Title: The Secret Spell
Rating: K
Category: Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel
Author: Singing Violin
Summary: A fill-in-the-blanks explaining some mysteries surrounding Buffy's death and resurrection.
Disclaimer: The Buffyverse and characters therein are not mine.
Feedback: Always welcome and appreciated, as long as you've actually read the story.
Archiving: Feel free to archive this elsewhere, but please let me know where and/or ask permission first.
Chapter Title: Tara's Trepidation
Summary: After learning what Willow has done to Angel, Tara worries about the consequences.
"You did what?" she asks, unbelieving. She wants to offer comfort to her beloved, but now she is too angry, too afraid of the unintended consequences of her girlfriend's meddling.
Willow is silent, having no more to say, no more to admit. She could say she's sorry, but she's not. She believed what she was doing was the right thing at the time, and she still does. Angel needs to do his work; he needs not to be burdened by grief. Buffy would want it this way. Wouldn't she?
"Besides violating his privacy, since you didn't ask permission first, doesn't this increase the risk that he will experience that 'perfect moment of happiness' again?" Tara asks pointedly. "You took away his pain; now he can lose his soul as well. Again."
Willow shakes her head. "I don't think so. I was careful. Besides, lack of pain doesn't mean happiness."
"But it could," Tara argues. "All he needs is to find someone else to love. And maybe he already has. What about that girl he works with, the one who was mean to you in high school?"
Despite herself, the redhead snorts with laughter. "Angel and Cordelia? Please. Back in high school, she had a huge crush on him, and he barely gave her the time of day. Eyes only for Buffy."
"But now they work together, and Buffy's gone," Tara pointed out.
Suddenly Willow feels her girlfriend's fear. "I see your point. So what should I do?"
Tara shakes her head. "I don't know. I guess if you re-ensouled him once, you can do it again. But let's hope it doesn't come down to that."
"Yeah," Willow replies, sitting and putting her head in her hands. Then, she looks up. "How angry are you?"
It is Tara's turn to shake her head. "I'm more worried than angry," she says. "Worried about you, about the magic, about the consequences. I understand why you did it, but I really hope...I hope you'll be more careful, going forward. Maybe I can help. But right now I think I need to leave you alone for a bit, so I don't end up saying something I'll regret."
"Thanks," says the redhead glumly as her girlfriend turns and exits the room.