~*Part 3*~

Willow and Tara stared at the glowing crystal which had been calm just a few minutes ago.  In the back of her mind Willow knew it had something to do with her and Tara holding the crystal together with all their combined emotion.  They both watched, entranced as the glowing got brighter, and the crystal started to heat up.  Willow instantly dropped the crystal as it burned her hand.  The rose quartz landed on the ground with a thunk, and Tara let go of Willow's arm.

Willow instantly backed up to the opposite side of the room from the door and Tara.  "Willow, I can explain this."  Willow just stared with no reaction.  "This picture, uh...  It was taken last year.  Oz and I...  We knew each other.  We were friends, nothing else."  There was more than friendship in the picture.  Willow didn't believe one word, and Tara knew she didn't.  "Okay.  You're right that's a lie.  I..."

Willow cut her off.  "Tara let me go."

Tara looked into her eyes and realized that if she said anything else, it would only make the problem worse.  She needed Willow to trust her if she was going to do what she came to do.  Tara unlocked the door and stepped aside.  Willow hurried out of the room as fast as she could.

Tara sighed.  Everything was going wrong so far.  Except one thing.  Thank the Goddess she didn't see what was on the other half of the photograph.  The spell book had covered the truth, for now.

******

*Later That Night*

Willow turned in her bed.  She had been trying to fall asleep for the last half hour, but couldn't.  For the last hour she had felt really sick, like she had the flu.  She just needed some rest she convinced herself.

Out of the corner of her mind she realized someone was knocking on the door.  Her first thought was Oz.  But then she remembered Oz was gone.

"I'm coming."  She said weakly and she slowly walked to answer the door.  When she answered, she was surprised to see who was there.  "Tara?"

Tara pushed by.  "Willow I need your help."

Willow barely heard her, and responded a little while later.  "Tara what are you doing here?"  She asked as she rubbed her head and closed the door.

Tara stopped.  "Willow, are you okay?"

"I'm... I'm okay.  I'm not feeling well."

A look of shock went across Tara's face.  "What DO you feel?"

"I don't know.  Weak, like I have the flu, and a stomach ache.  Why?"

"Willow, I can help you."

"What?  Tara what's going on."  Willow was confused.

"I can't explain.  Just let me..."

"Tara.  No."  Willow started feeling a little better.  "I'm not sure what happened today, but I don't know if I trust you anymore.  I think you should leave."

"I'm sorry Willow.  I can't."

Tara put her hands in the air, and started chanting.

Goddess romano Fortuna, invito il thee per contribuire a regolarsi che cosa รจ errato. Dalla vostra saggezza nel destino, prego per aiutare il salice ad essere forte.

Suddenly Willow couldn't feel the ground beneath her feet, as she fell to her knees.  All she was focused on was Tara slowly coming towards her.  Tara was moving her lips towards her.  They both didn't notice the pounding on the door, they were so focused on each other.

"Willow!"  Oz broke through the door, and realized what was going on.  He thought for a split second on making sure she was really in danger, before he broke in.  But decided it was too risky.  He grabbed Willow by the arm pulled her up and they backed up to the wall.  She laid against his chest.  Then, she broke out of the spell.  She then realized who she was looking at.

"Oz?"  She whispered with love, and a lot of emotion.

From across the room Tara realized it too.  "O - oz?"  She asked sounding like she knew him.

"Do I know you?"  Oz wondered aloud.  All of a sudden Willow collapsed in Oz's arms and cried in pain.  Oz lowered her to the ground.  "Willow?  Willow?"

Willow didn't reply as she stared feverishly past him.