Willow closed the door behind Giles and leaned against it, closing her eyes. In the space of one evening everything had changed and she had no idea what to do. If she was honest with herself, she knew what Buffy was going to decide. There was no other way. But the selfish part of her that hated being separated from her blonde Slayer hated the idea. She hated Glory for doing this, and for an irrational moment she hated Dawn for what was happening.
Her sense of fair play, though, forced her to admit that Dawn had nothing to do with the situation. It was only because of Glory that she had even been sent.
Despite everything that Buffy had told her, it was impossible not to remember Dawn and everything she had done. Unbidden, memories of Dawn sneaking along on patrols, screaming at Buffy when she ran away and having a huge crush on Xander since fourth grade pushed into her mind. She could remember it all so clearly, but none of it had ever happened.
Buffy must be so confused, she thought, guiltily aware that she was standing there rather than trying to comfort her girlfriend.
Taking a deep breath, she pushed away from the door and rejoined Buffy in the lounge. The blonde Slayer was sitting on the sofa with a lost expression on her face, and Willow immediately sat down next to her and took her hands.
"Buff, I'm sorry," she whispered.
"There's nothing to be sorry for," Buffy said dully. "Dawn's not my sister; there's nothing you could do about that."
"I know. But I wish there was some way I could help."
"There is."
Willow looked at her curiously. "There is? How?"
"Hold me?"
Buffy turned and Willow saw the pain and fear deep in her blue eyes. It was enough of break her heart and without another word she pulled the blonde girl into her arms and held her as she quietly sobbed. The quiet sobs were the most terrifying thing she had ever felt before. Buffy was always so strong but right now it was as though Glory had ripped out her heart as well as beating her. The only time Willow could remember her being this overwhelmed was the day Angel announced he was leaving, and even that had not been quite as bad as this.
Willow held her, rubbing her back and whispering soothing nonsense words. It was all she could do and she felt helpless in the face of this.
After a while Buffy began to calm and still, eventually just lying in Willow's arms with her head on the redhead's shoulder.
"Hey, it'll be all right," Willow whispered, not even aware of what she was saying.
Buffy lifted her head to reveal red, tear-filled eyes. "No, it's not all right. It will never be all right. I lost my sister tonight."
"Buff, you haven't lost her," Willow said desperately. "She's still here. Ok, so she isn't who you thought she was. But she's still here, she's still Dawn, and you still love her, right?"
Slowly, Buffy nodded.
"Your memories of her are her past and she's flesh and blood, breathing, now and unless you're planning to throw her out of the door she isn't going anywhere. Is she?"
Again, Buffy nodded.
"So you see, you haven't completely lost her."
"But everything I remember, everything I feel, is a lie," Buffy said sadly. "What was real and what wasn't?"
"Does it really matter?" Willow asked seriously. "Would knowing that change how you feel about her?"
For a long moment the blonde Slayer was absolutely still as she thought. "I guess not," she said eventually. "Deep inside, she feels like my sister. I don't think that could change."
Willow gently stroked Buffy's cheek with her thumb and placed a kiss on her forehead. "I know it couldn't change. No matter what she was, the monks gave her your blood so she's your sister."
Buffy put her head back on Willow's shoulder and snuggled down. "You always make everything seem so right."
"It's my job," the witch said with a small smile. "I think it's in the girlfriend manual."
"Huh. You'll have to get me a copy of that sometime," Buffy said, and Willow thought she was beginning to sound sleepy.
"I'll put it on your Christmas list," she whispered.
The Slayer sighed and nodded, and Willow could hear her breathing slowing. After the night that she had endured, the combination of emotion and physical beatings, it was not surprising that she was sleepy. Willow shifted slightly and Buffy obligingly shifted with her. She slowly, carefully, manoeuvred until they were lying on the sofa, rather than sprawled half on it and half off. Buffy had to be completely exhausted, she mused, because the blonde Slayer did not even wake as she was gently manipulated into a more comfortable position.
Willow wrapped her arms around Buffy, holding her close, and closed her eyes. She could feel the weight of her partner's head on her shoulder and her warm breath on her neck, comforting and familiar. Although they were in Buffy's house rather than the dorm she felt calm, almost contented. She decided to put aside all their worries for tonight and allow the sleep she was barely holding back to carry her away.
***
Unusually, Buffy woke suddenly. Instead of the slow journey out of the warm haze of sleep she was suddenly awake and intensely aware of everything around her.
A sound upstairs and, dimly, she heard the shower start so she slowly relaxed. She had only been gone a couple of months but already the normal house-sounds were unfamiliar, and she missed the quiet of their room in the dorms.
That thought led her onto another, unpleasant, thought and she propped her head up on Willow's shoulder. From that vantage point she could watch the redheaded girl sleep. Willow's face was calm, beautiful, and there was a slight smile on her face as though, even in sleep, she was aware that Buffy was watching her. Buffy felt tears burning in her eyes and she blinked rapidly to push them away. The decision had been made for her and there was nothing she could do, no matter how much she hated the idea. The memory of the casual ease with which Glory had thrown her around rose up and the hatred she felt for the powerful creature was almost overwhelming. Unconsciously she tightened her hold on Willow and the witch slowly woke up.
"Buff, breathing an issue," she said sleepily.
Immediately feeling guilty, Buffy relaxed and began to move away.
Green eyes opened and fixed reproachfully on her. "I said I couldn't breathe, not go away."
Obediently Buffy snuggled closer and wrapped an arm around her partner's waist. "Better?"
Willow nodded. "What were you thinking?"
"When?"
"When you tried to strangle me."
"Uh," Buffy said, feeling guilty. "Nothing?"
"Buff, you were trying to squeeze the life out of me. That's not nothing."
"I don't want to talk about it."
Willow frowned and shifted so that they were lying face to face. "You have to talk about it if you plan to move out today."
"What . . . how . . ?"
"I know you," Willow told her. "I know that you have to look after Dawn and you can't do that if you're living with me at the dorm. It's the only way."
"But I don't want to."
"I know. But if you abandoned Dawn you wouldn't be the Buffy I've fallen love with."
Wonderingly, Buffy reached up and put her hand against Willow's cheek. "You're amazing, you know that?"
Willow smiled shyly. "N-no. I'm just me. You're the amazing one."
Buffy rolled her eyes. "Now you're just being silly."
She shifted slightly and kissed Willow lightly. The redheaded girl happily responded for a moment before pulling back.
"Buff, your mom? She'll be here-"
"About now," a voice said behind them, and both girls jumped guiltily.
Within moments they had untangled and were sitting, red-face, side-by-side. Joyce looked at them severely and frowned.
"Have you girls been here all night?" she asked.
"Uh, yeah?" Buffy said slowly, trying to think up an excuse. "We were talking and . . . I guess we fell asleep. Sorry, won't happen again. We'll be going now."
"Buffy, you don't have to-"
"No, we do. We have some stuff to sort out."
"I don't want you to feel unwelcome in your own home, ever," Joyce said sadly. "I'm sorry if I made you feel uncomfortable, but this will always be your home when you need it."
Buffy swallowed, feeling the tears well up again and pushing them back again. "Thanks mom. Actually, that's something I need to talk to you about. Will, could you . . ?"
Willow nodded and squeezed her hand supportively before escaping into the kitchen. Joyce looked at Buffy curiously and waited for her daughter to start.
It took Buffy two attempts before she managed to clear her throat and speak. "Mom, I need to . . . there's something happening. I can't tell you what it is, but it's important. And it means that I have to move back here. Just for a while, until all this stuff is sorted out, but . . . can I move back here?"
"Has something happened with Willow?" Joyce asked, looking surprised.
"No, no!" Buffy said quickly. "Nothing like that. Things couldn't be better. I hate having to leave her."
"Then what's wrong?"
"I can't tell you, yet. I'm not even sure of much myself. It's sort of . . . Mom, there's something going on and I think you and Dawn might be in danger. So I have to be here to make sure you're ok. Please don't ask me anything else - I've told you everything I can - but I can't do my job if I don't know that you two are safe."
Slowly, Joyce nodded. "Honey, you know there's always a place for you here. And I can see how much this is hurting you. If it's that serious, why can't you tell me? How can I carry on as normal if there's some unknown danger looming over me?"
"I don't know. You just have to trust that I know what I'm doing and I won't let anything happen to either of you. So long as I'm here, and the Gang is helping out, you're perfectly safe."
She could not tell if Joyce believed her, but there was nothing more she could do. How could she tell her that Dawn was not real?
"Buffy, honey, you're welcome to move back whenever you need to," Joyce said, smiling at her cautiously. "And Willow is welcome to visit whenever she wants. Within reason."
"Thanks, mom." Buffy knew that Joyce was still uncomfortable with her relationship, but at least she was making an effort to accept it. "I'll be back later with my stuff."
"So soon?"
"Yeah, I'm afraid so."
Willow popped her head around the corner. "All done now?"
"All done," Buffy confirmed, standing and moving towards her.
"Buffy," Joyce called, "are you sure this is all necessary?"
Buffy smiled sadly and nodded. "Yeah, 'fraid it is."
Taking Willow's hand, the blonde Slayer escaped from the house.
***
The journey back to the dorm was a silent one as both girls struggled with the idea that they had to be parted again. It had been so good to be together. Buffy had just been getting used to having someone around full-time that she loved, and not having to say painful goodnights, and now this was happening. It did not seem fair. There were so many things she had wanted to do and say, and now she could not.
Deep down she knew that this was not the end; it couldn't be. But it felt like it. Even though she would probably be seeing Willow every day it would not be the same as waking up with the redheaded witch across the room from her. Or, even better, asleep in her arms.
She closed the door to the dorm behind her and turned to Willow, who was sitting on her bed with a lost expression.
"Will, what will I do without you?" she asked sadly.
"You'll be fine," Willow answered, carefully not looking at her.
"No, I won't be," Buffy said fiercely. "How can I be fine knowing that you're here alone? Will, I love you so much . . . I can't stand not being near you. I hate that I have to do this because some stupid monks make my sister into their Key. I'm gonna miss you so much."
"How can you miss me? I'll be right here. I'm not going anywhere."
Buffy crossed the room and sat next to Willow, running her hand through the witch's red hair. "It won't be the same anymore. You'll be here, I'll be there . . ."
"And never the twain shall meet?" Willow turned to face Buffy, still avoiding her eyes. "Come on, Buff, it won't be like that. You've coped before; you can do it again."
"I didn't know what I was missing before. Now I do, and I don't think I can stand it."
"Buff . . ."
"Will, I know this is probably going to make this worse but . . ."
Buffy trailing off and leaned forwards to kiss her soulmate passionately. She coaxed gently, with growing determination, and was rewarded with a soft moan and Willow responding urgently.
"Buffy," Willow muttered, pulling back, "I want this. But if this is going to make things worse-"
"Hush," Buffy instructed, putting her finger on the girl's lips and kissing her nose. "I don't know what it will do; this is new territory for me. I only know that I'll never forgive myself if I don't. At least I'll have something remember when I'm back home and mom's glaring at you. I love you, Willow Rosenberg, and nothing is ever going to change that.
She knew the exact moment that Willow made up her mind; it was written in her eyes as she leaned forwards and they met in another kiss.
***
Willow smiled lazily as she watched Buffy button up her shirt. "Hey, Buff, you know something?"
"I know lots of things. Was this something specific?" the Slayer asked with a grin.
"Yeah. This was along the lines of 'I love you and think you're amazing'. Nothing much but . . ."
Willow knew she was grinning goofily as Buffy sat down next to her on the bed and put a hand on her cheek.
"That's everything," the blonde girl corrected seriously. "That's more important that anything else we could ever do or be. You loving me is what's going to keep me sane."
Unexpectedly, Willow felt her throat close and she had to swallow twice and blink rapidly to stop the tears. "I love you to. I don't think I've ever felt this close to anyone before - and I don't think I could feel this way about anyone else."
They kissed, lazily this time rather than passionately, held each other tightly.
"I'm going to miss this," Buffy commented.
"Yeah, so am I. But just 'cause you're living at home again, does that mean you can't come over here sometimes?" Willow asked, looking into her lover's blue eyes. "This is still your place as well as mine."
Buffy's smile was bittersweet. "My heart will always be here. Well, not here-here, but with you. Trust me, you won't be able to keep me away."
"Good."
There was a knock at the door and Buffy slowly pulled away and stood up. Willow sighed and rolled off the bed, running a hand through her hair to settle it neatly.
"I guess we have to get started," she said sadly, eyeing the empty suitcases stacked in the corner.
"I guess we do."
***
"So, Willow's organising a party for Tara's birthday," Buffy finished, pushing the door to the magic shop open and gesturing for Xander to proceed her. "Which I'm totally cool with. Completely. It's tomorrow night. Please come?"
Xander shook his head. "Buff, it's ok to be jealous. You moved out of your love-nest today and your girlfriend is organising a party for her ex. I'd be more worried if you weren't upset and jealous."
Buffy frowned. "I'm not jealous," she insisted, "just worried. You know, it's been a whole-"
"Forty minutes since you saw her," Xander finished. "Man, you two are so sweet it's sickening. Speaking of sweet . . ."
He approached the counter and leaned forwards. "Gimme sugar. I've come to buy sugar."
Anya grinned and kissed him. "Mmm, we value your patronage."
Buff winced, feeling a pang of Willow-missage shoot through her, and turned to Giles to avoid watching. "So, any breakthroughs on the identity of Miss Congeniality?"
"Well, I have narrowed it down somewhat."
She followed his gaze to the table covered with piles of open books, so many that they threatened to topple off onto the floor.
"Your definition of narrow is impressively wide," she said, attempting to inject cheerfulness into her voice.
"Well, you didn't give me much to go on. She-she looks human, so the mug-shots aren't any use, and, uh, can't you be more specific about what she's like?"
Buffy thought for a moment, deliberately ignoring the sounds from Xander and Anya's direction. "She's kinda like Cordelia actually. I'm pretty sure she dies her hair."
"Right! That one, of course. Our work is done," he said, his voice dripping sarcasm.
"Well, excuse me if I can't describe the demon that destroyed my life a little better. I was busy getting the crap beaten out of me at the time. Of course I don't want to find her, kill her, and get my life back," Buffy said, upset.
Immediately Giles was contrite and led her over to the chairs, sitting her down before taking a seat next to her. "I'm sorry I can't be more help. There just isn't much to go on. How are you?"
"I've been better," Buffy said. "There must be something on her."
"The answer is here somewhere," Xander announced, appearing behind Buffy so suddenly she jumped. "It's right in front of us and we're too blind to see it!"
He slammed his hand down on the table and received glares from Buffy and Giles. Wincing and ducking his head, he sat down.
"I'm helping, I'm reading," he said quickly, "I'm quiet."
Giles picked up a book and wandered back to the counter to keep a closer eye on Anya. Xander stared at a book for a moment, not noticing it was upside down, before leaning towards Buffy.
"Sorry, Buff," he whispered.
"It's ok," she whispered back.
"So, do you know what you're getting her," he asked in a more normal voice.
"Her who?"
"Tara who," Xander clarified. "I mean, you have to get her a present, right?"
"I'm kinda hoping Willow can do that," Buffy said. "I don't really know Tara that well. I know she's good with magic and . . . uh . . . that's about it really."
"I have no idea either," Xander said. "I mean, she's nice and all but . . . I don't think I get her."
"Yeah, she's definitely nice."
"Uh-huh."
"And like I said, she likes magic."
"And Willow."
"Which she can't have."
"Yup," Xander agreed quickly, deciding an upset Slayer was not someone to joke with on this subject. "And there's . . . magic."
"Think there'll be a lot of Wiccas there?"
Xander nodded. "Yeah, she's into that now."
"I support her . . . but I don't really understand it all. It's like Tara has a little bit of Willow that I can never have."
"Buff, she loves you," Xander said. "Nothing will ever change that. She chose you over Tara - she'll never change that."
"Yeah." Buffy stared at the book in front of her, not taking in a single word. Without Willow she felt as though she was missing something vital, a part of her, and even though it had only been an hour since they said goodbye at her house it felt like forever. "Do you think it's too soon to go visit her?"
"Not at all."
Quickly Buffy stood and picked up her bag. "Thanks. I'll see you later."
Without even waiting for Xander's farewell she walked to the door . . . and ran straight into Willow coming through it. She put out a hand to steady her partner and smiled.
"Hey stranger," she greeted.
"Hey," Willow said hesitantly. "I was just . . . being pathetic. I sat in the dorm, but I missed you. I kept remembering you, and today, and stuff and . . . here I am."
Buffy kissed her nose and took her hand. "I'm glad. I missed you too. We're pathetic."
"But in a good way."
"Yeah."
They walked further into the magic shop but turned as the bell above the door rang.
Tara stood nervously in the doorway. "Uh, hi."
"Hey," Willow greeted, echoed by her friends. "Come on in. I was hoping you'd find us. We've got a brand, spanking new evil to research. It's gonna be fun, in a sad, weird, demony sort of way."
Buffy smiled as she watched her partner speak, carefully quenching the flames of jealousy.
"Uh, ok, I'd love to help," Tara said hesitantly. "If you're sure I'm not going to be in the way."
"Uh-uh, totally not," Willow insisted. "We need all the help we can get. I meant that in a good way though."
"I know," Tara said quickly, moving further into the shop.
The welcome from everyone appeared to relax her and she joined the Gang at the table to research. Buffy took a seat next to Willow and this time she actually managed to take in some of the words in her books. The peace lasted ten minutes before a blond haired, obnoxious man disturbed them. Tara had her back to the shop so did not notice he was there until he spoke. Buffy was interested to note, though, that the blonde witch stiffened as soon as the man spoke.
"So, all these books got spells in them?" he asked, eyeing their collection of open books. "Turn people into frogs, that sort of thing?"
"Yeah, we're building a race of frog-people," Xander said sarcastically. "It's a good time."
The blond man grinned. "So, uh, you all witches? Hey, don't turn me into a frog now!"
Buffy was relieved when Giles left his post at the counter and approached their table. "Was there something in particular you were looking for?"
"Nah, I think I already found it," the man said with a strange smile. "Hi Tara."
Tara's eyes widened and she turned, her shoulders dropping despondently. "Hi Donny."
"You know each other?" Willow asked.
"What, you didn't tell them about your big brother?" Donny asked with a cheerful grin. "Shame on you."
"I, uh, I . . . um, it . . ." Tara stuttered, her eyes darting nervously around the room.
Almost as though there had been a signal, the door to the magic shop opened with a cheerful ring from the bell and an older man entered accompanied by a blonde girl a few years older than Tara. Buffy watched as panic and fear flowed across Tara's face before the blonde girl stood and faced the older man.
"Uh, Dad, hi," she said reluctantly.
"Well, here's my girl," Tara's father said.
Tara moved forwards and hugged the older man awkwardly as the rest of the Gang unconsciously formed into a protective group behind her. The vibes coming from the family reunion were all wrong, feeling more of fear than joy, and they reacted in the same way they would with any of their number.
"S-such a s-surprise," Tara stammered as she pulled back.
"Yeah," Donny agreed, smiling viciously.
Tara turned to the woman next to her father. "Cousin Beth."
"Hey," Beth said with a smile.
"One of your dorm-mates said I might find you here," Mr Maclay said, eyeing the shop with a frown.
"Oh. Oh, uh, these are my friends," Tara said, turning away from him and gesturing to the group. "Um, this is Mr Giles. Uh, he runs the shop."
The confidence that had been growing in Tara's voice earlier was rapidly draining away and Buffy had to fight her instinct to push Mr Maclay out of the shop; all of her senses were telling her that he was not to be trusted. Thankfully Giles was slightly more diplomatic.
"How do you do?" he asked pleasantly.
Mr Maclay ignored him and turned to Tara instead. "I know that we've come on you kind of suddenly, but I thought we could have dinner."
"Ok," Tara said slowly.
"Why don't we pick you up at six? And we'll do some catching up."
"Yes sir."
Mr Maclay finally deigned to notice the rest of the group. "Forgive me for running out. We're double parked."
The man gestured to Donny and Beth and they followed him out of the shop.
"That was, uh, weird," Willow said after a beat. "Your whole family. Just in time for your birthday."
"Yeah," Tara said, and again Buffy thought she could see a brief flash of panic in her eyes.
"They seem nice," Willow added, determinedly cheerful.
"You know, they-they're ok," Tara said. "Families are always-"
"They make you crazy," Willow said with a roll of her eyes.
Somehow, Buffy had the feeling that this was understating matters. She may have her problems with Joyce, and Willow rarely even saw her parents, but the vibes between Tara and her family were something much more intense. She kept her thoughts to herself, though, as she joined the rest of the group at the table to research.
***
"Are you sure this is going to be ok?" Willow asked as Buffy opened the front door.
"Totally. You heard mom; you're welcome here any time," she reassured her partner. "And I need to check on Dawn before we get down to the research, so you have to be here."
They walked into the hallway and almost ran into Dawn.
"See ya later," Dawn said cheerfully.
Buffy frowned and crossed her arms over her chest. "Whoa. Whoa, whoa, whoa. Where do you think you're going?"
Willow could almost predict the next segment. She may never have had an older sister but she had watched Buffy with Dawn for years . . . and gave a mental wince as she realised again that in fact she hadn't. All the memories she had of Dawn, at least up until the recent ones, were created by something else.
"I'm going to Melinda's for dinner," Dawn said.
"Since when?"
Another mental wince as Willow heard Buffy's 'stern mother' tone. This was not going to go well.
"Now-ish," Dawn said, uncertainly.
"You can't. I-it's not safe for you to walk there."
"It's just across the street. What is the big deal? I'm just gonna go-"
"No, it's family night," Buffy said, glancing at Willow. "And besides, Melinda's a bad influence. I don't like you hanging out with someone that . . . short."
Dawn glared at Buffy. "I'm so glad you're moving back home. This is the source of my gladness."
She ran up the stairs leaving Buffy looking after her helplessly.
"Buff, don't you think you were a little harsh?" Willow asked, bracing herself.
"Harsh? Will, you know what's happening. What could happen. I have to protect her."
"There's protecting and there's encouraging rebellion and strife. She's just a kid; she has no idea what's going on. If you come down on her like that she'll just start sneaking out and lying."
"Why would she do that?"
Willow gave Buffy a disbelieving look. "Er, she had a role model in that kinda thing?"
"Who?"
Shaking her head, Willow sighed. "Buff, what were you doing when you were her age?"
"I was just about to be called to be the Slayer. And I . . . oh."
"Yeah, oh."
"What should I do?"
"Talk to her?" Willow suggested. "Let her do stuff, with supervision? I mean, you could just walk her over to Melinda's and walk her back when she's done. Not a biggie, but it would probably help."
"Maybe I could."
"There's no maybe about it. I'm gonna go talk to Tara; you talk to Dawn. We can meet at the magic shop later."
"Do you think Tara's ok? She looked pretty . . ."
"That's what I'm gonna find out."
Buffy looked around before giving Willow a quick kiss. "Thanks. I love you."
"Love you too."
***
Willow stood uncertainly at the door to Tara's room. Sure, they were friends but their friendship could never go back to the way it was. Would she be intruding? Would Tara even want to talk about whatever was going on with her family? Taking her courage in both hands she knocked at the door. Through the door she heard a thump and then footsteps approaching before it opened.
"Hey," she said nervously.
Tara turned and walked back into the room. "Hey."
It was not exactly the response Willow had been looking for. "How was dinner?"
Tara shrugged as she sat down on the bed and began an intensive study of the quilt.
"Okaaay," Willow drawled. "There's Scoobyage afoot. Giles called a meeting about our brand spankin' new menace."
"Oh . . . y-you should go. You don't need me for that," Tara protested weakly. "You can fill me in later."
Willow moved to kneel next to Tara. "Look, if this whole 'friends' thing is too much you just have to say so. I mean, I'll miss it but I don't want to hurt you."
"It's not that. I'm just tired."
"Sure?"
"Yeah. My family's here and . . . I'm tired."
The redheaded witch eyed her friend dubiously. "All right. I'll fill you in tomorrow then."
"Thanks."
She closed the door behind her and spent a few minutes standing in the hall, thinking. Something in there had felt very wrong. It was as though Tara had been trying to tell her something, without having to tell her, and she had no idea what it was.
***
Willow rushed into the magic shop, panting slightly. Standing thinking in the hallway had significantly delayed her and she hated being late. "Hey. Am I late? Did I miss an exposition?"
She took a seat next to Buffy, who squeezed her hand lightly under the table. It was a reassuring gesture and she smiled at the blonde Slayer and squeezed back. She turned her head and realised that Dawn was watching them curiously. Wincing internally, she resigned herself to playing the friends routine while the younger girl was around.
Her attention was drawn back to Giles in time to catch him saying, "And, uh, wanted to make sure we're all on the same page."
A bored Dawn interrupted. "Can I buy this?"
"No," Buffy said automatically.
"With my own money?"
"I let you come, now sit down and look studious," the Slayer replied.
Giles cleared his throat to regain their attention. "Well, first of all, I wanted to talk to you about . . . safety. Um this creature could be-"
"Will be," Buffy corrected.
"Will be coming after Buffy, and possibly all of us." Willow caught Giles' look and nodded her understanding; as the Slayer's partner she was the most likely target of all of them. "Now, I may have a lead on this monk that Buffy spoke of. There, there are a few orders that I-I've read up on-"
Willow suddenly heard a loud buzzing sound and the world titled dizzily. It was gone so quickly that she decided that she had imagined it.
***
Willow was concentrating on the book in front of her, barely aware of Giles and Anya 'disagreeing' by the counter. Translating as she went was tough, but easier than trying to work out whatever Anya's new gripe was. That concentration lasted until she heard Buffy's panicked shout from the training room.
Her first instinct was to rush to Buffy's aid but she stopped when she saw Xander being restrained by . . . nothing. He was struggling against something invisible. Abruptly he flew backwards as though he had been thrown. Rationalising that Buffy was a Slayer and therefore able to look after herself, Willow picked up a chair to go Xander's aid. He was still struggling, as if something was on top of him, so Willow began beating at whatever-it-was. Xander sighed as something released him.
"Where'd it go?" Anya shouted behind her.
Something hard hit Willow in the chest and she was suddenly flying through the air. The impact with the wall knocked the breath out of her and she sank to the floor, gasping. As she lay on the floor, watching the stars spin around her, she could see Giles pushing Dawn under a table. There was nothing she could do to protect Buffy, but there was something she could do to help. Wincing as her bruised muscles pulled, she crawled across the floor to the table and crouched down next to Dawn.
"You ok?" she asked as a crash sounded from somewhere in the shop.
"Yeah," Dawn said shakily. "This is . . . interesting."
"Who needs movies?" Willow said with a weak smile. "The latest Mel Gibson? Got nothing on a night out with Buffy."
"Yeah. If my friends knew I did stuff like this . . . well, they wouldn't believe it."
***
A while later Buffy surveyed the man in front of her that called himself Tara's father. Her own father might not have much in the parenting stakes, but at least he was not trying to take her away from everything she cared about. She may be slightly jealous of the hold Tara had on Willow, and she may not understand the girl, but in the months that she had known her she had become a part of their group. And their group had something in common - they were family. The word family could mean all sorts of things, but she firmly believed that family did not just include the people who were blood relatives. It included the people you cared about, the people you would help no matter the cost. Family could be chosen as well as born.
As that realisation came to her, she realised that it did not just apply to Tara. If Tara was her family, then wasn't Dawn even more so? Dawn was her blood and she loved her; that was more important than how long her sister had been alive or why she had been sent. Family was not something that could be put into words: it just was.
The decision settled on her and felt right. "We're family."
Mr Maclay looked as though he was about to spontaneously combust.
"Daaaad," Donny complained. "You - gonna let 'em just . . . Tara, if you don't get in that car, I swear by god I will beat you down."
"And I swear by your full and manly beard that you're gonna break something trying," Xander returned immediately.
Their little group must have looked threatening, and capable, because both of the male Maclays stepped back.
"Well, I hope you'll all be happy hanging out with a disgusting demon," Beth spat.
"E-excuse me, what kind?" Anya said with a note of professional curiosity.
"What?" Beth asked.
"What kind of demon is she? There's a lot of different kinds. Some are very, very evil. And some have been considered useful members of society."
Anya and Xander exchanged grins.
"Well, I-I . . . what does it matter?"
"Evil is evil," Mr Maclay stated firmly.
"Well, let's just narrow it down," Anya suggested.
"Why don't we make this simple?" Spike asked.
He walked forwards and tapped Tara on the shoulder. When she turned he quickly punched her in the face. Buffy managed to restrain her 'kill Spike' instinct when she realised what he was doing, although it took the others a little longer. As soon as his hand connected with the blonde witch's face they both reeled back in pain.
"Oww!" Spike yelled.
"Hey!" Willow shouted angrily, and then realisation hit. "Hey . . ."
"He hit my nose," Tara said, her voice slightly muffled because she had her hands over her nose.
"And it hurt!" Willow said happily. "Uh, him, I mean."
Exchanging glances with her partner, Buffy said, "And that only works on humans."
"There's no demon in there," Spike added. "That's just a family legend, am I right? Just a bit of spin to keep the ladies in line. Oh, you're a piece of work. I like you."
Tara, sounding amazed, said softly, "I'm not a demon."
"You're not a demon," Willow confirmed.
"He hurt my nose."
"Aww."
"Yeah, you're welcome," Spike said huffily.
Buffy tore her attention away and fixed Mr Maclay with a glare, feeling Dawn do the same next to her and Giles backing them up. "Now, unless you want to make me very, very angry I suggest you leave."
"Mr Maclay, I would suggest your business here is done," Giles added, and Buffy knew he was probably giving Tara's father his 'Ripper glare'.
"Tara," Mr Maclay said, trying one last appeal, "for eighteen years your family has taken care of you and supported you. If you want to turn your back-"
"Dad, just go," Tara said, turning away from him. "I have a family here, and they accept me for myself."
***
Willow looked around the Bronze happily. There was a table covered with presents, all of them opened with much 'ooh'ing and 'aah'ing and her friends were having a good time. Dawn sat talking with Tara while Anya and Xander tried to pretend they had not just spent ten minutes smooching in a corner. Even Giles was bobbing to the beat.
She could feel Buffy approach even before she saw her, and reflected for a moment. But the thought was lost when Buffy took her hand and began pulling her to the dance floor.
"What about Dawn?" she asked, looking back to the younger girl.
"I don't think Dawn minds you dancing one dance with someone else," Buffy said with a grin.
"That wasn't what I meant. Didn't your mom leave specific, do not cross, do not even bend rules about not letting Dawn see something she shouldn't?"
Buffy shrugged. "And what will Dawn see? Two friends, out on the dance-floor, dancing."
Willow eyed her dubiously. "Uh, Buff, most friends don't dance like . . . well, like you look like you want to dance."
Buffy pulled her close and wrapped her arms around the redhead's waist. "You mean like this?"
"Yeah, pretty much," Willow said, trying not to lose her train of thought as tingles began spreading out from Buffy's hands to wash through her. "I think this might be a bad idea."
"Know something? I don't care."
"You don't?"
"Nah. Dawn's old enough, and anyway, I think at the moment she's so busy watching Xander she wouldn't notice if I did this."
Buffy pulled Willow slightly closer and kissed her. For a moment Willow froze, still uncomfortable with public affection, but then she gave an internal shrug. This place had seen much weirder, so why should she be uncomfortable? She returned the kiss, tasting cola and chocolate cake, and closed her eyes. The world around her faded until it was just music and Buffy in her arms.
*finis*