Last update today because tomorrow is Mother's Day in the US so I hope that y'all will be hanging out with your moms!

Hope everyone enjoys the last chapter and I'll edit this in a few minutes with a link to the first chapter of the sequel....

Neither of the witches noticed as their friends left them alone, finally together again. It was only after they separated, catching their breath, that they noticed that their friends were gone.

Willow stole another quick kiss, leaning her forehead against Tara's as she looked her in the eye, the blue very close to her own green, and so bright. The redhead spoke slowly, not wanting to ruin the moment, but needing to say something. "Tara, I need to tell you something." Her voice was soft and low, and Tara could tell how serious Willow was. She nodded as she pulled back slowly, her heart clenching in fear suddenly. After all this time, she couldn't lose Willow again, not after she'd just gotten her back.

One of Willow's hands cupped Tara's cheek tenderly, her other arm tight around the blonde's waist, holding her close. "I know you said that you forgive me and you want to skip over all that getting to know each other, and figuring out if we fit anymore, but I think that we should take some time…"

Tara sucked in a breath, her lower lip trembling as she tried to choke back her protests. "Willow," she breathed quietly, her eyes sliding over her lover's face. "No…"

Willow abruptly recognized her fear and the hand on Tara's face slid quickly into the back of her hair, pulling her into a kiss, their eyes closing spontaneously as they clung to each other. Willow pulled back only a short distance, finding Tara's eyes.

"Trust me Tara, I don't want to break up. I want to date," she said simply. Tara blinked, trying to figure out what Willow was saying. Willow smiled and it was tinged with bitterness. "You might trust me again, but I don't…not with you." Her fingers moved through the back of Tara's hair. "You're the most important person in the world to me Tara, and I couldn't bear it if I ever hurt you again like I did before." Her eyes begged for Tara's understanding. "I need to prove to myself that I won't mess it up again with you."

Tara blinked, finally nodding as she saw how much Willow needed this. "Okay," she agreed slowly.

Willow's smile was brilliant and she leaned in for another kiss. Tara's hands caught the back of her neck, holding her in the kiss and Willow's knees weakened as Tara's lips and tongue showed her clearly how much she'd been missed. Her arms tightened around Tara to keep herself standing, pulling their bodies together and she whimpered, her resolve to take things slow wavering already.

She managed to squeak Tara's name as the blonde's kisses moved to her neck and Willow's eyes rolled back in her head as Tara pulled her earlobe into her mouth, tugging gently with her teeth. "Tara please," she pleaded, and at that moment she couldn't have said whether she was begging her to stop or to keep going.

Tara relented slowly, leaning her head against Willow's shoulder and breathing hard into her neck. "So you want to go out?" Tara asked, panting.

Willow nodded, though she wanted nothing more at that moment than to press Tara against the wall and return the blonde's passion. "Coffee?" she asked.

Tara lifted her head, a crooked half smile on her face. "You want coffee now? It's getting late." She wrinkled her nose playfully. "And then you'll have coffee breath," she added. "I don't kiss girls with coffee breath."

Willow laughed, squeezing her arms around Tara. "Well, I definitely don't want that then, do I?" she asked teasingly. "I meant, will you go out for coffee with me?" she asked, starting to get her breath back after Tara's kissing onslaught. "Or possibly kisses and gay love?" she added, smirking.

Tara pulled her head up, giving Willow a suddenly shy smile. "I would love to have coffee with you Willow," she said and the redhead grinned gratefully.

They slowly because conscious of the fact that they were pressed very tightly against each other, their faces only inches apart. Willow licked her lips and loosened her grip gently, her fingers finding Tara's quickly.

"Thank you," she said quietly. Tara nodded, letting out a deep breath. Willow glanced around the deserted kitchen, blushing as she realized the display they'd put on in front of their friends. "We should go find the others, let them know it's safe to come get something to eat."

Tara nodded, squeezing Willow's hand. "I have some questions about this dating thing," she said as they left the kitchen, heading naturally towards Giles' room.

Willow gave her a sidelong glance. "Really? I would have thought it would be pretty clear."

Tara shook hear head at the teasing tone in Willow's voice. "Smart ass," she muttered, seeing Willow's grin. "So, since we're dating and getting to know each other again, I'm assuming there won't be any sex," she said, glancing at Willow for confirmation.

Willow pulled them to a stop, her eyes dropping to the floor. "Tara, you know I want you, I just don't want to fall back into bed right away." Her eyes lifted, finding Tara's blue eyes.

"I understand, and I can deal with that," Tara said, biting her lip. "Just tell me we can still kiss," she requested earnestly. "It's been killing me not to be able to kiss you."

Willow was nodding even as Tara spoke, moving closer to her and leaning in to kiss her before she had finished speaking.

They kept it brief, their foreheads leaning against each other as they both basked in simply being together again.

"I have one more question," Tara said, biting her lip as she pulled back to watch Willow for a reaction. "Dawn is staying in my room with Buffy, so could I maybe stay with you?" she asked, quickly continuing. "I promise I won't try anything, but I don't want to be away from you tonight. Please? We can just talk… and snuggle."

Willow nodded, her free hand curling around the back of Tara's neck. "Of course sweetie."

Tara smiled, her eyes sliding closed as Willow leaned against her. "So I guess pet names are still okay, huh baby?" Tara asked, smiling crookedly.

Willow nodded. "I don't want to push for anything you're not comfortable with. You can call me baby, if I'm still your baby."

"You're my everything," Tara affirmed quietly. "And I am, you know…"

Willow blinked back sudden tears. "What?" she breathed.

"Yours," Tara repeated the word, feeling her heart swell with emotion.

Willow leaned into her again, her arms sliding around Tara's waist. "I love you," she said quietly.

Tara's arms curled around Willow's shoulders. "I love you too Willow." She paused. "I wasn't sure if you wanted to hear it."

The redhead kept her head pressed against Tara's shoulder. "I need to hear it, but I'm not convinced I deserve it."

Tara squeezed her tighter. "You deserve it Willow," she said firmly.

Willow laughed quietly. "Then maybe I'm not convinced that I deserve it yet," she corrected herself. "I know you're going to argue with me, but just let me work it out for myself Tara, please," Willow requested, finally looking up to meet Tara's eyes.

The blonde sighed but nodded, remaining silent. They resumed walking, holding hands. They could hear Dawn's excited giggles before they could see her and they turned the corner to find the youngest Scooby recounting her flight across the country to Giles.

Buffy and Xander smiled as they saw the pair of witches, standing up and rushing into the hallway to hug their friends. Xander spun Willow around excitedly, lifting the slender girl off her feet in his joy. Buffy and Tara's hug was more sedate, but no less happy.

Willow stumbled as Xander put her down, but Tara's arm was there to stabilize her, the redhead giving her a grateful smile as they switched, Tara swept up in Xander's arms and spun in her turn.

As soon as both witches were free, Dawn lunged, wrapping them both up in her arms and squealing her excited joy. "I so love you guys!"

Willow was rubbing at her ear as Dawn released them and she exchanged shy smiles with Tara. Giles was lingering in the background, a peaceful smile on his face as he watched the young people he cared for above any others, finally complete again.

"I'm glad you're back with us Willow. It's been quite difficult without you," he said, unconsciously cleaning his glasses.

She hugged him tightly, burying her face against his sweater vest. "I missed you too Giles," she said. She turned to face her friends, her eyes lingering on each of them. "Thank you all for sticking with me. I know I screwed up big time, and you guys didn't have to come after me like you did."

Xander stepped forward, slinging an arm over her shoulder. "Of course we did Will. You're Willow."

Buffy nodded, her arms crossed over her chest. "I need my Willow, remember?" she said, smiling gently.

Tara stayed silent, but her eyes conveyed the depths of her feeling, words inadequate for capturing what it meant to her to have Willow restored to them. Willow blinked, realizing dimly that she'd been staring at Tara and she squeezed Xander in a sideways hug.

"Have you guys eaten? Because I hear those pesky kids that were in the kitchen kissing have skedaddled," Willow said, cutting her eyes at Tara.

The blonde blushed, her arms crossed in front of her. Xander shook his head excitedly. "Nope, haven't eaten, but Giles, the sneaky former Watcher that we all know and love, has got that covered," he informed the new arrivals. "We were just waiting on you two."

Buffy looped an arm through Tara's as Xander escorted Willow into Giles's room. "We've very relieved that you came up for air before we all starved to death," she teased the pair, laughing as Tara blushed and Willow shot her a disbelieving look over her shoulder.

They were all laughing as they entered Giles' sitting area. Because of his more permanent residence with the coven, his rooms were larger than the ones the Scoobies had been staying in. There was a covered platter on his coffee table and Xander opened it without seeking permission and grinned as he revealed a large ham.

"Giles, I had no idea you were so domestic!" Buffy teased her Watcher, bumping the older man with an elbow as she released Tara, the two witches moving together like magnets, needing to be in contact now that they were no longer being held apart.

Giles swatted his Slayer's hand back from the food. "I am perfectly capable of being domestic Buffy. I just thought since Dawn was coming, that a better meal was called for than reheated leftovers from the kitchen," he said. "And now we have even more to celebrate."

Willow smiled. "Thanks Giles." She grinned at the youngest of them. "I'm glad we got here today Dawnie."

The younger girl grinned, nodding. "I'm glad you're better Willow. Now we can all go home together." She scooped some rice onto her plate, helping herself as Giles started slicing the ham. "And Tara can move out of that stupid dorm."

Tara glanced at Willow, speaking hesitantly. "Actually, I'm staying there. I'm not moving back to the house."

Dawn dropped the spoon from her hand and Giles opened his mouth to protest as rice spilled on his carpet, but thought better of it at the sudden tension in the room.

"Will, are you moving out?" Buffy asked reluctantly, not wanting her best friend to leave, but knowing how important being with Tara was to Willow.

The redhead shook her head, squeezing Tara's hand. "No, I mean, not unless you're throwing me out for what I did, which I totally wouldn't blame you for, by the way…"

Buffy interjected. "No, you've got a home with us as long as you want it Willow, you know that." Her eyes moved to Tara. "So what's going on? You guys seemed big with the love not that long ago."

Willow nodded rapidly. "Oh, we are! There's big, biggest love! We're just taking things slow."

Dawn was still looking distraught, staring at the couple and Tara stepped forward, opening her arms to the younger girl. Dawn pushed her plate into her sister's hands as she threw herself into the witch's arms.

"It's fine Dawnie. I promise," Tara murmured, holding Dawn's head to her shoulder.

"But when will I see you?" the younger Summers asked.

Tara leaned her head against Dawn's dark, straight hair. "I'll be around all the time. It'll be just like I'm still there." Her head pulled back to look Dawn in the eyes. "And you and I will go out for shakes okay, just the two of us…"

Dawn nodded, letting out a deep breath, her eyes lingering on Tara's face before she moved back, taking her plate back from Buffy.

Buffy and Xander exchanged shrugs, not sure how the pair living separately was a good thing, but willing to follow the witches' lead.

They chatted idly as they ate, Dawn filling the others in on a group of nerds that had apparently been harassing Spike while Buffy had been gone. Not that the vampire had gone out of his way to pursue them, but he'd been frustrated as they had put him unwittingly through a battery of tests of his strength and intelligence. Xander filled them in about Anya's latest wedding decisions, the wedding date approaching quickly.

They could tell when Giles poured himself a drink that it was time they left for the night, and they trooped down the dark hallways towards their rooms. Xander stopped at his door, waving goodnight as the girls continued down the hall.

Willow paused outside of her own door, Tara lingering at her side and Buffy turned at the doorway to her room, realizing suddenly that their sleeping arrangements might be awkward given the witches' revelations about taking their renewed relationship slowly. The Slayer let her sister into her room, taking several steps back toward the witches.

"Is this going to work for you guys? I can get Dawn to bunk somewhere else," she offered, trying to help.

Tara blushed, but shook her head, squeezing Willow's hand. "It's fine Buffy. I need to be near Willow tonight."

The Slayer nodded, giving both of them a relieved smile. "I'm happy for you two."

"Thanks Buffy," Tara said. "I couldn't have made it through this without you."

Buffy shrugged self deprecatingly. "Not a problem Tara. Any time." She turned back to her room, closing the door firmly behind her and leaving the witches alone in the hallway.

Willow opened her door with shaking fingers, suddenly nervous. She took a long step into the room, giving Tara room to come in behind her. Willow heard the door click closed and she let out a deep, shuddering breath. She couldn't stop herself from jumping as Tara's arms slid around her waist from behind, the blonde's chin settling on her shoulder.

"There's nothing to be nervous about Willow," Tara breathed, and Willow's eyes fluttered closed, her body stiff against Tara.

She swallowed thickly. "I know. I don't know why I'm nervous." She held one trembling hand up at eye level in demonstration, stuttered laughter making its way from her throat.

"Shh," Tara soothed her, her thumbs stroking slow circles on the fabric of Willow's shirt. "Nothing's going to happen. Tonight I just need you to hold me," she said, her voice low and soft. "Can you do that for me?" she asked.

Willow nodded, her hand coming down to meet Tara's at her waist. "Anything for you Tara."

"That's my girl," Tara breathed, leaning her head against the freckled column of Willow's neck.

Willow giggled after a moment and Tara smiled. "That tickles," Willow said, squirming in her arms as Tara deliberately moved her head against Willow's neck, brushing her hair over the sensitive skin. Willow seemed to realize that she was pressed against Tara at the same moment Tara did and the blonde let her go slowly. "I'll just go…change," Willow said, pointing towards the bathroom.

Tara noticed that their friends had taken the liberty of moving her bag into Willow's room at some point during the evening and she felt a measure of relief that there would be no awkward clothing fiascos. She changed quickly, joining Willow in the bathroom to brush her teeth, knocking first to make sure that it was all clear.

They moved around each other easily in the cramped space, both surprised how easily sharing with each other was coming back to them. Willow finished getting ready for bed and left the bathroom in silence. Tara clicked the lights off, leaving herself stranded in darkness and not quite sure where the bed was in the unfamiliar room.

"Willow? I can't see…" she said and the bedside lamp clicked on a second later.

Willow was already in bed and Tara walked the distance separating them at a slow pace, beginning to feel Willow's nervousness herself.

She slipped under the covers, but made no move to get any closer to the bed's other occupant.

"Want me to leave the light on?" Willow asked softly.

Tara blinked, shaking her head. "You can turn it off," she said. There was a click and they were plunged back into darkness. There was a moment of silence, neither woman moving, and Tara let out a deep breath. "This is ridiculous," she said, sliding toward the middle of the bed. "Come here," she prompted and she heard Willow's breath catch as she moved into Tara's waiting arms.

The blonde wrapped her arms snugly around her lover, squirming closer. Willow's head found its place on Tara's shoulder, and it was if no time had passed between them.

"I never thought I would feel this again," Willow breathed, her arm curling over Tara's waist.

Tara nodded, her head leaning against Willow's. "Me neither." She hesitated momentarily. "I know we're taking it slow, but if you ever want to stay, at the dorm, with me, just to sleep…"

Willow nodded, taking a deep breath. "Yeah, and if you ever want to stay at the house with me, you know that would make Dawn's day."

Tara sighed in relief. "I really missed you Willow."

"I missed you too Tara." Her head moved and Tara felt Willow's lips press a soft kiss under her jaw. "Thanks for waiting on me."

"Forever Willow. I'd have waited forever for you," Tara breathed, her arms tightening compulsively around Willow as they lay together, breathing deep and slowly easing months of tension and loneliness.

There was no talking for a long time, just quiet breathing and the comfort of holding each other. Willow was the first to break the silence and Tara was oddly comforted by how familiar it was to have the redhead take the lead, even as she felt herself grow suddenly nervous, unsure of what to expect.

"Can we talk?" Willow asked, her voice hesitant.

Tara nodded in the dark, pressing a kiss to Willow's hair. "I'd like that," she murmured, not sure if that was really true, but knowing that she'd missed talking to Willow, freely and without reservation, without having to hide, almost as much as she'd missed kissing her and being able to hold her. "It was hard to talk to you, the other you, the one that didn't remember me," Tara confessed. "I mean, it was you, but it wasn't, and you liked me, but you didn't know why, and there was so much I wanted to say, and so much they told me I couldn't say."

Willow's eyes trailed over the ceiling, seeing the light of the moon on the wall above them. "Did you love her? The other me, I mean," she asked, her fingers trailing idly up and down the inside of Tara's wrist.

There was a moment of silence as Tara considered the question, the long months she'd spent getting to know the amnesiac Willow, so different from the woman lying in her arms, but still so similar. "I love you Willow. Without your memories, you were still you, and the reminders were almost painful a lot of the time, but the little things that I love about you weren't there. It wasn't the same."

"But you did feel something for her?" Willow asked, her voice soft.

Tara shrugged uncertainly. "She was you Willow, of course I felt something. Loving you is not something I can just turn off, it's every time my heart beats, every time I take a breath. Mostly though, I just wanted her to look at me the way that you do. She looked like you, acted like you, but one look in her eyes and I knew it wasn't you. Your eyes, when you look at me, I'm beautiful and strong and I know that I'm everything you want. She wanted me, I could see it, but it wasn't the same as how you want me. I did feel something for her, but I couldn't love her though, not how she wanted, because I love you. I was doing everything, the only thing, I thought I could do. She was the only way I could find to get you back." Her arm squeezed around Willow unconsciously. "Not that I did all of this to get you back, you know, us back together, not that I'm not so grateful that we are back together, I just need you in the world, whole and healthy, even if you aren't with me."

Willow was sure she'd never heard Tara say so much at once, and the magnitude of her words were beyond belief. After everything that she'd done to everyone, and every way that she'd hurt her, this woman still loved her. She knew that it had been said, and not even that long ago, but the reality was still slowly sinking in.

Willow leaned up on one elbow suddenly, Tara's arm keeping her close. The redhead looked down into her lover's face, felt her emotions rising to choke her and she couldn't find words to describe how she felt, even if her throat had been capable of producing the sounds to convey them. Tara seemed to sense her struggle and the blonde leaned her head up, meeting Willow's lips gently, letting their lips speak without speaking.

The kiss was slow and gentle, the wild passion from earlier still present, but restrained. Willow felt Tara's hand on her cheek, holding her into the kiss. She didn't realize that she was crying until Tara's fingers wiped the tears away, and the blonde pulled back slowly, tender concern on her face.

"Willow, what is it?" she asked softly. Willow could only shake her head, too overcome to speak. The tears came faster and Tara sat up quickly, pulling Willow into her arms, rocking her gently and murmuring quiet reassurance to her. "I'm right here baby. I'm with you and I love you."

Willow curled closer to her body, Tara welcoming the move and holding her close. The redhead's sobs were broken up by hiccups and stuttered attempts at speech. It took Tara a few moments to piece together the words and her heart clenched as she heard Willow's broken, crying apology.

"I'm so sorry, Tara, I'm so sorry," Willow said, chanting the mantra as she wept. "I didn't mean to, I never wanted to hurt you, I'm so sorry. I love you so much and I'm so sorry."

Tara kept rocking her slowly, hushing her gently and murmuring assurances into her ear. "It's okay Willow. I'm here, everything is okay. I've got you."

It took the redhead a long while to calm down, but Tara didn't stop talking to her, rocking them gently as her quiet voice soothed her. Willow's head rose gradually, still sniffling and Tara brushed her tears away with soft fingers.

"Want me to go get you a tissue?" she asked gently, pressing a kiss to Willow's temple.

Willow shook her head, swallowing thickly. "No, please just stay with me," she requested.

Tara nodded, leaning her forehead against Willow's hair. "I'm not leaving. Not ever again Willow," she stated, and the words were a promise.

They took comfort in each other, the atmosphere slowly calming down after Willow's frantic tears and apology. They were still sitting up, Willow curled as close to Tara as she could get, but she was sure Tara's back had to be hurting from holding them upright.

"Want to lay back down?" the redhead murmured, already lifting the covers so that they could slip back down under them.

Their eyes met as they faced each other again, both on their sides under the blankets. Tara's hand slid over Willow's cheek, her eyes tracing over her lover's familiar features in the darkness.

"Can I ask you something?" Tara asked, not sure she really wanted to know the answer to her question, part of her hoping that Willow would insist that they get some sleep.

The redhead nodded, biting her lip. "You can ask me anything Tara. I'll never lie to you again, I promise."

Tara nodded back at her, smiling reassuringly. "I know that Willow. I'm just…nervous…about what you're going to say," she confessed.

Willow didn't speak, just waited for Tara to ask her question, not sure what it would be, but resolved to be honest, no matter what.

Tara took a deep breath, holding it before she spoke again. "How much do you remember about what happened at Rack's, and when we first got here, before you woke up? Anything?"

Willow frowned in thought, trying to remember. A lot of it was hazy, but she concentrated, trying to think. Obviously something that had happened had freaked Tara out. Willow sighed to herself. Of course, seeing the person you love pinned to a ceiling screaming could have that affect on people, Willow mused.

"It's all kind of fuzzy," Willow said. "Maybe I can walk myself through it and I'll remember something. Is there…did I do something specific that I should be apologizing for?" she asked cautiously, hoping that the question wouldn't ruin everything.

Tara hesitated, shrugging against the sheets. "It's nothing, never mind," she said, not sure if she wanted the truth about how much Willow remembered.

"No," Willow cut her off. "I did something and it's got you freaked out. We need to deal with it," Willow stated firmly, resolved to fix everything she could between herself and Tara. "What did I do?"

Tara licked her lips, trying to think of where to begin. "It was after we got here, when the coven had you sedated… you were…you talked to me, told me something…" Her voice trailed off, wondering if Willow remembered any of it, if she was just dragging up things that would hurt them both.

"Okay, hang on," Willow interjected, her eyes closing as she tried to think. "I remember Rack's, I couldn't see you, but I heard you all come in. I heard Buffy and Rack, and you…" Her eyes snapped open, one hand finding Tara's cheek. "I'm so sorry you saw me like that. I never wanted to make you cry like that. I'm so sorry Tara."

Tara blinked back tears, shaking her head against her pillow. "It's okay Willow. You're back now."

"I'll never do it again. You'll never have a reason to cry like that again," Willow promised fervently. "I swear to you."

Tara hushed her gently, nodding. "I know sweetie. It's okay."

"So, you guys got me down, and took me to the hospital?" the redhead asked, trying to piece together those foggy hours. "Did I do anything there?"

"No, you were calm as long as I was touching you, but you didn't do anything. It was like you were sleeping, or unconscious or something."

"Oh yeah," Willow remembered slowly. "You were talking to me, you told me you loved me."

"You could hear me?" Tara asked, blushing in the dark. "We didn't know if you could hear us, but I needed you to know."

Willow nodded, moving closer to Tara, bringing their foreheads together. "I heard you baby. Thank you." They stared into each other's eyes for a long moment, Willow's hand brushing lightly over Tara's cheek, feeling the warmth of her blush.

"Well, then we got you here and the dark magic made it so no one could touch you, but you weren't screaming anymore. They came up with the memory blocking idea, but we were all hesitant. None of us wanted to do it," Tara continued quickly, forcing herself to speak before she lost her nerve.

"It doesn't seem like something you guys would have chosen to do," she commented. "What changed your mind?" Willow asked, sensing that they were getting closer to the reason for Tara's reluctance.

The blonde sighed, staring into Willow's eyes. "You did." Willow looked surprised and Tara continued slowly. "When you were sedated, you-you talked to me. Well, the first time you screamed it, and then you talked to me a few nights later," she corrected herself, searching Willow's face carefully. "You don't remember?" she asked hesitantly.

Willow shook her head wordlessly. "Oh God baby, what did I say? Whatever it was, I swear I didn't mean it…unless I said that I love you, because of course I meant that!"

There were tears in Tara's eyes now, a fluttering of her eyelashes sending them down her cheeks. "You told me to kill you Willow…to let the coven kill you."

Willow's breath rushed in as she remembered suddenly - the painful, torturing darkness she'd lingered in for what felt like years, her slow struggle to the surface, overcoming the magical knockout the coven had put her under, her whispered conversation with Tara, saying goodbye.

Tara heard Willow suck in a breath in surprise but couldn't have been more surprised herself when Willow pulled away from her, leaning back, one hand scrabbling in the dark. There was a soft click and the bedside lamp came on, the light causing Tara to wince as she unwittingly looked straight into the bulb.

"Will, what?" she asked, shielding her eyes.

Willow pulled Tara's hand down gently, leaning herself up on one elbow. "I needed you to be able to see my face. Tara, the last thing I would ever want to do is leave you," she said earnestly.

"So that wasn't you telling me to do it?" Tara asked.

Willow let out a deep breath. "No, Tara, it was me, but it was a mistake. I was weak, it hurt so much and I just wanted it to stop. I had lost you, lost Buffy and Dawn, Xander, Giles, lost everything in my life that meant anything to me. I did it all to myself, I'm not trying to blame anyone but me." Her eyes met Tara's in the dim light. "So, at that moment, yes, I did want to die."

"But not anymore?" Tara questioned, her voice soft and sad.

Willow shook her head fervently. "No! All I want now is to make everything up to you, up to everyone. I screwed up Tara, I screwed everything up, and I just want to make it okay again. I want you back! I want my family back. I'll do whatever it takes to have everyone trust me again."

Tara could feel her heart pounding in her chest and she extended an arm, finding Willow's shoulder and pulling her into herself. It was closer contact than they'd had before, Tara's head burrowing into Willow's chest, arms tight around each other.

It was Willow's turn to provide comfort as Tara trembled against her. "You wanted to leave me, you told me to let you die," the blonde choked out, her hands tight in the fabric of Willow's shirt.

There was no denying it, and Willow nodded against her shaking lover. "I'm so sorry Tara. I was weak. I'm so sorry. I hope you can forgive me. I never should have said that, no matter how much it hurt. Baby, you mean everything to me. I love you so much Tara, and I swear I'll never leave you again."

Tara clung to her, nodding against Willow's chest. "You'd better not," she said firmly, her voice shaking.

Willow shook her head. "Never," she stated solemnly. She held Tara close against her, breathing in the scent of her beloved's hair, realizing suddenly how close she'd come to losing all of this, permanently. Her eyes closed and she pulled Tara impossibly closer, letting out a shaky breath. They calmed down after a while and Willow spoke again. "While I'm apologizing, is there anything else I did that I should know about?"

Tara hiccupped a laugh, shaking her head. "No, nothing else I can think of," she told her.

Willow let out a breath of relief, turning onto her back and pulling Tara with her so that the blonde's head was on her chest. "Sleepy baby?"

Tara nodded, squirming her face closer to Willow's neck. "Yes, but I don't want to sleep. I can't wake up another morning without you."

Willow pressed a kiss against her hair. "This isn't a dream Tara. I'm right here."

"And going nowhere," Tara reminded her, arms squeezing her.

They lay in silence, both dealing with the questions they'd asked and the answers they'd given. Willow leaned her chin down sharply to look at her as Tara laughed quietly. "What is it?" she asked, her own voice sleepy now.

"I was just wondering something," Tara said, tilting her head back to look up at her. "Why did you ask me to teach you to dance?"

Willow giggled, blushing in remembrance. "That was before we were admitting that we were crazy about each other, remember?" she asked. Tara nodded quietly. "I figured that was as good an excuse as any to get to put my arms around you. Can you blame me? I mean, you've only gotten more gorgeous since we met, and I was thinking about you all the time, and I couldn't wrap my head around feeling that way about a girl, but I couldn't just sit around and do nothing."

Tara laughed. "But why dancing? You're a genius and you couldn't come up with anything else?"

Willow blushed. "It's kind of embarrassing, but I had this daydream about going dancing with you somewhere really fancy and nice, and it sort of got stuck in my head, and I didn't even know how to dance like that, so I asked you to teach me."

Tara blinked up at her. "That's so sweet baby," she breathed, leaning up for a kiss which Willow happily provided.

Willow sighed against her lips as they separated. "I know I'm a few years late, but would you want to go dancing sometime? We could go to L.A., get a hotel room, make a weekend of it," she proposed.

Tara smiled giddily, nodding as she kissed her again quickly. Willow kept her close and they kissed again softly, taking their time and knowing that they had the rest of their lives - to make up, to kiss, to dance, to do anything they wanted - together.