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

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

Pairing: W/T... eventually

Angst Rating: Highest rating... buy stock in Kleenex

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

lcountry@quiknet.com

CHAPTER FIVE

Tara twisted to one side and let out a frustrated sigh in her sleep. It was strange sleeping alone in the bed she used to share with Willow. It had taken her over an hour to relax enough to actually go to sleep. Now she was restlessly moving from one side of the bed to the other in search of the warm body that should have been beside her. She whimpered and tugged the blankets up over her face and sighed again.

Rack floated through the wall into Willow’s bedroom. He smiled as he looked around the small, homey space. It was exactly as Amy had pictured it. He studied the sleeping body in the bed and floated closer. It would be easy to give Willow just a taste of his energy, and then she’d crawl back begging for more.

Tara woke up, but she didn’t move. She felt it. It was cold and dark and it made her heart race, and not in a good way. Her heart hammered like it did when she was sprinting across the graveyard with an angry vampire on her heels. She swallowed and tried to figure out what had awakened her. At first, she thought it was a nightmare, but the unsettling prickle running down her spine was no dream. Something was in the room, something that wanted to hurt her. No, not her, Tara realized. It wanted to hurt Willow, her beloved Willow.

"Extundo!" Tara said as she sat up in the darkness. She thrust her hands away from her body and sent out a flash of white light in every direction. She felt her energy hit something, something dark and big.

Rack was tossed through the wall where he had just entered. He fell from the sky and hit the ground with a painful thump. He shook his head and stared up at the stars. "Amy, you are in so much trouble." He closed his eyes and disappeared.

Tara tossed back the covers and flicked on the lamp but the room was empty. "Willow!" she whispered as she sprinted for the door.

Downstairs, Willow was sleeping soundly. She couldn’t get comfortable on the lumpy couch, but at least she was dreaming of Tara. A cold shock ran through her body. It chilled her to the bone and she shivered. Even her dreamscape seemed to drop in temperature.

She was with Tara, walking through the park in the sun. Suddenly, clouds covered the sky and everything fell into shadow. She turned to Tara and pulled the blonde to her.

"I love you," Willow said in the dream.

"You’re mine," Tara said as she pinned Willow to her chest. "Don’t ever forget it." Tara’s face changed and reshaped until it was Rack who was holding Willow.

"No!" Willow fought to break free, but his grip was too strong.

"I take what’s mine," he said in a gravely whisper. He kissed her roughly.

Willow let out a strangled scream as she sat up on the couch and tried to slow her labored breathing. Tears ran down her face and she had the urge to vomit. She climbed to her feet and moved toward the downstairs bathroom.

"Willow?" Tara staggered down the stairs into the living room.

"Tara?" Willow asked incredulously. She turned and saw the blonde a few feet away.

"Darling?" Tara ran the smaller woman and pulled her into a hug. "Are you okay?" she asked in a frightened whisper.

"Nu uh," Willow said as she clung to her former lover. She was shaking, and she couldn’t stop crying.

"What is it?" Tara asked. She ran her hands down Willow’s trembling back.

"It was awful," Willow whispered. She shivered and backed away and roughly rubbed her arms. "I … I … I need a shower." She rubbed her face with trembling hands and then ran up the stairs.

"Willow?" Tara followed her. "Hey, what is it?" She followed the redhead into the upstairs bathroom and stood in the doorway.

"I’m dirty." Willow seemed disoriented. "I can’t stop seeing him. He was here." She pulled off her top and dropped it to the floor. She tried to remove her flannel pants, but her shaking hands couldn’t untangle the thin tie.

"I’ve got you." Tara moved closer and covered Willow’s hands. "Will?" She leaned down and caught the redhead’s attention. "Let me help." She smiled reassuringly.

Willow nodded mutely. She barely registered that she was topless, or that Tara was undressing her. Once she was completely naked, she climbed into the shower. The water hit her face and shocked her back to reality. She couldn’t let Tara see her like this.

"Tara?" Willow asked over the spray of the water.

"Yeah, b—" Tara stopped herself before she called Willow ‘baby.’ "Yes?"

"You don’t have to stay," Willow said as she held back the flood of tears that waited to fall. "Why don’t you go?"

The pounding shower was the only sound and then Willow heard the door open and then click closed. She was alone. She had asked Tara to leave, and the blonde had. It broke Willow’s heart. She pressed her hands onto the wall and sobbed as the water pounded on the back of her head. She was truly alone. She sank to the floor of the shower and sat with her knees pulled up to her chest, and she couldn’t stop shaking. She pressed her forehead to her knees and wept uncontrollably. She didn’t hear the door open, nor did she hear the quiet sound of clothes falling to the floor. When the shower door opened she let out a startled squeak.

"Up," Tara ordered. She was naked except for the protective amulet. She climbed into the shower stall with complete grace and dignity and then hung a small mesh bag on the showerhead and reached down and pulled Willow to her feet.

"Tara?" Willow shook her head and turned away from the beautiful blonde. ‘I must be dreaming,’ she thought.

Tara reached into the mesh bag and took out a bar of homemade soap. She lathered the bar until she had a healthy bunch of bubbles and then eased Willow away from the water. "Com’ere," she whispered as she lathered her ex-girlfriend’s back.

A sob shook Willow’s chest and she slumped forward.

"Come back here," Tara whispered. She wrapped an arm around Willow’s waist and held her up as she scrubbed her back. "We’re gonna’ get you clean. I promise."

It was too much for Willow. She spun and wrapped both arms around Tara and continued sobbing.

"Shh, baby. I’m here." She managed to keep rubbing the bar of soap over Willow’s back. "You need to help me." She cleared her throat and began a sacred ritual. "Clean this daughter of the light, and help her come out of the shadow," Tara whispered.

"What are you doing?" Willow pulled back and couldn’t help but gape at her naked former lover.

"Have you forgotten how to do a cleansing ritual?" Tara smiled and put her hands in Willow’s. She nodded toward their joined hands.

Willow slowly shook her head. "Maiden, mother, crone, wash this flesh and blood and bone," Willow responded. She gathered the lather in her fingers and helped Tara spread it over both of their hands.

"Spirit, heart, and skin, cleanse without and within," Tara continued. She took the soap and lifted it to Willow’s hair and lathered her thick tresses. She gasped as the white lather slowly turned black. "Oh, Willow, what have you done to yourself?" Tears ran down Tara’s cheeks as she turned her former lover and rinsed the soiled lather under the shower spray.

"Is it bad?" Willow asked. Her eyes were tightly closed as the soap ran down her face.

"Not too bad," Tara embellished. She turned Willow away from the water and lathered her hair again. "Now hush. No talking during ritual," she said with forced enthusiasm. She sighed with relief when the fresh supply of soapy foam didn’t change color. She worked the lather down, but when the foam reached a few inches below her hairline, it turned black. Tara was patient. She would lather Willow’s body and then rinse the soiled foam away again and again. It was a long process, but she never complained. By the time they finished, the water was chilled.

They climbed out of the shower stall, both discretely looking away from the other’s body.

Tara grabbed a thick towel and began drying Willow. "Feel better?" she asked quietly.

"Thanks." Willow nodded. There were no words to express her gratitude, so she smiled shyly and tried not to stare at Tara’s bare body.

"Here you go." Tara handed Willow a clean set of pajamas. She turned and began drying herself.

"How did you know?" Willow asked as she slipped into the fresh, clean fabric.

"I felt something." Tara pulled a tee shirt over her head and stood in front of Willow. "Something dark. I knew you were in danger." She pulled on a pair of boxers and nodded toward the door. "Come on." She squeezed past Willow and went into the hall to the bedroom.

"Um…" Willow paused at the door to the bedroom.

"You’re sleeping here," Tara said firmly. She went to the bed and tossed back the covers.

"O-kay." Willow followed her into the room and suddenly felt shy. She watched as Tara moved around the room lighting candles and incense. A smile spread over her face. This was familiar and comforting, and it brought happy tears to Willow’s eyes.

"In the bed," Tara teased. She took a bag of sea salt and sprinkled it around the edges of the room.

"Tara, why are you doing a protection spell? Did something come after you?" Alarm filled her voice.

"No," Tara said darkly. She took Willow’s hand and pulled her to the bed. "It wasn’t after me." She nodded at the bed. "In. Now."

Willow climbed under the covers and waited while Tara turned off the lights. She bit her lip as the blonde climbed onto the bed next to her and settled onto her back.

"Come on," Tara coaxed as she opened her arms.

"So, um, we’re taking this slow, right?" Willow squeaked. She scooted closer and snuggled into Tara’s arms. "Oh, goddess." She groaned when their bodies connected.

"Slow," Tara affirmed. She took a calming breath and tried to ignore how perfect Willow felt in her arms. "I can’t protect you if we’re not touching," she said after a moment. "Scoot onto my chest."

"Well, you don’t see me arguing," Willow joked. She snuggled on top of Tara’s body and had to bite her lip to keep from moaning. Tara’s breast was soft against her cheek, and it took every ounce of willpower to stop from twisting her face and kissing her beautiful love. She needed to shift her focus. "So … um, am I squishing the baby?"

"No." Tara almost laughed. "The baby isn’t in my chest."

"I know that." Willow rolled her eyes. "I just … ya’ know." Her leg edged onto Tara’s thigh and moved toward her hip. "I don’t exactly stay in one place when I sleep."

"Well, she’s not in my thigh either," Tara said in a high pitched squeak. Her body was reacting to Willow’s, and her body had never heard of taking things slow.

Willow smiled in the candlelight. ‘Guess I can still effect her,’ she thought with a satisfied sigh. She could hear Tara’s heart pounding. She snuggled closer, pressing her leg higher onto Tara’s thighs. She almost giggled when she heard Tara’s heart rate increase instantly.

Tara wrapped her arm over Willow’s back and began making small circles along her spine. She inhaled deeply as she centered her own energy.

"You’re not doing a spell are you?" Willow asked in a panic.

"It’s not dark magic," Tara said gently. "And you’re not casting." She continued her soothing motions. "I need to make sure you’re safe."

"Tara, I don’t want any magic…"

"This is from the light," Tara promised. "If anything, this will help purge the dark magic." She stopped her hand and squeezed Willow closer. "I promise."

"I trust you." Willow swallowed nervously and buried her face in the crook of Tara’s neck. She loved Tara’s clean scent, and she could feel Tara’s energy filling her. She squeezed her eyes closed. She had missed this. Tara’s energy was like drinking honey-sweetened sunshine. She was light and warmth and everything good.

"Goddess Artemis, I ask that you keep us safe for we are your children," Tara whispered. A white light surrounded both witches on the bed.

"I’ve missed you, Tara," Willow whispered sleepily. She yawned, and for the first time in months, she felt safe.

"I’ve missed you too, baby." Tara wanted to kiss Willow’s temple, but her own fears wouldn’t let her. "Go to sleep. I’ll keep you safe."

"I’m supposed to be keeping you safe." Willow yawned again. "You’re the one who’s all fainty."

"Sleep," Tara ordered. She smiled, touched by her ex-lover’s concern. In truth, she had eaten two solid meals earlier in the day, and she felt better than she had in weeks. ‘Probably because you haven’t eaten two real meals before that in the last two weeks,’ she chastised her self internally.

"You’ll be here when I wake up?" Willow was still half-convinced she was dreaming, but she knew she couldn’t be. Holding Tara was better than any dream.

"Yes, baby." Tara gave into her heart’s demands and left a quick kiss on Willow’s temple. "I’ll be here."

"Mmm," Willow mumbled. "Yay." She yawned one last time and her eyes drifted shut. She went to sleep looking forward to the next day, a feeling she hadn’t had since Tara walked out on her.

*****

The sounds of morning in Sunnydale were much like any other city. Birds sang, heralding another night without ending up as some demon’s feathered snack. Other more urban sounds were mixed in as well. Street sweepers welcomed every sunrise. Blood on city streets was bad for business, and Sunnydale politicians made certain the streets were washed cleaned every dawn so no trace of vampiric victims remained.

Tara listened to the noise outside and felt an alarming and unwelcome sense of contentment. She was in bed, on her back, with Willow nestled on top of her chest, and it felt right. That scared Tara more than any vampire ever could. She didn’t want Willow’s body to fit perfectly with hers, she didn’t want Willow’s hand to feel so right pressed on her belly over their child, and most of all, she didn’t want Willow’s warm breath on her neck to make her feel safe and loved. Tara didn’t know if she could trust Willow, and that could expose her to pain deeper than she had ever known.

Willow moaned happily in her sleep and moved her leg up Tara’s thigh. She sighed and nuzzled Tara’s neck.

It was torture, to be with Willow like this, Tara decided. Her body hummed everywhere Willow touched her, but she couldn’t give in to her desire. She had to be certain Willow could completely give up dark magic. Until then, they had no future as a couple.

"Tara," Willow whispered in her sleep. Her voice was deep and full of love. She moved her hand in tiny circles on Tara’s belly.

Tara’s body reacted immediately. She sighed before she could stop herself, but she did bite her lip before she released a moan. Willow knew exactly how to touch her.

"Love you," Willow whispered. She shifted so she could reach Tara’s throat with her lips.

Tara’s eyes shot open wide. She was fully awake now and heading toward fully aroused. She tried to move her head to avoid Willow’s lips, but the sleeping redhead wasn’t easily discouraged.

"Um, Willow?" she asked in a high pitched voice. She didn’t want to wake the exhausted woman, but she didn’t want things to escalate.

"Ta-ra." Willow’s voice was so husky it sounded like a hungry growl. Her hand slid up Tara’s belly and snaked under her shirt.

"Um, not a g-good idea." Tara grabbed Willow’s hand just as it reached its goal. "Oh goddess." Tara’s eyes fluttered shut as Willow’s expert hand massaged her breast. "Willow, wake up," she said in shaking voice. She pushed the redhead’s hand away, but Willow growled in frustration and her thumb brushed Tara’s nipple. "We should stop," Tara said even as she twisted toward Willow and pulled her closer.

The door opened and Buffy came stumbling into the room. "Willow’s gone!" She froze as she realized exactly why Willow wasn’t on the couch. "Oh…" Her eyes locked on the scene of Willow’s hand … on Tara’s breast… under Tara’s top. She also noted that Tara’s arm was draped over Willow in an intimate embrace.

"It’s not what you think," Tara said as she squirmed out of Willow’s grasp, literally.

"Come back here," Willow whimpered. She opened her eyes and smiled happily when Tara was the first thing she saw. "Hi," she drawled lazily. Her hazy mind cleared and her eyes shot open like twin moons. "Oh god!" She backed away from Tara and almost fell off the bed. "Tara, I didn’t … I…" She looked down at her hand and swore she could still feel the heat from Tara’s breast. "I guess I did."

"I’ll be leaving you two alone." Buffy smirked and backed away.

"W-wait," Tara said to both Buffy and Willow. She grabbed Willow’s hand. "You stay." She looked at Buffy. "I need a book from the magic shop. Can you call Anya?"

"Sure," Buffy said, drawing out the word. "Except the shop doesn’t open for like another three hours."

"Oh." Tara furrowed her brow. "I should get up." She climbed from the bed too quickly and staggered as her vision blurred.

"Tara!" Willow scurried across the bed, but Buffy reached the blonde witch first.

"Easy." Buffy wrapped a protective arm around her friend. "Sit." She guided Tara to the bed.

"Is this normal?" Willow was about to hyperventilate.

"I’m just a little dizzy," Tara said quietly. "I s-shouldn’t get up so fast."

"You’re pale," Buffy accused. Her eyes were drawn the bandage on Tara’s head.

"Pale is bad," Willow chimed in. "You should eat." She jumped from the bed. "Buffy, get her back in bed. I’ll bring her breakfast."

"I’m fine." Tara rolled her eyes. "Hey!" she protested when Buffy scooped her up and lifted her to the top of the bed.

"Sorry, Tara, I’m with Will on this one." Buffy pulled the blankets over her. "You’re not going anywhere until you’ve eaten."

"I’ll be right back," Willow said as she trotted out the door.

"Do I get any say in this?" Tara asked grouchily.

"No." Buffy grabbed a pillow and fluffed it within an inch of its feathery life.

Tara sighed and leaned into the pillows that had survived Buffy’s fluffing. "So, about that book?"

"Rest now," Buffy ordered. "Work later."

Tara rolled her eyes.

"No eye rolling, missy." Buffy waved a hand at Tara’s belly. "You need rest. Rest is good." She gasped. "You have an appointment with that doctor today. You have to be rested." She waved both hands at the blonde witch. "Shouldn’t your eyes be closed for resting?"

Tara rubbed her forehead and groaned. With both Willow and Buffy in overprotective mode, this might end up feeling like the longest pregnancy in history. She sat there for a few minutes with Buffy studying her for any sign of dizziness. Dawn finally came to her rescue.

"Willow told me to make sure you eat all this while she makes pancakes," Dawn said as she came into the room. She carried a tray laden with two kinds of cereal, two kinds of juice, a glass of milk, two kinds of toast, three kinds of fresh fruit and a bowl of peas.

"All?" Tara’s eyes widened. She settled the tray onto her lap and studied the selections. "Are you sure this isn’t a multiple choice breakfast thing? I pick one of each, and … and … good god, why are there peas here?"

Buffy began giggling uncontrollably. "I think this is panic Willow." She turned to Tara. "Get used to it."

"I am not eating peas for breakfast!" Tara insisted.

"Willow said they’re full of iron or something." Dawn smiled triumphantly. "Besides, you’re the one always telling me to eat green vegetables."

"Not for breakfast," Tara argued.

"You better dig in." Buffy smirked.

Tara picked up a slice of wheat toast and took a bite. "There’s no butter," she complained. She made a dry hacking sound like a cat with a hairball.

"No fat," Dawn said glumly. "Willow threw the butter into the garbage." She began giggling. "She also glared at the syrup when I set it on the counter. I don’t think it’s gonna’ make it upstairs."

Buffy laughed until she snorted. She sat on the bed and wiped tears from her eyes.

"No syrup?" Tara looked heartbroken.

Buffy howled and fell onto her side.

"Hey!" Tara grabbed the tray and took a bite of fresh banana. "I’m eating here." She eyed the banana and then smeared it onto her toast. "No butter?" she mumbled under her breath. "We are so gonna’ have a talk about this."

"Pancakes," Willow announced from the door. She smiled and held up a huge plate. "Triangles and regular," she added proudly.

"Where’s my syrup?" Tara demanded.

Buffy snorted and crawled away from Tara.

"Well, syrup…" Willow paused in the doorway. "That’s like pure sugar."

"I want syrup," Tara insisted. Her eyes narrowed like she was facing down a freshly risen vampire.

"Willow, give the woman her syrup," Buffy said with a giggle.

"Dawnie, could you?" Willow nodded over her shoulder.

"Sure." Dawn ran out the room.

"So, pancakes fresh from the—" Willow saw the tray and the insignificant dent in the mountain of food. "Tara!"

"I want butter." Tara stuck her lip out.

"Pouting pregnant woman." Buffy backed away from the bed. "I am so outa’ here."

Tara’s pout switched to a glare and she aimed it at Buffy.

"Maybe a little butter would be okay," Willow said contritely.

"And I am not eating peas," Tara insisted. Her brows knitted together as she gave Willow a stubborn glare.

"Yeah, what was I thinking with the peas?" Willow smiled wryly. "Okay, so I’m still kinda’ freaked out."

The blonde stared down at her dry toast. "You wanna’ help me eat this?" Tara finally offered with a smirk.

"Sure." Willow laughed and grabbed a bowl of cereal.

"Oh, no. You start with the peas," Tara joked.

"No!" Willow rolled her eyes and took a bite of cereal.

"You got some on your chin." Tara reached up and wiped off the drop of milk. She met Willow’s eyes and a flash of longing passed between them.

"Tara, I don’t like us being apart," Willow said somberly.

"I know." Tara eyes drifted down to the tray of food. "I don’t either, but I need time." She smiled at the piles of food. "This was really sweet."

"I like being sweet to you." Willow bit her lip and decided to go for broke. "Time … so, you think we can maybe … you know?"

"Will…" Tara sighed. Her emotions shifted faster than TV channels when Xander had the remote.

"I won’t push," Willow insisted. "I just … Tara, my heart needs to know if we have a chance. Should I even hope?"

Tara smiled and poked a slice of dry toast. It snapped in half. "Hope is always good," she whispered.

"Yeah, it is," Willow said quietly. She smiled sadly and wondered if they would ever get back to the easy, relaxed relationship they once shared. She hoped so. "Hope is good," Willow agreed.

CHAPTER SIX

Amy waited in the alley near the Magic Box. She leaned against the wall and sighed. "Where are they?" she whispered. She had a mission, and Rack would not be happy if she screwed it up. "It’s about damn time," she said when she saw Xander’s car pull up at the curb. She frowned when she saw Willow help Tara out of the back seat. "What the hell is she doing here?" She rubbed her pocket and wondered if she should check with Rack or just go ahead with the plan.

"Hi, Anya," Tara said as she entered the shop.

"How are you feeling?" Anya asked sincerely. "Any portents of evil?"

"I’m fine." Tara smiled and gave the former demon a wry grin.

"Our baby is not evil," Willow said grouchily. "I wish you’d quit asking about portents."

Tara went to the counter and found the book she had asked about. She flipped to the index and scanned the topics.

"You know, Giles almost took this book with him. I convinced him we needed some reference materials," Anya said proudly.

"Thanks," Tara said genuinely. She found what she was looking for and flipped to the page and read quietly. She smiled and looked over at Willow.

"So … no evil spawn?" Anya asked.

Tara shook her head.

"Good." Anya let out a relieved sigh. "Were you checking the section on soul detection and classification?"

"Soul classification?" Tara paused and looked at the book again.

"Yeah, there’s a whole section on how to figure out if someone’s evil." Anya frowned. "I thought you were making the sure the baby isn’t a demon." She pointed to the shelf behind the counter. "I got all the supplies together for the spell."

"She’s not evil," Willow called out grumpily from the table at the back of the shop. She and Dawn were sitting at the research desk going over the teen’s history paper. Willow was grateful that Dawn had seemed to forgive her now that Tara wasn’t in danger.

Tara studied the items behind the counter. "H-how much?" She nodded at the ingredients.

"Think of it as an early shower gift," Anya said sweetly. "Unless it’s evil, then I’m putting it on the Watcher’s council tab."

"That’s very sweet," Tara replied. "Wait …the council has a tab?" Tara asked incredulously.

"Oh, yeah," Anya said sagely. "Once they patched things up with Buffy and Giles, I started an account. Anytime we need stuff for saving the world, I charge them." She smirked and waggled her eyebrows. "And they don’t get a volume discount." She turned and collected the herbs from the shelf. "So, shall we check out the lesbo-spawn?" she whispered.

"Yeah," Tara said quietly. She wanted to be sure. "But for god’s sake, don’t let Willow hear you call the baby that."

Anya nodded and the two women headed toward the training room.

"Tara, what are you doing?" Willow eyed the herbs suspiciously.

"Just making sure of something," Tara replied calmly.

"You’ll be careful?" Willow asked as she stood.

Tara nodded and went to Willow’s side. "I have something for you." She reached under her blouse and took off her mother’s pendant. "After last night, I think you need to wear this." She held out the silver chain to her former lover.

"Tara, no." Willow shook her head and took a step back. "Your mom gave you that. I couldn’t."

"I want you to," Tara insisted. She moved behind Willow and reached over her shoulders to put the necklace around her delicate throat.

"But I’m not pregnant," Willow protested weakly.

"I just checked Anya’s book." Tara rested her hands on Willow’s shoulders. "Protection charms for pregnancy work on either parent. Husbands can wear them during their wife’s pregnancies. Artemis is a woman’s goddess, so I doubt if it would protect a man, but you’re not a man even if you are the husb—" Tara’s furrowed her brow and frowned. "Fath—"

"So I’m the father?" Willow smirked.

"Something like that." Tara smiled. "So, this should work on you." She saw Anya going into the other room. "So, it’ll either work, or it’ll just look pretty on you." She followed Anya into the training room.

Willow sat at the desk and watched Tara leave. The redhead had a goofy grin and she looked like she was about to float into the air.

"Things seem good between you two," Buffy with a smile.

"Really good," Dawn added.

"Better, but not good yet." Willow’s smile faded. She turned to Buffy and frowned. "She doesn’t trust me yet."

"But you’re the husband-father type," Dawn complained. "That means you guys are good."

"Give it time, Will," Buffy suggested.

"That’s what Tara said," Willow said forlornly.

"She gave you her mother’s pendant." Buffy reached over and picked up the amulet and tucked it inside Willow’s sweater. "You know how much it means to her. Asking you to wear this is a pretty big signal."

"She’s scared," Willow said as she looked toward the training room. "So am I."

"That thing she felt last night?" Buffy asked. "Tara told me it was pretty dark."

"I know what it was," Willow said as she pressed her hand to her sweater over the pendant. "And it was there for me." She hoped the pendant worked. She needed all the strength she could get.

"It was that Rack guy, wasn’t it?" Dawn asked. She looked down at her cast and then over at Willow. "You’ve been really good. No magic, so he’s coming after you like a drug dealer when his customers get clean."

"Okay, what do you know about Rack?" Buffy asked. "And what the hell do you know about drug dealers?"

"I went to his place with Willow, remember?" Dawn told her sister. "And I watch after school specials. I know about drug dealers."

"That better be all you know about them," Buffy warned.

Dawn rolled her eyes.

"So … what do the dealers do in these after school specials?" Willow asked.

"Oh, well, this one show I saw was really scary," Dawn said excitedly. "The guy quit smoking crack, and his dealer came after him at school and gave him free drugs." Dawn narrowed her eyes. "He said it was for old time’s sake, but it was just to get him hooked again." Dawn leaned closer to Willow. "If anyone offers you free magic, just say no."

"I will, Dawnie." Willow giggled.

"Willow?" Buffy asked seriously. "If that was Rack last night, could he give you, ya’ know, magic, without asking you?"

"Oh, goddess…" Willow’s eyes widened. She swallowed and looked around the shop. "I, I, he…" She fidgeted nervously.

"I’ll take that as a yes." Buffy scooted closer to her friend. "What can I do?"

"I think Tara already did it." Willow rubbed the sweater over her pendant. "She must have known." She sniffled and bit her lip. "I guess she really does still care about me."

"She’s head over heels in love with you, Willow," Buffy said honestly. "Everything she does tells you that."

"Geez, Willow, don’t you see how she looks at you?" Dawn rolled her eyes and leered at the redhead and imitated Tara. "Oh, there’s Willow, she’s soo dreamy," the teen said with a giggle. "I wish I could do spells with her." She batted her eyelashes.

"I can’t wait to sing with her," Buffy added in her own sarcastic tone.

"You guys, stop it." Willow blushed bright red. "She does not." She looked toward the training room. "Does she?"

"Yes," Dawn and Buffy replied in unison.

A wall of smoke came billowing out of the training room.

"Buffy!" Willow was on her feet and running toward the smoke even as she tried to get the Slayer’s attention. "Oh goddess!" She wondered if the spell had gone wrong, or worse yet, maybe the spell had proven the child was evil. The smoke certainly looked dangerous.

"Anya, Tara?" Buffy ran toward the training room. She was in full panic mode. Thick white smoke was rolling out of the room in billowing clouds, so Buffy almost ran into Tara in the doorway as the witch was coming out.

Anya was close behind. She covered her mouth and was coughing.

"What happened?" Willow asked as she wrapped her arm around Tara and helped her away from the smoke.

Tara coughed as she let Willow carry her to the front of the shop. They looked back as the smoke rolled into the shop like fog.

"The spell worked, and how," Anya said proudly. "I thought I’d lost my touch. I guess I have some magic left in me after all."

"Did you catch my training room on fire?" Buffy asked suspiciously.

"No," Anya scoffed. "That smoke’s pure. Look at it." She smiled proudly and pointed at the thick white cloud. "Not one speck of black."

Tara nodded as she leaned against Willow.

"So smoke is good?" Willow asked.

"Very good," Tara said as she coughed again. "Well, good as a omen. Not so good for breathing."

"Why did you do a smoky spell indoors?" Dawn asked logically.

"Oh, well…" Tara smiled shyly.

"Yeah, well…" Anya shrugged. "There isn’t normally this much smoke." She stared at Tara’s belly. "I guess this kid’s gonna’ be one kick ass Wicca."

Tara nodded glumly. "She’s s-strong," she whispered.

"Is that bad?" Willow asked gently.

Tara looked down at the floor.

"Oh," Willow said dejectedly. "If she’s strong, she could be drawn to … stuff … like me."

"S-she won’t be," Tara said firmly. "I’m gonna’ raise her to res-spect magic, like my mother." She moved away from Willow. "She’ll know not to play w-with nature. I’ll teach her about Wicca."

"You’ll teach her?" Willow’s eyes shined as she held back tears. Obviously she’d been wrong about things going well with Tara. She went to the research table and picked up Dawn’s homework paper. "This looks fine, Dawnie. I really should go. I’m not needed here." She slowly gathered up the books on the table as the smoke cleared. The magic that created it only had to work for a few minutes.

"They need to talk." Buffy grabbed Dawn and pulled her toward the front of the shop. She yanked Anya along for the ride and the three stumbled out the front door leaving the two witches alone.

"Willow, wait," Tara said as she trotted over to the redhead. "We’ll both teach her," Tara whispered.

"What can I teach her, Tara?" Willow asked bitterly. "I didn’t have a mother who knew all about magic. My mom tried to burn me at the stake." Tears rolled down her cheeks. "You were right. You’ll have to teach her about nature and Wicca." She spun away from Tara and covered her eyes with one hand. "Call me when she needs to know about addiction. I can do a seminar, take her to Dark Magic Anonymous, or maybe tell her how to push away the woman she loves."

"That’s not what I meant," Tara whispered. She rested a hand on Willow’s shoulder. Her heart raced as she decided to take a chance.

"I can’t teach her anything," Willow said in a tiny voice.

"You can teach her how to love," Tara said firmly. She spun Willow around so she could look into her green eyes. "Like you taught me."

"No, you taught me," Willow argued. She was shaking and didn’t have the nerve to look into Tara’s eyes. "You loved me completely, and I pushed you away."

"I’m right here." Tara squeezed Willow’s shoulder. "Don’t push me away again, Willow."

"Ta-ra." Willow inhaled slowly and then sobbed. She edged closer. "Are you saying…"

"I’m saying, I don’t want you to push me away." Tara cupped Willow’s chin in her hand. "How can we learn to trust each other again if I’m not here?"

"I do trust you," Willow insisted.

"Then why did you start to run away?" Tara asked sadly. "Willow, I would never keep you away from your child." She looked down at the floor. "Not unless you put her in danger," she said in a sorrow-filled whisper.

"I would never do that," Willow said reverently. "Tara, I haven’t used magic in over a month, and I had nothing to stop for except myself." She dipped her fingers under Tara’s jaw and lifted her face. "Now I have a baby, if I ever face temptation, all I have to do is think of her." Willow bit her lip and then continued, "Or I think of you … and the second chance you might give me." She smiled hopefully.

"Might?" Tara smirked. "I think we’ve passed the might category. We’re well into the probably category and leaning toward pretty darn sure."

"Yeah?" Willow asked. Her smile was blinding. She looked like a child who just found a new bike, a new computer, and puppies under the Christmas tree.

"Yeah." Tara glanced down shyly.

"Woo and hoo!" Willow pulled Tara into a fierce hug. "Thank you, Tara. Thank you so much."

Tara laughed as the giddy redhead spun them in a circle. "You’re welcome, baby," she whispered. They stopped spinning and looked into each other’s eyes. They were drawn together. Both women wet their lips and leaned closer and Tara’s hand wrapped around Willow’s hip. She dipped her head and tilted her face to one side and her ears hummed with anticipation.

The bell over the door jingled. "Hi, Willow," Amy said as she waltzed into the shop.

"Amy?" Willow froze and then swallowed hard. She stiffened and her eyes locked with Tara’s. "I didn’t call her," she whispered quickly.

"I k-know," Tara said sadly. She turned toward the door. "What are you doing here?" she challenged.

"Tara? Well, what a surprise." Amy smiled cruelly. "Why would you be in a magic shop? I didn’t think you did spells."

"I think you should leave." Willow took a step back. Just seeing Amy made her skin tingle. She could feel the mystical energy coming off of the dark haired witch’s body. Amy had been casting dark magic recently. Willow spun toward Tara. "Stay away from her," she whispered. "I don’t want you exposed." She gently guided Tara away from Amy.

"Exposed?" Amy laughed. "Willow, a few weeks ago, you couldn’t wait to get exposed to me and what I had to offer."

"Leave," Willow said in a dangerous growl. She faced Amy; she had the urge to toss the rat-turned-witch across the room using dark magic, but she fought it.

"I didn’t come to start trouble," Amy said with a disarming smile.

"W-why did you come?" Tara asked from across the room.

"To apologize." Amy moved toward Willow.

"Everything okay?" Buffy asked as she came back into the shop.

"No witchy brawls in here," Anya said as she hurried past the Slayer. "My merchandise is delicate. No spells, no sparks, no flames. You fry it, you buy it."

"Geez, Willow, I know you gave up magic, but did you have to join the Wiccan temperance league?" Amy stepped closer to Willow. "You don’t want to do magic, fine." She sighed. "You’re still one of my oldest friends. Can we stay in touch?" She reached out her left hand.

"Well, we have been friends since grade school," Willow said cautiously. She rolled her eyes and smirked. "Friends." She held her hand out.

Amy gripped Willow’s hand and then stiffened. "Ouch!" She screamed as she yanked back her hand. A green spark flickered over her skin. "What the?"

"Amy?" Willow backed away.

"Get away from her," Tara said darkly. She moved past Willow in a flash of fury before the redhead had the chance stop her. "What did you do?" she demanded as she grabbed Amy and shoved her into the wall.

"Let go of me." Amy squirmed and tried to grab Tara with her left hand.

"Don’t try it." Tara gripped Amy’s wrist and pinned her arm to the wall.

"Whoa!" Buffy rushed toward the two struggling women.

"Stay back," Tara ordered. "Everyone get back."

"Tara?" Willow scooted closer.

"Willow, no," Tara snapped. She kept her eyes locked on Amy. "What did you do to her?" She pressed her arm under Amy’s jaw. "Effero," she said, using the Latin word for levitate.

"Hey!" Amy was scared. She was hovering with her feet a few inches off the floor. When she had agreed to help Rack, she hadn’t planned on Tara acting like a vicious mother bear. "Get her off me!"

Buffy didn’t move to help Amy. She waited, trusting Tara to handle the situation. The Slayer glanced over at Anya and smirked. Anya had a mace in her hands, ready to jump into the fray if Tara needed help.

Willow backed up as Tara asked, but she was terrified. She’d rarely seen Tara this angry or aggressive.

Buffy had seen this behavior before, and she knew exactly what it meant; Tara was defending Willow.

"Tell me what you did," Tara said with chilling calm. She lifted Amy’s left hand and squeezed her wrist.

"Ouch!" Amy’s fingers opened and small black coin dropped to the floor and rolled in a tight circle. As it slowed and flopped onto its side, green sparks danced over its surface.

"Get out." Tara slowly lowered Amy to the floor. "If you come near any of my friends or me, I’ll hurt you." She gave Amy a withering glare. "If you or Rack come near Willow, I swear by the goddess I’ll kill you both."

Amy swallowed hard and rubbed her aching throat.

"Tell him," Tara hissed. "Stay away from her."

Willow’s eyes widened. She’d never seen Tara threaten to harm a human, let alone kill one.

"This isn’t over," Amy said as soon as she was a safe distance from Tara.

"Egredior!" Tara flicked her wrist toward Amy and sent her flying toward the door. The Latin word meant exit, which was exactly what Tara wanted Amy to do. She was using magic based in light, and when channeling magic that came from the divine, a witch requested assistance. Tara let out a relieved sigh, grateful her request had been granted.

"Bitch," Amy whispered as she ran out of the shop. She slammed the door, rattling the glass.

"You okay?" Willow asked. She moved behind Tara and rested a hand on her shoulder. Tara was shaking. "Honey?"

"Stay away from it," Tara whispered. She backed up, pushing Willow back as well. She looked down at the coin and then over at Anya. "I need an iron caldron."

"Is that what I think it is?" Anya grabbed a small caldron and an iron poker from behind the counter. She cringed when she saw Tara nod grimly.

"Should we just let her leave?" Buffy looked back and forth from the door to Tara. She was still unsettled by seeing action-Tara go after a human.

"She wouldn’t really hurt me," Willow said uncertainly. "Would she?" She turned Tara toward her. "Why did you get all large with the butch? What is that thing?"

"Whatever it is, it shocked the heck outa’ her." Buffy smirked.

"It was the pendant, wasn’t it? It shocked her." Willow reached under her blouse and rubbed the silver necklace.

"The pendant repels dark magic," Tara said as she knelt next to the coin. She waited as Anya knelt next to her and together they used the iron poker to scoot the coin into the caldron. "Which is why this didn’t work."

"I wonder if it’s personalized?" Anya asked as she carried the coin away in the caldron.

Tara’s eyes narrowed. She plucked a hair from her head and rushed to Anya’s side and tossed it into the pot. Nothing happened.

"Personalized?" Willow asked. "You mean it’s made for me." She tilted her head to see past Tara. "What does it do?"

Tara turned and ran her hand through Willow’s beautiful hair. "Sorry," she whispered and frowned. She carefully plucked one of her former-lover’s hairs.

"It’s a dark magic transference token," Anya said. She had the caldron on the counter and was peeking into it.

Tara moved alongside Anya and tossed Willow’s hair into the container. A flash of green energy erupted like a miniature volcano.

"That bitch," Tara said in a growl.

"She was gonna’ get Willow high, wasn’t she?" Buffy asked angrily.

"There’s no high," Willow said defensively. "And hey, ew, was she?"

"Your dark magic dealer must think you won’t be back," Anya observed. She smiled at Willow. "Good for you." Her smiled faded. "Bad for us. This guy really wants you back. What if he comes after us next?"

"Then I’ll deal with him," Tara said coldly.

"Tara, you shouldn’t be anywhere near dark magic," Buffy warned. "Your mom…"

"And the baby," Willow pointed out. "Tara, you can’t go anywhere near him. He’s dangerous."

"I won’t," Tara said quietly as she began to calm down. She pinched the bridge of her nose and sighed. "Willow, you’ve been trying so hard. I hate that he’s doing this to you, and that Amy helped him. Goddess, she’s supposed to be your friend…"

"It doesn’t matter," Willow interrupted. "I’m safe." She smiled and wrapped her arm over Tara’s shoulder. "Thanks to you."

"It w-wasn’t me." Tara blushed.

"Since when are you Miss action gal?" Willow joked.

"Yeah," Buffy added. "You coulda’ given me a run for my Slayer money."

"Just don’t offer Willow any dark magic." Anya smiled at Buffy.

"I’ll remember that." Buffy snickered. "Hey, Wonder Witch, don’t you have a doctor’s appointment?"

"Oh, yeah." Tara looked over at Willow.

"Can I … you know?" Willow gave Tara her best puppy dog eyes.

"What?" Tara quirked her brow. She wondered what her ex-lover wanted.

"Can I … go with you … to the doctor?" Willow asked quietly. "Ya’ know, be with you?"

Tara smiled radiantly. "I never thought you’d be anywhere else."

"Oh." Willow’s face lit up.

"They’ll be having sex soon," Anya whispered into Buffy’s ear. "No one smiles at each other like that without sex on the horizon."

Buffy rolled her eyes, but she secretly hoped Anya’s sexual radar was working.

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