FF: The Spiral Cage 9/?

[Carol.Clarke@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]

Title: The Spiral Cage
Part Nine: Obsession Tango
Disclaimer: I own nothing. Joss Whedon owns Buffy and Chris Carter owns the
X-Files. 
Rating: NC -17 
Pairing: Joyce/Dana the rest wait and see
Note: This story is in an alternate universe. It does not follow cannon
story lines. The people are different in places because they have lived
different lives. Dana Scully is a lot happier in this world. Dawn was there
from the beginning. And Buffy isn't the Buffy you know. Also there are many
kinds of vampires and demons, mixing them from the X-file world and BTVS,
and other myths. 
Thanks: I can't believe I forgot this: THANKS TO CHERYL HILL!

The Spiral Cage
Obsession Tango

They had made love. They made love every night, but this time was different.
The need greater, the touch stronger, it was more frantic, more driven, more
obsession, more passion, more which actually equaled less in the long scheme
of things. After they rolled away from each other. Not wanting to touch, not
wanting to think, not wanting in general. Joyce pulled open the top drawer
of her nightstand to check that it was still there. The doll from her
childhood. The totem of power Lothos had returned to her.

"This is stupid!" Dana announced to the empty room as she hopped out of bed.
She walked nude, still covered is sweat from their earlier love making,
around the bed where she kneeled down next to Joyce and carefully removed
the doll from the drawer.

"That's mine." Joyce whispered but she pulled away from Dana and covered her
own naked body with the covers.

"I know it's yours, honey." Dana said leaning over and kissing Joyce on the
forehead. She hovered there for a minute before she pulled away and sat down
in an over stuffed chair in the corner of the room. "Joyce, honey, normally
I would not push this, but it's more than just you and I at stake, our
children, all of our children seem to be connected to this." Dana held the
doll up carefully to indicate the object of Joyce's obsession. "Joyce, let
me in. Explain it to me."

"It's not that easy." Joyce said, but she sat up and pulled the covers
around her body.

"Your addiction, does this have to do with your addiction?" Dana asked
carefully. She had spent the last two days getting information out of Joyce.
It still was confusing. 

"You could say it started my addiction. I know this is important but it's so
hard to tell you about. It's so hard to believe." Joyce said slowly looking
at the floor.

"Start at the beginning." Dana said quietly. Joyce tossed her the comforter
off the bed. Dana wrapped it around her body and got comfortable.

"I don't know when it started exactly. When I was a child, I mean as young
as 3 or 4, I would dream of a great black panther, sometimes a tiger. It was
my friend, I mean in a childish way. Dawn had an invisible friend when she
was 4; I had to set a table place for him. My cat was like that. And I was
the only one who could see it. Even now I don't know if it were more than
just a childish dream. My real mother died when I was 7, I never really knew
her. She was a slayer. I was raised by an aunt. I called my aunt mother.
Even when my real mother was alive I called my mother Aunt Rachel. My
mother's younger sister was my mother in name and act. Even my birth
certificate has my aunt listed as my mother. It was for my safety." Joyce
said slowly, the pain this caused her was there on her face for all to see.

"Not even my girls know the truth. I never told you either. It was drummed
into my head as a child never to tell anyone." Joyce said slowly before
waiting for her lovers' reaction.

"Honey, I understand, I won't judge you over this, I still love you. But I
still need to know, Joyce, how the doll fits into this. We have to protect
the children." Dana said slowly but she smiled at Joyce as she spoke.

"The children, yes. As I said I had dreams about the cat. And then my mother
died and I just sort of forgot a lot of things. And when I was 11 or 12 the
dreams returned. The cat would come and talk to me. And then he did more
than just talk. He would bite me, on my leg, where it wasn't easy to see. It
was a gift. His bite felt so damn good. It was like the best drug ever. I
have never been into drugs but if drugs were half this good everyone would
be a junkie. He only came while I slept, so I just thought it was a dream at
first. Only I had marks. It went on for months. Then one day he told me that
if I wanted him to continue giving "THE GIFT" I would have to give him
something in return.

"I was 12, and he didn't want money. I had to give him something of value.
Something I valued, that meant something to me. That doll was the last thing
my mom gave me before she died. It meant a lot to me. His bite meant more,
and that was the lesson. After I gave it to him, he lost interest in me. But
he told me he would one-day give me back my doll when I had something of
more interest to him. My aunt used counsel connections to get me off the
bite. It was hard to break. I did ok until I met Hank in college. He got me
back on bites. He made it seem like he saved me from it. But I now know he
made sure I did the whole willing donor thing. And when he married me, when
I was pregnant with Buffy. He made me believe... Dana, I feel like I've just
had the wool pulled off my eyes. I feel like I can't trust anyone, not even
you." Joyce cried out wrapping herself in the sheets tighter. 

"That's how they want you to feel, Joyce, we will get through this together.
All of us." Dana said slowly as she stood up still holding the doll. She
walked over to the far wall where there was a built in bookshelf. "This
belonged to your mother, and one day it will belong to either Buffy or Dawn.
It deserves a place of honor in our room." Dana said as she looked over the
bookshelf. Slowly she found a spot on the shelf and she carefully placed it
on the shelf. "Joyce, it has bad memories too, but the good is so much
stronger. And just for the record, Willow and I are stuck in the Summer's
women's lives. We are not going anywhere."

&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&

Tara was nervous, dating was hard enough, but now she had to impress
someone's family too. She didn't get along with her own family so she had no
idea how to please Beth's family. She mentally checked over her readiness,
she had flowers and wine. She wore one of her better club outfits, nothing
raunchy, just a comfortable matching skirt and blouse. She closed her eyes
and cleared her mind taking a deep breath. Then she rang the doorbell. 

"I was wondering how long you were going to stand on the front porch, Buffy
is still changing clothes, she can't pick something until she is officially
late." Dawn said breathlessly standing out of the door to let Tara in the
house.

"Buffy, your data is here." Joyce screamed up the stairs as she guided Tara
into the kitchen. Dana was stirring what could only be spaghetti sauce over
the stove. Willow was setting the table. 

"Cool flowers, that's impressive!" Willow said as she looked into Tara's
eyes. Actually Tara looked a little like a deer in headlights.

"Wow! Those are cool." Dawn said as she moved to get a vase. "And wine too,
wow the whole nine yards!"

"Yeah I wasn't so sure about the wine but Beth said your parents would enjoy
it." Tara said handing the bottle over to Joyce.

"Sutter Holmes, White Zuithendale. One of my favorites, did Buffy help you?"
Joyce asked carefully as her internal monologue began to repeat, '23 she is
23, she can buy wine, 23, oh god, she is too old for my daughter.'

"She said you liked White Zuithendales, actually this is one of my favorite
wines, not that I drink that much. I just like a glass now and then, and I
would never ... with Beth, well I would ... but not drink. I mean I am a
healer, too much of anything is bad." Tara babbled and wanted to crawl under
the nearest rock.

"Why didn't you ever go into medicine, you're by all counts a very good
healer, did you never think about being a doctor?" Dana asked as she took
the wine and opened it. She then poured 3 glasses. She handed Joyce one and
Tara the other. 

"Becoming a doctor was never an option. I started studying to be a healer
when I was about Dawn's age. And I like being a healer." Tara said with a
shrug as she sipped her wine. Actually, Dana was impressed by the girl. And
the wine was a nice touch too; it said I am an adult and know what I am
doing. 

"Hi Tara!" Buffy said as she entered the kitchen. She was wearing black
jeans and a black tank top over a white tank top. On Buffy it looked good.
Tara walked over and kissed Buffy on the cheek before handing her the 6 red
roses. Buffy kissed her back on the lips as she took the roses to examine
them. Joyce turned away rather than watch the exchange. Buffy was still her
little girl, and Joyce was having growing pains.

"They smell amazing!" Buffy said and kissed Tara yet again.

"Yo! Vampire! Hose off your embarrassing mom." Dawn said as she handed Buffy
the vase she had already put water in.

"Come on, let's eat." Dana said as she opened the oven and removed the
garlic bread.

&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&

Saturday morning Dana and Joyce were enjoying the quiet, before the storm of
children came down the stairs looking for breakfast. At least they slept in
on Saturdays. Dana took Joyce's hand and kissed it before pouring her
another cup of coffee. They liked these times the most, just being close
together.

The doorbell rang and Joyce got up to get it. When she didn't come back
right away Dana went into the living room to find Kate Lockley taking back
her badge. 

"Kate, what's up?" Dana asked as she moved into the living room.

"Agent Scully? What are you doing here?" Kate asked a little confused. 

"I live here. This is my wife Joyce." Dana said as she put a protective arm
around Joyce.

"Right, wife, three kids and a mortgage. Well this makes it more awkward."
Kate replied before the storm of teen-age girls came flying down the stair.

"He did not... no way Willow. Tom Davison is so not dating Kerri Smith. "
Dawn screamed as she followed Willow down the stairs.

"He is too. Mark Wells is in my math class, and he is seeing Kerri's sister,
anyway he told me." Willow said before she landed at the foot of the stair.
"Great, more cops, I thought you had the weekend off, mom."

"Cool, you can just tell by looking... I guess you can tell." Dawn said as
she opened the hall closet and pulled out jackets for her and Willow.

"Mom, can I have the keys? Tara gave us doughnut money. We so need a
doughnut fix." Willow said holding out her hand.

"Kate, these are our kids, this is Willow and that's Dawn. Buffy is probably
still in bed." Dana explained before handing over the car keys to Willow.

"Like Buffy really wants to get up." Dawn whispered as Willow glared at her.
Willow then grabbed Dawn and pulled her out the door. 

"Be back in ten." Willow said as she slammed the door. She and Dawn were
already onto another subject.

"Wait, what do you mean Tara gave you...?" Joyce finally said as it suddenly
hit her. 

"I hope that isn't a problem." Tara said quietly from the top of the stairs.

"You spent the night. You spent the night in Buffy's room, ... with Buffy?"
Joyce asked as she flashed from head to toe.

"Tara, would you like some coffee?" Dana asked as she put an arm around
Joyce, pulling her in tight.

"In the kitchen, I can help myself," Tara said quietly as she quickly moved
down the stairs and into the kitchen.

Kate leaned over and whispered into Dana's ear, "Isn't she one of Wolfram
and Harts healers?"

"Yes, she is, she is also dating Buffy. Although I wasn't expecting her to
spend the night on there first date." Dana whispered back. 

"So why are you here, Kate?" Dana asked suddenly.

"Looking for a vampire. Actually, the healer was on my list of people to
look up today." Kate said slowly.

"Who's looking for a vampire?" Buffy said as she took the steps two at a
time.

"You! FREEZE!" Kate said as she pulled her gun out and aimed it at Buffy.

Joyce just stepped between Buffy and Kate. Dana pulled her own gun and aimed
it at Kate.

"Well, this is interesting, why don't we all calm down and talk this out."
Tara said from the kitchen door as she took Buffy by her hand. Dana could
see her crystal necklace glowing slightly under her shirt.


"She is right." Dana said as she put her 44 back in the holster. And then
she took Joyce by the shoulder and headed her toward the kitchen.

Kate just stood there in the living room aiming her gun at the kitchen for a
full minute before she put it back in it's holster and went into the
kitchen. 

A few minutes later they were all siting at the table over coffee, not
saying anything.

"You were looking for a vampire? Do you know what kind? I'm a feral," Buffy
offered, she hated silence. 

"She is only half vampire!" Joyce added but at least they were talking. She
hated silence as much as Buffy did.

"I am looking for a shapeshifting vampire. A killer. I had believed I was
looking for you actually. The prep is female, looks to be 16 or 17, blond,
nice looking, new to the club scene. Buffy, where were you last night?

Buffy just looked over at Tara with an almost leer, and a sweet smile that
spoke of young love.

"Buffy, just tell her where you and Tara went last night. After finding out
Tara spend the night with you, I think we will just deal with everything
else later." Dana said slowly.

"Actually that is pretty much all of it, we went to the movies like we said.
Saw My Big Fat Greek Wedding. We went to this all night dinner, she got
food, and I got blood. The bottled kind, not from people. And then we talked
about going to her place, but I thought you would freak less if we just came
home. I said good night when I got back that was around 1 am. Remember mom,
you said turn the hall light off. That was it, we didn't do anything but
talk. Ok we did ... you know ... it, but that was really it." Buffy said
carefully.

"She drinks blood?" Kate asked Dana, anger spreading across her face.

"She drinks blood to survive Kate, she is a halfling. She doesn't kill to
get it." Dana said patiently. 

"The dinner, the one on 36th street?" Kate asked.

"Yes, I go there all the time. My apartment's about 2 blocks over. Alice
Matthews was on last night. She is a patient of mine." Tara said carefully. 

"Aren't you a little old for her, although I have no idea how old you are?"
Kate asked hatefully.

"I am 17, Tara's 23, my mom thinks Tara is two old for me too. She is
younger than Jenna, and I fuck her too. My mom doesn't like me using that
word; we won't even talk about me doing that word. I like Tara, she is
nice." Buffy said looking at Kate with her feral vampire eyes blazing and
her small fangs barely visible in her mouth. 

Kate reached down and checked her gun, but she didn't look away. "Someone
wanted me to believe you killed two people last night. You wouldn't want to
explain that?" Kate asked putting her hands back on the table with a great
force of will.

"Someone is afraid I am out of control. If you arrest me, someone would get
me out of it. But I would owe them big. My father would be my first guess.
Actually he is starting to piss me off a lot." Buffy said taking a drink of
her coffee.

"Is there a way you could find out who wanted Buffy arrested?" Dana asked.

"Don't have to check. Wolfram and Hart. They wanted Buffy arrested for the
murders of two tourists and they wanted Tara arrested as well. In fact,
healer, your apartment is being searched as we speak. I wouldn't go home if
I were you." Kate said slowly tossing a photo of Buffy and Tara at a club.
It was a picture from one of Jenna's public sessions with a close up of
Buffy's vampire face and with Tara in the background. 

"The only people I hate worse than vampires, are lawyers." Kate said as she
stood up and moved to leave. 

"How long do I have?" Dana asked quietly looking over the photo and the
notes written on the back of the photo.

"About 2 hours." Kate said quietly. "She seems like a nice kid. Get your
family under cover. These are the big guns, Dana." And with that Kate stood
up and left the house.

Dana continued to look over the information then said slowly, "No one us the
phones. Start packing, just a few days worth of cloths. Tara you will come
with us, Joyce see what we can come up with for cloths for Tara. As soon as
Willow and Dawn return will go over to Melissa's, she has a friend who owns
a car lot, we'll need a car and cash. I need to call Mulder but from a pay
phone."




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