(Tara's room, lunch time)

BUFFY: Chicken salad?

WILLOW: Right here.

(Buffy hands Willow the sandwich and continues taking wrapped sandwiches from the bag.)

BUFFY: Eggplant, that's me ... salami with ... (looks at the sandwich) ew, peanut butter? Dawn.

DAWN: Yeah, like eggplant is normal. It's what, half egg, half plant? 'Cause that's just unnatural.

WILLOW: What's Tara got?

DAWN: Oh. I ... got her tuna. Does she like...?

(Willow draws Tara's attention to the sandwich. )

DAWN: (gently) Tara?

(Dawn unwraps the sandwich to show Tara. Tara anxiously looks to Willow, then back at the sandwich.)

TARA: Plastic and their six sisters. Six sick sisters. (anxiously) Willow?

WILLOW: It's okay. Let's just start slow today. Buffy can I have that...

(accepts applesauce from Buffy & begins feeding Tara)

WILLOW: Here you go. That's my girl.

DAWN: Can I help? (takes over feeding)

BUFFY: (to Willow) What are you gonna need?

WILLOW: I don't know. They gave me a lot of stuff to keep her calm. They said I might have to restrain her at night. Sometimes she's fine. She looks at me, and... she's fine.

BUFFY: I'm sorry I couldn't...

WILLOW: It's okay. I can do this. I'm gonna take care of her. Even if she never... she's my girl.

BUFFY: I understand.

WILLOW: I know you do. (to Tara) Hear that, baby? You're my always.

(Willow kisses Tara on the forehead. Tara smiles.)

• Willow & Buffy
• Willow & Tara

written by: Rebecca Kirshner; Once again, I'm typing these up myself as transcripts are scarce.... Full transcript at:
http://www.studiesinwords.de/97toughlove.html