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 TWENTY-SEVEN

Willow awoke in her bed with Tara at her side. "What a horrible dream," the redhead whispered as she scooted toward her lover. "Why are you dressed?" She looked down at her own body. "And why am I dressed and on top of the blanket … and that wasn’t all a dream, was it? Dorothy got to wake up and the bad place went away," she grumbled. "So, that challenge didn’t get sent away or at least have a house drop on it?"

"Nope." Tara smiled shyly. "Sorry, Dorothy, you’re still not in Kansas." She leaned closer and kissed Willow’s nose.

"You know, I actually did consider dropping a house on Amy once or twice," Willow said with a yawn. "But she doesn’t wear striped socks."

"Striped socks are surprisingly out of fashion, especially for witches." Tara ran her hand through Willow’s hair. Concern covered the blonde’s face.

"Well, everyone knows striped socks attract tornadoes. And the red stripes? House magnets," she said as she took Tara’s hand and pressed it to her cheek.

"You feelin’ better, baby?" Tara asked in a worried tone.

"Just a little overwhelmed with all the Tara concern," Willow said honestly. "I’m scared, baby."

"Me too." She snuggled closer and carefully hugged Willow. "Ouch," she whispered as a shooting pain flashed across her belly.

"We should have Diana check you." Willow sat up and her brows knitted together. "Stay," she ordered.

"Um, you were the one who just went belly up." Tara smirked. "You should be doing the staying."

"Tara," Willow whined desperately. "Please humor me."

Tara nodded and gingerly rolled onto her back. "Okay." She pressed her hand to her belly and watched Willow leave. Tara had been having painful cramps for the last few hours but she wasn’t about to worry Willow by telling her.

Diana came into the room a few minutes later. She paused, knowing that Tara might not exactly be happy to see her after the incident with the Witches’ Committee. "Hey, can I come in?" she asked gently.

Tara nodded. She still felt slightly uncomfortable. She smiled when she saw Willow come in behind the doctor.

"So you’re gonna’ check her out, right?" Willow asked as she rushed to the side of the bed. "She was in pain, and I don’t like Tara in pain."

"Some pain is normal," Diana said as she opened her medical bag. "The incision is going to be tender for some time."

"Will it be healed in 12 days?" Willow asked.

Diana paused with her stethoscope halfway to her ears. She sighed and shook her head. "I need to listen to your chest," she said as she rubbed the cold metal instrument on her palm to warm it.

"What will happen with the Witches’ Committee?" Tara asked.

"Shh." Diana tucked the stethoscope under Tara’s blouse and pressed it to her chest. "Inhale." She listened intently. "Again." She nodded and moved the stethoscope around to Tara’ back. "Deep breath," she said in soothing tones. "Another." She listened and then removed the instrument from her ears.

"Well?" Willow asked.

"I’m not done yet." Diana smiled and looked into Tara’s eyes. "Your lungs are clear. That’s good. Now I need to look at your belly."

Tara looked nervously at Willow before lying on the bed and tugging up her blouse. She cringed as she shifted onto her back.

"Where is the pain?" Diana gently prodded the area around the incision. She was cautious because most of Tara’s belly and ribs were covered in deep purple bruises from Caedo’s attack. "Here?" she asked.

"Nuh uh." Tara shook her head slightly. She held her breath as Diana moved the touches further away from the incision toward her belly. "Oh!" Tara gritted her teeth and inhaled sharply when Diana pressed on her soft belly.

"What?" Willow scooted closer.

Diana ignored the redhead and focused on Tara. "Does it hurt more when I press down, or when I move my fingers?" She pushed her fingers into the muscle of Tara’s belly, slowly, gauging the blonde’s reaction.

"That’s not so bad," Tara said, but her face told a different story. Her brow was wrinkled and her eyes watered.

Diana yanked her fingers away and allowed the muscles to bounce back into place.

"Oh, goddess!" Tara’s face went white and she covered her belly with both hands. She panted as the sharp pain slowly lessened to a dull ache.

"You’re hurting her!" Willow grabbed Diana and yanked her arm. "Stop it."

"I have to check her," Diana said gently.

Tara swallowed hard and looked up at her concerned lover. "Honey, will you get me some water?"

The redhead hesitated. It was obvious Willow didn’t want to leave Tara, even for a few minutes.

"Please?" Tara asked. "For my pills?"

"Okay…" Willow nodded and took a step back. She glared at Diana. "Don’t hurt her again, or you’ll answer to me."

Diana raised an eyebrow at the protective young witch.

"I’ll be back soon," Willow promised.

"Don’t let anyone else come in," Diana said. "I need to do a full exam."

"Full?" Tara’s voice cracked. She knew that probably involved a pelvic exam. "Is that necessary?"

"What’s wrong?" Willow abandoned her mission to retrieve the water and went back to Tara’s side.

"The pain you’re having, the fact that you’ve got rebound tenderness…" Diana nodded toward Tara’s belly. "That suggests an inflammation, possibly an infection. I need to feel what’s going on in there."

Tara blanched.

"We can go back to my office if you’d prefer," Diana offered. "You might be more comfortable with the familiar medical settings. Plus I’d be better equipped."

"Equipped? Does she need equipping?" Willow took Tara’s hand and nervously caressed the back of her lover’s fingers. "What kind of equipment?"

"How bad would an infection be?" Tara asked. She was worried. She wanted to have children, and the thought of an infection made her nervous.

"Let’s not get ahead of ourselves," Diana said calmly. "Why don’t we take you to the office, and I’ll do some blood work and maybe have Cass take another look with an ultrasound. We’ll make extra sure you passed the placenta. If there is an infection, I want to treat it aggressively."

"W-what about the pills? Are they for infection?" Tara asked.

"I’ve got you on some strong antibiotics, but if you’re getting an infection while taking them, I think giving you a strong intravenous antibiotic might be the best course of action." Diana pulled out a blood pressure cuff and pushed up Tara’s sleeve. "Let’s check your BP and then we can go to the office."

Willow and Tara nodded.

"Looks good," Diana pronounced after seeing the blonde’s blood pressure. "Go ahead and gather your things and we’ll go."

"Okay," Tara said quietly.

"I’m right here," Willow whispered. She leaned down and kissed Tara’s cheek.

*****

At the medical office, the blood tests revealed that Tara had a low-grade infection. The ultrasound was clear, but Diana was still worried. She decided against intravenous drugs and went with a stronger oral antibiotic.

Willow and Tara were both nervous, but Diana calmed them by explaining that it wasn’t unusual for a minor infection to take hold after a miscarriage. The doctor then brought up a more difficult subject.

"Have you decided what you want done with the ashes?" Diana asked. She saw pain flash across Tara’s eyes. "I spoke with the mortuary. They said they’d be done by this Friday. I didn’t know what you wanted to do."

"Well, I don’t know." Tears welled up in Willow’s eyes. She and Tara had decided that they wanted Brianna’s ashes to be scattered, but with everything else that had happened, they hadn’t discussed it any further.

"We should scatter them near water," Tara said quietly. She looked down at the floor. "I read in m-mother’s book of shadows … when she lost me the first time, s-she scattered the ashes at a l-lake in the m-mountains."

Willow clenched her jaw and blinked as tears fell. She moved to Tara’s side and took her hand. "We could do it at our cove, on Sunnydale beach."

"Oh, yes." Tara nodded. "She’d love it there." She cleared her throat to keep herself from crying. "T-that sounds f-fine."

"So … what do we do?" Willow asked. "Do we pick … it … her … do we pick the ashes up ourselves?"

"There won’t be much," Diana said gently. "If you’d like, Cassie and I can pick them up and bring them to you."

"No," Tara said firmly. "We’ll get her." She climbed out of the chair and rubbed her forehead. "Will, I’m really tired. Can we go?"

"Sure, baby." Willow nodded and wrapped her arm around Tara’s waist. "Thank you," Willow said without looking at Diana.

"I’ll call to see how you feel in the morning." Diana walked them toward the front of the building. "I’m meeting with the Witches’ Committee team tonight. I’ll ask them to seal the mystic breeches at Rack’s lair."

"Won’t they ask how it happened?" Willow asked. She was still angry with Diana for contacting the magical counsel.

"This is Sunnydale," Diana said quietly. "I’ll just tell them there was some kind of explosion and that Cassie saw that there were tears in the magical fabric. It’s the kind of thing we’re supposed to report."

"Won’t they want to find the cause?" Tara asked.

"They’ll call in a team to fix the tear, but, without a witness, they won’t have any way to trace who did the spell." Diana cleared her throat and caught Tara’s attention. "They will check with the most powerful local witches, but since neither of you is registered, they won’t even know you exist."

"Good," Tara said.

"Yeah, really good," Willow said with a sigh.

"N-now I just have to renounce my ‘gift.’ Oh, and face 19 trained killers." Tara rubbed both temples. She wanted the deadly powers of the Imbolc mage removed. She hated that she could kill with no more than a thought.

"The Guardians won’t tell the committee?" Willow asked.

"They are separate entities," Diana explained. "Plus there’s a bit of bad blood between them."

"I just want to go home," Tara whispered.

Willow looked over at her lover. Tara suddenly looked exhausted. "Come on, love. Let’s get you home to bed."

Tara nodded and let Willow lead her out.

Diana watched them leave and then sighed. Tara had a huge challenge ahead of her, and her surgical incision wouldn’t even be healed for several weeks. She sighed again and went over to a door and took out a key and unlocked it. She went inside and had to use another key to open a cabinet to reveal a safe. She spun the dial and opened the thick steel door. Most of the items in the safe were books, but there were also a few magical charms. Diana reached far into the back and pulled out a small, tattered leather book. She paused briefly, wondering if she should even look in the ancient text.

"I have to do this," she said to herself. She tucked the book into her lab coat and carefully locked the safe and the room that kept it hidden away.

*****

Giles paced along one side of the training room while Buffy worked out with a new sword. He had found the exact style preferred by the guardians of Brigit. Buffy was focused on learning the weight and balance of the weapon, but she was also distracted. She wanted to learn to handle the swords as well as possible so she could help Giles instruct Tara in their use, but knowing the gentle blonde would be facing someone with the same razor sharp blades made it almost impossible to concentrate.

"I’m quite concerned about Tara," Giles said as he grabbed a second sword from an intricate oak carrying case. He swung the blade several times, getting a feel for the weapon’s weight, and then turned toward Buffy.

The Slayer looked at him incredulously. "I think we’re way passed concern, Giles."

"Of course I’m concerned for the upcoming battle," he said as he moved into an offensive stance across from his Slayer. He took a lunge at her with the blade, which she easily deflected. "I’m concerned about Tara’s mental state," he said as he took another swipe at Buffy.

"I’m more concerned with her physical state. Nineteen swashbuckling women are gonna’ try to cut Tara into little tiny pieces with these nice sharp swords of yours."

"She has unresolved issues." Giles blocked one of Buffy’s thrusts. "She needs to have her head in the game, so to speak."

Buffy slammed her blade into his again, this time driving him back a few steps. "I’m more concerned about her keeping her head…" She hit his sword again, more forcefully as her anger and fear raged. "As in on her shoulders?"

"I realize that." Giles pivoted and knocked Buffy off balance.

"Besides, Tara’s completely with it in the head category." She blocked another of his thrusts and went on the offensive. "She’s the most with it of any of the Scoobies." In a just few quick moves she swept his legs out from under him and pinned the tip of her blade to his chest. "I don’t think your head’s in the game, Giles."

He tossed his sword away and motioned for her to join him on the floor. Buffy sat and studied him. His eyes were dark and clouded with concern.

"Neither she nor Willow have grieved the loss of their child yet," Giles said quietly.

Buffy was silent for a moment. Finally, when she did speak, her voice cracked with emotion. "How are they supposed to just get over that?"

"They’re not," he said gently. "But I don’t think they’ve even discussed it."

"They’re pretty private when it comes to their emotions," Buffy said. She leaned forward after glancing toward the door so that no one could overhear her, as if some demon, or worse yet, some Scooby, may have snuck up on them while they were talking. "Willow and Tara don’t talk about these things in front of anyone. They talk to each other, in their room. Willow says it’s their special place where they can be afraid or admit they don’t know what to do." A wave of sadness and envy washed through Buffy. She didn’t have any such place. "They’ll talk about the baby when they’re alone, in their room."

"They are a remarkable couple, aren’t they?" He took off his glasses and reached into his pocket for a handkerchief, but didn’t find one. He furrowed his brow.

"They aren’t even dirty, Giles," Buffy said as she rolled her eyes. "You always do that when you’re nervous."

He gave her an embarrassed smile and then put the glasses back on. He was uncomfortable, not quite knowing what to do with his hands. "It must be incredible to have that kind of unwavering support," he said quietly. He’d never had it in his own life. "Even so, I don’t believed they’ve faced their loss."

"It just happened!" Buffy said angrily. "Give them some time."

Giles was quiet. He stared down at the hardwood floor and studied the grain. He wondered where the most recent nicks and scratches had come from. When he had been in charge of the shop he had always seen to it that the training room floor was kept pristine.

"They don’t have the luxury of time," Giles finally said. "If Tara goes into this battle with her mind on other things, she won’t stand a chance."

"Do you think she stands a chance anyway?" Buffy asked glumly.

"I don’t know," he said honestly. "This new infection of hers certainly sets back our training timetable. There’s no way we can expect her to do much hands-on training anytime soon."

"What does that means? This isn’t the kind of skill she can learn by reading a book."

"Our first order of business is to teach you the fighting style of the guardians of Brigit." He climbed to his feet and nodded to the two swords.

"And that’s gonna’ help Tara how?" Buffy grabbed them both and jumped to her feet.

"She’ll need someone to spar against." He took one sword and faced her. "En guard."

Buffy’s jaw dropped. "Are you insane?" She tossed her sword aside. "I am not fighting Tara." She paced nervously. "I’m the Slayer, remember? I have slayer strength. I don’t want to hurt her."

"The guardians of Brigit will do more than hurt her. She needs to be prepared." Giles turned and faced her.

"You expect me to fight Tara? She’s barely out of surgery." Buffy’s stomach clenched nervously.

"Starting tomorrow, if she’s up to it physically, I want Tara to sit in while I teach you the various methods she can expect to encounter. Perhaps watching you learn them will help her pick the skills up a bit faster when she’s up to it."

"We only have 12 days." Buffy let out a slow sigh.

"Perhaps in a few days, you can begin showing her the moves." He looked away, deep in thought. "You can stand behind her, and hold the weight of the blade as she learns the movements. Teach her muscles the movements."

"Teach her muscles?" Buffy raised both eyebrows. "Okay, is this some Zen master, Yoda watcher deal?"

"No," he said tolerantly. "The human body learns in many ways. The brain is only one part of the body that can hold memories."

"So … are you telling me that cowlicks are just your hair’s way of remembering some 80s hairdo?"

He ignored her comment completely. "Muscle has memory just as the brain does." He turned toward her. "When athletes learn a skill, they require a great deal of repetition so their muscles can remember the moves."

She crossed her arms over her chest.

"All right, when most athletes learn a skill…" he admitted. "You’re quite high on the learning curve when it comes to new physical skills."

She nodded smugly.

"The repeated motion teaches muscles to react naturally," Giles continued. "The problem here is that Tara can’t even lift this heavy blade in her present condition."

"Okay, so starting tomorrow, I let Tara use my body." She blushed and let out a long sigh. "Okay, that came out sounding more like Anya than I meant it to."

"We shall pretend you never uttered those words." Giles took the sword from Buffy and carried it over to the oak carrying case.

She nodded enthusiastically. The last thing she needed was jealous Willow making an appearance. She knew Willow’s feelings for Tara ran deep, bone deep, no, soul deep. The Slayer remembered Willow talking about a spell she’d shared with Tara that had actually allowed the two witches to momentarily bond their minds and souls. She crinkled her brow and wondered what the spell entailed.

"What is it?" Giles asked.

"Um, Giles, could you get that muscle memory if you were in someone else’s body while they worked out?" Buffy wondered if there was such a thing as soul memory.

"I suppose if you had a way to bond souls temporarily," he said thoughtfully. "But that would require incredible magical strength."

"Gee, like an Imbolc Mage?" Buffy asked sarcastically.

"I say, that might work," Giles said excitedly.

"Giles, could you be anymore British?" Buffy giggled. "I say," she said mimicking his accent.

"If you’re quite through mocking my heritage, there are certain risks to such a joining." Giles rubbed his jaw and cleared his throat.

"Why is Tara always in danger," Buffy whined.

"This danger would effect you," he said bluntly.

"Oh…" She stuck her bottom lip out in a classic Buffy pout. "Why am I always in danger?"

"It wouldn’t be physical danger," he offered helpfully.

"Then what?" Buffy was skeptical.

"If you were to merge minds…" He blushed and wouldn’t look into her eyes. "You would experience whatever strong emotions Tara might have while you are joined."

"Strong emotions?" Buffy tilted her head to one side and then her eyes widened as she understood. "I’d get the hots for Willow?" she yelled.

"It wouldn’t be a strong as Tara’s feelings," he said with a smirk. "Only an echo of her emotions, but you would experience what she feels."

"Still, Willow’s like my sister." She scrunched her face and shivered. "Even if we save Tara, I’ll end up on Jerry Springer."

Giles folded his arms over his chest.

"I will," she whined. "With the rest of the freaks on ‘I’m in lust with my surrogate sister.’ That’s just wrong."

"Perhaps they could double book you for the ‘I came back from the dead twice and date the vampire I’m supposed to kill’ episode," Giles suggested with a raised eyebrow.

"Gi- Gi- Giles!" Buffy’s face turned the color of a candied apple.

"Please." He sighed. "I saw the way you and Spike looked at each other." He pushed his glasses higher onto his nose. "Did you think I wouldn’t notice?"

"Oh, god." Buffy covered her face with both hands.

"Are you finding this awkward?" he asked as he took a step closer.

"Well, yeah!" Buffy glared at him.

"And how awkward do you think it will be talking to Willow after you share thoughts with Tara?" he added cautiously.

"You embarrassed me with the Spike thing just to test how … well … embarrassed I’d get?" She was livid.

"Well, someone needed to point out the Spike thing," he said in his defense. "What we’re you thinking?"

"I can only handle one crisis at a time, okay?" She glared at him. "As for feeling Tara’s ‘echoes’ about Willow, I’ll deal." She was fuming mad. She couldn’t believe she’d allowed her feelings for Spike to show through. At least Giles didn’t know she’d actually slept with the vampire.

"It should only be temporary," he said quietly.

"Good," she said with a sigh.

"Now then, we just have to get Tara to agree to the joining." Giles looked down at the floor. "She may not be willing to share her innermost feelings with anyone."

"Willow’s the jealous one, G-man." Buffy raised an eyebrow.

"Yes, but Tara can be quite destructive when defending her lover." He raised an eyebrow in a mimic of her expression. "I believe Rack found that out the hard way."

"Oh…" Buffy’s face paled.

*****

Willow took a thermos of fresh brewed herbal tea in one hand and two mugs in the other. She’d tucked Tara into bed hours earlier and then helped Dawn tidy up the house. Now Dawn was in bed, and Willow didn’t have anything else to clean. She decided to go up to bed and crawl under the covers next to her lover and read a few chapters in a book about the Guardians of Brigit.

She tiptoed past Dawn’s room and quietly opened the door to the room she shared with Tara. Moonlight streamed through the window onto the bed. Willow stared, awestruck by her lover’s beauty. She moved to the nightstand and put her tea and mugs down and pulled back the blankets. She combed her fingers through Tara’s hair and leaned down and kissed the blonde’s cheek.

"Willow…" Tara murmured in her sleep. She wasn’t awake, but her soul would recognize Willow’s touch anywhere.

The redhead crawled under the covers and snuggled up to Tara’s back. She kissed her lover’s neck and sighed when Tara wiggled closer. She carefully wrapped an arm over Tara’s side and cupped her tender belly.

Tara’s hand covered Willow’s and slowly moved her lover’s touch higher.

Willow smiled and nuzzled Tara’s hair. "Someone’s awake." She moaned as Tara placed their joined hands over her breast. Tara’s nipple was hard against Willow’s palm through the thin fabric of her nightgown. "Very awake."

"I missed you." Tara carefully rolled toward Willow. She inhaled sharply when she overextended the tight incision site.

"Baby?" Willow froze in place. She was terrified that she might hurt Tara again.

"Willow, I need you." Tara eased forward and lightly kissed Willow.

"Honey, I want to … but…" Willow bit her lip in frustration. "I’m afraid."

"Of me?" Tara’s worst fear was that the deadly power of the Imbolc mage would alienate the woman she loved.

"No, of course not." Willow caressed Tara’s cheek. "Of hurting you."

"I need to make it stop," Tara whispered. She pressed her forehead to Willow’s.

"Make what stop?" Willow rubbed her nose against Tara’s.

"All of it." Tears ran down Tara’s cheek. "I don’t want to think, baby. I just want to feel you, feel us, our love." She kissed Willow, slowly, letting the warmth of her mouth mingle with Willow’s. She guided Willow onto the bed and carefully shifted her weight onto one arm.

"I love you," Willow said intently. She looked up at Tara and saw that love reflected back in blue eyes burning with passion.

"Will you let me love you?" Tara whispered huskily. She traced Willow’s lips with her tongue. "Will you, baby?" Her hand lightly moved back and forth between Willow’s breasts. "Can you give yourself to me?"

"Yes." Willow tangled her hand in Tara’s hair and gently eased her down into a kiss. She moved her hand down her lover’s back, but she was cautious not to do anything that might cause Tara pain.

Tara made love to Willow. She took her time, luxuriating in the softness of her lover’s body. Willow was panting and gasping for oxygen as Tara slowly built the redhead’s passion.

"Please, Tara," Willow begged as Tara teased her inner thighs.

"You’re so beautiful." Tara’s voice cracked. "I look at you, and my heart swells." Tara’s fingers moved in tiny circles, but they didn’t move where Willow wanted them.

Willow bit her lip and opened her legs a bit wider, hoping she might lure Tara’s touch higher.

"Your beautiful face…" Tara kissed her lover’s cheek. "Your perfect body…" She kissed Willow’s breast. "It’s nothing compared to the beauty of your soul." She edged closer and took possession of Willow’s mouth. Her kiss was commanding, and conveyed all of her love, even though she had to gingerly balance her body so she wouldn’t bump her aching belly.

"Oh, goddess…" Willow was in ecstasy, and Tara hadn’t even touched the heart of her desire. The blonde witch could bring Willow’s body alive with only her words. As soon as Tara brought her hands and mouth into play, Willow was lost. She screamed, and her body tensed like a piano wire and her back bowed up off the bed.

Tara smiled and moved her kisses to Willow’s throat as her fingers gently eased Willow through another climax. She growled at the sound of her lover’s pleasure and stilled her hand. "So beautiful," she whispered.

"Ta-ra…" Willow couldn’t manage more than the one broken word. She hugged Tara, trying to carefully pull her closer.

The blonde chuckled and settled onto Willow’s chest. She sighed, her own body humming with excitement. "Just wait ‘til I’m back to 100 percent." She moved her hand up and traced Willow’s belly button with one finger.

"I better take my vitamins. You’re liable to be too much for me," Willow joked, but Tara’s words reminded her that her lover was still injured. She ran her hand down Tara’s back and tilted her face so she could kiss the top of her lover’s head.

Tara quietly listened to the rapid fluttering of Willow’s heart. She thought about Willow’s words. So often there was more truth in playful banter than people might intend. ‘Am I too much for you?’ Tara wondered. She hated that she carried the weight of Brigit’s mantle. Willow had worked so hard to distance herself from powerful magics, and now, Tara was more dangerous than any other witch on the planet. She shifted and looked down at her lover. She needed to connect with her beloved, so she leaned down and kissed the redhead.

"Mmm…" Willow enjoyed her lover’s touch, but she was concerned. She didn’t want the blonde to overtax herself.

Tara slowly rolled onto her back and tried to pull Willow onto her, but the redhead paused.

"That was wonderful," Willow whispered as she kissed Tara’s ear. She settled her face on the pillow next to Tara and rested her hand over Tara’s heart. She sighed and closed her eyes.

"You sleepy?" Tara picked up Willow’s hand and kissed her palm. She was disappointed, but she would never force Willow to make love.

"Yeah." Willow was tired, but under normal circumstances, she would have pushed through a little post-lovemaking sleepiness and enthusiastically made love to Tara all night long. Tonight, she wasn’t about to risk hurting Tara again. She still remembered the pain in Tara’s voice when she had inadvertently bumped her belly.

"Go to sleep." Tara brushed Willow’s bangs out of her eyes.

"I love you." Willow snuggled closer, but she made sure her leg was nowhere near Tara’s belly.

The two witches feel asleep, both worrying about the other, both remaining silent, thinking they were protecting their lover. Neither could know that their silence was creating tiny waves in their fragile, newly rekindled relationship.

*****

Buffy and Giles stared down at a smoking frying pan.

"They aren’t supposed to look like that," Buffy complained. She poked the smoldering pancake with a fork, but the utensil wouldn’t penetrate its charred surface.

"I know that," Giles said harshly. "You distracted me with all your complaining about the shape."

"Well, they taste better when they have the nice corners." Buffy waved her hand to clear some of the smoke.

"The shape can’t possibly effect the taste." Giles moved the pan off of the burner. "You’re imagining it."

"I’m not imagining it. The triangles taste better." She coughed and pointed at the pan. "We should toss these before Tara sees them, or we’ll never live this down."

"Oh, yes, good point." He grabbed a potholder and turned with the pan in his hand so he could take it to the garbage can. "Oh, dear lord ... good morning, Tara."

Buffy squeaked and spun to face the blonde witch.

"Good morning." Tara smiled. She was leaning against the doorframe with both arms crossed over her chest.

"He did it." Buffy shoved Giles toward Tara and took a step back. "And he refused to make triangles."

"Perhaps you could … possibly … show me how you make these blasted triangles?" He smiled and looked down at the charred pancakes.

"Take those outside to the garbage." Tara pushed off the wall and went to the counter. "But run water over them first. I don’t want them bursting into flames while we’re having breakfast." She snickered and then looked at the batter Giles had mixed. She stirred it, deciding it was too thin, and then handed the bowl to Buffy. "Pour this out. We’re staring over."

"Yes!" Buffy took the bowl and practically skipped to the sink and poured the batter down the drain.

Tara continued snickering as she mixed fresh batter. She was still smiling when Willow came into the kitchen.

"Oh! Triangles." Willow carefully hugged Tara from behind. "Yummy." She kissed Tara’s neck. "My favorite flavor."

"Everyone loves the triangles." Tara sighed and leaned back into Willow’s embrace. "They taste the same as round," she whispered. "But don’t tell Buffy."

"I was talking about your neck." Willow kissed the blonde’s throat. "Mmm. Much better than pancakes." She slid her hands up Tara’s belly and cupped her full breasts. "And I prefer my Tara-cakes … round."

"Oh…" Tara bit her lip and leaned back further with a shiver. She ignored the pancakes and fully enjoyed Willow’s attentions. She sighed and rested the back of her head on Willow’s shoulder.

"You like that?" Willow kissed Tara’s neck. She was cradling the blonde’s breasts in both hands with her fingers paying special attention to Tara’s nipples.

"Wil-low." Tara’s voice cracked and she arched her neck as pleasure washed through her body. She had been feeling insecure since the night before, thinking that Willow might not desire her now that she was the Imbolc mage. "Goddess, don’t stop."

"How’s that breakfas—" Buffy stopped in the door and gawked as Willow spooned Tara from behind and caressed her breasts.

"Buffy!" Tara squeaked and grabbed Willow’s hands and yanked them into a less compromising position.

"I am so sorry." Buffy covered her eyes with one hand. She tried not to think how beautiful Tara was with her head tossed back in rapture. That was not something she wanted to think about if she was going to ask Tara to join minds.

"Hey, Buff." Willow wiggled closer to Tara, content to cradle her lover.

"Hey, Will." Buffy kept her eyes covered. "So, any ETA on those triangle cakes?"

"Willow likes them round," Tara said innocently.

"But the sharp points are good," Willow said with a smirk. She saw that Buffy still wasn’t looking, so she reached up and squeezed one of the Tara-cake points.

Tara gasped and yanked Willow’s hand back down.

"So … pancakes? ETA?" Buffy wasn’t about to look at the two.

"Soon," Tara promised. "Willow’s just giving me a hand."

"Call me when they’re done." Buffy was blushing deep red. Her neck looked like a fire hydrant as she backed out of the room.

"That was bad." Willow spun Tara in her arms so they were facing each other. "Very bad." She smiled at her lover.

"Well, you actually gave me two hands." Tara lifted Willow’s wrists to her lips and kissed Willow’s slender fingers.

Willow enjoyed the touch and then her eyes widened. "Pancakes!" She waved her hands at the smoking pan.

"Oops!" Tara spun and grabbed the spatula.

*****

"I do admit, these triangular pancakes are a bit more crispy." Giles smiled as he enjoyed Tara’s breakfast.

"Told you they taste better." Buffy reached over and filled her plate for the second time.

"Thanks." Tara blushed and looked down at her plate. She was still working on her first pancake.

"Where’s Dawnie?" Willow asked.

"She went shopping with her friends." Buffy eyed another pancake and wondered if eating her eighth would be too many.

"We actually asked Dawn to leave the four of us alone," Giles said quietly. "Buffy and I need to speak to you about Tara’s training." He looked into the blonde’s eyes. "We have an idea to help you learn the skills … if you’re willing to try."

"W-what is it?" Tara asked.

As Giles explained what he and Buffy had in mind, Tara’s eyes grew wide even as her body seemed to shrink into the chair.

Willow kept looking back and forth from Buffy to Tara. "You know what that spell is for, right?" she asked as she grabbed Tara’s hand and clung to her.

"I’m n-not doing t-that w-with Buffy." Tara’s stutter was back in full force. "No." She shook her head vigorously.

Willow’s eyes flashed. "I wouldn’t let her sleep with Xander, and I’m sure as hell not letting you—"

"We would, of course, alter certain aspects." Giles blanched as he cut Willow off. He hated even bringing up the topic. "I believe we can simply connect their minds without a connection of a … er, um, physical nature. We found a less romantic spell."

"Hey, trust me, I am so not into the whole actual bonding with Tara deal." Buffy realized that might not sound like a glowing recommendation of the blonde witch. "Not that you’re not hot, because you are…"

Willow’s eyes narrowed.

"But you love Willow," Buffy added in a rush. "And I don’t like you that way." She squirmed as she looked into Tara’s eyes. "I care for you, just not like that."

"W-we can do the spell w-without doing…" Tara hesitated.

"It," Buffy said for her. "We can do the Vulcan mind meld without doing it." She took a deep breath. "The it we’re not doing being sex, and the it we are doing being the whole Spock deal."

"We really must do something about your viewing habits." Giles stood and went to the counter and pulled a book out of his briefcase.

"What else am I supposed to watch after I get back from patrol?" Buffy grumbled. "It’s either cheesy sci fi, or infomercials."

"Oh, did you see that Oxyclean?" Willow asked, happy for a change in subject. "I wonder if it gets out demon slime?"

"Here’s the spell," Giles said as he placed the book in front of Tara. "This is not specifically designed for lovers." He pointed to the passage. "It would however allow you both to experience the other’s emotions while joined." He looked at Willow and raised an eyebrow.

"What?" Willow asked defensively. "I’m not a jealous monster. Tara and Buffy could do the friendship bonding deal … as long as there’s no physical bonding involved."

"I’m afraid joining minds might cause difficulties," Giles said squeamishly. He looked at Willow. "Buffy will be experiencing Tara’s emotions, though muted of course."

"Oh." Tara’s eyes widened. She looked from Buffy to Willow. "Oh…"

"What oh?" Willow looked at her lover and then it dawned on her. "Buffy’s gonna get the hots for me?" she yelled as she jumped up from the table. "That’s just wrong! She’s … she’s … she’s my friend, my Buffy, not my Buffy, but, well, ew!"

"Gee, thanks for the ego boost Will." Buffy snickered.

"Well, Buffy, I only want Tara feeling that way," Willow said desperately. "It would just be weird."

"How long would it last?" Tara asked.

"A day, perhaps two?" Giles rubbed his chin. "The spell is designed to let people experience what others feel, so this is the primary focus."

"Would you be okay with that?" Buffy asked Tara.

"I c-can’t say I like it." The blonde witch looked down shyly. "Y-you’re everything anyone could w-want. W-willow’s kn-known you f-for a long time…"

"Hey…" Willow ran her hand through Tara’s hair. "Baby, I don’t care who likes me that way. You’re my world."

Tara smiled and her eyes relaxed.

"Well, then, now that that’s settled, perhaps Buffy and I should go ready the training room." Giles stood and cleared his throat. "I suggest that the two of you perform a bonding of your own before coming over." His cheeks changed color as he spoke the words. "Best you have a fresh memory of sharing the more intense bonding with your lo- with your Wil- with Willow before you try the platonic version with Buffy."

"Wow, Giles is prescribing sex." Buffy had a shocked expression. "How come I never get ordered to go get a happy?"

Giles cleared his throat and nodded toward the door.

"Yeah, whatever." Buffy hurried out of the kitchen. She paused and looked back with a rakish grin. "So, will we be sharing recent memories too?" She raised an eyebrow at Willow and then winked.

"Buffy!" Willow blushed crimson. "No, you wont." Her eyes faltered and she spun toward Tara. "You won’t, will you?"

"No." Tara smiled and went to Willow and hugged her. "Those memories are just for us."

"Good." Willow hugged Tara and let out a relieved sigh.

As Buffy and Giles left, the Slayer took him by the arm. "I won’t get some bonding visual of whatever it is they do will I?" Buffy wanted clarification. "Because I do not want to be hardwired into the Wiccan porn channel. There are some things I can go all of my three lives without seeing, and Willow and Tara stirring each other’s caldrons definitely goes in that category."

Giles covered his face with one hand. "Thank you so much for that vivid visual. You realize, I may never be able to look at another caldron again, don’t you?"

Buffy giggled as they headed for the car.

"Oh, Buffy," he called out. When she turned he looked calmly at her. "You won’t have access to any of Tara’s memories, but if she were to say… reminisce in her mind … you would be privy to all the details." He smiled pleasantly and climbed into the car.

Buffy stared blankly ahead as Giles started the car. "Well, why would she think about that?" she asked almost to herself.

"It will be fine," he assured her. "So long as no one … say … were to ask her … how was your afternoon?" His eyes got a devilish glint.

"You wouldn’t!" Buffy’s jaw dropped.

"No, of course not," he said with a wicked smile.

"Giles!" Buffy whined. "No calling forth the Wiccan porn in my brain! I can’t even change the channel."

"I’m quite certain it won’t involve any caldrons, though I can’t promise there won’t be some rather racy stirring."

"You’re an evil man," Buffy said as she leaned against the window and watched the trees blur as they passed them.

*****

A small group wandered through the rubble where Rack’s lair had been. Three men and two women surveyed the damage with expert eyes. All were wearing neat, pristine black suits with crisp white shirts and black ties. They looked like they had stepped out of the movie Men in Black.

"Miss Nove, anything on the chemical scan?" a dark haired man asked.

"Nothing," Nove said. She was a brunette with neatly trimmed hair that barely covered her ears. She looked down at a small electronic device. "There’s no trace of any chemicals that could have caused this."

The man’s cell phone rang. "Quinto here," he said gruffly. He frowned as he listened. "Understood." He flipped the phone closed and glanced over at the others.

"Well?" Nove asked.

"Aerial and ground scans reveal a spherical pattern of destruction." Quinto nodded toward the other two. "I need to give Miss Duas the details."

In the shadows nearby, Amy watched as the four people examined Tara’s handiwork. ‘Government geeks,’ she thought. ‘Bet they’d love to get their hands on a bonafide witch.’ She smirked as she imagined what nasty tests the government agents might try on someone with Tara’s powers.

"Well?" a lanky bald man asked as he approached Quinto.

"Tertius, there’s no sign of any chemical agent." Quinto nodded toward his companion.

"I scanned for every explosive in the system, and I cross-checked with the most common compounds found in drug labs," Miss Nove added.

"I just got a call from the air sweepers," Quinto nodded toward the worst area of the destruction. "It appears to be a perfect sphere."

‘Just wait until they get a hold of Tara,’ Amy moved closer, trying to figure out which of the official looking strangers was in charge.

"Which doesn’t happen in chemical explosions," the final member of the team said as she joined the others. Her coal black hair wasn’t cut short, but it was pulled up in a tight, severe bun.

"How should we proceed, Miss Duas?" Miss Nove asked.

‘That is definitely the boss lady,’ Amy thought. ‘She’ll use Tara as a nice little lab rat.’ She smiled cruelly. ‘Turnabout is fair play.’

"We do what we always do," Duas said flatly. "We’ve ruled out the mundane, and that leaves a mystical cause." She waved her hand at the crater. "Get a seer in here and verify what the reporting witch said. Once we’re sure the mystic fabric is torn, we’ll try to repair it enough so some regular moron doesn’t stumble onto it."

Amy stood as still as a statue. ‘Oh, shit,’ she thought as her mouth went dry. ‘Black suits like government agents, high tech gadgets, ruthless magical practitioners.’ She remembered her mother warning her about just such a group, the Witches’ Committee. ‘Holy crap.’ She backed away, carefully as she focused on pushing anything magical out of her thoughts. Amy’s mother had taught her about the elite witches and the skills that they possessed. The teams usually had a tracker, a witch who could feel other witches and find them. Amy moved quietly and swiftly to the end of the alley.

"Oh, thank god," Amy said once she was around the corner. She ran down the street and headed for the bus station.

"Well?" Duas asked. She nodded her head toward the end of the alley.

"Witch, obviously," Miss Nove said with a smirk. "I put a tracking spell on her."

"Have a team follow her." Duas flipped open a small pad that looked like a hand held computer, except it had runes in the place of a standard keypad.

"She’s weak right now," Miss Nove said casually. "She’s been doing a lot of dark magic. She couldn’t have caused this, but she might lead us to a bigger fish. If not, we’ll have the reeducation team dry her out and see if she has any power worth saving."

"Her energy felt familiar," Duas said. "Did you pull a hair sample?"

Miss Nove smiled. "Of course." She pointed to the shadows where Amy had been hiding. With a flick of one finger a red tendril of energy left her hand and drifted to the dark corner. A tiny hair floated up from the ground and came back to her. It hovered in the air as she opened a small plastic Ziplock bag. "Hmm, she’s had an interspecies transfiguration recently." She chuckled. "Rodent." She blew a puff of air and the hair drifted into the bag. She closed it and handed it to Duas.

"Very nice," Duas complemented. She turned the bag over in her hand and then held it out to Tertius. "Have this cross-referenced against the known magicals in Sunnydale."

He nodded and tucked the bag into one of his pockets. "How many do you think it took to cause a tear like this?" He nodded toward the crater.

"We don’t know it is a tear," Duas reminded him sternly. "But if it is … it would take at least a dozen of our strongest combatants to do this."

"Dark or light?" Tertius asked as he took notes in one of the runic palm computers.

"Normally, I’d say dark," Duas said. She pointed to the surrounding buildings. "But whoever, or whatever, did this took care to protect the other residents."

"Whatever?" Nove asked.

"This is the hellmouth," Duas said with a smile. "No telling what’s at work here."

"Maybe the little mouse can point us in the right direction," Quinto said.

"She was scared," Miss Nove said. She walked a few steps toward the alley and held up her palm. She closed her eyes and inhaled. She was one of the finest trackers on the committee. "And that makes me think she knows something."

"If she does," Duas said darkly. "We’ll know it soon enough." She scanned the area and then faced her team. "Let’s clear out before the locals ask any more questions."

"Yes, ma’am," the others said with a reverence based in respect and fear. Duas was a powerful, lethal witch, and she always completed her missions successfully. She wouldn’t give up until she got to the bottom of the mystery.

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

Willow was nervous about performing her first spell since giving up dark magic. She didn’t really count the levitation during lovemaking, because that was like a reflex. She smiled as she remembered the afternoon in the restroom at the deli. Tara had been so loving and passionate, and more than a little wild.

"Are you gonna’ be okay to do this?" Tara asked from the counter. She was cleaning up the dishes from breakfast. She hated coming home to piles of pans in the sink.

"You shouldn’t be doing that." Willow came into the room and went to her lover’s side. "Sit."

"You didn’t answer me," Tara said as she kissed Willow’s cheek. She caressed the opposite cheek and studied her lover’s green eyes. "Are you okay? We don’t have to do this."

"I’m okay," Willow said unconvincingly.

"You know I love you," Tara said devotedly. "And I know you are my Willow. We don’t need to do the bonding just to prove something." In fact, Tara was a bit frightened to know Willow’s thoughts. It was one thing to suspect that the redhead was afraid of the Imbolc powers, but it was quite another to have to experience Willow’s fear.

"I’m all right." Willow smiled. "I just don’t want you getting too tired." Willow had her own fears. She didn’t want Tara overwhelmed with the pain Willow was concealing about losing Brianna. They hadn’t talked much about it, and Willow didn’t want to upset Tara.

"Do you want to?" Tara asked. "It won’t make you crave dark magic. It’ll be like when we make love. It’ll help purge it from your system." She sat at the table. "You don’t have to…"

"I want to." Willow went behind Tara and rubbed the blonde’s shoulders. "Just some jitters." She kissed Tara’s cheek. "Do you want to?"

"I’m nervous…" Tara turned her head and looked up at Willow. "But, I always want to be one with you." Her blue eyes shined with emotion.

"You always are," Willow whispered. She leaned down and tenderly kissed the woman who gave her life meaning. "Now, let’s clean up this mess and get upstairs so we can do this bonding ritual."

"You wash. I’ll put stuff away." Tara stood despite Willow’s disapproving grunt.

"If you get tired, you better sit down." Willow handed Tara the syrup and then went to the sink and attacked the dishes.

"Yes, dear." Tara moved around the kitchen as her lover scrubbed pans.

Willow moved a container of frozen strawberries out of her way and smiled when Tara scooped them up out of her hand. Their minds were usually in sync.

Tara took the strawberries to the refrigerator and opened the freezer. She had to rearrange a few things because someone had left everything shoved to one side. Tara smiled. The impulsive action had ‘Buffy’ written all over it. She moved a bag of ice out of the way and her stomach clenched. She stared at a bag of frozen peas and her heart crumbled.

Willow was busy trying to get some burnt on batter off the handle of the pan.

Tara couldn’t move. She stood transfixed as memories of Willow’s panicked breakfast filled her mind. She closed her eyes and tears streamed down her cheeks. She could see Willow’s smile as she talked about their child. Tara moved her hand to her belly and a sob escaped. She fought to hold her heart together, but there were just too many pieces, each more jagged and wounded than the last. She drew in a shaking breath.

A cold chill hit Willow. She shivered and dropped the pan into the warm, soapy water and slowly turned. She saw Tara holding a bag of frozen peas in one hand. "Oh, honey." Willow rushed to her lover and took the peas away from her and threw them at the garbage can across the room. She knew exactly what was going through Tara’s mind.

"Oh, Goddess…" Tara held her arms out and fell into Willow’s embrace.

"I’ve got you," Willow whispered. "Oh, Tara." She ran her hands down her lover’s back and offered her love, because knew Tara was beyond comfort.

"She’s gone," Tara sobbed. She clung to Willow, ignoring the stabs of pain at her side from the incision. "Our little girl…"

"I know." Willow was sobbing along with her lover. She tried to guide Tara toward the chair, but the blonde’s legs simply buckled, so Willow lowered the tearful witch to the floor. She sat awkwardly on the cold tile and pulled Tara down across her lap.

"It hurts." Tara clung to Willow. She was on her side, with her face burrowed against the svelte redhead’s belly. "Goddess, it hurts so much."

"I know," Willow repeated. They were the only words she could offer. Her own heart was shattering, and she was trying to hold not only her own soul together, but Tara’s as well. "Shh…" She combed her fingers through Tara’s hair and made cooing sounds to calm her lover. She kept up the soothing caress even after Tara’s crying slowed to a few chest-shaking sobs.

"I w-was worried about m-money and school," Tara said as she held Willow’s waist as if she’d drift away if she let go. "I was scared to be a mom." Tara began crying hysterically. Her sobs shook both witches’ bodies.

"Honey, I was scared too. It’s okay," Willow whispered. She wasn’t quite sure why the simple admission caused such an agonizing outburst.

"She thinks I didn’t want her," Tara sobbed.

The words broke Willow’s heart all over again. "Tara, no, sweetie." She tucked her fingers under the soft blonde hair and massaged Tara’s neck. "She knows you love her, baby."

"It hurts," Tara said in a tiny voice. She shifted so she could look up at Willow. "Willow, it hurts so bad."

"Where?" Willow wiped some of the tears from Tara’s cheeks. She wondered if her lover had torn loose some stitches. "Where does it hurt, love?"

Tara’s brow crinkled and she moved her hand up and covered her chest. "My heart hurts."

"I feel it too." Willow covered Tara’s hand and then blinked a flood of tears out of her bloodshot eyes. "We’ll get through it." She cupped Tara’s face and locked eyes with her. "I swear, Tara. We’ll get through this together, and we will get Brianna back."

Tara struggled to sit up, suddenly realizing she was sprawled across the kitchen floor. She winced in pain.

"Easy." Willow helped Tara sit next to her. "I love you." She leaned forward and pressed her forehead to Tara’s. "I love you," she repeated forcefully, as if the strength of her conviction could make the emotion permeate Tara’s soul.

"Even with the mantle?" Tara asked as she draped her arms over Willow’s shoulders.

"Of course." Willow eased back and saw genuine fear in her beloved’s eyes. "I don’t care if you are the Imbolc mage, if you throw the mantle in their faces, or even if you secretly listen to John Tesh. I love you, Tara Maclay."

"You’d still love me even with a John Tesh obsession?" One of Tara’s eyebrows shot up incredulously.

"Even then." Willow kissed Tara’s nose.

"You’re not afraid of me?" Tara asked as she wiped tears from Willow’s face.

"Never," Willow swore. She saw confusion in her lover’s eyes. "You thought I was afraid of you, baby?"

"Last night … you didn’t want to … you know…" Tara sniffled.

"Oh, darling." Willow cradled Tara’s face in both hands and pressed their foreheads together again. "I was scared to death I’d hurt you again," she whispered.

"My magic doesn’t scare you?" Tara ran her hands down Willow’s back.

"You could never scare me," Willow promised. She furrowed her brow and pulled back. "Except when you’re in danger. That scares me." She sighed. "Or when you look so sad." She traced Tara’s lips with her thumb. "I get scared I’m not enough to fix your heart."

"We’ll fix each others’ hearts," Tara offered.

"Good, cuz as soon as we get off this cold floor, I’m thinkin’ I’d like a nice long cry." Willow’s eyes were already watering again.

"Just because I carried her … doesn’t mean I think my pain’s any worse than yours," Tara said. She dipped her head and her expressive blue eyes locked with Willow’s green.

"You’re gonna’ make me cry." Willow blinked rapidly and cleared her throat.

"Then let’s get you off the floor." Tara nodded for the redhead to stand.

"What about bonding our souls and minds?" Willow asked as she pulled Tara to her feet.

"We don’t need a spell to do that," Tara whispered huskily. She wrapped an arm around Willow and walked toward the door.

"You always know what to say." Willow smiled despite the salty tears falling down her cheeks.

"Let’s go to bed." Tara kissed Willow’s temple. "I want to hold you." It was Tara’s turn to keep Willow’s heart together.

"I’d like that," Willow said with a sniffle.

As they made their way upstairs, Willow let her guard down. She could fall apart, because she knew Tara would be there to hold the pieces safely in her strong arms. By the time they crawled under the covers of their bed, Willow was sobbing. Tara held the redhead as she purged her soul by shedding salty, liquid anguish. Tara’s soft curves molded to Willow’s smaller frame and both women began letting go of some small part of their grief. They had a long way to go, but like any journey, the first few painful steps were the hardest.

*****

Amy pushed through the crowed bus station. She wanted out of Sunnydale, and she wasn’t even going to take the time to go home for her few belongings. She saw the bus to LA rumbling to a start and felt her tension break. She jogged toward the open door and reached for the stainless steel handle next to the steps.

"Going somewhere?" Miss Nove intercepted Amy’s hand and spun the witch away from the bus.

"She’s not very strong is she?" Quinto took Amy’s other arm and led her through the crowd.

Amy’s expression was blank and her legs moved of their own accord. ‘Crap!’ she thought as her body betrayed her. She was helplessly walking like a puppet between the two witches in black suits.

Miss Nove steered them toward a black van in the parking lot. The windows were tinted as dark as the paint making it impossible to see inside even when they came alongside the vehicle. The back doors swung open and two more black suited witches ushered Amy and Miss Nove into the van. They didn’t follow the short-haired woman inside. The doors closed with an ominous clank followed but the muted clink of the automatic locks falling into place.

"Now then," Miss Nove said politely. "Isn’t this better than an unseemly bus?" She guided Amy into a black leather chair and then handed the terrified witch a fluted glass of champagne.

Amy felt a flash of pain as her body came back under her own control. She stared at the offered glass, scared to take it, but even more petrified to refuse the woman’s order. She reached out and took the glass. Her shaking hand made the champagne slosh in the glass. As she pulled the glass to her, she felt the chilled liquid splashing down her fingers.

"You know who we are, of course?" Miss Nove asked politely. Everything about the dark-haired witch screamed proper breeding and expensive private schooling.

Amy nodded and held the champagne glass in both hands. She looked around the van. Everything in was black. The expensive leather seats, the small table between them, and even the bank of computers on one wall were painted flat black. A black wall separated them from the front of the van. Amy wished she could see front windshield. She felt the van vibrate as the engine started and then the vehicle began moving.

"Good," Miss Nove said. Her polite tone was gone.

The coldness in the woman’s eyes made Amy’s bowels turn to ice.

"Then this won’t take long." She slowly pulled off her black leather gloves. Her hands were slender and feminine, and yet something about her blunt cut nails and her unnaturally pale skin made them seem ominous. Her skin was almost translucent. "I am Miss Nove," she said as she handed the gloves to the man next to her. She flexed her hands and electric sparks danced between her fingers. "That is how you will address me. Is that quite clear?"

Amy nodded quickly.

"Is that clear?" Miss Nove asked again. Her voice was calm, but it had dangerous tone that suggested she wasn’t used to asking a question twice.

"Yes," Amy said quickly. She inhaled sharply. "Yes, ma’am." Her eyes darted as she panicked. "Yes, Miss Nove, ma’am."

"So, the little mouse can speak," Quinto said as he leaned back and relaxed.

"We’re going to have a conversation." Miss Nove leaned back and crossed one leg over the other at the knee. She studied her own hands as she ran her thumbs over her fingertips; blue arcs popped and crackled in the silence of the van as energy skittered over her skin. She didn’t move her head, but her focus shifted and she glanced over at Amy. "You’re going to tell me everything I want to know." Her eyes narrowed. "And if you lie to me…" She made a fist and her hand glowed blue. "It won’t be a very pleasant conversation." She smiled like shark eyeing a baby seal. "Well, not for you anyway."

*****

"Stop fidgeting," Giles ordered.

"I’m not fidgeting." Buffy was sitting in the center of the training room floor trying to meditate.

"Try to focus on the sound of my voice," Tara said. She was off to one side of the room near the wall. "Close your eyes and reach out to me." Tara voice was soothing, and lyrical. "Willow is our anchor," she said softly. "She won’t let us go."

The redhead filled with pride. She was sitting directing behind her lover, with Tara nestle between her legs using Willow for a soft, loving backrest. Willow pulled Tara a bit closer.

Buffy looked at a white candle a few feet from Tara. It was supposed to bond the blonde’s essence with Buffy. The Slayer twisted her head and smiled when she sent snaps, crackles, and few pops down her spine.

‘You eat too many Rice Crispies,’ Tara thought with a smirk.

‘Hey,’ Buffy whined in her thought. ‘Oh, hey…’ She realized she’d heard Tara’s words inside her mind.

‘Relax and open your mind,’ Tara snuggled closer to Willow.

‘I can feel that,’ Buffy sent with her thoughts.

‘Can you feel me?’ Tara knew the physical connection would be the first to initiate.

Buffy inhaled deeply, picturing Tara in her mind. Suddenly, it was as if a warm wave covered Buffy. Her skin felt alive for the first time in months, for the first time since she’d come back from the dead. She felt Tara’s love for Willow. It was like a force of nature, strong and pure, and constant, like the tides. It ebbed and flowed, changing shape, but never wavering, not even for an instant.

Tears ran down Buffy’s cheeks. She had forgotten what it felt like to feel anything. She realized she’d never felt love that strong, except for her mom, and that didn’t really count when it came to romantic love.

‘Oh, Buffy,’ Tara’s words filled the Slayer’s mind, and her love filled Buffy’s heart and soul. It was as if Tara were cradling Buffy in her arms and keeping her safe.

‘You love me,’ Buffy realized.

‘Of course I do,’ Tara responded instantly. ‘We’re family.’

Buffy sobbed and opened her eyes. Tara’s love was the most pure, truly good thing Buffy had ever experienced. Just touching the gentle blonde’s soul steeled Buffy’s resolve. The world could take care of itself. Tara was not going to remain the Imbolc mage; killing … being a predator, simply wasn’t in the sweet Wiccan’s nature.

"Okay, how do we do this?" Buffy stood shakily.

Tara opened her eyes and quickly closed them.

"Whoa, too much input." Buffy swayed to one side. ‘Keep those peepers closed,’ she said in her mind.

‘Sorry,’ Tara answered sheepishly.

Buffy smiled. She wasn’t looking at Tara’s body, but she knew the blonde had a crooked smile on her face. It felt good to finally feel, to be alive beyond merely having a pulse.

‘Why didn’t you tell us?’ Tara asked. ‘We would have helped you.’

A flash of sorrow hit Buffy like a blow. She realized Tara’s pain was for her. Tara was hurting because she could feel the emptiness that had filled Buffy since her return.

"I’m okay," Buffy said out loud.

‘No, but you will be.’ Tara’s mind wrapped around Buffy’s. It was the equivalent of a psychic hug, but it felt as if all of Tara’s emotions entered Buffy’s body and merged with her on a molecular level.

The Slayer’s skin tingled.

‘You’ve been taking care of everyone else, pushing down your needs and feelings for so long, you’ve forgotten how to feel, sweetie.’ Tara focused on the Slayer and sent all of her love for the earnest hero across the room.

"Oh, my god," Buffy dropped to her knees.

"Buffy!" Giles rushed forward. "We must sever the tie. It’s too much." He dropped to the floor next to her and wrapped an arm around her.

"I’m fine," Buffy said hoarsely.

‘Look at him,’ Tara ordered. When the Slayer did, Tara could see him as well. ‘He loves you, Buffy. You’re not like a daughter to him. You are his daughter.’

Buffy looked at the Watcher and she saw him with Tara’s eyes. The love reflected back at her was so obvious.

"Are you quite sure you can handle this?" Giles asked tenderly.

"Yeah." Buffy smiled and climbed to her feet. She looked over at Tara, and as soon as her eyes took in the sight of Willow cradling the blonde in her arms, Buffy was hit with love so intense, so unwavering, and so complete, it stole the Slayer’s breath in a sharp gasp. She finally knew what true love was. ‘Is it like this every time you see her?’ Buffy asked in her mind.

‘Oh, no,’ Tara replied honestly. ‘Sometimes it’s even stronger.’ The simple statement truly defined the blonde Wiccan. She loved with every ounce of her soul, and it never occurred to her to do anything else.

Buffy swallowed and slowly pulled her eyes away from the two witches. She realized that sharing Tara’s love for Willow didn’t make her love Willow any differently, but it did make her long to have such love directed at her.

‘Someday, Buffy,’ Tara said in a mind’s whisper.

‘You’re a pretty incredible person,’ Buffy said in her mind and she went over and retrieved her sword. She took a bit longer to spin the blade, allowing Tara to feel its weight. ‘I think your love can do anything, Tare.’ It was the first time Buffy had ever used the shortened version of Tara’s name, and she smiled. She could feel Tara blushing.

"Right then, shall we?" Giles asked.

"Sure," Buffy said as she faced him. She was relieved he hadn’t asked Tara how her afternoon had went, when suddenly she saw everything that had happened earlier in the day. Buffy dropped the sword and held both hands to her chest as the entire weight of Tara’s grief hit her. She trembled as the emotions passed, leaving tiny scars in their wake. She shook her head, knowing the intense ache was only a ghost of the anguish Tara had suffered.

‘I’m sorry,’ Tara said in her mind. Her pain and the guilt she felt for burdening Buffy came through as clearly as her words. ‘You have so much of your own pain. You don’t need mine too.’

‘It’s good you guys have each other,’ Buffy responded as she went to pick up her sword. She was only feeling echoes of Tara’s emotions, and they broke Buffy’s heart. Just the brief flash of Tara’s muted pain had shaken Buffy and reminded her of her own losses. She couldn’t imagine suffering the full brunt of Tara’s grief.

‘Willow and I will get each other through it,’ Tara told the Slayer in her mind. The grief was replaced by the love Tara felt for Willow.

‘Wow.’ Buffy shook her head to clear her mind. When she turned and faced Giles she could see that he was still concerned. "I’m fine, Giles."

"Very well," he said as he took a slow swipe at her with his sword.

"Giles, no baby smacks," Buffy whined. She could hear echoes of Tara’s giggles in her mind. "Come on." She swung at him, and smiled when he attacked more forcefully.

After a few minutes, Buffy had to stop. She glared at Tara’s body. "Hey, cool it with the giggles."

"I can’t help it," Tara said from Willow’s lap. "It’s like being in a pirate movie." She had a huge grin on her face. "Arrgh, eye matey," she whispered with a snicker.

Willow smirked and ran her fingers through her quirky lover’s hair.

Across the room, Buffy’s sword clattered to the floor. "Okay, that has got to stop," the Slayer ordered. She shivered as arousal swept through her body. It seemed that a simple touch could ignite Tara’s passion for Willow.

"Huh?" Willow looked over at her best friend. Her hand continued combing through Tara’s hair. It was the most natural thing in the world, and as Willow tried to figure out what was bothering Buffy, her hand slipped down and rested over Tara’s heart.

"That!" Buffy pointed as she squirmed. She crossed her legs as every part of her body reacted to Tara’s emotions.

‘Sorry,’ Tara sent with her thoughts. The added stimulation of seeing herself through Buffy’s eyes was an erotic experience. She liked watching herself in Willow’s arms. It was igniting flames within her body, plus, the blonde had more than a few pirate fantasies tumbling out of her subconscious.

"Tara!" Buffy yelled. She rubbed her closed eyes. "No! Absolutely not!" She yanked her hands away from her face. "Okay, one … you actually went to see that crappy Geena Davis movie? And two…" Buffy waved her hands at Tara’s prone form. "Okay, we won’t go into two… but stop that! No more of two. Two is off limits … and … might I add, you should consider writing porn."

Tara giggled. She was safe in Willow’s arms and suddenly feeling more than a little playful. She snorted a laugh as she imagined swinging across a pirate ship and cutting Willow loose from a ship’s mast. Of course, Willow was wearing a sexy green silk gown that brought out color of her eyes, a gown that had been strategically ripped and pulled down to reveal just a hint of creamy, appetizing Willow-cleavage. In her fantasy, Tara was wearing black trousers and thigh-high black leather boots. Her white shirt was mostly unbuttoned and it billowed in the wind as she untied Willow and then swept her into a deep kiss.

"Tara!" Buffy yelled plaintively.

Willow was now laughing along with Tara. She had been nervous about her lover and her best friend sharing minds, but it felt good to see Tara so happy, and it felt even better to see Buffy simply feeling.

"Ahem," Giles interrupted. "If Tara is quite through tormenting my Slayer, we have work to do."

"Yeah, work!" Buffy said. She felt Tara’s mirth flood her senses. She laughed as she turned back to Giles. "You have no idea what a filthy mind Tara has." She rolled her eyes and cleared her throat. "Or what a mean streak she has."

"Yes, I’m quite sure prancing through her sapphic escapades is a living hell," Giles said drolly. "Torture." He waved his sword at her. "Let’s do some drills. Perhaps that won’t inspire Tara’s mind to wander."

"I wouldn’t mind the wandering if Tara wasn’t taking me along for the guided tour of her Willow filled porn-land." Buffy tried to focus. She inhaled deeply and pulled the sword up into position, just as an image of Giles as in a French maid’s costume crashed into her thoughts. She spun and looked at Tara. "That so better be a joke, or you are heading straight to therapy." She cringed. "Where I am going as soon as I leave here."

‘Sorry,’ Tara said in her thoughts. ‘I’ll be good now.’

"Uh huh," Buffy said out loud as she turned back to Giles. The Slayer was experiencing Tara’s feeling and thoughts, and she knew Tara was decidedly not sorry, and she knew the mischievous blonde had no intention of being good.

Two hours later, Buffy had gotten used to Tara’s quirky sense of humor. She managed to go through an entire workout with only minimal blushing.

‘Buffy?’ Tara asked in her mind.

‘Yes, my little inner perv?’ Buffy asked as clashed sword with Giles.

‘I’m getting tired. Can we stop?’ Tara’s voice was weak, even inside Buffy’s mind.

"Stop," Buffy said as she backed away from Giles. She lowered her sword and looked over at Tara. "We need to break the connection, now."

"Yes, now," Willow agreed. She was worried about her lover. She looked down and ran her hand through Tara’s sweat-soaked hair. The blonde had stretched out with her head resting in Willow’s lap an hour earlier when she first began getting tired.

"Of course," Giles chimed in. He went to the side of the room and put his sword down and grabbed a towel. "I’m a bit worn out as well." He wiped his brow.

Buffy carefully placed her sword on the floor and then went over and dropped to her knees next to Tara. "How do we break this?" she asked Willow.

‘Hello? Witch in your mind…’ Tara’s voice was weak, but her playful tone was still there. ‘Geez, Buffy, you have me at your disposal and you ask her the magic question? There’s nothing you want to ask me?’

Before Buffy could censor herself, a thought did spring to the Slayer’s mind. ‘How exactly does that floating deal work?’ Buffy cringed and shook her head. "Ack! Don’t tell me!" she yelled even as the images came pouring into her mind.

‘Buffy!’ Tara stopped the images, but not before Buffy got a mind’s eyeful.

The Slayer saw Willow, quite naked, hovering over the bed as Tara made love to her. She also had a brief echo of what Tara felt when she pleasured the redhead. "Oh man!" Buffy jumped up and spun away from her two friends. "Can we break the bond now? Please?"

Giles went to the candle that Tara had lit earlier and snuffed the flame.

Buffy staggered as the connection was severed. She looked over at Giles. "You couldn’t have done that ten seconds ago?"

Tara sat up shakily. She was covered in sweat and exhausted, but she was also blushing bright red.

"You okay?" Willow asked. She kissed Tara’s cheek.

Tara nodded mutely. She looked up at Buffy and gave the Slayer a crooked grin. "Sorry," she said with a squeak.

Buffy was blushing as deeply as Tara was. "It’s okay." She shrugged.

"What?" Willow looked back and forth between the two most important women in her life. "Oh, goddess, Buffy … you don’t have the hots for me now, do you?"

"No!" Buffy said defensively. "There are no Willow-hots. I swear." She cleared her throat and smiled at her redheaded friend. "Willow, you’re a lucky woman." She nodded toward Tara. "She loves you, and it’s the real thing."

"Well, of course it is." Willow leaned over and kissed Tara.

"Mmm." Tara pulled Willow closer. Despite her exhaustion, her body responded.

"Okay, quickly approaching the ‘get a room’ stage." Buffy went over to Giles as the two witches indulged in a few more lingering kisses.

"We’ll, wait outside," Giles suggested. He guided Buffy out of the training room.

"You don’t have to worry about them not dealing with losing Cletus," Buffy said quietly. "They had a pretty major grief session today."

"Ah, good," Giles said sadly. "Well, not good, but, it’s necessary."

Buffy nodded. She wrapped an arm around Giles and leaned into him. She felt raw, but alive, as if feeling Tara’s emotions had unlocked her own.

"Are you having any, uh, um … any um, new feelings for Willow?" he asked delicately.

"No." Buffy let out a forlorn sigh and pulled her Watcher to a stop. She looked up at him and cleared her throat. "Your books were wrong. Experiencing Tara’s love for Willow didn’t make me fall in love with Willow."

"Ah, yes, good." Giles paused. He could see intense pain in Buffy’s pale eyes. "What is it?"

"Giles…" Buffy’s voice was tiny, and full of shame. "I kinda think I might … um … sorta…"

"What is it?" he asked again. His darker eyes held only concern.

"I think I’m falling in love with Tara," Buffy admitted. She rubbed her forehead and sighed. "Please tell me this is gonna’ go away."

"Buffy…" He glanced back at the training room before continuing. "You’re reacting to the incredible person she is, her soul." He sighed. "I’m afraid that kind of reaction isn’t some echo of what Tara feels," he said gently. "It’s a reaction to the soul you touched, the soul that obviously touched you."

"Will it stop?" Buffy felt guilty, as if just having the feelings were a betrayal.

"I don’t know," Giles admitted.

"Ready to go?" Willow asked. She and Tara were in the doorway with their arms wrapped around each other.

"Ah, sure," Buffy said.

"Sorry about the pirate thing." Tara waggled her eyebrows and flashed her crooked grin. "Guess you know what a quirky mind I have now." She shrugged.

"Ah, no problem," Buffy said as she tried not to notice how cute Tara’s smile was or how full her lips were.

Willow giggled and tickled Tara. "Geena Davis?"

"She’s hot." Tara smiled and bit her lip.

"Really?" Willow raised one eyebrow in mock indignation.

"Just be glad I got used to checking out hot women." Tara’s tone was serious and her brows furrowed. "Otherwise, I never would have had the courage to approach you." She let her frown slowly transform into a sensual grin. "You can thank Geena Davis for every kiss we share," she said as her voice dropped to a sexy purr. She left a quick peck on Willow’s full lips.

"Well, thank you, Geena Davis." Willow smiled contentedly and looked over at Buffy. "Ready?"

"Huh?" Buffy took a step back. "Oh, sure. Let’s go." She spun and dashed from the room.

"We really should be on our way." Giles turned and hurried after Buffy.

"Come on, honey." Willow pulled Tara closer. "I’m really glad Buffy didn’t … you know … about me."

"Me too, honey." Tara let her lover lead her across the room. Tara crinkled her brow. When she had shared Buffy’s mind, as the spell caster, she hadn’t been able to have complete access to the Slayer’s mind. The added concentration of holding the spell in place kept Tara from feeling anything other than active thoughts and emotions. There had been several times when Tara felt like Buffy was hiding something. Her first thought was that it was attraction to Willow, but Tara didn’t think that was it. Buffy had said she didn’t have those feelings for Willow, and she knew Buffy wouldn’t lie.

Willow walked along silently. Seeing Buffy working with the swords had relaxed her a bit. She had felt Tara’s muscles flexing and rippling as Buffy worked out. If muscles did indeed have memory, Tara’s had learned a great deal during the practice session.

"Whatca’ thinking?" Tara asked as they went outside.

"Just glad that my two favorite girls got the chance to share something so special," Willow said.

"She’s in so much pain," Tara whispered. "It’s the only emotion she’s letting herself feel."

"Maybe bonding with you will help her break through that," Willow said hopefully.

"I think it will." Tara smiled and then leaned over and kissed her lover.

Buffy watched her two friends. A pang of longing passed through her when Tara kissed Willow. Every time the blonde touched Willow, it was with such reverence, such devotion, a devotion Buffy thought she’d experienced with Angel. After touching Tara’s mind, she wasn’t so sure about her past love. All she knew was that she wanted someone to touch her the way Tara touched Willow. She remembered the joy Tara had experienced when she thought about levitating Willow with her love.

"Okay, how much does my life suck?" Buffy asked as she punched a street sign. "Ouch." She rubbed her hand and headed down the street leaving a crumpled stop sign as the only witness to her pain.

*****

Anya was at the house baby sitting Dawn when the others returned. The former demon had willingly closed her shop so Buffy and Giles could train Tara in private. She loved money, but she had a lifetime to make profit. Tara had less than two weeks.

"I don’t want you to braid my hair!" Dawn said angrily. She was sitting on the floor in front of Anya so the ex-demon could reach her hair.

"Shut up," Anya said. "I’m in charge here." She already had bows and ribbons completely obscuring Dawn’s hair. "Just be glad I’m, not making you wear the cute little pajamas."

"Do I even want to know what’s going on here?" Buffy asked from the door.

"Buffy!" Dawn let out a happy sigh. "Thank god!" She tried to stand but Anya grabbed her shoulder and slammed her back to the floor.

"I’m baby sitting." Anya yanked Dawn’s hair to keep the teen in place. "That means I get to dress you up and make your hair all pretty." She glared at Dawn’s back. "You refused to play dress up, so you’re not getting out of the ritual hair fixing."

Tara giggled as she leaned against the doorframe.

"She is so not ever baby sitting our kids," Willow whispered as she spooned Tara from behind.

"Kids? Plural?" Tara closed her eyes and leaned back into the embrace. "I want to have a house full of our children," Tara whispered huskily.

"Good." Willow left a lingering kiss Tara’s neck just below her ear.

Buffy moved into the house and away from the display of sincere and eternal devotion. "Okay, Anya." Buffy cleared her throat. "I officially take control of the baby." She snickered. "Your sitting duties may now cease."

"But I have more ribbons," Anya whined. "I haven’t even gotten to the pink ones yet."

Dawn scrambled to Buffy’s side. "Sorry. This baby is now Buffy’s." She grabbed her sister’s arm and whispered in her ear. "We’ll talk about that ‘baby’ crack later," she said in rush. "Right now … save me."

"Sorry, Anya." Buffy shrugged. "You can save the pink ones for next time."

"Pink what?" Giles asked as he came through the door. "Dear lord!" His eyes widened when she saw the Medusian ribbon collection on Dawn’s head.

Dawn shot him a deadly glare.

"It looks lovely," he amended quickly. "I’m sure it’s the height of teen fashion. I’m sure you want to head off to the mall to show it off."

"Yeah," Anya said brightly.

Buffy doubled over laughing.

"Oh, shut up." Dawn shoved Buffy away and trotted to the stairs. "And I’m too old for a baby sitter!" She ran up the stairs.

"They grow up so fast," Tara said as she sniffled and pretended to wipe away an imaginary tear.

"So many ribbons, so little time," Willow added as she hugged Tara closer.

Buffy snorted and looked over at Giles. She could read his expression. He was wondering how hair fashion had changed so drastically in the few months he’d been gone. She covered her mouth and tried to stop laughing, but it was hopeless.

"Are you mocking my hair skills?" Anya climbed to her feet. "Because if we’re discussing fashion … I’ve got a few hints for you two." She waved a hand at the witches. "Let’s not even mention the clashing prints you combine."

Giles walked into the kitchen, wanting no part of the fashion discussion.

"We ran off Giles." Buffy flopped onto the couch.

"Maybe Mister Giles would like some ribbons in his hair," Tara offered with a sincere smile. "Since you have so many left." She batted her eyelashes.

"Hey, you think?" Anya grabbed the stack of unused pink fabric and ran to the kitchen.

"You did that on purpose." Buffy smiled as she watched a sly smirk transform Tara’s innocent expression to one full of complete mischief. After sharing the blonde’s mind, Buffy now knew that all of Tara’s innocent comments that the Scoobies twisted into innuendo were not so innocent after all. Tara’s comments were strategically tossed out with full knowledge of their impact.

"Come on, honey." Willow moved Tara inside and led her to the kitchen. "We should rescue Giles."

Tara smiled enigmatically as they went into the kitchen. Giles was backed into a corner, literally and figuratively.

"Men don’t wear ribbons," Giles insisted as he batted away Anya’s hands. "Especially pink."

"Hello? All war heroes have ribbons covering their chests." Anya held up a blue ribbon and smiled. "This will bring out your eyes." She struggled to push his hands aside. "And when I say ‘bring out your eyes’ I don’t mean really bring them out." She sighed and took a step back, lost in a memory of better days. "I could pop eyes out with the best of them."

"Yes, I’m sure you could." Giles skittered away while he had the chance.

"I used to have a belt with dangling eyes of every color on it." Anya got a faraway look in her eyes. "Sure makes a husband think twice about getting a roaming eye." She snickered. "I’ll give ya’ your roaming eyes."

Buffy came into the room and interrupted. "Um, guys, Doc Diana is here with Cassie."

"Oh, let’s go see what she wants." Willow was getting queasy watching Anya wax poetic about ripping unfaithful husbands’ eyes out.

"Good idea." Tara rushed into the other room.

"Could be important." Giles pushed Buffy out of the room in front of him.

"Fine!" Anya said in a huff. "You don’t want my ribbons … you won’t listen to my cherished memories…" She sighed and followed the others. "I don’t know why I even try."

"Hi," Diana said when she saw Willow and Tara. She was holding Cassie’s hand and looked nervous.

"What is it?" Willow demanded.

"Is it the committee?" Tara asked.

"No," Diana said. "I haven’t heard from them since I told them about Rack’s lair." She moved close to Tara and nodded at her head. "I forgot to take out those stitches."

"Oh." Tara reached up and ran her hand over the healing cut. It was hidden beneath her thick hair. She’d forgotten about it herself with all of her other health concerns.

"And we wanted to see how you were feeling," Cassie added.

"I’m much better," Tara said warmly. She was beginning to trust the two older witches again.

"Why don’t you sit?" Diana pointed to the couch. "I brought my bag."

Tara smiled shyly and sat. She looked over and Willow and saw that her lover was nervous. She tilted her head to one side, motioning for the redhead to join her.

Willow moved closer, but Cassie sat next to Tara.

"You look tired." Cassie held up one hand to feel Tara’s energy as she studied her aura.

"Hold still," Diana said as she snipped the stitches and plucked the bloodstained sutures from Tara’s scalp. She smiled. "The cut looks good. I don’t think it’s gonna’ scar." She put her scissors back and gripped something in the medical bag. She locked eyes with Cassie and nodded.

Cassie grabbed Tara’s head with both hands as Diana lifted an athame from the bag.

"Abalienato!" Diana said as she pressed the ritual dagger into Tara’s hand.

"No!" Tara cried as white light engulfed her. She arched her back and let out an agonizing scream. "Diana, please don’t!"

Willow charged forward but as soon as she reached the barrier she was thrown back.

"Let her go!" Buffy leaped over the couch and tried to grab Diana. "Ah!" Buffy’s hands felt like they were scorched to the bone, but she didn’t let go. "Stop it!" She yanked the doctor, but couldn’t break the connection with Tara.

Willow took a deep breath and shoved her hands through the white-hot barrier. She focused on her love for Tara and was able to reach the blond witch just as the white light flashed brightly and then disappeared.

"Tara!" Willow shoved Cassie to the floor. The seer landed in a heap as Willow pulled Tara into her arms.

"Diana, what have you done!" Giles yelled as he held Anya back. The former demon struggled to get to Tara.

"You bitch!" Buffy yelled, but Diana slumped to the carpeting. She looked over and saw that Tara was unconscious as well. "What did they do?" Buffy demanded.

"I don’t know." Willow stretched Tara out on the couch and then inhaled sharply. Blood covered Tara’s blouse. "Buffy!"

Buffy saw the small red stain on Tara’s blouse and then looked down at the two older witches. They had landed tangled over each other. "If they hurt Tara, I’ll kill them both." She grabbed Diana and tossed her across the room and then did the same with Cassie. She didn’t want them near Tara.

Giles went to the two older witches and checked their pulses.

"If they hurt Tara, you won’t have to kill them." Willow’s eyes shaded black as she noticed a trickle of blood run from Tara’s nose.

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