FF : RW Season 7.4 : Alienation.

[LeatherQueen]

Aw... Poor Madalene. It seems she has a bit of a crush. And Buffy is clueless, as always.



Very nice update!

--------------------------------


"But when they're playing your song on the jukebox in Hell, you might as well dance." - K. Simpson


"Futile... like a FOX, baby!" - Tara in The Late Shift by wiccachica

[Benet1019]

The way you write Buffy and Mads....they would make such an adorable couple, and they are both so lonely.



Needless to say, this story rocks! Keep up the GREAT work.

[MissQuirky]

I soo want them to hook-up now!! Their just too cute!! Need some B/M goodness!! Can't wait 4 more!!

"Don't warn the tadpoles!...
I-I have frog fear."

[Scout]

Good grief, so much to catch up on. I loved and hated the trip to Rack's. For me, that was Willow at her lowest (I didn't watch DMW), and I always wondered what Tara would think of that whole situation if she knew. Not that it would ever change her feelings for Willow, but I wondered what she would think if she saw how bad it got. You did a great job with the scene - it was powerful and perfect. The only problem was that I desperately wanted Tara to take Willow with her when she left - to not leave any version of Willow in that room.



The other thing I'm wondering about is when Tara is going to hear the full story of the forgetting spells. She's had glimpses, but I guess the full story will come at another time.



I love where you're taking this. I love how younger Willow is helping older Willow, and how Buffy is seeing that trusting Tara is the best way to go. Keep up the great work!

[WiccansIllusion]

Very cute and all, but I'm still feeling a little cliffhangerish here...

Tara nodded in agreement "She has magic fingers." Then, as though the words had just echoed back to her and sounded not at all right, she perked up and glanced around at the others. "On the keyboard."

TheWisdom of War, Chris Golden

'My heart is cleverer then I and it knows what to do.'-MC Legends of the Kiss

[The Rose24]

Four stars ladies.

Tara: My heart doesn't stutter.

Tara: Willow, I got so lost.
Willow: I found you. I will always find you.

Willow: Hi, um Tara. I was wondering maybe you want to go out some time for coffee? food? Kisses and gay love?

[MadeinNZ]

Ya just gotta love Clem. Such a sweetie.

------------------------------


Buffy: I'd like to find Willow and Xander
Joyce: Will you be slaying?
Buffy: Only if they give me lip

[spazz07]

Lovely Mads/Buffy interaction, can see you really emphasising their relationship which seems to be working rather well for them Nice twist with Clem speaking Galgoraian and the demon being attracted to Mads. Could see her upset as well that Buffy hadn't noticed but Buffy was being protective and showing that she cared. Love it all



Cheers

Nath

If life was meant to be a bed of daisy's we'd have chicken crap thown on us all the time.

[mollyig]

It must have been so difficult for Tara to enter Rack's Lair, and then to come face to face with DMW! Yikes! Although it makes sense, Willow wanted that book locked away securely, so who better to guard it?



Others have said how fortuitous it was that Tara couldn't remember her magic. Agreed, but I also thought it was wonderful that she trusted her self-judgment in how to deal with DMW. She knew what to say to DMW to defuse her arrogance slightly, and to urge the Willow on the ceiling to intervene.



Buffy and Mads had an unlikely saviour in Clem, but that was fun!

Adding up the total of a love that's true, multiply life by the power of two
Indigo Girls

[Loco2]

ok, definitely with the flirty lesbianicness



hee hee, clem's keeping an eye on the galgora demon, very cool



steph

"I'm not gay - I'm just Trevor's bitch." - some drunken guy about his sexuality
"Oh, bugger off, you BROLLY!" - Anya to Giles on his use of the english language
"We'll all be a lot happier without the constant whining....Mom, Buffy, Tara, Waah" - DMW to Dawn

[Centauri2002]

Great update as always. I'm really enjoying the Buffy/Mads interaction.



Caz

Tara: I got so lost
Willow: I found you... I will always find you

[Puff]

Sweet update and I loved this moment...



“Is it a magic handkerchief?” Buffy laughed as she took it and dabbed at her forehead.



“Yes, if you use it to blow your nose it magically becomes yours.” She teased back at the grinning Slayer.



that was so funny. It's nice to see the two of them getting along and now that Clem's looking after the galgora demon that's one less to worry about.

-----------------------
You know, it's a real deal relationship and that's why people can relate to it
Amber Benson

[KathleenWolf]

Whew... it's been an insanely busy work day for me so unfortunately no update yet... I have to get some editing done before the days end or else I promise to tackle enough to post something later this evening? Deal



tiredsoul: thank you for your second to giving us our own day ... and yes cliffhanger... have to build that suspense as the clock ticks down... though you're right sometimes now knowing what to be afraid of helps you be braver



Puff: tick tock tick tock... time now is most definately the question at hand... as for revealing all the past memories that is something Tara is going to have to deal with as they come, I think if we told her it all at once she might have to borrow some of Willow's sedatives ... that is my favorite line too... when we wrote it I almost feel out of my seat... if I could get it as an avatar I'm sure Buffy's face would be priceless



Tulipp: our theme is definately about Willow saving herself... with a bit of encouragment from Tara of course but in the end it will be Willow who makes the choice to get better or not



WiccansIllusion: we can get you a new harness if you need it... and hopefully another update later this evening so the cliffhanger will be resolved ... (or not )



Centauri2002: I can't imagine facing the DM version of your lover but Tara did do great... she kept her goal in mind and was able to outsmart DMW even when all looked lost... glad you're enjoying the Maffy, whether friends or something else we want to keep them interesting to read



LeatherQueen: she does have to hurry she is so running out of time... though I think meeting DMW face to face will help her understand more in the long run... Mads with a crush? I have to tell you how amusing I find that being her writer... the truth of it, I can't say



Loco2: very much with the suspense... why else would we put a clock on Tara if we didn't want suspense? as for what is going to happen, you'll have to wait and see... lesbianicness? that is a great word... we should get a definition worked out and petition websters to add it...



MissQuirky: mmmm Tara is almost done... just has to get everything to reintergrate again on some level as for the Maffy or B/M goodness you'll have to wait and see... you know how nothing is ever easy in Sunnydale



Spazz07: glad we could surpise you with the interactive DMW... and yes Tara is going to need lots of holes filled in what she understands, but as long as she has Willow back she knows she can work on them... thank you for the praise... yes no matter what is going on having the Maffy question in the background is proving fun for us to write, gives us a subplot we can weave into the scenes and hey we still dont know where things are going



Urn of Osiris: yes yes we're evil and we left it there... ooo chocolates I'm not allowed to have nuts but Bethie loves those ones and I love the chewy centres so thank you! (we also like the begging... )



MadeinNZ: no it doesn't make you bad... we can love her now cause we know she's being put in her place... gives us the chance to appreciate her Dark evil self as it were... well we're glad you can't stop reading... we like readers and yes Clem is so cute, I mean Josh threw him out as the least likely addition to the exterior characters but we refuse to let him go



Grimaldi: sometimes the best way to best a bully is to take away their power to hurt you, which is just what Tara did



Benet1019: thank you so much and you'll have to wait and see what happens on the Maffy front... but we're glad you're enjoying the story on whole



Scout: trust us it was very hard for Tara to leave any Willow in that ugly room but she knows she's running out of time and if her plan does work all the Willow's will be better for it... DMW is a hard character to include but we didn't want to gloss over her for all the obvious reasons or make everything about her... she was more the result of other things not the precursor to them... thank you for the encouragment



funkyasian: we hope you did well on your project and yes we're update happy... we couldn't resist playing up the crush/appetite the Galgora has for Mads



TheRose24: thank you



Mollyig: exactly... especially if she went back to that place to get the book she would have to completely give up on her own recovery in order to do so... Tara did have to trust in her somewhat unknown insticts but in the end she couldn't fail... as for Clem, it always helps to speak a second language



okay thank yous caught up.... now editing when I get home and update later...



k

"I am my beloved's and my beloved is mine."

To The Land of The RainbowWriters

[Loco2]

lesbianicness - the act of or intended act of performing an action of a lesbianic variety - the obvious intent of subtext in an action or speaking as if leading one to believe there may be some unshown lesbianism

"I'm not gay - I'm just Trevor's bitch." - some drunken guy about his sexuality
"Oh, bugger off, you BROLLY!" - Anya to Giles on his use of the english language
"We'll all be a lot happier without the constant whining....Mom, Buffy, Tara, Waah" - DMW to Dawn

[Wolflord]

Great Update guys. I like the interaction between Buffy and Mad, although I think I am in the minority and think they should just be friends. Sorry to hear that your day has been hectic and say relax, take a nice long hot soak, drink a screwdriver, and soak in the knowledge that you are dealers of fic and we are nothing more than addicts to you.





_________________ WOLFLORD ________________

Sometimes I think of them doing spells and I do a spell myself. Xander in Restless

[VampNo12]

Just read yesterday's updates and they were wonderful! Poor Tara having to confront those painful images of Willow (and DMW) at Racks. It was a great twist how DMW thought she had the upper hand with Tara "bringing her magick with her", but then Tara saying "I can't even float a pencil." (ie Tara has the potential, but at this point hasn't "unlocked" the power). I am glad that DMW's taunts didn't throw-off Tara in her quest, and I liked these lines ("It's what you want isn't it? Pain, confrontation, a chance to hurt as you have been hurt. A chance to maybe even let me win."), this just crystallizes so well that the Willow suspended in air is trying to get away/block-out the pain, scared of herself. However, I loved how Tara's words gets the suspended Willow to come down and start to help herself by giving Tara the book.



And the second scene was just lovely, and yay for the cutie Clem (I do adore him). Loved that he could speak the Galgora's language, and got a laugh at the Galgora interest in Mads/her perfume with the scent of roses (ie I have a feeling this isn't the type of attraction she was hoping to develop ). I really do like the friendship/interaction between Mads/Buffy, and can't wait to see what develops between the two. Can't wait for the next part!

[KathleenWolf]

Loco2: I love it... lesbianicness is so going to be my new favorite word



Wolflord: no worries we like the minority too... to be honest at this point we got alot of plot between any choice of friends or lovers will arise so we're just enjoying the lesbianicness possibilites... mmmm we're fic dealers? is that illegal? hey at least we don't charge after we get everyone addicted... and we don't kill braincells, well I hope not at least



VampNo12: I think you'd have to be an odd sort (well odder than Mads) to want a interdimensional demon to think you smell yummy ... and you're so right about the scene at Rack's, one thing we've been trying to show is that even though this is Tara's wish its very much about her helping Willow find the power/strength to help herself... and as was discussed by many, who else would have really had the only chance facing down DMW



so as promised update... not the hugest one... but only another 14 pages of story left... oh my the suspense! but definately more tomorrow



Don't worry though Teaser (promo) is already produced and we're into the new one by at least 15-20 pages though pre-blocked/edited...





******



The room melted away as Tara had ran blindly through the far wall of Rack’s dirty domain into a void of darkness. The blonde kept running as she went right through the dark into a forest, through the forest to a beachside and she was still running as she breeched into a field full of tall grass and wildflowers.



“TARA STOP!” The now familiar voice of teenage Willow screamed at her suddenly.



The blonde was actually glad when someone called to her, just getting out of The Dark One’s presence had been her single motivation and she needed to have something to focus on again.



Willow came running gently after her, the young woman’s steps were much more careful and slightly out of breath she put her hand out on Tara’s shoulder.



“Stop, stop.” She urged distressed.



“S-S-S-Sorry.” Tara panted a little as she stopped and she felt the sickening feeling inside her melting away.



“I was afraid you didn’t see it.” Willow turned slightly and pointed to the cliff in front of them. They stood on the precipice of a large canyon and Tara had been running headlong into it before she’d been called to a halt.



“Didn’t see what?” Tara frowned and then opened her blue eyes wide. “Oh.” She forced herself to calm down.



“Did you get the book?” Willow questioned worried that she might not have with the blonde’s sudden frightened sprint from the room.



“I did.” Tara nodded she showed the teenage the tiny book. “We need to get it to the library.”



“This way.” Willow offered her hand and Tara took it lightly. She began leading her through the tall grass which grew higher and higher until it touched the sky and obscured anything else from vision. It reminded Tara of when she was young and she’d try to hide in the tall grass, only the grass had never done what it was doing now and it brought no feeling of safety.



It seemed for a long moment they were walking in circles until a set of double doors loomed ahead of them and pushing through they walked into the dusty library. The grass field was left to disappear when the doors swung shut again.



“How do you find your way around here?” Tara said softly as she crossed quickly and placed the book into the cage making sure she put it inside a thicker tome that could not be pulled through the bars or reached in any way.



“It’s easy. As soon as you get to the place you are lost you automatically go to the place you are home.” Willow smiled gently. “What do we do now?” She questioned watching Tara checking that all the books.



“We need to close the door and lock it.” Tara pointed out. “You must do it.” She added recognising the fact that Willow had to be her own ‘healer’ from the magic. With any recovery the biggest step came when it became time for the person to choose what they wanted most.



“Are you sure this will be okay?” The young woman questioned nervously.



“I’d love to say I am sure.” Tara took a light breath and held both of Willow’s hands. “But how can I be?” She admitted softly. “I believe with my whole heart that this is the right thing to do, this way the magic is still here inside Willow’s, still inside your head but its not accessible. Its not free to tempt or to harm any of you.”



“How did we learn all of that?” Willow looked a little awed by the huge collection of books in the cage. Many were stacked in piles on the floor and the shelves within were filled to overflowing.



“You were needy.” Tara replied sadly. “And of course there is your great sense of wonder and thirst for knowledge.” She softened her tone. “You’re naturally inquisitive sweetie, that I can’t change.” She squeezed the youngster’s hand. “Oh and did I mention smart.”



“Does that mean we can never do magic again? Never learn?” Willow threaded one hand into the side of the cage.



“It means that if you learn any new magic it will be just that, new. You’ll still be able to float a pencil because you can do that innately, but I’m hoping that you can find something else to focus on.” Tara smiled encouragingly.



“I always thought the magic would be fun, I don’t think it turned out that way.” Willow frowned and reached up to shut the door firmly. “It took everything we loved away.”



“Sweetie can we just sit down for a moment?” Tara nodded over to the two chairs that were near a table in the library. Willow nodded and came over to sit neatly on the chair her hands in her lap. “I need to tell you I don’t actually know what doing all this will change. I’m hoping that with this all locked away and with you reunited with the other Willow, my Willow, that the internal balance within you will be returned.”



The teenager nodded that she understood.



“But it won’t change any of the facts, it won’t change what has already happened.” Tara’s voice went to a whisper.



“Nothing can change that.” Willow acknowledged sadly.



“But I’m hoping that this will let her, let all of you grieve properly without anything else getting in the way making it more complicated.” Tara explained and then took a breath. “I think what I’m trying to say…” She added. “Is that I know this isn’t going to make everything better, but I hope its going to start thing going the right way.”



“I’m glad you’re back.” The teenager admitted softly looking down into her hands.



“Me too.” Tara agreed. “You ready to lock the door?” She glanced to the cage.



Willow took a long breath, letting it slowly before she stood up and looked up to the closed door. She slowly reached to brush her hand over her skirt to straighten it before she crossed over to the cage and lifted her hand up.



“Time for this to stop.” She rested her fingers on the small yellow key and turned it, the lock snapping into place with an echo.



“Remind me to tell you every day how brave you are.” Tara stood up and moved over to her.



“I’m not brave.” Willow shook her head and turned, she held her hand out with the key in it.



“Don’t ever say that.” Tara looked at the key and then into green eyes. “Do you want me to take that?”



“If its here then no one is safe.” Willow explained showing her wisdom despite her years. “It has to be somewhere that ‘she’ can never get it back from.”



“I’ll take it.” Tara reached out and held it tightly in her palm.



“What now?” She seemed relieved when the lightweight left her hand.



“Now for the hard bit.” Tara gave the teenager a brave smile. “It’s time to give you your innocence back.”



******

"I am my beloved's and my beloved is mine."

To The Land of The RainbowWriters

[oneinten]

Oooohh!! This was a great update! I was a bit worried something would happen to little Willow before she got a chance to lock the cage! I think the idea of the "innocent" younger Willow who was hiding from the bad stuff was brillient. I think there is an innocent someone in all of us and it's the making sure they aren't lost that's tough in this world. Whew, okay ummm... the story rocks! Oh yeah the getting lost to be found bit was neat too!



As always I am bowing at your collective feet and with my offering of chocolate covered oreos on a rainbow plate!



Hope all is well!



kath



P.S. I can't believe you guys are already well into the next part too! You're machines I tell you! Machines! Well okay cute and brillient and I don't mind...but machines!

[Urn of Osiris]

Was just Beautiful. That was worth the wait.



Only Tara would understand the frightened child in Willow. This is the most wonderful journey. Thanks so much for this fic.

[funkyasian]

great update ladies...well worth the wait...tara as always the glue that held everything together, and now she's going to put willow back together again.



can't wait for the next update...and can't believe you guys already have the next part written...simply amazing.



steph

Nothing can cure the soul but the senses, just as nothing can cure the senses but the soul. ~ Oscar Wilde

[WiccansIllusion]

what an update, I loved it. Can I have more? *grin*

Tara nodded in agreement "She has magic fingers." Then, as though the words had just echoed back to her and sounded not at all right, she perked up and glanced around at the others. "On the keyboard."

TheWisdom of War, Chris Golden

'My heart is cleverer then I and it knows what to do.'-MC Legends of the Kiss

[LeatherQueen]

Lovely. And it's now time to give Willow her innocence back. That was an awesome line. So very beautiful. I love how reassuring Tara is with the younger Willow. So very sweet.

--------------------------------


"But when they're playing your song on the jukebox in Hell, you might as well dance." - K. Simpson


"Futile... like a FOX, baby!" - Tara in The Late Shift by wiccachica

[MadeinNZ]

I love innocent WIllow. Thanks for the update.

------------------------------


Buffy: I'd like to find Willow and Xander
Joyce: Will you be slaying?
Buffy: Only if they give me lip

[The Rose24]

Priceless ladies.

Tara: My heart doesn't stutter.

Tara: Willow, I got so lost.
Willow: I found you. I will always find you.

Willow: Hi, um Tara. I was wondering maybe you want to go out some time for coffee? food? Kisses and gay love?

[MissQuirky]

Great update!! Now everthing is starting and the Willow's have to join. Hope everything goes peachy and NO badness! I don't think time will be too much of an issue for Tara, well at least i hope not!! Can't wait 4 more!

"Don't warn the tadpoles!...
I-I have frog fear."

[kpmuse]

This was lovely. Tara and teenage Willow make a great team! No surprise that they fell in love with each other. Thank God Tara thought to do this to get Will back on the right path.



The key worries me a bit though. I see a dangly possible for future angst.

Kristine

Tara & Willow Love Forever

[Imperfectly Me]

Yipes...I LOVE it! This story just keeps getting better and better...new update soon please?



Aim

[VampNo12]

Beautiful update guys! It was very important that Willow was the one who took the key and locked away the books, this just shows that Willow wants to heal herself. And now hopefully as Tara states ("But I'm hoping that this will let her, let all of you grieve properly without anything else getting in the way making it more complicated"), meaning this puts her on the right path to healing properly. Lastly, YW is indeed "brave", and by giving Willow "her innocence back" (ie merging the Willow's) I believe she not only will have the strength to deal with her past, but be able to truly deal with her self-esteem issues that set her down this destructive path in the first place. Can't wait for the next part!

[spazz07]

Brilliant once again ladies, why Joss hasn't signed up the rainbow writers yet is totally beyond me. Just goes to show how completely stupid he really is I love that although Willow locking the cage is a big step, it's only the first on a long trail but at least it gives hope and thats the main thing. I can't wait until they work through all of this and Willow and Tara can finally just be together



Cheers

Nath

If life was meant to be a bed of daisy's we'd have chicken crap thown on us all the time.

[mollyig]

Remind me to tell you every day how brave you are.



You've wonderfully captured young Willow's insecurities, even now she's still not convinced that she was being brave.



Great update.

Adding up the total of a love that's true, multiply life by the power of two
Indigo Girls