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Chapter 10 - Learning Together

Willow met Morrigan and Tara the following morning at the waterfall. The three had a meditation session before Morrigan had them start working on sensory spells. Everyone was amazed at how easy it was for Willow and Tara to work their magic together. After several days of practicing together, Morrigan decides to move their training to the next level.

"You two are doing fantastic. I would like to see now how far you can sense things," said Morrigan. "Tara I want you to go first."

Tara closed her eyes for a moment and calmly and quietly recited the spell and started to describe to Morrigan what she was sensing. Morrigan told her she was sensing almost all of the way to the security gate.

"That's great, Tara," Willow said, encouragingly and received a warm smile from Tara.

Morrigan told Willow it was her turn now. Willow closed her eyes, said the spell and then focused her power out. Willow felt where Tara had been describing and then she felt out further. Willow felt part of the Coven living quarters and then she felt something familiar, but something that caused her to feel anger well up inside.

"W-Willow?" said Tara softly as she sensed a change in the redhead demeanor.

"Willow, what are you sensing?" asked Morrigan. "Talk to me."

Willow opened her eyes and Morrigan saw that they had started to turn black.

"Willow, that is enough sensing," snapped Morrigan as she placed a hand on the Willow's shoulder breaking her concentration and her eyes turning green again.

"I'm so sorry," said Willow, tears rolling down her face as she stared at the ground. Both Tara and Morrigan felt the anxiety in the cavern rise.

"W-what h-happened?" asked Tara, moving closer to Willow to try to comfort her but frowned when Willow slid away from her.

"I'm sorry," Willow said, again, before getting up and walking to the back of the cavern.

"Let's give her a few minutes," Morrigan told Tara. The blonde nodded but kept watching Willow.

"What the hell was that, Willow? Why did you get so angry?" thought Willow as she paced at the back of the cavern. "Someone hurt Tara...I felt the woman's presence. Why does it upset me so much? You've just met this woman..."

As Willow's pacing slowed Morrigan and Tara felt the anxiety in the cavern ease up. After several minutes Willow moved back to where Tara and Morrigan were.

"Are you okay?" asked Morrigan, her voice laced with concern.

"Yes," Willow said softly as she sat down next to Tara and Morrigan.

"W-what happened?" asked Tara, moving closer to Willow.

"I was extending my sensory out as far as I could and I felt someone who, they felt familiar and I just got angry, but I don't know who it was or why," said Willow.

"Where were you?" Morrigan asked.

"I was in Coven living quarters."

"You went that far?" asked Tara, surprised.

"Yeah."

"Well, I think that is enough testing for today. Willow, is there anything I can do to help you feel more relaxed?" asked Morrigan.

"No. I am just going to go back to the cottage. I just need to process what happened and try to figure out why."

"High Priestess, I would like to walk Willow back if that is okay," said Tara.

"That is fine. Let's meet again tomorrow and we'll take this another direction."

"Yes ma'am," said Willow and Tara.

Willow and Tara walked back to Willow's cottage in silence. Willow's thoughts going back to try to figure out what had made her so mad. Tara's thoughts were trying to figure out how to help Willow.

"Do you want to talk about what happened? Or just talk in general," said Tara as they sat down in the living room.

"I don't know what happened," said Willow, burying her head in her hands.

"We'll figure it out," Tara said, putting a hand on Willow's back to comfort her.

"Thank you for being here and not freaking out."

"Thank you for letting me be here to help."

"It scares me, Tara. It was just a feeling and I started to lose control. I could have hurt you and Sister Morrigan."

Tara moved her hand from Willow's back to wrap around her shoulder and pull her close. Willow rested her head on Tara's shoulder. The two sat there enjoying the closeness. After a few minutes, Willow noticed it was starting to get dark out and she pulled back from the embrace.

"You should get going soon. I don't like the idea of you walking in the dark."

"I will as long as I know that you are okay. I don't mind walking at night."

"I mind. Maybe sometime we can talk about our past and I'll explain why this happened or why it is so upsetting."

"I'd like that. If you promise me that you are okay I'll go so you don't worry."

"Thank you, Tara," said Willow as they stood up and she walked Tara to the door.

Willow pulled Tara into a hug. As she pulled back slowly their eyes locked and they each slowly leaned forward. Willow's phone chirped causing them to jump and pull apart. They hugged again and then Tara headed out the door.

"Did she almost kiss me?" thought Tara. "I bet kissing her would be incredible."

"We almost kissed. Had my phone not gone off, we'd have kissed," thought Willow.

Willow checked her phone and saw it was a message from Buffy. After telling Buffy she would call her shortly Willow sat down on the couch and used the sensory spell to make sure that Tara made it home okay.

Tara entered the Coven area from the forest and headed towards her cottage. She was lost in thought and didn't see the woman walking until it was almost too late.

"Whoa, Tara," said Celia as they almost collided.

"S-sorry," Tara said. "I w-was l-lost in my t-thoughts."

"I noticed that. Can we talk?"

"I don't know that now is a good time for it."

"Tara, please. Give me a few minutes."

"Fine," Tara said, knowing that if she got this over with Celia she could then think about the day with Willow. Tara motioned for Celia to enter her cottage.

"Where have you been going lately? What does the High Priestess have you doing?"

"That isn't something I am going to talk about. Why is this such an issue with you?"

"Tara, we've known each other for a long time and I care a lot about you. I am just trying to look out for you and make sure that you aren't being taken advantage of."

"Celia, how am I being taken advantage of?" asked Tara, annoyed by her friend's words.

"Tara, you don't train with us anymore. You don't attend any of the workshops. You are gone all day and then when you get home you come inside and nobody sees you. The High Priestess leaves with you in the morning and she returns and you don't. What are you off doing? Where are you working at?"

"It is none of your business, Celia. I am assisting the High Priestess, that is all I am saying on the matter. Now I think you need to leave," said Tara.

"Maybe I should follow you tomorrow to find out what you do. Would that work?"

"I think that it would be a bad move on your part."

"Tara, I care a lot about you," said Celia, taking hold of Tara's hand. "It would take nothing for me to fall in love with you. I feel like you are too nice to notice that something is wrong."

"I think you need to leave," said Tara as she pulled her hand away from Celia's.