A/N Thanks for all the kind reviews and to those who emailed with helpful suggestions. Sunshine, I'm not certain how far I will take this story once B/T hook up so not certain about doing a sequel as of yet.

Chapter Nine

The sun shined dimly through the window as evening fell upon the London countryside. Willow and Faith had been in London for a week now and things were looking up for the Wiccan. She missed home, but something deep within told her it wasn't home anymore. To much had happened, to many bad runs with her friends and there was that haunting face of Janice back there.

Janice now haunted her dreams more so than the dark magic was tugging at her. She had learned several techniques from the coven on how to channel energy to the earth when it festered up inside her and threatened to break into something dark and evil. She also was learning better concentration methods to help her focus. Daily meditations and learning the proper usage of magic and energy were also being learned to both help her understand it all and to help cleanse herself of to many lingering withdrawal symptoms. This truly was an addiction much like that of being hooked on a heavy drug and Willow was determined to beat the habit for herself now rather than to keep Tara with her. This she felt was a plus because unless you change for yourself, it usually falters along the way.

"Red," Faith's low husky voice called from the doorway of their room. Throughout the few days that Willow had been tirelessly working on kicking the magic addiction and dealing with the emotional turmoil killing Janice was putting her through, the one constant was Faith. "I got you some dinner here and those witchie ladies said for you to take a day off of everything but the meditation. They said your recovery includes a lot of rest."

Faith sat the tray of food down in front of Willow and she ate a little. "Faith, I don't know if I can rest. Whenever I go to sleep the nightmares come and then I wake you and you have to sit with me as if I were a big baby and I," Faith put her hand up and stopped Willow in mid-babble.

"I'll get ya all relaxed," the dark slayer smiled at Willow. She was very fond of her for a long time but never let it show. She felt she was now in a position to let it show because she was Faith and didn't really care much that Willow may have someone back in Sunnydale waiting for her. She wasn't so sure Tara was really waiting for Willow but if she were, though Faith wasn't a bad guy anymore, didn't mean she didn't live by her motto, Want Take Have.

She didn't plan on bedding Willow for kicks or anything and truly wanted to help her heal her inner demons that plagued her every waking and sleeping hour. She saw no harm though in letting Willow know how she felt but wasn't quite sure when to do it or how as Faith was never one for tact or proper timing.

Her task wasn't going to be as hard as she thought though because the one thing Willow Rosenberg had was an addictive personality, meaning she was very easily drawn to whatever or whomever was making her feel special. At this moment, that someone was Faith and Willow was growing very addicted to the dark slayer, though in a more healthy way.

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Tara and Anya got back to Buffy's around 7:30 pm. They had spent the better part of the afternoon shopping for the lavish wedding Anya was planning and enjoying themselves. "So now we need to go through the list and make certain I've got everything." Anya said as she sat her bags down.

"I think we should leave that to Dawn and Buffy," Tara said warily.

"I've got to get ready for patrol," Buffy said then made a hasty retreat up the stairs.

"I think weddings give her the wiggins," Dawn offered as Xander sat down the boxes containing the dinner he'd just gone out and purchased for everyone.

Tara smiled knowing the only problem with Buffy was that she wanted no part in planning a wedding. "I'll get the plates," Tara said and headed out to the kitchen.

Over the last few days, Tara had grown rather content with life at the Summers home. The house seemed to breathe laughter again and continuity, two things Tara sorely missed in the few weeks preceding Willow's departure to England. She briefly wondered if she should call to check on Willow then kicked herself mentally. 'You're the last thing she needs right now Maclay.'

Tara shook her head, scooped up the plates, two liter of Pepsi and glasses then shuffled back to the living room. Giles had now joined the group and Buffy was standing at the foot of the stairs with a smile on her face. Tara glanced at her and smiled. She was so happy to have Buffy home, the full package that is. "Someone want to give me a hand?" Tara questioned as Giles grabbed the plates.

As the gang ate and talked of the mayhem the big wedding could be with a guest list filled with humans as well as demons the phone rang. Tara heard Giles ask someone if everything was all right, then his mention of how late it was over there told her the caller had to be Willow or Faith.

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As the hour grew late in London Willow awoke from yet another dream of killing Janice. Her palms were sweating and her face a mask of anguish and fear as she screamed out into the quiet room. Faith was there as always to comfort her. "Red," was all she said as she moved to the bed and took the now sobbing girl into her arms. "I gotcha, it's all right."

Willow's state seemed to relax instantly in Faith's embrace and both women noticed it. "Do you really Faith? Will you leave me like Tara did?" Willow questioned in a small frightened voice.

Though she understood why Tara had to pull away from her, it still hurt deeply and she feared everyone would eventually react the same way. Willow knew Tara tried to help her as best she could under the circumstances but she took away the embraces and intimacy. Willow was not of the most secure people and felt she needed showings of affection to let her know someone was there for her. Willow needed something more than help from a friend to get through this and Tara just couldn't do it thanks to Willow's own stupidity. "Red I know what it's like to deal with this on your own." Faith said and gently rubbed circles on Willow's cheek with her thumb. "I won't bail on ya, I promise."

Upon Faith having spoken those words, the two women looked into each other's eyes for what seemed an eternity. They both found unhealed wounds there but most of all; found a need to be loved. Having realized those things in each other's eyes spawned mutual kisses, which lead to mutual touching, and more kisses. Then the two held each other for a long time letting the emotions wash them clean as they began their journey of healing together.

- - - - - - - - -

Tara's face played out a plethora of emotions as she spoke to a teary-eyed Willow. Never in her wildest dreams did she think she would hear Willow speak the words of letting go. Tara had known for some time the words needed spoken but wanted to wait for the right time. As usual, Willow was the one who decided the right time. "I wish you the best Willow and will always be here should you need me." Tara said in closing to their brief phone conversation, which seemed to drag on forever.

As she hung up the phone, part of her felt betrayed. She had fought off her own feelings to keep Willow from anymore hurt but Willow did not. Willow couldn't even wait until the two had a chance to end things properly before she landed herself in another woman's arms. Tara knew what Willow had done to Oz with Xander some years ago and now it was done to her, though with different circumstances.

Tara supposed Willow was a searching soul that would make mistakes such as this until she found her resting spot. She truly hoped she had found it with Faith so the brunette slayer didn't have to go through the same treatment. Though Tara was glad for Willow, to hear that she seemed to be on the road to recovery, she was sad for the chapter in her life she though would go on forever was now closed and Tara never really got to state her feelings. Per usual, it was Willow who dictated the ending and Tara stood by quietly allowing her to do so. She figured maybe it was better this way; that Willow couldn't have handled the rejection from Tara.

As she stood there in deep thought Buffy came to her and touched her arm with a look of concern on her face. "It's all right Buffy," Tara said and mustered a small smile. "W-W-Willow set me free."

TBC.