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: R: Major angst and death.

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. ?

Special note: Hey guys. I know this chapter is really dark and I'm sorry for that. And I apologize for the major cliffhanger. I promise I'll have more soon. Thanks for hanging in there with me.



Eyes Of The Soul: Chapter 8/?
By: Jennifer



The light in the small room stung her irises as she squinted up at it; from her slouched position against the cold concrete wall, the light fixture seemed a mile away. It was painstakingly bright, but mesmerizing. Amy stared into it as if it held all the answers she was searching for.

Finally with out much effort, the brunette witch tore her eyes away from the ceiling and peered over at the door. She was determined to help Willow, even if she suffered in the process. She didn't want to let her childhood friend down. 'Knowing Rack, he's probably close to Willow right now. Okay... focus. Need to get out of here, but first... must get up,' Amy reasoned with her mind.

Pushing her hands back against the wall, she slowly inched her way up until she was standing. Her legs were wobbly, but she reasoned with them, and they steadied her. Amy winced for a few moments as she moved forward. Her chest was still somewhat sore from Rack's magical attack, but she swallowed down the pain the best she could.

When she reached the door, she thought for sure it would be locked. She was surprised when the handle twisted and popped open. "Stupid fool. He didn't even lock the door. It's like he wants me to get away."

The witch wasn't about to argue with this chain of events. She gladly accepted her freedom and set onward to help her friend. "I just hope I'm not too late," she feared. Something in her subconscious told her that everything would work out though.

*****

The Scoobies had all moved to the dining room to start their research. They were minus Dawn, as the teen had earlier retired to bed for the evening.

Giles sat at the head of the table, naturally, with his children spaced out around him.

Buffy was thinking more than reading. Thoughts of how this all happened and who was responsible, kept weighing her down. 'It can't be some new Big Bad... we would have known about him or her by now, right?' She frowned as her brain did somersaults in her skull. 'The nerds? No... they couldn't have done this. Or could they?'

The Slayer paused her mental questions and looked up at her Watcher, who was intently reading something. "Giles?"

"Hmmm... yes, Buffy?" He looked on at Buffy, curiously.

"Do you think the..." She started to make quotation marks with her fingers, "... Empire of The Nerds, could have done this?"

"I don't know. It's quite possible, I suppose. Only... are they powerful enough to accomplish this?" He asked.

Xander picked that moment to make a witty comment. "We are talking about three geeks, here. I'd think they would be more interested in if The Force existed here in Sunnydale." He sat up straight in his chair and with his best impersonation of Yoda, "Buffy, trust your feelings you must, yes!" The young man got a goofy look on his face.

"Xander, that's not funny!" the ex-demon exclaimed.

"Honey... it's Star Wars," he simply said, as if that would explain everything.

"So! Hello... ex-vengeance demon here. Now if you want to talk about wars, I can tell you a thing or two about that. I've seen enough of that to last me for the rest of my mortal life. And details... would you like details? I can pretty much remember what it looked like when..."

"ANYA!" Giles shouted and interrupted her. "Do shut up! This isn't helping matters any. Now why don't we get back to what we were doing?"

Anya looked crushed. "... But, he started it," she slapped Xander's arm.

"An! And... OW!" Xander rubbed his arm where it had been violated. "That hurt," he somewhat shouted.

"You big baby. You think that hurt? I can really show you..."

"HEY!" A new voice rung out into the room, "Why all the yell-y badness?"

Everyone turned their head towards Willow, who had just entered the room.

"Willow, how are you?" Giles asked her; somewhat smiling at her presence, relieved there was a distraction from all the bickering.

The redhead's features lit up when she felt Tara rub up against her legs. She looked down.

The cat's ears were twitching with anticipation as it looked up into the girl's green eyes.

Willow looked back to Giles. "I'm conceded, Giles," she simply admitted.

Tara cautiously walked around the table. She didn't want to alarm anyone with her presence. When she reached the Watcher's chair, she rested her head on the older man's knee.

Giles was somewhat taken aback by this. "Well... hello, there." Slowly his fingers crept forward until they met the Jaguar's fur. He petted the top of Tara's head.

The gentle cat purred before turning away from the Englishman and trotting back over to Willow.

The redhead kneeled down, supporting herself with the chair in front of her, as Tara approached her and nuzzled her face.

Suddenly, the cat pulled its head back and her ears perked up. A soft growl rattled in its throat. Tara looked out into the hallway before turning her attention back to the redhead.

'Tara?' Willow sent out to her.

No one except the redheaded witch had heard the cat's voice of disapproval.

Tara nudged Willow's hand and then stepped away, walking into the living room.

Baffled, the girl stood up and looked in the direction that Tara had disappeared in. She turned her attention back to her fellow Scoobies. "Guys... I'll be right back," she said, before following her soul mate into the other room.

She found Tara standing by the front door. Her tail was raised slightly and she was positioned in a protective stance. Her ears were lying flat.

'Baby, what's the matter?' inquired Willow, concerned.

Without taking her eyes from the door, the gentle witch responded, 'Something isn't right.'

Closing the remaining distance to the front door, Willow kneeled down beside Tara. She laid her left arm across the cat's muscular back. She could feel its muscles. They were taught and heat was radiating off of Tara in waves. 'Sweetie, you're tense. Tell me what you feel.'

Tara relaxed somewhat when Willow started to massage her back. 'I don't know, Will. There's someone out there.'

'Someone bad?' The redhead questioned.

'No... But I can feel the magic. Whoever it is, is using it right now.'

The Jaguar turned its gaze to Willow and searched her eyes.

'Tara?' The girl could feel her lover's concern.

'Let me outside, Will,' Tara sent out in her mind.

A look of worry flashed across the other girl's features. 'No! I don't want you in danger, baby. Please!'

Tara stepped forward and nuzzled her girlfriend's face. 'Willow, I just want to find out what's out there. Okay? I'll be fine.' She licked her cheek. 'Let me out.'

The petite witch wrapped her arms around the cat and hugged her tightly. 'Tara, I'm scared,' she admitted.

'I know. M-me, too, but... I-I'll be fine. I promise,' she sent out reassuringly.

Willow pulled back and looked in the cat's blue eyes. 'Okay... but if you need me, you better let me know.'

'I will, baby. I love you.' Tara rubbed her head against the girl's chest.

'I love you, too.' With a heavy sigh, the computer hacker stood up and opened the door. She watched Tara cautiously take to the steps and start to look around. When she turned and walked out of sight, around the bushes, Willow went back in the house to alert the gang.

*****

Tara could feel the magic as she rounded the side of the Summers residence. She crouched down as low as her body would allow, and inched forward. Her ears were standing tall, taking in all the sounds around her.

The great cat's movement was halted however, when a flash of white light engulfed her. A growl permeated the night, as she fell over unconscious.

A figure approached the fallen feline, from the shadows and knelt before it. "I'm sorry, Tara... but I had to," it said. The newcomer watched the cat's rib cage rise and fall as it rested peacefully.

Around the Jaguar's body, a circle of herbs was placed, immediately followed by four white candles on each side. Once the candles were lit the figure sat down in a meditative pose and began to chant.

*****

All of the Scoobies looked up upon Willow's arrival, back in the room. She plopped her body down in the chair next to Buffy and rubbed her tired brow.

"Will, you okay?" Buffy asked, concern tingeing her voice. She squeezed the other girl's shoulder.

"No, I'm not," she said softly. "I want Tara back." Willow slumped over and buried her face in her arms, her tears finally spilling forth. She let all of her emotions go. All of her fear, her anger, her sorrow, and her guilt. It all slithered out.

Everyone let her have her moment of grief. Buffy comfortingly rubbed her friend's back as she looked around the room. Something was missing. "Will, where's Tara?" she asked alarmed.

Sniffling while she answered, "She's outside. She said she felt something."

"And you let her go alone!" Buffy's voice demanded, as she stood up and walked out of the room.

Willow sprung up and pushed her chair away. "Buffy, wait!" She quickly chased after the Slayer.

The remaining Scoobies followed her into living room. As they rounded the corner, Willow was grabbing Buffy's arm, as the blonde reached for the door handle to go outside.

"Wait! She wanted to go outside alone." On one hand, she wanted to respect her girlfriend's wishes, but on the other, she knew Buffy was doing the right thing.

The Slayer just yanked her arm free from the redhead's grip and continued on her mission. "No... I'm going outside. She might be in trouble."

"Fine," Willow huffed. "... But I'm going with you," she stated, firmly.

"Nope... Nuh-uh," Buffy began to object, but any other words were cut off when the house began to shake. The windows rattled and the door knocked against its frame.

"Oh, just great... APOCOLYPSE!" Anya yelled, as she pushed Xander in front of her.

"AN!" He protested.

"Everyone calm down," Giles tried to reason. "There, see... it's stopped."

"What was that?" Willow asked the approaching Watcher.

"I don't know, but what-ever it was... this won't be a good sign."

Buffy rolled her eyes. "Ya, think? Well, I'm not gonna just stand here... I'm going out there."

"Buffy, I would strongly make ill to that suggestion and stay here."

The Slayer raised her hands in front of her. "Giles, I can't. We have no idea what made the house go all shaky... and I need to be out there."

"Tara's out there!" Willow shouted. "She could be hurt." The redhead was practically in tears.

"Alright, we all go then," Giles, said firmly. "... But we stay together, understood?"

Before they could answer, a soft and scared voice was heard. "Buffy, what's goin' on?"

The blonde's head snapped around and looked at the stairs.

Dawn was standing in the middle of the staircase, gripping the banister for dear life.

"Dawn, go back to your room," the older Summers said.

"Why? What was that shaky thing?" The teen asked, terrified.

"We don't know. We're going to go find out. Just... please, stay in your room." Buffy's voice was barely a whisper.

"Okay," Dawn simply agreed, then went back upstairs.

Just as Giles was poised to say something, a deafening growl could be heard from outside.

"TARA!" Willow screamed.

"Oh my, God, Giles!" Buffy squeaked. She looked at her Watcher for guidance.

"Go!" He ordered.

Buffy didn't waste anytime opening the door and stumbling outside. Willow and the other Scoobies followed her.

The first thing that cameo sio sight was Tara. Her back was arched, fangs bared. Every hair on her body was standing on end, as she stared down the cause of the small tremor that shook the house.

Rack stood a foot away from the feline. Magic was crackling off of his hands. "Strawberry. I see I found you."

Tara growled again and took a step towards the warlock.

"Tara, No!" Willow ye.

.

The cat only ignored the cries and kept stepping closer to the scruffy figure. He wasn't backing down. Tara took a few steps back, before charging at him. She stopped before she reached him.

"That's not very nice behavior and I don't appreciate it," he sneered.

"You touch her and I'll get really cranky... and... And, well, don't you touch her!" Willow screamed and went to lunge forward.

Buffy grabbed her and pulled her back, kicking and protesting the whole way. She pushed her best friend into Giles's arms. "Hold her," she said. After securing Willow, she turned back to Rack. "I don't take lightly threats against my friends," the Slayer warned.

"And what are you going to do about it?" the man laughed.

Tara hissed and charged at the warlock; she had, had enough.

The man stumbled back and thrust his hands forward before the cat could reach him. Magic shot out of his hands and hit Tara.

She yowled and fell back.

"NO!" The redhead screamed, "You bastard!" Rage began to rumble inside Willow as she watched Tara fall. The hate inside of her bubbled to the surface and her skin grew hot to the touch.

Giles immediately felt the change from his grip on the witch's arm. "OW... Willow?" He swiveled his head around to look at the girl. As his eyes fell upon hers, they widened, as her eyes shaded to black.

"Willow, no! You stop it, right now. That won't help," he softly shook her.

"... But he hurt her. I'm not going to let him do that," her voice cracked.

Giles took her by the shoulders and turned her to face him. "Now, you listen to me. What you are about to do, is not going to help, Tara. It will only it it worse. You made her a promise and I forbid you to break it. Do you hear me?"

Willow stared into his eyes. They were full of love, but they also held disappointment. That disappointment, she was causing it. She couldn't do that. And she couldn't let Tara down.

The redhead closed her eyes and when she re-opened them, they were their normaeen.een. "Help me, help her then, Giles." Willow was on the verge of tears. She turned her head back to Tara, who was starting to stand. "Rack, leave her alone!" she shouted and stepped off the porch.

Giles was right behind her.

"Tell you what, you come with me and I'll leave her alone," his voice was full of malice.

"Done!" the redhead said without thinking.

"Will, no!" Buffy took a protective stance in front of her best friend. "I won't let you."

"Fine," Rack said, as he raised his hands in front of him again. They crackled with energy. "She's mine then," he pointed at Tara.

"Don't you touch her," the redhead screamed and started to charge towards him.

Tara watched Willow take off and ran in front of her. She jumped up and hooked onto her shoulders.

'Tara, no! Move!' She said in her mind.

The Jaguar pushed the girl back into Buffy and then dropped down in front of her, her tail swishing back and forth.

'Tara?' She stared at the cat.

The feline turned its head back towards Rack and hissed. Its whole body shook with rage.

'Tara? Baby?' Willow tried to reach out again, but still got no response. "Buffy!" The redhead squeaked when she watched the cat growl and arch its back, before making a death charge at the warlock.

"NO!" Willow sank to her knees and sobbed.

The great cat hit the man's body at full strength.

Rack immediately defended himself, magic pouring from his hands and hitting the cat.

Tara yowled and screamed in pain with every charge, but she didn't slow down. She sunk her powerful claws into Rack's chest, causing him to bellow with pain.

Current after current passed into Tara as she stood over him. Her jaw clamped down on his neck, fangs sinking into his flesh, as she bit down.

The warlock's final action, before his life slipped away, was to grab onto the feline and force all of his magic into the cat.

"Tara!" Buffy yelled, as she took off after the warlock.

Willow was right on her heels.

His body lay limp on the ground.

Tara fell over beside him, convulsing. Her body shook with electricity. Blood flowing from her nose and mouth.

Willow collapsed besides her, sobbing. "Baby? Tara, get up! Don't you die on me damnit! I need you," she cried. Pulling the cat into her arms, she watched her as the spasms stopped and the feline's breaths came in gasps. "Don't leave me," she pleaded.

Tara turned her head and looked up at Willow. Tears soaking her fur from her crying girlfriend. Her gaze met the redhead's one last time, before her body went limp, her eyes glassing over.

"NOOOOO!" was all Willow could get out before she fell over sobbing on the cat's lifeless body. She failed to notice the cat's eyes. They were green.

*****



End of part 8