A/N: I usually hang in the Dark Angel universe, but took a minute for a foray into the Buffyverse. Please review and tell me what you think. Small spoilers for Two to Go/Grave.

Senseless

By Denise N. Rodier

Tara saw the vampire bearing down on Willow. She dashed wildly across the graveyard and managed to shove her lover out of the way just before sharp teeth would sink deep into her neck.

They sank into Tara's instead.

As she felt her life's blood draining away, she saw Willow gasp in horror, quickly grabbing the stake that had fallen from the redhead's hand and sinking it into the heart of the dark fiend. As he vanished in a spray of fine dust, Tara fell to the ground, too weak to move. Willow gathered her up in her arms. "No, Tara. Just hold on a little. You'll be fine," she sobbed.

Tara put one hand up to the other woman's chest and felt her racing heartbeat. "It's too late for me. Don't grieve, my love. My life has been worth living, since I'd found you." Taking a last shuddering breath, her head rolled back.

Willow cried rivers of tears at her funeral, recalling the words of love.

A valiant death. Meaningful.

They fought the horned demons back to back. Where one fell, another seemed to rise in its place. But the two witches began to claim the upper hand. Finally, Tara struck the last one in front of her in the head, causing it to drop. "Take that! You will never defeat us!" she cried boldly. She turned just in time to see Willow struck down. As the demon raised his knife, Tara quickly fell to the ground, covering the body of the young woman. She felt the knife plunge deeply into her side. Thinking quickly, she pulled it out and stabbed backwards, catching the evil being in the gut.

Willow gently rolled her sweetheart away from her. "Why, Tara? You didn't need to do this for me."

Tara smiled gently. "I have but one life to give for you." She smiled broader as the corners of Willow's mouth twitched upward tremulously at the quip. "And I would give it again… and again… and again, even if it would be to give you just one last breath," Tara continued. "Because, to me, your life is everything. The greatest thing anyone can do…" She gasped shallowly, trying desperately to ignore the pain. Taking in her own last breath, she pressed her lips to those of the other's, giving that breath as her final gift.

"Is to give their life for a friend," Willow finished.

Willow recounted the words at Tara's memorial service, able to feel the love even then.

A brave death. Worthwhile.

They were talking. Nothing more, nothing less. An everyday event. Just talking. The sun shone bright, and the sky was blue. Any day. Any normal day.

And the bullet pierced her chest.

Tara saw the spray of blood, and spoke. "Your shirt." Not words of love, or bravery, or honor, or anything else. Simple words. Ordinary words.

Tara fell, dead. No last kiss, no final caress. Nothing. Senseless.

Willow tried to destroy the world with an icy smile on her face.

END