Title: Finding Me

Author: Mana - Anislayerx@aol.com

Summary:  Tara has become Willow's good friend, but she's hiding something.

What is it?

Rating: PG, may get higher, I don't know.

Feedback:  I'm just shooting out fic lately huh?  I hope I'll be able to finish this one, since its not a song-story.  So, I need feedback, and make sure I don't get lazy and never finish this.  That's what you guys are for.

;)

Disclaimer: Willow and Oz belong to Joss, and each other, forever.  The title of this story is owed to the awesome band Vertical Horizon.  And after you read this story, then read the lyrics, it'll make sense to you.

Dedication:  TO THE WONDERFUL WILLOW AND OZ.  MAY YOU FIND EACH OTHER ONCE AGAIN.

Distribution:  OZMIA, go ahead.  Anyone else, ask first.

*~Part 1~*

"So, I'll... I'll see you tomorrow?"

Willow smiled.  "Of course.  We still have a lot of things we can still do with the new spell book you found."

Tara nodded and opened the door letting Willow out of her room.  As Willow walked down the hall, she watched her and slowly slid the door shut.  Tara leaned back against the door, closed her eyes, and slid to the floor.

She looked around her room.  "When am I going to be able to tell her?"

She got up and opened her desk drawer and took out the one of two items she had from her childhood.  The other item was a rose quartz that Willow and she had been using lately for different spells.  But this item was different, this item contained her whole soul, and Willow could never see it.  Not yet anyway, the time wasn't right.

Tara stared at the faded photograph.  "I miss you," she whispered.  "I need your courage.  I need your help.  I can't do this."  She closed her eyes, and a single tear came streaming down her face.

******

When she finally fell asleep she found herself dreaming.  Except this wasn't one of one of her usual dreams she could control.  This was like a nightmare.  Faces were zooming in on her with voices she recognized, but the faces were distorted.

She cried into the darkness.  "Leave me alone!  I can't help you!"

"Then you'll die."  Echoed throughout the darkness.

"I don't care anymore."

"But you promised."  Echoed in her head again.  Then the voice changed. "Honey, I know you're scared.  But you know I'm counting on you.  I need you to help me."

Tara cried and lay in the person's lap.  "I'm not strong enough.  I'm not as strong as you."

The person stroked her head softly.  "You are, and you have to be.  You are a part of me."

******

Tara awoke from her dream and sat straight up.  She slowly looked toward the glowing rose quartz on her desk.  She knew what she had to do.