A/N: Extra! Extra! Chapter four is up! Ok, ok, lame but...

If you've read the first 3 chapters, then you know my views on reviews (hey, isn't a Willow-like play on words!). If you haven't read the first 3 chapters, than what are you doing here? Don't want to reiterate anything again, so check out my reiteration in chapter 3. There is a lot of angst here, but it's not Willow/Tara angst, exactly (It is clear sailing for them from now on, I promise! :)). Mostly, it's just angst during songs. Makes it fit better.

Also, I must make sure everyone here knows that I'm not a B/S supporter. I go for B/A over anything, really, but I needed to use Spike here. My apologies.

Lastly, I'd like to respond to Rixi's review:


I'm guessing by writing, you mean fan fictions. I've been writing them for about 2 years now for my own kicks, but as I said, I never posted anything on the internet until I put the first chapter of this story up just over 2 weeks ago. I also didn't write any Buffy fan fiction until this summer, and most of those were just little jots that I never really finished. I've heard and seen so-called 'Beta-readers', but I don't know anything about exactly what they do. I'm guessing they're mostly for proofreading stories, and I feel I do a good enough job of that myself, so I don't want to waste someone else's time. By the 'needs some tweaking' comment, though, I'm thinking maybe they also offer helpful ideas. Now, don't get me wrong, I'm sure they do have good ideas, but why would I write something that came from someone else? Might as well just let them write the story for me then.

Also, don't want to turn people away from it, it's still a good site, but Extra Flamey (Actually found at www.peccath.com, in case, like me, you had trouble finding it with the link you found here) is kind of confusing for a writer. I ended up posting a text file with song lyrics in it while trying to figure it out.

Hope to see you review again. It's nice to know that some people care enough about fellow authors to give us helpful suggestions. Thanks!


Spoilers: Nothing more than the first 2 chapters had.


Disclaimer: I don't think Joss et al. is dumb enough to waste his time on some lowly creature having fun with his world that he so obviously messed up, so I'm not going to say anything to save me from that. However, because I respect the owners of the site, I'd just like to mention that I got some of my information for this story, and in the first chapter, from www.buffyworld.com/. Thank you guys for your wonderful transcripts, even if the fight descriptions suck! :) Also, none of the songs here belong to me. All belong to their designated owners.


Quick legend: This means thoughts (all Tara's)





I'm The Teacher, You're The Student

Chapter 4: Never Again, With Feeling - Part 3

By: David Armstrong AKA Leafsdude






About an hour later, Tara was feeling a strange sense of peace within herself. After spending the whole day, so far, researching, they still hadn't come up with anything to explain the singing. However, she felt as though Oz's sudden return had somehow re-energized the whole gang. Even more strange was the fact that Willow seemed the happiest.

Maybe she thinks he's finally ready to move on, Tara thought, logic taking over her brain.

Yet despite all this, she could still tell that Buffy was feeling a little on edge. She couldn't remember if she had ever been a part of a research party with the scoobies, and even more telling was the fact that she was deep in the books.

Something's got her spooked, Tara once again came to a logical conclusion. Maybe she's afraid she's going to sing Madonna. Tara chucked, not out loud, of course.

Reading though 'Demonology and Mythology: 101' for the last 10 minutes, Tara was starting to feel very bored.

Man, why can't this guy just come here for a change so we can finally go party? And since when do I say 'man' when I think to myself? Quickly returning to the book, Tara tried hard to stop her train of thought.

Laughter from next to her finally succeeded in accomplishing what Tara was attempting to do, but it also caused a new train to start.

"What?" She exclaimed, looking over at Willow.

"Have you ever looked in a mirror while you think?" She responded between giggles. When Tara looked down ever so slightly, Willow quickly added, "It's cute."

Blushing and smiling, Tara looked up again. "Really?"

"Do I ever lie?"

"Well, there was that time when Xander..." Tara began, with an evil glint in her eyes. Not surprisingly, Willow interrupted quickly, even though Xander was out of earshot.

"Ok, ok, point taken." She exclaimed. Now it was Tara's turn to giggle.

"You're so predictable." She said. Upon Willow's look, she quickly mimicked her. "It's cute."

Xander thankfully cut off their discussion, with a loud, "A ha!"

Everyone quickly gathered around, and Xander held up his book, 'Exotic demons'.

Probably thought there would be naked pictures in there, Tara had thought when she saw him pick it up. Who knew he'd find anything useful in it? Upon seeing the picture in the book, she was no longer surprised.

Clearing his throat, Xander started to speak, reading from the opposite page that Tara had looked at. "Says here 'Demon Sweet, also known as the Lord of the Dance, has the power to make a large population sing and dance spontaneously. He is summoned using one of many different talismans. Usually summoned by women, he usually will not leave until...'" Xander tailed off. Before anyone could urge him to continue, Spike ran through the front door.

"You'll never believe what I just saw." Spike announced.

"A red, horny demon who calls himself 'Sweet'?" Buffy quickly responded.

"How'd…"

"Xander found it in his book." Buffy explained.

"Oh. Ugly fellow, I'd say." Spike stated the obvious. "Oh, and the horny thing, not just a physical attribute," he added.

"Well, when you look that bad, it's probably natural." Willow piped up though giggles.

"Well, that's not the worst part. Might want to sit down for this one, boy," Spike responded seriously, looking at Xander. "Heard through an almost sound-proof window that he's going to take Anya as his 'queen'."

Surprising everyone, even Xander through his obvious anger and fear, Buffy was the first to get up. "Well, let's go. Lead the way, Spike."





Entering the warehouse about 5 minutes after Spike, Buffy and Xander, Tara and Willow were surprised to find Buffy and Sweet engaged in a heated discussion, with no punches being thrown. Anya was standing behind Xander, and Spike was looking as bored as ever. Giles had decided to stay behind and see if he could find out anything more about this new demon.

Curiously, they walked up to Xander.

"What's the talk?" Willow asked.

"Buffy wants to fight, Sweet doesn't. Fairly odd, yet frightfully amusing," Xander replied.

"Yes. Even more odd and frightfully amusing as him wanting to have sex with me," Anya replied, bluntly as usual, plus a hint of anger and hurt. Xander flashed a fake smile laced with nervousness and fear.

"Interesting. Think it's going to take long?" Tara said, changing the subject.

"Well, I don't remember Buffy punning this much before, so I'd bet yes." Xander put in.

"Just punch him, Buffy." Willow yelled impatiently.

"Already tried that." Buffy shot back.

Catching Willow's look, Tara shook her head. As embarrassing and time consuming this is, it doesn't appear to be life-threatening yet. She rationalized.

Despite her obvious frustration, Willow managed to restrain herself.

Suddenly, they all heard a song start to play, and they quickly glanced at each other anxiously. As Sweet started to sing, they all sighed in relief. It was short lived, however.

"I know what you feel, I know what you think. So might as well tell them, before you have to sing." (*4)

Staring at Buffy, he made sure his threat was clear.

Willow was the only one with enough courage to speak up. "What is he talking about, Buff?"

Looking up, Buffy turned around, and whispered something barely audible. Tara's ears caught it, though, "heaven."

"Huh?" Everyone else said. Tara wasn't sure if anyone else heard Buffy, though.

"Oh, hell, just make me sing, damn it!" Buffy's voice was forced, angered and perhaps even a little timid and frightful.

"Alright, have it your way." Sweet replied.

Stepping up, Buffy said one last thing before the music kicked in. "I was in…" She trailed off.

(*5)

Song title: Heaven
Artist: Psychedelic Furs
Album: Mirror Moves
Lyrics: www.metrolyrics.com
Sung by: Buffy's Theme, mostly. Little bits by Spike.

"Heaven.
It's the hole of the heart.
"

Upon hearing the first words, Tara understood, and felt a sudden pain. We pulled her out of... Her thoughts trailed off. Instinctively, she reached over to hug Willow, who appeared to still be confused. It didn't last for long, as Tara quickly felt Willow tense up.

"And never,
Don't tear you apart.
"

Buffy continued, looking over at the pair, neither of which noticing her glance.

"Yeah, heaven,
It's the hole of the heart.
"

The truth was driven home by Buffy now, and Willow quickly broke down upon hearing them.

"And never,
Don't tear you apart.
"

Buffy sung quietly.

"There's too many kings wanna hold you down.
And no wonder the wind don't run underground.
"

None of these lines made any sense to anyone, but they strangely still understood.

"There's a hole in the sky where the,
Sun don't shine.
And a clock on the wall,
No longer counts my time.
"

This finally made everything make sense to Tara. She's not feeling anymore. She feels she's still dead. She pieced together.

"Heaven,
It's the hole of the heart.
And never,
Don't tear you apart.
Yeah, heaven,
It's the hole of the heart.
And never,
Don't tear you apart.
"

Through the instrumental that seemed to appear in all the songs, there were just sympathetic looks thrown around, as well as many tears shed.

"There's a song on the air
with a 'love you' line.
"

Spike suddenly spoke up. Surprising to Willow and Tara, he appeared to be unaffected by the news.

"And a face in the glass,
And it looks like mine.
"

Buffy's line appeared to be a reply to Spike.

"And I'm standing on ice when I say,
That I don't hear planes.
"

Buffy continued. Yet again, these lines told them all exactly how she was feeling.

"And I scream at the fools,
'Wanna jump my train'?
"

Spike's lines were odd, but seemed to slightly comfort Buffy.

"Heaven,
It's the hole of the heart.
And never,
Don't tear you apart.
Yeah, heaven,
It's the hole of the heart.
And never,
Don't tear you apart.
"

"Yeah, heaven.
Ah, heaven.
Yeah, heaven.
"

As the song ended, Buffy ran out, and Sweet spoke up. "Well, wasn't that interesting."

Unsurprisingly, it was Xander that spoke up, venomously, "Get out!"

Looking at him closely, Sweet laughed. "So it was you that summoned me. Why would you want me...?"

"Just leave," Willow spoke up softly, yet still firmly. Tara squeezed her shoulder gently, and then sent what was probably one of her hardest glares of her life over to Sweet. Relenting, he backed off.

"Ok. I sure as hell wouldn't wanna take that scumbag with me. Still gotta have a good ending here, though." Lifting his hands, he vanished. However, there was still music rising in the background.

(*6)
Song title: Thief
Artist: Our Lady Peace
Album: Happiness…Is Not a Fish
Lyrics: lyrics.astraweb.com
Sung by: All in the current scene.

"I don't want to understand this horror."

Willow began the finale slowly and softly.

"There's a weight in your eyes,
I can't admit.
"

Tara continued, talking to no one in particular.

"Everybody ends up here in bottles,
But the name tag's the last thing we wanted.
"

Everyone sung this part; their voices were guilt-ridden, and pained.

"As the world explodes,
We fall out of it.
But we can't let go because this,
Will not go away.
There's a house built out in space.
"

Sadly, they all began the long trek home, very low and depressed.

"And I can't see that thief that lives inside of your head."

They all looked at each other, and sighed. How could any of us be capable of this?

"But I can be some courage at the side of your bed.
I don't know what's happening,
And I can't pretend,
"

Looking at Willow, Tara wished she could do something to make this better. But I can't lie to her...

"But I can be your,
Be your...
"

But I can help her through this. Tara concluded determinedly.

"Someone help us understand who ordered,
This disgusting arrangement with time,
And the end.
"

Tara's old thoughts returned. How could we have done this? Could we really have done it on our own?

"I don't want to hear who walked on water.
'Cause the hallways are empty,
The clock ticks.
"

Maybe we were forced into this. Maybe it wasn't us. The thoughts were little comfort to Tara. Who am I kidding? Who else could it have been?

"As the world implodes,
We fall out of it.
And we can't go home because this;
Will not go away.
There's a house built out in space.
"

Maybe it was aliens. The logic in Tara's brain was finally gone.

"And I can't see that thief that lives inside of your head."
But I can be some courage at the side of your bed.
I don't know what's happening,
And I can't pretend,
"

I don't understand this! Tara frustratingly screamed at herself.

"It's a long, long get away,
It's a long, long get away,
Make it home again.
Make it home again.
It's a long, long get away,
It's a long, long get away.
"

"And I can't see that thief that lives inside of your head."
But I can be some courage at the side of your bed.
I don't know what's happening,
And I can't pretend,
And I can be your,
Be all of it.
And I can be your,
Be all of it.
It's a long, long get away.
"


As they finally made their way home, Willow and Tara made it into bed, and cried themselves to sleep, unsure of what the following days would bring.





End of chapter 4.







A/N: One more chapter. Basically, it will be Willow's reaction to Buffy's revelation, and more of Tara's attempt to help Willow. Sounds angst-y, but it will end happily. Should have it done next week. No promises, though.

As well, for Sweet, I know he probably looks way out of character, but I liked him a lot, and remember you didn't read all that he said. Let's just say Buffy said something to him :).


And the songs:

*4 – Come up with your own melody for this little tune. Hell if I know what fits those lines. If you want, just read it as a little poem. It can work that way.

*5 – Heaven is by the Furs. I recommend Pretty in Pink, The Ghost In You and Alice's House along with this song by them, which can be found on the same album, except for Pretty in Pink, which is on "Talk, Talk, Talk." I know this probably wasn't the best song to use, but my other choices were "Heaven" by Bryan Adams, "Heaven's Coming Down" by the Tea Party or "Just Like Heaven" by the Cure. With those selections, the one I used was the most appropriate :). Oh, and one last thing. The words on the website are the accurate ones. The ones I used here sound correct, but aren't. I just changed it so that it fit a little more.

*6 – Thief was written by the semi-Canadian group Our Lady Peace. I can't say for sure, but I am pretty sure that it was written about a young kid that died that one of the band members knew. That's just what I get from the music video, though. It is actually my second-favourite song by them, following slightly behind "Clumsy".

Thanks again for reading!