In Her Arms

Set after The Body, Willow/Tara, Tara comforts an inconsolable Willow...One-shot, Willow's POV

After Buffy had talked to the doctors, Xander dropped us back at the dorm. I asked Tara if I could stay in her room that night; I didn't want to be alone. She said yes without a moment's hesitation.

Pulling on one of Tara's big T-shirts, I slouched into bed, and snuggled up to her. Although I had a comforter and a Tara on me, I couldn't seem to get warm. I just felt...cold inside. I hugged Tara tighter, and she kissed me on the forehead.

Stroking my hair, she whispered, "Are you alright?" I sniffed, and another tears rolled down my cheek.

"No," I choked into her chest, and the tears began falling again. Cradling my head, she held me close as I sobbed into her warm neck. Her arms were around me, and I felt safer in those arms than I had anywhere else.

"W-why did she have to d-die?" I sobbed, and this time I was the one stuttering. "It's not f-fair, she didn't d-do anything!"

When Tara spoke, the tremor was gone from her voice. "I know baby, I know. Hush, It's okay. I've got you. You're all right." She breathed into my ear, her voice reassuring and smooth, as she rocked me gently in her arms.

She sat me up carefully, propped me against the pillows so delicately, as if I was a china doll that might break. With soothing fingertips, she wiped the tear tracks from my face, and kissed me again.

Leaning against the bed board, I tried to breathe deeply, to calm myself, but I only cried harder.

"I'm s-sorry. I didn't want to... didn't mean to do th-this to y-you." I gulped, trying to regain control of myself.

At my obviously painful effort, a tear leaked from the corner of Tara's own shining blue eye, and she held me by the shoulders, looking deep into my swollen, red eyes.

"Don't be sorry. Don't be sorry for crying, love. I know you're sad, I know how much Joyce meant to you, I know it's scary."

With every 'I know' a little bit of my uncertainty, my own pain, began to slide away, an ounce at a time.

"Tell me a story..." I murmured, settling back against her breast.

"Okay. Happy story?"

I smiled for the first time that day. "Yeah. Happy story."

"Well, once, in the land of fuzzy rainbows-"

"Fuzzy rainbows?"

"Yes. There are fuzzy rainbows in my story. Are you going to let me tell it or not?"

"Sorry. Please continue." I kissed her collarbone fondly, and wrapped an arm around her waist.

"Anyway, in the land of fuzzy rainbows, there was a beautiful princess named Willow."

I shut my eyes and giggled.

"Willow lived in a high tower, where no one could ever reach her, because her evil step mother was a very bad person."

I frowned. "Haven't I heard this story before? Like, in 9 different Disney movies?"

Tara only smiled and kissed the top of my head. "No. It's brand new. So, the princess was rescued by a dashing witch, in armor. And they fell in love, and lived happily ever after. Now go to sleep."

"I knew I'd heard this story before..." I yawned. Squeezing her tightly, I whispered up to Tara, "Don't ever leave me."

She smiled fondly down at me. "I won't, baby. Never." But I was already asleep.