Please read the Disclaimer before continuing to remain in the site or reading the stories. These stories contain adult material with scenes of women loving women. Consider this story to have an R rating. If this is illegal in your state or you are underage, please go to a more appropriate site now.

Disclaimer: I don't own any Buffy the Vampire Slayer characters. No copyright infringement is intended. Original characters are mine.

Pairing: W/T... of course.

Angst Rating: Some angst, less than most of my stories.

Rating: PG 13 for adult themes and W/T goodness.

This is a sequel to the Willow and Tara novel, Unexpected Consequences. If you haven’t read that first, you will be quite lost. It can be accessed at

http://www.quiknet.com/~lcountry/unexpected01.html

By Lisa Countryman

© beginning July 2002

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Dawn paced the small room. She was restless and worried. She wanted Bre to wake up, but she knew her friend’s anesthetic wouldn’t wear off for some time. She went back to the bed and carefully opened Bre’s gown and examined the dressing over the wound. She noticed that the drain from Bre’s chest had filled the small container designed to catch the fluid. Dawn frowned. She went to the counter and put on a pair of sterile gloves and grabbed a small clamp.

The door opened and Kaley came in. The young guardian’s eyes narrowed when she saw Dawn. "What are you doing?"

"Taking care of her," Dawn said bluntly. She used the clamp to pinch off the surgical tubing coming out of Bre’s chest and then took the small plastic receptacle and carried it to the sink and rinsed the fluid down the drain.

"We have doctors and nurses." Kaley moved next to the bed and stared at the bandage. "We don’t need outsiders involved."

"I wouldn’t bring that up if I were you, considering that I’ve been an insider longer than you have." Dawn snapped the container onto the drain tubing and removed the clamp. Bloody fluid began to drip as soon as she removed the clamp. She covered Bre’s bandages, shooting Kaley a warning glare when she noticed the guardian ogling Bre’s exposed skin. "I’m a doctor. I have clearance to be here. I suggest you leave."

"I’ve been in the Imbolc guard over a year and a half." Kaley straightened to her full height. At almost six feet tall, she was a few inches taller than Dawn, and much more muscular. "Bre and I are very close. You think you can toss me out? Go ahead … try it. I’d love an excuse to teach you a thing or two."

Dawn smiled and pressed the call button on Bre’s bed. "If you’re stupid enough to touch me, you’ll regret it." She ran her hand down Bre’s arm and glared at Kaley. "And stalking someone doesn’t make you close. Bre told you to get lost … twice."

"By the strictest rules of honor, I could kill you where you stand for that," Kaley said calmly. "I am not a stalker. I am a third generation Daughter of the Flame." She moved closer, trying to intimidate Dawn, but the young doctor held her ground.

"Big whup." Dawn had to bite her tongue to keep from saying ‘And I’m a shinny ball of green light.’ She shrugged and let out a sigh. "What’s your point?" Dawn asked in a bored tone.

"I risk my life to defend Tara, even when she doesn’t deserve it, even when she mistreats Lady Willow, and I won’t have some spoiled, sniveling brat malign my good name." Kaley gave Dawn her most intimidating stare.

"That’s Doctor Spoiled Sniveling Brat." Dawn nodded toward the door. "Out. Now."

The door opened and Kathy came into the room. She noticed the tension between the two women instantly. "Did you need something, Doctor Summers?" She stressed professional title, making it abundantly clear she sided with Dawn in whatever was going on between them.

"Bre’s JP bulb is filling faster than I’d like." Dawn nodded toward the small container she had just emptied. "Could you have Doctor Bailey check to make sure it’s just post operative drainage and not a new bleed?"

"Sure," Kathy said as she went to Bre’s side, making Kaley move so she could take the sleeping guardian’s blood pressure. "Anything else?"

"Yeah," Dawn said as she moved closer to Bre. "Make sure Kaley is kept out of this room."

"Who the hell do you think you are?" Kaley’s face went red with rage.

"Bre’s personal physician," Dawn said.

"You need to leave," Kathy told the furious guardian. "Now." She smiled sweetly. "By the way, Lady Willow wants to talk you. Something about the comments you made about Lady Tara? She said to wait in the barracks until she can get to you."

Kaley’s red cheeks faded to almost white.

"Willow said it might not be until tomorrow." Kathy seemed to enjoy passing on the message. "But she doesn’t want you leaving the barracks." She smiled at Dawn before looking back to Kaley. "So I guess you can’t visit Bre."

Dawn smiled. Buffy had given her a quick rundown on Kaley’s insults, and Dawn imagined Kaley might be getting some frequent flyer miles soon. She wasn’t sure if Willow would buy the guardian a plane ticket or just kick her ass all the way back to England.

"This isn’t over." Kaley glared at Dawn.

"Dun, dun, dah…" Dawn said, imitating the melodramatic music used in soap operas to increase tension. "Scary… What are you gonna do, tie me up on top of a giant tower built by lunatics and then slowly bleed me to death?" She rolled her eyes. "I’ve so been there."

"Bitch." Kaley spun and stormed out of the room.

"That’s Doctor Bitch!" Dawn shouted at Kaley’s retreating back.

"You shouldn’t push her," Kathy said as soon as the door swung shut.

"It takes a lot to scare me. Kaley doesn’t have the hair or the bad outfits to be a hell god. She’s trained warrior. She follows orders, and hurting me would get her in major trouble." Dawn went back to Bre’s side and brushed the hair out of her friend’s eyes.

"Maybe, but Brent’s disciplined her several times already." Kathy made a few notes on Bre’s chart. "She’s already on thin ice here. She may not have much to lose." She looked into Dawn’s eyes. "From what little I know, she got her position because of the British Guardians that were killed. Brent was honor bound to let one of their members replace Gandu."

"Why her?" Dawn whined. "She’s a complete bitch."

Kathy wondered if Dawn’s dislike of Kaley was founded in the rivalry they seemed to have where Bre was concerned. "Kaley’s sister was killed during Tara’s kidnapping," she explained.

"I know. Several of the British guardians were killed," Dawn said.

"No," Kathy said. "I mean Kaley’s actual sister. She and her sister joined the sanctuary together. Kaley’s sister was with Tara at the mall when the Keeper’s took her."

Dawn’s eyes widened.

"She goes on and on about how three generations of her family have served, and how her sister died because Tara went on a shopping spree," Kathy whispered. "Geez, don’t you get any of the good gossip?" she asked.

"I wanna’ know how you get it," Dawn said grouchily. Bre never told Dawn any of the Imbolc guard business; Bre’s honor demanded nothing less.

"Hey, the medical staff that brought Tara back was loose-lipped." Kathy smirked. "You’d be amazed what I know."

"Why would Brent let her stay with that attitude?" Dawn asked. "She could let Tara get hurt."

"No way," Kathy said purposely. "Kaley may be a bitch, but she would never shirk her duty to the goddess."

"No, she’ll just insult Tara and act like a bully with me." Dawn scowled. She’d have to have a talk with Willow. After Kaley’s comments about Tara, it wouldn’t take much for Willow to dismiss Kaley from the Imbolc guard.

*****

Tara moved toward Emily, limping as each step sent sharp pain shooting up the leg. She looked the white-haired mage in the eyes and held her gaze. "Willow will not go back to dark magic. Period. End of story."

"Indeed? Then why are you terrified?" Emily asked. She moved one hand and lifted Tara’s chin so the blonde mage was looking into her eyes. "It’s coming off you in waves."

"I am terrified," Tara said as she returned Emily’s gaze. "This is going to kill her." Tears welled up in her eyes. "This is her worst nightmare, and I’m the one who’s going to make her face it."

"You?" Cassie asked.

"Yes, me." Tara glanced at Cassie. "This power is in me, right? I’m holding it." She turned back to Emily. "And I’m guessing I’m supposed to give Willow back her part of the power?"

Emily nodded.

"And make her face her greatest fear," Tara whispered.

"You’ll help her face that fear," Emily corrected.

Brent moved closer. "My Lady," she said gently, pulling Tara’s attention to her.

"Trust us," Emily pleaded.

"No…" Tara shook her head and moved away from Emily and limped to Brent’s side. "Brent, no. This will destroy her."

"It’s destroying you already," Brent said as she ran her hand down Tara’s cheek. "Lady Willow would not want you hurting yourself to protect her."

Tara closed her eyes and sighed. She knew Brent was right. Willow would not approve.

"I will help you through this," Brent promised. She caressed Tara’s cheek. "And Emily has already been through this. We’re here for you both."

Tara nodded and opened her eyes. "I’ll tell her in the morning," she whispered.

"Whoa, you can’t keep this from her," Cassie said. "We have to talk to her right now."

"There is no ‘we’ in this! This is between Willow and me. I will tell her," Tara said as she spun glared at Cassie. "And I’ll do it tomorrow." She wasn’t going to budge.

"Why wait, my Lady?" Brent gently turned Tara back to her.

"I have my reasons," Tara said quietly. She met Brent’s eyes. "Please, give me this." Her eyes filled with tears.

"Okay," Brent said. She pulled Tara into a hug and held her. "As soon as this is settled, you’re on restriction." She kissed Tara’s temple.

"Restriction?" Tara chuckled. "I’m a little old for that."

"I’m not kidding." Brent ran her hand down Tara’s back and then pulled away and looked into her eyes. "Your behavior has been … inexcusable. I’m willing to put my anger on hold until I’m sure you’re safe, but after that, you have to make this up to everyone."

Tara swallowed and then bit her lip.

"I want you to work with Bre," Brent said. "Killing those men devastated her, and you are going to walk through that emotional pain with her."

"I will," Tara swore.

"You’re going to work with her every day in physical therapy," Brent continued. "You are going to see the physical damage firsthand."

Tara nodded and sniffled as she realized how much Bre would have to endure.

"Now, are you focused?" Brent asked with a loving smile. "Can we trust you with flammable objects?"

"Umm, I’m not sure." Tara said. She rubbed her face with one hand and then looked over at the destroyed desk. "Should I ask the furniture guys to bring a new desk, too?"

"No." Brent folded both arms over her chest. "I’ll order it from the same place I got that one." An evil grin covered her face. "I’ll send you the bill. Your bank account won’t recover for some time."

Tara groaned and let out a whimper as she limped to the chair and sat.

"You’re not finished just yet." Emily turned to Cassie. "Let’s get this sorted," she added, meaning she wanted to get on with the chore. "I want you to tell us anytime Sister Tara’s aura spikes."

Cassie frowned as she studied Tara’s aura. At the moment, it was all splashes and spikes, with energy shooting out like the sun’s corona. It was like trying to hold a glass of water in both fists … without the glass.

"What?" Tara asked a bit impatiently.

"We could be here a while," Cassie said with a sigh.

"Just fucking great." Tara muttered.

Cassie cleared her throat as a huge blast of energy shot out of Tara’s aura. "Focus."

"I’m focusing, damn it," Tara said grouchily. "Look at me, I’m focus girl." She closed her eyes and took a few deep breaths. "And if we’re here much longer, I’m gonna need that damn breast pump again." She blew out a frustrated breath and shifted her breasts.

Emily took a deep breath and wiped her brow. The elderly mage was becoming fatigued. Tara’s power was twice what it should have been, and containing it was straining Emily to her limit. She looked to Brent. "Mistress, I’ll need your assistance." She rubbed her temple.

"We can wait ‘til morning," Tara suggested hopefully.

"No," Brent said. She ran her hands through Tara’s hair and smiled. "We aren’t stopping until you have a handle on this."

Emily nodded. "Or until we wear you out." She patted Tara’s cheek. "Each of these fireballs drains off some of your power."

"How much do I have left?" Tara whined.

Brent felt the energy wash through her as Tara’s frustration grew. "A lot," the elder said. She winced as she felt a headache starting behind her eyes. She was not a mage, and the power she was anchoring pushed her abilities to their limit, but she would not fail Tara. She inhaled and rested both hands on Tara’s cheeks and helped drain off the excess.

Cassie frowned when she saw the pain in Brent’s aura, but she knew better than to question the elder.

"Trust us, sister mage. Close your eyes." Emily was busy drawing off Tara’s power as well. Now that Brent was helping, she could focus on helping Tara through it. "Now, focus on the way it feels to release the power," she instructed.

Tara closed her eyes and imagined watching her energy flow like water.

"That’s it," Emily said. "You have learn to give up the power. We’ll use this same method to give Willow her power."

Tara’s eyes shot open and the clock on the wall shattered as a ball of flame hit it.

Brent shook her head and studied the clock. It was singed and the glass was cracked. She wondered if she would have any office left when the night was over.

"You don’t like that idea much, do you?" Emily knew she had to keep working Tara’s anger if the blonde was ever going to control her power.

"No," Tara said through clenched teeth.

"Willow is your Achilles heel," Emily pointed out.

"She’s my life," Tara corrected angrily.

"Often those two go hand in hand," Emily said.

Cassie frowned and leaned against the wall. "Um, Tara, is there something up with Willow’s parents?"

"For a seer, you have an incredible grasp of the fucking obvious." Tara glared at Cassie.

"I know they meddle," Cassie said with a sigh. She was well aware of Sheila’s near disastrous attempt to snatch Brianna as well. "Can they hurt you?" Cassie clarified.

"Why?" Tara asked. She knew that Sheila had tried to burn Willow at the stake when she discovered signs of witchcraft. Of course, Sheila had been under a spell, but Willow was still afraid for her mother to find out about Brianna’s powers. Tara anger was coming back in waves and Cassie’s questions were scaring her. That was not a good combination. "Why?" she yelled when Cassie didn’t answer.

"I see family strife around you," Cassie said slowly.

"And you had to go to psychic school or that?" Tara asked with a snort.

Brent cleared her throat to disguise her own chuckle.

"Tara, this is real," Cassie insisted. "They have the power to overshadow all this mage business."

"Can they hurt you?" Emily asked, suddenly very interested.

"They can hurt Willow," Tara said. "And hurting her is the worst thing someone can do to me."

The chair behind Brent shook and then shattered.

"Geez!" Brent jumped out of the way but ended up covered in sawdust. "Tara, that chair was over eighty years old."

"At least it’s not on fire," Emily said helpfully.

Tara glared at the white hair mage.

"Well, it’s not," Emily said primly.

*****

Willow tapped gently on the door and then pushed it open. She smiled when she saw Dawn sitting at Bre’s side.

Dawn was holding Bre’s hand, clutching it really. She was leaning forward when her elbows resting on the edge of the bed and her eyes were locked on Bre, watching her friend’s chest rise and fall. She shifted her fingers and pressed them to Bre’s wrist, taking the unconscious guardian’s pulse.

"Hey, Dawnie," Willow said quietly. She leaned her head into the room and raised both eyebrows in question. "She up for visitors?" Willow was balancing Megan in one arm and had a diaper bag slung over the opposite shoulder.

"Sure." Dawn smiled, happy to have the company.

As soon as Willow came into the room, Dawn could see what the door had hidden. Brianna was firmly attached at Willow’s hip, one hand clinging desperately to Willow’s pants pocket, the other rubbing Willow’s hip. Ceri held the door open for them and then took a protective position in the hall.

"Hey, sweetie," Dawn said as she smiled at Brianna.

Brianna was all business. "Did you fix her?" she asked. Her eyes went wide as she studied the tubes and wires hooked to Bre.

"No, honey, Doctor Bailey fixed her." Dawn stood. She still wasn’t willing to let go of Bre’s hand. "Come over here and say hi to her."

"Okay…" Brianna hesitantly left Willow’s side. "Sometimes it helps to talk to people so they know they have to wake up," Brianna said quietly. She turned and looked at Willow. "Like mama did when you were sick after you had Megan."

"And it worked," Willow said with a loving smile.

Dawn nodded and then looked back at Bre.

The young child was stroking the back of Bre’s hand with one tiny finger. "Hi, Bre. Mommy says when you get better you can help me pick out a new lacrosse stick." She crinkled her brow as she studied Bre’s still form and then turned to Dawn. "Have you been talking to her?" Brianna inquired.

"A little," Dawn said as her cheeks blushed.

"Only a little?" Willow went to the opposite side of the bed and ran her hand across Bre’s forehead. The young guardian was still pale, but she looked much better than the last time Willow had seen her bloodied body.

"Mmm…" Bre’s eyelids fluttered as she reacted to the touch. She inhaled deeply, then winced as the action stretched the traumatized tissue around her injury. Before she could even let out a whimper, Dawn managed to move closer.

"Bre? Come on, Bre, open your eyes. It’s Dawn." She cupped Bre’s chin in her hand.

"Ouch," Bre mumbled. She lifted one hand, cringing as the IV on the back of her hand tugged at her skin and sent a sharp pain through her wrist. She ignored it and lifted her arm and swatted at the oxygen line under her nose. There was a piece of tape holding it in place so her oxygen levels would remain high. Apparently, Bre did not approve. "Get this damn thing off me." She scowled and wiggled her nose.

Dawn smiled and took Bre’s hand and put it back onto the bed. "Easy there, tough stuff. Just leave it where it is right now, okay?"

"Dawn?" Bre opened her eyes uncertainly.

"Yep." Dawn smiled and squeezed Bre’s hand. "Doctor Dawnie at your service."

"What? Did I… When?" She tilted her head to one side. "You’re here?"

"Of course I’m here," Dawn said.

Willow smirked, remembering her earlier, similar exchange with Tara. It seemed Dawn’s place was at Bre’s side.

"Lady Tara?" Bre looked up at Dawn, her eyes full of concern. She hadn’t even noticed Willow or Brianna yet.

"Mama’s with Mistress Brent," Brianna said. She was nervously picking at the blanket on the bed.

Bre blinked a few times and slowly twisted her neck so she could see Brianna. "Miss Brianna, what are you doing in this nasty place?"

"I came to see you," Brianna said formally. She edged a bit further up the bed.

"How are you feeling, Bre?" Willow asked.

"Me?" Bre yawned and looked up at Willow, still groggy from her surgery. "I … I’m … I don’t know." She turned to Dawn. "How am I?"

The young doctor chuckled. "I think you’re fine. You just have to wait for the anesthetic to wear off."

Brianna cocked her head to one side. She suddenly looked just like Tara when the blonde mage was curious about something. Brianna’s tiny brows knitted together, and after a moment, she couldn’t contain her curiosity any longer. "How come you aren’t kissing her yet?" Brianna asked Dawn.

"Huh?" Dawn took a step back, completely shocked and more than a little mortified.

Bre’s expression perfectly matched Dawn’s. "Whu… huh?" Her eyes opened like twin saucers.

"You have that light, like mama gets when she’s worried about mommy." Brianna looked up at Dawn with complete sincerity. "When mommy came out of the surgery, mama got all bright and then kissed her." She bit her lip. "You’re both all bright."

Dawn blushed deep red. She turned toward Bre, then toward Willow, then back to Bre. She could see that Bre was equally embarrassed. "Uh… uh, ya, wha… we’re not like that," Dawn stammered.

"Nu uh," Bre agreed instantly. She shook her head in a panic. The last thing she wanted was Brianna revealing her secret feelings for Dawn. It didn’t occur to her that Brianna was reading matching feelings from both women.

"Honey, what have we told you about that?" Willow asked in a gently reprimanding tone.

"But, mommy…" Brianna whined. "It’s so bright." She pressed her lips in a thin, frustrated line and looked just like Willow with her ‘resolve face.’

"Brianna." Willow only needed one word to convey her mood.

Brianna sighed and crossed her arms over her chest. "I’m sorry," she said through clenched teeth.

"She really is sorry," Willow told Dawn and Bre. "She means well." She ran her hand through Brianna’s hair and knelt next to her. "Honey, even if you can’t block the lights, you can’t tell others what you see, okay? They’re very private."

"Yes, mommy." Brianna looked down at the floor and scowled.

Willow felt Brianna’s pain as her own. She could see how difficult it was for Brianna, and she knew her daughter was trying. "Why don’t you and I go back to the house and meditate, okay?" Willow offered.

Dawn nodded. "Yeah. That’s a good idea." She wanted Brianna to stop looking at her aura. She knew if the child could identify her feelings, there was a good chance Bre would too. That would destroy their friendship. She and Bre had been best friends for as long as she could remember. Dawn didn’t understand her own emotions. She was heterosexual, yet the feelings she was having for Bre told her otherwise. A tiny part of her mind was telling her she had always had a crush on Bre, but most of her logical mind was making excuses. She had convinced herself that this was a reaction to almost losing her best friend, nothing more. Besides, Dawn was positive Bre didn’t think of her that way.

Bre was having her own panic attack. "Dawnie and I are just best friends," she told Brianna. "We do love each other, but it’s not the same as your mommies. It’s completely different."

Brianna furrowed her brow. Bre and Dawn’s auras looked like her mommies’ auras, though her mothers’ auras seemed to mix together and were much brighter.

"Come on, honey." Willow took Brianna’s hand and continued balancing Megan with the other arm. She was relieved the infant was sleeping soundly. She frowned as she looked over at the diaper bag next to the door. "Can you get mommy’s bag," she asked Brianna.

Brianna nodded and went over and hefted the bag up and slung it over her shoulder. It almost scraped the ground, but she managed to carry it.

"I’ll leave you two alone," Willow said. "I’m really sorry," she added and then bit her lip and escaped out the door.

"So… kids…" Dawn said nervously. "Gotta’ love ‘em, what with the not understanding, and the confusing…"

"Definitely the confusing!" Bre agreed. "And the not understanding," She was nodding her head emphatically, though it hurt to see how emphatic Dawn was being. It was further proof that Dawn had only platonic feelings for her. "I mean, you and me, us, how crazy is that?" Bre turned away from Dawn and winced when the movement sent pain shooting through her shoulder.

"Are you okay?" Dawn asked, instantly forgetting her own discomfort as her attention shifted to Bre’s pain.

"Yeah, I think so." Bre sighed and tilted her head as she tried to look at the bandages. "What does it look like?" She was curious about the wound.

"Eh, just your basic bandage." Dawn shrugged. "Ya’ know, no big deal."

"No, the … you know, where it happened." Bre bit her lip as she twisted her head, but she still couldn’t get a good look at the thick bandages.

Dawn looked down at the blanket covering Bre’s legs. "I don’t know." She couldn’t look at Bre. "I got here, and you were already in surgery." She lifted her face and stared into Bre’s eyes. "I’m really sorry, Bre. I … I just couldn’t see you like that."

"It’s okay," Bre said. "If you had to help me, you could have. You didn’t need to do the surgery, Dawnie." She paused and took a calming breath. "I know I sure couldn’t handle seeing you shot."

Dawn flinched when she heard the word ‘shot.’ Even hearing the word was painful. She inhaled and blinked as tears slid down her cheeks. "If you ever get shot again, I’ll kill you myself," she said as she sniffled again.

Bre smiled and squeezed Dawn’s hand. "I knew you’d be mad."

"You’re damn right." Dawn sniffled again and wiped her eyes with her sleeve.

"You okay?" Bre tugged Dawn’s hand closer.

Dawn nodded. "Yeah."

"Did I take you away from any cool cases, Doctor Summers?" She wanted Dawn to stop crying. It hurt to see her friend in pain.

Dawn shook her head and then covered her eyes with one hand. "I lost a patient," she whispered brokenly.

"Oh, sweetie." Bre squeezed Dawn’s hand. "I wish I could hug you, but I’m kind of laid up here."

Dawn nodded and sniffled again.

"Come here." Bre pulled Dawn closer.

"I should be worried about you," Dawn protested, but she did rest her head carefully on Bre’s hip. She closed her eyes and sighed. She felt wonderfully safe sprawled across Bre’s legs and for the first time in hours her the tightness in her chest began to loosen.

"I’m the big strong warrior, remember?" Bre ran her hand through Dawn’s hair. "It’s a flesh wound," she said mimicking a knight from a Monty Python movie. "Nothing but a flesh wound."

"Dork." Dawn chuckled, but she didn’t move from her comfortable position.

After a few minutes of gently caressing Dawn’s scalp, Bre began to rub her friend’s neck. "So, I guess you and I both had our own firsts today."

"Yeah, well, see, you went for the huge one." Dawn shifted her weight and looked up at Bre. "I mean, getting shot? Come on, how do I top that?"

"You don’t," Bre said. She was smiling, but her tone was serious. "I don’t want you getting hurt."

"Then stop getting shot." Dawn sat up and rested her hand on Bre’s. "I can’t lose you."

"I’m right here," Bre swore. "Besides, I only got shot the one time."

"Yeah, well there was that drowning," Dawn teased.

"Well, come on, I got drowned and saved by the Imbolc mage. How cool is that?" Bre liked the way Dawn’s hand felt on hers. She also liked that Dawn didn’t seem too eager to move the hand.

"It’s impressive," Dawn admitted. She looked down at their joined hands, and for just an instant, she wondered what it would be like to be more than just Bre’s best friend. She moved her thumb and gently stroked the back of Bre’s hand. Her mind wandered and she memorized the softness of Bre’s skin.

"You really okay?" Bre asked quietly. "You want to talk about the patient?"

Dawn lifted her face and shook her head. "You want to talk about, you know, those guys?"

"Not yet," Bre said quietly. She wanted Dawn to go back to resting on her lap.

"Me either." Dawn took a deep breath and decided to take a chance. She put her head back on Bre’s lap and closed her eyes. She held her breath, waiting for Bre to ask her what the heck she was doing. After a moment, she felt Bre’s hand on the back of her head, gently needing the tight muscles at the base of her neck. Dawn smiled and relaxed into Bre’s touch.

*****

Several hours later, Willow finished feeding Megan and then put Brianna down for bed. Brianna had cried for Tara. The young girl was used to Tara singing her to sleep, and Brianna didn’t understand why Tara couldn’t come tuck her in for the night. Willow had finally convinced Brianna that Tara would sing to her in the morning, and then placated Brianna by letting her use a bottle to feed Megan half her dinner. It had added time to the feeding, but the few minutes it took to use the breast pump and set up a bottle had been worth it. Brianna focused on her baby sister and then went to bed.

Willow made sure Brianna was sleeping, and then went into the master bedroom and checked Megan again. The tiny infant was sleeping with both fists curled under her chin. Satisfied that two of her girls were safe, she turned to go make a call to check on her number one girl. She had expected Brent to call with an update, and she intended to give Brent an earful about the oversight. As she went into the hall she almost ran into Ceri.

Willow let out a squeal and pressed one hand to her chest. "Lurk much?" she asked as she pulled the guardian away from her bedroom and closed the door. "You know, you don’t have to follow me to every room." Willow had a hint of a smile.

"I … I know," Ceri said nervously.

"I don’t think you do." Willow wrapped an arm around Ceri’s shoulder. "You know Tara didn’t mean those things."

"I know," Ceri said quietly. "But part of me thinks maybe she’s right."

"Ceri, even she doesn’t think she’s right," Willow insisted. "We’ve talked about this. I’m completely safe on sanctuary grounds."

"Are you?" Ceri asked. "Tara was able to just sneak right out, and no one even saw her. What if the Keeper’s men came in the same way?"

"Okay, first of all, the reason Tara could sneak out was because Brent only had the protective circle set to alert her of an intruder. Secondly, Brent fixed that. There’s no way Tara’s sneaking out again."

"I know. I know," Ceri said. "But still, I just want to be sure."

"And third," Willow continued undaunted. "Tara has not been herself. She didn’t mean any of those things. You’ve never failed me. You never could."

"I gave my word." Ceri turned and looked into Willow’s eyes. "I never should have agreed to leave your side."

Willow let out a frustrated sigh that ended as a growl. "Oh, Tara is so going to get it," she said grouchily. "She’s gonna have to pay for all the pain she’s caused."

"Lady Willow, she has every reason to demand that I keep my word." Ceri was falling back into her misguided spiral of guilt.

"Don’t ‘Lady Willow’ me." She put both hands on her hips and nodded toward the hallway. "Come on. We don’t want to wake up Megan, cuz believe me, you haven’t seen a grouchy Wiccan until you wake that child up." She rolled her eyes and pushed Ceri down the hall. "Tara is going to get a very appropriate punishment, and you are going to help me."

"Uh… I don’t know if I if I like the sound of that," Ceri said nervously.

"Trust me, you’ll like it." Willow patted Ceri’s arm.

Ceri swallowed with a gulp. She looked back toward the bedrooms as if needed to assure herself that Brianna and Megan were both safe.

"They did a really good job with the new bed," Willow said as her mood dampened. She assumed Ceri was wondering about the replacement bed. "They took the whole thing with them. Part of me is kind of glad because I didn’t like looking at the chucks of bed everywhere, but I wish they could have just taken the headboard."

"There would have been residual energy all over the mattress," Ceri pointed out.

"I know that," Willow snapped. "But there was also the residual energy from creating our child."

"Yeah, um, yeah…" Ceri blushed. "Maybe you guys can create the next one somewhere without the bed."

"Excuse me?" Willow folded her arms over her chest and smirked. "And just what do you mean by that?"

"Come on, I know you two want another baby." Ceri watched as Willow blushed too.

"Actually, we talked about having a couple more, but I’m only willing to let Tara have one more, and there’s no way she’ll let me have another child." She rubbed her hand over her belly, wondering what Tara would say about her newest injury. "And Diana already told me I can’t get pregnant again." She didn’t add that the latest warning had only been handed out a few hours earlier in the day, or that she hadn’t mentioned it to Tara yet. Diana’s earlier warning had been a strong suggestion that Willow not carry another child. Her new warning had been much more forceful and had scared Willow.

"Maybe you can talk Tara into you guys being pregnant together?" Ceri said.

"Yeah." Willow snorted and rolled her eyes. "That would be a great idea. Tara and I both in the throes of hormonal wiggins, each of us panicking and worrying about the other…" She shook her head. "That would make Tara’s mage-o-pause look like a minor mood swing." She let out a sigh. "No thank you. I’ll pass on sharing the wild hormone rides." She had no idea she would soon begin her own mage-o-pause.

"You’re probably right." Ceri chuckled.

"Darn right I am." She tugged Ceri with her. "Now come on. We’ve got some serious planning to do." She headed toward Ceri and Brigh’s bedroom. "I’ll show her mage-o-pause."

"Uh… Willow? Lady Willow, what exactly do you have in mind?" Ceri’s voice cracked.

"Trust me, you’ll like it." She looked around with a mischievous smirk. "Where’s Brigh? She should be in on this."

"Ah … I’m not sure." Ceri looked toward the front door. "I think she might be helping with the Keeper’s men, the bodies."

Willow scrunched her face up. "Yuck. We’ll let her know before we hatch this scheme."

"Why am I suddenly getting extremely nervous?" Ceri asked.

"Because you have no sense of adventure," Willow said with a smirk.

*****

By the time Tara made her way home, she was exhausted. She had spent more than three and a half hours mediating with Brent and Emily while Cassie circled her like a smart-mouthed vulture, making sure her aura remained balanced. Normally, the idea of meditating for several hours would sound relaxing, but this was not some Zenlike state. This was a focused mental exercise that required Tara’s complete concentration and it was physically draining. All her hard work had paid off. She was now able to control her angry outbursts no matter how much Emily goaded her.

Tara smiled as she approached her front door. Emily certainly had a way of getting to her. She loved the crotchety old mage, and wondered if she would as ornery when she reached Emily’s age.

She came into the living room and noticed the house was empty and the lights were turned down. That surprised her. It was still early, and yet, she was rather relieved. She needed a good night’s sleep and apparently Willow felt the same way. As she followed the hall to her bedroom, she hoped she would find Willow awake in bed. She could picture Willow working on a laptop, or reading one of her many books. It seemed Willow’s mind was in constant motion. Tara wondered whether or not that would serve Willow when the mage powers activated.

Tara stopped and took a deep breath. Just thinking about what Willow had to face sent Tara’s powers surging. She pushed the energy down. The most effective way to calm her body was to clear her mind of all outside thoughts. She focused on shaping the power. Any time her mind would wander, little bursts of energy would shoot out, and when the energy fluctuations became too intense, her emotions would become volatile. Several times during her meditation session Tara had simply burst into tears. That was difficult to handle, but even worse were the times when her temper would snap. Books would burst into flames, and once the curtains exploded and only Brent’s quick reflexes and a fire extinguisher had smothered the fire.

Tara yawned as she limped toward the bedroom door. She hoped Willow liked the new bed. The man at the furniture store had explained that they no longer carried the exact model she was replacing. He assured her the new model was almost exactly like the old one. Tara eased the door open. She smiled when she saw Megan’s bassinet on the far side of the room, then she frowned. It bothered her that she wouldn’t be able to breastfeed for a while. The pain medication she was taking made that impossible.

She went over and studied Megan for a moment, thinking that the infant seemed to grow a few inches each day. Megan was sleeping on her back, with one fist tucked into her mouth. Even with her mouth mostly covered, a hint of a satisfied smirk was visible on each side of her fist. She looked just like Willow when she was most content. A rather naughty thought rushed through Tara’s mind as she quickly glanced over at the bed where Willow was sleeping. Willow would get the same satisfied smirk after an evening of lovemaking, as if Tara’s love was the milk that fed Willow’s soul. Tara sighed. She wasn’t up for any lovemaking even if she and Willow hadn’t been fighting. She leaned down and pressed her lips to Megan’s forehead.

"Mama loves you, baby girl," she whispered. "Your mommies are so proud of you. You’re our precious miracle." She reached down and checked Megan’s diaper, finding it dry. She kept her hand there, wrapped around Megan’s tiny butt. She thought the tiny diapers were the cutest things in the world, but she knew Megan would soon grow out of them.

Megan sighed and furrowed her brows.

"Did you have a nice dinner?" Regret filled Tara’s tone. She hated being away from Megan during the first few months of bonding. She moved her hand and felt Megan’s chest, which was uncovered and a bit chilled. The infant tended to kick off her blanket at night. "Is your tummy full?" Tara asked as she pulled the blanket up and covered her daughter. "What are you dreaming of, my darling?" She watched Megan’s eyes flutter under her closed lids and smiled, imagining the kinds of things an infant would dream of. "Good night, sweetie." She left another kiss on the sleeping child’s head and then limped across the room.

She sighed sadly. She had hoped Willow would wait up for her. They still had a great deal to discuss. That was why she hadn’t wanted to tell Willow about her impending mage abilities until morning. There was no way Tara could have explained why she wanted to wait. Emily and Cassie, and even Brent wouldn’t have understood that Willow needed to be angry, and if Willow was worrying about her own powers somehow endangering someone else, she couldn’t get truly angry. If Willow thought that Tara was danger because of her, she would focus on taking care of Tara, and not her own anger. Tara didn’t want that. She knew she had mistreated Willow and she knew Willow had every right to be angry. Tara knew Willow well enough to know that the redhead would put everyone else first. So, Tara decided, she wouldn’t alarm Willow until the morning. She wanted Willow to have the opportunity to get good and mad at her. While that idea didn’t exactly appeal to Tara, she knew Willow needed to vent her anger.

The room was mostly dark, and as Tara made her way toward the bed she could make out Willow’s form under the blankets. Willow was on her side, with her back toward Tara, and she was motionless, as if she were already sleeping. Tara limped to her own side of the bed, being quiet so she wouldn’t disturb Willow, and then she froze next to the bed. There was someone already in the bed beside Willow, someone sleeping in Tara’s place. Her eyes widened as she recognized the interloper.

"Ceri? What the hell are you doing in my bed?" she demanded in an angry whisper.

Ceri rolled toward her and smiled. The light from the moon through the window provided enough illumination so she was clearly visible. The young guardian was wide-awake and she had a smug smirk on her lips.

Tara reached over and flicked on the lamp next to the bed. "Ceridwen?" she asked in a harsh whisper, then spun and looked at Willow.

The redhead blinked her eyes against the harsh light, but it was obvious that Willow hadn’t been sleeping either. "Hey," Willow said calmly.

Tara spoke in measured, clipped, staccato words. "Why … is … Ceri … in … our … bed?" She was fighting to contain the rage that was suddenly simmering just beneath the surface. She could feel her energy flaring wildly in a dozen directions and the power burned her with its intensity. She took a deep breath and swallowed with a deliberate gulp and forced the energy back into place. She made a conscious decision to calm her mind and her emotions. "Ceridwen, I’m waiting," she said when neither woman in the bed was forthcoming.

"Don’t take that tone with her," Willow warned dangerously. "You told her she couldn’t leave my side, and she hasn’t."

"What?" Tara asked incredulously.

"She’s not leaving my side," Willow said calmly. "You told her she couldn’t, so she’s not going to."

Ceri smiled pleasantly as she shifted into a more comfortable position under the covers.

"She’s in our bed." Tara waved her left hand at Ceri. Her right hand was in the sling, and if it hadn’t been, she would have been waving it wildly. She was shrugging her injured arm, as if her body was trying to wave the damaged arm despite the sling.

"Yep," Willow said. "You made her feel horribly guilty for absolutely no reason." She crossed her arms over her chest and glanced at Ceri. "So, if sleeping here is gonna make Ceri feel better, then I’m all for it." She watched as that idea sunk into Tara’s mind. "And until she’s confidant that you have faith in her, she’s going to be sleeping in this bed … next to me."

"Next to you?" Tara whined. "Where am I supposed to sleep?" She sounded like a child who had just been told Christmas was canceled.

"Well…" Willow leaned onto one elbow and looked over Ceri. "You can have that side of the bed," she said rationally as she leaned over Ceri and pointed to the far side of the bed.

"But … but … but…" Tara was looking back and forth from Willow to Ceri. "But … Willow!" she whined pitifully.

"Don’t ‘Willow’ me," the redhead said as she sat up and scooted against the brand new headboard. "You made your bed, missy, you’re gonna lie in it."

"Even if it does get a bit crowded," Ceri added with a smirk.

Tara stared down at the two women in the bed. It was obvious they were enjoying themselves, and that fueled the mage-enhanced anger running through Tara’s veins, but instead of lashing out or having flames appear in her eyes, she had a different response, a response in kind. "Fine," Tara said tersely. "You two enjoy your slumber party." She turned and limped to the dresser.

Willow scowled. This was not what she had expected. "Where are you going?" she asked, suddenly worried that Tara would retreat to the couch, or worse yet, take up residence in the spare bedroom at the far end of the house. That was definitely not part of Willow’s master plan. She wanted to make Tara a bit grouchy and make her repent for the way she had treated Ceri, but Willow had not wanted to run Tara out of the bedroom. That simply wouldn’t do.

Tara rested one hand on the dresser and looked back toward Willow. "I’m going to take a bath, okay?"

"Oh…" Willow said with a disheartened pout. She knew her lover preferred quick showers at night, saving long, luxurious baths for daytime. Willow frowned as something occurred to her. With her injuries, Tara probably couldn’t stand up to shower. "Do you need some help?" she offered.

"No, thank you," Tara said. "I’m not really in the mood to have Ceri at your side while I’m standing there naked." Tara was pouting. She wanted to talk things over with Willow and not play games, yet now she was playing her own games. Her hormones were making rational thought almost impossible, plus, the thought of soaking in the deep bath sounded divine. She grabbed her night clothes and slowly limped to the master bathroom and quietly closed the door. The door closed with a click that echoed across the tiled floor of the vast room. She turned on the tap and sat on the edge of the tub as steaming water poured out of four huge brass spigots, quickly filling the immense tub. "Great," Tara muttered. "Just fucking great." She had meant to come home and work through things with Willow, not make them worse. She yanked off the sling, then winced when her arm dangled. She tossed the sling across the room and wondered how things had spun out of control.

On the bed, Willow folded her arms over her chest. She sat with her back against the headboard, pouting. "Well, that wasn’t part of the master plan."

Ceri cleared her throat. She had been against the ‘master plan’ from the very beginning.

"How am I supposed enjoying watching her squirm if she’s not squirming and she’s all off in the bathroom in pain?" Willow asked.

"Well, we could go help her," Ceri offered.

"No!" Willow spun and glared at Ceri. "I mean, maybe I could go help her, but not you, no. I mean… hello? Naked!"

"Well, if you go help her without me, then that kinda’ blows your whole ‘make Tara see the error of her ways because I can’t leave your side’ theory," Ceri pointed out. She had already forgiven Tara for the earlier incident, and she’d been against Willow’s complex attempt to teach the blonde mage a lesson.

"I know that," Willow said angrily. "Stupid master plan," she muttered as she smacked her pillow.

"Do you want to be right, or do you want to be with your soulmate?" Ceri asked bluntly.

"Both," Willow said stubbornly.

"Fine." Ceri sighed and rolled over with her back to Willow. She yawned and closed her eyes. "Okay then. I’m going to sleep. I’ll see you in the morning."

Willow stared at the bathroom door worrying about Tara. She listened intently for any sound of distress and her nerves were on edge.

She needn’t have worried. Tara drew her bath and limped down the tiled steps into the tub and soaked her aching body. It felt good to have the grime of the day washed from her skin. As she soaked in the hot water, her muscles began to loosen. She felt much better than she had all day. Actually, that wasn’t exactly true. She sighed and rested her head on the side of the tub. She remembered feeling quite wonderful in the early morning when she and Willow had been making love. Those thoughts drew her mind back to her lover in the other room. She hated fighting with Willow. She rinsed one final time and climbed from the tub, determined to settled things with Willow.

Tara was not surprised when she found Willow sitting up in the bed. She could tell by Willow’s expression that the redhead was more mischievous than angry. Sometimes Willow would go to elaborate extremes to point out people’s shortcomings, and this was no exception. Tara’s own mischievous spark flashed as she approached the bed. Perhaps she could fight fire with fire. If Willow wanted to play this little game, Tara would have to join in as well.

"So…" Tara sighed and stretched her left arm over her head. "Guess I’ll just crawl in this side of the bed, huh?" She tossed the covers back and slid in next to Ceri. "Gee, I sure hope Ceri isn’t a cuddler." She pulled the blankets in place over her.

"I’ve seen her snuggle with Brigh," Willow said, not yet catching Tara’s point. She smirked as an evil thought crossed her mind. It was the same evil thought Tara was having.

"Um, yeah, true," Tara said.

"Plus, what with her being on the side where I’m used to you being…" Willow sighed. "Well, you know how I am with the snuggles. I hope I don’t accidentally roll over and think she’s you."

Tara narrowed her eyes. "Um, hmm." She cleared her throat. "Of course she’s on the side that I’m used to finding you," Tara pointed out. "So… I certainly hope I don’t accidentally, you know, let my hands … wander."

"Wander?" Willow’s tone was harsh as she sat up. She knew exactly where Tara’s hands wandered and how quickly those wandering hands could be making love to her in the middle of the night. Suddenly her game was no longer any fun at all.

"Yeah," Tara said with a forced yawn. "But, well, with my arm in this sling and all, I doubt I’ll do much wandering tonight, but if she’s here for a while … you never know." Tara knew she had Willow. She could practically see steam coming out of Willow’s ears.

"True…" Willow realized she was being had. "Well, yeah, after a few nights…" She faked a yawn. "I hope that I don’t let my hands wander, because, well, poor Ceri…"

‘Poor Ceri’ was not sleeping. She was trying to, but with the two women literally using her as a pawn between them it was almost impossible. "Okay, you know what?" she asked as she sat up. "Poor Ceri is going back to her bedroom to sleep with her wife." She turned toward Tara. "You and I are gonna’ figure this out on our own, okay?"

Tara nodded. "Yes, of course."

"Are you sorry you were a complete bitch to me?" Ceri asked.

"Absolutely." Tara continued nodding. "Ceri, I am so sorry. I didn’t mean any of those things."

"Well, we’ll just see how sorry you can be." Ceri shoved the covers down and climbed out over them. "As soon as you’re over this little horse incident, you and I are gonna’ meet for a nice, long sparring match."

"Oh…" Tara frowned.

"And I’m gonna’ kick your little mage ass." Ceri cracked her knuckles.

"What?" Willow asked. She was suddenly not happy with the turn of events.

"Oh, believe me, I’ll send her back much more sore than she is now." Ceri sighed and smiled happily.

"Now just a minute," Willow said. "We never discussed you hurting Tara."

"It’s okay," Tara interrupted. "Ceri and I will figure this out, and I deserve more than a few lumps."

"There’ll be no lumps!" Willow insisted. "No lumps of any kind." She scooted closer to Tara.

"Okay, no lumps." Ceri smiled. She knew any threat to Tara would put Willow into protective overdrive. "How about a few bruises?"

Willow glared at Ceri, edging a few inches closer to Tara. She rested a hand on Tara’s arm. "No bruising."

"I’m kidding, Willow." Ceri watched Willow rubbing Tara’s arm. She knew the redhead wasn’t even aware she was doing it. Ceri’s work was done. "I’m leaving, but Tara? We are gonna’ talk this over, just the two of us, okay?"

"Absolutely." Tara nodded. "I really am sorry."

"I know." Ceri turned and hurried out of the room. As she quietly closed the door she thought how lucky her two friends were to have an infant that could sleep with a heated conversation going on a few feet away.

Tara let out a groan and settled into the mattress. She stretched her arm, trying to get more comfortable in the sling. She winced, but she was relieved to finally be alone in bed with her wife.

"Comfortable?" Willow asked as she rolled toward Tara and pinned the blonde in her gaze. Her tone was cold and biting.

"Not really," Tara said honestly. Her shoulder felt like it was about to implode, and that was an improvement from earlier in the day.

Willow frowned and narrowed her eyes. She wasn’t actually looking for an answer. "Do you like the new bed?" Willow tried. The lamp was still on so there was plenty of light. She could see Tara shifting uncomfortably.

Now Tara got it. She was about to have ‘the talk’ with Willow. "Oh," she said with a gulp. "It’s … nice."

"Yeah, it is nice," Willow said with a dangerous tone.

"Willow, I am so sorry I lost my temper." She rolled toward Willow, but had to stop. Willow was on Tara’s right side, which meant Tara would have to put her weight on her injured arm. "I hate that I destroyed our old bed. I’d take it back if I could, but I can’t."

"This isn’t about the bed," Willow snapped. She sat up and looked down at Tara. "You let magic control you. What if Brianna had seen this?" She waved her hand toward the room. "What if she had seen our bed shattered into splinters? Do you want to explain to her why you don’t have to control your powers, but she does?"

Tara swallowed hard and blinked back a flood of tears that were threatening to fall. "I tried, Willow. I tried so hard." Her lips trembled as she did her best not to react to her raging hormones.

"That’s not good enough," Willow said. "Ya’ know, I kinda’ liked the old bed. The one we conceived Megan in, the one we used to stay up late in as we felt our growing child move inside my belly." She paused, then her shoulder slumped. "How could you?" Willow asked. Her tone was no longer icy, but the anguish in her voice cut deeper than any angry tone ever could. "How could you destroy our bed?" Willow’s emotions were raw, and her pain demanded Tara’s full attention.

Tara gritted her teeth and rolled onto her injured arm, balancing her weight on her elbow despite the pain. "I didn’t … I…" She paused to gather her thoughts, both because she didn’t want to misspeak and because she was crushing her bruised leg.

"I’m waiting," Willow prompted.

Tara took a deep breath and closed her eyes and let out a long sigh. Her pain was evident in her expression.

Willow’s tone softened. "Tara, are you okay?"

"No, I’m not," Tara answered honestly. "I hurt you, and I don’t know how I’m ever gonna’ be okay with that."

"You shouldn’t be on your side." Willow suddenly realized how much pain Tara must be in. She brushed the hair from Tara’s eyes. "You’re hurt."

"I don’t care about that," Tara said as she shifted so she could see into Willow’s eyes. "Damn it, Will, just listen, okay?"

Willow nodded and ran her hand along Tara’s arm, needing to connect.

"When I, when I did … when I exploded our bed, I wasn’t actively trying to destroy it."

"Well, you did a pretty damn good job." Willow pulled her hand back, remembering her anger.

"That’s not what I mean." Tara was struggling to find the right words. "There was so much … energy. It was throbbing inside my head, inside my body. It was painful." She glanced down at her aching side and arm. "It hurt much worse than this." She sighed and then her voice cracked. "It’s like there was just too much, and I had to get rid of it, and, and, there was just so much anger." A tear slid down Tara’s cheek. "I wasn’t angry with you. I swear. It’s just … you were there and I know I had no right to take it out on you. I’m sorry."

"And the magic?" Willow wanted to forgive, but she hated that Tara had used such powerful magic in their home.

"It was like … letting some of the steam out of a pressure cooker, you know?" Tara needed Willow to understand. "I’m learning to handle it, Will. I don’t have complete control yet, but that’s coming."

"I won’t have that in my home, Tara. Do you understand me? Do you want to expose our girls to this?" Willow asked. She was calm and determined.

"No. I don’t want it in our home either," Tara said as tears ran freely down her cheeks. "I don’t want it at all." She sniffled and blinked to clear her tears. "Don’t you understand? The last thing I want to do is strike out at you."

"I won’t accept it again," Willow said. "This is the first time, and you’re just learning how this all works. You got away with it once, but I will not take it again, do you understand?"

"Yes." Tara nodded and held in a sob. "Willow, please, I’m so sorry, please, baby…"

"Please what?" Willow asked, truly not understanding.

"Please don’t hate me. Please don’t send me away," Tara begged in a rush. "Please don’t leave me."

"Tara, I’m not going to leave you." Willow scooted closer and rested a hand on Tara’s cheek and used her thumb to wipe the tears away. "How could you even think that?" she whispered. "We’re married. That’s a lifelong commitment, more than life, forever." She tugged on Tara’s arm. "Come on, sit up before you hurt yourself." She guided Tara until the blonde was sitting against the headboard.

"But, you said…" Tara sniffled and cleared her throat. It was difficult to speak and her tears were flowing unchecked. "You know, when, if I…" She inhaled and willed her hands to stop shaking.

Willow leaned over and gave Tara a gentle, fleeting kiss and then pulled back. "If things get bad again, then you’ll have to spend more time with Brent, and if your magic gets out of control again in our home…" She smiled. "I won’t leave you, baby, but I might ask you to sleep on the couch until you quit flaming things."

"You won’t send me away?" Tara’s voice was tiny.

"Where would I send you?" Willow asked with a smile. She moved closer until she was practically on top of Tara. "Silly," she whispered and then kissed Tara on the forehead. "You belong here. You belong with our girls." She caressed Tara’s cheek and looked into her eyes. "You belong with me."

"Willow, I’m so sorry I hurt you." Tara’s voice was thick with emotion. "I’ll never forgive myself."

"You’re not like him." Willow cut straight to the real issue. She knew Tara was afraid of becoming abusive. "You didn’t hurt me, Tara. You could never hurt me." Willow knew in her heart that it was true. Tara would never raise a hand to her.

"I did," Tara insisted. "I yelled at you. I said horrible things."

"Yeah," Willow agreed. "But you didn’t mean them, did you?"

"No, of course not," Tara said instantly.

"Well, then I suggest you do some serious sucking up." Willow suggested, then tossed in her trademark smirk to let Tara know she wasn’t angry anymore.

"Anything. Anything, just tell me what you need." Tara turned and gave Willow her complete attention.

"Oh, no, no…" Willow was now smiling openly. She gave Tara a playful nudge. She wanted Tara to stop crying. She missed her lover’s smile. "I’m not gonna’ tell you what you have to do. That’s your job to figure out." She nodded toward the mattress and helped Tara move down until she was in a comfortable position on her back. "I mean … so hey, you have to spoil me with chocolate and flowers and poetry…"

Tara smiled as she began to see where Willow was going.

"And breakfast in bed and long walks on the beach and a million other things you can think of." Willow leaned over Tara. "I’m not gonna’ ruin it by actually telling you what I want." She dried Tara’s cheeks with her thumb. "You’ll have to work through the entire list."

"There’s a list?" Tara was beginning to feel better.

"There’s always a list," Willow assured her. "And if you happen to stumble onto what it is I want, maybe I’ll tell you." She rested her hand on Tara’s chest and smiled coyly. "And maybe I won’t."

"You’d really let me off this easily?" Tara reached over and put her left hand over Willow’s. She actually loved the idea of showering Willow with gifts and affection. In fact, she did it on a regular basis.

"Now, you see, I’m not actually letting you off the hook," Willow explained. "It’s quite a list." She scooted closer and traced the bruise on Tara’s shoulder. The heat from the wound testified to the pain the blonde was suffering. She tilted her head and studied it. It was less swollen than earlier.

"Again with the list?" Tara smirked as she enjoyed Willow’s comforting touch.

"You’re going to have to be on your best ‘sucking up-wooing-behavior’ for an indefinite amount of time, and if you have those little flamey eyes while you’re in this house, well, you’ll be sleeping on the couch until further notice."

"I won’t," Tara swore. Sleeping away from Willow not something Tara took lightly. "Trust me, there’s nowhere else I’d rather be than right here." She smiled, but sadness filled her eyes. "I’m sorry about the bed.

"Well, I’ve been thinking about that, too," Willow said, unwilling to let the mood drift back to sadness. "Yeah, we conceived Megan in that bed, but we conceived Brianna in the old bed. We got rid of that bed."

"Yeah," Tara admitted. They had moved their old queen-sized bed to one of the guest rooms. Both had been sad to see it go, but they loved the roomier bed.

"If I get feeling all sentimental, you’ll just have to take me in there … and take me." Willow smirked devilishly.

"You’re suddenly in an awfully good mood. Not that I’m complaining." Tara was enjoying the lighter tone.

"I’ve seen too many people waste time. I won’t waste one single minute with you," Willow said seriously, and then she smiled impishly. "And, well, you see…" She managed to scoot closer until there wasn’t enough room between them to fit a sheet of paper. She slowly moved her hand on Tara’s chest and shoulder, alternating between kneading and massaging the tight muscles and tracing patterns on Tara’s skin. "You and I don’t really fight that much, my darling." She paused with her hand over Tara’s breast. "And all my friends keep telling me about this wonderful, miraculous thing we’ve been missing out on."

"Really?" Tara asked with mock surprise.

"Oh, yeah." Willow leaned over until her lips were almost touching Tara’s.

"Like what?" Tara asked. She licked her lips, and her tongue caught Willow’s lips as well.

"They keep telling me how wonderful make-up sex is." Willow ran her tongue over Tara’s lips. "Insisting really."

Tara whimpered and her cheeks flushed. Even though she was in no condition to actually have make-up sex, the idea certainly intrigued her. "As incredible as that sounds, I don’t think I’m gonna’ be able to help you out with that tonight, sweetie," she said sadly. "I can barely lift my arm. Making love to you is pretty much off the table." She felt a familiar heat between her legs and realized her body did not agree with her mind.

"Well now, who said anything about you making love to me?" Willow ran a hand down Tara’s chest, then over her belly, and began tugging at the flannel boxers Tara was wearing. "And a table? Please." Willow rolled her eyes. "We outgrew that years ago. I think Brent catching us in the main hall at three a.m. cured us of that."

"God, that was embarrassing," Tara agreed. She giggled remembering that night. They had snuck into the kitchen for a late night ice cream sundae and ended up making love on one of the banquet tables. Brent came in a while later looking for her own snack and instead found two naked witches putting a gallon of chocolate ice cream to a very naughty use.

"Well, Mistress Brent won’t be wandering in now," Willow said as she kissed Tara’s cheek, then moved her lips to Tara’s ear.

"Sweetie, the spirit is more than willing, but this flesh is weak and sore." Tara giggled as Willow continued worming her fingers under the band of the boxers.

"But this flesh isn’t gonna’ have to do anything but enjoy," Willow said, letting her hot breath warm Tara’s ear. "You can just relax and forget about your aches and pains."

"Mmm." Tara murmured and furrowed her brow. She wasn’t sure she could forget about her current pain. "Honey, I … I don’t think I ca— Oh god, right there!" she said with a startled gasp as Willow’s hand dipped under her boxers and found a particularly sensitive place to rest.

"You were saying?" Willow asked with a frisky leer.

"I … um, ah, what was I saying?" she asked Willow breathlessly.

Willow continued distracting Tara. "Something about your flesh," she said helpfully. She moved her fingers, enjoying one of her favorite areas of Tara’s flesh.

"Oh, god…" Tara arched her neck and inhaled sharply.

"God?" Willow nibbled Tara’s neck. "What would Brent say, my little Brigit Wiccan?" She moved her hand lower.

"Goddess!" Tara corrected. She shifted her weight, trying to find a comfortable place for her arm.

"That’s more like it," Willow whispered.

Tara’s body was beginning to focus on the wonderful places Willow was touching her. Her pain was become less important, but something else nagged at the back of her mind. "Honey?" She turned and looked at the door. "It’s early. What if someone comes…"

"Someone will come if you’ll just let me get back to this make-up sex," Willow pointed out.

"Willow…" Tara did not want Sheila walking in on them again. "Your mom, remember her?" She was still spooked by Cassie’s comments.

"My mom and my dad left." Willow shifted and hovered over Tara so she could look into her eyes. "I asked them to leave."

"Honey, you love spending time with—"

"Shh." Willow put her finger over Tara’s lips. "I know you’re having a terrible time, and adding in-laws just seemed like more than anyone should have to put up with."

"You couldn’t have figured that out two weeks ago?" Tara asked with a wry grin.

"Well, two weeks ago you weren’t setting the furniture on fire." Willow kissed Tara, slowly, wanting to stoke a fire of her own.

"True." Tara smiled and used her left hand to ease Willow slightly away. "I’m actually relieved," she admitted.

Willow tilted her head and met Tara’s eyes with a questioning glance and her pulled her hand out of Tara’s boxers and rested her palm on Tara’s belly.

"Cassie saw something earlier," Tara admitted.

Both of Willow’s eyebrows rose in alarm.

"She said family troubles could overshadow this whole mage thing," Tara explained. "I figured adding my temper and your mom…"

"Would end up with an explosive combination." Willow nodded. "Well, see? Nothing for you to worry about." She smiled and began moving her hand lower.

"Yeah," Tara said with a happily sigh. "Problem avoided." The last thing Tara wanted was to have Sheila figure out the truth about magic in general and Brianna’s future specifically.

"Anything else to tell me?" Willow asked with her fingers poised at Tara’s waistband.

"Besides ‘lower’ and ‘inside?’ Nope." Tara waggled her eyebrows.

"You’re sure," Willow wanted Tara, but she also wanted to know what was going on with her lover.

"There was some other stuff." Tara ran her left hand through Willow’s hair. "But I really want to wait and talk it all over in the morning." She moved her hand down and cupped Willow’s cheek. "It’s nothing that won’t keep."

"You’re not in danger?" Willow clarified.

"No, darling." Tara gave Willow a demure smile.

"Tara?" Willow looked down with an innocent, yet steamy expression.

"What is it?" Tara gave her lover her complete attention.

"Will you let me make love to you?" Willow asked sincerely.

Tara’s eyes slid closed as passion shot through her body. She actually shivered as she opened her eyes. She loved when Willow asked that particular question. It made her body tingle and her heart soar. "Yes," she whispered as she pulled Willow into a consuming kiss.

*****

The doctor walked into the room and stopped at the foot of the bed. "You should call the rest of his family," he said quietly.

"We are his family," Donnie said coldly.

"I want to see Tara," Caleb Maclay said with a wheeze.

"Daddy, she’s dead to us," Donnie insisted.

Beth Maclay sat quietly in the corner next to her cousin-in-law Marsha. Both women knew their places, so they said nothing.

"Donald, you will not take that tone," Caleb said. He tried to sit up, then coughed and fell back into the bedding. He gasped for breath and his tired eyes widened.

"Easy," the doctor said. He rushed to the head of the bed and adjusted the oxygen flow. "You need to remain calm."

"Tara…" Caleb closed his eyes and drifted into a fitful sleep.

"Is he in a coma?" Donnie asked bluntly.

"No, he’s sleeping," the doctor clarified. He moved to Donnie’s side. "If you’re going to call your sister, you should do it now."

"I don’t have a sister," Donnie said bitterly.

Marsha started to stand. "Maybe we should do as he—"

Donnie spun and glared at his wife.

"I’m sorry," Marsha said quickly. She backed away as if stuck.

"He asked to see her," the doctor reminded him.

"Well, even if I wanted to call her, we don’t know where she is." Donnie sneered, knowing the doctor wouldn’t know how to find his bitch sister any more than he would, and Donnie had tried. He had searched for the little bitch but she seemed to have fallen off the face of god’s earth.

"I have her address," Beth said quietly. She was looking at the floor, afraid to look up.

"Beth…" Donnie took a step toward her.

"Mr. Maclay." The doctor grabbed Donnie’s arm, stopping his progress. "Your father wants to see her. If your cousin can reach your sister, I think you should let her."

"You have her address?" Donnie’s tone was mocking and his stance was full of menace. "And just how did you manage to get that?"

"She sent your father a letter a few months ago," Beth said in a whisper. He tore it up and tossed it in the garbage, but I kept her return address label."

"Fine." Donnie glared at Beth. She’d pay for her insolence. Donnie’s father wouldn’t be around much longer, and when he was gone, Donnie would be the man of the family. "Go get her. She probably won’t come anyway. She never did pay her family any heed." When Donnie was in charge, the Maclay women would learn to stay in line.

Beth stood, but hesitated to move past Donnie.

"Go on!" He waved his hand at Beth. "Run off and find Tara." He turned to the doctor. "And she is not my sister. She’s no kin of mine."

The doctor nodded and decided that whoever Tara was, she was the smartest member of the Maclay clan. She had escaped.

End chapter fourteen

Love Tara? Hate what they did to her and Willow on Buffy? Let the ME, UPN and Fox know how you feel. Please take a few minutes to send an email and let the people at Buffy the Vampire Slayer how you feel. Write every week if you feel like it. They need to know we still miss Tara and want her back. I would consider it a personal favor. Thanks!