Title: Half of my soul and all of my heart
Author: ladydewinter
Email: ladydewinter@gmx.net
Rating: PG 13
Pairing: W/K first, but I don't really like them...so W/T eventually :-) And this is becoming B/S as well, it seems.
Setting: The story takes place roughly after The Killer in Me, so spoilers up to then. And if you have no idea about Season Three of Angel you'll be spoilt as well...so don't come running to me *lol*
Disclaimer: Willow, Tara, Kennedy, Anya et. al belong to Joss Whedon and ME and - hey you know whom they belong to. The story however is mine. Oh, the title is taken from a book called "Magic's Promise" by Mercedes Lackey. And there may be quotes from the show included in this story - I haven't really marked them, but if it sounds familiar - I mean it as an homage, I don't wanna violate any copyright, really. Please don't sue me!
Feedback: Yes please!!! I really appreciate it.
Distribution: If you want it, you can have it, just let me know where it ends up.
Summary: Spike and Tara talk some more... and then finally something happens.
***
"Glinda?" Tara stirred slightly at the sound of Spike's voice. There was a knock on the door again... it took her a couple of seconds to realize that she must have fallen asleep somehow. She immediately sat up and called, "Come in!"
He opened the door and smiled at the sight of her. She rubed her eyes and yawned. "I can't believe I actually slept some more," she then said, "I mean I think I have done nothing but sleeping and dreaming the last couple of days. What?" she asked when she saw his smirk.
"Nothing. I just wondered whether you and Red... slept much last night?"
Tara laughed. "Believe me, we did." Then she blushed slightly, remembering what they had done before....and after sleeping.
"Told you," Spike said and walked over to the bed.
"So - did you talk?" she wanted to know.
"Yep. Talk." He sounded slightly amused.
"He's still - I mean you didn't -"
"Sure he is. Thanks for your faith in my fighting skills, though."
She frowned, not really getting the point. Whatever. "So, what did you talk about?"
"Well, first he told me he'd dust me if I hurt her. Then he asked how I got my soul back, why I got my soul back and then he told me again he'd dust me. He - that is we - agreed on a truce. No fighting. Good, eh?"
"That's great. I mean - no fighting... Angel seems to be awfully protective of Buffy."
"He is. Anyway, now everything is settled I just - wanted to thank you for - making me settle it."
Tara smiled. "You're welcome." They both sat in silence for a moment, then Spike asked her, "So, did you do your assignments?"
"What? Oh, you mean the books on witchcraft..." she glanced at a pile of books lying next to her on the bed. "Yes, I kinda... browsed through them." She paused. "It's odd - I can't believe I used to know - or someone - knew that stuff."
"So you weren't a witch back in the old world?" Spike seemed surprised.
"No, I mean - Mr Giles told me I was because I was able to read this book only witches can read - and I've always been interested - but it's not as if I did any spells - except for the ones we used to contact Buffy and Faith."
"But they worked - so you're probably good at that kind of stuff."
"I guess. I think I really should - Willow and I didn't talk too much about that."
"Well, I guess Red'll teach you everything you need to know. For the spell, I mean. It's not as if you have to be a full time witch."
"Do you ever call somebody by their real name?" Tara asked.
He grinned. "Not tellin'."
She rolled her eyes in mock exasperation. "I guess everything's going to turn out alright somehow," she finally said. "With the spell and all. I already read about it, and it doesn't seem too difficult. Comparatively speaking, I mean."
"Except for the 'The Slayers have to decide who's going to lose her power' thing, you mean."
Tara looked at him, confused. "What do you mean?"
"Well, Buffy - I mean, the Slayer," he corrected himself, seeing Tara's smile, "told me that only one of them could stay the Slayer. Because of the whole balance deal."
"Sure, but I don't think it's up to Buffy - or Faith - to decide. I don't think there is any kind of decision. It's more like - I mean, I don't know how it works exactly. Who told you that Buffy and Faith had to - decide?"
"Buffy, obviously. So - it just happens?"
"I really don't know. I have never done it before, you know? But in the spell - there is no part where someone says 'I keep the power' or 'I give up the power' or something. Probably she-"
"Misunderstood it. Needed to feel the responsiblity. Something to make her life a burden." He sounded frustrated.
"Does she do that a lot?"
Spike snorted. "You really want me to answer that?"
"I guess it's not easy being the Chosen One. She - how long has she been the Slayer?"
"Seven years at least. Why?"
"Well, she had to carry all this responsibility for such a long time, she probably can't help making her life a burden anymore. It's the role she was offered, and she had to take it, I guess. She became the Slayer. And now-"
"Now she's afraid she can't be Buffy anymore."
"Probably. You see what-"
"No, not probably. It's what she told me. She's afraid she's not - that there'll be nothing left if they take away her slayerness." He sighed.
"And what did you say to that?" Tara asked him.
"I told her she was wrong of course. And that she should talk to Faith. Share responsibility, y'know?"
"That's good. And I think - I mean, I'm not going to tell her she doesn't have to make a decision. I think it's something she has to think about. And Faith. They're not exactly friends, are they?"
"Well, I wouldn't know - I wasn't around much when - everything happened. But they have some kind of bad history, what with Faith trying to steal and kill her - Angel and stuff."
"I can see that would make things difficult." Tara looked away suddenly. When he noticed he asked, "What's wrong?"
"Noth-" she lifted her head and rolled her eyes, realizing how stupid that sounded. "No, it's something. There are so many things I don't know but I feel I should know. How can I even understand-"
"You will. I mean, look at Andrew."
"Huh?" Now she was confused.
"He didn't know too much about - anything except his comics and stuff before he came - or was come here. But now he knows a bit. It's not that difficult, and you aren't exactly slow on the uptake. And Red - she'll help you, you know. And isn't it - dunno - exciting in a way?"
"What do you mean?"
"I mean you get to know her all over again - a new beginning - and I think that's something you need after all that happ-" Spike stopped himself, not sure whether to continue. For a moment, none of them said anything, Tara being lost in her thoughts. After some minutes had past, Spike cleared his throat, a bit embarrassed. "I guess we've had enough of all that pep talk now, luv, don't you think?"
Tara grinned. "It was much needed pep talk. But you're right. Thanks," she added softly. He didn't answer, instead he frowned.
"What is it?" she wanted to know.
"Shh," he told her, listening intently. "Someone's com-"
They both heard the door bang open and Anya scream in panic, "Close the door! Close it! Where is everyone?!"
Looking at each other in alarm, Tara and Spike both rushed out of the room, downstairs, where they found Anya leaning against the closed door, breathing hard, clutching something to her breast.
"What's wrong, Anya?" Tara queried.
Anya didn't reply. Obviously someone - Angel - had gone to get Faith, who had been training with the potentials, and Giles. "What's wrong?" they asked her simultaneously, both with a worried expression.
"It's those guys, with the knives...they..." Giled grabbed Anya's arm and led her into the living room, making her sit on the couch. "The Bringers?" he offered. "They - attacked you?"
"I was in that - the other shop to get the things we would need for the spell - better safe than sorry, you know - and suddenly they were there. One of the hit me," she explained, pointing to her face. "I ran."
"Andrew," Giles called. He wouldn't have had to, Tara noticed, because Andrew was standing right there, looking anxious. "Get some -"
"First aid stuff," Andrew completed the sentence and was gone to fetch it immediately. Giles stood up, looking even more worried than before.
"This is bad, isn't it?" Faith asked.
"We need to call Xander," Anya suddenly said. Tara saw the others frown, but suddenly she understood.
"Willow." They all looked at her, and she blushed, not being able to help feeling insecure. "It's - Anya thinks they are attacking us - the people needed for the spell."
"It probably found out," Spike murmured.
"Yeah, it probably did." Faith looked at him, then at Tara. "I'll go and look for Willow, right? If someone could call Buffy - she's closer to Xander. She can get him." Spike was off to the phone. Faith turned to leave, but was stopped by Tara, who put a hand on her arm. "Thanks," she said.
Faith seemed unsure what to say to that, so she just shrugged. "'s okay." But Tara could feel she was grateful somehow. The Slayer went to the door and then added, directed at Angel and Spike, "You guys keep 'em safe, alright? We'll be back soon. No one will get hurt."
Tara heard the door close. She looked at Anya who was still sitting on the couch, nursing her bruise with the ice Andrew had got her. Tara sat down in front of her, taking her hand. "It'll be okay," she told her, trying to comfort her.
Anya attempted a smile. "We would feel if something was wrong, wouldn't we?" she asked. "That's what you told me when these hell demons were destroying Sunnydale."
"Was I right then?" Tara wanted to know.
"You were."
"See?" She leaned over to tuck a lock of stray hair behind Anya's ear. "Trust me. We'll be okay."
***
Author: ladydewinter
Email: ladydewinter@gmx.net
Rating: PG 13
Pairing: W/K first, but I don't really like them...so W/T eventually :-) And this is becoming B/S as well, it seems.
Setting: The story takes place roughly after The Killer in Me, so spoilers up to then. And if you have no idea about Season Three of Angel you'll be spoilt as well...so don't come running to me *lol*
Disclaimer: Willow, Tara, Kennedy, Anya et. al belong to Joss Whedon and ME and - hey you know whom they belong to. The story however is mine. Oh, the title is taken from a book called "Magic's Promise" by Mercedes Lackey. And there may be quotes from the show included in this story - I haven't really marked them, but if it sounds familiar - I mean it as an homage, I don't wanna violate any copyright, really. Please don't sue me!
Feedback: Yes please!!! I really appreciate it.
Distribution: If you want it, you can have it, just let me know where it ends up.
Summary: Spike and Tara talk some more... and then finally something happens.
***
"Glinda?" Tara stirred slightly at the sound of Spike's voice. There was a knock on the door again... it took her a couple of seconds to realize that she must have fallen asleep somehow. She immediately sat up and called, "Come in!"
He opened the door and smiled at the sight of her. She rubed her eyes and yawned. "I can't believe I actually slept some more," she then said, "I mean I think I have done nothing but sleeping and dreaming the last couple of days. What?" she asked when she saw his smirk.
"Nothing. I just wondered whether you and Red... slept much last night?"
Tara laughed. "Believe me, we did." Then she blushed slightly, remembering what they had done before....and after sleeping.
"Told you," Spike said and walked over to the bed.
"So - did you talk?" she wanted to know.
"Yep. Talk." He sounded slightly amused.
"He's still - I mean you didn't -"
"Sure he is. Thanks for your faith in my fighting skills, though."
She frowned, not really getting the point. Whatever. "So, what did you talk about?"
"Well, first he told me he'd dust me if I hurt her. Then he asked how I got my soul back, why I got my soul back and then he told me again he'd dust me. He - that is we - agreed on a truce. No fighting. Good, eh?"
"That's great. I mean - no fighting... Angel seems to be awfully protective of Buffy."
"He is. Anyway, now everything is settled I just - wanted to thank you for - making me settle it."
Tara smiled. "You're welcome." They both sat in silence for a moment, then Spike asked her, "So, did you do your assignments?"
"What? Oh, you mean the books on witchcraft..." she glanced at a pile of books lying next to her on the bed. "Yes, I kinda... browsed through them." She paused. "It's odd - I can't believe I used to know - or someone - knew that stuff."
"So you weren't a witch back in the old world?" Spike seemed surprised.
"No, I mean - Mr Giles told me I was because I was able to read this book only witches can read - and I've always been interested - but it's not as if I did any spells - except for the ones we used to contact Buffy and Faith."
"But they worked - so you're probably good at that kind of stuff."
"I guess. I think I really should - Willow and I didn't talk too much about that."
"Well, I guess Red'll teach you everything you need to know. For the spell, I mean. It's not as if you have to be a full time witch."
"Do you ever call somebody by their real name?" Tara asked.
He grinned. "Not tellin'."
She rolled her eyes in mock exasperation. "I guess everything's going to turn out alright somehow," she finally said. "With the spell and all. I already read about it, and it doesn't seem too difficult. Comparatively speaking, I mean."
"Except for the 'The Slayers have to decide who's going to lose her power' thing, you mean."
Tara looked at him, confused. "What do you mean?"
"Well, Buffy - I mean, the Slayer," he corrected himself, seeing Tara's smile, "told me that only one of them could stay the Slayer. Because of the whole balance deal."
"Sure, but I don't think it's up to Buffy - or Faith - to decide. I don't think there is any kind of decision. It's more like - I mean, I don't know how it works exactly. Who told you that Buffy and Faith had to - decide?"
"Buffy, obviously. So - it just happens?"
"I really don't know. I have never done it before, you know? But in the spell - there is no part where someone says 'I keep the power' or 'I give up the power' or something. Probably she-"
"Misunderstood it. Needed to feel the responsiblity. Something to make her life a burden." He sounded frustrated.
"Does she do that a lot?"
Spike snorted. "You really want me to answer that?"
"I guess it's not easy being the Chosen One. She - how long has she been the Slayer?"
"Seven years at least. Why?"
"Well, she had to carry all this responsibility for such a long time, she probably can't help making her life a burden anymore. It's the role she was offered, and she had to take it, I guess. She became the Slayer. And now-"
"Now she's afraid she can't be Buffy anymore."
"Probably. You see what-"
"No, not probably. It's what she told me. She's afraid she's not - that there'll be nothing left if they take away her slayerness." He sighed.
"And what did you say to that?" Tara asked him.
"I told her she was wrong of course. And that she should talk to Faith. Share responsibility, y'know?"
"That's good. And I think - I mean, I'm not going to tell her she doesn't have to make a decision. I think it's something she has to think about. And Faith. They're not exactly friends, are they?"
"Well, I wouldn't know - I wasn't around much when - everything happened. But they have some kind of bad history, what with Faith trying to steal and kill her - Angel and stuff."
"I can see that would make things difficult." Tara looked away suddenly. When he noticed he asked, "What's wrong?"
"Noth-" she lifted her head and rolled her eyes, realizing how stupid that sounded. "No, it's something. There are so many things I don't know but I feel I should know. How can I even understand-"
"You will. I mean, look at Andrew."
"Huh?" Now she was confused.
"He didn't know too much about - anything except his comics and stuff before he came - or was come here. But now he knows a bit. It's not that difficult, and you aren't exactly slow on the uptake. And Red - she'll help you, you know. And isn't it - dunno - exciting in a way?"
"What do you mean?"
"I mean you get to know her all over again - a new beginning - and I think that's something you need after all that happ-" Spike stopped himself, not sure whether to continue. For a moment, none of them said anything, Tara being lost in her thoughts. After some minutes had past, Spike cleared his throat, a bit embarrassed. "I guess we've had enough of all that pep talk now, luv, don't you think?"
Tara grinned. "It was much needed pep talk. But you're right. Thanks," she added softly. He didn't answer, instead he frowned.
"What is it?" she wanted to know.
"Shh," he told her, listening intently. "Someone's com-"
They both heard the door bang open and Anya scream in panic, "Close the door! Close it! Where is everyone?!"
Looking at each other in alarm, Tara and Spike both rushed out of the room, downstairs, where they found Anya leaning against the closed door, breathing hard, clutching something to her breast.
"What's wrong, Anya?" Tara queried.
Anya didn't reply. Obviously someone - Angel - had gone to get Faith, who had been training with the potentials, and Giles. "What's wrong?" they asked her simultaneously, both with a worried expression.
"It's those guys, with the knives...they..." Giled grabbed Anya's arm and led her into the living room, making her sit on the couch. "The Bringers?" he offered. "They - attacked you?"
"I was in that - the other shop to get the things we would need for the spell - better safe than sorry, you know - and suddenly they were there. One of the hit me," she explained, pointing to her face. "I ran."
"Andrew," Giles called. He wouldn't have had to, Tara noticed, because Andrew was standing right there, looking anxious. "Get some -"
"First aid stuff," Andrew completed the sentence and was gone to fetch it immediately. Giles stood up, looking even more worried than before.
"This is bad, isn't it?" Faith asked.
"We need to call Xander," Anya suddenly said. Tara saw the others frown, but suddenly she understood.
"Willow." They all looked at her, and she blushed, not being able to help feeling insecure. "It's - Anya thinks they are attacking us - the people needed for the spell."
"It probably found out," Spike murmured.
"Yeah, it probably did." Faith looked at him, then at Tara. "I'll go and look for Willow, right? If someone could call Buffy - she's closer to Xander. She can get him." Spike was off to the phone. Faith turned to leave, but was stopped by Tara, who put a hand on her arm. "Thanks," she said.
Faith seemed unsure what to say to that, so she just shrugged. "'s okay." But Tara could feel she was grateful somehow. The Slayer went to the door and then added, directed at Angel and Spike, "You guys keep 'em safe, alright? We'll be back soon. No one will get hurt."
Tara heard the door close. She looked at Anya who was still sitting on the couch, nursing her bruise with the ice Andrew had got her. Tara sat down in front of her, taking her hand. "It'll be okay," she told her, trying to comfort her.
Anya attempted a smile. "We would feel if something was wrong, wouldn't we?" she asked. "That's what you told me when these hell demons were destroying Sunnydale."
"Was I right then?" Tara wanted to know.
"You were."
"See?" She leaned over to tuck a lock of stray hair behind Anya's ear. "Trust me. We'll be okay."
***