Ladybard chapter 13, by Slayergirl.

Still got the tissues around?

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Estrellita carried Willow as though she was weightless. There was no sign of life, but Estrellita laid her on the bed in the room adjoining Buffy and Spike's former and present home. "She needs to rest," she said as she led them away.

"But – she's…"

"Sleeping, Lady. She's merely sleeping."

"But – I thought…"

"In your dimension, she is dead. Here, she is asleep. She will remain here and be healed and happy again. As will you," she smiled at them. "You have suffered much."

"You mean we're not going back? Ever?" Spike asked.

Estrellita smiled at him. "If I have business in your world, you may come with me. The Sorceress may not, as she is dead to your world."

"But Connor…?"

"Never really died. As I said, I saved him, that the prophecy might be fulfilled."

"Oh."

"But if I must go to your world, you may come with me and visit your loved ones – the Key, the Ladybard, the Watcher, the Souled One, the Faithful."

"The Faithful?"

"Xander," translated Buffy.

"Oh! Right. The Faithful. Good name. But, let me get this right, this is our permanent home?"

Estrellita nodded. "For all eternity. You found each other, and true love. And the Ladybard has at long last come into being. Your fight is over. Others must carry on."

They felt a twinge of sadness at leaving their friends, Dawn, and their daughter. But in their hearts, they knew it was right.

Buffy sat often by Willow, who lay as if dead. She told her fairy- stories, sometimes reading out Spike's latest poem. Sometimes Spike would sit with her, waiting silently for a change.

Buffy sat with her one evening as soft rain fell against the windows. The air was fresh and sweet, and there was a sense of vibrancy. She was telling the story of Sleeping Beauty, as she often did. There was still no flicker of life. She sighed, and bent down to kiss the cool forehead as she always did.

"Tara?" her voice was soft and drowsy. Her eyes were still closed, but there was a smile on her face. There was a faint pulse, and she was breathing.

Buffy felt a touch on her hand. "Leave her now," said Estrellita. "I will sit with her tonight. Take some rest. She will not wake till morning."

Buffy smiled, tucking the soft covers round her friend. "Night, Will!"

"Night, Buffy," the drowsy voice replied.

She ran to find Spike. "She's back! Willow's back! She spoke, she's breathing, her heart's beating!"

He picked her up and swung her round, then stopped and hugged her. "She awake?"

"Not yet. Not till tomorrow, Estrellita said." She hugged him fiercely. "Don't know how I'm going to sleep!"

"Me neither," he said feelingly.

Both, however, slept soundly as Estrellita watched over her charge, sending her sweet dreams of the land she'd wake up to.

Buffy brought in breakfast the next morning. Willow was still sleeping. Estrellita, weary from watching, stood up. "Wake her," she said softly. "She is rested, and almost healed."

"Almost?"

Estrellita smiled. "The grief of losing her lover has not yet left her. But the corruption of magick and power is no longer there. She is safe and well, if a little sad. Wake her." She slipped out.

Buffy set down the plate of food. "Willow? Will, wake up, I've brought you some breakfast."

Warm eyes blinked up at her. "Buffy? Hey, breakfast in bed! Cool!"

Willow. Willow was back. A sadder Willow, but still the girl Buffy knew from school. Still her best friend. She smiled, and perched on the bed. "Well, don't expect it every morning! How are you feeling?"

"Great! Well, physically. I miss Tara… I had a dream last night. It still hurts, you know."

"I know," she said softly, remembering how she'd felt after having to kill Angel. After he'd left her. After Spike had left.

"Anyway, this looks great!" she said, tucking in hungrily. "Mm, scrummy!"

Buffy laughed. "Not much wrong with you, Will!"

Willow smiled. "Where are we, anyway?"

"Another dimension. Spike and I have been here before."

"Spike's here now?"

"Next door, getting dressed."

"Can I talk to him?"

"Sure." She called him, and he poked his head round the door.

"How's my favourite redhead?"

"Okay, thanks. How are you?"

"Fine. Look, about the thrall…"

"It's okay. I understand. I know why you did it, and it was right to. Nothing could have saved me, but…" She stopped, stunned. "Nothing could have saved me? Why am I still alive? I should be dead!"

"Different dimension. Think of it as paradise, it's easier that way," said Buffy, understanding the whole dead / not dead / not undead thing.

"Oh. But we saved Stella, right? We did save her?"

"No," smiled Spike. "You saved her."

"Well, whatever," she blushed. "But she's okay?"

"She's fine. Dawn's looking after her, and no doubt uncle Xander, uncle Giles and uncle Angel will interfere nicely too," laughed Buffy.

"Uncle Angel!" she chuckled.

"Yeah, don't let him hear you call him that," teased Spike.

"Aw, come on. He's a big softie! He'd just cluck at me."

"Gone soft," grinned Spike.

"Must be fatherhood," she quipped sweetly. "I've heard it does that."

He growled and turned his back on her. "Bad girl! I'm not soft!"

Willow giggled. Buffy wrapped her arms round him from behind, resting her cheek against his back. "Mm, okay, maybe not."

He smiled at her over his shoulder. "Breakfast time, wench! Leave Willow to get dressed in peace!"

Willow smiled as they left the room, dressing in a dark green dress, a little like the blue one that Buffy had been wearing. Her own clothes were nowhere to be seen. She brushed her hair, and went through the door into Buffy and Spike's room, then through another door.

She didn't recognise the third person sitting at the table. The stranger held out a cup to her. "Welcome, Sorceress."

"Who – who are you?"

"Estrellita. This is my land. Drink, and be refreshed!"

Willow drank. The liquid was sweet, soothing, heartening. She really did feel refreshed and invigorated. She smiled at the dark-haired woman.

"Go, now. Explore my land. You will not get lost. When you return, a proper room will be ready for you."

Willow squared her shoulders, feeling as though she'd been given a new lease of life, and stepped into the sunlight.

"Follow her," said Estrellita softly. "Follow at a distance. Do not let her know you are following! Only show yourselves when she calls for you." She smiled. "There is something for you to see."

Buffy remembered the path. She'd taken it herself, the very first morning she'd ever been there. She followed silently with Spike until they reached the beach.

A blonde-haired girl sat alone there, throwing pebbles into the sea. Willow gave a soft choke as she saw her. Then she ran. "Tara! Tara!"

The blonde-haired girl turned her head, smiling a welcome. "Willow! You found me!"

"Tara! I will always find you!" She sobbed and laughed into her arms. "Promise you'll never leave me again!"

Tara wound her arms round the redhead at the familiar words. "Never. I'll never leave you again, I promise," she said as she kissed her.

Buffy snuffled quietly, hoping Spike wouldn't notice, until she heard him sniffing. "You too, huh?" she whispered. He blushed, something he was still unused to in his non-vampire state, and nodded. "Told you you'd gone soft," she said, wiping away her tears.

"You and me both," he laughed shakily, reaching out to hold her. They hugged for a while, then made to move away to give the two witches some privacy. But Willow looked up.

"We should tell Buffy and Spike!" she said excitedly.

Buffy and Spike froze in their tracks.

"They're here too?" asked Tara. "Let's go find them!"

Willow jumped up. "Buffy! Spike!"

They came out sheepishly. Tara ran out to meet them. "I'm s-so glad you're here too!" she said, hugging them. "I was s-so l-lonely!"

"Not lonely any more," whispered Willow, gazing at her adoringly and taking her hand. "You'll never be lonely again!"

TBC… (You'll see why!)