I'm using the song "Whiskey Lullaby" by Brad Paisley and Allison Kraus for this section. I don't own the song. I think it's appropriate for this part.

Willow found herself in a park. I think I've been here before. This is by the house. She saw the great lake and few trees that littered the park. It was a bright day, minus the thick, white clouds that were in the sky. She walked over to the swing set and sat in one. She rocked her feet slightly, allowing herself to move with the slight breeze. The sun found its way from behind the cumulus clouds. As she glanced up, she noticed someone standing at the rail that wasn't before. A girl, bright blonde hair, and a flowing yellow dress with a blue corset. I've only seen one person wear that, Willow thought as she found herself running toward the woman. She slowed herself as she closed in, not wanting to seem dumb if it wasn't who she thought. She stood beside the woman, staring at her. "Tara?" The woman turned to Willow and smiled.

"I thought it was going to take you forever to get to me, Willow." Willow hugged Tara as hard as she could.

"I can't believe it's you! I've missed you so much, Baby. Please, don't leave me again."
"My leaving isn't the issue," Tara said, almost angry sounding.

"Th-then what is?" Willow looked at her lover, teary-eyed and confused.

"You leaving me."

"Why would I leave you?" Willow sobbed.

"Because of me." Willow turned toward the voice she heard. The tall, skinny brunette was standing a few feet away, and obviously pissed off.

"Kennedy."

Willow awoke with a jolt. She looked beside her and saw Kennedy, still passed out. She lied on her back looking at the ceiling, wondering why she had just now dreamt of Tara. Buffy dreamt about Spike almost a week earlier. And Xander, too. Why was it being different to her? Then she remembered the conversation she and Kennedy had had, and it made sense. Not just the situation about the dream, but the dream itself. If Tara came back, I would have to choose. I would have to choose between Kennedy and Tara. As soon as she thought it, she knew which she would choose without hesitation.

Buffy awoke to her alarm going off. Wednesday morning. She rolled out of bed and Oooh! Buffy remembered, today's school day ends at noon! This is great! Today was the last day school. Graduation was two days away, but school ended today. She was surprised to have found a sudden spring in her step. She walked into the bathroom, thankful the girls had already finished and were in their rooms getting dressed. I think I'll fix up a bit today. She brushed her hair thoroughly and used the curling iron to put some big waves into her usually flat hair. She thought about the clothes she was going to wear and fixed her make up accordingly. Pinkish lips, light brown eye shadow. She smiled as she walked into her room and pulled on her pink halter top and dark blue jeans. She slipped on a pair of stylish-yet-affordable brown boots, and looked at herself in the mirror. Damn, Buffy, you look good! She hadn't felt like this in a while. She bounced down the stairs and started to get things out for sandwiches. Forget this. School's out at noon. They won't have lunch anyway! The clock said it was almost 7:30. "Girls! Come on! Don't wanna be late for the last day of school." As soon as it was out of her mouth, doors opened and footsteps were on the stairs. She was at the door before the first girl was down. As Dawn passed her, Buffy held the keys out.

"What're these for?" Dawn asked grumpily.

"You? Driving?" she offered. "But if you're going to go Grumpy on me, you can forget it." Buffy began to walk away, but she felt a hand on her arm.

"Okay! I was up a while reading. I'm happy to drive though." Dawn almost had to force a smile to her lips. She actually looked at what her sister was wearing and said, "Damn, Buffy. You look great!" with a real smile. She hasn't seen Buffy looking this good in over a year. Though they had gone to clubs, she hadn't actually seen Buffy put forth effort to look well. Either she or Willow had to do it to her.
"Dawn, language. And thank you. I'm in a surprisingly good mood. Bye, Angel! We'll be back around one!" she called. She knew he was in the basement, as he had been since Sunday night. She also had a strong feeling he only slept whenever someone wasn't in the house.

The drive to the school wasn't bad. Dawn could drive surprisingly well given that Buffy had only let her a few times. "Who taught you to drive, Dawnie?"

"Willow," she lied. Spike had. But she wasn't going to tell that to Buffy.

"Remind me to thank her for being such a good teacher."

Xander had just taken his lunch break. He sat on the stairs of his office trailer. Such a nice day to be at work, he thought sarcastically. He looked at his watch. Little after noon. He didn't have to be back at the site until one. He looked down at his sandwich. Something caught his eye right and his head darted up. He saw what caught his eye. A girl, blonde, wearing red, standing on a hill above his site. "Anya?" he whispered. He stood as soon as he saw her. She began walking away. He ran toward the woman, hoping, praying it was his precious Anya. As he reached to where he last saw her, she was gone. He continued walking, feeling like he should keep in this direction. Where is she? I know I saw her. It has to be her! He wondered mindlessly, looking for the woman that looked like his lost love. I can't lose her again. He walked and found himself in the park near Buffy and Willow's houses. He had been here, but only in his dream. Under a tree, he saw a couple singing and playing a guitar. He recognized the song. It had just come out not too long ago. He sat on a bench and listened.

She put him out like the burnin' end of a midnight cigarette
She broke his heart, he spent his whole life tryin' to forget
We watched him drink his pain away a little at a time
But he never could get drunk enough to get her off his mind
Until the night…

Buffy watched the clock as it slowly moved toward noon. This is taking way too long. She moved from behind her desk and walked into the main office lobby. The rest of the office had done as she had. Waiting for the last bell of the school year to ring made them as anxious as the students. They chattered lightly, awaiting their freedom. Wood walked from his office, locking his door. A grin spread across his face as he saw Buffy.

"You look, well, good," he complimented, "you know, from one colleague to another."

"Thanks, Wood," she smiled back.

"Anxious to leave?"

"You know it. You?"

"And get back to a house full of teenagers? It's better than a school full of them," he laughed lightly at his joke. Buffy pulled her purse onto her shoulder. 5, 4, 3, 2, RIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIING. Doors across the campus opened simultaneously. Everyone rushed from them, practically running down the halls, eager to get out quicker. Buffy saw Dawn and called to her. Dawn bounced over asking what she wanted. Buffy handed Dawn her purse. Confusion lit up the younger sister's face.

"I'm going to go for a walk. I'm gonna meet Willow at the shop. Run by the butcher's for Angel, and make sure the girls get home or to the shop." Dawn smiled and blurted out a million 'thank you's a second. Buffy followed Dawn to the car and told her that she was also going to stop by Selena's before heading home. She waved to the girls as they drove off to get lunch for themselves and then for Angel. She began walking toward the store. The streets were crowded with cars. Most schools were out now, plus the business people were out on their lunch break. She got close to the shop, but heard music. It was faint, coming from the park. She followed her eyes, realizing that her Slayer senses must have heard it over the busy traffic. She recognized the song. It always made her sad, whenever she heard it on the radio. Whoever was singing this time was doing a very good job. She was in the park faster than she realized where she was. She noticed 'her tree' was occupied by the singing duo. She found another tree close by and leaned against it as she listened.

The rumors flew but nobody knew how much she blamed herself
For years and years she tried to hide the whiskey on her breath
She finally drank her pain away a little at a time
But she never could get drunk enough to get him off her mind
Until the night…

Willow saw Buffy at the corner near the store. Willow knew they were supposed to meet for lunch. But what she couldn't figure out was why Buffy suddenly turned in the opposite direction and practically started running. Willow told Kennedy to watch the store for a minute and that she was going out. She followed Buffy, but she wasn't quick enough. She called to her friend, but it seemed like she was in a type of trance. Though Buffy was quick, she slowed and Willow was able to at least catch up. She realized she was at the park. Tired from chasing her friend, she sat down in a swing, watching other kids play and rejoice at the first day of their summer vacation.

She smiled to herself and finally heard what Buffy must have. There were a few people singing by a tree. She couldn't see who it was, but their voices blended well. She swung with the slight breeze, and listened to the voices.

She put that bottle to her head and pulled the trigger
And finally drank away his memory
Life is short, but this time it was bigger
Than the strength she had to get up off her knees
We found her with her face down in the pillow
Clinging to his picture for dear life

We laid her next to him beneath the willow

While the angels sang a whiskey lullaby

Tears fell from their eyes as they listened to the words that expressed their hearts' feelings.