DISCLAIMER: No infringement of copyright is intended. You know the drill, anyone appearing on or mentioned on BtVS are ME's. New characters introduced here are mine.
EXTRA WARNINGS and or SPOILERS: Language, slanguage, AU, OCs
Doppelgängland War
by Eris © 2004 — All rights reserved.
Chapter Two: The More Things Change...
A few days later Tara descended the stairs. On the second tier she peeked through the window at Rue then moved downward to the sub-level. “How are you feeling today?” She asked chipper leaning into the bars as usual.
She never answered. But today she looked different. Her aura was stabilizing and coming into bolder color. She gazed at her clear eyed, alert and intense. She could feel her eyes touching her. “You look better.” She smiled crookedly.
Rue looked about intently then said slowly. “Why?”
Tara was taken completely by surprise, the voice didn’t sound real and she thought she was imagining it for a moment. “W-why? Did you?—” ‘Of course she had to have,’ she thought then finding her composure replied. “Why what?”
“Why do you talk to me?” She asked in a low underused voice.
“Why not?” She smiled again only to replace it moments later with a puzzled expression. “Do you not want me to talk to you?”
She shrugged. “No one else does, except...”
Tara nodded her head with understanding.
Rue shifted about, the chains clanking as she did.
“They don’t hurt do they?” She asked with a frown.
“Not really. I’m used to much tighter ones.”
Tara’s face fell. She never saw that coming. “Oh.” Was the only reply she could think to give then fell silent.
The awkward crept in as she tried to think of something else to say but Rue beat her to it. “What’s your name? You talk but you’ve never said.”
“Me? Oh, uh, Tara.” She beamed shyly and looked to her feet, her hair falling to partially cover her face.
She nodded now. “They never say your name.”
“What?”
“The others. They don’t call you by name down here.”
“Oh? Really?”
Rue nodded.
“Strange that. I never noticed it.” The silence returned again and Tara sought for words finally finding. “You must be so bored here. Can I get you anything?”
Rue looked at her square. “I want to go home, Tara.” The longing in her tone more than plain.
She should have expected that. “I’m sorry. I can’t do that.” She frowned again and fidgeted with the bars. “Besides it’s not there any more... Where we found you... It’s all burnt up.”
Rue’s eyes fell. “You wouldn’t be lying to me would you Tara? I’d hate to think that such a pretty adversary would take advantage of a poor prisoner so.” She rattled her chains for emphasis.
Tara wasn’t exactly sure how to take that comment. “I wouldn’t. I mean I-I’m not. That night...you know--”
“After you staked me and dragged me off.” Rue interrupted with a crooked smile of her own.
“Um...yee-ah.” She felt the uncomfortable rising in the room along with the temperature. “After that, t-t-the mansion burned down.” She fidgeted with the bars again. “I don’t know how it started but, uh, more than likely it wasn’t an accident.”
“Thank you for being honest.”
The quiet returned as no more on the subject needed be said.
Rue blinked and bit her lip the long moments passing then she finally spat out. “Book.”
“A b-b-book?”
“I watch you, up there,” She emphasized with a head bob, “on the steps, reading.”
Tara’s face brightened. “That I can do. Um, what do you like? I’ve got lots of books.”
“Lots of books.” She repeated. “I’ve never owned a book. Anything.”
She was delighted. “I’ll find you something good then, one of my favorites, okay?”
At that moment they both heard the sounds of the others heading their way. Rue turned away and looked down. Tara backed away from the bars.
* * * * * * * * * *
Late that night after the patrol teams had gone Tara returned book in hand. “I brought you something.” She called out and held up the cover. “The Mists of Avalon. It’s a fantasy. You know, King Arthur.”
The girl lowered her head and smirked slyly. “Not personally.”
A Joke. Tara was completely unprepared for her to be making a joke. “Oh?” She giggled not knowing quite how to respond. “You’ll like it it’s wonderfully written.” She stopped then thought. “B-but if you don’t, I have others, you just have to let me know and I’ll get you something different.”
“King Arthur will be fine. I’ll pretend it’s his dungeon I’m locked away in because I spread the heresy of Guenivere and Lancelot’s hormones on parade.”
“Oh my.” Tara replied blushing at the risqué notion. Reaching in-between the bars she placed the book on the floor and gave it a shove.
Sliding across the cement the book came to rest next to Rue’s foot. Leaning down she snatched it up. “Maybe I even helped Morgaine set it off, eh? She had to have an Igor, of that I’m sure.” And eagerly flipped through the pages.
“You’ve got quite an imagination.” She beamed.
Suddenly the girl froze a look crossing her face like all the blood had drained away. She fell silent and dropped her gaze slamming the book shut.
Tara’s stance tightened a bit. “Rue? Are you okay?” She was worried she had said something. “Rue?”
“I-I’m not supposed... supposed to do that.”
“What?”
But she remained silent, conflicted.
“Rue? Do what?” Tara didn’t know what to make of it. She thought they had been getting along fine but after long moments without response and the continued pained look on her face she was at a loss. “Um, okay, all right, it doesn’t matter, you don’t have to tell me.” She said greatly disappointed but it was clear by her grim as she leaned down and slid the book back talk time was over.
Tara startled slightly as it clanked into the bars at her feet the sound reverberating through her body like the breaking of glass, “I-I’m sorry.” Retrieving the book she moved away from the cell and headed slowly back up the stairs. Heavyhearted she peered at her one last time from the landings window before finally leaving.
* * * * * * * * * *
Back in her room, try as she might to drift off Tara’s thoughts were troubled over the latest incident. What had she done this time? Why was she always doing the wrong thing? As her mind worked it again returned to that night she stabbed the girl at the mansion. She tried hard not to think about it but her guilty conscious wouldn’t let her alone, especially now, yet again replaying it in her mind like a dreaded infomercial. She was so grateful the girl was not human--er, was human but of supernatural origin because the thought of accidentally killing another person made her quake within herself when at once she was overwhelmed by the feeling she wasn’t alone anymore. Holding her breath she strained her ears in the darkness only to hear her own heart drumming in them. Suddenly she felt hands upon her and the mattress give way as someone crawled up the length of her. Recognizing the familiar body spray and shadow above her she relaxed and breathed an annoyed sigh. “Dang it, Faith you scared me.” And fumbled to turn the light on.
“You scare too easily, Princess.” She said moving in to nuzzle her neck and turn the light back off.
Tara squirmed about beneath the covers and pushed her away. “Not tonight.”
“Good, coz I want you to be screaming with ecstasy not monkey nerves,” the Slayer commented pulling the sheets away to get at the curvaceous form beneath, pouncing on her.
“No, I mean, no,” she clarified pushing at her again and sitting up to turn the light back on.
“What?” The Slayer was confused. Mostly Tara was receptive of her late night advances eagerly engaging her when she was horny as hell and not able to work out her frustrations on patrol. “What’s the prob? You on the rag or something?”
“Grooooss, and no.” She screwed up her face.
“So what’s the prob?”
Tara pulled her knees up and hugged them. “I’m just not in the mood.”
Faith quirked an eyebrow. “Mood? Mood never stopped you before.”
Tara sighed, “Not tonight, Faith.”
Faith sat back looking at her in disbelief. “So, what, you been getting some on the side suddenly?”
She looked at her annoyed and rebuffed, “Noo.”
“Who is it?” She taunted. “Let’s see who’s new lately?” She thought a moment not willing to let the subject drop. “Oh God, not that gal from cross town...the one from the firebombing?”
Tara’s face went wide and her jaw dropped. “Noo, certainly not.” She shot back.
“Good, coz I think *she* is really a *he*. Not one hundred percent sure yet but I will be, soon enough.” She grinned mischievously.
That was it. Tara’s patience was taxed and she crawled to her knees. “Good night, Faith.”
“You’re serious?” She blinked in disbelief.
“Yes.” She replied standing up and moving to take her arm and usher her out.
“You’re kicking *me* out?”
“Yes.” She pulled her to her feet.
“Oh wait, I know...” She continued pulling free of her grasp. “There’s one more recent arrival. One you think we don’t notice you noticing. You’re hot for that demon chick.”
“What?” Tara halted in her tracks.
She smiled wide. “Oh yeah, don’t deny it. I’ve seen you sitting on those steps checking her out.”
“Nooo, n-never.”
“N-n-never, h-h-hell. You only stutter when you get n-n-nervous over the truth.”
“Oh, goddess, it’s so *not* true.” She was so embarrassed she began to blush and sat down on the bed.
Faith seated herself next to her putting a reassuring arm about her shoulder squeezing her. “S’okay, don’t freak. She is kinda cute. Gotta admit, I’ve done some wondering myself what it might be like. You know, getting all down and dirty with a demon.” She then rested her chin on her shoulder and spoke directly into her ear lowering her voice seductively. “She probably knows exotic erotic things about the body no mere human knows, has incredible stamina and can go all night, take her time ‘til you’re insane with need, bring ya’ right to the edge, then turns shifty and all of a sudden WHOA MAMMA, eight inches of tongue—”
Tara jumped off of bed unnerved. “—Okay, just stop!”
Faith giggled and threw up her hands. “What? Don’t pretend you’ve never thought about it.”
“NO, I haven’t,” she grabbed her by the arm again indignantly, “and I just want to sleep,” pulling her from the bed then pushed her towards the door. “So, good night.”
“Oh come on, Tara, you ain’t one of the lil’ sisters of Hoboken.” She stroked the girl’s arm, “I’ve seen the show more than once already.”
Tara opened the door. “Good night, Faith.”
“Fine, your loss. I’ll just go find Oz or Larry or both.” She backed out of the room a big goofy grin crossing her face. “Aarrrroooooo.” She teased turning and strolling off down the hall in search of a good time.
Tara slammed the door and made sure to bolt it this time. Faith made her so mad she could spit. Stomping back to bed she flopped down and angrily covered herself taking out her frustrations on her pillow a few times. But she wasn’t solely to blame, when Faith came to her bed that first night she should have refused her straight away. Only at the time, she was enamored and honored that a Slayer would even look twice at her, this was before she knew Faith, before she found out she would seduce and screw anyone, any time, anywhere just for the adrenaline rush. It meant nothing, she had no feelings for her, just another notch on Mister Pointy. Only she didn’t turn her away and when she kept returning she kept acquiescing because even though she didn’t harbor any feelings for her either it felt good and in this crazy world it made her feel alive. So what was changing now? Was she right? Was she feeling more than just guilt over the new girl? No, that was crazy. Right? Argh, damn it, she hated Faith.
* * * * * * * * * *
The next few days were frenzied as the information gathering by the teams and deep cover operatives escalated. Slash and burn, take many prisoners, glean new bits of information then try and sort out the lies from the untruths.
Inside sources revealed the clandestine search for a direct line heir apparent had become desperate and the charade was close to being uncovered as the ruling clans were demanding the presence of their Master for reassurance all was well under her rule.
On the streets more and more operatives were hearing a name bandied about as insurgent successor to the line — Sharpe. Now, they just needed to know exactly who this Sharpe was and where to find him, her or it.
* * * * * * * * * *
Today was one of those days a body should have stood in bed. Everything that could go wrong was going wrong. Alarms blared and the main level was a flurry outside of Giles’ office as thick black smoke billowed into the corridor.
“I’m sorry. I don’t know what went wrong.” Tara apologized amidst a bout of coughing.
“No real harm done.” Giles replied with a weak smile pushing his glasses back up on his nose with a sooty finger. “That tapestry was only from the fifteenth century.”
Between sprays of his extinguisher Oz commented, “I think ... you’re really getting ... the hang of it.”
“You think so?” She fidgeted.
“Well,” he shrugged, “fires don’t just spontaneously erupt, so...”
Tara dodged about as the damage control team brought in fans to attempt to clear the haze, “I guess I did get some power behind it this time.”
“Yes, you did,” Giles affirmed, “but it’s definitely time we return to control and focus.”
Her face fell and she stared at her feet, “I’m trying my best. If only Amy...” her voice trailed off and she shifted the subject. “Maybe Jenny?—”
Giles halted her. “I think we’re done here, why don’t you head over to wing C and begin classes for today.”
Visibly dejected she nodded obediently and began gathering up her things.
Taking note he frowned, crossed over and laid a gentle if not soiled hand on her shoulder. “Come by at the dinner bell and we’ll give it a go together,” then lifted her chin with a finger and gave her a reassuring smile, “all right?”
She returned the smile on the verge of teary and nodded again.
Turning to help the boy with a fire blanket he asked, “Oz, you can handle dinner with Chip and the others?”
He raised his shoulders, “Not much to handle anymore. Routine’s down and the meds are stable.”
“Good. Dinner time then.” He reiterated and began attending to drying his papers and books.
Tara headed out to class leaving the damage to the control experts.
* * * * * * * * * *
Dinner went off without a hitch. Like clockwork Rue was ushered upstairs to the dining hall without incident or struggle, her food was served up, she ate quietly, then was ushered out into the courtyard for air and sunlight. Once again Tara had failed to make an appearance but today Mister Giles was also nowhere to be found. The boy she’d heard referred to as Oz was in charge and she pondered the implications.
As she sat melancholy on the stone bench watching the sky go from lazy pink and orange pastels to intense hues before the onset of night Oz came out and sat across from her. He was different somehow she could feel it.
“I like the twilight, it’s my favorite time,” he announced.
She stared at him silent.
“Moon will be full soon.”
She turned her gaze skyward again and searched for the terrestrial globe.
“You should be okay now though.”
She blinked at him no idea what he was on about.
* * * * * *
Tara sat on his knee and leaned into his shoulder hiding her face. “I’m trying. I just wish I could do more. Be more help...”
He held her close and patted her shoulder. “I know you are doing your best and I wish I had more for you to work with.”
“I just feel so useless sometimes.” She played with her hair troubled twirling a long strand between her fingers then disgusted with herself became weepy, balled up her fist and struck her thigh, ”I can’t do anything right.”
“Hush now. You are anything but the sort,” he soothed. “You are a vital part of our stalwart operation.” She sniffed and he continued. “W-without you I would have lost what little of my mind remains long ago in this godforsaken hellplace.”
She leaned back and looked into his bespectacled face. “But I almost burned down your office today.”
He stared back into her blue watery eyes. “It’s just a space, nothing more, and I don’t want you feeling inadequate. You haven’t failed at anything.” He sighed heavily. “I blame myself for putting so much pressure on you.”
“You’re not.” She snapped.
“Yes, yes I am.” He replied lowering his gaze taking her hand in his. “But it’s not only you it’s everyone...”
* * * * * *
“Name’s Oz...if you didn’t already know.” His intense eyes twinkled.
The light was nearly gone now and the others had finished their meals and were waiting in the archway of the courtyard for him.
Spying them Oz stood and thrust his hands into his pockets. “Time to go back.”
* * * * * *
“The work we do here is so critical we can’t afford to fail...” He stressed.
She knew this speech quite well and watched his brow furrow so tight she thought it looked painful. “I know,” she chimed in, “this complex is the only thing that stands between the forces of darkness and light.” And poked at his forehead with her index finger, “Yadda yadda yadda,” then smiled cheekily attempting to release his inner grim.
He searched her teasing crinkled expression at first taken aback, eyebrow slightly quirked, then at once began to laugh. A sound that so seldom passed his lips he almost didn’t recognize it.
Tara beamed at the joyous noise.
“My Eviene.” He breathed coming down from his short lived high and hugged her close. “I needed that.”
“We all need that.” She said into his neck running her finger up the rough tweed of his jacket.
He nodded in agreement. “Soon, I hope.”
* * * * * *
Back in the cell Oz knelt setting and locking the chain to the floor as Chip and the others looked on ready for anything.
Rue sat quietly on her cot looking forlorn.
“You’re doing good.” He said with a slow gentle touch to her knee then rose and ushered everyone from the cubicle. Slamming and bolting the door he tossed her a kindly lopsided smile through the bars. “You should be out of here in no time at all.” Then filed up the stairs with the rest of the group.
Rue moved off of her cot dragging the short chain along and slid down the wall to sit on the floor next to the bed.
* * * * * * * * * *
Like a well oiled machine, the teams sped out into the darkness on their quest. Tara watched ‘til they disappeared out of sight and the bay doors slowly swung closed. The long dark would be here soon and she held herself at the thought. Finally finding herself practically alone and choreless she made a beeline for her room, then headed out to the sub-level. It had been days since she had been able to break free and visit Rue and she was still dissatisfied with how their last meeting had concluded.
Bouncing down the stairs she slowed as she hit the last tier feeling an edge of desolation reaching out to her. Peeking through the window she saw Rue was on the floor. Descending to the lower level she took up her normal posture against the bars and called out concerned. “Rue, are you okay?”
There was no physical response but she felt the edge ease off somewhat.
“I’m sorry I haven’t been able to see you, Mister Giles has kept me terribly busy.”
Still no response.
She wrung at the bars and tried again. “You probably couldn’t miss the alarms earlier,” and began to blush, “no real danger, that was all me.” Then screwed up her face chagrined attempting to illicit any response. She saw nothing except one of Rue’s manacled arms and the top of her downcast head obscured by the cot.
The silence was frustrating and Tara couldn’t take much more of it, it felt as if a great weight was pressing down on her chest. “Rue, look I’m sorry. Please talk to me. At least tell me what I did that upset you so, coz I don’t want to do it again but that’s probably going to happen if I don’t know what the thing is that I did wrong was, you know. So, stop me any time...Rue.”
“Nothing,” came in a hushed tone.
Tara felt her heaviness lighten at the sound. “So, you’re mad at me over nothing.”
“No.”
“Then you’re mad at me over something.” She wheedled.
“No, I’m not mad at you.”
“Then what?”
Rue sat silent again.
“Rue.” Tara would not be swayed. “Rue look at me.”
Rue looked up over the cot to the girl.
“Talk to me, don’t just sit there. Tell me.”
“Y-you didn’t come back an—”
“I’m sorry.” Tara blurted out feeling all guilty-like, “It’s been so crazy. I’ve got a lot of responsibilities, you know—up there. Things happen so fast and it’s hurry, hurry up and wait...and...and...” She wound down sheepishly, “you came in kind of a down time.” Then stepped down from the bars and walked about uneasy.
Rue’s eyes never left the frenzied girl as she paced the floor.
“Can we start over?” She asked flying back up onto the bars. “I want us to start over.”
Rue nodded feeling her agitation.
“Good.” Tara grinned, mischievously got down again, and unexpectedly bolted up the stairs and past the second tier.
Rue jumped up at her abrupt exit and tried to move to see what was the what but her chains stopped her short and she let out a small disconcerted growl at the tight, stepping back for slack.
Tara peeked around the corner of the main level for the night patrol but at this hour they usually busied themselves with perimeter patrol until the teams returned. Descending half way down the first set of stairs again, she dug in her jeans pocket pulling out two small, yet powerful crystals and set them down, one at each end of the step behind her. Retrieving a piece of paper next, she unfolded it and recited an invocation she had written. A barrier erupted enclosing the whole hall. She touched it to make sure it was sound and her hand bounced off of it, the feel of energy tingling her fingers. No one was getting up the stairs with that in place, just in case she was all wrong about her instincts. Satisfied, she made her way back and paused next to the cell clutching at the door’s locking mechanism and lowered her head. Looking through her hair, she said in a deep voice. “Rue, I want to open the door but I need for you to promise me you’ll be good.” Raising her head she made stern eye contact. “I won’t open the door if you’re thinking escape.”
Rue looked down at her enprisoned wrists and tugged them, making the chains tautly clink at the floor and wall points. “Escape to where? To who? All gone...you said.” Backing up she flopped down on the cot dejected. “No more powers anyway...” She mumbled.
“This has to be our secret or Mister Giles will get mad. Do you promise?” She asked impishly.
She shook her head, “Yes.”
It was a tough decision, not so much the actual opening of the cell part, something deep inside told her she could trust Rue, and her aura was now shiny and reading true blues and indigoes, but the revealing her powers part. She was always taught to hide her powers. First by her mother, to hide them from her family, especially her father. Then from other people so they wouldn’t fear and turn on her, and especially from those who could exploit her, or even worse, those who were like her. Finally she decided and ran her finger over the lock making a pattern across it and spoke a quiet few words, then leaned down and blew into the keyhole. Shimmering flecks of light akin to a sparkler erupted and dissipated.
Rue then heard the bolt strike and the door pop back. She cocked her head and quirked an eyebrow as Tara slid the door open to reveal her empty hands. Where was the key? Uncertainty struck her and her heart abruptly began to race. This healer was a magic user too. “Y-you probably shouldn’t come in here.” She cautioned apprehensive.
Tara stopped in her tracks at the words and the new feeling in the air. “Why? Do you want to hurt me?”
“No!” she exclaimed. “I can’t—I don’t want to hurt anyone, I never...” then trailed off for a moment to regroup, re think tactics and continue, “You shouldn’t make Mister Giles angry with you.”
“I’m not going to tell him. Are you?” She stepped closer leaning in with a sly optimistic grin.
“No.” Rue shook her head remaining still, eyes averted. She’d never tell.
“Okay then.” She took another step closer. “May I sit down?”
Rue nodded again keeping her eyes glued to the floor.
Tara could feel the emotion spilling from her like waves as she sat down next to the girl. Her aura spiking about tainted with deep oranges. “What’s wrong?”
Rue shook her head and breathed not daring move. “N-nothing.”
But Tara’s senses were telling her a different tale, “You’re not scared are you?” She questioned the signals she was receiving. “O-of—me?”
The girl remained silent her breathing increasing steadily, her body giving her away.
“Rue?” Tara called out yet again making her jump.
“Yes!” She blurted out mutually making Tara jump, then in hushed tones hissed. ”Yes.”
Tara was truly taken aback. Rue was so powerful she could rip her spine out with one hand and not even break a sweat. ‘How could *she* be afraid of her? She couldn’t hurt her--’ she thought then paused answering her own question, ‘Well duh, dummy. You staked her once, turned her world upside down putting her through hell and you just opened the bars and sat down next to her with no routine armed crew. How would you be feeling right now? Oh, probably like I was going to be executed, or worse.’ “Please, don’t be.” She said at last trying to sound all calming, “I’m not here to hurt you, I promise. I just thought we could, you know, spend time without the bars for once.” She shrugged and motioned about the cell, “Well, you get my meaning.” She could feel the fear slightly draining away to more of an uncomfortable and moved to stand. “I can leave if you’d ra—”
“NO.” Rue blurted out. “I-I don’t want you to leave.” As frightened as she was of the magic user now, she hated the alone even more.
“Okay, I won’t.” Tara returned to her sitting position staring at her, “Breath a bit. Relax.”
Rue did as instructed but didn’t look anymore calm or relaxed in her presence, her aura still spiking wildly.
“You know—” she began, unconsciously raising her hand.
In response Rue jumped back off the cot cowering from her on the floor. “—Please, no painmagicks!” she cried piteously.
Tara stared at her confused not sure of what she just heard, “W-what?”
“No hurtcraft! I’ll do anything you want, anything, j-just no painmagic!”
Pain magic? She was afraid of her because of the magic? Her jaw went slack at the girl cringing before her, looking like she was seconds away from a complete and total meltdown. She didn’t know what to think. “No, no, I won’t. I swear.” she exclaimed trying to calm her, trying to refrain from rushing to her. She had never seen anyone react this way over magic. What could possibly have happened to her? “I don’t want to hurt you. I just want to be your friend.” she declared, “I thought we could be friends, and you know, talk like... they would. Nothing more.” They sat in silence for long moments the only sound filling the air the girl’s unsettled breathing. “Rue, look at me,” Tara finally said.
Rue remained silent and stared into her compassionate blue eyes confused by the light green glow of her healer’s tattoo which was in direct conflict with her witchy powers.
“Listen to me.” she began again, ““I-I don’t have that kind of magic. I don’t know magicks like that...dark magicks... a-a-and even if I did, that takes power, lots and lots of power.” She didn’t know if she was getting through to her then a thought came to her, “I haven’t lied to you. So why would I lie about this?” The girl stopped breathing. “I-If I had power like that, I could just do whatever I wanted, right? An-an I could have hurt you without ever coming in here, right?” She watched the girl begin to unwind and lower her defensive posture, so she continued, “And I certainly wouldn’t be worried about pissing off Mister Giles, would I?” Her words seemed to be working. “Please come back up here and sit with me.” She saw her mull it over and slowly, cautiously she crept back up to sit on the edge of the cot. Tara was careful not to move as she spoke now fearing a repeat incident. “I do know magicks,” she confessed, “but I only practice white magic, good magic, healing magicks.”
Rue shook her head, “There’s no good magic. Willow said. All magic is bad. Burn the witches. The Grandsire’s decree.”
Tara swallowed hard at the barrage of feelings building up in her throat trying not to taste the guilt and the anger that haunted her, “I’m sure that’s what they told you but it’s not true. Most witches are good, only wanting to do good. Please trust me.”
Rue looked at her funny now. No one but Willow had ever asked her to trust them before.
Tara felt the emotion in the room begin to lighten and she breathed a great sigh. “Let’s make a pact,” she smiled softly and became all singsongy, “I won’t bite if you don’t. Deal?”
Rue nervously snorted and cracked a momentary smile.
“Wow, that’s new.” She commented staring at her coyly.
Rue returned an inquisitive look.
“I think that’s the first time I’ve seen you smile.”
* * * * * * * * * *
Over the next few days Tara visited Rue every chance she got, the two sitting and talking quietly, awkwardly at first, getting to know one another gradually. As familiarity bred, they coveted their time together taking comfort in one another’s company. Some nights were spent in probing revelations, while other nights were spent in uproarious laughter. On one such night Rue suddenly straightened up becoming hyper aware.
“What is it?” Tara asked alarmed.
“Someone’s here.” She replied focused on the second tier window.
“What? No, they can’t.” Tara said jumping up and running out the door and up the stairs, but tonight she had not set the barrier. Once on the main level she carefully peeked around the corner and saw the night patrol guard on his round. Satisfied she started back down.
Unbeknownst to her a room door opened, someone emerged and slipped down the corridor.
Returning at a more casual pace she announced, “No one was there it was just the patrol making a round upstairs.”
“Someone was here.” Rue reiterated.
“Rue, I just checked—”
“My senses don’t lie,” she continued then turned about agitated and paced clutching at her head, “o-or maybe they do now? I don’t know anymore...”
Seeing her conflict Tara cautiously touched her arm in an effort to soothe her, “All right, I believe you.” Then moved her to sit back down. “How about we call it an early night then? Okay?”
Rue nodded.
Tara sat next to her, “Hey, I know this is probably the worst moment possible, never been good timing gal, but I was going to try this again tonight. I brought you something. But I don’t want you going all freaky deaky spasticimo on me again, okay. I brought you another book.” Reaching behind her under her hoody she pulled a slim volume from her waistband and held it out half expecting Rue to jump or react in a very much negative manner. “I brought a book of poems.” She waited and gauged Rue’s reaction. The girl sat quietly looking at it. “No freakage?”
“It wasn’t the book.” Rue revealed.
“Oh. Okay, good.” She waited hoping there would be more, but more didn’t come. She would have to be satisfied for now. “S-s-so will this help then? I mean make time pass a little faster for you?”
Rue took the book. “Yes.”
“All right, I’m going to go then.” She motioned getting up and heading towards the cell door.
Rue stood, “Tara.”
She swiveled about as she reached the door and looked to the girl in chains.
“Thank you.”
The blonde smiled. “I just hope you like them.” She said relocking the door and ascending the stairs. “Good night.” Were her final words through the second tier window.
“Night.” Rue echoed listening to her quiet footfalls fade away.
* * * * * * * * * *
Tara was sitting impatiently in the dining hall after class waiting for Rue to be brought up for lunch when she heard Amanda’s voice. Amanda, euphoric came over balancing an arm load of books with her tray and almost tipped her entire burden as she sat down next to her.
“Hey, Stick, how’d it go last night?”.
“I got a big one, you should’a seen the size of him. We’re talking pro wrestler.” She announced still riding the thrill.
“A big one, wow, all by yourself?”
She nodded joyously and opened her milk.
“That I would’ve liked to have seen.” Tara smiled wide truly happy for her.
“It was so awesome...” she trailed off then changed her tone, “...until Faith muscled in and tossed one at me when I wasn’t looking. I got fanged in the head.” She motioned to a small spot on the rear of her head that had been shaved and was now only slightly red.
“Oh my.” Tara couldn’t help but giggle. She knew the seriousness of the sitch on patrols but still couldn’t help.
“Wah wah wah,” Faith drolled sauntering over, “you still whining about last night, pip-squeak?” Faith poked at her head, “How’s the helmet?”
“That wasn’t funny.” She pulled away and pouted.
“Yes, it was. You shoulda seen the look on your face. All, ‘oh shit, where’d that come from?’ an I think you even screamed, ‘Oh my God, a vampire!’”
“I did not.” she glowered.
“Swearzies, Terr,” Faith raised her hand to the sky, “oh my God, it’s a vampire.” And burst out in a fit of laughter.
“You have a weird sense of humor, Faith.”
Faith crossed over to her suddenly serious faced and sat on the table almost in her tray getting into her face, “Eh, we all got something weird going, don’t we, Terr?”
Extremely uncomfortable Tara quirked an eyebrow at her unsure of what she was getting at.
“Oh look, here comes something weird right now.” She continued with a head bob in the direction of the door not taking her eyes off of the blonde.
Tara heard the sudden sound of metal dragging across the floor and watched a wide grin spread across Faith’s face. The color drained from her and Faith began to giggle. “You all right there, babe? What happened, you get a bad burrito? Something not taste quite right?” She got up and strolled off keeping eye contact then motioned with her fingers to her eyes that she had seen and went over to the guys’ table to carouse.
“What’s her major malfunction.” Amanda snorted.
“I-I-I dunno,” Tara lied her heart beating a mile a minute now, “just Faith being Faith.”
“Why’s she gotta be such a bitch all the time?”
“I don’t know,” Tara replied automatically, “plight of being the chosen one maybe.”
“Hey,” the young slayer frowned.
“That’s not a zing Amanda.” She clarified.
The clinking caught their attention once more and both girls watched the familiar sight of Rue being ushered in for lunch amid the security crew.
Amanda furrowed her brow and spooned up some of her hot open-faced mystery meat sandwich. “When are they gonna let her out of those?”
“When Mister Giles finally says it’s okay. Which will be soon,” then added under her breath, “I hope.”
At that moment Giles strode up apple in hand. “How’s the head Amanda?”
“It’s okay.”
“I had a talk with Faith but I don’t think it did any good, as usual. Just try and be more aware when the two of you are out, all right?”
Amanda nodded and Giles smiled fondly back at the younger slayer. “How was class today?” He then directed at Tara.
“Good. But I think Derrick will need some more tutoring he’s not quite grasping the fractals.”
“As I surmised. Can you see if Nancy has the time?”
“Sure.”
“Oh and we’ll need you outside tonight.”
“Tonight?” she echoed.
He cocked his head at the unexpected surprise in her voice. “Yes, why, did you have other plans?”
“No.” She blurted out almost a little too fast followed by, “No, of course not.”
Faith’s table erupted in loud cheers and laughter over some unknown topic making all look their way.
Giles took a bite of his apple and shook his head. “The Gods give me strength, I don’t want to know.” He grumbled to no one in particular swallowing the fruit. “Second bus tonight.” He then said tapping the table to get Tara’s attention as he stood and made his way back over to where Rue was eating her meal.
* * * * * * * * * *
To be continued in Chapter Three
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