Bring Me to Life

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Nine

oooooooo

All eyes in the room turned simultaneously to Willow. She, in turn, stared back at them nervously. "Uh." Okay, I can do this. I can.

"You're all right!" Willow stood in shock as Tara ran into her arms, engulfing her in a hug.

"Tara…" Willow whimpered.

They all stood there silently for a moment until Xander stepped forward. "So, Will, what's going on?"

"I…uh…"The redhead had to force herself out of Tara's arms. "I…" She slowly backed away from them, wrapping her arms around herself protectively.

Watching Willow do this, Tara was struck with how much the gesture reminded her of herself.

Tara walked up to the redhead and took her hand into her own. "Willow, are you alright?" She tried to look into Willow's eyes but the other woman kept her gaze to the floor. Staring at her now shy lover, Tara noticed…differences about her. Her face for one thing, had a scar or two that hadn't been there before. There was also something…older and tired about her. "Willow?"

"We…We're not allowed happy endings." The redhead murmured. "Why? If we choose to protect the world, do we have to give that up?"

Buffy stared at her friend, suddenly so protective of herself, so withdrawn. "What are you talking about?"

Willow glanced around the room and shook her head. "I…I can't."

Willow ran.

oooooooo

"Are y'all okay?" The Scoobies looked up to see a sandy haired woman standing before them. "Y'all look like a Lurk just ate yer fav'rit Lync."

Buffy walked cautiously up to the new arrival. "Who are-"

"Missy's the name hun'." She grinned at the Slayer. "I ahh…I assume it didn't go to well with Miss Rosenberg."

"Miss Rosenberg?" Xander chuckled.

"Who are you?" Giles eyed the woman suspiciously.

"Oh! You mean what? Right?"

"You're not normal, that's for sure." Buffy growled.

"I'd expect nothing less from a Slayer." Missy giggled. "I'm a half breed." Noticing the look that Buffy was giving her, she added, "Part Kaldra demon." A pause. "And a mechanic."

Tara walked up to Missy, arm outstretched. "It's umm…nice to meet you."

Missy shook the witch's hand enthusiastically. "Nice to meet ya too. I can see why Rosenberg likes ya so much! Yer a cutie!" She grinned as Tara blushed.

"Where are we?"

Missy looked over at the blonde who'd spoken. "Ahh, you must be Anya. Nice ta meet ya!" Missy nervously glanced around the room.

The former demon repeated her question. "Where are we and where's my money?"

The half-breed smiled at Anya. "I like you."

"You like her?" Missy wasn't sure who's asked that.

Missy turned back to Anya. "Well, I don't know about you're money, but Rosenberg already has an idea for you."

Anya stared at her. "How would you like to be in charge of the money of the richest company in existence?"

Anya broke into a large grin.

oooooooooooo

"You didn't tell them anything, did you." Willow looked up to see Dani standing before her.

"I…I couldn't."

The brunette took a seat next to her grandmother and began to stroke her hair. "You can do it. You're brave. They need you."

"They'll hate me."

Dani scowled. "Why do you keep putting yourself down! They will NOT hate you! From everything that you've told me, they seem like they'd be more the type to support you!" A pause. "They're strong."

Willow stared for a moment at her granddaughter's face. "I…I'll tell them."

Everyone looked up as Willow once again entered their room.

"Hey…I'm back." The Sorceress tried to break the ice.

Dawn spoke first. "Are you alright?"

Willow forced herself not to stare at the floor. "Yeah…I'm okay." A pause. "But I…I have soon things that I need to tell you all."

Tara gently placed a hand onto the redhead's shoulder and Willow felt herself melt. "Baby?"

"I…" She had to do it. "It's not…2002 anymore." They stared at her. "It's 2478." Another pause. "You all…You all died."