The last week of school went by slowly for the entire campus, but Tara seemed to be feeling more than the stress of exams would warrant. It wasn't all the time, and she wasn't obvious about it, but Willow had noticed her girlfriend's extended silences and the sadness lingering in her eyes when she thought no one else was watching.
They each packed up their dorm rooms, borrowing the Summers' Jeep, as well as Xander and Riley, to move the three girls from the campus to their respective houses. The boys had just unloaded the last of Tara's belongings at Willow's house when the redhead gave up trying to restrain her anxiety, worried about her girlfriend and unable to keep quiet about it anymore.
Tara was looking around the house in curious fascination when Willow snagged her hand and pulled her insistently to the couch. She gave the redhead a weak smile, knowing what Willow was worried about, knowing that she had been discovered, and she brushed red hair back from Willow's face gently. "I'm okay, sweetheart," she said preemptively. "I promise."
Willow sighed, concerned. "But Tara, what's wrong? You've barely said a word in a week, and you just seem so sad the last few days. Is it me? Did I do something? I promise I didn't mean it, whatever it was, and I'll do anything to make it up to you…"
Tara hushed her gently, one hand over Willow's mouth firmly. "Shh, Willow, no, it's absolutely not you. You didn't do a thing, I promise. You have nothing to apologize for. You've been so sweet all week, and I'm sorry I've been freaking you out. I just…this time of year is always hard for me," she said, voice soft and sad.
Willow figured it out abruptly, sucking in a shaky breath, heart breaking in sympathy. "Your mom," she guessed quietly, her hand taking Tara's from her mouth only far enough to kiss her palm. "Honey, I'm so sorry. Can I do anything? Please, I'll do anything you want. I didn't know…"
Tara hushed her again quickly, shaking her head. "Willow, it's okay. I know you didn't know. It's not something I, I don't tell a lot of people, I don't really talk about her much."
Willow smiled weakly, touching Tara's face gently. "You don't have to tell me anything you don't want to, Tara."
"No, I want to," Tara interrupted her. "If you wouldn't mind listening…"
"Honey, of course I wouldn't mind! I would love to hear anything you want to tell me," Willow agreed, nodding as she pulled Tara into a hug. "I love you. I want you to be okay, and I want you to be able to talk to me, but I'm never going to push you to tell me something if you don't want to."
Tara felt tears burning behind her eyes suddenly, grateful for Willow's unquestioning support. The redhead moved to pull back as she heard Tara sniffle, but Tara didn't let her go, curling her arms tighter around her lover's shoulders. Willow held her gently, stroking her back slowly. "Want to stay here, or go upstairs and get comfortable?" Willow whispered to her, one hand combing through Tara's hair.
"Upstairs?" Tara suggested hesitantly, sniffling back more tears.
"We could stay here," Willow offered. "If you don't want to move."
Tara shook her head, loosening the hug enough to give Willow a smile. "We can go upstairs," she said, starting to recover her control of her emotions.
They stood up, Willow leaning on Tara's arm. They moved slowly up the stairs, Tara hesitating at the top. Willow gave her a sideways glance, biting her lip. "Tara, you don't have to live in there, but for tonight do you maybe want to sleep in my room? I can clean one of the guest rooms for you tomorrow. I don't think any of them have sheets on the beds at the moment, but I can fix it all right now if you want…"
She stopped her rambling as Tara's fingers squeezed her hand gently. "I want to stay with you," Tara said softly, smiling. "Please?"
Willow nodded, kissing the back of her hand. "Of course," she agreed, indicating her room with a nod.
Tara looked curiously around the room as they entered, Willow taking a deep breath as she surveyed her childhood bedroom for anything potentially embarrassing. She spotted a picture of herself and Oz on the dresser, edging surreptitiously to turn it over. There was a Dingoes poster on the wall, but she had no way of quickly hiding that, and she gave Tara an apologetic smile.
"Sorry baby. I haven't been here since the accident, you know," Willow said.
Tara shook her head, pressing a kiss to Willow's temple. "It's fine, sweetheart. I know you love me."
Willow smiled gratefully. "I do," she agreed. "So much." She took Tara's hand again, squeezing it gently. "Do you still want to talk?"
Tara nodded, biting her lip. Willow guided her to the bed, sitting down beside her and waiting, not wanting to put any pressure on Tara to share. The blonde kept a hold on Willow's hand, her eyes lingering on their joined hands in her lap. "Thank you, Willow," she whispered.
The redhead nodded, still staying quiet. "My mom died two years ago today," Tara said softly, surprised that she wasn't stuttering. "We were really close because she was always around when I was a kid. Dad wouldn't let her leave the farm because of the demon thing." She sighed heavily. "Her mom died when she was a kid, and she married my dad in high school. She never knew it was a lie," she whispered. "We could have gotten away, maybe, I don't know, or maybe she was in on it." She smiled sadly. "I probably don't want to know. The first time I ever tried to run away was after her funeral," she remembered, clearing her throat to keep from choking up.
"My mom taught me about magic, but Dad always said the magic was because of the demon and he didn't like to let us practice, so we would sneak up to the attic at night and she would teach me. She always seemed so strong, like nothing could hurt her. I remember that she was really sad sometimes, but I didn't even know she was sick until a few weeks before… She was sick for a long time though. I just…I miss her a lot." She squeezed Willow's hand. "I wish I could tell her about you, about how happy you make me."
Willow smiled, nodding quietly. "She'd have loved you," Tara said softly. "Because I love you, so much." Her free hand cupped Willow's cheek, her thumb brushing gently over the freckled skin. "Thanks for letting me talk about this. It's been hard since she died. When I was a kid, she was always there to talk to. Once she died, it was just my dad and my brother and the only thing I ever heard from them was how no one would ever love me and that only they could control my demon." She grimaced slow tears escaping and sliding down her face. "I can't…I can't talk about that, about what they did…"
Willow shook her head, leaning forward to kiss her softly. "It's okay," she whispered. "Nothing you don't want to…" she said reassuringly. "And your father and brother were wrong. I love you."
Tara nodded, kissing her again. "I know you do," she breathed. "I'm so glad you do."
Willow pulled back enough to smile at her. Tara's eyes were red where she'd been trying to restrain her tears, and the shadows that had been building under her eyes for the last few days were darker than ever. Willow squeezed her hand gently. "Are you okay?" she asked, voice soft and concerned.
"Yeah, I think I am," Tara reassured her. She rubbed her eyes tiredly. "Can we go to bed? I haven't been sleeping good during exams." She smiled. "But you're here, so that shouldn't be a problem tonight," she commented.
Willow laughed quietly, nodding. "Aww, baby, I missed you too," she agreed. "Let's go to bed." Her eyes searched the room quickly. "Your pajamas should be in that bag," she said, pointing. "I'll get some drawers cleaned out for you in the morning, okay?"
Tara nodded tiredly. "Thank you, Willow."
"Sure thing, sweetheart. The bathroom is straight across the hall if you need it, or want to take a shower tonight, or anything," Willow said. She crossed the hall to clean up, coming back as Tara was crossing the hall to wash her face. Willow found her own clothes in a bag in the corner and changed quickly into her sleepwear. Tara had changed as well as brushed her teeth, but was lingering at the end of the bed as she came back into the room. "What is it?" Willow asked, giving her a look over the mattress. "Is something wrong?"
Tara shook her head, biting her lip shyly. "I didn't know if you had a side you like to sleep on," Tara answered.
Willow laughed as she got in bed, Tara sliding in beside her. "Anywhere next to you is where I want to sleep," Willow said, guiding Tara's head to her shoulder. "We've shared your bed for months now and that's never come up," she observed.
Tara giggled, tilting her head up to press a kiss behind Willow's ear. "Yeah, well mostly we end up on top of each other in my bed," she teased.
Willow grinned at her. "My bed would be honored to be given the same treatment," she agreed, laughing as she clicked the lamp off. "Tonight though, I just want to hold onto you, if that's okay."
"Perfect," Tara sighed, curling an arm over Willow's waist as she snuggled closer, the new setting forgotten in the familiar feeling of Willow's arms around her.
The pair of witches found living together easier than either one had expected, the long summer days giving them practically infinite time to spend together and with their friends. Tara felt more and more welcomed in Willow's group, the Scooby gang, with every day that passed. As Willow's leg got stronger and her abilities to get around without supports grew, the group began going to the Bronze, playing pool and dancing, and going to the beach to cookout and play around in the surf.
As the summer wound down, they spent more and more of their daylight hours on the beach, trying to get as much vacation time in as possible before school made carousing a dim memory. They had just left the beach, the late afternoon sun giving them enough light to get home without a Slayer powered escort. They had planned on everyone getting cleaned up before going back out for a night of dancing at the Bronze. However, Willow was limping as they made it to the driveway, leaning heavily on Tara's arm. The blonde was watching her anxiously, and she opened the front door without looking, her eyes locked on Willow.
"Maybe we should stay in tonight," she suggested. "You're going to start shaking if you don't rest."
Willow shrugged, shaking her head. "I can take some medicine and I'll be fine. The band's supposed to be really good tonight." She gave Tara a pleading pout. "Come on, please?" she asked, stopping and pulling Tara around by her arm so they were face to face. "Don't you want to go dance really close, and we could get one of the back tables so when we're not dancing we could…" She'd been leaning in gradually, a wicked smile on her face, their lips finally connecting in a rush.
Tara could feel Willow's weak knee start to tremble, and she guided them backwards several shaky steps, giving Willow the support of the wall as they continued to kiss passionately.
"Or we could stay here," Willow gasped before diving back in. "I'll call Buffy so she doesn't come over here looking for us," she decided rapidly, leaning against the wall while she panted for breath.
Tara giggled, seeing that Willow couldn't have moved if she wanted to. "I'll get the phone," she offered, giving Willow one last lingering kiss. Willow let her head drop back against the wall as they separated slowly, still breathing hard. Tara grinned, laughing again as she moved away from the wall, hesitating to make sure that Willow wasn't going to fall before she went toward the phone in the kitchen.
She realized as she picked the phone up out of the cradle that the kitchen wasn't as they had left it. There were bags of takeout on the counter and she frowned as she carried the phone back into the hall. She froze right outside the doorway as she saw that Willow wasn't alone, but was hugging an older man. Tara held the phone tighter, feeling her throat suddenly dry.
Willow met her eyes over her shoulder, giving her girlfriend an apologetic look, but holding one hand out to her. "Mom, Dad, this is Tara Maclay. Tara, these are my parents, Shelia and Ira Rosenberg," the redhead introduced them as Tara joined them.
Ira nodded politely, shaking Tara's hand. "It's always nice to meet one of Willow's friends. She doesn't have many friends," he said, well-meaning but missing Willow's flush of embarrassment.
Shelia was already surveying the house and she patted Tara on the shoulder distractedly. "Yes, it's lovely to meet you, Tina."
"Her name is Tara, Mom, not Tina," Willow corrected her immediately, biting her lip. "What are you doing here?" she asked, feeling nervous suddenly.
Her mother gave her an arch look. "We do live here, Willow," she reminded her.
"Not very often," Willow muttered, rolling her eyes. "How long are you staying?"
"Just through the weekend," Shelia answered, missing Willow's breath of relief completely. "We're expected in Vancouver on Monday."
"Oh, okay," Willow said, glancing sideways at Tara. "Well, we were going out tonight, but we could stay and visit if you want…" she offered, reluctant despite the fact that she and Tara had been eager to spend the night in only a few minutes before.
"That would be lovely," Shelia agreed, obviously not listening. "The food is on the counter in the kitchen."
Willow sighed, nodding. "Yes, ma'am." She took Tara's hand as she walked slowly toward the kitchen, limping weakly, her spine stiff. Tara didn't speak and Willow leaned herself against the kitchen counter. "Sorry," she breathed softly.
Tara frowned in confusion. "Why would you be sorry?" she asked, her free hand combing through Willow's short hair.
"I didn't know they were coming, and I need to tell them about us, but I don't know how to do it or where to start, and I don't want you to be disappointed in me…" Willow said, all while staring at the countertop.
Tara used her grip in Willow's hair to turn her lover's eyes to meet her own, smiling reassuringly. "I'm not disappointed in you, Willow. Coming out to your parents is a big deal. I'm not going to push you," she promised. "What can I do to help you? Would it be easier if I wasn't here?" she asked. "I could go out with Buffy and Xander tonight and see you tomorrow."
Willow shook her head. "I want you with me," she whispered, squeezing Tara's hand in her own. "Is that okay?"
Tara nodded, leaning her forehead against Willow's. "Of course, Willow. Anything you want."
The redhead took a deep breath, swallowing thickly. "I love you," she breathed. "I need to put the food out, and I need to set the table, and I love you so much, and they need to know how much I love you…" Her voice was getting higher in pitch with every word and Tara hushed her gently.
"Willow, shh, it's okay. I promise. You don't have to tell them anything if you're not ready. It's okay. I'm not going to be mad," Tara whispered.
"No," Willow said emphatically. "No, I want to tell them." She blinked, kissing Tara suddenly. It took the blonde a second to respond, surprised at the kiss, and Willow pulled back after a long moment. "I don't want anyone thinking that you're just my friend, baby. I mean, you are my friend, but you're so much more than that, Tara," Willow said, gasping for breath.
"I know that, Willow," Tara assured her quietly. "I love you so much. That's all that matters to me, okay? Your parents can think whatever they want about me, as long as you love me too."
Willow nodded, hearing her parents coming down the stairs. "I do, I so do," she agreed breathily. "But I've got to go set the table, and they're coming back, and…"
"It's okay," Tara said quickly, kissing the worried furrow between Willow's eyes. "I'll get the plates, you get the food, okay?"
Willow nodded and they separated, each working quickly to set the table and serve the food. Willow had just come back in with a pitcher of tea when her parents came into the dining room from the hall. She poured the drinks for everyone quickly, her parents each taking a sip without speaking.
Tara gave her an encouraging smile as Willow took the seat beside her. "Thank you," she said quietly, one hand finding Willow's bouncing knee under the table.
Willow nodded, taking a long drink from her glass. She tried to muster the courage to speak, only to be interrupted by the phone. Her parents glanced at each other before giving their daughter a look of reproof.
"Calling at dinner time, it's probably Bunny," Shelia commented.
Willow stood up with a sigh. "Yeah, well, we were supposed to be meeting Buffy," she agreed sarcastically, stressing her friend's name. "I'll get it."
Tara gave Willow a smile as the redhead went into the kitchen, nervous now that she was on her own with the Rosenbergs.
"So, you go to school with Willow?" Ira asked, already distracted by the newspapers that had piled up since their last visit to their house.
"Yes sir," Tara answered, grateful that she wasn't stuttering.
"Are you a freshman as well?" Shelia said, not looking up from her stack of mail.
"No, ma'am," Tara said. "I'm a sophomore."
"And what are you studying?" the older woman asked.
"I haven't declared a major yet, but I've been taking a lot of English classes. I'd like to teach, or write maybe," Tara answered.
Shelia nodded, arching an eyebrow at her. "That sounds nice," she agreed dryly. "And how did you meet Willow?"
Tara glanced through the open door to the kitchen, seeing Willow pacing slowly with the phone, one hand on the counter to help her balance, and she smiled unconsciously. "I met her a few weeks after the accident and we started spending a lot of time together. She's really great."
Shelia nodded distractedly. "Yes, I'm glad you think so," she said.
Tara sighed, frowning at her plate. Willow was such a sweetheart, and she deserved so much better than this from the people who shared her life. The redhead returned from the kitchen at that moment, dropping a kiss on the top of Tara's head as she passed behind her chair to take her own seat. Tara blinked at her in surprise at the move although neither of her parents seemed to notice anything.
"Mom, Dad, I need to tell you something," Willow said, her voice steady. They both continued to read distractedly, displaying admirable dexterity in not spilling anything as they each guided their forks with both eyes locked on their respective piles of papers.
"Look at me," Willow said sharply. "I need to tell you one thing and then you can go back to reading the paper, okay?" she continued.
The sudden display of temper from their daughter seemed to draw their attention and both of them lifted their heads. Shelia was frowning and she shook her head at Willow. "Is it appropriate to act this way in front of company?" she asked, her tone disapproving.
"She's not company, Mom. She's my girlfriend," Willow stated firmly. "She's been living here, with me, all summer. Not that either of you have been around to notice. I love her, and it's not a phase, or something I'm experimenting with, and if you say one thing about statistics I don't know what I'll do," she said, pointing a finger at her mother as the older woman opened her mouth. "I'm not a statistic, I'm your daughter and this is my life."
There was a tense moment of silence, and Ira cleared his throat, extending a hand over the table to Tara. "It's nice to meet you," he offered, smiling uncomfortably.
Tara took the hand, nodding. "Y-you too," she said nervously, seeing Willow's sidelong glance as she stuttered.
Ira released her hand, nudging his wife with an elbow. "Shelia?" he prompted.
"How long has this been going on?" she asked, putting down the mail she'd been reading. "Because the last time you took a moment to tell us anything about your life, you were dating the musician," she said, putting a distasteful emphasis on the last word.
Willow nodded, letting out a deep breath. "Oz is gone. He left me after the accident," she told her mother.
"Tina said you met after the accident," Shelia said, glancing between the two girls.
"Her name is Tara," Willow reminded her pointedly. "We met a few weeks after the accident. We started spending time together, we've been dating since January, and I'm in love with her. I wanted you to know because you're my parents and I love you." She gave Tara a sideways smile, waiting for her parents to say something.
Shelia looked surprised, her mouth open, and she took a slow breath. "Willow…"
"Your mother and I are proud that you know who you are, and what you want," Ira interjected. "Thank you for telling us." He glanced sideways at his wife. "You understand that this is a lot for us to deal with," he said.
Willow nodded quickly, one hand finding Tara's on the table. "I know," she agreed, smiling tentatively. "It was a lot for me to deal with too."
Her father's face softened in realization and sympathy. "I'm sorry you were alone through this," he offered.
Willow sighed, nodding again. "Thanks Daddy, but Tara was with me, and Buffy, and Xander," she told him.
"Could you give us some time?" Sheila interjected suddenly and Willow blinked in surprise.
"Sure, Mom. We'll just go…out," Willow agreed slowly, taking Tara's hand as she stood up. They were out the front door before either spoke again, Tara pulling her girlfriend to a stop on the sidewalk.
"We should have grabbed your cane," Tara commented, seeing the trembling in Willow's limbs. "Willow…"
"I'm okay," the redhead interrupted. "It's okay. I expected them to react like that. It's fine."
Tara sighed softly, wrapping a supportive arm around Willow's waist. "Okay," she agreed, glancing around the dark street. "Where are we going? We can't stay out here."
"Buffy's house. They're all over there," Willow answered.
"Are we still going to the Bronze?" Tara asked, surprised.
Willow shook her head, biting her lip. "I think I'd rather stay in tonight. I don't think I feel very good," she said softly, her voice sad as she fought back sudden tears.
"Willow…sweetheart," Tara started, pulling her into a hug.
Willow shook her head against Tara's shoulder even as she clung to her. "We can't…we need to get off the street."
Tara nodded. "Okay," she agreed quietly. "It's okay. Do you want me to go back and get your medicine, your cane?"
Willow sniffled back tears, shaking her head again. "I'll be fine," she said, her voice sad. "Let's just go."
Tara brushed one hand through Willow's red hair. "Okay," she said, swallowing thickly.
They walked in silence, Willow grappling with her emotions while Tara tried to think of anything that she could do to help her lover. She hated the thought that she was costing Willow her family, but she was calmed by Willow taking her hand, still without speaking, and she mustered a smile as Willow pulled them to a stop.
"I know what you're thinking," Willow said softly, standing on her toes to press a kiss to Tara's cheek. "You're a part of my family Tara Maclay, and I don't want you thinking anything else. My parents can accept us, or not, but that won't change anything between us, okay?"
Tara nodded, smiling. "I love you," she whispered.
Willow blinked back tears, smiling back at her. "I love you too," she said quietly, glancing around the dark streets. "We need to get you inside," she prompted.
Tara arched an eyebrow at her, but nodded. "Okay," she agreed. "Let's go."
They resumed walking, making it to the Slayer's house without incident. They let themselves in without knocking, Buffy joining them from the living room almost before they were inside the door.
She hugged Willow quickly, resting one hand on Willow's shoulder in support after she pulled back. "Are you okay? Both of you?"
Willow nodded, sighing heavily. "They're 'thinking things over,'" she said, shrugging her shoulders. Xander appeared from the hall, hugging Willow immediately. She buried her face in his chest, her arms curling around him.
"They'll come around, Will," he said quietly. "And we love you," he reminded his oldest friend. "No matter what happens."
Willow nodded, leaning against him. "I know. I love you too, Xand." She turned her head to smile weakly at Buffy and Tara, still resting against Xander's chest. "I need to sit down though," she confessed, limbs feeling heavy and sore.
"Is any of her medicine here?" Tara asked Buffy as Xander helped the witch to the couch.
Buffy nodded, watching their progress carefully. "Yeah, I think so," she said. "I'll get it," she agreed, pushing Tara gently toward the living room.
She returned a minute later with a pair of pills and a glass of water. Willow took them without complaining, leaning back into the couch cushions. The others were gathered around her, all of them with the same concerned, anxious looks on their faces.
"I'm fine, guys," Willow said, smiling weakly. "I don't want to think about it though, can we just do something, please? Anything would be fine."
Buffy nodded, her arms crossed over her chest. "Sure thing, Will," she agreed. "Want to watch a movie?"
Willow nodded, pulling Tara down onto the couch by one hand, snuggling herself into the blonde's side, her arm curling over Tara's waist. Tara slid an arm around her shoulders, pressing a kiss to the top of her head.
Anya joined them from the kitchen, oblivious to the tension in the air. "Are we not going out anymore?" she asked. "I was looking forward to grinding against Xander and…" Her words were cut off by her boyfriend's hands over her mouth.
"That's right Ahn," he said. "We're staying in tonight. Willow doesn't feel good, so we're staying in," he told her. "Why don't you pick out a movie?" he suggested to appease her.
The former demon smiled happily, immediately rooting through the Summers' movie collection while the others settled in, still watching Willow anxiously. She was ignoring them all, sliding down to put her head in Tara's lap, her legs curled up close. Tara kept her arm around Willow, her hand resting lightly on her girlfriend's thigh, fingers rubbing gently back and forth in an unconscious soothing gesture.
They all looked up when the phone rang, hearing Joyce answer it in the kitchen. She came into the living room slowly, one hand covering the speaker. "Willow, sweetie, it's for you," she said. "Your father." She brought the phone to the couch, Willow sitting up slowly to take it.
"Yes sir?" Willow answered it, dimly feeling Tara's supportive hand on her back. "Okay. Yes sir. Okay," she spoke mechanically, her voice monotone. "Okay, goodbye."
She clicked off the phone, sighing heavily. The others were staring at her, no one speaking. "Everyone's uncomfortable now," Anya observed.
Willow managed a weak smile. "Their trip got moved up. They'll be leaving in the morning," she said, clearing her throat. "No big deal." The rest of the group was still looking at her and she bit her lip. "It's fine," she insisted, handing the phone back to Mrs. Summers. Her friends just kept looking at her and she wiggled back down to put her head back against Tara's leg.
Buffy reluctantly started the movie again, giving her friend a doubtful look over her shoulder, but Willow wasn't looking at anyone, instead staring at the television without blinking. Tara slipped her fingers through Willow's short hair, but her girlfriend didn't respond to the touch.
It was only a few minutes before Tara couldn't take the silence and she leaned over her own lap, whispering into Willow's ear. "Will, I'm not trying to push, but are you okay?" she whispered, hearing Willow suck in a shaky breath.
The redhead turned on Tara's leg to look up at her. Willow shook her head, a blink of her eyes sending tears sliding down toward her hair. She sat up quickly, wiping her eyes. "I'm okay," she said, her voice rough under the effort of holding back tears.
"Willow…" Tara started to speak, but the redhead pushed herself off the couch, taking several unsteady steps before she stumbled in her haste. Tara was right behind her and caught her before she could fall. Willow turned in her girlfriend's arms, burying her face in the blonde's shoulder, tears falling steadily now.
"Willow," Tara murmured sympathetically. "Sweetheart, you should talk to them," she said softly. "Before they leave." Willow blinked at her blearily in seeming incomprehension. "They're your parents, Willow," she reminded her gently. "I can't cost you your parents," Tara whispered.
Willow shook her head miserably. "You're not," she objected quietly. "This is just how we are. We don't talk, we avoid each other until they can start repressing," she said, sighing heavily. "My mom tried to burn me at the stake once and she doesn't remember a thing about it," she offered as an example. "They'll go on their trip, and next time they see us, it'll just be something else we don't talk about." She smiled bitterly. "That's just how it goes with the Rosenberg family. I hope you're not too disappointed."
Tara shook her head, hushing her with a frown. "Willow, no. I'm not disappointed. I just don't want you to have any regrets, okay?"
"We've already talked about this, Tara," Willow said, giving her a look.
"It's not the same thing," Tara said quickly. "I don't want you to ever resent me because of this. No matter what you say, I know your parents are important to you," she said, brushing hair back from Willow's face gently. "Shouldn't you just try to talk to them?" she asked in concern.
Willow sighed, her head falling forward against Tara's shoulder. "You're right," she agreed quietly.
Tara kissed the side of her head, breathing a sigh of relief. "Good." She hesitated before speaking again. "I think it might be easier for them if I'm not there," she continued quietly. Willow reacted exactly as she expected, jerking back and shaking her head rapidly. "Baby, just listen. They don't know me, and they've just learned something huge about their only daughter. They're justifiably freaked out, and having me around when you talk to them won't help them out any." She pressed a kiss to the furrow of Willow's brow. "You understand?"
Willow nodded reluctantly. "So, where are you going to be?"
Tara looked over her shoulder, finding Joyce. "Mrs. Summers…"
"Of course you can stay here, Tara," Joyce said before Tara could ask. "Both of you are welcome here anytime."
Willow took a shaky breath as Tara's head turned back to look at her. "Okay?" Tara asked softly. "I'll come back in the morning…" Willow nodded quietly, biting her lip anxiously. "Buffy?" Tara asked, raising her voice with another backward glance. "Could you walk Willow back home?"
The Slayer nodded as she stepped forward, her arms crossed over her chest. "Of course," she agreed, giving them both a concerned look, but restrained herself from asking any questions. "Whenever you want, Will."
The redhead nodded, her hand curling into the back of Tara's hair. "You'll be here?" she checked. "You won't go anywhere, right?"
Tara shook her head. "No, I'll be here," she promised quietly. "Will you call me…later?"
Willow nodded. "Yeah," she agreed, leaning in to kiss her quickly. "I love you," she whispered. "Thank you for all of this."
"Of course, Willow. Anything for my girl," Tara said easily, kissing her again.
Willow smiled weakly as she took a step back, but she was steady on her feet. Buffy fell into step behind her as the redhead went out the front door. Tara watched them go, leaning against the wall as the door shut behind them. She could feel Xander and Joyce watching her while Anya munched on popcorn as she kept watching the movie, oblivious to the dramatic tension.
Tara mustered a smile, letting Joyce pull her back to the couch, the older woman curling an arm around the blonde witch's shoulder. "I've said this to you before, but Willow is a strong girl," Joyce murmured to her. "She'll get through this."
Tara nodded quietly, leaning her head against Joyce's shoulder. They settled in to wait, Buffy returning after a little bit, a shrug the only answer she could give them as they asked after Willow. It grew later and later and the Summers insisted that Tara try and rest after Xander and Anya left, the Slayer dragging the witch reluctantly up to the spare room.
Buffy was still downstairs, hypocritically waiting up for Willow even after she'd sent Tara upstairs to sleep, sure that the redhead would come back rather than stay at home. The front door opening brought her to her feet, and she hugged her best friend without speaking.
"I'm okay, Buffy," Willow whispered. "We talked, and they're still leaving tomorrow, but my mom's crazy look has faded somewhat." She pulled back to grin weakly. "That's more than I expected."
Buffy smiled back at her as the redhead yawned. "Tara's upstairs. You should go tell her to get some sleep because I know she's up there tossing and turning." Willow nodded tiredly, taking one step toward the stairs and pausing as Buffy spoke again behind her. "You guys are really great. Together, I mean."
"Buffy, what?" Willow asked, giving her friend a look over her shoulder. "What's this…what's this about?"
The Slayer shrugged, crossing her arms over her chest uncomfortably. "I think you and Tara should live together next semester. I don't want you to feel obligated…"
"You're my best friend Buffy, and you always will be," Willow said firmly, covering another yawn with one hand.
"That's why I want you to live with Tara," Buffy said. "I don't want you to live with me if you're happy living with Tara. I can get a single and live next door, or across the hall. I just want you to be happy." Willow was yawning and Buffy rubbed her friend's shoulder gently. "I know you're exhausted, and you've had a long day, but just think about it, okay?" Willow nodded and Buffy guided her toward the stairs, giving her a shoulder to lean on as they went upstairs.
Tara tried to sleep, blaming the thin futon for not being able to rest, all the while knowing that she wouldn't be able to get comfortable until she heard something from Willow. The room was dark and she tossed and turned, not reacting when she heard the door to the spare room open sometime after one in the morning.
She didn't hear it close, and she curled up on the futon, her back to the door. "Buffy?" she asked quietly. "I'm sorry if I'm keeping you up…" She jumped in surprise, going rigid as arms slipped around her, a body joining her on the futon.
"Expecting Buffy? Is there something you wanted to tell me?" Willow asked, her voice teasing but tired, and she nuzzled her face into the back of Tara's neck.
"Willow," Tara gasped in surprise, turning quickly to face her, Willow burrowing her face into her lover's shoulder. "You're here."
Willow yawned against her chest, one hand curling into the fabric of Tara's shirt. "I missed you," she confessed sleepily. "And I didn't want to sleep without you, so I came back."
Tara pressed a kiss to the top of her head, nodding as she felt the lethargy she'd been fighting all night catch up with her suddenly. "Get some sleep then," she prompted gently. "I'm right here."
Willow snuggled closer, Tara's arms comforting around her. It didn't take either of them long to succumb to sleep together.
Next Time: Dracula visits Sunnydale…