TITLE: Iris
AUTHOR: Ben is Glory
RATING: PG
DISCLAIMER: Thank Joss, not me. And the always amazing Goo Goo Dolls for a great song.

AUTHOR'S NOTE: Alright, well since it didn't really happen this way, I guess it's AU. But I really thought that this song fit perfectly to the setting. And in case you're wondering, Tara is not going to kill herself. I don't know why but sometimes people assume characters in my fics are always out to kill themselves. I promise, that was ONE TIME, lol. Plus, I love Tara dearly, and losing her once was enough for me. Here's the low-down: Song lyrics in italics and thoughts in quotes =)
FEEDBACK: Yes please!

"Willow," she thought. "Beautiful sweet Willow." She placed a shirt inside her suitcase.

And I'd give up forever to touch you

"Things were just getting good here. Everything turning out right. Like it should be." She walked over to her dresser and picked up a blue peasant skirt.

'Cause I know that you feel me somehow

"I love you so much. And now... now we're being ripped apart. By some... thing. Something inside of me." Put the skirt in.

You're the closest to heaven that I'll ever be

"I just can't leave you this way."

And I don't want to go home right now

Tara walked over to her desk and stared at a photo. It was taken only a few weeks ago, when the Scoobies went to the beach.

And all I can taste is this moment

She looked at the happy group: Buffy with Riley, Xander with Anya, and her. Her with Willow.

And all I can breathe is your life

A fresh wave of pain hit her. She walked back over to the bed where her bag was and set the picture safely inside.

'Cause sooner or later it's over

"Why me?" she thought. "Why do I have to leave everything? My friends, my home, my goddess."

I just don't want to miss you tonight

Over to the bookcase. Picked up some books. Old favorites of hers, some that were Willow's. Tossed them in the bag.

And I don't want the world to see me

"This is for the best. They don't deserve to see me this way."

'Cause I don't think that they'd understand

"Don't want a demon."

When everything's made to be broken

"They need to remember the sweet and innocent Tara," she sniffled.

I just want you to know who I am

She went back over to the desk. Found her best set of Tarot cards. In they went.

And you can't fight the tears that ain't coming

Tara sat down gently on the bed, reflecting on everything that happened. She softly began to cry.

Or the moment of truth in your lies

She remembered all the wonderful times she had with her girlfriend.

When everything feels like the movies

The beautiful magick they made. How Will always made her feel special. She had brought Tara out of her shell, helped her become who she is now.

And you bleed just to know you're alive

She had never loved anybody the way she loved Willow. Never admired somebody the same way.

And I don't want the world to see me

She stood and resumed packing. Put in a pair of sandals.

'Cause I don't think that they'd understand

Grabbed her CDs, stuffed them in.

When everything's made to be broken

Picked up her candles, put them with the rest of her things.

I just want you to know who I am

When she was almost completely packed, she took a pen and a piece of paper and began writing a letter.

And I don't want the world to see me

"Willow, my love. Writing this letter is the hardest thing I'll ever do.

'Cause I don't think that they'd understand

I have to go. I can't explain why. It's easier this way, believe me.

When everything's made to be broken

This way it saves us both a lot of trouble.

I just want you to know who I am

Please, never doubt that I love you.

And I don't want the world to see me

I will always love you. I've never loved anything as much as I love you.

'Cause I don't think that they'd understand

But everything's made to be broken.

When everything's made to be broken

I just want you to know who I am.

I just want you to know who I am

I am Tara. Tara Maclay.

I just want you to know who I am

I live in Sunnydale, and go to Sunnydale University. I am a witch.

I just want you to know who I am

And most importantly, I am yours, forever."

I just want you to know who I am

THE END

***

A/n: There will be a second, parallel to this one (with the song included) from Willow's perspective, due to the popular demand from my awesome beta team xD