Chapter Sixteen: Memories of the Past

Previously in Echoes in the Wind...

Willow stepped towards Tara, stopping a few feet from her. "You can talk to me. I blocked you out before because I thought you were better off without me around. For now, I'm here as a friend," Willow told her, looking into the blue eyes she loved so much.

"For how long?" Tara asked.

"For however long you need me."

Willow watched the figure in the bed across the room, sound asleep and unaware of the troubles in the world. Tara had asked Willow to stay with her through the night, afraid to wake up and think it was a dream. She didn't want to be alone again.

Willow smiled slightly at the sight of Tara looking peaceful in sleep. It was the first time in so long that she was able to watch the familiar expression of serenity on Tara's face. Even if she wasn't her Tara, it was still a welcome reminder of her lost love.

Closing her green eyes, Willow relaxed as she felt the darkness inside of her slip away. With Tara here with her, there was no darkness. Not right now. Not at this very moment. There was only peace when they were alone.

It was amazing how easily the blonde before her could calm the dark storm that was her soul. Her Tara could do the same so many years ago. It was why Willow had fallen deeper into the magics when Tara left her. It was why Willow had given in when Tara died.

She remembered telling Xander once when he was alive that Tara was her light in the darkness. It was one of the first conversations they had about Tara after her death and since Willow had returned from England. Xander was always cautious about bringing up Willow's lost love, and it surprised Willow when he finally did.

Willow smiled slightly at the memory of her lost friend. She still couldn't believe he was the one who stopped her from ending the world. He was the one to finally break through the darkness and bring her back out. Buffy had tried. Dawn had tried. Even Giles had attempted to pull Willow back out, but Xander's words were the ones that had broken through and let her grief escape. Willow knew why Xander had succeeded. Everyone made the mistake about talking about Tara, and how they were sorry for her death. Xander had reminded Willow that he still loved her. That he would be there for her even if she was going to destroy the world.

As Willow lost herself to the memory, Tara woke from her dreams and looked around her, confused for a moment until she saw the dark witch on the other side of the room, a small smile gracing her features. "You're smiling," Tara whispered, pulling Willow from her thoughts and causing the green eyes to lock with hers.

"I was remembering an old friend."

"Your Tara?" Tara wondered, sitting up in bed to look at Willow with more ease.

"No, someone else. Someone who was there for me from the day we met until the day he died," Willow explained, looking away from the blue eyes to glance out the window at the lightening sky. "It's morning?"

"Yeah, I guess it is," Tara said, realizing Willow was changing the subject. "Did you sleep at all?"

"No. Its rare if I sleep at night," Willow admitted, turning her attention back to Tara. "How long have you been awake?"

"Not long. I just woke up when I saw you were smiling," Tara told her.

Willow just nodded and stood from her seat across the room. "I should go home. Angel and Spike are probably wondering where I am, and if they aren't, then I know Faith and Anya will be worried."

"Faith and Anya? They're still here?" Tara asked, surprised by Willow's words.

"Yes, they refused to let me send them back. They wanted to attempt to find a witch to break the curse," Willow admitted, looking at Tara. "They haven't had any luck finding someone that can break a spell placed by two witches at once, no matter how weak the witches may have been."

"I can try," Tara offered, feeling guilty for not helping before. "I mean, I'm not that powerful, but I can try."

Willow just shook her head, looking away from the blonde. "It requires the use of dark magic."

"What makes you so sure?" Tara argued, frowning at Willow.

"Because it was placed on me with dark magic. I don't think you can find a spell to remove it using light magic."

"And if I can?"

"I won't let you," Willow told her, stepping into the shadows of the room, and leaving before Tara had time to argue with her.

"Where have you been? We thought something happened," Faith snapped, walking over to Willow as the witch appeared in the room.

"I was with Tara," Willow said, walking past the slayer and vengeance demon as she headed into her room.

"Wait...what? I thought you gave up on things between you and Tara?" Angel asked, confused by Willow's words.

Willow frowned at the vampire and turned to face the group. "I got a visit from Laura last night. She asked me to take care of Tara when she dies."

"What does that have to do with seeing T last night?" Faith wondered, looking at Willow in confusion.

"Her mother is dying. That's why Willow went there," Anya announced watching as everyone turned to look at her. "What?"

"Is that it, Red?" Spike asked, a look of understanding in his eyes.

"Yes."

"How's Tara handling it?" Angel wondered.

"She's scared and confused. She doesn't want to lose her mother and is afraid of being left alone."

"But she's not. She has you and us," Anya said, not understanding Tara's fear.

"Yes, but she thought I had sent you back. I don't think it helped that I ignored her calls," Willow admitted, looking down at her hands as sadness entered her green eyes.

"But you saw her, right? Told her she wasn't going to be alone?" Anya asked, looking at the witch.

"I told her I would be there for her as long as she needs me."

A/N: Thank you Gimpy72 for being the best beta. I really appreciate you always reading my chapters and stories.