Chapter 200
On Monday December 17th Willow took off from school. Her mother was officially being sentenced and for better or worse Willow wanted to be there for her. Tara had made it clear that she would be there for her girlfriend after this was over. Willow went over to Tara's after the sentancing hearing.
Tara: How'd it go?
Willow: Five years. Maybe four with good beavior.
Tara: Are you okay?
Willow: I don't know. I know she did something bad to wiccans, like you. But she's still my mother. I'll still visit her, when I can. Can you handle that?
Tara: Absolutely. And I'm here for you.
Willow: Thank you. You are amazing.
Tara then had a look on her face, like she was uncomfortable with that compliment. Willow knew she would be depressed for the next week. Between tis and Jessie's murder, if there was any more bad news she wanted it out of the way at once. She pressed until Tara admitted that she'd been keeping a secret from Willow from everyone. Unable to find the right words Tara just transformed into a cat. Willow was stunned. She knew Tara was a witch, but didn't know she was this powerful. Then Willow realized this cat looked familiar. She was Buffy's cat.
Willow: You're Selena?
Tara: Yeah.
Willow: I don't understand.
Tara: My mother taught me. She protected me.
Willow: From what?
Tara: My dad. He hurt me. My mom died last year. This ability helped me hide from him. I left home after graduation, took out student loans and haven't seen him since.
Willow: So this was about, a place to crash?
Tara: More like, acceptance, love. I wanted someone to love me. Maybe I had a little crush on Buffy. But then I found you. I'm sorry.
Willow: You need to tell Buffy the truth. She'll probably be mad. But I will still be here for you. I love you.
Tara: I love you too.