PREVIOUSLY…

"How could you let Tara…" Buffy stopped, the blood draining from her face. She had no intention of ever bringing up Willow's relationship with the other girl, all the time waiting for Willow to let her know.

"What about Tara?" Willow demanded, throwing the blankets off her body.

"Nothing…"

"Wait a minute," Willow told Buffy as she got out of bed. "What aren't you telling me?" she said standing in front of Buffy.

Buffy decided that she should look everywhere but in Willow's direction.

"Hey! I'm right here, talk to me," Willow told Buffy.

Buffy reached out and grabbed the locket Tara had given Willow.

"Do you love her?" she asked quietly.

Willow placed her hand over Buffy's…

***

"Do you love her?" Buffy asked again, her heart pounding within her chest as she waited for the answer.

"Yes… no… I'm not sure," Willow began, slowly opening Buffy's hand and letting the locket fall back in place. "I know I really enjoy being with her."

Buffy knew she had to let Willow sort out her feelings, deciding that this was not the time to push her on the subject.

"I… I think I might… if I had enough time, you know?"

"Yeah… I do. But Will?"

She looked into Buffy's eyes and saw the sincerity residing there.

"I want you to know, I love you… more that just a friend. And… and no matter what happens, I'll always will," she said as she briefly kissed Willow, before stepping away. Willow nodded silently, as there was no need for words at this moment.

'What am I going to do?' Willow thought to herself.

***

The rest of the week sped by, and each free moment she had, Willow spent with Tara. She enjoyed the quiet times they shared, and she also had more time to practice spells without having to be second-guessed. Tara always encouraged her and let her know how powerful she thought she was.

Meanwhile Buffy did not press her case with Willow. However she would leave little notes where she was sure Willow would find them, each of them saying the same thing:

"I love you."

To say she wasn't touched would have been a lie, but Willow would always ask herself, 'why now?'

***

"Hi."

"Hi."

"So, what are you up to?"

"Nothing really. I'm just waiting for this drop dead gorgeous looking red head to stop by," Tara answered, while she sat at her desk.

"Anyone I might know?" Willow replied.

"Maybe…" Tara replied smiling.

"So… how long are you going to wait for this red head?"

"As long as it takes," Tara answered, before realizing what she had said. "I'm sorry… I know… I… can't help myself."

"Don't be, I'm the one who's sorry. I'm the one who can't make up her mind," Willow replied as she sprawled across Tara's bed. "I… I feel happy and safe with you… you know?" Tara nodded. "I know that my feelings for you are different… from Oz and Buffy."

"Willow, I just want you to be happy. No one deserves it more than you do. And… and I don't want this to sound as if it's my ego's talking, but… if I can have a small part in your happiness… well," she said shrugging her shoulders. Willow walked over towards Tara and reached out for her.

"Come with me."

Tara got out of her chair and followed her.

"Where are we going?"

"Not far, I promise."

"Umm… Will? I… I thought… you know," Tara said when she realized where they were headed.

"I just want to hold you for a while… if you don't mind?"

"Oh… no. I don't mind at all."

Moving slowly, their hands intertwined, they sat on Tara's bed, Willow took off her shoes and scooted backwards until she rested against the pillows. Somewhat bashfully, Tara followed her example.

Soon they were wrapped in each other's arms. Tara's head resting on Willow's chest, quietly listening to the steady heartbeat in her ear.

"I like this," Willow whispered, idly stroking Tara's head, enjoying the silky softness of the other girls' hair.

"So do I," Tara replied, slowly letting her arm curl around Willow's stomach. "I… I… wrote something for you," she said.

"You did?"

"Ye… yeah. Would you like to hear it?" Tara asked, suddenly wishing she hadn't said anything.

"Of course I would," she replied.

Taking a deep breath, Tara closed her eyes and let her mind bring up the words she meant deep in her heart.

"I wait with all my heart and soul for the one I long to know. The one who looks behind the mask to uncover the person underneath. The one who will strip away the negativity and allow me to see the beauty I have hidden. I wait with all my heart and soul."

"Oh… Tara, that's beautiful," Willow said, moving to look into her eyes. "Thank you."

"Thank you Willow," Tara replied, taking Willow's hand and kissing it.

***

Across Campus

'She's with Tara again,' Buffy told herself. The empty room was the only evidence she needed to realize something else. 'I'm going to lose her.'

END