Title: Season Two: Rewrite
Author: Chantel
Rating: PG-R
Reviews/Feedback: Is greatly appreciated. Send it my way. Please?..Pretty please?
Disclaimer: I own nothing. I make no profit. I'm just expressing nerd solidarity. Woot, woot.

Authors note: I lost this chapter three times before I finally got it saved properly. That's three rewrites. Anyone who wishes to join me in my murdering of Word Perfect is more than welcome to come along.

I took some fanfic liberties in this chapter with the Bezoar. Also, sorry that it took me so long to finish this episode off. But, those little hatchlings freak me so out hard that I had a difficult time writing it. Ashamed lol.
As always, thoughts are in italics.

Tara woke with an empty feeling inside her chest. Everything was so messed up in her life right now. Oz was off somewhere with Donnie, doing Spirits know what. Her father barely registered her existence. Things with Willow were getting intense and she had no way to navigate through the storm of emotions going through her heart. She missed her mom. Groaning, the blonde kicked her blankets off and got up quickly. The more she had to fill her day with, the less she would have to think about everything else going on.

She showered and dressed quickly, pausing before pulling her shirt on to look at herself in the mirror. Her face grew hard as her eyes trailed over her shoulders and down her body. A slow burning anger crept through her as she stared at her reflection. Tara closed her eyes and shook her head, pulling the shirt on as she did so. "The past is in the past," she told herself, pushing the memories out of her mind.

The blonde walked to school quickly and arrived early to her first period class. The air in the building felt different. There was a strange smell that hung about that unsettled her. When the bell rang, the blonde ignored other thoughts and listened to her History teacher drone on before the class was assigned a task to work on for the period. She worked at her assignment dutifully, but a strange feeling in her chest continued to distract her. After thirty minutes, Tara looked up and scanned the room.

Something definitely felt wrong. There were numerous students missing and, though Tara could not sense anything due to the giant Hellmouth beneath her, she had a feeling deep inside that something was happening at Sunnydale High. The blonde teenager excused herself from class and made her way quickly towards her locker. When she arrived she pulled out her supplies, stuffing them roughly into her knapsack before moving to the closest bathroom.

She locked herself in and cast a protection spell. Lights swirled gently around her for a few moments before a gentle hum surrounded her body. Tara glanced a look at her body. A soft purple glow emanated from her skin, her alarm system was functioning. She took a deep breath and focused her energy. Confident that her magic was focused enough, Tara set out to find Willow.

The blonde hurried towards the library, Willow had a free period so she figured the redhead would likely be there. As she broke through the doors the teen felt her sense of dread fall over her. The library was empty. "Mr. Giles?" she called out hesitantly.

No answer.

Tara scanned the room quickly before moving towards the librarians office. As she entered she felt magic warm her skin, a sign that something mystical was approaching her. She turned to look around and saw nothing except the state of the room. Books were scattered across the floor, the desk was off center and a tea cup lay shattered on the ground, a puddle beneath it. Tara heard a rustling.

She swung around to the source of the sound to see the tale end of something scuttling into the corner of the room. Releasing a small breath, she slowly took a step towards the door. That's when she heard the noise. The thing was in sight again and charging towards her, legs wriggling sickly like tentacles and it's jaws jagged. The words were out of her mouth in an instant, her hands flying towards the direction of the creature. She felt her magic swell up inside of her and shut her eyes as she released the power. A shrill whine erupted from the creature and it thudded to a stop, twisting and convulsing until it finally stilled.

Tara's pulse was quick inside her veins, adrenaline pumping through her system as she took in a shuddering breath. "W-Whoa," she let out, taking a few steps back. Her head whipped from side to side as she looked around for other creatures. She saw nothing and felt nothing. Tucking her hair behind her ears nervously, she approached the thing.

It had died on it's back, a long tail spiraling around it's body, it's legs frozen, mid movement in a sickly display of panic. A wave of nausea rolled through her stomach at the sight. "That's.. That's not good.." she announced under further inspection. She tipped the garbage can over the creature's body, trapping the corpse there and fled the library desperate to find her friend. The blonde ran through the halls, noticing that in the 15 minutes she had been occupied, the halls and classrooms had emptied themselves. Her eyes widened, "Oh, that's really not good."

A cold shudder rippled through her body. "Willow," she whispered, stretching her senses out and using her magic to sense the redhead. Tara felt a tug forward and began walking without a second thought. Her feet moved quickly, swiftly carrying her towards the upstairs of the school. "Willow?" she whispered loudly. The same warmth from earlier picked at her skin. There were more of those creatures near by. At the sound of rustling, Tara ducks into a doorway. She risks a glance in the direction of the sound, only to see a group of students throwing a boy on the floor. She almost calls out to them in warning until she notices another woman come out of a classroom with something in her hand. Tara's hand flies over her mouth to silence the gasp of realization. The woman holds one of the creatures in her hands. It's legs wriggle and it's tale flails. Before Tara has time to question what is happening, the woman nods to the group of students who flip the struggling student on his back.

"What are you doing? Stop!" he screams, "This isn't funny, guys! C'mon!"

The boy sounds irritated at first, but when he notices the woman holding the creature, he shrieks. "Oh my, God! What is that!" he cries out. "Please, please. Don't!" he begs.

One student holds his head, two more his arms, pinning him to the ground as the woman approaches and pulls his shirt up. Their faces are devoid of any emotion. Tara watches in horror as the woman drops the creature on the boys back. He lets out a sharp yell and convulses before going still.

Her brow furrows in confusion and she feels her eyes start to water slightly. She swallows hard and does a double take. The boy stands.

He stretches his arms, cracks his neck and flexes his jaw before smiling and turning to the group that had just accosted him. "W-what?" Tara asks herself.

The group laid their hands on the boys shoulder and they start speaking. Tara is too far away to hear what they're saying and she only catches pieces of the conversation.

"Welcome"

"Reunited"

"Offspring"

Mild understanding dawns on the young blonde, "Body snatchers.." she confirms to herself. She waits until the group leave and then continues on her path. She approaches a door and glances inside the window before opening it. Willow and Cordelia are in the room. A smile lights her face up before she notices the robotic expression on the redheads face. All the air is sucked from her lungs. Willow and Cordelia speak quietly, nodding in agreement. Tara panics as Cordelia moves towards the door and Willow moves back further into the classroom.

Moving quickly, the blonde dashes behind a bank of lockers and hopes that Cordelia chooses to walk the opposite direction. Relief floods through her as the brunette turns on her heel and walks quickly down the hall opposite from Tara. She doesn't have a plan. She has no idea what she's fighting. She can't even be sure that Willow is even remotely.. well, Willow.

I should find help and come back for her. That's the logical plan.

Tara's moved into the classroom and closed the door before she's even finished thinking.

Willow is nowhere in sight. "G-great," she stutters nervously, "That was totally the correct course of action." She breathes out, shaking her head, "not."

She walks further into the room. There is a strange buzz to her protection spell. Tara turns around and is met with deep green eyes staring her down fiercely.

"W-Willow," she startles, eyes darting from side to side. "H-How are you?" she asks stalling.

Willow tilts her head to the side and stares at the blonde with a confused expression. Her eyes squint slightly as she looks at her.

Tara gulps and forces a smile to her face. She opens her mouth to speak but is interrupted.

"Tara," Willow smiles and straightens up, "I haven't seen you today. What have you been up to?"

The redheads tone and expression is almost an exact replica of Willow herself, but Tara can feel the way her essence grates against something, like she's pushing against lightning.

Willow grins and takes a step towards her. Tara takes a step back unconsciously.

"What's wrong?" the redhead asks, frowning. "Did I do something?"

"W-w-why would something be wrong?"

Willow moves towards Tara at a steady pace and the blonde continues to move backwards.

A sweet smile forms on Willow's lips as she approaches her. "You're too far away.." she trails off.

Tara is unsure of what is happening. There is something behind those familiar green eyes that tugs at Tara's resolve. "Will.. Um. You're not yourself right now." She tries.

The redhead chuckles at her before smirking, "That doesn't seem to matter. This body still warms for you. Did you know that? It's interesting.."

Eyes rake over her seductively and Tara shivers despite her effort not to.

"Um.. I. W-w-"

"We could do this the easy way you know? This host? Her body gravitates towards yours." The redhead inhales sharply, a predatory display towards Tara. The blonde continues to back away before she feels the wall bump against the back of her legs.

Willow's eyes are dark as they settle on Tara's, " Human's are such a strange species.," she comments, "I was hesitant of this re-birth. These bodies are weak. Frail. Incapable of the necessary strengths required in protecting the Mother."

The redhead is mere centimeters away from Tara as she speaks. Her presence causing a surge of electricity throughout the blondes magical perimeter. "Will.." she protests, but the other girl keeps talking. Her eyes wild with intrigue.

"These.. husks, though? Far more amusing than I originally anticipated."

Willow's eyes flick to Tara's eyes, "These.. emotions? They're new. Fun… Powerful, even. I could get used to them."

The redheads body inches forward, closing in on Tara as the blonde stands frozen in place, plotting her escape. Willow releases a groan as she stares towards Tara, "This body burns for you," she quirks her eyebrow curiously, "why is that?"

Willow's body moves towards her quickly, her face edging downwards and towards Tara's lips. Before she knows what she's doing, Tara brings her hands up in defense. Her fingers clamp over Willow's face, stopping the lips from making contact with hers. Red hair sways towards her and she feels strong hands grip her arms. Her eyes met Willows. Blue pierces through green and she can feel a jolt of electricity spark between their bodies. The energy builds before exploding into her bloodstream. There is a loud crackling noise and she feels herself pushed harder against the wall. Willow's body is shoved back and she watches as the redhead falls to the ground. The smell of burning fills the room.

Confused green eyes look up at her as Willow raises herself from the floor with her hands. "Oh, my God!" she lets out, gagging and standing. Her hands reach frantically at her back as she wrestles against her clothing. Tara watches, unsure of what is transpiring and still hazing from the magic in her system.

"Oh, God. Oh, God. Oh, God! Get it off of me!" Willow squirms before finally pulling her shirt off of her body. Her eyes water and tears begin to fall. She twists her body and Tara can see the creature, dead, hanging from Willow's back. The naked flesh is torn slightly near Willow's neck and Tara can see that its claws are still latched at the base of the redhead's shoulder blades.

"Willow!" she breathes out relieved as she rushes towards her friend.

"Tara, get it off! Please get it off!"

Her hands turn Willow around and fly towards her back without a second thought. She grabs the creature and unhooks it's talons, throwing it to the ground. Willow moves away as fast as she can once she feels the claws free of her skin. Her hands move frantically over her body, checking over everything.

Tara moves quickly, locating a large textbook and flattening the creature, reassuring herself of its death. She notices the way her skin cools and the humming around her body stops. There is nothing else in the room that is a direct threat to her. Breathing a sigh of relief, she turns towards her friend. Willow is shaking, standing in only her jeans and a bra clawing at her back hysterically. On instinct she moves to her, grabbing her friends hands and stopping their attack. "Willow," she calls gently as she attempts to calm her friend. The redhead is in a trance, eyes full of tears and face pale with fear.

"Willow," Tara tries louder. The redhead struggles against her hold and Tara grips her wrists, pulling them against her chest before grabbing Willow's face and forcing her to make eye contact.

"Willow. It's me! It's okay. It's gone. You're okay," she repeats.

Willow's breathing is hard and rushed. Her heart pounds furiously and Tara can feel thud against the redheads skin. "Look at me." She commands, "I've got you, okay?"

Green eyes soften as her words settle into Willow's mind. She nods, still gasping slightly for air and lets the muscles in her arms relax. Tara loosens her grip but doesn't move her hands away. Instead, she allows her hands to move down to the base of Willow's neck.

"T-Tara?" the redhead questions. She nods yes.

Willow closes her eyes and as her last tear falls, relief washes over her expression. She leans her forehead against Tara's and draws in a deep, shuddering breath.

"It's okay," the blonde whispers, closing her eyes as well, "You're okay.."

Tara feels arms wrap around her waist as Willow whispers, "I am now."

The blonde breathes in Willow's scent and allows her hands to trail lower on her friend. Sparks ignite under her fingertips as her hands graze past Willow's shoulder blades and move slowly down her back. The redhead pulls her closer and Tara almost loses herself in the softness of her skin. It's not until she feels wetness under her palms that she is startled back into reality. Her eyes snap open and meet green ones.

"You're hurt," Tara whispers.

"I'm okay.." Willow responds, gazing deeply back into Tara's eyes.

The redheads arms move to her sides, resting gently on her hips. Tara can feel the warmth of her hands spread through her entire body.

"Turn around," she requests gently, guiding Willow with her arms as the girl complies, until the redhead is facing the other way. Tara places a gentle kiss on Willow's shoulder before she can stop herself.

Goosebumps rise as she pulls her lips away and Willow's turns her head slightly. Hands cover her own, and Tara feels herself pulled slowly closer to Willow's body. The redhead wraps Tara's arms around her front and leans back into the embrace. Tara almost passes out when she feels Willow's taut stomach against her fingertips. She rests her head on Willow's shoulder, smiling when the other girl nuzzles into her momentarily.

The moment is intimate, and Tara knows that Willow can feel her heartbeat against her back.

"This m-might hurt.." she tells the other girl in a low voice.

"I trust you."

Tara untangles herself from Willow, pulling back slightly and unlinking her right hand from the redheads. Their joined hands tighten as the blonde traces her free hand over the marks on Willow's back. She inspects them first. Jagged tears in Willow's flesh bleed freely. Tara focuses her mind, opens her energy to Willow and glides her hands repeatedly over the wounds. A few minutes pass in silence and when Tara is satisfied that Willow will be able to move without pain, she loosens their fingers, breaking contact, and takes two steps back.

Her eyes traveled up and down Willow's back, making sure there was no other wounds that needed tending to. She was so focused that she didn't notice Willow turning until she was staring straight at the redheads front. Blue eyes widen, taking in the sight hungrily. Willow's milky skin called out to her. Her taut stomach displaying a set of tight abs that almost mocked Tara with how attractive they appeared. Her eyes moved up and she swallowed hard. The contrast of dark blue fabric calling attention to Willow's bra. The redhead's chest rose and fell steadily as she breathed, the fabric constricting slightly against Willow's cleavage. Desire shot through Tara's body. She blinked hard, trying to gain control of her body and as she looked up, she was met with dark green eyes.

Willow moved towards her slowly. Tara's breath hitched.

As the distance between their bodies diminished, the blonde felt her knees grow weak.

A loud crash broke both girls from their trance. Tara moved in front of Willow quickly, eyes scanning the room for danger.

"What was that?" she asked.

"I don't know," Willow replied, "But we should find Buffy."

"I was in the l-library earlier. It d-didn't exactly inspire confidence"

Her arm darted out at the sound of rustling. "W-we should leave."

She felt Willow nod from behind her before the redhead found her shirt, shook it out and pulled it over her body.

Seconds later another loud bang sounded. Tara glanced towards the closet in the corner of the room. She walked towards the noise, only to stop mid stride at the feeling of Willow's hand on the arm.

Before she could say anything, a loud grunt filled the room and the door of the closet broke from its hinges, wood splintering everywhere before it landed with a thud on the ground.

Tara positioned herself protectively between Willow and the closest. The redhead gripped her arm firmly, as she held Willow away from the danger.

The two backed away, freezing in place when Buffy and Xander emerged from the closet.

"Jesus, Buff way to-…" Xander fell silent as he spotted the girls.

"Will!" Buffy let out, moving into a defensive position, "Will? Listen to me. Just.. Calm down okay? Back away from the lab equipment."

"Huh?" Both Willow and Tara let out in confusion.

"Willster," Xander started, "You're not yourself right now." He finished quickly, flashing what he hoped to be a charming smile, "just. Come here and we'll help you okay?"

Willow gripped Tara's arm as she looked at her two friends. Buffy and Xander shared a look before the young man sunk behind the short girl. "Bizarre alien hatchling, or not. She's got a wicked right hook, I'll be over here."

"Gee thanks Xand!" Buffy exclaimed.

"I have confidence in you. Do your slayer thing!" the boy's voice was laced with unease and Tara was left confused. Her arm held firmly in place, and she moved more of her body in front of Willows. The girl made no attempt to move, and Tara was thankful for that.

"What! I can't just. You know!" Buffy gestured emphatically with her with hands, moving them up and down before finishes her statement, "it's still Willow."

"Show us your backs," Tara instructs.

"Excuse you?" the Slayer let out.

"Yeah!" Willow chimes in, "Take your shirts off and turn around." The redheads voice added hesitantly.

"When did this turn into a women's prison movie?" The slayer inquired, hands slumping dramatically to her sides as she turned to Xander.

"I don't know," he replied, "But if this is the cast, I'm definitely not complaining."

Tara could feel Buffy roll her eyes.

"Really, Xand? You're unbelievable." The other blondes voice is thick with annoyance.

"Seriously? That's what you're going to focus on here?" his voice goes up a notch as he defends himself, "I'm sorry. Cordy must have destroyed my brain to mouth filter when she and Willow decided to go all Invasion of the Body Snatchers and knock me unconscious!"

"I did not!" Tara heard from behind her.

"Did too!" Xander argued back childishly.

"Did not!" Had Tara not been so on guard, she would have laughed.

"Um," he said pointing to his head, "The goose egg on my head proves otherwise."

"Oh." Willow lets out defeated, "Um, really?"

Buffy nods and points to her head, "With a Microscope"

"She's not being controlled anymore," the Wiccan tells Buffy.

The dark haired boy turns to her, "How do we know it's not a trap?" he whispers to Buffy.

"Those things?" Tara starts, "I s-saw them. They attach themselves to p-peoples backs. I t-think that's how they hook into our b-brains and gain control."

"Oh" Xander and Buffy say at the same time, nodding their heads in mild understanding and confusion.

Tara looked between the Buffy and Xander intensely. The two didn't seem like they were being controlled, but then again, neither did Willow before she started talking about husks and offspring and, Tara feels her face flush, warm bodies.

As if reading her mind, Willow moved beside her and linked their fingers together.

The blonde channeled her magic and manipulates her protection spell. She reaches out with her mind, trying to sense the creatures from before. As she becomes more aware, she feels the familiar darkness that accompanies the Slayer but nothing else mystical within the vicinity.

She nods her head to Willow and lets go of her hand. The redhead turns and pulls her shirt up, revealing her back to her friends.

"Whoa.." The two teens gasp upon seeing the still fresh wound on Willow's back.

"Geez, Will.."

After pulling her shirt back down, Willow returned to Tara's side. "Your turn," she interrupts. Both Buffy and Xander sigh before turning and showing their backs, which are free of creatures.

The blonde Wiccan sighs in relief, relaxing her stance and standing straighter.

"Well that's good news!" Willow smiles, and touches Tara's arm lightly before turning to her friends. "So what's the game plan?"

Tara runs a hand through her long hair before noticing the hard stare Buffy is sending her way.

"What about her?" The Slayer gestures her way.

"W-what?" she stutters out.

"Tara's not carrying. Ha, carrying. But seriously, she helped me and everything." Willow's voice is bright as she speaks, but Tara can see that the Slayer isn't convinced.

"Did you check her back?" Buffy asks flatly.

A wave of nausea rolls through Tara's stomach and she tenses up. She knows immediately that Willow can sense her discomfort. The redhead turns towards her, but instead of looking cautious, Willow's face is determined. Tara watches as the redhead places herself in front of her body.

"She helped me. Why would she do that if she was under the control of those things?"

Buffy quirks her eyebrow, "Both you and Cordelia were acting normal before you pulled a whammy on us. You even helped dissect one of them for me." The slayers eyes trained on Tara's, "Your turn."

"Buffy," Willow's voice carries something with is. Something that Buffy doesn't like, because her eyes narrow and she moves in Tara's direction. The redhead steps in front of her, but before she gets her words out, Tara lays a hand on her shoulder. "Will, it's okay."

Concerned green eyes flash back to her.

"I believe you," Willow says. Tara smiles.

"Nothing wrong with being sure," Buffy's voice cuts through the moment.

Tara inhales and looks towards the Slayer. She nods her head and feels her muscles tighten as the short blonde strides towards her and settles behind her back. Tara looks at Willow, locking eyes with the redhead as she feels the hem of her shirt being hiked up.

Her eyes close when she feels Buffy tense as her shirt is pulled up to her shoulders. Her shoulders square and her jaw tightens.

Buffy released her shirt with shaky hands. The fabric glided back down to her jeans. "She's good.." Buffy whispered, moving in front of her.

As Tara opened her eyes, she felt Willow's concern wash over her. Giving the redhead a smile, the blonde turned her gaze to the floor and pulled her arms over her chest.

The Slayer moved to stand beside her, nodding to Xander and looking over her shoulder.

She could feel Buffy's eyes on her and when she looked up, the Slayers eyes were devoid of any coldness they had previously held, replaced by sadness and something unknowing. "S-s-so?" Tara broke the silence, glancing back down to the floor, "G-game plan?"

Black ooze stuck to Tara's arms and she sighed, knowing that the substance would not come out of her clothes easily. She shrugged the annoyance off and looked around. People filed from the basement at a steady flow, all confused and covered in the same black substance. Would everyone here seriously believe that there had been a gas leak?

No wonder Sunnydale had such a high mortality rate. Hellmouth aside, these people were just naïve.

She sighed as she ran through the day in her mind. The group had found the source of the eggs and uncovered a giant bulbous demon beneath the cement of the basement. It had taken effort, but Buffy had succeeded and when the Mother demon died, all the hatchlings died with it. Everyone was freed of the creature's hold over them and stumbled around, almost drunkenly, until Mr. Giles came up with the excuse of a gas leak.

The blonde walked around the crowd of people, looking for her brother before she remembered that he was not there. She frowned and slumped her shoulders in defeat.

Old habits die hard, I guess..

Tara felt a hand her shoulder and turned to face Willow. Green eyes shone brightly under the blackness spread through her hair and across her face. Tara giggled as she looked her up and down. Dirt and dust covered the girl and ooze was splashed across her front in random patches. "Well aren't we a pair?" Willow joked, pointing to Tara's clothes.

"T-tell me about it," the blonde laughed, pulling at her ruined shirt.

Her mood improved at the redheads laughter, a smile lighting up her face.

"So, t-that was a pretty crazy m-morning, huh?" she asked. Willow nodded and widened her eyes. "The longest," she agreed, "I'm pretty sure Xander's going to be milking my guilt for the next two weeks. I can't believe I used a microscope as weaponry."

"Well, not to, ya know, uh.. indorse v-violence or anything. But points f-for using your surroundings appropriately."

Willow crinkled her nose and chuckled at her, "Yeah I guess."

The redhead shifted her eyes to the ground, shuffled her feet and looked up through her hair timidly. "I never got to say thanks," she spoke gently, "you know? For saving me from that.. hatchling thing. So, thanks. I, uh.. I'm glad I stumbled into me." She joked.

Tara smiled, "I'm h-happy I f-found you."

Willow perked her head up, "You were looking for me?" she asked, a smile forming on her lips.

"Y-yeah," Tara blushed and looked down. "I k-kinda had a feeling something w-was off. So I.. w-went to find you."

The redheads eyes softened and she reached towards Tara's hands. The blonde met her half way and their fingers laced together. "Thanks.." Willow said sincerely before inhaling quickly and continuing.

"Um.. about, you know.. when I was all under the control of a demon spawn. I didn't hurt you did I?"

Tara cursed her complexion when she felt her face flush. She shook her head back and forth quickly, "N-no! No. D-definitely not."

She swallowed in recollection of the way Willow had looked at her.

"Okay, cool," the redhead let out happily, "I mean, Buffy's the slayer- she can take it. And Xander's got a history that kind of suggests that maybe he had it coming to him" Willow laughed, but then quieted, "I don't think I would have been able to forgive myself if I had hurt you though.."

Tara squeezed Willow's hand comfortingly, "You didn't."

"Good."

"Y-yeah."

"Yeah."

Both girls locked gazes and then broke out in laughter.

"Willow!" They heard called out from across the courtyard. Tara turned and saw Buffy shouting for her friend and waving her over. She swallowed hard as she looked at the Slayer.

"Just a sec!" Willow called back, turning her head slightly to face the warrior.

"Y-you should g-go. See w-what's up." Tara added, noting the way that Buffy's eyes studied her.

Willow looked towards her friend and Tara knew she was concerned. Forcing a smile to her face, she calmed her nerves and steadied her voice. "I'll b-be okay. I've gotta get h-home anyways."

"Are you sure?" the redhead asked. Tara nodded, "Mhmm."

"Okay," Willow relented, "I'll see you later?"

"Of c-course."

"Willow!" she heard called again. The redhead rolled her eyes and giggled, "I'd better go. Scooby duty."

The girl pulled her into an embrace, hugging her quickly before letting go of her hand and walking backwards. Willow's eyes stayed on hers as she waved bye, "Night."

Tara smiled dopily, "Night, Will."

As she turned to walk away, her friends voice stopped her short.

"Hey! Um. Did you maybe want to hang out tomorrow?" Willow fiddled with her hands as she asked, "I mean! Like. Not magic training hang out."

Tara beamed.

"Not to say that we should not do magic stuff tomorrow. After, I mean. After school. We can watch a movie or something?"

The redhead smiled hesitantly as she rambled.

Tara felt her heart swell up and her smile widened, "I'd l-like that." She nodded enthusiastically.

"Cool!" Willow smiled, backing up as Xander called out to her. The redhead stumbled into someone behind her, turning to quickly apologize before looking back at the blonde.

"I'll see you then."

And with that, she turned and ran towards Buffy, Xander and Giles. Tara watched her go, giddiness rising in her chest as she did. Tara turned and began walking towards her house, a bounce in her step. She shoved her worry about Oz aside, her encounter with the Slayer, and put everything else that had happened in the day behind her.

Her smile never faltered as she made her way down the streets of Sunnydale, the belief that tomorrow would be a better day guiding her home.

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