Disclaimer: Since my name is not Joss Whedon, neither Buffy: The Vampire Slayer, Angel, or any of the amazing characters associated with either show belong to me. I also don't own the story line - that is taken from gidgetgirl's Scorned Lover Challenge (details below).

The Scorned Lover Challenge (A massive throwback)

After Xander leaves Anya at the alter and Tara finds out that Willow has spelled her, the two become unlikely friends... between Anya's former vengeance demon status, and Tara's magical abilities, the two scorned lovers attract a ghost who also mourns the man she lost: Darla. Dru, still stinging over losing Spike to Buffy, casts a spell to try to bring Grandmummy back to life, resulting in all four scorned women: Tara, Anya, Dru, and Darla, being turned into small children.

Requirements:

- Each of the children must, as children, want to seek out the lover who scorned them...ie, little Tara must like being with Willow, little Anya must bond with Xander, Darla with Angel, and Dru with Spike.
- The four little girls forming a 'club.'
- A little cat fight.
- Someone kicking an adult in the shin.

Bonus:

- Little Tara developing telepathy.
- Tara talking about her mommy and daddy.
- Tara and Dru bonding.
- Darla being overprotective of Tara.
- Anya teaching the others about sex.
- Anya having a little 'boyfriend.'
- Anya and Darla fighting.
- Darla bossing adult Buffy around.
- Dru still having her visions.
- Darla still having super strength
- Little Anya being able to grant wishes.

Author's Note: To Fred God of – I'm sure that Spike would love you forever if you did.

Chapter 6.

That evening.

"Tara?" Willow's hands were gentle as she combed and plaited the five year old's long blonde hair. "What you said in the park, when you asked me why I was sorry, what did you mean?"

"You said that you were sorry." Tara fiddled with the hem of her pink T-shirt. "But I didn't know why."

"I didn't say anything."

"Yes you did." Tara's voice was quiet, but there was a determined strength behind her words. "You were talking in my head."

"Talking in your head?" Willow stared at the young version of her lover in astonishment. "What do you mean?"

"I can hear people talking in my head sometimes." Tara confessed in a soft voice, squirming uncomfortably. "Mommy says it's because I'm special. Daddy says it's because I'm going to be a demon when I grow up. Donny says it's because I'm a freak."

"You're not." Willow's voice was firm. "You're not a demon and you're not a freak. Your daddy was lying to you."

Little Tara gasped, as though speaking of her father could conjure him out of thin air, a prospect she found terrifying.

"You shouldn't say that." The little girl was close to tears. "He'll get angry with you."

"Let him." Willow caught the girl's chin in one hand, tilting her head gently towards her. "You are not bad, you are not a demon and you are not a freak. You are a very special little girl and you have special gifts, that's all."

"Really?" Tara gazed up at the older girl with a trusting expression.

Willow had a lump in her throat. She couldn't think what she had done to deserve that faith.

"Really." Her voice was firm.

"Are you alright?" Angel's voice was concerned.

"That's quite a bruise you've got there, Slayer." Spike commented.

Buffy glanced down at her midriff, part of which had been briefly bared when she had had to take something out of the cupboard, puzzled at the purpling bruise forming there.

"That's probably from when I was pulling Darla off that kid." She said, realization dawning. "She kicked me when I carried her away." She touched it gingerly, wincing. "It's still sore."

"Darla did that?" Angel looked shocked.

"How'd a five year old do that much damage?" Spike asked incredulously.

Buffy shook her head resignedly. "I think it's pretty obvious that we're not dealing with average five year olds."

"Are you serious?" Darla's eyes lit up at the prospect her friend had put before her.

"Uh-huh." Anya skipped on the spot, the blonde pigtails Xander – with much difficulty - had plaited her hair in, bouncing from side to side. "I did it in the park and a kid got a quarter."

Drusilla stared at Anya in awe. "Are you a fairy?"

"It won't work." Darla, the sceptic of the group, pointed out in a no nonsense tone.

"How do you know?" Anya challenged indignantly. "You haven't even tried yet. Go on - make a wish."

"Fine." Darla rolled her eyes. "I wish . . ."

"I wish I had my dolly." Drusilla exclaimed, cutting Darla off with uncharacteristic confidence.

"Wish granted."

The dark haired little girl beamed as the old fashioned porcelain doll materialized in her hands.

"What are you guys doing?" Tara, now bathed and ready for bed, joined the other three in what had been Joyce's, and then her own and Willow's bedroom, before being turned over to the four little girls.

"We're playing 'Wish'." Anya announced happily. "Darla didn't believe me, but I showed her." She stuck her tongue out at the other child. "So there!"

Wisely deciding that the opportunities provided by Anya's gift outweighed the other girl's slight, Darla grinned at her.

"That's really cool." Her blue eyes sparkled wickedly.

"Isn't it?" Anya's pride was evident. "My turn now. I wish . . ." She chewed her lower lip thoughtfully. "I wish I had a million dollars."

Nothing happened.

"I said 'I wish I had a million dollars'." She repeated, a little more loudly.

Nothing.

"Maybe you can only do magic for other people, not yourself." Tara suggested shyly.

Anya scowled. "That's not fair!" the little girl looked ready to cry and/or throw a temper tantrum.

"It's alright, Anya-fairy." Drusilla patted her shoulder comfortingly. "We'll make the wishes for you and we can all be princesses and live happily ever after."

"That's right." Darla looked gleeful. "We could have a lot of fun with this."

"You guys, I'm worried about Tara."

"Why?"

Willow sighed. "She read my mind earlier today."

"Tara can read minds?" A horror struck Xander mentally reviewed his thoughts, hoping against hope that the little girl hadn't picked up on anything that was going to scar her for life.

"Evidently."

"Ouch." Buffy's expression was sympathetic. "I know from experience that it's not as cool as it sounds."

"We're immune, right Gramps?"

"Spike!" Angel scowled at his grandchilde. "Vampires' thoughts can't be read."

"That's a relief." Spike had no desire to have a five year old – or anyone else, for that matter - combing through his mind.

"I think." Angel amended.

"I think Darla has kept some of her powers too." Buffy chimed in. "She still has super strength."

"You're joking, right?" Xander looked almost frightened.

"Wish I was."

"What about the others?" Willow was concerned. "Anya and Drusilla. Do they have powers?"

"Speaking of." Spike glanced towards the ceiling. "Is it just me or are that lot being far too quiet?"

The bedroom was a scene of complete and utter chaos.

Drusilla sat on the bed, a picnic laid out in front of her, conversing with the doll, both of them dressed in matching frilly white dresses.

The doll – now four feet tall - was holding a teacup and drinking from it, her movements slow and jerky.

Tara was curled up on a chair, a kitten tucked under each arm, singing softly to them, while Darla and Anya split an ice-cream sundae large enough to feed a small country.

Just as the door opened, Darla wished for chocolate sauce, which Anya thoughtfully provided.

The adults regarded them quietly for a few moments before Dawn broke the stunned silence.

"I think it's safe to say that Anya still has her powers."

TBC.