FIC: Off Course (3/7)

["Kimber" <kacoe@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

All previous disclaimers apply.

Chapter 3

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Buffy was unable to sleep. Thoughts of Willow getting hurt or worse crept
into her mind and refused to leave. She finally got out of bed and walked
down the hallway to where Willow?s room was. She knocked on the door and
when no answer came, she opened it slowly.

Willow was sitting on the edge of the bed with her head in her hands. Buffy
heard her sniffle and slowly made her way over so as not to startle the
Wicca.

?Will?? The Slayer whispered.

After receiving no answer she sat down on the bed next to her and waited.

Willow looked over at her. ?Sorry I didn?t answer you.?

?It?s okay.?

?I never thought anything could hurt so bad, Buffy.?

?You?re not alone, Will. You have me and Dawn. You can call Giles anytime
and Xander and Anya are five minutes away. You have us. You always will.?

Willow rose and walked over to the window. She traced her hand silently
across the pane then turned to Buffy. ?I know.?

Buffy rose after a few moments and joined the Wicca at the window. ?You miss
her, I know.?

?I do, Buffy. I?ve come to terms with it though. When I was studying at the
coven, I learned a lot of things. I owe so much to them. One of the most
important lessons is that everything happens for a reason and that nothing
goes without consequence.?

?Tough lessons.? Buffy nodded. She reached her hand up and placed it on
Willow?s shoulder.

?I don?t think I?m gonna go anymore.? The Wicca whispered reverendly. ?Not
for a while anyway. I had a long talk with myself today when I was there. I
need to leave her in peace and move on with my life. I think I?m ready for
that now. I need to go forward and not hang onto the past. I can?t change
anything from before.? She reached up and over to her own shoulder placing
her hand over Buffy?s. ?But I can look forward to tomorrow.?

Willow turned and looked at her best friend before her. They were standing
under the cover of darkness with only the moonlight spilling through the
window. She couldn?t believe how lucky she?d been over the years to have
Buffy at her side through the good and bad. ?Thank you.?

Buffy looked at her curiously. ?For what??

?Just for being there. For being my friend, my confidant, my sounding board.
. .my Buffy.? She smiled and touched the Slayer?s cheek.

Neither were ready for the emotions that surfaced suddenly.

Buffy closed her eyes and relished the touch of Willow?s slender hand on her
cheek.

Willow sighed softly at the small smile that crept across the Slayer?s face
as she closed her eyes.

It seemed a short distance to travel, much shorter than the Wicca realized
after she found her lips brushing softly against the Slayers.

?Will.? Buffy whispered. ?I. . .I?m not Tara.?

Willow opened her eyes and sighed. ?No. You?re not. You?re Buffy.?

Buffy backed off slowly and turned away.

?Are you freaked?? Willow asked in a small voice.

?Would it be easier if I was??

?Freaked??

Buffy turned around and looked at her. ?Tara.? She stated simply.

When Willow didn?t answer, the Slayer slipped out the door quietly and into
her own room.