FF: RW Season Ep 7.5 "Familiar Territory"

[Always E]

What better way for Tara to remember something than to read her own version of what happened...See this is why I'm enjoying this so much...you gals have the best ideas.<*GRIN*>



Looking forward to the next update...even with the HUGE angst potential.



-E

[MissQuirky]

I wonder how Tara will react once she reads some of the things in these diaries! I don't think it will all be happy, happy joy, joy!! But it is a very good way she can remember everything! I'm glad she kept a diary! Can't wait 4 Anya to orb back!



~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.

[MadeinNZ]

Great update. I can't wait to hear what the diaries say. And I like that Anya is central to the wolfie story. Its a nice change.

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


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

[The Big I T]

Hmmm....Anya ended up with Tara's diaries? Interesting...

[Scout]

The problem with the diaries is that all of Tara's pain will be on paper, captured as it happened. Sounds like a tough way to find out. Things could get bumpy.



Thanks for the update!

[The Rose24]

Uh,Oh. I smell trouble. I knew this happiness could not last long.

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?

[VampNo12]

First I am quite intrigued about this "unique" werewolf, and it's fascination with Anya. Something tells me there is a link between this and Anya purchasing those statutes for the Magic Box. I loved how Anya's demeanor softened when Tara wanted to talk with her (ie "friends chat"). And to Anya's comments about lesbian sex, especially ("I mean you two used to have lots and lots of orgasms together."), I just love Anya's bluntness.



Lastly, I do feel the angst is about to rise up, with Tara reading her diaries, but I think in the end it's best. Or in other words, yes it will be painful (reading her feelings from her perspective, it will hit harder, than just hearing the facts/remembrances from the perspective of Willow/others), but I think she can face the past with the support of Willow/gang. In order to truly move on, the past needs to be dealt with, and Tara came back to Willow in the past, which indicates to me after the initial pain, Tara will be able to move forward with Willow (ie have a future with Willow). Can't wait for the next part!

Edited by: VampNo12  at: 9/18/02 8:43:19 pm

[MsTizzyFantastico]

De-lurking for the very first time in Pens to say how much I love this fic. You guys have done an amazing job with everything here. The writers at ME should really be taking notes on how to write their characters so fans would enjoy them all again. The Scooby Gang is so full of love here, and, while you keep suspense and even angst in, no one is getting destroyed in the process. Thanks for giving us this as an alternative to what Joss thinks we "need".

-K

[KathleenWolf]

oh my... I just managed to get some more edited up so here we go...



and yes there is a bit of angst but I think how it plays out will surprise everyone... and the diaries will definately be a big part of the upcoming episodes but the wolf will have to be dealt with first....



thanks for reading... kathleen (and Beth who is doing a bit better but still needs lots of rest)





***



“So you two were looking all cuddly in the kitchen when we came in, was that tummy holding I saw going on?” Xander nudged Willow’s shoulder as he stacked plates.



“Yes.” Willow smiled brightly back at him. “We were talking about second year.”



“Oh, all the good stuff; Dracula, me squared and did you get to the floating dancing at her birthday thing yet?” Xander seemed just a little too excited.



“Yes, she’s already amazed that we can float.” Willow looked at him.

“That vein in your forehead is poking out.” She reached up and poked it.



“Well you know, I’m just happy.” Xander underlined then backtracked. “My head that is, my head is happy. No poking things any where else.”

“Xander!” Willow squealed and dodged away from him.



“Sorry!” Xander apologized. “But really Will, I am just happy. You know the great story, my best friend gets like a second, no make that third chance to be with the girl she loves.” He gave a soppy grin. “Makes me a happy carpenter.”



“Hopefully I get a fourth chance too.” Willow’s mood flipped almost instantly and she frowned. “She still doesn’t know how horrible I was to her yet.”



“You lost me...” Xander began but stopped as Willow explained. “You’re not gonna tell her?” He checked his voice shocked.



“I have to tell her.” Willow looked down at her feet. “I used her with the magic.”



“Why?” Xander gave a broad shouldered shrug. “Will, she’s done what the two spells you cast on her were meant to do. Now that doesn’t make what you did right, but…”



“Why don’t any of you understand?” Willow looked at him shocked. “What she loves me again and then in five years one of you slip and says hey remember when Willow stole your memories while she was the evil dark magic woman? I can’t let that happen Xander, I have to be honest with her.”



“Willow, think about this.” Xander wasn’t finished, he dropped his voice low. “She’s not been back long and you’ve not…” He paused thinking of how to best say this. “And you’ve not been yourself for long either. News like this it can wait.”



“Wait till when?” Willow reached up and grabbed a handful of pill bottles. “Until I’m not insane anymore!” She held them up shaking them at him angrily.



“Until things have calmed a little.” Xander reached out and closed his large hand over Willow’s silencing the pills. “Until you’re both right.” He regretted his phrase the instant it left his mouth.



“I’m telling her.” Willow let the bottles fall to the floor. “I can’t live a lie, not this time. She needs to know the truth.”



“But what if she can’t take the truth?” Xander hissed his voice sad, not angry.



“I don’t know.” Willow stopped sagging a little. “I just can’t lie to her, not when she doesn’t remember anything. Not when she can’t defend herself from the past.”



“I don’t see why she has to know when we all know that you’d never do it again.” Xander shook his head.



“She has a right to know.” Willow tried to sit by her guns.



“A right to know what, that you, a different you, made a bad choice or two a long while ago.” Xander argued the points.



“I stole her memory Xander.” Willow hissed.



“Have you talked to Buffy about this.” Xander sidetracked somewhat.



“No.” She shook her head. “Buffy and I aren’t really...” The redhead sighed. “She thinks I’m useless.”



“No, she thinks you’re recovering from being ill.” Xander underlined the difference.



“I don’t like any of this.” Willow moved over and dumped the pills on the counter.



“I know Will.” Xander moved over with her. “Here let me help.”



***



The Magic Box was quiet as the Slayer had given up pounding the heavy bag and had switched her focus to perform a silent series of martial arts poses. The serenity was broken by the Watcher’s voice.



“Buffy.” Giles shot up from his chair with a book in his hand as he marched through to the training room.



“What?” Buffy turned to him stopping her movement.



“Is that it?” He pointed to the illustration his face a mask of concern and worry.



“Yeah, yeah that’s Mr. Ugly.” Buffy nodded as she took in the similar features and stance.



“Well I have to say, this is quite a welcome back to Sunnydale.” Giles slammed the book closed and stalked over to one of the weapons cabinets.



“What?” Buffy followed him. “What is it?”



“It’s a direwolf.” Giles growled as he rummaged through weaponry.



“Bless you, now what is it?” Buffy assumed he had sneezed.



“No, that’s what it is.” Giles replied. “Just like a werewolf, it spends some of its time in wolf form but the rest of the time its a demon.”



“We have a demon werewolf?” Buffy threw up her arms. “What are we breeding them weird now?”



“No, actually it is an ancient twist in the macabre.” Giles explained quickly as he continued rummaging. “In a time when the human prey fell short a werewolf infected a unknown demon and the result was the direwolf. They can feed from a human…” He explained, separating off two long swords. “But they cannot turn them, they can only turn demons.”



“You mean this direwolf is going after Anya to make her one?” Buffy’s eyes went wide as she grabbed a sword.



“Quite possibly, but…” He watched her move as his fears settled into his mind.



“How do I kill it?” Buffy held the sword in a firm grip.



“I’m also worried about the possibility of it picking up the trace of demon in Madalene and of course…” Giles looked down as he moved back through to the shop.



“HOW DO I KILL IT!” Buffy barked at him already having worked out the worse case scenario.



“We need a blessed weapon.” The Watcher explained. “Everything will be fine if Anya just behaves like a human for the night and doesn’t orb around.”



“I’ll meet you at home.” Buffy took off in a blur.



“I...” Giles looked up realizing he was talking to himself. “I’ll ring ahead.”



***

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

To The Land of The RainbowWriters

[mollyig]

Xander really doesn't understand Willow's need to be honest with Tara, but then I'm not surprised, look what a mess he made of his relationship with Anya through not confiding.



Ah, now we know why wolfie was after Anya. That Giles, he's a regular encylopaedia!

But Anya's gone to get Tara's diaries, so her orbing might attract wolfie. Oh dear.

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

[Urn of Osiris]

OK so I went and got some lee press ons, so I'm back to nail biting again. This just gets better and better. How do you do that.



Direwolf ha...didn't expect that. Going after Anya, that should throw a wrench into things. Cool.



OK, so I totally support Willow in her decision to tell Tara. She has definately learned from her past. Thanks for giving that to her. I think Willow needs to tell her more than Tara needs to know. I eagerly await that conversation.



Thanks again for the fantastic Fic.



Woo Hoo this is like space mountain.

Urn of Osiris
_________________**

WILLOW: Because social phenomena don't have unproblematic objective existences. They have to be interpreted and given meanings by those who encounter them.
MIKE: Nicely put. So, Ruby, does that mean there are countless realities?
Voice your opinion about Tara http://www.petitiononline.com/Tara/petition.html

[Grimaldi]

cool update Bad Xander for suggesting Willow doesn't tell Tara about the memory spell.

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

[MissQuirky]

Great update!! So its a direwolfe, demon wolfie! Well that explains alot!! Hope she kills it soon!



I know why Xander is telling Will not to tell Tara and everything. But I think she should barge on in there and tell her b4 Anya orbs back w/ the Diary! I think hearing it is better than reading it! I think she will get a lil upset that Will didn't tell her! But I hope that doesn't happen and everything works out fine!



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.

[Beth Dragon]

Hi everyone it's Beth here - hey look I still exist Well I think I do



Thank you so much for all your thoughts and wishes, Kath has been passing them on from you all, so again thank you so much for thinking of me, being poorly isnt something i do too well, but I'm trying to do better at all the 'right' things.



As well as a big thank you, this post is actually to pose a question - with life being so crazy for both Kath and I at the moment, we were wondering if anyone out there would be interested in second editing Rainbow Writer stories, before posting. It would just be a case of reading through, keeping an eye out for obvious spellings / grammar hiccups and things like that.



If anyone does feel they might have the time (and believe me - time is the key issue) please mail us on the usual addy or answer here.



Thank you in advance ANd thank you for all your thoughts, oh and thank you for reading and your feedback.



Beth

[VampNo12]

First, to Xander saying, ("Well you know, I am just happy. My head that is, my head is happy. No poking things any where else.."), snerk! Xander really isn't the best person to give relationship advice. I mean I know his heart is in the right place, but Willow should follow her instinct and confide the truth to Tara. Also I found Willow shaking her pills/saying, ("Until I'm not insane anymore.") revealing. Meaning, Willow may be recovering, but she still isn't "whole" yet, and in her mind still thinks the gang sees her as "useless"/can't make the rights decisions for herself.



Quite intrigued about the direwolf, and with Anya orbing all over the place, she better be careful or she might have another run-in with this demon werewolf. And not only does Buffy have to worry about Anya, she also has to be concerned for Mads and Tara as well. Can't wait to see what happens next!

Edited by: VampNo12  at: 9/19/02 9:46:17 pm

[The Rose24]

I am glad Willow is going to tell Tara everything. She really does need to tell Tara before she(Tara) finds out from someone else.

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?

[KathleenWolf]

morning everyone...



I know everyone is very worried about the direwolf and Anya (and the others of course)... so here is the big scene... hope you enjoy



And thank you to everyone who mailed us about editing... Beth and I are trying to figure out first what stories need help and such but we will get back to everyone soon... thanks again



k



***



Anya arrived back standing next to the couch with a stylish leather bag slung over her shoulder.



“Okay, sorry I took so long I had to find a bag.” She smiled at the blonde who was still in her spot.



“It’s ok, it’s a lovely bag.” Tara just looked up with soft blue eyes.



“Isn’t it? I got it on E-Bay for a steal.” Anya sat down again with the blonde Wiccan.



“Can I ask why you kept them?” Tara asked the question that she’d been trying to figure out while the demon was gone.



“Because they were yours.” She answered simply.



“But...” Tara frowned softly. “Oh, did you mean to give them to Willow, when she got better?”



“No.” Anya shook her head. “I was going to keep them, sorta my tribute to you.”



“Thank you.” Tara looked at the bag that Anya had placed beside her on the couch. She found it hard to think that there, less than two metres away lay what might be the key to the feelings she had inside sometimes but couldn’t get to herself. Tara was about to ask Anya for the bag, when even though the lights were on the light in the room dimmed a little.



“Are you excited?” Anya asked not noticing the change.



“I’m… oh.” She hesitated when the room flickered back a notch brighter, her blue eyes turning from the expensive bag up to the drape covered windows.



“I mean there has to be some really great stuff in here too.” Anya absently looked up as the blonde did. “You and Willow had a lot of happy memories.”



“Anya, I think you should.” Tara suddenly leaned forward, her hand reaching for the vengeance demon’s wrist.



Anya gave the Wicca a blank look for a moment as Tara’s long fingers encased her wrist and she was pulled towards the blonde. She found herself being pulled down further just a fraction of a second before the entire window shattered. Broken glass and wood splinters filled the air as the drapes were literally shredded and tossed aside.



Landing heavily on the couch on overly large heavy paws, with its jaws gaping and wide wild angry eyes scanning the room quickly there stood the direwolf.



“TARA!” Willow’s scream was the first to sound as the redhead heard the implosion in the front room and headed through the hall.



“Anya?” Xander voice echoed her as he headed behind Willow towards the living room.



“Oh God.” Tara cursed as with Anya she scrambled around heading for the hall.



“Get away from her.” Willow saw the large hairy werewolf and grabbing the poker from the fireplace batted him in the head.



“Willow no.” Tara looked up through scared blue eyes as the beast swung out a paw sending the coffee table flying towards the hacker and the carpenter. Blue eyes widened further as she heard the sound of footsteps through the floorboards.



‘Dawn and Madalene!’ She thought suddenly.



*Tara?* The Spellcaster’s mind tried to reach out to her.



*Stay there.* Tara tried to send the thought back but she knew she wasn’t focusing enough. Instead the Wicca pictured in her mind the basement door focusing on the key in the lock. With a soft click, the lock snapped into place. *Safe.*



Willow felt her body pushed back as she toppled over the weapon’s chest.



“Will!” Xander pulled the redhead backwards catching her mid fall.



“We have...” Willow tried to get her bearings. “To do something.”



Seemingly happy that the momentary distraction was over the large beast swung around again, its broad snout sniffing the air curiously.



“Run Tara!” Willow pushed her body up possessed by some unknown force to protect her girlfriend.



Tara pushed her hands on the floor to push herself up, feeling the soft smoothness of her socks skid on the waxed wooden floorboards. Anya was already on her feet trying to pull at the Wicca’s arm.



“No one hurts my girl.” Willow launched herself onto beast’s back.

She wailed the strongest punches she could down onto its head, at least managing to distract it.



“WILLOW!” Tara cried as she fell again to the floor.



“AN!” Xander hurled himself after Willow, colliding with a thick furred leg that felt like a tree trunk when he hit it with his best rugby like tackle.



Willow barely had a chance to squeak as they pitched sideways. Being tossed off the redhead bounced against the couch and slid down to the floor. One thought burned in her mind she need a weapon, she needed something. She began crawling towards the weapon’s chest.



“Oh damn it.” Anya cursed as she again tried to pull Tara to her feet and get out of there. “Why don’t I just orb out of here, leave you?” She discussed with herself annoyed. Her debated ended as the beast tossed Xander over to them. Hitting her squarely in the side he sent her crashing back to the floor and landed on top of her.



On the other side of the room Willow used all her strength to flip the top off the cabinet throwing out the useless stakes she found on the top of the pile.



Xander came up dazed as the direwolf bore down on the three of them.



“No one eats my fiancée.” He cursed spitting out blood as he turned and launched himself at the creature again. The beast hit him mid flight tossing him out of the broken front window.



“I said...” Willow stood at the side of the creature, a large axe pulled back against her shoulder. “Get away from my Tara.” She swung catching the creature and cutting off one of its arms with the weight of the weapon.



Howling in agony the beast swung around at her, its eyes red and angry as it growled at the small redhead.



“Yeah you want more.” She growled back easing the axe back onto her shoulder for another blow.



Tara managed to blink things into a better focus. It had all gone a little misty and hazy when things had started happening a mile a minute, but as she glanced over to her girlfriend she knew there was no way that Willow would stand a chance. Even if she took another shot at the beast it was ready for the redhead now. She was about to do something when Anya stood up close beside her.



“HEY! DOG BREATH! SKIRT RUINER!” The demon shouted at it trying to draw its attention away from the redhead.



The beast turned momentarily from eyeing up Willow towards Anya exactly as she had planned..



“You don’t want her, what good is she to eat.” Anya called at it. “Though can I say top marks for throwing the boy out of the window as long as you’ve not hurt him.”



“Anya we don’t need to upset it more.” Willow hissed as she backed away a bit lining up to take another shot.



“Oh.” The vengeance demon went quiet again as with wide eyes she noted that the bleeding beast was once again lumbering towards her.



It was the distraction that Willow needed as she swung downwards trying to use gravity as the axe landed in the back of the creature’s tree trunk thigh. She tried for a second to take it out but as a paw came around she let go. With a howl the beast dropped to its knees groping blindly behind it for the axe shaft.



“Why won’t this thing die?” Willow whined at Anya.



“I think…” Anya called over its growling and thrashing. “That it’s a direwolf.” The vengeance demon ducked as the creature wrenched the axe out of its thigh and tossed it away. It skittered across the hall colliding with the telephone table and wrenching the socket off the wall.



“Which means?” Willow skittered back to the weapon’s chest. “Stake?” She held one up.



“No.” Anya shook her head as the beast shook itself.



“What then?” Willow began looking through.



“It needs to be some bleee… TARA RUN!” Anya screeched as the beast literally threw itself in the Wiccan’s direction.



Tara scrambled to her hands and knees slipping again, as her exhausted arms and legs didn’t respond as quickly as she knew they should. Willow growled as she picked up a dagger and running over again caught the beast between the shoulder blades as she dug the weapon into him.



“Where’d it go?” Xander’s head popped up just in time to see Willow thrown off the howling creature’s back.



“Its there!” Anya took a moment to scowl at him. “We need something blessed or is it something silver.” She frowned as she tried to remember. “Maybe its something silver and blessed.”



“Find it then.” Xander picked up a piece of a broken window frame and swung it at the wounded creature.



Tara crawled around to Willow’s latest landing place petrified that the redhead who hadn’t got up again was hurt.



“Oh yes well it’s not quite as simple as that.” Anya scowled again.



“We need simple.” Xander ducked under another swing.



“Baby.” Tara pushed wet red hair off Willow’s forehead.



“Wow, did we go to Disneyland?” Willow looked at her with slightly unfocused eyes.



Tara chuckled softly and shook her head glancing down at the array of weapons Willow had managed to tip out of the chest. What caught her eye was a short hand axe. It had a clear silver hallmark on its small but lethal blade.



“Xander do something!” Anya whimpered as the beast began lumbering towards her again.



“I got him.” Xander threw himself at the beast again using the dagger as a handhold as he caused them both to collapse through the hallway into the dining room.



“This is silver.” Tara grabbed the axe and pushed herself up on her knees. Just as the blonde pushed up the beast came at her.



“Tara.” Willow pushed herself at her girlfriend managing to knock Tara out of its path.



“Okay, wolf boy, wolf demon, general evil thing.” A new bright voice announced another player as Buffy literally leapt in through the window landing squarely on the beast’s back. “Show’s over.” With a wide arc she flipped her long sword around and severed its shaggy head off from matted shoulders.



For a moment the beast threatened to rise but then it felt back to the floor shaking until it died.



“I am so not cleaning this mess up.” Anya pushed up from the floor shaking out her hair.



***

[mollyig]

So lovely that Anya kept the diaries in remembrance of Tara. It shows the sentimental side to her that I'm sure she keeps well hidden. Can't have people knowing the shopkeeper can be sentimental!



Willow's first instinct to protect her girl, just as Xander rushed in to look after Anya. Some worrying moments there, but our girls are okay.

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

[Urn of Osiris]

Yippie! Oh such a wonderful battle scene. Its a bit early in morning to get my blood racing but Damn that was very good.

Quote:

---

“Wow, did we go to Disneyland?” Willow looked at her with slightly unfocused eyes.

---

LMAO right there in the middle of that scene. I could completely see her saying that.



Oh this day is starting out so great!!! Thank You for the update.



Hope all is getting better in RL



and

Urn of Osiris
_________________**

WILLOW: Because social phenomena don't have unproblematic objective existences. They have to be interpreted and given meanings by those who encounter them.
MIKE: Nicely put. So, Ruby, does that mean there are countless realities?
Voice your opinion about Tara http://www.petitiononline.com/Tara/petition.html

[Miss1234Kitty]

Oh wow that was so great. Lovely that their first instincts were to look after each other.



Gem

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

[LostSoul]

Loved the update.



Too bad ME can't take the hint that everyone wants Tara back.



I can't wait for more W/T goodness



Thanks for all of your hard work!

LostSoul


_____________________________


"I remember you." - Amber Benson

[Loco2]

woo! fabulous update, and the angst is well and truly back, everyone!



man, the big ugly direwolf is gone, and tara still hasn't read the diaries, which is really a good thing



it was sweet, (well, you know what i mean) for willow to get all butch with the direwolf to protect tara, even if buffy did get there first in the end



thank you for the update

[Grimaldi]

great update Anya keeping the diaries as a tribute to Tara was sweet. loved it when Willow said "No one hurts my girl"

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

[MissQuirky]

Great update!! Wolfie is dead! Anya cracked me up in this update!! “HEY! DOG BREATH! SKIRT RUINER!” One of the many lines that Anya is just Anya!!



I liked how she kept the diaries as kind of a tribute to Tara, that was sweet! So did the diaries get forgot about! I really don't want her to read em i'd rather Willow told her!



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.

[Big Dummy]

Umm, just adding my 2 cents to the praise of this story. I've been following your work since we started with Gift of Sorrow, and have been to your website to catch up on your other work. You guys tell a good tale. I'm still very anxious about Tara reading those diaries.



Also, I would be interested (and this is me kneeling humbly) in second-betaing your stories. I have no cred here, or anywhere, as a beta reader. I simply love and live for fanfic. I didn't have an addy to get to you guys personally, so here's my inquiry for everyone to see.

[Scout]

My goodness, that was exciting! I liked how Willow reverted to her normal, human butt-kicking skills to protect Tara. Reminded me of Normal Again. As for Xander not wanting Will to tell Tara about the memory spells, I agree Willow should not be taking relationship advice from Xander. She doesn't need anyone to tell her what to do - she just needs to listen to her heart.



Thanks for the update!

[MadeinNZ]

That was great. I found myself thinking "hooray" when Buffy arrived.

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


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

[Medic4]

Awesome story ladies, but I think I've worn out the edge of my seat! I've been folloeing your story all along, but finally had to re-register so I can come tell you how great it is! Keep up the good work!

[The Rose24]

Ladies!!!!



That was excellent. Lots of good action. Love the way Willow takes care of Tara.

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?

[VampNo12]

Riveting action guys! Loved Anya kept the diaries as a "tribute" to Tara, she may have it hidden, but she does have a soft side (especially for Tara/her friend). And Anya, especially when she said ("HEY! DOG BREATH! sKIRT RUNNER!", as well as "Can I say top marks for throwing the boy out the window as long as you've not hurt him."). It was wonderful how the girls as well as Xander and Anya (with all the uncertainity about their relationship) first instinct is to protect their love, and yay for Willow saying ("No one hurt's my girl."). Glad Buffy finished the direwolf off, and to Anya saying, ("I am so not cleaning this mess up."). Can't wait to see what happens with the diaries!