A Day Late ~ A Dollar Short

In Shadows Series XI

Author: FemailoftheSpecies

Disclaimer: Joss is the man

Distro: Mystifying Dreams, WWOMB, WLS, RedsSoulmates, Poetry In Motion, NHA, Writings of the Femail, mu Livejournal and others

Spoilers: season 5

rating - This part...Over 13

Summary: Bad things happen...

Thanks to Jennillu and Kat for the beta.

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Humming, I make my way to the Magic Box.  It’s not that far from Spike’s crypt, but far enough for me to have time to think.

Thinking may not be the wisest thing for me right now, not with all these conflicting feelings that I’m...uh feeling...about Spike.  Spike’s hands, his tongue, his lips.   And what had Buffy been complaining about lips of Spike for?  I can’t find any fault with them...at all.

No fault in the way those lips skim over my body, softly teasing me into laughter or tears.

No fault in how he kisses with unbridled passion that promises adoration for an eternity.

No fault in the cool shivers his lips evoke as he suckles on the mark that I’ve had to hide from the others.

No fault in the words that fall from his sweet mouth, words that make me squirm with desire for him.

No fault at all.

Ignoring the part of me that wants to turn around and have him teach me another aspect of my heterosexual ways, I turn down the street and see the Magic Box and it all comes crashing down.

What have I done?  Again.

Tara loves me, I know she does and I love her.  Why did I run away and let her go to the fair alone?  She was only concerned for me and a little scared for herself.  And I ran straight to him.  Something that she fears, that I want him, and I made it true.  Because I do want him.  I burn up inside thinking about him and she can’t make the thoughts go away.   But I do love her and want her as well.  Doing those things with Spike...it doesn’t change that, right?   Wanting to touch him, wanting him to touch me, doesn’t make me want Tara any less.  Love her any less?

Goddess...I’m a skanky ho-bag.  Just like my vampire self.  There’s no escaping it.

I swing the door open and that annoying little bell rings as I walk down the steps and stop in front of Giles.  He’s working, as usual, on something “utterly important and not to be put off”...I’m sure.  But he stops and seems concerned when he sees me.

“You all right?”

“Yeah,” I sigh.

He gives me a look and does that British sarcasm thing.  “Ah yes, because your good mood is both obvious and contagious.”

I go on to explain about the fight with Tara, of course I skip the part about me jumping right into Spike’s pale, muscular, powerful arms as soon as I get pissed at her...

Goddess...is it hot in here?

Well, I’m beginning to feel a little better just saying this stuff to someone, when Giles yanks open the back door and a scabby, Glory minion falls into the shop.

Anya comes around and stares.  We both are doing our fish-out-of-water impression and I’m shocked, but mostly angry that the thing interrupted my nice little talk with Giles.  He’s old and may have some valuable advice to impart.

“Oh, he’s one of those things that work for Glory!”  As usual Anya states the obvious and I feel like I am stating the obvious by stating that Anya states the obvious...hmmm.

Oh goody, maybe Giles is gonna torture it!

But before he can, the ugly creature starts to blab away and I find myself pouting and wishing Spike was here.  He would torture it even if it does talk and I can so understand.  Glory did torture him.

It tells all and we are stunned to discover that Glory knows who the key is.  Giles moves to call and warn Buffy.

“Too late. Too late.  Glorificus will find the witch, and there's nothing you can do to stop her.”

“Witch?  What do you mean?”  Anya asks, not understanding the obvious which is also so very normal for her.

“Tara!”  I yell, running to the exit.

Giles offers to come with me, but I tell him to check the dorm in case she didn’t leave.

“...I’ll check the fair.”

And then I’m gone.  I’m inclined to stop and get Spike, but there’s no time.  As it is I know, deep down know, that I am too late, or I will be.

My legs can only go so fast, but eventually I come to the entrance.  A guy is there collecting tickets and just don’t have time to stand in line to buy one so I do a little spell, casting a glamour that makes me invisible to him for a moment and slip right in past him.

As I call out for her, people give me the annoyed looks I expect, but it still doesn’t set well.  It’s not like I’m making that much noise.  Luckily, no one says anything...I might just turn them into something and I’d be very sorry later.  As it is, I have a boatload of regret going for leaving her like that.

I’m getting frantic so I stop, forcing myself to calm down when I see them, on a bench near the merry-go-round, and I begin the spell.

“By force of heart and mindful power, by waning time and waxing hour ...”

People walking along the path block my view and Goddess I can’t see her anymore!  But I keep chanting.

“I echo Diana, um, when I decree ... uh, what is it, what is it?”  Please, oh please...I can’t remember!  What the hell...what is she doing to her?

“No! No!”  I scream, running toward them as the words come back to me. “That she I love must now be free!”

My view is obstructed again as a Chinese dragon made up of a train of people float in the way, but I know.  I’m too late.  Glory has hurt her, done something to her, and when I finally reach Tara she gives me a blank stare and begins mumbling nonsense and I cry, although she isn’t even aware of it.

And Glory will pay.

The End

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