Friends, Lovers and Ex-Lovers

by Kinetic-Kid

Copyright © 2006

kwhite14@yahoo.com

Rating: NC-17
Disclaimer: Definitely no money being made. All characters belong to Joss Whedon and ME. I own nothing except whatever characters I may make up for this story.
Distribution: The Mystic Muse: /mysticmuse.net
Kinetic-Kid's Site: /www.kinetic-kid.com
Oh yeah, anywhere, anytime. Just make sure I get credit and let me know where it is.
Feedback: Please Please PLEASE. I live for feedback. I get irritable and upset if I don't get any and I might not continue writing. Of course, if you don't like the story and think it sucks you may not want me to continue!
Spoilers: If you haven't seen BTVS – then tough!! Anything and everything is up for spoiling.
Pairing: Buffy/Tara

Chapter 1    Chapter 2    Chapter 3    Chapter 4

Chapter 1

"Anya!" Tara growls at the ex-vengeance demon. "She is not going to do magic. I'll do the spell." Tara stands in front of Willow, her eyes narrowed and her arms crossed as she stares down the woman.

Anya throws her hands up in the air. "Fine! Whatever! Just as long as we can get out of here!" Anya flounces out of the room, Xander sighing as he quietly follows his fiancée.

"I have some ingredients that you can use for the spell." Willow hesitantly whispers to Tara, her eyes looking hopefully at the blonde Wiccan.

Tara clenches her jaw as she turns her gaze on Willow. "You still have Magic paraphernalia around here?"

Willow's eyes widen in surprise at the anger she sees in the blue depths of her girl…ex-girlfriend. "I-I wasn't planning on using them. I just had them here." Willow bites her lip nervously as she watches Tara intently.

Sighing heavily, Tara nods her head. "Get them for me, please." Tara whispers as she walks into the kitchen leaning against the island with her head tilted. 'You know that you can never forgive her for what she did, you need to cut her loose, Tara. You know she's hoping that you'll come back to her.' Tara thinks to herself as she hesitantly runs a hand across the tiles.

Willow hurriedly gathers everything magical she has, including the Doll's Eye crystal Tara had given her, carrying them back down the stairs and into the kitchen. "Here's everything I have." Willow whispers gently placing the items in front of Tara, looking up hopefully at the Wiccan. "Honestly, I wasn't planning on using any of this, Tara."

Tara nods her head silently as she looks at the items, her hand reaching for her Doll's Eye crystal, stroking a finger gently over it.

Buffy stops in the doorway to the kitchen as she follows Willow, seeing what was going on. Silently she watches as Willow tries to get into Tara's good graces while Tara seems to be drawn into herself.

Tara quickly gather's the herbs, doing the spell for the people to be able to leave, frowning when it doesn't work. Thinking for a few long moments, Tara closes her eyes and whispers a soft incantation. "Someone, or something is keeping us from leaving. Their magic is more powerful than what we have here for me to break it." Tara admits looking up at Willow.

Willow turns pale as she looks down at the items, before she looks back up into Tara's blue eyes. "Would I be able…?" Willow doesn't complete the question.

"No. You wouldn't be able to break it." Tara frowns heavily. "Only the person who cast it is going to be able to break this spell."

Buffy unconsciously breathes a sigh of relief that Willow won't do the magic, but frowns wondering what could have done a spell on the house so they couldn't leave, and why it was done, as she unconsciously listens to the two women.

"Willow?" Tara starts quietly looking at the redhead. When Willow looks at her with hopeful eyes, Tara sighs quietly. "We need to talk."

"Okay." Willow smiles hesitantly. "Do you want to talk now, or maybe meet for coffee or lunch once we get out of here?"

Tara shakes her head. "I can't do this, Willow." Tara looks up with sad eyes. "I know you're hoping that I might come back to you, but I have to tell you, that I can't."

Willow stands there in shock, staring at Tara. "B-but…" Willow looks down at the magical ingredients on the island.

"You're doing great about not doing any magic, Willow. But I can't forget or forgive you for what you did to me." Tara whispers softly, her blue eyes filling with tears. "I will always love you, Willow. You helped make me the person I am today, and I never would have had the strength to be myself if it weren't for you. But, whether you realize it or not, what you did to me was worse than what Glory did."

Willow frowns heavily, not understanding what Tara was saying. "I only took the one memory from you, Tara."

Tara growls quietly. "Yes, you did, Willow. You took my right to be angry at you away from me. The person that supposedly loves me completely, reached into my mind and took my memories away from me. You say it was only the once, but you actually did the spell twice, that I'm aware of. The second time it backfired. Does the rest of the group know it was you that cast the spell, Willow? Do they have the slightest idea that you did that? The first time I can only guess that we argued about magic. Since I don't have memory of it." Tara runs a shaky finger over her forehead. "At least with Glory, it wasn't anything personal, that's who she was. You don't do things like that to people you love, Willow. You took my choices away from me, to make you feel better about yourself. You raped me, is what it boils down to. I'll never be able to be with you again, because of it. I'll always wonder if something else might happen to push you to take my memories away from me and I can't do that to myself. You ruined the trust between us and it isn't something that we'll ever be able to get back." Tara admits quietly, looking into the tear-filled green eyes of her ex-lover.

Willow stares in disbelief at Tara, the tears falling heedlessly down her cheeks as she tries to understand what Tara's saying to her.

Tara sighs, seeing the confusion deep in Willow's eyes. "I'll make it simple, Willow. I love you but I am no longer in love with you. I won't be coming back, we're over." Tara watches as understanding slowly comes to Willow's eyes, followed by hurt, and anger. Tara bites her lips as Willow snarls her lip up at her before running from the kitchen. Tara drops her head, her hair falling forward to cover her face as she silently cries.

Buffy steps out of Willow's way, her eyes angry at the realization of exactly what Willow had done, not just to the rest of the group, but to Tara also. Buffy hesitates for a moment before walking up to the blonde Wiccan, cautiously placing a hand on a lightly shaking shoulder. "Tara?" Buffy questions softly, surprised when Tara turns to her, hugging her desperately as the tears fall harder and faster. "Shhh. It'll be okay." Buffy whispers, her eyes sad at the obvious hurt and pain the Wiccan is going through. Gently wrapping her arms around Tara, Buffy holds her gently, allowing Tara to cry it out, while gently running her hands up and down the woman's back, surprised at the strong back she feels under the woman's shirt.

"Oi, now, ain't this a lovely sight?" Spike growls as he walks into the kitchen, his eyes looking accusingly at the slayer. "Didn't think ya' had it in you, slayer. Up for a bit of a threesome, are ya'?" Spike snarls as he lights his cigarette eyeing the two women.

"Put that out. You're not smoking in my house." Buffy snarls at the peroxide blonde vampire, while tightening her grip on Tara as the Wiccan tries to break the embrace. "Stay, Tara. You've always been there for me when I've needed someone, the least I can do is return the favor. And you and I are going to talk about exactly what happened between you and Willow when you feel up to it." Buffy explains softly, before turning her gaze on Spike. "Not that it's any of your business, but I'm comforting a friend, and it would be best if you got the hell out of here!"

Spike snarls at the slayer, before angrily spouting out. "Well, just so you know. It seems lil' bit made a wish and that's why we can't bloody well leave."

Buffy watches as Spike spins around on his heel and stalks out of the kitchen. Taking a deep breath, Buffy closes her eyes and unconsciously rests her head against Tara's as she continues to hold the Wiccan. "What the hell am I going to do with her? She steals, she lies, she makes wishes knowing that we're a damn magnet for things to go wrong." Buffy shakes her head, not knowing what to do about Dawn.

Tara finally gets control of her emotions, gently easing away from Buffy to look at the sad hazel eyes. "Thank you." Tara whispers as she wipes her own cheeks of the drying tears. "Want me to speak with Dawn?"

Buffy chuckles sadly. "You're probably the only one she's listening to right now. She hates me, I think she's still mad at Willow and she only tolerates Anya. Xander isn't one to go to for heart to hearts." Buffy shakes her head, running a hand roughly through her hair. "One step at a time, let's figure out how to get out of here, then maybe we can set up some kind of date for you to talk with Dawn."

"Okay." Tara allows a small smile to cross her face. "Let's see about getting the wish reversed and taken care of."

Buffy nods her head in silent agreement as she follows Tara silently out of the kitchen, back into the living room.

"Spike, will you stop stalking me? I said we're through." Buffy growls as she angrily strides through the cemetery, slamming her fist into a newly risen vampire before picking it up and throwing it against a tombstone. Quickly staking it, she turns her angry gaze on the bleached blonde vampire. "Take a not so subtle hint and leave me alone."

"What'sa matter, slayer? You're a bit tetchy, ain't ya?" Spike growls, prowling towards the slayer. "I know what'll cure that." Spike smirks as he rests his hand beside his crotch. "I got just what the slayer needs."

Buffy suddenly feels sick to her stomach in realization of what she'd done with the soulless vampire. The full weight of the violent sex, the beatings and the fucking they'd done makes her want to throw up. "You don't have anything I need." Buffy whispers, the disgust obvious in her tones. "Leave me alone, Spike. We're through and there is absolutely nothing you can do to change that." Buffy turns on her heel striding towards the college campus to continue patrol.

Spike snarls and jogs to catch up with the slayer, jerking her to a stop, ducking the quick fist that comes sailing towards his head. "We're through when I say we're through, slayer." Spike growls, his eyes shading to yellow. "And we ain't through. Not by a long shot. You came back wrong and this is proof!" Spike snarls as he lands a quick strike to the slayer's ribs, before howling in pain as a boot lands squarely between his legs, making him collapse grabbing his groin in pain.

Buffy grabs her ribs, wincing as she feels them shift under her hand. "You lay another hand on me, I will rip you limb from limb then stake you with your own arm bone. Leave. Me. The. Fuck. Alone." Buffy hisses in Spikes face before wincing as she continues walking towards the college.

"We ain't through yet, slayer." Spike growls quietly, waiting for the pain to subside before he slowly stands, watching the now distant slayer. "We've only just begun."

Tara hurries from the library towards her dorm room, keeping her eyes open for any vampires, silently berating herself for staying so late in the library. As her eyes continue to scan the quad, they come to light on a small blonde, leaning against a tree. Searching out the rest of the area, Tara jogs quickly up to Buffy, stopping a couple feet from the slayer. "Buffy?" Tara hesitantly questions.

Buffy unconsciously stiffens from where she's been resting against the tree, trying to get the pain of her broken ribs under control. Slowly turning to face Tara, she tries to smile, failing horribly.

Tara frowns heavily at the obvious pain coming from the slayer. "Can you make it to my dorm room?" Tara questions, her eyes trailing over the slayer's body, not seeing any visible damage, but knowing there must be damage under the clothes.

"I should go home." Buffy turns to head back towards her house.

"No, please don't." Tara shakes her head, her eyes looking at Buffy's. "Let me help you, please."

Buffy takes a deep breath, ready to tell Tara no when the pain shoots through her again, making her whimper.

Tara steps up to Buffy, gently wrapping her arm around the slayer, urging her towards the dorm. "No arguing with the Wiccan, Buffy. I'll knock you out and carry your ass to the dorm room, if I have to."

Buffy snorts at that comment, hissing as her ribs shift. "So much for the sweet, calm Wiccan. Threatening to knock me out and saying bad words." Buffy allows a small smile to cross her face as Tara looks at her with narrowed eyes. "Though, it's hard to picture you doing those things."

"Try me." Tara states seriously, her eyes glancing at Buffy, no laughter visible in the serious gaze. Tara turns her eyes back to where they're slowly making their way up the stairs, Tara calmly waiting for the slayer to slowly lift her legs as they climb the steps together.

"You have a very serious look on your face." Buffy whispers, the surprise obvious in her voice.

"Your being hurt is serious." Tara whispers back, shifting her head, she looks at Buffy.

"It isn't that bad." Buffy shakes her head, frowning. "A few broken ribs."

Tara inhales quickly, her brows furrowing. "Broken ribs are extremely painful, and the way you're acting they must be bad." Tara's mind starts working through the ingredients she has in her room to make a poultice for the slayer's ribs and a numbing spell to take the worse of the pain away. "What happened?"

"Had a not so successful discussion with Spike." Buffy finally admits after they make it to Tara's room and the blonde unlocks her door. Buffy's mind stalls for a moment at the knowledge that Tara obviously knows from first hand experience what broken ribs feel like. Filing that information away, Buffy watches Tara.

Tara's head snaps up, her eyes searching Buffy's. "Spike did that?"

"Yeah." Buffy admits as she walks into Tara's room.

"Lie down on the bed." Tara orders as she tosses her book bag in the corner, digging her first aid kit out of the closet. Setting it on the desk, she digs through until she finds the ace bandages, setting them on the side before going to her box of herbs. Tossing a few chosen herbs into her mortar and grinding them almost roughly with the pestle, Tara turns her gaze on Buffy, watching as the slayer sits on the edge of the bed. "You need to lie down. Where are they broken at?" Tara watches as Buffy looks up at her with sad hazel eyes before pointing to her lower ribcage. "Can you get your shirt off, or are you going to need help?"

Buffy's eyes widen at the Wiccan's calm words. "What?"

Tara sighs quietly. "For me to get this poultice on your ribs, and to wrap them properly, your jacket and shirt both need to come off. I'll give you a towel to cover yourself with, if it bothers you."

Buffy blushes lightly as she looks down, not knowing what to say.

Tara laughs quietly at the obvious discomfort crossing Buffy's face. "I promise I won't pounce on you, Buffy. Yes, it's been a while, but I don't take advantage of people. Especially women that are straight." Tara grins crookedly at the slayer, as Buffy's head lifts up in surprise. "Do you need help?" Tara questions softly as she sets the mortar down.

"Please." Buffy finally smiles as she tries to shrug out of the jacket, wincing in pain.

"Let me." Tara kneels on the floor beside Buffy, gently easing the jacket off the slayer's good side before gently pulling it down the slayer's other arm. Sighing quietly at the crop top the slayer's wearing, Tara raises her eyes at the slayer. "You couldn't have worn a button-up shirt, could you?"

"Wasn't planning on having my ribs caved it." Buffy admits, grinning briefly.

Tara sighs as she gently raises the top, trying to maneuver Buffy's head gently through the opening, so the slayer doesn't have to lift her arms and put any more strain on her broken ribs. Finally pulling the shirt down Buffy's arms, Tara glances away at the now topless slayer, standing to get a towel and handing it to her.

Buffy covers her breasts, blushing lightly at her nakedness.

Tara turns back to make the poultice and grabs the ace bandages. Stepping back to the slayer, Tara lifts the edge of the towel, placing the poultice gently against Buffy's side. "Can you hold this here while I start to wrap your ribs?"

Buffy nods her head as she tucks the towel against her chest with her arm while holding the poultice against her with her hand, shifting her hand as Tara gently wraps her ribs, so the poultice will stay in place.

"Is that tight enough or too tight?" Tara questions as she wraps the slayer's ribs, looking up into hazel eyes.

"It's perfect." Buffy smiles at the soft blue eyes. "Thank you, Tara."

"You're welcome." Tara smiles back as she finishes wrapping Buffy's ribs and taping the edges down. "Let me see what I can get for you." Tara stands back up, walking over to her closet. Pulling out a light blue button-up shirt, she walks back to Buffy, gently easing the slayer into the shirt and quickly buttoning it. Finally pulling the towel down and out from under the over-sized shirt. "Not exactly a fashion statement, but a lot easier for you to get in and out of. Sorry it's big on you." Tara blushes lightly looking down as she stands, folding the towel back up and placing it on the desk.

Buffy watches Tara move around the room for a moment before looking down at her clasped hands.

"Please, lie down, Buffy." Tara orders softly, watching as Buffy obvious contemplates for a moment before shifting and lying down in the bed. Walking over to the slayer, Tara gently pulls off her boots, placing them at the head of the bed on the floor, while glancing at Buffy. "I have juice and water, if you'd like something to drink?"

"Water, please." Buffy finally gives in, relaxing her body back into the bed, getting more comfortable as she feels the pain slowly easing from her side.

Grabbing a couple waters out of the mini refrigerator, Tara hands one to Buffy before she sits down in her chair, tucking her legs up under her, sipping at her own water. "Do you feel like talking about what happened?"

"You pretty much know the majority of it. I told him we were through, I didn't want anything else to do with him and it escalated into him taking a cheap shot at my ribs. Which was harder than I expected. I kicked him in the groin then gradually made my way here to try and finish patrol." Buffy shrugs lightly as she plays with the label on her water bottle.

Tara tucks her hair behind her ear, sighing quietly. "Buffy, he's obsessed with you. He won't give up, he'll keep at it until he either gets you or kills you." Tara explains softly.

Buffy slowly raises her eyes, looking at Tara. "I think obsessed is exactly what it is." Buffy tilts her head, watching Tara. "I haven't seen you in the last couple weeks since the birthday party. How are you doing?"

"I'm okay." Tara shrugs, smiling briefly. "Going to classes, studying, that type of thing."

"Do you feel like talking?" Buffy questions hesitantly, her mind tripping back to the discussion between Tara and Willow at her birthday party.

Tara looks down, picking at her skirt as she considers the slayer quietly. "What is there to say, Buffy? Willow and I are through. I'm going to finish out the school year and transfer out of here." Tara shrugs her shoulders, her heart aching at the thought of leaving the people she considers family, but not seeing much choice in the matter.

"WHAT?" Buffy growls loudly, her head snapping up to look at the Wiccan. "What do you mean you're transferring out of Sunnydale? You can't do that, I won't let you, Tara." Buffy shakes her head angrily. "So not gonna happen."

Tara stares in surprise at the blonde slayer. "I figured it would be for the best that I leave. That would take away a lot of the tenseness and turmoil that's going on right now."

"No. It'll make things harder on everyone. You're family, and if you leave it'll tear us apart, Tara. You're the glue that holds this crazy family of ours together. Whether you believe it or not, we would have probably imploded a long time ago, if it wasn't for you. Lord knows I'd still be fucking Spike if you hadn't been there for me." Buffy admits sadly, coming to the realization that since Tara had moved out, things had been harder on everyone.

Tara shakes her head softly. "I figured it would make things easier on everyone if I wasn't even around. I honestly don't want to leave, but I thought it would be for the best." Tara whispers the sad admission.

"It isn't for the best, so please get it out of your head. No more discussions of your leaving." Buffy hesitates, sighing quietly before blurting out. "Why didn't you tell anyone what Willow did to you? All she told us was that you had left her because of the magic. We all assumed it was because she was using too much magic. I know it never even occurred to me that she had used a spell on you."

Tara's eyes snap up to look at Buffy. "You heard our conversation." Tara states, seeing the acknowledgement in Buffy's eyes, Tara drops her gaze back down to her lap. "She had done a spell on me right before the big spell that wiped all our memories. If you didn't know for sure, she was the one that caused us to lose our memories, not some big bad. She was trying to make you forget being in heaven, and me forget my finding out about the first spell and her promise to not do magic." Tara admits quietly a hitch in her voice.

"I figured it was something like that." Buffy softly whispers. "I haven't hardly seen or spoken with Willow after you broke up completely with her. She's been keeping pretty much to herself."

Tara slowly raises her head. "I'm sorry, Buffy. I didn't mean to make it harder on everyone, but I just can't ever be with her again. I can't trust someone that did what she did, knowing what had been done to me. She doesn't realize that what she did was worse than what Glory had done."

"I understand, Tara." Buffy shifts to place the empty water bottle on the nightstand, wincing at the pull in her ribs, but surprised at how much better they're feeling. "Now, why were you out so late, when you should have been tucked away all safe and sound in your room?"

Tara laughs quietly. "I needed to do some research for one of my papers and time got away from me. Plus I needed a couple books for one of my classes."

"You need to be more careful." Buffy admonishes as the thought of something happening to Tara, makes her heart speed up with worry.

"I was prepared." Tara laughs, pointing towards her book bag and the fanny pack lying on top of it. "I don't go anywhere without my stakes, holy water, crosses and a few additional tricks."

"Try not to put yourself in the position of needing them, though." Buffy shifts her feet off the bed, preparing to stand.

"Whoa. Where do you think you're going?" Tara questions, hopping out of the chair and placing a hand on Buffy's shoulder.

"I should head home. My ribs are feeling pretty good right now." Buffy admits, looking up into caring blue eyes.

"Is Willow home?" Tara questions quietly, and at Buffy's hesitant nod, Tara smiles. "And is Dawnie staying at Janice's tonight?"

"Yeah, at least that's what she said." Buffy admits quietly, raising a questioning eyebrow at the Wiccan.

Tara hesitates a moment as she looks down at Buffy. "I know you don't sleep well, Buffy." Seeing the questioning eyes, Tara sighs. "The dark circles under your eyes, the fact that you'd climb out your window in the middle of the night to climb down the tree and walk around the neighborhood to try and settle your mind. "

"How…?" Buffy questions, frowning heavily as she considers Tara.

Tara turns back and walks to her window, leaning against the window frame. "I wasn't exactly sleeping well myself." Tara finally admits. "I'd been feeling unsettled and worried about Willow and you both. For different reasons. I'd hear when you'd leave your room, and move to the window to watch as you'd walk down the sidewalk." Tara leans her forehead against the cool glass. "Sometimes I'd see Spike meet up with you." Tara admits softly, closing her eyes.

Buffy sits there in shock, as she thinks back to that time right before Tara left, how she and Spike would go at it occasionally under the tree or down the block, wondering exactly what Tara might have seen. "Why didn't you say anything?" Buffy speaks barely above a whisper.

"I figured if you wanted me to know, you'd say something." Tara shrugs as she runs her hands through her hair, sighing softly. "I try not to judge or stick my nose in other peoples business, Buffy. But I'm going to let you know this…" Tara turns her gaze towards Buffy, the normally warm blue eyes becoming glacier cold. "If Spike lays another hand on you to hurt you, I will rip it off him before starting at the tip of his toes and slowly pouring holy water all over his body, until he's begging me to kill him. Then I'll practice my fireball spells I've been working on." Tara turns back and looks out the window again. "I came across a spell a couple nights ago that might help you. I've already done it and placed it on a necklace. It should keep him from being able to harm you. If you should want to continue sleeping with him, it won't stop that, but he won't be able to hit you again without his chip firing. Unless you take it off." Tara drops her head against the window pane again. "If you want to stay, you're more than welcome. No strings attached, we don't have to discuss anything. Just curl up and go to sleep. Maybe I'll hold you as you sleep, if you want me to try and help to keep the nightmares at bay. If you want to leave, the necklace is on top of my dresser."

Tara silently waits to see what Buffy decides to do. Not looking at the slayer, she keeps her head tilted against the window pane, silently listening to the soft breaths of the slayer behind her.

Buffy sits quietly on the edge of the bed, the Wiccan's words circling around in her head. Part of her liking the idea of being curled up safe and warm, protected by Tara. Knowing that Tara would protect her from whatever harm, physical or mental that would come her way. Buffy's eyes slowly trail over to Tara's dresser seeing the leather corded necklace with the pale blue stone weaved within the leather. "I don't have anything to sleep in." Buffy finally whispers, her decision made.

"You can sleep in the top you're wearing now, or I have large t-shirts and shorts, even sweat pants, if you prefer." Tara slowly turns towards Buffy, smiling softly. "I have spare toothbrushes and deodorants also."

Buffy allows a grin to cross her face. "Planning on having company?" Buffy jokes quietly.

"Just prepared in case Dawnie ever needs to stay the night." Tara shrugs her shoulders smiling crookedly at the slayer. "What do you prefer to sleep in?"

Buffy glances down at the shirt that comes to mid thigh. "I'll sleep in this shirt, if that's okay?" Buffy looks back up at Tara.

"That's fine. Let me get a toothbrush for you and my kit." Tara pushes away from the window frame, walking over to the dresser, opening the bottom drawer to pull out her shower kit and a spare toothbrush. "Will you be okay going down there by yourself, or would you like me to go with you?" Tara questions quietly, setting the items on top of the dresser as she turns back towards Buffy.

"I'll be okay, unless you need to go also." Buffy smiles self-consciously at Tara.

"I'll go when you get back." Tara chuckles quietly. "And if you're not comfortable with the idea of sleeping with me, I'll curl up in the chair. Won't be the first time I've slept in it." Tara grins.

"I'm not kicking you out of your bed, Tara." Buffy shakes her head at the witch as she grabs the toothbrush and shower kit as she heads to the door.

"Here." Tara reaches over into the closet and pulls down one of her robes, handing it to Buffy.

Buffy smiles in thanks as she walks out of the room.

Tara quickly changes into her tank top and shorts, grabbing her other robe to belt loosely around her waist as she waits for Buffy to come back. 'Hopefully Buffy will sleep good tonight. If she wants, I can always offer to do a sleep spell for her, to help.' Tara thinks to herself as she walks to the window, closing the blinds before turning as she hears the door open.

"Thanks." Buffy smiles as she hands the items to Tara, watching as Tara leaves to go down to the bathroom. Wincing slightly as she eases the robe off, Buffy hangs it up before pulling down the covers, hesitating for a moment, wondering what side Tara normally sleeps on. Waiting for the blonde Wiccan to come back before climbing in, Buffy looks around the sparse room.

"You could have gone ahead and climbed in bed." Tara states as she closes and locks the door behind her before putting the shower kit back in the drawer, sliding the robe off and hanging it up as she walks towards her bed.

Buffy's eyes turn to gaze at Tara, her breath stopping in her chest at the sight of Tara wearing a tight tank top and shorts, the muscle tone of the Wiccan surprising her. Taking a moment, Buffy finally answers Tara in a slightly hoarse voice. "I didn't know which side you slept on."

"It doesn't matter." Tara smiles softly. "Pick a side and I'll curl up on the other one." Tara turns to light a candle before turning off the overhead lights. Carrying the candle to the nightstand, Tara gently eases into bed beside Buffy. "I can do a sleep spell to make sure you get a good nights sleep, if you want. Or we could try this and see how you do?" Tara plumps her pillow before lying her head down, turning her gaze on Buffy. "Do you want to come here?" Tara offers her shoulder to Buffy smiling gently. "I promise I won't bite."

Buffy laughs quietly as she blushes. "Thank you, Tara." Buffy whispers before closing the small distance between them and gently easing her head down on Tara's shoulder, placing her hand between their two bodies.

"Make yourself comfortable, Buffy. You're not going to sleep well like that." Tara admonishes quietly, reaching for Buffy's hand and gently placing it across her stomach. "Snuggle in and go to sleep." Tara explains quietly, smiling as Buffy finally eases into her side and throws a leg gently over Tara's. "'Night, sweetie." Tara whispers as she gently starts stroking her fingers through Buffy's hair.

"Good night, Tara." Buffy sighs, finally relaxing into the Wiccan's arms, her eyes closing as her body quickly shuts down. The exhaustion finally catching up with her.

"Oh, sweetie." Tara murmurs realizing it only took a few seconds for Buffy to fall asleep. Continuing to stroke her fingers through the slayer's soft hair, Tara thinks about the slayer in her arms, wondering how much longer Buffy can keep up working for minimum wage, doing patrols, trying to solve all her friends problems and take care of Dawnie before she breaks down completely. "Maybe I can do something to help you out, sweetie." Tara whispers as she places a soft kiss on the top of Buffy's head before she turns her head to blow out the candle. Gently continuing to stroke her fingers through Buffy's hair, Tara slowly falls asleep.

Tara smiles as she wakes up at the weight of the slayer's head on her shoulder and the small hand unconsciously kneading her breast. Reaching up for the hand, Tara gently tugs it down around her waist, threading her fingers through Buffy's to keep it from traveling. "Don't think you'd be too comfortable waking up to that." Tara chuckles softly as she starts to stroke through Buffy's hair with her other hand, looking over at the clock, seeing it's a little after four in the morning. Continuing the stroking motion, Tara slowly falls back asleep.

"NO! NO! Get me out of here!" Buffy whimpers loudly, her body starting to thrash around the bed as her dreams turn to nightmares.

Tara jerks awake as a hand slams into her side and the slayer starts tossing and turning in the bed. Wrapping both her arms around Buffy, Tara pulls her tightly to her, stroking down the slayer's back whispering softly. "It's okay, sweetie. I've got you. Nothing's going to hurt you. I promise. Remember, you're here in the room with me. Everything's going to be okay, sweetie." Tara continues to murmur softly, gently shifting back and forth as she tries to soothe the agitated slayer. "I won't let anything hurt you. I promise I'll protect you." Tara sighs softly as Buffy starts to slowly calm down after about fifteen minutes. Continuing to stroke over Buffy's back, Tara breathes a sigh of relief as Buffy whimpers as she finally settles back down asleep. "It's okay, sweetie." Tara places a soft kiss to the top of Buffy's head, her eyes worried. "It'll be okay." Tara whispers, closing her eyes and continuing to stroke the slayers back and head, smiling as Buffy unconsciously hugs her tight and burrows into her side.

Buffy slowly awakens to find herself practically wrapped around Tara, with the blonde Wiccan's arms holding her tight. Slowly raising her head, she looks at the clock, staring at it in surprise as the time almost mocks her. Sighing quietly in realization that she really should get dressed and go home, her gaze turns to Tara, her eyes searching the soft features of the Wiccan, for the first time noticing how beautiful the woman actually is. Shaking her head, Buffy pulls her arms from around Tara before gently easing Tara's arms from her.

"Shhh…Go back to sleep, I promise nothing'll harm you." Tara mumbles quietly as she feels Buffy shifting around.

"I'm awake." Buffy whispers, smiling as Tara slowly releases her grip and as eyelids slowly raise, showing hazy blue eyes looking at her. "I need to go home to get ready for work." Buffy admits softly as Tara's eyes clear.

Tara reaches up and strokes a thumb gently over the slayer's cheek, smiling softly. "Sleep better, sweetie?"

"A lot, thank you." Buffy blushes lightly as she looks down, frowning at Tara's tank top that had ridden up. Shifting back from Tara, Buffy lifts it further as she sees the start of a bruise on the woman's side. Quickly raising her eyes to Tara's as Tara shifts the shirt down, Buffy searches the blue eyes. "What…?" Buffy starts to question as she tries to understand what she saw.

"It's okay, sweetie. Just a little bruise, I'll be okay in a few days." Tara smiles at Buffy as she stands and stretches her back, groaning loudly. "Dawn and I have a movie date this afternoon." Tara looks at the clock, chuckling. "Actually like more in an hour. I better get moving."

"I need to be at work in two hours." Buffy admits, frowning at Tara. "I hit you last night, didn't I?"

"You didn't hit me, sweetie." Tara shakes her head as she grabs clothes out of the closet. "You had a nightmare and thrashed about a bit before I could wrap you up and calm you down. Not a big deal." Tara pulls her robe on. "Do you feel like waiting around to walk me back to your house, or do you want to go ahead and go, that way you can get ready for work?"

"If I took a shower here, instead of at home, I could walk you there." Buffy admits after thinking for a few minutes, feeling guilty at the realization that she'd hurt Tara.

Tara looks at Buffy for a few minutes, seeing the guilty look cross the slayer's face. Padding across the room to stand in front of the slayer, Tara gently lifts Buffy's face to look in her eyes. "I'm fine, and you didn't mean to do it, so stop beating yourself up over it, okay? Now, let's go shower and clean up to head to your place." Tara smiles as she grabs Buffy's clothes from the night before, handing them to the slayer. "Do you want help taking off your wrap?"

"No, thanks. My ribs are probably feeling better than yours are, right now." Buffy frowns, sighing heavily. "Come on. Let's get cleaned up." Buffy whispers softly, heading towards the door.

Tara sighs quietly watching the slayer before she pulls on her robe and grabs her clothes and shower kit, along with Buffy's toothbrush and a spare deodorant. "Do you want to put the robe on, or are you okay to walk down to the bathrooms like that?" Tara raises an eyebrow at the slayer wearing one of her shirts that halts mid-thigh.

Buffy looks down, realizing what she's wearing, she laughs quietly. "A robe would probably be the smart thing." Buffy finally admits as she walks over to the closet and pulls down the robe, setting her clothes aside while pulling it on.

"Yes, it would." Tara laughs quietly as the two women head towards the showers.

Tara and Buffy walk quietly back towards Buffy's house. Glancing at the slayer, Tara smiles at the petite blonde. "Is there anything in particular you want me to discuss with Dawn while we're out today?" Tara questions softly.

"Anything, everything." Buffy shrugs her shoulders, sighing softly. "She's stealing, lying and just being a general pain in the ass. I don't know what to do. I yell, it doesn't work. I ground her, it doesn't work. I threaten, ignore, beg, plead, cry and none of it works."

"I'll try feeling her out and see what happens." Tara offers quietly as they turn down Revello Drive.

"Thank you, Tara." Buffy smiles at the Wiccan. "It isn't your responsibility, but I'm at my wits end as to what to do with Dawn. I'm afraid she's going to get arrested for stealing, if she doesn't straighten up. And if she gets arrested, they're going to take her away from me."

Tara nods her head silently in agreement as they walk up the steps to the front door. She watches as Buffy unlocks the door and steps into the house.

"Where have you been?" Willow growls, before noticing Tara stepping into the house behind the slayer. Suddenly turning pale, she looks from one woman to the other in disbelief.

"She was hurt and I made her come to my room, so I could help her. She stayed with me last night." Tara explains calmly as she slides off her jacket and hangs it up on the hook.

Willow's face turns red and her mouth opens and shuts a couple times in disbelief. "She slept with you last night?" Willow finally spits out, her eyes sparking with magic.

"In the basic definition of the word, yes, she slept with me last night." Tara turns her narrowed gaze on Willow. "As to what business it is of yours, I haven't the slightest, but I suggest you get control of yourself, Willow."

Buffy watches the interaction between the two women, before stepping in front of Tara, facing Willow. "She helped me after I was hurt last night. All she was doing was looking out for a friend, she would have done the same for Dawn, Xander, Anya and even you, though I don't see why." Buffy growls quietly as she sees what Tara did. "Now, do as Tara suggested and get control of yourself, Willow. We're not having a magical showdown over the fact that she helped me. Nothing else happened last night, so drop it."

Willow snarls her lip in disgust at the slayer. "You don't tell me what to do."

"As long as you're living under my roof, I do." Buffy snarls back, the anger getting the better of her. "There will be no magic done in this house by you, Willow. If you're doing magic, you will move out, and not be welcome here, understood?"

"You can't do that!" Willow growls at Buffy, her eyes darkening dangerously.

Buffy leans into Willow's personal space. "My name is on the deed to this house, I can and WILL do whatever the hell I please. Now, calm the fuck down or get the fuck out!"

Tara shakes her head at the two women before stepping between them. "No. Both of you back off. All this is happening for no reason whatsoever. Buffy, please go get ready for work so you're not late. Willow, you better calm down and think about what you're saying. First off, nothing happened between Buffy and I. Secondly, if something did happen, it is none of your concern. Thirdly, Buffy's straight! Like she'd be interested in me. So get a grip and calm down before you harm your friendship."

Buffy sighs quietly before she reaches up to gently squeeze Tara's shoulder. "Thanks." Buffy whispers before slowly walking up the stairs, shaking her head to Dawn and pointing her back up the stairs.

Dawn stands in stunned disbelief on the stairs as she listens to the three women as Buffy motions her to go to her room, Dawn's shoulders slump as she walks back up the stairs.

Willow stands there angrily in front her ex-lover. "Who do you think you are, trying to tell us what to do?" Willow hisses at Tara, the anger boiling to the surface.

"Someone who cares." Tara softly whispers a protection spell as she notices Willow's eyes becoming almost pitch black. "Please, Willow. Don't do this. I just want to try and keep the peace."

"Keep the peace? Or try and get in Buffy's pants?" Willow snarls, her eyes sparking. "That's the real reason you don't want to get back together isn't it? You want Buffy. You try to take away my magic, now you're going after my best friend." Willow invades Tara's personal space, poking her in the chest. "You're just jealous of what I have. I've finally figured it out. You're jealous of the power I have and my friendship with Buffy."

Tara clenches her jaw as Willow pokes her in the chest for the fourth time. Finally having enough, Tara reaches up, grabbing Willow's finger, grasping it tightly. "Don't make me hate you, Willow. You're borderline right now, and either you back off, or I'll make you back off."

"You can't make me do shit." Willow snarls as she jerks her finger away from Tara. Quickly gathering power, she slams it into Tara, staggering back herself as the magic bounces off the magical shield Tara had erected around herself to slam back into her, knocking her on her ass and knocking her unconscious.

"WHAT THE FUCK?" Buffy jumps down the stairs, arriving too late to see what happened, but having heard everything, hoping that Willow would back down. "What happened?" Buffy turns questioning eyes to Tara.

"She got whatever spell she threw at me thrown back in her face." Tara admits quietly as she kneels beside Willow, checking her pulse, sighing in relief at the steady beat.

"She tried to do a spell on you?" Buffy stands there in stunned disbelief, her eyes landing on the unconscious form of her best friend, trying to figure out exactly who Willow is now.

Dawn stands at the top of the stairs, her arms wrapped around her waist as she listens and watches the women, trying to understand what's going on.

"Yes." Tara sighs quietly, dropping her chin down on her chest. "This is why I was planning on leaving, Buffy. She never would have done something like this if I wasn't here."

Dawn inhales sharply at the blonde's words, the tears gathering in her eyes at the thought of Tara leaving forever. Collapsing on the top step, Dawn gather's her legs up against her chest as the pain of what it would be like without Tara there to talk to and help her comes slamming into her.

"And that is so not an option, Tara." Buffy shakes her head looking from Tara to Willow. "What should we do with her?"

"Right now or in the future?" Tara questions sadly, her eyes lifting to look at Buffy.

"I'll settle for right now, but we need to figure out for the future, also." Buffy admits quietly.

"Right now, somewhere more comfortable for her to lie down and covers to keep her warm. I don't know what spell she did, and I honestly don't know what consequences it'll have." Tara explains quietly, watching as Buffy nods her head and lifts Willow gently in her arms.

Buffy carries Willow upstairs, watching as Dawn scrambles out of her way, roughly wiping the tears from her face.

Tara follows Buffy upstairs, pulling down the covers on Willow's bed as Buffy gently sets her down. Quickly covering the redhead back up, Tara silently watches as Buffy leaves the room, her gaze turning on Dawn. "Looks like our movie and shake date is cancelled. Do you feel like running down to the rental place and picking up a couple movies?" Tara offers quietly. "We can fix popcorn and watch movies here."

Dawn nods her head quickly, glad that Tara wasn't just going to go back to her dorm. "Any requests?" Dawn hesitantly questions.

"Something funny." Tara grins lopsidedly at the teenager. "I can use a little laughter right now."

"Okay. I'll be back in a little while." Dawn accepts the cash Tara holds out to her before quickly leaving the room.

Tara's worried gaze lands back on Willow. Silently, Tara watches the redhead for a while, not aware of the passing time, until Buffy comes back in the room.

"I called work to tell them I had a family emergency and wouldn't be able to make it in today." Buffy whispers, her gaze turning from Tara to Willow. "Is there anything we can do?"

"No." Tara admits quietly. "She has to want to get better, Buffy. No one else can force it on her. The only other option is for someone to strip her of her powers permanently. If that happens she has about a 60% chance of living through it." Tara sighs softly before looking up into the hazel eyes of the slayer. Seeing the questioning gaze, Tara smiles sadly. "Magic is a part of her. It's part of what makes her, her. If you take it, it would almost be like taking a limb. There's a good chance she may not make it through the operation."

"Can't someone bind her powers?" Buffy frowns as she considers the thought. "You know, lock them away within her so that way they're there but she can't access them?"

Tara nibbles on her lip, considering the thought. "The only problem with that would be that she could and probably would be able to open the lock eventually. And knowing Willow, it would probably be sooner rather than later."

"Damn." Buffy whispers as she looks down at the redheaded hacker. "I can't have her in the house if she's going off the deep end, Tara. I can't let Dawn be endangered like that. But I need someone here to watch over Dawn while I'm working or out on patrol."

"I'll help you out, however I can with Dawn, Buffy. Don't worry about that part of it. It's your decision as to what to do with Willow. Ultimately, this is your house. You decide who can and can't live here." Tara shrugs as she walks towards the door, patting Buffy gently on the shoulder as she passes her. "I can't make that decision for you, sweetie."

Buffy's eyes turn to gaze at the departing Wiccan before turning back to look sadly at Willow. "Who are you, Willow? Why did you have to do these things?" Buffy sighs and sits down on the edge of the bed, running a shaky hand over the hacker's face. "I have to do everything in my power to protect my family, Willow. And if that means protecting them from you, the woman I've felt is a sister for the last four years, then that's what I'll do."

Dawn lets herself back in the house, her eyes lighting on Tara sitting on the end of the couch. Dropping the movies on the coffee table, she turns her gaze on Tara. "What's going on?" Dawn whispers cautiously.

Tara sighs quietly. "Can you be more specific? There's a lot of things going on and I'm not real sure what you want to talk about first. But, be aware…" Tara eyes look up, capturing Dawn's eyes. "You're going to be asked some questions yourself today."

Dawn pales at the serious look in Tara's eyes, her heart jumping in her throat as she realizes that Tara knows she hasn't straightened her act up any. Whimpering quietly, Dawn collapses on the couch beside Tara, leaning into the Wiccan. "I don't know why I'm doing it, Tara. I can't seem to stop, I see something I want and I take it. Someone confronts me about it, I lie. Buffy doesn't care what I do. Willow's being a total bitch. You moved out…I feel like my world is about ready to collapse around me."

Tara wraps her arm around Dawn's shoulder, hugging to her tightly. "Dawnie, you can come and talk to me at any time, sweetie. You know that. But we're going to have to do something about your lying and stealing, sweetie. You're going to end up being taken away from Buffy, if you don't stop. Or worse, end up in a Juvenile Detention Center." Tara smiles softly as Dawn whimpers and lies down with her head in her lap as she tries to curl up into a ball. Stroking her fingers through Dawn's hair, Tara slowly continues. "How about this? If you see something that you have the urge to take, walk away. Don't reach for it, don't look at it, move away from it. If you're not stealing anything, you won't have anything to lie about. Now, as for Buffy. She loves you, sweetie. Whether you want to believe it or not, she loves you completely. She's at her wits end as to what to do with you. She doesn't want you taken away from her, and honestly, right now? It would probably be the easiest thing on her if she didn't have to worry about you. Does that sound like someone that doesn't care about you or what you do? As for Willow…" Tara sighs deeply, closing her eyes as she thinks about her ex-lover. "Her problems are her own. There's nothing we can do to help her, if she isn't willing to help herself. I couldn't stay here with her, Dawnie, that's why I moved out. I wish I could be here for you all the time, but I can't live in the same house that she lives." Tara admits, the tears slowly trailing down her cheeks.

"Why?" Dawn questions softly. "What did she do, Tara?"

Tara bites her lip as she looks down at Dawn. "Remember when you told me that you were happy Willow and I had made up and weren't fighting anymore?" Tara questions, seeing Dawn hesitantly nod. "First off, thank you for making the comment, sweetie. I never would have questioned it, if it weren't for you. But she did a forget spell on me to forget the fight we had." Tara admits softly, her eyes searching the surprised eyes of Dawn.

"But why would she do that?" Dawn frowns, not understanding. "All people have fights and arguments, that's the way it is. If you didn't argue occasionally, wouldn't that partially mean you don't care enough to get angry?"

Tara laughs quietly, smiling down at the teenager. "From the mouths of babes. Listen to what you just said, sweetie. Doesn't Buffy yell and argue and get mad at you for the things you've done?"

Dawn silently contemplates what she'd said and Tara's comments for a few long minutes before her eyes open wide as the realization hits her, nodding her head and the tears start to stream down her face. "I was being stupid, wasn't I?" Dawn whispers as she buries her face in Tara's stomach, wrapping her arms around the Wiccan's waist and hugging her tightly.

"Not stupid, sweetie. Just confused and hurting. But I want your promise that you're going to do better. Walk away if you're tempted until we can figure out how to get you help. I'll see if there isn't some way to get you to the college psychologist to talk to, if you want. They might be able to help you more, okay?"

Dawn nods her head in silent agreement. After a few minutes of getting her tears under control, she leans back to look up at Tara, a watery smile on her face. "Now, why was my sister sleeping with you last night?" Dawn jokes quietly.

Tara laughs and wipes the tears from Dawn's face. "I'm irresistible, what can I say?" Tara jokes back, her lip curling up in a smile.

Buffy sits quietly on the landing as she listens to Tara and Dawn talk, smiling at the Wiccan joking with Dawn. Hoping that Dawn might finally feel better and a little more stable after their conversation. Buffy closes her eyes and leans her head against the wall as she considers the Wiccan's words. Quietly wondering if Willow does leave, if Tara would consider moving back into the house, knowing that would be the answer to some of their problems. Not all of them, but some.

Hearing a noise from Willow's room, Buffy stands and walks into the master bedroom, staring silently as Willow throws clothes in her suitcase.

Willow's head snaps up as she sees movement in the door, the anger obvious on her face as she eyes Buffy. "I'm leaving, so save your breath. This is what you want, so this is what you're going to get." Willow pulls out a drawer and dumps it in the suitcase before dropping the empty drawer on the floor.

"Nobody made you do this, Willow." Buffy comments softly, watching as Willow throws items into her suitcases. "You can't right all the wrongs with magic. Sometimes just talking about what's wrong is the best and easiest cure out of everything. I don't want to lose your friendship, but I ask you to please stay away from here, until you get the magic under control. I can't have Dawn being exposed to this…addiction you have. She just got her cast removed two weeks ago, if you go on another magic bender, she may not make it out alive. I can't risk her." Buffy explains quietly, watching as Willow snarls at her.

"Whatever!" Willow hisses in anger at the slayer. "Have YOUR precious house back. With YOUR family and friends. We're no longer friends, and I won't be back." Willow growls angrily as she picks up the suitcases, carrying them out of the room.

"I'll get boxes and pack up the rest of your things for you to get later." Buffy sadly offers, feeling like a part of her is disappearing with the redheads leaving.

"Don't bother. Anything that's left you can throw away." Willow growls as she stomps down the stairs, stopping for a moment to stare at Tara. "Didn't trust me, so you had to bounce my spell back to me, huh?"

"Nothing would have happened if you hadn't tried to do magic on me." Tara quietly offers, seeing the anger in Willow's eyes and the hatred growing there. Quickly placing the spell back around her and, in turn, Dawn. Tara waits silently to see what Willow does.

Willow's eyes darken at her ex-lover before she snarls her lip and slams out of the house.

Tara let's out the breath she'd unconsciously been holding and closes her eyes in relief, letting the protection spell dissipate.

Buffy sits down on the steps, dropping her head into her hands. "How come I feel like that's the calm before the storm?" Buffy questions softly, not really expecting an answer.

"Because it is." Tara sighs, looking up at Buffy as Buffy snaps her head up to gaze at her.

"She's not going to let it go. It was in her eyes, she's trying to think of a way to get what she wants." Tara whispers, her eyes worried.

"So not gonna happen." Buffy growls shaking her head. "You did a protection to keep her magic from hurting you can't you do something a little more permanent?" Buffy questions, her hand reaching up for the necklace Tara had made to help her with Spike.

Tara's eyes gaze down to Buffy's neck, watching her touch the necklace she'd made as the idea slowly works its way around her head, Tara hesitantly nods, a small smile crossing her face. "Great idea, sweetie. I definitely think it's doable. I might have to research it some, but I think it's feasible."

Dawn looks from Tara to her sister and back. "Umm?" She hesitantly whispers, blushing lightly as both women turn to look at her. "Does this mean Tara can move back in?"

"If she wants to move in, I'd be happy for her to be back in her home." Buffy quietly answers Dawn, putting emphasis on her home, while her eyes stay fixed on Tara, letting her know that this house is her home also.

Tara swallows the tears threatening to break from her eyes at the pleading look in Buffy's and the obvious phrasing of her sentence. "I…" Tara's eyes unconsciously lift up to the ceiling where the master bedroom is, feeling uncomfortable at the thought of sleeping in the room she had shared with Willow.

Buffy frowns, trying to figure out what the Wiccan's hang-up is when she notices Tara's eyes shift to the ceiling, as the light bulb kicks on, Buffy quickly speaks. "We can swap out, if that's a problem. I'll take you being here any way I can, Tara. Switching rooms would so not be a problem." Buffy explains quietly, watching as blue eyes shift back down to look at her.

"Are you sure you'd want me to move back in?" Tara hesitantly questions, her eyes serious.

"Yes." Buffy answers simply. "Selfish reasons in force, also." Buffy smiles briefly.

"Please." Dawn whispers, looking at Tara as she shifts to sit beside the Wiccan. "Please say you'll move back in."

"I can be on the phone in two seconds flat calling Xander to come take us to your dorm to pack up and move your stuff." Buffy offers, leaning towards the kitchen.

"You don't have to do that." Tara blushes lightly, shaking her head. "If you've had Xander keep up on the maintenance on the Jeep, I can drive."

Buffy frowns looking at Tara. "When did you get your license?"

"Right after I moved out." Tara admits quietly. "I thought that I would probably need it in the future, so I had a friend at the college teach me to drive, and they let me use their vehicle to take the test in."

"Do we want to do this now, or in the morning?" Buffy questions smiling. "You can stay the night, I'll go ahead and get my stuff out of my bedroom tonight and then we can go pack you up first thing in the morning."

"You're moving back in?" Dawn allows a smile to start to cross her face at Tara's hesitant nod. "YIPPEEE!!" Dawn yells, hugging Tara to her tightly.

Tara laughs, her eyes looking over at the obviously pleased smile of the slayer. "Thanks for letting me come back home." Tara whispers, her meaning obvious to Buffy.

Buffy smiles and nods her head. "It's where you belong." Buffy narrows her gaze to get her point across, smiling again as Tara nods her head in understanding.

Chapter 3

To be continued...

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