Series: The Velvet Web

For the Episode: Superstar - Chapter Seven

Rating: G, some snuggling

Description: The missing scenes from Superstar. ) The details I've written about Tara and her background are actually for another fic that I am writing but I figured I'd start setting it up now. How very Joss, no?

Spoilers: If you haven't seen Tara in season 4 episodes...

Feedback: And thank you to those that have emailed me. I really appreciate it! hugs

Disclaimers: Don't own anything, don't make any money, and blah, blah, blah, Joss, blah, blah, blah, production companies, and blah, blah, blah, the Buffy writers... I just love writing to your inventions... Notes: The transcript part is from Psyche's Transcripts on the web. Written: July 2000, with revisions at later dates Jonathan looked over to the Scooby core as they walked away from a stunned Spike. "Well, my work here is done. Take care and be safe." He said as he walked away with photographer's light bulbs flashing. Willow grinned. "Well, I'm off to..." She played with her hands nervously as she half smiled at Buffy.

Buffy nodded. "Ok. See you later."

Watching Willow quickly walk away prompted Xander to ask, "Where is our little Willster going in such a hurry?"

"To Tara's." was Buffy's simple reply.

"Who?" Anya asked.

"Tara. The witch that knew Faith did that switcharoo."

Xander laughed, "Hey that kinda rhymed." Anya rolled her eyes at him.

Buffy smiled. "They do spells together."

Xander's eyes widened. "What kinda spells?"

Buffy turned to walk away. "You sicko."

Cut to Tara's room.

Willow and Tara are sitting.

Willow: "Next thing I know this crazed vamp is like running right at me and I know if it gets past me there's no telling who's in danger next."

Tara: "Come on you have fun. Admit it - living the Scooby life."

Willow: "I was going for a kind of stoic bravery but yeah. And it was exciting with the ceiling coming in and everything..."

Willow puts tape on a small piece of paper. Willow sticks the paper on something.

Tara: "Oh, that's a cute one! A-and Buffy she was ok?"

Willow: "Oh she was great! Twang! Poof!" Tara looks confused. That was the sound - the crossbow, vampire dusting. I mean she was a little cranky that she missed that one vamp."

Tara: "W-Well, I-I kind of meant personally." Tara sticks something on the wall. "That whole thing with Faith it pretty much freaked me out and I was just sensing it from a distance."

Willow: "Oh yeah I know she's not over the whole Riley sleeping with Faith thing. Oh.. you know I mean - Faith's insides and Buffy's outsides when her insides were out."

The camera angle changes to reveal they are working on a large montage of Jonathan photos on the wall.

Tara: "I hope they'll be ok."

Willow: "I sure it'll blow over. They're probably all with the smoochies right now."

Tara giggled. "Yeah." She looked back to their wall collage. "I think we're done for the evening. We have no more pictures of Jonathan."

"We'll buy more magazines tomorrow..." Willow began to shuffle the clippings together and looked up to Tara. "So, ummm, what do you want to do now?"

"I don't know."

"I know! Music. How about some music?" Willow got up and walked over to Tara's stereo system. "Uh, Tara?"

Tara was still picking up the cutouts on her bed. "Yes?"

"Where are your cd's? I see the stereo but no cd's. Or, come to realize it now, no cd player." Willow turned to her.

"Oh, I don't have a cd player. All I have are albums and tapes. They're over there. Under the paper files." she said as she pointed to the open storage box across from Willow.

"Albums! That is so cool." Willow walked across the room and bent down in front of the storage box unit. "Giles is the only other person I know that has albums but he's old... But cool too, in that old cool kinda way..." She shuffled through some of the albums. "What is up with these titles? I've never heard of Rasputina... The Cocteau Twins?"

Tara smiled at her. "They're really good. There's more towards the back."

Willow proceeded to scan. "Oh, Love Spirals Downwards. I remember this one. I liked it a lot... Oh, I love Ella! Wow, you seem to like a lot of jazz. Opera, huh? I have a bad opera story."

"A bad opera story?"

"Yeah. You know the nightmare where you have to sing opera in front of a million people and you don't know any of the words. Let alone how to sing opera." Tara laughed. "And... Marilyn Manson? Tara!" Willow playfully put her hands on her hips.

Tara shrugged her shoulders as she awkwardly smiled at Willow. "I know. It's just his lyrics are incredible. And I like the drums."

Willow continued to peruse Tara's albums but soon enough held up an album to Tara. "Prick? This is a band right?"

Tara nodded. "Of course. They're pretty good."

Willow sighed. "Quite the eclectic collection. Judging from some of the album covers, you and Faith would probably have gotten along real well."

Tara shook her head. "No thank you."

"Hey! You've got Jonathan's new album. He even signed it for you. But - He spelled your name wrong." Willow had a look of confusion on her face.

"What?" Tara quietly asked.

"Your name. He spelled it T-E-R-A-H."

Tara shrugged her shoulders. "Oh... "

"Yeah. It's like he spelled it in Hebrew. We went to Hebrew school together, you know? We had a friendly academic rivalry." Willow smiled and continued, "Do you want to listen to it?"

"Nah, I'm not really in the mood for him right now."

Willow feigned shock. "Yea gods! Let them not hear your blasphemy for thou shalt be struck by a Jonathan demon seeking revenge."

Tara laughed at first but then got serious. "That's not funny."

Willow solemnly nodded her head. "I know. I'm sorry."

There was an awkward silence between the two witches.

Willow exhaled, "I feel horrible now."

"Why, Willow?" Tara bent over her bed and reached for her trash bin.

Willow watched Tara's skirt curve her lower body. "I'm just thinking about how I should have known it wasn't Buffy. I shouldn't have left you alone with Faith."

Tara looked at her. "Don't say that. You didn't know."

Willow frowned. "I'm not a good witch at all. I can't even sense my own best friend being my worst enemy."

Tara stood up and walked over to Willow. As she sat down in front of the redhead she warmly touched her shoulder. "You are a great witch Willow. Y-you just need to attune a little more. No. Uh, concentrate more? No... Ok, quiet time."

"No, no... Although I do like the times we spend quiet..." She smiled at Tara who shyly looked away as she blushed. "But now for some sounds. "Willow smiled as she turned back to the file of albums. "Oh my goddess, Cyndi Lauper! I haven't heard this album in years."

"Me too."

"Who's Penelope?" Willow innocently asked.

Tara was a bit startled by the name. "What did you say?"

"Penelope. It's written here on the cover." Willow turned the album cover towards Tara. "It looks like a little kids handwriting."

Tara half smiled. "Umm, she's my sister."

Willow was stunned by this revelation. "Sister? You have sister? I didn't know that."

Tara looked at her. "Yes. I'm one of three... A triplet. W-we haven't talked about this?"

Willow's eyes widened. "You, you're a triplet? You've never mentioned it. I certainly would have remembered."

Tara slowly moved back against her bed and sat against the edge. She nodded. "Yeah." Tara bit her lower lip and looked off to her outstretched legs.

"Are you identical?"

"No."She nervously smiled at Willow.

Willow grinned back. "What are they're names? I mean, other than Penelope."

"Zorah. She's the other triplet."

Willow smiled at Tara. "Zorah? That's an odd name."

"Well, umm, Willow's an unusual name too. I mean, you're named after a plant. And let's not get into Buffy." Tara chuckled.

Willow grinned broadly as she moved closer to Tara's bed and reached for Tara's hand. "Yeah. I guess you're right." Tara smiled at her lovingly. "Hey, do you guys have that connection where you know what the other feels or is going to say?"

Tara nodded but then quickly shook her head. "Um, we used to. But not anymore." She looked off to the window.

"Why not?" Tara shrugged her shoulders in response. "Where are they now?"

"I-I don't know." Tara turned back to her and was obviously tense. "Willow, c-can we talk about something else?" Willow looked disappointed and it pained Tara. "I mean... I want to talk about it but..." Tara gently stroked her forearm. "How about you... Why are you an only child?"

"My mother almost died having me." Willow softly replied.

"Really? How?"

Willow carefully curled herself up against Tara's body as the blonde witch wrapped her arms around the redhead. "I'm a caesarian baby. She lost a lot of blood during the operation. Probably why she ignores me most of the time." Willow chuckled.

"Willow..."

Willow smiled against Tara's neck. "I'm just kidding. My parents are... special. They are very into themselves and their profession. I'm ok with it. Really. They'll always be there for when I need them. I think." Willow began to play with Tara's fingers as she nuzzled her neck. Willow loved the scent of Tara's neck, a mixture of hair shampoo, incense and scented oils. A particular scent, she knew, she'd never be able to forget.

Tara sighed. "That's why you love being a Scooby so much. They are your family."

"Yeah. I guess they are."

"It's good to have that." Tara gently cleared her throat. Her heart was beating as fast as it did whenever Willow was this close to her. She was gradually losing her grip around Willow.

Willow blissful looked up and at a leisurely pace traced her fingers down Tara's neck, starting from her jaw line. "Yeah, but I like this better."

"Me too." Tara murmured.

Willow noticed Tara's chest was rising and falling heavily and that her eyes were shut. The blonde was also nervously biting her lower lip. A couple of Willow's chakras were growing excited. Willow smiled at this and moved her mouth towards Tara's jaw and gently kissed it.

Unexpectedly, Tara stood up and Willow was thrown off her. "I, uh... Excuse me. I'll be r-right back."

Willow was confounded. "Tara..."

Tara was fidgeting heavily. "No... I, I uh – I need to go."

"What..." but Tara had already closed the door behind her. "This is your room. "Willow said aloud to herself. She couldn't believe what had just happened. She was horrified she upset Tara and didn't know how to rectify the situation. She just sat on Tara's floor perplexed.

A few minutes later Tara returned. Without eye contact Tara sat down on her bed and an uncomfortable silence followed for about a minute. Then, Tara spoke.

"I-I'm sorry."

Willow turned to her, "No. It was my fault. I didn't mean to upset you."

Tara's eyes gently locked with hers. "Y-you didn't upset me. Exactly the opposite. I just..." But Tara couldn't finish her sentence.

Willow nodded and slowly stood up. "I should go then."

"What?" Tara was a little unsettled by this and reached out for Willow's hand. "Why?"

"I have homework to do and as Giles always said I shouldn't let slaying get in the way of... Actually, he always said that to Buffy but I think I'm the one that registered it." The two smiled at each other.

"But... Are you sure? I-I hate the thought of you walking alone at night."

Willow grinned. "I've got a stake and holy water in my coat. Plus, with Jonathan helping Buffy, things have calmed down in the demon department. I'll be fine." Tara was crestfallen. Willow wiggled her arm to Tara. "But, it's not like I haven't slept over before."

Tara smiled lightly. "Yeah."

Suddenly, Willow burst out laughing. "Ok."

"What..."

"I'll tell you the truth. I brought my books with me and I have an extra toothbrush and pj's in my bag."

Tara beamed. "A definite must have for fighting off vampires and demons when walking to your dorm."

"Unquestionably."

Both girls stared at each other for half a minute when Tara slowly lifted Willow's hand to her lips and kissed it.

"I don't know, Willow. I'm nervous about this."

"Why?"

"Because..."

"You've already met Buffy and Giles. It's just Xander..." Willow rolled her eyes. "Oh and Anya."

"I know, but I'm kinda reverting towards keeping me... just yours, again." Tara said at they neared The Bronze.

"How could someone be so shy? It's so cute!" Willow gently squeezed the blonde's hand.

"Willow..."

"But you must meet Xander. He's like my bested bud, remember?"

"Yeah. But I feel awkward."

"Why?"

Tara couldn't find the words. "Umm..."

Willow turned to her. "Cause we kissed?"

Tara quickly corrected her. "We ... Umm."

Willow smiled. "I was talking about me and him."

"Oh... But that's not why."

"Well, then don't worry about it. We'll have a great time. I promise. It's a Jonathan concert and great fun to be had at The Bronze."

The two witches walked into the crowded club. Tara crossed her arms but uncrossed them again. She was so nervous she accidentally tripped over a patron's leg and spilled his drink on him. Willow giggled at the sight. After Tara apologized profusely, Willow took a hold of her hand and led her towards the stage where she had spotted the Scooby core sitting down.

"Hey guys." Willow said as they walked up to the table. "Xander, this is Tara."

Xander half waved as he stood up but stayed in place, next to Anya who was eyeing Tara up and down. "So you're the famous Tara, huh?" Tara shrugged her shoulders and shyly smiled. "Thank you for not letting us get stuck with Faith."

"Oh whatever. You had sex with her." Anya voiced.

"Hi Tara." Buffy smiled. "I'm glad you could make it."

"Hi." Tara faintly replied.

Riley nodded to her. "Hi there, Tara."

Willow looked to Buffy. "So what's up? How are ya?" She bent her head towards Riley.

Xander was having a separate conversation with Anya. "Yeah, I may have slept with her but at least I got her name right."

"What is that supposed to mean. Are you still talking about last night, Xander?" Anya rolled her eyes at him.

"Ok. You know." Buffy looked towards the stage. "What have you been up to?"

"Me?! Why would I be up to anything? I never do anything."

"Chill out, Will. No more mochas for you."

Willow chuckled and noticed Tara was standing quietly staring at the band on stage. "Yeah."

Suddenly, Tara turned to them. "Umm, do you mind if I..." she motioned to the crowd.

"Sure, go ahead." Buffy responded.

Willow frowned for a nanosecond. "I'll be right there."

Tara nodded and walked away.

"She's not one for much words, is she Willow? Kinda reminds me of Oz." Buffy's eyes widened when she realized what she'd said. "I'm sorry."

"No... It's ok. I'm better now."

Buffy could see Willow was still a little uncomfortable. "I see that. I'm happy for you. 'Cause..."

Suddenly Xander's voice broke their uneasy silence. "I really don't want to talk about it, Anya. You did too."

"I did not."

"Hey, where did Tara go?" Xander asked when he realized the blonde was not around.

"She couldn't take your childish bickering anymore." Buffy smirked.

Willow smiled and said, "I'll be right back." She took off towards Tara.

"Hey, are you ok?" She asked the blonde witch when she reached her.

"Yeah. There's just some weird vibes there. They are all mad at each other."

"Welcome to the drama."

Tara gently shook her head. "I-I don't like drama."

With complete honesty in her eyes, Willow smiled at Tara. "I promise you, no drama."

Anya: "Did not."

Xander: "Last night with me you said Jonathan."

Anya: "It was a moan!"

Xander: "Fine! You moaned Jonathan!"

Anya: "Not unh! It was like unnh-unnh-atha."

Xander: "Maybe it was ahh-onathan. Still not fluffing up the old ego."

Riley: "Quite the couple, aren't they?"

Buffy: "They get into a fistfight, I've got a fifty on Anya."

Riley: "Wonder if they'll make it?"

Buffy looks at Riley. The song ends. The audience applauds.

Tara and Willow walk back to the table and sit down. Jonathan sings his song and Buffy and Riley dance to it. The song finishes.

Tara: "Oh my god!. He's going to do something off the new album."

Anya: "Xander."

She is staring raptly at Jonathan.

Xander: "Yeah."

Anya: "Let's go have sex now."

Cut to Xander who is also staring raptly at Jonathan.

Xander: "Yeah, ok."

They walk off, holding hands, neither taking their eyes from Jonathan until the last possible moment.

Karen rushes in and Buffy takes her arm.

Buffy: "Oh! What is it? Are you ok?"

Jonathan stops playing, waves cut to the band and jumps down off the stage.

Jonathan: "Karen, that's your name isn't it? I-I signed my book for you." He holds her arms. "Tell me what hurt you Karen. I can help."

Buffy briskly walked up to the table. "Willow..." She noticed Xander was missing. "Where's Xander?"

"Oh, he and Anya..." Willow half smiled.

"Is she ok?" Tara asked about Karen.

"Yeah, but she's shaken. We're going to Jonathan's to see if we find this thing. Willow, can you stay here incase any other victims come?"

Willow nodded. "Yeah. Sure." She looked to Tara and asked if she'd stay with her eyes. Tara nodded.

Buffy thanked her as she walked away. "We'll be back."

Tara looked around The Bronze and quivered. "This place has kinda died out."

"Screaming injured women shouting about something attacking them tends to do that."

"It's creepy."

Willow began to walk away from the table. Tara followed her around. "Creepy? No way. This used to be my home away from home. I have so many memories here. The first time I heard Jonathan play with the Dingoes. When he wrote a song for me... When we... Hey! They changed the couch! How could they do that?!"

"Umm."

Willow frowned. "That's so sad. That was our couch." Willow was flooded with memories.

Tara didn't understand what she meant. "I'm, uh, sorry?"

Willow snapped back to reality. "What? Huh?"

"You were talking about the couch."

"Oh. Do you want a soda?"

"Sure." Tara watched Willow walk towards the bar and talk to the bartender. She looked around the few souls that remained at The Bronze and sat down on the couch.

"Well, well, well. If it isn't Red's new mate." Spike came up from the side and sat down opposite Tara, beer in hand. "What's your name?"

Tara didn't look at him. "Tara."

Spike couldn't believe her unconcerned reaction to him. "Hey blondie, don't you know who I am?"

"Y-you're Spike."

"Tara, eh?" Spike eyed her.

"Xander is not - h-here."

"How did you know I..." Spike smirked. "I've never met a psychic witch before. Then again, I never let them live long enough for me to get to know them." Tara's eyes wandered to the coffee table.

Willow walked up to them, drinks in hand. "Spike, what do you want?" She asked as she handed Tara her drink and sat down next to her.

"Well, I was looking for Xandman. I need money for smokes. Hey, you wouldn't happen to have five notes on you, eh?"

"I thought..." Tara looked away to her drink.

"Go away Spike."

"Come on. Give the man a break. After everything I've done for you..." Willow raised him an eyebrow. "Well... You owe me for making me kiss Buffy."

"Just leave or I'll- I'll stake you."

Spike chuckled. "With what? Your plastic straw?"

Willow sat up straight as if in control of the situation. "This place is littered with hidden stakes. There just might be a stake right under this seat cover."

Tara frowned and whispered. "You shouldn't tell him that."

Spike rolled his eyes and stood up. "Fine. But just you know... Whatever."

The two witches watched Spike walk away.

"That wasn't true, right?" Tara asked as soon as he was out of range.

"What? The stakes? It's true. We came up with the idea one night after a Dingoes gig. Hid them everywhere, just in case." Willow smiled at Tara. "Although, technically, we're no where near one right now. The other couch..."

"Oh. "Tara chuckled nervously. "So... Thanks for the drink."

"You're so very welcome, my dear." Willow smiled at Tara awkwardly and sat back against the couch.

A preppie girl walked up to Willow and Tara with a boy in tow. "Hey Willow..."

"Hi Jen. How are you?"

"Freaked out. What happened? Wasn't that Buffy who just took off with Jonathan?"

"Yeah. Someone was mugged."

"You know I'm really getting sick and tired of Sunnydale. I should have just left after graduation, or lack of graduation. Speaking of which, have you heard from Cordelia?"

"Oh, she's in LA. Last I heard."

Finally the boy spoke, "Dude, when are the Dingoes playing again? I heard Oz, like, took off on some spiritual sabbatical or something. Do you know when he'll be back?"

Willow could sense Tara was growing uncomfortable. "Umm, no. I don't."

"Man, I miss that guy. I should have bought their demo tape last year."

Willow didn't know what to say. "Yeah."

Jen spoke. "Ok, well then we're off cause if there is some psychotic mugger running around I want to be safe at home. See ya."

"Bye." Willow turned to Tara who was staring off into her drink. She held out her hand to her thigh. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing. I'm just siffing."

"Siffing?"

Tara grinned at her. "Yeah, you know, when your brain takes a break and you just stare off into nothing. I call it siffing. It's an inside joke. Not with myself, of course. I mean..."

Willow's smile lit her face. "I like that. It sounds just right... So, umm, what are you doing the rest of the evening?"

Tara giggled. "Holding down the fort until Buffy comes back."

Willow smiled. "And, after that?"

Tara tasted her drink. "I don't know..."

The two of them spent the rest of the time until Buffy arrived sipping their drinks, stealing glances, shyly smiling at each other and looking away.

Cut to campus lawns. Night. Buffy, Willow and Tara are walking.

Willow: "I'm glad you're ok. Everyone in the Bronze was pretty freaked out after you left.'

Tara: "So I guess you have go fight this thing, huh?"

Willow: "All the weapons are at Giles'. It shouldn't take too long."

Buffy: "No go."

Willow: "Did you just go 'no go'?"

Buffy: "Jonathan did. He said it was some brainless beasty and that he would take care of it himself."

Willow: "Oh cool."

Buffy: "I guess. I don't know he just... he seemed a little scared."

Willow: "Henh! Buffy this is Jonathan. You know he doesn't get scared. You talked about it when you gave him the class protector award at the prom."

Buffy: "You're right."

Tara: "Ummm, my exit. Willow, I-I'll see you tomorrow."

Willow takes Tara by the forearm briefly.

Willow: "Ok."

Tara walks off.

Willow: "So. Saw you and Riley, with the dancing."

Buffy: "It was a great dance.

Buffy: "For the first time it felt like Faith wasn't there.

Like no one was there but us."

Cut to interior halls.

Tara, walking alone in the halls, hears something and she walks more quickly. Double doors in front of her crash open and the monster is there. The monster backhands her and she falls. It swipes at her as she is on her back and she holds her hands up defensively.

Tara slides on the floor as she was pushed from behind or ran forward and fell. She turns back toward the monster and chants desperately as she scuttles backwards on her hands, bottom and heels.

She holds her arms out and dust or smoke springs from her arms blinding the monster. The monster chitters as it waves at the dust. Tara gets up and runs into a Janitor's closet. The lock clicks. The monster bangs on the door.

Next day. Cut to Tara's room. Knocking. Willow lets Buffy in.

Buffy: "What's going on?" She sees Tara laying on the bed. Tara has scratches and abrasions. "Oh my god."

Tara lies on the bed in a semi-fetal position, shivering.

Willow: "She's gonna be ok, but she's terrified."

Buffy: "What happened? What did this?"

Willow: "Someone found her in the janitor's closet about an hour ago. I-I think she was there all night - she was all alone."

Buffy: "Tara, what did this?"

Tara: "Big, lumpy. had something on its - on its head. Like a Greek letter only not."

Buffy takes some paper and draws the symbol that Karen did.

Buffy: "This, was it this?"

Tara nods.

Willow: "Buffy Jonathan said we were all safe. Jonathan said it.

Buffy looked back to Tara. "I-I got to go."

Willow got up and followed her to the door. "You can call me here. I'll be here."

"Ok. Take good care of her."

"I will."

As soon as Buffy closed the door Willow turned to Tara and looked as if she were about to cry. "Oh my god."

Tara weakly blinked her eyes. "What?"

Willow walked over to the bed. "I did this! I said that you'd be attacked. I was joking. I didn't mean it." She sat down on the floor facing Tara again.

"Willow, stop it. I have a headache."

"But it was my fault."

"Nothing is your fault."

"We should've walked you to your room. Why didn't we walk you to your room?"

"I'm fine, Willow. But, I'm cold."

Willow quickly stood up. "Let me get you a blanket." She walked over to Tara's closet and pulled out the hearts blanket. After carefully throwing it over Tara she asked. "Is that better?"

Tara nodded. "A little."

Willow proceeded to lay down behind Tara and spooned against her back." I'll warm you up." She reached over and hugged her close.

"Every time I close my eyes I see its face." Tara secured her hand with Willow's.

"You're safe now."

"I sensed it but I just thought it was human. I never expected..."

Willow kissed the back of her head. "I should have walked you to your room."

Tara smiled. "You're here now..."

"Just the thought of... You getting hurt... You being trapped."

Tara chuckled slightly. "I, uh, I fainted after about a minute."

Willow hugged her close again. "Tara..."

"Thank you for taking care of me." She pulled Willow's hands close to her chest and kissed it.

Willow smiled. "You should rest now... I'll stay here with you."

"Don't you have class?"

"I think this is more important than English Lit... What me to sing you a lullaby?"

Tara softly nodded. "Yes..."

"Umm, ok. Uh..."

Tara painstakingly turned around to Willow and smiled. "You don't have to."

Willow gazed into her caring eyes. "I want to... I just can't think of any... My mother never sang lullabies." Tara laid her head on Willow's chest. "A-and the only songs I know by heart are Dingoes."

Tara's eyes wandered up. "Listening to your heartbeat is the best lullaby."

Willow sighed and kissed Tara's forehead. "I'll hum you something." And she did. A few minutes later she looked down to Tara who was peacefully sleeping. Willow smiled and closed her own eyes.

Willow woke up to the sound of Tara's phone ringing. Tara had since moved over to the side of the bed and so Willow was able to get up with out disturbing her. However it took her a few seconds to adjust to the darkness. It was Buffy calling a meeting at Giles'. Willow was torn as to what to do. She checked on Tara again and kissed her cheek. As she turned to walk away she faintly heard her name. Tara had woken up.

Willow smiled as she watched Tara cautiously stretch in bed. "Was that Buffy?"

"Yeah. There's a meeting."

Tara's eyes adjusted to the darkness. "It's nighttime already?"

"Uh huh."

Tara sighed. "Ok."

"Can I come by later?"

"Take my keys."

"I'll bring you some food."

"Egg drop soup?"

"Sure."

"And a bagel?"

"Ok."

"Oh and can I..." Willow laughed. "I'm just kidding."

"How are you feeling?" She asked as she walked up to Tara's bed.

"Better. My body still hurts a little."

"I'll massage you later if you'd like."

Tara smiled at her. "You know how to massage?"

Willow grinned. "No, but I'm sure my hands will know what to do. I mean..." Tara smiled at her. Willow bent down and delicately kissed Tara's lips. And then kissed her forehead. "See you later."

Tara was dazed. All she could say was "Uh huh."

Cut to campus lawns. Daylight. The gang is sitting beside a tree.

Willow: "I can't believe we believed it"

Riley: "It seemed so real."

Buffy: "Well, in that world, it was real."

Anya: "Alternate realities are neat."

Xander: "You know what I'll always remember?"

Riley: "The swimsuit calendar's sticking in my mind." Buffy looks at him and raises her eyebrows. "Not in a good way."

Xander: "I'll always remember the way he made me feel about me. Valued, respected, sort of tingly... Now I'm just empty."

Anya is also depressed.

Buffy: "Poor Xander. I guess Jonathan hurt you most of all."

Tara raises her hand: "Ummm."

Buffy: "Except of course, after Tara."

Willow smiles at Tara.

Riley: "Did anyone else feel way too tall? I felt way too tall."

Buffy sees Jonathan looking over at her and walks to meet him.

Xander: "I liked his clothes. He had really cool clothes."

Willow: "Still not understanding how he got the house and everything."

Anya: "And who really did star in the Matrix?"

"Thank you for walking me to my room, e-even though it's daytime." Tara said as she and Willow walked into her dorm room.

Willow smiled. "I will be walking you to your room forever more, me lady."

Tara lowered her blue silk scarf form the mirror and looked at the cut on her forehead. "I hate this gash. I look horrible. Why can't this body have super healing powers like Buffy's?"

Willow stood behind her looking over her shoulder. "I think it's sexy..."

Tara turned around to her. "Sexy? Huh..."

Willow nodded. "Yeah. Oz used to have this scar right over..." Willow looked off.

"What?"

Willow shrugged her shoulders and sat down on the bed. "Nothing."

"It's ok. Y-you can talk about him. I-I don't mind."

Willow smiled at her fib. "Nah, I feel weird."

Tara sat down next to her. "Why?"

"I don't know..." Willow looked at Tara. "I'm sure there's some spell we could find to heal you up."

Tara shook her head. "I don't want to mess with majick right now. That whole Jonathan spell kinda freaked me out."

Willow giggled. "Everything freaks you out."

"I can't help it. I was just thinking about the whole three folds rule."

"Tell me about it."

Tara frowned as she looked down on her bed. "I-I do have something to tell you..."

"What?"

"You're not going to like it."

Willow smiled. "You're not from an alternate reality are you? 'Cause that could kinda mess up our fledgling relationship here."

Tara half smiled at her. "Umm. No, I'm not... But it has to do with majick and demons."

Willow giggled. "You're not a demon are you?!"

"Willow...Why? Do I look like a demon?!"

"No!" Willow touched her face. "You look like an angel."

"Well..." But Tara could figure out how to say what she wanted to say.

Willow reached for her hand. "You can tell me anything. I trust you, remember?'

Tara faintly smiled. "It, uh, It has to do with that spell you wanted to do one night... When you wanted to call upon Thespia to find some demon a-and it didn't work..." Willow nodded. "It didn't work because, uh, I didn't perform it correctly. I ruined it."

Willow shrugged a shoulder. "Well, we're still learning to work as one. Not everything will go right."

Tara shook her head. "No, I did it on purpose."

Willow let go of her hand. "What?!"

"I didn't blow the sand over the square."

"What? No, I heard you the first time... Why would you do that?"

Tara looked crushed. "There were many reasons I did that. I didn't really know you that well, and I was scared. Calling upon Thespia is a big responsibility, you know. And the whole tracking down demons thing is just - scary. I wasn't sure we were ready for that. I-I wasn't ready for that."

Willow sat back against the wall. "So you'd rather just deceive me?"

"I didn't deceive you! I tried to talk to you and you scoffed."

Willow sat up. "I scoffed because I thought we were ready."

"Well, I'm sorry. I didn't think we were ready. And I kinda started to tell you about it afterwards but... I..." Tara shook her head at herself.

"Are we now?"

Tara looked up to Willow. "What?"

"Ready? I think we're ready."

"We're still talking about the spell, right?"

Willow half smiled. "Spells and stuff."

Tara reached out and touched Willow's knee. "I'm sorry about that spell, Willow. I feel awful about it. But I really thought I was protecting you. I don't think you understand. What it is that you were trying to tap into."

Willow frowned at Tara. "And you do? You could be overreacting, Tara."

"I... Maybe, but I've been doing this forever, remember?"

Willow shook her head. "Yeah, well you..." She stopped and giggled. "Is this our first argument?"

Tara grinned. "I don't know... Willow... "

Willow grabbed Tara's hand. "No... It's ok. I'm glad you told me about the spell... I trust you. And I'm sure you were right."

"Willow, it's not..." Tara was struck mute by Willow's loving gaze on her.

"So, would you like that massage I promised you yesterday."

Tara smiled and shyly nodded.

End of Chapter 7