Author: Kirsty, AKA KioNewgo.
Summary: Willow is broken without her love but her Scooby duties, a biggest bad of them all and a new potential are all relentlessly pursuing her. But what if there's a chance for a one true love to return?
Pairings: Willow/Tara obviously, also Anya/Xander, Buffy/Faith and Dawn/OC.
Disclaimer: I do not own Buffy or anything associated with the idea/series/film/comic/books etc. All belongs to Joss, ME, etc. No copyright intended, I am simply borrowing the characters but you can have them back when I'm done .
Rating: 15.
AN: Just noticed my FD replies are normally longer than the actual update. I'll try and make them longer in future. No angst in this update! Enjoy
Chapter Five
“Wow Willow, I didn’t know you had it in you.”
Willow slowly opened her eyes. She expected to be surrounded by fire, brimstone and demons. Instead, she found…
“Cordelia?! What are you doing in a Hell Dimension? You weren‘t that much of a bitch!” Willow stared, jaw dropped at the former cheerleader.
“Pfft, nice one! Anyway, you are not, nor will you ever be, in a Hell Dimension. You’re in my ‘office’, actually. I’m one of the Powers That Be.” Cordelia gave Willow a moment to let this information sink in. “Basically, after your little break down, it was decided that something should be done. You have, after all, volunteered to fight the forces of darkness since high school, and even in your grief, you continued to help. Therefore, we decided to reward you. Nevertheless, the other Powers are sticklers for convention, so we had to devise a test. You passed. So, when you return to Earth, Tara will be with you, alive and well.”
Willow just stared, trying to process. It was a test. Tara was coming back. Tara was coming home. With her. Together. She jumped up, throwing her arms around Cordelia, tears falling from her eyes.
“Thank you, thank you so much. I love you! Thank you, thank you, thank you, THANK YOU!” Willow clung, sobbing to Cordelia, who had a small smile on her face.
“Oh, shush. When do you want to go back?”
“Well, right aw…hang on, what about Buffy and the other’s? I can’t just come back with my ‘dead’ girlfriend…”Willow bit her lip, still processing.
“Oh, one of my guys is down there now. He’s explained everything, so they know what to expect. Which reminds me…” Cordelia looked at the door, apparently waiting for something. It swung open.
“Willow?” Tara looked at the redhead, seemingly unsure about her reaction.
“Baby!” Willow threw herself across the room and kissed every inch of Tara’s face that she could reach. “I - kiss- can’t -kiss- believe -kiss- it! -kiss- You’re -kiss- coming -kiss- home!” -kisskisskisskisskiss-. Willow stopped suddenly, looking intently at Tara. “You DO want to, right? I’m not forcing you or anything, totally your decision.” She looked uncertain, but unwilling to pressure her girl.
“Hmm, let me see.” Tara brought her hand to her chin, in a parody of thinking. “Stay up here, alone, watching you all…or come home to family and my soul mate? That’s a tough one!” Tara’s smile lit up the room as she swung her redhead round, kissing her soundly. “Of course I’m coming back with you sweetie. I can’t live without you and I can’t even ‘afterlife’ with you!” Willow pressed her lips once more against Tara’s, before turning round to face Cordelia.
“When can we leave?”
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Buffy was pacing impatiently, glancing at James every now and then. Dawn was sitting on a stool, fidgeting. Anya and Xander were talking in whispers, both nervous. James sat calmly, wondering what was happening upstairs. Giles had taken all the potentials out to patrol, and Buffy was wishing she’d gone with. Suddenly she turned around, her remaining patience gone.
“It’s been four hours, how much longer will this test take? I thought it was a yes/no type deal!” She exclaimed, pointing her finger at James.
“Well…” The rest of his answer was cut off as, for third time that day, a bright light flashed. Willow and Tara stood in front of their friends, both wearing giddy smiles.
“Honeys, we’re home!” Willow sang, arm slung round her love, facing the remaining scoobies. James rose first, smiling.
“Congratulations, you passed! I honestly didn’t think it would happen. Anyway, must be off. Have a good life.” And he was gone, leaving only the friends behind. The silenced stretched as everyone stared at the pair in shock.
“OH MY GOD!” Dawn was the first to move, flinging herself the witches. “Tara, you’re back! I missed you so much!” She turned to Willow. “Thank you, so much Will. You brought my best friend back!” She squealed, bouncing on the balls of her feet, keeping in contact with the beloved duo. The action to spur the others on, as they jumped up and embraced Tara, then Willow, welcoming them home. Many a tear was wiped away, and everyone had huge smiles plastered to their faces.
“Willster, what happened up there? We heard something about a Hell Dimension…” Xander trailed off, looking between the two. He was happy to see Willow’s spark was back, her eyes alive and happy for the first time since Tara had gone. Every settled down while Willow and Tara recounted their story, their faces animated.
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Giles walked into the house much later, while dinner preparations where in progress. He saw Tara standing next to Willow, their hands entwined. A smile broke across his face and he hurried forward to embrace her.
“It’s good to have you back dear” he said, releasing her. He smiled fondly at the gentle witch. The potentials trailed into the kitchen, talking about the events of the day. They all stopped when they saw Willow and Tara. Buffy, seeing this, decided to clear the air. She cleared her throat, gaining their attention.
“Right, this is Tara, Willow’s girlfriend. Before you ask, yes she was dead. But the Powers That Be brought her back. You will treat her with the respect she deserves” Buffy finished her speech, looking at each individual face for anything negative. Seeing none, she smiled and turned to the witches. “Tara, I know we all kind of done it already, but I’d like to officially welcome you back to the family. We’ve all missed you so much, especially Willow. We’re glad you’re back, but you never left our hearts. “Buffy went forward and hugged Tara close once again, hoping this wasn’t a crazy dream. Tara hugged her back, tears sparking in her eyes.
“I missed you guys too, it’s good to be back where I belong.” She said, sniffing.
“Talking about where you belong” Dawn interrupted, a mischievous glint in her eye “why are you two still here? I would have thought you’d be locked in that room of yours.
“DAWN!” Buffy, Willow and Tara all yelled, fixing the younger Summers with a death glare. Willow and Tara where bright red, trying in vain to make themselves look smaller. Dawn simply chuckled and went back to cutting vegetables.
“Hehe, I only asked!”
The Scoobies all laughed, thankful to be together again.
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Willow crawled into bed, pulling Tara closer to her.
“How are you doing baby? I mean, you just came back from the dead in the middle of possible our worst fight yet and all the potentials were looking at you funny and the gang practically touching you up all night to make sure you were real and it must be weird, unnerving even so…” Willow trailed off, feeling Tara’s lips pressed firmly against her own. Her heart raced, relishing the contact with the woman of her dreams. She pulled Tara closer, trying to get as much contact as possible. After a few minutes, Tara pulled back to breathe. Her cheeks were rosy, her blue eyes shining brightly. Her chest heaved as she looked straight at Willow.
“Honey, I’m fine. I couldn’t be happy in fact. I missed you all, but especially you, and if it makes you feel any better we will have a long, serious discussion tomorrow. But right now, we are in our bed after months of separation…” She looked at Willow, hoping she’d get the hint. Willow, however, just looked confused.
“What do you want baby? You can have anything” she said, trailing her fingers up and down Tara’s arm.
“Willow, I want you. Now.” Tara captured her lips again. It wasn’t until the Sun was rising that they finally fell asleep. Satisfied, content and whole again.
Serving Second Lieutenant of the Kitten Army.
Semper WillTara!
I Serve With Honor For Kitopia!
!!!!!! Having a living Tara without a living Willow is just......unpleasant. Your little cliff hangers at the end of every chapter 
... is delicious torture...can't w8 for more!
by Grimm » Sat Jan 01, 2011 12:07 pm 
Everything will work out fine, I promise!
I hope you enjoy the next bit, it’s a lot less angst-filled haha.
