Unexpected Consequences: A Willow and Tara novel.

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.

Please do not archive, link or reproduce without Author's Written Permission

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.

Unexpected Consequences

© December 2001

By Lisa Countryman

lcountry@quiknet.com

CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE

They drove quickly out of the valley. As soon as they reached Brent’s vehicle they left the mini-van behind. Cassie drove the green SUV while the others rested and Xander and Anya brought up the rear in his car. Much to Anya’s horror, Gangu rode with them.

The drive to the sanctuary was about an hour. They used back roads and came through the secondary entrance to the vast estate where the guardians lived.

Throughout the trip, Giles was silent as he stared out the window. He wouldn’t look at Tara in the back of the vehicle.

Willow was still shaken by the earlier events. She literally wouldn’t let go of Tara’s body. When they left the bathroom, Willow gripped Tara’s hand and refused to let go. After climbing into the vehicle, Willow practically crawled onto Tara’s lap, wanting the beautiful blonde to hold her throughout the journey.

Buffy sat next to Ceri after they switched vehicles. She was worried about Tara, but she was also worried about Willow. She’d never seen her best friend acting clingy and frightened and Buffy wondered what might happen to Willow if Tara didn’t survive the challenge. She looked back to check on her friends several times, and each time Tara was tenderly cradling Willow. After twenty minutes, Willow stretched out across the bench seat with her head in Tara’s lap and her hand desperately gripping her lover’s leg.

"I think we’re almost here, darling," Tara whispered as the SUV slowed. She ran her fingers through Willow’s hair. Her fingers tangled. Dust and debris dulled the red hair that was normally soft and sparkling. They hadn’t had time to shower, and Tara wanted nothing more than to bathe Willow when they got to the sanctuary.

She had asked Brent about the Imbolc’s power to drain energy while in water, and the elder guardian offered a solution. Brent explained that if Willow wore a ring made of jet and had Tara bless it, she couldn’t have her energy tapped. It was a huge relief for Tara. She knew her lover had been terrified of losing her, and she was feeling the same fears about losing Willow. They wanted to reconnect with a gentle, soothing bath. Tara hoped the sanctuary wasn’t too ascetic. The last thing she wanted was to spend time in an austere, cloistered old convent.

Willow squeezed Tara’s leg and snuggled closer.

"I’m not leaving," Tara promised. She ran her hand down Willow’s back. She could feel tiny rips through the fabric in a few places, but most of Willow’s back had been spared from the terrible wind. Tara glanced further up in the vehicle and saw the reason. Ceri had put her body over Willow’s. If it hadn’t been for Ceridwen, every cut on the guardian’s back would have disfigured Willow’s porcelain, freckled skin.

"Where are we?" Willow sat up with a cringe. The short nap she’d had made her aching body stiffen.

"The woods, off the Pacific Coast Highway," Tara answered. She pushed Willow’s hair into place. The redhead’s bangs were sticking up on one side and her eyes were sleepy. "How do you feel?" She tucked Willow’s stray hair behind one ear, then let her hand linger to caress her lover’s pale skin.

"Stiff," Willow admitted. She sat next to Tara and rested her chin on the blonde’s shoulder. The contact wasn’t enough to calm her frazzled nerves, so she draped an arm over Tara’s back. She sighed, finding that much more comforting.

"Ceri?" Tara whispered. She didn’t want to disturb the guardian who was currently resting her head on the window of the SUV.

"Yes, my Lady?" Ceri responded instantly. She slowly turned and faced Tara.

"Does the sanctuary have a bath?" Tara bit her lip, not wanting to insult the woman who had saved Willow’s life several times already. "I mean … are you an ascetic order?" She tilted her head to one side and wondered if the followers of Brigit would have strict rules of self-denial and sacrifice.

Ceri chuckled and smiled. She was tired, but there was genuine amusement sparkling in her grey eyes. "No, my Lady, we are not ascetics." She chuckled again, and it blossomed into a quiet giggle.

"Ceridwen?" Brent asked curiously from the front of the SUV.

"Our Lady wants to know if we are an ascetic order, Mistress Brent," Ceri said calmly.

Brent released a bark of laughter. "No, my Lady. The followers Brigit rejoice in life’s gifts."

Cassie steered the SUV around the final sweeping turn in the long driveway. "Dear goddess," she whispered.

"Wow," Willow said as her eyes widened. "That’s some serious rejoicing."

The center of the sanctuary was a three-story mansion that looked like it was almost 100 years old. The grounds had lush gardens in every direction, and several dozen young women were busy playing Lacrosse on one of the sprawling lawns. Two huge, sparkling, pools stretched out behind the mansion far into the distance. The sky blue pools had indigo tiles on the bottom forming Celtic knots and intricate designs honoring Brigit.

"You live at San Simeon?" Tara asked. She and Willow had a made a trip to the Hearst Castle one weekend and had been in awe of the decadent architecture. The huge grounds had been named San Simeon, and she and Willow had researched the property quite a bit.

"Is that a Morgan house?" Willow sat up and leaned to get a better look.

"Yes." Ceri smiled, impressed that the Lady and her lover were so well versed in architecture. "It was designed by Julia Morgan in 1907, more than a decade before she went to work on San Simeon. Hearst was one of the few men to visit our grounds, but that was only after he swore to never reveal what he’d seen."

"So this really is San Simeon," Tara said in a shocked tone.

"Well, no," Ceri said humbly. "Hearst had Miss Morgan use some of the same ideas, but his estate is much more elaborate."

"So … you have nice baths then?" Tara asked. She wanted to get Willow into a hot bath to soak her numerous injuries. Her mind wandered as she thought of the decadent tiled baths she and Willow had seen on the tour of Hearst Castle.

"Most of the rooms have walk-in baths," Ceri said with a chuckle. "We’ve prepared the Imbolc House for you, my Lady. It has three full baths and a pool." She smirked. "It has several bedrooms as well, but I will of course be sleeping at the foot of Lady Willow’s bed."

Willow and Tara’s eyes bulged in shock.

"I’m kidding, my Lady." Ceri dipped her head and blushed. "These grounds are secure and there are dozens of guardians begging for the chance to stand watch."

"In our room?" Willow blurted out.

"Around the Imbolc House," Ceri said with a smile. "So long as you are safe, we would never impose on your privacy, but I will sleep in one of the spare rooms, fully armed."

"Oh, well, good." Tara smiled at Willow. "A whole house? Wow. We get the guesthouse. How cool is that?"

"And we have a pool." Willow bit her lip and then threaded her hand in Tara’s hair. "I’m thinking we should head to this guest cottage right away."

"Yes," Tara agreed. "You need to get cleaned up and then rest." She wanted Willow safe and tucked into a soft bed.

"Oh … rest." Willow frowned. She wanted Tara tucked into bed, but she didn’t want her resting.

"There’s the Imbolc House, on Druim Cain." Ceri pointed to a building on the top of a small bluff. It was huge, with columns lining its winding marble stairs. It had a terrace with a small pool on the upper level. The water flowed over the side of the small pool into a slightly larger one below and then into one more pool beneath that one. The water fell from each pool to the next, and the largest pool at the bottom was lined with a small-scale replica of Stonehenge.

"Druim Cain?" Tara asked.

"It’s Gaelic, Druim Cain means beautiful hill," Ceri said as she pointed to the stunning bluff the house was sitting on. The young guardian smiled cryptically. "And perfectly named."

"It is beautiful," Tara acknowledged.

"Anya’s gonna’ be so jealous." Willow giggled. She leaned into Tara, feeling safe. She knew the challenge was coming, but Tara didn’t have to take it until the shifting phase of the moon. That was days away, which meant they could spend some time together while Tara rested up for the challenge. She had no way of knowing that the phase of the moon only marked the last day Tara could issue the challenge, or that as soon as Tara came onto the grounds the timetable was moved up.

As soon Tara crossed onto the sanctuary, the challenge was issued. Tara would face her deadly struggle at the dawn of the next day.

When they pulled in front of the main house, all of the guardians gathered. They lined up along the marble staircase like excited teens greeting a rock band. Some were in robes, and others wore more casual garb. The women who had been playing Lacrosse came running toward the main house while quickly pulling their robes on over their athletic gear. The mood was festive and excitement was thick in the air.

Brent climbed out of the SUV and limped toward the waiting women. The mood changed in an instant. The smiling young women tensed when they saw that their headmistress had been in a serious battle.

"Mistress Brent, is the Lady safe?" A tall woman in her late fifties rushed to Brent’s side.

"Yes, Brigan." Brent’s eyed darkened. "But we’ll need to replace Breda in the Imbolc Guard."

Brigan’s face hardened and her eyes narrowed. "Yes, Mistress." She looked over her shoulder. "We need the healer." She turned back to Brent. "Was our Lady injured, too?"

"No." Brent smiled sadly. "Our young guardians did well. The Keeper did not survive the encounter with our Lady." She puffed her chest out proudly.

"Which one is she?" Brigan looked in the SUV with barely contained excitement. "Has she changed her mind about the challenge?" She knew the Imbolc mage could cancel the challenge at any point up until she stepped into the ritual caverns.

"Not yet," Brent said quietly. "I’m hoping we can convince her," she added in a barely audible whisper. She smiled as Buffy climbed out of the vehicle and scanned the grounds with an appreciative eye. "That is the Slayer," Brent told her friend. "And her Watcher."

Giles went directly to Brent. He was in a dark mood and barely noticed the beautiful surroundings.

"Rupert Giles, this is Brigan. She’s my second." Brent watched as Ceri stepped carefully from the SUV and offered a hand to Willow.

"Nice to meet you," he said distractedly.

They exchanged pleasantries as Tara followed Willow out of the vehicle, still holding her lover’s hand. Tara took a deep breath and pulled Willow closer.

"I present, Tara Maclay, the mantle of Brigit," Brent announced. She bowed to the blonde and suddenly every guardian on the staircase dropped to one knee.

"Our Lady," the gathered young women said in a chorus of respect.

Anya came walking up from her car. "See, now that’s respect," Anya whispered as she shook her head at Xander. "I’ll bet Tara could have any woman here with just a word." She licked her lips. "Look at all those nubile guardians."

"Um, hello? Fiancee standing here. Remember me?" Xander bent down and waved a hand in front of Anya’s eyes.

"Geez, Xander, I’m not switching teams. I’m just saying, Tara could have a lesbo-smorgy," Anya whispered as she looked at the huge building. "And talk about your mansions. Look at this place."

"I’m sure Willow is the only lesbo-happy meal Tara needs," Xander said angrily, and loudly, as he walked up beside his friends. "She’s got a 24 hour, Wiccan-all-you-can-eat meal deal willing and ready. One word from Tara and Willow’s all about spreading her…"

Tara and the others turned and stared at Xander. Willow’s face blushed crimson and her expression was aghast.

"And I said that out loud, in front of all the scary guardian warrior chicks sworn to defend Tara." He sighed as his face went the color of a fire hydrant. "Kill me now."

Ceri shifted her weight toward him and she reached for her sword. She considered it her duty to protect Lady Willow’s honor as well as her body.

Tara cleared her throat, stopping Ceri in her tracks. "Please don’t make my friend wet his pants," the gentle blonde whispered as she placed a restraining hand on Ceri’s shoulder.

Xander hid behind Anya, looking very much like he might wet in pants.

"Way to make an entrance, Xander." Anya rolled her eyes and then smiled at the mob of angry guardians kneeling on the stairs. All of the armed young women were glaring at Xander. "Greetings, deadly killers." Anya smiled cheerfully. "You’ll have to pardon Xander. He isn’t used to seeing so many sweaty lesbians in one place. It’s highly arousing so most of his blood isn’t in his brain."

Tara groaned and dropped her face on Willow’s shoulder.

Ceri turned toward Tara and leaned in close, next to her cheek. "Can I stab that one?" she asked with a smirk. "Just a little?"

"Yes, please," Willow whispered as her face went several shades darker.

"She’s kidding," Tara said quickly.

Anya was smiling at the gathered group, oblivious as usual.

"Hi," Diana said as she climbed out of the SUV. "I’m Doctor Diana White." She was trying her best to move the awkward situation out of the public venue. "We should get to your infirmary. Brent and the others need medical attention as soon as possible."

"Of course," Brigan said. She turned to the kneeling Guardians. "Anna, Maggie, have your teams help them to the infirmary. I believe the rest of you have things to attend to?" She raised an eyebrow, knowing the guardians would hang around staring at Tara all day if given the chance.

The Lacrosse teams stood and hurried to the side of the SUV and helped Brent and Gandu while the rest of the assembled women slowly made their way off of the steps, though a few loitered, trying to look at Tara without being too obvious.

Diana caught Brigan’s gaze. "Anna and Maggie? Those are the first names I’ve heard that aren’t a form of the goddess," she noted.

"Yes." Brigan nodded as she watched the athletes help Brent up the stairs. "A guardian only takes a goddess name when she joins the elite Imbolc Guard." Her face darkened. "I imagine we’ll have to bring one of the others up now…"

"Breda saved Tara’s life," Diana said gently.

Brigan dipped her head. "She will be honored." She cleared her throat and walked away.

Diana looked over at the battered Scoobies. Dawn was uninjured by she still looked in shock. "I want all of you to get checked. Now."

Most of the Scoobies nodded and headed up the stairs.

Tara stared at Ceri. "Go get your back looked at." She crossed her arms over her chest. "That’s an order."

"Brigh!" Ceri yelled to one of the young women milling around the staircase.

A stunning brunette turned toward Ceri and flashed her a dazzling smile. She trotted over to the SUV, but her smile faded when she got closer and saw Ceri’s injuries.

"Ceridwen?" Brigh asked in a panic. "Are you all right?" She grabbed Ceri’s arm and spun her around. "Sweet Brigit! You need to go to the infirmary."

Ceri cleared her throat.

"Oh!" Brigh spun toward Tara and dropped onto both knees in supplication. "My Lady, I apologize. I saw Ceridwen’s wounds and … I … I’m so sorry."

"It’s okay," Tara said with a smirk. She waggled her eyebrows at Willow and nodded toward the injured guardian. Ceri and the newcomer were obviously an item. "I can see you were … concerned."

"Yes, my Lady." Brigh stood and ducked her head to Tara. She reached over and took Ceri’s hand and squeezed it.

Ceri blushed but she held Brigh’s hand tightly. "My Lady, if it pleases you, I will ask Brigh to guard Lady Willow in my absence." She looked at Brigh and smiled. "She is my equal with the blade, and she will die before letting any harm come to Willow."

Brigh straighten and stood at attention. She gave Ceri a sideways glance, wondering what was going on.

"I pledged my life to protect Lady Willow," Ceri explained. "She is our Lady’s soulmate." Her eyes met Brigh’s meaningfully.

"Your pledge is mine," Brigh swore. She turned to Tara. "If it is acceptable, my Lady, I will take Ceridwen’s place while she has her wounds treated."

"Go," Tara ordered. She smiled at Brigh. "Please, call me Tara. I can’t get Ceri to stop calling me ‘my Lady,’ and it’s driving me nuts."

"My Lady?" Brigh looked like she’d have a stroke on the spot if she dared call the Imbolc mage by her first name.

"Okay, fine." Tara sighed. "Go," she told Ceri. "We’ll be fine with your … I mean, with Brigh watching us."

Ceri nodded. She went to Willow and picked up her hand reverently. "Lady Willow, I entrust your safety to the woman who holds my heart as my Lady holds yours." She placed Willow’s hand in Brigh’s.

"Lady Willow." Brigh nodded. She shared a quick, loving look with Ceri and then watched the injured guardian move carefully up the stairs toward the infirmary. She released Willow’s hand. "Do you need medical attention, Lady Willow?" She noticed the blood covering Willow’s pants.

"No, I just need a hot bath." Willow smiled at Tara.

"Of course." Brigh dipped her head and then looked to Tara. "Shall I show you to your quarters?"

"Yes, please." Tara nodded enthusiastically.

"We have a car," Brigh said, noticing that Willow wasn’t putting her full weight on the injured leg.

Diana scowled at Willow. "I want to check that later," she yelled as Brigh led the two witches away.

Willow cringed and then nodded. She leaned into Tara’s embrace as they went to a car parked nearby. They climbed into the back seat, and several of the women from the stairs flanked the vehicle. As Brigh drove slowly up the short driveway to the Imbolc House, the young guardians jogged alongside the car looking like robed Secret Service agents.

"I feel like the President," Tara said in an embarrassed whisper.

"Guess that makes me First Lady?" Willow asked. She was still in awe of the way the guardians treated Tara, and by extension, her.

"That makes you my everything," Tara whispered as she kissed Willow’s temple. Tears welled up in her eyes. As flattering as the treatment was, every time one of the guardians bowed to her, or called her ‘my Lady,’ it only reminded Tara of the horrible power she possessed. Every show of respect reinforced that Tara had the power to kill with just one thought.

*****

Buffy was torn between ecstasy and envy. She was sitting in a huge tub soaking her aching muscles and all she could think was that the damn Watcher’s really needed a retreat like the sanctuary. She stretched and rolled her shoulders. The guardians had provided herbs for the bath that sped healing. Buffy was amazed. Combined with her Slayer powers, she figured she’d be mostly healed by morning. She hoped Willow was using the same herbs to heal her injured leg.

"Buffy?" Diana asked as she knocked on the bathroom door.

"Come on in." Buffy yawned and opened her eyes. "Hey, how is everyone?"

Diana sat on a wrought iron chair near the walk-in tub and put her bag on the floor. "The infirmary here is better stocked than some hospitals." She smiled. "I worked with their doctor and we repaired Brent’s injury. Ceri’s back is gonna’ take a while to heal. It was deeper than I realized and the tip of the blade broke, so we had to go in after it." She sighed and her eyes narrowed.

"I take it she’s not cooperating?" Buffy took a washcloth and positioned it over her aching neck.

"She wouldn’t let us put her under, and as soon as I sewed her up, she wanted to get back to Willow." Diana moved to the far side of the tub. "Lean forward," she said as she pressed her hand on Buffy’s shoulder. She looked at the gashes on the Slayer’s back. "Looks like most of the gravel is soaking its way out." She grimaced. "Okay, there’s a piece I missed." She reached over and grabbed her bag. "Let me get that." She took a pair of tweezers dug a small rock out of Buffy’s lower back.

"Ouch!" Buffy inhaled sharply. "Kinda’ ruining the whole relaxing soak."

"Sorry." Diana scanned the Slayer’s back and then grabbed a splinter that was now visible. "One more." She yanked it loose. "Okay, all done."

"Have you went up to the fancy house and tortured Willow yet?" Buffy asked grumpily.

"Nope," Diana said with a smile. "I thought you might like to go with me." The grounds and the main building had impressed the Scoobies, but all of the guardians said that the Imbolc House was the jewel of the sanctuary.

"Go see the mansion of the mantle?" Buffy smiled. "Cool." She stood and pointed at a fluffy towel.

"I want to see that tiered pool." Diana handed Buffy the towel.

"Can we grab a snack first?" Buffy yawned.

"Sure." Diana smiled. "Cassie’s in the kitchen right now."

*****

"Okay, I’ll admit it, this is nice." Tara smiled as she held Willow spooned in front of her in a three-foot deep bathtub.

"Very nice." Willow spun and wrapped her arms over Tara’s shoulders. She flinched as she put weight on her sore leg.

"You okay?" Tara lifted Willow off the bottom of the tub and backed over to the tiled seat. She carried the petite redhead easily, with most of her weight supported by the steaming water.

"Yeah." Willow moaned happily. She laughed as her lover lifted her up again.

"I’m glad." Tara moved Willow sideways onto her lap. She tilted her head to one side as she studied her lover. "I’m not draining you am I?"

"Nope." Willow smiled and held up the pinky of her left hand. She was wearing a small black ring made of jet. "No drainage." She dipped her hand in the water. "You getting any energy from the water?"

"A little." Tara smirked.

"What’s it feel like?" Willow picked up Tara’s hand and traced circles on her palm.

"It tingles." She blushed. "My skin feels all warm. Kinda’ like when you kiss me."

"Really?" Willow twisted her face and tenderly kissed her lover. "Like that?"

Tara shook her head. "I was wrong. Willow kisses are much better."

"Good answer." Willow giggled and hugged her lover.

"Just the truth," Tara whispered honestly. She sighed as she held Willow for a few moments, just enjoying the closeness.

"Tara?" Willow asked seriously. She brushed the hair from her lover’s eyes. "I’m scared." Her lips quivered and her eyes shined with the tears she had been holding back all afternoon. "I’m sorry. I keep trying to be strong. I know you’ve got the challenge and you don’t need to hear this, but, baby, I just keep thinking about it," Willow babbled. "I want to be your rock, and be all strong and ‘go, Tara, you can do this,’ but I’m scared to death." Tears rolled down her cheeks.

"Shh…" Tara took Willow’s face in both hands. "Darling, you can be scared with me." She pressed her lips to Willow’s, silencing her, calming her, and letting her know she was loved all in the one touch.

The redhead whimpered and pivoted her body so she was straddling Tara in the water. "Don’t ever leave me," Willow said between kisses. "I can’t lose you."

"You won’t," Tara swore. She pressed her forehead to Willow’s and ran her hands down the slender witch’s back, pulling her closer.

"Swear," Willow begged. She arched into the heat of Tara’s body. The water was hot, but Tara’s flesh was scorching.

"I swear," Tara whispered. "I’m yours, forever." Her hand trailed down Willow’s hip and made its way between her legs.

Willow took in a deep breath. Her eyes locked with Tara’s as her body shook with anticipation. She gave her lover a crooked grin and glanced down between their bodies, letting Tara know what exactly what she wanted.

Tara laughed sensually.

"Tara, Willow? Hello!" Buffy yelled from the other room.

Willow squeaked and her entire body stiffened. She gripped Tara’s shoulders almost painfully. "Buffy," she whispered as her face blushed darker than the flush of arousal that was already there.

Tara lifted Willow away from her chest and stood. She sloshed through the water and up the steps and grabbed two towels from a heating rack next to the tub.

"Why do we have guardians guarding us when they don’t even guard?" Willow grabbed a towel from her lover and a wrapped it around her body, grumbling the entire time. "Hello? Naked time? Privacy? What part of naked time do your guardians not understand?"

"Tara?" Buffy called again.

"In h-here," Tara answered. She covered herself with the other towel.

"Hey, I came over with Diana." Buffy opened the door and froze. "Oh, god." She spun and looked the other way. "Are we interrupting?"

"N-no." Tara’s hands were shaking from frustration and embarrassment from being caught just about to make love to her girlfriend.

"We were soaking," Willow said quickly. "Diana told me to soak with the herbs. It’s good for the scratches."

"And speaking of scratches…" Diana pushed the door open wider. "Oh, man! Look at this place! That’s not a tub, that’s a freaking Olympic pool!"

Buffy slowly turned and stared at the tub. "My god, does that thing come with a lifeguard?"

Willow blushed as the image of Tara in a Baywatch swimsuit filled her mind. She cleared her throat as she tried to clear her mind. "Did you want something?"

"I want to look at your leg." Diana lifted her bag and waggled it in the air.

"Yeah, she wants to play doctor and I came to watch…" Buffy’s eyes widened and she opened and closed her mouth a few times, but nothing else came out. "I … uh … I so did not mean that!"

"I need to get dressed." Tara was not comfortable standing in front of Buffy wearing only a towel. She grabbed her clothes and bolted for the door.

"No!" Willow’s face went pale. "Tara!" She ran after her lover and grabbed the blonde’s hand and whipped her back around, causing Tara to almost lose her towel. "I’ll go with you." Willow gripped Tara’s hand. "We should stay together."

Diana watched as Willow panicked. The redhead’s eyes watered and she was visibly shaking. "Tara, you and Willow get dressed. Buffy and I will wait in that huge living room with the fireplace." She grabbed the Slayer and pulled her past the two young witches.

As soon as Buffy and Diana made it to the other room the Slayer spun and looked at Diana. "Okay, you’re the doctor, what the hell was that? Will’s been acting scared since we left the cabin, but this is getting way beyond that."

"Willow knows she could lose the other half of her soul," Diana said quietly. "She’s reacting. Right now she needs to see Tara, touch her, know that she’s safe, that she’s real."

Buffy nodded. Her throat was so tight it was bringing tears to her eyes. The thought of Willow hurting was worse than suffering pain herself.

"Willow saw Tara almost die," Diana continued. "Everyone wants Tara, to control her, or kill her so someone else doesn’t get her. Willow saw her incinerate an entire meadow. Hell, we all thought Tara was gone."

"So … Willow just needs to see Tara right now?" Buffy asked.

Diana nodded. She rubbed her chin. "Rupert told me about Dawn being kidnapped."

"Which time?" Buffy rolled her eyes and looked toward the bathroom.

"When you got Dawn back, did you want her to leave your sight?" Diana asked.

"No." Buffy smiled. "I practically wanted to chain her to my side."

"Now magnify that by a few hundred times." Diana squeezed Buffy’s shoulder. "And toss in a challenge to the death looming on the horizon."

"Geez, I wouldn’t let her out of arms." Buffy let out a sigh.

"Yeah, so I’m gonna’ check Willow and then we are leaving them alone until dinner," Diana said.

"Good. I’ll just look around this palace." She pointed at the huge fireplace. "Ceri said the one in the bedroom’s twice as big."

"Twice as big?" Diana shook her head. "There’s no way. You could park a truck in this one."

"Guess the one in the bedroom could hold an RV." Buffy went over to the fireplace and looked up the huge flume. "So?" She turned back around. "Go do the doc thing so we can leave them alone."

In the bathroom, Willow and Tara were still in their towels. Willow was sobbing as Tara held her.

"I’m sorry," Willow said as she tried to control her emotions. "I just can’t … when you … I can’t … oh, Tara." She squeezed her lover. She was terrified that if she didn’t keep the blonde in her grasp, Tara would somehow be stolen away.

"Willow?" Tara said gently. She waited as the redhead continued crying. "Daring?" she asked quietly. She smoothed Willow’s hair as she cradled her tenderly. "I’m here, Will. I’m right here." She closed her eyes and swore to the goddess that no matter what she had to do in the challenge, she would come back to Willow. There was no way she would leave her. "Willow, I swear I’ll get through the challenge."

Willow sniffled and her shoulders loosened a bit. She pulled back. "How can you know that?" Her eyes were red and puffy.

"Because, darling, nothing could make me break your heart." She wiped the tears from Willow’s cheeks. "Nothing in this world can make me hurt you."

"You couldn’t hurt me. You complete me." Willow smiled and looked down at their intertwined bodies.

There was a knock on the door. "Willow, can come in?" Diana asked.

"I’ll complete you, but not if we keep getting interrupted." Tara gave Willow a rakish grin.

Willow kissed Tara and then turned in her arms. "Come in," she said as she cleared her throat. She held Tara’s hands around her waist as the doctor came into the room.

"Hey…" Diana smiled at the two lovers. "I need to borrow Willow for just a second, then she’s all yours."

Tara kissed Willow’s neck and pulled her closer, being careful because of the cuts on her back. "You can borrow her, but she’s always mine."

"Of course," Diana corrected. She smiled and bent down to check Willow’s leg. "Looks good. All that soaking seems to have cleaned out the gunk."

"Gunk? Is that a medical term?" Tara smirked.

"Yeah, it is." Diana stood and smiled at the smart-mouthed blonde. "Okay, Willow, I need to see your back, and then I’ll leave you two to … well, I’ll leave you two alone to rest."

"Okay." Willow turned, keeping one hand on Tara as she spun, and then holding her as the doctor examined the injuries. "How’s Cassie?" she asked. She furrowed her brow. "And you, with the surgical incision?"

"We’re both fine." Diana pulled down Willow’s towel and examined her back. "I have Cass at the infirmary right now getting some IV antibiotics. That should clear her infection right up." She sighed and let out a whistle. "Wow, you look great." Diana smiled at Tara. "I mean … she doesn’t have that many cuts."

"You were right the first time," Tara said as she gave Willow a demure, crooked grin. "She looks great."

Willow blushed and dipped her head. Tara’s attraction never ceased to amaze her.

"That’s my cue to go." Diana backed up. "Sorry we interrupted. We’ll see you at dinner."

Willow spun in Tara’s arms and frowned.

"Oh, come on," Diana whined. "You’ve got an estate full of young guardians giddy over the chance to see Tara. You can’t skip dinner. The chef is making all of Tara’s favorites."

"How do they know what I like?" Tara asked.

"Dawn squealed," Diana admitted.

"She is so dead," Tara said with a mock growl.

*****

"Dawn?" Buffy asked as she stared at the snack trays stacked high with fresh oatmeal cookies. "Why are the chefs baking dozens of oatmeal cookies?"

"Because Tara likes them…" The teen blushed.

"She likes them," Buffy said slowly. "But they are not her favorite."

"Her favorite, my favorite, same thing." Dawn grabbed a handful of cookies and ran for the door. "Gotta’ go. I’m learning to play Lacrosse!"

The Slayer watched her sister run off and she shook her head. She sat at the table and surveyed the mounds of food.

"I fear our Lady will be a bit overwhelmed," Brent said as she came into the room and sat across from Buffy. "Or at the very least, overstuffed."

"Everyone here is … um…" Buffy wasn’t quite sure how to phrase her comment.

"Enamored with our Lady?" Brent suggested.

"Yeah." Buffy squirmed. "So … what happens when she takes the challenge?"

Brent looked down at the table. "Most of the guardians don’t know yet, only the Imbolc Guard."

"Why not?" Buffy leaned forward.

"These young women have dedicated their lives to serving Brigit." Brent paused as one of the chefs brought in another plate of snacks. She waited for the woman to leave before continuing. "They would serve our Lady just the same even if they did know, but their hearts would break."

"Gee, because you’re going to try to kill Tara?" Buffy asked bitterly.

"Answering the challenge is also a sacred duty," Brent said quietly. "One I’ve been praying I won’t have to perform," she added as she leaned back in her chair and looked into Buffy’s eyes. "Tara is kind, and gentle, and she is the essence of love."

"Yes, she is." Buffy scanned the room and leaned forward. "Can’t you overlook the challenge?"

"I couldn’t, even if I wanted to," Brent said darkly. She sighed and clasped her hands on her lap. "I’ve been thinking of ways to get Tara to withdraw the challenge, but the more time I spend with her, the more I think she shouldn’t."

"Excuse me?" Buffy stood abruptly, sending her chair scraping loudly across the tile floor of the dining hall.

"Our Lady is the essence of everything pure and good," Brent explained as she stood and went around the table next to the agitated Slayer. "But tell me, Buffy, do you see darkness in her?"

"No!" Buffy said instantly. "Tara is not dark. There’s nothing dark in her. She doesn’t even drink black coffee."

"That’s my point," Brent said gently. "The Imbolc mage must harness the most deadly power ever known. She needs the touch of darkness to temper her gentle soul; otherwise, using her power would destroy her. She’s only acted in defense so far. The Imbolc mage is meant to be a warrior, to go on the offensive, to destroy evil before it can strike."

"But … Glory… she was dark, Tara touched her…" Buffy faltered. She knew that causing the deaths of so many had devastated Tara, and it had been in self-defense.

"Brigit has made Tara her mantle," Brent said quietly. "But Brigit has also seen fit to have Tara extend the challenge. Perhaps it is meant to be."

"Tara can’t win." Buffy clenched her jaw until the muscles in her neck ached. "She won’t kill the guardians. She can’t do it."

"The challenge must be met." Brent cleared her throat. "No challenger has ever defeated the armed 19. We’ve practiced as a unit every day for years."

"You’re part of the 19?" Buffy’s head swirled. She knew Tara couldn’t kill the elder she’d grown to like.

Brent nodded. "I am the leader of the Imbolc Guard."

"The Imbolc Guard is the 19?" Buffy slapped her forehead as a wave of pain flashed through her. "Tara has to fight Ceri and Gandu?"

"The challenge requires her to face the Imbolc Guard," Brent whispered. "She must get past us, unarmed, before she can face the rest of the challenge." She looked into Buffy’s eyes. "No one has ever been able to fight past the 19, ever."

"I should just kill you all right now," Buffy said grumpily. "Then you’d have to pick an all new 19 and Tara could have a fighting chance." The Slayer was only half-joking.

"It doesn’t matter who the 19 are," Brent said compassionately. "With those odds, no one would have a fighting chance, not even you."

*****

"Oh, goddess!" Willow screamed as her entire body shook. She was straddling Tara, in the middle of a huge oversized bed, and Tara was doing the most wonderful things to her body.

"Not quite a goddess," Tara said wickedly. She moved her hand a fraction of an inch and it was all Willow needed.

"Tara!" Willow fell forward and collapsed on top of Tara’s naked body. She took in a gulp of air as a few aftershocks flashed through her like tiny flames flickering from her belly downward.

"Well, at least you’re getting my name right, now." Tara ran her hands down Willow’s back and pulled the silky sheets over the top of them. She knew Willow would get a chill; the redhead always did after an intense climax, and this one had been extremely intense.

"I always get your name right," Willow said as she playfully kissed Tara’s chest, but she didn’t lift her face from its warm pillow of two soft breasts.

"Really?" Tara asked sweetly. "Well, my name isn’t ‘Jesus,’ or ‘God,’ or ‘Goddess,’" Tara pointed out smugly. "Besides, you’re Jewish, why are you calling Jesus?"

"Can’t help it." Willow nuzzled closer, pressing her ear over Tara’s heart. "You make me feel so good, I figure I should praise every deity I can think of."

"Goof." Tara squeezed Willow closer and sighed. She loved the feel of her petite lover pressing down on her after making love. Willow’s weight was perfect, and it created a connection that Tara didn’t ever want to break.

Willow smiled and listened contentedly to the steady pounding of Tara’s heart. It was a song she knew well, a song she could play like a virtuoso. She moved her hand up and cupped Tara’s breast, flicking her rose tinted nipple. The tempo of Tara’s heart doubled. Willow smirked and rested her hand on Tara’s side and waited as the blonde’s pulse slowed after a few moments.

Tara rested patiently. She knew this game well. Willow would amuse herself endlessly by using touches and words to change Tara’s pulse rate.

Willow stretched her neck and flicked her tongue across Tara’s nipple and was rewarded with a gasp and then Tara’s heart hammered frantically.

"You’re so easy," Willow said with a giggle. She snuggled her ear back into perfect position over Tara’s heart.

"Only with you." Tara combed her fingers through Willow’s hair. They’d spent the afternoon making love, and it had been divine. Now they only had an hour before they’d have to get ready for dinner, and Tara didn’t want to leave their haven between the sheets. It wasn’t the lovemaking that made Tara feel so completely secure; it was the way she felt whenever she held Willow, like nothing could touch them, like nothing could come between their joined hearts.

"You know what my favorite way is?" Willow asked. Her tone was husky and full of emotion. "The way that makes your heart pound faster than any other?"

"What?" Tara asked as she massaged the back of Willow’s neck.

Willow pressed her ear to Tara’s chest, listening to the steady, slow beat. She cleared her throat. "Tara, I love you," she whispered. She smiled as she heard her lover’s heart stutter and then pound out of control as joy washed through Tara’s body beneath her. "That," Willow said. "That’s my favorite way to make your heart race."

Tara squeezed Willow closer and sniffled. "Goddess, I love you, Willow." She blinked tears from her eyes, overcome with emotion from the simple act of holding the woman who had changed her life, gave her a life worth living, gave her a reason to do anything to keep on living.

*****

"Shh, they’re coming," Brigh whispered. She stood at attention just inside the front door of the Imbolc House next to Ceri.

"Hey." Willow smiled and waved at the two guardians. "You guys spend the whole day just guarding that door?" The redhead blushed, imagining that Ceri and her lover must had gotten quite an earful.

"We went outside earlier…" Brigh blushed two shades darker than Willow’s cheeks.

"Yeah, good. That’s good. Fresh air is good." Willow bit her lip and turned back down the hall looking for Tara. She didn’t see her lover so she turned back toward the guardians. "So, um, we were looking at the pool, pools, and um, well…"

"Yes, Lady Willow?" Ceri asked. Her back throbbed painfully but she wasn’t about to dull her senses but taking pain medication.

"Well, it’s a nice pool, err, pools…" Willow backed into the house, waving the guardians along with her. She rounded the corner and walked into the living room. The entire wall on one side of the room was made of glass looking onto the patio. The main tier of the pool was stunning. Half of the pool was inside the room, and it had a retractable wall that lowered so the wind could be sealed out.

"The wall control is in that panel," Brigh said helpfully. She pointed to a small box near the hallway.

"I figured that out," Willow said as she cleared her throat. "And the water’s nice and warm…"

"But?" Ceri asked.

"We don’t have suits." Willow sighed. "And we are not skinny-dipping with half the Imbolc Guard out there." She waved a hand toward the patio. Two guardians stood looking off the edge of the deck.

"I’ll call down and have suits sent up. We know your sizes," Brigh said with a smile. "We should have thought of it. My apologies, Lady Willow."

"Um, hey, uh, could you have them bring one for Tara that’s um… a one-piece, and … um … red, if you have it?" Willow smiled and her expression glazed over. ‘I’m still harboring a bit of a Baywatch fantasy starring Tara’s breasts… err, starring Tara,’ Willow thought wickedly.

"Of course, Lady Willow." Brigh hurried to the phone. "I’m sure we have a red suit."

"No rush," Willow said happily. "We’re heading down to dinner. I just thought a moonlight swim would be nice when we came back." She spun and practically skipped down the hallway humming the Baywatch theme. ‘I’m going to hell,’ Willow thought with a giggle. The pain in her leg was almost gone. ‘And it’s so worth it.’

*****

The huge assembly room was arranged with an overstocked buffet. Long oak tables lined one side of the vast hall that was packed with smaller round tables where the guardians were waiting to have dinner after Tara arrived. Ceri stayed discretely in the background when Willow and Tara arrived, but she was never more than a few steps from Willow at any time.

"Good god, that’s a lotta’ food!" Tara stared in shock at the tables piled high with dozens of kinds of fruits, vegetable, meats, cheeses and every kind of chocolate dessert Tara had ever seen.

"Our Lady," the gathered guardians said as they all stood and bowed to Tara.

Tara smiled nervously, not quite sure how she was expected to respond. She squeezed Willow’s hand and pulled the redhead closer.

Brent went to Tara’s side. "They’re waiting for you, my Lady," Brent whispered. She leaned closer and lowered her voice further. "You have to invite them to eat."

"Um, thanks for coming," Tara said uncertainly. "Please, enjoy your dinner."

The guardians smiled, but no one moved to eat.

"Maybe you should get a plate?" Willow whispered. She hooked her hand through Tara’s arm and nodded at the huge oak table. "Oh, Buffy was right, all your favorites."

Tara looked down the long expanse of food. She saw a plate of peanut chicken and smiled. "And Dawn’s favorites." Tara smirked.

"Well, come on, you can’t blame her." Willow giggled as she pointed further down the table at a stack of friend chicken.

"Buffy," the two witches said in unison.

Willow squeezed Tara’s arm when she saw steamed brussel sprouts. They smiled.

"Anya," they said with a giggle.

"Is everything to your liking, my Lady?" a woman behind the table asked.

"This is Leala," Brent said. "She’s our lead chef."

"I’m sure it’s all wonderful." Tara stared at the volume of food, suddenly realizing she couldn’t possibly taste even one bite of each dish. "You cooked everything?" she asked.

"My Lady, each of my three chefs prepared one of the tables," Leala said proudly.

"Can I meet them?" Tara asked politely.

"Yes, of course." Leala smiled and waved over the three chefs.

Tara gave the nervous chefs a warm smile. The youngest chef blushed and looked like she might faint.

"T-this is beautiful," Tara said. "I’m sure it’s all perfect, but I can’t taste all of it without blowing up." She saw the disappointment in their eyes. "So, how about if each of you pick two of the dishes you think are your best, and I’ll start with them, okay?" Tara asked warmly.

"Of course, my Lady," the chefs said as they each grabbed a plate and rushed to the food they’d prepared.

Willow slid her hand down Tara’s arm and took the blonde’s hand. She rubbed Tara’s fingers with her thumb. When the blonde looked up, Willow mouthed, ‘I love you.’

Tara smiled shyly.

"That was well handled, my Lady." Brent waited until the chefs came back with samples of their best dishes. She turned toward the waiting crowd. "Guardians, please begin your meal." She saw her young charges stand and she raised a hand. "And don’t forget to say a blessing at each table."

Tara took two of the plates from the chefs, and Willow took the third. They both smiled at the vast quantity plied on each plate.

"We’ll share," they said in almost the same breath.

"Your table." Brent led the two witches to a long table at one end of the hall. The other Scoobies were waiting.

"Okay, they’re here. Can we eat now?" Anya asked as she watched the lines at the tables growing.

"Go eat." Tara chuckled.

"Good, and there better be some brussel sprouts left." Anya rushed across the room.

The guardians stood and milled around as they filled their plates. Most of them were distracted by Tara. Ceri stood behind Willow, her eyes scanning the crowd.

"How you doin’ Dawnie?" Willow asked.

"I played Lacrosse," the teen said excitedly. "You have to meet Amanda. She’s so cool!"

"Is she on the team?" Tara asked as she tasted her alfredo pasta.

"Yeah," Dawn said. "She’s the youngest member, she’s fifteen, and she’s so good. She was using a crosse in each hand, juggling the ball."

"And that’s good?" Tara asked.

"Apparently that’s way more impressive than using a cross to chase off a vamp." Buffy rolled her eyes.

"I’ll bet Amanda could cross-check you big time," Dawn said with a smirk. "Oh, there she is!" Dawn jumped to her feet and ran across the crowded room.

"Dawn has a new friend," Cassie whispered. "They’ve been inseparable all day."

"Better watch out or Dawn’s gonna’ be joining up," Diana joked. "Hell, after seeing the rooms here, I may sign up."

"Oh, really?" Cassie asked her lover.

"Well, I mean, who wouldn’t want to worship Tara?" Diana batted her eyelashes at the blonde and sighed like a schoolgirl. "Oh, Tara, you’re just so dreamy."

Buffy choked on her water.

"Diana." Tara blushed.

"Oh, come on," Diana said as she nodded toward the room full of guardians. "These women swoon when you walk by."

"They do not!" Tara insisted.

"Who swooned?" Willow’s eyes narrowed.

"Easy, Will," Xander said quietly. "These are armed warriors, remember?" He was being especially quiet, having had several of the guardians approach him and suggest that he might not want to make any more off color comments about the Imbolc mage or her lover.

"I wanna’ know who’s been swooning," Willow said as she scooted closer to Tara. "They’ll be no swooning. I’m putting my foot down. No swooning."

"Honey, I’m sure there was no swooning." Tara took Willow’s hand and patted it. "We should eat."

"Tara, do you know about the Imbolc Guard?" Buffy asked. She’d been thinking about her conversation with Brent all afternoon.

"Are they the ones swooning?" Willow demanded. She turned toward Ceri. "Maybe you could talk to them."

"Lady Willow, I assure you, the Imbolc Guard wouldn’t dare swoon over your soulmate." Ceri smiled she saw Willow’s shoulders relax.

"Well, good." Willow patted Tara’s shoulder. "What?" she asked when she noticed a sly smirk on Tara’s lips.

"Nothing." Tara dug into her meal and then smiled. "Try the asparagus stir fry." She held a bite out to Willow.

"You’re changing the subject." Willow took the bite. "Umm, yummy." Her eyes sparkled.

"Tara, do you know about the Imbolc Guard?" Buffy asked a bit harshly.

"Yes, Buffy," Giles interrupted. "Tara knows they are her sworn protectors," he added pointedly. "Now let her enjoy her meal." He glared at the Slayer, silencing any further comment.

Dawn came back to the table dragging a dark haired, blue eyed girl. "Tara, this is Amanda."

"Nice to meet you, Amanda." Tara smiled at Dawn’s young friend.

"My Lady." Amanda dropped to one knee and wouldn’t look up. Her hands were shaking.

"You can stand up, sweetie," Tara said nervously. She looked over at Willow for rescue.

"Why don’t you join us?" Willow suggested.

Amanda’s head shot up. Her eyes were wide and she shook her head.

"Yeah!" Dawn grabbed her friend and pulled her to her feet.

"I couldn’t," Amanda said.

"Are you refusing Lady Willow’s request?" Ceri asked as she stepped forward.

"Of course not, Ceridwen." Amanda straightened her back and looked Willow in the eyes. "I would be honored, Lady Willow."

"Go grab a chair," Willow said with a smile. "Grab two. I’m tired of Ceri hovering."

Ceri started to protest but decided against it. She took a chair from Amanda and sat slightly behind Willow, while Amanda sat next to Dawn.

"Hey, look at all this food." Anya came back to the table with her plate piled high. She sat next to Xander and handed him a plate. "This would be a great place for our honeymoon, well, except you aren’t allowed to go to the food table, and you can’t walk the grounds unattended."

"Yeah, sounds great." Xander poked at his plate. "Brussel sprouts? Geez, Anya, you know I hate those."

"They look like boiled aitvara spawn," Anya said as she forked one and bit into it. "Only not as squishy and a little more salty. They’re hard to catch. The little buggers hide behind stoves or in chimneys."

Amanda furrowed her brow as she looked at Anya.

"Don’t ask." Dawn put her hand on Amanda’s arm.

"How long have you lived here?" Buffy asked. She had seen a few young girls, but Amanda seemed to be the best trained of the teenaged guardians. Buffy had spent part of her day touring the training facilities. In addition to being an expert at Lacrosse, Amanda was very skilled with a sword.

"I came here when I was three years old," Amanda said. "My parents were killed in an accident, and the guardians raised me."

"Why?" Willow asked. "I mean, this seems like a strange place to send a baby."

Tara nodded.

"My aunt is a guardian at the sanctuary in Kildare," Amanda said proudly. She bit her lip and dared to look over at Tara. "I’m the forth generation to serve Brigit."

"Cool." Dawn wiggled closer.

Brent moved to the front of the main hall. She tapped a small brass bell and all of the rowdy guardians quieted.

Amanda turned and stared at Brent in awe.

"Guardians, the Imbolc Guard is incomplete." Brent’s voice was strong and steady and it carried across the vast room. "Our sister Breda gave her life, as was her duty, but now the circle must be made whole."

The crowd murmured, but all eyes remained on Brent as she walked toward Tara’s table.

"Breda had the honor of serving our Lady," Brent stopped behind Tara. "She trained for it her entire life, and we should rejoice that she lived to see the coming of the Imbolc mage."

Willow rested her hand on Tara’s thigh as they watched. Willow could see the pain in Tara’s eyes as Brent spoke about the guardian who gave her life.

"In honor of our lost sister, we will call the next Imbolc Guard Breda." Brent waited as the young guardians nodded in approval. "Though, I think we shall call her Bre for short." The elder smiled and rested a hand on Amanda’s shoulder.

The crowd went dead quiet, and Amanda’s eyes bulged.

"Rise, Bre, and accept your place in the Imbolc Guard." Brent squeezed Amanda’s shoulder.

"Mistress Brent?" Amanda whispered as she stood and faced the elder.

"You are young, but many were younger when they were called," Brent said. "And I know that our lost Breda wanted you to fill her place." She kissed Amanda’s on each cheek. "Amanda is dead. Welcome our sister Bre."

Every guardian in the hall stood and held up their beverage glasses. "Welcome Bre," they said in one resounding cheer.

"Congratulations," Tara said as she reached over and squeezed Bre’s hand. She could tell the teen was bursting with pride, but Bre was also a bit overwhelmed.

"Thank you, my Lady." The newest Imbolc Guard blushed.

Buffy stared in shock. She watched Tara interact with the young teen. The blonde mage gave Bre a playful shove and got a sweet smile from the girl.

Dawn was clapping wildly for her new friend, completely unaware that Bre would have to fight Tara in the challenge.

The commotion eventually died down and everyone went back to their meals. Dawn kept leading the conversation back to Bre and her talent at Lacrosse, but eventually Willow steered it back to the young guardian’s new position.

"So, Bre, Brent said you’re not the youngest guardian." Willow sipped her water. "Are there any younger?"

"I don’t think we’ve seen them all yet, have we?" Tara asked. She tried to picture the women she’d met guarding her so far. She could only come up with about ten faces.

"Oh, some of the Imbolc Guard are with the sacred flame." Bre smiled, pleased that she would now be allowed to tend the fire of Brigit. "I’m the youngest here," Bre said humbly. "But there have been others younger. Brent joined the Imbolc Guard when she was 14." Her eyes sparkled with pride for her headmistress. "She’s tended the flame for over 37 years."

"Has the flame ever gone out?" Anya asked, happy to participate in the conversation.

"Goddess, no," Bre said in a hushed whisper. "Our order has been in this location since 1856 and we’ve never lost our flame." She shivered at the suggestion.

"That would be bad?" Dawn asked.

"It would be disaster," Anya responded. "The Keepers of the Flame have to maintain the fire or lose face with the goddess."

"Where is the flame?" Dawn asked. "Can I see it?"

"No one can enter the sacred caverns except followers of Brigit." Bre frowned when she saw Dawn’s disappointment. "I’m sorry."

"Well, I live with Tara, doesn’t that count?" Dawn asked hopefully.

"Dawnie…" Tara’s voice had a warning tone. It was stern, yet maternal. "This isn’t a theme park. These women have dedicated their lives to something bigger than themselves."

"I just wanna see the fire," Dawn whined. "What’s the big deal?"

"The big deal?" Ceri asked. Her eyes were full of compassion but she spoke with deep conviction. "That flame was hand carried from the temple of Brigit in Kildare. Guardians crossed the sea in a wooden schooner that most people today would be afraid to take out on a lake during a sunny day, let alone cross an angry sea. The original 19 kept that flame alive in a brass lantern for the entire crossing and they had to cross the country once they reached Boston."

"They walked most of the way," Bre chimed in proudly. "But they had a few horses to carry the sacred bell, their swords, and the foundry supplies."

"So, it was hard to get the fire here?" Dawn asked.

"After they arrived, they tended the flame while they carved the sacred altar in the caverns," Ceri said. "Once they finished, they moved the flame into the most sacred place on our sanctuary. That flame has been burning there ever since."

"What happens if it goes out?" Dawn asked. She was even more curious to see the flame now.

"Calamity," Ceri said quietly. "We will have failed Brigit in our most basic duty." She smiled. "But don’t worry. A guardian tends the flame at all times. We keep the fire fed and we keep all intruders away."

"So I guess I can’t sneak in?" Dawn asked with a forced laugh.

"Not if you want to live," Bre said calmly.

Dawn’s eyes widened.

"She’s kidding," Ceri whispered. "We wouldn’t kill you. Not unless you forced your way in, then we’d maim you a little." She patted Dawn’s arm. She looked down, not wanting to meet the Lady’s eyes. Ceri was still praying that Tara would change her mind about the challenge.

"Besides, you’d never get past the cavern guards. They’d slice you to bits before you got inside." Bre crossed her arms over her chest. "That’s why we practice with the swords all the time. We drill for hours on slicing."

"Slice?" Willow asked. "When you say bits, what exactly do you mean?"

"Can we discuss something a bit more suitable to a dinner conversation?" Giles asked.

"Yes, of course," Ceri said.

"Oh sure, we finally get to the maiming and Giles makes them shut up." Anya glared at the Watcher. "I’ll have you know, back in my day, maiming was the preferred dinner conversation." She stabbed a carrot and chomped it. "Damn bunny food," she grumbled.

Buffy had been quietly watching the interactions. Her stomach clenched. She knew Tara’s soul couldn’t survive killing the innocent teen. She looked across the hall at Brent and wondered if that was why the teen was chosen.

Ceri drank from her glass and glanced at Tara and then Bre. She could see that the teen idolized Tara, and she could hardly blame her. The Imbolc mage was incredible. For the first time in all her years as a guardian, Ceri hoped she would fail in the task before her. She knew as soon as the sun rose, she’d no longer be Lady Willow’s protector. With the rising sun, Ceri and the other members of the Imbolc Guard would be the instruments of Tara’s death. Ceri stared at Bre. The dark haired teen was laughing and smiling as she talked with Tara. Bre knew all of the responsibilities that came with her new position, but since she’d only just been named, she had no clue that Tara had issued the challenge. She knew Bre would do her duty, but she doubted the young woman would ever recover from it.

‘Goddess, guide us,’ Ceri thought as her stomach rolled.

"Oh!" Dawn grabbed Bre’s arm. "We should stay in the fancy smancy house with Willow and Tara! It’ll be so fun. A sleep over. We can all sleep in one bed."

Tara smiled, but she bit the inside of her lip. She had plans for Willow that didn’t include entertaining teenagers. In fact, what she had planned probably shouldn’t have teenagers in the same building, let alone running in and out all night.

"Uh, Dawnie…" Willow did not want to hurt Dawn’s feelings, but she had plans for Tara and the red swimsuit.

"Tradition requires that a newly named Imbolc Guard sleep in the barracks," Ceri said. She smiled at Dawn. "If you ask Brent, she might be willing to let you stay with her."

"And you two could meet us for breakfast," Tara suggested with a warm, sincere smile.

"Really?" Dawn spun toward Buffy. "Can I?" she pleaded.

"Um, sure." Buffy nodded absently. She could tell Tara already liked Dawn’s new friend. ‘Hey, Universe, funny joke,’ Buffy thought. ‘Nice to know my friends and I are still on that ‘please screw with us whenever possible’ list.’

Tara laughed at something Bre said and took the teen’s hand and squeezed it.

Buffy looked over at Giles. He was staring daggers at Brent. He slowly turned and studied Bre with the same dangerous expression.

"You know," Buffy whispered angrily. She didn’t want the others hearing.

Giles turned and met her eyes. He didn’t say anything, but he did have the grace to look away.

Buffy knew the look. It was the same look Giles had the night he suggested killing Dawn to save the world. Buffy felt nauseous. She stood and backed away from the table.

"I need some air," Buffy said as she rushed away. Her mind raced. Giles knew. He knew about the Imbolc Guard, and he was willing to let Tara die. She walked out onto the terrace and headed for the stairs.

"Buffy, wait," Giles said as he trotted up alongside her and grabbed her arm.

"How could you?" She yanked her arm out of his grip. "You’re gonna’ let Tara die."

"I have no say in the matter," he said defensively.

"Maybe not," Buffy said coldly. "But you agree with it."

"She can’t control it…"

"Bastard!" Buffy slapped him. She’d only meant to tap his face, but her Slayer strength knocked him back a few steps and split his lip.

He took out a starched white handkerchief and dabbed the blood from his mouth. "Emotions won’t help us," he said calmly. "The fact remains that Tara will destroy the world if she doesn’t give up her powers."

"She’ll die," Buffy said in an angry growl.

"Perhaps it’s for the bes—"

"Don’t finish that sentence." Buffy had him by the throat and slammed him against the wall. She had him around the neck and she was fighting the urge to just keep squeezing. She remembered when Glory had Dawn and how he’d been so willing to kill her sister.

He nodded, then coughed when she dropped him to his feet.

They glared, locked in each other’s eyes. The worst part was that some part of Buffy knew Tara couldn’t control her power and that the blonde was a threat to the world. She hated that part of herself, and she hated that Giles made her listen to the nagging inner voice.

"Hey, what’s going on?" Willow asked from the door. She could feel the tension in the air.

Tara was at her lover’s side. The blonde mage was frowning, and her expression was full of concern.

Buffy and Giles froze like twin deer caught in a freeway full of headlights.

"Bloody hell," Giles murmured as he tucked his stained handkerchief into his pocket.

CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX

"Buffy, what’s going on?" Willow went to her best friend’s side. The Slayer was trembling with rage.

"M-mister Giles, you’re bleeding." Tara stepped past Willow and reached for his lip.

"Please don’t, Tara," he said softly, as if just saying her name was painful. He turned away from her touch.

"Buffy?" Willow wanted to know what was going on. The fact that Giles and Buffy were both being secretive told Willow that it probably concerned Tara. "Fine." She spun and went toward Giles. "Okay, spill. What is going on?"

"Not now, Willow!" Giles yelled. He clenched his hands into fists as he fought his own inner demons.

Tara stepped back and placed her hand on Willow’s arm. She recognized that Giles was deeply upset, and she knew he’d never actually raise a hand to Willow, but she didn’t like him raising his voice to her lover.

Ceri didn’t know Giles well enough to take that chance. She’d been in the shadows, guarding Willow from a distance, and when Giles yelled and clenched his hands into fists, she reacted.

"Don’t move." Ceri’s sword swung down and rested on the side of Giles’ throat.

"Ceri, no!" Willow edged forward, but Tara pulled her back.

"Mister Giles won’t hurt her, Ceri," Tara said gently.

Buffy leaned against the wall, waiting to see how the scene would play out. She was furious with Giles, and she knew that Ceri was a trained warrior. Buffy knew Ceri wouldn’t injure Giles accidentally, and she knew Giles was smart enough to avoid provoking the guardian.

"He raised his fists." Ceri tilted the blade, carefully avoiding cutting his skin.

"Ceridwen?" Tara’s voice took on a regal tone that demanded attention. "Do you think I would stand by and allow anyone to touch Willow?"

Ceri lowered the blade. She glared at Giles. "Don’t raise your voice to Lady Willow ever again." She sheathed her sword and moved back a few steps.

"Thank you," Giles told Tara.

"Are you going to tell us what’s going on?" Tara asked coolly. She rested one hand on her hip impatiently. "Or are you going to yell at Willow again?" She raised one eyebrow, letting him know that would not be tolerated.

"We were discussing certain complications," Giles said tightly. "Complications from the bonding with Tara." He caught Buffy’s gaze, imploring her to agree.

"Oh…" Tara stepped back and quietly pulled Willow closer.

"There isn’t a problem anymore," Buffy said through clenched teeth.

"Then why were you arguing?" Willow asked. She blushed, worried that Buffy had a crush on her.

"I’m afraid it’s all my fault," Giles lied smoothly. "I compared the situation to the problems with Angel … things that can not ever be…"

Buffy’s face paled. She couldn’t believe Giles could lie seemingly without effort.

"It was wrong of me," Giles continued. "I know that now." He cleared his throat. "Tara and Buffy spoke and the problem has been solved."

"Maybe we should talk, just the two of us," Willow said as she smiled at her best friend. "We should clear this up."

"No!" Buffy said quickly. "There’s nothing to clear up. Tara and I talked. We cleared. Nothing left to clear."

"My Lady?" Brent asked from the door. "Is there a problem?"

"No," Tara said firmly. "W-we were getting some air." She squeezed Willow’s hand. "W-we’ll be right back in to finish dinner."

"Very good, my Lady." Brent nodded. She furrowed her brow when she noticed the dark look in Giles’ eyes. She gave him a questioning glance.

"We’ll be in shortly," he promised. "Well, there’s nothing to discuss, so we should head back in." Giles took Buffy by the arm and started to pull her inside.

"I can walk." Buffy stood her ground, pulling Giles to a stop. She ripped her arm out of his grasp and pushed past him.

"Perhaps it’s best that we all have a quick dinner and then get to bed, hmm?" Giles asked Tara.

"Bed, yeah, we need rest." Willow nodded and wrapped her arm around Tara.

Tara blushed as she walked back into the banquet hall at Willow’s side. She’d noticed her lover acting suspicious since they left for dinner. It had something to do with a small package the guardians had delivered. A package Willow had grabbed and ran off to the bathroom with and refused to let Tara see.

"You okay?" Willow asked as she pulled Tara’s chair out for her.

"Um hmm." Tara murmured. She smiled and studied her lover. "Just trying to figure out everything."

"You and Buffy talked, right?" Willow asked in a whisper. "So everything’s okay there, right?" She trusted that Tara had handled whatever was going with Buffy.

Tara nodded.

"So what were you wondering?" Willow rested her hand on Tara’s leg.

A shy smile broke over Tara’s features. "I was wondering what you hid back at our room." Her eyes sparkled. "Why you hid it, and if I’m going to like it."

"Oh, you’ll like it." Willow smiled coyly and dug into her dinner. "I know I will." She waggled her eyebrows.

Tara laughed sensually. The sound sent shivers up Willow’s spine.

*****

The hum of the computer filled the black office. The door opened and a handsome young male witch dressed in an Italian suit cut from the finest black silk stepped inside.

"Yes?" Miss Duas asked without looking up from her computer terminal.

"The second squad just returned," the assistant said quietly.

Miss Duas leaned back in her black leather chair and folded her hands in her lap.

"The entire team was lost." He walked over and carefully placed a folder on her desk. "There’s a complete report, Miss Duas. We found a few bodies, but most were lost in the blast."

"The Keeper underestimated Miss Maclay." Miss Duas smiled.

"The mage is incredibly powerful," the assistant agreed.

"Excellent," Miss Duas said in an uncanny imitation of the Keeper.

"Should we notify the next Keeper?" the assistant smirked.

"Not until we have Miss Maclay." She sighed and flipped through the folder. "Did you bring her?" she asked idly.

"Yes, ma’am." He nodded. "Shall I bring her in?"

"Yes." Miss Duas crossed one leg over the other. She waited as the assistant disappeared and then came back into the office.

"Miss Duas." Amy shifted her weight from foot to foot.

"Leave us," Miss Duas ordered. As soon as the assistant was gone she stood and went around and stood in front of Amy. "How are you?"

"Fine, Miss Duas." Amy looked down at her simple black pants and black blouse.

"You’re afraid." It wasn’t a question.

Amy lifted her head. "Yes, Miss Duas." She nodded obediently, but a tiny whisper of defiance danced behind her dark eyes.

"It’s not a very nice feeling, is it?" Miss Duas stepped closer and used both hands to lift Amy’s hair away from her face. "You have wonderful bone structure, Miss Madison. Has anyone ever told you that?"

"No," Amy said, answering both questions. She swallowed reflectively and tried not to flinch when Miss Duas continued playing with her hair.

"The Keeper is dead," Miss Duas stated flatly. She lifted Amy’s hair and tried several different buns.

Amy nodded. "Tara?"

"She’s stronger that we realized." Miss Duas didn’t sound disappointed; in fact, she sounded pleased.

"There’s a lot of that going around." Amy shrugged. "Rack thought he could handle her, too."

"Have you thought about your future?" Miss Duas asked. She twisted Amy’s hair into an austere bun.

"Look, Miss Duas, ma’am, I’m flattered, really, and I know I hung out with Willow and all, but I don’t like women that way." She wondered if the older woman would kill her slowly or just snap her neck and get it over with.

"I’m offering you a job, Amy." Miss Duas took a hair chopstick from her own head and used it to secure Amy’s wild mane.

The dark haired witch gave the older woman a skeptical glance.

"A real job, not as a bed warmer." She smiled and backed away. "What do you say? The Madisons have been out of the committee for several centuries. I think it’s time they returned." She saw Amy hesitate so she stepped back and crossed her arms over her chest. "Go on, you can be honest. I won’t hurt you." Good assistants were hard to find, and getting one from the inter-office agency practically guaranteed you were getting a spy from another office. Miss Duas saw darkness in Amy, and a bit of treachery. She could work with both, and the young witch had tried to lie to protect Willow. She had some loyalty.

"Do I have really a choice?" Amy asked. "Or is this a ‘hey, come work for me or die a horrible death’ kind of job offer?"

"You’ve seen a great deal," Miss Duas said as she leaned against her black desk. "The committee might try a mind wipe, but you could end up a drooling vegetable."

"So, working for you could save my skin," Amy clarified.

"With your unique contact with the Imbolc mage, and our internal medicine team’s zeal for experimentation, that might literally be true."

Amy’s eyes widened in shock and fear, and a bit of genuine curiosity.

"Some of our medical experts believe that contact with a power like that leaves traces behind… traces that can be seen if you … dig deep enough." She smiled coldly. "Well, not that deep. Just under the second layer of skin I believe."

"So, where do I sign?" Amy asked. She cleared her throat. "Do I call you Miss Duas, or boss?"

The older woman gave Amy a deadly glare.

"Miss Duas it is," Amy said quickly. "Um, my typing skills are kinda’ rusty," she admitted. "But if you need someone to run on a stationary wheel, I’m your gal."

"No one types manually," Miss Duas said disgustedly. "We are witches." She eyed Amy carefully. "But there’ll be no using recreational magic. If I have to, I’ll have an inhibitor installed." She saw Amy bite her lip nervously. "It keeps you from getting a high while using magic," she explained pointedly.

"Uh huh." Amy’s upper lip twitched.

"They take a two inch rod and insert it at the base of your neck, into the cerebral cortex." Miss Duas watched Amy’s face pale. "I’m kidding," she said, her tone still deadly serious. "It’s a spell."

Amy nodded, not quite believing the older witch.

Miss Duas went to her desk and sat. "First things first. You need a new wardrobe." She picked up her phone to call the appropriations center. She smirked to herself. She’d arrange to have an inhibitor spell done. Amy didn’t need to know that the spell involved magically placing a two-inch rod into her brain. She looked over at Amy and smiled warmly. The dark haired witch was rough around the edges, but with some effort, she’d make a fine assistant.

*****

Ceri smiled at Willow. The redhead was blushing from the tip of her forehead down her face and neck and the color even seemed to continue down her chest.

"So, anyway, could ya’ guard us from outside the building?" Willow asked. She pulled her fluffy white terrycloth robe tighter.

"You want us out so you can have wild sex in the pool," Ceri said politely. "Of course we can leave, Lady Willow."

Willow’s jaw dropped and her blush deepened.

"I had the guardians on the patio move to the ground level," Ceri explained. "You can’t see the upper pool from the ground." She noticed Willow’s shocked expression and smiled. "Lady Willow, no one will intrude." She walked over to the kitchen, bringing Willow with her. "Might I suggest … candles?" She opened a cupboard to reveal dozens of candles in boxes lining the shelves. "These are ceremonial, but our Lady can use them any way the two of you see fit."

"Okay, enough of the matchmaking." Willow suddenly wanted nothing more than to surround the bed with candles and make love to Tara, well, after a swim. "Out." Willow pushed Ceri toward the front door. "Round up all the stray guardians. We’ll be fine here… alone. Just the two of us with no one else."

Ceri nodded as she stumbled toward the door. ‘Lady Willow is certainly enthusiastic,’ she thought with a smirk. ‘Our Lady is quite lucky.’ Her smirk faded as she remembered the duty she would have to perform in the morning.

"Have a wonderful night," Ceri said, her voice thick with emotion. "I’ll make sure you’re both safe, and that the guardians maintain a … discrete distance."

"Thanks." Willow was still blushing as she shoved Ceri out the door. She sighed and rubbed her face. Her skin was hot to the touch. She shook her head, hating that she blushed so easily. She took a deep breath and let it out and then walked into the other room and studied the pool. She smiled as an idea formed.

A few minutes later, Tara came out of the bedroom. She was wrapped in a white terrycloth robe just like Willow’s. She stopped a few feet from the edge of the pool. The wall had been lifted away so the patio section was now open to the room. She looked out onto the covered patio and saw Willow sitting on the steps of the pool.

"Wow," Tara said. She swallowed with a gulp. Willow was wearing a forest green string bikini. Two wispy triangles barely covered the redhead’s breasts. Tara started to walk around the edge of the pool.

"No." Willow stopped Tara with the one word. She nodded at the robe and smiled coyly. "Take it off."

Tara raised an eyebrow. She could tell by Willow’s honey thick tone that her lover was in a frisky mood. She shrugged the robe off, letting it drop to the cement floor.

Willow inhaled deeply. The red swimsuit looked perfect. It was a sporty design, certainly covering more skin than Willow’s racy bikini, but the effect was intoxicating. Willow’s eyes traced the fabric, enticed by the promise of the skin hidden beneath.

"You like?" Tara asked huskily. She knew the answer. She could see the raw passion in her lover’s eyes.

Willow nodded. Her eyes were pinned on Tara’s cleavage. The soft swells of Tara’s breasts were bulging, as if the supple flesh was straining against the fabric trying to escape.

Tara started to walk around the pool again. The entire length of the water separated them, and Tara wanted to join Willow on the steps.

Willow shook her head and smiled wantonly. She nodded toward the water and licked her lips.

A smile broke across Tara’s face. "Honey, have you been watching syndicated reruns again?" Tara had to bite the inside of her lip to keep from giggling. Many nights after patrol she’d catch Willow in front of the television watching Baywatch reruns.

"It’s riveting television with an exciting narrative form," Willow said a bit uncertainly. She wasn’t sure what Tara’s reaction to her premeditated Baywatch scenario might be.

"Honey…" Tara folded her arms over her abundant chest, hiding her cleavage from Willow’s hungry eyes. "Man falls in water … sexy lifeguard runs across the beach in slow motion with the cleavage-cam in for a close-up … sexy lifeguard dives in and pulls man to safety … with the cleavage-cam on a close-up of the sexy lifeguard’s heaving breasts." She moved her arms and rested a hand on one hip and gave Willow a playfully stern glare.

"Like I said…" Willow swallowed nervously. "Riveting television with an exciting narrative form." She bit her lip and leaned back on the steps. The warm water covered her lower legs up to the knee. "Besides, sometimes it’s a woman who gets rescued." Her voice dropped to a low purr. "And sometimes she’s trapped on the rocks, and not drowning." She waggled her eyebrows. "And sometimes the sexy lifeguard dives under the water and comes up in slow motion and tosses her wet hair over her back." She smiled wickedly. "With the cleavage-cam in for a close-up as she arches her back."

"Willow Rosenberg, you’re a pervert." Tara licked her lips and mirrored Willow’s smile with a wicked grin of her own. She raised one eyebrow and dove into the pool.

Willow groaned as she watched Tara move under the water with graceful strokes. She whimpered when Tara came slowly out of the water in the shallow end of the pool a few feet away.

Tara broke the surface and swept her head back, tossing her darkened blonde hair in a sweeping cascade of water and silky strands. She arched her back, pausing with her breasts jutting out, and then straightened her body and gave Willow a smoldering look as she slowly waded toward her. Droplets of water rolled down Tara’s chest and soaked into the thirsty red fabric.

Willow pressed her legs together to quell the ache of her rising need.

"Are you stranded, ma’am?" Tara fought for control. Part of her was ready to burst into a fit of giggles, but the other part could see the fire in Willow’s eyes. The role-playing was silly, yet strangely erotic and Tara began to get into her part. She took several deep breaths, making certain her red clad breasts heaved appropriately.

Willow was in shock. She hadn’t known what Tara’s reaction would be, but never in her wildest dreams had she imagined her lover acting out a rescue.

"Are you injured?" Tara asked huskily. She picked up Willow’s ankle and ran her hand up and down her lover’s leg. "This looks bad." Tara traced the injury on Willow’s leg without touching the sore wound. "You shouldn’t put any weight on that."

Willow groaned and almost climaxed from the simple touch. Her nipples hardened and strained against her swimsuit. Seeing Tara take charge was driving Willow insane with need.

"You look … cold." Tara pulled Willow down to the next step so the water covered her legs completely. "Must be exposure." Tara traced the edge of Willow’s nipple.

"Oh, goddess." Willow hissed when Tara moved her hand to the other side and repeated the action.

"That can be dangerous." Tara smirked. She was trying to stay in her role, but all she really wanted to do was drag Willow into her arms and kiss her.

"Dangerous?" Willow took a deep breath and leapt into her own role. She ducked her head and gave Tara a demure pout. "What should we do?" Her husky tone suggested that she had a few treatment ideas.

"There is a … procedure." Tara edged closer and ran her hands up and down Willow’s thighs. "It’s dangerous … very risky," she whispered as she leaned over her lover.

"Well, if you think it’s best…" Willow gripped the side of the pool until her knuckles went bone white. She was staring at Tara’s cleavage. It would be so easy lean forward and bury her face between the soft mounds.

"I do." Tara nodded with a leer.

"Mouth to mouth?" Willow suggested hopefully.

"Oh, no." Tara’s voice was serious as she shook her head grimly. She moved onto the bottom step and leaned over Willow. "That’s for when you stop breathing."

Willow decided if Tara didn’t do something soon, she just might stop breathing. Instead, she nodded.

"I have to warm you up." Tara moved a hand to Willow’s arm and lifted her down another step. The warm water now covered Willow’s navel. Tara moved an arm behind Willow and grabbed the side of the pool. She used the other hand to push Willow back so that her arm worked as a pillow. "Your only hope is…" Tara paused and gathered her resolve. She wanted Willow desperately, but she was still fighting the giggles that welled up just beneath the surface.

"Yes?" Willow asked. Her throat had gone dry and she could feel the heat throbbing between her legs.

Tara leaned closer until her body was almost touching Willow. "I’ll have to perform…" Her blue eyes sparkled playfully as she leaned closer. "Breast to breast resuscitation," she whispered as she rubbed her weighty cleavage against Willow’s chest.

"Oh, goddess." Willow arched against Tara. She wrapped her arms over her lover’s neck and rubbed herself against Tara’s abundant cleavage like a cat in heat. She ducked one leg around Tara’s body and captured her lover.

"You done this before," Tara whispered brokenly. "Oh, yes." She leaned over Willow and continued the torturous contact.

"Tara!" Willow had her legs around her lover’s waist. She pulled their bodies into contact and arched against her.

"That’s Lieutenant Tara." The blonde lifted Willow’s body and backed into the water, holding the petite redhead’s hips.

Willow grabbed Tara’s face with both hands and kissed her. It was a rough, demanding kiss that communicated her urgent need. She whimpered as Tara backed them into slightly deeper water. It was almost too much for her. Tara was lifting her by her hips, grinding her overheated flesh up and down. Willow could feel the softness of Tara’s belly contrasting with the firmness of her hipbone as she was pulled down the length of Tara’s body.

"Lose it." Willow broke the kiss and reached down to her bikini bottoms. A string held the garment in place and with a swift pull, one side of the bottoms was free.

Tara’s hand untied the other side and she yanked the green fabric out of the way. She tossed it out of the pool and it landed with a satisfying splash on the concrete. She arched her back as Willow’s hand squeezed between their chests and massaged her breasts through the red swimsuit. Tara started to pull the straps down her shoulder but Willow’s hand grabbed her wrist.

"Leave it on," Willow ordered.

"You are such a perv." Tara smiled, obviously pleased by that fact.

"You have no idea," Willow replied wickedly.

"I think I do." Tara leaned forward and took Willow’s mouth in a searing kiss as her hand moved between Willow’s legs and she took possession of her below as well. She swallowed Willow’s screams of pleasure as she took the redhead to the heights of ecstasy. It didn’t take long because the playful game had already primed Willow for release. She held Willow as the redhead slowly came down from her intense climax.

"I’m not the only perv, Lieutenant Tara." Willow giggled as her face rested in the crook of Tara’s shoulder. "Breast to breast resuscitation?" she asked dubiously.

"Well, are you warm?" Tara asked as she playfully pulled Willow closer.

"Oh, yeah." Willow sighed contentedly. She arched back so she could see Tara’s beautiful eyes. "You haven’t been warmed." She massaged the back of Tara’s neck and looked down at her inviting cleavage.

Tara leaned forward and tenderly kissed Willow. She broke the kiss after only a brief exchange. "Let’s take this in the bedroom, love." Her half grin almost made Willow climax again. "I want us to take our time, and I’m afraid we’ll drown if we try what I want in the pool."

"Won’t you save me?" Willow smiled, but then her eyes caught Tara’s and she was suddenly serious. "You always save me," she said in an emotion filled whisper.

"And I always will." Tara smoothed Willow’s hair out of her face. "Always." She pivoted her lover in the water and put an arm over Willow’s shoulder and pulled her into a lifeguard’s carry, with Willow’s back pressed against Tara’s body. She swam across the pool with Willow safely tucked under her arm.

"Tara?" Willow relaxed into the carry, secure that Tara would keep her safe. She could feel Tara’s hip supporting her weight and the blonde’s arm was snugly pressed over her chest and tucked under her arm. She felt both free and secure as she floated along completely under Tara’s control.

"There you go, ma’am," Tara whispered when they reached the low shelf at the deep end of the pool. She pulled Willow up onto the shelf and helped her stand as she they climbed out of the pool.

Willow stared at her lover. She could tell by the commanding, yet relaxed way Tara carried her through the water that the blonde hadn’t picked up the skill by watching Baywatch.

"Lifesaving class, freshman year," Tara explained with a blush.

"I am so gonna’ make love to you," Willow said with a growl. She grabbed Tara’s hand and dragged her toward the bedroom.

*****

Buffy’s leg was aching. She was pretty sure a small boulder was jammed under the skin behind her knee, and she wanted it out. Since there weren’t any stone masons in the area to blast the rock, she decided to ask Diana to extract the boulder. She found the doctor in the vast library at one end of the mansion.

Diana had several books spread in front of her and she was scanning them intently. She looked up when she heard Buffy approach. "That’s quite a limp there." She nodded at the leg Buffy was favoring. "Did you hurt yourself?"

"I think one of the rocks under my skin is throwing a party." Buffy sat on the table.

"Want me to take a look at it?" Diana stood and came around the table.

"Sure," Buffy said in a bored tone. "If you insist." She quickly pulled her pant leg up past the red, angry bump on her skin.

"Right." Diana smiled. "And you just happened to be here in the library." She gently examined the wound. "That’s gotta’ come out." She sighed and gave Buffy a reluctant look.

"I take it pain is involved?" Buffy sighed. "Got any of those good drugs left?" She scooted back onto the table so the flat surface was supporting her leg.

"Sorry." Diana reached under the table and pulled out her medical bag. She faced Buffy and smiled. "You know, I’ve been getting a lot of emergency experience. Usually when I get a woman on a table, there’re stirrups involved."

"Unless we’re going horseback riding, you can forget it," Buffy said as her legs edged closer together.

"Are you teasing the Slayer?" Cassie asked as she came into the small reading room with a stack of books.

"Absolutely," Diana turned and gave her lover a quick kiss.

"Hey, pain? Leg about to fall off?" Buffy sighed dramatically. "Sure, make with the smoochies while I suffer in silence."

"Silence would require you actually staying quiet." Diana turned and gave Buffy a sweet smile.

Buffy raised her eyebrows and pouted like a puppy denied a bone.

"Geez." Diana grabbed her bag and carefully pulled on a fresh pair of latex gloves. "No fair pouting."

"She’s a sucker for pouting," Cassie confessed. She sat at the table and looked through one of the books.

"What’s with all the research?" Buffy asked. She inhaled sharply as Diana probed the swollen wound.

"I have a few questions," Cassie said cryptically. "Brent said we could look through the library, so here we are."

"Yeah?" Buffy twisted around and looked at the page Cassie was studying. It had full color drawings of human shaped, blurry clouds. "What are those?"

"Auras," Cassie said. She smiled at Buffy and quickly checked the index and riffled through the pages. She slid the book over and showed the blonde a bright blue aura flecked with gold and black.

Buffy read the description; ‘Vampire Slayer, circa 1826 AD.’ "Huh, that’s me?" Buffy tilted her head to one side. "What’s a normal person look like?"

"This book doesn’t have any ‘normal’ people." Cassie pulled the book back and flipped to the page she’d been studying.

"Ouch!" Buffy spun and glared at Diana.

"Sorry." Diana put a small scalpel on the table. "All done. Just need to squeeze it a little."

"Do you just reach in there and grab babies without any warning? Dive right in with the pap smear from hell?" Buffy asked grouchily. "Cuz, I gotta’ tell ya’, I prefer my pelvics with a whole lot less of a surprise factor."

"I thought we weren’t doing a pelvic?" Diana asked sweetly. "Because, if your heart’s really set on it…"

"Hell no!" Buffy said as she pointed at her leg. "You with the grabby poky hands? You’re not getting anywhere near my … well, near me… near … down there!"

"Relax," Diana said with a chuckle. She took a small sterile towel and pressed it to the wound.

"Yeah, ‘relax’…" Buffy scowled. "They tell you that right before the big ‘scoot down to the edge of the table’ line. Relax my ass."

"There, all done." Diana looked down at a good-sized chuck of rock in her hand. "Yuck."

"I knew there was a boulder in there." Buffy turned to get Cassie to look at the huge stone and froze. "What’s wrong?"

"Cass?" Diana tossed the towel and the rock into a trashcan and moved to her lover’s side.

"This isn’t right." Cassie was staring at one of the aura drawings. The aura was blinding, achingly bright, made of gold so pristine it almost looked white, but just inside the golden light was a thin, but clearly definable layer of grey.

"That’s Tara?" Buffy asked as she read the caption; ‘Imbolc Mage, circa 952 AD.’ She twisted the book and studied the image. "It’s pretty."

"Something’s wrong with Tara’s aura," Cassie whispered. She tapped the image where the aura had the layer of grey. "Tara doesn’t have any darkness in her aura."

"What does that mean?" Diana asked. She trusted her lover’s word and she wanted to know what the discrepancy meant.

"I don’t know," Cassie said. She sighed and rubbed her temple. She pointed at the image. "Willow has a grey layer, and some gold, but nothing like this." She tapped the bright, thick layer of beautiful light.

"Is Willow the—" The question died on Buffy’s lips.

"No," Cassie said gently. She flipped through the pages and stopped at a section marked, ‘Higher Witches and Mages.’ She tapped an image. "Look," she said as she pointed to an aura. It was golden, but subdued and it had a grey layer under the surface. The caption read, ‘returned from darkness, circa 1672 AD.’

"That’s Will?" Buffy asked slowly.

"Yeah." Cassie smiled. "She looks just like that, but with a little brighter gold."

"Well, what’s this one?" Buffy pointed to a pure gold aura. It was crisp and clean, but not nearly as bright as the Imbolc mage had been.

"That’s a mage," Cassie said after reading the caption. "Like Tara’s grandmother. Tara’s aura is much brighter, almost blinding."

"What does all this mean?" Buffy asked.

"Maybe nothing," Cassie said with a frustrated sigh. "Each aura is modeled after a specific person. There’s bound to be some variation."

"Yeah, but it could mean something," Buffy said hopefully. "Maybe Tara isn’t the—"

"She is," Cassie said gently. "She has all the powers, and her aura is the brightest I’ve ever seen. Maybe she’ll develop a dark layer as she gets older."

"What causes the darkness?" Buffy asked, not really sure she wanted to know.

"The emotions we generally consider negative," Cassie explained. "But mainly anger, and grief."

"If something happened to Willow … would Tara’s aura turn dark?" Buffy had an awful feeling in the pit of her stomach.

"The only flashes of darkness I’ve ever seen from Tara have been when Willow was in danger." Cassie sighed and rubbed her forehead. "And when they lost the baby."

"You know, every time I think I can’t hate this situation more … something even worse comes along." Buffy crossed her arms over her chest and sighed. "I’m just gonna’ go stick my head in the sand and someone can come get me when everything’s okay."

"Cass, honey, you said when Tara gets older…" The doctor moved alongside her lover and looked down at the book. "How old are most Imbolc mages when they’re called?"

The seer reached over and grabbed a different book. She flipped through the pages, stopping a few times, and then moving on when she realized the information she wanted wasn’t there. Finally she paused and read a passage. "Huh," she said as she crinkled her brow.

Buffy covered her ears with both hands. "La la la la la la…" She kept her ears covered. "I am so not listening."

Diana leaned closer and read the same passage. "Huh."

"What?" Buffy demanded. She yanked her hands away and looked at the two witches expectantly.

"I thought you weren’t listening," Diana pointed out.

"And I thought OB/GYNs had gentle hands, Miss ‘rip-the-rock-outa-my-leg-when-I’m-not-looking.’ What’s it say?" Buffy came around the table to look at the book for herself. She furrowed her brow. "What the hell does that say?"

"It’s Latin," Cassie said helpfully.

"Yeah, and what the hell does it say?" Buffy continued.

"It’s about Imbolc mages and when they usually get called," Diana explained.

"Excuse me, you’ve mistaken me for someone who has the virtue of patience." She leaned into Diana’s chest. "What the hell does it say!" she yelled.

"Most mages are called in their early thirties," Cassie said with a gulp.

"Well, Tara is in her mid twenties," Buffy said as she glared at the two. "So what’s the ‘huh’ about?"

"It says a mage can be called early if her life is in danger and her powers are needed to save her," Diana scanned the page. "Oh, wow, that must have been awful."

Buffy cleared her throat pointedly. "Not everyone in the room reads Latin," she reminded them grouchily.

Cassie smiled and shrugged in apology. "This says the youngest mage on record was nine years old. Her village was attacked by marauders and if she hadn’t gotten her powers, she would have died along with everyone else."

"It says she saved them all, but only lived another three years." Diana frowned and then sighed as she rubbed her forehead. "She hadn’t experienced enough darkness yet." She looked into Buffy’s eyes. "And because she was mostly light, she lost control of her powers and flattened an entire island."

"A little island?" Buffy asked hopefully. "An atoll? A large reef maybe?"

Cassie and Diana gave her matching looks of doom.

"Oh…" Buffy frowned. "Well, Tara has to have more darkness than a nine-year-old…"

"The youthful mage had help, and she still couldn’t contain it." Diana read the pages. "Oh, hell."

"What?" Buffy asked. "Damn it! Either go find this book in English or get the movie with subtitles."

"If Tara’s mother were still alive, she could have helped her contain the power," Cassie explained.

"Maybe Willow can help!" Buffy smiled.

"It has to be a direct bloodline. Her mother could have transferred some of the power and taught Tara to control it." Diana frowned. "If her mother was strong enough, and, well…"

"Not dead," Cassie finished Diana’s sentence.

"You know what?" Buffy let out a frustrated growl. "Screw you guys, I’m going home." The Slayer sounded suspiciously like Cartman from Southpark.

"You can’t go home," Diana pointed out.

"To bed then," Buffy said grouchily. "Heck, tomorrow has to be better than today, right?" She looked at the two witches hopefully. After her fight with Giles, and finding out that Tara had to fight the Imbolc Guard, nothing could make things worse. All she wanted was to forget the challenge for a few days and then deal with reality. She had no way of knowing that reality would come knocking on the door with the rising sun, or that Tara was not resting up for the challenge; in fact, Willow was taking up a great deal of the blonde’s precious reserves.

*****

Candles covered every flat surface in the lavish bedroom. Willow lit the last of the tall tapers as she heard Tara climb out of the shower. They’d decided to shower apart, so Willow could make the room perfect for their union.

"Hey," Tara called out from the doorway. She dipped her head and a crooked grin graced her full lips. "Beautiful," she whispered.

"Well, Ceri showed me the candles," Willow admitted shyly. She wished she had thought of asking for candles. Tara was the kind of woman who deserved romance every time she made love.

"I didn’t mean the candles." Tara dropped her robe to the floor and walked the last few steps completely naked. She peeled off Willow’s robe. "I meant you."

Willow inhaled deeply as she felt a rush of moisture between her legs. "How do you do that?" she asked as she pulled Tara into her arms. "You get me with just a few words."

"You get me every time I look into your eyes." Tara’s words might have been mistaken for idle flattery if her face had not been a study in devotion and sincerity. "I just look at you, and I’m lost."

"And I’ll always find you," Willow promised. She ran her hand through Tara’s damp hair and frowned. "You’ll catch cold," she said, changing the subject. She pulled Tara to the bed and pushed her down. "Stay," she ordered. She trotted to the bathroom and came back with a blow dryer and a soft bristled brush.

Tara smiled and watched her lover find a plug and then return to her.

"Hold still," Willow whispered. She turned the blow dryer on low and gently combed Tara’s hair as the warm air kissed her scalp.

"Umm…" Tara closed her eyes and enjoyed the tactile paradise. She smiled as she felt Willow’s fingers massage her scalp. The warm air heated her skin, but Willow’s touch ignited fires deep within.

After Tara’s hair was dry, Willow turned off the dryer and put it on the bedside table. She moved between Tara’s knees and combed her fingers through the warm silky strands, tucking each one behind her lover’s shapely ears. "Better?" Willow asked huskily.

Tara nodded, too moved by the tender show of affection to speak. She pulled Willow to her, wrapping her arms around her lover’s slender waist and inhaling her clean scent. A tear rolled down her cheek as she cradled the woman who was everything she had ever dreamed of.

"Hey," Willow said gently. She didn’t feel the warm tear hit her skin, but as it cooled and ran down her chest she did. "You okay, love?"

Tara stood, holding Willow in place so that their bodies had to share a tiny bit of space, so close they had to share the same breath. She turned Willow around as if dancing in slow motion and guided her to the bed. "Willow, I need to make love to you," she breathed as she placed a whisper of a kiss on the redhead’s swollen lips. "I need you to be mine. I need to be yours. I need to be with you. I need to be inside you…" She helped Willow move to the top of the bed and then pressed the smaller woman to the mattress. "Can you give me that, darling?" Tara’s eyes were hooded with passion.

"I’ll give you everything," Willow said as she ran her hands down Tara’s arms. "It’s all yours." She smiled and her eyes lit up like two flames were flickering just behind the deep green irises. "I’m yours."

"All of you?" Tara whispered as she kissed Willow’s ear.

"Every inch," Willow swore breathlessly.

"Then you won’t mind if I take a survey of my woman?" Tara moved her mouth down and licked Willow’s neck.

"Please," Willow pleaded. "Oh, goddess, Tara, touch me."

"Every inch," Tara said with a smirk. She moved her kisses down Willow’s throat to her collarbone. She moaned happily, then decided a new strategy was required. She lifted away from Willow and scooted down to the bottom of the bed.

"Hey!" Willow leaned up onto her elbows and looked down at Tara.

"You said every inch," Tara said with a mischievous grin. She picked up Willow's foot and massaged the arch as she kissed her lover’s toes.

"Well, couldn’t you start a few feet further up?" Willow whined.

"Oh, no." Tara shook her head and her eyes sparkled. "I think I’ll finish there." She ran her hand up Willow’s leg and cleared her throat. "Relax, baby. I’ll get there … eventually."

Willow whimpered and gripped the sheets in both hands.

"I’m not moving until you lay down," Tara said patiently.

"Some lifeguard you are." Willow flopped back onto the bed. "You’re killing me!"

Tara laughed. It was a low, sexy laugh full of sensual intent. She began kissing every inch of Willow’s feet. By the time she had nibbled her way to Willow’s knees, the redhead was close to hyperventilating.

"So far, I’m loving every inch of my woman." Tara licked the side of Willow’s knee. She giggled when Willow moaned and slowly spread her legs open wide. "Every inch of my impatient woman." Tara nipped Willow’s knee, and then soothed the bite with a lingering kiss. She sucked the tender, sensitive skin between her lips and traced patterns with her tongue.

"Ta-ra!" Willow was turned on to the point that she was near tears. She whined and whimpered like a puppy locked out in the rain.

A throaty laugh was Tara’s only answer. She crawled a few inches higher and began nuzzling Willow’s thighs. She nipped and licked and suckled the creamy flesh. Each touch was a benediction of her love. Once Willow’s skin tingled and throbbed, she moved an inch higher. She continued the delicious torture until she reached the top of Willow’s legs. She smiled. Willow’s arousal was heavy in the air and quite visible. She edged Willow’s leg open wider and nibbled her leg at it’s highest point, but she still hadn’t touched the place Willow wanted her most.

"Okay, I’m outa’ leg," Willow gasped. "Now, please?" she begged.

"Well, I am out of legs." Tara crawled up Willow’s body and straddled the frantic woman’s hips. "Guess I’ll have to start with the arms." She laughed evilly as Willow growled.

"Tara, please, baby…" Willow groaned and kicked her legs in frustration.

"Shh, darling," Tara pressed Willow’s hand to the bed and soothed her with a kiss to the palm. She nibbled her lover’s fingers, making sure to flick her tongue over the pads of each digit before moving to her wrist. She covered every bit of her arm with kisses and tender bites and then went to the other side and repeated the process. Then she moved to Willow’s belly and worked her way up.

"Jesus, Joseph and Mary!" Willow howled. Tara finally reached one of the redhead’s nipples. "Brigit, Hera, Zeus, Allah… sweet mother of god!" Willow’s body shook as she climaxed.

"No… my name is Tara," the blonde gently corrected as she moved to the neglected nipple on the other side.

"Oh, god … oh sweet goddess…" Willow felt the flutters of another climax. She arched her body, trying to press her hips against Tara where the blonde was still straddling her. "Oh, goddess, oh sweet goddess, yes!"

"Tar- ra," the blonde said as if teaching a child a new word. She bit her lip to keep from laughing at her lover’s frantic state.

Willow growled and pushed her weight up on her elbows. "Tara, now," she said between gulping breaths. "Right now."

The blonde smiled and pressed her naked body onto Willow’s. The redhead was slick with the perspiration of passion. Tara took care to drag her nipples down Willow’s chest and belly. When she reached Willow’s thighs, there was no more teasing. She fell onto Willow and devoured her with abandon.

"Tara-Tara-Tara- Ta- ra-" Willow was adrift in the sensation. She was lightheaded and felt like she was lifting out of her body. Somewhere in the back of her mind, it registered that she was not levitating. She didn’t have time to question the oddity because her body reached its peak again. "Oh, Ta-ra.." Willow groaned and her eyes fell shut. She had a content smile plastered on her face that couldn’t be removed with a jackhammer.

"Baby?" Tara crawled up Willow’s body and rested on her chest. Her hand teased Willow’s legs further apart. "Look at me, sweetie."

"Goddess…" Willow groaned and tried to lift her head. She smirked and collapsed into the pillows, deciding that lifting her head was beyond her ability at the moment.

"Darling, I need you to be with me," Tara said huskily.

Willow opened her eyes and smiled weakly. "Hi," she said groggily.

"I love you, Willow." Tara kissed her lover. She looked into Willow’s sparkling green eyes.

"Wait," Willow said as she gripped Tara’s shoulders. She could feel Tara’s hand moving between her legs, and she ached to have the blonde touch her and connect on every level. "You’ve … goddess, you’ve been incredible, but, Tara, promise me…"

"Promise what, darling?" Tara moved her hand up and traced Willow’s cheek.

"Tara, I want you inside me," Willow said shakily. She closed her eyes as she felt Tara shiver at her words. "Promise me first, Tara. Swear to me this isn’t goodbye." Tears formed in Willow’s eyes. "Don’t make love to me like this if this is you saying goodbye."

Tara closed her eyes and blinked back a wave of tears. She leaned down and kissed Willow cheek. "No, darling, never goodbye." She moved her lips to the other side and pressed a long, sweet kiss to Willow’s skin. "Never, goodbye, my darling." She moved her hand to Willow’s chest and felt the redhead’s pounding heart. "This is me, giving myself to you, Willow. This is me loving you, like I will never love anyone else. You’re the only one, Willow."

Willow smiled and pulled Tara down for a long, exploring kiss.

"Will you let me love you?" Tara asked as she pulled back. "In every way?" She knew the answer, she’d loved Willow in every way possible in their time together, but there was something powerful about asking permission.

"Yes. Please, Tara," Willow whispered. "I love you."

"I love you, too." Tara kissed Willow. She took her time, making sure no part of Willow’s mouth went unloved. As Willow moaned into her lips, Tara took her below. She made gentle love to her. Where she had tried to tease before, she now made sure she satisfied. Where she had avoided the places that sent Willow over the edge, now she sought them out. She eased her lover through several climaxes, each louder than the next.

"Tara…" Willow’s voice failed her. She whimpered and tried again. "Tara, baby…" Her body shook and then went limp.

"Honey?" Tara asked. She settled onto Willow’s body and looked down at the redhead. "All tuckered out, baby?" Tara smiled at the gentle, relaxed expression on Willow’s face. She studied Willow’s closed eyes, wishing she could see the green color that made her heart race. "Honey?" Tara asked a bit more firmly.

Willow moaned sleepily. It was the same sound the redhead made when she was waking up each morning.

"Willow?" Tara smirked smugly. "Did you check out on me, sweetie?"

"Hmm?" Willow opened her eyes. She realized that she had passed out. "Oh…" She blushed. "Oh, god, Tara, I’m so sorry."

"Don’t be." Tara kissed her sweetly. "I think that qualifies as high praise."

"Hmm…" Willow’s stretched and yawned. "I guess it does." She smiled lazily. "Wanna’ see if I can match that Olympic performance?"

"It wasn’t a performance," Tara said with a smile. "It was just me loving you." She rubbed Willow’s belly playfully. "But, yeah … I would like to see if you can match that."

"I’m willing to spend all night trying." Willow rolled Tara over and climbed onto her rounded hips.

"Hmm…" Tara pretended to consider the offer. "Maybe I’ll let you keep trying … even if you do match it."

"Promise?" Willow asked wickedly.

Tara nodded.

"Good." Willow began her own journey down Tara’s body.

The blonde laughed heartily as their adventures began. The spent the night lost in each other. Each thought that Tara would face the challenge in a few days, and on some level they wanted to make love this night, so Tara could rest in the nights to come. They had no idea they were making love throughout the night that was Tara’s only chance to rest before facing the challenge.

*****

Morning quickly approached as the two lovers lost all sense of time. After they’d sated every physical need, they filled their hearts’ needs as they cuddled under the blankets whispering words of quiet devotion. They couldn’t be bothered with things like the moon crossing the sky and disappearing beyond the horizon, and even the distant songs of birds awakening were lost on the lovers. It wasn’t until Willow’s belly began its own morning calls that they realized how late, or rather early, it had become. Only then did they notice the distant birds.

"Hmm, hear that?" Tara asked as she lifted her face from Willow’s chest and tilted her head to one side.

"Birds?" Willow asked sleepily. "What kind are they?" she asked sleepily. Tara always had the most wonderful bits of information about the world.

"It’s very rare," Tara said seriously.

"Really?" Willow was smiling. She could tell by the glimmer in Tara’s blue eyes that her lover was about to spin a wild yarn.

"It’s the soft-breasted-hungry-Willow," Tara said sagely. "Very rare, and not native to this region." She smiled and raised her eyebrows. "Only one in all the world, and you know what?" She leaned in close as if she were about to share the most important secret in the entire universe.

"What?" Willow asked as she pulled Tara closer.

"The only one in the whole world … belongs to me." Tara kissed Willow’s chest.

"Yes, she does," Willow agreed. She giggled and rolled over and pinned Tara to the bed. "But she’s very hungry, and you know what she eats?"

Tara smirked waited for Willow to tell her.

"Soft breasts," Willow replied. She playfully mauled Tara’s full breasts. "Mmm, perfect," she said as she snorted like a pig. "Very soft."

"Doofus." Tara rolled her eyes. "That’s not what she sounds like."

"What does she sound like?" Willow growled and gently mouthed her lover.

"Um, well, not like a pig," Tara assured her. She rolled over and pinned Willow down. "The soft-breasted-hungry-Willow is a graceful, and beautiful bird. She flies on the wind. She doesn’t snort like a hog in mud."

Willow’s playful expression shifted. Her eyes narrowed and she became pensive.

"What is it?" Tara shifted her weight. "Am I hurting you?"

"Tara, why didn’t we float last night?" Willow ran her fingers through Tara’s hair. "Why didn’t our lovemaking make us float?"

Tara leaned down and kissed Willow. "Last night wasn’t about spells." She looked deeply into her soulmate’s eyes. "What we had last night was more powerful than any spell. It was real magic."

"Real magic?" Willow asked as she moved her hands down Tara’s back and held her rounded hips.

Tara nodded. "A magic anyone can have if they’re very lucky," she whispered. "True love."

Willow’s smile bloomed. She pulled Tara to her chest and held her there. "I think that’s my new favorite magic," she said quietly.

"Mine too." Tara sighed and snuggled closer to her lover.

*****

Torches placed every ten feet on the carved granite walls lit the intricate caverns. The wide spacing left eerie shadows along the uneven walls. The caverns had naturally occurred, formed by ancient underground waterways that had long since gone dry. When the original 19 guardians came to California, they had used picks and shovels to widen out the long dead channels deep inside the mountain.

The long winding caverns wound deep into the earth and connected three huge inner rooms. The first was a massive gallery with a high ceiling. It was cut 50 yards from the small entrance to the earth and it had several tunnels leading deeper into the mountain. The main tunnel went directly east for almost 100 yards before it widened to a large room with an underground river flowing through it. The river was the source of the Sanctuary’s sacred water for ceremonies, and the cavernous room was guarded diligently. Each bucket of water that was lifted directly from the earth’s womb was precious and not a drop was wasted.

The final room was another 150 yards into the mountain on a steep angle. It was so deep that the temperature was a few degrees warmer because of the depth. The Earth’s core was only a few dozen yards closer, but when underground, it made all the difference. The guardians who stood watch in the deepest cavern had the most important and the most draining task. They would spend 24 hours at a time in the fire room, tending the sacred flame while contemplating their relationship with Brigit. The heat and silence of the inner earth had given many guardians visions; in fact, other guardians would request a visit so they could take a vision quest. Those not used to the stifling heat would often faint and have to be carried out by their companions.

Brent stood in the main room with the entire Imbolc Guard. They were dressed in their finest ritual robes cut from forest green material.

"All who serve Brigit step forward and take your place at my side." Brent was in the center of a massive circle that was carved in the middle of the vast cavern.

All 18 remaining members of the guard moved to the edge of the circle and removed their swords and held them flat across their palms.

Each woman said, "I serve Brigit and no other," and then stepped into the circle. Most had tears in their eyes.

They had trained all their lives hoping to meet an Imbolc mage. Tara’s warm personality and gentle heart had charmed them all. The blonde was the ideal Lady who they would have gladly died serving. They stood in the circle, resolved to do their duty, but not one of them looked forward to it.

"It is time," Brent said. She took her sword and carefully sheathed it at her side as each guardian did the same. She looked to another group of 19 young women standing at the edge of the room. "You will keep the flame in our stead," she told them. "And when this day is done, you will step forward and fill the circle for each of us who might fall. Blessed be our Lady Brigit’s will." She held her head high and marched toward the exit with the Imbolc Guard marching single-file behind her.

The secondary 19 turned and marched deep into the mountain to maintain the fire until the challenge was over. A few others were there as well, runners to send messages during the challenge and a scribe to record everything that happened. As the bell rang in the tower at the center of the sanctuary, not one woman in the tunnels had a dry eye. It was the first time many of them had any regrets for choosing the life they led.

*****

"What’s that?" Willow yawned and sat up. She turned toward the window and heard the distance clanging of a bell. It peeled slowly, over and over.

"Maybe that’s their alarm clock," Tara suggested. She pulled Willow back into her arms, missing her lover’s warmth. They listened in silence as the bell continued tolling. "It sounds mournful," Tara commented as she stroked her fingers through Willow’s hair.

"Well, yes," Willow said with a smirk. "Look at the sky." She pointed to the tree line in the distance. The sky was black, still showing the signs of night, with only hints of deep blue forming at the leading edge of the horizon where the sun would rise. "Hello? It’s still dark and they have to get up to do Wiccan calisthenics or something. That’s depressing."

Tara giggled and squeezed Willow closer. "Well, you just go to sleep, baby." She kissed the top of Willow’s head. "No nasty Wiccan-sthenics for you."

"See, I knew you being the Lady had advantages." Willow snickered and she settled on top of Tara’s chest. She was about to begin a long, drawn out babble on the possible exercises that made up Wiccan-sthenics, and whether or not they each had a witchy twist, and then they heard a loud knock at the front door of the Imbolc House.

"Guess you get to do Wiccan-sthenics," Willow said grouchily.

"You were right," Tara said with a sigh as she sat up. "My guardians have no respect for privacy or naked time." She went to the bathroom door and grabbed both terrycloth robes. She slipped one on and handed the other to Willow. She knew the redhead wouldn’t want to stay in bed without her.

"Can you just made a quick excuse and come back to bed?" Willow asked as the walked to the front of the small house. She yawned, then snickered when Tara did the same.

"I’ll pull rank," Tara promised as she padded barefoot across the cold tile to the front door. She pulled it open and her eyes widened. "Brent?"

"My Lady," Brent said huskily. Tears ran down her cheeks. She didn’t even try to stop them.

"What’s wrong?" Willow asked as she hugged Tara’s arm. "Is everyone okay?"

Tara scanned the faces behind Brent. Every face she recognized was one of her elite guards. She smiled at Bre when she saw her, but the teenager looked away. "It’s time, isn’t it?" Tara asked, suddenly understanding the somber mood.

"Time?" Willow shook her head. "No, you have until the new phase of the moon."

"My Lady, you came to our sanctuary with the challenge in your heart." Brent dipped her head. "Though it pains us to do so, we must now answer that challenge."

"No!" Willow screamed. She pulled Tara, trying to bring her into the house, as if she could outrun her lover’s destiny. "She needs more time. You can’t do this!"

Tara moved alongside Willow, backing further into the house, but she stopped when Willow began tugging them toward the bedroom. "Willow, no," she said gently. She turned and faced her lover and said the most painful words she had ever spoken. "You have to let me go, baby."

Willow’s expression hid nothing. Her lips trembled and tears slid down her cheeks. She slowly shook her head from side to side as the gravity of the situation crushed her.

Tara nodded. She took Willow’s hand and faced the waiting guardians. "Well?" she asked firmly.

"You’ll need to shower." Brent cleared her throat. "You must enter the challenge pure."

"Because we certainly don’t want sweat on her body before you carve her up and get her all bloody!" Willow screamed.

Brent closed her eyes and inhaled slowly. She understood Willow’s pain. "Normally, you’d bathe in the caverns, but we’ve amended it." She cleared her throat again. "You can do that here … with Willow if you choose."

"That’s very big of you," Willow said bitterly.

"Thank you," Tara said sincerely. She was grateful for any extra moments with Willow. "Do I have to wear something special?"

Brent dipped her head and motioned to Bre. The young teen hurried forward and thrust a white robe and a bar of homemade soap into Tara’s hands and then ran back to the rest of the guardians.

"Come on, darling." Tara took Willow’s hand and led her to the bathroom in the master bedroom.

Willow was in shock. She and Tara climbed into the shower without a word and slowly washed. By the time they had finished, Willow felt like she’d cried as many tears as the shower had shed drops of water. She dried Tara’s skin with a large fluffy towel. She tried not to think the worst, but part of her wanted to memorize every pore of Tara’s skin, every freckle, and every curve. She pushed that thought from her mind, because if she thought those things, she’d die before Tara walked from the room.

Tara stared at Willow. She was trying to memorize every detail about her lover. She wanted to take the image of Willow with her, because this was the woman she’d return to. Nothing could keep Tara from spending every night wrapped around Willow. She loved kissing the freckles clustered at the top of Willow’s left shoulder. She took a deep breath and slowly let it out. She decided that when she went to bed at the end of this day, she was going to kiss each freckle … twice.

Willow held out the robe as Tara slipped it on. She wrapped her arms around Tara from behind and held her, absorbing her warmth and sending every bit of love to her.

"I will come home to you," Tara swore.

"You know it’s taking every ounce of control I have to keep the darkness at bay, right?" Willow asked. She was shaking with a swirling storm of emotion. Anger and fear raged inside her, mixed with the dread of knowing this was Tara’s decision. "I could go all dark eyes and mop the floor with them." She pulled on a pair of jeans and a tee shirt, then her tennis shoes.

"But you won’t," Tara said with a proud smile. She took Willow’s hand and they walked to the living room where Brent was waiting. "And you won’t let Buffy interfere either. Otherwise, I’ll never be free of this."

Willow nodded.

They marched across the compound. All of the guardians were awake and lining the long lawn. Many of them were crying as they dropped to one knee as Tara passed. It was a final show of respect for the blonde who had captured their hearts.

"Let me go!" Buffy yelled. She pushed past several of the guardians and sprinted to Willow and Tara. "What’s going on?" the Slayer demanded. She had her shirt on inside out, and her hair was wild and uncombed.

"It’s time," Tara said simply. She stopped, and turned to the Slayer. She pulled Buffy into a hug. "I’m sorry I yelled at you that day," she whispered.

Buffy squeezed tighter, thinking if she just refused to let Tara go, maybe it would all go away. "You had to," Buffy whispered. "Otherwise I’d still be swooning."

Tara laughed as she eased out of her friend’s arms. She nodded and went back to Willow’s side.

Giles moved alongside Brent flanked by Diana and Cassie. He looked at his old friend and she nodded. "Good luck, Tara," Giles said sincerely. "Don’t try to fight anyone else’s battle," he told her. "You’ll never win."

"Giles!" Dawn yelled. She was with Anya and Xander. They had just come running up to the unfolding scene.

"Tara, fight the way that suits you," Giles said. He’d been up all night worrying. He knew the challenge had to be taken even if it meant Tara’s life, but he’d looked through every account of past challenges he could find, hoping to find a way to help Tara persevere. "Brute force has never worked," he whispered. "Use your head."

Tara nodded.

"And a sword," Anya suggested. "Gut them. It’s very demoralizing to the survivors." She clung to Xander’s side as she spoke. "Slice right under the belly button and their guts will flop right out."

Tara paled, as did several guardians.

"So is she really gonna’ be defenseless?" Willow asked. "Can she use her magic?"

"Once she walks into the caverns, her powers are bound," Brent explained.

"Can she cheat?" Anya asked.

"Nothing is cheating," Brent said quietly. "Any advantage she can take is allowed." Her eyes darkened. "The same hold true for us."

"What do you mean … us?" Tara asked

"You must face the Imbolc Guard," Brent explained.

"No." Tara looked over at her friends. Her eyes found Dawn’s new friend Bre. "Oh, goddess, no."

Willow clenched her teeth and stuck her jaw out defiantly. She’d been leaning on Tara since the day before and now Tara was faltering. "It won’t matter," Willow said strongly. She squeezed Tara’s hand. "You’ll make it through the challenge no matter who you face."

Tara looked into Willow’s eyes uncertainly.

"I know you will," Willow said as she cupped Tara’s chin in her hand. "You promised."

Tara nodded and her resolve doubled.

Anya grabbed Buffy and yanked her a few steps away.

"Hey!" Buffy whispered harshly.

Anya looked around and then pulled Buffy’s hand to her mouth and spit in her palm. It was a huge, juicy wad of saliva that stuck to the center of her hand.

Buffy’s eyes shot open, but she was too shocked to speak. She let out a disgusted squeak.

"There is no cheating," Anya whispered deliberately. "Get over there and shake Tara’s hand, Slayer." She stressed the last word.

Buffy ignored the pool of cooling spit in her hand and ran to Tara’s side. "Wait, I want to wish you luck." Buffy grabbed the blonde’s hand and shook it, holding their palms together. "I’ve taught you all I know," Buffy said slowly. "Take everything I have to offer." She squeezed their locked hands and stared into Tara’s eyes.

Tara squeezed Buffy’s hand. "Thank you," she said quietly. She wrapped her other arm around Buffy’s shoulder and focused her mind. ‘Give it to me,’ she said in her thoughts. She felt a flash of heat as she drew Buffy’s strength. After a few seconds, she felt Buffy’s shoulders slumping slightly and she broke the connection.

"Good luck," Buffy said as she backed away.

"Knock ‘em dead," Anya said as she pulled Buffy to her side and held up the exhausted Slayer. "Literally!"

Brent moved the group further up the hillside. She made all of the guardians except the Imbolc guard stay behind, but she let Tara’s friends walk with her. Along the way, Cassie and Diana said a quick good luck and Xander blubbered like a baby.

Cassie stared at Tara the entire time with a confused expression.

"What?" Diana asked when they neared the entrance to the cave.

"Her aura has its darkness now," Cassie whispered. She could clearly see a shade of grey just under Tara’s golden aura.

"Maybe we should stop her," Diana said. "She can handle the power with the darkness."

"I have to go now," Tara said sadly. She pulled her hand out of Willow’s and then kissed the redhead. It was a long, soul-deep kiss that promised eternity. "I’ll come home to you, Willow Rosenberg."

Cassie rushed forward, intent on telling Tara she now had the dark streak to control the power but she didn’t get the chance.

"I’ll hold you to that, Tara Maclay." Willow kissed Tara again and then backed away. Their fingers intertwined once more and then Willow went to Buffy’s side.

Cassie staggered to a stop. She was focusing on Tara’s aura the entire time, and when Willow backed away, the grey in Tara’s aura faded and then disappeared. She had no idea what it meant.

"Imbolc Guard, take your station," Brent said.

The young guards marched into the caverns.

"Wait, something’s wrong with Tara’s aura," Cassie said. "It had darkness, but now it’s gone. It’s in Willow. You have to postpone the challenge until we figure this out."

"Cassie, I have to do this." Tara smiled sadly. "I can’t live with this power." She faced Brent. "What do I have to do?" she asked.

Diana pulled Cassie back and hugged her. "It’s too late," she whispered. "This is Tara’s choice."

Brent took Tara’s hands and squeezed them. She was tender, almost loving. "My Lady, you will enter the cavern and come to the great circle. At the center of the circle is your sword and the robes you’ll need to wear to enter the rooms that hold the water and the flame."

"And?" Tara asked.

"Your first task is to retrieve your sword and robe." Brent sighed. "Our task is maintain the sacred circle."

"So you’ll stop me?" Tara clarified.

"Our task is to maintain the sacred circle," Brent repeated.

"Kill them all and take the stuff," Anya interpreted.

Xander shook his head. He and Giles had been moved away from the entrance to the cave. Men were not allowed to touch the soil at the sacred place.

Willow let out a sob. She knew Tara would not be able to kill the 19 women. Her soul wouldn’t allow her to kill innocent people, friends.

Tara heard Willow’s sob and quickly looked over at her. She smiled bravely and turned back to Brent. "After I get my sword and robe, then what?" she asked.

"Then you move on to the well of Brigit," Brent said. She couldn’t help but smile at Tara’s brave front. "As soon as you enter, you’ll meet a guardian."

"And I’m betting they’re not gonna’ sit down for tea," Buffy whispered.

"Water is youth," Brent explained, meeting Tara’s eyes. "You’ll face the youngest guardian. When you cross the threshold, the room will be sealed with the mystic flame of Brigit. It burns as long as two hearts beat inside the room."

"So…" Tara closed her eyes. She was planning to disable the guardians at the sacred circle, but the second challenge left no choice. She opened her eyes. "One of us has to die before the flame will let us out," Tara said quietly.

"Yes, my Lady." Brent blinked back a tear. She knew no one had ever reached the second step of the challenge, but the thought of Tara slaughtering a young guard was painful to consider.

"Okay," Tara said firmly. She glanced over at Willow and then back to Brent. "After I get through that?"

"Then you go to the sacred flame," Brent said. "The fire is eternal. There you must pass the elder." She sighed. "If I am alive after you retrieve your sword and robe, you will face me."

"Do I have to kill you?" Tara asked calmly.

"You must get past me to the bath of Brigit. It is my sworn duty to stop you." Brent was impressed by Tara’s confidence, but the elder would die before letting anyone reach the sacred area. "I’ll be in the outer chamber, where the flame burns. You must pass me to reach the bath." She raised an eyebrow. "Once you pass me, you must enter the bath, and the sacred water will wash away the power bestowed by the mantle."

"Okay, three steps. I can do that." Tara turned to Willow. "I will do that."

"I hope you do," Brent whispered. "Goddess, help me, I really do." She backed away. "I’ll be inside." She nodded to three women standing next to the entrance. "They’ll tell you when." She glanced at Buffy and the others. "They’ll also make sure no one else enters." Brent turned and trotted down the cavern.

Willow started to go to Tara, but Buffy held her in place. "No, Will," she whispered.

A bell chimed inside the cavern.

"My Lady, it is time," one of the guards said.

Tara nodded. She turned and gave Willow a warm smile, full of devotion. ‘I love you,’ she mouthed. Her smile widened when Willow repeated the benediction and then Tara turned and marched down the cavern as the sun rose over the horizon.

End Part Eighteen

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