CHAPTER TEN: SULKING

Tara had purposely gone to college over two hours early in order to avoid Willow, which left the redheaded witch worrying about what the future would hold for her relationship with Tara.

She sat at the kitchen bench, mug of coffee in her hands as she stared blankly at the newspaper in front of her.

Buffy entered the kitchen and sighed sadly. She didn't know what was happening between herself and Tara, but she knew that she didn't like seeing her best friend unhappy. And while she may have drifted apart from Willow in the last few months, it didn't mean that she didn't still love Willow.

The Slayer moved quietly to stand behind the witch, hugging her from behind. Willow sighed and leant against her friend, allowing herself to take comfort in Buffy.

"You doing okay Wills?" Buffy asked quietly.

Willow shook her head sadly. "No. Tara…she's gonna leave," Willow said desolately.

"She's not gonna leave," Buffy assured her. "She's just…you guys just need some time to sort through things."

"She won't forgive me," Willow said stubbornly.

Buffy took the seat beside Willow and took hold of Willow's hand. "Do you think she should?"

Willow sighed and turned her eyes back down to the newspaper. "No," she admitted.

"Will…do you get why she left you?" Buffy asked.

Willow nodded, tears gathering in her eyes. "Cos I used magic."

"It's more than that and you know it," Buffy said.

Willow closed her eyes and leant her head against the kitchen counter. She felt Buffy slowly begin to stroke her hair, the way that Tara had done to comfort her so many times. Willow felt herself relax even though she was still tremendously upset.

"Because I broke my promise," Willow admitted.

"And?" Buffy pushed.

"And…because…because I stole part of her memory."

Buffy nodded. "You know it was wrong," she whispered.

"But…I just…I didn't want us fighting all the time," Willow said.

Buffy forced Willow to sit up and look at her. Even though she felt bad for her best friend, she felt even worse for Tara. She didn't know what was happening between Tara and herself, but it was there, and it was strong. But she knew that she wanted whatever made Tara happy. And she knew from past experience that Willow did make Tara happy. So, if that was the case, then Buffy was going to try her hardest to get the two witches back together again.

"Wills, you can't just take part of someone's memory to make the fight go away," Buffy said gently. "You know that's not right. It's the same as using magic to force someone to stay with you."

"But I love her," Willow cried.

"I know you do. And Tara knows that too. But…she can't trust you if you're not honest with her. And taking away her memory and breaking your promises isn't going to make it better Will. You have to work through it the hard way. And it'll take time and effort, but…I believe that you can do it."

Willow sighed and looked away from her best friend.

"I don't want it to take time," she sulked.

Buffy sighed, knowing that Willow would be a tough nut to crack. It had been the same when Oz had left. She'd turned to magic to try and make the pain go away, but instead she'd only created more for herself.

"Wills…you know I love you, so don't take this the wrong way. Do you love Tara?" Buffy questioned, her last sentence slow and drawn out.

"Of course I do!" Willow yelled, pushing her stool away from the counter and standing up, assuming a defensive position.

Buffy sighed and stood up as well, trying to keep her posture as open as possible to show Willow that she wasn't trying to attack her.

"Will, I know you do. But you really have to think about this. Do you love Tara enough to put in the effort to earn her forgiveness? To earn her trust?" Buffy asked.

Willow's face fell. She was so used to relying on the magics that she'd forgotten how much harder everything was without them. She could use the magic to delve into people's minds to find out their true thoughts and feelings. She could use magic to destroy vampires and help people that way. She could also use magic to make people forget things that had hurt them. Or more specifically, to make them forget that she had hurt them.

"She's worth it," Willow admitted.

Buffy nodded and smiled softly. She took hold of Willow's hand and squeezed it gently.

"Then take the time, and give her the space she needs. Don't push her. Just…let it happen," she advised. "And…if you're meant to get back together you will. And…if it's not meant to happen, then…then I know the two of you will always be friends."