Sarah woke to Tally snuggling into her side and although she couldn't remember this young woman it didn't feel awkward to her. Being wrapped up in her arms felt like coming home and Sarah felt herself cry. She wasn't sad and she didn't understand it, were these happy tears? Somewhere deep down in her very being she must be happy then.
Tally let out a whimper next to her, a choked sob of, "Sarah," coming from Tally's mouth as she snuggled closer to the older woman and a tear slid down her face.
A wave of grief came over Sarah and although she couldn't remember this young woman she felt something tethering them together. She vowed then and there to follow her wherever she would go.
Nestling closer to the redhead she wrapped her arms around her and kissed the top of her head which calmed the girl back into a peaceful sleep. Sarah fell back asleep not too long after that.
When Sarah woke again it was to Tally drooling on her shoulder, Sarah chuckled and gently moved the girl from her clutches. Pulling the blanket back up over her and Sarah quietly slipped from the room to get herself dressed in what little clothes she was given. Then she went to help Judy with breakfast and whatever else she needed taken care of.
Tally woke to the sun shining in her face and the bed empty next to her and a moment of panic flooded her with Sarah not being there. She heard the bedroom door open and took a breath of relief at the sight of a worried Sarah standing there.
"You're awake? I had this sudden feeling that I should check on you, like a panic overcame me."
Tally blushed and bit her lip, "I'm sorry, that was me. You felt my panic at you not being here. For a minute I thought everything had just been a dream and that you were still gone."
"Can we feel each other?"
"Sorta, it's a long story."
Sarah nodded, "Well, Judy washed your clothes and I set them there, feel free to get freshened up and you can tell me over breakfast."
Tally nodded and was left alone again, she sighed and looked at the pillow next to her and pressed her face into it and it still smelled of Sarah. Even though she was just standing in the doorway it wasn't enough, she missed her Sarah.
Dragging herself from the bed she found the clothes and made her way into the bathroom to shower and change.
When she finally made it to the kitchen she noticed the empty chair next to Sarah and Judy turned at the stovetop to smile at her, sitting next to Sarah she said a shy, "Good morning," to the both of them.
Judy set two plates on the table in front of Sarah and Tally and smiled, "Did you sleep alright, dear?"
"Yes, thank you! And thank you for the food!"
Tally looked at the small amount of food on Sarah's plate, "Is your stomach doing alright? I know you haven't eaten in over 300 years."
Sarah looked at her with wide eyes, "It sounds strange hearing you say that, I don't feel that old. It's all very strange. But my stomach is getting used to it, I don't feel as queasy when I eat anymore."
"That's good," Tally took a bite of her food and they ate in silence for a few minutes before Tally explained everything that had happened to them.
And as someone who had pretty much read everything there was on Sarah Alder, Tally tried her best to explain things about her life, about their connection.
By the time Tally had pretty much summed it all up they had finished their meals and were sipping on cups of coffee. Sarah seemed pretty calm for the amount of information she was trying to process.
"And we don't know why I have no memories?"
"No, I have no idea how or why it happened. And your biddies, well they were all given back their youth. And you're here, alive. After what you did, you…you really are such a noble idiot," Tally choked out the last few words as a sob slipped past her lips.
After a moment of silence Sarah stood, "I think I need some air, I'm going to step out for a little bit."
Tally watched her grab her coat and walk out the door, she waited a minute and looked at Judy and then back to the door. Judy smiled and spoke up, "You should go after her dear, I'm sure she needs someone with her. Even if she denies it."
Tally nodded and stood and rushed out the door after her, luckily Sarah hadn't made it very far, Tally quickly jogged up to her side and didn't say a thing. Just walked alongside her. She suddenly realized she'd forgotten her coat and it was chilly out but she could handle it, for Sarah she could handle anything. But at her shiver Sarah took her coat off and handed it to Tally who of course didn't try to argue with her about it and put it on, the scent of Sarah surrounding her.
They walked in silence till they reached the mainstreet of town, passing a few shops before Tally spotted a witch army propaganda poster with Sarah's face on it with the words 'Kill the Bitch' spray painted over it and Tally growled and immediately ripped it down.
Sarah looked at her with wide eyes, "You know it's okay, I've already seen them. If I've been around as long as you say I have I'm sure I've acquired enemies and haters."
"They don't understand what you've been through, though, they're ignorant," Tally looked down crestfallen, "I suppose so was I until not too long ago. I thought I could change things for the better but instead I just hurt you and pretty much gave you a death sentence. Which wasn't my intention. And I'm so sorry, Sarah."
Sarah laid a hand on the trembling head of the younger witch and choked back a sob of her own, "Tally Craven, you apologize too much. Like I said it's alright. Thank you, though."
Tally had missed the feel of Sarah's hand on her head, it made her feel like she was being praised and her hand was so warm and strong and it made her feel safe. She looked up and met teary blue eyes which caused her own tears to fall, she reached a hand up and wiped them away.
Sarah smiled and wiped her tears away as well and then extended her hand, "Lets head back and come up with a plan on what to do next."
Tally returned her smile and sniffled, "Okay," she reached for her hand and the moment she grabbed it it felt like she had come home.
They made it a few feet before three men stopped in front of them, one of them sneering at her, "Look at what we have here, you look like the great general Alder, hmm," the man looked to Tally, "And you must be her little soldier."
Sarah didn't say anything as she glared at them and squeezed Tally's hand tighter as the men laughed at their leader's comment.
"Out on a vacation? You don't look so powerful without your army to protect you."
Tally huffed out a reply, "She isn't who you think she is, just leave us alone."
The man took a step towards Tally but Sarah quickly placed herself between them, only glaring at the man. He straightened himself and loomed over her trying to intimidate her but she didn't budge. He smirked and turned back to his men before turning back around and backhanding her across the face.
Tally cried out for them to leave them alone as she clutched onto the back of Sarah's shirt, unsure of what to do. Sarah straightened herself as she continued to glare at the men, she wiped away the small patch of blood at the corner of her mouth.
She reached her hand to her side as if to grab something but she didn't know what and found nothing there. In her moment of confusion the man took another swing at her knocking her to the ground.
Tally quickly stood in front of her blocking her from the men, "Don't you touch her!"
"And what are you going to do about it little girl?"
Tally wasn't sure what came over her but she felt the need to sing a seed, she wasn't sure which but it just erupted from her as easy as breathing air. It surrounded the men until their faces went blank and they just stood there. As soon as the seed was finished the men just looked at each other confused, like they had no idea who they were or where they were.
Tally rushed to Sarah's side and helped her up, "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine, are you okay?"
Letting out a breath she hadn't realized she was still holding she held a hand up to gently cup Sarah's cheek which made her wince, "Come on let's get back before anymore trouble finds us."
This time Tally took her hand in hers and held it tight and took the lead, Sarah still a bit confused about all that had happened just stared at the young woman's back. It's familiarity made her heart skip a beat, it was familiar yet seemed more confident, even though she couldn't remember Tally she felt that when she watched her back.
She let Tally guide her back, not a word spoken between them as they went. It was a little after noon when they had gotten back to the house, Tally went to open the gate when a woman from the house next door came out to greet them. Tally quickly tensed as if ready to strike at unwanted attention again.
"You're Tally Craven and Sarah Alder, yes?"
She was an older indigenious woman, wiping her hands with a cloth as she smiled at them.
Tally cleared her throat to answer, "Um, we are."
"Judy told me about your situation, I may have some information for you. Come in and have some tea…" she paused and spotted the dried blood on Sarah's mouth, "And I'll fix that up for you while I'm at it."
Tally looked up at Sarah who nodded and they followed the woman into the yard, only dropping their hands once they got to the front door. The fireplace was going and the smell of incense was in the air and Tally immediately relaxed at how comforting the house felt.
"Come, sit by the fire, I'll make some tea."
The living room was right next to the kitchen so she didn't have far to go. Sarah winced as she lowered herself into a chair by the fireplace, which gave her another sense of nostalgia.
Tally sat on the couch right not too far away and marveled at all the pictures and mandalas and dream catchers that were hung around. It didn't take long before the woman was coming back with two cups of tea for them, "Here you go, this'll warm you up and relax you. Looks like you might need it. What happened?"
Sarah didn't say anything but Tally sighed as she took a sip of her tea, "We had gone for a walk into town and on our way back some men jumped us. I take it that not everyone around here likes witches or at least what she represents. I saw the posters graffitied in town…"
"Yes, they're some people here as there are most likely everywhere that don't support the witch army or what Sarah Alder stands for," the old woman sighed, "By the way my name is Raven. I'm sorry about what those men did, I hope you showed them not to mess with you."
Tally's eyebrows knit together, "We did but I honestly don't know how I did it, I sang a seed I've never heard before and it was as if it made those men forget who they were."
Raven stepped over to Sarah who tensed up at the hand that came to settle on her injured face, a warmth emitted from her hands and quickly healed her injuries, "Any other injuries?"
"No, ma'am, I'm fine. Thank you," Sarah took a sip of her own tea and also deflated into relaxation at the taste of it.
Tally smiled at her and then looked back at Raven, "You said you might have some information?"
Raven went and sat at the other end of the couch opposite from Tally, "Yes, I know of the practice of taking biddies. And surely you shouldn't be alive right now if you no longer have your biddies. But there's a legend that talks of a warrior whose great sacrifice broke the bonds of biddies and gave the warrior a second chance at a new life."
"Is there anything about memory loss?"
"I'm not sure about that, I mean anything is possible. Or perhaps a higher power is playing a part in that, I don't really know. All I know is a bedtime story my parents told me. But it reminded me of your situation and so I thought I'd share," Raven looked at her with sad eyes, "But sometimes some things are too painful to remember."
Sarah half laughed as she took another sip of her tea, "Everyone is making it sound like it's best I don't remember my life before."
Tally looked at her sternly, "They're things I definitely wouldn't want you to have to suffer through remembering again but everything you've been through is what makes you well you and I'll love every version of you whether you have your memories or not. If anything I'd want you to remember what you felt for me."
Sarah smiled back at her, "Don't you worry, Tally Craven, you're definitely making sure I feel things for you."
Raven laughed at the two of them which reminded them both that they weren't the only ones still in the room.
"So the great General Alder fell in love and from what Ruth said there was an incident back at Fort Salem?"
Tally's face grew sad and then serious, "Yes, the Camarilla attacked and Sarah sacrificed herself to protect me and Fort Salem from them and the witchplague."
"The Camarilla? I thought they were long gone?"
"Yeah, so did we, but they're very much alive and plotting as we speak," Tally looked down at her empty cup of tea, "I don't know what we should do….we'd be terrible people if we just ran away and never looked back wouldn't we?"
Sarah set her cup down and stood, "Past me doesn't sound like somebody who would run away and hide, no matter how nice that sounds," she extended her hand out to Tally who set her cup down and took the offered hand and stood up herself.
"Thank you, Raven, for your knowledge, tea, and kindness," Sarah gave her a nod of the head.
Raven stood and led them to the door, "I should be thanking you, dear, thank you for all your sacrifices and for everything you've been through for witchkind and the like. I know it may not seem like it, but the Cession thank's you. If you decide to head back to Fort Salem please come and say goodbye before you leave."
Sarah nodded and Tally smiled and thanked her as they left and made their way back to Judy's house. They were greeted by the cheery woman as they entered the house, "Did you manage to clear your thoughts?"
Tally smiled at her, "Well, I think we definitely have a lot to consider now, thanks to your neighbor Raven. She makes wonderful tea by the way."
"Oh, yes, her tea is delicious and relaxing. Well, I'm glad that you two were able to find some answers. Feel free to stay as long as you like till you figure out your plans."
Sarah looked at them both, "I think we should go back to Fort Salem."
"Wait, Sarah, are you sure? You don't have your memories and we don't know what'll happen once we go back."
"I understand that, perhaps going back will help my memories return. But like I said earlier, past me doesn't sound like someone that runs away from things."
Tally almost looked unbearably sad, "If that's what you want then I'll make a call and see if someone can send out an escort for us. I can only imagine how much trouble I am in with how I left. In my defense it's not like I did it on purpose or that I had any control over what I was doing."
Ruth and Sarah just looked at her before they both burst out laughing, Ruth pointed her in the direction of the phone as they both continued to giggle at the look of disbelief on Tally's face. As Tally made her call Ruth sat with Sarah in the living room, "Are you sure it's what you want to do? We don't mind you sticking around here."
"It needs to be done. But I thank you, for taking me in and helping me. Your kindness has been too much for me to ever repay."
"Oh, hush, you just be sure to come back sometime and have tea with me and Raven."
Sarah smiled, "Yes, ma'am."
Tally came back into the living room and sighed again, "Well, they'll be sending someone out tomorrow to pick us up, I hope that's alright?"
"Of course, dear, I'll send you off with one of my jars of jam I made. I know Sarah here is still trying to get her stomach situated."
Sarah stood and smiled, "Thank you again, Ruth. Well, I should go get cleaned up. After our little adventure into town I could use it. I look forward to dinner."
Sarah left Tally there with Ruth and Tally just watched her walk away with sad eyes, "Even without her memories she still protects me."
"Love is a powerful thing, Tally. Even without her memories some part of her knows you. Her mind may not remember but her body does."
Tally sniffled, "Thank you for everything, thank you for helping her when I couldn't. Thank you for your kindness."
Ruth laughed, "You two definitely meant to be, you say the same things. You're adorable. Why don't you go get cleaned up too, take a nap. I'll get dinner made."
Tally was too tired to argue and offer to help so she nodded and followed in Sarah's footsteps back to her room. When she opened the door she was met with a shirtless Sarah standing in her underwear and Tally immediately blushed, "I am so sorry!"
Sarah just smirked at her, "It's okay, Tally, we're married after all. I'm sure it's nothing you haven't already seen before."
"I know but you don't remember that!" Tally paused and noticed the bruises on Sarah's side, "Oh, my goddess, Sarah why didn't you have Raven heal that!?"
Sarah looked down and frowned, "Oh, it just didn't hurt all that much. It's okay, it'll fade."
"But what if you have internal bleeding or something or a broken rib or-?"
"Tally, really I'm fine, I just hit the ground a little hard when that guy knocked me to it."
Tally stared at her with those sad eyes again, "Why do you always have to protect me?"
"It's what you do right, protect those you care about? I may not remember you but something in me does and it tells me to protect you with everything I am. Besides you protected me back there as well. You're a little firecracker when you want to be, aren't you?"
Tally blushed and looked away before a thought crossed her mind, "Why didn't you use any of your powers?"
"I don't think I remember how to use my powers. It's okay, I would've fought them all if I had to."
"Sarah that doesn't mean you would've won, you are a huge target even more now without your powers. The Camarilla will hunt for you, that is if they even know you're alive. It's probably a good thing we're going back to Fort Salem, we'll be able to protect you better there."
Sarah walked over to Tally and pulled her into a hug, "Thank you for worrying about me, Tally, I get the feeling that not many people do that," Sarah pressed a kiss into the top of her head and Tally relaxed into her embrace.
After a few minutes Sarah pulled back, "Now, I should really take a shower, why don't you lay down and rest and I'll wake you when dinner is ready?"
Tally only nodded as she kicked her boots off and sat on the bed as she watched Sarah disappear into the bathroom. She laid down and snuggled into her pillow before her eyes drifted closed and she fell asleep.
Next thing she knew Sarah was shaking her awake, "Come on, time for dinner sleepyhead."
Tally groaned and sat up rubbing the sleep from her eyes, it felt like her head had just hit the pillow. Sarah was dressed in sweatpants and a t-shirt with a picture of Grumpy Bear from the Care Bears on it and her hair was back in a loose braid and Tally thought she might cry at how cute Sarah looked in a Care Bear shirt.
Tally smiled sleepily at her and yawned and got up to go join them for dinner which passed fairly quickly for how tired Tally was. Sarah sent her off to bed while she helped Ruth do the dishes, Tally managed to fumble into her pajamas before she passed out on the bed again. She can't be sure if it was a dream or if she was half awake but she swears she felt Sarah slide in under the blankets next to her at some point.
In the morning she awoke to the pleasant surprise of being the little spoon, last time she woke up she had been trying to keep her distance from Sarah so as to not make her feel awkward. Tally wasn't about to deny herself this, she felt safe and relaxed like this in her arms. But it didn't take long for Sarah herself to wake up and stretch and the loss of those arms around her was sadly felt. She turned and greeted Sarah with a smile, "Good morning."
"Good morning, darling," Sarah paused as the term of endearment slipped out, "Sorry."
Tally smiled brightly at her, "Don't be sorry, I love when you call me darling. Maybe more and more of your memories will come back or at least the little things."
Sarah leaned forward and pressed her forehead to Tally's and they both sighed, "I miss this too, the forehead thing we do."
Sarah gave a light laugh, "I get the feeling today is going to be a very long and emotional day for the both of us."
"As long as you're by my side I can handle it."
Sarah pulled back and smiled, "Well, in that case we should get ready and go say goodbye to Raven before it's too late."
Tally groaned as Sarah slipped from the bed and made her way to the bathroom to change and Tally just stared at the ceiling trying to muster the strength for the day ahead of them.
Once they were both dressed and the bed was made the room back to as if they had never been there they went and had breakfast. And like Ruth promised she gave them a jar of her home made jam and the recipe for it.
When they were done they made their way over to Raven's and thanked her again for everything, she gave them a container of her tea which turns out she also made that herself. And they promised to come back again and have tea with her and Ruth eventually.
They made their way back over to Ruth's and did some mundane things as they waited for their escort to arrive which indeed it did arrive in the form of a helicopter. Luckily there was an empty field nearby that allowed it to land. They were greeted by a few soldiers and of course Abigail and Raelle who rushed out and launched themselves at Tally who hugged them fiercely.
Sarah stared at them unsure of what to do, she knew they were Tally's unit and family but she couldn't remember them at all. When they pulled apart Raelle and Abigail were suddenly aware of Sarah's presence.
Tally gave them a forced smile, "Um, yeah, about that. She's kind of sort of lost all her memories so she doesn't remember any of her life or Fort Salem, so be nice."
Abigail and Raelle looked at each other and back at the two of them and then back at each other before they both quickly gave Sarah a hug as well.
Abigail spoke up first, "You may not remember us but we are so glad to see you, General."
"Yeah, this just means we can tell you all the embarrassing things about Tally," Raelle joked as she sniffed back some tears.
Sarah wasn't exactly sure where to put her hands or if she should hug them back but before she could make up her mind they released her.
"How about since I don't remember anything you two can just call me Sarah for now, it feels weird with you calling me General and ma'am."
Raelle and Abigail looked at her for a moment before they both burst into laughter and high fived each other.
Tally huffed at them, now being allowed to call her Sarah too, "Okay, let's go home now, we're making a spectacle to the neighborhood with the helicopter out here."
As the two went on ahead Sarah stopped Tally for a minute, "Did I do something wrong?"
"No, I just wanted you to stay my Sarah for a moment longer even though you don't have all the memories of my Sarah. But still. It's nothing, I'm just greedy when it comes to you."
Sarah smiled and grabbed her hand and continued towards the helicopter, "Don't worry, you're allowed to be greedy with me."
Tally hugged her arm close and didn't let her go as they flew back to Fort Salem very much not looking forward to the consequences that awaited them.