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 SEVEN

The waiting room in the doctor’s office was mostly empty. Tara sat on a couch with Willow on one end and Buffy on the other. The expectant mother was nervous, and she wanted to run from the office. Tara didn’t like doctors; she preferred non-Western medicine, and the idea of seeing a doctor for her pregnancy didn’t sit well with her.

"I want a midwife," Tara said as she started to stand. "Let’s go."

"Sit," Buffy and Willow ordered in unison.

"He’ll just make sure you’re both healthy," Willow said supportively. "Then we can make some calls and find a nice Wiccan midwife, okay?"

"No running out," Buffy warned. "Do I have to hog-tie you?"

"You wouldn’t." Tara’s eyes opened wide like saucers.

"I’ll even help her," Willow teased.

"This isn’t even the doctor I was supposed to see," Tara whined. "I want the lady doctor."

"She’s not here," Buffy pointed out. The doctor Tara had been scheduled to see was now out on maternity leave herself. Apparently the doctor went into premature labor the night before. "Besides, she couldn’t even make her own kid behave. We want you having the best doc possible." Buffy didn’t want Tara seeing a doctor who couldn’t keep her own pregnancy on track.

"I’m sure Doctor Ellis is very nice." Willow smiled and looked around the waiting room. She saw a few other patients and pointed. "They look…" She was going to say happy, but she realized that the other two pregnant women looked … nervous.

"I want a lady doctor." Tara stood. "I don’t want a man doing, you know." Tara blushed. "Touching me … down there."

"Okay," Willow relented. "I want you to be comfortable."

"Shouldn’t she get comfortable after we make sure she’s healthy?" Buffy cleared her throat. "She’s been all fainty. I think we should make sure everything’s okay and then find a warm fuzzy lesbian witch doctor … err midwife."

The woman on the chair next to Buffy spun so fast her neck almost snapped.

"Um, hi." Tara smiled meekly.

"Buffy!" Willow whispered harshly. "Ix-nay on the itch-way."

"Huh?" Buffy asked.

"Tara Maclay?" the nurse called from behind the counter. "Doctor Ellis will see you now."

Tara let out a nervous squeak.

"What do you want to do?" Willow asked. She put a hand on Tara’s hip. "It’s up to you."

"I w-want the baby to be safe." Tara rested her hand over Willow’s, relishing the contact. "He can make sure, then I’ll f-find a midwife."

Buffy nodded as the three women went to the door where the nurse was waiting.

"You can’t come back here," the nurse said as she eyed the three women.

"Oh." Buffy paused and then took a step back.

"Miss Maclay?" the nurse asked impatiently.

"That’s me." Tara’s face paled.

"Come on." Willow moved her arm around Tara’s waist and started through the door.

"I said, you can’t come back here," the nurse glared at Willow. "Doctor Ellis doesn’t like visitors in the exam room." She smiled. "Well, except for fathers."

"She’s my partner," Tara said firmly.

"Partner?" the nurse asked with a confused expression.

Willow’s chest puffed out proudly. ‘Partner? I’m her partner … not her exgirlfriend,’ she thought giddily.

"We’re lovers," Tara clarified bluntly. ‘Okay, so we’re ex-lovers,’ Tara thought to herself, but she wasn’t about to go into detailed explanations for the nurse.

Willow’s heart swelled. ‘Lover, not ex-lover,’ she thought. ‘Lesbian gay type lover.’ She smirked.

"Oh." The nurse nodded and motioned them through the door. "And her?" She gave Buffy a bewildered look. "Is she … with you?"

"She’s a f-friend," Tara said. She looked over at Willow and almost laughed out loud.

They followed the nurse into an exam room and as soon as the nurse left, Willow began to giggle.

"I have a harem," Tara said smugly

"Apparently." Willow continued giggling. She held up the paper gown the nurse had instructed Tara to put on. "I hope we harem gals don’t have to wear these. Though, I would if you asked me." She smiled coyly. "Just wait ‘til I tell Buffy." She snickered. "I can’t believe she thought we were both your lovers."

"I hope you don’t mind," Tara said seriously. "I didn’t want to explain everything."

"Oh, you mean the ‘lovers’ thing." Willow’s smile faded. "No. I don’t think she’d understand the situation. It was easier." She handed Tara the paper gown and turned around. "You should change." Her heart ached. ‘Mind? Gee, it only made my soul do a happy dance. Why would I mind?’ Her thoughts drifted as she waited for Tara to dress.

"Okay." Tara looked down at the gown and frowned. "I really want a midwife. I know a midwife wouldn’t make me wear one of these."

"It’s cute." Willow smiled sadly. She wondered if she had the right to notice how cute Tara’s knees were peeking out from under the blue paper gown. "And I’m sure it’s sanitary in a very hospital clean way."

Tara smiled and nodded. She loved the way Willow babbled when she was nervous. Her eyes narrowed when she noticed tiny worry lines around Willow’s eyes. "What’s wrong?" She stepped closer to the redhead.

"Nothing." Willow tried to smile but failed miserably.

"What is it?" Tara put a hand on one hip and raised one eyebrow.

Willow looked down at the floor and sighed. She bit her lip as tears threatened to fall. "I liked having you call me your lover again," she whispered. "It hurts knowing … that you … that you don’t want…" her voice trailed off.

"Willow, look at me." She lifted her former lover’s chin and smiled lovingly. "I want that back, I really do." She took a calming breath. "I’m terrified."

"Of me," Willow said. It was a statement, not a question.

"Of you relapsing," Tara clarified. "I can’t open myself up to you just yet." She backed over to the exam table and leaned against it. "Willow, leaving you was the hardest thing I’ve ever done." She looked down at the floor. "I couldn’t s-stay. I w-won’t ever put up with abuse again. Not after escaping h-home."

Willow felt like a monster. ‘Does she think I’m like her family?’ she wondered. ‘That I’d hurt her like they did?’ She couldn’t stand that thought. ‘Goddess, I already did.’

"Tara, I’ve changed," Willow swore. "You said earlier that you were gonna’ give me another chance. Did you change your mind?"

"No, of course not." Tara rushed forward and took both of Willow’s hands. "But, giving you another chance doesn’t mean taking you back."

"Oh…" Willow’s chest felt like someone dropped a truck on her, a big truck … full of heavy rocks.

"I can’t just say, ‘hey, all’s forgiven. Everything’s back to normal, now let’s hop in bed.’ That wouldn’t fix anything." Tara couldn’t stop the sensual smile that covered her face. "No matter how tempting parts of that might be."

"Tempting?" Willow smiled and studied their interlocked hands.

"Miss Maclay?" Doctor Ellis pushed the door open and walked in. He had a chart in his hand and he scanned the information. "Oh, you’re the ‘partner.’ I see." He looked at Willow like she was an infection to be eradicated. "I need to examine her without you all over her," he added gruffly.

"Excuse me?" Tara pulled Willow to her side.

"I can’t examine you unless you get up on the table," he amended. He pointed at the examining table expectantly.

"Let me help you." Willow guided Tara to the table and lifted her as she hopped onto the cold paper lining on the surface. She hated Doctor Ellis already. She wanted to drag Tara from his office on the spot, but she also wanted to make sure the baby was safe.

"Scoot down." He motioned Tara closer. "I’m gonna’ need a good look."

The blonde witch’s eyes widened. She didn’t want this man touching her.

"Where’s the father?" he asked as he turned around and dug around the desk for a box of latex gloves. "The real father," he added as he looked over his shoulder at Willow.

"We’re leaving," Tara and Willow said at the same time.

"She needs to be examined," he said as he pulled on his latex gloves.

"Not by you," Willow said forcefully.

"I’ll get a n-new doctor." Tara hopped off the table and literally hid behind Willow. She felt Willow reach back and a wave of relief washed through her when she gripped Willow’s strong hand.

"You’re already here." He rolled his eyes. "You might as well let me take a peek." He nodded at Tara. "A little look around never hurt no one."

"She said no." Willow’s entire body tensed. She felt her energy focusing as her eyes narrowed. Every fiber of her being wanted to throw an energy bolt at him.

"Aren’t you the possessive one." He smiled and snapped the glove on his hand. He looked over Willow’s shoulder and caught Tara’s gaze. "Strawberry never did like to share." His eyes shaded coal black.

"Rack?" Willow backed up, moving Tara away from him.

"Buffy!" Tara called out in a deafening scream. She pulled Willow against to her chest.

"I’m just borrowing this body." He smiled cruelly. "So … your girl went and got herself knocked up?" He stepped closer. "You gonna’ raise some guy’s bastard?" He extended his hand and the latex gloves melted as sparks danced across his fingertips. "I’ve got what you want, Strawberry." He nodded at Tara. "She’s used property."

Willow lifted her hand, fully planning on hitting him with the nastiest spell she could summon, but she stopped. "Get out," she ordered. She felt Tara mold to her body from behind and her resolve doubled. "You can’t trick me into using magic, so leave."

"You want magic?" Tara asked Rack. She lifted her hand and extended it past Willow. "Be careful what you ask for—"

The door burst open and Buffy rushed in. "Tara?"

"Well, your girl’s been giving it up to all takers." He smiled and leered at Tara. "How ‘bout it? Wanna’ give me a go?"

"It’s Rack." Willow pointed with a shaking hand. "He took over the doctor."

"I’ve been wanting to have a little talk with you." Buffy rushed toward him and grabbed his arm. His body went slack and he fell to the floor. "Hey! I barely touched him."

"No, stay away from him." Tara held Willow to her body. "Even if Rack left, he’ll be oozing dark magic."

"Oozing?" Buffy looked down at the unconscious doctor. "Ew!" She dropped his arm.

"What the?" Doctor Ellis’ eyes flickered and he tried to sit up. "What happened?" He sat up.

"You passed out," Buffy said as she moved closer to Willow. She wanted her body to block his path if he decided to make a move for either witch.

"I was in the lobby." He rubbed his head. "With my nurse."

"Amy," Willow whispered as she remembered how rude the nurse had been.

"W-we need to leave." Tara grabbed her clothes and pinned them to her chest. "Now."

"Wait, have you been examined?" he asked. "Let me call in a colleague. I’m terribly sorry. This has never happened before." He stood with Buffy’s help.

"You know, I think we’re gonna’ pass on that, but thanks anyway." Willow moved around him, being careful to keep her body between the confused physician and Tara.

"You really should get checked … later," Buffy added. She moved to Tara’s side and guided her into the hall. "Move," she said harshly. "We so need to get the hell out’a here."

Tara nodded as they jogged down the hallway. She felt a cool draft come under the short gown, but she wanted out of the office quickly. As they rushed into the waiting room, they saw a small crowd gathered near the desk.

"She passed out," one of the patients said as she leaned over the nurse.

"Come on," Willow said darkly. She led Tara out of the office and into the main wing of the hospital.

Tara moved as quickly as she could, but it was difficult to keep up with a worried Slayer and a furious ex-lover. "Guys? Fainty woman here," she staggered to a stop.

"Tara?" Willow gathered Tara in her arms. "Baby?" In times of stress she reverted to old terms of endearment.

"I’m not fainting right now," Tara assured them both. "But I will if we keep sprinting down these halls."

"Sorry." Buffy nodded and rubbed Tara’s back. "Maybe you should, um, get dressed?"

Tara sighed with relief. "Yes, please."

"We have to get back to the shop," Willow said darkly. "We need protection." She helped Tara slip into her jeans. "After you’re fully dressed of course."

Tara nodded. Her felt safe with Willow at her side, but she was worried. She had felt the dark magic welling up inside Willow. It was her first reaction, and that made Tara’s skin crawl. The only good thing was that the redhead had been able to overcome her impulse before the dark magic surfaced.

"Okay." Tara smiled and tossed the paper gown into a nearby waste can. "Let’s go."

*****

Anya was beyond angry. She looked like she was going to summon D’Hoffryn at any moment, and worse yet, Xander was willing to help her place the call.

"He took over her doctor?" Xander asked. "Her lady-girlie-down-there doctor?" He shivered. "Did he touch you?" His hands were clenched in tight fists.

Tara shook her head, thankful that she and Willow had both sensed something about the doctor. Just the thought of Rack touching her was enough to make her nauseous.

"How can we stop him from doing this again?" Willow scanned the bookshelf. She had a stack of books already, but she wanted every possible text.

"I’ll call Giles," Buffy offered. "Is that okay?" she asked Tara. "He might know a midway-wife."

Tara smiled tolerantly. "Thanks." She shook her head. Buffy’s unique variation on midwife was a welcome comic relief.

"You’ll need a clarity charm," Anya said. "Something so you can see through any glamour spell or possession." She grabbed a book from Willow’s stack and flipped through it. "That’s a major spell. I’m guessing you don’t want to tap dark magic, so we need a kick ass spell based in light. Tara will have to do it."

Tara nodded grimly. She wasn’t sure she was up to a spell of that level, but she wasn’t about to risk Willow’s recovery.

"You know, with light based magic, we aren’t guaranteed success." Anya cleared her throat. "Maybe Buffy should just find this Rack guy and kill him." She smiled.

"Is he human?" Buffy smiled dangerously. "I mean, warlocks, are they human?"

"I’m not sure," Willow admitted guiltily. She had let him rummage through her essence without even knowing the slightest thing about him.

"If he’s a dealer, he’s probably at least partially demonic by now." Anya waggled her eyebrows. "I’m sure he’s un-human enough to qualify as Slayer fodder."

"I’ll ask Giles." Buffy headed to the phone.

Tara sat at the table in the back of the shop and read through an ancient text in Latin. It was slow reading because she had to use her Latin to English dictionary for just about every other word. After half an hour, she closed her eyes and rested her forehead on the text. She groaned and tried to relax. After another few minutes, she heard footsteps to her left.

"You okay?" Willow knelt beside her ex-lover and rested a hand on her back.

"Yeah." Tara sighed without even trying to lift her head. "Just tired."

"You find anything?" She moved her hand in comforting circles on the blonde’s back.

"My Latin’s a little rusty," Tara admitted. She kept her head on the book.

"I could help ya.’ I just happen to be pretty darn good with Latin." Willow resisted the urge to lean over and kiss Tara’s cheek. "Want me to take a look?"

Tara nodded and let out a tiny whimper.

"You sure you’re okay?" Willow moved her hand up and combed her fingers through Tara’s hair.

"Is it morning?" Tara asked with a groan.

"No…" Willow drew the word out as she looked over at the clock. It was just after two o’clock. "Tara, what’s wrong?"

The blonde lifted her head and turned toward Willow. Her face was pale and had a distinct greenish tint. She glared at Willow.

"Oh, my." Willow crinkled her brow. "Morning sickness?" she asked delicately.

"It’s not morning," Tara pointed out grouchily.

"No, it’s not, baby." Willow leaned over and kissed Tara’s forehead.

"Oh, goddess." Tara covered her mouth with one hand and groaned in misery.

"Let’s get you to the bathroom." Willow helped Tara up and wrapped an arm around her waist to steady her.

"Not the tummy," Tara whimpered.

"Sorry." Willow guided Tara to the back of the shop and into the small bathroom. "Maybe some water on your face will help?" Willow yanked a handful of paper towels from the dispenser.

Tara fell forward over the toilet and lost her lunch.

"My poor Tara," Willow whispered. She blanched at the sound of her former lover being sick, but she wouldn’t abandon her. She reached down and gathered Tara’s whisper soft hair and held it behind her head.

"No fair." Tara whimpered between retches. "It’s not morning."

"Shh," Willow whispered. She ran one hand up and down Tara’s back while she kept the other firmly around the blonde’s hair. "I’m here, baby."

"Yeah? Well, I’m here," Tara said grumpily and pointed at the toilet. "Stop pacifying me," she whined.

Willow bit her lip. "Should I go?"

"You’re gonna’ leave me here alone?" Tara’s lips quivered and a tear rolled down her porcelain cheek. She may not want pacifying, but she didn’t want to be alone either. Plus, she liked Willow’s comforting touches.

"Tara, what do you need?" Willow asked gently.

"I don’t know," Tara admitted. She flushed the toilet and sighed. "I think I’ve got morning sickness and those raging pregnant hormones."

"Yeah? Well, I’m gonna’ tough them out with you," Willow promised.

"Willow, will you hold me?" Tara asked in a tiny voice.

"Every second of every day," Willow responded. She pulled Tara into her arms.

"I have barf breath," Tara said over Willow’s shoulder.

"Then I’ll go get you a toothbrush." Willow squeezed Tara closer.

"No squeezing," Tara warned. "I’m not sure I’m done yet," she added sheepishly.

Willow loosened her hold. "I’m sorry you have to go through this."

"Thanks for putting up with me." Tara sighed and enjoyed the feeling of being in Willow’s arms. She missed the safety of Willow.

"Thanks for letting me." Willow hated that Tara was suffering. She felt guilty for enjoying the closeness, but it just felt so right.

They stayed on the floor, kneeling, for several minutes. Tara began feeling better.

"Can I take you up on that toothbrush offer?" the blonde witch asked.

"Sure." Willow didn’t release her hold. "In a minute," she added quietly.

Tara chuckled. "It feels nice, doesn’t it?"

"Yeah. Except for the you barfing part." She guided Tara to the sink. "You rinse. I’ll go get you the very best toothbrush they make."

Tara smiled and leaned over the sink and rinsed her mouth as Willow ducked out of the bathroom.

‘Guess I better start carrying a toothbrush,’ Tara thought dejectedly. "This isn’t making a very good impression," she said as she rested her hand on her belly. "I hate being sick." She smiled and lifted her shirt and looked at her stomach. She glanced at the door and then back at her tummy and arched her back, trying to extend her stomach. "I don’t wanna’ get fat," she whined.

The door opened and Anya leaned against the wall. "You all right?" She smiled when Tara let out a squeak and covered her belly. "The puking started, didn’t it? I knew it," she said as she came into the tiny room. "I told Xander if wants kids, he better figure out how to have them himself."

Tara splashed water on her face and reached for a paper towel.

"Here." Anya handed her a few paper towels. "I’ll have to get some ginger snaps for the shop."

Tara lowered the towels and gave Anya a curious glance.

"Ginger snaps help with the nausea," Anya explained. "That’s what they were invented for. Midwives mixed them up and disguised them as cookies so they wouldn’t get burned at the stake. Handing out medicine was a sure way to get a woman killed, but hand out cookies and the men just smile."

"Really?" Tara furrowed her brow. "That would explain why they taste so … um, well, so … not like other cookies."

"They’re disgusting," Anya stated. "But the kind you get now are much better than the medicinal variety." She frowned. "Oh, you know, I really should mix up a batch of the good ones … I mean … the bad ones."

Tara smiled. She really did adore Anya.

"Well, bad tasting." Anya pulled Tara out of the restroom. "They’ll be good for you."

"You bake?" Tara asked as they went toward the front of the shop.

"You betcha. I baked muffins for those nasty Watchers that came to check up on Buffy, and I hate them. The Watchers, not the muffins." She tucked her hand through Tara’s arm. "I like you. I’ll bake my ass off for you."

"Thanks." Tara smiled warmly.

"Don’t thank me ‘til you taste the cookies." She sighed. "At least no one else will steal them."

Tara suddenly wondered what was worse, eating Anya’s mystery cookies or taking her chances with nausea.

*****

"What do you think?" Willow asked as she trotted along the sidewalk with Buffy.

"Will, it’s a toothbrush." Buffy shook her head and stifled a giggle.

"Yeah, well, Tara feels icky." Willow peeked into the bag and smiled. "She needs a ‘cheer me up’ toothbrush."

"It’s fine." Buffy grabbed Willow’s arm before she stepped onto the street in front of a passing car. "And I think she’d prefer you unsmashed."

"Oops." Willow blushed. "I’m kinda’ nervous."

"No, really?" Buffy guided Willow across the street. "You guys seem to be doing better. Why so nervous?"

"She loves me," Willow said quietly. She headed toward the shop.

"That’s good, right?" Buffy gave her friend’s arm a gentle squeeze.

"She doesn’t know if she trusts me," Willow elaborated.

"Not so good," Buffy agreed. "But she’s thinking about you guys, right? About you guys getting couple-y again?"

"Yeah." Willow smiled brightly. "She’s thinking about it."

"Well, all you have to do is earn her trust." Buffy smiled. "Easy."

"Yeah, easy," Willow said glumly. "Right."

****

"Oh, my god," Tara said as she looked into the bag. "Willow?" She looked over at the redhead and raised both eyebrows.

"Well, you are a Scooby," Willow insisted.

Tara pulled the toothbrush up and turned it over in her hand. "Maybe, but that doesn’t mean I want to brush my teeth with a dog." Tara smiled coyly, letting Willow know she actually loved the Scooby Doo shaped toothbrush. "And bubble gum toothpaste?" Tara smirked playfully. "I’m sensing a theme here."

"Just cuz you’re having a baby, that doesn’t mean you can’t have fun," Willow insisted.

"I love it." Tara squeezed the bag to her chest. "I’ll be right back." She blushed and then hurried toward the bathroom.

"Score one for the Willster," Buffy whispered. "Did you see that full blown Tara smile?"

"Yes, I did." Willow smirked.

"She thinks a dog toothbrush is romantic?" Anya stared at Willow incredulously. "And you two really aren’t having sex yet?"

"No," Willow said gruffly. She spun and walked toward the research desk. "But I’m workin’ on it," she said under her breath.

*****

Buffy was on the phone, and it was taking every bit of her Slayer’s control to not burst out laughing. "Giles, breathe," she said for the forth time.

"And they … Tara’s?" Giles stammered on the phone. There was a thump and then silence.

Buffy waited for Giles to pick the phone up. He’d dropped it … again.

"Are you quite sure?"

"Yes, Giles." Buffy rolled her eyes. "We kinda’ need your brain engaged."

"How is she? You’re certain the child is Willow’s?" Giles asked in rapid succession. "With Willow’s dark magic use, it could be something most sinister."

"We checked," Buffy said tolerantly.

"Checked how?" he asked nervously. "And you didn’t tell me how Tara is. Is she ill? Are you keeping anything from me?"

"Deep breath," Buffy ordered. "Tara is fine. Well, other than morning sickness in the middle of the afternoon, she’s fine."

"She should try some ginger to settle her stomach," Giles suggested. He sounded almost giddy. "I can give you a recipe for some delicious cookies."

"Anya’s on it, so calm down, Grandpa Giles." Buffy smirked. "Tara and Anya did that smoky test, and the baby is not evil."

"So the smoke that drifted up was utterly white?" he clarified, completely ignoring the grandpa comment.

"It was white." Buffy shook her head. "But drifting? Hello? We darn near had to call the fire department. They filled my training room with smoke, Giles. You should tell Anya I need my training room."

There was a pause as Buffy waited for one of his classic witty Giles remarks. He didn’t respond.

"Giles?" Buffy wondered if he’d dropped the phone again.

"You’re exaggerating about the smoke, aren’t you?" he asked cautiously.

"No," Buffy whined. "It came rolling into the shop. We all almost had to close for the day."

"Buffy, I’m coming back to Sunnydale straight away." The happy, giddy tone was gone. He sounded scared.

"What’s wrong?" Buffy asked. She lifted the phone from the counter and dragged it into the storeroom.

"That much smoke denotes incredible power," Giles said as his voice filled with dread.

"Is the baby dangerous?" Buffy hated asking, but she had to know.

"Buffy, the color of the smoke tells us the if the child’s soul is pure," Giles said slowly. "The amount of smoke has nothing to do with the child."

"And?" Buffy prompted.

"The amount of smoke is a measure of Tara’s power." Giles took a deep breath and Buffy could imagine him cleaning his glasses. "It’s a lesser known fact of the ritual," he said shakily. "I’ve come across the ritual before. Most people never need to question these things. The smoke usually drifts up in a tiny puff, nothing more."

"Giles, there was smoke pouring out of there for at least five minutes." She gripped the phone. "What the hell does this mean? It’s bad, isn’t it? That’s why you’re coming home— I mean back, coming back." She cringed. Giles had made it clear that he lived in England now, but she would always think of Sunnydale as his home.

"I’ll be on the first available flight," he said gently. "You shouldn’t say anything to her. It may be a mistake. Maybe Anya used too many herbs," he joked halfheartedly. He knew Anya well enough to know she’d never make a mistake like that.

"Okay," Buffy agreed. "Giles, we need a doctor. You said you’ve dealt with this kind of thing before. Do you know any witch doctors? Well, not witch doctors, doctors who are witches." She paused and then cut him off as he started to answer. "And not evil. They can’t be the slightest bit evil."

"I know someone," Giles said with a chuckle. "And she’s not the slightest bit evil." He sighed. "I’ll ring her up and get Tara an appointment."

"Soon," Buffy prompted. "Because the doctor said she needs to see someone soon." She shivered. "Our last attempt did not go well."

"Buffy?" he asked in a tone that demanded every minute detail.

"Okay." Buffy took a deep breath. "First of all, I just wanna’ say, Willow was good and she did not fall off the witchy wagon."

"Dear lord," Giles muttered. He knew he wasn’t going to like whatever he heard.

"Don’t ‘dear lord’ my story before I even get to the ‘dear lord’ parts." Buffy growled and narrowed her eyes. "Now hush."

She proceeded to tell him of their earlier encounter with Rack and Amy, as well as Amy’s visit to the shop. Just as Giles had suspected, he didn’t like what he heard.

CHAPTER EIGHT

Xander pulled up in front of a small medical office and turned off the car. He leaned over the seat and smiled at Tara. She was sitting between Willow and Buffy. Anya was in the front seat next to him.

"So, here we are." Xander wagged his eyebrows. "Ya’ know, for a witchy midwife, she works in a pretty swanky place. And by swanky, I mean nice, and not Hilary Swank-y, though that would be nice too."

"You’re sure this woman isn’t evil?" Willow asked.

"For the sixth time, she is not the slightest bit evil." Buffy sighed. "She’s some old fogey friend of Giles’."

"I think I’m gonna’ be sick." Tara pressed her forehead against the back of Xander’s headrest.

"Honey?" Willow asked gently. "More of that non-morning sickness?"

"Nerves." Tara lifted her head and furrowed her brow. "The last doctor visit wasn’t very successful."

"We have our clarity spells," Anya said with a smile. "That oil we rubbed on our foreheads will see to that." She looked back at Tara, her expression serious. "My magical herbs are top notch. I guarantee your third eye will see through any glamour or possession." She took a deep breath and uttered words she swore she would never let pass her lips. "It’ll work … or your money back."

Tara’s eyes widened in shock.

"Wow." Xander did a double take. "I’m thinking even I could get my third eye thing sparked up if Anya is promising to give money back."

"Ready?" Willow asked.

Tara nodded.

"Okay then." Buffy climbed out of the car. "I’ll be right here the whole time. Your personal body guard."

"I’d offer, but I don’t think Will would like me in there during the girlie exam," Xander said with a smile. He heard his girlfriend clear her throat. "Or Anya. She wouldn’t like it either."

"Wait…" Buffy looked like she was going to faint. "I don’t even like being in the room for my girlie exam!"

"You can check the room and then leave," Tara said with a blush. She didn’t relish the idea of an audience sitting in for her pelvic exam.

"And I’ll be there to keep you safe," Willow promised. "If you want me…" She was well aware of Tara’s shifting moods. It was driving her to the brink of madness.

Tara nodded and they went into the building.

The office was decorated in warm and soothing earth tones. Tara liked it immediately. She smiled when she saw the paintings on the walls. They were expensive prints of a series of goddess paintings she had seen in one her art books.

"Oh, pretty." Willow smiled and nodded toward the paintings.

Tara smiled and went to the front desk to register. Willow went with her and stood at her side. They waited as the receptionist hung up the phone and then looked up and smiled. She had dark brown hair, bluntly cut at shoulder length, and her brown eyes sparkled as she stood.

"Tara?" the receptionist asked with a warm smile. "The doctor’s expecting you." She looked over at the nervous redhead. "Are you going in with her, Willow?"

Both young witches stared in disbelief.

"Mister Giles called and explained things to us," she said. "You ready to go back?"

"Go back?" Buffy moved to Tara’s other side.

"Buffy?" the receptionist asked. "Mister Giles said you’d want to make sure the room was secure." She went around a low counter and motioned for the Slayer to follow her.

"Who are you?" Buffy led the way with Tara and Willow trailing behind.

"Oh, sorry. I’m Chava," the receptionist replied without turning. "Come on in." She opened the door and went into a small exam room. The walls were decorated with goddess symbols of healing, and the exam table didn’t have a paper liner; it had a pale green cotton sheet.

"Hey, my doctor’s office doesn’t look like this," Buffy complained after she scanned the room to make sure it was safe.

"Sit," Chava said with a smile. She pointed to an oak rocker with a fluffy cushion. "Diana will be in as soon as she finishes her smudging."

"Do I even wanna’ know what a smudging is?" Buffy’s face paled. "And does Tara need one?"

"Couldn’t hurt." Chava smiled.

"We did a smudge this morning," Willow volunteered. She was standing next to Tara, watching her former lover rock in the comfortable chair.

"I thought you two weren’t a couple again?" Buffy’s blush deepened.

"It’s a cleansing ritual," Tara said with a giggle.

"Oh." Buffy bit her lip and cleared her throat. "You know, I’m gonna’ wait outside while you do your witchy stuff. Call if you need me."

"I’ll bring you a chair if you want to sit in the hall next to the door," Chava offered.

"Cool." Buffy smiled and stepped into the hall and leaned against the wall.

Chava closed the door and then went to the wall and opened a cupboard and took out a small blanket. She went over and covered Tara’s lap. "It’s a bit chilly in here."

"Thanks." Tara smiled at the receptionist.

"Okay, I’m impressed," Willow told the young woman. "So, do you see non-pregnant women, because next time I’m due for that yearly icky visit, I’m thinking this is nice."

"You’re overdue," Tara pointed out.

Willow spun and gave Tara a guilty look mixed with trepidation. She didn’t want an exam of her own any time soon.

"Well, you are. You were due six months ago, and you canceled the appointment." Tara folded her arms over her chest. "Or did you go in the last few months?"

"No," Willow mumbled.

"Doc Diana does see regular patients, but I doubt she’ll corral you today." Chava pointed to a stack of clothes. "Tara, you need to slip into the gown." She looked over at Willow. "Sorry, no gown for you." She ducked out, leaving Willow staring at the door.

Tara smirked as she watched Willow blush.

"It’s not funny." Willow caught Tara’s smirk. "And … and, shouldn’t you be getting out of the comfy chair and into the revealing gown?" Willow smiled crookedly and handed Tara the gown. "Hey, this is soft."

"I knew a Wicca midwife wouldn’t make me wear a paper gown." Tara changed quickly. She was just about to take the chair back from Willow when there was a knock on the door.

"Tara? You dressed?"

"Um, yeah." Tara tugged the gown down.

The door opened and a stunning woman came into the room. She had hair a few shades darker than Willow’s, but it was cut short, just below her ears. "Hi, I’m Diana." Her ice blue eyes lit up. "You must be Tara." She went to the blonde witch and extended her hand.

Willow stood and hurried to her former lover’s side. She wanted to drape a hand possessively around Tara’s waist, but she knew she didn’t have that right.

"Hi," Tara said nervously. She shook Diana’s hand.

"Here, sit." She led Tara to the chair. "I like to talk to my patients before I get to the exam."

"Good." Tara exhaled a long breath.

"Willow?" Diana turned to the shorter redhead. "I can bring in another chair if you like."

"I’m fine." Willow moved alongside Tara and rested a hand on the back of the chair. The message was clear. Willow was staking her claim.

Diana smiled and bit her lip. "I’ll just get my chair." She opened a small cabinet and rolled out an adjustable stool. She rolled it over in front of Tara and sat. "Okay, so I need some family history." She looked up at Willow. "Both of your family histories are vital."

"Oh." Willow scooted closer to Tara’s chair.

The doctor proceeded to ask both young witches a series of familiar questions. After about five minutes, the questions became more difficult.

"Tara, I need to know your magical history." Diana was taking notes in the blonde’s chart.

"Like w-what?" Tara tugged the small blanket higher on her lap.

"Are you a born witch?" She looked up from the file.

"Y-yes." Tara nodded. "My mother was a witch."

The doctor checked a box on the form. "How far back have you traced your line?"

"You have a box for that?" Tara leaned forward.

"I treat witches, sweetheart." Diana flashed a dazzling smile. "It saves time. Now, your maternal line?"

"We know my Great-great-great grandmother was a witch." Tara blushed. "W-we don’t have records any further back."

"That’s good, sweetie." Diana made a notation and then looked over at Willow. "How about you?"

"What about me?" Willow didn’t like the doctor calling Tara ‘sweetie’ or ‘sweetheart,’ and she was about to say just that.

"Willow, honey, she wants to know about your history." Tara took Willow’s hand.

"My mom’s Jewish." Willow’s mood shifted and she felt her muscles relax as Tara squeezed her hand. "I think I’m the only witch."

"Really?" Diana seemed very interested. She checked another box and looked back at Tara. "Any history of dark magic in your line?"

"My aunt," Tara said quietly. She felt Willow tense beside her.

"Any adverse effects?" Diana looked into Tara’s eyes.

"S-she died." Tara looked down at the soft blanket. It was warm, but it didn’t stop the chill that ran through her every time she remembered. "Brain cancer." She sighed and looked up at the doctor. "M-my mom too. The cancer, n-not the dark magic use."

"Were they close?" Diana rolled her stool closer.

Tara nodded.

Willow moved her hand to Tara’s back and massaged her tensing shoulders.

"Your mom was a sensitive?" Diana asked. She saw Tara nod. "Are you?"

"I t-think so," Tara said quietly.

"Have you ever used dark magic?" Diana didn’t look up from her notes. She was writing in the margin.

"I … I … I helped with a spell." Tara looked up at Willow.

"And?" Diana lifted her head. She saw Tara’s worried expression. "She helped you with the spell?" she asked Willow.

"Yes," Willow said firmly. "We performed a successful resurrection." She anticipated the next question.

"Resurrection?" Diana’s pen froze on the page. She looked into Willow’s eyes. "Wait…" She put the pen on the folder and rubbed her forehead. "Rupert’s Slayer?" she asked.

"Yes," Tara said. She was amazed the doctor knew about Buffy.

"Okay." She looked over at Tara unhappily. "You shouldn’t be anywhere near that kind of spell. Any other dark magic?"

Tara’s face paled. "Um, no, not me."

"Willow?" Diana pinned the redhead in her gaze.

"I, I, well, I had a problem with dark magic." She sighed. "I have a problem with it." She looked down at Tara and then over at Diana. "I’m an addict." Willow actually felt better having said it out loud.

"She’s b-been clean for 33 days," Tara said proudly.

"All right," Diana said. "We’ll talk more about this later." She pinned Willow in her gaze and then turned back to Tara. "When was your last period?"

"Almost two m-months ago," Tara said.

"Then Willow was using dark magic when you two conceived?" Diana didn’t look happy.

"I did the Treviri purity ritual," Tara added quickly. "The smoke was pure."

Diana nodded. "Good. I like the Celtic tests." She sighed and looked at Willow. "I’ll need you to fill out some forms. They won’t be pretty. I’ll need dates and details of your use." She scribbled in Tara’s chart and then looked up at Willow. "Did you cast alone?"

"No," Willow said quietly. "I went to a warlock, a dealer."

Diana’s face didn’t change. Her expression was compassionate and caring, but the muscles in her jaw flexed. "You’ll need to write down that too." She rested a hand on Tara’s knee. "You’re mom was a sensitive. How could you stay in this situation?"

"I didn’t." Tara frowned and bit her lip. "I l-left."

"You two have a sacred bond." Diana stood and backed over to the exam table and leaned against it. "How could you enact the ritual with all this going on?"

"Um, well, I … we…" Tara sighed. "Oh, boy."

"We didn’t exactly plan this," Willow said nervously.

"Okay, I need the exact details of the conception." Diana pinched the bridge of her nose. She decided she was going to throttle Rupert for not giving her more information, then she decided to throttle herself for not asking more questions of him. He was always involved with hellmouth things.

Tara and Willow proceeded to explain the spell, and why Tara was wearing the lethe’s bramble. When they finished, the doctor looked nervous.

"Okay, we’re gonna’ need some extra tests." She stood and went to a phone on the wall and dialed the front desk. "Chava, I need a full dark magic work-up." She listened for a moment before speaking again. "Yeah. Bring me my sacred tools and call Cassie at the med center. See if she can come over for an ultrasound." She sighed. "Yeah, now. Tell her it’s an emergency."

Tara gasped at the word emergency.

"I’m here." Willow knelt next to Tara and squeezed her hand. "I’m with you, baby."

"Thanks, Chava." The doctor hung up the phone and turned toward the two witches.

"What’s wrong?" Willow asked.

"I’m just being cautious," Diana swore. She moved closer to Tara and cleared her throat. "The spell you described isn’t even supposed to work unless the two women are in perfect harmony." She saw Willow about to cut in and she held up a hand. "There’s no way you could have been in perfect harmony. You toyed with Tara’s mind; you betrayed her, so you were out of balance."

"Then h-how?" Tara asked.

"I don’t know," Diana admitted. "But, since you did the purity tests, we should be safe." She sighed and looked over at the exam table. "So, while we wait, I need to look you over."

Tara cringed.

"Um, Chava called you Doctor Diana." Willow pulled Tara to her feet and helped her onto the exam table. "I thought you were a Wicca midwife."

"I’m am a doctor, an OB/GYN, and I’m trained as a midwife." Diana went to the sink and began washing her hands. "I’m also a Wiccan priestess."

"So c-can’t you use a crystal ball to find out what you need to know?" Tara asked, only half joking.

"Over the next seven months, you and I will get to know each other pretty darn well," Diana said with a comforting smile. She dried her hands and snapped on her gloves. "Besides, you’ll have Willow with you all the time, right?"

"Right," Willow said quickly.

Tara smiled and dipped her head. "Right," she whispered.

*****

"Well?" Buffy demanded as soon as the door opened and Willow came out behind the doctor.

"Everything’s fine." Willow waited for Tara and then followed Diana. "We just need an ultrasound."

"Is that normal?" Buffy followed her two friends and tried not to panic.

"Can we talk in front of her?" Diana asked.

"Y-yes," Tara said firmly.

"We need to make sure the baby’s human," Diana said. "And I want to take a peek at the future of this pregnancy."

"And ultrasound can do that?" Willow asked.

"Cassie works at the med center," Diana explained. "Besides being one of the best ultrasound technicians in the state, she’s an expert scryer."

"And we need that?" Buffy asked. She made a mental note to ask Tara what the hell a scryer was.

Tara paused and hooked her left hand through Buffy’s arm. "That means she can see into the future," Tara whispered into her ear.

Buffy nodded and then smiled shyly at Tara.

"Do you have a scryer for all your patients?" Willow asked. She had her hand looped through Tara’s right side. She liked having Tara between her and Buffy. ‘Nice and safe,’ she thought as they walked down the hall.

"No," Diana admitted. She stopped and faced the three women. She studied them, the way Buffy and Willow seemed poised to take on any risk that might face Tara. "I have doubts about the conception. Cassie’s my lover. She helps me on difficult cases. I want to make sure things work out."

"You t-think it m-might be from the dark magic?" Tara stuttered.

"No." Diana opened a door and led them inside her office. "I’m afraid the dark magic may jeopardize the pregnancy."

"How?" Buffy demanded. She didn’t like having information doled out to her in tiny bits.

"The union was supposed to be in perfect harmony," Diana explained. She went behind her desk and sat. "Tara was under Willow’s manipulation. There was no way to be in balance."

"What does that mean?" Willow sat next to Tara on a small couch.

"One of you had to supply some serious power to overcome the imbalance." Diana studied Tara. "I’m betting it was you."

Tara’s eyes shot open wide and she shook her head.

"Dark magic wouldn’t help." Diana glanced at Willow and then gave Tara her full attention. "We’re talking major power, based in light."

Tara was slowly shaking her head. She couldn’t believe she had the kind of power Diana was describing.

"So … if Tara did do the power deal, what’s the problem?" Buffy asked. She sat on the arm of the couch next to Willow.

"This isn’t a simple spell," Diana put her hands on her desk and drummed her fingers. "In fact, if I’m right, she’s still using her power to balance the pregnancy." Her fingers stopped tapping. "I need to figure out if she has enough power to get through the next seven months."

"I could l-lose the baby, couldn’t I?" Tara gripped Willow’s hand like a vise.

"Yes," Diana said honestly.

"What about Tara?" Buffy asked bluntly.

"She’s in danger too." Diana sighed and steepled her fingers under her chin. "She’s channeling a tremendous amount of energy."

"The m-magic’s b-based in light," Tara whispered. "How can it hurt me?"

"The magic won’t." Diana sighed and looked down. "Tara, how much do you know about asking for the goddess to lend you power for spells?"

"You ask," Tara said calmly. "And you thank her, even if she denies your request." Her voice took on the reverent tone she had anytime she spoke about sacred things. "If she lends you her energy, you experience a flash of her essence."

"Do you know what saturation is?" Diana lifted her gaze and studied Tara. The young blonde’s eyes amazed her. Her soul seemed thousands of years old.

"The goddess comes to help with a task, for an instant, she’s in you." Tara squeezed Willow’s hand. She needed her soul mate’s touch to steady her. "When she goes, she leaves behind a bit of her essence."

"So if you do enough spells, do you get all goddess-y?" Buffy interrupted.

Tara giggled. She loved Buffy’s unique worldview.

"Most witches never reach saturation," Diana said. She looked at Willow. "Do you know what mage is?"

"Like the wise men," Willow responded slowly. "The gift of the magi?"

"My great grandmother was a mage," Tara whispered. "A sorceress."

"Shit," Diana whispered. She rubbed her eyes and then pulled open a drawer and dug through a small personal phone book.

"And?" Buffy asked. She looked to Diana, but the doctor was distracted. "Willow?" she demanded.

Willow was looking at Tara. She didn’t seem to even hear Buffy.

"Tara?" Buffy asked impatiently.

"A mage is a wise woman," Tara explained for the confused Slayer. "Very old. Someone who’s used magic for good her entire life, and at some point, she has the divine take hold within her." She furrowed her brow. "She gets to the point where she can channel power without the goddess. Most of the time she still asks, but she doesn’t have to. She can do things, incredible things."

"Are you a mage?" Buffy asked.

"No." Tara shook her head and her eyes opened wide like an owl’s. "You have to practice for years, decades, gran didn’t become a mage until s-she was 94."

"How old was she when she died?" Diana asked.

"Gran was 106 when she died." Tara smiled fondly. "Her eyesight was failing and she always drove too fast."

"Wait…" Buffy held up a hand. "Your 106 year old granny died while out joy riding?"

"Yeah." Tara smiled. "It was a convertible. I think her hair got in her eyes. Coulda’ been her hat. She always wore a big bonnet."

Willow giggled. She was imagining granny from the Beverly Hillbillies, but with Tara’s face.

A knock at the door interrupted.

"Come in," Diana called out.

Buffy tensed as the door swung open. A woman with a long blonde braid down hanging over her left shoulder came into the room. Her brown eyes darted over to Diana and lit up when she saw the pretty doctor.

"Cass, thanks for coming." Diana stood.

"You said it was an emergency." Cassie looked at the three women on the couch. "Whoa." She took a step back.

"What?" Buffy asked.

"Did you see something?" Willow wiggled nervously.

"You didn’t tell me you had a trinity of trouble." Cassie continued staring at the women on the couch.

"Cass?" Diana asked.

"That one kills." Cassie pointed at Buffy. "But … she’s … she’s … what the hell are you?" She tilted her head and studied Buffy’s aura.

"I’m Buffy." She smiled and waved at the newcomer.

"Okay…" Cassie moved across the room and went to Diana’s side behind the desk and studied Willow. "You, your aura is covered in darkness." She shook her head. "Why would you taint such a beautiful light with filth?"

Tara tugged Willow’s hand into her lap. She knew the brilliant beauty Willow possessed. No matter how much darkness shrouded her, Willow was a being of light.

"What about her?" Diana pointed at Tara.

"Blinding," Cassie said with awe in her voice. "Her aura’s like looking into the sun." Her eyes narrowed. "Oh, crap." She turned and glared at Diana. "She’s the pregnancy?"

Diana nodded grimly.

"It’s a shame," Cassie said sadly. She looked at Tara’s belly and shook her head. "The little one, she’s like you." She smiled mirthlessly at Tara. "Full of light."

"W-what’s wrong?" Tara could sense the newcomer had bad news.

"I can’t be sure," Cassie stalled. "This isn’t an exact science."

"What do you see?" Willow asked.

"Tell them," Diana said as she rested a hand on Cassie’s hip.

"I see death," Cassie said bluntly and she looked directly into Tara’s blue eyes. "I can’t tell whether it’s the baby, you, or both."

"I think I’m gonna’ be sick," Willow said unsteadily.

"Me too." Buffy’s face was pale and she gripped Willow’s shoulder as she fought the urge to throw up. She remembered doing just that the day her mother had died.

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