“Spike. Whatever sick thing that is going on between us is over.” Buffy states in a no nonsense tone.

Spike snorts, looking at Buffy. “Yeah, right, slayer. You need me, I got what you need. Who did you come to make you feel when you came back, huh?”

“I don’t need you. I need…” Buffy thinks about Tara, the friendship she is offering. “I need a friend. I need someone to help me, be there for me. Not someone that is just using me for his own sick agenda!”

Spike snarls. “Fuck you, slayer. You came back wrong, even my chips say so.” Spike takes a swing at Buffy, hitting her in the jaw and spins away, vamping out in pain. “What the fu-” He screams.

Buffy angrily kicks him upside the head. “I didn’t come back wrong. I’m human. I want, no I need to live. Being with you was a mistake that I’m not going to make again. I have friends and I’m going to talk to them. Apologize, and hopefully they will forgive me.” Buffy states while hitting Spike again, knocking him down to the ground. “I suggest you leave me alone, Spike. Stay away from us. I appreciate the help you have given us in the past. But I think for everyone’s sake that it would be best if you leave Sunnydale.”

“You can’t make me leave, Slayer. This is my home.” Spike spits out the blood from his busted mouth onto the ground. “You ain’t my boss. Whatever bug is up your ass, you’ll come around. You got a thing for the Big Bad, slayer, and you’ll come around. And when you do, I’ll be here!” Spike snarls as he heads off into the night.

Buffy shakes her head quietly stating. “You’re wrong, Spike. I just realized I have reasons for living. Friends and family. People that need saving from the evil here in Sunnydale. I have millions of reasons. I don’t need you. I have what I need and I just didn’t realize it.”

Buffy finishes patrolling, killing a couple more vampires before heading home.

Knocking on Willow’s bedroom door, to let her know she’s home, she doesn’t get an answer and peeks in, looking around. ‘No one here. Perfect time to get the hair strands.’ Buffy heads to the dresser, grabbing the hair brush and pulling ten or fifteen hair strands from the brush. ‘I hope this will be enough.’

Glancing around the room Buffy wonders how things had gone so wrong, so quickly. Heading back to her room, she gets ready for bed. If there is hope for herself, maybe other things will work out.

***********

Tara smiles at Dawn as she drinks her chocolate shake. Shaking her head she looks at Buffy who’s snickering quietly. “Dawn, that’s your second shake! Aren’t you getting brain freeze from sucking them down that quickly?”

Buffy starts laughing out loud at that comment. “I think she could drink a gallon of milk shake in one breath and still want more.”

Shrugging her shoulder, Dawn looks from Buffy to Tara. “What can I say? I love my shakes. That movie kind of sucked. But the shakes are cheering me up nicely!”

“Maybe next time you’ll let someone else pick the movie then, Dawnie.” Tara smiles knowingly at the young girl.

Buffy snorts stating. “Yeah, right. Like that’ll ever happen.”

Dawn looks at Buffy with a frown. “Like you’re one to talk. All you ever want to see is horror or fighting. Like you don’t get enough of that in real life!”

“Hey, they’re funny!” Buffy defends herself. “They’re more like comedy’s instead of true horror flicks!” Buffy turns to grin at Tara when she notices Tara stiffening and looking down quickly at the table. Turning around she sees Willow and Amy coming in the ice cream shop.

Reaching over to gently cover Tara’s hand with her own, Buffy quietly states. “It’ll be okay.”

Dawn looks from Buffy to Tara and back again. Scooting closer to Tara she grabs her hand, holding it tightly in her own. “Are you okay?”

Tara nods her head, not making eye contact with either of the Summers' girls.

Willow looking around realizes that Tara is there with Buffy and Dawn. Frowning slightly, she walks over to them, with Amy following her.

“Hi guys. What are you doing here?” Willow asks pointedly looking at Tara.

Dawn answers almost heatedly. “We’re here having milk shakes. What are you doing here?” Looking from Willow to Amy and back.

“We’ve been at the Bronze. Wow! I didn’t realize how powerful Willow has gotten. She’s like way outclassed me in the witchiness department.” Amy gushes, lightly touching Willow’s arm.

Tara looks up sharply with a frown on her face, looking at Willow. Shaking her head to herself she looks at Buffy then turns to Dawn. “I need to go. I’ll see you two later.”

“Tara I want to talk to you.” Willow states almost demandingly before Tara gets up from her chair.

“Willow, leave well enough alone for now, okay?” Buffy quietly states, trying to diffuse the situation.

“You can’t tell me what to do!” Willow hisses her eyes darkening.

Quickly standing up, Tara reaches across to gently place her hand on Buffy’s arm. “I-it’s okay. I’ll t-talk to her.” Looking briefly at Willow she turns and walks a couple tables down, in the almost empty ice cream parlor, she sits with Willow sitting across from her. Looking down at the table, with her hands clasped in her lap she sits quietly waiting for Willow to start.

“Why haven’t you returned any of my calls?” Willow asks heatedly. “You belong with me.”

Tara looks up quickly at the face of the woman who used to be her world, not seeing the kind face anymore. Shaking her head sadly Tara sighs quietly. “Willow…I c-can’t come back to you. I can’t ever t-trust you again.” Holding Willow’s eyes trying to make her understand. “You took my m-memories away f-from me. Twice.” Frowning Tara questions softly.  “Was it only t-twice?”

“All it was, was a stupid little spell, Tara. I won’t do it again.” Willow states not really answering her question.

Jerking her head up at Willow, Tara shakes her head. “You don’t understand, do you? YOU TOOK MY MEMORIES. You are playing God, Willow! Goddess!! After what I went through with Glory stealing my sanity, you are just going to play with my mind? What gives you the right? I want you to leave me alone, Willow. I’m not asking.” Tara jumps up from the table hurrying from the ice cream shop.

Buffy looks at Dawn, both of them hearing every word. “Come on.”

Dawn hurries after Tara as Buffy hesitates beside Willow who’s still sitting at the table in stunned silence. “Willow. For everyone’s sake. Please let this go. Right now she can’t be around you.”

Looking up at Buffy with the blackness creeping into her eyes, Willow snarls at Buffy. “She’s mine. And I will get her back.”

Buffy frowns, leaning in nose to nose with Willow. “I don’t know who you think you are, Willow. But you aren’t the same person who was my friend all these years. You’re letting the power go to your head. Leave. Her. Alone. Understand?”

With a flick of her hand, Willow magically throws Buffy hard against the opposite wall, before leaving the ice cream shop.

Sliding down the wall shaking her head, trying to get her bearings Buffy sees Amy in front of her. “I. I’m sorry. Willow has changed so much since high school. I didn’t realize…”

Buffy shakes her head at Amy, hopping up off the floor. “She isn’t listening to any of us. If you have any sway with her at all, please try and talk some sense into her. I have to go after Tara and Dawn.”

************

Running towards the campus, hoping that’s where Dawn and Tara were heading, Buffy rounds a corner, seeing them ahead of her she releases a breath of thanks that she‘s found them and quickly catches up to them.

Walking up to the opposite side of Tara, she lightly puts her arm around her waist, since Dawn has her arm wrapped around the shaking Wicca’s shoulder.

“I didn’t realize how bad she’s gotten.” Dawn whispers looking at Buffy worriedly. “Buffy are you okay?”

Tara looks up and at Buffy, seeing a spot of blood at the corner of the Slayer’s mouth.

Buffy frowns, seeing where she’s looking and reaches with her free hand, wiping the spot of blood away. “Sorry, yeah I’m okay.”

Frowning intensely Tara asks. “What did she do?”

Shaking her head Buffy looks at the Wicca’s eyes and slumping her shoulders states. “She threw me against the wall with magic.”

Eyes tearing up, Tara shakes her head. “I should l-leave. It w-would be b-best if I…”

Dawn and Buffy interrupt immediately and forcefully with a loud. “NO.”

Buffy smiles slightly at Dawn. “Tara, we already had this conversation. We’re not allowing you to leave. We will work through this. I promise you. I…”  Hesitating slightly, Buffy looks at Dawn before continuing. Deciding Dawn should probably know what’s going on. “I got the ingredient you needed for the spell.” Pulling the envelope out of her back pocket she hands it to Tara. “Maybe we should see about doing up something for everyone, to be on the safe side.” She states looking pointedly at Dawn.

“What are you talking about, Buffy?” Dawn asks worriedly.

Knowing what Buffy is trying to ask without saying anything Tara nods her head slowly in agreement. “Dawnie, we need to talk to you about something. L-let’s go back to my dorm room, okay?”

*************

“You mean she could have been playing with all our memories?” Dawn asks turning pale and almost looking like she is ready to throw up. “I can’t believe…surely she wouldn’t…” Stopping and looking at Tara she remembers the argument the two witches had had, then how Tara acted afterwards, as if nothing had happened. Knowing now, that Willow had used a forget spell on Tara. Slumping her shoulders knowing in her heart what Willow has done. “She would. She has.”

Tara glanced up at Buffy worry on her face. Pulling Dawn into her arms. “Dawnie, I wish I didn’t have to tell you…”

“No, no. I’m glad you did. I understand better now.” Dawn whispers in between quiet sobs. “It’s just so hard to believe.” Looking up into the woman she considers a sister and sometimes surrogate mother, Dawn asks. “Is there anything I can do to help?”

Sitting down beside Dawn, Buffy strokes her hair. “Thank you Dawn for offering. If we can think of anything, we’ll let you know, okay?” Buffy half smiles at her sister, proud of the fact that she seems to be growing up. “I hoped you would be able to be a child a while longer, but it seems you’re growing up quick, kiddo.”

Dawn snorts around a sob. “Hello! We live on the Hellmouth, Buffy. You’re a slayer, Tara’s a witch and I’m a mystical key! Our lives are not normal and I don’t think I’ve ever been a child!”

Everybody gives kind of a sad laugh while hugging each other tightly. Pulling back slightly, Tara half smiles at Dawn. “Do you want to help me with the spell?”

Buffy smiles as Dawn bounces up an down in excitement. “Tara, would it be okay if Dawn stays here while I go out on patrol?”

Smiling at the slayer, Tara nods her head then frowns slightly. “Umm, how did the other night go?”

Buffy looks confused for a moment before reaching up, touching the cross and looking at Tara. Seeing Tara nod, she smiles real big. “The other night went great.”

Sighing in relief, Tara smiles happily at the Slayer. “Good.”

Dawn frowns. “What are you two talking about now?”

Buffy smiles softly at her sister. “Dawn, it’s something personal, and with everything else that has happened tonight, can we maybe wait until I…Get my own head around it before talking to you about it? I promise I will explain to you eventually, just not right now, okay?”

Searching her sisters eyes and seeing that she’s being sincere, she nods her head, hugging Buffy close. “Okay. Just don’t forget.”

“I won’t.” Buffy smiles looking over Dawn’s shoulder at the caring and support in the blonde Wicca’s eyes.

*************

“Well, that’s it. Hopefully it will work.” Tara smiles at Dawn, taking the amber colored stones that the wax was turned into over to her desk to make into necklaces. “You want to help make the necklaces?” Tara asks looking over her shoulder at Dawn.

“Sure!” Dawn hops up walking over. Tara is spreading newspaper out and putting the jeweler’s cement on it along with the other items needed to make the necklaces.

Gluing the stones into the settings takes just a few minutes. Grabbing the black cord like string Tara unlatches, sliding one of the stones on and hands it to Dawn. “There’s your own home-made necklace, Dawnie.”

Doing up the rest of the stones on the cords Tara stops looking down at the other four necklaces.

Dawn sees her hesitating and gently rubs her shoulder. “What’s wrong, Tara?”

Shaking her head she looks worriedly at Dawn. “I don’t know how to explain to Xander and Anya about Willow. Anya will probably be easier than Xander. Xander has been her best friend forever. I don’t think he’ll believe me.” Tara whispers almost broken heartedly.

Hearing a light knock at the door, Tara stiffens slightly and relaxes when she hear’s Buffy say. “It’s me.” Quickly opening the door she smiles at the slayer. “How was patrol?”

Buffy grins. “Killed four vampires, a demon that was like three feet tall that thought I would make a good chew toy and helped out a co-ed that got her hand stuck between the railing and the wall on the stairs.”

“So, besides being the slayer, you played good Samaritan also?” Tara smiles winningly at Buffy. “You know, you are really a wonderful person, Buffy.”

Blushing slightly, Buffy shakes her head looking down at her feet. “So did you guys get the necklaces done?” She asks looking back up.

Inhaling deeply and reaching over for one of the necklaces, Tara nods. “Yes, we did. Here is one for you.” She hands it to Buffy who quickly slips it over her head. Reaching over to grab one for herself and putting it on. Picking up the other two she looks at Buffy, handing them to her. “I think it might be better coming from you, instead of me.”

Buffy looks down at the last two necklaces and up at Tara, nodding her head slowly. “I’ll talk to Anya first and then we’ll both try to talk to Xander.” Knowing Xander would be the hardest to convince.

“Well, we should probably head home, Dawn.” Buffy states, rubbing the girls head lightly.

Looking at Tara with pleading eyes, Dawn begs. “Can I stay here tonight? I really don’t want to see…” Trailing off looking down quickly.

Buffy looks at Tara silently asking her if it was okay and at Tara’s nod she smiles. “Thanks, Tara. Yes, you may, but you have to promise to be good for Tara!”

“I’m always good for Tara!” Dawn replies indignantly.

Raising her hands in self defense Buffy grins. “Okay, okay. You’re always good for Tara - it’s just me that you are rotten for.”

Dawn whines. “Buffy!”

Buffy grins, as she puts the necklaces in her pocket and walks to the door. “You two have a good night.”

Tara smiles gently. “Please be careful. Call me and let me know you made it home okay.”

“I will.” Buffy smiles slightly, walking out the door and heading home.

CHAPTER 5

Buffy walks into her house, stopping in shock. All of Willow’s things are piled up in the living room. “Willow?!” Buffy shouts.

Willow comes down the stairs with her laptop in her hand. “What, Buffy?” She growls at the slayer.

“Where are you going?” Buffy asks taking a step back at the growl.

“I’m leaving, what does it look like?” Willow snarls before waving her hand at her pile of stuff, making it disappear. “I’m going back home.”

Reaching out to grab Willow by the arm, Buffy states softly.  “You don’t have to leave Willow. We can work through this!”

Willow turns on Buffy quickly flicking her hand like she did earlier and when nothing happens her eyes widen. “What did you do?” She growls, physically pushing the slayer away from her. “Don’t you trust me, you had to go and get some piss ant charm to negate magic?”

As Willow pushes Buffy away, the Celtic cross swings out of Buffy’s shirt to where Willow can see it. Willow closes the distance between them pointing to the cross “That’s Tara’s cross. Her mother gave it to her.” Giving the slayer a hateful look. “Why are you wearing it?” Poking the slayer in the chest hard.  “Are you fucking her now? Did you decide you wanted to see what it’s like to fuck my girlfriend?” Willow’s eyes are completely black, she tries another spell on the slayer that gets absorbed.

“Willow!! NO! She thought I needed it more than her. Nothing is going on between us!” Buffy pleads with Willow. “Please Willow. You are out of control. You need help. Can’t you see what you’re doing? Please let someone help you!”

Willow slaps the slayer hard across the face. “I AM NOT OUT OF CONTROL. Tara is mine and I will get her back. Stay away from me!” Willow slams out of the house, leaving a stunned Slayer standing alone in the living room.

"Oh, God! What are we going to do?” Buffy states to the empty house. Shaking her head in despair she quickly goes to the phone to call Tara.

“Tara….Yeah I made it home okay, but…She was here, but she’s gone now. To let you know, the necklace works, the magic just seemed to slide right off. But…We need to talk. I can’t have this conversation with you over the phone. Can you and Dawn come to the house? Please take a cab… Okay, I’ll see you in a few minutes.” Buffy sits down dejectedly on the couch.

***************

After explaining to Dawn and Tara what had transpired at the house such a short time ago, Buffy watches with haunted eyes as Dawn runs to the bathroom, throwing up. Looking over to Tara the blonde didn’t seem to be in much better shape than Dawn.

Pale Tara roughly wipes her shaking hands down her face. “Goddess. What can we do?” Looking up at Buffy with fear in her eyes. “We have to find some way to reach her, Buffy. If we don’t…” Shaking her head Tara starts to cry.

Getting up off the couch and walking over to the Wicca sitting in the chair, Buffy kneels down, pulling her into a tight hug. “I’m going to call Giles. See if he has any ideas.” Hearing Dawn come back down the stairs Buffy lifts her head up, watching her. “Are you okay Dawn?” She asks worriedly.

Dawn shakes her head no but states. “I will be. We have to figure out something.” She sits down on the arm of the chair, hooking her arm around Tara’s shoulder. “We have to find some way to help her, and until then we have to be here for each other, right?” She asks hopefully looking from Buffy to Tara.

Buffy, nodding her head pulls back, still holding Tara loosely in her arms. “I want you to stay here with us. I don’t like the idea of you being at the dorms by yourself.”

Tara shakes her head. “I can’t stay in the room W-Will… we shared.” She states between quiet sobs.

“You can stay in my room tonight. Tomorrow I’ll switch out my stuff and put it in…the other bedroom and we’ll get your stuff from the dorm.” Buffy hesitated almost stating Willow’s room.

“Dawn, can you help Tara upstairs and get her settled?” Buffy asks quietly.

Nodding her head Dawn helps Tara stand up, walking with her up the stairs. “Come on Tara, why don’t you go lay down. We’ll talk more in the morning.” Dawn states as Tara climbs into Buffy’s bed still shaking slightly.

Looking up with pain filled eyes Tara nods. “We’ll figure something out.” Laying her head down she slowly falls asleep.

Dawn watches her for a few minutes, gently pushing her hair from her face with a frown.

“We need to make sure you’re safe.” She whispers quietly to the sleeping Wicca before heading back downstairs.

Buffy’s standing there with the phone in her hand, shaking slightly. Hearing Dawn come back down the stairs she looks up questioningly.

“She’s asleep. Buffy…we need to make sure that Willow doesn’t hurt her.” Dawn states with firm resolve. “Whatever it takes. I love Willow, but…”

Buffy rubs her hand across her face and looks Dawn in the eye. “I know, Dawn. I love Willow, too. But, that isn’t Willow right now. Tara has been through enough in her life…I’ll do everything I can to protect her. Why don’t you go and try and get some sleep? I’m going to call and talk to Giles.”

Dawn hugs her sister tightly before whispering goodnight and heading up the stairs.

Watching Dawn climb the stairs Buffy shakes her head, thinking to herself. ‘She’s dealing so well with this. Better than I ever expected. She is definitely growing up. Damn, time for a phone call that I really wish I didn’t have to make.’

*****

“Buffy, I don’t know what to say.” Giles states worriedly.

“Giles, tell me you’re going to help, and for God’s sake stop cleaning your glasses. You’re going to rub a whole in them.” Buffy states with a dejected sigh.

“How…Never mind. I’ll talk with the Coven here in Devonshire and I’ll get back to you as soon as I can. I don’t know if they’ll be able to do anything, but maybe they’ll have some ideas.” Hesitating for a moment Giles asks quietly and sincerely. “Would you like me to come back, Buffy?”

"Giles…” Hesitating momentarily Buffy tries stop her original reaction of wanting to say yes. “I would always love for you to be here, Giles. But…I would rather you find out anything at all you can to help us and let me know. Giles…You’re like a father to me, more so than my real father ever was. I miss you.” Buffy states the last extremely quietly, not even knowing if Giles heard her or not.

“Oh, Buffy. I miss you, too. I’ll contact the coven as soon as I’m off the phone with you. I’ll also check out all the books I can get my hands on and see if there is anything I can do to help. Is everyone okay?” Giles asks worriedly.

“Yeah, Tara made up some kind of magic deflector things that work against Willow, if she tries magic on any of us. I have to get Xander and Anya’s to them, and try to talk to them about Willow.” Inhaling deeply Buffy feels a little better talking to Giles about Willow.

“Tara was able to make a defense against Willow?” Giles asks with concern.

“Yeah, she used some ingredients and some of Willow’s hair to make these stones, which we’re wearing as necklaces. It works great. Willow tried to blast me twice and it’s like the stones just absorbed the magic.” Buffy states with a prideful note in her voice.

Giles, surprised to the say the least, states quietly. “Buffy, that takes a lot of power, and she made one for everybody?”

“Yes, she made five of them. She said it was an easy spell. How much power are you talking about, Giles?” Buffy asks questioningly.

“A lot. I believe our dear Tara is a lot stronger, more powerful witch than any of us realized.” Giles yanks his glasses back off, chewing on the end thinking.

Buffy thinks back over past conversations “You know, Willow was always saying that Tara was powerful and Tara would just shake her head stating she wasn’t…do you think she even realizes?”

“I don’t know, Buffy. She may not. She has always come across to me as a very well-balanced witch. She never really used her talents from what I can gather. She doesn’t take her power for granted and she doesn’t use it unless she needs to. I might talk to the coven about Tara, also. It might be best if she studies with a coven during the summer to realize her potential.” Giles shakes his head, first things first, old man. “Let me get off here and call the Coven, Buffy. I’ll get back to you once I hear anything. Please take care of yourself. Call me if you need me.” He states gently.

“Thanks Giles. I appreciate anything you can find out. Bye.” Buffy states quietly before hanging up the phone, pacing back and forth in the kitchen. Looking over at the clock on the stove realizing it’s almost four in the morning she shakes her head, deciding to check on Tara and Dawn, before trying to get a couple hours sleep herself.

Chapter 6

As Tara heads down the stairs the next morning, she sees Buffy asleep on the couch. Frowning slightly she walks over gently covering her with the throw.

Waking up Buffy looks confused for a moment before realizing that Tara was trying to cover her up with a blanket. Stretching and yawning she smiles embarrassedly at the blonde. “Good morning.”

Tara shakes her head. “I’m sorry I woke you. I didn’t mean to make you sleep on the couch, you could have slept upstairs. The bed is big enough for both of us.”

Buffy chuckles quietly. “I would rather not have you waking up finding yourself wrapped up in my arms trying to figure out what’s going on!”

Tara raises an eyebrow at that. “Waking up in your arms, huh?”

Buffy blushes slightly. “Yeah, I kind of like to snuggle and…” Raising her hands in the air. “There’s not telling where these might have ended up. Bad juju all the way around.”

Laughing at the slayer, Tara shakes her head. “I’m sure we could have worked around it, Buffy. But thanks for the consideration. Are you hungry?”

Smiling at the blondes typical response she nods her head. And laughs as Dawn comes pounding down the stairs.

“Pancakes!” Dawn exclaims bouncing over to the blonde, putting her arm around her shoulders grinning down at Buffy who’s sitting on the couch.

Buffy nods her head in agreement.

“Pancakes it is. Why don’t you two go get cleaned up while I start making them, then we’ll start moving stuff around?” Tara takes a deep breath and smiles, glad to be back in the one place she considers home since her mother died. Frowning slightly thinking about Willow.

“Hey, hey.” Buffy states quickly jumping up off the couch. “No serious thoughts just yet. We’ll get everything figured out eventually. It might take some time, but hopefully it will work out.” She states hugging Tara and Dawn tightly to her.

“Okay.” Hoping Buffy’s right, Tara smiles as she pulls away and heads towards the kitchen to make pancakes as Buffy and Dawn head upstairs to freshen up.

**************

“Okay, we got everything of mine switched, the beds are stripped and sheets are in the washer and dryer. As soon as Xander and Anya get here we’ll go to your dorm room and pick up your stuff.” Buffy states with a smile.

A few minutes later Xander comes in followed quickly by Anya. “So what’s up guys. Hi, Tara! You and Willow get back together?” Xander looks around and frowns.  “Where is Willow?”

“Uh, Xander you might want to sit down.” Buffy states quietly. “We need to have a serious conversation with you and Anya.”

Anya nods her head, knowing what was going. She saw all the signs, she wasn’t a vengeance demon for 1200 years for nothing. Looking at Tara and seeing the worry on her face she lightly pats her on the arm. “It will be okay, Tara. We will help in whatever way we can.” Any states quietly before sitting down beside Xander.

Tara looks surprised then thankful at the ex-demon. Reaching down to the coffee table, Tara picks up the two necklaces that Buffy had laid there earlier. Handing one to Anya and then Xander, Anya raises her eyebrow in surprise looking up at Tara.

“Is this what I think it is?” Anya asks questioningly.

Looking Anya in the eyes Tara nods her head. “Yes it is.” Looking over to Buffy then Dawn she takes a deep breath. “We think it would be best if you two wore it at all times. W-W-will…” Stopping trying to keep control, Buffy gently pats her shoulder, motioning her to sit down and glancing at Dawn.

Dawn sits down on the arm of the chair next to the blonde, holding her hand keeping quiet as Buffy explains what has happened. Everything. Her and Tara had discussed how much to let their friends know and they both decided it would be best to tell them everything about Willow and what had happened and was happening.

Xander jumps up, practically yelling. “No! She wouldn’t ever do that! She wouldn’t hurt any of us.” He shouts in denial. They had barely made it past the memory spell.

“Xander, please listen to us. Let us explain everything. Remember the spell? Remember how we forgot who we were? That was Willow!!” Buffy cries, trying to get through to her other best friend.

Shaking his head Xander sits down. “But, why?” He questions.

Tara looks up at him and starts to open her mouth to answer but Anya beats her to it. Looking Xander in the eye and holding his hand she states bluntly. “She is addicted to the power, having control. It will be very hard to reason with her, if we can.” Looking at
Buffy she nods her head. “Please continue. He will listen quietly until you are done.” She states looking at Xander with a warning glare.

Xander looks back and nods his head in acquiesce.

As Buffy finishes telling them everything up to and including the night before, Xander is quietly crying, and Anya is holding him, patting his back.

Looking up at Tara, Anya states. “I am sorry that I did not see this before. If you want, I can contact D’Hoffryn and see if…”

Tara jumps up shaking her head. “No Anya. I don’t wish vengeance on her, or anyone. We just need to see if we can help her. I’m just afraid she may be too far gone to accept any help.”

Nodding her head in acceptance, Anya puts the necklace on and looks at Xander. “It will protect you against any magic she tries to do against you, Xander. Please wear it We do not know if she has possibly used other spells against the rest of us. It would be best to wear it at all times.”

Buffy looks in surprise at the ex-demon, she hadn’t explained about the necklaces yet. “How did you?”

Anya looks at Buffy. “I know quite a lot, Buffy. I see quite a few things, also. I keep quiet most of the time.” Shrugging her shoulders she smiles at Tara. “I wish I had seen this before hand, maybe we could have stopped her before it got this bad.”

Tara shakes her head at Anya. “I have tried talking to her about it in the past, multiple times that she was using magic too much. She didn’t want to hear it.” Looking down at the floor Tara states quietly “she wants it more than she wanted me. You can’t fight for someone if they don‘t see what is wrong and are willing to change.” Feeling Dawn squeeze her shoulder lightly Tara looks up smiling sadly.

Buffy looks at Xander. “Would you mind taking me and Tara over to the dorm so we can pack her stuff up? I want her to move back in here with me. I’d feel safer having her close by instead of by herself.”

Nodding his head Xander stands up.

Anya looks at Buffy. “That is a very good idea. I can stay here and keep Dawn company while you get her stuff. Would we like to order pizza for lunch?”

Buffy smiles, actually grateful for the ex-demon. “We’ll order it before we leave the dorm and pick it up on the way back. It shouldn’t take to terribly long to pack Tara up with the three of us.”

Tara smiles briefly, standing up to follow Xander out of the house with Buffy following behind.

***********

Tara stops just inside the door of her dorm room, looking around.

Buffy accidentally bumps into her, not realizing she stopped. “What’s wrong?”

Tara shakes her head looking for anything out of place. “Willow was here.”

"How…?” Buffy states looking at the Wicca’s room.

"I can feel magic. She knows I’m the one that did the charms.” Tara states walking over to her desk, that still has some of the spell ingredients sitting on it. Closing her eyes she sends her senses out trying to see if Willow had booby trapped anything or taken anything.

Opening her eyes she looks into Buffy’s and Xanders’ worried eyes. “It doesn’t look like she’s done anything or taken anything.” Shaking slightly she reaches into the closet grabbing out the boxes that she hasn’t even had time to dispose of after finally unpacking the rest of her stuff.

Handing one of the boxes to Xander she quietly asks him to fill it with her books as she hands one to Buffy saying just fill it up with any knick knacks and spell ingredients you come across. She heads over to the dresser pulling it open, quickly stuffing her box full of clothes. Grabbing another box, she quickly strips her bed, folding up the sheets and blanket putting it in the box looking around seeing that Buffy and Xander had filled their boxes up. Grabbing her clothes that are on the hangers, she lays them on the bed.

Quickly double-checking all the drawers and the closet, each of them grabbing a box, taking it down to Xanders vehicle before heading back up to make the call for pizza and grabbing the rest of the items.

****************

It’s a quiet, solemn group of Scoobies that eat the pizza back at Buffy’s house. They had quickly brought in Tara’s stuff, taking it upstairs and sitting it on the floor before eating.

As Xander and Anya get ready to leave, Anya surprises Tara by grabbing her in a quick hug. “This is just a friend hug. I am not wishing to have sex with you.” She states stepping back smiling.

Tara can’t help but laugh. “Thanks Anya. I appreciate everything.”

Anya’s smile gets even bigger.

Xander leans down and gently hugs the blonde Wicca. “I wish we could do more.” He whispers in her ear before releasing her and turning to leave with Anya.

Standing there slightly stunned, Tara comes back to herself, feeling Buffy grasp her hand lightly. Looking over at the Slayer she smiles tremulously. “I always thought that if something happened between Willow and I…that I would lose your friendships.” Shaking her head, looking at the now closed front door that Anya and Xander had walked through. “I guess I was wrong.”

Buffy lightly squeezes Tara’s hand. “You’re family, remember? Once you’re in our hearts, you stay there.” Smiling softly, she tugs on the hand she’s holding. “Come on, let’s get upstairs and get you settled.”