Chapter Six: Protection and Problems

Two weeks had passed since Willow had brought Anya and Faith back. She was surprised to learn that the Goddess had taken them from two different times. Anya had come back from a few days after Willow herself had left for England. It was why Anya had reacted so badly to seeing Willow's dark magic appearance. Faith however had been brought back from a few days after the battle against The First. Both had been surprised to learn of their futures and they're own deaths along with deaths of their friends.

When Willow explained to Faith about the deaths of Giles and Buffy, Faith had felt betrayed to learn that the vampire she respected had killed Giles. She knew that Giles's death would have destroyed Buffy and probably resulted in the blond's death and her own.

Anya, however, had been a little sad to learn that her relationship with Xander had been once again rekindled and that she had died before they could finish working everything out. She was a little surprised to learn that Xander and Dawn had married and named a child after her, but was also proud to know the man she had always loved, loved her enough to honor her memory.

After Willow had finished telling them everything that had happened, Faith and Anya had asked for time to process what Willow had told them and had went off to let their minds accept the last 100 years. While they accepted the time that had passed, Willow would leave at strange times to keep an eye on Tara, staying at a distance so the blond wouldn't sense her or know she was there.

Willow couldn't chance losing Tara again, not so soon after finding her once again. It was strange to feel that little hole inside her being filled once more, and she knew she wouldn't survive if something ripped her connection to Tara away from her again.

Currently Willow stood in the shadows and watched the blond as she leaned back against a tree, reading a book about spells and the Wiccan religion. Willow recognized the book as one of her Tara's favorites and was curious just how alike this Tara was to her own. As she stared at her soul mate from the darkness of the trees, she watched Tara stiffen for a moment before lifting her head.
"Who's there?" the blond asked, staring into the trees for a long time before looking around her for any signs that would reveal to her why she felt like someone was watching her.

Willow held her breath, not wanting to give her presence away to the young girl, knowing Tara was afraid of her.

"I know you're there. I can feel you watching me," Tara called out, letting her magicks rise in preparation to protect herself.

I won't hurt you, Willow told her, using the connecting between her mind and Tara's to send the message without Tara seeing her. I'm here to protect you.

"Why?" Tara asked, looking into the shadows of the trees and trying to make out any form. "Who are you?"

A friend. Someone who would never let anything happen to you, Willow told her, keeping her voice low enough that Tara wouldn't recognize it.

"How do I know I can trust you?" Tara questioned, standing up and starting to back away from the darkening woods before her.

You don't, but I won't hurt you. I'd never hurt you, Willow promised, watching Tara slowly back away. You don't have to leave. I'll go if I'm making you uncomfortable. I just wanted to make sure you were safe. I didn't mean to frighten you.

Tara frowned and stopped walking. "Can I see you?"

No. I have no intention to reveal myself to you. I didn't even want you to know I was here, but that didn't work out, Willow explained, slowly slipping further into the darkness so she could teleport to her home.

"Why didn't you want me to know you were here?"

I have my reasons, was all Willow responded, before breaking the connection and teleporting away from the girl.

Back in her home, Willow stood in her room by the window, looking out at the world and wondering just how much longer she was going to have to hide from the world and herself. She knew that it would take some time before she could win Tara over, but she didn't know how she was suppose to win the younger girl over.

From all the time she had spent watching over Tara, she had learned a lot of things about her. Small things at first, like her favorite places to go, the type of books she liked, the way she dressed. Then she started learning the more important things, like the face that Tara was about to be turning 17, and her birthday was on October 16th, just like her Tara's. It amazed Willow to know that the reincarnated version of her lover was so similar to the one she knew. It confused her though because she never expected to find her lover when she was still so young.

As she stared out the window lost in thought, Willow didn't hear the door behind her open or the sound of footsteps approaching her. She didn't notice when someone stopped behind her or the feel of power that seemingly became overwhelming until she fell to her knees. She lifted her head, trying to figure out who was so powerful that they could start draining her without effort and frowned at the sight before her. A dark beast stood before her, smiling down at her as it's hands were extended towards her, drawing the dark magicks from her and weakening her body all at once.

Willow looked at the beast, trying to work up enough magicks to stop the monster, but unable to do so. She knew the creature stealing her powers wouldn't kill her, but it'd weaken her until her powers came back. She had learned long ago that she couldn't die. No matter if it was at her own hands or the hands of one of the many beasts that came after her. Whimpering, Willow felt more of her magicks leave her as she fell forward on to her hands, her head hanging as the last bit of her magicks started to leave her body, but stopped suddenly. She forced her head up, only to see Faith fighting the monster before her.

"Willow?" Anya said, kneeling next to her.

Willow turned her head and looked at Anya. "I'm okay," she told the vengeance demon before looking at where Faith was fighting the demon that had attempted to steal her powers.

After a long battle, Faith got her hands around the demon's neck, snapping it and tossing the demon to the ground. "You alright, Red?" Faith asked, walking over to her.

"I'm fine," Willow said, cautiously getting to her feet. "Thank you. It wouldn't have killed me, but it would hurt like hell and weaken me until my powers came back."

"Getting your powers taken wouldn't kill you?" Anya asked, surprised by Willow's words.

"Part of the curse. I can't die until Tara loves me."

A/N: Thank you Gimpy72 for helping me by reading this chapter. I'm always grateful for your help.