Chapter 2

(BEDROOM)

Willow awoke the next morning with a bad headache and nosebleed. The bright sun beaming through the window illuminating the pretty face of her girlfriend did nothing to lighten her mood. She used to love to wake each morning and watch the sun dance across Tara's sleeping face, now all she wanted was a little magic fix. "Come hither," she said waving her hand concentrating on what she wanted. An elaborate breakfast appeared on a nicely decorated table next to the bed. Eggs, bacon, waffles with syrup and butter along with juice and milk were perfectly arranged surrounding a bouquet of lilies, one of Tara's favorite flowers. Willow smiled to herself 'a little breakfast, a little loven and she will never know' as she kissed her lover awake.

Tara's eyes fluttered open at the affectionate touch of Willow; something that was a growing rarity so she was a bit surprised. "Good morning Tara," Willow said with a half grin on her face. "I know we've had a few problems lately but being that I promised to go one week without magic to prove myself last night I thought I'd show you how much I love you and how sorry I am for not listening to you." She pulled the blonde close kissing her gingerly.

Tara returned the kiss eying the set up which was heart warming indeed but she noticed something, that table, those dishes, they did not belong to them. Her heart sank and the realization showed on her face as the spark diminished from those sea-blue eyes. "Willow how could you do this to me!" Tara got up pushing the redhead away from her a little more harshly than she had intended.

"What's the matter baby I didn't do anything." Willow spoke in a very calm voice. "I phoned and had this all ordered and delivered. Tara I didn't perform magic, I can't believe you don't trust me." Hurt showed on her face. 'Lay it on thick Rosenberg, this is a crucial moment.' "Tara please don't do this."

Tara looked at Willow who was showing anguish on her face, for a split second, she began to doubt herself. "Willow I love you so much." Tara looked deep into her eyes trying to find something but only could see the after effects of magic hidden deep within those emerald green eyes. "Not only are you using magic, you are blatantly lying to me. I am supposed to be the woman you love." Tears filled those soft blue eyes as a slight commotion downstairs could be heard.

(SUMMERS HOME)

Buffy stood in the kitchen heating a pot of coffee as she looked out the window watching the sun come up. It was a new day but her inner being still felt numb, like it was a shell, a human body with a non-existent soul in it. She was just going through the motions; so much that it felt as if part of her wasn't even there. As if she were still living a peaceful existence in some far off place and someone new was living within the legendary slayer's body.

Buffy shook her head as Dawn came trudging down the stairs still half asleep. "Hey Dawnie," Buffy said in a hallowed voice that Willow tried to explain away as trauma over her horrific ordeal.

The explanation should have made sense but Dawn could feel it in her bones, Elizabeth Summers was not home. "Hi Buffy," Dawn said putting on her best smile as someone knocked on the front door. "Could you get that?" Dawn said popping a strudel in the toaster hoping it was Giles.

Giles looked over his glasses at his once vibrant charge, knowing immediately something was off. "Giles," she said softly.

"Hello Buffy," he replied looking for that once beaming smile that always greeted him but there was none.

"Giles," Dawn yelled racing to hug her beloved father figure.

"Dawn," he said smiling at the young girl looking up at a picture of the sisters. He squinted his eyes and looked a second time, sure enough plain as day, there for a brief moment with pleading eyes was the face of Buffy Summers. 'Dear God, my poor child.' He shook his head and took his glasses off to wipe them as a distraught Tara ducked into the kitchen followed by a very agitated redheaded witch. "Tara please listen to me!"

"Willow stop, I just can't do this anymore! You have shattered every ounce of trust in our relationship, you walked on my heart and I don't know if I can stay!" Tara's anguished face tugged at Giles' heart as she spoke.

"Tara no, don't leave me!" Willow's eyes went black as the night as she grabbed Tara's hands.

"Willow, you lied to me, you are destroying yourself with this magic and I love you to much to watch it." Tears fell from the shy woman's eyes uncontrollably.

"Tara, give her some time to recover from this," Buffy offered.

Giles and Dawn exchanged worried glances; knowing Buffy would not condone lying, manipulating, and surely not Willow trying to physically restrain Tara. "Willow look at you!" Dawn shouted angrily being able to no longer stand seeing Tara hurt like this.

"Dawnie stay out of this!" Willow warned in a harsh tone.

"She's right, look at you Willow; you are not my Willow anymore." Tara said ever so softly as she pushed away from the angered witch and went out the door.

Giles stood silently thinking of what could be going on here; knowing they were in for big trouble. He now believed Buffy did not dwell in that body and was certain the darkness was overtaking Willow 'you know what you must do Rupert.' Giles shook his head no. 'Rupert you have no choice in the matter, who better to deal with such evil than the one who has lived it, the psycho-slayer.'