Part 11
Willow's red hair cascaded over the side of the couch where Xander had carried her. He had come in to the shop soon after the girls had finished the spell and had rushed downstairs when he heard Tara crying. At first Tara hadn't want to let go of her Willow, but Xander had promised to be careful. As soon as Willow had been laid down, Tara was immediately kneeling at her side and hadn't left since.
Buffy and Dawn had been chased off by Mrs Summers, who told them everyone needed their rest and to let the girls be. After Buffy had finally conceded to go on Patrol and Dawn had retired to her bedroom, Mrs Summers brought a cup of hot tea in for Tara and sat down in the chair next to the distressed girl.
"She'll be ok." Buffy's mom spoke softly as she handed the cup out to the blonde. Tara glanced up, and gave a small smile as she accepted the offering. "Thank you." She looked back at the sleeping beauty on the sofa. "It wasn't your fault, you know."
Tara looked up. "Actually, it was. My father sent them, I'm sure of it."
"Then it was their fault, hon, not yours. You are not responsible for what another person does."
Tara sighed and brushed a strand of hair from her eyes, then gently blew on the minty tea before taking a sip. "If I hadn't left, this would'nt have happened. If hadn't been something that my father had hated, my mother would still be alive. It's just the way it is."
"Oh, Sweety. You can't blame yourself like that. The guilt is not yours to carry. I know it may seem easier to take the blame then to put it on someone who you are supposed to love, but taking his crime on your shoulders wont make it yours. It will just weigh you down. Your mother wouldn't have wanted that. Willow wouldn't. None of us would. You know we all love you. Right?"
With eyes closed, Tara answered softly, "I know. And it amazes me..but I can't help but wonder why anyone can love me….when he …..couldn't." Mrs. Summers leaned over and wrapped an arm around the young woman. "I wish I had an answer for you. Maybe he was born incapable of loving others. Maybe something happened to twist him. I don't know. There's a lot of maybes and ifs, but the fact remains that he is the one who hurt you. He's hurt a lot of people. It's not your fault, Tara."
"I know its hard not having a mother. I was in my late 20's when my own mother passed away. Sometimes it helps to find a mother figure…not as a replacement…but just to kind of have someone you can go to and such. I hope you know, if you ever need…or..want…I'm here for you. I kind of feel like the Scoobie-Mom, anyway." The woman smiled and squeezed the younger ones shoulder.
Tara placed the cup on the coffee table, and looked at Mrs Summers with tears in her eyes. "Thank you. I – " Tara suddenly moved into the woman's arms, seeking comfort.
*****
Willow opened her eyes slowly and looked around. Glancing down, she saw Tara sleeping with her head propped on her arm, her other hand holding Willow's. The redhead swallowed and tried to remember what had happened. Had she been sick? She remembered….a spell……something….smelly….. Slowly the memories of the past week shuffled forward. She shifted to her side, trying not to wake up Tara but failed.
The blonde opened red blurry eyes that brightened considerably when they saw Willow looking back at her. "Will?" Willow smiled and placed a hand on Tara's cheek. "Hey baby. Guess I've been….sleeping? awhile?"
"I was so worried…"
Willow leaned forward and placed a soft kiss on Tara's lips. "I wasn't. I knew you'd save me."
"I love you so much, Willow."
"I love you too. I'm ok, hon." Willow told her as they hugged.
"I'm so sorry."
"Hey, stop that. It wasn't your fault."
Tara gave Willow a look. "Have you been talking to Mrs Summers?" Willow chuckled, "No, but if that's what she said then she was right. And two rights don't make a wrong…right? So its fact." Tara giggled and hugged Willow again.
"Um, how long have I been laying here?" Willow asked.
Tara glanced at the clock, "About 37 hours or so. Why?" Willow pushed herself into a sitting position. "Cuz I'm about to bust a gut!" Tara grinned then jumped up to help Willow to the restroom. Willow got unsteadily to her feet then straightened up. "I can make it hon." She smiled at Tara's worried face. "While I'm…taking care of business..would you mind getting me something to drink? Im dry as a desert. I didn't eat a desert or anything did I?"
Chuckling, Tara reassured her all the sandy places in the world were safe and watched the redhead slowly make her way down the hall before entering the kitchen for refreshments. She returned to the living room with two glasses of juice and was sitting on the couch when footsteps sounded on the stairs. Glancing up she saw Dawnie and Buffy shuffling downstairs.
"Did I hear Willow?" Dawnie asked, rubbing her eyes. Buffy yawned and looked around, then continued into the living room. "Where is she?" Tara smiled, "Restroom. She's ok."
"I knew you could do it." Dawnie stated as she slipped past her sister to snuggle next to the witch. "You did huh?" Tara hugged the teenager who nodded emphatically. When Willow returned looking much relieved and more awake, Buffy and Dawnie swarmed her with hugs before letting her return to the couch.
"Thanks guys. I never knew going to the bathroom would get such a response." Willow teased, reaching for her juice. "Yeah, well, stay away from stinky people next time." Dawn admonished. Willow wrinkled her nose. "Don't have to tell me twice."
"Should we do anything about….you know…who summoned them?" Buffy asked, sitting across from her friends and sister. Tara looked at her hands. The house and everyone is purified..and protected now. Well, from their corruption. I suppose they could still smack us around….." "They could die trying anyway." Buffy added.
"I don't know….I'm sorry. I know he…should be punished somehow but…"
Buffy smiled, "It's ok. Maybe thinking he succeeded will be enough. No one to tell him otherwise right? Besides, Karma has a way of taking care of things."
*******
Eyes that belonged to nothing human watched the man enter the house. He reeked of evil. The beast could smell it even from this distance. He waited till the door closed behind the man then slowly slithered forward, a dark mist following him. He touched the doorknob with the tip of a claw and the door swung open. The mist shifted and moved to cover the entire house as he went inside.
From the street, the house seemed to fade away, the lights in the windows blinked out of existence as the mist solidified. A car drove down the road and a dog barked in the distance. The neighbors finished their dinners and evening chores and went to bed, sleeping soundly. The next morning the house stood visible but vacant, the front door creaking open as a breeze bumped against it.
The End