Chapter 6
"So did it work?" asked Giles. He was pacing up and down the Magic Box.
"I'm not sure. And I don't think we can be until we see Willow," replied Tara. She hoped it had worked. Even if she were still a vampire at lease it would mean she had a soul. Unfortunately, like Angel she would lose it if she ever experienced a moment of perfect happiness. They didn't know how to give Willow back her soul without that claus. If they had tried to change the spell and get rid of the claus there was no telling what affect it would of had on Willow.
As she finished her sentence the door to the magic shop swung open. Willow stood in the doorway, she was still dressed head to toe in leather and she was hugging herself. She looked at the group. She realized Tara was there.
"I'm sorry," Willow tried to say to the group. It came out as a pitiful whisper. She started to cry. "What have I done?!"
Giles was the first to move. He walked up to her and hugged her. "Welcome back." He sat her down in a chair. Tara came over and the pair hugged.
"Thank you," said Willow. She knew it had been Tara who had given her back her soul. She doubted any of the others would have been able to do the spell. Tara was a powerful witch, Willow was proud of her. She hugged Tara again and didn't want to let go. She felt safe in Tara's arms. Willow finally prized herself off Tara and sat back down. She looked over at Xander. He was staring at the floor, trying to avoid eye contact with her.
Oh my god, he couldn't even look at me. I don't blame him. If he had done to Tara what I did to poor Anya… Oh my god, I can't believe what is happening!
It hurt Willow so much that Xander couldn't even look at her. Xander was her closest friend, and he probably hated her. She didn't blame him, she hated herself. She moved her hand towards Xander but he backed off.
"You killed Anya, Willow. I don't think things can ever be the same between us again."
For the first time Xander looked at her. Willow could see the pain in his eyes and she had to look away. She was never going to be able to look into those eyes again without thinking of the pain she had caused him. It was right then that she knew she couldn't stay in Sunnydale. She had to go, and as soon as possible.
"Xander I…" Willow couldn't finish her sentence. She didn't know what to say. What could she say? Sorry? After what she had done, it just wasn't enough and she knew it. Xander was right, nothing would ever be the same again.
Willow ran out of the shop, she ran as fast as she could. And with her vampire speed, that was pretty fast. She carried on running, she didn't know where she was going. She just knew she needed to get away from the magic shop and everyone in it. She carried on running until she was exhausted. When she could run no more she finally stopped and she realized she was in the park. She sat down on one of the swings.
The pain was just too much, she should never of come back. She needed to talk to someone who knew what she was going through. She went home and packed some of her belongings.
"Bye Tara," The two witches hugged. Tara was crying. She had only just found Willow and now she was losing her again. She loved Willow more then life itself. The time she had spent without her had been unbearable, she didn't know how she was going to be able to do it again. Willow needs to do this, she reminded herself.
Willow then moved onto to Giles. "Bye Giles,"
"You know you don't have to go Willow," he told her. He didn't want her to go. Sure she was a vampire, but a vampire with a soul, and she was still Willow. He was going to miss her deeply.
"Yes I do. I need to sort myself out, and I can't do that here," she replied.
"Will you come back?" Giles asked.
With a pained expression Willow answered, "I really don't know." She moved onto Spike. "Bye Spike, thank you for you did in the crypt."
"No problem Red," he answered. He looked at the pained vampire. It was such a shame, she wouldn't be able to grow old, have a normal life… Just like he hadn't. The thought saddened him. He had always though he would be able to watch the group grow old together. Now Buffy and Anya were dead, and Willow was stuck with eternal youth. Which from experience he knew was not as glamorous as it sounded.
Willow hugged him. "Look after these two for me."
"Only until you get back," he replied.
Willow smiled and then went to Xander. "I know what I did is unforgivable, but I am sorry."
"Bye Willow." Xander hadn't even looked up. It hurt her.
Xander couldn't look at her. The vampire who had murdered Anya. Even though she didn't have a soul at the time he couldn't bring himself to forgive her. One-day maybe, but not now.
Picking up her suitcase Willow took one last look at the group. "Bye guys. I'll miss you all." Then she walked out of the shop and didn't look back. Tears started to role down her cheek.
"I have to go."
"But why?"
"Edward,….they gave me a soul"
Edward was so shocked for a moment he couldn't say anything. "When…"
"Last night. And soul equals big guilt trip, so I need to sort things out." She walked up to her Sire and kissed him on the cheek. "Goodbye Edward."
"Goodbye Willow," he knew it was pointless trying to stop her going. But he also knew that they would see each other again at some point. Eternity was a long time.
Willow picked up her suitcase and walked out of the house. Her pace soon quickened.
"Goodbye Sunnydale," she whispered.
