Downtime Chapter 23.
Title: Downtime
Author: Dark Wyldchilde (wyldchilde37@yahoo.com)
Rating: Still me, NC-17.
Pairing: Faith/Tara, Ziva/Abby
Setting: My Lock series. Starting with "Life on the Farm" and progressing through "Friend of My Friend."
Summary: Gibbs NCIS team is no longer with NCIS, and has signed on to hunt monsters with the men and women of the Lock. This is their transition.
Spoilers: I've gotten so far from the established it is a source of pride. That said I won't fear touching on Buffy, Angel, Stonyman Farm/Executioner, or NCIS cannon.
Disclaimers:This is fanfic, and as such it will draw upon copyrighted material. It is a non-profit work done for the enjoyment of the author and his readers, and is no challenge to any legal properties.
Wyld's Notes: Me being me there will probably be both sex and violence at some point, but with the rich mix of my Lock AU and the NCIS people I decided to do a story where I can explore that a bit before getting back to the action.
It's almost a fluff piece, but will allow me to explore character elements so that when I get to the sixth fic the characters are able to get into the action without all these elements that are demanding my attention.
Continuing thanks to Lisa Countryman. She's like my muses' personal trainer at this point, and continuing thanks to my beta reader laura jones
Chapter 23.
While neither witch lost their concentration they kept it because their training told them they had to. The rest of their minds however were reeling in shock as the two shared a look.
Behind them in the control room Faith was holding up a hand to forestall all the questions that were threatening to bubble up.
For her part Anyanka was looking, and sounding like the Anya that Tara remembered as she reached into another manifested pool of shadow and seemed to be rummaging around as she spoke. "Just to have you know there is a line, a LITERAL line, but I told them 'The line forms here! Tara is my friend, and if anyone will be giving her vengeance it will be ME!"
With a triumphant look she pulled out a pale, yellowish tan file and smiled at Tara. While it was obvious Tara wanted to say something the combination of shock and Anya's seeming enthusiasm kept her from getting a word in edgewise. Now Anya was smiling, speaking in an almost conspiratorial tone. "You know? I actually thought I might have D'Hoffryn himself challenge me for your case."
She shook her her head, smiling, her voice returning to normal. "But he realized I had more of a stake in this case then he did so he gave it to me..." Her voice dropped back down. "But between us girls for Willow to do what she did to you after D'Hoffryn actually tried to recruit her... well I'm pretty sure if I need a little extra oomph to make your vengeance stick he'll okay it."
Anya then smiled and tried to step forward, into a discharge of energy when she contacted the edge of the circle, she fell onto her backside, but kept hold of the folder. "Ow! Is this really necessary? I mean I'm glad to see you're being careful when dealing with demons. Especially considering how angry you've been getting some of the bigger ones, but this is us. I'd never hurt you, and I always keep my clients confidentiality."
Lex finally managed to get in a word edgewise. "You are NOT getting out of the circle Anyanka."
Anya looked over at the other witch, scowling. "Hey! This is between me and..." Anya then paused, looking closer at the naked woman, suddenly her face broke into a wide grin. "Wait! You're Lex aren't you? You're Isis's new girl!"
Anya's voice then dropped a register. "I saw you you know?" She then paused and quickly amended her statement. "Not with Isis, because that was a private moment between goddess and priestess." From the way Anya looked around she was afraid the Egyptian deity might drop in, or simply strike her down.
When she was still standing Anya started speaking again. "I mean I saw you when YOU got vengeance for Tara." The deepening timbre of Anya's voice seemed to say that Lex's vengeance mission had turned the demon on. "That burning need in your heart to give Tara the retribution she needed even if she was to gentle to seek it our herself... you were wonderful!"
From the way Anya was looking at Lex it was obvious she would have been undressing her with her eyes if Lex wasn't already nude, now her eyes seemed to be doing other things to Lex, and in spite of herself the dark witch felt her nipples harden in response.
The path Anya's eyes took, and the responding growth of her smile showed she had seen Lex's response as she kept speaking. "And that sexy little outfit you wore as you did it?" Anya let out a little aroused groan. "Then the way that outfit became soaked with that bastards blood. Oh yes, I know you Lex. Even before that I knew you because you saved more then a few people from curses."
Lex paused at that, finding her voice. "I did?"
Anya nodded, her eyes still raking up and down the naked witch. "Um hum, you've mended more then a few broken hearts. Women who might have wound up calling out my name..." She snickered. "They ended up calling out yours. You're very skilled..." Anya licked her lips, "and very powerful... you're not demophobic are you?"
Though no one saw it Tara's shoulders dropped. She had been afraid something like this would happen. She hadn't imagined it would start with Anya, but she was afraid Lex's sexual prowess had become known to the women of the supernatural world. So she decided to interfere sooner rather then later. "Um Anya? You had said you were waiting for ME to call?"
The demoness blushed, clearing her throat, forcibly dragging her eyes away from Lex. "Right, right. I'm sorry that's totally unprofessional... but look at her!... Still, that was very unprofessional... which I have to compliment you on Tara. While I know you don't look at her that way because you love Faith the fact that you are with a woman Willow hated..." Anya grinned. "Is really nice work, an excellent twist to the knife."
Seeing the look of protest on Tara's face Anya rolled her eyes. "I know, I know you love Faith, and that's wonderful. Knowing true love while the woman that hurt you doesn't... even better... I'm just saying that the fact that your true love is with a woman Willow despised is the icing on the vengeance cake, but it's not enough, not nearly enough, but that's why I'm here."
She took up the folder again and started digging in it, but Tara's nose scrunched up. "What is that?"
Lex was the one to answer. "It's skin Tara, human skin."
Anya looked up. "Good eye! Very good eye." Her voice trailed off as she appreciated attributes other then Lex's eyes, but Anya then forced her attention back. "This was one of mine. A guy was harassing his secretaries and making them sleep with him. After being a working woman who knows the value of a dollar and how mistreated women are by men in power, well I got creative."
She then started pulling individual manilla folders. "Okay, I've been thinking about this for awhile and I came up with five different plans for vengeance, and because were friends I'm going to let you pick two."
Seeing Tara blinking in seeming confusion Anya quickly amended her statement. "Okay, three, and I promise she will be sane for at least two of them."
As the look on Tara's face became hesitant. "Okay, okay, because this is you, and because this is such a high profile case we'll do all five. I promise she will be sane for at least three of them... now number four will probably kill her, but I will personally make sure D'Hoffryn helps keep her spirit around to make sure she experiences all of number five."
Anya then held up a manilla folder, her voice bubbly and enthusiastic. "And I REALLY think you'll like number five."
Tara took a deep breath, and then let it out. "Anya! I didn't summon you to take vengeance on Willow!"
Anya's expression broke, she looked heartbroken, like a little girl who learned that yes there was a pony, and yes it would be going home with someone, just not her. She pointed a finger at Lex. "She got to take vengeance on Donnie!"
Lex actually paused looking over at Tara and Anya looked up, like that little girl was at least hoping to get some ice cream as Lex spoke. "She did come all this way?"
Tara glared at her sister witch. "No! I didn't not call you to take vengeance on those who hurt me Anya."
Anyanka, the ancient demoness, was pouting. "You mean I can't even rip his teeth out?"
Tara sighed. "No Anya, I didn't ask Lex to do that, and I certainly do not in any way authorize you to take any vengeance on my behalf."
Anya sunk down in the circle, sitting Indian style. "Then what do you want?"
Tara smiled, her voice soft, almost seductive in it's own way. "I'm wondering if there's anyone you want vengeance on?" She quickly amended. "Who isn't Xander!"
Anya actually smiled at that. "You had to add that didn't you. What do you mean?"
Tara smiled her half smile. "I think you know what I mean Anya? We are demon hunters, and we're very good at it. Are you telling me there aren't a few demons out there you wouldn't mind seeing in front of our guns?"
Anya rolled her eyes. "Of course there are I mean..." She then paused, jumping up, and Tara and Lex both rose to their feet in response. "Oh! Oh! I get this! You're trying to 'flip' me! Get me to roll on my fellow demons! Turn them over to the Man... or in your case the Wo-Man! Nah uh! Not talking copper!"
Tara giggled. "Anya... unless every book I've ever read on demonology is incorrect demons betray each other all the time. You kill each other without a thought, and with even less remorse then you kill humans. What would it hurt to let us help?"
Anya's nostrils flared. "Why would you want to help? I mean besides you like killing demons?"
Tara shook her head. "You know I don't 'like' killing anything Anya. I like making people safe, and I thought a vengeance demon would know plenty of threats to humanity. Maybe even those she might be tempted to kill herself, but might not be able to. Either because there are too many, or because her Boss called her off?"
Anya looked unsure. "If D'Hoffryn called me off what makes you think I could hand them over to you?"
The blonde witches smile grew. "Because I'm betting he didn't say you couldn't hand them over to your old mortal, demon hunting friends."
Anya actually smirked. "Well, no, he didn't."
Tara's gentle voice broke in. "And you of all beings should know how to work the wording."
Anya actually blushed at the compliment. "I would hope so. I've had over a thousand years of making agreements say what I want them to say."
Tara let her smile grow. "So come on Anya... who is there out there that's so evil even a vengeance demon thinks they go too far?"
Author: Dark Wyldchilde (wyldchilde37@yahoo.com)
Rating: Still me, NC-17.
Pairing: Faith/Tara, Ziva/Abby
Setting: My Lock series. Starting with "Life on the Farm" and progressing through "Friend of My Friend."
Summary: Gibbs NCIS team is no longer with NCIS, and has signed on to hunt monsters with the men and women of the Lock. This is their transition.
Spoilers: I've gotten so far from the established it is a source of pride. That said I won't fear touching on Buffy, Angel, Stonyman Farm/Executioner, or NCIS cannon.
Disclaimers:This is fanfic, and as such it will draw upon copyrighted material. It is a non-profit work done for the enjoyment of the author and his readers, and is no challenge to any legal properties.
Wyld's Notes: Me being me there will probably be both sex and violence at some point, but with the rich mix of my Lock AU and the NCIS people I decided to do a story where I can explore that a bit before getting back to the action.
It's almost a fluff piece, but will allow me to explore character elements so that when I get to the sixth fic the characters are able to get into the action without all these elements that are demanding my attention.
Continuing thanks to Lisa Countryman. She's like my muses' personal trainer at this point, and continuing thanks to my beta reader laura jones
Chapter 23.
While neither witch lost their concentration they kept it because their training told them they had to. The rest of their minds however were reeling in shock as the two shared a look.
Behind them in the control room Faith was holding up a hand to forestall all the questions that were threatening to bubble up.
For her part Anyanka was looking, and sounding like the Anya that Tara remembered as she reached into another manifested pool of shadow and seemed to be rummaging around as she spoke. "Just to have you know there is a line, a LITERAL line, but I told them 'The line forms here! Tara is my friend, and if anyone will be giving her vengeance it will be ME!"
With a triumphant look she pulled out a pale, yellowish tan file and smiled at Tara. While it was obvious Tara wanted to say something the combination of shock and Anya's seeming enthusiasm kept her from getting a word in edgewise. Now Anya was smiling, speaking in an almost conspiratorial tone. "You know? I actually thought I might have D'Hoffryn himself challenge me for your case."
She shook her her head, smiling, her voice returning to normal. "But he realized I had more of a stake in this case then he did so he gave it to me..." Her voice dropped back down. "But between us girls for Willow to do what she did to you after D'Hoffryn actually tried to recruit her... well I'm pretty sure if I need a little extra oomph to make your vengeance stick he'll okay it."
Anya then smiled and tried to step forward, into a discharge of energy when she contacted the edge of the circle, she fell onto her backside, but kept hold of the folder. "Ow! Is this really necessary? I mean I'm glad to see you're being careful when dealing with demons. Especially considering how angry you've been getting some of the bigger ones, but this is us. I'd never hurt you, and I always keep my clients confidentiality."
Lex finally managed to get in a word edgewise. "You are NOT getting out of the circle Anyanka."
Anya looked over at the other witch, scowling. "Hey! This is between me and..." Anya then paused, looking closer at the naked woman, suddenly her face broke into a wide grin. "Wait! You're Lex aren't you? You're Isis's new girl!"
Anya's voice then dropped a register. "I saw you you know?" She then paused and quickly amended her statement. "Not with Isis, because that was a private moment between goddess and priestess." From the way Anya looked around she was afraid the Egyptian deity might drop in, or simply strike her down.
When she was still standing Anya started speaking again. "I mean I saw you when YOU got vengeance for Tara." The deepening timbre of Anya's voice seemed to say that Lex's vengeance mission had turned the demon on. "That burning need in your heart to give Tara the retribution she needed even if she was to gentle to seek it our herself... you were wonderful!"
From the way Anya was looking at Lex it was obvious she would have been undressing her with her eyes if Lex wasn't already nude, now her eyes seemed to be doing other things to Lex, and in spite of herself the dark witch felt her nipples harden in response.
The path Anya's eyes took, and the responding growth of her smile showed she had seen Lex's response as she kept speaking. "And that sexy little outfit you wore as you did it?" Anya let out a little aroused groan. "Then the way that outfit became soaked with that bastards blood. Oh yes, I know you Lex. Even before that I knew you because you saved more then a few people from curses."
Lex paused at that, finding her voice. "I did?"
Anya nodded, her eyes still raking up and down the naked witch. "Um hum, you've mended more then a few broken hearts. Women who might have wound up calling out my name..." She snickered. "They ended up calling out yours. You're very skilled..." Anya licked her lips, "and very powerful... you're not demophobic are you?"
Though no one saw it Tara's shoulders dropped. She had been afraid something like this would happen. She hadn't imagined it would start with Anya, but she was afraid Lex's sexual prowess had become known to the women of the supernatural world. So she decided to interfere sooner rather then later. "Um Anya? You had said you were waiting for ME to call?"
The demoness blushed, clearing her throat, forcibly dragging her eyes away from Lex. "Right, right. I'm sorry that's totally unprofessional... but look at her!... Still, that was very unprofessional... which I have to compliment you on Tara. While I know you don't look at her that way because you love Faith the fact that you are with a woman Willow hated..." Anya grinned. "Is really nice work, an excellent twist to the knife."
Seeing the look of protest on Tara's face Anya rolled her eyes. "I know, I know you love Faith, and that's wonderful. Knowing true love while the woman that hurt you doesn't... even better... I'm just saying that the fact that your true love is with a woman Willow despised is the icing on the vengeance cake, but it's not enough, not nearly enough, but that's why I'm here."
She took up the folder again and started digging in it, but Tara's nose scrunched up. "What is that?"
Lex was the one to answer. "It's skin Tara, human skin."
Anya looked up. "Good eye! Very good eye." Her voice trailed off as she appreciated attributes other then Lex's eyes, but Anya then forced her attention back. "This was one of mine. A guy was harassing his secretaries and making them sleep with him. After being a working woman who knows the value of a dollar and how mistreated women are by men in power, well I got creative."
She then started pulling individual manilla folders. "Okay, I've been thinking about this for awhile and I came up with five different plans for vengeance, and because were friends I'm going to let you pick two."
Seeing Tara blinking in seeming confusion Anya quickly amended her statement. "Okay, three, and I promise she will be sane for at least two of them."
As the look on Tara's face became hesitant. "Okay, okay, because this is you, and because this is such a high profile case we'll do all five. I promise she will be sane for at least three of them... now number four will probably kill her, but I will personally make sure D'Hoffryn helps keep her spirit around to make sure she experiences all of number five."
Anya then held up a manilla folder, her voice bubbly and enthusiastic. "And I REALLY think you'll like number five."
Tara took a deep breath, and then let it out. "Anya! I didn't summon you to take vengeance on Willow!"
Anya's expression broke, she looked heartbroken, like a little girl who learned that yes there was a pony, and yes it would be going home with someone, just not her. She pointed a finger at Lex. "She got to take vengeance on Donnie!"
Lex actually paused looking over at Tara and Anya looked up, like that little girl was at least hoping to get some ice cream as Lex spoke. "She did come all this way?"
Tara glared at her sister witch. "No! I didn't not call you to take vengeance on those who hurt me Anya."
Anyanka, the ancient demoness, was pouting. "You mean I can't even rip his teeth out?"
Tara sighed. "No Anya, I didn't ask Lex to do that, and I certainly do not in any way authorize you to take any vengeance on my behalf."
Anya sunk down in the circle, sitting Indian style. "Then what do you want?"
Tara smiled, her voice soft, almost seductive in it's own way. "I'm wondering if there's anyone you want vengeance on?" She quickly amended. "Who isn't Xander!"
Anya actually smiled at that. "You had to add that didn't you. What do you mean?"
Tara smiled her half smile. "I think you know what I mean Anya? We are demon hunters, and we're very good at it. Are you telling me there aren't a few demons out there you wouldn't mind seeing in front of our guns?"
Anya rolled her eyes. "Of course there are I mean..." She then paused, jumping up, and Tara and Lex both rose to their feet in response. "Oh! Oh! I get this! You're trying to 'flip' me! Get me to roll on my fellow demons! Turn them over to the Man... or in your case the Wo-Man! Nah uh! Not talking copper!"
Tara giggled. "Anya... unless every book I've ever read on demonology is incorrect demons betray each other all the time. You kill each other without a thought, and with even less remorse then you kill humans. What would it hurt to let us help?"
Anya's nostrils flared. "Why would you want to help? I mean besides you like killing demons?"
Tara shook her head. "You know I don't 'like' killing anything Anya. I like making people safe, and I thought a vengeance demon would know plenty of threats to humanity. Maybe even those she might be tempted to kill herself, but might not be able to. Either because there are too many, or because her Boss called her off?"
Anya looked unsure. "If D'Hoffryn called me off what makes you think I could hand them over to you?"
The blonde witches smile grew. "Because I'm betting he didn't say you couldn't hand them over to your old mortal, demon hunting friends."
Anya actually smirked. "Well, no, he didn't."
Tara's gentle voice broke in. "And you of all beings should know how to work the wording."
Anya actually blushed at the compliment. "I would hope so. I've had over a thousand years of making agreements say what I want them to say."
Tara let her smile grow. "So come on Anya... who is there out there that's so evil even a vengeance demon thinks they go too far?"