Title: Amnesia of the Worst Kind

Series: Help From The Future For The Past

Author: last_days_of_pern

Feedback: *Stands up* Hi my name in Kimberly and I'm a feedback addict :P

Rating: never over R

Pairing: Willow/Tara, Buffy/Faith, Anya/Xander, Cordelia/Kate, Dawn/Danny, Iz/Samantha

Disclaimers: I don't own anything, please don't sue.

Summary: Willow and Tara go out for a romantic night on the town, but a drunk driver ruins their night, and possibly the rest of their lives.


*Willow and Tara's apartment; Wednesday*

Willow looked across the room to her girlfriend sitting at the desk reading her e-mail, "honey?"

Tara looked up, "huh?"

Willow got up and walked over to Tara and sat on her lap, "I think we need a night out. When was the last time we had a romantic night alone?"

Tara rested her head against Willow's chest, "I can't even remember, before Joyce died I think."

Willow cupped Tara face in her hands and smiled down at her, "Tara MaClay, will you go out with me?"

"Of course." Tara leaned up and kissed her lover. Seconds later Tara deepened the kiss, adding tongues to the sensual duel. "Mmmm, bed now?"

"Oh yeah." Willow stood pulling Tara with her and leading her into their bedroom, all the while keeping their lips in contact with one another. When they finally made it to the their bed Willow laid Tara on her back and straddled her, "so where do we want to go?"

"Huh?" Tara asked confused, her hormones not letting much actual thought through.

"On our date silly," Willow replied slowly placing butterfly kisses along Tara's jaw and neck.

"Oh, ah… Ohhhhh…" At that point Tara gave up even trying to answer as Willow started to remove her shirt, letting her hand roam over her over heated body. Willow smirked at the response she was getting, she just loved torturing her love like this, 'cause she knew that she would do that same back. It was a very fun game to play.

Several hours later the two lovebirds lay spent in each other's arms, just enjoying the pleasant afterglow of their lovemaking. "You never answered me."

"I'm gonna go with huh?"

Willow giggled, "where are we going on our date?"

Tara pretended to give the question deep thought for a moment, "well you asked me out so, you get to make the plans."

"Hmm, I'm gonna have to think about this a little, I want our night out to be perfect."

"I'm sure it will be honey," Tara kissed Willow on the forehead lightly, "now get some sleep." They snuggled closer together and let the rhythmic breathing of the other lull them into a peaceful sleep.


*Summers' Home; Thursday*

"Hmm, that little Italian place is nice." Buffy said to her best friend. Willow had tried all day to think up the perfect date, but she just couldn't think of anything.

"Yeah, we've been there before, it was pretty good, but I mean shouldn't a date be more than just dinner?"

"There's always dancing."

"Yeah I guess."

Faith walked into the room, "what's up?"

"Will here is trying to come up with the perfect date for her and Tara this Saturday." Buffy replied putting a kiss on Faith's cheek when she got close enough.

"So far we've come up with dinner at the little Italian place and some dancing."

"That's it? Wow you guys suck at romance."

"Hey! Ok if you're so good what do you suggest Tara and I should do?"

"First of all a real date starts off early, none of that I'll pick you up at eight shit. What you should do is start of with a romantically located picnic dinner. Then when you're done you should have time for a nice walk along the beach at sunset. That's when you

dance, but not out with a lot of other people, no you need a boom box set up at the beach at the end of you walk. Surprise her."

"Hey how come we've never done that?" Buffy asked pouting some.

Faith looked panicked for a second, then started to backpedal out of the room, "hey look at the time, I better look over that stuff Red gave me for the GED, y'know vocab and shit to learn." Faith turned and ran out the door.

"That actually sounded like a good idea, think you and Faith could help me pull it off?"

"Sure thing Will, just one question, what's so special about Saturday?"

Willow blushed some and pulled something out of her pocket, it was a small velvet box, she opened it and showed Buffy the small diamond that lay inside, "it's special 'cause I'm going to ask Tara to marry me. I was looking through some magic books, and there is this perfect Wiccan wedding ceremony."

Buffy gave her friend a huge hug, "I'm sooo happy for you guys!"

"Don't be all celebrating yet, I haven't even asked, she could say no."

"Yeah like Tara would turn you down, silly. This is so cool, I can't wait!"


*Beach; Friday*

"Wow Faith this spot is perfect!" Willow exclaimed happily as Faith showed her where they could set up the picnic and the CD player, the layout was perfect in every way.

"Yeah I scoped this place out when I first came to Sunnydale, never actually had a date here though. Could have been that get some get gone policy I had goin' for me."

"Well I'm glad you showed me, Tara will love it here."

"So me and B will come out tomorrow afternoon and set up everything for you guys, all you have to do is drive out. When you show up, we'll leave, unnoticed of course, and you will have one hell of a night out."

Willow gave Faith a hug, which she accepted eventually, still not all that comfortable with the touchy feely stuff, unless it was Buffy of course. "Thank you," Willow said as she pulled away in her most sincere voice, "this means a lot to me."

"Yeah I know B told me what ya got planned, oh and thanks a lot, now she's all thinking about weddings and shit like that. I'm gonna have to come up with some romantic night to get her off my back about it."

"Oh poor thing," Willow replied sarcastically to Faith's pout.

"Exactly." They both laughed and walked back to the car, Willow was already planning the little speech she'd give Tara, and when she would pop the question. She was going to do everything in her power to make this the best night of either of their lives so far.


*Summers' Home; Friday*

"Come on B, we have to get to the beach and set up."

"What are we going to do about him?" Faith walked over to the back door where Buffy was standing, and saw Bob petting a pretty flower.

"Whadya mean?"

Buffy slapped Faith on the arm, "Faith we can't just leave him here, you'll have to tell him to go home."

"Aw come on, he's so cute, and he did save me. And I don't think he has a home. " Faith gave her best innocent look mingled with a puppy dog eyes, and a small pout. Buffy found it so darn cute she couldn't resist.

"You have one week to find him somewhere not in the backyard to live."

Faith beamed a smile at the smaller slayer and kissed her on the nose. "thanks. Now come on we have to go."

"Ok, ok, sheesh."


*Willow and Tara's apartment*

"You almost ready?"

"Ok you're acting funny what's up?"

Willow gave her best impression of a deer caught in headlights, but some how managed to sputter out an answer, "funny…*nervous laugh* me, nah, I'm normal, acting that is, normal acting. Nothings up, well except the ceiling, and the sky and stars and stuff, but with me, nope nothing up at all, nope."

After Willow's little speech to such a simple question Tara just blinked, then shook her head as if trying to unscramble what Willow had just said. Tara generally prided herself on being able to unscramble the Willow-babble, but this time it eluded even her. "Honey we're just going to have dinner, calm down. You're acting like it's our first date or something." Tara gently kissed Willow on the cheek as she walked by, chuckling softly at the look still on Willow's face.

When Tara walked into the bathroom Willow let out a breath she had been holding since Tara's question. For about the millionth time she checked her pocket for the little box, and went over the speech in her head yet again. She knew exactly what she wanted to say when she proposed; she just hoped she would be able to get it all out with out either stuttering or babbling.

Tara walked out of the bathroom and announced, "ready." Willow walked over to her girlfriend and kissed her soundly, then took her hand and led her out the door.

After driving for about ten minutes Willow pulled over to the side of the road. "Um honey, what are we doing?"

"Well it's a surprise where we're going, so you have to put this over your eyes," Willow held up a silk scarf that she had stashed in the glove compartment, and tied it around Tara's head. "Can you see?"

"Nope. Blind as a bat."

"Good." Willow pulled back out onto the road and took the same route Faith had taken her to show her the spot. It was only another few minutes till they were at the destination, and Willow could immediately see the picnic set up on the sand. Faith and Buffy had come through for her; of course she had no doubt that they would. Ok she had a little doubt, but it could completely be blamed on nervousness.

Willow pulled the car into a parking space and walked over to the other side of the car and opened Tara's door, then helped her out. Slowly she led Tara to the edge of the sand, where the picnic could easily be seen. Willow walked behind Tara and slowly untied the scarf, placing small kisses at the base of the taller girl's neck, as the scarf came completely off she softly whispered, "surprise."

Tara opened her eyes and saw what lay before her. It was a beautiful scene, a blanket laid down in the sand for them to sit on, candles softly flickering in the wind coming of the ocean, behind the horizon the sun slowly making it's decent, making the sky a slightly purple color, "wow." Tara not knowing what else to say turned in her lover's embrace and kissed her.

"You like?"

"I love…how did you pull all this off?" Tara asked in awe of the scene before her.

"A couple of slayers pitched in." Willow took Tara's hand in her own and led her to the blanket wherethey both sat down, and began eating the wonderful dinner. It didn't take them long to eat the vegetarian lasagna, salad, and wine, and when they finished Willow again took Tara's hand and pulled her up.

The sun was almost touching the ocean now, and Willow silently led Tara on a walk leading to some huge rocks, smoothed by the centuries of the rising tide. When they got there they leaned again the stones and watching the final moments of the sunset, together, silently. When the sun could no longer be seen Tara turned her head so she could see Willow who was standing behind her leaning against the rocks, "thank you."

Willow smiled and kissed her lover softly, "the best part is yet to come." Once again taking Tara by the hand Willow lead her up to the top of the rocks, where there were more candles and a small boom box. Willow pressed play and pulled Tara close, together they danced for a few songs that had become their favorites. Willow awaited a certain song before she was to propose, and when the song started she stopped dancing.

Tara looked at her questioningly, wondering why she had stopped the dance on their absolute favorite song. In the background the ocean could be heard lapping against the shore, just over that a woman could be heard singing "can't take my eyes off you", this was the moment she had been waiting for.

Looking into Tara's eyes Willow began the speech she had been practicing for some time now, "Tara I love you more than anything else on this Earth, or beyond. More than the sun, 'cause it could never brighten my day as much as you can. More than the moon 'cause it could never make me feel the peace I feel when I'm with you. More than the air I breathe 'cause without you there would be no reason to breath. I shudder whenever I think about even trying to imagine my life without. You hold my heart, my soul, my very being," Willow slid down to kneel on one knee and pulled out the box with the ring, "Tara MaClay, will you do me the honor of marrying me?"

Half way through Willow's speech Tara could feel her eyes burning, and when she saw Willow kneel she could no long hold back the tears of joy. She was so happy she couldn't even get her mouth to work, so she just kneeled and pulled Willow, who by now was also in happy tears, into a searing kiss. "Is that a yes?" Willow asked smiling, knowing that the love of her life had just accepted her proposal.

Tara shook her head up and down, "yes… Yes, I'll marry you. I love you so much." Not knowing what else to say she just pulled Willow in again and kissed her deeply, trying to convey all her love into that one kiss, knowing it was impossible, but trying anyway. In the background the song, that they had danced to in the Bronze on Tara's birthday, and now had decided to spend the rest of their lives together to, ended. Making the sounds of the laps of waves all the louder.

Several hours later after picking up everything the two wiccans climbed back into the car to head home, both wanting to climb into bed and make love till they could watch the sun come back up.

The winding roads were harder to navigate in the dark, but Willow seemed to be doing just fine. On one particular curve when they came around a car was swerving on and off of their side of the road, having nowhere to turn they hit the other car head on. The air bags inflated keeping them from flying through the windshield along with the seatbelts they wore.

Tara could feel the darkness surrounding her; she looked over to the driver's side and saw Willow leaning into the airbag, unconscious. Tara reached over and took Willow's hand in her own, her new engagement ring shining brightly in the moonlight. Mouthing the words "I love you" Tara allowed the darkness to take her over, taking away the pain.


*Summers' Home*

RING. RING.

Buffy hopped up to answer the phone wondering who was calling at 11 p.m. Nothing ever good came out of a phone call this late.

"Buffy Summers?"

"Speaking."

"This is Sunnydale General, you're listed as next of kin for a Willow Rosenberg."

"Yeah so?"

"I'm afraid Miss Rosenberg and her friend Miss MaClay were in an accident this evening."

"Oh my god are they ok?"

"I can't really say Miss Summers', but I think it would be good if you could come down."

"I'm on my way." Buffy hung up the phone, trying not to panic. "Faith! Iz! Dawn! Marci! Sam! We have to go to the hospital, there was an accident!" Buffy yelled out getting the attention of everyone in the house, a few minutes later they were all piled into the car and on their way to the hospital.


*Sunnydale Hospital waiting room*

When they got there Buffy immediately ran to the nurse's station to find out what was going on. The nurse there didn't know anything. Buffy paced for a few minutes trying to think of what she could do. Out of the corner of her eye she saw the pay phones and went over, there were lots of people who should know what was going on. She set about calling Cordy and Kate, Angel, Wesley, Oz, and most importantly Xander and Anya.


*L.A.; Xander and Anya's apartment*

Xander and Anya walked into their apartment after seeing a late night movie. "I can't believe they expect us to believe that!"

"Anya honey it's a sci-fi movie, you don't have to believe it." Xander said exasperated, he noticed the light on the answering machine blinking and walked over pressing play. The voice that assaulted his ears was Buffy and she sounded really upset.

"Xander this is Buffy, there's been a car accident and Willow and Tara were hurt. Both of them are in the hospital, and I thought you should know, oh here comes the doctor I have to go."

Anya looked into Xander's eyes and just grabbed a bag and started throwing things in it knowing he would want to get there as soon as possible. While she was packing Xander called Oz, Angel, and Wesley to make sure they knew what was going on. Learning as he did so that Oz was already on his way to Sunnydale.

It only took a few minutes to pack a few days worth of cloths. Xander and Anya were rushing back out of the apartment not ten minutes after they got there. It wasn't fair Willow and Tara were the kindest, most generous people on Earth, and they were the ones always getting hurt.


*Sunnydale Hospital waiting room*

Buffy paced the short area of the waiting room waiting for the doctor to come back with more news. The last they had heard was that Tara had only minor injuries and was soon going to be admitted and moved to a room. Willow had a concoction, nothing too serious though, she was still unconscious from the accident. The doctors had wanted to run more tests on both, which is why the Scooby gang was still in the waiting room, waiting.

Xander rushed out of the elevator towards his friends who were all there. "How are they?"

Buffy stopped pacing and gave her friend a hug, "they're doing tests right now, nothing too series though."

"Oh thank god"

The doctor walked over to the small crowd and announced, "Miss MaClay has just been settled into her room if you would like to see her." Everyone jumped out of the chairs they were occupying and followed the doctor. Tara was lying on her bed staring out the window, absentmindedly playing with the ring on her finger.

"Hey there." Buffy said gently as the group walked into the room.

Tara smiled when she saw them, "you know what?"

"What?"

"As much as we hate hospitals, we sure spend enough time here. They're gonna end up naming a ward after us, the Scooby Emergency Ward."

"Well it's good to see you're in a good mood." Faith said as she stood behind Buffy next to the bed.

Tara eyed the slayers, "thank you for setting up the night for us, well except the whole crash thing, that wasn't any fun. But you know what I mean, just one question, did you know?"

Buffy and Faith smiled at each other before answering, "yes."

"Whoa know what?" Xander asked confused about what was going on. And noticing the faces of those around him, only the slayers and Tara knew what was up.

Tara held her left hand up for everyone to see, "Willow proposed tonight, speaking of my favorite girl, where is she?"

"Having tests run," Buffy answered.

"You guys are getting married?" Cordelia asked happily.

Tara shook her head up and down, "that's usually the step that comes after the proposal."

Next came the round of congratulations from everyone, and by time they were done Willow was rolled in. She was still unconscious when the nurse left. Tara slowly got up from her bed, careful not to mess with the ivs sticking out of her. She softly sat on the bed next to Willow and took her hand, "come on sleepy head, time to get up."

Willow stirred a little then opened her eyes, a little disoriented. "Where am I, what's going on?"

"You're in the hospital, there was an accident."

"An accident, what? Who are you, where are my parents?" Willow asked almost in a panic.

"Willow, it's me Tara, honey are you ok?"

"Tara? I have no idea who you are." Willow frantically looked at the people around her, "Xander, is that you, you look different, what's going on? And why is Cordelia here too?"

Xander and Cordelia shared a look, if they were the only people she recognized that meant she had lost her memory as far back as sophomore year in high school. Kate silently left the room to get the doctor, something was definitely not as it should be.

Tara stood up, looking like she had just been punched in the stomach, Willow, her Willow didn't even know who she was. Tears came to her eyes as she slowly backed away, her fingers again going to the ring she wore. In the course of just one night she had been told Willow couldn't live without her, and now she was being told Willow didn't even know her.

She sat down on her bed and just stared at Willow, who was looking around frantically, trying to find out what was going on. Carefully Tara slipped the ring off her finger, she no longer had the right to wear a symbol of Willow's love, cause as far as Willow was concerned right now, she didn't have it.

The doctor walked into the room along with Kate, "well Miss Rosenberg your friend tells me there seems to be a problem."

"Yeah starting with the fact I don't know most of these people, and I want to know what's going on, and if there was an accident why aren't my parents here with me."

The doctor looked at all the people surrounding Willow, they all looked scared. "Your question will be answered don't worry, it's seems to me you have a touch of selective amnesia, we should run a few more tests just to be sure though."

"Amnesia?" Tara asked almost to herself, now letting the tears fall down her face. 'He said selective amnesia, she selected to forget about me.'

"Xander can you call my parents?"

"No prob Will, consider it done." Xander decided it would be better to use the pay phone, so he left the room, hoping everything would be ok while he was gone.

Willow again looked at the people around her, the only other person she somewhat recognized was Cordelia, who was terrifyingly enough, there. Which brought up the question, why? She decided now would be a good time to ask, "um Cordelia you hate me, why are you here?"

Cordelia noticed that Willow didn't look her in the eyes as she asked the question, she had completely reverted to the person she use to be. "Willow I don't hate you, and it was a long time ago that I acted like I did, and that's what it was too, acting."

"Long time ago? You said something about my sweater just yesterday." Willow said, her curiosity now turning into anger.

"Willow what year do you think it is?"

"That's a dumb question it's 1996, our sophomore year just started a couple of weeks ago."

"Willow that was five years ago, it's 2001 now, and it's summer time too."

Willow lost what color was still in her face at Cordelia's words, how could she have lost five whole years of her life? Was that even possible? A million other questions were floating around her head, but the one she asked was, "who are all these people?"

Since Cordelia was the only one in the room that Willow remembered she took it upon herself to answer the question. "The short blonde standing next to you is Buffy Summers, your best friend other than Xander. The girl next to her is Faith. The old guy behind them is Rupert Giles; the woman next to him is Tabitha Cook. The two young ones are Dawn Summers, Buffy's little sister, and Danny Cook, Tabitha's son. This is Kate Lockley, and the blonde on the bed, who was in the accident with you, is Tara MaClay. The girl standing next to her is Anya.

"The short guy with blue hair is Oz, the tall brooding one next to him is Angel. The English guy is Wesley, next to him is Gunn, and the bleach blonde guy is Spike. The three hiding by the door are Iz, Samantha, and Marci; she went to high school with us. And we're all your friends." Cordelia had purposely left off anything pertaining to slayers and the like, and whom people were dating; she didn't know how Willow felt about gays where her memory was now. Much less the fact she was one.

Willow's head was spinning, 'all these people are my friends, and they looked really worried, and sad. Especially the girl also in the wreck, what was her name, oh yeah Tara. Wait someone is missing…' "Where's Jesse?"

A flash of pain covered Cordelia's face before she shoved it away, "Willow he died our sophomore year, not long after Buffy moved here."

"Oh," Willow said in small voice, she didn't know what to do. On one hand someone who was supposed to be her best friend was standing right next to her, on the other a boy she had know her entire life almost was dead. She didn't know what to do, and it was terrifying her. "Could I um… have some time alone please?"

Everyone looked around and then started slowly filing out of the room, "if you need anything we'll be in the waiting room," Buffy said gently reaching out for Willow's hand, then pulling back remembering Willow didn't know her and the touch may not be appreciated. Willow in response just shook her head.

Tara during the whole exchange was just staring off to a point in space on the far wall of the room. She barely registered the comforting words her friends whispered as they walked past her to the door.

She just sat there, lost. Willow looked over and saw the girl just staring, scared, and for some reason she felt the urge to make everything better. Only she didn't know how, "it was rough huh?"

Tara's mind recognized Willow's voice speaking to her, but it hadn't picked up the words said, she looked up at her love, her life, "huh?"

"The accident, must have been bad for this to happen."

Tears started streaming down Tara's face, "you have no idea." Not knowing what else to say Willow just shook her head and looked the opposite direction, out the window. Tara curled up into a small ball and her bed and as quietly as she could, and cried for all she had lost in such a short period of time.

"Any luck?" Buffy asked walking up to Xander at the pay phones.

"They're in China, no way to reach them right now." Xander turned to face Buffy and for the first time she could see the red lined eyes, testament to the fact he had been crying. "Why? Why is this happening?"

Buff pulled Xander into a hug, "I don't know, but god think about how Tara must feel right now. Her fiancé doesn't even remember her."

Xander pulled out of the hug, but stayed close, "it's not fair, none of this is fair, some asswhole decides to have one too many, and drive, and they have to pay for it. If I could get my hands on the jerkoff…"

"He's dead, so there's no use even thinking about it." Buffy said sternly.

"I better go break the news to her." Xander walked down the small hallway and into the room. The first thing he saw was Tara lying in a ball crying, he decided he would talk to Willow first, then see if there was anything he could do for Tara, although unless he was the memory fairy he didn't think there was anything to be done. He walked up to Willow's bed and got her attention away from the window. "Hey."

"Are they coming? They should come right, I mean when your only child is in the hospital you should be there right?"

Xander took Willow's hand in his larger one, "Will your parents are at some conference thing in China, I couldn't reach them. They're not coming 'cause they don't know."

"Oh." Willow was quiet for a few minutes, and then asked, "so when did we become friends with Queen C herself?"

Despite himself Xander chuckled a little, remembering back to a time when they had despised the girl, "well there was short period in high school where I dated her…"

"YOU DATED CORDELIA?"

"Yup, then well things happened and we all went back to hating her. But then a few months ago some more stuff happened, and well, she's changed a lot, we all have."

"Yeah I guess she has, I mean she didn't say anything about the hospital gown," Willow smiled her first smile since waking up. It was good to have her banter with Xander back, or to still have it; hell she didn't even know that.

Xander gave her his unique smirk and said, "yeah that just does nothing for your figure."

Willow started laughing some, then sobered quickly and used her finger to motion Xander closer, then asked in a whisper, "is she ok? She's been crying since everyone left."

Xander didn't know how to answer the question. Willow had a crush on him at the time her memory was now, and she never ever considered herself gay, even after vamp Willow. None of that had happened until she had met Tara and got to be friends with her, eventually falling in love, so how did he tell her that? "She just doesn't like it that you got hurt, she tends to blame herself for things. But it wasn't her fault, the other driver was drunk, and she said there was nothing you could do."

"I was driving?" Things in Willow's head just spiraled further down hill. She was in the hospital and couldn't remember anything, a girl who was supposedly a close friend was in the hospital crying her eyes out, and it was her fault.

"Yeah, but like I said it wasn't your fault, the other guy was drunk. And things will get better; doc said you could get your memory back at any time. You both will be out of here in no time, back home where you belong, you'll see stuff and remember, and everything will be happily ever after."

"Nothing is happily ever after Xander, but it's a nice thought."

Xander just nodded, knowing Willow long enough to know the conversation was over. He walked over to Tara's bed and leaned down so his chin was resting on her pillow facing her, "hey."

"Hi."

"Things will get better."

"I'm gonna hold you to that."

"Wouldn't have it any other way."

"Thank you," Tara smiled at her friend, but it quickly faded, "I think I'm gonna try and get some sleep now."

"Ok, we'll all come back and visit you later." With that Xander kissed his best friend's girl on the forehead and left the room.

Willow watched the interaction between her childhood friend, and the girl that was in the wreck, a friend she didn't even know. She noticed how they talked to each other and wondered if they were together. It would make sense for her to be friends with Xander's girlfriend, since she and Xander were such good friends.

As Xander walked out throwing each of them a smile she decided that must be it, Xander and Tara were probably an item. This thought was reinforced as the girl, Tara, seemed to shrink back into herself when he was gone. Again she felt like she wanted to make everything better for the girl, and again she didn't know why. She decided not to think about that, instead she thought about how nice it was to see Xander with someone.

But she felt a slight pang in her chest as she thought about it, but chalked it up to her long time crush on Xander. All these thoughts mixed in with all her questions just made her head hurt, but one thing she never knew how to do is turn off her brain, she would have to ask Xander to teach her someday.

"Hello ladies, hungry?" A way to cheerful nurse asked walking into the room. Tara shook her head no, and Willow did the same. "Alright then, if you need anything just give me a buzz." Both girls nodded and the nurse left, sending the room back into it's earlier silence, a silence that was slowly driving Willow crazy, so she decided to fill it.

"Tara?"

Tara turned and looked at her, hope in her eyes, "yes?"

"Can you tell me something?"

Tara shifted so that she was lying on her side facing Willow, "anything."

Now that Willow had her attention and the answer to any question she choose to ask, she didn't know what she wanted. "Um, tell about the last five years, please."

"Well I haven't been here the whole time, we didn't meet till mid-freshman year at UCS."

"I'm going to UCS, I was sure I'd get in somewhere better," Willow said mostly to herself, although Tara decided to answer anyway.

"You stayed for Xander, and Buffy, and Giles. They needed you, and you needed them, so you stayed, at least that's what I was told."

Willow nodded accepting the answer, "so tell me about USC then."

"Um ok, well during school we live in the dorms, and in the summer, well this summer anyway, we got an apartment. You've taken lots of cool classes; drama was your favorite though. Giles owns a shop that most of us hang out at a lot, except Xander and Anya, Angel, Oz, Gunn, and Wesley, 'cause they all live in L.A."

"Tell me about them, Xander is the only one I remember, but I don't know anything about his life."

"Well Gunn is the least complicated so I'll start with him. He grew up in the streets of L.A. and protects them 'cause they are his family, his real family, his sister, was killed, and that is what keeps driving him to help others I think. Wesley is from England and is a book kind of person. I don't know much about his past, but I know he spends his life helping people. Angel is the sort looking for redemption for past deeds, that's why he started Angel Investigations. That's where he, Wesley, Oz, and Gunn work. You dated

Oz for a while in high school, and into college till he left to go find himself, you've both moved on though, and are still friends. Oh and Anya too, she's the secretary/manager person. Which brings us to Xander, 'cause Xander and Anya have been together most of the time since your senior year of high school…"

"Xander is with Anya?" 'Well there goes that theory', Willow thought to herself.

"Yup, oh and she's very up front about things, I won't be surprised if you hear her use the term orgasm buddies." Willow blushed just thinking about what the term meant, leave it to Xander to pick someone like that. "But she is very nice once you get past her outer shield she uses to protect herself, most of the Scoobies haven't done that though."

"Scoobies?"

"That's what we've been nicknames, don't know how, the name was there when I was introduced in."

"By who?"

"You."

"Oh… Tell me about the rest of them."

"Ok… Well like I said Giles owns a shop we hang out at a lot…"

"What kind?"

"Magic."

"Cool."

"Yup… Anya use to work there, but she had to quit when Xander got a really good job in L.A., and Cordelia use to work Anya's job, so they sort of traded. Cordelia, well I don't really know what to say, she tries to pretend she doesn't care most of the time, but it's not true, she cares a lot." Willow snorted but didn't say anything. Tara was starting to have a hard time explaining things, without really explaining, she didn't know how Willow would take everything about her life.

"Um then there's Kate, she is on the SPD, she use to work for the LAPD, but she decided to stay here when Cordelia decided to stay, they're really close." Well mostly the truth. "Um then there's Faith, she was kinda your worst enemy at one time, but everything was resolved, she lives in the Summers' house. Which Buffy inherited from her mom who died a short time ago. She takes care of Dawn now, who is only 14."

"That's so sad."

"Yeah the whole group took it pretty hard. She was sorta the mom figure of the group, like Giles is the dad figure. But Tabitha is doing her best to fill the role, she's Danny's mom, so she fills that mom role real well. Neither of them knew Mrs. Summers.

Well Marci wasn't around then either, she arrived not long ago."

"Oh yeah? What happened to her arm?"

"She was shot, but they got the guy who did it, one of Buffy's ex-boyfriends. A category that Angel also fits under."

"What about Spike, he was kinda cute."

Tara flinched a little but continued, "absolutely in love with Buffy, but it will never happen, too much history. Around that time Sam showed up too. She and Iz are real close, they both come from somewhere kinda far away, they live in Buffy's house too. Hmm… Who am I forgetting? Oh yeah Miss Kitty."

"Miss Kitty?"

"Our kitty-cat. Miss Kitty Fantasico. The sweetest kitten you'll ever meet, sneaky too. But she has a cat-nip problem," Tara smiled but when Willow frowned in confusion she kept going, "longer story, for later. And well that's everyone."

"No it's not."

"Huh?"

"You forgot to tell me about you." Willow had sat enthralled by Tara's vivid description of all the people who were her friends, and wow there were a lot of them. A far cry from the days when it was just her, Xander, and Jesse. But she wanted to know about the person across from her, she felt some kind of pull towards her, and the more she talked the stronger the pull was.

"What would you like to know?"

"I don't know…anything, just something about you. I mean if we're roommates, and if we have a cat, I should know who you are right?

Tara felt a tear stinging at her eye but refused to let it fall. "Well not much to tell really. I came to Sunnydale to escape my family and be on my own for a while. Met you and the other Scoobies and came out of my shell, for the most part. I'm a vegetarian, and a Scorpio, and that's about all to tell." When Tara looked up from her hands and saw Willow smirking at her, "what, you asked." She said pouting somewhat, for a minute being able to forget that Willow forgot her.

"Nothing, it's just I think that was the cutes self-description I've ever heard." Willow blushed as she spook, but didn't feel as bad as she saw Tara blush what had to be at least a shade redder than her.

"Thanks." Willow tried to stifle her yawn, but was very unsuccessful, "maybe we should get some sleep now, it's been a long 24 hours."

Willow found that she didn't want to stop talking to her friend, it was comforting her fear some, but she was exhausted, and Tara looked the same, so she relented, "ok, if you insist."

Tara smirked, "I insist, now to bed with you."

Now Willow smirked, "yes mom."

"Ok, now I'm offended." Both girls dissolved into giggles as they climbed under the covers of their separate beds.

"Tara?"

"Yes Willow?"

"Thanks."

"For what?"

"Making me forget that I forgot, and forget that I'm scared." Willow had her head turned so she could look at Tara as she said this.

"Your welcome." Willow closed her eyes, and Tara did the same, only tears filled her eyes once again. And she cried herself into a light, fitful slumber.

When Willow awoke several hours later she didn't really feel any better. It still felt like he world was crashing in on her. She looked over at the other bed and saw that Tara was still asleep, but tears were slowly running down her face, she was crying in her sleep. Willow again felt that pull, and before her mind could object she carefully got up and walked over to the other bed. She sat down and used her thumb to wipe away the tears. This was either the bravest thing she had done, well that she could remember, or the dumbest. That she would have to decide later.

Once all the tears were wiped away Willow continued to brush Tara's cheek lightly. She then felt an uncontrollable urge to kiss her. Deciding she wouldn't get it out of her head until she did, she leaned over and brushed the lightest kiss over the other girls lips, all the while praying she wouldn't wake up and think she was molesting her or something. Tara didn't wake up, but she did smile in her sleep, and put her arm around Willow. When Willow felt the arm go around her she squeaked a little bit then clamped her hand over her mouth.

After just staring for a few minutes she went back to stroking her cheek, in a small, whispered voice she said, "so soft, and beautiful. Why can't I remember you?"

Buffy and Faith, Xander and Anya, and Cordelia and Kate choose that minute to come bounding into the room, arms loaded with get well gifts. They halted in their steps when they saw Willow looking intently into a sleeping Tara face. "Will?"

Willow jumped up, she was so lost in thought that she hadn't even noticed the arrival, and of course this is when Tara decided to join the world of the awake. Tara looked up and saw a panicked look on Willow's face, who was standing right next to her bed. Then she noticed their friends standing by the door of the room, "what's up guys?" Willow gave a grateful sigh that Tara hadn't said anything about what she was doing over on that side of the room instead of her own.

"Sleep well?" Faith asked walking over to Tara and setting a stuffed teddy bear down.

"Yeah, for me?"

"Yup, B went through the gift shop like a tornado, I think you guys each got one of everything."

"Aw he's so cute, thank you."

"You welcome, we got one for you too Willow," Buffy held out the bear to see if Willow would take it, and she did.

Hugging it to her chest she said, "thanks, he's so soft." Buffy was beaming proud now that she had picked out something Willow liked.

"So how are you feeling Willow?" Cordelia asked.

"Not bad I guess, Tara tried telling me about my life and stuff last night, but there is so much more I wish I knew."

Faith who was still standing by Tara leaned over and asked so that just Tara could hear, "tell about the dark stuff and relationships of people and all that." Tara just shook her head. "Well I brought you somethin', I noticed you took off the ring, so I figured you would want a chain to keep it with you." Faith handed her the simple silver chain.

"Thank you." Tears were once again trying to come to her eyes, but this time she managed to hold them back.

"Well you girls look like your ready to go home." The way to cheerful doctor said as he came in. "If one of your friends would like to fill out the paperwork we can send you on your way."

"But what about Willow she still doesn't remember anything?" Xander asked.

"Miss Rosenberg's memory will have a better chance of resurfacing if she is around familiar things."

"Ok, then lead the way to the paperwork." Xander and Buffy followed the doctor out, since they knew the most about Willow, and Tara could fill them in on what they didn't know.

"Well then I guess these will come in handy huh?" Kate asked holding up a bag of cloths for each girl. Willow accepted her bag and looked inside, her eyes nearly bulged out of her head.

"I wear these?" She asked of the silk skirt and matching peasant top in the bag, each sporting a dragon and Japanese symbols.

"Well they were in your closet, and I've seen you wear it before." Cordelia replied as the nurse came over to take out the IVs.

"Wow."

"Yup, your sense of style has way improved since high school."

"Coming from you, I take that as a huge compliment Cordelia."

"Well we'll let you two get dressed, we'll be in the hallway when you're done." With that Kate, Cordelia, Anya, and Faith left the room.

When they were alone Willow looked at Tara nervously. She was just waiting for her to say something about how she was woken up, but she never did. Both girls got dressed, grabbed their new teddy bears and walked out into the hallway. "Ready?" Buffy asked as she saw them emerge.

"Yeah."

Buffy looked to Tara, "to the apartment?" Tara thought about it for a minute, then realized Willow might think it odd that there was only one room in use.

"Could we go to your house for awhile?"

"Sure."

Faith came up behind her and asked, "what's up?"

"Could you go to the apartment and set my stuff up in the guest bedroom, I don't want Willow freaking out."

"You sure?"

"Yeah."

"Ok, hey B, I have an errand to run, I'll catch up later."

"Ok, bye." The group climbed into their cars, with the exception of Faith and drove off to the Summers' house.

After only a few minutes they arrived, "this is where you live?"

"Yup, it's somewhat crowded what with all the people, but it's home." Buffy smiled and walked up the stairs, "I'm home."

Dawn came bounding down the stairs and saw Willow, not thinking about it she gave her a big hug, "Hey Willow, when did you guys get out?"

"Um hi, um not long ago, we came here first," Willow said somewhat uncomfortably.

Dawn pulled away, realizing that Willow didn't know her right now, it wasn't Willow's fault, but it hurt her all the same. "Right, welcome back."

Tara saw the hurt flash in the young girl's eyes and gave her a big hug and handed her the teddy bear, "hang on to this for me?"

Dawn's face lit up, "sure." Willow watched the interaction quietly. It seemed like every time she looked at Tara now there was a spark of something inside. Like déjà vu, she should remember, but didn't.

Buffy led them into the living room where Iz and Sam were mid-kiss. At first no one thought anything about it, all the couples were very affectionate with each other, but when they saw Willow's eyes bulge out of her head Buffy cleared her throat. Iz and Sam instantly jumped apart when they saw Willow, "hiya Will."

"Um hi," Willow said looking down at her shoes. Iz and Buffy shared a look, then Iz hoped up to go to the kitchen, "anyone hungry, I'll make lunch." She didn't wait for an answer.

There was an uncomfortable silence in the room that Anya decided to break, "that doesn't bother you does it?" She asked of Willow, who had yet to look up.

Willow's first reaction was to say yes, what with her Jewish good girl upbringing, but then she remembered that morning and softly kissing Tara on the lips as she slept, "no, just surprised me I guess, it explains why there aren't many guys in the group though."

"If you only knew…" Xander said before Cordelia elbowed him in the gut.

Willow smirked, "so let me get this straight, pardon the pun, you and Anya are together, Samantha and Iz, Cordelia and…" she looked at Kate sitting just centimeters away, "Kate. Right?"

It was Xander's turn to smirk now, "yup that's part of the couples. Wait how did you know everyone's name, did you remember?"

"Tara told me some about everyone last night at the hospital, just the basic stuff though, she neglected to mention the couplely types."

"Ooops." Tara said somewhat sheepishly, thinking the whole thing so far had gone better than she could have hoped, then again Willow didn't know about them yet. And she didn't know about the evil going ons that were bound to show up eventually, it being Sunnydale and all.

"So who are the others?" Willow asked conversationally, she might not have remembered most of the people in the room, but for some reason she felt comfortable, and safe with them.

"Well Buffy and Faith are together, Dawny and Danny, and we think Giles and Tabitha have something goin on, but that hasn't been confirmed." Tara explained, making sure to leave them out of the line up.

"Hey you forgot abou…." Xander clamped his hand over Anya's mouth.

"Anya let's go meet Bob, Buff said she'd introduce us, and you know how I'm dieing to meet him before he gets shipped off."

"Oh all right, but I don't see what the big deal is with tel…" Anya's voice trailed off as the door closed behind them to the back yard.

Willow looked at the remaining people in the room, "what was that about?"

Thinking quickly Samantha replied, "Bob will be moving soon, and since Xander isn't around all that often he hasn't met him yet, but he's been dieing to."

"But that's not what I mea…"

"Lunch." Everyone hoped up and practically ran into the kitchen leaving Willow and Tara behind.

"Tara?"

"I can't tell you now, but I will, I promise." Willow nodded her head and followed her into the kitchen for lunch.

The rest of the day was pretty uneventful; eventually Faith came back and announced that her errand was done. Growing restless Xander asked, "so who wants to go Bronzing tonight? Me and An haven't be in awhile."

"Oooh sounds like a plan." Buffy said enthusiastically, hoping that maybe being somewhere with so many memories would help jog Willow's noggin a little.

"Hey what about me?" Dawn asked in a pout, she hated being left out of things.

"I'm sure you won't argue to a little time alone with Danny," Faith said with a mischievous smirk.

Realization brightened Dawn's face and she ran out of the room saying, "I'm gonna call Tabby and say I'm coming over."

Faith laughed a little as Dawn ran out, "the kid's a little slow sometimes."

Buffy playfully slapped Faith's arm, "quit corrupting my little sister."

Faith had a comment about corrupting Buffy instead all ready to shoot out of her mouth until she noticed that Willow seemed to be uncomfortable, the comment was filed away for later use and she changed the subject back to going to the Bronze, "how 'bout you Willow, up for some clubbin' fun?"

"Well I am a little tired still," Xander and Buffy's face fell a little, but what bothered Willow was when Tara seemed disappointed so she quickly changed her mind, "but I guess I can handle a little fun."

"Yes," Xander and Buffy said giving each other a high five, "call Oz and it will be an original Scooby reunion."

"He said he was leaving tonight when I talked to him," Tara said, getting strange looks for her effort.

"You talked to Oz?" Xander asked somewhat bewildered. Willow looked intrigued at the exchange, she remembered Tara telling her that she and Oz dated in high school, so why was Xander confused. Well maybe since Tara was her friend it could be considered very unfriendlike to hang out with said friend's ex, but Buffy, Xander and everyone seemed to get along with his just fine. The whole thing was making her all the more interested, it seemed she had an interesting life.

"Yeah he stopped by last night, Willow was asleep so we talked for awhile."

"Are we talking about monosyllabic answers? Or real talking?"

"A real conversation, you know he can talk, just normally doesn't."

Faith popped in with, "I can vouch for that, me and wolfboy talk a lot."

Ok that was odd, "wolfboy?" Willow asked not understanding the meaning behind such a nickname, although she had noticed that Faith seemed to have a nickname for everyone.

"Um, he's a big fan of all things wolf." Faith said as a lame explanation, she hated lying, mainly 'cause it got her friendless before, and she didn't want that to happen again.

"Oh," Willow didn't quite understand but realized that when she asked questions people just avoided answering, gave half-truths, or flat out lied. What was so big in her life that people didn't think she could know? It couldn't be that she was too fragile, it was her life

to begin with, or was this how things always were? No that couldn't be it; she wouldn't let it go on if it were. The one person who had seemed the most upset about not telling her things was Tara, he roommate, perfect she would just grill her later with the resolve face she had been practicing over the summer. Or the summer five years ago anyway, briefly she wondered if she had perfected it yet.


*The Bronze*

The group who normally had just one table or couch now was spread out on three couches and some chairs holding more than one person. The group was definitely

growing. After getting some much needed drinks most of the gang headed out to the dance floor with their respective partners.

Faith and Buffy, Xander and Anya, Cordelia and Kate, Iz and Samantha, and Marci and some guy were all out dancing leaving just Willow and Tara alone at the corner they had adopted for the night, Willow thought this the perfect chance to get some information out of Tara.

And as soon as she could look at the girl and make her mind work at the same time she would, but Tara was having the oddest effect on her, whenever she was close Willow couldn't think straight. It reminded her of the way she started feeling around Xander during their freshman year. But that couldn't be right, she had crushed on Xander and dated Oz, so she couldn't be gay. Although plenty of her friends seemed to be.

Finally Tara seemed to notice Willow staring at her, she looked over and gave her one of her Willow-only smiles. Willow would swear afterward that her heart had actually stopped in that moment. Something had passed between them, neither could deny that, but before anything could happen there was a loud crash. The speakers were knocked over successfully stopping the music.

Twelve guys decked out in leather and what looked like movie make-up appeared almost out of nowhere. The one who seemed to be the leader screamed out, "we know you're here slayers, so why don't you come out and play?"

Buffy and Faith both walked to the front of the crowd of cowering people, "you know for vampires your timing really sucks." Faith stated somewhat sulkily. Not really wanting to waste any of their clever puns on such stupid vampires who wouldn't understand anyway

the chosen two rushed in stakes in hand. It didn't take but a minute for them to dispatch the vamps, what with Xander, Iz and Spike's help.

Willow was shocked, "Tara what's going on?" There was definite fear lacing Willow's voice.

The group headed back to them at that moment, "Um I think we should go back to the house and explain some things," Tara said, giving Willow her best 'just wait a little longer for an explanation' look.

"Very good idea," Willow walked out, not looking back, expecting her "friends" would follow. And boy did they have a butt-load to explain.


*Summers' Home*

It had been fifteen minutes since the group got back to Buffy's house. Fifteen minutes of staring at each other, and no one making any move to start the explanations to Willow. Just fifteen minutes and Willow felt like she was going insane. "Will someone start already, you are so not getting out of this." Willow said as forcefully as she could, although it came out more as a plea than anything else.

Buffy decided to start, it was only fair, she was the one to introduce Willow to this world in the firstplace. "In every generation one girl in all the world is chosen to fight the vampires and evil in the world, she is the slayer." Buffy stopped for a second to see if any of this was sinking in. Willow looked to Tara and saw her nod her head, so she decided to at least hear Buffy out, especially after what she had witnessed that night. "Five years ago I moved here from L.A. after my watcher died, that's the person who watches over the slayer and protects her and stuff, anyway I moved here and the librarian, Giles, was my new watcher.

"On the first day I met this girl, Cordy, and at first it seemed as though I was going to be in the popular group just as I was back at Hermy, but then she started picking on this nice, sweet kid who did nothing more than not dress the same, that was you. Well I needed some major help on my homework, but that wasn't the only reason I wanted to be your friend, just the excuse I used. You introduced me to Xander and Jesse that day. That night I saw you at the Bronze and told you to seize the day and you did, by leaving with some guy who happened to be a vampire. I saved you and Xander, they got Jesse and turned him, Giles and me told both of you what a slayer was and what was crawling the streets at night." Buffy couldn't tell, but there seemed to be a flicker of recognition in

Willow's eyes so she continued.

"You guys wanted to help, but I wanted you to stay safe, so you joined Giles in the library for research. Which was a big help. Angel, he's a vampire, came along and as ironic as it was I fell for him. I died due to some freaked out prophecy, and another slayer was called. Kendra. Cordy joined the group and dated Xander as scary as that was. And Oz joined and dated you. Oz got bitten by his cousin and became a werewolf. I forgot to use my brain and slept with Angel, effectively taking away his soul. He killed Kendra and I killed him. I ran away. That was when Faith was called. And Wesley showed up to be her watcher.

"You and Xander kissed while you were being held captive by Spike, who is a vampire, but can't hurt anyone now. Cordy and Xander broke up, you and Oz stayed together for a while. Anya, who was a vengeance demon showed up to grant Cordelia a vengeance wish. She wished I had never came to Sunnydale. Which brought about a horrible world, Giles there saved the day by busting the necklace that held all of Anya's power, and the world was undone, and she became human. Somewhere in there Angel came back from hell, literally. Things got really stressed.

"Faith goes all evil on us after we got in a fight with some vamps and accidentally a man got killed, I ran to Angel and didn't deal, which left her alone, so she went to the mayor. Who was an evil guy about to become a demon and eat the senior class. I stabbed Faith putting her in an eight-month coma, we blew up the mayor at graduation, you decided to stay here and help the good fight. Angel went off to L.A. and so did Cordy and Wesley, they ended up working together, and at some point Gunn and Kate came along." The more she talked the more Willow seemed like she remembered, so she plowed on through the story that was the group's life together.

"We started college, Oz cheated on you, almost hurt you, and left to tame the wolf within. I met a guy named Riley who was part of this secrete government group that captured demons and studied them, they are the ones who tamed Spike. The voices of Sunnydale were stolen, Tara who was in your Wicca group came along to help you with a spell, and helped save you life, so you guys from then on practiced magic together. We didn't meet her till Faith woke up, stole my body, she was the one who noticed I wasn't me. Helped save the day." Buffy looked to Tara to see if she should mention the dating thing, she just nodded her head.

"We didn't know you two were together till Oz came back, having tamed his wolf, wanting you back in his life. He attacked Tara at school, but Riley was there to stop him, taking him into custody. Tara told you what had happened and we went and got him. He left again after that 'cause you chose to be with Tara instead of going back with him." Willow's eyes looked like they would bulge out of her head and she wanted to ask a question, but Buffy kept going not letting her.

"Our psychology professor created some supper monster from the parts of other demons, who killed her, we did a group spell which destroyed it. Faith went to L.A. and then jail. Dawn, who is the key, was created and sent to mom and me to protect her from this evil god Glory. Mom died from an aneurysm. Iz came back from the future to help us. That's when things between theL.A. group and the Sunnydale group were fixed. I realized how much I loved Faith, and Cordy and Kate got together around then too. We defeated Glory. Angel, Wes, Oz, and Gunn decided to go back to L. they worked, Kate and Cordy stayed here.

"We got stuck in some timeloop thing, became five year olds, and got stuck in a group dream all in one month. Xander got a really good job in L.A., so they moved. Anya took Cordy's old job, and she took Anya's old job at the magic shop. Samantha came back with us from the dreamscape as some kind of reward for Iz, they were together in their time, and are together now. Marci who had turned invisible in high school came back to

kill us all, but didn't really want to, she became visible with some bitchy help from Cordelia and joined the group.

"Riley, who wasn't really himself anymore due to the government, was sent here to track down Marci and some other assassins that were sent here to kill us. He kidnapped Faith, but she was helped to escape by a Bigfoot like creature whom she named Bob. Riley was

taken into custody thanks to Kate and the SPD and awaits trial right now. Things were good, then one night the hospital calls and tells me my best friend was in a bad car accident, and that brings us to date."

Willow blinked once…then twice. Looking around the room she saw that everyone there had accepted that far fetched fairy tail as truth. Taking a deep, calming breath, "are you all COMPLETELY insane?" So much for calm. "That was…was…I don't even know what that was." Willow hopped up from the couch, it was time to get out of there and away from these mental institution runaways.

"Will, please, Buffy's telling the truth I swear." Xander stated, he was slowly walking toward Willow, hands out in hopes of calming her down some. So soon out of the hospital from a horrific car accident he didn't think it was a good idea for her to get so worked up.

"I want to go home, just take me home Xander." Willow's voice was cold, he knew she didn't believe them.

"Okay, I'll give you ladies a ride back to your apartment." Xander's voice was still calm and slow, as if talking to a frightened animal.

"NO! Home, my home, the one I remember." Willow was starting to tremble, she needed to get out of there. She needed to be somewhere that she knew, somewhere she was safe and people weren't lying to her.

Xander glanced at Tara and then Buffy, both looked at a loss as to what to do, so he decided. "Alright, we can do that. On the road to Casa Rosenberg."

Willow nodded and skirted around the other people in the room on her way out. With one last glance at Tara she walked out the door. Of all the things Buffy had told her the one that didn't frighten her was that she was in a relationship with Tara. In the whirlwind that was her mind that seemed to be the one thing that made perfect sense. On the front porch she turned to Xander and made a decision, "can you ask Tara to come with us?"

Xander nodded and smiled and rushed back into the house as Willow walked out to the car and got in. The room was still in dead silence when Xander came flying back in. He grabbed Tara's jacket and announced, "Will want you to come too Tara."

Tara nodded and got up grabbing her jacket from Xander the two of them walked out to the car and got in. On the way to the Rosenberg house no one said anything. The three occupants of the car were deadly silent, no one knowing exactly what to say, so saying nothing. Xander pulled into the driveway and started to turn off the car, "wait." He turned in his seat and looked at Willow to see what she needed now. "Thanks Xander, but I think…I think I need to talk to Tara…alone."

"You got it."

"Willow?" Tara asked gently taking Willow's hands in her own. Willow looked down at their joined hands and saw that something was wrong.

The whole night flooded back into her memory, like a damn holding everything back had busted and sent the river of her memories tidal-waving back into place. Tears ran down her cheeks, "where's your ring?"

Such a simple question, but it was the best thing Tara had ever heard, she let out a sob and pulled Willow into a fierce hug, "oh god Willow, I missed you so much. I wanted to tell you everything, but the doctor thought it would be best to let your memory come back on it's own. I love you so much."


*The next day*

"Do you have to go back?" Willow asked of her childhood buddy.

"Sorry Will I can't miss anymore work."

"Neither can I. We're missing out on money, that's not good, it's un-American of us."

Both ignored Anya, as usual, "you'll be back for the wedding right, you have to be there!"

"Chill Will, we'll be back, one month right?"

"Right." Willow gave Xander one more hug then finally let them go on their way. She walked back into the house where the whole Sunnydale group was lounging around, just enjoying the lazy day. Willow smiled to herself, one month and she would be Mrs. Willow Rosenberg-MaClay. She couldn't wait! She walked over and sat down next to her fiancé, who was once again wearing her ring on her finger, rather than a chain on her neck. She vowed to herself no matter what, she would never forget this woman again. The woman she loved. Her soul mate. And in just one month, they would be joined, body, spirit, mind, and heart.