Willow lay on her bed in her darkened room. The blinds were closed and the curtains covered them. She liked the dark. Most of the time, it felt comforting. Even though she knew there were things that went bump in the night, it still felt comforting. Right now, was not one of those times.

She had asked herself why she had run out on Tara. Tara was a great girl. Yeah, they had only known each other a couple days. There was just this instant connection. Like they had been meant to be together from the beginning. Was she simply afraid of letting anyone get close?

Heather had been right. They worked side by side, but there had been no hint of friendship between the two. It was strictly business. Suddenly, there was this person in her life that could become so much more. Even more than what Oz had meant to her. What was she going to do?


Tara was lying on her bed. Her room was only lit by the string of lights she had hung. It felt as if her heart was breaking. Why had she fallen so fast for this girl? She had been attracted to other women before. But this was an instant bond. It was if their two souls were meant to be together, forever.

Another tear strolled done Tara's cheek. She hadn't really stopped crying since Willow had left. When she had left, it had felt like a part of her had been ripped out. Willow was her hero, after all. She is the one that had saved her from a vampire.

Vampire! 'I wonder what else is out there in this world. Willow said that anything that you could imagine was real. I wish she were here. She would know how to protect me. Or we could do a spell together to protect each other.' Tara sighed. 'Will she ever come back?'


A few hours later, there was a knock at Tara's door. Slowly, she got off the bed. Without even asking, she opened the door. Willow was standing there.

"Hey," Willow tried to smile. Tara turned her head and stared at the floor. "I know I don't have the right to ask, but can I come in." Tara looked up. She motioned for her to come in. "Thanks." Willow walked to the center of the room. She turned to face Tara. "I just want you to know, it wasn't you that made me run out like that."

Tara came a little closer. "W-what was it?"

Willow sighed. "I've been trying to figure that out all day. First, I thought it was because I kissed you. I've never had feelings for a woman before. That kinda frightened me." Tara nodded, completely understanding. "But I think that's only a small part of it." She stepped closer. "I don't know if you remember what Heather said.."

"Y-you mean about the fact that you two aren't even a little close?" Tara tried to smile.

Nodding, Willow said, "yes, exactly. I know I told you about my friends and what happened, but I think it's time I showed you what I wanted to show you before." Willow stepped closer. "There is a very good reason that I don't let myself get close to others. That leads to pain. Pain is something I don't deal with well. If you are willing, I'll show you what I mean by that."

"I-if you want me to, I'll go." Tara hesitated. "I really want us to at least be f-friends. I-it's been a long time since I had one."

"Me too." Willow took her hand. "We'll have to walk a little bit, but come with me."


Twenty minutes later, they were standing in a cemetery. Willow had taken her to the one that Buffy, Xander, and Oz were all buried next to each other. Tara read the names and dates on the headstones.

"This happened only six months ago." Tara looked at the pain in Willow's eyes.

"I come here every Sunday. I'm not sure why. It doesn't really help. The pain is still there. Some days more so than others."

"Is this what you wanted to show me?" Tara asked. "Y-you already told me about this."

Willow shook her head. "There's more." Willow took Tara's hand and lead her to a burnt object. "This used to be a thirty foot tree." Tara gasped. "I kinda lost control of my powers one day. I had been trying to float something, just to take my mind off the deaths. That's when this tree suddenly exploded. Now all that's left is a foot tall blackened stick."

Tara looked at Willow in awe. "Y-you d-did this?" Willow nodded. "Without even trying?" Again, Willow nodded. "You are even more powerful than I thought.

A small smile crept onto Willow's face. "That's part of why I came to the wicca group. I was looking for somebody else that had real power and knowledge. I really need to learn to keep control of myself. I wouldn't want this happening to, you know, a person."

"I-I'm not sure if I'm the right person. My mother taught me, until she died last year. But I don't have near the power that you do."

Willow took both her hands in hers. "I think you are selling yourself short. I can feel the energy you have. It's a power I've never felt before. But you keep it in control." She pointed at the former tree. "I've done other things as well. This is the only thing I can show you. There isn't anything to show of the other times." Willow shuddered at the last thought.

"You still think I-I'm the one that can help you?" Willow nodded. "I guess, if that's what you think we should do." She looked at Willow. "W-What about t-the other part?"

"Other part?" Willow asked. Tara smiled shyly at her. "Oh, the other part!" Willow's cheeks reddened. "I've thought about that. In some ways, I think that's what I've always wanted. There was Oz, but.." She smiled. "There's this connection I find with women that I don't with men. I'm sure you understand." Tara nodded, her cheeks now reddening. "I'm not sure I fought it or that I just simply didn't realize that part of me. Not until I met you. It feels like you are awakening me from some type of nightmare. One that was filled with hurt, loss, and nothingness. It feels like I'm beginning to learn to live again."

Tara smiled. "Y-you really think so?"

Willow laughed. "I said a lot of words again to put a small point across." Willow shook her head. "Do you know how good it feels to laugh. I mean, really laugh. I feel like I'm not just going through the motions. At least not when you're around."

"S-so, you m-mean?" Tara laughed nervously.

"I mean, if you want."

"Oh yes!

Willow pulled Tara close to her. She looked into her eyes for a moment. Than slowly, she leaned in. Tara did the same. Their lips touched. It was like fireworks were going off. Neither realized that they were floating in the air.


a/n thanks for yet more reviews! I'll try to keep these coming but with Christmas, it's a busy time. I also have another project I'm working on. I'll try my best.