Chapter 1-Reality Check

Willow put down the book she had been reading, and clasped her hands together, in an attempt to calm their tremors. She couldn’t believe that it had ended the way it did.

She didn’t want it to. But, she’d have to admit to herself that part of her did. After all, how could she have gone to high school over a Hellmouth, fought along side Buffy; The Vampire Slayer, and not believe. She had given some serious thought about showing the book to Giles; perhaps there was a way he could find out if what she had read was actually true. She knew that the book had stated in the forward that it was a true story but...

‘It can’t be true... it can’t,’ she kept telling herself.

Her hands roamed over the leather material of the book; she knew it was what had originally caught her eye just before leaving the estate sale she had gone to with Giles, as she slowly brought it to her chest and hugged it while closing her eyes.

She didn’t think that the book would take up as much time as it did. She found herself reading it every chance she could; it was as if she had felt compelled to find out what was going to happen next, how it would end. And now that she knew, she wished she’d never bought the book in the first place.

Putting it down, she got up and walked over to the mini-fridge she and Buffy shared, taking out a bottle of water. She walked back to her bed after twisting the cap open and taking a long sip.

As she got back, she looked over and stared at Buffy’s bed.

It was empty.

And in an odd way; one she really couldn’t explain, she felt relieved that Buffy wasn’t here. That she was spending some much needed time with Riley. She knew that if things were different...

‘No, I’m not going there,’ she told herself.

She refused to think about what ifsanymore. She knew she needed time to put her thoughts together about the book and the feelings it generated before she could talk to anyone. She also realized that halfway through the book, she had begun to project herself onto one of the characters. Especially the one called Brin. Perhaps it was the simple fact that she physically resembled Brin, the red hair, and pale complexion among other things.

Of course, that didn’t explain away her growing feelings towards the other character, Hannah.

‘Hannah,’ she thought to herself. She was surprised to feel a sudden onset of rage fill her body when she thought of what had happened...

What she couldn’t stop from happening to Hannah.

“Whoa!” she said out-loud. “Okay Rosenberg, get a grip. Hannah’s not real she's just a character in a book. And... and even if it turns out she was real, you didn’t know her. It’s impossible, she lived hundreds of years ago.”

Placing the water bottle down on the nightstand, she lay down, and closed her eyes. She noticed that her right hand had sought out the book, and that only after bringing it closer to her body did she feel better.

The last thing she could recall before falling to sleep, was the word...

Hannah.

Chapter 2-Perchance To Dream

The ocean waves lashed at the rocks, sending tendrils of water up in the air, as if reaching for freedom, before continuing their journey lapping against the shore as they had done for eons.

Seagulls filled the sky; their cries echoing across the beach, as they were disturbed.

Thundering hooves galloped across the beach, kicking up clumps of sand, only to be trampled by the horses that quickly followed behind them.

“Come on... we have to hurry,” Brin urged Hannah, pulling her along as they ran. She came to a sudden stop when Hannah stumbled.

“Leave me here. I... I can’t go on,” Hannah replied, struggling to catch her breath and to get back to her feet.

“What are you asking me?” she said looking behind her. She knew they would catch up to them if they didn’t keep going.

“Brin... you know how I feel about you, don’t you?”

Confused by the statement, she answered, “Of course I do. But Hannah, we don't have time for this.” She could see the horses they were getting closer by the moment.

“Brin... Brin! Look at me!” the fair-haired girl pleaded, grabbing her by the arm.

“What?” she replied, turning around to face the woman who managed to find her way into her heart. Something she never expected.

“Take this... take it,” Hannah said.

“Hannah, what are you doing?” Brin asked, looking into the palm of her hand and seeing the cameo she had given the other girl for her birthday. “I... I don’t understand.”

“I know.”

Before Brin realized what was happening, Hannah had reached out and kissed her. She knew she should stop it. They didn't have time... yet she could not deny the feelings she had. The way Hannah’s lips felt on hers, how she wanted to get lost in the sensation. Her body began to respond to the stimulation generated by the kiss as she brought Hannah closer.

Just as suddenly as the kiss began, she felt herself being pushed away. She lost her balance and fell to the sand. Opening her eyes, her heart lurched in her chest as she saw Hannah running in the direction of their pursuers.

“Hannah!!! Come back!!!” she shouted as she got to her feet.

“Save yourself Brin. I’ll find you somehow, I promise!!” she answered. “I love you... never forget that... I love you!!!” she cried out.

“NO!!!”

Willow woke up gasping for air and felt an ache in her heart, the likes she had hoped never to feel again. The intensity of it both shocked and frightened her. She quickly looked towards Buffy's bed before remembering that she was with Riley. She envied her friend at the moment as she took deep breaths trying to calm her nerves.

‘Damn these dreams,’ she told herself.

They had begun shortly after she had started reading the book, and they had steadily become more realistic each time she had one.

She could smell the salt in the air, could still hear the plaintive cries of the seagulls, and as she touched her lips, she could still feel the kiss.

The pounding of her heart reaffirmed the terror she felt as she watched Hannah running from her. She shook her head. It was clear to her that she had been placing herself in Brin's shoes. It was the only way she could explain the emotions she felt.

Willow got up from bed and left the room. She didn’t think she could handle being in there another moment longer, she felt repressed for some reason.

Walking downstairs, she sat on one of the couches that were in the break room. She tried to fight the chills that swept through her body over and over again. Looking back, she thought about how peacefully the dreams had begun. How they had come to her in fragments, images that seemed to burn their way into her mind. At least, that was the way they had started. The longer she had them, the more detailed they’d become.

She could recall seeing a large house, a manor of sorts. It was located on a hillside, with lush green grass as far as the eye could see. There was a stone fence that seemed to stretch out forever.

She felt as if she had stepped back in time.

And that she was no longer in America...

If it even existed.

She walked down the pathway that led to the house. She could see many people moving quickly, attending to some tasks she had no idea about. What she did know was that she felt that she belonged there in some way. She had tried to remember what was being said to her and each time she woke up, the words drifted from her.

The second time she had the dream, she had seen more. She could recall spotting a girl approaching her in the distance and something inside of her made her want to cover the gap between them. The odd thing was, that the closer she got, the less her features came into focus.

Willow had wanted to talk to Buffy about the dreams, then thought better of it. After all, they were only happening because she had been reading the book and nothing else. Granted, it felt as if she was experiencing other things than what she had read.

With each passing moment, the dreams seemed to reveal more of itself to her. After a week had passed she awoke from what she had believed to be the most realistic one she’d had...

“Brin... hurry, you’ll be late,” a young woman urged and she felt herself being dragged into the manor.

Willow felt as if she had known who this woman was, but she couldn’t place her for some reason.

“Where is Brin!?” A yell echoed throughout the house.

“You sent for me, m’lord?”

Her response wasn’t in English.

She knew sitting in the silence of the break room, that she wasn’t Willow in the dreams. She had stopped being herself as soon as they started. She was only deluding herself. She shook her head as she remembered...

“Where is Brin!?” A yell echoed throughout the house.

“You sent for me, m’lord?”

“That I did. I hope I wasn’t keeping you from anything?” he asked.

“I beg your forgiveness sir. It won’t happen again,” she replied, having heard the sarcasm dripping from his voice.

“You say that all the time. Yet, you continue to disobey me. Argus... Greer, take her to my chambers. It’s about time I showed Brin who is the master and who is the servant.”

“I beg you m’lord, have mercy on her,” came a voice from the background.

“Ah... Hannah, isn’t it?” Lord Germaine said.

“Yes m’lord,” came the reply.

“You... wish me to have mercy on Brin?” Lord Germaine asked as he stepped away from his desk. “I should... spare her? Is that what you're asking me? Hmm... pet?”

Brin watched as Hannah bent her head downward, as if to avoid his stare.

“Ye... yes m’lord,” she answered quietly.

“I’ll tell you what,” Germaine said as he began to walk around Hannah. Brin could see how his eyes were drifting up and down Hannah’s body. For some reason, it made her blood boil. “I’ll show Brin... mercy... if...”

“Yes m’lord.”

“You take her place.”

“No... Hannah, you mustn’t!” Brin called out, heedless of her own safety. She watched as Germaine gestured to Argus, who promptly punched her in the stomach, leaving her gasping for air.

“Take her away,” he told the men.

“Why did you have to be late Brin?” Argus asked her, as she was being taken down the hall and led into the room. She had been to this room more times than she could remember. “You know I can’t cover for you anymore.”

“Brin, for the love of God, don’t make him look for you,” Greer told her as he opened the door while Argus held on to her as she caught her breath.

“You didn’t have to hit me so hard you big ox,” she replied, hitting Argus on the shoulder.

“If I didn’t... he would have known for sure,” he answered shaking his head. “Why do you do this to yourself?” he asked. She watched as he pulled out a wineskin from his tunic and passed it to her. “And don't be spouting that talk about things being different. Where there are no masters and such.”

“You’ll see, mark my words Argus Conner, it’ll happen. What about Hannah?” she asked him after taking a long drink of warm wine, then gave it back to him.

“We’ll do what we can...” Greer said, looking down the hall they had traversed.

“She has a kind heart,” she said about the fair-haired girl she had grown to like. Hannah was the newest member of the household and they had become... friends. She thought that the word really didn’t exactly define what they were, but it was the closest thing she could think of.

“Yes... that she does. And one day, it’ll be her downfall if she’s not careful,” Argus told her as they entered the dark chamber.

“Brin... you know what we have to do...” Greer asked as he walked over to her.

“Yes... be quick about it,” she sighed. “Gus...”

“Yes Brin,” he replied as he and Greer snapped heavy shackles around her wrists.

“Don’t... don’t let anything happen to Hannah, please. I beg you.” She watched as he shook his head.

“I’ll try... you have my word. Keep your chin up... don’t let him break you. I’m not sure what I’d do without you...” he faltered.

“Same here Gus. Same here. Now... be off with you both. Leave me to my misery.” she told him. She watched as they left her and then she looked up. She’d have to be careful with her hands; the shackles had bits of metal on the inside that would rub against her wrists as she moved. ‘Be safe Hannah... please.’ she told herself as she waited.

She woke up after that, feeling exhausted and drained.

‘They looked like... nah. It couldn’t be,’ she had thought to herself as she had run her fingers through her hair. She remembered stopping suddenly and bringing her hands up in front of her face, she had blinked a few times. ‘No... no. I’m not seeing this,’ she’d told herself as she looked at the redness circling her wrists.

She knew she couldn’t do anything about the situation at the moment. So, she got up and headed back up to her room. Her thoughts drifted to Tara. She hoped she was feeling better.

Chapter 3-Whose Dream Is It Anyway?

Tara tossed and turned in bed, struggling to stop the nightmare that had invaded her sleep. She could see a young woman being assaulted in front of her and she knew she had to do something to stop what was happening.

She watched as two men who resembled Xander and Riley dragged the girl away. She couldn’t make out what the other girl looked like, there was something keeping her features hidden from view.

She heard a voice asking her, “Now... where were we?”

She turned in the direction and was surprised to see Spike of all people standing a few feet away from her, in front of a window - in direct sunlight - and not bursting into flames.

Something was wrong here, very wrong. He moved closer to her and repeated his question.

“Now... where were we?”

“I would not presume to know how to answer that question m’lord,” she heard herself saying.

“Come now Hannah... don’t tell me you've forgotten? I spare that good for nothing Brin... and...”

“I... I take her place. Nn... no. I haven’t forgotten m’lord.”

“Well then Hannah. I think it’s time. Don't you?”

“As... as you wish,” she replied. She watched as he smirked before walking up to her. He took her by the arm and pushed her in the direction of what she believed was his bedroom. She felt her stomach churn and she hoped she wouldn’t get sick...

She prayed for strength.

Chapter 4-The Sleeper Has Awoken.

Willow paused in front of Tara’s room. She had finally been able to drift off to sleep and as luck would have it, the dreams ceased their intrusion. She was lifting her hand to knock on the door when she heard Tara cry out.

“No!!”

“Tara... Tara. It’s me, Willow. I’m coming in,” she said as her heart raced in her chest. The anguish she heard emanating from the other side of the door made her blood run cold.

“Will... Willow,” Tara muttered as she broke free from her dream. She had just managed to push her blankets off her when the red-haired Wiccan came inside. She barely had the chance to stand up, when Willow reached her.

“Hey... are you alright?” she asked after getting to Tara’s side. She looked at her and she could see the remnants of fear disappearing from Tara’s eyes. Something had happened, but as she looked around the room, she saw nothing out of place.

“Yeah... bad dream I guess,” Tara replied.

“Sit back down, let me just close the door,” Willow told her. Making sure Tara was on her bed, Willow closed the door. “Are you sure you’re alright?” she asked, hoping that the same thing wasn’t happening to Tara as well.

“Just tired,” Tara replied, seeing the concern etched on Willow’s face.

“Did you see the doctor yet?”

“Yes. I went yesterday afternoon. Had a lot of tests done, I kinda feel like a pincushion, but they haven’t found anything so far. So... that’s good news, isn’t it?”

“I suppose so, but you still feel warm,” Willow told her as she took her hand away from Tara’s forehead. “Do you want me to pick up your assignments?”

“What?” Tara answered distractedly.

“I think you should get some sleep,” Willow suggested. “What’s wrong?” she asked, seeing a frown on Tara’s face.

“You... you’re going to think it’s silly...”

“Let me be the judge of that. Tell me, please.”

“I don’t want to,” she said.

“Why not,” Willow asked.

“I’ve been having these dreams...”

“Dreams?” Willow swallowed. “Do... do you want to talk about them?”

“Nn.... no. Not really.”

“Oh,” she replied, unable to mask the disappointment from her voice.

“Willow... I... um. I need to ask you for a favor, please,” she said, hating herself for not being able to share her dreams with Willow. But, she couldn’t remember anything about them, only waking in fear at times. There were other times that she truly wished she had been able to recall what she dreamt.

“You know you can ask,” Willow replied. She pushed her feelings aside. ‘If Tara had wanted to tell me, she would have,’ she thought. She wondered briefly if her friend was having a relapse of some kind, her face was flushed.

“Would you stay with me? While I sleep... just for a little while. Unless you have class, I wouldn’t want you to be late,” she said hurriedly.

“It’s okay, I can afford to miss one class. I’ll stay,” Willow answered without hesitation.

“You will?” Tara watched as Willow nodded her head. “Thanks,” she said. Tara slid under her blankets, moving over, giving Willow space to sit down.

“Don’t worry... I’ll be here,” Willow said, reassuring Tara as she reached out and moved the strands of hair that covered Tara’s face. She allowed her thumb to slowly slide across Tara’s forehead, trying to lull her into sleep. She hoped that Tara wouldn’t pull away, and when she didn’t, Willow sighed to herself. “Go on, I’m not going anywhere,” she murmured as her friend’s eyes finally closed.

“Willow,” Tara whispered.

“Yes,” she replied softly.

“I... I don’t know what I would have done without you,” she said.

“Sleep Tara... go to sleep,” she urged. ‘I hope you never find out,’ she told herself as Tara’s breathing eventually slowed and deepened.

After making sure that she wouldn’t disturb Tara's sleep, Willow bent down and placed a kiss on her forehead. As she moved back, she noticed a brief smile appearing on Tara’s face.

Chapter 5-Something Wicked This Way Comes.

Lord Germaine flung the door to what Hannah believed to be his bedroom, open. Dragging her inside, he pushed her into the room before kicking the door closed behind him.

“Would you like a drink Hannah?” he asked her after going to his desk and pouring himself a drink.

She shook her head silently. She would not look at the massive bed across the room. Hannah pushed aside any thoughts of trying to run away. She knew she would never make it to the door before he grabbed her.

“Ah... well then, more for me,” he said, as he poured himself another and swallowed it quickly. Placing the goblet down, he walked over towards her. “Have you ever lain with a man before? And don’t lie.”

She shook her head quickly.

“A virgin? Imagine that. I do believe this is my lucky day.”

Willow frowned as Tara shook her head, she wondered what she was dreaming.

“You do know, I can take your virginity and no one will say a word about it. Oh, they might talk, but... that’s it,” he asked her, as he began to stroke her arm.

“Ye... ye... yes,” she finally managed to say.

“I could do this and you’d have no one to blame but Brin.”

She looked up at the mention of her friend.

“That’s right. You'd have no one to blame but that miserable girl.”

“No.”

“What did you say?”

“Nn... no. I won’t blame her... m’lord.”

“Oh, is that so? Hmm... makes one wonder whom you would blame, doesn’t it. Who would it be then Hannah?”

She knew exactly where to place the blame, but she held her tongue. She had said enough already.

“Answer me.”

She shook her head.

“Well, I won’t force the answer from you,” Germaine told her as he turned to walk away.

She breathed a sigh of relief... until she felt the sting of his hand across her cheek.

‘Okay, what’s going on here?’ Willow asked herself, as Tara’s head suddenly lurched to the right.

Hannah reached up and touched her face, feeling wetness on her fingertips she looked at her hand...

She saw blood.

Chapter 6-Things Get Ugly.

“Tara... wake up,” Willow called out as soon as she spotted the slight trickle of blood appearing on Tara’s lips.

“By the time I’m finished with you, you’re going to wish that was the only thing I did,” Germaine told her as he dragged her to his bed and pushed her onto it.

“Please... don’t,” she pleaded.

‘What is she saying,’ Willow asked herself, wanting Tara to wake up, but slightly relieved that she hadn’t noticed any more blood.

Hannah tried to get to the other side of the bed, she turned around and saw him smiling.

“Tara... it’s me... Willow. I need you to wake up,” she said. She was startled when Tara’s eyes opened suddenly. Willow went to reach out for her, but Tara moved away. “Tara?”

Germaine grabbed Hannah by her ankles and pulled her towards him. She managed to slap him.

“Let me go! Stop it!!”

“That’s right my sweet. Scream. Scream all you want, no one will save you,” he told her as he pushed up her skirt and reached for her undergarments. She could tell that he was excited and it made her sick.

Tears streamed down her face as she continued to slap him...

‘Goddess, please help me,’ Willow prayed silently as she grabbed Tara by her shoulders; trying to avoid getting hit, and shook her. “Tara... wake up!!!”

“What... no... please... don't touch me!!” she cried out. Willow didn’t think she’d ever forget the sheer look of terror she saw in Tara's eyes at that moment.

“Tara... Tara... it’s me... Willow... you're alright... you’re okay,” she said softly.

Tara stared at Willow, her chest rising and falling rapidly, her heart racing. And for a split second she wanted to call her something else, but it passed as quickly as it came.

“Wil... Willow.”

“Yeah... it’s me,” she answered as she reached out, only to pull her hand back when Tara cowered from her. “You’re okay now... there’s nothing to be frightened of.”

“Oh Willow....” Tara gasped as she rushed into Willow's arms. “Don’t leave me... please don’t leave me,” she said over and over again as tears cascaded down her face.

“I won’t, I promise... I promise,” Willow replied, holding on tightly, as she gently stroked Tara’s hair.

Chapter 7-Seeking Comfort

They sat together drawing strength and support from one other. Willow was rocking Tara slowly, murmuring words she wasn’t sure the other girl heard. But she had to do something.

“Are you okay?” she finally asked, when she noticed that Tara calmed down in her arms.

Pulling back slowly, but still continuing to keep some form of contact with Willow, Tara answered, “Yeah.”

Willow slowly moved her hand to Tara’s face; as not to frighten her, and moved a few strands of hair away. She let her hand linger on Tara’s cheek for a second longer than necessary, before moving her hand.

Tara looked at Willow and smiled.

Unable to resist any longer, Willow placed her lips on Tara’s forehead. She knew she had fallen for the other girl and she hoped that Tara felt the same way. It had taken her by surprise, but the depth of emotion she felt was unlike anything she’d known.

“Better?” she asked, when she moved back, giving Tara the space she needed.

“Much... thanks,” she replied, as she tried to recover, not only from the dream, but from Willow’s brief kiss.

“Tara... what’s going on? I saw blood...”

“Blood?”

Willow reached out and touched Tara’s lips; pushing aside the feelings generated by the simple gesture, and held her finger out.

“Blood...” Tara said in shock. “No...” she whispered.

“Tara... what’s wrong. Maybe I can help... please tell me,” Willow pleaded. She wanted desperately to do something, rather than sit back and watch this happen.

“You... you can’t help me Willow.”

“Why not?” she asked. She couldn’t understand why Tara wouldn’t let her help. Could it be that she didn’t want her around? That what she felt was one-sided?

“I... I don’t remember...” Tara replied.

“You don’t remember?” She watched as Tara shook her head. “Maybe... maybe we should get in touch with Giles. He might be able to help us... you,” she said correcting herself.

“Has... has this been happening to you as well?” Tara asked needing to know.

“I’ve had these dreams... lately,” she replied.

“Do you want to call him... Mr. Giles now?” Tara asked.

“I think we should,” Willow replied.

“Of course Willow... yes, you and Tara are always more than welcomed to come by. Yes... I’ll get my books out... I’ll have them ready. Dreams you say?” Giles said into the phone. “Are... are you sure? Well, yes... I can see that. You have my word, no one else shall know, until you’re ready to tell them yourself. Oh... Willow, I’d rather you didn’t discuss the dreams with Tara... indulge me on this please, I’ll explain later. Thank you. I’ll see you soon, good-bye,” he said hanging up.

He went to his extensive book collection and began pulling out volumes he hoped might shed some light on the situation.

“Are you ready to go?” Willow asked, her back turned towards Tara.

“Umm... yeah, I guess so,” Tara replied, pulling her t-shirt down.

“Good... you might want to bring a sweater or something... it’s getting a little chilly outside,” Willow told her as she turned around and caught a brief glimpse of skin.

“Willow?”

Shaking her head, she stepped closer to the other girl, “Yes Tara.”

“Thanks... for everything.”

“That’s okay,” she answered, reaching out and squeezing Tara’s hand briefly. “We’d better get going, before it gets any later,” Willow suggested.

“Right,” Tara replied. She grabbed the gray sweater Willow had left behind after they had practiced a spell together, and left the room. Willow followed, closing the door.

Continue to Part 2

Feel free to leave a comment on this story on my guest book.