Title: To Those Who Wield

Author: CN Winters and Susan Carr

Fandom: Buffy fanfiction, Willow fanfiction, Buffy slash fanfiction, Willow Tara fanfiction

Disclaimers: Joss owns ‘em. I’m just borrowing ‘em.

Rating: NC-17 for grown up stuff like sex, language and violence.

Paring: Will and Tara; Vamp Will and Vamp Tara

Feedback: CN Winters (cnwinters71@yahoo.com) or Susan Carr (skeeter451@mysticmuse.net)

Synopsis: Takes place during season six after Tara and Willow’s break up and Willow’s recovery. We took the liberty of letting Vamp Willow live when she returned to her world just because we can. Anyway, seems Vamp Willow has returned to ‘Buffy’s Sunnydale’ again, this time with her new lover, Tara Maclay, to wreck a little havoc.

Special thanks: To Chris Cook for the ultra-cool banner

"I was happy with Dru for over a century until she ripped my heart out—metaphorically you know. But that’s my story…short version anyway," Spike told them as he lit a cigarette. "What about you two birds? What brought you together?"

Tara gave her sire a lecherous grin as Willow launched into the story. Willow’s voice faded into the background as Tara’s thoughts wandered to the memories of another universe.

She was a college student, attending Sunnydale University when she met Willow. She gladly accepted the scholarship they offered her with the warning that the town did have a bit of an ‘animal control’ problem but any attacks were usually after dark. She figured it couldn’t be any worse than where she was living at the moment…playing nursemaid to her father and her brother, being told she was worthless and evil and the only way to make amends for being part demon was to serve them well.

‘Demons should be seen and not heard,’ her father once told her after she’d dared to express her opinion on something on television. He later gave her 20 lashes with a riding crop to stress his lesson. For 17 years that’s how Tara lived—beaten down like a dog but with less respect—at least she did until she moved to Sunnydale against her family’s wishes.

And the college in Sunnydale had a Wicca group with which she hoped she could expand on her interest in magic. She’d studied with her mother—a secret both of them kept from her father for fear of incurring even more beatings. But when her mother died her senior year, Tara decided she wanted out—she wanted to expand on the knowledge her mother gave her and she couldn’t do that chained to the servitude that was home. And the constant taunts from her father and brother that she’d turn into a demon soon didn’t help. The birthday when she would officially become a full demon was fast approaching and only the Maclay men knew how to control her. Or so they said. At that point, she did the only thing she thought she could do—she ran off to Sunnydale immediately after her admission papers arrived. She refused to live like a caged animal and she had nightmares about what kind of ‘control’ they would place on her after her birthday.

She’d quietly settled into her new life in Sunnydale. She’d made a few friends in the Wicca group she’d met on campus even if their magical experience was disappointing…and one girl in particular. But to many folks on campus she was that quiet, freaky Goth chick. Of course her friends knew otherwise but her shy nature didn’t lead her to many discussions with people outside her Wicca group. She knew that sometimes people stared at her so she wasn’t really surprised when she noticed a woman watching her one evening around dusk as she walked from the library to her dorm. For some reason she kept expecting the woman to approach but she didn’t. She just kept staring as she walked along. Tara tried not to make eye contact as she continued to her dorm.

On the second night back home she saw the woman again. And once more the woman’s eyes seemed glued to her every move. Tara found herself picking up the pace although the woman never followed.

By the third night Tara asked her friend Tracy to walk her home. She told Tracy that she thought maybe she was being followed. As the pair walked along, once more Tara spotted the mystery woman. As casually as possible Tara pointed her out. Tracy had to admit the woman was giving off some freaky vibes and her aura seemed disjointed.

Tracy suggested they go see campus security but Tara said there was nothing she could tell them, which was true. The woman had every right to stare. There was no law against that no matter how unnerving it was.

That weekend the Wicca group decided to meet at the student union to do a little spell casting. The spell was a bust, like usual, and Tara was left picking up the supplies alone. That’s when she heard a voice behind her.

"I’ve been watching you." It was a woman’s voice—soft and breezy. Tara turned to see the mystery woman. She felt her mouth go dry as the woman approached. Tara had never seen someone wear so much…leather…and the enhancing effect it had on the woman’s petite bosom was enough to send her thoughts into a spiral.

"You do spells? You’re a witch?" the woman continued.

Tara had to remind herself to breathe. "Oh…ah…Yeah, I…ah…cast a few spells now and then."

"Did you put a spell on me?" the woman asked.

There was a sleepy, almost child-like tone to her voice that sucked Tara in, making it difficult for her to concentrate.

"What?" Tara asked as the woman closed the distance between them.

"I said did you put a spell on me."

Tara shook her head. "No I-I’ve never seen you before."

"Come now," the woman grinned playfully, "Never?"

Tara knew that wasn’t true. She’d noticed her every night on the way home. "I’ve seen you around," Tara admitted while adding, "but I don’t know who you are."

"Hmm…" the woman said as she looked Tara up and down. "I’m drawn to you. Like it’s magic…what’s your name, witch?"

"T-Tara," she stuttered, feeling nervous. She looked into the stranger’s entrancing green eyes and instead of the anxiety she expected, a sense of calm passed over her. She felt safe and secure although she knew by the look of this woman she could be quite dangerous. She wondered for a moment if the woman before her was casting a spell of her own.

"Are you a witch?" Tara asked.

The woman shook her head. "No…I liked magic when I…" she almost said ‘when I was alive’ but stopped herself. She knew she couldn’t make any deep confessions. Not yet anyway. "…when I was younger," she finished instead. "Maybe we could do a spell sometime?"

"Well, anyone’s welcome to join the coven."

The stranger chuckled. "Those silly girls—if they saw a real witch they’d run the other way. No. I mean you…me…a spell of our own. I’m sure you’ve got a lot of power they’re just draining out of you. You need someone strong to…perform with. Don’t you think?"

It was almost as if this stranger was reading her thoughts. She enjoyed her time with her friends and she did like them on a personal level. But in her Wiccan studies she seemed stuck at a plateau that she couldn’t seem to get over. Tara had to admit she liked what the stranger was offering.

"Sure. What works for you?"

"Pick a night."

"Here? Tomorrow? Around this time?" Tara felt her heart thumping in her chest. Oh Goddess, I’m making a date with her.

"I think I can swing that," the stranger answered. She turned to leave and Tara called out.

"I don’t even know your name."

The woman turned back and grinned. "I know," she said softly before slowly walking out the double doors.

Tara felt herself tremble. There was something about this woman—she was quiet and demure but there was a smoldering passion underneath it. She wasn’t like anyone she’d ever met. Sure she’d always had an attraction to women but…this magnetism she couldn’t define. It scared her yet excited her at the same time.

The following evening Tara waited at the same spot as the night before. Fifteen minutes went by. Then thirty. Then sixty. She decided that the woman was a no show and with disappointment, she packed up her supplies in her magic box and headed outside. That’s when she saw the woman leaning against the light post outside the student union.

Tara walked over to her. "Did you just get here? I didn’t think you w-were gonna show up."

"I’ve been here," the woman answered.

Tara looked confused. "Well why didn’t you come in?"

"Wanted to see how long you’d wait for me," she grinned.

Tara wasn’t sure why she was being ‘tested’ by this woman but she liked the way it felt…she could tell her patience had pleased the woman and she found herself very much wanting wanted to please the stranger.

"We can go back inside if you like?" she offered.

"Willow."

"Wha-Willow?" Tara was confused.

"My name is Willow."

"Oh…that’s a pretty name," Tara complimented as she felt herself blush at being so bold.

"Thought you should know since you’re gonna take me home tonight."

Tara watched Willow’s hand snake up and stroke her cheek, moving to her temple and through her hair to the very tips that brushed her bust. The supply box felt like two tons in Tara’s hands as Willow made a trail across her bra line. Willow seemed totally submerged, using all of her senses as she touched her.

With such a blatant act Tara knew she should be concerned that someone might be watching but for some reason her mind screamed for more. Her nipples ached against the silk material of her bra, the points so erect they were visible through the shirt.

"Someone’s excited," Willow said in a singsong voice. "Tell me Tara. And no cheating…"

"W-what?"

"Have you ever made love with a woman?"

Tara’s breath caught in her throat. Truth was she hadn’t. She’d ‘experimented’ a little with Tracy but Tracy always put the brakes on before things got too ‘outta hand’ as she called it. It always left Tara feeling horny and frustrated. She remembered all the afternoons she spent after Tracy would leave having to push herself over the edge all alone.

"I’m not a tease like her," Willow told Tara bring her back from her thoughts.

"How did you…?"

"Know? I heard your mind. Can you hear mine right now?" Willow took Tara’s face in her hands. "Relax…Feel…What am I thinking?"

Tara closed her eyes and concentrated. She saw an image of them naked in bed with Willow on top pinning her arms above her head as they writhed against each other passionately.

"Oh God," Tara breathed, her eyes shooting open as a wave of arousal swept though her body.

"I like being on top," Willow told her. "Hope that’s not a problem."

Tara’s mouth dropped. She was right. She knew exactly what Willow was thinking but how? How could that possibly be

"I thought it was magic," Willow said answering her unspoken question as she eased Tara into the space between the student union and a supply shed of some kind. "How else could you explain it?"

"Soulmates…?" Tara speculated, not paying attention to her surroundings, too deep in thought. "Maybe we’re…"

Willow gently captured Tara’s chin and turned her head so Tara was looking deep into her green eyes. "Kitten…I lost my soul a long time ago."

Willow morphed into her vamp face and Tara dropped the box in shock. Willow kicked it out of the way and pressed her body against Tara’s. The blonde tried to cry out for help but the sound got stuck in her throat. She felt Willow’s fangs sink into her skin and a trickle of blood work it’s way down her neck as Willow licked and sucked greedily, lapping at her life-force that began to flow harder as her heart pumped faster.

Willow pressed her thigh between Tara’s legs and proceeded to dry hump the blonde against the brick structure. Fear gave way to arousal and soon Tara was moaning in ecstasy not pain. The fight left her body and she found her fingers tangling themselves in Willow’s hair. She didn’t care at that moment if she died just as long as she came first.

"Oh please," Tara cried out.

Willow had heard lots of women plead with her but this ‘please’ was different. This witch didn’t want her life spared. She wanted release. Willow had never met such a sexual creature before with the exception of Xander. And she had to admit she was feeling a bit lonely since that bitch killed him at the factory. Did she have the strength to sire someone, not merely turn them into a minion? She figured she’d find out soon enough.

As delicious as Tara tasted, Willow released her fangs and shifted her face from her demon form to her human features. She began grinding her body even harder against Tara’s, pinning the woman’s arms to the brick wall, kissing her passionately. Tara could taste her blood on Willow’s lips. Instead of turning her off, the coppery taste was like an aphrodisiac. She pulled away from the lip lock and got a whimper from Willow. That changed though when Tara began to lick the corners of Willow’s mouth, taking in the blood that had remained there.

Willow felt her own knees get weak as she felt the woman’s tongue, snaking around her mouth, taking what she had left over. Not only was this woman quite a firecracker sexually she enjoyed the taste of blood. Willow knew at that moment she wanted her. But more than that, she wanted this woman to want her.

"More," Tara told her, leading Willow back to her neck. "Bite me again," she sighed.

Willow wasn’t sure how much Tara could take but her need to feed won out and she morphed again, sinking her teeth deeper. Please don’t let me kill her, Willow’s mind called out as she began to lap at the blonde again. She’d search all over for someone like this. It was too soon to end the game.

"You won’t kill me," Tara said out loud, answering the vampire’s thought. "Drink Willow."

Willow only stayed but a few seconds before she pulled away. Tara’s movements were slowing down and Willow knew she would end up taking her life if she continued. Now was not the time. Instead of drinking, Willow reached down and pulled Tara’s skirt up to her hips and ripped the panties away with her vamp strength.

Tara grabbed Willow’s hand forcing the vampire to look up. Blue met green and Tara grinned devilishly. "Still want to drink?" she asked.

Vampires lived to feed. That was a stupid question. But Willow knew she couldn’t take anymore from Tara. The woman would die if she did. And for some reason the hunt wasn’t as important as the capture had become with this woman. She wanted Tara. All of Tara.

"I can’t," Willow told her. "And I wanna play more with you."

Tara didn’t lose her grin. Slowly she led Willow’s hand to her center and that’s when the vampire felt the cotton string. Willow looked back up to see the half smirk still on Tara’s lips and she found herself smirking back as a result.

Tara gave the string a swift pull and pushed Willow’s shoulders down.

"Drink," Tara said again.

Willow didn’t need to be told twice. She fell to her knees and did just as Tara commanded.

It was odd for Willow. A funny feeling really. She always called the shots, especially with humans. But this human was ‘ordering’ her around…it excited her as much as it unnerved her. But drink she did. The mixture of Tara’s life-force and her arousal was the sweetest thing Willow ever tasted.

For Tara her inhibitions were totally gone. She spread her legs wider, giving Willow more access. The licking and sucking noises that were coming from below were as arousing as the feel of Willow’s tongue. She felt weak and began to wobble but Willow steadied her and brought her to the ground.

And back in the shadows, away from any watchful eyes that might be lurking, Tara opened herself up and let Willow have her way with her. When she realized that Willow truly wanted to bring her satisfaction and not kill her she felt herself spread wider. She gripped the vampire’s red hair and began to grind against her face. Willow found the perfect spot and motion when she heard Tara’s sighs come quicker.

"Uhhhh, uhhh." Tara grunted over and over as Willow continued to lick every drop of her satisfaction. She was so close. She had to have it. "Don’t stop," Tara pleaded, sounding as if her existence depended on it. "Please, please…I’m so close."

Willow picked Tara up by her ass and lifted her so the woman was resting on her shoulders, clawing at the grass as she ached for release. At that point Willow picked up the pace even quicker and it sent Tara over the edge.

"Oh yesss," the blonde hissed as her back arched even more.

Suddenly her body dropped and her eyes shot open. Willow quickly darted to her feet and looked down at Tara splayed across the grass, her breathing hard, her eyes a deeper blue and her clothing disheveled.

"Willow?" Tara said reaching her hand up to her. Helplessly, Tara watched as Willow took three slow steps backward before turning and running away. "Willow!" Tara shouted again. She tried to rise quickly to give pursuit but the draining from both the bloodletting and the orgasm was too much.

When she reached the corner of the building she found the campus empty and dark. No Willow anywhere. Feeling defeated she made her way to the dorm. She wondered if she imagined it all. Perhaps it was some figment in her head. When she got home and looked in the mirror that’s when she saw the two bite marks on her neck. She hadn’t been hallucinating.

A few moments later she heard a knock at her door. "Who is it?" she called out.

"Open up Kitten," she heard a soft voice on the other side say.

Tara knew the voice and she would never forget the endearment.

Willow stood on the other side and Tara opened the door wider.

"You have to invite me in," Willow told her.

"Do I? Well, it depends—did you come back to kill me?" Tara asked.

She reached with her mind and touched Willow’s again like she did earlier.

"No," Willow said.

Tara knew she was being honest and walked toward her bed. "Come inside then," she called over her shoulder. "How did you find me?"

Willow entered and closed the door behind her. "Followed you home."

"You took off in a hurry," Tara remarked.

"I know," Willow sighed as she walked around Tara’s rooms, taking it all in. A large crystal caught Willow’s eye and she began to play it. "Pretty," she said holding it up, inspecting its depths.

"That belonged to my grandmother," Tara told her. The demon, Tara added silently.

"Your grandmother was a demon?" Willow asked.

"So my father says. He tells me I’ll be one too someday but…I don’t know."

The fact that Willow could hear her thoughts didn’t startle Tara anymore. In fact, she was growing accustomed to it in a way. She couldn’t explain it. It just felt right…familiar.

"So instead of knowing, you live in doubt?"

"Yeah I guess," Tara shrugged.

"Kitten, if you were a demon you’d know it."

"How so?"

"You’d live for you and only you. You’d take what you want, leave what you didn’t and never use words like guilt, remorse…fear."

"You looked pretty fearful tonight Willow. I’m assuming you’re a demon—a vampire—right?" Willow gave a nod and set the crystal back down as she continued a leisurely pace around the room looking at the various trinkets and books Tara had. "I’ve heard stories around here but I didn’t think they were true."

"And now?" Willow asked with a reserved grin.

"Now I know different," Tara felt herself smiling and wondered why she wasn’t frightened. All the tales she heard about thing going bump in the night really…well…went bump in the night. But Willow, although a creature of the night, didn’t strike her as such at all. A silence passed between them again until Tara spoke.

"Why did you come back?"

Willow set down the witchcraft book she was thumbing through. "Are you happy with your life?"

"Yes."

"Honest? Remember now," Willow tapped her own forehead with a slender finger. "I can hear your thoughts."

Tara paused a moment. "No, I’m not."

"Something’s missing, isn’t it?" Willow remarked with a hint of empathy.

"Yes," Tara admitted.

"I’m not happy either," Willow confessed. "Not since I lost Xander."

"Xander?"

"My sire. The one who gave me my re-birth in the world. We were drinking buddies." She grinned playfully.

Tara snorted. "I bet."

Willow couldn’t believe how brazen this woman was with her. She was used to humans being afraid of her…after all, she was a blood-sucking fiend. She could bleed her dry…if she wanted to…but Willow didn’t want to. And it was obvious—they both knew it. Willow also knew that this woman wasn’t happy. She’d willingly let a vampire into her room to chat her up. No, things were far from perfect in Tara’s corner of the world.

"I miss Xander. But at least the blonde bitch that staked him ended up with a broken neck. Still…I wish he were here. He’d like you. I know he would."

Tara watched as Willow took a seat next to her on the bed. "What brought you back Willow…after you bolted like that?"

"I felt kinda funny…after…you know?"

"No I don’t think I do."

"I was watching you that first night because…well I was just hungry but…the more I watched, the more I felt…tickle-y inside…It made me smile. And I haven’t smiled in a long time. Even after a good feeding, existence is just…boring."

"Where do I fit into all that?"

"Tonight I felt it again—the tickling—and when I did…it made me scared. I don’t have a soul Tara but there’s something here—between us. I can’t explain it but…I look at you and I see eternity. I would search oceans of time to find you. It wasn’t something I was looking for…it’s just powerful. And it’s totally different from what Xander and I had." Willow paused for a moment. "The odd thing…you feel it too…don’t you?"

Tara did. All logic should have had her fearing for her life when in the company of this creature but just the opposite occurred. She was drawn to her and Willow’s appraisal was right—they seemed linked somehow. If not by souls or by magic then by some other Karmic connection neither one of them could explain.

"I don’t usually use that many words," Willow confessed. "I like things…simple…but that’s what I feel."

"I feel it too," Tara admitted. "And yeah. I don’t understand it either."

Willow rose from the bed and moved so she was kneeling between Tara’s legs. She took the blonde’s hands in hers and asked a simple question. "What has this life given you?"

"What?"

"What has this life given you? What do you have worth staying alive for?"

"Well I have my schooling," Tara answered. "I’m studying to be..."

"Schooling?"

Tara just nodded.

"School makes you want to get up every day? School makes your heart pump, your blood race?"

"Well no." Tara grinned sheepishly.

"Then what does?" Willow asked. "What makes you feel alive?"

Tara looked deep into Willow’s eyes. She said she was soulless but something was still there. Tara could feel it pulling her.

"You," Tara answered automatically. Quickly, she shook it off and tried to rise but Willow held her in place. "This is crazy. You’re doing some kind of mind control or something. I’ve seen the movies, you know? I realize how this works."

Willow had to admit—Tara was delightful although misguided.

"Kitten," she began affectionately with a grin. "No mind games I swear. And as for the movies…I don’t know of a single vamp that can turn themselves into a bat. Certain stereotypes are not very empowering, but I can teach you fact from fiction if you like."

"I don’t know about this."

"I do," Willow nodded. "This is real. And you could have that feeling every night, for all eternity. Instead of waiting for the demon to show up in you…you have the chance to go to it. You can make the choice of either spending your mortal life worrying about it or…you can make the decision."

"Decision?"

Willow grinned, letting her fingertips glide over Tara’s hands and arms, making the hairs stand on edge.

"You’d never get sick. You’d never get any older. You’d never die. As your sire I would protect you, teach you, give you life forever. You can take the step right now."

"Right now?" Tara asked. "Can’t I think it over?"

Willow paused and cocked her head, watching Tara. She knew that Tara would come to her and she knew it wouldn’t be long. She rose and she walked over to Tara’s dresser picking up the crystal. She tossed it to the blonde and walked to the door.

"Oakland Cemetery by the mausoleum. There’s a headstone—Willow Rosenberg…When you decide to start your new life leave the crystal there. And I’ll return...I’ll give you the chance to live forever at my side and leave this boredom behind." Willow opened the door and turned to Tara before leaving. "See you around Kitten."

Tara watched Willow leave. She sat for hours thinking about what had happened that evening as she played with the crystal in her hand. The next morning, Tara left it at the cemetery. And that night Willow returned.

When she did Willow didn’t knock on the door. She simply placed her hand upon it, concentrating on the woman on the other side. Within a few moments Tara opened it.

"Have you reached a decision Kitten?" Willow smirked.

"I have questions," Tara said nervously as Willow confidently strolled inside, handing her back the crystal.

"Relax pet," Willow told her as she brushed the blonde’s hair behind her ear. "I want the choice to be yours. For once in my undead existence I’m not going to just take what I want."

"Really?" Tara closed the door and turned to face her future sire.

"Um hmm," the vamp nodded. "You’re special. I can feel it all over my body."

"It’s my choice then what happens?"

Willow nodded with an understanding expression on her face. "Xander gave me the choice. It’s only right I give you the choice too, don’t cha think?"

Tara’s mouth felt dry and her mind went blank. She had questions. Lots of questions but nothing she could think of as she watched the sway of Willow’s leather-clad hips as she moved to take a seat on her bed.

"You’re so beautiful," Tara muttered. She didn’t know where the comment came from—her heart or perhaps some place lower she suspected but she felt compelled to say it anyway.

Willow was dressed similar to the night before but this time the leather pants and boots were red—blood red. But the top she wore was white lace under a straight cut red jacket. Willow pulled the jacket from her shoulders and in doing so it exposed the halter underneath. There was no padding or protection to it whatsoever and Tara could see Willow’s pink areolas through the thin lace material.

"Thank you," Willow replied with a smirk, knowing her body had Tara’s full attention. "You mentioned something about questions," she added.

Unable to take her eyes of Willow’s body she asked, "Are you naked under that?" Tara immediately shook her head, to clear her mind. This was not the line of questioning she expected to engage in with Willow.

The vampire threw her head back and laughed. When she righted herself again she saw the blush of Tara’s cheeks. She’d miss seeing that blush once she had turned her. But in the end, when she saw those bashful eyes and cautious smile, it would tell her that her lover was slightly embarrassed.

"You’re delightful," Willow complimented with a grin as she reached out. "Come to me."

Willow was like a magnet and Tara found herself drawn to the bed. Willow took her hand first and pulled her to sit beside her before running up the length of her arm and to Tara’s shoulder. Gently she pushed the hair back as her fingertips played with the bite marks she’d left the night before.

"Tell me your concerns Kitten," Willow said softly.

Willow rose off the bed and she straddled Tara’s hips, her cleavage level with Tara’s eyes. Comfortably, she took a seat on Tara’s thighs careful not to press too close. She wanted to see how much she could tempt the blonde. Willow watched Tara subconsciously licking her lips. The desire to grab Tara by the back of the head and force her to her breast was overwhelming. Tara wasn’t the only one mesmerized since their meeting.

Willow had spent the entire day, lying in bed, thinking of Tara while her hands worked her body into a frenzy. Willow recalled her taste, her scent, and her touch. She remembered the way Tara pushed at her shoulders, leading her to her sex; the way her fingertips tangled in her red tresses. Plus that voice! Willow could still hear echoes of that voice with the words of offering herself completely. No, Willow had decided. This woman wasn’t a toy like so many others. She was different.

Willow sensed the carnal current that flowed through Tara even if the woman herself didn’t recognize it yet. It was there. Willow was certain. And once she was turned the world was wide open. Willow would be her teacher, as Xander had been hers. She’d show Tara pleasures and pain and more pleasures than she could possibly imagine in this human form.

She’d never need another puppy again if she had Tara. This woman was connected to her. She knew it within every inch of her skin. She could ride this woman hard and have her beg for more even if Tara didn’t realize it at this moment. She also knew the blonde would love every second of it.

"Tell me what’s going on in that pretty head," Willow prodded again when Tara still said nothing.

"You mentioned the myths."

Willow just nodded and Tara continued.

"What about the cross thing?"

"Avoid ‘em."

"Pointy wooden objects?"

"Avoid ‘em."

"Sunlight?"

"More avoidance."

"Reflections in mirrors?"

"Not a single one," Willow said nodding toward Tara’s closet door.

Tara looked over and saw herself sitting on the bed in her full length mirror but Willow was no where. She looked at Willow and then at the mirror again. Then she felt Willow’s fingertips on her chin pulling her back. "Look all night," Willow grinned. "I still won’t be there."

Tara grinned bashfully and Willow waited for her to continue.

"Will it hurt?" Tara asked. "When you…you know…do it?"

Willow smirked. "It’s a good kind of pain."

"There’s good pain?"

Willow licked her lips and ran her fingers down both sides of Tara’s cheeks affectionately.

"You have no idea. But I’d love to show you."

Tara swallowed visibly and gave a slight nod. Willow could tell she wanted more information but didn’t quite know how to ask.

"Kitten, I’ll make sure that the pleasure of the moment outweighs any pain…Do you trust me?"

Tara gave a small snort. "Yes, I do," she said not quite believing her words but knowing deep inside they were true. "I don’t know why. I shouldn’t. You’ve only been here 24 hours…and yet…"

"You’re thinking of walking away from it all to be with me?"

Tara nodded. "Yes, I am," she answered softly.

"I know why," Willow retorted with a playful grin. Tara waited on her response. "You see the truth."

"I do?"

"You could be my everything." Willow licked her lips and let her fingers play with the strains of Tara’s hair. "And I could be yours."

Tara felt herself shaking—both in arousal and in fear. "I’m…"

"Scared? Frightened?"

Tara nodded. And she watched a perplex look cross Willow’s face. The smile on the vamp had vanished and a look of fear and confusion seemed to take its place.

"What?" Tara asked softly.

"I don’t like you being scared," Willow said with a sense of wonder.

"And that’s a problem because…?"

"I like scaring people but you…it feels funny again."

"Tickle-y funny?"

Willow shook her head. "No. Hurt funny," Willow said, not meeting Tara’s eyes. She looked around the room as if she was considering the feeling for the first time like a young child. Slowly Willow stood up and Tara reached for her.

"Don’t turn away," Tara told her. She could hear the begging in her own voice.

"I don’t understand," Willow told her, finally making eye contact.

Tara grinned and moved to her feet, taking Willow’s hands in hers. The vamp still seemed a bit dazed by the revelation.

"Maybe your connection to me goes deeper than you ever thought. Oceans of time remember?" Tara prodded.

Willow thought on it a moment. "Yeah," she finally muttered. The urge to take Tara against her free will began to brew inside the vampire. She could feel her face trying to contort; her fangs aching to release. She pulled away and walked to the door, hoping to make her escape—to get away from Tara’s presence and clear her head.

"Don’t leave," Tara called out, making Willow stop for a moment.

"I have to. It’s for your own good," Willow told her.

"But you said…"

"Shut up Witch!"

Tara’s breath caught in her throat at the force of Willow’s anger. Willow for her part, lost control of her human form and her face fully contorted. She didn’t turn around. She couldn’t look at Tara. It would be her undoing.

"I won’t take you without your consent," the vampire said more calmly. "And right now the urge to do so is too strong," she said, struggling with the words.

Willow opened the door.

"Please don’t leave!" Tara asked her again. "I need you Willow. I do."

"Not like this," the vampire said, still unable to face her. Willow could feel the blood coursing around in both of their bodies. So connected, Willow thought.

"I just…" Willow tried to find a way to explain to Tara what she was thinking. "I think we both need…I don’t know, space…Oh, I can’t believe I’m saying this."

"Are you saying you’re gonna leave?"

Willow heard the urgency in Tara’s voice and yet another ‘funny feeling’ washed over her—guilt.

"If it’s meant to be you’ll find me…when you’re really ready."

Willow left Tara’s room without looking back.

A week passed and Tara missed her classes. Tracy came by to see how she was doing but Tara told her she hadn’t been feeling well. Being the friend she was Tracy offered to make a trip to the supermarket for some soup or maybe some cold medicines and hinting at perhaps a bit more. Politely, Tara refused and sent her on her way saying she was tired.

For seven days she thought about her existence—her daily life, her possible ‘after-life,’ her way of life. Everything pointed back to one thing—Willow. She couldn’t eat. She couldn’t sleep. The vampire haunted her thoughts unlike anything else she ever experienced. On the seventh night, she made her choice—the only choice.

Instead of taking the crystal to Willow’s grave she took herself. She sat against the tombstone for three hours after the sun had set, instinctively knowing she was safe…Willow had marked her as hers…no mere denizen of the night would dare lay a finger on Tara. Shortly before midnight she watched as Willow approached and she rose to her feet.

Neither of them spoke until they were an arm’s length away from each other.

"It’s forever," Willow told her. "There’s no turning back. You’d be mine...always."

Tara closed the distance between them and pushed her hair over her shoulder, offering up her neck. "I am, you know," she whispered in Willow's ear.

"What?" the vampire asked, needing the confirmation more than she had ever needed anything before…feeling as if her entire existence hinged on Tara’s answer.

"Yours."

Willow knew it would be for eternity. Tara felt it too. She licked the soft skin of Tara's neck making the woman sigh. "I know," the vampire whispered back before sinking into her lover’s eager flesh.

Within seconds, Tara felt the sharp penetration of Willow’s fangs and she howled in surprise, pain and, soon after, pleasure. A moment later she felt the buttons on her blouse ripped away from the material with one swift pull of her future sire. Willow didn’t drink too deeply. She wanted to keep her promise—pain with pleasure. As she pulled Tara to the ground she didn’t hide her demon-self like she had their first night. She wanted Tara to see her vamp features. When Tara grinned and wiped Willow’s bloody lips with her fingers before sucking on them the vampire knew there truly was no turning back now.

She pulled Tara’s sandals from her feet. Next came the hip huggers. Willow was pleasantly surprised that the woman wore no undergarments. In record time, Willow removed her boots, pants and corset. Once totally nude she returned to her lover making sure to place her thigh between Tara’s center. She began to grind rhythmically against the witch. My witch, Willow’s mind corrected as she felt the woman grow wetter with every stroke.

She returned to Tara’s neck and licked the blood that had flowed from the wound before sinking her teeth into the flesh again. She drank with abandon until she felt Tara’s movements begin to slow. She knew she still needed Tara conscious. With that thought, she pulled back and used her fingernail and vamp strength to open a gash above her own breast. She positioned the cut over Tara’s lips.

"Drink," she ordered, grabbing Tara forcefully behind her head and leading her up.

The blonde licked at the wound, lapping up the trickles that welled darkly from the cut but instead of immediately drinking as she was ordered she took the vampire’s areola in her mouth. She began to suck as her fingernails dug into Willow’s backside, slapping their bodies together even harder.

This type of disobedience from any other mortal or demon would’ve probably thrown Willow into a rage but this was different—much different. Willow’s eyes shot open at the sudden mix of pleasure and pain. Any concerns she had, any doubts regarding whether she picked the right childe melted away. Tara could take pain but she could also give it. And Willow was delighted.

She moaned deep and long, which forced the blonde below her to suck harder, her nails digging deeper. For Willow, although incredibly arousing, it still wasn’t enough.

"Harder!" she ordered.

Tara increased the pressure a little more but not enough to Willow’s satisfaction. The vampire grabbed the back of Tara’s head again, this time pulling those blonde tresses at the roots, making them both whimper.

"I said harder!"

Tara did as her Mistress ordered and was rewarded with even more bucking, each movement of Willow’s thigh pounding against her clit. Willow felt her orgasm approaching quickly and she pulled Tara’s lips away from her erect nipple, leading her to the incision she made.

"Oh Tara," she sighed, trying her best to talk through her approaching climax. "Drink now Baby. Drink. Feel it!"

Tara did as Willow demanded. For Tara, the taste was acidic at first but as Willow began to howl in her orgasm her blood seemed to turn sweet. Tara couldn’t contain the sounds of her own moans at the flavor and the feeling it gave her. She continued to devour Willow when she felt the vampire reach down to her center, massaging her throbbing clitoris.

"That’s it Baby," Willow coached as she continued to rub her witch. "Drink. Lap it all up like a good Kitten."

Tara moaned at Willow’s words and touch. She was so close to the edge herself when she felt Willow pull away and nuzzle her neck again. This time the pain of the bite was next to nothing. Willow had kept her promise. All she could feel was the pleasure Willow’s fingers were bringing her between her legs. As Willow plugged three fingers forcefully and swiftly inside of her, Tara cried out. It was unlike anything she’d ever felt. Not more than 10 seconds later Tara felt the last orgasm of her life wash over her. The afterglow was intense but she was growing tired. More tired than she’d ever felt. Still Willow continued to suck, pulling the blood from her body. It took all the strength she had but Tara reached up to hold Willow’s head as the vampire continued to feast on her—taking her to a new plain, a new level of existence. And there, on the grave of Willow Rosenberg, Tara’s life ended and began anew.

Tara’s mind came back to the present as she listened to Willow wrapping up the story to Spike.

"She arose at my place after I’d just returned with some proper clothes for her. No Kitten of mine would be buried under that much cheap material. And she was happy with what I chose," Willow grinned, taking a look at Tara. "Weren’t cha Baby?"

"Absolutely," Tara replied giving Willow a sexy half-smirk. "As always."

Spike knew he had a sappy grin on his face but he didn’t care.

"Now that’s love!" he told Willow. "You ignored your instinct to kill. Tara gave up her waking life to be reborn—that’s just…beautiful. They don’t make love stories like that anymore I tell ya. I mean soul or no soul you still need to feel something right? And you’re both lucky you each found a woman that can feel. Lemme tell ya, the birds I seem to hook up wouldn’t know an emotion if it came up and bit ‘em on the bum."

"Someone sounds cranky in the love department," Willow said to Tara who simply giggled.

"Hey!" Spike retorted. "Just remember gals, there’s nothing wrong with being love’s bitch. Makes eternity go by quicker if you ask me. Sure it might hurt like hell someday but you gotta take a chance on love right? You can’t keep your heart locked up tight, not letting anyone in or letting yourself feel anything like Bu…like buddies of mine do."

"Anyway," Tara sighed, getting bored with Spike’s spiel on love. "Are you in or are you out? You help us and we’ll help you."

Continued