Jungle Fever

Chapter 5

The next morning as Buffy and Anya sat alone at their own table, smiling and laughing. William walked over and scratched his head, nervously he asked; "Is this seat taken?" 'OK William how lame was that?' he chastised himself. The girls looked up at him with a smile.

"Sure." Buffy patted the seat next to her, and William took it, laying her head on his shoulder.

"It smelled a little foul over there anyway, dad's cooking something up." Buffy looked at William, her eyes sad. "I'm sorry, I didn't want to hurt you."

"I know." Anya smiled taking a bite from her food, Then Mr. Giles and Mr. Maclay walked over.

"All right enough with the bloody group hugs, let’s get that girl." The three loaded there guns with the tranquilizer, and got ready.

"You’re not going anywhere, you and Anya will watch the hostages."

"But sir." Anya protested.

"Do as you are told."

"Yes, sir." Anya and Buffy walked away. They were being discarded, once again.

"Better get it right this time. I want my little girl back." Mr. Maclay walked around as Mr.Giles and William were getting ready for the mission.

"No worries Mr. Maclay, you'll have your little girl back."

"I'll return in three days. When I come back I hope to see my Tara. If you find her before then, contact me and I will send a chopper for her."

"Of course. Come William." Mr. Giles signaled for William to follow. They ran through the forest looking for any signs of Tara. They would leave no stone unturned, nothing would be overlooked.

Anya and Buffy walked over to the tent and walked in. Willow, Xander, and Faith were sitting with shot glasses in hand. Buffy smiled and shook her head at the same time. "No funny business." Anya warned. Xander crossed his heart and smiled raising a glass and shooting it back. Buffy and Anya noticed a lot of the whiskey was gone. They were either drunk or buzzed, so all would be easy.

"How did the meeting with your father go?" Faith noticing the bruise on Buffy's face, walking to her she frowned, tracing her finger lightly on the Bruise.

"Hey, no touching." Buffy moved her hand away.

"All right, don't need to get all touch-y about it." Faith backed off and sat back down next to Xander and Willow.

"Tara doesn't stand a chance, especially since my father went personally." Willow shot a look at Buffy, and to her surprise was frowning a bit. "My father is an expert."

"She'll do it, I know she will."

"What do you care? You only met her for two days." Anya sighed placing her gun down on a nearby table. Xander nodded, and Faith pulled out her cute little bunny friend. "That's not even cool, Harris." Anya said backing away, now picking up her gun she held it.

"God Anya get over it, why are you so afraid of bunnies anyway?" Willow shot Faith a look in a fit of laughter.

"You’re afraid of bunnies?"

"Please, don't tease me. I've had enough, it’s a long story OK."

"Bunnies, little hoppy floppy bunnies, they-wiggle-there-noses-and-eat-carrot-bunnies?" Faith and Willow broke into fits of laughter. Anya felt two inches tall, Xander of course felt bad.

"Hey lay off." Xander broke the laugher by throwing a plastic cup at Willow and Faith. "Leave her alone."

"Come on Xander it is funny. Big scary Bodyguard afraid of this cute fluffy thing." Faith kissed its fur and smiled.

"Would you like me to spill some of your fears, I'm sure these girls would get a kick out of them." Faith turned a shade of White.

"Well, look at the time, time for another drink." Faith smiled walking to the empty bottle of Whiskey. "Hey!" She looked at Willow, her smile was golden.

"Sorry, you were taking too long."

Xander walked over to Anya and Knelt down. "Are you OK?"

Anya ignored him, she was mad, and well, embarrassed. "Hey I saved you from the evil bunnies, That was me, this guy right here," she gave a smile, and placed her gun down.

"Yay, I'm fine."

"You'll have to excuse them, when they get drunk, the flow of blood to their brains stops." Anya laughed and Xander sat down next to her. They began to talk for what would become a very long while.

Buffy winced in pain as she traced the fresh bruise; her father had always been a rough man. Always took things the wrong way. She learned at a young age to do as her father asked and to ask no questions. "You should put something on that." Willow nudged Buffy's arm holding an ice pack.

"Thanks." Willow nodded her head and headed for her bed. "Willow, I do hope Tara will be OK." Willow nodded and sat down next to Faith.

"Look at Xander and Anya." Faith pointed out. At the other side of the room Anya and Xander were laughing and having a good time.


"Who's this?" Xander held Anya's wallet looking at a picture of a little boy no more then five.

"My son, He's five. Totally opposite from me, though. He loves bunnies." Anya smiled grabbing her Wallet. "I haven't seen him in three years. The court decided that his father was a better role model for him." Anya choked back a tear, but Xander saw it, even when she didn't think he had. "Plus what kind of life is it? Always on missions, never home, father’s a complete a..." she trailed off and figured out what was going on real quick. "What are you up to?"

"What are you talking about?"

"Get me off my guard, so you and your friends can escape. I don't think so, get back over there." She picked up her gun and motioned for him to move.

"Anya, it’s not like that."

"Anya, go outside, get some fresh air." Buffy motioned for the door. She walked over to Xander and smiled. "Anya has issues, she got hurt a few times. She just doesn't want it to happen again. So every time a man gets close..."

"...She tends to back away." Xander finished. "I understand, I've gotten hurt a few times. I'm not like that."

"Yea my brother’s a good man, just sometimes he can get too carried away." Faith smiled at Buffy, the whiskey was taking its toll. "Some of us can be real sweet at times." Faith winked and Buffy backed off, she didn't want to get involved. Buffy turned to check on Anya.

"Faith, sit down." Xander helped her to a bath tub. "Here cool off." Faith smiled dipping her head into the cool water. Buffy turned and memories flooded her mind. She collapsed and hit her head on the Table. "Buffy?" He ran to her side. "Anya!" Anya ran into the room and knelt down by her side.

"What happened?"

"I don't know. We were just sitting over there and all of a sudden she collapsed." Xander helped Buffy to a bed.

Anya grabbed the smelling salt from her bag and waved it under Buffy's nose. She jumped up and looked at Faith with a toweled head. "I... she... I don't know." It clicked in her head, figuring out what had happened.

"Did you dip your head into the water?" Faith nodded. Anya sighed and lifted Buffy's chin. "She was getting cool, no one was dipping her head in water." Now Willow, Faith, and Xander were confused. Who would do that to her?

"I just need some rest, I'll be back." Buffy exited the tent and headed for the cooler. Faith walked to the flap of the tent looking out, she was worried.

~ ~ ~

That afternoon was hot and the sun was beating down. Anya and Buffy sat the hostages down outside for lunch. After all it was a beautiful day. Willow sat quietly eating, but she couldn't keep her mind off Tara, how worried she was. ' Why do I feel this way? ' Willow was so confused. She needed to find Tara.

"Are you OK?" Faith moved closer to Buffy who was sitting at the edge of the table.

"Yea, never better." She lied.

"I didn't mean to scare you." Buffy shot up, glaring at the other woman.

"I'm not scared. Get over there." Buffy dragged Faith back to the other side of the table. "Stay put and if you talk to me again, you lose out on lunch." And with that she returned back to her spot.

"Shit." Faith sighed looking at Buffy, she didn't want to make Buffy mad.

"Hey what's up?" Xander nudged her. "You look upset."

"I think I made Buffy mad at me."

"What did you do?"

"I told her that I didn't mean to scare her, and she kind of freaked. She told me she wasn't scared, but I know that's a load of bull." Faith finished her food and started to walk back to the tent.

"Hold it." Buffy walked over to her. "You have to wait until someone is with you." She turned back to Anya. "Can you handle these two?" Anya nodded. "Let’s go." Buffy guided her into the tent, but didn't dare enter.

"Not coming in?"

"No." Faith smiled to herself. She felt like trying something. Hopefully she wouldn't get shot. She dragged her hands on her side of the tent flap, and at the same time dragging them up Buffy's back. "Stop it." But she didn't, she kept going, circling her fingers up her back.

"Come here and I will."

"Fine." Buffy walked into the tent and there Faith stood, looking into Buffy's eyes. "What?"

"Don't lie to me, I saw the fear in your eyes. That fear like someone hurt you." Buffy turned to leave and Faith blocked her path quickly. "I know what it’s like to have a father like that, it’s OK to talk about it."

"You know nothing." Buffy said sternly, turning away.

"When I was five my father beat the living shit out of me because I was too loud." Buffy still didn't budge. "When I was seven my Father broke my arm in three places, and told them I fell from the tree in the backyard. That same year he hit me for ever pound I gained, should I go on?" Buffy didn't answer so Faith nodded and continued. "My father was obsessed with me, he wanted me to be the perfect girl. So I was placed in pageant after pageant, I was Junior Miss three years in a row. Third runner up in Miss America... And when I didn't win that, he called me useless and beat me again. I was made to think I had to be perfect, but one day I told him I was tired of the pageants and of him, well that didn't go so well..." Faith walked around to show Buffy her scar, on the right side of her stomach was a stab wound, Buffy turned around. "He stabbed me." Faith said quickly.

"I'm sorry for you." Buffy said turning back around.

"I'm not speaking out of my ass here. I'm not dazzling it up. This is how it was, I was in a coma for two and a half years. When I woke up I went after him. It took my brother, mother, and two uncles to pull me off of him."

"What do you want me to say?"

"Nothing, just wanted to let you know. Let you know you’re not alone." Faith walked to her bed and took out a book. Buffy walked over and sat next to her.

"I don't think I could stand up, even if I wanted to." Buffy gave a half smile.

"Well, it was pure rage when I woke up, I reserved it all. Waiting until I was released. Then I went to my home and there he was, sitting and watching TV. When I closed the door I said ‘Your little girl is home.’ He turned and the fear of death was written all over his face as I charged at him."

"What happened after that?"

"I left home, lived with my aunt in West Hollywood. She was a bisexual screen actress, brought home a new girl every week." Faith smiled and lit a cigarette. "She was my idol."

"Is that so?" Buffy smiled when Faith handed her a cigarette.

"Yep, not just because she could bring home anyone she wanted. But just because she was there for me." She smiled at Buffy and thought it was time to go off topic. "So when did you know?" Buffy looked at her confused.

"Know what?"

"When you liked girls." Buffy shook her head and headed for the exit. "Come on level with me."

"When did you?"

"I was ten."

"Fifteen." Then Buffy was gone.

Chapter 6

Mr.Giles and William sat in front of the fire, going over maps of the area. Earlier that day they saw signs of Tara, but they were still unsure. But unknown to them Tara was watching them the whole time. Smiling and doubling back, she needed to see Willow. She went back through the forest and finally she could see the lights in the camp and hurried. "I'll save you and your friends Willow." Tara mumbled.

"Hey could I have a drink of water?" Xander motioned for Anya. She nodded and took a cup of water over to him. "Thanks." He smiled, she smiled back and started to leave, he grabbed her hand. "Anya, can we talk?"

"No, now release me."

"Please." She looked into his eyes, unsure.

"You have five minutes." She sat across from him, and he started his rant.

"I think you'll hit me, but I don't care. Since I got here, and since I started hanging with you..." he took another sip of his water. "...I've fallen deeply, I'm hypnotized by your smile, your eyes, and even your son. I like the way you slap me around, and I like the way you care. Plan and simple, I think I'm falling in love with you." She looked into his eyes, she could see how serious he was. But she knew she couldn't risk another heartbreak.

"I have to go, good-bye." She felt empty, knowing she broke his heart, she could see it on his face. "Xander, you know...my father would, well he doesn't think I should get involved with others. Since work." He nodded and understood, but in a way he didn't. After she left the tent he hit his head.

"Stupid idiot." He told himself.

"You told her how you felt, there's nothing wrong with that." Willow kissed Xander's forehead. "Hey Buffy, could I use the phone?" She nodded and handed her the portable, she dialed Daniel.

"Hello." She heard wrong, must be wrong number. Unless Daniel had a sex change, she apologized and tried again. "Hello," The voice said again, this time Willow was determined to get Daniel on the phone.

"Yes, I'm sorry I guess this is the right number, is Daniel there?"

"Yes of course, hold on," Then she heard the thing that gutted her. "Sweetie you have a phone call!" There was a slight pause, then she heard a rustle.

"Hello."

"Hi sweetie, it’s me, can I ask a silly question?" Willow asked in a baby voice, she swore she heard a gulp. "Who is that little girlie voice I heard over there?"

"Now before you get all upset, let me explain."

"O it better be a good explanation, but please continue with your lie." She said this calmly, but as soon as she hung up the phone she would let it all loose.

"It’s a party, there is no harm with a few girls who call me sweetie, is there? They’re groupies babe, you’re the only woman for me." she heard the lies, she knew what it was. He was cheating on her, with a groupie, she couldn't believe this.

"We’ll, talk about this more, when I can reach you. With my own hands!" And she hung up the phone, letting a scream of frustration out. "Asshole!"

"I take it something bad?" Xander tried to comfort.

"That bastard’s cheating on me with a groupie, then he says ‘Its a party...no harm when a few girls call me sweetie is it? O you’re the only woman for me.’ GGRRR!" Buffy back away, she was kind of freaking out. "That bastard. Not once was I unfaithful, I always...That son of a bitch, I'll..." Then all the emotion broke down, she could help but cry. Xander scooped her up, holding her tight.

"It’s OK, that it you let it all out." Faith was on the opposite side doing the same.

"Let it all out girl." Faith smiled kissing Willow's cheek, Anya came into the room when she heard the swearing and saw them, Willow in tears with Xander and Faith consoling her. Buffy explained what happened.

Tara already entered the camp. Sneaking in, she made it to Willow's tent and heard the whole thing. She didn't care she entered the tent. "Tara?" Buffy pointed the tranquilizer gun and Tara knocked it out of her hand and it was in her own. She held it to Anya and Buffy motioned for them to move away.

"Well, are you coming?" She asked all three of them.

"You go Willow, we’ll be fine."

"Why?"

"Cause I wan..." Then she noticed who asked the question, Buffy looked at him strangely.

"Go." Anya agreed.

"Why?" Xander asked.

"Cause it will be hard to explain if two of you are still here."

"Not if she tranquilizes all of us." Faith smiled, she had a thought, which of course scared Xander. "See if we’re all shot, it will look like you didn't just let them go."

"O my God your brilliant." Willow smiled, grabbing the gun from Tara.

"Hold it, No one said we were going to let you." Anya said holding out her hands.

"Come on Anya, let’s do it." Buffy smiled. "Just think, you'll be doing something good." She whispered.

"Fine, just do it!" Willow aimed the gun at Buffy, then Anya, Xander, and Faith and shot. She and Tara fled, and didn't look back.


Chapter 7

Tara Helping Willow into the trees to hide, William and Mr.Giles were on the hunt now. They heard what happened with the others, and now the search picked up another few notches. Tara was scared she didn't know what to do. "Hey it’s going to be OK, I promise." Willow touched her cheek, smiling a sweet smile. "Your father isn't going to lay one hand on you."

"What if they catch us, you'll be thrown in jail."

"No, come on let’s keep moving." Willow nudged Tara along and finally they moved on. "You've lived here a long time, do you know anywhere where they won't look?"

"There's this cavern behind a water fall, I used to go there when the leopards came." Willow smiled and motioned for Tara to lead the way.

~ ~ ~

Back at the tent William was watching over his sisters who were still trying to get over the effect of the dart. Mr. Giles was back out with a troop looking for the runaways. "Where are they Buffy?" William asked her once again, he knew deep down they wouldn't just allow Tara to escape. "Come on, level with me here, are you telling me she grabbed the gun from you? Learned how to use the trigger release, and aimed perfectly without hurting herself. Up until we got here she never even saw a gun like that." Buffy sat drinking her water, saying nothing.

"Listen William, it was embarrassing enough. This girl shot me, I don't know how. So back off all right!"

"Your bullshitting me, and I will be having a chat with dad when he gets back." He pushed up and left the tent, Buffy was shaking.

"Don't let him get to you, I won't let the bastard touch you." Faith smiled in her direction. "Told her about Dad." Xander looked at her with a smile, nodding in approval. "Remember don’t let him walk over you he will, stand up to him."

"You don't know our father." Anya said kissing Buffy face, she was still shaking. "He gets into your soul, makes you feel small and weak. He's always been like that."

"Our dad was no picnic either." Xander was serious, Anya saw his eyes walk back into the past.

Later that night Buffy and Anya were back watching the "captives", but all the fun ended when Mr.Giles and William walked back into the tent. Buffy turned to see her father's angry face. "She knows something sir, she’s hiding it."

"Your brother says, you have a lil' secret you've been keepn' is that true dear?"

"N-no s-sir."

"You’re lying to me, I hate when you lie to me." He moved forward grabbing her neck. "Tell me what you know!" Buffy just stood, shaking.

"I don't know anything, I told you the truth. Please just let me go!" he threw Buffy back and headed for Anya. She didn't back away, she was always a good liar.

"Anya, tell dad the truth now. Did you let Ms. Rosenberg and Ms. Maclay get away?"

"No sir, they came in here. Tara knocked the gun out of Buffy's hands. Ms. Rosenberg told her what to do, and she shot us and her friends." Mr. Giles smiled, knowing how good she was at this, he trained her himself after all.

"Anya my dear, I have a thought. I think it’s about time, we conquer your fear." Mr. Giles smiled, and William exited.

"Sir?" Anya looked in disbelief, he wouldn't, William came in with a tank. Mr.Giles took away Anya's gun and placed her inside the container.

"Are you comfy?" He smiled.

"Dad what are you up to?" Buffy stood walking closer to Anya now, Mr .Giles snapped his fingers and a box was brought in.

"Anya, you will tell me what happened. Or..." he took out a small bunny, Anya shook her head. "...this will be joining you." Anya banged the cage trying to escape. "What will it be Anya, tell Daddy what happened."

"Dad please don't do this, please." Anya was about to break into tears.

"Anya... One... Two... Three...no?"

"I told you what I..." Mr. Giles dropped the first rabbit in, Anya stopped the urge to scream, but the tears were visible "...Please, stop." There were five rabbits now in the cage, and Anya was huddled into a ball.

"What kind of father are you, you asshole. Let her go!" Faith moved forward trying to unlock the cage, William moved her back. "i thought you loved your sister, what kind of brother are you?" Faith punched William in the face, but unlike any other man he hit back. Faith collapsed to the ground.

"Faith!" Xander swung his fist connecting with William's face. "Don't touch my sister again, you British bastard, or I'll cut off your dick and stuff your balls into your fucking mouth!"

"I'll tell you." Anya said with a small voice. "We let them escape, it wasn't Tara who shot the gun it was Willow. It was all my idea." She lied about the last part, she knew Buffy was in enough trouble, but that would be her mistake.

"See, with a little persuasion... But, since it was your idea..." Mr. Giles smiled dumping the rabbit into the cage. "...You get one hour with these furry little friends." William took out a lock on his fathers command and locked her into the cage. The men exited, Buffy ran to the cage.

"Anya, why did you do that? You’re so stupid."

"You’re in enough... O god one of them touched my leg...trouble."

"They’re just rabbits, everything is going to be OK."

"What happened, what made her so afraid?" Xander finally asked.

"It was our first mission. This scientist guy was a mutator, took animal and transformed them into savage creatures. His favorite was the bunnies, at first they looked harmless, but if you get close they change into this giant monster... Anya got too close, and it changed and tried to eat her." Buffy shrugged placing a hand on the cage next to Anya.

"My bunnies are friendly, I used no chemicals on them."

"I know, I try to tell myself that everyday...but nothing works." Anya said tears in her eyes, there was no where to hide from them.

"Anya listen to me..." Xander walked closer to her. "...I have a fear to, I have clown fear. I'm talking creepy, get away from me, kick you in the face, cry like a scared little baby clown fear. But when I get scared I think of something happy, like my sister or my friends. Something I love very much." Anya looked into his eyes.

"Clowns?" She smiled.

"Yes, clowns, with their big feet and painted on faces. They laugh of death...anyway, think of something that you love, or makes you happy."

"Like what?" she couldn't think, she was so scared.

"Ahh, Your son, think about his little face. Think about things that make you feel good, hitting on weaker people such as me." She smiled. "You never told us his name."

"Scot."

"Now think about Scot, forget about the rabbits and think about Scot." Buffy smiled when she saw this, he really did love her. She could see it. it seemed like he felt her pain, she would help get them together, no matter what.

When the hour passed William came back in and unlocked the cage. Anya fell onto the ground near William, he felt bad. But he would never go against his father, the girls knew that. This time Anya wouldn't forgive him, not ever. She stood shaking, looking him into the eye, and spit. "If you even think about touching me or trying to apologize I'll beat the living shit out of you. I did it before I can do it again."

"I was ten, weak and couldn't fight, I can now." He turned on his heels and walked out of the tent. She turned to see Xander and smiled.

"Thank you." He moved closer and kissed her on the lips, she didn't try to stop it either. She kissed him right back.

~ ~ ~

Tara and Willow sat in the cavern behind the waterfall, sharing stories and laughing about Willow's dreams when she was younger. It was getting darker, and they knew it would get cold really quickly. "We should make a fire."

"We'll be seen." Willow said shaking her head.

"Not if we go deeper into the cavern, if we don't make a fire we'll freeze to death." Tara smiled, collecting some of the dried wood that fell into the cave. "Willow, can I ask you a question?"

"Of course."

"Did you worry about me?" Tara blushed as Willow walked to her. "Cause I worried about you."

"Every second." Tara lowered her head in embarrassment, Willow lifted her chin. "Don't do that. That face deserves to be shown." She kissed Tara's cheek.

"Willow?"

"Yeah."

"What is this feeling, that I’m feeling right now?" Willow shrugged.

"Explain what it feels like."

"It feels like my head is soaring, that everything makes perfect sense but it doesn't. My knees are weak, and my arms feel heavy. My whole world has meaning, and I think..." Tara sighed looking into willow's eye. "...I think I like you Willow Rosenberg." Willow moved to her now kissing her lips, passion struck and it was no longer just Willow kissing, but Tara as well. "Wow."

"I don' think I’ve ever felt this way before." Willow smiled caressing Tara's face. "Well, that's a given, since I never loved at all before." They laughed once again, kissing one more time.

"I just don't think I could... Tara its just makes me so upset to think about being with someone else. Daniel was my world, but he broke my heart. But I can't help think that all these feeling are because I want revenge, or if they are true feelings." Tara looked into Willow’s eyes that started to tear up. "I don't want you to be a rebound. I want to make sure this is for real before I jump into anything. Do you understand?"

"I do." But Tara didn't care she kissed Willow again and this time Willow couldn't stop.

The sounds of owls filled the night outside the cavern, crickets and frogs making the night their own musical performance. The water became the background as each drop hit the lake below. Inside the cave more rivers flowed as Willow and Tara lay on a blanket made of fur, holding each other’s naked bodies, kissing as if it were the end of the world. Hands gliding urgently up and down each other’s torsos.

The worlds seem to connect as hands slipped to forbidden parts, hips bumping and grinding holding each other close. Their lips connected and Willow knew, she knew this was love. She had never, not even with Daniel felt such a connection. Never.

They lay in the sweet afterglow, kissing and holding onto each other. The blanket wrapping them into a lover’s embrace into the perfect night.

Chapter 8

It burns in the soul, the passion burns like a fever. The passion she felt was something she had no concept of before. She could only imagine, not even with Daniel was there this much chemistry. They were married young, she was eighteen and Daniel was twenty. It was just after Willow and Daniel's high school graduation. But Willow avoided the conversation of children at all cost, not wanting to be like her parents. Work came first, she tried to get Daniel to understand. She wasn't ready to be a Mom, she was only twenty-one. Best in her field she wasn't ready to settle down, and be a Mom who would hardly be around for a new baby. But now Willow knew, what that other aching feeling was. That sense of unfulfillment she always had when with Daniel. Now the sense was gone.

"Tara?" Willow kissed Tara's cheek to wake her, who then turned and smiled up at the red head.

"Yes?"

"I'm just confused." Tara sat up with the blanket wrapped around her. Willow brushed the fallen strains of hair from her love’s face.

"Me too, but I think this will work out." Willow stood finding her clothes around the cave.

"I just mean, what if I can't rescue you from your father? What if I fail you, I'll blame myself." Tara started moving towards Willow. As she reached Willow Tara dropped the Blanket. "Tara?"

"Willow I need you to understand." Tara bent down and retrieved her own underwear that was tossed aside. "I feel something, something amazing and I know you feel it too." Willow slipped on her pants and Tara placed a hand on her shoulder, turning her around. "Willow?"

"Tara..." Tara's eyes were pleading, she could see it. She needed it, Tara's mouth got closer to Willow's, waiting for her answer. Closer their breaths connecting, interwining. "...I felt it too." Willow's lips connected with Tara and they shared another kiss.

"Freeze!" Willow and Tara froze just as they finished placing their clothes on. It was William and Mr. Giles. "Ahh, looks like we finally found you."

"You can't have her, Back off!" Willow stood in front of her, protecting her.

"On the contrary Ms. Rosenberg."

"That's Mrs. Rosenberg, get it right!" Mr. Giles was confused, his records never said anything about being married. "You've all been doing that. It’s Willow Danielle Rosenberg-Osbourne!"

"Very well, Mrs. Rosenberg. She is what we came for, and of course you. It still is William's job to protect you, now come along." Willow and Tara backed further into the cave, William and Mr.Giles followed slowly. "Freeze!" But they didn't, Willow and Tara were off like a shot. William was right on their trail. There was no escape.

~ ~ ~

Back at the camp, Faith and Xander sat drinking a few beers with Buffy and Anya. Their guns were taken away from them, and ordered to be watched. They had no authority. Anya in a way didn't care, since Xander kept winking in her direction long with Anya smiling sheepishly in his direction. Buffy caught on, a while ago, trying to talk sense into her older sister. "Anya go to him."

"What are you talking about?" Anya flipped through the pages of this medical magazine.

"An, you love him. I can see it in your eyes, talk to the man." She pulled Buffy down next to her, making sure her focus was on the magazine. "An, what are you doing?"

"I like him OK, but he doesn't need to know that. I just don't want to be hurt again. I can't take another break up." Buffy smiled playing along pointing as she talked.

"An, he’s crazy about you. I could tell the moment he ran by your side when you were in the cage o' bunnies. No other man would do that." She smiled pointing one more time. "He knows things that you have never told anyone else before. You’ve got the bug bad, and I suggest you do something about it." Buffy winked walking away.

"Hey Buffy, one more question." She walked back over and leaned in close. "What about you and Dr. Bunny over there?" Anya smiled nudging her, Buffy shook her head and walked away. Anya quick on her tail. "Don't be judging me when you’re in the same boat!" All heads turned to the two ex-bodyguards.

"Anya back off all right, I just don't think..."

"I'm telling her."

"You do I'm telling him." Buffy countered. Both sisters were at a standoff.

~ ~ ~

Willow was running short of breath, she was slowing Tara down. She didn't want to be responsible for Tara's capture. "I should give myself up, tell Tara to keep going without me, but no then I’ll feel bad and I know she will feel lonely. Then I will try to escape and find her and get eaten by a wild animal. I miss her snuggles already. Tara noticed much brain activity from her love and stopped.

"We should keep going." Willow interjected, Tara shook her head.

"What's running through your mind?"

"What are you talking about?" Willow knew what she was talking about, but playing dumb wasn't going to work. "Nothing was running though my mind."

"Willow, don't lie to me, what's going on?"

"I think I'm slowing you down. You should go and I will stay here and lead him off your trail." Tara shook her head, but Willow tried to pled. "Nothing will happen to me, now go. Before they find us." Tara still shook her head. "No, Tara go. I won't let that man get a hold of you. I want you to run, hide deep in the jungle and don't look back. I won't take no for an answer!" Tara was shook her head, Willow had to clasp her hand to stop it. "I love you, but I won't let any bad happen. I love you Tara." Willow used those words, but in a way she never meant it. She never understood until now.

"Willow?" Willow wiped Tara's tears, then Tara heard some rustling in the near by. "I love you too." Then she ran finding the nearest tree, Willow watched until she couldn't see her love anymore, she turned. The last thing she saw was the end of a Riffle hitting her. Then everything went black.


Chapter 9

In the water of her mind she feels lost, her love so far...
Come to me, my love. Allow me to see you,
Know you are safe. In my head you are safe,
My mind, calls....

"Wake up bitch!" Willow felt something hard come across her bruised face. She winced and opened her eyes. Mr. Giles was standing over her, billy club in hand. But the voice was William's. "Where is the girl?"

"What girl?" Willow just smiled, he would get nothing out of her. But Mr.Giles wasn't impressed. He sat next to Willow pressing his elbow into her chest. "You'll...get...nothing...out...of...me." she said breathlessly.

"My father isn't a very patient man Mrs. Rosenberg-Osbourne." The pressure increased, she felt the pain rise. "Tell us what you know."

"The...truth...is..." He released the pressure on Willow's chest. "I know nothing, I told her to run. That I was slowing her down, the last time I saw her was right before someone hit me." Mr. Giles could tell she was telling the truth. He pulled William to the side.

"She's telling the truth, throw her into the tent with the others. We have one more night to find Tara or Mr. Maclay will have our heads." Mr. Giles pointed to Willow and William dragged her to the tent where the others were. Tossing her inside Xander ran to her side and knelt down helping willow to sit.

"Wills?"

"I'm all right, and Tara’s safe." Buffy smiled helping, Xander to get Willow onto a cot. "So what are you to doing in here?" Buffy and Anya explained everything from the bunnies to the drowning. Willow apologized over and over. She felt terrible.

"It’s OK Willow, we brought it on ourselves. As long as none of this went in vain." Buffy walked over to the tent flaps opening them. She saw William and her father riding back into the forest, with almost every man they had. They needed to find Tara that badly, Buffy knew this meant her father was desperate. "OK we need a plan to-" Willow shook her head.

"We just wait, there is nothing more we can do." Willow laid to rest, her head throbbed with pain.

~ ~

Tara rested in a tree, crying over the loss of her love. She loved Willow. She could say it all day/ Love love love love willow! But she would never again know that love. She was on the run now. These men looking for her, making her a target, their prey.

She was could hear the trucks rumble in the distance. She had to move. She went to run but something stopped her. Her heart, she needed Willow. She debated, something telling her to run, something else telling her to stay. She could hear the trucks get closer and her mind raced. What would she tell willow? Her only chance was to run, if she wanted a chance. Just as the truck pulled up she was already high in the trees leaving the scene. "Catch me if you ca..." All of a sudden something landed on Tara, she lost her footing and started to fall the ground. "What the?"

"It’s a net, something to hold you." Mr .Giles smiled and spoke into the radio, "Call Mr. Maclay. Tell him we have his daughter." Mr. Giles knelt down and just smiled. "Time to go home." Mr.Giles placed a hand on Tara's head and scuffed her hair about. That was it, she would return home.

She was taken through the jungle back towards the camp where she was held in captive. Scared and unsure, she shook as tears streamed down her face. Where was Willow? She looked around and saw the smiling faces of the armed Guards and the frowns that line the faces of Willow's workers. She felt helpless and weak, she needed to escape. Her Will was gone, everything she ran away from was here and she wasn't going back no matter what. Finally she had a burst of hope and shouted, "Let me out!" She banged the cage back a forth, almost knocking it over, William knelt down and faced her.

"Keep it up and your little bird will meet a timely end." Tara felt her heart sink, she knew he was talking about Willow, how much did he see? She settled down, but her heart rose as soon as she saw Willow rushing out of the tent, the Guards stopped her of course. "Keep the bird back!"

"Tara!" Willow punched the guard but before she could run the other grabbed her. "Let go of me, let her go!"

"Mr. Bills take Mrs. Rosenberg-Obsbourne back into the tent!" Mr. Giles waved the man on and the guard pushed her back inside. Willow fell with a thud against Xander knocking him down. She grew angry, she needed to save Tara. She headed for the exit but before she could leave Xander grabbed her hand.

"Willow don't, we've lost. Tara has to go back with her family, get fixed up and maybe even leave her father when she is-"

"No, Xander, Her father is a mean son of a bitch! He's going to hurt her, I feel it. I need to help her, Xander let me go!' She kicked him but he just pulled her closer and held her. Willow collapsed in his arms crying she didn’t want anything bad to happen to Tara.

"Willow I’ve never seen you this worked up, everything will be all right."

"Yea Wills, everything will be great you'll see." Faith kissed the redhead’s cheek. Anya and Buffy knew how Tara felt. Their father had threatened them more then once and tried to kill William once or twice.

"We'll help if we can." Anya smiled nudging Buffy, just as that was said, Mr. Giles and William walked into the tent. Mr. Giles stared at Buffy and Anya with disappointment, but then something crossed his heart, he loved his girls and sometimes he didn't mean to be evil. It just came naturally. "Father?"

"I've decided to give you one more chance, help load Tara into the helicopter." As the girls were about to leave Mr. Giles stopped them. "O and if you fail again, I will be very disappointed." The girls shook, they knew what he meant by that.


Tara sat crying in the corner of the helicopter. She was handcuffed for the personal safety of others. She was shaking the thought of her near her father scared her, she needed to be safe. Just then Buffy and Anya sat next to her placing a hand. "I know you’re scared, and I am so sorry we can't get you out of here." Buffy kissed Tara's forehead, Tara just nodded. She understood, more then anyone, she understood.

The trip was going to be a long one, and Willow watched as Tara was taken away. The plane took off and she along with her friends were escorted back to the States, jobless and sad to see the one they cared for gone. But Willow wasn't out of the water yet, she knew home would be different, obstacles to overcome, a divorce to settle. She was never really happy, never truly happy. But she would be now, well sort of.

Their helicopter left shortly after with everything backed and ready to go. Willow, Xander, and Faith headed back to home.

* * *

Willow packed her things. She had been home for three weeks and already it seemed like forever. She applied for a new job and of course was completely honest why she had lost her last job. Her boss was an idiot, and she helped his daughter escape once again because she didn't want to go home. Some liked her, others found her to be a complete psycho. But she did get on real well with this other businesswoman, the Maclays’ biggest rival.

Ms. Chase was a woman of wealth and power. She represented everything a woman should be in the year 2005 and she wasn't about to stop. She was Businesswoman of the Year in 2002 and runner-up in 2004. Her pride was of course her old modeling career which she mentioned from time to time.

In high school Cordelia was known to be ditsy and well an all-around bitch to those who crossed her path. Popular but quirky, she loved all who of course loved her in return. She even dated Xander. Willow always hated Cordelia but she figured that the past was the past, she couldn't possibly hate Cordelia anymore. "Willow!" Cordelia smiled hugging her, Willow was now scared.

"It’s been years. I heard about you being fired and I knew I had to hire you." She walked Willow into her office. "So what have you been up to?"

"Besides getting fired, my husband’s cheating on me, so I’m getting a divorce..." Willow smiled sitting down on the red seat offered to her. "...everything’s just peachy." Cordy shook her head and offered Willow a glass of scotch. "Thanks."

"Willow I know in high school we didn't get along. Hell I was a jerk, an ass. But you’re brilliant and funny, and witty. I could use you on the team, what do you say?" Willow finished her scotch and smiled. She was ready. How hard could working for Cordy be?

"One condition my team is also hired."

"Who's that?" Willow smiled pointed to a picture on her desk. Cordy smiled. "Xander?"

"Yep he's my right arm, do you remember his sister?"

"Yea short geeky girl with glasses, always annoyed people?" Willow nodded, Cordy raised her eyebrows, and just a smile came on her face. "All right, deal."

The next few weeks were tough on willow and her gang, but they helped Cordy and her team. During this time, Willow devoted herself to researching the background of the Maclays. Just in case.

~ ~ ~
"Hank I still can't believe you fired our best workers!"

"We don't need them, we've got our whole team. And don't raise your voice at me, I don't care if you are my sister!"

"Hank without them we will fall. Plus Cordelia Chase has them how. She's going to pull ahead, and we’re going to lose our shirts."

~ ~ ~

Willow, Xander, and Faith’s new apartment looked really good. After getting an advance on payment they bought furniture and of course food. Everything was going very well. But Willow still felt empty. Nothing was the same when she missed Tara. "Hey Wills, we have to go by the Maclays to get stuff, with escorts of course. Let’s go." Willow reluctantly got up and headed for the door with Xander and Faith. It was time for the inevitable.

The car ride was silent and Xander could feel what Willow was thinking.. But he wouldn't say anything not yet. As they pulled up to their old building. There was Mrs. Sandra Dugan (Maclay), who hugged all three of them and escorted the gang to their old workroom. As they walked through they were greeted with hugs and of course "I miss you"s. As they started to pack up Sandra spoke up:

“I’m terribly sorry about Hank. He can be moody as times.”

"No worries Sandy. It’s all good, If you personally ever want to talk and do stuff don't hesitate to call." Xander knew he was out of line by kissing Sandra on the lips, but hey she couldn't fire him anymore. "Hehe, I waited three years to do that." Sandra blushed and exited quickly.

"Alexander Harris, she is a married women!" Faith hit his arm, Sandra got married a few days after The group left for Peru. So they found out, thanks to a call from a source.

"It was just as kiss, what could be the worst thing to happen?"

~ ~ ~

A few days later Xander lay in an alley behind a bar called Smokey Johnson's holding his stomach. Blood gushed from his mouth. Everything was spinning and it wasn't the whiskeys he had had either. Three men came out of no where and beat the living shit out of him. "Ever touch my wife again dirt bag, I'll kill you. I make over two-fifty K a year, alone. I have two homes and a wife, three kids. And if you ever step in the way of that again I'll make sure you disappear!" One more kick to the face knocked Xander out, he lay on the cold street bleeding and unconscious.

An hour later Xander woke still in the same puddle as before, his head throbbed and he could hardly see. He needed to get home. "Memo to me, don't kiss the ex-boss." Xander struggled to his feet and pulled out his cell phone. "Wills, pick me up at Smokey's please...I'll explain when you get here." Xander sat on a bench in front of the club, holding his side.

"Xander O my God what happened?"

"Three guys, attacked me. Faith was right I shouldn't kiss married women."

"What did you do?"

"Weren't you listening I kissed a married women." Willow shook her head, helping Xander into the car.

"You’re a class act, Xander Harris." Xander laughter stopped, since his ribs told him to, they drove back in silence. Neither wanted to say anything in what had been a long night.

TBC....