REPLAY



Author: Heather Martin (SinisterChic)

Rating: PG13

Spoilers: Season 6, Season 7, Angel season 5

Summary: S/B, Learning of Spike’s resurrection Dawn and she venture to LA in search of him. But they are too late. . . Or are they? Is there a way to fix things before they began to get dark?

Archive: Just let me know where





All I can say is just hang in there, guys.



Chapter 26- Lingering Shadows



What a way to wake up. Willow rolled over and moaned in pleasure. Tara snuggled closer and nuzzled her neck. They both smiled. Sunlight streamed in through the blinds, warming their skin.



“I think we made the right decision, don’t you?” Tara asked.



“Definitely,” Willow replied.



The couple lay there, basking in each other for a long while.



“Should we get up?” Tara questioned.



“Don’t want to,” Willow whined.



Tara chuckled. She snaked her arm around her girlfriend.



“We have school,” Tara said.



“Who says education is important?”



Tara tickled Willow’s middle. The redhead squirmed and giggled.



“All right, all right, we’ll get up!” Willow shrieked.



The merciless torture was abandoned. Instead Tara kissed Willow on the temple. Then she got up to gather her clothing. Willow watched her fondly as she dressed. Afterward Tara turned with a scolding look.



“I don’t see you getting dressed,” Tara teasingly chastised.



“Just taking my time.”



Willow slowly rolled out of bed. She searched for an outfit to put on.



“Do you think I was too harsh on Buffy?” Willow asked.



Tara turned, serious. “A little bit. She was only trying to help.”



Willow nodded. “You’re right. I should apologize. I might have done the same thing if I were in her situation.”



Willow finished buttoning up her blouse. She stood in front of the mirror.



“Hey, clothes,” Willow remarked.



A playful smirk spread across Tara’s features. “Better not get used to them,” she said.



“Yes, ma’am.”



Willow tugged on Tara’s belt, bringing her in for a kiss. They shared a brief tender moment.



“Mmm . . . Xander,” Tara said.



“Okay, not the response I was fishing for.”



Tara pointed out the window. “No, he’s here. Outside, talking to Buffy.”

“I hope they’re making up,” Willow said. “Buffy mentioned about how they had a fight yesterday.”



“I hope so too. That’s the best part.”



All of a sudden there was a loud scream from outdoors. Willow recognized it as Buffy’s.



“Tara, move!”



Tara blinked in confusion. Willow didn’t think. She moved to push her out of the way.



But it wasn’t fast enough. A loud boom filtrated through the air. Red splattered.



“Your shirt,” Tara murmured before falling forward.



“Tara!”



+ + +



Buffy stared up at the blue sky. It was so bright and clear. The world was so beautiful and warm. She should have been admiring it. Instead she cursed the fact that Spike couldn’t be out enjoying it with her. She wished with all her heart that things were different. That there was such a thing as a half vampire/half human hybrid. Mostly, though, she wished that he could move past that and accept things for the way they were. She loved him, therefore, he had no reason to lose control and hurt her.



“Hey.”



She spun around, shielding her eyes. Xander stood there. He shuffled his feet, looking sheepish.



“Hey,” Buffy said.



Xander sighed. “Sometimes I wish there was a pill to ward off stupidity.”



“Is that an apology?”



“I was getting to that. But, uh, yeah. I’m sorry. I’m glad you trusted me enough to come to me about Spike. It’s me who has their judgment clouded. He. . . This is hard to admit. He has done some good for you. I’ve never seen you so happy.” He paused and studied her. “And yet, right now you seem pretty down.”



She nodded. “Love does that to you, I guess. It can mend the world or break it apart.”



He smiled. “Good analogy. And true.”



She smiled back, but hers was sad.



“Look, Buffy, you and Willow mean everything to me. I don’t know what I’d do without you guys.”



“Let’s not find out.” She moved in to hug him.



He hugged her back. “I wasn’t done.”



“Oh, continue then.”



“I’ll try my best to be supporto guy. Whatever you decide I’m with ya. I’ll put an effort not to fall into my vampire equals complete evil principle.”



“Thank you.”



He pointed at her. “Doesn’t mean I’m going to be nice to him.”



Her lips cracked into a real smile. “Wouldn’t dream of making you.”



The wind picked up and she could feel a warning in the air. Buffy glanced around. Her heart sped up.



“Xander, we should go inside. We can’t be out here,” Buffy said.



“Huh?” He looked around, not seeing the cause of panic.



Buffy grabbed his arm. She began to drag him toward the door.



“We were standing right there,” she said. “And he came out of nowhere.” She began to hyperventilate.



Xander stopped her. “You need to calm down.”



She violently shook her head. “No, no calming down. Can’t. He’s going to come with a gun. Tara. We have to warn Tara!”



“I’m not getting any of this. Who’s going to come with a gun?”



“Warren. We have to somehow stop him or Tara will die.”



“Buffy!” Xander said, looking over her shoulder.



Time seemed to stop. Buffy couldn’t move.



“I’m going to kill you all!” Warren raged from behind her. “You think you can change it all.” Warren laughed crazily. “Yeah, he told me your plans. Well, think again.”



+ + +



Willow fell to her knees beside a motionless Tara. She took hold of her shoulders and rolled her over.



“Tara, baby!”



She gathered her up into her arms. She began to sob when Tara didn’t respond.



“Get up! Please! Oh God!”



She searched for a pulse and found none.



“No . . . No.”



_____________________________________________



You guys hate me, I know.