Chapter Forty-Two

"Potential"

A/N Oh man, it's been a while, yes for me 10 days is a while, I don't care. This episode is basically the same except Tara is gonna do most of the things Willow would've done in this one. As I've decided she'd still be sulking after the last one. Almost killing Xander and the others has taken its toll on the group a little bit.

Sunnydale, the world without shrimp 2003

Tara, Dawn and Andrew were sitting around the table in the dining room, various ingredients scattered over the table in order to be counted out and added to a big pot beside the stove. They were planning to do the spell to find the next potential slayer but each person present had something other than magic on their minds. Tara was worrying about Willow, after the spell Amy put on her last week, she hasn't been the same Willow. Almost killing her friends and reverting back to the darkness she'd felt the summer before was almost making her sick. She hadn't even wanted to get dressed that morning. And she'd also insisted on staying in her and Tara's dorm at UCSD, so she'd be out of the way and wouldn't hurt anyone else, especially with the potentials back in the house.

Dawn was also missing Willow's presence in the house, and she could tell how much Tara needed her to feel better, but there was also a feeling of jealousy rushing around her mind. All the potentials got to train together and chat and they all had something in common, whereas she felt none of that - no one understood what it was like to be on the outside. To be looking in one everyone, knowing what they know but not being able to help or anyone noticing that she could help. She thought Xander might understand, but he'd been Buffy's best friend for so long he wasn't overlooked anymore, and he was always fixing everything. People needed him, they didn't need her - she was just the sister, Buffy ignored. She guessed this was slightly selfish so refrained from moaning to anyone about it. Maybe Tara would listen - well obviously she would listen, she's Tara but she's so preoccupied with Willow at the moment, my things seem less important.

Andrew was sulking because Buffy hadn't let him go on the patrol with her and Spike - he was useful for things, he used to be a master criminal. Ok, maybe not 'master' criminal, but he'd been pretty dangerous in his time. He knew a thing or two about demons, there was certainly stuff in his head that could help with the monster fighting.

Tara was sitting beside the fire, tossing various ingredients they'd gathered for the spell - including but not limited to, a snakeskin, a piece of tumbleweed and one hard boiled egg. That when thrown into the flame caused a great smell to erupt heavily into the room. Causing each one of them to recoil and start coughing as the sulfur stink moved further into the air.

"Why does burnt egg smell so bad?" Anya asked as she brought her hand up to pinch her nose and keep the smell at bay. Tara looked over and just shook her head, as a bright golden light began to float in front of them over the coffee table.

"It still looks like it's working though, look." Tara replied pointing towards the spectacle that was about to happen. As Dawn walked towards the door to let out the awful smell, the light rushed towards her at a full speed - pelting her against the door. Her back almost crunching as the light passed right through her, it wasn't as bright as Tara had expected but it was still something, and it showed them that Dawn was a potential slayer.

In her heard it made a little sense, if Dawn was made from Buffy, then it would be kinda logical that some of the powers she possessed would be carried over. That slayer strength was something deep inside her, deep inside the blood that made both of them. Dawn could be a slayer. It was a new piece of information that none of them could quite handle. Barely Dawn herself could handle it. Somehow Dawn was seeing every side to this, maybe Buffy would pay her more attention now - or would she see her as a threat?

As Tara went home that night, Dawn had discovered Amanda was the potential and all had been settled and worked out - she just needed to tell Willow the whole story. And make sure she was alright, she hadn't rung to say that she was in any danger or anything so she should be ok. As she swung the door open, she saw Willow sitting on the edge of their bed, dressed, clearly awaiting Tara's arrival. But this was the first time she'd seen her girlfriend out of bed all week, things were looking up - it seemed?

"Sweetie, you're up?" Tara asked cautiously, not wanting to ruin any progress Willow might've built up during the day. But for the first time in a week, Willow looked up at her and smiled sweetly, taking the blonde's hand and running her fingers over it tracing patterns.

"Yes, I am. I just missed you so much today, and I figured I can't have that again so I think it's about time I came back to the group. I think they must miss me." Tara smiled at that moment, pressing their lips together in a gentle kiss she sealed their love together.

"Really? You m-mean it, you're ok." Tara replied pulling away from her, for the first time in ages she'd stuttered but it was such a surprise she couldn't quite believe it. She internally cursed herself for letting the words slip out, she knew how to control her nerves, they hadn't gotten to her for almost a year now. But somehow they were still there embedded. But Willow's gentle hand over hers and caressing fingers down the side of her face reassured her that the dark magic deep inside Willow was bedded down. For now...

"Yes, baby I'm fine, I was being a baby before. But I can't believe what I did to them - to Xander, it's going to be another thing, seeing them again. I know it hasn't been long but they might not want me back you know." Willow said nervously, starting to bite her nails, a habit she'd continued. Now it was Tara's turn to comfort, she pressed a kiss to Willow's temple and told her everything would work out and that it would always be awkward or wrong but if she wanted her friends in her life, the quicker they could all go back to normal. Well as normal as life on the Hellmouth ever could be.