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 NINE
"Something’s wrong," Tara said as she tried to lift her head off of Willow’s chest and look out of the Jeep window.
"Shh. Just rest." Willow held Tara firmly against her chest. "Buffy will come get us when it’s time."
"Something isn’t right." Tara gently patted Willow’s belly. "Let me up, love." She sat up as soon as Willow loosened her hold. "Who are they?"
"Who?" Willow sat up and looked out the window and frowned. "I thought this was a private ritual." She looked at Leo and Tasha and wondered how the two newcomers had gotten to the remote location without a vehicle.
"We should g-get out there." Tara could see the growing tension in the small crowd.
"Yeah, Buffy’s got her butt kicking face on." Willow buttoned her blouse with a fond smile curling her lip. Tara had been sleeping with her hand tucked inside the blouse so she could feel Willow’s heartbeat. "Okay, I’m set."
"Me too," Tara said as she straightened her clothes. "Let’s go." She opened the door and carefully climbed out so she didn’t bump her injured side.
Willow jumped out and took Tara’s hand and they marched over toward the arguing group.
"Who are the hell are you?" Phoebe was furious. "You tell us you’re a White Lighter but you don’t act like any White Lighter I’ve ever seen." She was beyond angry. "We had to force you to help Tara before and now we’re supposed to trust you?"
"Calm down." Tasha sighed and looked over at Leo.
"Phoebe, we didn’t sick Buffy on Cole." Prue rested one hand on her hip. "Not that it’s a bad idea."
"We should focus on Tara right now." Phoebe was beginning to realize that Cole was not the man for her, but having her sisters plot his death was not acceptable. "Were you even gonna’ tell me?" Phoebe asked as she confronted Prue.
"It’s not like we planned anything." Prue rolled her eyes. "You have no idea what’s going on here."
"So tell me." Phoebe looked over at Tasha. "And keep her away from Tara."
"Speaking of Tara and Willow," Buffy whispered. She nodded toward the two approaching witches.
"Of course," Giles said. "Because this wasn’t convoluted enough as it is."
"What’s up?" Willow asked hesitantly.
"You." Tara pointed at Tasha. "You’re the Light Lady."
"She doesn’t look like Tinkerbell," Willow whispered. She squeezed Tara’s hand and scooted closer.
"Great, just great." Tasha glared at Leo. "I never should have listened to you. Revealing ourselves is forbidden for very good reasons."
"Are you… an angel?" Tara stepped closer to Tasha bringing Willow along with her.
"Kind of." Tasha smiled at Tara. She had looked over Tara’s since birth and she was fond of the shy the blonde. "You’ve grown up wonderfully."
"Tara has an angel." Willow looked over at Buffy. "A real live angel!" She frowned. "Are angels alive?" She looked back at Tasha.
"All this doesn’t matter right now," Tasha said.
"Are you here to help with the spell?" Tara asked. She tugged Willow closer and moved her hand around the redhead’s waist. She let out a tiny sigh when she felt the warmth of Willow’s frame press into her. It gave her comfort and helped her find her own inner strength.
"I can’t," Tasha said sadly. "A demonic blood summoning is outside my realm." She looked over at Leo. "As soon as the ritual begins, we cannot interfere."
"Oh." Tara crinkled her brow. "If you’re my angel, why are you talking to them?"
"Maybe she’s planning a surprise welcome home party for when we go back to Sunnydale," Willow suggested. "But then… I guess that isn’t really something that angels would plan. Though they may plan the ‘big’ coming home party for when you get ‘called home’ to heaven…" Willow’s face went pale. "No!" She yanked Tara closer. "It’s not her time!"
"Geeze, Willow, calm down," Buffy said with a giggle.
"I’m not here for that," Tasha assured Willow.
"Good, because I like Tara right where she is and if you plan on taking her then you’ll just have to take me too ‘cuz I’m not letting her go." Willow backed away, pulling Tara with her.
"Okay, so she’s an angel," Phoebe said. She had been quietly watching as she tried to figure out what was going on but her patience was at its end. "What does this have to do with Cole?"
"You should start the ritual," Leo suggested. "As soon as you anoint Tara with the venom and herb mixture the Tec’lor demon will come."
"Nice try, Leo," Phoebe said. "But you aren’t changing the subject." She lifted one eyebrow, giving him her most stern look.
"We can figure this out later," Tasha said as she pointed to the sacred circle they were standing in the middle of. "We must heal Tara first."
"My weapons are ready." Buffy pointed to a small stack of deadly tools next to the Jeep. "I just have to bring them into the circle."
The air next to Phoebe warped and Cole appeared. As a demon, he possessed the power to ‘Shimmer,’ which meant that he could move from one place to another in the blink of an eye.
"Too far away, Slayer." Cole grabbed Phoebe and held her to him as a shield. He bent down and grabbed the caldron with the venom and herbs and tossed it onto Tara.
"Cole, no!" Phoebe watched in horror as the mixture hit Tara and opened the dimensional porthole.
"You’ll thank me later." Cole shimmered and disappeared leaving Phoebe and the others to face the coming Tec’lor demon.
"Leo?" Piper looked over to her husband.
"We can’t help," Leo said as he felt his body beginning to orb out.
"We’ll be trapped upstairs until it’s finished," Tasha said even as she disappeared in a flash of blue spheres.
"Just great. Phoebe, how did he know where we were?" Prue scanned the area and then saw a swirling vortex appear a few feet from Tara. "Get back!"
"We have more pressing issues!" Phoebe yelled as she looked around for a weapon.
Buffy saw the vortex too and she dove toward Tara and Willow. She tackled them to the ground just as the vortex began blowing leaves and twigs into the air.
"Get out of the way," Buffy ordered. She motioned toward the Jeep.
"The weapons," Giles yelled as he hurried toward the bag with the iron spike.
"Get ready to freeze him," Phoebe said as she moved next to her sisters. "Maybe we can slow him down with a power of three spell."
Phoebe looked over at Tara and Willow. Suddenly a premonition made her stumble. The youngest Charmed one grabbed her head as images flooded her mind.
She saw Tara standing behind Willow.
"Buffy, look out!" Tara yelled. She tried to get past Willow but her legs gave out and she stumbled. She started to yell again but her eyes narrowed and then the blonde witch looked down at her own chest. A black dagger was sticking out of her ribcage. Tara fell to her knees. Phoebe could see that the dagger had struck Tara in the back and been driven through her body and out the front of her chest just under her heart. Tara’s eyes faded and she fell forward, dead. Phoebe saw Cole in the background smiling as he looked at the handle of his dagger protruding from Tara’s back.
"Phoebe?" Piper grabbed her younger sister around the waist.
"Tara." Phoebe looked over and saw Willow blocking Tara from the coming Tec’lor demon. Tara was behind the redhead just like in the vision. "Oh, god. Tara, get down!" She stumbled forward away from her sisters.
"Phoebe, we need you," Prue yelled. She pointed at the vortex. The air was churning as the vortex opened revealing an inky black hole. A red light glowed in the center of the hole and a horrible keening sound began roaring from the vortex.
"Okay, that is not a happy sound," Buffy yelled over the roar.
"Buffy!" Giles tossed a long spike to the Slayer. She caught it and faced the vortex.
"Stay back," Willow yelled over the noise. She looked over her shoulder and gave Tara a weak smile.
Tara nodded and held onto Willow’s waist. She was feeling light-headed and needed to lean on her lover for support.
"Tara, you have to get down," Phoebe yelled. "And watch your back!"
"What?" Willow looked over her shoulder but couldn’t see anything dangerous so she turned back toward the vortex.
"Watch the treeline," Phoebe yelled.
Tara didn’t see any threat either. She looked back at Phoebe and shrugged.
The vortex opened wider and the Tec’lor demon rolled out of the giant hole and staggered to his feet. He snarled as he looked at the witches closest to him. "Where is she?" the demon asked. He saw Tara and roared as the vortex closed behind him with a hiss. "There." He pointed at Tara. "You summoned me, witch. Face me."
"That would be our job," Piper said. She waved her hand at him as she sent out a burst of her paralyzing energy.
The demon laughed. "You have already used that on me," he said as he moved toward Piper.
"Um, Prue?" Piper backed up.
"Oh, shit!" Prue waved her arm at the demon expecting him to be tossed across the meadow. Nothing happened. Prue looked over at Giles. "Hey, Watcher? What the hell’s going on?"
"Geeze." Phoebe ran at the demon and used a roundhouse kick to knock him back.
"Ass kicking," Buffy said with a smile. "Now that I can relate to." She ran at the demon and kicked him in the side of the head.
"Giles?" Willow yelled. "Why didn’t their powers work?" She backed up to keep Tara away from the brawl.
"He is an upper level demon," Giles said as he ran over with a quarterstaff. "Some upper level beasts become immune to a witch’s attack once they’ve been exposed."
"I’m thinking you should have mentioned that sooner," Piper yelled. She picked up a small rock and hurled it at the demon. The rock bounced off without even distracting the beast.
"Yes, well, I’ve never actually seen a Tec’lor demon," Giles yelled.
"Give me that." Prue nodded at the staff. Giles tossed it to her and she ran at the demon.
"I want the one who called me," the demon said as he slapped Buffy and sent her rolling across the ground.
"We don’t always get what we want," Prue said as she hit him with the staff.
"The binding spell," Tara whispered into Willow’s ear. "The one you used on Piper." She took her lover’s hand and they began chanting in Latin. It was the same spell that Willow had used to paralyze Piper in the club. Tara hoped that with the two of them together, they could trap the demon long enough for the others to kill him.
The demon looked up as he felt the spell tingling across his skin. His lip curled up into a grotesque smile and he grabbed the staff and yanked it out of Prue’s hands and looked into Tara’s eyes. "It is time," he said as he lumbered toward the blonde.
"No," Willow shifted so that the demon would have to get through her to get to Tara.
Cole shimmered and then stood just out of sight at the edge of the treeline and watched the fight. He watched as Phoebe used her karate skills to slow the demon’s progress toward Tara. Every few steps Phoebe would look back to check on the blonde witch.
It made Cole’s blood boil that the woman who should have been his was risking her life to save the cowering blonde. Even worse, by saving Tara, Phoebe was ruining Cole’s chance to become human. The dark powers hadn’t cared whether or not the Tec’lor demon survived, all they cared about was making sure that Tara died. Knowing that she was the Pure Heart he understood why. Her death would mean increased hatred and war.
Cole smiled as he took out the black dagger and took aim. The weapon was made of jet, a lightweight black stone known for its magical properties. It was immune to all spells so even Piper couldn’t freeze it once it was thrown. It was an easy shot. Tara was standing with her back squarely facing him. He drew back his arm and hurled the dagger.
CHAPTER TEN
Buffy saw the demon heading toward Tara and reacted. She threw her body at the beast and knocked him back a step and then punched him in the throat. The demon shrugged her off and used his free hand to slap Prue as she tried to attack from behind. He turned toward Buffy and flexed his hand and his claws shot out of his gnarled fingers.
"Buffy, look out!" Tara yelled. She tired to move past Willow but her legs gave out.
Phoebe spun when she heard Tara yell. She looked to the treeline and saw her exboyfriend. "Cole, no!" she yelled as she ran toward Tara.
"Cole?" Prue looked toward Phoebe, which left the older witch exposed and the demon kicked her in the chest. She fell to the ground and coughed.
Willow spun toward the treeline when she saw Phoebe pointing. She saw Cole swing his arm and then she saw something small and black flying toward them. She stepped into the black object’s path as Tara turned to see what was going on.
"No," Tara said as she realized what the object was.
Willow realized at the same moment that Tara did. It was a knife of some kind and it was only a few feet away. Willow closed her eyes and shoved her hands out. She felt Tara’s hands cover her own and a wave of power shot through her fingers. It was like the spell she often used to float pencils only hundreds of times stronger, but the dagger didn’t stop. It hit Willow in the stomach and she crumpled to the ground with Tara holding her.
"Willow, darling," Tara sobbed.
Phoebe dropped to her knees next to Tara and looked down at the dagger in Willow’s belly.
Giles ran at the demon with an iron spike in his hand. The demon saw the spike and fear covered his hairy face. Giles stabbed at the beast’s chest but it was too swift and pivoted away.
"Your champions are weak," it taunted as it spun safely away from Giles. His smile faded when he felt something cold and hard slice through his skin.
"Still think we’re weak?" Buffy asked as she twisted the stake in the creature’s chest.
"Impossible," the demon snarled, and his disbelief was clear in his glowing red eyes. "It cannot be." His legs buckled and he slumped to the ground.
"Yeah? Well, it is, so get over it." Buffy slammed her foot into his chest and toppled him onto his back.
"The spell," Giles said as he struggled to his feet.
"Oh, god." Piper looked over at Phoebe.
"What?" Prue wiped a streak of blood off of her lip and turned to see what her sister was looking at. "No."
Buffy was too busy extracting the iron spike to notice what was happening behind her. "Geeze, is his blood made of super glue?" She grunted as she tried to pry the spike out from between the dead demon’s ribs.
Giles pulled a packet of powdered herbs out of his jacket and knelt next to Buffy. "Dip the spike in here," he instructed.
"You’re assuming I can get it out of him." Buffy grunted again and the spike popped loose with a juicy slurp. "Gross." She handed the dripping spike to Giles.
"Good." He rolled the spike in the herbs and they began to smolder as soon as the demon’s blood mixed with the magical ingredients. "We need to apply this salve to Tara’s wound as quickly as possible."
"Giles," Prue whispered. She rested her hand on the Watcher’s shoulder. "Mister Giles."
He looked up and saw Prue’s concerned expression. Giles stood and saw Tara leaning over Willow’s prone form. "Willow!" Giles exclaimed and then looked over at Buffy.
Buffy turned and saw the redhead and sprinted to her fallen friend. "Will!" She dropped beside Willow and grabbed her hand.
"Open your eyes, darling," Tara said as she used one hand to hold the dagger in place while she used the other to tug at the blood soaked shirt.
Giles hurried over and stood behind the Slayer. "Tara, we have to treat your wounds while the salve is still fresh." He held out the smoking herbs. "Let Buffy take her while I apply this."
"I won’t leave her," Tara said without looking up.
"Tara, I’ll take care of her for you." Buffy tugged on the blonde’s sleeve. "It won’t take long."
Prue and Piper stood behind Giles and watched Tara tending to Willow’s injury. They heard a whooshing and turned in time to see a whirlwind of green orbs.
"Leo." Piper ran to the spheres just as Leo and Tasha appeared.
"We got here as fast as we could," Leo said as he took Piper’s hand.
"Let me see her." Tasha rushed past Piper and went to Tara. She looked at Giles and scowled. "Why haven’t you used the salve?"
"She won’t leave Willow," Giles answered.
Tara looked up at Tasha and tilted her head to one side. "You’re the Light Lady." A tear rolled down her cheek. "Can you help her?"
"Let Giles treat you and I’ll see to her." Tasha knelt next to Willow.
Tara didn’t move.
"You always were stubborn." Tasha smiled and moved Tara’s hands out of the way. She pulled the dagger out and pressed her palms to the wound and it glowed orange and the blood disappeared.
"Phoebe, I need to talk to you." Prue pulled her youngest sister to her feet. "Did you know Cole was here?" she whispered.
"Not now," Phoebe said as she leaned over to see what Tasha was doing.
"Now." Prue yanked Phoebe away from the others. "Cole did this and you knew he was here."
"I had a premonition." Phoebe shifted her feet. "I tried to warn them."
"You knew before that, didn’t you?" Prue accused.
"Does it really matter right now?"
"Yes," Prue said angrily.
"No, it doesn’t." Phoebe yanked out of Prue’s grip.
"We need to talk about this now." Prue wasn’t about to budge. She tried to guide her sister away from the others.
"I’ll keep an eye on Tara," Piper promised. She held Leo’s hand and stepped a bit closer to see what Giles was going to do with the salve.
"Thanks." Prue took Phoebe’s arm and pulled her away.
Piper watched her sisters walk away, obviously still bickering, and then she leaned into Leo.
"Willow?" Tara brushed the hair out of her lover’s face. "Baby, open your eyes for me."
"You should let Giles help you." Tasha stood and backed up.
"Willow?" Tara shook her head in response to Tasha’s suggestion.
"Tara?" Willow’s eyes flickered open.
"Hey." Tara let out a laughing sob as soon as she saw her lover’s green eyes. "Oh, baby, you scared me."
"She’s fine," Tasha said quietly. "Now let Giles help you."
Tara nodded and looked over at Buffy. "Stay with her?"
"I promise," Buffy swore.
"Tara?" Willow tried to sit up but Buffy held her in place.
"Just rest a minute," Buffy ordered.
Tara faced Giles expectantly.
"Right, let’s get this over with." He led Tara back to the middle of the circle.
"Why did Cole do it?" Willow asked.
"Because he’s Phoebe’s psycho ex-boyfriend the demon, and that’s what demons do," Piper explained.
"Well, he seems…" Willow furrowed her brow.
"Psychotic?" Buffy offered.
"Well, yes," Willow agreed. She sat up and Buffy helped steady her.
"My question is why the hell was he here and why did he try to kill Willow?" Buffy looked up at Piper.
"He wasn’t trying to kill me," Willow said as her expression darkened.
"Tara?" Buffy turned and looked over at the blonde witch. Giles was gently applying the salve to her injuries. Buffy sighed and looked back up at Piper. "Why would he want to hurt her?"
"I think we figured that out," Piper said. She raised both eyebrows and tapped on her chest over her heart. She didn’t want to mention the Pure Heart since Willow still had no idea of her girlfriend’s unique nature.
"Phoebe still loves Tara," Willow pointed out. "Maybe he’s jealous."
Piper nodded. She looked over near the jeep where Prue and Piper were arguing and wondered how many more times Cole would hurt Phoebe before she moved on.
*****
"Your boyfriend almost killed Willow," Prue said furiously. "You keep telling us how harmless he is and then he pulls this. Why didn’t you warn us he was here?"
"I didn’t think he’d do anything." Phoebe looked off into the trees for any sign of Cole.
"You do realize he wasn’t trying to kill Willow don’t you?" Prue put both hands on her hips. "He wanted to kill Tara."
"I thought he was good now," Phoebe whispered. "Well, mostly good." She ran both hands through her hair. "I couldn’t believe he was serious when I saw him earlier."
"Excuse me?" Prue grabbed her sister. "You spoke to him today and you didn’t tell us?"
"I thought he left." Phoebe looked down at the ground. "He wanted my help, and when I refused, I thought he left."
"Okay, start at the beginning." Prue took a calming breath and rested one hand on Phoebe’s shoulder. "Why did he need your help?"
Phoebe swallowed hard and began explaining her earlier conversation with Cole.
*****
"I want to see Tara," Willow said. She started to stand and then squeaked when Buffy lifted her to her feet.
"Fine, but I’m sticking with you." Buffy pulled Willow close and half-carried the thin redhead toward the sacred circle. "I gave Tara my word and I am not gonna’ lie to her ever again."
"Great, you sure know how to make me feel better," Willow grumbled but she smiled when she saw Tara coming toward her. "Did you get rid of the venom?" she asked.
"Yes," Giles said proudly. "The salve seems to be working quite well."
Tara lifted her blouse and smiled. The scars were already less swollen and the redness was going away.
"Maybe that Light Lady can heal the scar now," Willow said as she took Tara’s hand.
"Maybe." Tara looked over at Tasha. The White Lighter was talking to Leo off to one side of the meadow.
"I’ll go sweet talk the angels." Buffy eased Willow into Tara’s arms. She watched Tara’s sensual smile become almost predatory as she looked into Willow’s eyes. "You two stay here and… well, you do whatever… okay, I’ll be right back."
"We embarrassed her." Tara wrapped both arms around Willow’s waist and leaned into her lover’s body.
"Me?" Willow giggled. "You were the one making bedroom eyes."
"I’m feeling better." Tara kissed Willow’s neck. "And the Jeep is still empty. I seem to recall you owing me some backseat time."
"You are feeling better." Willow tilted her head to allow her lover better access. She wasn’t disappointed. Tara leaned in closer and wrapped her lips around Willow’s pulse point. "I feel kinda’ tingly myself from that healing," Willow said sensually.
"Really?" Tara asked huskily. Her pressed her lips to Willow’s ear. "Tingly where?"
"We should go to the Jeep now," Willow said with a whimper.
"Oh, yeah." Tara pulled her smaller lover toward the vehicle.
"Where are you two going?" Giles asked.
"Um…" Willow froze. She gripped Tara’s hand and swallowed as she tried to think of a plausible excuse.
"We need a nap," Tara said a bit too quickly.
"Indeed?" Giles moved closer. "Are you feeling all right?" The Watcher’s concern was obvious. "I wanted Tasha to heal the scars, but perhaps we have more pressing concerns. You both appear quite flushed." He turned and waved Tasha closer.
"What’s wrong?" Tasha stopped in front of Tara. The White Lighter was smirking.
"Nothing," Tara said in a squeak.
"They’re both feeling tired," Giles volunteered. "Is that a side effect of the healing?"
"Perhaps a short nap would help," Tasha suggested. She had watched over the blonde since the day she was born, and she knew what the rose tinted blush on Tara’s cheeks meant. She also knew that a White Lighter’s healing left a person energized, and for adults, that generally translated to a heightened sexual appetite.
"Should you heal her scars first?" Giles asked. He looked over at Tara and gave her a loving smile. "Then you can both rest."
Tasha reached out her hand and it glowed over Tara’s side. "There you go."
"Wow. That was fast." Tara rubbed her ribcage and then looked over at Willow. Tara now had her own energy charge. "W-we really should go… rest."
"Um, yeah." Willow couldn’t look Giles in the eyes.
"Just try to keep on your toes," Giles said as he walked with the two witches toward the Jeep. "Cole is still out here somewhere and we don’t know what he has planned."
"We have to go find him." Willow stopped abruptly and Tara slammed into the redhead’s body. "Before he tries to hurt Tara again."
"Can’t you…you know, feel him?" Tara asked as she looked over at Tasha.
"No, he’s half human and he’s very good and masking his demonic nature." Tasha motioned toward the car. "But I can stand watch while you two take your nap." She looked deep into Tara’s eyes. "You two need to reconnect. Your physical bodies aren’t the only thing that needs healing."
Tara’s throat went dry and she blushed furiously as she realized that her own private guardian angel not only knew what she and Willow had planned, she was trying to orchestrate it.
Giles smirked and his eyes sparkled as he realized what the two ‘tired’ witches had been planning.
"I think we should help find Cole." Willow was blushing as well. She looked over at Tara and cleared her throat. "So, um, let’s go ask Buffy how we can help." She pulled Tara’s hand and jogged away leaving Giles and Tasha alone.
"Ah, youth," Giles remarked dryly. "So eager to discover all of life’s mysteries and yet they think the older generation never delved into those same indulgences."
"You can actually remember that far back?" Tasha raised both eyebrows as she smiled at Giles.
"Well I’m not that old," Giles said defensively. "Besides, you knew exactly what they had planned too."
*****
Buffy and Prue stood at the edge of the treeline and stared down at the ground. They had easily found the place where Cole had waited for the best chance to ambush Tara, and from the amount of disturbed leaves, he had waited there some time.
"Okay, so he’s a patient demon." Buffy pointed to the leaves that had been brushed aside while Cole had obviously stood in one place as they prepared for the ritual.
"Bastard," Prue whispered.
"Think he’ll come back for her?" Buffy asked.
"Count on it." Prue rolled her eyes. "He's obsessed with Phoebe. He even tried to say he loved her."
"I meant for Tara." Buffy rubbed the back of her neck. The muscles were sore from the fight. "Does Phoebe love him?"
"She thought she did," Prue said quietly. She looked back across the clearing and could see Phoebe standing off by herself. The youngest Halliwell was watching Tara. "I think seeing Tara reminded her what love is supposed to be."
"Willow and Tara are happy," Buffy said slowly. "They may have hit a bump, but I’ve never seen two people more in love."
"Don’t worry." Prue turned toward Buffy and shook her head. "Phoebe would never come between two people in love. It’s obvious she still cares for Tara, and that means she’ll do what’s best for her."
"And after what Tasha told us, what do you think is best for Tara?" Buffy snapped a twig from a branch and twirled it between her fingers.
"One look at Tara and Willow together makes that pretty clear." Prue looked over at the sacred circle. Willow and Tara were cleaning up the supplies, or rather, attempting to clean up the supplies. At the moment they were chasing each other with bags of herbs. Tara’s rich laugh carried across the clearing as Willow flung herbs at the blonde.
"They are special," Buffy agreed as she watched. ‘Dorks,’ Buffy thought with a smile when she heard Willow squealing.
"Phoebe would never interfere," Prue said sadly. "She’s a good person."
"Yeah." Buffy nodded. She realized that if Tara had loved Phoebe, the dark haired witch must be very special indeed. "Any idea where we can find this Cole?" Buffy changed the subject. "I’d kinda’ like to have a little heart to heart with him." She smiled dangerously.
"I wish I could find him. I have a few choice words for him too." Prue’s feral smile matched Buffy’s.
"Let’s go see if Giles has any ideas," Buffy suggested.
"Cool." Prue waved her hand signaling Buffy to lead the way.
Giles was leaning against the Jeep talking in hushed tones with Leo and Tasha. As much as he wanted to ask the two White Lighters a string of informative questions about their existence, he was more concerned with the present situation.
"What will happen now?" Giles asked.
"I have no idea," Tasha admitted. "This outcome wasn’t in any of the scenarios we used."
"Well, I doubt Phoebe will go back to Cole after this," Leo said hopefully.
"Yes, and Willow shouldn’t be in any danger of needing D’Hoffryn since she and Tara are quite…" He blanched as he looked over at the two witches just in time to see a rather heated kiss. "Quite… um…"
"Happy," Tasha said with a smile. She looked over at Tara and then back to Leo. "I’m so glad this is working out."
"We still have Baltazar to contend with," Giles pointed out.
"I don’t know if Cole will come after Tara once she goes back to Sunnydale." Leo looked over at Phoebe and his brow furrowed. "It’s pretty obvious Tara’s made her choice."
"I dare say Phoebe was never in the running." Giles ran his hand through his hair. "Perhaps Tara was brought to San Francisco to remind Phoebe what to look for."
"It’s a pretty painful message," Leo said angrily. "Just dangle someone she loves in front of her only to have that love snatched away."
"Tara never mislead her," Tasha pointed out.
"I know," Leo admitted. "It’s just hard seeing my charge in so much pain."
"Maybe now she can let go of Cole," Tasha suggested. "Maybe we should run a projection upstairs."
"No thanks," Leo said quickly.
"Yes, the last ones weren’t very accurate and they caused a great deal of grief." Giles saw Buffy and Prue approaching and straightened his back. "Buffy, any luck?"
"No sign of the nasty exboyfriend demon," Buffy whined.
"What now?" Prue asked.
"They go home," Leo said bluntly. "Cole is a problem for the Charmed ones. Buffy has her own battles to fight back in Sunnydale."
"Cole became my problem when he tried to kill my friends," Buffy said pointedly.
"Buffy, perhaps it’s for the best." Giles nodded toward the clearing where Willow and Tara were brushing away the outer markings of the sacred circle. "I think they need to reconnect and I getting them home would be best for everyone." Giles looked over as Phoebe walked up behind Prue.
"Look, I’ll be fine," Phoebe said. "I don’t want you rushing Tara outa’ here just to spare my feelings."
"Always the tough guy." Prue leaned over and wrapped her arm over Phoebe’s shoulder.
"I was never tough with her." Phoebe looked over at Tara and smiled sadly.
"She kinda’ has that effect on people," Buffy agreed. "So, can I trust you to vanquish that bastard who hurt Willow?"
Phoebe closed her eyes and took a deep breath. "Yes." She opened her eyes and looked over at Tara across the meadow. "I did care for Cole, but he’s dead to me. Baltazar is going to answer to the Charmed ones," she said, using his demon name.
"Can you do that?" Piper asked. She still had her doubts about Phoebe’s ability to face Cole. The half demon had already convinced Phoebe to lie for him on several occasions.
"Yeah," Phoebe said quietly. She stared at Tara, remembering the selfless, tender love she and the blonde had shared. Tara had offered Phoebe everything she had, everything she was without wanting anything more than Phoebe’s heart in return. Cole had lied, tried to kill her and her sisters and asked Phoebe to betray her family to be with him.
"Hey?" Prue gave Phoebe a gentle squeeze. "You okay?"
"Just thinking." Phoebe shook her head and willed her feelings to go back where they belonged, locked away in the past with the happy memories of her life with Tara. "I need to tell her goodbye." Phoebe cleared her throat and walked slowly away.
"We have to go," Leo said as he glanced over at Tasha.
"Good bye." Tasha nodded and moved away from the others and disappeared in a whirlwind of blue spheres.
"Will you be home soon?" Piper asked.
"As soon as I can," Leo promised. He kissed her and then disappeared in a swirl of green orbs.
Buffy watched the dark haired witch as she went over to Tara and Willow. Phoebe smiled warmly, putting on a brave front, and then reached out and gave Tara a hug. She turned to Willow and opened her arms. True to form, Willow hugged Phoebe and then the two pulled away from each other. Tara gave Willow a long, more intimate hug and then Willow left the two former lovers alone.
"Phoebe, thank you so much," Tara said as soon as Willow left.
"Hey, it’s what we do." Phoebe tried to act casual. "I won’t even charge you extra for the demon slime in my hair."
"Vinegar neutralizes that," Tara said with a half grin. "But then you smell like Easter eggs."
"That was the best Easter I ever had." Phoebe smiled sadly. She reached out and took Tara’s hand in hers. "Our neighbors thought we were nuts," she added as she walked toward a large oak tree.
"They were right," Tara agreed. She gave Phoebe’s hand a loving squeeze. "I just couldn’t see letting Easter pass without handing out eggs." She cleared her throat and smirked. "Just because New Yorkers aren’t used to having colored eggs delivered door to door doesn’t mean it was a bad idea."
"It was a wonderful idea," Phoebe said as she let go of Tara’s hand and sat on a large rock. She patted the cold granite and waited while Tara sat next to her. "Although, the bunny ears may have been too much."
"They looked good on you." Tara laughed as she remembered that Easter morning.
She and Phoebe had colored four dozen eggs and then handed them out to every neighbor in their small building. It was the only egg many of the children in the low rent building got that year. The sight of their next door neighbor’s son Thomas carefully cradling his pale blue egg as if it were a priceless treasure had nearly broken Tara’s heart. She still sent Thomas an Easter package every year, even though he was now in second grade.
"You’re going back to Sunnydale," Phoebe said quietly.
"I have to." Tara leaned down and caught Phoebe’s eyes and smiled. "She’s my life."
"I know. She’s also the luckiest woman in the world."
"I was happy with you, Thumper." Tara tilted her head to one side. "You and I had something special, but our time has passed."
Phoebe nodded. She knew it was true but her heart ached.
"You taught me how to love," Tara whispered.
"No," Phoebe disagreed. "You taught me. You’re the most selfless person I’ve ever met." She pushed a stray strand of hair off of Tara’s face. "And don’t hide these beautiful eyes, Boo."
Tara blushed. "You taught me to take risks," Tara said after a moment. "I was so afraid when I got to New York. If it wasn’t for you, I would never have been brave enough to approach Willow." She took Phoebe’s hand and lifted it to her lips and left a kiss on her knuckles. "Thank you so much. She’s everything, and without her I’d be lost. You gave me that," Tara said as her voice cracked.
"You would have found her," Phoebe said as she pulled her hand back and picked at her denim jeans.
"Phoebe, don’t ever doubt how much you meant to me. Still mean to me." Tara sighed. "We all walk separate journeys, and if we change even one leg of that journey, we end up in a different place."
"Where do I go from here?" Phoebe asked in a tiny voice. "I thought I loved Cole, but seeing you again made me realize how shallow what he and I shared was."
"He was part of your journey too," Tara said gently. "Maybe I came to remind you what you deserve."
"So how do I find another Boo?" Phoebe asked with a smile.
"You don’t." Tara took her hand. "Thumper and Boo had their journey. We can look back on that time and smile." She patted Phoebe’s hand. "Now you go out and find your soulmate, like I did." Tara’s eyes drifted to one side and she focused across the meadow on Willow. A warm smile covered her face.
"I’m happy for you, Tara," Phoebe said sincerely. She stood and pulled the blonde to her feet and hugged her. "Be happy, sweetie."
"I will." Tara squeezed Phoebe to her and inhaled her unique scent as if trying to memorize the hint of jasmine. "You be happy too."
"Maybe I should go to a Wicca meeting at the campus," Phoebe joked as they parted. "Seemed to work for you."
"You never know," Tara said with a glimmer in her eyes. She took Phoebe’s hand and led her back to the Jeep where the others were waiting.
When they got to the Jeep, Phoebe pulled Tara over to Willow and stopped in front of the svelte redhead.
"Have a safe trip," Phoebe said as she reached out and took Willow’s right hand. "Be happy you two," she added as she brought up Tara’s hand and gave it to Willow.
"Thank you," Willow said sincerely. She pulled Tara closer and smiled up at her beautiful lover. "I’ll take good care of her."
"Take good care of each other," Phoebe suggested playfully.
"Yeah." Willow nodded. She saw the sincere caring in Phoebe’s eyes and suddenly felt a wave of compassion for the dark haired witch. She grabbed Phoebe and pulled her into a fierce hug. "Take care of yourself," she whispered.
"I will." Phoebe laughed as the tiny redhead practically squeezed the life out of her.
"We should go," Giles said as soon as the hug ended. "Prue is going to look for a way to locate Cole while Piper drives us to the airport."
"Giles charted a plane," Willow said excitedly.
"Really?" Tara’s eyes lit up as she had sudden visions of making love to Willow in the clouds. She pictured the plane painted with a giant British flag like the jet in Austin Powers. "Can we take a nap?" Tara asked with sensual leer.
"Um, yeah, sure," Willow said, not quite understanding her lover’s excitement. She had gotten airsick on the trip up. The small, six-seat plane was loud and bumpy, but if Tara wanted a nap, Willow was more than willing to offer her lover a lap to sleep on. "Anything you want, love."
Tara smiled and then blushed as she imagined all the things she wanted to do with her lover.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Tara’s excited expression disappeared when she saw the plane that taxied over to them at the airport. Any thoughts of midair naughtiness were out of the question.
The ride back to Sunnydale did give Tara time to think about what to do with Willow when the plane landed.
She and Willow took up most of the small plane’s backseat. Willow’s lap made a comfortable pillow and Buffy’s lap was a convenient footrest, though the Slayer didn’t seem nearly as happy as Willow was to get the honor of acting as Tara’s furniture.
Once back at Sunnydale, Giles dropped Tara and Willow off at the dorms. The two witches went back to Willow’s room in record time.
"In… room… now…" Willow said around Tara’s lips. She was trying to unlock the door but Tara seemed content to ravage Willow in the hallway.
"Umm hmmm," Tara mumbled as she deepened the kiss. She had missed Willow, missed her touch, and now that she had the chance to sample the redhead’s kiss she wasn’t willing to stop for anything.
"Tara," Willow whimpered as her legs started to buckle. The blonde was now sucking on Willow’s neck. "Oh, goddess." Willow pivoted and pinned Tara to the door. She reached behind her lover and put the key into the lock as she gave the blonde a sweltering kiss. The lock clicked and the door swung open. Both witches tumbled into the room in a heap.
"Ouch." Tara giggled but pulled Willow on top of her and continued their kiss.
Willow was now laughing into Tara’s mouth. She reached her leg out behind her and kicked wildly as she tried to close the door.
"Hold that thought." Tara broke the kiss in a fit of giggles and gently rolled Willow onto the floor. She jumped up and closed the door and locked it and then turned and offered her hand to Willow.
"You don’t like the floor?" Willow smirked evilly. "It’s very spontaneous."
"And very hard." Tara pulled Willow up and draped her arms around her lover. She gave the redhead a slow, bone-melting kiss that took her breath away. "Nice soft bed just a few steps away," Tara whispered.
"It’s too far." Willow nibbled on Tara’s earlobe as she pulled the blonde closer to the bed. "Might not make it that far."
Tara grabbed Willow around the waist and lifted her off the ground and carried her to the bed. "There you go," she whispered as she eased Willow onto the bed. She kissed the redhead and guided her onto her back and straddled her. "See? You made it."
"Just barely." Willow pulled Tara down and their lips met. Both women moaned as Tara settled her weight carefully onto her more petite lover.
They shared several gentle, deep kisses and then clothing became an obstacle. Willow growled when she couldn’t manage to remove Tara’s bra with her shaking hands, but Tara’s mirth filled giggles calmed the redhead’s nerves.
"Wait," Willow said when Tara started to remove Willow’s top. She sat up and rolled Tara onto the bed. "I need something." She kissed Tara’s lips. "Don’t go anywhere." She kissed Tara’s nose. "Be right back," she added as she pressed her lips to her lover’s forehead. "Stay," she punctuated with a lingering kiss.
Tara nodded with a smile. She didn’t know what her beloved had planned but the excited sparkle in Willow’s green eyes let Tara know that it would be worth the wait. Tara rolled onto her tummy and she heard Willow rummaging through the small refrigerator in the closet. She heard a hollow clunking and then the more obvious sound of ice being poured, a lot of ice.
"Willow?" Tara sat up, confused. "Are we going on a picnic?" she asked when she saw Willow come out with an ice chest in her hands.
"Kind of," Willow said mysteriously. She put the ice chest next to the head of the bed and then began to slowly remove her top. "Get under the covers," Willow ordered huskily. She smiled like a jungle cat. "And take off those clothes." She nodded at Tara’s bra and panties.
Tara’s smile became predatory as well. She licked her full lips and unsnapped her bra, but instead of removing it, she held it in place over her voluptuous breasts.
"Off," Willow ordered. She flung her own top across the room and then her bra followed. "I said off," she said with just a hint of a spoiled whine tossed in when Tara failed to move.
Tara ducked under the covers and then tossed her bra out. She kicked off her panties and smile up at Willow. "You want to see me?" she asked in a throaty tone.
Willow nodded as she stepped out of her panties and moved closer to the bed.
"Then come get me." Tara smiled impishly.
"Vixen!" Willow yanked the covers loose from the bottom of the bed near Tara’s feet and crawled under the blankets like a snake disappearing into a hedge.
"Willow?" Tara laughed at her lover’s antics. "Oh," she said with a moan. "That’s…nice."
"Yes, it is," Willow said from under the blankets. She kissed her way up Tara’s body, playfully nipping at her toes and then leaving lingering kisses along the blonde’s body. When she got to Tara’s neck, both women were taking breaths in ragged gasps.
"Oh, baby." Tara cupped Willow’s face in her hands and guided their mouths together. The kiss left Tara weak, and she collapsed into her pillow with a goofy grin. "Wow."
"You like that?" Willow straddled her lover and rubbed their bodies together in an ancient horizontal dance.
Tara nodded as her eyes became lidded.
"Good." Willow’s hand left a fiery trail in its wake. She touched Tara with possessive intent and her hand made its way lower.
Tara tossed her head to the side when Willow’s hand tickled her inner thigh. She opened her eyes and saw the ice chest. "What’s in the ice chest?" Tara asked with a whimper.
"Gatorade." Willow leaned down and locked eyes with Tara. "You’re not leaving this bed unless the building’s on fire, love." She licked her lips. "And I plan on giving you lots of exercise."
"Oh, my." Tara’s eyes widened and her lips curled into a feral grin.
Willow raised her eyebrows up and down in an attempt to look dangerous. Unfortunately, on Willow it simply looked…cute.
"Make love to me, you big goof." Tara ran her hands down Willow’s back and gave her a playful squeeze.
"I’m kinda’ trying to go for the whole dangerous and seductive lover thing." Willow stuck her lip out and pouted. "Not goofy."
"You don’t have to seduce me. I’m yours… forever."
"Good." Willow gave Tara her most goofy grin.
Tara pulled Willow down for a gentle kiss that slowly built in intensity until both women were washed away by their growing passion.
"Goddess, Willow." Tara broke the kiss and shivered. "You got the dangerous part down. I don’t know about the building catching on fire, but I’m about to burst into flames."
"Well, okay then." Willow nodded, pleased that at least half of her plan was working. She leaned down and kissed Tara as her hand moved back down her lover’s body.
Neither woman gave the outside world any thought. They existed only for each other, and the rift between them melted as their souls came back together, home at last.
Hours later as the lay spent in each other’s arms they listened to the sounds of their dormmates beginning an impromptu party.
"Wanna’ get up?" Willow asked. She was cradling Tara on her chest and had no interest in moving but she thought she should ask.
"Well…" Tara traced a lazy spiral across her lover’s chest.
"What?" Willow kissed Tara’s honey silk hair.
"We do need to restock the Gatorade," Tara said huskily.
A grin covered Willow’s face and she gave Tara a loving squeeze.
"Plus, I think I need some nourishment." Tara shifted her weight and looked into Willow’s eyes. "What kinda’ snacks you got in the fridge?"
"Yogurt," Willow offered.
Tara scrunched her face and shook her head.
"Bananas?" Willow suggested. "Very good to keep cramps away." She smirked. "What with all the exercise."
"Okay," Tara said lazily. She rolled off of Willow and stretched with a squeak. Her toes dangled off the edge of the bed. "Feed me."
"Goof," Willow said as she sat up. She stretched her arms over her head and let out a contented groan.
Tara looked over in time to see her lover’s head thrown back and her body arching. She decided her meal could wait. Tara suddenly had a different snack in mind.
"Tara!" Willow squealed when her lusty lover jumped her. "You beast." The redhead giggled even as Tara began ravaging her. Her laughs were replaced by more sensual sounds when Tara reached Willow’s breast.
"Now this is a snack," Tara said as she wrapped her lips around Willow’s nipple. Willow’s skin puckered instantly as Tara’s tongue lashed across the delicate flesh.
Willow would have agreed but all coherent thought fled her mind when Tara’s hand dipped between her legs.
*****
Phoebe wandered into the cafeteria and sat at one of the tables at the back of the room. She watched as young couples walked hand in hand or playfully fed each other from their trays.
"Geeze, like I really need to see this," she said under her breath. She looked down at her tray and picked at the limp salad.
"Hey, mind if I sit?" a young man asked.
Phoebe looked up expecting to tell a frat boy that she wasn’t interested but the face looking back at her was sincere and earnest. "Sure, why not."
"Thanks." He sat and opened a yogurt. "I’m Whistler," he volunteered. "And no, I’m not hitting on you." He smiled earnestly.
"Good." Phoebe let out a relived sigh, but then she crinkled her brow. "Why not?"
Whistler laughed. It was sweet and comforting sound, something like a cross between a giggle and belly laugh.
"I’m not worth hitting on?" Phoebe asked.
"You’re beautiful." Whistler took a bite of his yogurt. "But I was just looking for somewhere to sit and maybe someone to pass a few minutes with while I eat."
"Oh." Phoebe nodded and went back to her droopy salad.
"I’ve seen you in the psych classes," Whistler commented.
"Yeah, I like it." Phoebe furrowed her brow. "I don’t think I’ve seen you."
"I’m pretty easy to forget," he responded with a disarming smile.
"Not with that wardrobe." She nodded toward his hot pink vest and lime green blazer.
"It works for me." He shrugged his shoulders and smiled.
"That’s all that counts," Phoebe agreed.
"You did a presentation in the abnormal psych class that was great." Whistler stirred his yogurt. "Mythical monsters and the psyche. I liked it."
"Thanks," Phoebe said sincerely.
"I gotta go." He finished the last of his yogurt and tossed the carton into the trashcan a few feet away.
"Nice shot."
He smiled and then paused. "Oh, I thought you might be interested in this." He reached into his pocket and pulled out a flyer and handed it to her. "Have a nice day." He turned and walked away.
"Thanks," Phoebe said as she took the paper. She looked down at the flyer and smiled. It was for a meeting of the on campus Wicca group. They had a meeting the next day. "Wow."
She looked down at the announcement. ‘UCSF Wicca group; 3:00pm Thursday in the quad. Come out of the broom closet!’
Phoebe smiled and took her tray to the counter and then headed for the quad.
*****
The sun was setting and the ocean glittered like liquid gold. At any other beach in California sunset would find the area packed with people enjoying the view. Beach bums in Sunnydale tended to be gone before the sun set.
A lone figure walked down the beach and sat on a rock overlooking the small bay. He looked out into the distance and saw a tiny speck on the horizon. He watched it bobbing along getting bigger as several hours passed.
By the time the moon was high, the speck could be seen entering the bay. An hour later, the sound of cussing echoed across the water.
The man stood and moved to the shore when the speck could be seen clearly. It was a woman, and she was not happy. She climbed out of the surf and spit out a mouthful of seaweed.
"Stupid Slayer!" Glory yelled as she staggered out of the water. She yanked at her tattered clothing and then shrieked into the night air. Her hair was matted to her head and she looked like sand and seaweed had been named as the season’s latest accessory trend.
"Hello."
"Who the hell are you?" Glory walked toward the man on the beach. She eyed him and decided that after swimming for almost a week with only three fishermen to brain suck, she was well overdue for a mental snack. Besides, the fishermen had been so terrified that they spilled their gasoline and caused a fire that sank their small boat, not that she would have actually known how to navigate such a mundane vehicle.
"I’m Cole." He smiled and walked closer. "I have a proposition for you."
"And I have something for you." Glory grabbed him and drove him to his knees on the sand. She dug her fingers into his skull and then shoved him onto his back. "What are you? There’s a mildly human flavor to you but it’s not quite right."
"What did you do to me?" Cole shook his head and staggered to his feet.
"I didn’t do anything." Glory shook her head and a small fish fell out of her hair. "You’ve got demon in you." She let out a frustrated sigh and looked up the coast. "What kind? This human flesh bag you’re walking around in is certainly lacking. Does your demon form have any cute little seeping sores?"
"Does it matter?" Cole began to wonder if contacting Glory was the best thing to do.
"Maybe," Glory said flirtatiously. Her eyes narrowed. "You know, you really should be groveling at my feet. I am the name that is not spoken. My magnificence is blinding and the earth trembles beneath my feet." She smiled happily but then frowned and scratched her head. "I hate the ocean." She pulled another small fish out of her hair and squashed it in her hand. "That bitch, I mean, witch. I rematerialized a thousand miles off shore. That little witch is gonna’ pay."
"Don’t you want to know my offer?" Cole crinkled his forehead as he studied the supposed hellgoddess. She had certainly seen better days.
"You dare to make me an offer?" Glory’s eyes flashed dangerously. "You know, I think that the human in you is making you disrespectful. I could suck it right out of you." She smiled. "Would you like that?"
"Look, lady, I have a witch problem, you have a witch problem. Do you want to work together on this or not?"
"Lady?" Glory leaped over and grabbed Cole by the throat and lifted his feet off the ground. "Did you just call me a lady?" She rolled her eyes and squeezed her hand tightly. "You did not call me a lady. That just can’t be." She ignored Cole as he kicked his feet and clawed at her arm.
"Wait," Cole pleaded. He struggled to get a breath and then clenched his teeth and his body shifted as he revealed his demon form.
"Nice," Glory said as she looked up at him. "I like the red, but the black stripes? No. Didn’t they do that in the crappy Star Wars prequel?" She shook her head. "Now why would an assassin demon want to talk to me?"
"Glory," he rasped.
"Are you one of those neutered demons like Spike?" Glory let out a long drawn out breath. "The Slayer sent you." She tightened her grip. "I’m not that stupid."
Cole’s eyes bulged when he heard a crackling sound and his throat collapsed.
"I am not falling for her trap." Glory smiled sweetly and squeezed harder. "Ew, they don’t make demons like they used to." She frowned. "I barely squeezed at all and your eyes just popped right out. What is up with that?" She dropped him to the sand and studied him like a bug. "Must be the human in you. It makes you weak."
Cole fell face first into the sand. He tried to speak but only a gurgle escaped.
"What? You thought the whole demon invincibility would work with me?" She laughed. "Hello? I am Glorificus. Your demon side is just soft chewy filling." She lifted him out of the sand by his hair and rammed her fingers into his temples and absorbed his human sanity. "Was it good for you?" she asked with a smile. She drove her hand into his chest and squeezed his heart inside his ribs and then ripped it out. "See? Soft and chewy, if you like that sort of snack." She tossed his heart aside and walked away.
Cole’s body stiffened and tumbled into the sand as the last of his lifeforce was lost.
"Nice try, Slayer!" Glory yelled into the air and then turned and walked toward Sunnydale. "Next time send a more durable minion!" She stopped and sighed. "I miss my little Jinxy." A sensual smile covered her face. "He’ll wash my hair and cover me with lotion like a good little minion. No goddess should ever have dry skin." She rubbed her arms and the walked barefoot across the sand, stopping occasionally to flick a piece of seaweed off of her arms or to pull a dying fish out of her matted hair.
*****
Phoebe sat at the edge of the quad and smiled. She watched several young women gathering under the shade of a row of trees. Most reminded Phoebe of the group of Wiccans she had joined for holiday celebrations in the past.
"Hey, are you here for the Wicca group?"
Phoebe looked up into the bluest eyes she had ever seen. "Huh?" Her throat went dry.
"The Wicca group?" The tall woman ran her hand through her jet-black hair. "We meet here."
"Uh huh." Phoebe managed to say. ‘Brilliant, Phoebe,’ she thought with a cringe.
"I’m Mika." The raven-haired woman smiled brightly and offered her hand. "And before you say anything about the name, I didn’t pick it."
"It’s nice." Phoebe took Mika’s hand and they both felt an almost electric shock. "I’m Phoebe."
"Family name?" Mika asked.
"Yeah, I know. I got screwed." Phoebe smirked.
"It’s beautiful." Mika tugged Phoebe toward the small group of Wiccans. "Did you know Phoebe is one of the names Artemis goes by?"
"Really? Cool." Phoebe blushed. "So, do you guys celebrate the pagan holidays?"
"Yep." Mika let go of Phoebe’s hand and both women mourned the loss of contact.
"And do you do any spells?" Phoebe asked. After hearing about Tara’s experiences at the UC Sunnydale Wicca group she figured she’s better get that out of the way immediately.
"Most Wiccans do spells, but not like in the movies." Mika smiled warmly. "A spell is a purposeful wish asking a deity for assistance. Like a prayer."
"I see," Phoebe said.
"You sound disappointed," Mika said. "There are people who believe in more traditional spells, but nothing negative."
"And you trust me enough to tell me this?" Phoebe looked into the young woman’s eyes.
"I get feelings about people." Mika shrugged. "They’re usually pretty accurate."
"You see the future?" Phoebe joked.
"Something tells me you’d understand if I said yes." Mika waved at a short blonde who was coming over. "Hi, Cathy."
"Mika, you aren’t scaring off the new girl are you?" Cathy reached out to shake Phoebe’s hand. "I’m Cathy. Why don’t you come on over and sit?"
"I’m enjoying talking with Mika." Phoebe took Cathy’s hand and almost shivered when the blonde squeezed with a weak, limp wristed grip.
"I need to go get the sodas from my car," Mika said. "Wanna’ help?" She smiled over at Phoebe.
"Sure." Phoebe smiled and followed the black haired woman across the grass. She watched the sensual swing of Mika’s hips. ‘Nice ass,’ Phoebe thought with a leer.
Mika spun and stared at Phoebe. "You’re not checking out my ass, are you?" There was a playful glint in her blue eyes.
"Now why would I do that?" Phoebe asked innocently.
"Oh, so my ass isn’t worth checking out?" Mika smirked.
"Hmm." Phoebe took Mika by the waist and pivoted her and looked at her shapely behind. "It’s definitely worth checking out," Phoebe said clinically. She rubbed her chin as if deep in thought. "I think your swollen head may have blocked the view before."’
"Hey, it’s not boasting if it’s true," Mika said with a rakish grin. She nodded at a car parked in the 30 minute loading zone. "That’s me." She started to step off of the curb and a white SUV sped toward her.
"Whoa there." Phoebe grabbed Mika and kept her out of the car’s path.
"Thanks." Mika took a deep breath. "Since you mentioned spells earlier…wanna’ help me send him a flat tire spell?" She raised her eyebrow up and down.
"I don’t think so." Phoebe let go of Mika’s hand and laughed. "As fun as that sounds, I don’t want three of my own flat tires."
"Darn rule of three," Mika agreed. "I’m glad you already know that one."
"Hey, anything we put out into the universe comes back to us threefold." Phoebe shook her head. "Guess that means no speeding ticket spells either.
They went to Mika’s car and lifted an ice chest out of the trunk. Mika got a smudge of grease on her cheek so Phoebe reached out to wipe it off. As soon as Phoebe touched the raven-haired woman a vision filled her mind.
Phoebe stiffened as the vision played through her mind like a flashy music video. She saw a young coed step in front of a slow moving bus. The bus slammed into her and tossed her several meters into the air.
Phoebe opened her eyes and saw that Mika had stiffened as well.
"Shit!" Mika opened her eyes and ran for the street. Phoebe caught up with her and they got to the curb at the same moment.
"Look out!" Phoebe yelled when she saw the coed from her vision.
Mika was already sprinting toward the inattentive woman. She grabbed her arm and yanked her back onto the curb as the bus lumbered past. The young girl was shaken, but quickly went on her way.
Mika looked over at Phoebe and studied the youngest Charmed one.
"You saw it," Phoebe stated.
Mika nodded.
"Do you get premonitions?" Phoebe asked hesitantly.
"No, but you do," Mika said. She nodded toward her car. "Come on." She went to the ice chest and stopped. "Sit," she told Phoebe.
Phoebe sat on the ice chest. "If you don’t get premonitions, how did you see that?"
"I’m a mystic empath," Mika whispered. "I don’t have powers of my own but if I touch someone who does, I get their skill temporarily."
"For how long?" Phoebe let the words sink in.
"A few minutes, and I’m usually not as strong as the witch I borrow them from. I never get the power full strength."
"Witch?" Phoebe’s eyes widened.
"Yes, I know about you." Mika smiled disarmingly. "It’s part of being an empath. I can tell if someone’s a witch when I touch them." She cleared her throat. "And not only are you a witch, but you’re a practicing witch. Pretty strong I’d guess."
"It seemed like you had a strong premonition. I thought you said it’s not full strength?" Phoebe noticed that Mika’s face seemed to have gotten a few shades paler.
"I was touching you while you used your power," Mika explained. "If I’m touching the other person, I can use their power full strength."
"Wow," Phoebe said. She couldn’t wait to tell Prue and Piper as soon as she got home from the Wicca meeting. "Hey, we should get back."
"Yeah." Mika started to offer her hand but pulled it back. "I’ll pass on the touching. You’re damn strong." She rubbed her temple. "Leaves one heck of an empathic hangover."
"I’m sorry," Phoebe said. The depth of her concern for her new acquaintance surprised her. "Can I help?"
"Just don’t grab me and get any more visions." She smiled. "You’re wired 220, and I’m just 110."
"Funny." Phoebe smiled at the beautiful witch and they carried the ice chest back toward the quad.
"So, Phoebe," Mika began. "Do you…um… well…"
"Do I what?" Phoebe was expecting a question about her powers.
"Do you date women?" Mika blushed furiously.
"Depends on the woman," Phoebe said mischievously. "You asking?"
"Well, who’s got the swelled head now?" Mika laughed.
"Okay, I admit it. I was checking out your ass earlier."
"Then yeah," Mika said. "I’m asking."
"Then I think I’m saying yes." Phoebe smirked.
"Think?" Mika shook her head. "I like a woman who knows."
"I would love to go out with you," Phoebe amended. "How’s that?" She tilted her head to one side.
"I think this just might be the start of something very special," Mika said.
"I think you’re right," Phoebe said happily. "And after all, I can see the future."
The two women laughed and continued bantering as they walked across the campus sharing the weight of the ice chest.
Whistler smiled as he watched from under the shade of an ancient elm. He loved it when everything came together.
*****
Buffy stood at the counter in the Magic Box and watched Willow and Tara as they sat at the desk across the room. The two witches were looking through a book detailing all of the prophecies about the Charmed ones.
"The shop feels right again," Giles whispered. "There seemed to be a huge hole while Tara was gone."
"Yeah, right in Willow’s heart," Buffy agreed.
"Anya and Xander should be here in an hour." He cleared his throat. "I think we should tell Tara about the Pure Heart."
Buffy nodded. She didn’t want to give the blonde anything more to worry about but she refused to keep secrets from her.
Giles led the way to the table and sat across from the two witches. He held an ancient text in his hands and he kept rubbing the soft leather cover.
"Did you need something, Mister Giles." Tara smiled warmly.
"Help with research?" Willow nodded toward the book in his hands.
Buffy came over and sat next to Willow and sighed.
"What’s wrong?" Willow looked at the Slayer. "That’s your serious face. I don’t want to see the serious face."
Tara took Willow’s hand and the redhead stopped babbling.
"We found out something while we were in San Francisco," Giles said gently.
"What is it?" Tara asked. She pulled Willow’s hand onto her lap and intertwined their fingers.
The two witches listened as Giles explained the legend of the Pure Heart and exactly why he thought that Tara was the long awaited soul. Willow believed it as soon as she heard the description, but she wasn’t happy about it. She was convinced that dark forces would hunt Tara down to hurt her.
Tara was harder to convince. She couldn’t believe that she was anything more than ordinary. When she finally did accept it, she was horrified by the thought that the Light Lady from her childhood was an angel who basically watched her every move.
Giles and Buffy left the two alone to discuss the ramifications of the revelation.
"I always knew you were special." Willow rested her chin on Tara’s shoulder.
"I don’t want to be special," Tara whispered. She tilted her head to the side and rested her temple against Willow’s forehead.
"I’ll take care of you." Willow lifted her face and kissed Tara.
Tara untangled from Willow and stood. She took a shuddering breath and walked to the back of the shop and stared at the wall.
Willow followed and stood as close to her lover’s back as she could without actually touching her. "Tara?"
The blonde witch sniffled and wiped away a tear.
"Baby?" Willow rested both hands on Tara’s shoulders. "I’m here."
Tara’s began to cry and her shoulders slumped. She leaned back into Willow and let the petite redhead support her weight.
"Shh, I’m here." Willow wrapped her arms around Tara from behind. She kissed her lover’s ear. "I’ll always be here." She rubbed Tara’s belly.
"Do you think the Light Lady, you know, watches everything?" Tara turned in Willow’s arms and faced her.
"I hope not." Willow smiled but her cheeks blushed.
"I don’t want this," Tara said.
"I don’t think you have a choice." Willow rubbed her nose against Tara’s.
"Maybe I do." Tara took a deep breath and slowly let it out.
Willow raised one eyebrow.
"D-do you think I can call her?" Tara looked around the cramped area. She and Willow were behind a bookcase that reached to the ceiling. "The Light Lady?"
"White Lighter," Willow corrected. She tangled her fingers in the baby fine hair at the base of Tara’s neck. "And I don’t know." She looked behind Tara playfully. "I don’t see any angels."
Tara rolled her eyes.
"Ask her." Willow wiggled excitedly. "Phoebe and her sisters call Leo."
Tara furrowed her brow.
"Phoebe and I talked a little at the airport." Willow sighed and rolled her eyes. "You were right," she said begrudgingly. "She’s very nice."
"Told you." Tara looked behind Willow.
"Try it," Willow suggested.
"Okay." Tara bit her lip and cleared her throat. "T-tasha?" She looked behind Willow and then turned to look the other way. "Are you h-here?"
Willow scanned the area excitedly. When nothing happened the redhead blew her bangs off of her forehead with a puff of breath. "Where is she?"
"Tasha, I want to see you." Tara’s voice became more forceful. "Please." The blonde pulled away from Willow and took her hand. She looked around expectantly, rubbing Willow’s fingers nervously.
"Um, Tasha?" Willow asked. "I’m thinkin’ that since you’ve probably like seen me naked, me seeing you is pretty fair. But not naked. With your clothes on." She blushed as she remembered the particularly athletic day of lovemaking she and Tara had just shared.
"Please?" Tara asked. "I’m kind of in shock about this whole Pure Heart thing."
Both witches turned when they heard a muted whooshing. They watched as a swirl of blue orbs materialized into Tasha.
"I’m not supposed to talk directly to you," Tasha said patiently.
Tara’s eyes widened and she moved closer to her White Lighter. Her eyes were full of wonder and she reached out and traced the Angel’s cheeks. "It really was you," Tara whispered with a smile. She was still adjusting to the idea that her Light Lady was real.
"Yes, little one." Tasha nodded sadly.
"In the closet," Tara whispered. "You sang to me."
Willow came up behind Tara and hugged her. She rested her chin on Tara’s shoulder from behind and cradled the blonde tenderly. She wanted the blonde to know how much she loved her. Tara had told Willow about the beatings she had endured while growing up. When Tara was very young, she would crawl into the back of the closet after a particularly brutal beating and hide under the thick winter coats. It broke Willow’s heart to think of Tara going through that.
"You weren’t supposed to hear me," Tasha said. She cupped Tara’s chin and smiled. "I wanted to stop him, but most of the time I couldn’t."
"Most of the time?" Willow asked quietly.
"Sometimes I could make him go to sleep," Tasha explained.
"Thank you," Tara said. "For staying with me. When I would wake up in there and see your light, I felt safe."
"I wish I could have done more," Tasha said sincerely.
"It’s okay," Tara said with a kind smile.
Willow squeezed Tara and pulled her closer. The redhead’s hands were linked with her lover’s on Tara’s belly.
"You can do something for me now." Tara rubbed Willow’s hands.
"What?" Tasha asked.
"You can remove memories, can’t you?" Tara asked.
"How did you know?" Tasha’s surprise was obvious.
"Because." Tara pulled Willow’s arms closer. "I never remembered the w-worst beatings."
A tear rolled down Willow’s cheek. She wanted to take Tara away from everything and never let anything hurt the gentle blonde again.
"Yes," Tasha admitted. "I did wipe your memories."
"I w-want you to wipe everyone’s memories about me," Tara asked.
"But, Buffy and the Charmed ones know to protect you now," Tasha said, clearly confused.
"But they won’t ever treat me normal again," Tara whispered. She had seen the way Dawn had suffered since it was revealed that the young girl was the Key.
Tasha took a deep breath as she considered the request.
"Are you sure you want that?" Willow asked.
Tara nodded.
"Let me clear it upstairs." Tasha smiled. "It shouldn’t be an issue. They were pretty angry about everyone finding out."
"If this works, I won’t remember you," Tara said sadly. She leaned over and kissed Tasha’s cheek. "Thank you, my Light Lady."
Tasha smiled and put her hand over her cheek where the tingling from Tara’s kiss still lingered. She smiled as she disappeared in a swirl of spheres.
Tara stumbled but Willow caught her.
"You okay?" Willow asked.
"Yeah," Tara said with a smile. "So, why did you lure me back here?" She turned and faced her lover.
"Me?" Willow giggled. "You tricked me into coming back here, walking with those sassy hips of yours."
"I thought I had sassy breasts," Tara countered.
"No, the eggs are sassy because they look like little breasts." Willow kissed her lover. Neither woman had any memory of Tasha or of Tara being the Pure Heart. They were both currently concerned with finding somewhere private to do more than kiss.
"So what are my breasts if they’re not sassy?" Tara asked.
"They’re mine." Willow’s lips curled into a predatory smile and she pulled Tara to her. She kissed her, staking claim to the blonde witch. They lost themselves in the embrace and ignored the sound of Anya yelling at Xander about crowding her while she counted the money.
Tasha watched for a moment and then decided to go back upstairs. She didn’t like to intrude on the private moments of her young charge, though with the amount of time Tara and Willow spent having ‘private moments’ Tasha often ended up getting an eyeful anyway. She giggled as she left to make sure that none of the Pure Heart’s friends would remember that Tara had her own destiny.
Tara eased back from the kiss and tilted her head.
"What is it?" Willow traced Tara’s lips with her tongue.
"Nothing," Tara said. For a moment she thought she had heard laughter. "Kiss me," she asked huskily.
"Vixen," Willow whispered as she did just that.
*****
The End…for now. *G*
End Part Three
Back to Part One- chapters 1-4
Back to Part Two- chapters 5-8
* The spell is from Canaanite Seasonal Cycle Mythos.