Since Kennedy, Willow, and Buffy wouldn't leave, Mahzi was elected to go back to England and relay the victory over Savon to Giles. She also filled him in on Tara's reappearance. He was more than surprised to hear the latter news. It caused him to fumble with his glasses on his face, remove them, clean them, put them back on, remove them, and start rubbing his nose.
"I'm sorry Mahzi, "He started, "I'm thrilled that Tara is alive. She meant so much to us all. And she's recovering?"
"She is. Physically, nothing is wrong with her. She's, as my gran would say, scrambled like a chochop egg at breakfast." Mahzi replied.
"I'm sorry, a what?"
"Chochop egg. Very tasty."
"I see…not really, but no matter. The girls won't leave will they?"
Mahzi shook her head. "No, they all sit together in her room while she sleeps and leave together to eat and rest. The bathroom breaks are mildly amusing."
"Meaning?"
"They do that together too. It seems to be an unspoken agreement between the three of them. It's like they are afraid while one of them isn't there, Lenara will wake up and only see the other, thus dooming the person not in the room. As for Kennedy, she just wants to hear everything said. I feel sorry for her more than anyone."
"Why?"
"If Willow and Lenara get together, she will be hurt. If Lenara chooses Buffy, she'll always wonder if she would have been Willows first choice. And I can tell she really has no one if she doesn't have Willow. It's sad. No matter what happens this doesn't end well for her. Lonely with a girlfriend, and lonely without one…"
Giles nodded his head in agreement. "This should be a happy time for your family to some degree. I'm sorry about Pron. I can't say sorry for Tara, because although it will be hard for a time, this group always manages to come back together."
"Do you have a preference?"
"Sorry, preference?"
"Who do you think Lenara should choose?"
"The mere fact that you call her Lenara and not Tara leads me to believe you've chosen Buffy for her."
"No. Not necessarily. Well, I mean if I were Lenara, I would choose Buffy. But I don't call her Tara because I have no idea who Tara is. I only know Len. I guess if she wanted me to call her Tara, I would. But you still didn't answer my question."
"I don't know that I can. But…" Giles abruptly stopped.
"But what?"
Giles didn't say anything immediately.
"Mr. Giles?"
"Mahzi, listen, I don't know how much anyone has said to you about Willow and Tara. But I deal, well, I feel I should warn you. Maybe warn is not the right word. If Tara dies not choose Willow, keep an eye on Willow. She went to a bad place once when Tara left her. Be watchful."
"She dangerous?"
"I certainly hope not, and please do not say anything to Willow. Just be…aware. I'm hopeful that she will be fine in any event."
"How bad? Like shit storm bad?"
"Well, not n-necessarily the adjective I would use, but, that is an accurate description, yes."
"Thanks for the warning. I'll keep an eye on her. There's something else I wanted to ask you about. Buffy mentioned maybe Pron should go and stay with some friends of hers. Two vampires with souls."
"Two?" Giles asked surprised.
"Yeah, why?"
Giles closed his eyes. "Technically there should only be one. Angel. But I am guessing Spike has managed to return somehow. Interesting. As for Pron, I think that might not be a bad idea. Angel would be a good influence on him. Maybe doing some good for others will prove to be therapeutic. Will he be joining them soon?"
Mahzi nodded. "I believe so. Gran doesn't really want him to go, but it's too hard to have him home right now."
"Does he say much?"
"No. He doesn't say anything except that he's sorry and he wished he could take everything back. Then he and Gran hug and cry. And still he refuses to ear. He's very weak. He will probably leave soon."
"So, he's open to the idea?"
"He doesn't say no. He just nods his head in agreement whenever it is brought up. I think he doesn't eat for fear of attacking Gran again."
"Well it sounds like you have things somewhat sorted out."
"I guess so. Did you want to come to Pellin and see Len-uh-Tara?"
Giles smiled. "No. I do want to see her, but I think she has plenty of a crowd right now. But if things go south with Willow…"
"I'll be sure to come get you."
Nessa sat in her granddaughter's room. She had just shooed out the normal inhabitants of the room and sat down next to the bed.
"You know Tara, Mahzi used to lay in her bed as a child and pretend to sleep when it was her bedtime. As soon as you'd leave her, shed be up jumping on the bed. Too much energy…of course she was eight, and you are not…so tell me Tara, why are you pretending to sleep?"
For a moment, Tara was still. But then she let out a sigh and then sat up.
"Sorry."
Nessa smiled. "It's fine. Not sure what to say to your friends?"
"None."
"Well, we cannot talk about it either. Your Gran is content to just sit with you."
"Gran, I don't know what to do. On one hand I'm Tara, and Tara loves Willow. It's hard not to imagine what our future would be. But I am also Lenara. And Lenara can't bear the thought of not being with Buffy. I love them both. And it's making me crazy, pretending to sleep so I don't have to decide."
"Hmmm…"
"Is it possible to love two people at once?"
"I suppose it is possible. But having never experienced it, I don't know. You really believe you love them both?"
"Maybe Gran. I don't know what to think."
"Speaking of which, what would you like us to call you?"
Tara blushed a little. "I like both names. You gave me Lenara, and mom gave me Tara."
Nessa sighed, "I miss your mother."
Tara grabbed her grandmother's hand. "Me too Gran."
"Whatever you decide, promise me something."
"Anything."
"You will visit often. Of course you are welcome to stay, but I have a feeling you won't. So make sure I get to see you both."
"Both?"
"You and…"
"And?"
Nessa smiled, and leaned in to Tara's ear and whispered a name. Tara leaned back and smiled.
"Yes Gran. We will visit you often. But I need a favor. Can you teach me the transformation magic?"
"I can. Why though?"
"I haven't decided who I am."