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Chapter Nine

"How did—I don't understand—" Spike was sputtering.

"I've surprised you."

"Bleeding right you have! How the hell do you know--?"
Tara took a deep breath. "I've always known what a Slayer is just as I've always known
vampires exist."

"But how?"

Tara took a deep breath. "It's not something I like to really talk about."

Spike cocked his head to the side. "I don't see that you have much of a
choice Tara. You've just approached me and told me that you're not only
the new Slayer, but that you know I'm a vampire. I think some answers are
in order here."

She was blushing furiously now and looked almost afraid.

"Tara," he began gently. "I'm sorry. It's just knowing what you know . . . "

"I know," she said softly. "Do you mind if we sit down?"

"Not at all." He followed her to the row of desks and chairs and positioned
themselves so they faced one another.

She took a deep breath, gripping her books on her lap and looked up at him
nervously.

"I was maybe ten and my parents, my best friend and I were walking home
from a movie. We didn't live very far away and I come from a good
neighborhood, so walking home was no big deal. I mean, I used to hang out
in the park all day. Well, that evening on our way home, we were
ambushed."

Spike stared at her. "Vampires," he guessed.

She nodded. "Yes," she whispered. She took a shaky breath. "My best
friend didn't make it. They took her first and then went after me."

"What happened?" Spike asked, horrified.

Tears started to trail down her cheeks. "A girl, or a woman, I'm not sure
which. . . when you're ten everyone looks big to you . . . she came out of
nowhere and saved us. She staked them. Told us not to be walking around after dark anymore. Until then I didn't even know vampires existed! Thought it was just made up stories meant to scare you! And then this all powerful girl comes along . . . she was amazing. She saved us and after that I went in search for what she was. There was no way an ordinary girl or woman could do what she did. I went hunting for her, for what she was and I found the answers scattered in different places. Books, the net . . . most of it was chalked up to untrue lore, but I knew. . . I saw her."

"And now you've become her," Spike said quietly.

"I only figured it out when I felt as if I were hit with something. My whole
body tingled and I felt this rush of power course through me. It was unlike
anything I'd ever felt before. It was . . . amazing! From what I'd read—I
knew that had to be it. I KNEW it."

"A Watcher? Don't you have a Watcher? All you birds have a Watcher."

Tara shrugged. "I don't know what happened. I don't seem to have one."

Spike's eyes widened. "Who's been training you?

"No one, but myself. Well, I've had some help."

"Who?" he asked incredulously.

"My friend Willow."





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