists growing raw and bleeding. Her Willow needed her. She craned her head to see the progress her wrists were making. A huge flash of light flared in the room and Tara stopped to look. Willow was thrown from the blast, landing near the heaving hole and Shaldeon. The red head didn't move. The priestess came into the room, laughing maniacally. Her laughter was cut short when an arrow pierced her throat.
Part 17
Buffy ran into the room and looked around. Shaledon had recovered and was moving towards Willow. She glanced left and right, seeing Tara on the Altar, not necessarily in the line of fire. She raced towards Willow, dropping the crossbow and drawing a sword. She reached her friend at the same time Shaledon did, the shadowy creature glared at her. Buffy feinted and thrust the sword into him. She gulped it has it met no resistance, passing through him. "Crap!" A hand came up swiftly and snapped her head back, a claw slashed her chest, missing her jugular as she was falling backwards. Shaledon leapt over her, it's eyes boring into her. He opened his mouth and leaned towards her, a hand holding her down.
Buffy tried to cry out but a cold like she had never known swept through her, her lungs burned as she gasped for air. She felt like she'd been plunged into the depths of a frozen lake. She summoned her strength and tried to push the thing off of her. Tara's wrist slipped out, followed by the other one. She gasped as pain rushed through them, then sat up, trying to work on the ropes that held her ankles. She looked at the fight and saw Buffy go down. Willow still hadn't moved. Her fingers shook and didn't seem to want to work for her. "Damn it!" She sobbed.
A hand layed gently over hers, stopping her struggle. Tara looked up, tears streaming from her blue eyes. "Grandmother?" Amilia kissed the girls forehad then slid a dagger out, releasing the girl's ankles. "Willow…Buffy… Grams, I have no…" Tara broke down. A woman put a blanket around the girl and Amilia patted her hand. "Don't worry. We're here now. We need your help though. I know you are drained, but you can help us filter our energies to Willow. You have worked with her before, so it will be faster if you help. Can you do it?"
Tara wiped the tears away. "Yes."
Willow rolled over and groaned. She saw Buffy struggling for her life. The witch raised her hands but a voice in her head cried, "Wait!" Willow jumped and looked around. She saw Amilia and three other women around Tara. Tara! Her heart lifted. Tara would be safe. Suddenly felt Tara's presence in her mind. "Baby…they are going to channel their power to you…through me…get ready."
"Alright. I'm ready."
I love you, Will.
I love you!
Willow closed her eyes and opened herself to Tara. The power surged through, filling her, she almost grew dizzy from the rush. She focused and stood up, raising her hands. "Shaledon!" She called his name; he turned and stared at her. He stood, leaving the slayer gasping and shuddering. A man raced from the back but he ignored him. He stared at the witch, he could feel her power. He would take that power. And he would take her lover. "She's mine." He hissed.
"Never." Willow growled and let the power fly from her fingers. It ripped into the dark creature, causing him to howl. He lunged forward, trying defend…he sent a wave of frigid air at her but she blocked it easily. Corwitthen reached Buffy, and grabbed her under her shoulders and began pulling her back. He nearly lost his grip…the slayer's body was freezing to the touch, but he wouldn't stop. He forced his hands to ignore the numbing tingles that shot through them.
Willow pulled on the combined powers, sending everything she could think off. Shaledon was weakening now, he howled in disappointed anger. No, he thought, I wont lose her. She is mine. He turned away from Willow and raced towards the Altar. He snarled seeing the others there. Of course, he thought. She isnt strong enough to beat me alone. He stared at the blonde. She was the one. It was her giving power to the red head. Giving power that should be his. He would rip her throat out. He reached for her but a burning bolt crashed into him; he fell just short of the altar.
Willow walked towards him, hands splayed in front of her. He wanted to kill Tara. He was going to kill Tara. She remembered a spell, she had only read it once, several years before, but it suddenly popped into the forefront of her memory, almost alive and jumping up and down "pick me, pick me." Willow felt the words drop from her lips and the air charged around her.
Buffy watched, shivering. Tara sat on the altar, her eyes closed, as she channeled the women's magic to her lover. The shaledon was moving slowly, trying to reach the altar, hissing Tara's name. Willow spoke the words of power and when she finished the last syllable, the Shaledon screamed, writhing in agony. A bright light seemed to be growing from inside of him, building and throbbing. Shaledon stood and lunged once more, his claw mere centimeters from Tara's face when he exploded into shards of light. The force rocked the room and Tara was thrown against Amilia.
Willow felt their link drop, and sank to the floor exhausted. Tara looked around, and saw Willow on her hands and knees, gasping. Buffy was standing up when the ground began to shake. "Willow!" Tara screamed as Amilia grabbed her, and another woman reached to pull her off the altar. Willow shuddered and tried to look. Suddenly the ground under began shaking and sinking. She felt herself begin to slide backwards. Frantically she tried to scramble away but everything she grabbed onto seemed to dissolve. As felt herself begin to fall she screamed.
Willow jerked, gasping. She looked up when she realized she wasn't falling. Buffy was holding her by her wrist. "I've…got …you." The slayer heaved the girl up, reaching with her other hand and bracing herself against a stone monument. She managed to get Willow out of the whole, and dragged her away from it. More ground was crumbling in. She slipped an arm around Willow and draged her to her feet. "We gotta get out."
"Tara!" Willow tried to pull away from Buffy, put against slayer-strength she had no chance. Buffy pulled her along running, "Look Will" Willow turned her head and saw that Corwitthen had grabbed Tara and was racing towards them, Amilia and the other ladies following suit.
******
Tara opened her eyes and stretched. The first thing she noticed was how warm she was. The second thing she noticed, was that she couldn't move, and an arm was wrapped securely around her waist. She looked down and saw beautiful red hair spread over her. Tears of happiness spilled down her cheek. The read head moaned and stretched, then opened her green eyes. Seeing the tears, Willow reached a hand to brush them away. "Why are you crying, Baby?"
"Because you're here. I thought I lost you."
Willow smiled then inched up till she was looking down at her partner. Love poured out of her, as she kissed Tara's soft lips. "I told you, Tara." She kissed her again. "I will always find you." Tara kissed her back, pulling her closer. "I know. But it was you who was lost, this time."
Willow grinned. "And you found me. We'll always find each other. Nobody can separate us. We're the Wicca Grrls." Tara chuckled, then looked seriously. "I never want to come that close to losing you again. I love you so much. The thought of you …." Willow hushed her with a kiss.
"I know baby. I…I almost gave up."
"What do you mean?"
Willow looked like she was about to cry. "It just hurt so much…I just wanted…to sink…into nothing…." She closed her eyes, and pressed her forehead against Tara's cheek. "But you kept me here. You're my anchor."
Tara put her finger to Willow's chin, softly pulling her into a kiss. Willow ran her hand up Tara's side. "I'll never give up again." She whispered. "I'll never give up either." Tara promised her back. There was a knock at the door and Tara and Willow groaned.
"Willow!" Tara said suddenly, looking around and seeing they were back in their room in Sunnydale. "We're home? How?" Willow chuckled. "Amilia brought us. She wanted to see her great-grandson and thought we'd be more comfortable here."
The knock came again, louder, followed by a little voice, "Why cant I just go in? I wanna see my mamas."
"You don't go barging in on people, it's rude." Spike's voice answered.
The girls giggled then called to Chronos to come in. The door flew open and the three year old launched himself in to the room. He climbed onto the bed and rushed into Willow and Tara's arms. "I missed you!"
"We missed you too, baby. We're you a good boy for Uncle Spike?" Tara asked, kissing him.
"Yes. But he was bad…he broke Buffy's table lamp."
"Hey you little squealer!" Spike snarled half-heartedly from the doorway. Dawn poked around the corner then pushed past the vampire. She climbed in next to Tara and hugged her. "I was scared you weren't coming back." She told them. Spike strolled in and sat on the end of the bed. "I told them not to worry. Between you two and the slayer…what could possibly compete against you."
Tara and Willow exchanged looks. Then smiled reassuringly at their audience. "Well, we're here." Willow told them. "And I'm starving." Tara added. "Grammies making breakfast. But she said you have to stay in bed." Chronos told them. Just then, Amilia and Buffy walked in, each carrying a tray of food. "Breakfast in bed for the heros." Amilia grinned, then looked at Chronos.
"Chro, what did Grammie say about disturbing them before breakfast?"
"But it is breakfast. They can't eat if they are asleep."
"Got you there." Spike smirked, then decided he had somewhere else to be when he got an eyebrow arched at him from Amilia. "Uh…think I'll go to the basement." He headed out as Tara and Willow tried to hide their grins. "Come on Chro. Let's leave the ladies to their meal." Chro gave the girls a kiss, careful not to bump their trays, then raced to catch up with Spike, who throw him over his shoulder and walked out. Dawn gave the girls a kiss too, then said she was going to the Mall.
"Back by four, Dawn."
"Ah, come on Buffy. It's Sunday!"
"Four. You're watching Chro, and you still have homework."
"Fine." She consented then looked at Willow and Tara, "I'm glad you guys made it back. Bye now." She left with Buffy at her hills. They could hear Buffy reminding her to be home at 4 or she'd come after her. Tara speared a piece of pancake with her fork, smiling. "It's good to be home."
Willow looked at her, "It sure is." Tara raised the fork, and offered the bite to her soul mate. Willow opened her mouth and took the syrupy yummy from it, licking her lips. Amilia chuckled, "I'll leave you girls as well. If it's ok, I think I'll stay a few days."
"Of course it's okay. Do you even have to go back?" Tara answered quickly.
"There's a lot to be done. But I have time. And don't think I wont be popping in a lot to see you two and my gand-baby."
"Thank you, Grandmother."
"No, thanks is all yours love. You were amazing. You and Willow are truly a force to be reckoned with." Amilia walked to the door, then paused, and turned back to the girls. "Oh, I almost forgot. Vahna said to give you this, Willow." She walked back to the bed, pulling something from her pocket. "She was very proud of both of you. Although she said someday, she is going to ask you about tadpoles?" Amilia shrugged, not understanding it, then placed the item in Willow's hand and walked out of the room, shutting the door behind her.
"Willow?"
Willow held the lavender flower and stared at it, a small smile on her lips. "Thank you, Vahna."
Willow looked into Tara's eyes, and pushed her tray out of the way. She sneaked her hand under Tara's shirt, and leaned in to kiss Tara's neck. "Mmm." Tara moaned, pushing her own tray away. "Have enough energy….*kiss kiss*….for this….*kiss kiss*…..without….food….*kiss*…" Willow asked. Tara unbuttoned her shirt and pulled it off. Willow grinned, "I guess so." They fell into each other's arms, reconnecting in all important ways.
A voice from the hall: "I'm telling mom!"
"Chro, leave them alone."
Willow held up a hand and pointed at the door. "Seal."
The door knob rattled but the door didn't open. Finally the voices went away as Willow looked back at Tara's bare chest. "Hmm…now…where was I?"
The End
****
*Chronos was adopted by Tara and Willow. See my story "All Tooned Up" I started writing, and when I didn't include him, he gave me a massive guilt trip. The guilt was quite intolerable (he is very good at guilt trips) so I put him. You know it's just not easy telling a 3yr old 'no'. lol