Willow was in bed still. It was Saturday morning. Two days after the funeral. And Faith's arrival. Tara was snuggled up closely. Faith was using Willow's old dorm room for the time being. Willow's mind was full of the possibilities. Was Buffy really inside Faith? And if so, for how long. Plus, they needed to find out what Spike was up to. With him on the loose, things could get very ugly.
Tara stretched as she finally woke up. The two had had a long night. They were busy researching spells and also letting their relationship grow. "Morning," Tara smiled sweetly at her girlfriend. "I'm surprised you're already awake."
Willow smiled. "Busy head. Too much going on." She kissed Tara on the forehead. "Just not sure what's happening."
Tara looked up at her. "Y-you're not sorry about us, are you?" Tara rolled over and started to get out of bed.
Willow quickly grabbed her arm. She gently pulled her back into bed. "There's only one thing in this world I'm sure of right now, and that is you." This time, she kissed her on the lips. "I still have a long way to go, but with you by my side, I feel I can do anything."
Tara smiled as she lay her head on Willow's stomach. "I-I have to admit. I was afraid that you weren't s-sure if you wanted a relationship."
Willow let out a small laugh. "Listen to me. Before you came along, I didn't even want contact with anyone. The only reason I went to the wicca meeting was in hopes of finding someone to help me learn about the magicks. I can feel them flowing inside me. And I've seen what I'm capable of. It's really scary."
"B-but you're doing better now. Y-you didn't try anything when Spike, well S-spike did to Heather." Tara sighed. "Although I c-could feel the power in you. I-it is kinda scary."
Willow stroked the blonde's hair. "It's very scary. To know that I have all this power that could accidentally be unleashed on some innocent person. Now Spike..." Tara sat up quickly at this comment. "Sorry, baby. I was only kidding. I will only use my powers against Spike as a last resort. After all, Faith/Buffy is now in the picture. I think. I hope she's here for the good. I still can't figure out how Buffy got inside Faith."
"A-are you really sure you w-won't try anything with Spike?" Willow nodded. "I-I worry about you so much. I-I don't know h-how you deal with all the evil stuff you do. Y-you could so get h-hurt."
A sigh escaped Willow. "Someone has got to fight the baddies. I'm just trying to do what Buffy and the gang died doing. There is more evil out there than good. We just have to try and balance it out. If not conquer it." Willow took Tara's hand in hers. "With you by my side, I think that we could very easily do that." She looked at the clock. "I hate to say this, but we have to get out of bed to actually fight the baddies. Besides, we're supposed to meet Faith at my room. Half an hour ago."
Faith paced around the dorm room. She never did like being caged up. She looked at the clock again. 'Why are they so late,' she thought. 'Maybe they found something.' There was a knock on the door. She quickly opened it. A very tall muscular blonde was standing there.
"Uh, is Willow here?" He smiled at her.
"Not right now." Faith looked him up and down. "Can I help you with something?"
The guy shrugged. "I was just looking for Willow. I'm the teacher's assistant in her psychology class. Has she ever mentioned Riley?"
Faith shook her head. "But than I've only been in town for a couple days. She's, uh, been staying with a friend." She thought, 'who is this guy and what does he want. Maybe he doesn't know Willow likes the ladies now.' Another voice entered her mind. 'Grow up Faith. So Willow is gay. You can put it in nicer terms.' 'B, would you leave me alone.' 'Not until I know that you are really going to be good. That's the only reason I'm back. I didn't want to see you hurt Willow. She's been through more than enough in one lifetime.' 'I agree. I really am good. I'm gonna take out Spike to prove it. By myself.' 'That's good. Go all rogue slayer again. Let Willow help you. And Tara.'
"Uh, Miss?" Riley stood staring at Faith.
Faith shook her head. "Sorry, got a lot on my mind. Listen, if it's important, Willow was supposed to be here this morning. She's running a little late. If you want, you can wait in here for her."
Riley nodded and walked in. Before Faith could shut the door, she saw Willow and Tara walk around the corner, hand in hand. Willow was smiling. Tara was whispering something in her ear. Faith looked at Riley. 'Sorry, buddy, but definitely no chance with Willow.'
"Hey, Faith," Willow called as she entered her old dorm room. "Sorry we're..." She stopped as she saw Riley smiling at her. His smile turned quickly into a frown as he saw that she was still holding hands with Tara. "Riley!"
"Sorry to drop in on you." Riley looked from Tara to Willow. "You seemed to be getting along better. I thought I'd stop and see if you wanted to talk about anything. Obviously, you've found someone else." Riley quickly made his way to the door.
"I'm sorry, Riley. But I thought I was clear when I said I was all right." Riley turned to look at Willow. "This all happened after you tried to help. Really, I'm fine. But I really appreciate the concern."
"You're welcome." Riley turned and left.
"So, Will, what was that all about. Did that beef stick come on to you or what?" Faith smiled at the witch.
Tara quickly let go of Willow's hand. Her face turned a bright shade of red. "Faith! Shut up!" Willow sighed. "If you really want the 411, he did try asking me out. But that was after I met Tara. And before we started seeing one another."
Tara looked at Willow. "Y-you mean.."
"I mean, I gladly chose you over him." Willow gave Tara a hug. Willow gave her a kiss on her red cheeks. "I will always choose you over anyone else."
Faith coughed. "Sorry to interrupt your little lovefest, but I have some news about the whole Buffy being in my head thing."
"You do?" Willow shook her head. "We were up half the night trying to figure that out."
"And what were you doing the other half?" Faith smiled as both turned beet red. 'Faith!' the familiar voice rang in her head. 'Can't you be serious?' "Sorry B." Willow and Tara gave her a look. "Sorry. B's doing that talking in my head thing. It gets kinda confusing. But she also has more info than we do."
"Anything is more than we do." Willow sighed.
"B says that she only came back to protect you." Willow bowed her head. "She's been watching you. She's been very worried. So when I showed up, she decided to make sure I was a good little girl. So I'll be helping you two with your Spike situation. Only when she's satisfied that I'll keep being a good girl will she get out of my head."
Willow smiled. "Buffy was always a good friend. Guess she still is." The phone rang. "Who would be calling me here? Only three people know this number." She quickly answered the phone. "Hello?"
"Willow? Cordelia here. Got some not so good news. Spike is in Sunnydale."
Willow laughed. "Tell me something I don't know."
"I know why he's there. And you're at the top of the list."
a/n kinda got away from the whole Tara/Willow relationship a little. I still want it to focus on them, unless somebody has any suggestions for me. Feel free to comment. Still feeling my way around. Hope you guys are enjoying.