(Warning, this chapter contains some sexual content)

Chapter 7

The cool night Air was brisk as Anya stood outside Angel Investigations. In her hand she held a book that had the answer they were looking for. Now she just had to wait for the right time to do this knowing full well what had to be done could cause more resentment and a greater divide between the two slayers.

She felt somewhat proud that Angel had entrusted her with this information he'd dug up, not to mention the fact she finally had something that could save the world though may ruin her friends.

She guessed that's why Angel gave her the information, he didn't want a close member of the scooby gang to be the one tipping the scales that may cause old feelings to harbor their ugly heads. She also figured he worked hard to get this information out of his own guilt of what he'd almost done to Willow and the simple fact that helping was his redemption path.

Willow and Tara sat silently in the Summers home. This was quickly growing very difficult for them, existing in the same room for long periods of time. Both women knew the cause of the tension but neither seemed to have a desire to get it over with.

There was a time the two ladies would have loved nothing more than to share alone time together, to embrace, to kiss, but those days were gone now. All they felt when near each other was pain and sorrow in remembrance of what they once had. How they thought it was something that would withstand time itself; something for others to model their relationships after. Both were let down though when the veil that clocked their eyes was ripped down showing them both a few things.

Their passion for magic which first brought them together had indeed torn them apart. It had tore away at their souls, digging and hurting deep until nothing could be repaired. It had taken the once bright love they shared and forever dampened it with a black mist that couldn't be cleaned.

As both women seemed to realize these things at the same time they looked into each others eyes both knowing full well that in order to let the souls be waxed clean and set free of this deep pain they had to have this talk. Tears trickled down both women's faces as they hugged but neither could speak.

"Willow, would it be easier if I left?" Tara finally asked softly.

"Oh gosh Tara no, I couldn't stand the thought of knowing you left on account of me. I ruined what we had with magic, ruined it so badly that being near you made it worse and you couldn't help me. I know we can't go back now Tara, Goddess I wish things were different because no matter where we are, how many years go by, there will always be a part of me that is yours. I will never forgive myself for what I did to us but I know what we have to do in order for you to be happy and in order for me to heal. I've done enough to you and so I won't let you be the one to say good-bye, I don't want your heart to hurt from being the one to let us go." Tears flowed down her face like a freshly surfacing river as Willow spoke.

Tara looked at her former girlfriend and her very soul ached but she knew this had to be done. "I never thought we'd part like this Willow and part of me will be with you as you grow old no matter where this path called life takes us. I will always love you and I do forgive you for the things you've done." She hugged Willow tightly as the two cried together. "Willow, I know you know that Buffy has been the one helping me through this, I-" Willow put up her hand as she stood.

"As Faith has me, don't say anymore I couldn't bare to hear it but I know she'll take care of you." With that she released Tara from the conversation and walked out the door where Faith stood waiting.

"Red?" She asked softly seeing the tear stained face of her lover.

"I'll be all right Faith if you just help me."

"You can count on that much Red." She said pulling her close for a kiss as they moved away from the house.

The newly formed couple had grabbed a bite to eat though Willow hardly ate then gone to the hotel room they had previously rented. Willow knew once this talk was over she wouldn't be able to stand the thoughts of staying there with Tara and Buffy. A tinge of anger tried to surface at the thought of the two of them but she fought it off knowing she had in fact surely gone further in her relationship with Faith than they had. She knew both Tara and Buffy were to caring to do that and mentally smacked herself for not being strong enough to heal another way as they were.

Faith's own thoughts were adrift also. She wished she had better words and actions than just sex to help Willow through all her troubles and hoped somewhere inside it was more than that she'd done to help her. That though she hadn't been real good at expressing her feelings and comforting words to Willow, that Willow somehow felt them through her eyes and the strength and confidence she exuded so well.

She pulled the redhead close placing a gentle kiss on her lips knowing what Willow needed more than ever right now. This was new to her, in fact her first venture at this and she hoped she knew what she was doing. "Red, I want you to be the first and last person I ever make love to. I want to be able to show you all the things I have trouble saying so much that you'll know every word I can't speak right now cause I don't know how to say what all I want to say to you but one day I will."

She took Willow's hands in hers kissing each fingertip lightly before moving up to the knuckles then the cheek as she rubbed Willow's hands gently. She then moved to the side of the neck kissing a trail around the throat gently, very unlike all the other aggressive intimate moments they'd previously shared.

She then gently began kissing the lips gently letting her tongue explore the eager mouth of the object of her affection. She mentally tried to permeate the thoughts of how she loved this beautiful wiccan into each kiss, each touch and it was working as Willow's soul felt the love envelop her like a blanket, one that wrapped securely around her nice and snug making her feel safe, like nothing else existed but these moments. "I love you too Faith." She said softly as Faith began to lower her trail of gentle kisses and caresses.

As she began gently kissing the breasts while rubbing Willowtummy she wondered why on earth she'd never experiencing such a moving event as the one of making love before. Nope, no slayer energy would be awakened tonight she resolved for this was magic of the hearts leaving no room for the supernatural.

As she moved her hands and mouth lower never forgetting her continuous quest of gentle kisses Willow too had to keep reminding herself to keep her passion in check. This was a new journey for Faith and though she'd come to enjoy the more wild carefree journeys with the dark slayer she knew they both needed it this way in order to connect with each other completely which all sounded great to the Wiccan.

As faith's hand began a slightly more aggressive pattern and Willow's body began its impulsive response against it desiring to be relieved she thanked the Goddess for giving her the chance to be happy, loved and truly fulfilled in every sense of the way not once but twice.

Willow's grip on emotions was quickly being washed away as Faith did a teasing dance with her tongue, then finally relief came as the moment of passion grew more and more intense. The first relief of many during the night as the two made love over and over again with Faith doing something she'd never done before, submitting herself totally to another person and she had no regrets.

"Goddess I love you Faith." Willow said snuggling closer to the darks layer.

"Who would've ever thought we'd be doing this." Faith said smiling at her lover.

"Surely not me but I'm so glad we are. When I'm with you I feel like we can defeat all these looming big bads and be happy always." Willow added kissing Faith enjoying looking into her deep brown eyes.

"Then that's what we shall do Red."