When they arrived at what looked like a gigantic office complex, Willow turned towards the door, entering the building. Tara could feel the energy barrier as they passed through. First there was a lobby, which Willow crossed and entered a pass-code into a door, where they entered a long hallway of offices.

"We'll start researching in a sec, but first I want to check in with Xander… Make sure there's nothing else going on this morning… It might give us some clues as to what we're looking for…"

"Ok. Check in with Xander?"

"Yeah. Xander keeps track of a lot of surveillance. He has a team that is in constant communication with all the slayer teams on patrol. They're watchers, but they watch from here" Willow said, opening a door on her right to reveal a huge room of people in headsets in front of TV screens, and Xander at the center of the room. "And I'm hoping they might have seen our friend, as I didn't really get a great visual, just felt the power… Hey Xand" she said, turning away from Tara to face Xander.

"Will, hey. What's up? To what do I owe this pleasant surprise visit?"

"We were attacked an hour ago. Nothing like anything I've ever seen before. And it was using magic. Almost broke through my shield, but it wasn't trying to kill us exactly. I couldn't figure out exactly what it was trying to do…" Willow's babble trailed off as Xander's mouth fell open and his eyes bulged out, spotting Tara behind Willow.

"H-hey X-xander"

"Will, is there something your forgetting to tell me?"

"You don't know? I figured Buffy would have told you, or Faith…"

"Wait, Faith knew before me?!"

"Kennedy got hurt last night, they were bringing her home and they saw Tara"

"Will, how did this happen? What did you do?"

"I didn't do anything. She just came back to me" She reached out to take Tara's hand. "Xander, I'd love to have this conversation again, but I really don't have time. Something tried to attack us this morning. Have you seen anything out of the ordinary?"

"No Will, everything's normal. Here, anyways."

"Ok. We'll start researching then. When Buffy and Faith check in, send them over to help Kennedy pack…"

"She's moving out?"

"Yeah…"

"Ok, I'll pass on the message. I'll send Giles and Dawn your way to help in the research department too…"

"Thanks Xand" And with that she guided Tara back out of the room.

"Oh, Tara" Xander called after them, causing the witches to turn around just before the doorway.

"y-yeah?"

"Was she… I mean, did you see her there?"

"Her wh-who?" Tara stuttered, confused. Who was he talking about?

"Anya" Xander sighed her name.

"wh-what?" Tara was now even more confused, and turned to Willow.

"She died. Two years ago. In the final battle with the First, and the ubervamps" Willow reached out to gently place her hand on her soul mates arm, but Tara was frozen again in shock.

A few seconds later, she came out of the shock, brushing off Willow's hand. "I do-don't th-think so. It's all a little… fuzzy" she admitted. "its all kinda blending together… To be honest I can't remember an-anything concrete... and its only g-getting... fuzzier" Tara was surprised. Until Xander asked, she hadn't realized how little she remembered of what had happened when she was gone. All she knew was that three years hadn't passed, wherever she was. For all she knew right now, she had been in hell. But she knew that couldn't be true. She would remember an eternity of torture. You can't forget something like that...

"Okay. Good luck researching" Xander said as a farewell, a disappointed look on his face. If Tara was back… He had hoped for a moment, that maybe, just maybe, his love could return to him as well. That maybe despite everything she'd done in her demon days, she was somewhere good. But she doesn't remember… So maybe… maybe there's still a chance.

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sorry it took so long to get this up, i've been swamped. there's more coming soon. hope u enjoy this bit...

please review!!!!!!!!