Pure Heart, a Willow/Tara novella.

Author’s email: lcountry@quiknet.com

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 FIVE

"What the hell is Tara doing in San Francisco?" Xander asked.

"Avoiding Willow?" Anya suggested.

"Anya," Buffy said in a growl.

"Well, she is." Anya sighed and looked over at Giles. "Hey! Are we going to San Francisco? I haven’t been to San Francisco since the earthquake. The big one, not that puny one during the World Series."

"You most certainly are not going," Giles said as he used a clean white handkerchief to wipe his glasses. "Someone needs to stay with Dawn."

"Xander, they get a vacation and we have to baby-sit!" Anya looked to her boyfriend for rescue.

"It’s not a vacation," Buffy pointed out. She looked across the room and saw Willow coming from the other room. "Now, shut up, Anya."

"I got all the supplies for the ritual," Willow said as she stopped beside Buffy. "But, how are we gonna’ get your weapons onto a plane?"

"I chartered a plane," Giles said.

Buffy raised both eyebrows.

"The council has far reaching contacts," Giles explained. "And I had a great deal of money from the back-pay that you arranged for me when the council took me back."

"I still don’t see why we can’t go." Anya pouted.

"What did you find out about the location of that fax?" Giles asked, ignoring Anya completely.

"It’s a club," Willow said. "In San Francisco, called P3." She wrapped her arms around her chest and bit her lip. "We need to hurry. Tara’s hurt, so why are we just standing here?" She glared at Giles. "You have a plane. Why aren’t we on that plane right now?"

"We’re going." Buffy wrapped her arm around Willow. The redhead pulled away and headed toward the door.

"Right," Giles said quietly. "Anya, Xander, you’re in charge of the shop and Dawn. Please don’t allow any trolls to wreak havoc while we’re away."

"That was Willow’s spell," Anya pointed out.

Willow ignored the comment and took her bag of supplies outside and hurried to Giles’ car.

Piper dug through a drawer in her office and then slammed her hand onto the desk. "I know I left it here somewhere."

"Well, why would you bring an iron spike to work anyway?" Prue asked

"We used it to kill that green slime demon last month." Piper let out a frustrated growl. "I was sure I left it here."

"We need to hurry." Prue rubbed her temples. "That fax we got this morning said that Tara only has a few days. We need that spike before we can go vanquish that damn demon."

"Um, aren’t all demons by their very nature… kinda’ damned?" Piper smirked as she walked over to the counter on the far side of the room.

"Funny," Prue said.

"Just help me," Piper whined.

"Nice paperweight," Prue said looked at a stack of invoices. She picked up the iron spike holding them down and waved it at Piper.

"Yes! I knew it was here!" She stalked over to her sister.

"From now on, can you leave our demon hunting supplies at home where they belong?"

"Yes, Prue. I feel properly admonished. Can we go now?" Piper felt the weight of the spike in her hand as she looked toward the door.

"Okay, as long as we’re clear on the rules." Prue smirked.

"Yes, mother. I’ll leave the witchy tools at home." The phone rang and Piper leaned over the desk to answer it. "Piper Halliwell." She spun and grabbed Prue’s arm. "Calm down, Phoebe. We’ll be right home."

Prue took Piper’s hand and leaned closer.

"No, Phoebe, don’t try breaking your arm again. Leo already said he couldn’t help her anymore." Piper nodded as she listened. "We’ll be right there. I love you, sis." She hung up the phone and pulled Prue toward the door.

"What?" Prue asked.

"Phoebe left Tara alone while she was downstairs doing laundry. She came back up and Tara was worse." Piper stepped out of her office and locked the door.

"Worse how?"

"Her fever’s out of control, and she was throwing up." Piper frowned. "She can’t even keep down water." She locked eyes with Prue. "Phoebe sounds really scared."

"Okay, so we check on her and do a locating spell on that demon. We can’t wait until dark to go hunting for it." Prue nodded down the hall.

"She was fine this morning," Piper said as she trotted down the hall.

"She’ll be okay," Prue said as she hurried along.

"She better be." Piper remembered the way Phoebe kept looking at Tara.

Buffy stepped inside P3 and let out an appreciative whistle as she looked around the club.

"This is so not somewhere Tara would come," Willow said as she stepped into P3. "Not without someone forcing her. I mean, she gets nervous going to the Bronze and this even more bronzier than the Bronze."

"It’s like the Bronze, all right. Only swankier," Buffy agreed.

"Let’s find the manager," Giles suggested. "Find out who has access to the fax machine."

Willow scanned the empty club. She saw a young woman behind the bar and started to run toward her.

"Whoa," Buffy said as she grabbed Willow’s arm. "Easy, slugger."

"She might know where Tara is," Willow said in a harsh whisper.

"Let me handle this," Giles said. He straightened his jacket as he looked across the length of the room.

"I think this is a Slayer job if I ever saw one," Buffy said with a menacing snarl.

"Karen, we’re outa’ here," Prue yelled to the bartender as she rushed out of the hallway and toward the front door. She and Piper hurried toward the exit and then Prue paused when she saw Buffy and the others. "I’m sorry, the club doesn’t open until nine tonight."

"Prue, we need to go," Piper said as she gave Buffy a weak smile and reached for the door.

"Just a moment." Giles stepped in front of Prue and blocked her path. He recognized her voice so he looked at Buffy nodded toward Prue.

"I don’t think so." Buffy slammed the door shut and held it closed.

"Excuse me," Prue said a bit testily. "We’re closed." She tried to get around Buffy but the Slayer grabbed the witch by the arm and lifted her off the ground.

"I said, ‘I don’t think so.’ Can’t you hear?" Buffy asked.

"I don’t have time for this." Prue narrowed her eyes and Buffy was tossed back by the witch’s telekinetic power.

Buffy staggered to keep her balance and gave Prue a shove and then blocked the doorway.

Giles stepped beside her and folded his arms over his chest.

"Where is she?" Willow demanded.

Piper looked at the redhead and the man blocking Prue’s path. "We don’t have time for this." She waved her hand and everyone in the room froze, everyone except the Halliwell sisters and the angry redhead.

"What did you do to them?" Willow backed up, looking back and forth from Buffy to Giles. "You’re a demon!"

"Geeze, Piper. Can’t you freeze anyone anymore?" Prue looked at Willow.

Willow held her hands out toward Piper and began a quick chant that ended with a flash of red light shooting out of her hands and pinning Piper in place.

"Not too nice when you get trapped now is it?" Willow pointed her hands at Prue. "Let them go and tell me where you’re holding Tara." Willow’s eyes were full of rage and her hands shook.

"Tara? Oh, boy." Piper sighed and rolled her eyes. Her body felt like she had invisible ropes holding her in place. "Shit." She looked over at Prue who was moving her hands to get a clear shot at Willow. "Prue, no…"

"Let her go," Prue growled.

"Let them go," Willow countered.

"Prue, meet Willow," Piper said with a sigh. "Willow, this is Prue."

"How do you know my name?" Willow spun and stared at Piper.

"Unfreeze me so I can undo your friends," Piper said. "I don’t want to have to go through this twice."

"This is the exgirlfriend?" Prue asked, her shock apparent. "Why didn’t you tell me she was a witch too?"

Willow looked back and forth between the two women not quite sure what to do.

"We need to get back to Tara," Piper said.

"You better not be lying." Willow whispered a few words in Latin and the spell was broken.

Piper rolled her eyes and then unfroze Giles and Buffy.

"Hey!" Buffy looked at Prue was who now standing several feet away. "How’d she get over…" Buffy looked at Willow who had also moved. "Will?"

"She used some evil powers to freeze you," Willow said as she moved closer to Buffy. "And they have Tara and they know my name."

"You are the woman I spoke to on the telephone, yes?" Giles asked.

"Mister Giles?" Prue asked.

"Where is Tara?" Buffy demanded.

"Is that the vanquishing spike?" Giles asked. He pointed at the bag slung over Piper’s shoulder. The handle of the spike was visible.

"We’re kinda’ in a hurry," Prue said as she gave Piper a nod toward the door.

"We’ve not leaving without Tara," Willow insisted. She grabbed Piper.

"If Tara could trust you, she would have called you herself," Prue said bitterly. "Now, move so we can go take care of Tara."

"She can trust us," Willow said as her voice cracked. "Where is she?" she pleaded.

"Prue, I think we should let them come with us," Piper said as she looked over at Willow. The redhead’s eyes were shinning with unshed tears.

"We can help with the anti-venom," Giles suggested.

"Fine, whatever, just hurry," Prue said. She glared at Buffy. "And you, stay out of my way."

"Let’s go." Buffy pulled Giles alongside her. "What are they?" she asked in a whisper.

"They appear to be witches," Giles said.

"How is she?" Willow asked as she let go of Piper’s arm.

"She’s in good hands," Piper said with a smile.

"Whose hands? Demon hands?" Willow began to panic again.

"No, she’s safe. Phoebe won’t let anything happen to her." Piper cringed when she saw a flash of understanding cross Willow’s face.

"Phoebe?" Willow asked as she trotted alongside Piper. "That’s an unusual name." She felt her heart clinch.

"Phoebe?" Buffy asked as she made a face. "What, is she like ninety years old?"

"Hey!" Prue said angrily.

"Is she British?" Buffy asked.

"I heard that," Giles said as he followed behind the young women.

"Your sister, Phoebe, she used to live in New York, didn’t she?" Willow asked as they reached a black Jeep Cherokee.

"Yeah." Piper nodded.

"And you know this…how?" Buffy asked.

"That person I didn’t want to talk about when you were asking me about things I didn’t want to talk about…" Willow babbled. "Tara not only had that person but apparently she ran back to that person and now I…"

"Willow, breathe," Buffy ordered. "From the top?"

"That person," Willow said as she raised both eyebrows and looked at Buffy like the Slayer was mildly retarded.

"Oh," Buffy said as she remembered the conversation the day before about Tara’s first love. "Oh!" she repeated as she realized the implications. Tara had broken up with Willow and made a beeline for her long lost exlover.

"There’s no ‘oh,’" Piper said as she opened the doors to her Jeep. "Get in. I’ll drive. We need to hurry."

"Oh, there’s ‘oh,’" Willow said. "There’s plenty of, ‘oh,’ and I don’t like it." Willow climbed into the back seat.

"Tara was right," Piper said, disgust filling her tone. "You don’t trust her."

The ride to the Halliwell house was strained to say the least. Prue wasn’t happy to have the strangers along even knowing that they knew Tara.

Piper drove without saying much. She had already given Willow her opinion, but she kept glancing into the rearview mirror, compelled to study the young redhead. Willow’s crisp green eyes were a bit swollen. ‘Probably from crying,’ Piper realized. She noticed that the young blonde, Buffy, was more of a mystery. She had a dangerous air and she had picked Prue up without effort.

"So, who the hell are you?" Prue asked as they pulled onto the road.

"We did meet over the phone," Giles said. "Though I didn’t get your name until now."

"Why are you chasing demons?" Buffy asked angrily.

"Everyone needs a hobby," Prue shot back.

"Your hobby put Tara in danger," Willow said ominously.

"We saved Tara," Prue corrected as she turned in her seat to face Willow. "When we found her, that Tec’lor demon had her down for the count, so you should be thanking us."

"Thank you," Willow said sincerely. She flopped back into the seat and leaned into Buffy’s shoulder. "It’s my fault," she whispered as tears began anew.

Piper looked over at Prue. "Take it easy on her," she whispered. "She’s obviously upset about the breakup."

Willow squeezed her eyes tightly shut and buried her face on Buffy’s shoulder.

"Perhaps you would care to explain why you two are fighting demons," Giles said as he dug through the satchel on his lap. He had packed everything he thought they might need, but as a Watcher, he felt compelled to double check.

"Sure," Prue said sarcastically. "Right after you tell us who you are and why you chase monsters."

"Ah, yes, well…" Giles’ voice trailed off and he went back to his satchel.

"I thought so," Prue responded. She glanced over at Piper. "Looks we all have our secrets."

When they got to the Halliwell house, Prue and Piper hurried up the stairs with Buffy, Willow and Giles on the their heels.

"Is Tara here?" Willow asked. Her stomach fluttered at the thought of seeing her missing lover.

"Come on in." Prue opened the door and tossed her purse onto the table by the door.

Before Willow could ask about Tara again, she heard a sickening, terror filled scream.

"Prue? Piper?" Phoebe screamed from the kitchen. Her voice was anguished. "Prue, Piper…my god, hurry!"

"Oh, no." Prue sprinted toward the kitchen.

Piper ran after Prue without even acknowledging Buffy, Giles and Willow.

Prue shoved the door open and stopped in her tracks. "Oh, god." She stared at Phoebe.

"Help her," Phoebe pleaded. She was on the floor with Tara cradled in her arms. Tara’s skin was chalky and covered with sweat and she was barely breathing. Phoebe looked down at Tara as tears fell down her checks. "Tara, baby, wake up."

CHAPTER SIX

Willow and Buffy ran through the door as Prue and Piper both dropped to their knees beside Phoebe and Tara.

"Tara!" Willow felt her legs buckle.

"What happened to her?" Buffy demanded as she steadied Willow with one arm and moved closer to the fallen blonde witch.

Phoebe looked up and locked eyes with the strangers in the room. She noticed the thin, almost frail redhead and the fact that she was struggling with the blonde so that she could get to where Tara was.

"Willow," Phoebe whispered. She would recognize the wisp thin redhead anywhere. Tara had described her perfectly.

"Let me help her," Willow yelled. She yanked out of Buffy’s grasp and then pushed Piper aside and knelt next to Tara.

"Where was she injured?" Willow asked, her voice devoid of any emotion as she fought to take control of the situation.

"Here." Phoebe pointed to Tara’s ribs just under her left breast.

"Move," Willow said to Prue and then lifted the thin cotton tee shirt that was sticking to Tara’s body. The blonde was covered in sweat leaving the delicate fabric almost see through. The scarred over slashes were angry red and the entire area was swollen like a giant boil.

"The venom is replicating." Giles moved closer to get a better look from his position at the back of the room. "Buffy, get her onto this table."

The Slayer didn’t hesitate. She went past Willow to Tara’s other side and roughly shoved Phoebe out of the way and then scooped Tara up in her arms. She stood smoothly and took Tara’s limp frame to the low table off to one side of the room.

"Hey!" Phoebe protested. She started to move closer but one look from Buffy made her reconsider.

"Get the holy water and the disinfectant," Willow told Giles. She turned away from Tara and went to the sink and began washing her hands.

"Hello? What do you think you’re doing?" Piper asked as she watched Buffy gently position Tara on her back on the table. The blonde was stronger than she looked, yet she touched Tara with a gentle, loving quality that made it obvious she cared for the unconscious woman.

"We’re giving Tara a little more time," Giles said as he put his satchel next to Tara’s prone form. He pulled a bottle out and turned toward Willow as she moved alongside him. "Prepare the area."

Willow took a deep breath and looked down at Tara’s face. She bit her lip as tears threatened to fall, but she knew she couldn’t break down and still help Tara. She lifted the sweat soaked shirt and exposed the injury.

"What are you doing?" Phoebe asked quietly. She backed up to allow them to work, but her concern was obvious. Piper moved to her side and draped her arm over Phoebe’s shoulder.

"We have to get the venom out," Willow said as she took the bottle from Giles and poured the red liquid over the swollen wound. She gave Giles the bottle and he leaned closer and poured holy water over the freshly disinfected area.

"I’m sorry, love," Willow whispered.

Giles took out a small iron caldron full of sand and began pouring the white grit in a circle around the table, making sure that Buffy and Willow were inside the sacred space.

Willow closed her eyes and tilted her head back. "We call on Apollo and ask that he guide our hands as we heal this gentle soul. All of the healers, be present as we entreat thee. Eshmun, we call you forth as well. Assist this warrior of the light."

The sand circle began to glow red and Willow’s body stiffened.

Piper, Prue and Phoebe watched as Willow’s hands stopped shaking for the first time since she has seen Tara on the floor.

"Lady Asherah of the Sea, guide my blade." Willow held out her hand and Giles stepped into the circle and handed her a stainless steel scalpel.

Phoebe tensed but Piper held her in place.

Willow lowered the blade to the swollen and angry scar and began chanting.

"Thy word, El, is wise; Thou art wise unto eternity; Lucky life is Thy word.
Our king is Aliyan Baal, Our judge, and none is above Him. Let both of Us drain His chalice; Both of Us drain His cup!" Willow opened her eyes and swallowed hard as she hesitated. *

"It must be done," Giles whispered. He moved closer and held the empty caldron just under the scar on Tara’s side.

"I love you," Willow whispered. She left a kiss on Tara’s forehead and then went back to the angry wound. She used the scalpel and opened the swollen, infected scar. Green, glowing, thick fluid oozed from the cut and Giles caught it in the caldron.

"Oh…" Piper grimaced and turned away.

Willow handed Buffy the scalpel and began squeezing the swollen scar.

Tara whimpered and rolled her head to one side.

"Buffy," Giles said quietly.

"Easy," Buffy whispered as she held Tara in place.

Tara took a deep breath and struggled to regain consciousness.

"Somnus, cor purus," Willow whispered. The simple spell would keep Tara asleep.

Willow squeezed the oozing scar until only bright red blood flowed from the cut. She looked over to Giles and he handed her the bottle of holy water. She poured it into the cut and then gave the bottle back to Giles.

"Want me to stitch it?" Buffy grabbed a handful of clean white gauze from Giles and dabbed at the wound to soak up the blood.

"No," Willow said sadly. She looked at Tara’s pained expression. The blonde’s hair was matted to her face. "I’ll take care of her." She used her left hand to brush a strand of hair away from Tara’s closed eyes.

Giles held out two pairs of forceps, one with a needle and suture firmly clamped in place.

Willow had to take a steadying breath before she could actually force the needle through Tara’s pale skin. Willow had sewn up countless injures for Buffy, but somehow, marring her lover’s beautiful body seemed obscene.

"Will?" Buffy whispered.

Willow nodded and carefully began closing the cut. She placed the stitches close together, evenly spaced and not too tight so that it wouldn’t scar much. After each knot, Buffy would reach over with a pair of scissors and snip the thread so Willow could move on to the next stitch.

Piper and Prue were shocked by the medical skill and the impressive, efficient way that Willow had performed the healing ritual.

Phoebe didn’t really care about medical skill or Willow’s conjuring proficiency. She watched as Willow helped Tara and she couldn’t help but feel inadequate. Willow was helping Tara and all Phoebe could do was watch.

After the last stitch, Willow gave Giles the supplies and leaned over Tara’s face. "Cuore cor purus," she whispered and kissed Tara’s forehead. The words broke the sleeping spell, but Tara didn’t awaken. Willow’s lip quivered and she looked over at Giles.

"She’s exhausted," Giles said gently. "We should move her somewhere more comfortable."

Buffy nodded and moved to pick Tara up.

"Easy," Willow said quickly. She reached down and packed sterile gauze onto the injury. "Okay," she said as she put the last bit of tape into place and pulled Tara’s shirt over the bandage.

"You can take her back to my bedroom," Phoebe said.

Buffy scooped Tara off of the table and followed Phoebe out of the kitchen. Willow stayed beside Buffy keeping a watchful eye on Tara. She tried not to let her anger and jealousy show, but hearing that Tara was being taken back to Phoebe’s room didn’t sit well with the redhead. Back implied that Tara had been there before and that was not something Willow liked one little bit.

"Here." Phoebe opened the door to her bedroom and then quickly pulled back the blankets on the bed.

"She’s soaked, Willow," Buffy said as she carefully put Tara onto the sheets. "You should change her clothes."

"Excuse me, but I don’t think Tara would like someone she just broke up with stripping her naked," Phoebe pointed out.

"Well, you’re certainly not gonna’ do it," Buffy replied. She crossed her arms over her chest and glared at the youngest Halliwell. "Unless you think you can get through me."

"Okay, that’s enough," Piper said from the door. "Phoebe, let Willow handle this." She turned to the Slayer. "And you, miss muscles, out."

Willow sat on the bed and raked her fingers through Tara’s sweat soaked hair and tried to ignore the squabbling a few feet away. She heard Buffy and Piper continuing to argue in the hall but Phoebe still stood rooted in place a few feet from the bed.

"Maybe I should help," Phoebe said as she edged closer to the bed.

Before Willow could comment, Tara moaned and began thrashing on the bed.

"Tara." Willow took her beloved’s hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze. "I’m here, love."

Phoebe went to the other side of the bed and knelt. "Hey, Boo. You okay?"

Tara turned toward Phoebe’s voice and her eyes fluttered. "Thumper?" Tears streamed down Tara’s cheeks. "I heard her again." Tara squeezed her eyes shut and took a shuddering breath. "Oh, goddess, I can even smell her perfume."

Willow looked over at Phoebe and raised both eyebrows.

"She was hallucinating earlier," Phoebe explained. "She thought you were here," she added in a whisper.

"I’m here. I’m right here." Willow leaned down and kissed Tara’s hand.

"Phoebe…" Tara opened her eyes and looked up at the dark haired witch. "Call her, please."

"Boo, turn around," Phoebe said with a tolerant smile.

"I need her, Thumper." Tara was still groggy and was barely focusing on Phoebe. "Ask her if she’ll come." Tara’s voice was tiny and unsure.

"Baby, I’m right here," Willow said as her voice cracked. She reached over and gently caressed Tara’s cheek and slowly turned the blonde to face her. "Hi."

"Willow?" Tara’s bloodshot eyes lit up. "Are you real?"

"Oh, honey, I’m real." Willow leaned down and kissed Tara’s forehead. "And I’m right here with you."

Tara draped her arm weakly around Willow’s shoulders and began to sob.

"Shh, baby, I’m here." Willow began to tear up as well.

"I’ll leave you two alone," Phoebe said as she hurried away from the tender scene. She stepped into the hall and found Piper and Buffy waiting. "What?"

"She’s awake?" Piper asked.

"Yeah," Phoebe whispered as she looked down at the floor.

"And she wants her lover to take care of her?’ Buffy asked with a sarcastic smirk.

"Ex lover," Phoebe pointed out.

"Not for long." Buffy glared at Phoebe.

"Okay, let’s go downstairs and find Prue and that English guy." Piper grabbed Phoebe and pulled her away from Buffy.

"His name is Giles." Buffy followed the two sisters down the staircase and into the kitchen.

"Whatever," Piper said with a sigh as she pushed open the door and sauntered into the kitchen. "Hey," she said to Prue.

"Hey, yourself," Prue answered as she helped Giles clean up the sacred circle around the table. "Okay, that is disgusting." She pointed at the caldron full of bubbling green venom.

"Yes, it is rather frightful," Giles agreed as he moved the caldron to the counter. "Do you have a sacred pyre?"

"Excuse me?" Phoebe asked.

"A big sacred flame pit," Buffy clarified as she went to the counter and jumped up to sit next to the caldron. "You use it to burn off all kinds of disgusting stuff like this." She tilted the caldron, inspecting it with a clinical eye. "It’s good for burning demons that don’t go poof."

"All our demons go poof," Phoebe said. "Maybe you’re not vanquishing them correctly."

"Ah, yes." Giles nodded. "As witches you destroy demons with spells, you vanquish them."

"How else do you get rid of them?" Prue asked as she tossed the used gauze into the garbage.

"I kill them," Buffy said with a smile.

"You shouldn’t dispose of that in the garbage," Giles admonished. He pulled the gauze out and tossed it into the caldron. "There’s no telling what would happen if someone untrained ran across that waste."

"Okay, who are you?" Prue demanded as she moved closer to Giles.

"I’m not really at liberty to reveal that information," Giles replied.

"Not even to the Charmed ones?" Piper asked with a sweet smile.

Giles turned and stared at Piper, his jaw gone slack.

"And who might the Charmed ones be?" Buffy asked in a bored tone.

"Of course." Giles studied Piper. "You froze us in that club and Prue has telekinetic abilities." He turned and nodded toward Phoebe. "That would make you the psychic?"

"I get premonitions," she agreed.

"And?" Buffy asked as she hopped down from the counter.

"They are rather like you," Giles explained.

"What?" Prue, Piper, and Phoebe asked in unison.

"They have a destiny," Giles continued. "They fight demons mostly, and I believe warlocks and witches who serve the dark."

"How does that make us like her?" Phoebe asked as she pointed at Buffy, clearly not liking the comparison.

"I’m the Slayer." Buffy crossed her arms over her chest and tilted her head to one side.

"And?" Phoebe asked.

"Hello? The Slayer?" Buffy’s eyes opened wide. She saw that Prue and Piper were just as clueless so she spun and gave Giles a withering glare. "You need to get me a publicist."

Giles cleared his throat and moved closer to the three sisters. "Buffy is the chosen one. She is the vampire Slayer. It is her destiny to fight the evil forces and keep the world safe."

"And I do it alone," Buffy added smugly. "Well, mostly, okay, so I have help."

"Vampires?" Piper asked incredulously.

"Actually, I did find a section in the Book of Shadows about vampires," Prue volunteered.

"What does Tara have to do with all of this?" Phoebe asked. She leaned against the counter and glared at Buffy.

"She helps," Buffy explained. "She and Willow are family."

"You don’t treat her like family," Phoebe said bitterly. "Oh, wait, I take that back. You treat her exactly like her family has always treated her."

"Shut up." Buffy lunged at Phoebe.

"That’s quite enough." Giles pulled Buffy aside. "Tempers are flaring and that won’t get us anywhere." He looked over at Phoebe. "Perhaps you could go ask Willow how Tara’s doing."

"I’ll ask Tara. I don’t trust Willow." Phoebe spun and left the room.

"She so reminds me of Faith," Buffy said as she yanked her arm out of Giles’ grasp.

"Indeed," Giles said as he stared at the doorway.

"So if she’s the Slayer, what are you?" Prue asked. She stepped closer to Giles. "And how much do you know about mystical stuff?"

"I am Buffy’s Watcher," Giles said proudly. "Though I rather think that I am more than just that."

Buffy smiled fondly at him.

"I have spent decades studying the mystical." Giles took off his glasses and wiped the lenses.

"Tara said the Watcher’s council would like to get their hands on us," Piper said nervously.

"They certainly would," Giles agreed. "The legend of the Charmed ones has been foretold in prophecy for generations. The Power of Three would be an invaluable weapon against evil."

"Giles, you’re getting that drooly look you always get when you talk about books." Buffy smirked.

"Yes, well, be that as it may, I would strongly urge you to keep your existence a secret from the council." Giles put his glasses back on.

"I second that," Buffy added. "They are way too pushy with the rules and regulations."

"Mister Giles?" Prue looked over at Piper and gave her a questioning glance. After Piper nodded, Prue continued. "What do you know about White Lighters?"

"Mostly legend," he replied. "Mythic creatures a bit like guardian angels. Legend says that they watch over powerful witches and give spiritual guidance." He cleared his throat and smiled. "Though I dare say it’s just legend. The council has no recorded evidence of any White Lighters."

"Yeah? Well, meet Mrs. White Lighter," Prue said with a smirk. She nodded to Piper.

Piper waved and smiled.

"You married an angel?" Buffy asked.

"It’s not as glamorous as it sounds," Piper said with a snort.

"What about something called a Pure Heart?" Prue asked.

"Pure heart?" Giles rubbed his chin. "A pure heart can refer to an innocent, or a virgin needed for certain rituals. It can also mean someone set on a destiny for a task who is unwilling to stray from the path."

"Actually, they said ‘The Pure Heart.’ Does that make a difference?" Piper asked.

Giles paled and leaned against the counter. "Who said this exactly?"

"Giles?" Buffy felt the hair on the back of her neck stand on end.

"Our White Lighter," Prue said. "He mentioned the Pure Heart, but he wasn’t sure."

"Um, how can an angel not be sure about something?" Buffy asked. "Don’t they get like the direct scoop from upstairs?"

"Mister Giles, what is the Pure Heart?" Prue asked quietly.

"It’s exactly what it sounds like," he said in a hushed whispered. "The Pure Heart is a soul that knows only perfect love. Once every millennium a Pure Heart is born. Generally, the coming of the Pure Heart signifies the End of Days. The Pure Heart’s calming presence is in itself enough to quell the discontent and a new era of loving follows."

"Well, other than the whole End of Days thing, this Pure Heart sounds like a good thing." Buffy bit her lip. "So why the glum expression?"

"If the Pure Heart has been sent, things truly are heading for Apocalypse. If the dark forces were to destroy the Pure Heart, war and pestilence would surely follow. Killing the Pure Heart wouldn’t be enough. Evil would have to break the Pure Heart’s spirit." Giles looked over at Buffy. "The end of world, though that’s really just a typical day for you."

"Life on the Hellmouth," Buffy said with a half grin. "It’s never boring."

"Is the Pure Heart dangerous?" Prue asked.

"Absolutely not," Giles said. "In fact, most who meet the Pure Heart are profoundly changed for the better. Well, except for the family the Pure Heart is born into." Giles cringed. "For some reason, perhaps cosmic balance, the Pure Hearts have always been born into extreme abuse. The families are dark, angry people unfazed by the light of the Pure Heart. This also extends to truly evil people. They are driven to harm the Pure Heart."

"So, this very pure, sweet, calming person would have the family from hell?" Buffy asked.

"Basically," Giles said. "And if the Pure Heart is brought into the public eye, disaster follows. Usually in the form of a public execution or torture."

"And demons want to hurt the Pure Heart?" Piper asked.

"Demons would be unable to see the Pure Heart’s true nature. They don’t have souls," Giles pointed out. "But souled creatures with any amount of goodness would be drawn to the Pure Heart."

"And badies would want to hurt her?" Buffy asked.

"Yes, if indeed the Pure Heart was a she." Giles smiled. "Some believe that Buddha was one of the Pure Hearts, though his family certainly didn’t abuse him, so that assumption has been discounted."

"You think Tara is the Pure Heart," Buffy said as she locked eyes with Prue.

Prue nodded.

"Dear lord." Giles looked around the room at Buffy, Piper and Prue. His eyes drifted to the door. "This is not good."

"Hey, I’ve stopped the apocalypse before, I’ll do it again," Buffy said with a smile.

"It’s not that," Giles clarified. "It’s just that having so many of the world’s chosen ones in one place is ill advised to say the least." He sighed when all he got from the group of women were blank stares. "The Slayer, the Charmed ones and the Pure Heart, all in one place? Do you have any idea what kind of tragedy it would be if something were to happen and all of you were lost?"

"It’d ruin my day," Piper agreed.

"Mine too," Buffy added.

Prue nodded.

"You have no idea what we are dealing with," Giles said as he slumped into a chair at the table.

"He gets like that," Buffy said. "We should get him some tea, fast. This sounds bad, so bring crumpets too if you have them."

Giles took off his glasses and rubbed his eyes, clearly ignoring the Slayer’s comments.

CHAPTER SEVEN

Tara clung to Willow for several minutes before her arms gave out and she slumped back into the mattress.

"How did you get here?" Tara asked.

"I hacked in and traced the fax number." Willow fidgeted with the blanket.

"I should have known," Tara whispered. She took Willow’s hand and smiled. "I’m glad. I feel much better. What did you do?"

"Just got rid of some venom," Willow said with a shrug.

"A healing ritual?" Tara yawned. She was feeling much better but was still tired.

"It was safe. I swear!" Willow almost panicked. "Giles and Buffy both helped me. I didn’t do it alone."

"It’s okay." Tara closed her eyes and wondered if she and Willow would ever get back to the comfortable relationship they once had. "I was just curious."

"I’ve been so worried about you," Willow admitted.

She looked up at Willow and her throat ached with pent up emotion.

"What is it, baby?" Willow pushed a stray lock of hair out of Tara’s eyes.

"It hurts," Tara whispered hoarsely.

"Where? Let me check the bandages." Willow started to pull the blankets away.

"Here," Tara whispered as she rested her palm over her own heart. "It hurts without you."

"Oh, Tara." Willow leaned down and left a lingering kiss on the back of Tara’s hand. "You’re not without me, love." She smiled down at her lover. "Remember? I refused to let you break up with me."

"Willow…" Tara closed her eyes and tears slid down both cheeks.

"You are in my heart," Willow said firmly. "Just like I know I’m in yours."

Tara nodded and opened her eyes.

"I have always trusted you, Tara," Willow said as she lifted Tara’s hand from the blanket and kissed her palm. "What happened with the spell was because I panicked. I thought about something happening to you and I just couldn’t think straight. I freaked out. It was a mistake, love, but it wasn’t because I don’t trust you or your skills."

"The Scoobies," Tara whispered. "They…lied to me."

"Oh, baby." Willow leaned down and gently wrapped her arms around Tara. "That was my fault. Buffy didn’t want to. She refused because she didn’t want to lie to you, but I made her."

"How?" Tara asked. She tried to picture anyone forcing the Slayer to do anything and just couldn’t see it happening.

Willow lifted her head and smiled down at Tara. "I cried."

"Oh," Tara said. That she understood all too well. The sight of Willow crying could make anyone surrender.

"And Xander, well, one sign of a tear and he folded," Willow said with a slight smirk. She cupped Tara’s chin in her hand. "He’s a big pushover, but after you left, they were all so mad at me."

"Why?" Tara asked as she shifted into a more comfortable position.

"Because, silly. They miss you." She ran her hand through Tara’s hair and then down her throat to the top of the blonde’s collar. "Anya is so mad she keeps threatening to send a vengeance demon after me."

Tara’s eyes shot open wide.

"She won’t," Willow assured her love. "It’s just the way she shows how much she cares." She sighed and plucked at the fabric of Tara’s top. "This is kinda’ sweaty. You want me to help you change?"

Tara nodded and gave Willow a shy smile.

"Well, I’ll need some clothes," Willow said as she stood up and turned around. The thought of helping Tara change shouldn’t make her nervous, but it did.

"M-my bag is over there," Tara said.

‘Guess I’m not the only nervous one,’ Willow thought. She found the bag and got a fresh tee shirt and some flannel boxers. She smiled as she ran her hands over the soft fabric of the boxers.

"I’m nervous," Tara said when Willow turned around. "It’s silly, but…"

"I know," Willow said. "Me too." She sat on the bed and smiled. "And yeah, it’s silly. It’s just us."

Tara nodded.

Willow nodded at the blanket. Tara eased her arms free and Willow lifted off the sweat soaked shirt. They were both silent as Willow helped pull the new shirt down over the bandages.

"That wasn’t so bad," Willow said quietly.

"I know it hasn’t b-been long, but I’ve missed you," Tara whispered.

"Me too." Willow nodded and then pulled the blankets down and tugged at Tara’s flannel pajama bottoms. She discretely looked away as Tara squirmed out of the pants and then she handed the blonde her boxers.

When Willow turned back, Tara was breathing heavily from the minor exertion.

"You okay?" Willow asked.

"Tired," Tara said shyly.

"You should sleep." Willow covered Tara back up.

"Willow?"

"Yeah?" Willow fluffed the pillows and then straightened the blankets.

"Will you… lie down with me?"

"Of course." Willow smiled brightly. She kicked off her shoes and started to get under the covers.

"Can I have the extra special Willow snuggles?" Tara asked shyly. "With skin on skin?"

Willow smirked and stood up and slid out of her jeans and then crawled under the blankets. "I don’t want to hurt you," she whispered, uncertain where to put her arm.

Tara pulled Willow closer and sighed when their bodies touched.

"Come home," Willow pleaded as she snuggled onto Tara’s shoulder.

"I am home," Tara whispered as she tugged at Willow’s arm. "I’m in your arms."

"Come back to Sunnydale," Willow asked. "Please."

Tara was quiet for a long moment and then ran her hand through Willow’s hair. "I don’t think I could handle it if you lied to me again."

"I won’t."

"As soon as we kill the demon, I’ll come home with you." Tara leaned down and kissed Willow’s temple.

"As my girlfriend?" Willow asked.

"Yes, baby," Tara whispered.

Willow burst into tears and snuggled into Tara’s hair.

"Darling, don’t cry." Tara ran her hand down and slid it under the back of Willow’s shirt. She traced her fingers over the smooth skin underneath and kissed Willow’s temple.

"I’m just tired," Willow admitted. "I haven’t slept much since you left."

"What?"

"I was nervous." Willow sniffled.

"Go to sleep, love." Tara continued rubbing Willow’s back. "They’ll wake us before they go." She closed her eyes as her own exhaustion overcame her. "We both need a nap."

"Kay," Willow said with a yawn.

"I need your leg," Tara whispered.

"Hmm?"

"My extra special Willow snuggles," Tara reminded Willow.

"Oh, yeah." Willow carefully moved her leg onto Tara’s hip. She smiled when she felt Tara’s fingers trace her panties. "That’s nice."

Tara smiled. ‘More than nice,’ she thought.

"Boo?" The door opened and Phoebe leaned in. "Oh…" She stared at the two women intertwined on her bed. "You know, I’m just gonna’ let you two rest," she said as she backed out of the room.

Willow rolled her head to one side and watched Phoebe leave. She wanted to pity the dark-haired witch, but at the moment she was still feeling a little jealous.

"She’s very nice, you know," Tara said as if sensing Willow’s emotions.

"She reminds me of Faith," Willow grumbled.

"Honey, be nice."

"Yeah, well, she was looking at you."

"She’s a good friend," Tara said quietly. "Just a friend." She took a deep breath. "Don’t you trust me?"

"Of course I trust you." Willow kissed Tara’s shoulder. "It’s just the sexy ex-girlfriend who dresses like Faith the cleavage-y slut bomb that I don’t trust."

"Go to sleep." Tara giggled despite herself. "You’ll like her once you get to know her."

‘Don’t bet on it,’ Willow thought.

Prue looked up when Phoebe came back into the kitchen. "Is Tara okay?"

Phoebe leaned against the wall. She was visibly shaken and looked down at the floor. "Just peachy."

"Is something wrong?" Buffy asked.

"No, what could be wrong?" Phoebe pushed away from the wall. "So, how do we find this demon?"

"Perhaps we should wait for Willow," Giles said as he looked down at his satchel.

"Yeah." Phoebe rolled her eyes. "I wouldn’t hold my breath on that one if I were you."

"What?" Piper asked. She moved closer to her younger sister and rested her hand on Phoebe’s shoulder. "Hey?"

"They’re a little wrapped up right now," Phoebe said bitterly.

Piper raised one dark eyebrow.

"With each other," Phoebe clarified.

"Oh." Piper sighed.

"Cool," Buffy said as she sat across from Giles. "So, the demon?"

"We can do a locating spell that should show us where all the local demons are," Prue said. "But it won’t show us our specific demon."

"We have a spell that will summon the demon," Giles said slowly. "But it has… drawbacks."

"Drawbacks?" Piper crinkled her nose. "Why does that make me uneasy?"

"Because the drawbacks are severe." Giles sighed and went to his satchel and then took out a small leather bound book.

"Could ya’ be a little more specific?" Phoebe asked.

"We can use the venom we extracted to summon the demon," Giles explained. "Unfortunately…" he paused.

"There’s always an ‘unfortunately’ with you," Buffy whined.

"Unfortunately," Giles continued. "It will bring the demon to the victim, not to the venom."

"So Tara is the bait?" Phoebe shook her head. "No way."

"I’m not liking this plan much either," Buffy said as she crossed her arms over her chest. "And I’m thinking Willow’s liable to turn you into a rat like Amy if you even suggest it."

"We don’t have any other choice," Prue said as she tossed the last of her coffee into the sink and rinsed the cup. "Besides, we’ll need to have Tara there to do the healing spell as soon as we vanquish the demon."

"She can’t even get out of bed," Phoebe pointed out angrily. "There’s no way she can deal with a demon house call."

"It has to be Tara’s choice," Buffy said firmly. She wasn’t about to keep any more secrets from the blonde witch.

"Yes, of course," Giles chimed in. "We don’t want any more misunderstandings. She was terribly hurt over that spell with Glory."

"Okay, so how do we do this summoning spell?" Piper asked. She saw Phoebe start to argue but she shook her head at her younger sister. "We have to, Phoebe."

"Fine, but I don’t have to like it." Phoebe wandered to the window and stared outside.

There was a knock at the door and then Leo walked in. Piper smiled and went to hug him. "Hey, you finally finish up at the office?" she asked.

"Uh, yeah," Leo said as he looked around the room.

"This is my husband, Leo," Piper said as she turned around.

"The angel?" Buffy asked and then smirked. "He is heavenly."

"Piper!" Leo gave his wife an incredulous stare. "You can’t just tell people."

"Lighten up, Leo," Piper said. "This is Buffy, she’s the vampire Slayer, and this is Rupert Giles, her Watcher."

"She’s big with spillin’ the secrets," Buffy pointed out.

"If you are a White Lighter why didn’t you already know who we are?" Giles asked skeptically.

"Because I watch over Piper and her sisters. I don’t have infinite knowledge." He looked Buffy over, thinking that she didn’t seem strong enough to kill a bat, let alone a vampire. "Besides, I’ve been called away on business for the last few days."

"What kinda’ perks do they give you?" Buffy pointed toward the ceiling.

Leo sighed. "I’m actually more concerned about what’s going on here." He looked over at Phoebe. "How’s Tara?"

"She’s doing better. Giles did a spell to drain off the venom." Phoebe conveniently forgot to mention Willow’s involvement. "We were just about to start a summoning spell so we can vanquish the demon."

"You said you already did." Leo looked over at Prue.

"Yeah, well, it was a tricky demon." She cleared her throat. "What did you find out about Tara?"

"Prue…" Leo gave Prue a glare that let her know she shouldn’t divulge everything.

"So, is she the Pure Heart?" Buffy asked.

"No one said she is the Pure Heart," Leo insisted. "Besides, there’s no way of knowing. You should all just forget you ever heard that."

"Heard what? I didn’t hear about this." Phoebe grabbed Leo’s arm. "What the hell’s going on?"

"Not now, Phoebe," Piper said. "We need to get ready for the summoning spell."

"I want to know what you’re all talking about," Phoebe insisted.

"Tara’s gonna’ die if we don’t hurry," Prue pointed out. "Is that what you want?"

"No! Of course not." Phoebe let go of Leo’s arm and stepped back. "But someone better tell me what’s going on soon."

"We will," Piper promised. She wasn’t sure how Phoebe would take the news that her former lover might just be the world’s only hope to avoid war and pestilence. "Let’s just get our trap all set for this demon, and then we can get you up to speed."

"Okay," Phoebe said slowly.

Willow inhaled deeply and her lips curled into a gentle smile as the scent of Tara filled her senses. She was with Tara. Tara had taken her back and nothing else seemed to matter. She snuggled into the softness of Tara’s chest and her hand snaked along Tara’s curved hip. She paused at the bottom of the bandage and she remembered that there were still several huge obstacles left to hurdle. She pressed her fingers against Tara’s side to gauge the temperature. Tara’s skin was still hot to the touch, feverish and a bit swollen.

Tara murmured in her sleep and pulled Willow closer.

After enjoying the closeness for a few brief moments Willow untangled herself from Tara’s embrace and sat up. She looked down at her blonde lover and frowned. Tara’s cheeks were sunken in and her skin was pale and clammy. She reached down and traced Tara’s full lips and noticed that they were chapped from the fever.

"Willow?" Tara’s eyes fluttered open uncertainly.

"Hey." Willow smiled down at her lover.

"You’re not a dream?" Tara’s voice was tiny and scared.

"No, darling. I’m real." Willow leaned down and gave Tara a chaste kiss and then rested her forehead against her lover’s. "And I’m not ever letting you go again."

"Good," Tara whispered. She coughed and struggled to sit up.

"Easy." Willow helped Tara lean forward and then stacked the pillows behind her back so she could sit. "That doesn’t sound good," Willow added as Tara continued her deep coughs.

"Feels like there’s a whole swimming pool down there," Tara admitted. "I just can’t seem to cough it up."

"I’ll see if they have any coltsfoot leaves." Willow nervously traced Tara’s jawbone. "It’s good for clearing up congestion. Maybe some anise too."

"You’ve been studying your herbs," Tara complemented.

Willow blushed as she nodded.

"We should get up." Tara tried to move off of the bed but the pain in her side made her double over instead. "Or not," she added in a strangled whisper.

"I should get Giles." Willow started to get up. "He should check the wound."

"Don’t go," Tara asked as she looked up at Willow.

Willow’s heart fluttered double time as she quickly sat next to Tara and hugged the beautiful blonde. "I’m here." She kissed Tara’s temple just as the door opened.

"Buffy?" Tara’s eyes opened wide like a startled owl.

"Tara, thank god you’re awake." The Slayer leaped to the side of the bed and hugged Tara. Her actions almost jostled Willow off of the bed but the redhead simply smiled. "We were so worried," Buffy said as she squeezed the blonde in her arms.

"Buffy…" Tara squeaked. "Slayer strength… sore ribs…"

"Oh…oh…sorry," Buffy said sheepishly. "I was just so worried." She looked over at Willow. "How is she?"

"Better, but still feverish and congested." Willow smiled halfheartedly.

"And…how are you?" Buffy looked back and forth between the two.

"We’re fine," Tara said as she took Willow’s hand.

"Thank god," Buffy whispered as she let her eyes fall shut.

"Are we ready to go after the demon?" Willow asked.

"No…" Buffy swallowed hard and locked eyes with Willow. "We’ve decided that it will take too long to go looking for it."

"What?" Willow’s confusion was obvious.

"Giles has a spell," Buffy continued. "But it’s up to Tara if we can do it."

"What is it?" Tara asked slowly.

"A summoning spell," Buffy explained as she sat next to Tara. "From the venom we took outa’ your side."

Tara nodded.

"Well, good," Willow said excitedly. "We’ll just summon him out to some dark alley and you can slay him."

"It doesn’t work that way," Tara whispered.

"Well then how does it work?" Willow tilted her head to one side. "Summoning spells generally summon, right?"

"The venom was from my body." Tara looked over at Buffy and raised one eyebrow.

Buffy nodded. She had expected the blonde witch to understand the spell.

"So, the spell…summons the demon to me," Tara finished.

"Wait, that can’t be right." Willow stood and looked down at Buffy. "That’s not right, is it?"

Buffy nodded again.

"That doesn’t sound safe," Willow said as she shook her head. "That doesn’t sound safe at all."

"D-did Mister Giles explain the rest of the spell?" Tara asked Buffy.

"What rest?" Buffy bent her head down and locked eyes with Tara.

Tara closed her eyes and leaned back into the pillows.

*****

"You’re quite certain you can control the psychic backlash?" Giles asked as he loaded the last of the supplies into the back of Piper’s Jeep.

"We are the Charmed ones," Prue pointed out.

"This spell is quite powerful," Giles reminded her. "It literally sucks the demon through a dimensional porthole and deposits him at our feet."

"All the better to vanquish him," Piper said with a smirk.

"Or all the better for him to tear us all to shreds," Giles said as he leaned against the Jeep.

"Pessimistic much?" Phoebe asked as she came up behind the Watcher.

"We must defeat him as soon as he exits the porthole," Giles said. "It’s imperative."

"Yeah, yeah," Piper said with a sigh. "Big scary demon, big sharp claws. Kill it fast." She shook her head at Giles. "You’re as bad as Leo."

"This is a blood summoning," Giles chastised. "You are aware what will happen if the demon is allowed to connect with Tara."

"Whoa, wait a minute." Phoebe grabbed Giles and spun him to face her. "What the hell are you talking about?"

"You are the Charmed ones," Giles said slowly. "I assumed you knew."

"Knew what?" Prue demanded.

"Dear lord, you’re as bad as Buffy." Giles glared at the three sisters. "Don’t you ever study? Haven’t you heard of research?"

"What happens with a blood summoning?" Piper asked.

"Oh, for the love of god." Giles threw his hands into the air. "You’re witches, you should know this. Bloody hell, you’re the most powerful witches on the planet. You should be well versed in all of the basic casting laws."

"What does the blood summing consist of?" Prue yelled as she slammed the Jeep door.

"He’s coming for me," Tara said from the walkway. "The demon." She took Willow’s hand and gave it a squeeze. The redheaded witch was still too shocked to speak.

"What?" Phoebe spun and faced Tara.

"My blood," Tara explained as she tugged Willow to her side. Her voice was soft and she was calm, prepared for the coming ritual. "My blood mixed with his venom… it’s a mingling of essences. By using it to summon him, I am making a sacred vow."

"What kind of vow?" Prue asked.

"I offer myself, as does the demon," Tara explained. "If my champions and I fail to vanquish him, he takes my offering."

"And… that… would be?" Piper asked slowly.

"My soul." Tara looked at Piper and smirked. "So I hope you guys know your stuff."

CHAPTER EIGHT

They drove to the middle of a secluded meadow and began setting up a huge sacred circle. Piper, Prue and Phoebe followed Giles’ instructions to the letter while Buffy patrolled the wooded area around them. Willow sat in the jeep and fussed over Tara.

"Okay, there you go, one circle of red ochre. Now what?" Piper looked over at Giles.

"We must draw the pentegram within the confines of the ocher circle using the blessed sea salt," Giles instructed. "Be very careful to draw it in a clockwise direction," he warned.

"Um, hello? We are not novices," Piper said. "Everyone knows that drawing it the other way makes the circle demonic and not protective."

"Actually, it’s just easier for a right handed person to make the lines straight using the clockwise direction." Giles made a chastising clucking with his cheek. "I can’t believe you actually bought into that rubbish about demonic pentegrams. Some Charmed ones you are."

"Giles, quit teasing the witches," Buffy said as she came out from behind a tree.

"They should know these things," Giles said as he took several candles and put them near the circle. He looked over at Piper. "Do we have a clear view of the rising moon from here?"

"Um…" Piper crinkled her brow.

"Yeah," Phoebe said. "The moon rises right over there where those trees have a natural break. I’ve been at rituals here before." She looked off into the woods. "I should go get some acorns for the ritual," she offered.

"Want me to go with you?" Buffy asked. She hadn’t seen anything suspicious, but she had a feeling of dread that she couldn’t seem to shake.

"I’ll be fine," Phoebe answered. "I need a little alone time." She glanced back at the Jeep just in time to see Tara running her hand through Willow’s hair. She looked back at Buffy. "I’ll be fine. I know karate." She smiled and headed off into the trees.

"Be careful," Buffy said as Phoebe left. "My spidey senses have been tingling."

"Spidey senses?" Prue asked. "Should I be worried?"

"Probably not," Buffy said as she looked over at Willow and Tara in the Jeep and then glanced back to where Phoebe had just disappeared into the treeline.

"It’s quite difficult for her," Giles said as he stood and wiped the leaves from his knees.

"Yeah," Piper said. "She just got out of a nasty relationship and I think seeing Tara reminded her what she could have had."

"Tara and Willow are happy," Buffy said tensely. She went to Giles’ side and glared at him. "And it was ‘quite difficult’ for Willow finding Tara here."

"We told you it was a coincidence," Prue snapped. "Tara didn’t even know Phoebe was in San Francisco."

"You still haven’t told me why that White Lighter of yours was so angry about Tara being here." Buffy moved closer to Prue and lowered her voice so Willow and Tara couldn’t hear from the Jeep parked across the meadow.

"Leo didn’t say," Piper said. "But he wasn’t the one who was…" Piper stopped midsentence.

"Then who else was upset?" Giles moved closer. "Do you each have your own White Lighter?" He turned and looked around the clearing. "Are they here now?"

"Leo watches all of us," Prue said as she moved next to Piper.

"Then who?" Giles rubbed his temple. "Dear lord." He took off his glasses and wiped them with a handkerchief. "Tara has a White Lighter?"

"No way!" Buffy edged closer and smiled. "So does this angel dude…you know…watch everything?" She raised her eyebrows up and down.

"No!" Piper said. "They don’t watch everything."

"And it’s a she angel," Prue corrected.

"Are they here now?" the Slayer asked as she scanned the area. "Because we could use some back up tonight."

"I don’t know. Leo just shows up." Piper looked around the meadow. "We can’t see him when he’s not in human form." She rubbed her arms against the cooling air.

"Tara did," Prue said quietly. "At least she used to," she added. "And she heard them talking, and she understood them…which humans aren’t supposed to do."

"And the Pure Heart?" Buffy asked.

"I’m afraid so," Giles said. "Legend says that the Pure Heart would be able to see White Lighters in their energy form."

"Great," Buffy said with a sigh.

Several feet away in the brush Buffy’s words came as a surprise. "The Pure Heart?" Cole said to himself. "No wonder they offered me the deal." He smiled and looked off in the distance where Phoebe had wandered off.

*****

"You sure you’re okay?" Willow asked as she slid a bit closer to Tara.

"You just want to neck in the back seat of this car." Tara smiled as she tried to shift the direction of the conversation. Her fever had returned full force and she didn’t want Willow to worry. She leaned toward Willow and tried to kiss her but the redhead pulled away.

"I don’t think you’re up to that," Willow chastised. "You’re all fevery and sweaty and pale and icky."

"Sweet talker." Tara smirked.

"This isn’t funny." Willow cupped Tara’s cheek in her palm and locked eyes with her lover. "I’m scared."

"You don’t think I should do this, do you?" Tara rested her hand over Willow’s.

"It’s your choice, love." Willow twisted her wrist and brought Tara’s hand to her lips and kissed her fingers. "I would rather that you work in a stuffy, safe library somewhere and never even see the word demon. Except maybe in a dictionary or maybe a fantasy novel…"

"We don’t have a choice." Tara pulled their intertwined fingers closer and kissed the back of Willow’s hand. "But thank you for supporting my decision." She looked out the window and frowned. "We should get out there and help. They’re almost finished setting up the circle."

"Just a few more minutes." Willow tugged Tara even closer and guided her down until the blonde’s head was resting on her lap. "Close your eyes and rest." Willow combed her fingers through Tara’s hair, enjoying the softness.

"You’ve got me on your lap in the backseat and you want me to rest?" Tara sighed and closed her eyes.

"Vixen." Willow giggled. "But keep those thoughts for when you’re feeling better."

Tara crinkled her brow and shifted so that she was facing Willow’s body. She lifted Willow’s shirt and traced patterns on her lover’s belly.

"What is it?" Willow asked. She could she the worry lines on Tara’s forehead.

"I just got a strange feeling," Tara said quietly.

"Like what?" Willow played with Tara’s ear as she tucked the blonde strands behind it.

"Just a feeling, kinda’ like the hair on the back of my neck just stood up."

Willow moved her hand behind Tara’s neck and massaged the muscles there. "Nope, no hair standing up here."

"Willow?" Tara looked up at the redhead.

"Umm hmm?" Willow smiled down at her.

"I heard the Light Lady at Phoebe’s, while I was sick."

"The Light Lady?" Willow furrowed her brow and then her eyes opened wide. "You mean the Light Lady from when you were little?"

Tara nodded.

"Did you see her?" Willow’s hand stopped its movement. She remembered all too well the stories Tara had told her about the strange unfocused light she used to see as child, a light she only saw after Tara’s father had been especially brutal with his discipline.

"No." Tara closed her eyes as she concentrated. "But I did feel better afterwards."

"Good." Willow smiled despite her own concerns. She and Tara had speculated about the light on several occasions. Tara’s final conclusion was that whatever it was, it only came when she was injured severely, and after the visits, she always felt better. Willow’s own private theory was that Tara herself performed a healing of sorts and the light was some side effect. Now she wasn’t so sure.

"She sounded angry," Tara said.

"When?" Willow asked as she caressed Tara’s cheek.

"In Phoebe’s room." Tara frowned. "When I used to hear her, back when I was little, it was like a musical clicking, like a song. And she was so beautiful, like Tinkerbell. She sounded so different this time."

"Did she come often?" Willow felt her throat tighten. "When you were a little girl?"

"Just when it was really bad," Tara whispered. "I’d crawl under m-my bed or into the closet to hide, and then I would see the light and hear the voice." She looked up at Willow. "Then I knew I’d be okay."

"I’m so sorry." Willow closed her eyes and rested her hand on Tara’s chest. She took several breaths and opened her eyes. "I won’t let anyone every hurt you again, love."

"I know." Tara smiled shyly and rested her hand over Willow’s.

*****

Phoebe wandered through the trees until she found a large rock under an ancient oak. She sat and studied the tiny blades of grass coming up through the layer of leaves. It was peaceful, and yet her mind wouldn’t stop racing. She knew her chance with Tara was past, and yet seeing the blonde with Willow ripped her heart out. She didn’t know what to think. She heard a branch snap and turned toward the sound.

"Phoebe, I’ve missed you," Cole said with his most charming smile.

"What the hell are you doing here?" Phoebe stood and rushed toward him. "If my sisters see you they’ll…"

"They’ll what?" Cole asked as he reached for Phoebe’s hand. "Vanquish me?"

"It is what we do." Phoebe yanked back her hand. "Why are you here?"

"I miss you," Cole said honestly.

"And you just happen to show up here, now?"

"Phoebe, I have news," he said with a smile. "Great news."

"What?" Phoebe looked around to make sure no one else was coming close. She knew her sisters wouldn’t react well to Cole’s presence, and she was pretty sure that Buffy would kill Cole if she found out that he was an elite demon assassin. "Why now?"

"The powers in charge offered to make me human." Cole took Phoebe’s hand. "Fully human." He smiled. "We can be together, Phoebe."

"Human?" Phoebe smiled brightly. "Cole, that’s wonderful." She hugged him, happy that he would no longer be half-demon.

"I thought you’d be happy," he said as he wrapped his arms around her.

"Wait." Phoebe stiffened and then pulled back. "Why now?" Her eyes narrowed. "And what do they want in return?"

"Nothing," Cole assured her. "Well, almost nothing."

"Why do I get the feeling your being here now isn’t a coincidence?" Phoebe backed away. "What do they want?"

"All I have to do is save the Tec’lor demon," Cole said with a smile. "Just get your sisters to let him go and I get my soul back free and clear."

"Let him go?" Phoebe knew there was more going on than he was letting on, then she realized that the evil forces probably knew exactly what letting the demon live would mean. "Don’t you mean let Tara die?"

"Tara," Cole said angrily. "Why do you care?" He glared at her. "I thought you loved me," he accused.

"So I’m supposed to let her die to save you?" Phoebe put both hands on her hips.

"Look, Phoebe, this isn’t about Tara. It’s about the Tec’lor demon. He’s important, and by saving him I get to be human again. You can find some other way to save Tara."

"You know that’s not possible." Phoebe took a deep breath. "They want her dead, don’t they? This isn’t about the Tec’lor demon."

"You’re still in love with her." Cole’s eyes flashed dangerously. "You’re in love with that sniveling witch!"

"She’s a friend," Phoebe said slowly. Her eyes pinned Cole in place. "And I would never sacrifice an innocent."

"Innocent?" Cole laughed and stepped closer to her. "She’s no innocent." He grabbed her chin and looked into her eyes. "She played you for a fool. She’s using you to make her redheaded bitch jealous."

"Shut up." Phoebe backed away.

"Did you fuck her?" Cole clenched his fists at his side. "Was she any good?"

"I said shut up." Phoebe stepped away from him.

"So you didn’t," he said with a cold smile. "But you wanted to."

"Shut up!" Phoebe looked back toward the meadow. "Do you want me to tell them you’re here?"

"Phoebe, we shouldn’t be fighting. This is our chance." He stepped in front of her blocking her path. "We can be together."

"How can you even think that I would sacrifice her?" Phoebe stepped around him. "Leave, Cole, before I tell them you’re here."

"I love you, Phoebe." Cole watched her walking away. "And I’d never toss you aside for someone like that redhead."

Phoebe flinched as if he had struck her but she kept walking. ‘How could I have loved him?’ she wondered. All the times she had defended him to her sisters and now he was here casually expecting her to let Tara die. "Why did I ever let you go, Boo?" she asked as she pictured Tara’s warm smile.

*****

Back at the ritual site Buffy was pacing nervously. "We should get started," she said as she twirled a foot long iron spike.

"We’re almost ready," Giles said patiently.

"Where’d Phoebe run off to?" Prue asked as she finished smudging the area with a smoldering bundle of white sage.

"She had some thinking to do." Piper looked at the sacred circle with an expression of awe. It was by far the most complex ritual site the Charmed ones had every set up and she was a little nervous about the coming spell. She heard a familiar whooshing sound and spun to see a gathering cloud of green spheres. "Leo!" She felt her shoulders begin to relax as she watched her husband take his human form.

"Everything ready?" he asked as he embraced Piper.

"That was some entrance," Buffy remarked. She glanced back at the Jeep. Willow and Tara were out of sight, resting in the back seat. "Willow and Tara and gonna’ be so bummed that they missed it. Maybe you could show them later."

"Um, okay," Leo said uncertainly.

"It’s not a magic trick." Giles cleared his throat and tried to act unimpressed.

"You get used to him orbing in and out," Prue said with a smile. "So, Leo, did you bring good news?"

"Where’s Phoebe?" Leo asked.

"She took a walk," Piper said as she eased out of Leo’s arms. "Willow and Tara are in the Jeep. Should I get them?"

"No!" Leo said a bit too quickly.

"What is it?" Buffy stepped closer.

"The guys upstairs ran a few projections," Leo said cautiously. "And it looks like Tasha was right to be concerned about Tara and Phoebe crossing paths again."

"Projections?" Giles rubbed his chin. "What sort of projections?’

"The guys upstairs can run a scenario based on certain events," Leo explained. "And when they ran Tara and Phoebe coming together, they got two outcomes."

"What, is this like some heavenly computer software?" Buffy looked back at the Jeep. "Willow really should be here for this. She’d love to know that even angels use computers."

"That’s not exactly how it works." Leo crinkled his brow. "But I suppose that’s as good an explanation as there is."

"What were these projections?" Prue asked.

Leo crossed his arms over his chest.

"That bad?" Piper stepped closer and took Leo’s hand.

"We ran them last night. Scenario one has Tara going back with Willow to Sunnydale." Leo’s eyes narrowed. "Which leaves Phoebe hurting so badly that she goes back to Cole."

"No," Prue said angrily. "She isn’t going anywhere near him."

"Cole?" Buffy asked.

"Some half-demon assassin named Baltazar," Prue explained.

"Baltazar?" Giles was shocked. "She dated Baltazar? He’s one of the premier assassins."

"We know that." Piper paced as she spoke. "He was sent to kill us and ended with dating Phoebe instead. Believe me, we are not happy about it."

"What’s the other option?" Prue asked.

"Tara stays with Phoebe," Leo said.

"Excuse me, angel-boy, but that is not an option." Buffy stalked over to Leo. "Willow and Tara are in love. There is no way in hell Tara’s staying with Phoebe. You’re insane if you think there’s any chance of that happening."

"Even if Willow changed her mind and tried to interfere when the Tec’lor demon gets here?" Leo locked eyes with the Slayer. "How do you think Tara would react to Willow doubting her again? Do you think Tara would go back if she saw that Willow doesn’t trust her?"

"I think you’re just trying to stack the odds in Phoebe’s favor so she won’t go boinking that demon," Buffy said in a menacing growl. "And I’m not gonna’ stand by while you try to split Tara and Willow up."

"Buffy, calm down." Giles took the Slayer’s arm and pulled her back a few paces. "Supposing that Tara did stay, what would happened to Willow?" he asked, suspecting there was an equally bad outcome to that scenario.

"Willow’s heart gets shattered," Buffy answered. "Or didn’t you see her the last few days? Giles, she didn’t eat or sleep the whole time Tara was gone."

"I’m just clarifying," Giles said gently.

"If Tara stays, it isn’t good," Leo responded when Buffy finally looked back at him. "Willow is brokenhearted and she asks D'Hoffryn to take away that pain."

Buffy covered her eyes with one hand and sighed. She knew that Willow still had D’Hoffryn’s amulet, and with that amulet she could summon the head vengeance demon at any time.

"D’Hoffryn takes away her pain," Leo said. "By making her a vengeance demon."

"Great," Prue said as she ran her hand through her hair. "So Phoebe marries a demon in one scenario and Willow becomes a demon in the other. This is just great."

"Are these scenarios the only possible outcomes?" Buffy asked. "I mean, prophecies aren’t an exact science."

"Well, these are just the two most likely outcomes based on what we know now." Leo looked up toward the sky. "With each of these scenarios, the Pure Heart is at risk. If Tara sees either Willow or Tara in such a horrible place, her spirit may be broken." He swallowed hard. "It’s up to us to make sure the best outcome possible comes to be."

"And which horrible choice would that be?" Giles asked sarcastically. "I bloody well know the one I’m choosing." He waved a hand toward the Jeep. "Willow is not becoming a demon. If your precious Charmed one chooses to marry a demon then that’s her own choice." He crossed his arms over his chest. "I won’t allow Willow to be sacrificed to keep your sister out of a bad marriage."

The group turned when they heard a whooshing sound and they saw another swirling display of orbs.

"It’s not that simple," Tasha said as she appeared.

"And you would be?" Buffy challenged.

"Tara’s White Lighter," Giles guessed.

"Tasha, I thought you had to stay upstairs?" Leo asked.

"Willow and Phoebe are not the important ones here," Tasha said bluntly. "You neglected to tell them that in both of the scenarios Tara is dead in less than two years."

"How could you leave that out?" Piper yelled as she slapped Leo’s arm.

"Since it happens in both timelines, I figured why worry you." Leo rubbed his arm. "Her death won’t cause the end of the world. That only happens if her spirit is broken."

"If Willow becomes a demon, Tara will try to save her," Tasha said as she looked over at Buffy. "Tara will be killed in the caverns under Sunnydale as she tries to bargain for Willow’s soul."

"So even if she is with Phoebe, it’s Willow she loves." Buffy smiled smugly.

"Tara’s heart is pure," Tasha said sadly. "Yes, she loves Willow with everything she is, but if Willow betrays her again, Tara wouldn’t be able to stay. If that happens, she will stay in San Francisco and spend time with Phoebe and they will fall in love again."

"And if Tara returns to Sunnydale?" Giles asked.

"Then Tara will be killed by Cole," Tasha said as she looked over at Leo. "Which he forgot to mention."

"Why?" Piper asked incredulously. "Why would he do that if he has Phoebe?"

"Because Cole could never stand up to any comparison with Tara," Leo explained. "She’s the Pure Heart, and he’s an ex-assassin. Cole will go to Sunnydale a year after he marries Phoebe and kill Tara."

"Enough," Buffy said as she walked over to Tasha. "I’m gonna’ use my Slayer veto powers and say no to both of these options."

"Can she do that?" Prue looked over at Leo.

"She is the Slayer," Giles said proudly. "She can do what ever she bloody well wants to."

"These are the only scenarios," Tasha said as she looked over at Buffy.

"Yeah, but in both of those scenarios, we didn’t know the possible futures." Buffy looked over at Giles and he smiled and nodded his head. "Which means when you told us the possible outcomes, you screwed both timelines," Buffy pointed out.

"Is that true?" Piper asked.

"Uh…" Leo looked at Tasha.

"Quite true." Giles moved to Buffy’s side. "We have some experience with temporal paradoxes."

"So what now?" Prue asked.

"Easy," Buffy said as she smiled. "We kill the demon, save Tara, send Tara and Willow back to Sunnydale to live happily ever after and I kill this Cole guy."

Tasha smiled.

"Didn’t have an scenario planned for that one, did ya’?" Buffy said smugly.

"You told her about Cole?" Phoebe asked angrily as she came into view. "And you were just gonna’ sick the Slayer on him?" She glared at her sisters and then frowned when she saw Tasha. "And What the hell is your problem?"

"I wonder what this does to the scenarios?" Prue asked as she cringed.

End Part Two

Back to Willow and Tara Page

Back to Part One- chapters 1-4

On to Part Three- chapters 9-11(Conclusion)

 * The spell is from Canaanite Seasonal Cycle Mythos.