Chapter 5:

Truth and Consequences

Sunnydale General Hospital

Emergency Room

Xander ran into the emergency room and over to the nurse behind the desk. "I need to find a friend who was just brought in here...Her name's Willow Rosenberg."

"Are you a relative?" the nurse asked.

"I'm her brother," Xander lied.

"Oh, well she's in surgery on the 4th floor…" The nurse said to empty air as the boy had taken off towards the stairs.

Running Xander headed towards the stairs and up to the fourth floor.

Trauma Surgery Waiting Room

Faith paced back and forth, reaching back to touch the stake at her back.

"Will you stop pacing? Please!" Tara said. Gesturing to the chair next to her, "Sit!"

Frowning, "Yes Mother," Faith replied sulkily. Faith knew that Giles was on his way, but no one had been able to find Xander. Not like that's a big loss! He's just lucky he's not here right now!

The door to the stairs flew open and Faith saw Xander run out towards them. In a blur Faith was flying into Xander tackling him into the wall. Getting up, Faith grabbed Xander by his shirt and slammed Xander several more times into the wall and followed with a backhand punch that bloodied his mouth. "You miserable SON OF A BITCH!" Faith screamed at him when the first orderly grabbed her arm. Grabbing the hand Faith pulled her arm free and tossed the orderly down the hallway, not wanting to really injure him.

Turning her attention back to Xander, Faith saw the fear on his face as she lifted him up and threw him into the wall across the hallway. Stalking over Faith felt one body and then another tackle her to the ground. Snarling, Faith snaked her arms free and slammed the palm of her hand into a solar plexus of the closest orderly. The orderly staggered back as his heart and lungs forgot how to work for several seconds. The other orderly seeing his comrade knocked backwards hesitated, Faith grabbed him and tossed him away from her. Reaching back Faith pulled out the bloody stake from the sheath at her back.

"I've got a present for you from Buffy!" Faith growled as she threw the stake into Xander's shoulder.

Crying out Xander fell to the ground when he felt a strong pair of hands grab him and hold him against the wall. "Faith, Buffy's a vamp now! And I was only protecting Tara!" Xander protested.

"Oh yeah? And how would you know?" Faith yelled as she punched Xander in the stomach twice, following it with an uppercut to Xander's jaw. "YOU WEREN'T PROTECTING ANYONE YOU FUCKING SON OF A BITCH!" Slamming her knee into Xander's groin, Faith rained blow after blow into Xander's face. Leaning close to Xander's bruised and bloody face. "You hurt the woman I love Xander, not some vampire. So now I'm gonna..." Faith felt something sharp prick her shoulder looked down to see a tranquilizer dart in it, Faith felt 2 more hit her in the back. Dropping Xander Faith turned around to see 5 more orderlies, all with tranq guns. Stalking towards them Faith felt 4 more darts hit her and slowly everything started to tunnel, but still she continued to stagger forwards when Faith fell to her knees and collapsed to the ground.

The last thing Faith saw was a look of concern on Tara's face

Staggering to his feet, "Jesus! She's lost it or she's under vamp-Buffy's control." Xander whispered as he stood next to Tara.

"You need to buy yourself a clue Xander! Faith's not under anyone's control! My advice to you is to get out of Sunnydale for a while, for your own health." Tara said darkly. "Don't you think I could have stopped her if I had wanted to? You've used up all your goodwill with me and we won't even talk about how Mr. Giles or the others will react when they find out about what you did!" And as for Faith, you are not going to press any charges against her. Do you understand?"

Xander stood there in shock at Tara's speech until a nurse took him away to get his injuries treated.

Xander held the icepack against his broken nose and watched the SPD Officer walk over to him and pulled out his notepad from his jacket, opening it.

"So Mr. Harris, can you tell me what happened here?"

"Nothing. I walked into a door Officer." Xander replied in a flat voice.

"You walked into a door?" the officer asked incredulously. "Look Mr. Harris. We've taken Miss Spencer into custody, she can't hurt you anymore...Just tell me what happened and we'll be able to charge and process her into the system. With her record it's not going take a jury very long to convict, so she won't be getting out anytime soon..."

"We have the statements from the orderlies and nurses on this floor...we know she attacked you for no reason. All we need is your corroborating testimony to seal the last nail in that crazy girl's coffin."

Taking the icepack of his face, "I said I walked into a door." With that Xander lay back in the chair, Tara's last words echoing in his mind "Don't you think I could have stopped her if I had wanted to? You've used up the last of your goodwill here with me and as for Faith, you are not going to press any charges against her."

Closing his notebook loudly, "Fine. But if you decided to change your mind about this come down the Station, but do it soon otherwise we'll have no choice but to let that girl loose..."

Room 327

Tara stood by Willow's bed holding her hand and gently running her fingers through Willow's red hair, listening to the beeping of the heart monitor. There was a loud creak and Tara heard the door opening, but never took her attention from Willow's face. "Hi Mr. Giles."

"Tara how is she?" Giles asked, concern evident in his voice.

"She's got a 2 broken ribs, her left wrist is broken and she needed 20 stitches for a deep gash on her stomach...the doctors we're concerned about internal injuries, but they think she'll be okay." Tara replied in a distracted voice.

Leaning down Tara placed a gentle kiss on Willow's forehead, "I love you Willow," Tara whispered softly. Turning Tara faced Giles and saw the mixture of concern and anger on his face.

"Perhaps we can speak outside, there are a few things I need answered Tara..."

Nodding Tara stepped past Giles and moved out into the empty waiting room. Walking over to a Coke vending machine, Tara put in a dollar and got a soda. Sighing loudly as she sat down, "I guess you want to know what's been going on then..."

"Yes, I do Tara! Willow is in the hospital and even I felt the magickal energies that were tapped into tonight and I no longer practice magick anymore!"

"Combine that with my finding Faith handcuffed while unconscious on a stretcher and Xander looking like he had gone 18 rounds with Mike Tyson...I'd say you have quite a few things to explain!"

Popping open the can, Tara took a long swig and grimaced at the taste but she needed the caffeine right now, "Yecchhh! I hate soda!" Forcing herself Tara took another long swig, "It's something of a long story Mr. Giles..."

Folding his arms and crossing his legs, "Well it would appear we have nothing but time right now, don't we." Giles answered.

"Well it mostly started the night that we defeated Adam. Do you remember having a freaky kind of dream that night? Well, it wasn't a dream..."

It was over an hour later, but once Tara finished speaking Giles sat back in his chair, "My God! And that's why you haven't been telling me any of what's been going on? Because of what Willow discovered about the Watcher's Council and what they've been doing..."

Leaning forward, "But Tara, why didn't you trust me? I'd never hurt Buffy...or any of you for that matter!"

"It wasn't my decision alone Mr. Giles. Buffy was really shaken by what they found out and she asked Willow not to say anything to you." Shaking her head, "And no, I couldn't have told you anything that Willow told me without breaking Willow's trust in me." Tara said answering Giles' unasked question. "I do know Buffy was trying to handle all of this on her own, maybe it just made her doubt things she had accepted. I mean finding out about what the Council did to that Slayer, Sierra, really shook her up. I don't know more about Xena than what I've already told you though, although Buffy didn't seem afraid of her is the one thing I really noticed." Sighing, "I don't know what else you want to know Mr. Giles."

"Hmmm, and Anya was giving Buffy advice about this Xena vampire person?" Giles continued when he saw Tara nod. "Didn't you find that the slightest bit odd? We are talking about Anya here."

"Not really no. I mean how much odder is it to find out there are vampires, werewolves and other nasties in the world?" Tara replied back.

"True. Let me let you get back to Willow, who I'm sure you're eager to check back in on." With that Giles stood up and started to walk out of the room when he ran into a tall, dark-haired woman with blue eyes. "Oh dear, I'm sorry about that Miss." Stopping Giles stared at the woman who seemed familiar somehow, "Do I know you Miss...?"

Giles saw a cold look in the blue eyes, "No you don't." The woman said dismissively and with that the woman pushed passed him and walked over to Tara.

Giles stopped in the doorway and watched the two women talking animatedly about something when he decided to step in and see what was going on. As he neared them Giles could hear Tara speaking.

"Xena, I can't leave Willow now!"

"Tara you have to come now! Right now time is of the essence if we're going to save Buffy..."

"Excuse me." Giles interrupted as he stepped next to Tara, "Tara, what's going on here? What's wrong with Buffy?" Giles addressed the last to the dark-haired woman.

"This isn't any of your business Watcher!" Xena said with barely restrained anger.

"Wrong! Buffy is my business, not only as her Watcher but as someone who cares about her as if she were family."

Xena smiled internally at the Watcher's angry tone, "Tara, we have to do the Binding spell tonight. The events tonight have pushed Buffy to the very edge of her sanity and if we wait she'll be lost to us forever." Xena said purposely ignoring the Watcher next to Tara.

"Excuse me, but if this involves Buffy you'll talk to me, not this girl!" Giles said angrily.

Xena turned and pinned a hard glance towards Giles. "I don't have time to sit here and explain everything to you right now. I can explain things later, but right now you need to be silent Watcher." Turning to look back at Tara, "Tara? I need to know your answer now."

"I don't know..." Tara said nervously.

Getting down on one knee so she was less threatening to the young girl, "Yes you do Tara. Buffy needs you and no one else can help her. Not me, not Gabrielle...you. You're the one that can save her."

"Why me though? Tara asked.

"Because you're Mortal, you're a Witch and most importantly you care about Buffy as a friend," pausing for a beat, "The Binding Ritual won't work without all three things." Xena finished.

"Binding ritual? You can't ask this girl to do a binding ritual! Do you have any idea of the dangers involved...?"

"Better than you do. Now you will be quiet or I will make you quiet. Do you understand me? From what Buffy has told me you're not a complete waste, since you've left the Council at least. This is between Tara and me!" Xena said coldly.

Giles bit back the angry retort, So this is the Xena that Tara spoke of, well I'll not back down from a vampire if Buffy's life is at stake here. "Now look here Xena..." Giles paled as he saw Xena shift into her demonic form; her eyes were red and her skin was bone-white. Before he could say anything Giles saw Xena turn and smile at him, her long, curved fangs showing and Giles felt himself pale at the sight of her smile.

One dark eyebrow rose, "Were you saying something…Watcher?"

"Uhmm, err…" Giles answered.

"This is the only way we can save Buffy?" Tara asked suddenly.

Turning her attention back to Tara Xena shifted back to human, "Yes. There's no other way to save her."

"Okay then, I'll do it. But I want to see the ritual first!"

Xena hid her relived smile, "Good. Let's go."

Hutchkin's Farm

20 Miles SE of Sunnydale

Tara felt the blood rush as Xena put her down, "Wow! Do you do that often? I mean the flying thing."

Smiling broadly, "Yes we do. Let's get inside though, we have a lot to do."

Tara nodded and followed Xena into the small farmhouse. As she stepped inside Tara saw the soft glow of firelight and candles down the hallway. Walking into a large living room, Tara saw a large fireplace dominated the far wall. The blonde that had attacked her was sitting in a comfy looking chair. Moving sideways Tara moved behind Xena and away from the other woman. "Uh Xena, where's Buffy?"

"She's sleeping at the moment," Tara heard the blonde reply as she stood up and walked over towards her. Refusing to be intimidated Tara stood her ground and looked defiantly at the blonde as she stopped in front of her. "I'm sorry about earlier tonight, we...I thought you were hurting Buffy and I didn't stop to think."

Tara stood in surprise for several seconds before she could reply. "Uhmm, that's okay."

"No it's not. You'd think that after a little over 2 millennia I wouldn't be so impulsive anymore..." Gabrielle trailed off. "But thanks. My name's Gabrielle by the way." With that Gabrielle held her hand out.

Tara froze as what Gabrielle said sunk in as she was reaching for Gabrielle's hand, "Uh, did you just say you're 2000 years old?"

"Yes."

"Oh...okay." With that Tara clasped Gabrielle's hand. "Uhmm, where's this Ritual. Xena said I could read it,"

Gabrielle led Tara to a small stack of books sitting next to a large, soft chair and gestured for her to sit down. "Those books are everything on the Ritual. I know you want to read everything, but I really need to remind you that time is not on our side here..."

Nodding, "I know. This won't be long." With that Tara dove into the top book and started reading.

Gabrielle walked back into the room 45 minutes later, "You done?" she asked.

"Yeah, I just have a few questions."

Sitting down opposite her, "Okay then, what is it you want to know?" Gabrielle asked.

"This binding ritual, it says I'm going to be sharing a piece of my mortal essence with Buffy and that…" Tara paused to turn to a page of the book in her hand before continuing, "she in turn will share the essence of the demon with the Mortal," does this mean I'm going to grow fangs or a tail or something? I mean 90 of what I found was really vague what's going to happen to me when I do this."

Gabrielle had been expecting this question a little sooner. "You'll be giving Buffy a piece of your Soul, and she in turn will be giving you a piece of hers. But no, you won't be growing fangs or a tail. But that's only one piece in the whole Ritual Tara." Taking breath Gabrielle decided to explain further, "With this Binding spell, it will give Buffy's mind something to hold onto. Right now her sanity, her mind, is lost in a sea of conflicting desires and this spell will balance her mind, you will be in effect her Oasis in the middle of the desert." Seeing a look of confusion on Tara's face, "Hmmm, maybe not the best metaphor there. You know how everyone has something in their life they draw on for strength as well as a sense of peace? With some people it's religion or a belief in destiny or family or even someone important to them that they turn to, in your case you will be that for Buffy.

"Anything else?"

"Buffy will now only be able to feed off of you after this, she will no longer be able to drink anyone else's blood to live. Of course you'll be gaining some things as well, such as immortality, for as long as Buffy lives, so will you. Your metabolism will speed up, similar to a Slayer's so you'll heal much faster and be a lot tougher to kill."

Tara's eyes widened, "Uhmm, drink my blood?" Tara asked nervously.

"Yes, but its' not like she'll drink you dry and the older she gets the less she'll need. But that's why the increased metabolism, so your body can handle the blood loss."

"Is there anything else about the Ritual I should know? It got kind of vague when it mentioned something about a bond between us."

Shaking her head, "I'm not sure about that actually. It's something you'll need to discover for yourself I think." Gabrielle said evasively.

"Okay, I guess I'm ready then." Tara stood up.

Gabrielle stood up in front of Tara. "No guessing Tara. Either you're ready for this or you're not." Gabrielle said with a serious look on her face.

"I'm ready." Tara said more confidently and saw a look of relief on Gabrielle's face that was quickly hidden.

Gabrielle walked Tara down a flight of stairs and stopped in front of a large, steel door. "Buffy's inside, but you need to drink this first," said Gabrielle as she held out a silver goblet towards Tara.

"What is..." Tara started to ask and then stopped herself, "It doesn't matter." And she reached for the goblet and emptied it in one swallow.

Tara felt a burst of warmth in her stomach that slowly spread through her body and left her feeling relaxed, but her mind was focused and clear. Tara walked into the room and saw the circle that was set up in the center of the room. Lying inside the circle Tara could see Buffy.

As Tara neared the circle she passed through it and stood next to Buffy who was tossing and turning now. Kneeling next to Buffy who was covered by a blanket, Tara took a deep breath and took Buffy's hand in her own.

"Artemis, Goddess of the Hunt. Guide me through the Darkness with this Soul so that we may find our way. Athena, Goddess of Wisdom and Battle. Grant me the wisdom to lead and guide her in the days to come." Tara noticed Buffy had stopped tossing and seemed to calm down some. Reaching her hand down, Tara brushed her fingers through Buffy's hair. Looking around Tara saw the silver goblet and knife. Grabbing them both Tara cut the palm of her hand diagonally and let the blood drip into the cup. She then did the same and cut Buffy's hand letting it bleed into the cup for several seconds.

Swirling the goblet in a small circle, Tara mixed the blood together with the liquid inside. Picking up some black salt Tara sprinkled it into the cup as well. "Hecate, Goddess of the Moon and Spirits I call you on this the night of the New Moon." Taking the goblet Tara took a long drink from it grimacing at the taste of the liquid she forced herself to swallow. Leaning closer Tara held the cup to Buffy's lips and tipped it so that some of it ran down Buffy's throat.

Tara repeated the spell and drank from the cup, each twice more.

Her eyes opened and Buffy sat up slowly, "Tara?"

Taking another drink Tara then moved the cup to Buffy, "Drink this."

Buffy looked unsure for several moments before taking a large swallow. "Okay, now what are you doing here Tara?"

Tara felt a tingling sensation throughout her entire body, looking over at Buffy Tara saw Buffy's eyes roll back as she fell forward and Tara caught Buffy in her arms holding her close.

"Three times this night I have called the Spirits here tonight to protect us. Three times I have asked the Gods for their blessings on us. Three times we have tasted each other's blood, so shall it begin. As I am Bound to her, so shall she be Bound to me. What is done here tonight shall last unto eternity and beyond, let my Soul be a candle in the Darkness to guide her and protect her...always!"

Tara felt a wave of energy wash through her and her senses felt alive like never before. Her sense of hearing and touch and smell were all magnified beyond anything she thought possible when Tara felt a jolt of electricity run through her and she screamed in pain as she suddenly felt herself twitch uncontrollably and Tara fell forward on top of Buffy and she was hit by memories that weren't her own.

As the memories began to play themselves out in her mind Tara could hear her mom and dad arguing over her fighting and the trouble she was getting into. Wincing as she took a wet towel and dabbed it against the cut on her leg Tara could hear her dad yelling. "Damnit Joyce, she's a troublemaker, what she needs is to go back to Brookdale. They helped her before when she was talking about Vampires, they can do it again!" "It's different this time Hank! This isn't her fault!" her mom yelled back. "Of course it's her fault, she's sick in the head!" her father yelled.

Tara felt tears fall from her eyes as the memory changed;

Now Tara saw herself looking up at Angelus, "Now that's everything, huh? No weapons... No friends... No hope."

Tara closed her eyes and steeled herself for what was coming. "Take all that away... and what's left?" Tara heard Angelus say. Tara saw in her mind as Angelus drew the sword back and thrust it directly at her face. With lightning-fast reflexes she swung up with both arms and caught the blade between the palms of her hands. She opened her eyes and met his.

"Me."

Tara now saw herself in a jail cell with Lily, there were several bunk beds with skeletons on them when she heard Ken's voice.

"What is Hell but the total absence of hope? The substance, the tactile proof of despair. You're right, Lily. This is where you've been heading all your life. Just like Rickie."

"Rickie?" Lily asked.

"He forgot you. Well, it took him a long time. He remembered your name years after he'd forgotten his own. But, in the end..." Ken trailed off.

"Years?" asked Lily in a small voice.

"Oh. Uh, interesting thing: time moves more quickly here than in your reality. A hundred long years will pass here. On Earth, it's just a day. See, Lily, you'll die of old age before anyone wonders where you went. Not that anyone will, that's why we chose you."

"You didn't choose me," said Tara.

"No. But... I know you... Anne. So afraid. So pathetically determined to run away from whatever it is you used to be." Tara looked away. "To disappear. Congratulations." Tara found herself looking at Ken again. "You got your wish."

The image of the cell shifted and Tara saw herself standing in Buffy's bedroom as she was looking out the window. Moments later Tara saw Willow and herself walking out of Buffy's house hand in hand and smiling. Tara felt a surge of anger and jealousy before she turned away from the window and sat down on her bed. Pulling the drawer on her nightstand open Tara pulled out Buffy's private diary and opened it up. Flipping through to the back of the book, Tara stopped as she came to a picture in-between two pages and lifted it out looking at it. The picture was of Faith and Buffy, they had their arms around each other and both women were dressed in formal gowns, although Buffy's dress was torn with several holes and gashes in it and both their faces were smeared with soot and dirt.

Tara felt a pang of regret as she gazed at the picture before she looked at the diary and started reading;

Hey there! I know it's been a while since I wrote in here but lately I haven't really felt like writing anything. I know that Will is angry with me, she's not very good at covering up what she's feeling when she thinks no-one's looking. I haven't exactly been Best Friend material lately…mostly because every time I see Willow and Tara together and happy, I'm angry and…and…and JEALOUS! Okay there! I said it, or sort of said it, I wrote it actually. I want a slice of happiness in my life for once, something I'm afraid I can't have. I'm the Slayer, besides look at my track record; The first guy I fall for and what do I find out? He's only 238 years older than me and oh yeah…he's a Vampire and he has a "happiness clause" so we can't ever be together and then there's Faith…

What can I say about her? She's tall, dark, gorgeous, sexy and she'd never look in my direction. Before I met Faith thinking of a girl as sexy never entered my head and here I am lately, constantly thinking of her and wanting to be around her. God I'm pathetic! All I can think about sometimes is Faith and how damn sexy she is and then I see Tara and Will and the claws come out while I go all grrrrr with the 'tude. I don't know what to do except to try and make it up to Will, she deserves to be happy and out of Sunnyhell.

Tara closed the diary and put it back in the drawer, closing it.

The image faded and Tara understood Buffy as only Buffy could, for the first time Tara saw what the true price Buffy paid for all her gifts as a Slayer was. That price was that she'd never be able to love someone without putting them in danger, that she'd always be alone and the doubt that she would never be strong enough, fast enough or smart enough to protect innocents from the evil that lurked outside. So she bricked up all the self-doubt she carried behind the cheery facade she put on for everyone else. Something that not even Willow even knew and that Buffy would never tell her or anyone else.

"You'll never be alone anymore Buffy, I promise." Tara whispered.

Buffy's POV

Buffy heard Tara tell her to drink and a cup was moved next to her mouth, opening her lips Buffy swallowed and tasted blood. Greedily she drank more until the cup was pulled away.

Buffy found herself running through Stevenson Hall. Panic filled Buffy as she ran next to Willow as they tried to get away from the Gentleman who was chasing them. Flinging the door shut behind them Buffy and Willow saw they were in the laundry room and that there was no other way out.

Willow gestured toward the vending machine and it shifted slightly. Come on Willow, you can do it! But Willow wasn't able to do more than shake it and Buffy heard the Gentlemen at the door.

Unsure why, Buffy reached out and took Willow's hand, as she did Buffy felt a surge of power between them and the vending machine flew across the room to slam into the door. The cool rush of power trickled away, but Buffy found herself unwilling to let go of Willow's hand as they stared deeply into each other's eyes.

The image shifted and Buffy/Tara saw her father and two brothers standing at the front of the Magick Box. Terrified Buffy felt herself shake inside at the thought of having to go home.

To Buffy/Tara's utter surprise she watched as Willow's friend Buffy step in front. "You want her Mr. Maclay?" Buffy heard herself saying. And Buffy/Tara began to feel tears running down her cheeks, This is it, they hate me for what I did to them and what I am.

"You just have to go through me." Looking up in surprise Buffy/Tara stood frozen at those words.

But I thought... Buffy/Tara's thoughts were a jumble when Xander spoke up.

"And me," Xander said stepping up next to Buffy.

Smiling for the first time Buffy/Tara felt safe, surrounded by people who were her friends! Then Buffy/Tara heard her father speak and all her fears came crashing down on her, No one would stand up to my father. she thought morosely.

"Is this a joke? Who do you people think you are?" her father said angrily. "This is insane. You people have no right to interfere with Tara's affairs. We ... are her blood kin! Who the hell are you?" her father said angrily.

Buffy/Tara watched as Willow, Xander and Mr. Giles all moved behind Buffy when Buffy finally replied. "We're her Family."

Buffy felt the memory fade, but not the fear and doubt that had plagued Tara for so long and that she had hidden behind her quiet demeanor.

The memories slowed to a trickle and Buffy fell asleep from exhaustion…

Buffy felt something snap inside of her and she screamed in pain as she felt a bolt of lightning course through her. As the pain slowly wore off Buffy felt whole and safe where she was, it was then that Buffy noticed that she was wrapped around Tara, who was also holding her.

Without thinking Buffy snuggled closer to Tara and breathed in her scent, as she did Buffy felt a rush of desire. As Buffy reached over to touch Tara's face, Tara's eyes opened. But they weren't filled with fear, instead Buffy saw a warmth in them that wasn't there before tonight.

Willow's face popped in Buffy's head and the desire she had felt vanished as she realized she was making a play for her best friend's girlfriend. "Geez, I'm sorry Tara...I wasn't thinking," Buffy said as she untangled her limbs from Tara's and started to move away.

Tara watched in dismay as Buffy moved away from quickly and noticed that Buffy was only dressed in a black sports bra and shorts. "Buffy, it's okay. Relax." Tara said reassuringly as she stood up and walked over towards Buffy.

"I'm very relaxed thank you..."

"Then why are you bouncing around like a bunny on speed?" With that Tara sat down on a large floor pillow. "Sit down next to me."

Taking a deep breath Buffy let it out slowly and centered herself before sitting down in front of Tara. Buffy watched as Tara reached over and took her hands into her own. As Buffy held Tara's hands she felt a connection form between them and the nervousness faded away.

"How do you feel?" Tara asked.

"Better," Buffy answered. But that's not all though. As I'm holding her hands, I feel whole in a way I can't remember feeling since I became the Slayer. I don't feel alone.

That's because you're not alone anymore. Came Tara's voice in her head.

"What the… What are you talking about and what are you doing in my head Tara?" Buffy asked.

We almost lost you Buffy. After Xander attacked you, you sort of went a little nuts and the only way we could save you was to cast a spell to Bind you to someone.

"What do you mean Bind me Tara?" Buffy asked still not understanding or not wanting to understand.

I gave you a piece of my Soul and accepted a piece of yours in me. It's how you were able to gain control over the Bacchae instincts that were driving you crazy. It's why you feel grounded...calm around me, and no longer will you be alone.

"So what happened then, why'd I go off the deep end?" Buffy asked as she dredged through her recent memories, but only came up with bits and pieces.

It was a combination of things; the first being the Enjoining spell and then you becoming a Bacchae before the spell had completely worn off. So part of you wanted to kill and the other part wanted to kill that other half, so you were in conflict with yourself.

Buffy felt the link change in a way she couldn't explain, but she knew Tara was trying to hide something, "What are you hiding Tara?" Buffy heard Tara sighing mentally in her head, Xander attacked you and tried killing you after you saved me from some rapists. I think the shock over your first kills and Xander attacking you was just too much and your mind couldn't handle it all.

Buffy gulped, "You mean I killed someone?" she said softly as guilt threatened to overwhelm her.

No Buffy, don't you dare feel guilty over that! Those men would have raped and killed me if you hadn't been there. They were scum and they got what was coming to them!" Opening the link between them further Tara pulled up the memory of the attack and shared it with Buffy so she could see it from her eyes.

Closing her eyes, Buffy felt the guilt still, but it was muted somehow. No longer was the guilt threatening to overwhelm her. But Buffy saw what she did from Tara's perspective and she realized that if she hadn't been there, Tara would be dead.

Concentrating Buffy tried to have Tara hear her, You're right...and thank you.

"So what happens now that we're bound together?" Unconsciously Buffy licked her lips and felt her fangs growing. Inhaling deeply Buffy took in Tara's scent.

Tara watched fascinated by Buffy's slow change, her skin was now very pale and her eyes now had a reddish colour. But what caught Tara's attention were the fangs that just peeked out from Buffy's lips.

"Tara...I..." Buffy stammered.

Tara could feel Buffy's passion and confusion as she tried to speak. Ssshhh! I feel it too. Tara said inside Buffy's mind as her finger touched Buffy's lips and she shuddered at the contact. Don't try and talk, open your thoughts to me.

Taking a deep breath, Buffy slowly let it out and let go of the confusion she felt. As she did the link altered slightly and Buffy felt Tara's desire slide into her, stoking the fire she could feel burning inside of herself. I want you Tara. I want to taste you, your skin, your blood...all of you!

Then come over here because I want you! Taking Buffy's right hand Tara turned the palm face up and lowered her lips to Buffy's palm, kissing it her tongue flicking against Buffy's palm.

Getting to her knees Tara moved closer to Buffy and cupped Buffy's face with her hands. Leaning closer Tara kissed Buffy softly, teasing Buffy's lips with her own, nibbling on them before teasingly tracing Buffy's lips with her tongue. Tara felt Buffy open her lips and deepened the kiss. Tara could feel the passion between slowly building and building, carefully at first Tara ran her tongue over Buffy's fangs and heard Buffy's soft moan when she cut her tongue on one of them and her blood slid into Buffy's mouth and Buffy swallowed it.

Through the bond Tara felt Buffy's demon side awaken at the taste of blood and Buffy moved Tara onto her back as Buffy maneuvered herself over her. Growling low, Buffy gently but firmly maneuvered Tara onto her back and lowered herself onto Tara who moved her legs to allow Buffy to lie between them.

"Clothes...off...now!" Tara heard and smiled as Buffy fumbled with the buttons on her shirt before giving up. With one clawed finger Buffy sliced the shirt up the middle, exposing her bra clad breasts, and then with 3 quick cuts Tara felt her bra fall off.

Tara felt her already hard nipples tighten as the cold air hit them when Buffy swooped down and licked across the bottom and sides of one breast and over to the other, but never touching the nipples that demanded attention. Tara watched as Buffy moved down placing small kisses and nips all over her stomach and sides. Shivering under Buffy's touch, Tara almost didn't notice it when Buffy had unbuttoned her skirt and slid it down her legs exposing them and her green silk panties.

You are so beautiful Tara! Came the crystal clear thought from Buffy into Tara's mind.

No I'm not, you and Will are the beautiful ones. A tinge of melancholy coloured her reply to Buffy.

Instantly Buffy stilled and looked at Tara, Let me show you something, Acting on instinct Buffy opened her bond with Tara.

Tara heard Buffy voice in her mind when a rush of images flashed into her head. Tara watched them for several seconds before realizing she was seeing herself from Buffy's POV. For only the second time Tara could feel everything that Buffy was. Tara could feel Buffy's loneliness as she saw her friends find love; images of Tara and Willow dancing at the Bronze, walking hand in hand and together flashed in her mind.

Tara saw herself as Buffy saw her and in Buffy's mind...she was beautiful. Tara felt a tear fall from her eye and down her face.

"That's what I see Tara, not the ugly duckling but a beautiful woman inside and out," said Buffy.

Tara felt her self-pity fade away as she looked up into Buffy's face and Buffy's feelings for her filled her and washed her doubts away.

Moments later Tara felt Buffy's renewed desire wash down the link and fill her up pushing up her own desire and need. Turning, Tara rolled over on top of Buffy. "Now who has too much clothing on?" said Tara as she lowered her head to Buffy's neck and started to kiss and lick it. Taking time to gently nip at Buffy's throat by her pulse point. Running her hands up Buffy's flanks, Tara moved Buffy's hands above her head and held them with one hand as the other moved back down to gently cup and fondle Buffy's breasts through the sports bra.

Tara heard Buffy's moans turn to a groan as she stopped. Before she slid the sports bra up and over Buffy's head, flinging it away. "Mine!" Tara said with a wide grin before she captured one hard nipple with her lips. Teasingly Tara moved to the other breast as the fingers of her free hand moved in circles over the breast she had just left. Tara felt Buffy twist and she found herself on her back with Buffy on top once again.

Buffy moved down Tara's chest to her stomach stopping her lips as she ran them across the top edge of Tara's panties. Buffy slid Tara's legs further apart and started kissing Tara's inner thigh's as her fingers gently brushed against Tara's molten center. Grinning Buffy heard Tara moan loudly, "What's wrong? Cat got your tongue or is it something else?" Buffy teased Tara. Moving back up Buffy grasped the edge of Tara's panties and ever so slowly slid them down inch by inch. As she exposed each section of Tara's blonde hair, Buffy placed a kiss until she pulled the panties all the way down, exposing all of her lover. Buffy could see how wet Tara was and ran her fingers gently over the nether lips to Tara's wet core. With a grin of satisfaction Buffy saw Tara shudder and inhale sharply with each touch, thrusting herself down at each contact.

Buffy lowered her head and inhaled Tara's scent before searching out Tara's molten core with her lips. Teasing, licking and nibbling Tara's lips and center Buffy felt Tara begin to shake and shudder under the ministrations of her tongue and lips until she was rewarded with a loud groan from Tara and a rush of juices that she greedily lapped up. Licking her lips as she moved back up Tara's body, Buffy kissed Tara deeply.

Hesitant at Buffy's intention Tara hesitated as Buffy first kissed her and she tasted herself on Buffy's lips, but Tara only hesitated a moment before she returned the kiss with Buffy with equal passion. Feeling the flames of passion burning strongly again, Tara flipped Buffy onto her back and quickly straddled her waist. Leaning down Tara licked and nibbled the underside of Buffy's breasts. One hand teased Buffy as it trailed down her stomach, and down to her inner thigh while Tara sucked on one nipple. Groaning loudly, "Yesssss! Tara," Buffy said loudly as she squirmed beneath Tara's touch and her lips assault on her body.

Wanting more contact, Buffy opened her legs and spread them to give Tara better access to her molten core and was rewarded as Tara brushed her fingers against her lips just teasing a little inside before moving away.

Tara could feel the tautness in Buffy's body and the wetness from her center and smiled before she leaned down and started nibbling and biting Buffy's neck. Tara was rewarded with a loud groan of approval from Buffy who wriggled even more underneath her. Relenting finally Tara slid two fingers inside Buffy who pushed down to meet them and Tara began a slow but steady rhythm. Sliding down Buffy's body Tara pushed herself against Buffy's thigh and relished the contact as Buffy pushed her knee up against her center as she felt her excitement grew.

Slowing down, Tara added a third finger inside Buffy who groaned in approval at this new digit and as she speeded up her motion. Responding, Buffy grasped Tara breasts, squeezing and caressing them. Tara could feel herself and Buffy were both moving towards a climax. Tara could see Buffy had completely transformed into her demon; her eyes were two red beacons and her curved fangs were out. Tara knew what Buffy wanted, what she needed now.

Tara felt herself driving towards the edge of her orgasm and with one finger she teased a sensitive part inside Buffy and felt her explode over the edge. As Buffy felt Tara drive her over, she pulled Tara down towards her and sank her fangs fully into Tara's neck, drinking deeply.

Tara felt the rush as Buffy came and then she was pulled down and she felt Buffy push her fingers inside her and Buffy's fangs sank into her neck sending her over the edge to her own orgasm. Wave after wave of pleasure ran through Tara, slowly Tara felt Buffy slow down her motion inside her and withdrew her fangs from her neck. Knowing how sensitive Buffy was Tara slowly removed her own hand from Buffy's center and pulled Buffy close to her, relishing in the contact of skin on skin between the two lovers.

Tara could feel the sense of utter satisfaction and completeness from Buffy through their link and smiled as she rested her head on Buffy's breast. Tara felt the cold air against her skin and shivered. "I'm so cold Buffy."

Buffy looked over at Tara and with her free hand grabbed a blanket pulling it over both of them. Then just stay close to me and I'll keep you warm.

Silently pushing the door open Xena peeked in and opened the link with her Childe. Getting a wash of pleasantly satisfied images and a sense of wholeness from Buffy, Xena closed the link and as quietly as she entered she left the room.

Walking back to their bedroom Xena walked in to find Gabrielle waiting, her foot tapping impatiently. "Well? Did it work?"

Grinning, "Of course, didn't you feel all that energy they built up?" Xena asked in an innocent tone of voice.

"Ha. Ha. Ha. Xena, I'd have to be really dead not to feel all that energy built up and released. But how's Buffy?"

Smiling for the first time in days, "She's fine, she's actually better than before." Xena replied as she walked over to the bed where Gabrielle was now waiting for her.

"So the Bond was formed then?"

"Yes, the Bond is there and strong too, plus they've Mated now as well. Those two will be inseperable, and may the Gods pity the fool that attacks and hurts one of them."

Sighing in relief, "Good. Now come here, I've got something I want to show you." Gabrielle said as she stood up and let the furs covering her fall to the ground exposing her naked body.

With that Xena grabbed Gabrielle up and into the bed where the two lovers picked up where they had last left off.

Continued in Chapter 6