Are you real?

San Francisco, California 2004

"Oh hey guys, I'm back with-" Willow immediately stopped talking when she came face to face with Tara's sleeping frame on the couch. Everyone else had decided lunch was a good idea and they were all sitting around the table eating sandwiches and discussing quite how they were going to tell Willow. But the redhead was back early from Kennedy's, apparently with Kennedy and now there was a situation arising.

Willow's feet came to a screeching halt, almost knocking Kennedy to the ground as she walked into her girlfriend's back. Tara stirred a little, turning over in her sleep but not waking. She'd thought a nap would be a good idea whilst she waited for Willow to return home. Willow's jaw dropped open, she dropped her keys on the floor, then her eyes rolled to the back of her skull and her shoulders were so very suddenly colliding with the carpet in a thud.

The noise broke Tara's rest and she sat up violently to find a crowd around Willow's fainted body and a brunette she didn't recognise, looking rather confused. "Will?" Tara said, her voice cracking slightly from sleeping. Willow awoke and sat up with help from Buffy and Xander, her legs were stretched out in front of her and she was rubbing her head.

"Guys, I just had the strangest dream..." She began to say before her eyes locked with a pair of deep blue ones, Tara's eyes. Willow began pointing and making small indistinguishable sounds from the back of her throat. Then with a light cough she crawled towards where Tara was sitting. One of Willow's hand went to her forehead the other to her side, stroking the blonde hair she found behind an ear as she gulped and gazed upwards at her lost love. "A-Are you real?" She said in utter disbelief, she could still be dreaming, but everything about her was so real, her skin was still so soft, her eyes just as deep and meaningful, her smell, the tone of her voice. She was Tara, in the flesh.

"Yes baby I'm real. I'm right here." Tara replied trying not to choke up, she was trying to be calm and collected as so not to startle Willow, but it was hard. She just wanted to pull Willow in and not let her go, comfort her and never let her go again. Tell her she loved her. Willow peered upwards and did the only thing she had the motive for at that point. Pressing their lips together in a kiss was the only way to prove she was back for real unless this was like the deal with Cordy. Back for a day and whatnot.

Then there was a few loud interruptery coughs from the people behind her, most of all Kennedy, who rushed forward to pull Willow up. "Care to explain." She said, holding Willow by the arms. Willow glanced over at Buffy first before addressing Kennedy though. Mouthing a 'thank you' as she realised what Buffy must have done for her, they'd talk and she'd thank her properly later but she needed Buffy to know how grateful she was.

Turning back and meeting Kennedy's warm chocolate eyes Willow gave a soft smile and held onto her cheek, but whimpering a little. "Kennedy, this is Tara." She said turning them around the face the blonde, who may have had her arms folded over her chest and a look of tainted jealousy that made the rest of the Scoobies back onto the balcony, and letting the three of them work something out. Tara tried to smile kindly but she just wanted Willow, and ok maybe she was a little jealous that seemingly Willow had found someone else. But she got it, Willow'd been alone, for two years without her, it would be cruel to just expect her to mope around all that time, it just wouldn't be fair.

Kennedy had gasped upon realising this was Tara, she'd seen the pictures obviously but she hadn't really stopped to think this was a possibility. She knew deep down that their whole relationship had been a rebound, Willow had seeked comfort during the battle and she'd needed somebody for support. Kennedy could see she was always going to be second, Willow's heart belonged to Tara. She'd never even pushed for an 'I love you' because she knew the pain it would bring the redhead to try and move her heart on. They had a bond deeper than time and she could see it, that and the hole Tara's death had left in Willow, and the fear.

Kennedy backed away slightly from her girlfriend. She knew whatever they'd shared however brief was to be over. So she would go without a fight, surrender and give Willow back, it felt like she was only borrowing her anyway. Willow's eyes questioned the move, she could see Kennedy knew it was over between them, but she wanted to make sure Kennedy knew just how much the comfort had meant to her during the darkness she'd had to go through and then the overarching light of the slayer activation spell.

"Ken, wait a minute." Willow said treading over to her turning back. Willow bent down a little and left a kiss on her cheek, "thank you, I don't know what I would've done without you last year, you really pulled me back into the light." She said fleetingly before making to join Tara on the couch when Kennedy lifted her hand towards her cheek.

"Willow, you're a goddess ok, it was my pleasure to know you." Then the brunette crossed the threshold of the apartment one final time and left, turning a little before smiling and whispering goodbye. It would make Tara smile to know that her love was in good hands whilst she was away.

"Goddess eh? I should try that one out." Tara said when Willow slumped down beside her on the tired couch. Willow smiled, lacing her hands through Tara's and breathing a faint sigh of relief that she had found her happiness again. The tears would hit her later, for now she just wanted to be near her love and make sure she was alright. She'd gathered the others had told Tara what had happened since she'd been gone, maybe not about the darkness. In time she would. She wanted to sugar coat the first few days at least.

"Ahh well, you should've seen me, I was amazing." Willow replied with a little chuckle, she'd missed Tara's half smiles and eyebrow quirks, and the flirting. Tara flirting was just the best. She snuggled into her honey's shoulder, nestling in the droops of honey coloured hair, taking in the freshness of the smell that still lingered on her blanket.

"Can we come back in now?" Dawn called from the balcony, she wanted to see Tara too, she'd missed her and even though it was important her and Willow do some talking. She wanted to see Tara, she wanted a Tara-hug.

"Yeah sure." Willow replied nudging over as Dawn sat in between the witches, her head falling where Willow's had been moments ago and basking in the gentle warmth everyone seemed to be emitting. Dawn snuggled down into Tara, happy her favourite aunt was back in the house. Ok so there'd been a big fight wagering in her head about who really was her favourite, it always used to be Willow, but Tara had really been there after Willow went a bit, well dark so.

"Hey Dawnie. I love you too." Willow looked up expectantly, she wanted the Tara love too, so there was much pointing at her chest and eyebrow quirking. "Yes Willow I love you too." Tara finally said gripping Willow's hand over Dawn's lap.