FF: RW Season Ep 7.5 "Familiar Territory"

[Thanatopsis]

I'm glad to see Willow's willing to own up to everything she did and that she wants to be completely honest with Tara. She's right, Tara did come back, so I don't think Dawn has anything to worry about.

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"Yeah, 'tis the season. Whatever that means." Amends
Insist upon yourself and never imitate. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

[KathleenWolf]

mmm I think that's the scene we're on...



made sure to put off actual work for a bit this morning to get an update ready for everyone...



hope you enjoy... thanks to everyone for their wonderful feedback... Beth's poorlyness is not getting any worse but not so much getting better yet but all of your well wishes are helping greatly...



and now for the update...





“See, see.” Xander pointed to the door as it swung closed and Madalene and Buffy walked passed the window on their way home. “How much more do I have to say before you accept the fact that there is a werewolf running around and I think you should take extra care. Like not staying in the shop late to walk home after dark, at least until after the full moon’s over.” The carpenter turned and stared at Anya.



“Xander what would a werewolf want with me?” Anya scoffed at him. “I’m not even human.”



“You look human.” Xander pointed out.



“But to a werewolf I smell about as human as you look like a Calvin Klein model.” She shook her head as she dusted the herb jars. “Besides Buffy and the super witch will catch him soon I’m sure.”



Xander paused for a moment inside questioning whether or not Anya had just complimented him, then as he realized she hadn’t in any way he went back to pointing his finger at the vengeance demon and scowling.



“But, bit if it’s extra hungry.” He pointed out. “It could just think, oh young victim and wham.”



“Xander would you stop working up your blood pressure. I’m fine.” Anya turned and grinned. “In fact I’m more than fine. I have found the most fantastic merchandise and it’s just flying off the shelves.”



“Well I’m pleased that your financial empire is on the up and up, but An I’m worried about you.” Xander pointed out.



“I think it’s a little late for that isn’t it?” She flicked at him with the duster as she rounded the counter towards the books.



“Please, this isn’t a discussion about that, well…” He paused for a moment. “No, no it isn’t, it’s just a friendly sharing of concern.”



“You’re talking as if Mr. or Mrs. Werewolf is going to burst through my recently replaced front door and try to eat me.” Anya laughed as she stopped on the steps and laughed lightly. “Now what are the chances of that happening?”



Xander opened his mouth to answer but truly had no clue about what to say. Just as his mouth seemed to close in sheepish disbelief the door to the Magic Box sounded with an urgent jingle and a large hard panting could be heard.



“Oh look another...” Anya turned to come face to face with the werewolf.

She paled instantly as the menacing seven foot beast narrowed its eyes at her.



“WOLF!” Xander screamed rather uselessly before grabbing the nearest long and possibly threatening thing he could find, which happened to be broomstick. Running forward he prodded the beast with the wooden pole. “Behind me Anya!” He put his arm out in defense.



The werewolf was seemingly distracted by Xander’s attempt at bravery and watched them scurry for a moment without reacting but as Anya was about to move behind him the beast raised an oversized paw to bat the carpenter across the Magic Box. The carpenter came to a stop sliding across the polished floor near the table.



“XANDER!” Anya squeaked running towards him her heels tapping across the floor.



“Ow.” Xander opened his eyes groggily but was scrabbling to his feet as he saw the beast lumbering after them. “Back off.” He announced bravely his hand searching blindly for the broom.



“Xander don’t be silly you can’t fight it.” Anya grabbed his arm and pulled him towards the back of the shop.



“So the best thing to do therefore is run, yes?” He looked to her for agreement.



“More running less talking.” Anya teetered into the back room and helped him close the door just as the werewolf barged against it. “Where is Buffy when you need her?”



“An, An, where’s the key?” Xander ran to the far door that led out into the back alley behind the Magic Box. He looked down at the triple security bolt lock and glanced back at the demon who was still pulling things to prop against small wooden door that was protecting them from the beast outside.



“In the cash register.” Anya rolled her eyes. “Why would I keep the key in here? That’s not very security conscious is it.”



“The key to our escape is locked in the room with the slobbering rip your throat out beast.” Xander threw his hands up in the air. “Great.”



“You’re acting like this is my fault.” Anya stopped and put her hands on her hips. “How is this my fault?”



“I’m not saying its your fault.” Xander tried to reign in his reaction. “I’m just saying its just my luck for the key to be locked in the same room as the thing that wants to disembowel us.”



“No ones getting disemboweled.” Anya shook her head. “I can orb outside and find Buffy so she can come back and kill it. I’m sure her and Madalene couldn’t have gotten that far.”



“No, it might follow you do something to you.” Xander flatly refused.



“Then what are we going to do?” She questioned him hearing the door rattle behind her.



“How about this.” Xander went back to the locked back door. He began hammering on it. “HELP! HELP!”



“Xander stop being a wimp.” Anya snapped at him. “What is that going to help?”



“Someone might hear us.” Xander defended.



“And what come in to be wolf bait?” She stamped over to him.



“Well we have to do something.” Xander snapped.



“I have a plan.” Anya rolled her eyes. “You stay here and cower for a minute.” She waved her hand and began to orb out of existence.



******



Anya wasn’t fazed as she emerged slightly down the street away from the shop. She looked both ways and then headed the way back to Buffy’s house assuming that would be where the Slayer would be going.



“Buffy!” She yelled seeing the blonde up ahead.



It was as she drew attention to herself that a low unearthly growl suddenly filled the air behind her



“Hello, how did you get here?” Anya turned and was face to face with the werewolf who was coming down the street at her. “BUFFY!” She screamed louder as she began running.



The vengeance demon had the Slayer’s sensitive hearing to thank for the last second chance to dive out of the way as the beast descended on her. Buffy had turned and ran full pelt towards the pair, leaping and hitting the beast mid chest and knocking it back slightly to send it tumbling onto the road. Buffy hit the tarmac and rolled into the middle of the street close to it.



“Anya are you okay?” Madalene raced back to the demon that had been pushed sideways by the scuffle into the grass. She was barely able to get the words out before the creature started bearing down on them again.



“Be you blind before me.” The Spellcaster reached into her bag and threw her hand up at the beast covering its fur with a dark powder.



“Ok you, the flying hit in the stomach didn’t put you off, maybe a cuff by a truck will help.” Buffy launched back at the animal to dig her hands into matter fur, using the leverage she pull and rolled down, finally pushing hard to send the dark beast tumbling into the path of a small delivery truck.



There was a dull hard thud and the trucks breaks screeched as the air filled with the smell of hot burning rubber. The beast was clawing at its eyes when it was sent spiraling into the path and then was throw helplessly a distance down the road in a motionless heap.



“I don’t understand. It was at the shop trying to eat Xander just a second ago.” Anya let Madalene help her up.



“Either way we have to do something with it.” Madalene fumbled through her bag looking for something.



“Everyone okay?” Buffy jogged back to the pair of them oblivious of a large gash in the knee of her pants, the edges of the torn material tinged with dark red.



“Well this grass stain might never come out.” Anya looked down to the green smear on her white skirt.



“You’re hurt.” Madalene bent down immediately to look at the wound on the Slayer’s leg.



“It’s nothing.” Buffy waved it off.



“If it did that you’re going to be a werewolf.” Anya pointed out dryly, she looked down the road to the seemingly unconscious werewolf.



“Thank you for that.” Buffy glanced at the demon with a scowl.



“It’s from the fall. It’s an abrasion not a laceration.” Madalene eased the worry as she pulled out a scarf and tied it around Buffy’s leg trying to ease the oozing blood. “What are we going to do with it?”



“So much more inconvenient than Vampires at least they have the decency to...” Buffy and the girls had looked away form the creature for a moment as they concentrated on her leg and it was only as Buffy turned back to look at the werewolf that her voice drifted off. “Gone.” She blinked.



“Gone?” Madalene looked around Buffy’s leg to the empty patch of road.



“Large fanged hairy thing not there anymore.” Buffy nodded.



“It can’t be gone.” Anya stamped her foot. “You didn’t kill it yet.”



“Add to that the fact I made it temporary blind.” Madalene pushed up to stand.



“Well all those things aside, the thing is still gone.” Buffy summed up.



“We should go back and rescue Xander. He’s cowering in the back room.” Anya assessed picking at her skirt.



Shaking her head in disgust Buffy began leading the three of them back towards the magic shop.



******

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

To The Land of The RainbowWriters

[mollyig]

But to a werewolf I smell about as human as you look like a Calvin Klein model Gotta love Anya!



So this wolfie can flit about? Thats unusual, and most intriguing.



When Mads said "you're hurt", it reminded me of in The Body where Xander whallops the wall, and Tara says that too him. Nice touch. Shows again how Mads and Tara have the same empathetic abilities.

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

[Urn of Osiris]

Hmm interesting wolfie abilities. Who votes for research? I'm very intrigued by this 'spankin new menace.' Goin' shopping at the magic box? Wonder what it could possibly want? Hmmm.



Thanks for the update. Hope your sweetie feels better soon

Urn of Osiris
_________________**
WILLOW: That's a work ethic! Buffy, you're developing a work ethic.

BUFFY: Oh, no. Do they make an ointment for that
"you can not have more fan fic, you have a fan fic problem"

[MissQuirky]

Great update!! I really wanna know who this wolfie is! Its weird that he got from the Magic Box so fast and started after Anya!! Also weird that he got up and ran off after Mads did that blinding spell, when he was pretty hurt too.



So are they gonna leave Xander at the Magic Box thinkin Big wolfie is still there? That would be pretty funny but mean at the same time!



I hope Beth starts feeling better, soon!!

~Ashley~

Willow: We can come by between classes. Usually I use that time to copy over my class notes with a system of different colored pens. But it's been pointed out to me that that's, you know... insane.
Tara: I said quirky.

[Puff]

Oh it's great to see an update from you two. Interesting wolfie it is as well, can flit about and seems to be after Anya. Maybe it's a vengence wolf Looking forward to finding out more. Your stories are always so fascinating too read. *Goes back to finish reading the circle update*

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

[Grimaldi]

great update that wolf is freaky with the ability to just appear out of nowhere.

like this line “We should go back and rescue Xander. He’s cowering in the back room.” Anya assessed picking at her skirt. couldn't stop laughing at the image.

Dude, we're surrounded by perverts!

Fucking Windows 98, get Bill Gates in here!

2nd place??? That's just a fancy term for loser!

[Scout]

Just getting caught up. I agree with Willow that she needs to be honest with Tara about everything, but Dawn's words have me all worried now about Tara's reaction.



Also enjoyed the action update. Love Anya, as always.



Thanks for the updates and hope Beth feels better soon!

[TheBunnySlayer]

This is incredible! I read the whole thing last weekend, but for some reason my user name was screwing up and I couldn't post a reply. So I got a new one and here I am replying now. I cried when Tara went inside Willow's head. A friend of mine happened to call at that time and I was sniffling and she asked what was wrong and I was like 'She fixed the holes! She fixed the holes! it's the most beautiful love story ever!' (My friend suggested I spend a little more time outdoors for some reason.)



Keep up the great work! I can't wait for the next W/T bits.

[MadeinNZ]

You know - as soon as Anya said "what would be the chances" you knew they were in trouble. Great updates. Action packed and intriguing.

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


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

[spazz07]

I loved Anya breaking the hellmouth rule, not thinking it could happen to her then BAM right in her face



Freaky teleporting wolfie that had little trouble getting over the blindness spell by the looks of it. Once again great update.



I once again send my wellwishes to you Beth, hope your illness clears soon and we can have you back on the board



Cheers

Nath

Isn't it funny how you feel your most tired five minutes before you have to get up.

[KathleenWolf]

oh well it's monday morning and how could I possibly not squeeze in some editing time this morning and get everyone a little update?







we're into what in full text version would be the start of part three so all the questions and worries and wonders about the wolf and our girls will start to be answered...



with a little luck Beth and I were able to start on the next ep yesterday... but due to her still being poorly (thank you all for your well wishes) and my work scheduale being chaotic we're still goign to be a bit slow...



thanks to everyone for their support and loyalty... and well here is the update... take care Kathleen



***



Willow turned the page and the smile that had been plastered on her face since they’d decided to sit down and go through the album didn’t fade one little bit.



“Does this one seem familiar?” She questioned looking over Tara’s shoulder in their cuddled position on the couch. They had curled up here watching television for a bit before they had decided to go through the album again together.



“Hmmm, not really.” Tara admitted. “Tell me.” She pressed into her girlfriend slightly.



“This was when we were moving in second year.” Willow pointed out the boxes and disarray in her room. “We were running around panicked because Xander had misplaced our private box.” She giggled lightly.



“I’m guessing our private box is very er… private.” Tara grinned at the idea of them having something so personal.



“Very.” Willow nodded and blushed. “It got put in your room so it was okay but we were in such a panic.”



“Why didn’t we share a room?” Tara asked the obvious question.



“We had a very serious conversation and decided that though we knew we were in love and everything that maybe it would be a bit fast to move in together so soon.” Willow explained their reasoning. “It turned out to be silly as we never slept apart but you know, we thought we were being all adult.”



“It sounds like we were very sensible.” Tara noted looking at the small details in the picture. Some of the trinkets and personal belongings that she’d unpacked from her boxes were in these pictures and confirmed to her that the things were indeed hers.



“We are.” Willow hugged her tight for a second.



“Were we always sensible?” Tara asked softly turning another page.



“We had our silly times.” The redhead admitted.



“Tell me about something crazy we did.” Tara smiled as she snuggled back into the redhead’s body just enjoying the contact.



“Crazy?” Willow bit her lip trying to think.



“It’s okay Willow you don’t have to rack your brain so hard.” Tara smiled softly.



“You mean like sneak into the library at night to read the books snuggled up together?” Willow smiled back when Tara looked around at her.



“What did we read?” Tara asked thinking the idea sounded perfectly romantic.



“Poetry... old novels... short stories.” Willow explained further. “All the aged leather books that they had in the reading room.”



“Did I have a favorite?” Tara asked genuinely interested.



“You like romantic stories about knights and damsels in distress.” The redhead mused with a soft happy sigh. “You used to substitute my name and yours in for the main characters.”



“Were you the night or the damsel?” Tara chuckled at the wonderful idea.



“Depended on your mood.” Willow giggled more.



“I love you.” Tara said the words with assurance.



“I love you too.” Willow smiled softly.



“I’m sorry about earlier.” She apologized softly thinking back to the morning.



“Earlier?” Willow questioned not understanding.



“The drinks.” Tara explained seeing that it hadn’t been a bit deal to the redhead though it had been for her.

“Sweetie it was just drinks.” Willow shook her head.



“It wasn’t there was the drinks and the worry. Mainly the worry.” Tara pointed out.



“You just have to take it easy, more rest less push.” Willow reached up running her fingers through blonde hair.



“Well if it means long afternoons in bed with you.” Tara smiled and then blushed. “Resting.” She added quickly.



“I’ll take it.” Willow smiled back. “I just want you to be healthy and happy.” She assured her kissing Tara’s cheek lightly.



“Earlier…” Tara began softly. “I was talking to Dawn and she seemed…” She thought for a moment. “Worried.”



“She is.” Willow admitted in a small voice.



“It must have been so hard for her, losing everyone.” Tara said quietly.



“When Buffy died we moved in here to take care of her. It was just the three of us for that whole summer.” Willow relieved the happy and sad time.



“And then we got Buffy back and she lost you and I.” Tara filled in but here eyes were watching Willow’s reaction.

“Things started to go wrong because of the magic.” Willow nodded ever so slightly.



“Is there anyway we can make her worry less do you think?” Tara asked wanting to do anything she could to make life more stable for Dawn.



“She’s lost so many people, lost so much... I don’t think she’ll ever really feel safe.” Willow felt so sad as she made the admission.



“We’ve all got such a long way to go haven’t we?” The blonde rested her head against Willow’s shoulder.



“We do.” Willow nodded and took a deep breath. “Tara... there is some stuff I want to talk to you about.” She swallowed the lump in her throat, her voice sounding tight.



“Supper.” Dawn’s voice squeaked as the teenager’s sneakers screeched on the floor as the young woman arrived in a bit of a blur of motion.



“Supper?” Tara blinked and jumped slightly, the photograph album slipping forward off her knee.



“Oh.” Willow blinked as she looked up at the teenager her train of thought completely broken.



“Don’t you guys think its supper time?” Dawn asked her dark eyes flicking worriedly between the two of them. The teenager had heard some of the discussion hence her hasty entrance from the hallway.



“I probably need to eat to have my pills.” Willow gave into the unwelcome fact.



“I can fix something.” Tara moved the photo album more carefully to the side.



“We could make it together. All three of us.” Dawn jumped in immediately. “That way when Buffy and Mads get home we’ll have supper for them. That’ll be cool right?”



“It will.” Tara agreed reaching out her hand to the teenager for help.



“Great.” Dawn helped pull her up.



***

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

To The Land of The RainbowWriters

[Urn of Osiris]

Thanks I needed a bit of your W/T time. Ahhh now that was very good.



Dawn seems to have picked up that nasty habit of wanting to hide things. Tara needs to know and I hope it comes from Willow. I really like the memory book you have established in this fic. I like the history you are creating for them with it. It offers some very tender scenes.



Thanks for the update. Hope all is well for you both very soon.



and

Urn of Osiris
_________________**

"The delicate power of liquids that creep through human veins, bewitching the mind, ensnaring the senses..." J.K. Rowling

[Miss1234Kitty]

Yack. Bad Dawn. W/T really need to talk and they can't do that with one interrrupting Summers and one nosy Summers! (No, I'm not saying which because I've just realised that they both are).



Am loving this fic. Have I mentioned that before?



Gem

Tara: There's just so much to work through... and can you just be kissing me now?

[mollyig]

I love the image of our girls sneaking into a library to cuddle up and read books. So lovely.



I'm sure Dawn has the best of intentions, but she should really let Willow talk to Tara.

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

[Grimaldi]

great update in her heart, i'm sure Dawn thinks she is doing the right thing in keeping Willow from telling Tara everything, but eventually it is going to come out and it would be better if Willow was the one to tell Tara rather than her finding out another way. Both of them sneaking into the library to read the books and Tara inserting their names into the stories about knights and damsels was cute.

Dude, we're surrounded by perverts!

2nd place??? That's just a fancy term for loser!

"You feel her she's crawling nearer" Seven Witches

[Tulipp]

I'm not saying I agree with Dawn's choices here, but it is totally believable that she would try to divert any conversation about Willow's past wrongs...she's a teenager, and that makes a lot of sense to me.



Lots of intriguging stuff happening!

[MissQuirky]

Great update!! I know Dawn is scared that things will change and if Tara hears the truth she'll go away again but i'm not so sure that will happen! I mean I definitely think Will should tell Tara the truth bout everything. She deserves to know. And what if one day she starts to remember everything Ithink she'll be hurt that Will didn't tell her that stuff when she couldn't. If that makes since!



Can't wait 4 more!!

~Ashley~

Willow: We can come by between classes. Usually I use that time to copy over my class notes with a system of different colored pens. But it's been pointed out to me that that's, you know... insane.
Tara: I said quirky.

[Puff]

Oh that was a sweet update I love the Willow and Tara moments that you write as Tara learns her memories again. I agree with Tulipp I can totally see Dawn interupting, she's scared that if Willow tells Tara what she did then Tara might leave again. Poor Dawn is lacking stability. But they really need to talk so I hope it happens, Tara deserves to know. But more importantly Willow actually needs to tell her.

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

[Ghostwriter]

Thank you for the update. I can understand Dawn's fear in having Willow tell Tara about what happened, and you portray it so well here. Thank you so much for sharing.

[The Rose24]

Adorable.



Oh. Poor Dawnie. She wants to keep her family together.

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]

Thanks for the update. I also think Dawn's reaction is understandable. Hopefully Willow won't be diverted.

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


Anya: I have finesse! I have finesse coming out of my bottom!

[VampNo12]

First Beth I hope you feel better, and as for the update it was wonderful. Again I love scenes with W&T just being together, and this part "fits the bill". So sweet with them looking at the album again, and I just loved the image of W&T sneaking into the library reading books with Willow saying ("You used to substitute my name and yours in for the main charcters"), just awwww .



As for Dawn I understand her perspective with the need to change the subject in order to stop Willow from talking about negative subjects (ie the "forget spell"). Dawn is a teenager, who has known way too much about "loss", and she doesn't want to lose her "family/two mommies" just when she finally got them back. However, I still believe Willow should follow her instinct, and not with-hold the truth from Tara. Yes it may be painful, but together they can deal/cope with the past in order to truly move on, and therefore, can look towards their future together. Can't wait to see what happens next!

Edited by: VampNo12  at: 9/17/02 1:35:16 am

[KathleenWolf]

morning everyone...



Happy to say that I have gotten some editing done and have an update here for everyone first thing...



We totally agree with what everyone is saying with Dawn... she knows being truthful is the 'right' thing but she's so afraid of her world being turned upside again...



thanks for reading everyone... kathleen



***



Madalene lead the group of slightly battered Scoobies into the house her mind going a mile a minute.



“Xander why don’t you and Anya go see where everyone is while I go clean up Buffy’s leg?” She turned to the carpenter wanting to at least get the Slayer looking healthy before they faced anyone, especially Dawn.



“You got it Mads.” Xander nodded putting his arm loosely around Anya’s shoulders.



“Come on.” Madalene looped her arm into Buffy’s before the Slayer could protest and started leading her upstairs.



“Hey Dawnie.” Xander called as he and Anya strolled into the kitchen.



“Hey.” She looked up. “We’re making dinner for everyone.”



“Hey great timing.” The carpenter gave the teenager the thumbs up and a broad smile.



“We were worried you guys weren’t coming home tonight.” Willow looked up from her salad tossing.



“No, we just got you know a little caught up.” Xander tried to play it cool.



“We were nearly eaten.” Anya pouted and stated firmly.



“What?” Willow’s eyes went wide.



“An…” Xander turned to the demon with a frown. “…ya.”



“What nearly ate you?” Dawn’s voice squealed. “Where is Buffy? Why isn’t she with you? Oh God did it eat Madalene?” Dawn moved around the island towards the hallway. “BUFFY?” She screamed for her sister hoping the Slayer was in the house somewhere.



“Dawn?” Buffy stood at the top of the stairs trying to look casual as she leaned on the handrail at the side.



“Did the wolf almost eat you? Are you okay?” Dawn looked up taking a breath as she saw her sister. “Did you let it eat Madalene?”



“Don’t I look ok?” The Slayer began the walk down the stairs.



“And I don’t look chewed do I?” The Spellcaster added as she came down a few steps after the Slayer.



“But yes, we saw the wolf and yes we need to talk about it.” Buffy patted her sister’s arm lightly as she passed her. “But yes we’re all fine Dawn. “I’m calling Giles before we start research though.



“Did I smell dinner?” Madalene looped her arm through Dawn’s and urged her back towards the kitchen.



***



“Well, I can tell you haven’t lost your touch.” Giles commented softly to the Slayer as they walked down a dim Sunnydale street. “They seemed quite happy to let us take off, even after the night’s attacks. So a wolf but not a wolf?” He added glancing quickly Buffy using the phrasing she had whispered to him as he’d come through the door earlier.



“Over seven feet Giles, not the right type eyes and extra tough. I mean not wolf tough, something else.” Buffy nodded. “And fast, running upright.” She pointed out the distinct difference.



“Upright?” The Watcher sounded most surprised.



“Upright.” She underlined.



“But it was like the werewolves we’ve encountered before in looks and aggression?” He checked the details carefully.



“I hit it full on Giles and it shook me off. Mads blinded it and it was still coming at them.” Buffy was frustrated. “I mean I hit it with a truck and that only kept it down for about fifteen seconds before it ran in the blink of an eye.”



“And you say when you encountered it that it was pursuing Anya?” Giles was thinking quickly.



“It went into the Magic Box instead of just eating one of the other people out on the street, it chased her when she orbed out and went straight at her when she came to us.” Buffy spelled it out. “Madalene and I were just in the way to what it wanted, which I think was obviously Anya.”



“No, you see this is what is making me puzzled.” Giles admitted as the pair arrived at the Magic Box. “Why go after Anya, she’s not even human?” He carefully unlocked the door. Buffy let him open the door and followed inside.



“Not like it can make her a wolf or even kill her.” Buffy mused as the door was closed behind them and she moved over to the table.



“Exactly, werewolves smell prey as much as see it, she might look human but to a wolf she most certainly will not smell it.” Giles took long strides to the private bookshelves pulling a few tomes off the higher shelves.



“I don’t like things trying to eat my friends, even Anya.” Buffy moved over to the table. Giles sat down and began leafing through a book.



“You could make me a tea or work out a little.” He said distracted as he began to search.



***



Anya looked up from her spot on the couch to the line of people looking down at her.



“I don’t care what the Slayer said I’m going home.” Anya scowled at them all. She’d had enough of offers to play board games or braid each other hair or whatever else. “I have compelling things to do there.”



“But Anya, we agreed.” Xander looked around for support.



“Anya, it’s safer if we’re all here so that Buffy can concentrate on catching it.” Madalene added instantly.



“Hello people, I’m a demon. It can’t hurt me, only well ruin my skirt.” She scowled more at the wet grass stain. Tara’s attempt to get the stain out hadn’t been very successful. “And since this one is already ruined I think I’m safe.”



“You can buy a new skirt.” Dawn piped up brightly. “We could look at catalogues or on line stores, right Willow?”



“I can search you up a few thousand skirts.” Willow nodded from her chair.



“Look this is really nice and homey but I’m going.” Anya pushed up to stand.



“Actually Anya.” It was Tara who spoke her voice softer than anyone’s had been. “I’d really like you to stay. I was hoping we could have a chat.”



“Oh.” Anya’s hard demeanor softened instantly. “You want to chat with me?” She asked almost unable to believe what Tara had said.



“We’re friends aren’t we?” Tara checked. “Friends chat.”



“Yes... but...” Anya faltered but then her face broke into a smile. “Yes, yes they do.” She waved her hand. “Okay the rest of you go do something Tara and I need to chat.” She grinned.



“Go somewhere?” Dawn’s eyes grew wide again. “Why can’t we stay?”



“Because we have laundry to do.” Madalene smiled as she put her hands on Dawn’s shoulders and guided the teenager towards the stairs. “Or else you’re going to school in the next few days wearing something so last season you’ll be horrified.”



“I guess that means you and I on washing up duty Will.” Xander stood up picking up the coffee mugs.



“Better than laundry.” The redhead smiled standing up and crossing to give Tara a quick kiss before she headed towards the kitchen with Xander.



***



“So what’s on your mind?” Anya questioned once everyone had left them alone. She’d retaken her seat on the couch and crossed her legs.



“A few things actually.” Tara curled up on her seat and gently pulled at the throw pillow she’d eased into her lap.



“If it’s about lesbian sex I’m not really that experienced, I mean it’s been a few hundred years and I’m sure things have changed.” Anya offered what she assumed the conversation was going to be about. “But I can try to help you out.”



“Lesbian sex?” Tara’s choked feeling her cheeks burn.



“Sex... you and Willow.” Anya pointed to the kitchen. “I mean you two used to have lots and lots of orgasms together. I’m sure if you just trust your instincts you’ll be fine.”



“Please Anya.” Tara held up her hand slightly. “Thank you for your concern and your compliment, but that is not what I wanted to talk with you about.” She forced herself to recover quickly.



“Oh.” Anya resettled herself. “What then?”



“Well firstly, I wanted to say thank you.” The Wicca said looking across at the demon. “For the wish, for helping Willow.”



“I’m just glad it worked so well.” Anya smiled pleased and proud of herself. “Seems me becoming a demon again had one good thing.”



“Do you miss you know, being human?” Tara took the opportunity to ask the question that had been playing over in her mind.



“Sometimes.” Anya admitted picking link of her skirt. “But that was when I was supposed to have a happily ever after mortal life, Xander’s cowardliness ruined that.”



“He loves you though.” Tara said softly.



“Yes, well...” The demon was tripped up by that fact. “What else did you want to talk about?” She changed the topic quickly.



“My memory.” Tara was honest though her voice was tiny. The demon’s eyes flicked open more as she waited for Tara to continue. “I wondered, you being a demon and all, whether you knew any ways, for me to get them back. Possibly.” She added looking down again.



“I... well...” Anya stumbled on her words for a moment. “No.” She finally answered softly. “No instant ways that I know of, no spells. I mean no one knows how this all has happened. Madalene has a few sketchy legends but nothing concrete.” The demon continued in a remorseful voice.



Tara sighed gently and stood up, she crossed over and picked up the photograph album that was on the side and passed it to Anya.



“Willow’s been trying so hard.” She explained. “I just wanted to make it easier and...” She began but looked down.



“And...” Anya took it and held it in her lap.



“I feel so dreadful saying this.” Tara admitted the feeling obviously showing in her eyes. “But I cant shake the feeling that...” Again Tara stopped.



“Okay, okay stop torturing me.” Anya gripped the book tighter. “There might be one way... but it’s probably more conventional than anything.” She took a few quick breaths.



“Anya please, anything.” Tara jumped don it quickly. “I just think there’s something people aren’t telling me. Something big that I don’t remember, that almost people are glad I can’t remember.”



“There is, I mean there are a few things. No one wants to be mean but they don’t want you to feel that way again.” Anya admitted taking another breath. “I have diaries, you’re diaries and they have everything.”



“I kept a diary?” Tara looked at the demon surprised by the idea.



“Do you want me to go get them?” Anya nodded and she waited impatiently as Tara sat for a moment trying to organize the conflicting thoughts in her head. “They’re at my apartment I can orb over and orb back with them.” She explained when the blonde hesitated. It didn’t take Tara long to decide when the demon explained how simple it would be. “They’ll explain everything and that way it’s like you remembering because it’s all in your words.



“Please.” Tara nodded distracted as the idea of getting her life back from her own words made her feel tingly.



“Okay, one second.” Anya smiled and in a flash of blue orbed off the couch.



***

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

To The Land of The RainbowWriters

[mollyig]

Glad Buffy has realised that the wolfie thing was intent on getting to Anya. I'm really curious about that, but I'm sure Giles will find out why.



Love how Anya's determination to leave faded at Tara's invite to chat. Oh but yikes, Tara's diaries!



Great update.

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

[Big Dummy]

Oh no...Damn you, Dawn! Good intentions, but after Tara gets her diary, things'll go so poorly...here comes the angst. But, after angst comes...make up sex!!!

[karenk]

Aw man, Anya has Tara's diaries? I'm so gonna be reading the next few updates with one hand over my eyes and just peeking at my screen...



Knew the angst had to start sometime soon.



Great writing as always, ladies!

[Urn of Osiris]

You two and the nail biting updates. I can't take it anymore.



O.K. I really can. Anyway

The diaries are just scaring me. I'm sure there are tons of Happy moments in them but there are sure to be some major gut turners too. Written in her own words, that's going to be painful. Please keep Willow close by. Communication is going to be very important when she reads them.



Where's the nailbiting smilie when you need it?



Fantastic update Ladies. Keep it up.

Urn of Osiris
_________________**

"The delicate power of liquids that creep through human veins, bewitching the mind, ensnaring the senses..." J.K. Rowling

[Grimaldi]

great update looks like Tara might find out what everyone is trying to keep from her, not good.

Dude, we're surrounded by perverts!

2nd place??? That's just a fancy term for loser!

"You feel her she's crawling nearer" Seven Witches

[Miss1234Kitty]

Tara's diaries, yikes! Bad Anya. Tara deserves to know but she deserves to hear the full story.



I just kinda noticed this. I wouldn't have if my beta hadn't picked it out of my fic. Uh - Anya doesn't orb. If you watch Charmed, Paige and Leo orb. Anya teleports. I'm not exactly sure what the difference is - I think teleporting is moving your body with your mind whereas orbing is kinda - separating your body into little bitty pieces and then putting them all back together in another place?



Eeww.



I just noticed it and something compelled me to mention it. But I still loved the update! You know I said that you made me like Anya? I now like Dawn as well. Yay RW!



Gem

Tara: There's just so much to work through... and can you just be kissing me now?