Eyes of the Soul

Title: Eyes Of The Soul

Author: Jennifer

Copyright (c) 2002 by Jennifer Johnson
Feedback: jennpurr@yahoo.com or willowtaralove@netzero.com Please, give me feedback. Good or bad. Feel free to tell me what you think. Or just post it here.
Disclaimers: All characters belong to Joss Whedon and Mutant Enemy. This is solely for my entertainment. Please do not copyright this story.
F/F romance: If the idea of a same sex relationship bothers you, please do not read this story.
Pairings: W/T, X/A
Spoilers: Season 6. This is set after Seeing Red, but Tara never dies at the hands of Warren. The rest is just my own creativity. Oh, and Giles never left.
Summary: Tara is missing, or so the Scoobies think. What will happen when they find her?
Rating: PG-13: Some violence and a sweet little reunion. Don't worry; Tara will back to human form soon. I promise.
My Thanks: To Sam (Blue77) and Danie. Thanks for being my betas and for helping me out with all the suggestions. You truly are gifted for writing, both of you. I hope you continue to do so. ;) And Danie, don't forget the catnip. ;)
Author's Notes: This is my first attempt at writing Buffy fan fiction, so please tell me what you think. I usually write fan fiction for ER. I apologize for the heavy subject of W/T angst in this story, especially after what has happened to Tara. These thoughts have been floating around in my brain lately and I just wanted to see if I could turn them into a story. Willow and Tara WILL have a happy ending, if that helps. Let's just hope we get that on the show. Some of the inspiration for this came from "Unexpected Consequences" Lisa's a genius. Thanks for your story Lisa. :)



Eyes Of The Soul: Chapter 7/?
By: Jennifer



Tara stood proudly on the sidewalk leading to Buffy's porch, her eyes fixated on the door. She stood waiting to see if anyone would answer her callings.

'Oh Goddess, what am I gonna do? What if they don't come o-out here? W-what if I s-scare them? That's the l-last thing I want t-to do.' Tara stretched her tired body out on the ground, resting her head on the bottom step of the stairs.

'Just r-relax Tara. Everything will be fine. Oh, Willow... I need you baby.' She sighed before curling up into a ball. At this point, she didn't care if anyone saw her. The Jaguar's body was the last of her worries. All she wanted was Willow.

*****

Buffy discretely motioned for Willow to be quiet as they calmly slinked out the door.

The redhead froze when her eyes landed on the curled up figure of the cat. "Are you sure it's not gonna make a Willow Happy Meal out of me?" she whispered.

"Just stay close to me, but stay behind me. You'll be fine," Buffy promised, as she cautiously inched her way forward.

Willow was still frozen; she couldn't convince her legs to move if her life depended on it. "Be careful, Buffy," she warned.

The blonde turned her head back towards the e. "e. "It's okay, Will. Come on."

Willow just shook her head and took a step back.

When the Slayer neared the top step, the Jaguar's ears perked up and she raised her head. 'Buffy,' Tara said in her mind.

Buffy crouched down and cooed, "Hey Kitty. You weren't supposed to follow me," her tone was curious, but somewhat playful.

Tara stayed on the ground, but crawled forward, inching up the steps until she reached Buffy.

"Buffy!" Willow squeaked.

Disregarding her best friend's protest, the girl reached her right hand forward and scratched Tara's ears. "These are becoming regular visits... you and me and the slaying gig," she laughed softly.

The Jaguar leaned into the loving ministrations. She was too caught up with the Slayer's appraisal that she had yet to notice the redhead, who was standing silently close to the door.

Buffy turned her head again and eyed Willow. "Wanna pet the kitty?” she said and she smiled.

Tara watched the blonde turn her head the other way and that's when she looked past Buffy and her eyes fell upon, 'Willow... darling!' As if forgetting that she was still in her feral form, Tara quickly scampered up the stairs toward her target.

Willow squealed when she saw the cat approaching her. Her love for cats slipped her mind as the animal closed in on her. Backing up as far as she could, she bumped into the wall, her eyes wide with fear.

"Don't eat me!" she begged, before sliding down the wall. She didn't take her eyes off the cat.

Tara's heart shattered, watching her soul mate cower. 'I'm not gonna hurt you, sweetie.' Her eyes saddened, her movement halting.

When the cat reached out with its mind, Willow somehow had heard it. They connected. The redhead's brow crinkled, her expression softening. "Tara?"

The Jaguar lifted its head and stared at the girl. 'Willow?'

Willow's eyes brimmed with tears, the realization hitting her. This cat that she had been afraid of, is Tara. Her heart and soul would recognize her lover's presence anywhere. "Tara, baby?" She pushed herself onto her knees and stared into the feline's eyes.

"Will?" Confusion was Buffy's only companion. She didn't understand what was going on.

Tara stepped closer, somewhat fearful of getting too close without Willow's permission. 'Will, it's me. Sweetie, please...' she pleaded.

Stepping forward, she went the rest of the way to her love, immediately butting into her chest, nuzzling her. If the other girl hadn't been on the ground already, she would have been knocked over.

Pulling away, Willow searched those blue eyes that she would know anywhere. Only this time, they were larger then when she had last peered into them. "Buffy... this IS... Tara," her body started to shake as her floodgates opened.

Falling forward, she wrapped her arms around the cat, squeezing tightly.

Buffy was utterly taken aback by that, "Who-the-where-the-what? Wanna run that by me again?" She stared at her best friend, who was still hysterically crying.

Tara affectionately licked the redhead's face several times, before nuzzling her skin. Her body pushed closer to the other girl's, until she was ultimately sitting in her lap. 'Darling, I missed you. I love you.' Calmly she dropped her head onto Willow's shoulder and just sat still, her ribcage rising and falling erratically.

As Willow ran her hands down the cat's back, her tears began to calm somewhat.

Buffy kneeled down in front of her, trying to make eye contact. "Will, what's goin' on?"

Opening her eyes, she looked into the Slayer's. "She's Tara," is all she could manage, as a fresh batch of tears soaked her cheeks.

Buffy inched closer and ran her hand down the cat's back, her eyes softening with her own tears that were threatening to fall. When she spoke again, her voice wavered. "How?"

Willow shook her head, "I don't know... but it's her. She came back to me." Her arms tightened around the black feline again.

Nuzzling the redhead's neck, 'I'll always come back to you, sweetie. Always,' she promised, purring softly in the hacker's ear.

"I know, baby," Willow reassured.

Buffy was adjusting to this new information the best she could. It all made sense to her now. The cat protecting her, it's gentle nature, and it's devotion. Even now, in predator form, the gentle witch's love for Willow was apparent. The way it nuzzled up to her and wouldn't let go of the contact.

'Oh, My God! That really is Tara,' her conscious said, over and over again.

The Slayer's thoughts were interrupted when she heard Willow say, 'I love you, too.' Clearing her throat, "Is she talking to you?" she asked curiously.

The redhead lifted her head, "Yeah. I don't know how, but she's reaching out to me and we can hear each other. Remember a couple of nights ago when I went all freaky cause I heard her?"

"Yeah. I remember that," Buffy answered.

"I knew I wasn't goin' looney," Willow sighed.

'You heard me?' Tara continued to purr in her lover's ear.

'Yeah, baby. I did. Then I went all running around the house looking for you. That's when I realized you were still alive and I didn't have to worry anymore. I mean, I still worried cause you weren't here, but I didn't have to be all freak-o girl thinking you were...' Willow said in her mind, but her babble was quickly cut off.

'I'm still here, darling. I never left. I just wish I could get b-back to me again.' Her thoughts saddened and she inched even closer to the redhead's body.

'We'll get you turned back. We have to,' Willow vowed, massaging Tara's ears.

The feline laid down on her back between Willow's legs. Her front left paw, pawing at the other girl. She tapped at her chest, but when she didn't get the response she wanted, Tara pushed her paw at the girl's hand.

This just made the computer hacker smile down at the cat. Her tears having calmed now, she was relieved and her heart was singing.

"She wants you to scratch her tummy," Buffy pointed out.

No other words were necessary. Willow joyfully petted Tara's velvet soft underside, her hands stroking back and forth from her chest down to her lower abdomen and back up.

Tara's whole body seemed to come alive at Willow's touch, her body shaking as she purred, making her chest sound like a car motor. Her soul was alive again.

"Can I?" Buffy asked, positioning her hand over the cat's abdomen.

Willow beamed, "Sure."

Smiling back, the Slayer's feather light touch ran over the Jaguar's belly. Buffy petted her for a moment before pulling her hand away.

"Buffy, how did you know?" the redhead finally asked. "Did you know she was Tara?"

"No, I didn't. I just got this intuitive feeling that I was safe... that she wouldn't hurt me. I understand now," she thankfully admitted.

Tara pawed at Willow again. She had stopped her ministrations and the cat missed Willow's hand.

Willow chuckled lightly at her lover before going back to her petting task.

Buffy stood up and stretched her legs. "You know... I'm gonna go back in. Why don't you spend some alone time with her? I'll be inside if you need anything."

"Okay, Buffy. Thank you." Willow didn't take her eyes from Tara's gaze. Now, the only challenge lying in her way, was figuring out how this all happened and how to change it back. "It's gonna be okay, Tara. We'll figure this out," she promised.

Tara flipped over and curled into the other girl, laying her head against the warmth of her stomach.

The redhead had so many questions for her partner, but neither one of them wanted to break the moment they were sharing. Willow glided her hand over Tara's chest as she relaxed back against the wall. Tears of relief found her cheeks and slithered their way to freedom. Tara was home, that's all that mattered to Willow. 'I love you, my Tara.'

'And I love you, my Willow,' she nuzzled in closer to her stomach. Her large nostrils taking in the scent she knew by heart.

*****

"Oh, God! Where's Willow?" Xander fearfully asked, as Buffy walked back in the front door. "Well... why isn't she with you? Did something..."

Buffy walked over beside the couch he and Anya were sharing. "Relax. She's fine."

"Then where is she?" the young man was slightly confused.

"Will's with Tara," the Slayer said, with a relieved smile.

"Tara's back?" Giles scooted to the front of his chair, his eyes full of hope.

"She's been back," Buffy admitted, somewhat defeated that she didn't see it sooner. 'I should have known it... the cat... is her.'

"What do you mean?" the Watcher asked, picking up on his Slayer's tone.

"Just what I said." She slumped down in the chair across from the couch. "She's been here the whole time. The cat..." pointing at the front door, "its Tara."

"Dear Lord!" Giles removed his glasses. "You're quite certain?" He needed reassurance.

Buffy nodded and looked over at Xander, whose jaw was somewhat agape.

"Honey, you're gaping," Anya rubbed his back. "That's very unattractive!"

Looking from Anya to Buffy, "WOW... Is she okay?" the construction worker asked, his voice full of concern and wonder.

"Uh... well, aside from the fact that she's all furry, she looks fine. I mean, her and Willow were talking so..."

"Talking? How so?" Giles' brow furrowed in confusion.

"You know... that telepathic thingy they do. They were telepathing." Buffy grinned, as she watched her Watcher stand and start walking towards the door. "Giles?" Buffy also stood, following after him.

"Maybe we should go outside and make sure that Tara has not been injured?" he suggested.

Buffy stepped in front of him and blocked the door. "Nope! They need some alone time. You can play doctor when they come back in."

Backing away from the door, Giles nodded. "I suppose you're right. They should be alone. They have an awful lot of time to make up for. I say while they are outside, we do some research. We need to find a way to change Tara back to... well... Tara," the older man spoke, as he walked back into the living room.

The blonde looked out the door through the small window and she smiled. Tara was nuzzling the redhead's face and Willow appeared to giggling. "Good to have you home, Tara," she whispered, before joining her friends in the other room.

*****

"Your whiskers tickle, baby," the redhead chirped. She loved the affection, even if it did make her laugh.

Tara pulled away and stared into Willow's eyes. She was happy again. She was home. Home with her love and the gentle witch couldn't ask for more.

Lifting her right front paw, Tara pushed it onto Willow's chest as she kept her eye contact with the other girl.

The redhead could feel the vibration on her chest; Tara was purring. She was content. Leaning forward, she rubbed her nose against the Jaguar's. "Cold! Nose cold," she wiped at her face as she stood. The hard wood was starting to make her uncomfortable.

'Sweetie?' Tara asked when her love moved away from her.

"Just need to move around, baby," she stroked the top of the cat's head.

The feline raised its head somewhat to get closer to the touch. Feeling frisky, the cat stood and lightly jumped up onto the redhead, her paws hooking onto Willow's shoulders.

Willow squeaked, losing her balance. She hadn't braced herself enough to hold the cat's weight. Stumbling backwards, she landed on her butt.

Tara was immediately sorry for making her fall down. 'Darling, I'm so sorry.' She rushed over to the fallen girl and stood above her, staring down at her.

Willow was now lying on her back, laughing.

The Jaguar's large blue eyes just peered on at her. She couldn't believe, of all the things, that Willow was laughing. She lowered her head until it was mere inches from the girl's face. 'Why are you laughing?' Tara inquired in her mind.

The computer hacker didn't answer though. Instead, she lifted her arms and wrapped them around the cat's neck, softly massaging the muscles there.

Tara purred at the touch and gave Willow's face an affection bath with her tongue, before nuzzling her skin again.

'I missed you,' Willow sent telepathically.

'I missed you, too,' Tara sent back.

While lying there, all the redhead could think a was was how to get Tara changed back. There had to be a way, but how? The only spells that she knew of that were strong enough, were dark magic. 'That won't work,' she said in her mind, not thinking.

'What won't work, Will?' Tara searched her lover's eyes. She stepped back when the girl started to sit up.

"I was just thinking, you know, of how to change you back. The only thing I can think of is..." she trailed off.

Tara sat patiently waiting for Willow to go on, but she didn't. She just looked away. 'Think of what, sweetie?' she pressed on.

"Dark magic, Tara. That's the only way I know that would work, but we're just gonna have to find another way. I'm not gonna use it, baby," Willow reassured her girlfriend, who had just started purring at her lover's admission.

Tara stepped closer and dropped her chin on the redhead's shoulder. 'I'm so proud of you, Will. We'll find a way,' she promised.

"I know. I just want to hold you," Willow sadly pointed out.

'You can,' Tara told her and scooted her body even closer so she was almost in Willow's lap.

"I know... I mean as you. I want to hold you, baby." A tear escaped her eye and she pulled the cat close to her anyway. No matter what form her lover was in, she still needed her tow thw that she loved her. "I love you."

Tara just purred affectionately in the other girl's ear. 'I love you, too,' she said. 'Let's go inside, okay? Maybe Mr. Giles will know something, of how to change me back?' She pulled her head back.

"Okay. Let's do that." Willow extricated her body from the felines and stood. She ran her hand over Tara's ears as she stepped past her to the door and opened it. She let the cat enter first.

*****


End of Part 7