Buffy walked into Tara's room.

"It really is you." Buffy muttered. She sat down next to the bed and leaned over the edge to look at her sleeping friend. "I know Willow loves you still. You never left her thoughts. And I know that Tara and Willow are some epic power couple that apparently even death couldn't separate. It makes me jealous in some way. I thought in you I had found the same. In a way, as Lenara, you were my Tara. Now I don't know what to do, but tell you that I love you. The fact that you are Tara only strengthens that feeling. But it also reminds me that I didn't deserve Lenara, and I certainly don't deserve Tara. Lenara who gave herself freely, just as Tara would. Never taking anything for herself. And that's why if you decide you want to be with Willow, I won't interfere. It'll be the one gift I could give you. But I know it'll hurt like hell."

Buffy giggled a little in spite of her somber mood. "I told you I don't do normal relationships."

"Buffy?" came a sheepish voice from the doorway.

Buffy turned and saw Mahzi standing behind her. "Yeah Mahzi?"

"I'm sorry to disturb you but Nessa would like to talk to you about Pron. He won't eat, and since you know the most about vampires."

"Okay, Mahz." Buffy looked at Tara. She sighed and leaned over and kissed Tara's cheek. "Wake up soon. I love you."
Buffy got up and walked out of the room with Mahzi. Buffy and Mahzi stared straight ahead as they walked down the hall in silence. After a few moments, Mahzi spoke.

"I'd choose you."

Buffy looked at Mahzi, who for her part kept looking forward. Mahzi continued, "If I were Lenara, I'd choose you. Not that Willow's not cool, 'cause she is, but you made Lenara happy at a time when there was nothing happy in our lives. And I know what you said about Tara and Willow being soul mates and all, but Lenara never took her eyes off of you. If they were such an amazing power couple, how come Lenara never looked at Willow that way? The type of love I believe in doesn't stop no matter what. So yeah, I'd choose you if I were in her place. Besides we got enough magic in this family to go around, so it's about time to add a Slayer to our fold."

Buffy smiled fondly at the girl. "Thanks Mahzi. I appreciate the sentiment."

Mahzi nodded, "Yeah, well, just my opinion."

Buffy looked straight ahead again. "I wish yours was the opinion that counted. I just don't see things ending that way."

"You never know. Just don't give up, 'cause you deserve to be happy too."

"We'll see."

Mahzi sighed, and they continued to walk down the hall. After a few more minutes of silence, Mahzi stopped Buffy. "Is there a way to change him back?"

"Not that I know of."

"So he'll always want blood?"

"Yeah probably. But he could sustain himself on animal blood, or on Earth we have blood banks. Human blood, no biting."

"Any upside to this?"

"There seems to be. Vampires don't have souls. Well, typically they don't. I knew one who was cursed with one, and another who managed to go to great lengths to get one. But Pron bites your grandmother and suddenly has one. He's lucky in that regard. Well, in a weird sort of way."

"So it's safe to be around a vampire with a soul?"

"Well, for the most part. I mean you need to be aware of what he is though. Even vampires with souls do crappy things. Just because he has a soul doesn't make him infallible."

"Zaz still wants to kill him. Can't say I blame him. But Nessa won't hear of it. And Pron says nothing now. He sits in a corner, curled up, refusing to look or talk to us."

"What do you think Nessa will do?"

"She wants us to be a family again, but I don't see how that's possible. I can't forgive him and neither can Zaz."

"Give it time. Everything is still fresh."

"I will humor my grandmother, because if not for her he wouldn't draw a breath again."

"Technically he doesn't now."

"Yeah. Wait, what?"

Buffy smiled at Mahzi, "Let's go. I will tell you, Zaz, and Nessa everything I know about vampires."

The group all sat in silence in the hall. Nessa had prepared food, but only Zaz had actually eaten anything. Uneasiness lingered heavily. Willow shifted in her chair, which squeaked when she moved. Everyone's eyes looked at her.

"Sorry," she mumbled.

Nessa looked around the table. Zaz, Mahzi, Willow, Kennedy and Buffy looked miserable. Zaz picked at the food on his plate. Mahzi kept staring at the wall. Kennedy was staring at Willow, who was looking at Buffy. Buffy for her part was leaned back in her chair with her eyes closed. Willow broke the silence.

"Penny for your thoughts Buffy."

"Penny for yours Willow," Kennedy mumbled.

Willow looked at Kennedy, but didn't say anything. Buffy opened her eyes, but stayed in the same seated position.

"I was just wondering about how this will all turn out for Pron."

"Oh," Willow replied.

Buffy leaned forward and looked at Nessa. "Maybe Pron shouldn't be here."

"Amen to that." Zaz muttered.

"He should be here with his family," Nessa directed at Zaz.

"He should be destroyed. He doesn't deserve our mercy." Mahzi interjected.

Zaz piped in again, "Really Gran. We fought him! He betrayed us all, and tried to kill you. And let's not forget trying to kill Len, or Tara, or whatever we're gonna call her now."

Zaz threw his hands up in frustration, and continued, "And frankly I don't understand how you can forgive him so quickly. He's a piece of shit. It's as simple as that. And I don't care if he has a soul and wears green. He is a treacherous bastard who deserves our father's fate."

"ENOUGH!" Nessa pounded her fist on the table. "I forgave him because I don't want to harbor hate. Savon did that. And I pity Pron because he was used by his father. A father who didn't love him. And I feel sorry for him because no matter what he does from here on out, he will never truly fit back into this family. I have to hope for him to find dome peace because your mother and aunt never did, and that is a miserable existence. I am tired of death being akin to this family."

Buffy waited for Nessa to finish before saying anything. "Nessa, I didn't mean to stir anything up. Actually what I meant was that Pron might want to go somewhere else for a bit. I have two friends, both vampires with souls that may be able to help him adjust. Both have extremely checkered pasts and maybe can help him get through some of this. And when he's ready, and you all have had some time, maybe he could visit. I just think being here, and trying to adjust will be too much for all of you."

Nessa looked at Zaz and Mahzi. "Maybe you're right. I'm a sentimental fool."

"No, you're not Gran. I'm sorry I yelled, but that doesn't change how I feel about him." Zaz stated.

Nessa nodded, and cracked a small smile. "I love you both very much. You will never know how proud of you both I am."

Nessa got up and walked over to her grandchildren. She kissed each on the head. "I am going to go for a walk around the grounds."

Mahzi looked up at her grandmother, and then at Zaz who nodded at her. "Gran, how about the 3 of us check on Pron?" Mahzi offered.

Nessa looked at Zaz questioningly.

"C'mon Gran, let's go talk to him."

Zaz got up and took his grandmother's hand. Mahzi grabbed the other and the three left the room.

Buffy sat back in her chair and closed her eyes again. The silence lasted a few moments until Kennedy finally broke it.

"That was a good idea Buffy. Spike and Angel could probably help Pron."

"Mmm…" was the response Buffy mustered.

"Will you be escorting him there?" Willow asked.

Buffy opened one eye, a sharp retort on the tip of her tongue. But she instantly relaxed again. If Tara chose Willow then she wanted no animosity lingering between her and her best friend. And she was too tired to fight right now. So she simply shrugged. "Dunno, probably."

Willow nodded. "I'll go with you, if you want."

Kennedy was confused. "Why would you go with her? It'd be your chance to be alone with Tara. If I was in your shoes, I wouldn't go."

Willow looked at Kennedy, "Kennedy, nothing is settled here I know. Guys, I'm doing my best here. I am confused though. I never moved on completely after Tara died, but I found you." Willow looked at Kennedy and continued, "And I love you. I know you don't believe me, but I do. This situation is just…"

"Insane?" Buffy mumbled.

Willow just nodded. The three sat in silence for a few more moments before it was broken by Kennedy laughing.

"What can you possibly find funny?" Buffy asked.

Kennedy shook her head. "Nothing really is funny. But you guys always end up in the middle of heavy shit. And I had this momentary flash of all of us in a retirement home in wheelchairs still fighting the bad guys. Of course the Slayers won't be kicking anything and Willow will have trouble remembering spells."

Buffy grinned and Willow followed suit. Then the silence continued once more. A few minutes later, Willow broke it with a question.

"Buffy, what will happen to you and me?"

Buffy inhaled deeply. "Kennedy's right. We've been through a ton of heavy shit. And you are my best friend Willow. I don't want that to change. I…don't know what to say."

"Me neither. Frankly I wish I could wave a magic wand and make everyone happy."

"No spells Will…" Buffy chuckled. Willow's eyes lit up a bit and she felt her chest rumble with mirth.

"No problem." She replied.