{"id":13406,"date":"2024-04-07T13:00:17","date_gmt":"2024-04-07T12:00:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/goteamfiction.com\/?p=13406"},"modified":"2025-06-27T09:25:04","modified_gmt":"2025-06-27T08:25:04","slug":"mercenary-hearts-15","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/goteamfiction.com\/index.php\/2024\/04\/07\/mercenary-hearts-15\/","title":{"rendered":"Mercenary Hearts 15"},"content":{"rendered":"

Wicca Group<\/strong> (Weds evening)<\/em><\/p>\n

Drippy tallow candles flickered softly in the darkened room, creating rippling shadows of the small group that stood facing each other within a nine-foot circle that was temporarily marked with thick white chalk, on which had small rocks spaced out along the line.\u00a0 The candles, just outside the circle, were positioned at the cardinal points on the compass: Water<\/strong> to the North<\/strong>, Air<\/strong> to the East<\/strong>, Fire<\/strong> to the South<\/strong>, and Earth<\/strong> to the West<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Tara watched intently as the High Priestess placed the cup of ritual wine in the center of the pentagram, which was beautifully hand painted onto a thickly woven cloth set in the center of the circle. She drew the sign of the pentacle over it in the air. When she reached out her arms, everyone joined hands over the cup and chanted:<\/p>\n

From the Earth sprouts the seed;<\/em><\/p>\n

From the seed sprouts the plant;<\/em><\/p>\n

From the plant sprouts the fruit;<\/em><\/p>\n

From the fruit sprouts the wine;<\/em><\/p>\n

The humans partake of the wine;<\/em><\/p>\n

And will one day return to the Earth;<\/em><\/p>\n

The cup was then held high.<\/p>\n

May the Lord and Lady bless this wine<\/em><\/p>\n

As I partake in part of the great cycle of life.<\/em><\/p>\n

Pouring out a little of the drink into the libation dish, the High Priestess took a sip herself, and then passed the cup around with the wish:<\/p>\n

May you never thirst.<\/em><\/p>\n

She then placed the cakes in the center of the pentagram and drew a pentacle in the air over it, and then they all chanted:<\/p>\n

From the Earth sprouts the seed;<\/em><\/p>\n

From the seed sprouts the plant;<\/em><\/p>\n

From the plant sprouts the grain;<\/em><\/p>\n

From the grain sprouts the bread;<\/em><\/p>\n

The humans partake of the bread,<\/em><\/p>\n

And will one day return to the Earth;<\/em><\/p>\n

She lifted the plate high.<\/p>\n

May the Lord and Lady bless these cakes<\/em><\/p>\n

As I partake in part of the great cycle of life.<\/em><\/p>\n

Some of the cakes were put into the libation dish. After taking a bite of one, she passed the rest of the cakes around with the wish:<\/p>\n

May you never hunger.<\/em><\/p>\n

Then they all sat down in the circle, crossing their legs, and eagerly partook of the simple feast. Tara relaxed and enjoyed the sensation of positive energy everyone around her exuded, and reveled in the subtle presence of the gods.<\/p>\n

Glancing shyly around at the other members, her eyes abruptly connected with Willows. She held her breath on realizing that she\u2019d caught the other girl staring almost unblinkingly at her, an intense and oddly confused expression starkly written across her features.<\/p>\n

Tara was almost certain that under the confusion there was also the tiniest speck of interest. Not that of a casual acquaintance, but something\u2026 deeper. It triggered an unbidden feeling in her solar plexus, which surprised her enough to make her suddenly uncomfortable. As if sensing it, Willow hurriedly looked away.<\/p>\n

Fact check: Willow\u2019s not gay!<\/em>\u00a0 Tara reminded herself, a little shocked by the brief experience. \u00a0And, most importantly, she has a boyfriend that she\u2019s obviously in love with.<\/em>\u00a0 A boyfriend who just also happened to return Willow\u2019s feelings, as well as the obvious added fact that he was a really cool guy.<\/p>\n

And, hello?<\/em>\u00a0 The whole cheating thing that she\u2019d done with another guy – namely Xander Harris, of all people?\u00a0 Cordy would flip!\u00a0 Slightly shaking her head to clear it, Tara put it down to the stirring ritual \u2013and an overactive imagination.<\/p>\n

Later on, when they quietly exited the building to find Oz waiting, Tara, feeling more uncomfortable and awkward by the second, had rapidly made her excuses \u2013 an unfinished assignment was waiting for her. As she hurried to her dorm building, Tara was painfully aware that Oz was still watching her with brows raised in surprise.<\/p>\n

She overheard him ask his unusually silent girlfriend if anything was wrong. Willow mumbled something too quiet to catch but which must have satisfied his curiosity as they then headed off across the car park.<\/p>\n

*****<\/p>\n

Patrol. Cemetery<\/strong> (Weds night)<\/em><\/p>\n

Buffy was out on patrol as usual – only alone, which kinda sucked.\u00a0 But as Giles had explained \u2013 yet again, it was \u2018for the best given the circumstances\u2019.\u00a0 Still pretty boring not having her friends to talk to, though.<\/p>\n

An hour in and things were still quiet, which made it even worse. So far, she hadn\u2019t come across even a trace of a single demon or vamp. Swinging her arm casually, flipping her trusty stake, she suddenly froze on hearing a short sharp scream.<\/p>\n

Before Buffy had a chance to move more than a few feet in the direction of the sound, a girl suddenly appeared out of a nearby mausoleum, squealing as a guy exited after her and quickly followed.\u00a0 The flushed and giggling face of the girl and the thankfully \u2018normal\u2019 guy laughing breathlessly as he called for her to wait up had her swiftly shoving the stake out of sight in the back of her jeans’ waistband.<\/p>\n

They stopped abruptly on seeing her standing there, and then looked around curiously before giving her an odd look.\u00a0 As they shrugged with rapid disinterest, hooking arms and went to stroll past her, Buffy asked them sharply, \u201cWhat the hell is wrong with you people, wandering around here after dark?\u201d<\/p>\n

After a shocked silence, the girl responded with an annoyed, \u201cCould say the same about you.\u201d She went on to add with a sneer, \u201cWhat\u2019s wrong, blondie? Been stood up? Not surprised, what with your choice of outfit.\u201d The girl\u2019s eyes narrowed as they swept over her casual clothes with mild disdain, mirroring the look Cordelia had often thrown her way in High School.<\/p>\n

Before Buffy could think to respond, the guy by the girl\u2019s side chuckled a little uncomfortably. \u201cOuch, babe, talk about harsh. Come on, let\u2019s go check out a few more creepy mausoleums,\u201d he suggested, tugging at her arm. They then walked off, quietly laughing to themselves.<\/p>\n

Buffy stared after them with her mouth hanging open, stunned. Okay, bitch please!<\/em> Anger flared hotly for a moment. Maybe she should just leave them to it. And end up being some vamp\u2019s dinner and dessert? She let out a heavy sigh and pouted. But then, unlike those clueless idiots,<\/em> she was a slayer<\/em>, and as such, it was her duty, no matter how mad she was, to protect them.<\/p>\n

With a frustrated growl, she began to follow them, keeping an unobtrusive distance and quietly muttering angrily about how all cemeteries should really be fenced off and locked up after dark. To at least <\/em>put off the majority of thrill seekers, as there would always be some who\u2019d be determined to get themselves killed. Not only would it help shorten the long fatality list of the town, it\u2019d make her job a lot easier to boot.<\/p>\n

The soft cool breeze carried the sound of new voices. Buffy halted in her tracks as she recognized the familiar accent.\u00a0 As quick as a flash, she stealthily ran and hid behind a corner of a nearby mausoleum and waited. A few seconds later, a pair of Shousace demons emerged from the trees at the far end of the boundary line.<\/p>\n

Leaning further forward, Buffy attempted to listen to whatever they were saying while still keeping out of their sights. Then she nearly jumped out of her skin when a low voice suddenly spoke inches from her ear, \u201cFancy a workout?\u201d<\/p>\n

Primed for attack, Buffy whirled around. Stake held high, she lunged before taking a good look at who she was knocking to the ground.<\/p>\n

\u201cCareful with that, luv, you might hurt someone,\u201d Spike whispered with a grin as he stared up at her from his new position flat on his back on the damp grass, with Buffy pinning him in place with strong slender thighs tight either side of his lean hips and a small hand pressed firmly against his chest.<\/p>\n

Her arm which had been raised ready to deal a fatal blow faltered on realizing who had almost given her a heart attack. She hadn\u2019t even been aware of his presence, so intent on the approaching demons, and now she was royally pissed – at herself as well as the stupid vampire.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou idio-!\u201d quick as a snake, he covered her mouth with his cold hand, at the same time, bright blue eyes looked beyond her; a pale finger pressed to his lips. She instantly froze, remembering the demons’ approach. Wrenching his hand away from her tingling mouth, Buffy lowered her stake and quickly followed his gaze.<\/p>\n

When the talking continued without pause, she breathed a sharp sigh of relief, glared hotly at Spike before agilely bounding to her feet and retaking her earlier position, not even realizing that she hadn\u2019t thought twice about turning her back on the vampire.<\/p>\n

In the distance they both heard faint laughter. So did the demons, Buffy noted, and rolled her eyes. Just great<\/em>. She glanced at Spike, who now stood close to her side: Two against two?<\/em> He nodded, catching on to her unspoken question. They waited until the demons passed, then jumped out as one\u2026.<\/p>\n

They fought well together, Spike admitted, as they matched blow for blow until finally, both demons were stretched out on the ground satisfyingly dead. It crossed his mind briefly that killing hadn\u2019t actually been the plan originally hatched out with Angel after the last fight had gone down.<\/p>\n

What he doesn\u2019t know can\u2019t hurt<\/em>, he decided. Then tensed as he sensed they were no longer alone.<\/p>\n

\u201cI thought we\u2019d agreed to follow them and see where they went?\u201d The sound of Angel\u2019s annoyed voice caused Buffy\u2019s spine to stiffen as her wary eyes latched onto his tightly drawn face.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u201cThey were about to chow down on two humans,\u201d Spike revealed, making sure he got in first, fully aware of the stirring anger coming off both now-tense figures.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u201cWell, maybe if the slayer had done her job and taken them out of the equation, you could have tracked the demons after.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u201cI\u2019m seeing two fewer demons to worry about. A win-win,\u201d Buffy retorted tightly.\u00a0 \u201cI find them, I kill them,\u201d she added. “That\u2019s in my job<\/em> description, too.” Folding her arms tightly across her chest, Buffy spread her legs slightly for extra balance, making it all too clear to the vampires that the slayer was more than ready to try and take Angel on if it came to it.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u201cOnly problem being the need to find where they\u2019re hiding out.\u201d Angel replied, ice coating every word.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh? I see; what do a few dead humans along the way matter?\u201d Buffy spat out, and glared into his rapidly darkening eyes.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re putting words in his mouth, pet,\u201d Spike interrupted calmly, his muscles tightening even as he attempted to rid the thickness of the-now cloying atmosphere. He really <\/em>didn\u2019t want a confrontation with another slayer, even if he only ended up being a witness to one.<\/p>\n

Buffy took a moment to turn her furious glare his way. \u201cButt out, Spike!\u201d<\/p>\n

He instantly raised his hands and stepped back. Sod it; let \u2018em sort it out between themselves.<\/em> He thought with resignation, pulling out his smokes and lighting one up. He ignored the stirring of mild anxiety in his gut, guessing Angel would have to man up and be the rational one. He was pretty good at that. Usually.<\/p>\n

\u201cSpike\u2019s right. I meant that you should have concentrated on getting the humans out of harm\u2019s way while letting him have a chance to track them,\u201d Angel replied, his tone now deliberately losing its hard edge.<\/p>\n

Buffy\u2019s expression calmed to a degree, and Spike let himself relax a bit – until she took a step forward.<\/p>\n

\u201cJust out of curiosity, Angelus<\/em>,\u201d she pointedly began, obviously hoping, but not succeeding to get a rise out of the vampire, \u201care you planning on telling us if<\/em> or when you do find out?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI could ask you the same question?\u201d Angel threw back at her, and she quickly frowned, obviously unsure of what her answer would be.<\/p>\n

Angel folded his thickly muscled arms across his chest, his pale face reflecting his cynicism. \u201cOnce we do find them, they\u2019d no longer be a threat to either of us, so the point is moot.\u201d<\/p>\n

Buffy\u2019s mouth dropped open, stunned by his sheer arrogance. \u201cWow! You really think you two could kill them all by yourself?\u201d\u00a0 Her temper visibly rose when he ignored her and actually turned his back on her! Jerk<\/em>!<\/p>\n

\u201cTime to move,\u201d he told Spike before heading off without a backward glance.<\/p>\n

Spike sighed and shifted his feet before glancing almost hesitantly across at the still-fuming slayer. \u201cDon\u2019t take it personally, luv,\u201d he jerked his head to indicate the rapidly disappearing figure. \u201cHe\u2019s like that with everyone.\u201d Dropping his finished smoke and crushing it beneath his heavy boot, Spike backed up. \u201cSee you around, and thanks for the workout,\u201d he dropped a slight wink before turning to follow the other vampire.<\/p>\n

\u201cAss!\u201d Buffy muttered harshly; even as she shook off the slight tingle that had suddenly blossomed deep in her belly as she watched the lean vampire lithely stride away.<\/p>\n

*******<\/p>\n

University Grounds, Lunchtime.<\/strong> (Thurs)<\/em><\/p>\n

The girls sat comfortably on the sun-warmed grass in the grounds of the university, leisurely eating their packed lunches.<\/p>\n

As Cordy chattered lightly about her day so far, she noticed that Tara was more or less off with the fairies. \u201cOkay, what\u2019s up?\u201d She eventually asked after the tenth time her friend had replied with a distracted \u201cUh huh\u201d.<\/p>\n

Tara flushed a bit when her eyes quickly focused on Cordy\u2019s half amused, partly concerned face. She hesitated, feeling a bit daft now in the cold light of day.<\/p>\n

With a resigned sigh at the signs of growing impatience, she quietly related the incident at the Wicca group meet. The weird look she\u2019d received from Willow and the conflicted feelings experienced at the time.<\/p>\n

Cordy\u2019s mouth dropped open in shock. \u201cWillow<\/em>?!\u201d Snapping her jaw shut, Cordy thought for a moment with a slight frown before continuing. \u201cOut of all the hot people you could crush on in the world, it ends up being Willow Rosenberg?\u201d<\/p>\n

Tara couldn\u2019t help but laugh at the accompanying exaggerated pout.\u00a0 \u201cHey, you had your chance with me,\u201d she replied with a smirk.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut as you said; I\u2019m not your type, remember?\u201d Cordy responded with a big grin.<\/p>\n

They both laughed at the memory of the moment Tara had initially confided her interest in the fairer sex, and Cordy had candidly asked her if her interest included herself, stating she wouldn\u2019t be surprised what with her being total eye candy.<\/p>\n

Cordy\u2019s smile faded as she now asked, \u201cDid she\u2026?\u201d<\/p>\n

Tara instantly shook her head. \u201cNo, not a word.\u00a0 Although\u2026\u201d she fiddled with a blade of grass before continuing. \u201cI had a feeling there was a teensy weensy bit of interest- but she also looked confused, and a bit scared.\u201d She let out a long sigh. \u201cAnyway, it doesn\u2019t matter. I\u2019m not even going there. She has a boy<\/em>friend for a start. And he seems a really nice guy.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOz is the best.\u201d Cordy nodded, remembering his heartsick expression that night they\u2019d turned up at the library and found Willow and her ex macking on each other while Buffy was taking out the vampire. It obviously hadn\u2019t even occurred to them that the slayer wasn\u2019t alone. But unlike her, Oz had forgiven his girlfriend shortly after.<\/p>\n

He actually loved her, whereas it had brought home to Cordy that she didn\u2019t feel the same way about Xander.\u00a0 After that, it was pretty easy to end the relationship. But she still hadn\u2019t forgiven him for it, even now. I mean: Willow?<\/em> She thought acidly. What did that say about her<\/em> that he\u2019d risk their relationship for a bit of saliva-swapping with that conniving <\/em>little witch?<\/p>\n

Cordy quickly shook off her temporary funk and concentrated on the present. \u201cMaybe you\u2019re just hung up on redheads?\u201d She reminded Tara, who over a month earlier had been covertly checking out a girl at the Espresso Pump. \u201cEven I<\/em> could see what a hotty she<\/em> was.\u201d<\/p>\n

Tara flushed a little on recalling the incident, color flaring when also thinking of her instant panic that had her grabbing Cordy\u2019s arm and dragging her out of there.\u00a0 The \u2018hotty\u2019 in question had caught her admiring gaze and had smiled sweetly, giving a definite wink.<\/p>\n

Tara had been aware, for a long time, that she was physically and emotionally drawn to her own gender rather than that of the male of the species. Trouble was, what with her severe lack of confidence and annoying shyness as well as being plagued with bouts of stammering, she\u2019d never actually done anything about her stirring desires.<\/p>\n

Then it suddenly hit home to her on just how much she\u2019d changed from that painfully introverted persona to that of a more confident young woman she was now gradually turning into.<\/p>\n

But at the same time, Tara also accepted that Willow was a definite no-no; Oz naturally being a massive factor. She\u2019d never forgive herself if she somehow became the reason for any kind of fallout. He\u2019d been there, got the T-shirt.<\/p>\n

The cheating bit came in a close second. How could you even trust someone who\u2019d do something like that, anyway? Thinking more on it, Tara came to the conclusion that Cordy could be on to something. Maybe she did<\/em> have a thing for redheads in general after all?<\/p>\n

With a twinkle growing in her eyes, she grinned slyly and asked Cordy, \u201cFancy an espresso later?\u201d then chuckled when her friend fell back on the grass and burst out laughing.<\/p>\n

\u201cNow that\u2019s more like it,\u201d Cordy eventually replied with a pleased smile, and they spent the rest of their lunch hour making plans for the coming evening.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

TBC<\/strong><\/p>\n

Back<\/a> \/Califi<\/a>
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Wicca Group (Weds evening) Drippy tallow candles flickered softly in the darkened room, creating rippling shadows of the small group that stood facing…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[25],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-13406","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-to-be-continued-fic"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/goteamfiction.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13406","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/goteamfiction.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/goteamfiction.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/goteamfiction.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/goteamfiction.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=13406"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/goteamfiction.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13406\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":13461,"href":"https:\/\/goteamfiction.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13406\/revisions\/13461"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/goteamfiction.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=13406"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/goteamfiction.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=13406"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/goteamfiction.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=13406"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}