Continue to Jaws of Hell Chapter Five



Jaws of Hell
CHAPTER SIX

Author: SavageWaters19
Rating: R and up
Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters of BtVS, they all belong to Joss Whedon, and the Jaws theme is Peter Benchley's. The Jaws setting is basically an island off California, and I took the chief of police idea and the marine biologist - those are all Jaws. Other than that, the story's mind and such. Made up characters are mine as well.
Author's Note: Warning: Character Death!!!


Tara knew she was early. To be honest with herself, the blonde was anxious to learn what the shark situation was. So she hurriedly finished her work and jumped the first barge over to the island. The boat ride lasted a little bit longer than two hours.

When she arrived at the island three hours ahead of the planned time, she glanced over the new scenery. She was on a dock that lasted about a half-mile until you reached the shore. Tara picked up a bag that she could place over her shoulder and rolled her suitcase off the boat.

The blonde began walking, glad that she had pulled her hair back this morning. Although the sun shone brightly, the problem was the wind. It whipped Tara's hair with no avail.

When she reached the end of the pier, Tara spotted the police station and decided best to introduce herself first. She wheeled her luggage around to the station and walked in with confidence.

A young woman in uniform spotted her and made her way over.

"Excuse me Miss, can I help you?" asked the young cop, openly letting her eyes roam over the blonde's body.

Feeling like she was being put under a microscope, the blonde lost her confidence, "Er, well, I-I'm T-Tara M-M-".

"MaClay," finished Xander, moving his way to block Amy Madison's assault on the blonde, "Hi there Miss Maclay, I'm Officer Harris, second in command to the chief, if you will," he smiled politely, extending his hand.

"N-Nice to meet you," she greeted, thankful for the intrusion.

"If you follow me, I'll take you to Chief Rosenberg's office. She's on the phone right now, but I'm sure it won't last..." he said as he opened the door to Willow's office. The redhead was pacing on the phone, very adamant about the conversation she was in.

"...no, I can't just make this go away sir! The girl found her friend's body on the beach mangled and shredded. Do you have any idea how disturbing that is? What kind of psychological damage that does?! Sir, if the beaches remain open, another incident is bound to occur...no...what do you mean anything but that! The people are gonna blame me for the attacks! ...fine sir! Just fine!" she yelled as she hung up the phone, obviously disgusted. Tara, oddly enough, didn't feel awkward, but entranced by the vibrant red hair of the chief's head.

Willow finally looked up from her intent gaze on the phone and found herself drowning in the most sapphire and soulful eyes she had ever seen. Tara was in a similar state when she settled on the emerald gems of Willow's eyes. Both stood, gazing intently at each other, until Willow finally spoke.

"Uh, hi, I'm Chief Rosenberg, but seeing as you're not a cop, you can call me Willow. You must be Miss Maclay then?" she asked, extending her hand in welcoming.

"Yes, um please call me Tara," she said taking the offered hand, but never breaking eye contact. Willow, reluctantly, shifted her eyes on Xander.

"Officer Harris, will you please retrieve the remains for Miss Maclay...I mean Tara, to observe?" she asked. Xander nodded and made his way to the observation room. Willow looked at Tara again and smiled warmly. "Please have a seat and I'll fill you in on exactly what is going on, or at least, what I know is going on," she explained, sitting down herself.

Tara did the same and smiled back at Willow. She placed her bags down beside her and looked up at Willow when she was finally settled. Tara thought she could look at Willow forever.

"Well, as you probably assumed the shark problem is of course attacks. We first realized we had a problem when two vacationers disappeared and then later turned up, dismembered on the ocean floor. Then, last night, a college visitor was attacked and killed and another young man was attacked on the leg. He's in hospital care at the moment, receiving a replica leg. We don't know what kind of shark is doing this, why it's even in these waters, or what to do to solve this problem. I'm kinda hoping you do," she said the last part very meekly. Tara half smiled at the cuteness of Willow's voice.

"Well, that's something I can defiantly help with. I suggest that I go get settled into a hotel and then return to look at the remains. I have to do some mild preparations that require equipment in my bags," she explained.

Willow's face brightened up when Tara told her she could help. Willow was set in keeping Tara around. For some reason, Willow felt a sense of security around her. However, her eyebrows furrowed in confusion. Tara seeing this asked her what was wrong.

"You haven't made any reservations at any hotel yet?" she questioned. At Tara's shake of her head signaling 'no', Willow picked up the phone and dialed a number. Tara heard a muffled noise on the other end. Willow, feeling she was being rude, explained the sudden call.

"Anya knows if there's any hotel rooms left. Knowing what's the what is her business. She's sorta like the town's vacationer-go-to-gal...hey Anya, any hotel rooms left. I got a special girl, needs taken care of," Willow said, winking jokingly at Tara, who blushed. "...you sure? That's what I was afraid of. Yeah, thanks anyway," she said, ending her conversation. She looked at Tara.

"I'm really sorry about this, but all the rooms are booked, with the summer crowd and all. Now, I could set you up in my office, it's the most spacious one here, or you could share my apartment, which gives you a room all to yourself. But I understand if you want to be alone, ya know, have your own space, because space is good," she babbled, somewhat nervously. Gosh, haven't babbled since I moved out here. Then again, no one to babble to and nothing to babble about, so why babble when there shouldn't be needless babbling...

"If it's not too much trouble, I'd rather stay at your place," asked Tara. A blush crept up her face and into her ears.

"No! No trouble at all! Nope, all fine, Finey McFine. Here, I'll give you a ride," the red head offered as she stood up. "Need help with your bags?" she asked. Tara told her 'no, but thanks for asking' and the two hopped into the truck. Even though there was some minor awkward silence, they mostly spoke about random things. About what Tara does at the aquarium and more details on the shark attacks. The two women kept the conversation going, as much for the talk and so they could sneak glances at each other.


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