REPLIES TO REVIEWS

Sink of Swim - Hint, hint, hmmm. It's a woman - and it isn't Amy or Drusilla. But it is someone from the Buffy Universe. (send me a personal e-mail and I might tell you, if you really want to know. I don't want to give it away here. Or you could wait till around Chapter 8 or so to find out)

Kim -I appreciate the feedback - on both stories! Glad you enjoy!

Just Me - Honestly I was never a big fan of Dawn, either. She'll be in the story - just not a huge part. I think in Season 7 she grew up a lot. I think she would have been even better with Tara's stabilizing influence - which is part of where I'm going with this story. You're close about Willow - but no cigar!

Divlish - Glad you are enjoying the story. I liked Spike better when he was more 'evil' than the later seasons. I thought his character was hilarious. I didn't care for him as much after the Initiative fixed him. And the Original Core of Scoobies - Don't get me started on them either. They definitely thought they could judge Buffy, that kind of pisses me off. Tara and Buffy, I believe, would have been great for each other. Shoring up each others weaknesses and making each other stronger. Glad you enjoy the story.

Chapter 4

Patrolling Restfield cemetery, Buffy feels a vampire and looks around seeing Spike lurking against a tree, smoking a cigarette. Taking a deep breath, she decides she really needs to end things, so heads over to talk to the vampire.

"Spike. Whatever sick thing that is going on between us is over." Buffy states in a no nonsense tone.

Spike snorts, looking at Buffy "Yeah, right slayer. You need me, I got what you need. Who did you come to make you feel when you came back, huh?"

"I don't need you. I need…" Buffy thinks about Tara, the friendship she is offering. "I need a friend. I need someone to help me, be there for me. Not someone that is just using me for his own sick agenda!"

Spike snarls "Fuck you, slayer. You came back wrong, even my chips say so." Spike takes a swing at Buffy, hitting her in the jaw and spins away, vamping out in pain. "What the fu-" he screams.

Buffy angrily kicks him upside the head. "I didn't come back wrong. I'm human. I want, no I need to live. Being with you was a mistake that I'm not going to make again. I have friends and I'm going to talk to them. Apologize, and hopefully they will forgive me." Buffy states while hitting Spike again, knocking him down to the ground. "I suggest you leave me alone, Spike. Stay away from us. I appreciate the help you have given us in the past. But I think for everyone's sake that it would be best if you leave Sunnydale."

"You can't make me leave Slayer. This is my home." Spike spits out the blood from his busted mouth onto the ground. "You ain't my boss. Whatever bug is up your ass, you'll come around. You got a thing for the Big Bad, slayer and you'll come around. And when you do, I'll be here!" Spike snarls as he heads off into the night.

Buffy shakes her head quietly stating "You're wrong Spike. I just realized I have reasons for living. Friends and family. People that need saving from the evil here in Sunnydale. I have millions of reasons. I don't need you. I have what I need and I just didn't realize it."

Buffy finished patrolling, killing a couple more vampires before headinghome.

Knocking on Willow's bedroom door, to let her know she's home, she doesn't get an answer and peeks in, looking around. 'No one here. Perfect time to get the hair strands.' Buffy heads to the dresser, grabbing the hair brush and pulling ten or fifteen hair strands from the brush. 'I hope this will be enough.'

Glancing around the room Buffy wonders how things had gone so wrong, so quickly. Heading back to her room, she got ready for bed. If there is hope for herself, maybe other things will work out.

Tara smiles at Dawn as she drinks her chocolate shake. Shaking her head she looks at Buffy who's snickering quietly. "Dawn, that's your second shake! Aren't you getting brain freeze from sucking them down that quickly?"

Buffy starts laughing out loud at that comment. "I think she could drink a gallon of milk shake in one breath and still want more."

Shrugging her shoulder Dawn looks from Buffy to Tara "What can I say. I love my shakes. That movie kind of sucked. But the shakes are cheering me up!"

"Maybe next time you'll let someone else pick the movie, then Dawnie" Tara smiles knowingly at the young girl.

Buffy snorts stating "Yeah, right. Like that'll ever happen."

Dawn looks at Buffy with a frown. "Like you're one to talk. All you ever want to see is horror or fighting. Like you don't get enough of that in real life!"

"Hey, they're funny!" Buffy defends herself. "They're more like comedy's instead of true horror flicks!" Buffy turns to grin at Tara when she notices Tara stiffening and looking down quickly at the table. Turning around she sees Willow and Amy coming in the ice cream shop.

Reaching over to gently cover Tara's hand with her own Buffy quietly states "It'll be okay."

Dawn looks from Buffy to Tara and back again. Scooting closer to Tara she grabs her hand, holding it tightly in her own. "Are you okay?"

Tara nods her head, not making eye contact with either of the Summer's girls.

Willow looking around realizes that Tara's there with Buffy and Dawn. Frowning slightly, she walks over to them, with Amy following her.

"Hi guys. What are you doing here?" Willow asks pointedly looking at Tara.

Dawn answers almost heatedly "We're here having milk shakes. What are you doing here?" Looking from Willow to Amy and back.

"We've been at the Bronze. Wow! I didn't realize how powerful Willow has gotten. She's like way outclassed me in the witchiness department." Amy gushes, lightly touching Willow's arm.

Tara looks up sharply with a frown on her face, looking at Willow. Shaking her head to herself she looks at Buffy then turns to Dawn "I need to go. I'll see you two later."

"Tara I want to talk to you." Willow states almost demandingly before Tara gets up from her chair.

"Willow, leave well enough alone for now, okay?" Buffy quietly states, trying to diffuse the situation.

"You can't tell me what to do!" Willow hisses her eyes darkening.

Quickly standing up Tara reaches across to gently place her hand on Buffy's arm. "I-it's okay. I'll t-talk to her." Looking briefly at Willow she turns and walks a couple tables down, in the almost empty ice cream parlor, she sits with Willow sitting across from her. Looking down at the table, with her hands clasped in her lap she sits quietly waiting for Willow to start.

"Why haven't you returned any of my calls?" Willow asks heatedly. "You belong with me."

Tara looks up quickly at the face of the woman who used to be her world. Not seeing the kind face anymore. Shaking her head sadly Tara sighs quietly. "Willow…I c-can't come back to you. I can't ever t-trust you again." Holding Willow's eyes trying to make her understand. "You took my m-memories away f-from me. Twice." Frowning Tara asks "Was it only t-twice?"

"All it was, was a stupid little spell, Tara. I won't do it again." Willow states not really answering her question.

Jerking her head up at Willow, Tara shakes her head. "You don't understand, do you? YOU TOOK MY MEMORIES. You are playing God, Willow! Goddess! After what I went through with Glory stealing my sanity, you're just going to play with my mind? What gives you the right? I want you to leave me alone Willow. I'm not asking." Tara jumps up from the table hurrying from the ice cream shop.

Buffy looks at Dawn, both of them hearing every word. "Come on."

Dawn hurries after Tara as Buffy hesitates beside Willow who's still sitting at the table in stunned silence. "Willow. For everyone's sake. Please let this go. Right now she can't be around you."

Looking up at Buffy with the blackness creeping into her eyes Willow snarls at Buffy "She's mine. And I will get her back."

Buffy frowns, leaning in nose to nose with Willow "I don't know who you think you are, Willow. But you aren't the same person who was my friend all these years. You're letting the power go to your head. Leave. Her. Alone. Understand?"

With a flick of her hand, Willow magically throws Buffy hard against the opposite wall before leaving the ice cream shop.

Shaking her head, trying to get her bearings Buffy sees Amy in front of her, holding out her hand. "I. I'm sorry. Willow has changed so much since high school. I didn't realize…"

Buffy shakes her head at Amy, hopping up off the floor. "She isn't listening to any of us. If you have any sway with her at all, please try and talk some sense into her. I have to go after Tara and Dawn."

Running towards the campus, hoping that's where Dawn and Tara were heading, Buffy rounds a corner, seeing them ahead of her she releases of breath of thanks that she's found them and quickly catches up to them.

Walking up to the opposite side of Tara, she lightly puts her arm around her waist, since Dawn has her arm wrapped around the shaking Wicca's shoulder.

"I didn't realize how bad she's gotten." Dawn whispers looking at Buffy worriedly. "Buffy are you okay?"

Tara looks up and at Buffy, seeing a spot of blood at the corner of the Slayer's mouth.

Buffy frowns, seeing where she's looking and reaches with her free hand, wiping the spot of blood away. "Sorry, yeah I'm okay."

Frowning intensely Tara asks "What did she do?"

Shaking her head Buffy looks at the Wicca's eyes and slumping her shoulders states "She threw me against the wall with magic."

Eyes tearing up, Tara shakes her head. "I should l-leave. It w-would be b-best if I…"

Dawn and Buffy interrupt "NO."

Buffy smiles slightly at Dawn. "Tara, we already had this conversation. We're not allowing you to leave. We'll work through this. I promise you. I…" hesitating slightly Buffy looks at Dawn before continuing. Deciding Dawn should probably know what's going on. "I got the ingredient you needed for the spell." Pulling the envelope out of her back pocket she hands it to Tara. "Maybe we should see about doing up something for everyone, to be on the safe side." She states looking pointedly at Dawn.

"What are you talking about, Buffy?" Dawn asks worriedly.

Knowing what Buffy is trying to ask without saying anything Tara nods her head slowly in agreement. "Dawnie, we need to talk to you about something. L-let's go back to my dorm room, okay?"

"You mean she could have been playing with all our memories?" Dawn had turned pale and almost looked like she was ready to throw up. "I can't believe…surely she wouldn't…" Stopping and looking at Tara she remembers the argument the two witches had had then how Tara acted afterwards, as if nothing had happened. Knowing now, that Willow had used a forget spell on Tara. Slumping her shoulders knowing in her heart what Willow has done. "She would. She has."

Tara glanced up at Buffy worry on her face. Pulling Dawn into her arms "Dawnie, I wish I didn't have to tell you…"

"No, no. I'm glad you did. I understand better now." Dawn whispers in between quiet sobs. "It's just so hard to believe." Looking up into the woman she considers a sister and sometimes surrogate mother Dawn asks "Is there anything I can do to help?"

Sitting down beside Dawn, Buffy strokes her hair. "Thank you Dawn for offering. If we can think of anything, we'll let you know, okay?" Buffy half smiles at her sister, proud of the fact that she seems to be growing up. "I hoped you would be able to be a child a while longer, but it seems you're growing up quick, kiddo."

Dawn snorts around a sob. "Hello! We live on the Hellmouth Buffy. You're a slayer, Tara's a witch and I'm a mystical key! Our lives are not normal and I don't think I've ever been a child!"

Everybody gave kind of a sad laugh while hugging each other tightly. Pulling back slightly Tara half smiles at Dawn. "Do you want to help me with the spell?"

Buffy smiles as Dawn bounces up an down in excitement. "Tara, would it be okay if Dawn stays here while I go out on patrol?"

Smiling at the slayer Tara nods her head then frowns slightly. "Umm, how did the other night go?"

Buffy looks confused for a moment before reaching up, touching the cross and looking at Tara. Seeing Tara nod she smiles real big. "The other night went great."

Sighing in relief Tara smiles happily at the Slayer. "Good."

Dawn frowns "What are you two talking about now?"

Buffy smiles softly at her sister. "Dawn, it's something personal, and with everything else that has happened tonight, can we maybe wait until I…Get my own head around it before talking to you about it? I promise I will explain to you eventually, just not right now, okay?"

Searching her sisters eyes and seeing that she's being sincere she nods her head, hugging Buffy close. "Okay. Just don't forget."

"I won't" Buffy smiles looking over Dawn's shoulder at the caring and support in the blonde Wicca's eyes.

"Well, that's it. Hopefully it will work." Tara smiles at Dawn, taking the amber colored stones that the wax was turned into over to her desk to make into necklaces. "You want to help make the necklaces?" Tara asks looking over her shoulder at Dawn.

"Sure!" Dawn hops up walking over. Tara is spreading newspaper out and putting the jeweler's cement on it along with the other items needed to make the necklaces.

Gluing the stones into the settings took just a few minutes. Grabbing the black cord like string Tara unlatches, sliding one of the stones on and hands it to Dawn. "There's your own home-made necklace, Dawnie."

Doing up the rest of the stones on the cords Tara stops looking down at the other four necklaces.

Dawn sees her hesitating and gently rubs her shoulder "What's wrong Tara?"

Shaking her head she looks worriedly at Dawn. "I don't know how to explain to Xander and Anya about Willow. Anya will probably be easier than Xander. Xander has been her best friend forever. I don't think he'll believe me." Tara whispers almost broken hearted.

Hearing a light knock at the door Tara stiffens slightly and relaxes when she hear's Buffy say "It's me." Quickly opening the door she smiles at the slayer. "How was patrol?"

Buffy grins "Killed four vampires, a demon that was like three feet tall that thought I would make a good chew toy and helped out a co-ed that got her hand stuck between the railing and the wall on the stairs."

"So, besides being the slayer you played good Samaritan also?" Tara smiles winningly at Buffy. "You know, you are really a wonderful person Buffy."

Blushing slightly Buffy shakes her head looking down at her feet. "So did you guys get the necklaces done?" She asks looking back up.

Inhaling deeply and reaching over for one of the necklaces Tara nods. "Yes, we did. Here's one for you." She hands it to Buffy who quickly slips it over her head. Reaching over to grab one for herself and putting it on. Picking up the other two she looks at Buffy, handing them to her. "I think it might be better coming from you, instead of me."

Buffy looks down at the last two necklaces and up at Tara, nodding her head slowly. "I'll talk to Anya first and then we'll both try to talk to Xander." Knowing Xander would be the hardest to convince.

"Well, we should probably head home, Dawn." Buffy states, rubbing the girls head lightly.

Looking at Tara with pleading eyes Dawn asks "Can I stay here tonight? I really don't want to see…" Trailing off looking down quickly.

Buffy looks at Tara silently asking her if it was okay and at Tara's nod she smiles. "Thanks, Tara. Yes, you may, but you have to promise to be good for Tara!"

"I'm always good for Tara!" Dawn replies indignantly.

Raising her hands in self defense Buffy grins "Okay, okay. You're always good for Tara - it's just me that you're rotten for."

Dawn whines "Buffy!"

Buffy grins, as she puts the necklaces in her pocket and walks to the door. "You two have a good night."

Tara smiles gently "Please be careful. Call me and let me know you made it home, okay."

"I will." Buffy smiles slightly, walking out the door and heading home.