Seeing the Light by DarkWiccan

Disclaimers: Buffy the Vampire Slayer and all characters associated with the show are owned by Joss Whedon and Mutant Enemy and their affiliates. If they belonged to me, none of the horrors of season six would ever have happened, and Willow and Tara would be on their honeymoon by now. But they don't, so for now I borrow and kindly ask the big, scary corporate lawyer-guy to look the other way. Also, even though W/T don't belong to me, this story does. Please don't plagiarize.

Note: I am a playwright by trade, so as a result, I am heavy on the dialogue, light on the descriptions. So if you like reading Charles Dickens and his six chapters describing a buffet, you'll hate my writing style.

Summary: Willow, after losing Tara, and giving up magic, tries the dating scene again.

Willow sat in the corner of the Magic Shop trying to hide from her friends. Two months. Two months since she had given it all up, and still her friends tip-toed around on egg shells and treated her like a baby just in case. Just in case she lost her will and turned back to the magick. The redhead sighed and tucked her knees up to her chin. Every day the same thing, she woke up to find herself facing her "sitter" for the day. Monday, was Buffy, Tuesday, Xander, Wednesday, Dawn (if that wasn't humiliating, being babysat by someone six years her junior), Thursday, Spike (after being delivered to his tomb in the morning by the Buffster) Friday, Tara and the weekends were spent under Anya's supervision at the Magic Shop. And although she absolutely hated being stuck with the former vengeance demon two days in a row, the person it hurt the most to be watched by was definitely Tara.

How badly she'd failed her, her one true love, her soul-mate. Willow wanted so terribly to make things right, to take back the things that she'd said, the awful things that she'd said, and of course, the things she had done. The slight redhead had tried to reconcile things almost as soon as she'd made up her mind never to use magick again. But, the blonde had simply blushed, and turned away, trying to hide the tears on her cheek, and tried as gently as possible to explain that it was going to take a long, long time before… well, just before.

At least they still had Fridays. As painful as they were. Most of the time they spent the day at the Summers' home, playing cards, or watching movies. Sometimes talking, sometimes not. Mostly not. Once in awhile Willow would go over to Tara's small apartment. Those were the worst days of all. Surrounded by all of the blonde witch's magickal artifacts and objects, made it difficult for Willow to relax. However, Tara knew that it was important for, both of them really, that the redhead learn to face temptation and resist it. It was a painful, yet necessary, lesson.

But, what made these days the most awful for Willow was the fact that the two women never touched. Not even a friendly hug, and mostly at the insistence of Tara, who voiced that it would be just too difficult to so easily reclaim what had been so horribly lost. The once vivacious and even audacious couple given to public displays of affection, now stood awkwardly across from each other unwilling, or afraid to cross a certain boundary of personal space.

Willow wiped a tear-stained cheek on her denim-covered knee, and rose to enter the main room of the shop from the small study-nook off to the side.

"Hey, Willow," Anya called to her from behind the counter, "Where ya been? Not doing magick, I hope."

"No, Anya," Willow sighed, " I haven't been doing magick. Besides, I can't touch anything in the shop anyway. Not after you guys made Tara put that weird binding spell on me. Which I still say was major overkill."

"Not at all," Anya beamed, "this way I don't have to worry about you stealing anything, and you stay a good little member of Magick-Users Anonymous."

"Well, there should be. You could start it! Wouldn't that be a more effective use of all this suddenly acquired free time when you aren't casting spells and putting your friends in danger?"

"Darn tootin'," the former demon replied, "It's closing time. Let me just finish counting and re-counting all this glorious money, and then I'll take you home so that I can go home and then Xander and I can have sex."

"Great," Willow replied, slumping into one of the wooden chairs near the research table.

"Just what it sounds like, An," Buffy replied, "Spike called and said he may have a lead on a diamond-eating ice demon and he wants me to check him out… er…it out. He wants me to check it out."

Anya narrowed her gaze at the slayer, "Well, I can't," she said finally, "Not tonight. I have got important things going on too."

"I think I'll be okay by myself for one night," Willow said from the living room couch.

"There's this thing at the Lambda Sorority that I kinda wanted to check out," Willow tried again.

"You can't put that off for one night?," the slayer continued, unaware of her friend's interjections.

"She's staying at Tara's tonight," Buffy answered, "Look, Anya, just put off the schtupp-fest for one little night."

"Besides, I think it would be good for me to have at least one night to myself," said the former Wiccan.

"Why should I? You're not," Anya pestered, likewise not listening to Willow's quiet pleas.

"Anya," Buffy began, through steel-blue eyes, "I am only going to say this once. I. Am. Not. Sleeping. With. Spike."

"It's not fair," the taller blonde woman shouted, "I'm the only one of all of us who gets stuck with her two days in a row! And now you're making it two days and a night!"

The two quarreling women turned to see Willow standing in front of the couch, clenching her small hands into fists and gritting her teeth.

"HOW DO YOU EXPECT ME TO 'CHILL' WHEN I NEVER GET ANY TIME TO MYSELF? WHEN I CONSTANTLY HAVE ONE OF YOU GUYS HOVERING OVER ME, TREATING ME LIKE SOME KIND OF CRIMINAL OR BABY, OR, OR, A BOMB THAT'S ABOUT TO GO OFF?"

Willow took in a deep, calming breath before continuing, "I'm sorry. .I'm just… really frustrated, and tired, and I just… I need a night to myself. If only you'd trust me. Just for one night."

Buffy and Anya glanced at each other, warily. "What did you have in mind, Will," Buffy asked.

"Last Friday a girl in my English class invited me to the Lambda Sorority for a party there tonight."

"Usually," Willow admitted, " But this is a low-key affair. It's invitation only. There's supposed to be a couple of jazz musicians and wine-tasting... oh... and cheese. It's a wine and cheese thing."

"You aren't planning on drowning your troubles in the bottom of a wine bottle are you," Anya asked.

"Because the last time you did the whole drowning of sorrows thing, Giles ended up blind, Buffy and Spike engaged, Xander a magnet for demons and D'Hoffryn offered you my old job. Although the whole Buffy, Spike thing might as well have been foreshadowing."

"I'm not going to get drunk and run amok through the town spell casting, Anya, I've given that up. I wish you guys would trust me. Just for tonight."

Buffy glanced at her watch, "It's getting late. Spike's waiting for me and Xander's waiting for little miss nympho, here. I… I guess it would be okay."

Willow jumped up and hugged her friend excitedly, "Thanks, Buff. You have no idea how much I appreciate this."

"Eleven-thirty it is. Absolutely. Not a second after," the redhead beamed, "Well, Anya it looks as if… Anya?"

"Lambda House, huh," Buffy asked as she walked toward the front door, "Were they around when I was at school?"

"Yeah, but they're not really your kinda scene," Buffy looked puzzled, "It's the headquarters for the Lesbian Alliance."

Buffy merely smiled, then headed off in the direction of the cemetery and Spike. Willow paused for a few moments, getting used to the now unusual feeling of being alone, before grabbing her jacket and heading toward the University.

Well, it's kinda nice to know that some things never change, Willow thought to herself as she sat alone in a dark corner of the main room of the sorority. Once a wallflower, always a wallflower. She clutched a can of soda-pop to her chest and tried to relax as the three jazz musicians across the room filled the air with cool bass notes, gentle guitar licks and bongo drum beats. Almost everyone else in the house was holding a wine glass, delicately sipping the expertly fermented grapes between pauses in muffled conversation. Occasionally, rent-a-waiters would pass by with fresh platters of tooth-picked cheese or trays of the next wine for tasting, and the partygoers would happily exchange a cabernet for a zinfandel or merlot. Willow tried to get "into the groove," but after several long minutes of unsuccessful head-bobbing to the fluctuating bass rhythm, she finally had to admit to herself, God, I'm so bored.

Turning toward the sound, Willow found a young woman sitting in the chair next to her. The girl was slender and attractive, dressed in black slacks and a maroon tailored-to-fit retro short- sleeved dress-shirt worn over a black silk v-neck t-shirt. Her hair was dark brown, practically black, and fell down to her shoulders almost mane-like. It looked almost as if she was in the process of growing it out from a much shorter cut. Her eyes were blue, hazel, really, and in front of them she wore thin, black, wire-rimmed glasses, giving her a very elegant and educated appearance.

"I dunno, it seemed like a good idea at the time. I just wanted to do something different."

"I understand that," the girl said, "you get stuck in a routine, want to try and break up the monotony."

"This," Jess said holding up her glass of white liquid, "This is a very exotic drink imported from the northern Midwest from a state I believe called Wisconsin. It's been found to be not only nutritional, but essential for the body to maintain a sufficient amount of calcium well into old age."

"You're drinking soda at a wine tasting," the brunette retorted playfully, pointing to the now empty aluminum can in the redhead's hand.

"Oh," Willow grinned sheepishly, "I promised my friends I wouldn't drink tonight."

"No, no. Goodness no. I just promised them I wouldn't. It's important to me that I keep my promises to them."

"You don't know the half of it," Willow stated, and suddenly felt it necessary to change the subject, "So, I've explained why the soda. Why the milk?"

"I'm just getting over a nasty flu-bug," Jess explained, "The, uh, antibiotics don't mix well with alcohol."

Willow paled, did she? She didn't know. She thought so, but things with Tara had been so, strained, and well, Tara had broken up with her, technically, right? Or had she? Was it merely a separation? Was she even attracted to this girl sitting across from her? Too many questions.

"Are you sure about that," Jess questioned, "Because that 'no' seemed really painful and unsure."

"Oh," Jess replied, "I get it. No problem. I just came over here to chat. That's all."

"To chat," Willow said incredulously, "That's really the only reason you came over here?"

"I won't lie. I had an ulterior motive." Willow waited for Jess' explanation. "A couple of years ago something happened to me that caused me to really start living life moment to moment. Kind of a 'Carpe Diem' philosophy. So, as I was standing across the room over there I saw you and I thought, 'There is the most beautiful woman I have ever seen my entire life.' And what kind of 'diem' would I be 'carpe-ing' if I didn't at least go over and talk to her."

Willow could feel her entire upper body flush red. Talking wouldn't be so bad, she thought to herself. Somehow she got up the courage to ask, "Do you wanna go…"

"For coffee," Jess finished. Both girls chuckled lightly. Finally, Jess stood, "Let me just grab my coat." Willow nodded nervously and wiped her sweaty palms on her thighs. Why am I so nervous, she thought, it's just coffee. And it'll only be like, half a cup, because I have to be home soon anyway.

"You ready," Jess said, having returned wearing a stylish black leather jacket. Willow nodded and the pair left the party.

"I have to be home by eleven-thirty," Willow said as they neared the Espresso Pump.

"It's not their fault," Willow explained, "It's mine. We're kind of having to learn to trust each other again."

"Why don't we sit down first," Willow suggested as they arrived at the coffee bar.

"Sure," answered Jess, heading toward the counter as Willow selected a small booth, "What do you want?"

A few moments later, mochas in hand, Jess settled down to the small table. Handing Willow her drink she said, "You were saying?"

"Right," Willow gulped a little before continuing, "I kind of… was addicted to something for a long time."

"Sort of. I mean, I was getting high in a way. Anyway, everything came to a crashing end about two months ago when my problem almost got my best friend's little sister killed."

"I can see how something like that would cause you to sit up and take notice," Jess conceded.

"That was the night I gave it up. Completely. I had hurt too many people and lost…so very much," Willow was fighting back tears. Jess noticed and reached out her hand and placed it on top of the slighter woman's.

"No it's not," sniffled Willow, "That's the problem. I mean, yeah, I've stopped doing the… But, now that my vision isn't obscured by the… Everything's so painfully clear now. I can see the ramifications of what I have done. The damage I've caused. And the temptation is still there, all the time. Everywhere I turn, I can't get away. And my, my friends don't trust me anymore. They treat me like I'm a little kid who got caught with their hand in the cookie jar and now who has to be watched all the time to make sure that they don't do it again. And, and I just, just want things back the way they were before. But, they'll never be, because I've ruined it."

By now Willow was nothing more than a babbling, blubbering mess. Jess was at a loss for what to do. This wasn't exactly how she had foreseen the evening. She quickly saw that this girl, no, this woman, had been through far too much in her short life, and that was definitely something that Jess could relate to. The brunette stood and, placing her arm around the redhead's shoulder, gently coaxed Willow out of her seat and back out of the coffee shop into the cool night air.

"It's almost eleven-thirty," Jess whispered gently, "Do you want me to walk you home?"

Willow nodded almost groggily, the crying fit having worn her out, "1630 Ravello."

"Ravello," Jess mumbled, searching her memory bank, "Yeah, I know that street. It's not far from here. Let's, um, let's get going." Again Willow nodded and the two women began to walk.

Willow had leaned on Jess for support for most of the walk home. Not that Jess minded, but it was starting to wear her out. Buffy was just getting home from patrol when she saw the two women walking up the sidewalk toward the house. Seeing Willow slumped into the other woman caused the slayer's heart to drop into her stomach in fear. She raced over to the pair, making a grab at her best friend.

"She's fine," Jess tried to explain, "She's just worn out. Things got a little emot…"

"Worn out," Buffy interrupted, "Willow, you haven't done anything, right? Cuz I know that sometimes when you… did stuff… you'd get really tired."

"She hasn't done anything," Jess intercepted, trying to protect the fragile girl in her arms, holding her a little more tightly, "Why don't you back off a little."

"Oh, really, a friend, huh? Well, I'm her best friend and she's never mentioned you before, Jess," Buffy hit the other girl's name with a little extra vinegar.

"At the Lambda Sorority party. I'm one of the sisters. One of the sorority sisters," Jess stated for extra clarity, "And I'm telling you that I have been with her all night, and I can guarantee you that she hasn't done any drugs."

"Well of course she hasn't done any drugs. Willow would never do… that again," Buffy quickly corrected realizing the wordplay the redhead must have used, " I just got a little worried, what with her being all slumped over and all."

"Like I was trying to explain," Jess continued, "Willow and I went to get some coffee and we started talking about…problems… and she got a little emotional. I offered to walk her home, and here we are."

"Thank you," Buffy offered, honestly grateful, she walked over to Willow, who still clung tightly to her walking partner, "Will? Hon? I'm sorry, I shouldn't have jumped to conclusions like that. Are you okay?"

"Okay," the slayer replied, "I can take her from here". The petite blonde gently detached the former Wiccan from Jess' arms and started leading her up the walkway to the house.

"Hey, Willow," Jess called after them. The pair turned to look back at the young woman. "If you ever need to talk… I'm… I'll…I'll look for you on campus." Jess turned to go.

Damn, Jess suddenly thought, I'd better… "Hey," she called out again, this time lightly jogging up to the front steps of the house before the two women could disappear behind the door. Buffy nudged Willow inside, before turning around to face the brunette, "Yeah?"

Despite being slightly puzzled, Jess complied. Buffy reached out and pressed her two forefingers just below the base of Jess' thumb. Quickly finding a pulse, the slayer relented and stepped aside allowing the young woman into her home.

"Phone's in the kitchen, down the hall straight ahead. Phone book should be on the counter next to it."

Buffy went into the living room and collapsed down into the couch. Mentally she slapped herself for how quickly she had assumed that Willow had been using magick. Her best friend had been doing well, remarkably well, ever since she had sworn off the dark arts two months before. As far as she knew, Will hadn't done a single spell in all that time, so why should she doubt her so easily? Because she almost killed my sister, was the echoing reply. "She didn't know what she was doing," she said out loud, "It was an accident."

"You're the friend with the sister, right?," Buffy nodded, after a pause Jess explained, "Willow told me. You have every right to be angry at her. But, she's trying so hard to fix things. You might want to let her know that her efforts aren't in vain. They aren't, right?"

"Of course they're not in vain," Buffy replied, "She's been doing really well. I just don't know how to reward her. I mean, what do I do, give her a gold star?"

"She doesn't want to be rewarded. This isn't like grounding a kid and then letting them know it's okay again by giving them a cookie. She just wants her efforts to be recognized. She's trying to earn back your trust."

"I get that," Buffy conceded. A few moments passed before Jess spoke again, "I asked her if she was with anyone. She said, 'no', but seemed really unsure."

"I wouldn't say that Willow is truly available, no." Buffy explained, "She and Tara are separated, but, I think they both may be trying to work things out. Slowly."

"Not really, she's in my Art Appreciation Class. I've seen her with Willow before. They look good together. They look like… like they fit."

"They do," Buffy smiled. Jess smiled back, and was about to speak again when the cab honked a couple of times as it pulled up in front of the house.

"Well," Jess sighed, "That's my cue." She rose and headed for the door, Buffy followed.

"Guess so," said Buffy, "Thanks again, for bringing her home and putting up with me being all stupid."

"You weren't being stupid, you were just… being stupid. There's a difference," Jess chuckled, "Goodnight, Buffy. It was truly an interesting experience. I hope there'll be more like it."

"Me too," the blonde smiled, "Goodnight, Jess." The brunette stepped outside and jogged up to the cab. Buffy watched, making sure everything with the cabby was on the up-and-up, before closing the door and going upstairs to check on Willow.

"Hey, Buff. Come on in," Willow answered from the bed, where she had already curled up under the covers. Buffy walked over the edge of the bed and sat down.

"Just in case I wasn't clear enough the first time," the slayer began, "I just wanted to apologize again for the whole conclusion jumping thing."

"No, Will, it's not. You've been trying really hard ever since… to earn our trust back, and I think… if nothing else… you've at least earned the benefit of the doubt."

"So, that Jess seemed nice. She asked me if you were available. I told her no. Is that okay?"

"It is still 'no', right, Will," Buffy asked, silently dreading the possible answer.

"Things with Tara and I are kinda at a stand-still," Willow admitted, "I don't really know what's gonna happen next."

"Sure. I understand," answered Buffy, although she really didn't, "Get some sleep. I'll see you in the morning. G'Night, Will." The slayer stood and went to the door.

"You're home late," said a plump, young woman as Jess walked in the sorority house's front door.

"Not really," Jess answered, glancing at the clock, "I figured the party would still be going on."

"Yeah, well, everyone started getting a little too tipsy from all the wine, so, we decided to start sending people home before it became a different kind of party," the plump woman chuckled. Jess started to laugh as well.

"Oh, um, Willow… Willow… just Willow. I didn't get her last name," Jess explained.

Jess shut her door behind her. Kari simply stood in the hallway. She knew what she had to do.

The next day Willow found herself sitting outside the Student Union at one of the cast-iron picnic tables, twiddling her thumbs. Her last class had ended at eleven twenty-five causing her to be a little early to her meeting with Jess. A little early meaning twenty minutes. Not that she minded. It was a pleasant day outside, and the warm Santana winds blowing up from the south made it that much more enjoyable, if a little difficult to do any studying that didn't involve a paper chase. So she just sat back and enjoyed the outside air, allowing herself to melt slightly into her chair, taking a moment to feel the way the iron-work massaged into her back musculature. She had just started to close her eyes when she heard a strange voice calling her name.

"Willow?" She blinked her eyes open and looked up at a rather plump woman staring down at her. "You're Willow, right?"

"No. She's on her way. I just thought I'd stop by and introduce myself, and tell you a few things. About Jess."

"I don't think that's a good idea. I mean I barely know you. I've been in third party communication situations before and they always turn out badly. If Jess has something she needs to tell me, I think she should do it herself."

"I agree," said Kari enthusiastically, "But, that's just the problem. She won't tell you because, she's afraid."

"I'm sorry. I don't mean to it's just, I don't want either one of you to get hurt. And if you think there may be a possibility of the two of you getting together… There's something about Jess that you should know."

"Oh," Kari said, deflating slightly, "Jess doesn't have the flu, Willow. Jess has HIV. She's HIV positive."

"She's doing really well right now," Kari replied, rushing on, "She did have a pretty bad scare with a cold virus a couple weeks ago, but we got her to the Doctor in time and she's gonna be okay. And besides, her parents are really wealthy, so she's got all the best treatment. She's on the cocktail and…"

"How dare you," Willow bit out, "How dare you assume so much. Of both Jess and myself. That you thought you could walk down here and say these things. How many potential relationships have you ruined. How many chances have you dashed."

"No, I'm not sick. But if I was, and I found out that my 'friend' was singing my illness to the masses, I'd… well, I don't know what I'd do… but it would be bad."

"Okay. I'm outta here. I was only trying to help," Kari sputtered, "Jess should be along any minute." And with that the girl ran off, into the Student Union.

Willow tried as best she could to regain her composure. She sat full back into her seat, and gripped the arm rests until it felt like the iron would break through her skin. She closed her eyes and tilted her head back, trying to return her breathing to normal. Finally, after several deep, calming breathes, she opened her eyes in time to see Jess approaching her from across the path.

"Jess!" she shouted, before jumping up and running to envelope the other girl in warm hug.

"Woa," Jess replied, slowly pulling herself from the embrace, "I didn't realize we were huggy friends already. Not that I mind, of course."

"Well, since you practically carried me home from the Espresso Pump last night, I figured it was the least I could do to show my gratitude," Willow smiled affectionately.

"Yeah, I'm fine," Jess replied, her eyes narrowing a little, "I just like to sit when I eat, it's that whole digestive comfort-zone deal."

"Oh, yeah. But, don't we need to get food first in order for the whole digestion thing to work," Willow asked.

Jess simply smiled awkwardly and raised a brown paper bag to eye level. "Oh," said the redhead. "I hope it's okay," Jess said, sitting down, "I got it at the deli just off campus."

"I'm sure it will be great," Willow replied, sitting as well, "What's on the menu?"

"Well, that's okay," continued Jess, rubbing her hands together, "Because I always have a contingency plan. I also purchased turkey, plain, on wheat, with the toppings on the side, just in case."

Sandwiches were delegated and water bottles passed out as the two began munching contentedly. Finally, between bites, Jess started to talk, "Willow, there's something I need to tell you."

"Whatever it is I support you completely," the redhead replied a little too quickly.

"Ri-ight. That's good… to know. Um. I, uh, spoke to Buffy last night and she told me about you and Tara. How you guys are trying to work things out. And I just want you to know that I think you should."

"Because I saw you two together on campus a few months ago and… you looked good. You looked right. And so very much in love," Jess paused for emphasis, "If you have the opportunity to salvage that, you should take it."

"No," Jess answered finally realizing that Willow knew, "This isn't because I have… 'the flu.'"

"I didn't think it would," Jess grinned, knowingly, "But that's not what this is about. Although I will admit that having 'the flu' has caused me, on occasion, to become a sort of psycho pep squad matchmaker."

Both girls chuckled at the remark. Suddenly something began to beep in Jess' pocket. Jess jumped a little and pulled out a small pager, turning it off. She then reached into her other hip pocket and removed a small pillbox, opened it and dumped the contents, about eight pills, into her hand.

"Yeah, it's amazing how tenacious the flu-bug is these days," Jess smiled, looking the redhead in the eyes.

"Don't be," she answered, swallowing the whole handful and chasing it with a swig from her water bottle, "It's not your bag. I can take care of myself."

"I loved a girl who loved drugs. And she would do anything to pay to stay high. Even sell her body. Mostly, though, she'd just play a strawberry…"

"Strawberry. Crack whore. Girl who trades her body with her dealer for the smack."

"Sometimes," Jess answered, "You okay?" *You taste like strawberries…* Willow pushed the memory down, trying to forget it ever happened.

"Anyway," Jess went on, silently worried for her table companion, "I wasn't really aware of what was going on. I mean, I knew she liked pot, she smoked it often enough. But it wasn't until too late that I realized that the pot just got her through the day, and it was crack that was getting her through the night. The second I found that out it was over. Or so I thought, until I got a phone call from her mother a couple of months later telling me that that her daughter was HIV, and that I should probably get tested. That was two years ago."

The two women sat in silence for a moment. Willow unconsciously chewed on the inside of her cheek. Jess watched the nervous action, Maybe this hit a little too close to home, she thought.

"Magic," Jess asked, "So, what, you couldn't get through the day without pulling a rabbit out of your hat?"

"Not that kind of magic," Willow sighed, almost enjoying the misunderstanding, "Real magick. Dark magick."

"Levitation spells, glamours, transmography, will be dones, playing around with dimensions, that kind of stuff." Jess still sat, unsure of what to say. Willow continued, "If you're using magick for the wrong reasons, like I was, you start to feel totally powerful, because you start to believe that you can do anything, handle or fix any situation through magick. I mean, think about it, dishes are dirty, poof, they're clean, too lazy to grab a book off a shelf, poof, it's in your hands, wish your girlfriend would stop fighting with you, poof, she's forgotten it ever happened." The last thought caused Willow to cringe a little at the memory.

"Technically, I still can," Willow explained, "But I don't. Not anymore. It's over."

"When you cast a spell, you get a kind of a rush, because of the energy it takes to cast it," Willow leveled, "If you're casting spells as often as I was, for every little thing, you run out of energy, you burn out. But your body still craves the rush. So the trick is to find spells that use very little energy, but last a really long time. And, with a little help from a 'friend' I found someone who could… do that." Jess simply waited for Willow to continue. "Long story short, I took Buffy's sister with me to his place. I did a few spells, and accidentally brought back a demon, which tried to kill us both. There was a car crash and she got hurt, and I killed the demon, but… I'd ruined everything else."

"I'm gonna be honest with you, Willow," Jess began, "I have no point of reference for anything that you just said to me. But, that doesn't mean I don't believe you, or that I don't recognize that you have been through something really, painfully, profound. However, I do know the one thing that was created to make all men, or women, equal. And that is mini-golf. I personally feel that if all political negotiations were held at Putt-Puttä there would be far fewer wars, and way more toy surprises."

"You, me and Tara at the Golf 'n' Stuff™ this Friday night." Willow still looked confused. "Let's start putting things right," Jess grinned, "I have to get to class. I'll meet you guys at your place, Friday, five o'clock."

"Oh, uh, sure," Willow managed to stammer. Jess excused herself from the table, and headed off into the maze of students and buildings. Willow just sat there for a moment. She wasn't sure what had just taken place, but she couldn't help feeling that whatever it was, was good, and she allowed herself to smile openly.

Golf 'n' Stuffä was only slightly crowded as the three women made their way, putters in hand, to one of the several courses the fun park had to offer. Willow teed up first, allowing Jess and Tara to hang back a ways.

"Cool," said Jess, not sure what that meant, "We offer that?" Tara nodded, almost enthusiastically. "Cool, that sounds really interesting." "Thanks."

"I shot par," Willow explained, "I got the little ball in the hole in three strokes."

"Oh, that's only when she first meets you," the redhead explained, "Once she gets to know you…"

"Hey," said Jess, noticing Tara's stutter, "It's okay, Tara. You don't need to be afraid of me. I'm not gonna bite."

"Oh," Tara replied, "I n-never thought that. I mean, I've seen you at school in the d-daytime."

"How many strokes did you take, Tara," Willow asked quickly, trying to change the subject.

"Tell you what, let's make it six," Jess offered, noting it on the scorecard, "Guess it's me." Jess handed the card to Willow and set about lining up her shot.

"I mean really," answered Tara, "What's going on. Are you showing me my… my competition?"

"What," yelped Willow, her eyes bugging out of her sockets, "No! No, absolutely no! Where did you get that idea? Tara, there is no competition. Jess is just a friend, who wanted to meet you. She wanted to see us together. She wants us together."

Willow was just about to answer when Jess came jogging back. "Damn," she said, taking back the scorecard, "One over par. The story of my life." She finished writing her score down and glanced up at the two women. "I interrupted something important, didn't I?"

"No, I did," Jess apologized, "Um, I was thinking of getting something from the snack bar. You guys want anything?"

"What," asked Jess, taken back, "But we just got started. There's still seventeen holes left."

"I appreciate what you're trying to do here, Jess," Tara leveled, "But I just, um… I'm gonna go." The blonde turned and started to walk away, hastily. Willow followed quickly after, "Tara! Wait!" She made a grab for the girl's arm, but succeeded in grasping her by the hand. Both girls shuddered at the electricity that passed through them. It was the first time they had touched since Tara had moved out.

"Willow," Tara answered, "Don't you see. You used that spell on me. And I don't know how many others… I don't know if we were ever…real."

"No," Willow stated, taking the other girl by the shoulders, "No, I will not. Tara, listen to me, please. You have to listen to me."

Tara brought her hands up between the two of them, trying to push away from Willow's grasp. "Willow, don't."

"You…Us…We were… are… the only real thing in my life. I fell in love with you the first moment I clapped eyes on you. There was never any spell, there was only you and me. And that was real magic. When I made you forget our fight, I wasn't thinking anything except how terrified I was with the possibility of losing you. I was…sick, Tara. Blinded by ego. I… I screwed up. But, I'm trying so hard to fix things. I want us back. I need us back. Please, Tara, give me another chance."

"Willow," Tara sighed, holding back tears, "I'm just…so scared. I don't think I could handle another heartbreak."

"No more heartbreak," Willow promised, emphatically, "No more lies. No more games. No more magick… Come back to me."

"Then we'll start over. Clean slate. Brand new," Willow's eyes were open wide as saucers and filled with anxious need, "Tara, what do you say?"

Tara looked away from Willow and down at the astro-turf covered ground. It was the only way she could think clearly without being swayed by the redhead's pleading gaze. She had to be sure that if she agreed, it was for herself, and not because she felt guilty or obligated. Finally, after several long moments of soul-searching, (painfully long from Willow's perspective), Tara was ready to give her answer.

Willow let out a long sigh of relief. "Tara," she said, after a pause, "Would you like to go out with me tomorrow night?"

The redhead cracked a grin so wide it threatened to engulf her entire head, "Did you, um, still want to golf?"

"Uh," Tara began, glancing warily over Willow's shoulder at the green, "Not really. I, um, don't really like golf."

"Tell me what," asked the brunette, returning from the snack bar, and handing Willow her iced tea, "It's from a can. I hope that's okay."

"Of course not," Jess replied, "Nobody likes golf. Well, not mini-golf, anyway. Have you ever heard of anyone who just lived to knock a small, dimpled ball through a series of increasingly aggravating obstacles?"

"Because mini-golf is the great equalizer," Jess explained, "Nobody comes to mini-golf to play the game. You come here so that you can hang out, or talk. And the golf is just enough of a distraction that, for the most part, everybody keeps their cool, and stuff gets worked out."

"You've got a point there," Willow said, looking at Tara. The blonde witch smiled in return.

"So," Jess continued, "I guess if golf is done… what do you guys want to do now?"

The three women started toward the exit, dropping off their balls and putters in the process, and began the relatively long walk home.

They kept up a lively conversation, talking about everything from favorite music groups to the influence of Shakespeare on modern society. Noticing that the sun was setting quickly, Tara suggested that they take the alley behind the Magic Box as a shortcut back to her place. Willow agreed, and took Tara's hand, the blonde smiling at the contact, as they continued their trek homeward.

Just as the sun had finally finished setting below the horizon, a small, white car came ripping down the alleyway at break-neck speed. The three girls jumped to the side of the path in shock as a glass bottle came flying out of the driver's side window, smashing into the wall beside Jess' head while a voice was heard calling from the car, "Dykes!" Jess dropped to the ground as the car sped away, a glass shard stuck in her temple next to her right eye.

"Jess," Tara said, rushing to the brunette's side, "Are you okay? Willow? Jess is hurt."

"Please, stay away. Willow," Jess pleaded, looking to the redhead to explain what she couldn't.

"I know," answered Willow, "But, she's just… she has her reasons. Just leave her alone."

Tara was confused, and rather dejected, but she complied and moved away from the brunette. Jess felt for the small shard in her skin, and carefully pulled it out. "Aaugh," she cried at the short burst of pain. Fresh blood began to flow from the wound. "Do either of you have a tissue or a hanky or something," she asked. Tara pulled a small scarf from her bag and handed it to her. "Thanks." "S'okay."

"Not now," Willow thought out loud as she and Tara turned to face their would-be attacker. Or attackers, the redhead mentally corrected, as she now saw the four vampires closing in on them.

"I don't recall ordering food to be delivered," continued the first vamp and apparent leader, "But, then again, who am I to refuse such hospitality?"

"I suggest you and your friends back off if you ever want to see another moon rise," warned Willow.

"Thanks for the warning," the vampire replied, "I'll remember that when I'm full, and you're dead. Get 'em, boys."

The three hench-vamps lunged at the girls. Willow grabbed Jess by the arm and tried to pull her out of the way. Tara waved her hand at the advancing three and shouted, "Incinder!" causing two of them to burst into flame, and subsequently, dust. The third vamp succeeded in knocking Jess out of Willow's arms, and dragging the brunette back over to his master, holding the weakened girl in front of him for protection.

"That was a very impressive little trick, witch," said the vamp holding Jess. "Try it again and your friend dies."

Willow picked herself up from off the ground, and walked back over to Tara's side. "Let her go," she said, "and we'll let you live."

"The witch's bitch has got quite a mouth," commented the leader, "But it looks as if your friend has already been tapped for drinking. You won't mind if I try a little taste." He leaned into lick some of the blood from Jess' cheek.

"Stay away from her," shouted Willow. Tara looked down to see Willow clenching her hands into fists, she looked up and saw the wildness in her lover's eyes. Tara could tell that Willow was fighting the urge to use magick, and losing.

"Willow," she said, "I got it. Don't worry." Willow glanced at Tara, and nodded quickly, indicating she didn't know how much longer she could hold off.

The lead vamp watched this exchange and saw the inner-turmoil in the redhead's eyes. Taking this as an opportunity to show that he really had the upper hand, he took Jess into his arms, and proceeded to finish the action of tasting some of the brunette's blood from her small facial wound.

"Ack," he said in disgust, pushing Jess away and back at the two girls, "Her blood is fouled! Disgusting!" He took a moment to regain himself, and then turned back to Willow and Tara, "We'll just have to see if your blood is any better." He and his remaining crony began to move toward the girls menacingly. Tara quickly cast another spell, "Luminos!" and a brilliant ball of light suddenly illuminated the dark alleyway, instantly turning the two vamps to dust.

"Hey," announced Willow, with pride, "Go, Tara! You figured out the 'Little Ball 'O' Sunshine'!"

Tara smiled sheepishly, before noticing that Jess was still on the ground, where the first vamp had pushed her. "Jess," she said, running over the brunette, "Jess, are you okay?"

"Not so much who, as what," said Willow, coming to the other girl's aide, "Vampires."

"Vampires?" Jess questioned as the two girls helped her to her feet, "As in 'I vant to suck your blood'?"

"Actually, it does explain a whole… No, you're right," Jess conceded, "It is kinda outside my realm of perception."

"Well," said Willow, "There's a lot of stuff that goes on inside Sunnydale that could be considered outside most people's realms."

"Yeah, I think so," responded Jess, holding the scarf to her face, "I just need to get this cut cleaned, and fast."

"My apartment's a block that way," Tara said, indicating the direction, "Let's go."

Once at Tara's apartment, the blonde witch set up all of her first aide supplies on the bathroom counter, so that Jess could tend to her wound alone. Something that the brunette insisted on, but that Tara was still somewhat confused by. While Jess worked on cleaning and dressing the cut, Tara joined Willow out in her small living room.

"I think so," Tara answered, sitting down next to Willow on the couch, "She won't let me near her. I guess she's really touchy about having people help her."

"Kind of," Willow conceded, "Um, that was really impressive what you did tonight. With the ball of sunshine, that was great."

"Thanks," said the blonde, "I figured it out about a month ago. I wanted to tell you about it, but…"

"Don't be. It's my fault," she said, inching closer to the blonde, and raising her hand to brush a few strands of hair from her partner's face, "You look really beautiful tonight."

"Thanks," Tara replied softly, "You do too." Willow smiled at the comment, her eyes taking on an almost wistful gaze, as she slowly began to lean her head into Tara's, waiting to see if the blonde was going to pull away, and when she didn't, placed the softest of kisses on her lover's lips. After a moment, the two pulled back from the kiss, and regarded each other lovingly.

"Yeah," Willow agreed, thoughtfully. She was about to lean in for another, when Jess entered from the bathroom, a pile of used gauze and cotton balls, as well as Tara's scarf, in her hand.

"Um," stated Jess, "Sorry to interrupt, but, you wouldn't happen to have a plastic bag I can put these in, would you?"

"Oh, sure," replied Tara, getting up from the couch and heading into the kitchen to retrieve the requested item.

"Thanks," Jess said, following her and taking a small grocery bag that the blonde had pulled out of a drawer. She dropped the bloody pile into the bag and tied the handles shut tightly in a knot, before dropping the entire package into the kitchen wastebasket.

Tara watched the entire process with fascination. Being sanitary is a good thing, she thought, but this girl must be going for some kind of reward. Jess noticed the funny way that Tara was looking at her, "What?" "Nothing," the blonde hastily replied, "You just sure are… clean."

"I'll, uh, I'll remember that," the brunette stated as she headed over to the living area to sit down.

"Okay, I think," she replied, delicately touching the newly bandaged area on her face.

"I don't know," Jess answered, honestly. Willow smiled weakly at her new friend, as Tara rejoined her on the couch. The three women sat in uncomfortable silence for a few moments.

Surprisingly, it was Tara who spoke first, "Um, Jess, I've been wondering something, and I hope you won't think that I'm being too forward in asking this but…"

"Do you have any idea why the vampires said that your blood was fouled," the blonde asked hastily.

Jess let out a long sigh before answering, "Yeah. I think so." Tara waited for Jess to continue. "Jess has the flu," Willow interjected, trying to be helpful.

"No," answered Jess, "Not the flu. Thank you, though, Willow. No, I don't have the flu. I'm, uh, I've got… I'm… HIV positive."

"But it's okay," said Willow quickly, trying to salvage the mood, "Because, from what I understand, she's doing really well. Her parents are really wealthy so she has all the best medicine and doctors and stuff and… she's doing well. Right?"

"Don't be," Jess replied, "I'm fine. But, I should really be getting home. I have some medicine I can take to help stop an infection." She rose from her seat and started toward the door.

"Oh, well, I'll come with you," Willow offered, standing, "I mean, you shouldn't go out there alone. Vampires and all."

"Hey, it's okay," Jess answered, "My 'blood is fouled', remember? I'm bad meat. I'll be alright."

Willow was slightly taken by what her friend had just said, and she gazed at the brunette with a look that combined sadness with helplessness, "Are you sure?"

"Kay," said Willow, accepting defeat, "Well, I'll see you at school on Monday, I guess."

"See you Monday," Jess smiled, as she stepped out the front door, closing it behind her.

"Sure," grinned Tara. The two women leaned into each other, and kissed a little longer this time, before they broke apart, and Willow headed home, stupid grin newly in place.

Monday came and Willow once again found herself sitting alone outside the Student Union at lunchtime. Her date with Tara had gone really well, and she had promised the blonde that she'd meet her for lunch today. Her eyes darted here and there, covering the crowded campus, trying to catch a glimpse of her approaching girlfriend. She secretly hoped that Jess would make an appearance too, wanting to make sure that her new friend was neither the worse for wear since their run-in with the vampires on Friday night.

After a few minutes of people-watching, Willow was able to make out the Tara's face through the crowd, and happily stood up to greet the blonde to the table.

"Okay," said Willow, "I had a test in Computer Age Philosophy. I think I did pretty well."

"You know you did," smiled Tara coyly. Willow couldn't help but smile back. "Have you seen Jess at all today," the blonde witch asked.

"Well, she wasn't in Art Appreciation this morning, and I just wanted to ask her how she was doing."

"Well, I'm sure she's okay," Willow stated, "She probably just took the morning off to go to the doctor or something. Make sure the cut isn't infected or anything."

"Willow," came a voice from the crowd, interrupting Willow's train of thought. The two women glanced up into rush of people, trying make out who was calling her name.

"Willow," came the cry again, and this time Willow was able to see someone approaching, a short, plump someone.

"One of the Lambda sisters," answered Willow, rolling her eyes, "She claims to be Jess' friend, but she runs around sticking her nose in other people's business. It's really kind of annoying."

"What this time, Kari," Willow asked, snidely, "Someone I know have something they should tell me?"

"Jess is in the hospital," Kari said abruptly, clearly feeling put-down by Willow's attitude.

"The cut on her head got infected," Kari explained, "She's been asking for you."

"I'm, uh, I'm on my way," the redhead replied, looking as though she had the wind knocked out of her.

"Whatever," the plump woman replied, "I've got to get to class. I just thought you'd like to know." And, much as before, Kari left, disappearing into the S.U.

"I'll come with you," the blonde offered. The two girls made a quick exit off the campus.

The two women stood in the second floor hallway, staring at the door to room 206. Willow wasn't sure what to do. Should she go in alone, or take Tara with her. Would Jess be awake, or asleep? What would she look like? There was only one way to answer these questions, and Willow knew it.

"Are you going to go in," asked Tara, after standing there for what seemed like ten minutes.

"Do you want me to come with you," Tara inquired, noticing Willow's lack of forward momentum.

"Yeah," admitted the redhead. Tara took her hand and together, they made their way to, and through, the door.

Jess was thankfully awake, if a little weak looking, and she greeted the two as best she could, given the circumstances. "Hey, Willow, Tara," she said, a little out of breathe.

"Kari said that you wanted to see me," Willow stated, getting to the point. She could see that Jess wasn't up to a lot of small talk.

"Yeah," Jess replied, "My doctor told me that my T-cell count dropped dramatically, pretty much overnight." She paused to catch her breathe. "So, they're talking about putting me on a new drug combination, see if that helps."

"I don't know though," continued Jess, "I've been thinking about going off the drugs and just letting this thing run its course."

"My parents came to see me this morning," the brunette began, "and it seems that my father is looking to run for state senate. They explained to me that it doesn't look good on a conservative republican ticket if the candidate has a lesbian daughter with HIV…"

"So, as of the end of this hospital stay, they're cutting my funding, and writing me out of the will. I'm, um, too much of a liability and embarrassment. I think my mother explained it best when she said that she and my father had to look out for their own futures, since it doesn't seem like I have one anymore."

Willow and Tara didn't know what to say, they simply stood and waited for Jess to regain her breathe again, after talking for so long.

"There is a good thing to all this though," said Jess, continuing, "They've agreed to buy my silence…kind of a 'get lost contract'… they're purchasing me a house. Someplace I can stay until… It will be in my name, and I get to decide what happens to it after I…"

"Oh, Jess," cried Willow, "Oh, God, Jess. I'm so sorry. Those bastards. Those low-life bastards."

"I saw some houses for sale near your house on Ravello," Jess explained, "I told the realtor to meet you at your house at three o'clock. I want you two to pick me out a house."

"Make sure it's big and expensive," Jess interrupted, "I wanna take those two for all I can get."

"Hey," the brunette stopped her again, firmly, "It's not like I can just get up and walk out of here right now. I need to get this done fast." Again she paused, her voice softening a little, "Pick something that you would want. Something for a family. Do this for me. Please."

"Okay," Tara consented. After a moment, Willow also agreed, "Alright, we'll do it."

"Let me know once you've made a decision so that my father's lawyer can start writing up the contract."

"Sure," said Willow, sadly, "We'll try to get this done today." Tara and Willow started toward the door.

"Hey, guys," Jess called after them. They stopped and turned to look at their friend in the hospital bed, "Thanks."

"How are you feeling today, Jess," asked Dr. Cummings as she entered the small hospital room.

"Like I've been hit by a Mack truck. But, better," Jess replied honestly. After a pause she continued, "I suppose you've spoken with my parents."

"It's okay," the brunette sighed, and "I had a feeling that this was going to be coming sooner or later. I appreciate everything you've done for me, Doctor Cummings."

"Please, Jess, call me Allison. We're friends now. And as friends, it is perfectly alright for me to see you outside of work, any time you need to," Allison intensified her gaze at the young woman to make sure she understood.

"Anytime," smiled the young doctor, "I'll let you get back to resting now. Call the nurse if you need anything."

The doctor left the room, shutting the door behind her. Jess settled into her bed and fell asleep.

"No, you don't understand, young lady. Visiting hours are over. You'll have to come back tomorrow."

"Well, I think it's more important that you let her sleep tonight, and talk to her tomorrow."

Jess climbed out of her bed, groggily, and made her way to the door, even as the argument outside became more heated. She opened the door and peered out into the bright hallway, blinking a few times for her eyes to adjust.

"Now, if you young ladies would please just cooperate…," said the attending nurse, trying to prevent Willow and Tara from getting to Jess' room.

"Jess," Willow said, seeing her friend standing, sleepy-eyed, half out of her room.

"Oh, I'm sorry, Miss," said the R.N., "I was just explaining to your friends here that visiting hours are over, and that they should come back tomorrow. I'm sure now that they see how in need of rest you are, they'll leave you alone for the night."

"If you have a problem, take it up with Dr. Cummings," Jess stated wearily, "But these are my friends, and I want them here."

The two women held a staring match for a moment, but finally the nurse sighed, and relented, letting Willow and Tara pass. The three women moved quickly into Jess' room.

Once inside, Tara helped Jess climb back into bed, and carefully tucked in the covers.

"You're so good at that," Jess smiled, weakly, "You'll make a good mom, someday." Tara grinned sadly at the remark. "Did you guys find a house?"

"It's a couple of streets over from Ravello on Simmons," explained Tara, "We brought you the paper work the realtor gave us." She handed a file folder of papers to Jess, who took it, and after glancing at a few pages, set it aside on the nightstand.

"I'm sure I will," Jess smiled, before becoming serious once again, "Now, I have another favor to ask."

"If this place is as big as you say," Jess began, "and it's just going to be me living there. Well, it goes without saying that once I'm off the medication, things are going to go downhill pretty fast. My body has become too dependant on the drugs for it to be otherwise. I'm going to need help…taking care of myself and the house. I was wondering if you two wouldn't mind moving into the house and living with me until… well, just until."

Willow and Tara looked at each other. It was a big step. Not just for Jess, but for the two of them. They were just barely starting to know each other again, and moving in together so soon after so long a time a part… it could prove to be too much, too fast.

"It's just so sudden, Jess," Tara apologized, "Can we have a couple days to talk it over?"

"Take all the time you need," Jess answered, "As long as it's by tomorrow afternoon."

Tara and Willow shot each other a nervous glance. "Guys," Jess added, "I'm kidding."

"We'll let you know as soon as we've made a decision," said Willow, moving to go, "In the meantime, I think the nurse had a point about letting you get some rest."

"Yeah," said Tara, following Willow's example, "You should sleep. Keep your strength up."

"That's what friends are for," smiled Willow, halfheartedly, "We'll see you tomorrow. G'night, Jess."

Tara shut off the light, and shutting the door to Jess' room behind them, the two women left the hospital.

"Tara, baby, do you know where I left my keys," Willow called up the stairway of the two-story house that she, Tara and Jess shared.

"Did you look in the dining room," Tara called back from their room at the end of the hall.

"Oh, yeah, thanks," Willow answered, spying the missing items on the dining room table. The redhead continued to bustle about the house, picking up jackets and finding her wallet, before heading into the T.V. room to check on Jess.

The brunette was curled up on the couch watching a re-run of "Friends". Her skin was pale, and it was clear that she had lost a lot of weight. Her hair was thinner and straw-like in texture, and her eyes had dark circles under them from fatigue.

Willow paused for a moment, the sight of her friend almost too much to bear, before pulling herself together, and approaching the sick girl.

"For God's sake stop asking me that," Jess interrupted, "Yes, please, go. Have fun." Willow still looked unsure. "I'll be fine. Two hours alone isn't going to kill me." The redhead cringed at the imagery. "Besides," Jess added, "You've got the pager. If anything happens…"

"Tara has it," Jess soothed, "In her bag. Remember? It's okay. I'll be okay. And anyway, you guys are about to drive me up the wall. I need you two to get out of the house. For my own sanity."

Willow approached her friend warily, a suspicious look in her eye. "Sit down," Jess offered, patting a space on the couch next to her. Willow complied. The brunette then reached into her pocket and pulled out a small box, handing it to Willow.

"It was my grandmother's," Jess explained, as Willow opened the box to reveal a beautiful emerald engagement ring, "She left it to me in her will. Promise me, that when you're ready, you'll go down on your knees and beg Tara to marry you."

"Take it," Jess replied, closing Willow's hands around the box, tightly, "Please."

Willow could only nod, afraid that if she spoke, she wouldn't be able to hold back the tears she felt welling up in her eyes.

"Now go and have a great time with your girlfriend," Jess said in a tone that would not be refuted.

The girlfriends laughed at Jess' irritated outburst, and Willow approached Tara and took her by the hand. "We'll be back in a couple of hours," she said, looking over her shoulder in time to see Jess waving them off with her hand.

At the Bronze, the two women danced slowly in each other's arms, reveling in the comfort that was the two of them. Willow smiled contentedly into Tara's shoulder, breathing in the scent that was uniquely her lover's: sandalwood and pine, mixed with sage. They hadn't been out of the house in a couple of months, ever since Jess' condition had taken a sharp turn for the worse, and it felt good to have a few moments to themselves, fleeting as they were. The song ended, and the lovers headed back over to the table where their friends were sitting.

"Well, you two looked all kinds of snuggly," Xander commented as the two women took their seats.

"Jess is doing okay," Tara began, "She's, um, had better days, but, she's hanging in there."

"Good," said Buffy, "That's good. She must be doing better for you guys to even be here tonight."

"Actually, she kind of shoved us out the door," confessed Willow, "I think we were starting to get on her nerves. We may have been getting a little too Mother Hen-ny."

"But, we've got the pager with us," explained Tara, "and we'll be heading home in a little bit anyway. We promised we'd only be gone a couple of hours."

"We've missed you too," said Willow, "Anything going on in the land of the Big Bad?"

"Not really," Buffy answered, "Things have been pretty quiet since we ran the Legion of Dorks out of town. And I mean quiet in a good way, not quiet in an 'impending doom' kind of way. Oh, um, I killed Rack the other night."

Willow's eyes shot up at the mention of the name, "Good," she said after taking a moment to steel herself, "That's good. He was a threat. I'm glad he's gone."

Tara also noticed Willow's sudden discomfort, and took the opportunity to whisper in her ear, "Darling, it's alright. It's over now. The past. I love you."

Another slow song began. "You wanna dance," the redhead asked her girlfriend. "Of course," came the reply.

The pair had just begun to sway to the slow bass rhythm when a strange buzzing began to emanate from Tara's bag back at the table.

"The pager," the two women said simultaneously before rushing back to the table where their friends sat.

Tara quickly removed the small piece of equipment and scrolled down to read the text message that had been sent.

"Don't worry," she read aloud, "it's not an emergency. I just wanted to thank you both for everything you've done. Your friendship has meant more to me these last few months, than many others that could have lasted a whole lifetime. I just have one last favor to ask. The house is yours, it always has been. Fill it with a family. Love, Jess."

The friends all stood silently, all knowing what the message meant, but finding it difficult to comprehend. Buffy took the pager from Tara's hand and re-read the message to herself silently. For a long time, no one spoke.

Finally, Willow reached into her pocket and removed a small box, opening it to reveal the emerald inside.

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Seeing the Light

By DarkWiccan

Darkwiccan23@yahoo.com