Pure Heart, a Willow/Tara novella.

Summary: Tara is upset with Willow for performing a dangerous spell and Angst follows. Contains crossovers with the characters from Charmed and Angel.

This story is based in Joss Weldon’s "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" universe and I make no claim on any of his characters. The characters from Buffy, Charmed, and Angel are being borrowed and no copyright infringement is intended.

Warnings: This story contains descriptions of women in love. If that offends you, please read something else.

Contains violence and angst.

Spoilers for all episodes prior to the Body.

Pure Heart

By Lisa Countryman © April 2001

CHAPTER ONE

"What’s wrong?" Willow looked over at her lover. Tara was on the bed next to her, on her side and her blue eyes were troubled. "Honey?" Willow moved closer.

"Promise me you won’t try anymore teleportation spells," Tara said as she caressed Willow’s cheek.

"But, Glory…"

Tara closed her eyes and sighed. Her lip trembled.

"Honey, Glory is, you know, a god. What if this spell is all we have?" Willow felt her heart break when she saw a single tear slide down Tara’s cheek. "Oh, Tara, I won’t do it. I promise." Willow scooted closer and gathered Tara into her arms. "Not unless it’s like the only chance," she added in a whispered.

Tara nodded and clung to Willow.

"If you have to do the spell, swear to me you’ll get my help," Tara said after a moment. "It’s complex and it’ll be more dangerous if I’m not helping you."

"I promise," Willow said solemnly.

It was the best Tara could ask for, but the blonde wasn’t happy about it. Still, it was more than she had hoped for. She was still hurting over the fact that Willow had helped Dawn find a book on the history of witchcraft, a book that Dawn used to try to resurrect Joyce. That had caused a horrible quarrel that Tara had not forgotten.

Willow yawned and stretched leisurely and then the redhead climbed out of bed and stumbled to get dressed.

"Willow?" Tara rolled over and felt the cooling sheets Willow had just vacated. "It’s Saturday, love. Come back to bed."

"Big Scoobyage afoot," Willow said as she dressed. "Remember? Giles wanted us to meet at his house."

Tara pulled the covers over her head and groaned. "Come back to bed. We can be late."

"Honey, we can’t be late." Willow smiled at the groaning lump on the bed.

"I’ll make it worth your while," the lump said sensually.

Willow bit her lip and edged closer to the bed.

Tara’s hand slipped out from under the covers holding her boxers. She dropped them to the floor.

"Well, maybe we can be a little late," Willow said as she watched Tara toss her tank top out from under the blankets. "I mean, Buffy’s never on time."

The blankets moved down and revealed Tara’s sensual smile. Her blue eyes had a dangerous and sexy glint.

Willow grabbed the covers and dove onto Tara. "So we’ll be late. Big deal. I can do casually late." She leaned down and gently kissed Tara.

"Promise me?" Tara asked as she slowly removed Willow’s nightshirt.

"I swear I won’t do the spell without you." Willow leaned down and began nipping on Tara’s throat then slowly moved her head under the covers and found more exotic locations to explore.

"This is so not a good idea." Buffy stared at Willow and shook her head.

"It’ll work," Willow insisted. She looked behind Buffy toward the kitchen where Tara was getting a snack. "We just can’t say anything to Tara."

"Okay, dangerous plan and keeping secrets from your girlfriend?" Buffy pulled Willow down the hall. "Who are you and what did you do with my best friend?"

"Buffy, I just don’t want Tara to worry." Willow sighed and looked into Buffy’s eyes. "She was really freaked out the last time."

"Won’t it be more dangerous without Tara’s help?" Buffy furrowed her brow and looked down the hallway.

"Not more dangerous," Willow said unconvincingly. "I can get Anya to help, or Giles."

"Tara is the big ass Wicca," Buffy pointed out. "That spell didn’t even faze her last time." Buffy’s eyes widened as a thought occurred to her. "Maybe she could do it alone?"

"No," Willow said angrily. "I won’t risk her. Glory’s dangerous."

"So, are you doing this to protect Tara?" Buffy folded her arms over her chest. "Like Oz did when he left you?"

"It’s not the same thing." Willow’s eyes flashed angrily.

"Sounds the same to me," Buffy said gently. "I thought you and Tara had a better relationship than that."

Willow turned and rested her forehead on the wall. "We do," she whispered. "That’s why I know she’ll forgive me." Willow turned her head and locked eyes with Buffy. "I’m scared something will happen to her."

"Will, it should be her choice." Buffy rested her hand on her friend’s shoulder. "Plus, she won’t be too happy about you risking yourself."

"She’ll forgive me when Glory’s gone and we’re all snugly." Willow tried to smile but failed miserably.

"This isn’t right," Buffy pointed out. "I feel like I’m lying to her."

"Not lying," Willow said quickly. "Just, distracting while I perform a spell."

"It’s lying." Buffy sighed and looked into Willow’s green eyes. "I can’t do it, Will."

"Buffy, you have to!" Willow was in a near panic. A tear formed in the redhead’s eye. "Glory knows about us, and she must know that Tara is the stronger witch. Glory will try to hurt Tara. I can’t have that."

Buffy was quiet for a long moment and then slowly wrapped her arms around her chest. "What do I have to do?" she asked in a whisper.

"If she asks, just tell her we’re having a best friend night tonight." Willow bit her lip. "Which is kinda’ true. You are my best friend and us fighting Glory is not entirely out of the range of things we do on a Saturday night."

"I hope this doesn’t turn out badly," Buffy said as she saw Tara come out of the kitchen.

"What could go wrong? I have it all worked out." Willow smiled smugly.

"You may have Glory figured out, but what about the cute witch heading this way?"

"She’ll forgive me. She always does." Willow hurried over toward Tara. "Hey, I missed you." She gave Tara a quick kiss on the cheek.

"Me too," Tara looked at Willow adoringly. "I brought juice. Your favorite." She handed Willow a cherry-cranberry beverage.

"Thanks," Willow said. She glanced back at Buffy and winked at the Slayer.

*****

Buffy stared at Glory. The hellgod was smiling, and for Buffy, having things go to shit would be an improvement. Willow’s plan was a complete and unmitigated disaster.

"You thought this little witch could send me away?" Glory laughed as she brushed the light dusting of magical herbs and powders off of her shoulder. She smiled sweetly at Willow. "Where’s your girlfriend, honey?"

Willow paused in her chanting to glare at Glory.

"Did she leave you for someone with more power?" Glory taunted. "Maybe I should find her. I could really use someone like her… in so many ways."

Willow narrowed her eyes and then looked over at Anya. "Now!"

Anya nodded and stepped out of the shadows and tossed Willow the Doll’s Eye crystal that was a gift from Tara. Willow held it in both hands and finished her chant.

"That is so not fair," Glory said even as the crystal glowed.

"Life’s not fair," Buffy said as she staggered to her feet. "I mean, one look at your bad perm and I woulda’ thought that you already knew that."

"This isn’t over," Glory said as a vortex opened and the hellgod slipped backward toward it. "This so isn’t over!"

The crystal in Willow’s hand flashed and a wave of energy shot out in all directions. Willow dropped to the floor in a heap as Glory disappeared.

"Willow!" Buffy ran to her friend and dropped at her side. She rolled the redhead over and saw blood pouring from her nose.

"She probably fried her brain," Anya said as she shook dust and ruble from her hair.

"Where’s Giles?" Buffy said as she looked for her Watcher.

"Last I saw he was over by that desk unconscious," Anya said.

The door to the factory opened and Xander came running into the room.

"Xander, Willow fried her brain and Giles is all unconscious." Anya ran toward her boyfriend. "I warned them, remember?"

"Buffy?" Xander stared at the Slayer.

"Get help," Buffy said quietly. "Hurry."

"Is that really what it’s like?" Dawn asked as she stared at the television screen.

"No." Tara giggled as she watched the stars of "The Craft" perform spells to change their hair color. "Hair color is really hard to do well." She looked over at Dawn and smiled warmly. "Remember that whole blonde with black roots thing I went through?"

"No way!" Dawn laughed as she pictured Tara trying to change her own hair color. "What about that reddish phase you went through?"

"Miss Clairol," Tara said with a smirk. "Some things are best left out of the magical realm."

The phone rang and Dawn groaned. "If that’s Buffy, tell her that I can have a sleepover without the Slayer checking up on me." Dawn rolled her eyes.

Tara stood up and handed Dawn the phone. "You tell her." She smiled knowing the Slayer worried about her younger sister.

Dawn grabbed the phone. "Hello?" She smiled. "Oh, hi, Buffy." Dawn’s smiled faded. She looked over at Tara and handed her the phone.

"Buffy?" Tara asked.

"Tara, Xander’s on his way over to get you," Buffy said slowly.

"W-what’s wrong?" Tara felt her stomach clenched.

"We’re at the hospital," Buffy said.

"Willow…" Tara shook her head.

Tara ran through the halls to the ER and stopped when she saw Buffy. "Where is s-she?"

"She’s in x-ray," Buffy said quickly. "Tara, calm down."

"You knew," Tara said angrily. "You all knew." Tara spun around and glared at Anya and Giles.

"Knew what?" Giles asked. He held an icepack to his jaw.

"She did the spell, didn’t she?" Tara’s stutter was gone, and anger rolled off of the normally timid witch.

"Yeah," Buffy said quietly.

"I need to see her," Tara said as she hurried down the hall.

"No, they said to wait," Buffy said. She blocked Tara’s path.

Tara’s eyes narrowed and she held her hand out toward Buffy.

"Tara?" Buffy’s eyes widened as she felt a blast of energy push her body out of the way. The witch hadn’t even touched her.

Tara didn’t respond as she moved down the hall. She turned the corner and saw two nurses wheeling Willow out of the x-ray room.

"Willow!" Tara ran to her lover’s side but the nurse shook her head.

"Miss, you’ll have to stay back."

"H-how is she?" Tara asked as she trotted alongside the gurney.

"Are you family?" the second nurse asked.

"Y-yes," Tara stammered.

"She has a severe concussion, though there isn’t any outward sign of how she got it," the taller nurse said. "We’re taking her to a room for observation."

"Will she be okay?" Tara asked as they continued down the hall.

"We’ll know more when she wakes up." The nurse paused at a door and then they wheeled Willow into the small room. "Are you her…sister?"

"Cousin," Tara said as she watched them move Willow into the bed and attach a tangled mass of wires onto the frail redhead’s body.

"Well, I’m sure your cousin will be happy you’re here," the tall nurse said. She gave Tara a knowing smile and led the other nurse out of the room.

Tara pulled a chair alongside Willow’s bed and took the unconscious woman’s hand. "Come back to me, love," she whispered as she kissed Willow’s hand. She stayed there, clinging to Willow’s hand for several minutes until she heard the door behind her open. She turned and saw Buffy.

"How is she?" Buffy hesitated, still somewhat shocked by Tara’s earlier display of mental powers.

"Unconscious," Tara said. She looked back at Willow.

Xander pushed past Buffy, inadvertently shoving the Slayer into the room. The two walked over to the bed and studied their friend.

Tara ran her fingers through Willow’s hair. She felt her chest tighten and a tiny sob escaped.

"She’s gonna’ be okay," Xander promised as he moved closer to Tara.

Tara looked up at him with an expression so full of sorrow that it hit him like a fist.

"Glory’s gone," Buffy said quietly.

"S-so the spell worked?" Tara said as she locked eyes with Buffy. "I g-guess that makes everything all right?"

"Whoa, no fighting," Xander said as he went to the opposite side of the bed and took Willow’s free hand. "Right now we’re just gonna’ wait for Willow to open those big green eyes."

"Did you know?" Tara asked Xander.

He swallowed hard and looked away. He hadn’t agreed with Willow’s decision to exclude Tara, but he understood it. He probably would have done the same thing to keep Anya safe.

Tara looked down at her hands. She had Willow’s limp hand pressed between her own trying to warm the lifeless limb. She sighed as she realized it hadn’t just been Willow who lied. All of the Scoobies had helped with the deception. Tara suddenly felt very alone.

"Tara?" Willow whispered with a gravelly voice. Her eyes flickered open and she turned her head from side to side as she fought to focus.

"I’m here," Tara said as tears filled her eyes.

"Tara," Willow said happily. "What happened?"

"Shh," Tara said as she caressed Willow’s cheek. "It’s over."

"Glory?" Willow asked when she saw Buffy.

"Gone." Buffy smiled. "Poof. No more bad hair goddess."

"Yippee," Willow said drowsily.

Tara studied Willow as tears continued down the blonde witch’s face.

"Forgive me?" Willow asked as her eyes drifted shut.

"I love you," Tara whispered as she kissed Willow’s forehead.

Buffy and Xander locked eyes briefly as they noticed that Tara had not answered Willow’s question.

Three days later Willow was released from the hospital with strict orders to take things slowly. The redhead was more than a little surprised when it was Buffy and Giles who came to pick her up and not Tara.

"Where’s Tara?" Willow looked like she was about to break into a pout.

"What? We don’t count?" Buffy asked, clearly offended.

"It’s not that," Willow quickly explained. "It’s just that I haven’t seen much of Tara. I mean, she was here when I woke up but then she’s been all into doing ‘things.’ What kind of ‘things’ are so important that you have to abandon your girlfriend in the hospital?"

"Perhaps she’s still bothered by the manner in which you received your injuries?" Giles suggested as he helped Willow into the car.

"She knows I did that ‘cause I love her." Willow leaned back in the seat and inhaled the fresh air. It was good to be out of the hospital.

"I’m sure Tara has stuff to do," Buffy added. "She’s probably taking care of stuff for you too. I heard her ask about your homework."

"Homework!" Willow’s eyes widened in terror. "I completely forgot about homework. I had an assignment due yesterday and I didn’t even think about it."

"See?" Buffy smiled. "I’m sure Tara was handling all those things."

"She’s so sweet," Willow said as she tried to relax.

"I need to pick up Dawn," Buffy reminded Giles.

"Right," he answered as he pulled onto the street. "She should be home from school by now."

Willow walked into Buffy’s house behind the Slayer. She smiled when she saw Tara sitting on the couch with Dawn.

"Hey!" Willow walked toward the couch and looked around the room. "Is this a surprise coming home party?" She frowned. "Cuz, if it is, it’s a little lacking in the festive decorations."

"Willow." Tara stood and nervously pulled on her sleeve.

Willow smiled as she moved closer and then noticed that Dawn was holding Miss Kitty Fantastico. "Kitty!" She scooped the kitten out of Dawn’s arms and held her. "Who needs decorations when we have Miss Kitty." She smiled at Tara and moved over to kiss her, but Tara moved back.

"I t-think we should talk," Tara said quietly.

"Okay," Willow said slowly. She looked down at Dawn and saw that the young girl had tears in her eyes. "What’s wrong?"

"I need to go up to my room," Dawn said as she stood. She took Miss Kitty from Willow and practically ran up the stairs.

Willow gave Tara a curious look but the blonde turned away.

"I’m gonna’ go check on Dawn." Buffy felt a horrible sense of dread and she could tell something was bothering Tara. "Giles, you can help me." She grabbed the Watcher and yanked him up the stairs.

"What’s up?" Willow asked as she watched Tara pace.

Tara paused and looked over at Willow. She bit her lip and turned away.

"This is about the spell, isn’t it?" Willow moved closer. "I’m really sorry, but I didn’t have any other choice." She stopped behind Tara and rested her hand on the blonde’s shoulder. Tara flinched.

"Y-you could have b-been honest," Tara whispered without turning around.

Willow pulled her hand back and crossed her arms over her chest. "You’re mad. You hate me."

"Not mad." Tara turned around. There were tears running down her cheeks. "And I could never hate you, Willow." She swallowed hard. "I’ll always love you."

"Good," Willow said with a slight smile. "So… forgive me?"

Tara stood frozen in place for several breaths. "It’s n-not about forgiveness," she finally said. "It’s about trust."

"Well, you still trust me, right?" Willow felt her heart ache. "I did it for you, to protect you."

"You didn’t trust me," Tara clarified. "Not when you told Dawn about the book, and not about this."

"Of course I trust you," Willow half yelled. "I love you."

"Willow," Tara said slowly. "I, I…"

"What?"

"I think we should… I need to… I can’t see you anymore." Tara sighed, relived that she had gotten the words out without stuttering.

"What?" Willow backed away as if the other witch had struck her. "You mean like… go on a break? Like on Friends? I don’t want to go on a break. A break is bad. No breaks. Breaks are very bad and I love you and how can you even suggest that?" Willow’s throat was suddenly dry, so dry that speaking actually hurt.

"I d-don’t mean a break," Tara said quietly.

"Well, good." Willow let out a relieved breath and took a step closer to Tara.

"I’m leaving Sunnydale," Tara said firmly.

"Leaving? What do you mean leaving? You just said we aren’t going on a break and now you say leaving? For how long? When? Where are you going?" Willow felt hot tears roll down her cheeks and her world felt like it was collapsing around her. "Tara?"

"Not a break," Tara said sadly. "I think we should break up."

"No…" Willow backed the two steps over to the couch and fell onto the cushion.

"Y-you need someone you can trust," Tara explained as she wiped her eyes. "And I n-need to think." She wanted nothing more than to run to Willow and take the redhead in her arms, but she knew if she did that, she wouldn’t have the courage to go through with her plan.

"I need you," Willow said plaintively. "You, Tara. I need you."

Tara shook her head and backed away.

"What? You’re leaving right now?" Willow stood and ran to Tara and took her hand. "You can’t leave, Tara. I love you. Please, I know you’re mad about the spell, but god… you can’t break up over this. Please." Willow was hysterical and babbling at full speed between her tears. "Tara, please. I swear I won’t ever do another spell without you. I swear. Just don’t go."

"I love you," Tara whispered. She crossed her arms over her chest to keep from pulling Willow into her arms. "But… sometimes, that’s not enough."

"Tara…" Willow sobbed and covered her mouth with both hands.

"I’m not a S-scooby," Tara whispered. "I n-never was."

Willow shook her head, unwilling to agree.

"You n-need someone you c-can trust to tell everything." Tara was edging toward the door.

"Tara, I’m begging you…please don’t leave." Willow was hyperventilating. "We can take a break if you need one. Just don’t leave town. Where will you go? Please. Give me another chance."

"I can’t think here," Tara said quietly. "You have your friends. You’ll b-be okay."

"Tara." Willow sobbed and moved closer.

"Don’t," Tara said in a ragged breath. "Please d-don’t make this harder than it is."

"I’m not breaking up with you," Willow said fiercely. "If you need to go think things over, fine. I’ll wait, but we are not breaking up. You hear me?"

Tara smiled sadly.

"No, we are not breaking up. I am gonna’ sit right here and wait until you forgive me."

"I already f-forgave you." Tara took Willow’s hand. "I c-can’t see you hurt again b-because you didn’t trust me."

Willow sobbed and squeezed Tara’s hand, willing her to stay.

"I d-don’t expect you to wait."

"What do you mean?" Willow was panicking again. "When are you coming back?"

Tara sighed and looked at the door.

"You’re not coming back," Willow said as she suddenly felt lightheaded. "Tara, please. Just give it some time. You have to come back. School’s here, your friends are here…I’m here."

"Your friends are here," Tara corrected. "And I… just signed my withdraw papers."

"Tara, you can’t go."

"I have to." Tara covered her eyes and a sob wracked her body. "I can’t stay," she whispered. "It hurts too much."

"Please come back," Willow pleaded. "I know I hurt you, and I am so sorry. I would do anything to take it back and do it differently. Please, Tara. Promise me you’ll come back."

Tara turned toward the door and took a few deep breaths.

"You promised me we’d always be friends, no matter what happened," Willow said in a tiny voice.

Tara paused and closed her eyes, thinking back to the night she made that promise. She had thought that Willow would choose Oz, and in the end, she had been wrong. Now she and Willow had grown so much closer and her heart was breaking over the new betrayal.

Willow waited, holding her breath. She knew she had finally given Tara something to think about besides leaving.

"Two weeks," Tara said.

Willow smiled through her tears. It was a start.

"But, t-that’s just to check on you," Tara added. "And… not as your… girlfriend."

"I love you, Tara," Willow said. "And no matter what you say, I will wait for you."

Tara didn’t answer. She opened the door and left Willow standing in Buffy’s living room. The blonde witch went to the street and climbed into the cab that had been waiting at the curb across the street.

"Where to now, miss?" The cabby looked at his meter and smiled. The meter had been running for almost twenty minutes.

"T-the bus station," Tara said as she leaned back into the seat.

Buffy heard the front door close and came down the stairs. She saw Willow sitting in a heap next to the door. The redhead was sobbing into her hands.

"Willow?" Buffy ran to her friend. Dawn had told Buffy that Tara was leaving town for good, but Buffy was certain that her younger sister had simply misunderstood. Now, she wasn’t so sure.

"Buffy," Willow sobbed. She looked up at her friend and began crying uncontrollably.

"I’m here, Will," Buffy said as she dropped to her knees and scooped Willow into her arms.

Willow grabbed onto Buffy and held tight as she continued to weep. After several minutes Willow eased her grip and pulled back.

"I screwed up," Willow said as tears continued down her cheeks. "The spell."

"But Glory," Buffy said halfheartedly.

"Tara thinks I lied to her, that I don’t trust her." Willow pulled Buffy into another hug and a few more sobs escaped before she eased back again. "She thinks… that the Scoobies… that we don’t… that she’s not one of us."

Buffy furrowed her brow.

"We all lied to her," Willow explained and then fell onto Buffy and began sobbing again.

Tara went up to the counter at the bus station and bought a ticket for the next bus leaving town. The clerk looked at her and sighed as he checked the schedule.

"San Francisco?" the clerk asked in a bored tone.

"Fine." Tara handed him the money and took the ticket. Where she was going really didn’t matter. All that mattered was that she got as far away from Sunnydale as she could. Just being in the same town she could feel Willow’s grief and it was making Tara have her own doubts. If she could still feel her girlfriend, no, her exgirlfriend, then maybe leaving was a mistake.

"Now boarding for San Francisco," the clerk announced.

Tara sighed and climbed onto the bus. She was making the right choice. She couldn’t stay with Willow for selfish reasons. If Willow didn’t trust her, the redhead could end up hurt. Better to leave now, so Willow could find someone she could love and trust, someone who could help her, not put her into danger.

Tara sat at the back of the bus and watched as they pulled out of the station. She continued watching as they moved onto the interstate past a sign that read, ‘Now leaving Sunnydale.’

"Going far?" a young man asked as he moved into the chair next to Tara.

"Not far enough," Tara said too quietly for him to hear. She turned and looked at the earnest young man. He had a nice, innocent face, though his taste in clothing made Tara’s clothes seem tame. "San Francisco," she said to him.

"Me too," he said with a smile. "I’m not much for talking, but I’m here if you need to talk. I’m a great listener." He tilted his hat up and met Tara’s eyes.

"Thanks." Tara saw a sadness in his eyes that mirrored her own. "I’m Tara." She reached out her hand.

"Nice to meet you," he said as he shook her hand. "I’m Whistler."

"I’ve seen the painting of your mother," Tara commented.

"Yeah, well, mom’s famous," he joked back. "But no one remembers Whistler."

CHAPTER TWO

The ride to San Francisco was a quiet one. Tara didn’t feel like talking, and Whistler spent most of the trip watching Tara sleep. As they pulled into the terminal in downtown San Francisco, Tara looked over and saw that Whistler was gone. She wondered about the quiet man, but the movement of the passengers drew her attention. She stood and pulled her dufflebag over her shoulder and sighed as she moved out of the bus.

Whistler stood in the shadows and watched the young witch as she left the bus. He smiled as Tara asked the clerk at the desk a question. Her pretty features and gentle smile worked a miracle and the overworked man actually stopped to answer her.

Armed with the name of two cheap but clean hotels Tara made her way into the city alone. It was dark, and for a moment she reached into her pocket and wrapped her hand around a stake that Willow had insisted Tara carry. The feel of the rough wood reminded Tara that she wasn’t in Sunnydale anymore, but it also reminded her of the love she left behind.

Whistler sighed and felt a pang of sadness as he watched Tara turn down a quiet street. He saw the dark form come out from behind a large dumpster and begin trailing the blonde witch. Whistler shook his head. He wasn’t here to stop the demon. He had done his part, offered a kind ear to the lost witch, and Tara had declined. Whistler turned and walked away. He knew what would happen so he didn’t need to stay.

Two young women walked up the street, both clearly agitated.

"How could you forget to put gas in the car?" Prue Halliwell demanded. She shook a two-gallon can of gas at her sister to make her point. "Car…gas… it’s not that complicated."

"Damn it, Prue. I already said I’m sorry. What more do you want?" Piper glared at her sister.

"Well, you could at least carry the damn gas," Prue suggested.

"Fine. Whatever." Piper held out her hand.

Prue smiled and raised her eyebrows in victory.

"Besides, there’s the Jeep." Piper took the can and trotted away before her sister could slap her on the arm.

"Piper! You are so dead." Prue laughed as she ran after her.

A scream stopped their laughter. Both spun and looked toward the side street.

Piper sighed and put the gas can down and sprinted toward the sound of the scream.

"Demon?" Prue asked as they ran.

"Mugger maybe." Piper rounded the corner first and saw a seven-foot tall creature towering over a woman huddled on the ground.

"Definitely demon," Prue said. She waved her hand and sent a trash can flying into the demon.

Tara had covered her head as the demon prepared to hit her again. She looked up when she heard a loud crash over her head and then looked down the street and saw two women running toward her.

"No!" Tara yelled. She staggered to her feet but the pain in her side made her stumble. "Run," Tara ordered.

The demon turned back to Tara and snarled as he grabbed the witch’s leg.

"Piper!" Prue moved for better angle. The young blond was now blocking any attack on the demon. "Now would be good."

"Run," Tara repeated as she felt the pavement scraping her hands as the demon pulled her back toward him. "Leave me," she added, not wanting the strangers to die because of her. She grabbed a trash can lid and took a wild swipe at the creature above her.

The metal connected with the demon’s nose and it yelped as it pulled away.

Tara scrambled to her feet and looked back just as the creature bared its claws again and swung at her throat. She flinched, knowing that she would never see Willow’s beautiful green eyes again, but the fatal blow never came. The demon froze, literally.

Piper froze the demon in place, but to her surprise the struggling woman in front of the creature kept moving.

"Piper?" Prue looked over at her sister and then quickly back at the blonde.

Tara’s eyes were wide as she looked at the frozen demon and then back to the two women coming toward her. She sighed as she realized what had just happened.

"T-thank you," Tara said as she limped toward her rescuers. "How long w-will that last?"

Piper and Prue stared at the blonde, dumbfounded.

"The spell?" Tara clarified.

"She’s a witch," Piper said as she rolled her eyes.

"Of course she didn’t freeze," Prue added.

"Your turn," Piper said to Prue. She pointed at the demon.

"Oh, yeah." Prue turned toward the demon and sent a huge dumpster flying across the street into the creature. It crushed him and he disappeared in a bright green flash.

"Wow." Tara was impressed. She leaned down and rested her hand on her knee. Her side was aching and she was already out of breath.

"I’m Prue." The oldest Halliwell extended her hand. "This is my sister, Piper."

"Sisters? Cool." Tara pressed her hand to her throbbing ribs and then pulled it away. Her palm was covered in blood. "Darn. I loved this shirt."

"Um, Miss?" Prue took Tara by the arm. "I think we should move on before we get any… official visitors. Can we take you somewhere?"

"Geeze, Prue. She’s hurt. You can’t just dump her."

"I’ll b-be fine." Tara looked over at the sidewalk and then went to pick up her duffelbag. She tried to lift it onto her shoulder but her ribs sent blinding white-hot pain shooting through her body. "Oh, okay, a ride to a hotel would be nice."

"Hotel?" Piper looked at Prue and scowled.

"Come on, you’re coming home with us." Prue grabbed the bag with one hand and gently took Tara’s arm with the other.

"N-no. I couldn’t…" Tara shook her head.

"Hey, did you see what I just did to that…thing?" Prue raised both eyebrows. "You don’t want to argue with me."

"Demon," Tara corrected. "And thank you again."

"So, you know a lot about…demons?" Piper asked. She fell into step with the young blonde. "Miss…what was your name?"

"Tara."

"So, Tara, how do you know about demons?" Prue asked.

"Um, I’ve seen a f-few." Tara coughed and then doubled over. "Oh, coughing… not a good idea."

Piper hurried to her side and wrapped an arm around her.

"No, you’ll get blood-" Tara began.

"Yeah, well, I’m pretty used to it," Piper said with forced cheer. She frowned over at Prue. "She’s bleeding pretty bad. Maybe we should go to the hospital."

Tara shook her head.

Prue pulled Tara to a stop and looked at her ribs and then slowly reached for the shredded blouse.

Tara leaned against the nearby wall and allowed her savior to lift the blood soaked fabric.

"Ew." Prue looked at Piper. "Bandages. Now."

Piper looked up the street at her Jeep. She nodded at her sister and then sprinted away.

Prue looked a few yards up the street and saw the gasoline can and smiled. ‘At least one thing went our way tonight,’ she thought.

Piper drove while Prue tended to Tara in the back seat.

"Where’s Leo when we need him?" Prue grumbled.

Tara gave Prue a questioning glance.

"He’s our first aid expert," Prue explained. She didn’t think the blonde would understand that Leo was the guardian angel for all of the Halliwell sisters or that he was married to Piper.

Tara nodded.

"He can’t help it if he has to work," Piper said defensively. She pulled into a gas station and jumped out to fuel the Jeep.

"You doing okay?" Prue asked.

Tara nodded.

"The bleeding is pretty bad, but it’s slowing." Prue finished packing gauze in place over the four jagged slices across Tara’s ribs. "I think two of these are down to the bone. You really do need stitches."

Tara looked down at her side and then back at Prue. "Could…you do them?"

"Ew!" Prue looked truly horrified.

Tara giggled. "Well, you squashed that Tec’lor demon and didn’t even blink. A few s-stitches shouldn’t be bad."

Piper jumped in and started the car. "What’s wrong?" Piper saw the shocked look on Prue’s face.

"She wants me to… give her stitches." Prue’s disgust was obvious.

Tara giggled again.

"Oh, come on, Prue. It’s like sewing." Piper laughed as she pulled onto the street. She looked in the mirror and caught Tara’s attention in the near darkness. "Should I go to the ER?"

"Too many questions." Tara shook her head.

Prue and Piper both nodded, knowing all too well the types of questions demon slashes would spawn.

"I’m pretty good with butterfly bandages," Piper offered. "And if you can not move around too much, Leo can help you when he gets back in a few days."

"We even have some pain pills laying around," Prue added. She studied the young woman and wondered why she would know the name of the demon in the street. She realized the young blonde was more than she appeared.

Tara gave Prue a weak smile. "Thank you."

"Is there anyone we should call?" Prue asked.

"No." Tara swallowed hard and looked out the window.

Prue nodded as she watched the bright-eyed blonde loose her spark.

"Something’s wrong," Willow insisted. She grabbed Buffy and pulled her to a stop. "Tara’s in trouble."

"Willow, I know you’re worried, but you need to calm down." Buffy looked into her best friend’s eyes. Willow’s green eyes were rimmed in red from hours of crying.

Willow wrapped her arms around her body. "What if something happened to her?" she asked in a tiny voice.

"Try not to think about her," Buffy said. She cringed. "Okay, so that is like the most impossible advice anyone has every given." The Slayer took a deep breath. "Will, she’ll either come back or she won’t. No matter how much you worry, it’s not gonna’ change anything."

"I love her so much." Willow swiped at her cheek as tears began to fall again.

"Hey, she loves you." Buffy cupped Willow’s chin in her hand and locked eyes with her. "You are the love of her life. Anyone who has ever seen you two together knows that. Heck, you’re her first love too. Tara just doesn’t have it in her to give up on love."

"No, I’m not." Willow pulled away.

Buffy’s eyes widened. She had been convinced that Willow was Tara’s first and only lover. "Who?" she asked after a few moments.

"Not really wanting to talk about Tara’s first love right now, okay?" Willow tried to joke, but her heart wasn’t in it. "It was a long time ago, before she moved to Sunnydale."

"Was it… a woman?" Buffy knew she should shut up, but her curiosity was nagging at the back of her mind.

Willow nodded.

Buffy bit her lip and nodded toward the coffeehouse. "Mocha?"

Willow nodded and followed Buffy inside, trying not to think about the fact that Tara was perfectly capable of falling for someone else. She felt a shiver run down her back but she pushed it away. She trusted Tara.

"Ouch." Tara winced as Piper helped her up the stairs.

"Sorry." Piper nodded toward the first door at the top of the staircase. "Right there. My other sister’s outa’ town. You can have her bed."

"T-thank you."

"Stop saying that," Prue said as she peeked out of the bathroom and then hurried toward Tara. "Us demon fighters have to stick together."

"F-fighter? I n-never mentioned fighting." Tara’s eyes broadcast her fear.

"I’m kidding," Prue said gently.

Tara seemed to relax slightly, letting more of her weight rest on Piper’s shoulder.

"Come on," Piper said as she pushed open the door. She settled Tara onto the queen sized bed and then frowned. "This shirt has to go."

Tara opened her mouth to respond, but then bit her lip, suddenly shy in the bright lighting of the room.

"How about I help with that?" Prue offered. "I mean, I pretty much saw you in the car." She winked at Tara playfully.

"You gonna’ do those butterfly bandages?" Piper pointed out as she tugged at the blood soaked fabric.

"Um…" Prue looked at the door for an escape.

"It’s okay," Tara whispered. She sighed. "S-sure, I’ll just strip in front of the two models and won’t… won’t b-be nervous," she whispered.

"Models?" Piper asked as she helped Tara unbutton her blouse.

"W-well, look at you two."

"Hey, she thinks I’m a model." Prue beamed brightly.

"Yeah, well, miss model, run back to the bathroom and get me the disinfectant." Piper studied the angry slices across Tara’s side.

Prue gave a mock salute and hurried out the door.

Piper carefully dabbed at the wound, wincing in sympathy whenever Tara flinched.

Prue checked the bathroom but the supplies she needed weren’t there so she ran downstairs to the kitchen. It served as the backup first aid area for the Halliwells.

"Aha," Prue said when she found the bottle she needed.

"Aha what?" Phoebe asked as she walked in the back door.

Prue screamed and jumped to her feet. "Phoebe! You scared the hell outa’ me." She glared at her youngest sister. "Why aren’t you in Monterey?"

"Welcome home," Phoebe said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "I missed you and I’m so glad you got home safely since the entire coastline is closed for that horrible accident."

"Oh," Prue said contritely. "Welcome home." She gave her sister a quick hug.

"Piper okay?" Phoebe pointed at the disinfectant in Prue’s hand. "Demon’s get nasty while I was gone?"

"Oh…since you brought it up…Piper’s fine…but…" Prue cringed and backed away from Phoebe. "Um…we sorta’ gave away your bed for a few days."

"What?" Phoebe rolled her eyes. "No. I just spent half the day sitting in traffic. All I want is a hot bath and my warm bed."

"I should get this upstairs." Prue bit her lip.

"So? Is Goldielocks upstairs?"

"Did you have a premonition?" Prue asked, shocked.

"No, but since we are the three Charmed ones… three witches, I’m thinking Goldielocks musta’ dumped the three bears and showed up here." Phoebe furrowed her brow. "The real Goldielocks isn’t upstairs, is she?"

"There is no Goldielocks," Prue pointed out. "At least… I don’t think there is…"

"Who is in my bed?" Phoebe demanded with a stomp of her foot.

"A witch. She’s really very nice." Prue backed out of the kitchen. "We interrupted some nasty demon trying to make mincemeat outa’ her, and well, we couldn’t very well take her to the ER."

"Again, still not explaining why she’s in my bed."

"She’s new in town." Prue turned and trotted up the stairs.

"You know, she could be a demon." Phoebe followed Prue but stopped at the bottom of the stairs. "Did you think of that? Hello? Trap?"

"She’s very sweet." Prue stopped in front of the bedroom door. "Be nice."

"Sure, she gets my bed and I get… what, the couch?"

"Phoebe…"

"Okay, I’ll play nice," Phoebe said as she sighed and took the steps as slowly as humanly possible.

Prue nodded and went into the room. She frowned when she saw that Tara was already under the covers and seemed to be feeling worse.

"What happened?" Prue whispered.

"She started bleeding again while I was cleaning the wound." Piper looked into Prue’s eyes. "She’s really hurting. Did you get the pain pills?"

"I’ll be okay," Tara whispered without opening her eyes. She groaned as she tried to sit up. A thin sheen of sweat cemented her bangs to her forehead.

"I wish Leo was here," Piper whispered.

"Hello?" Phoebe leaned into the room. She looked at the distressed woman on the bed and her eyes widened. She stepped closer and her face went pale. "Boo?"

Tara’s eyes flickered open. She looked at Phoebe and tilted her head to one side. "Thumper?"

"What happened? " Phoebe sprinted to the bed, nearly knocking Piper to the floor. "Oh, god, Boo. What? How?" She ran her hands through Tara’s hair and then leaned down and pressed her lips to Tara’s forehead in a lingering kiss. "Are you okay?" She left several more kisses on Tara’s forehead, closing her eyes as she pressed her lips against the overheated skin. She opened her eyes and leaned back.

"Thumper?" Prue asked. Her jaw dropped as she watched her sister interacting with Tara.

"Boo?" Piper had a shocked expression and looked like she was about to faint.

"Y-your last name is…Halliwell?" Tara looked up at Prue.

"Yeah." Prue nodded. "And I am waiting for an explanation." She waved her hand at the Phoebe.

"Um, yeah," Phoebe smiled and then took Tara’s hand. "I kinda’ know Boo…I mean, Tara."

"I’m thinking we already got that much," Piper said sarcastically.

"What are you doing in San Francisco?" Tara asked as she looked up at Phoebe.

"Me?" Phoebe laughed. "What about you? And why were you fighting a demon?"

"Hello? Waiting for an explanation over here." Prue stomped her foot.

"Oh." Phoebe gave Tara a rakish grin and then looked over at Prue. "Tara and I used to…date."

"Date?" Prue didn’t look convinced. "Thumper?"

Phoebe blushed bright red.

"In New York," Tara added helpfully.

"Well, Phoebe’s just full of surprises," Piper said. She raised her eyebrows and then leered at her sister. "Dated?"

"Lived together," Phoebe clarified.

Prue and Piper’s jaws dropped in unison.

"For s-six months," Tara added.

Prue and Piper stared at Phoebe as if she had just grown three heads.

"What?" Phoebe demanded.

"Why are we just hearing about this?" Piper demanded. "This is huge."

"Yeah, huge," Prue agreed.

"It was private," Phoebe said quietly. She smiled down at Tara and caressed her cheek. "Are you okay?"

Tara nodded. She felt like she had just been sucker punched, but it had nothing to do with her wound.

"I thought you were in New York?" Phoebe lifted the blanket as she spoke. "Oh, that’s nasty." She couldn’t see the wound, but the large red stain seeping through the huge cotton padding spoke to the size of the injury.

"I moved." Tara shrugged.

"Um, Prue," Piper said as she moved toward her older sister. She nodded at the door.

"Oh, yeah," Prue said as she caught the clue Piper tossed at her. "We should let you two talk."

"Privately," Piper said pointedly.

Phoebe nodded without turning. She smiled at Tara and remembered the short but intense relationship she had shared with the beautiful blonde.

"Thank you," Tara said to the two retreating sisters.

"Stop saying that," Prue said as she closed the door.

Tara stared at the closed door. The silence in the room was tangible.

"How have you been, Tara?" Phoebe asked quietly.

"I’ve b-been better," Tara admitted.

"Does it hurt?" Phoebe continued staring at the growing red stain on Tara’s ribcage.

"That doesn’t." Tara closed her eyes and sighed.

"Tara?" Phoebe tossed the blankets over Tara’s chest and looked into her blue eyes. "Hey, what is it?"

Tara shook her head and tears ran down her cheeks.

"What’s her name?" Phoebe asked.

Tara laughed and then sniffled loudly.

"Well?" Phoebe grabbed a box of tissue from the nightstand and gave it to Tara. "Name?"

"Willow," Tara said in strangled sob.

"You love her?"

Tara nodded as she blew her nose. She cringed as the simple action sent flames across her ribs.

"Did she dump you?" Phoebe took the used tissue and tossed it into the wastebasket next to the bed.

"I broke up with her," Tara whispered. She looked into Phoebe’s eyes and fresh tears came in a torrent. "Thumper…"

"Com’ere." Phoebe took Tara in her arms and held her as sobs racked her frame. "Shh." Phoebe kissed the top of Tara’s head. She held the blonde for several minutes until the sobs slowed. "Did she cheat on you?"

"Never," Tara said into Phoebe’s chest. "W-willow would never cheat."

Phoebe nodded, taking Tara at her word.

"She d-didn’t trust me," Tara said between gulps of air as the sobbing started again.

"Oh, Boo," Phoebe said as she rocked Tara. "How could anyone not trust you?"

"Phoebe?" Tara said sharply. "That really hurts."

"Sorry." Phoebe stopped rocking.

Tara nodded.

"I should let you sleep," Phoebe said as she started to pull away.

"Don’t go," Tara whispered. "Please?"

"I’m here as long as ya’ want me," Phoebe promised.

Tara nodded. She clung to Phoebe, thinking about how she had always felt safe with the brunette. She inhaled deeply and noticed that Phoebe’s once familiar scent of jasmine was now foreign. Willow always had a hint of sandalwood or sage from casting spells. Tara thought about Willow and wondered what she was doing. She wished it was Willow she was holding, and that brought a fresh wave of tears.

CHAPTER THREE

Piper finished her third cup of coffee and looked over at Prue.

"Who is this Tara?" Piper blew her bangs out of her eyes. "She just waltzes into town, fights with a demon, which doesn’t even faze her by the way, then shows up here and has Phoebe going gaga."

"At least Phoebe isn’t thinking about Cole." Prue smirked. "I’d rather have her date some hot blonde then chase that damn demon assassin."

"Hot or not, that woman up there seems to know way too much. We invited her into our home and she just happens to know Phoebe?"

"Yeah, she knows her all right." Prue smirked.

"This isn’t funny," Piper said.

Prue pulled Piper up from her chair and headed towards the stairs. "Come on." She led Piper past Phoebe’s door and up toward the attic.

"Why are we going up here?" Piper followed along, pausing to look back at Phoebe’s bedroom door. "Wow, Phoebe and a woman. Who knew?"

"I certainly didn’t," Prue said as she led Piper into the attic and went directly for the Book of Shadows.

"And she’s a witch." Piper watched as Prue flipped through the back of the magical book. "Whatca’ lookin’ for?"

"Tara called that thing a Tec’lor demon." Prue frowned as she continued reading.

"She knew its name?" Piper’s eyes narrowed. "Who the hell is she?"

"Here it is." Prue pointed at the page.

"That’s him all-righty." Piper scowled at the drawing of the tall, muscular, hairy demon with razor sharp claws. "Uh oh. Not good." Piper pointed to a notation at the bottom of the page.

"Venom?" Prue frowned. "This demon has venom on his claws?" She looked back toward the door. "And of course there’s no mention of how to counteract said venom."

"Maybe Tara knows," Piper suggested. "I mean, she does seem to know an awful lot about demons."

"Let’s go find out." Piper closed the book and headed back down stairs. "I have a few questions of my own."

"It’s still bleeding." Phoebe pressed her hand to the wound on Tara’s side.

"I’m cold." Tara shivered and closed her eyes. She was sleepy, and holding her eyes open seemed to take more strength than she had. "So cold," she mumbled as she drifted into a fitful sleep.

"Damn you, Boo," Phoebe whispered. She snuggled down next to the blonde to try to warm her. Phoebe had her hand draped over Tara’s chest to keep pressure on the wounds. "Why now?" Phoebe asked in hushed tones. She sighed and rested her cheek next to Tara’s shoulder and studied the beautiful woman.

So much time had passed, but Tara was as stunning as ever. Phoebe smiled as she remembered the nights in their dank, tiny apartment in New York. She sighed as she thought about the mornings when they would cuddle to ward off the cold chill in the air. Their radiator was usually broken, so by morning their window would have a layer of frost on the outside and the room would feel like a meat locker, but it hadn’t mattered. There was plenty of warmth in their bed.

"Oh, Boo." Phoebe leaned over and kissed Tara’s forehead. "I was such a fool." She remembered their breakup, how she had been the one to leave Tara. Phoebe had been terrified of the deep feelings Tara brought out in her, so she broke it off. Phoebe had known she wasn’t ready to settle down, she was still too wild and hurt and scattered, but Tara had almost gotten through to her. "I’ve missed you." Phoebe rubbed her cheek against Tara’s shoulder.

"Feels nice," Tara murmured in her sleep.

Phoebe smiled and snuggled closer, but she tilted her head so she could look at Tara’s delicate features. "So beautiful," she whispered.

"Love you," Tara whimpered as she brought her arm around Phoebe’s back. "Love you, my Willow."

Phoebe closed her eyes and felt a tear roll down her cheek. She had ruined her chance with Tara, and she knew it. She watched as emotions crossed Tara’s expressive face. Tara had always been so easy to read and that much hadn’t changed. Phoebe knew the blonde was dreaming about someone she loved dearly.

"I hope Willow is smart enough to hold onto you," Phoebe whispered. She wondered what Willow was like, and then, for a brief instant she wondered if Tara finding her way to the Charmed ones was some divine signal. Maybe she and Tara were being given another chance. She smiled as she remembered the way Tara used to look at her with incredible devotion and love.

Prue eased the door open and gasped when she saw the look of adoration on Phoebe’s face as she watched the blonde witch sleep. She swallowed hard and looked over at Piper.

Piper stared at the silent scene, shocked.

"Hey," Phoebe whispered when she noticed her sisters. She tilted her head toward the newcomers but left her arm draped over Tara’s chest under the blankets.

"How is she?" Prue whispered.

"I’m worried." Phoebe sat up and climbed out from under the blankets. She checked Tara’s wound, relieved when she saw that the bleeding had stopped, and then got out of the bed. "She’s cold. I think she’s in shock. Maybe we should risk going to the ER."

"It won’t help," Piper whispered.

Phoebe’s eyes narrowed and she motioned for her sisters to go into the hall.

"What do you mean, it won’t help?" Phoebe demanded in a harsh whisper as soon as she closed the door.

"The Tec’lor demon." Prue nodded toward the bedroom door. "It had venom on its claws."

"Venom?" Phoebe’s eyes looked panicked. "What does it do? How do we treat it?"

"The Book of Shadows said it would keep bleeding and cause an infection," Piper explained. "It’ll get worse until…"

Phoebe shivered. "How do we treat it?"

"The Book didn’t say," Prue admitted.

"We need Leo," Phoebe said as she looked over at Piper. "You have to be able to reach him."

"He’s out of contact," Piper said with a shake of her head.

"Leo," Phoebe whispered as she looked up toward the ceiling. "Damn it, Leo. Get your angel ass down here."

"What kind of angel is he anyway," Prue said angrily. "How can he guard us if he isn’t available?"

"Our calls don’t go through when he’s meeting with the guys upstairs," Piper explained.

"So we’re on the holy hold?" Phoebe demanded. "And we don’t even get angelic muzak? What if one us had gotten carved up tonight?"

"Well, if one of us was injured, Leo would feel it," Piper said casually. "It’s not like he’d leave us in danger."

Phoebe raised her eyebrows and then took a deep breath. "He feels our pain?" She went over to the railing and stuck her arm between the rails.

Prue took a step forward. "Phoebe? What are you-"

Phoebe grabbed her arm yanked it as hard as she could. Her legs buckled when she felt and heard a sickening crunch of her arm breaking. "Ow…"

"What the hell are you doing?" Piper yelled.

"Oh, Leo?" Phoebe said as she cradled her broken arm.

"You’re insane," Prue said and wrapped her arm around Phoebe. "Sit."

"Good idea," Phoebe agreed as her legs gave out.

A shimmering cluster of green orbs appeared and the sisters watched as the spheres rotated and then came together. Leo stood in front of them with a worried expression. As their White Lighter his role as their guardian angel was more than a job, it was his life.

"What happened?" he asked as he hurried toward Phoebe. "I felt… your arm."

"Phoebe needed your attention and thought breaking her arm was the best plan of action," Prue said furiously.

"Well, it worked, didn’t it?" Phoebe said defensively. "Though if you got a divine pager it would save some wear and tear on me." She nodded at her swollen arm.

"This isn’t funny," Leo said. He reached out and put his hands over Phoebe’s arm and a golden glow covered the damaged area. "You can’t hurt yourself like this."

"Well, since you’re here anyway," Phoebe said as she moved her fully healed arm. "Get your butt in here and take care of the real emergency."

"What real emergency?" Leo looked up toward the ceiling. "You know, they aren’t gonna’ be too happy when they find out the Charmed ones are snapping bones to get my attention."

"Leo, lecture later, honey." Piper pulled him toward Phoebe’s room. "We saved an innocent, and she’s got some nasty cuts and venom. You have to heal her."

Leo sighed and followed Piper into the room. He saw Tara and his eyes widened. "Oh, no. Not her." He spun and looked around the room and his eyes stopped near the window. He chattered and made clicking sounds and waved his arms angrily.

"Whoa," Piper stared at the window where Leo was directing his clicking sounds. "Angel speak? Is there another White Lighter here?" she demanded.

"Whiter Lighter?" Phoebe scanned the room.

"Where?" Prue looked at the window and then back at Leo who was angrily pointing at Tara as he continued his clicking chatter. It was the same strange language they had seen him use when he spoke to other White Lighters, and the fact that he seemed so angry alarmed Prue. "What’s going on?"

Leo paused and looked over at Phoebe. "Are you seeing her again?" he asked angrily.

"Again?" Phoebe blushed. "You watched me and Tara in New York?"

"No!" Leo sighed. "Not really." He looked toward the window and chattered angrily. It sounded like a dolphin squeaking while using castanets. He looked back at Phoebe. "I really can’t interfere."

"Does Tara have a White Lighter?" Phoebe demanded. "Yo, angel boy…show yourself."

"It doesn’t work that way," Leo said gently.

"Show yourself, we know you’re here," Prue said as she rested both hands on her hips.

A swirl of blue spheres scattered and then formed and a woman in her thirties appeared in front of Phoebe.

"You ruined everything," the woman said as she glared at Piper.

"Me?" Piper looked over at Tara. "By… saving her?"

"By running out of gas." The new White Lighter glared at Leo. "If they hadn’t run out of gas, they never would have been involved and these two wouldn’t have come into contact!" She pointed at Phoebe and then Tara before turning back toward Piper. "That demon saw you run out of gas and was waiting to ambush you. Your stupidity put my charge in harm’s way."

"Piper’s not stupid," Leo said angrily.

"Hello? Yo, bickering angels?" Phoebe grabbed Leo and shoved him toward Tara. "Help her."

"I can’t," he said as he looked at the other angel. "She has her own White Lighter. I can’t interfere."

"Then help her," Phoebe said to the woman.

"I can’t."

"Tasha," Leo said as he stepped closer to the woman.

Tasha threw up her hands and began clicking at Leo in the language of White Lighters.

Leo answered and they continued arguing in harsh clicking noises.

"The Light Lady," Tara whispered as she fought to wake up. "She’s angry."

Leo and Tasha froze and spun to face Tara.

"She can understand us?" Leo glared at Tasha. "And she sees you?"

"Not since she was child," Tasha explained. "I’ve changed my light structure so she can’t see me anymore."

"They’re not supposed to see us in our light form," Leo pointed out. He looked at Tara. "Is she… oh, no." His slapped his own forehead and glared at Tasha. "The Pure Heart?"

Tasha nodded.

"Hello?" Phoebe went to Tasha and grabbed her. "If you’re her White Lighter, help her."

"Willow?" Tara mumbled and rolled her head to the side.

"We can’t interfere." Tasha went to Tara and waved her hand over the blonde’s head and Tara drifted into a deeper sleep.

"Leo?" Phoebe looked at him and her eyes watered.

"At least heal her," Leo pleaded as he took Tasha’s arm.

"And set these events into motion?" Tasha laughed. "Hell no." She looked over at the three sisters and shook her head. "And I do mean hell."

"Leo?" Piper asked.

"We’ll deal with those events." Leo stared at Tasha. "Help her, or I will."

"You wouldn’t dare." Tasha looked into his eyes and shook her head. "I hope you know what you’re doing." She walked over to Tara and sighed. "Listen to your heart, little one." She pulled back the blankets and pressed her hands to the bloody bandages. Her hands glowed and the blood disappeared. She frowned and looked at Leo. "The wound is sealed but I can’t fight the venom. It’s a Tec’lor demon."

Leo nodded.

"What?" Phoebe demanded,

"A Tec’lor demon is very high ranking, right below a demigod. We can’t counteract his poison." Leo looked at Tara. "But there are spells, spells that could produce an anti-venom. Untreated, the venom kills in three to four days."

"I have to go report in," Tasha said. "They aren’t gonna’ be happy about this upstairs." She disappeared in a flash of blue spheres.

"Okay, so how come Tara’s guardian angel seemed so willing to let her die?" Prue stepped in front of Leo. "And why does Tara even have a White Lighter?"

"How come you know about Tara," Phoebe said. "And why do you seem less than thrilled to see her?"

"I have to go," Leo said as he looked toward the ceiling. "They are really angry."

"No," Piper grabbed his arm. "You are not leaving us in the middle of-"

Leo shrugged and gave her an apologetic smile as his body shimmered and then disappeared in a swirl of green spheres.

"Now what?" Prue asked angrily.

"We need the anti-venom," Phoebe said as she went to the bed. She sat and pulled the covers back and took off the bandages. The ragged slices were sealed but four angry and swollen scars were in their place. Usually when a White Lighter healed an injury, no visible mark was left. She rested her hand on the scar and Tara moaned.

"Ouch." Tara opened her eyes.

"It’s hot," Phoebe said to Piper and Prue.

"Did I pass out?" Tara looked at the three witches. "What?" She looked down at the scars and then back at Phoebe. "How long was I sleeping?"

Phoebe smirked and coughed to cover a giggle.

"D-did you heal me?" Tara looked up at Phoebe. "You have powers, like them?"

"I didn’t heal you." Phoebe shook her head. "But, yeah, I have powers. Funny, huh? All that time you were setting up little altars in our apartment, and I never knew I was a witch too."

"Wait." Tara sat up and studied the three sisters and then pointed at Prue. "Prue, you’re the oldest, and you have telekinetic powers." She pointed at Piper. "You can freeze time."

Both sisters nodded.

"And Phoebe, the youngest." Tara took a deep breath and sighed. "Do you get premonitions?"

Phoebe nodded.

"The Charmed ones," Tara said, her voice full of wonder.

"How do you know about the Charmed ones?" Prue asked as she went to the bed and sat near Tara’s feet.

"I’ve read a lot about witchcraft and magic." Tara smiled as Piper stepped behind Phoebe and rested her hand on the youngest sister’s shoulder. "You guys are like legends."

"The demon that hurt you, it was a Tec’lor demon," Piper said. "What do you know about it?"

"I saw a drawing of it in Mister Gil-" Tara stopped midsentence and looked down the blanket. Thinking of Giles reminded her of research, digging through piles of books with Willow at her side. "I’ve s-seen drawings of it."

"It had venom," Phoebe said gently. She took Tara’s hand. "We can’t counteract it without having the right spell."

"But you’re the Charmed ones," Tara said slowly. "You should like have all the spells."

"Um, sorry." Prue smirked. "We may have the power of three, but our library is a little lacking."

"Tara, what are you doing messing with demons?" Phoebe asked. "Boo, please. We need to know if we’re gonna’ help."

"I c-can’t tell," Tara said. "It’s a s-secret." She looked into Phoebe’s eyes and smiled sadly. "I trust you, Thumper, but it’s n-not my secret."

"Okay, what is with this whole ‘Thumper’ thing?" Piper demanded. "And please, for god’s sake… please don’t tell me it’s some weird sex name."

"No!" Tara said with a giggle.

"Piper!" Phoebe glared at her sister.

"Well…" Piper crossed her arms over her chest. "What am I supposed to think? Thump…thump…thump."

Tara giggled and blushed.

"It’s very innocent," Phoebe insisted. "Thumper, you know in the Bambi cartoon?"

"The bunny?" Prue asked with a wicked grin. "So… bunnies… and I am getting an image here and it’s not so wholesome. You know what bunnies are known for."

"I c-call her Thumper because she’s so f-friendly and outgoing," Tara said as she squeezed Phoebe’s hand. "Though now that you mention it…it would work in other areas."

"Boo!" Phoebe spun and stared at Tara.

"Yeah, and what’s up with that name?" Prue asked.

"Well, Tara is quite shy," Phoebe said with an evil grin of her own. She looked back and saw that Tara was indeed blushing so she continued. "I used to tell her that she was so shy she’d faint if someone said ‘boo,’ and it kinda’ stuck."

"My version was so much more interesting," Piper said with a leer.

"Not to break the whole happy mood, but we need to find out about these books Tara looked at." Prue smiled sweetly. "I mean…Boo."

Tara rolled her eyes.

"We need to find out more," Phoebe said sincerely.

"I h-have access to books. Well, I used to have access to them." Tara squeezed her eyes shut and tears slid down each cheek. "I don’t think I c-can ask them."

Prue looked at Phoebe and raised an eyebrow.

"Boo, why not?" Phoebe squeezed Tara’s hand. "This is your life here."

"I’d rather take my c-chances than go back right now."

"Is this about Willow?" Phoebe asked gently.

Piper looked over at Prue. She mouthed, ‘Willow?’

Prue shrugged.

"I can’t," Tara said. "I left them all behind."

"Why do they have so many books on witches and demons?" Piper asked.

"The council keeps records," Tara said without thinking.

"Who?" Phoebe asked.

"The council," Tara said with a sigh. "They keep records on lots of s-stuff."

"Maybe I could call them and ask?" Prue suggested.

"No!" Tara sat up and leaned forward. "The c-council, they c-can’t be trusted." She shook her head. "They’d love to get their hands on the C-charmed ones."

"Okay, that sounds down right scary in a Darth-Vader-kidnap-the-princess kinda’ way," Phoebe said as she leaned closer to Tara. "Care to tell me why you’re hanging out with the Empire?"

"I’m n-not," Tara assured her. "But… we had their records."

"So why can’t we see the records you had?" Piper asked.

Tara sighed and flopped onto her back.

"Tara just went through a painful break up," Phoebe said. "I don’t think us contacting these guys would be the best thing for her right now."

"And dying a slow and painful death would be?" Prue asked pointedly.

"Dying?" Tara looked up at Prue.

"That’s what this venom does." Prue stepped closer.

"Oh," Tara said quietly.

"So? Do you want me to call?" Prue asked. "I’m good at getting information over the phone. I’ve worked at a newspaper."

"As a photographer," Phoebe pointed out.

"Hey, I can do this," Prue said defensively.

"Maybe I should," Phoebe said quietly. "I mean, Tara and I…"

"No!" Tara sat up. She gave Phoebe a pleading look. "Let Prue."

"Okay, cool!" Prue said. "I get to do the investigative journalist thing."

"Some investigator." Piper giggled. "She’s giving you the phone number, and the name of the person with the information. Face it, Prue, you’re a secretary."

"It’s late, can you c-call in the morning?" Tara asked. She was hoping that after a good night’s sleep she wouldn’t even have to call Giles. She knew if she contacted him, Willow would find out. It wasn’t like any of the Scoobies were loyal to Tara. She sighed as she remembered that all of the ‘gang’ had lied to her about the dangerous spell. No, they had no loyalties to her at all.

CHAPTER FOUR

Anya stood behind the counter at the magic shop and stared across the room at Willow. The redheaded witch was siting at the research table staring at one of the ancient texts without really seeming to see it all.

"Xander, make her stop," Anya whispered to her boyfriend.

"Stop what?" he asked as he looked over from restocking the candle shelf.

"She’s being all… depressed and it’s…depressing." Anya waved her hand toward Willow. "She’s gonna’ start crying again. I don’t like crying. There’re too many tears."

"Crying tends to cause tears," Xander said as he went over to Anya. "As for the depressing part? Well, she’s… depressed."

"Make her stop," Anya whispered. "All that pain and sadness just whizzing around… next thing you know this place is gonna’ be swarming with vengeance demons."

"Why?"

"They can feel a broken heart a thousand miles away," Anya said sagely. "And we really don’t want any reality shifts now do we?"

"Reality shifts?" Giles came out of the storeroom. "Did I miss something?"

"Just Willow sending out depressed weepy vibes to all the vengeance demons," Anya said. "Make her stop."

"I dare say there’s only one person who can stop Willow’s pain," Giles said sadly. "And I don’t foresee that happening anytime soon."

"How could Tara do this to her?" Xander demanded. "How dare she hurt her."

"Willow lied to her," Anya pointed out. "If I were a vengeance demon, it’s Tara who’d be getting my calling card."

"She only lied to protect her," Xander said defensively.

"Oh, yes, and that makes it feel so much better," Anya retorted. "That and the fact that Willow dragged the rest of us into her little witchy web of lies. Now, I’m a liar. I’m a liar and it’s all Willow’s fault."

"I’m sure Willow is suffering quite enough without us pointing out the error of her ways." Giles looked over at Willow. She hadn’t moved and there were speckles on her silk blouse from tears splashing the fabric.

The door opened and Buffy came in.

"Hey, guys." Buffy smiled halfheartedly at Giles and the others before looking across the room at Willow. "Still no change?"

"No," Giles said grimly.

"At least there aren’t any vengeance demons here yet," Anya offered.

"That’s… good," Buffy said slowly.

"Very," Anya agreed.

The phone rang and Anya smiled brightly.

"Magic Box," Anya said into the phone. "How may I help you with your magical purchases?" She frowned and shoved the phone at Giles. "It’s for you."

"Oh." Giles took the phone and cleared his throat.

"No personal phone calls," Anya warned.

"Yes, this is Rupert Giles." Giles squinted as he listened to the young woman on the phone who seemed to be babbling as badly as Willow.

"Hey, Buffy," Willow said as she walked up to the counter. She smiled, but it never reached her eyes.

"How you holding up?"

"Still breathing," Willow said. "Though I’m not sure that’s really a good thing."

"Don’t even joke about that." Buffy frowned and took Willow by both arms.

"Who are you?" Giles asked. "And why exactly do you need the Zanary demon codex?"

Buffy and Willow both spun at the mention of demons. Anya looked over at Giles and smiled. She knew how expensive the ancient codex was. If Giles was willing to sell one, she could ask for a raise.

"I can’t part with that text for any price," Giles said.

"There goes my raise," Anya said as she slapped Xander’s arm.

"Ouch," Xander said as he tried to listen to Giles’ conversation.

"Miss? I’m not sure you know what it is you’re dealing with." Giles took off his glasses and put them on the counter. "Who gave you my number?"

Buffy edged closer. She wondered if someone was messing with the dark forces.

"Tara?" Giles whispered. "But…" He looked over and saw Willow’s face turn as white as flour.

"What about Tara?" Willow whispered.

"Perhaps you should start from the beginning," Giles suggested. He covered the phone and looked at Anya. "Get the Zanary demon codex."

"You can’t just hand out that information for free," Anya grumbled as she went to the private collection of books. "At least set up a 900 number."

"Tec’lor demon?" Giles nodded. "They are dangerous. You must avoid the claws at all costs. They can be…" Giles swallowed hard. "Who?" He looked across the room at Anya. "Bloody hell, Anya. Hurry up!"

"Buffy?" Willow was in panic mode.

"How long ago?" Giles asked into the phone. "No. Absolutely not."

"Here’s the damn book," Anya said as she carried it to the counter. "And don’t yell at me." She slammed the book down, rattling the glass countertop.

"What symptoms have manifested so far?" Giles grabbed the book and began flipping through the pages as he balanced the phone on his shoulder.

"Giles?" Buffy asked as she wrapped her arm around Willow.

"I see." Giles looked at one of the pages and then began flipping further back. "What kind of healing spell? No, damn it. That just seals in the toxins."

"Is Tara hurt?" Willow asked.

"Come on, Willow. Just because Tara had someone call doesn’t mean she’s hurt." Buffy gave Willow a gentle squeeze. "Maybe she gave some Wicca chick the number?"

"Giles?" Willow asked hopefully.

"Where are you? I should be there." Giles sighed. "Look, miss, this is a complex ritual and I really think it would be best…" Giles ran his hand over his face and scowled. "Damn it. I care for her like she’s one of my own children," he whispered into the phone.

"Tara," Willow whispered as her legs buckled. "No."

"Giles, we could use some info right about now." Buffy held Willow up and pulled her to the counter where she could balance against the cool glass.

"Please," Giles pleaded. He closed his eyes and then slowly opened them and looked down at the codex. "I don’t think you’ll be able to get most of these ingredients. You should let me…" Giles stopped and listened. "All right." He cleared his throat and began carefully reading the list of ingredients.

"Tara’s hurt, isn’t she?" Buffy asked as she balanced Willow against her side.

Willow leaned against Buffy, too terrified to speak. Tears ran down her cheeks and her entire body shook.

Giles finished listing the ingredients and then began describing the ritual. He paused and cleared his throat. "There is a rather complex sand drawing. Do you have a fax machine?"

"Boy, we sure coulda’ used fax machines back in my demon days," Anya said as she got a faraway look on her face. "We coulda’ faxed pictures of our intended victims. There’s nothing quite so embarrassing as disemboweling the wrong boyfriend."

Giles wrote down the number and nodded. "All right. I’ll fax it straight away." He hung up the phone and looked over at Willow. "Get on that infernal computer of yours and trace this fax number."

"What’s wrong with Tara?" Willow asked.

"Trace the bloody number!" Giles said as he shoved the paper at Willow. She took the paper and began to sob.

"Giles, we need to know what’s going on," Buffy said gently.

"That young woman wouldn’t tell me her name," Giles said as he waved at the phone. "Apparently Tara was attacked by a Tec’lor demon."

"Ew, their venom is nasty," Anya said clinically. "That’ll rot the flesh right off your bones."

"Anya, honey," Xander said. "This is not helping."

Anya sighed and rolled her eyes.

"This is where Tara is?" Willow looked down at the fax number.

"Yes, the woman said she had a fax machine and would wait for the scan." Giles looked over at Buffy. "While Willow um… appropriates the phone records, perhaps you could gather these magical items with Anya."

"Right." Buffy leaned over the counter and looked at the list. "I’ll do the shopping while Willow plays hacker. Works for me."

"Are they paying for this stuff?" Anya asked.

"Of course not," Giles said as he went to the storeroom.

"Yes, because Tara’s like a daughter to him," Anya whined. "I’m just the help."

"I’ll need that book for a moment, and the fax number." Giles hurried back out of the storeroom. "I really should send them the information straight away. Tara’s life could depend…" He looked over at the computer and saw Willow’s eyes fill with fear. "The young woman sounded quite competent."

"What if this woman doesn’t even know Tara?" Anya asked. "Maybe she’s a demon and she’s just pretending so she can do something evil." Anya crossed her arms over her chest. "Demon’s are tricky. They could have already killed-"

"Shut up!" Willow stood and glared at Anya. "Will you just stop letting words fall out of your mouth!"

"Anya, maybe you could help Buffy get the magic stuff?" Xander pulled Anya away from Willow. "She’s hurting enough as it is without thinking about… well… thinking about that stuff."

"She could be dead, Xander," Anya whispered. "Even if a demon doesn’t have her… the venom of a Tec’lor demon is usually fatal."

Buffy grabbed a bag of horehound root and tossed it onto the pile of items on the counter. She looked over at Willow and sighed. The redhead was back on the computer hacking into the main index of phone numbers. She hoped her friend found the information they needed to find Tara.

"I feel much better," Tara said as she sat at the kitchen table.

"You’re white as a sheet," Phoebe accused. "Now until Prue gets back with that list of stuff, you are gonna’ take it easy." She rested both hands on Tara’s shoulders and leaned down next to her ear. "Just humor me, Boo."

"Okay, but I’m not going back to bed." Tara smiled indulgently and nodded. "I can help prepare for the ritual."

Piper watched from the stove. She had never seen Phoebe so open with her affection before and it was refreshing. Piper looked down at the eggs and added some fresh garlic to the omelet. "Tara? You like mushrooms?"

"Oh, yes," Tara said with a smile. "I c-could help."

"Sit," Piper ordered. "You don’t want to incur the wrath of Phoebe."

"Phoebe doesn’t scare me." Tara giggled.

"I can do scary." Phoebe let out a disgruntled grumble.

"She can," Piper agreed. "Trust me."

A soon as she heard the word ‘trust,’ Tara’s smile disappeared. The image of Willow’s tearstained cheeks filled her mind. She wondered for the thousandth time if she had done the right thing by leaving. Willow didn’t trust her, but Tara wondered if leaving had violated her own promises to Willow.

"Hey?" Phoebe gave Tara’s hand a loving squeeze.

"Sorry." Tara looked at the window over the sink. "Just thinking."

"About what?" Piper put the omelets onto three plates and brought them to the table.

"Things," Tara answered.

"We’re pretty good with advice about broken hearts," Phoebe said quietly.

Tara looked over at Piper. Her deep brown eyes were full of genuine concern. She glanced back at Phoebe and saw what she always saw when she looked at Phoebe, acceptance and trust.

"Her name is Willow," Tara said as she began explaining the situation in as much detail as she could without revealing Buffy’s identity as the Slayer.

Phoebe and Piper listened as Tara told the story in fits and starts, stopping to wipe away tears or to blow her nose. Occasionally one of the sisters would ask a logistical question about Glory and her status as a goddess or why exactly Tara and her friends were fighting such dangerous beings.

The conversation took over an hour. When Tara was finished, Piper and Phoebe had finished their omelets, though Tara’s was mostly untouched. Her appetite was gone, whether from her broken heart or the demon’s venom she wasn’t sure.

"And Willow swore not to try the spell alone?" Piper asked.

Tara nodded.

"And the others just lied to you?" Phoebe was furious. "Willow could have been killed. Hell, none of us would try that spell alone and we’re…well… we’re the freaking Charmed ones."

"It sounds like Willow didn’t want you in danger," Piper said gently. "She must love you very much to risk her life."

"She didn’t trust me," Tara said as she looked down at the table. "And she promised," she added in a whisper.

The phone rang and Piper stood. "I’ll get it." She hurried from the room.

"I don’t think she meant to hurt you, Boo."

Tara looked up and locked eyes with Phoebe. "I asked her to promise, and she swore to me… She swore to me and then made love to me."

"Oh, boy." Phoebe took a deep breath and slowly released it.

"We connected on a s-soul level with that lie in her heart." Tara saw Phoebe flinch and quickly reached across the table. "I’m s-sorry. I shouldn’t… not to you… about…"

"No." Phoebe squeezed Tara’s hand. "I told you I’d always be here for you, and I am." She smiled a bit sadly. "Just hearing that… reminded me of when our souls…"

"I know." Tara stood and took her plate to the sink. She filled the sink with warm water, adding a drop of soap to the mix. She stared at the growing mass of bubbles and wondered how her life had gotten so off track. She felt slightly lightheaded, but pushed the feeling away as she focused on her current problems.

Phoebe stood and walked over and waited beside Tara and watched the filling sink. The running water was the only sound in the room.

"I’ve missed you," Phoebe finally whispered.

Tara nodded. It didn’t feel right actually admitting out loud that she had missed Phoebe, not when her heart belonged to Willow.

"I’m sure she misses you too," Phoebe added as she dipped her hand into the warm bubbles.

"It hurts," Tara said quietly. She trailed her fingers through the water.

"I’m sure she’d welcome you back."

"It’s not that simple."

"Why?" Phoebe wrapped her fingers over Tara’s under the water. The touch was both comforting and unsettling. It reminded both women of the closeness they had once shared, a closeness that they couldn’t share now.

"She would take me back," Tara said as she eased her fingers away from Phoebe. "And I would be the happiest woman on Earth." She sighed and turned to face Phoebe.

"But?" Phoebe handed Tara a towel and waited while she dried her hand.

"But, she needs someone she trusts implicitly." Tara tossed the towel onto the counter. "What she does… the things she fights… she can’t have doubts."

"Boo…" Phoebe tilted her head to one side.

"If she had someone who could help her with spells, all the spells, she’d be safer." Tara sniffled. "The fact that she c-couldn’t… w-wouldn’t come to me put her at risk." Tara turned her back to Phoebe and wiped the tears from her eyes. "I w-won’t be that selfish."

"So leaving is the best answer?"

Tara turned and gave Phoebe a lopsided grin.

"Okay, so me lecturing you about leaving is high on the irony scale." Phoebe cleared her throat. "I think you should go back." She didn’t add that what she really wished was that she had gone back to Tara so long ago.

"She needs a partner she can trust." Tara shook her head. "To be safe."

"So become that partner." Phoebe smiled. "Show her that you are that person." ‘Like I should have done with you,’ she thought to herself.

"She won’t be s-safe trying to protect me." Tara’s voice cracked.

"Boo, honey…" Phoebe rested her arms over Tara’s shoulders and leaned in until she bumped her nose against Tara’s. "She won’t be safe. Not with the crap you guys are fighting."

Tara sighed and rested her forehead against Phoebe’s.

"Will you feel any better if you aren’t with her and then you hear that something has happened to her?"

Tara slowly pulled back, her eyes showing every ounce of her fear.

"I didn’t think so," Phoebe said with a laugh.

"I just don’t know what to do," Tara admitted.

"Just give it some more time then." Phoebe pulled her into a hug.

Piper came into the kitchen and stopped in the doorway and cleared her throat.

Tara looked over, her eyes wide, but Phoebe didn’t loosen her hold.

"Hello? Privacy?" Phoebe said without moving.

"Hello? Prue calling with info on the demon and the anti-venom." Piper replied.

"I t-thought the demon was gone?" Tara pulled out of Phoebe’s arms.

"Apparently, you have to stab it through the heart with an iron spike to vanquish it." Piper let out a disgusted sigh. "Mister tall, dark, and ugly was playing ‘possum when he poofed away in a green flash."

"What about the anti-venom?" Phoebe asked.

"We need the spike we use to kill the demon to make the anti-vemon," Piper said as she ran her fingers through her ink black hair.

"Which we don’t have because we haven’t vanquished him yet," Phoebe added.

"So, I guess it’s demon hunting tonight?" Tara asked.

End Part one