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Chapter 12
(TARA'S BEDROOM)
Tara tried to slip back in the bed just before dawn that morning. She had gone to get a drink and not wanted to wake the sleeping slayer. She felt peace and happiness in her heart and knew this is what Willow would want for her. She also knew what she had to do to try and fool the brain sucking hell God Glory and hoped Faith would understand. Part of her feared she couldn't go through with it because honesty was one of her highest set values and she shuddered to think of what might happen if she couldn't pull it off.
Faith opened one eye and looked at her. "Hey T, what's up?" She pulled the blonde woman into a sleepy kiss.
"I needed something to drink." Tara said returning the kiss and a sleepy smile.
"You looked like you were thinkin' hard about somethin'." Faith rubbed her cheek with her index finger as she lightly kissed her again.
"Not really," Tara said. "We should get some sleep though."
"Yeah I guess so," Faith said snuggling close to the blonde rubbing her back as she fell back to sleep.
(OUTSIDE TARA'S APARTMENT- NEXT MORNING)
Faith is standing outside the apartment thinking. She'd got up just after the sun peaked in through Tara's bay window. 'What's the game plan slayer?' She shook her head putting her cigarette out. "You beat one slayer Glory; you ain't takin' this one down."
"Slayer," Spike said well hidden under a thick bush. "I'm in if you need me."
"You got a plan?" Faith asked incredulously.
"Of course I do," he said ushering her to crouch down. "It might be hard but it involves Tara with hope we will be forgiven once all is said and done."
After he had filled her in on his plan, she helped get him in the apartment with little scorching. The two went into the kitchen, which Tara kept darkened so he could move about freely. It was only when he wasn't hanging around that she opened up her thick shades and curtains. "You're not made of the same mold as Buffy was slayer, you can do this."
"No better time then the present," Faith said shrugging.
"Right you are mate," Spike said tossing a plate to the floor shattering it. "Bloody hell! How could you do this Faith! We all trusted you and now you're going to run out on her!" He slapped the slayer as Dawn burst into the kitchen followed by Anya.
"You know me peroxide-man and I'd appreciate it if you would shut your trap cause she doesn't need to know like this!" Faith hit him back knocking him to the floor. He kicked out tripping her and she too hit the floor.
"Get out you bitch!" Anya roared as Tara stood in the entrance to the kitchen.
Spike was grateful she had sent him sprawling to the floor as it gave his aching head time to ease up. The chip got in the way of a lot but he knew he was doing the right thing. Late last night, when the apartment was quiet, Spike had gone browsing around the neighborhood and had luck on his side. Glory had acquired the help of a demon named Clem who was all to willing to inform him Glory had thought Tara was going to help her get the key. After spike thought about it, he concluded there is only one way that could work. He believed Tara was going to make it look like she was on Glory's side in a few days to distract Faith enough until Glory came after Dawn. This was being done with hope that Glory would let her guard down just enough to allow the scoobies to gain the upper hand long enough to stop the hellion.
He knew it had to be something along those lines as their wasn't an evil bone in Tara's body. So when he came home and Tara was up getting a drink he thought he'd set his own plan in motion. Thinking quickly, he warned Tara Faith was the player kind so this new relationship may be doomed from the start and she should be careful. He did this because he knew in his heart of hearts that Tara would never be able to forgive herself for having to be so deceitful and there was a chance Faith may not see passed it either. Faith had a hard life with a long line of betrayers which scarred her badly; his fear was she would not be able to take another scar long enough to find out the truth. If anyone deserved happiness on this god-forsaken hellmouth, it was Tara and he was going to do his damndest to see that she got it.
Spike looked at Tara in shock. "I-um," he shook his head.
Faith looked at the blonde with anger rising deep inside her. She was angry at having to be a slayer and having one night of happiness thwarted by that damn hell God Glory. "T, I," she looked again at Tara.
"Is it true?" Tara said softly knowing she had a plan of her own to stop Glory but that was of no matter. She really thought Faith cared and they'd be good together. They had both shared a lot of heartache in their life. Once again, she'd been wrong was her line of thinking.
"Look Tara," Faith stepped closer to her with Anya and Dawn shooting evil glances at her. "I think you're a great person, fact is I'm a slayer and I can't commit myself to one person. B screwed up by trying that and it only brought her more grief. I can't do that to you or myself. I wasn't using you for some cheap thrill last night but this committal deal just isn't in me," she turns and heads out the door without looking at Tara again.
She runs smack into Xander on her way out of the parking area. "Faith, what's going on?"
"Just another day in the life of being a fucking hero to mankind Xander." She felt he'd get the drift once he got inside and found out what she'd done. She also felt he'd understand why she did things this way and try to help her patch it all up.
(GILES' APARTMENT)
Faith knocks at Giles' door after wandering around for a few hours thinking. She had a lot to think about and little time to do it. She felt she had probably blown things with Tara but Spike had dealt with Glory the longest so she trusted his judgment. "Hey G-man," she looked at him.
"I know what happened Faith." He said stepping aside so she could come in. "Spike not wanting Tara to go through the anguish of being deceitful is admirable."
"What?" She looked at him with questioning eyes.
"Leave it to Spike not to fill you in totally. Tara was trying to put on a charade for Glory. She was going to make it seem as though she were helping Glory access the key then hopefully find some miraculous idea on how to stop her at just the right moment. Her heart was in the right place but once you go where you and I have gone, lying and being down right deceitful to fulfill a plan it scars the soul. He didn't think she should have to go through that; nor did he think you would be able to handle another betrayal for a long enough time to stop Glory. I do believe he acted quickly and smartly as an out of control slayer is not what we need right now."
"You all don't think I can keep self composure huh?" Faith asked trying to let this all sink in while her anger was threatening to boil.
"If Tara had done things her way, she would have been your weakness Faith. That is all I'm stating. The slayer needs to be in control of the happenings around her at such a crucial time as this. Tara meant well by trying to take this all upon herself but it may have caused things to go devastatingly a wry. She had all good intentions with her plan and it may have worked but I think you acting like a psycho slayer rather than being hurt by Tara and really becoming irrational is a much better plan."
She stands silently thinking on what Giles had been saying, realizing he is right. "B disrespected your judgment many times G-man. I would have loved to have had a watcher as good as you." She shuffles her feet. "A watcher that understands how easy it is to become somewhat of a bad person. I wouldn't want T coming near that road."
"Yes well," he withdraws the flat object Faith had given him. "This goes with the Dagon sphere. It is the Dagon key; they made this to be able to control the mystic energy that is the key if they should need to rush her away at any given moment. This was used before Dawn was given to Buffy to be protected. Tara cleansed and blessed it for me and the glow that came from it was pure white so it is activated. Here is what I want you to do with it," he leaned back explaining his plan.
She picks up the envelope he placed the object in with a document. "You got it Boss, it's Clem hunting I shall go."
(TARA'S APARTMENT)
Xander sits with Tara as Dawn and Anya head for take out that evening. "Tara I've known Faith a long time," he begins. "Will wouldn't want you hurting like this over her. I mean yes you are attracted to her and maybe shouldn't let her get you in the sack so quick but I was not so bright and made that mistake too. You will find a special someone Tara."
"Not like Willow, Willow before the evil side of her took over. I sometimes think she didn't even love me but part of me knows she did." Tara shrinks herself as far into the plush couch as she can.
She looks up at Dawn who is coming in with food. "You have to eat Tara," she offers it to her.
"I'm not really hungry Dawnie but thanks." She turns her head away from the food.
"C'mon just eat a little," Dawn persists until Tara takes the small box of chicken tenders and fries from the girl.
Tara finishes her food then goes into her room. "Tara you failed me," Glory says sharply. "Let me show you what you have caused."
An image of Willow in a fiery hell springs up in front of Tara. Her tormented scream can be heard as Tara begins to shake. "She's in hell for all eternity thanks to me as I am none other than a hell God." Glory clicks her fingers and laughs. "I no longer need your services to gain easy access to the key. Hows about I just see if I can make you crazy again!"
Glory heads for Tara who sends lightening at her. Glory isn't hurt but sent backwards for a moment.
"Dawnie she's here!" Tara shouts in anguish as a sudden calmness overcomes her. "Tara I love you, don't be scared. It will be all right," it's Willow's voice and Glory can clearly see her white image.
"Damn you Willow Rosenberg!" She shrieks disappearing. "I'll be back for the key and you won't stop me witch!"
Dawn embraces Tara in a hug. "It has to be ok Tara, it just has to."
Meanwhile Glory's minions led by Faith charge the apartment. "What the hell!" Xander shouts with disbelief on his face. "She did it again!"
"Batten down the hatches boys, it's party time!" Faith yells staring Spike down who is in game face.
TBC.
