Okay, here’s the new and last update of this story. It’s extra long cuz I put two updates together. Hope it makes up for not updating regularly. Please leave me lots of feedback.
Linda and Tara were sitting in the hospital, anxiously waiting for the news of Willow’s condition.
“Here Tara, I bought you a nutrition bar.” Linda said.
“I’m not hungry.” Tara said, looking down at her dry bloody hands.
“You need to eat something.” Linda tried to reason but Tara didn’t take the bar. “Will you at least go wash your hands?”
“I just want to wait for the doctor okay?” Tara yelled, causing other people to look at her. “Oh mom, I’m so sorry.
“I know.” Linda said weakly. She hated that her daughter had to go through this.
“It’s just…what kind of sick monster would do this to her?” Tara asked. “The pain she must have went through.”
“We’ll find the person who did this.” Linda said.
Just then Donald walked in from the entrance and met with his family.
“Honey, you’re back!” Linda stood up. “What did Willow’s parents say?”
“Well, her mom wasn’t home and her dad was a little drunk.” Donald said, looking down.
“What else is new?” Tara scoffed.
“Anyway, I told him about Willow and he just said to quit bothering him and come back when I have some real news.” Donald explained to them.
“That bastard!” Tara yelled.
“Tara, he was drunk. He didn’t know what he was saying.” Donald told her.
“I don’t care. He’s a jerk anyway!” Tara said.
Donald sighed and asked “Well, how’s Willow doing?”
“I don’t know, the doctor hasn’t come out yet.” Linda said, crossing her arms over her chest.
“This is going to be a long night.” Donald said, rubbing his hands over his face. “Maybe you should take Tara home. It’s getting late.”
“Stop, don’t talk about me like I’m not here!” Tara yelled. “I’m not going home until I see Willow.”
“Tara, you have to go look at other colleges tomorrow, you’ll be too tired if you stay.” Donald tried to reason.
“I don’t care. I’m not thinking about college or any of that other crap right now!” Tara said then muttered “None of that matters right now.”
Just then the doctor came out to meet with them.
“For Ms. Rosenberg?” he called out. The Maclay family eagerly stood up.
“How is she?” Tara asked, getting right to the point.
“She’s stable but she did lose a lot of blood.” The doctor informed them. “We’re having a blood transfusion right now. We were lucky to find a donor right away.”
“Is she awake?” Linda asked.
“No, not yet. She should be awake by tomorrow though.” The doctor said.
“I want to see her. Can I see her?” Tara asked.
“Are you a family member?” he asked her.
Tara stayed silent until Donald spoke up “Yes, she’s her cousin.”
Tara smiled at her dad for covering for her.
“Okay, but you can only stay for awhile. Visiting hours are almost up.” The doctor told her.
He led Tara down to Willow’s room and quietly let her in then closed the door to give them some privacy. Tara cringed when she saw her beloved redhead. Willow was so pale looking, with cleaned up cuts and bruises all over her face. There was an IV where the blood was flowing into her arm. She just looked so…helpless. She didn’t look like the tough, fun Willow she used to look like. The energetic, kind person she fell for.
Tara walked over and grabbed a nearby chair to sit in. She took Willow’s clammy hand into her own and interlaced their fingers.
“Will?” Tara softly called out.
But Willow made no notion that she was awake.
“Will, I know you can hear me. I just want you to know… I love you, so much.” Tara said. “I don’t care about the bet or anything else. I’ve gotten to know the Willow no one else knows and I know you would never do anything to hurt me.”
She started to cry softly when she said “I love you Will and it really scared me tonight when I thought I might lose you. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
She climbed up on the bed and lay right next to Willow, holding her tight. She rested her head on Willow’s shoulder and drifted off to sleep.
The next morning, the sun shone through the curtains, brightening the room. The light hit Willow’s eyes, causing her to stir. She slowly opened her eyes and squinted at the light. She rubbed her eyes, accidentally hitting the cut above her eye.
“Ow, shit!” she yelled. She patted it, stopping the blood flow for now.
“Hey, you’re awake.” Buffy said, walking in the room. “I came at just the right time then.
“What the hell happened?” Willow sleepily asked, looking around the white room.
“Tom and Jeff beat the shit out of you, remember?” Buffy asked, taking a seat next to Willow’s bed.
“Very dimly.” Willow responded. “Shit, when I get of here, I’m going to kick their asses.”
“Good luck. They ran out of town last night.” Buffy said. “Cops just found their stuff in their hideout. They looked all around town but they couldn’t find them.”
“Wait, you got the cops involved?” Willow asked.
“Of course, look what they did to you!” Buffy defended herself. “Their asses should be in jail!”
“Sorry Buffy, it’s just… cops and I don’t mix.” Willow said. “But thanks for doing that. And I’m really sorry for last night. You know, the things I said to you and everything.”
“Forget about it.” Buffy told her. “That was the alcohol talking.”
“Well, I do owe you one for saving me.” Willow smiled.
“What do you mean?” Buffy asked, confused.
“You know, bringing me to the hospital.” Willow said.
Buffy just looked away, trying to avoid Willow’s eyes.
“What, it was you wasn’t it?” Willow asked.
“No actually. It was Faith.” Buffy told her.
“Faith?” Willow asked. “Okay, you have to be shitting me.”
“Hmm, I shit you not.” Buffy laughed. “She was the one that found you. I talked to her last night and she told me everything.”
“But I thought she hated me?” Willow asked.
“I don’t know, Faith’s weird. But she told me she found you at the borderline of town.” Buffy told the redhead.
“And she walked all the way from there to this hospital?” Willow asked, surprised. “Man, she is tough.”
“Not exactly.” Buffy laughed nervously.
“Then what?” Willow asked.
“She um, took you to Tara’s.” Buffy said quickly.
“Tara?” Willow yelled, jumping up from the bed. “Ow!” she grabbed her side which was bruised all over.
“Yeah, Tara!” Buffy mimicked her and laughed. “Why, what’s wrong?”
“I didn’t want her to see me like this… all vulnerable.” Willow said in disgust.
“Don’t worry, she probably just thought you looked cute or something.” Buffy rolled her eyes.
“Highly doubtful.” Willow said. “Remember the whole-hating-me-thing?”
“Whatever, I’ll go tell the nurse you’re up so they can feed you that horrible hospital food.” Buffy smirked.
“Oh thanks.” Willow said sarcastically then Buffy walked out.
“Hey you, poindextor!” Willow heard Buffy yell down the hall.
Willow laughed quietly but then something else caught her attention. A familiar smell. She sniffed the air next to her and frowned. ‘Vanilla?’ she thought then smiled. ‘Tara.’
Tara came running down the steps in a hurry and flew by the kitchen.
“Tara!” Linda yelled to her daughter.
Immediately, Tara stopped and walked into the kitchen where she saw her mom and dad sitting at the table.
“Yeah mom?” she asked.
“Where are you going dear?” Linda asked.
“Oh, I was going to the hospital to visit Willow.” Tara said, walking back to the door.
“Sweetie, you’re going to have to wait!” Linda called after her.
Tara walked back in and asked “Why?”
“Have a seat.” Donald said as Tara sat down.
“What’s going on, are we moving again?” Tara joked.
“Tara, your mom has something to tell you.” Donald said, looking down.
“What is it mom?” Tara asked. “Dad, why are you crying?”
“Tara, I don’t know how to tell you this but to just say it.” Linda said.
“What’s going on?” Tara asked, getting scared.
“Tara, I… have cancer.” Linda told her.
Tara didn’t move. She didn’t speak, she couldn’t even breathe. She was too busy trying to register what her mother just told her. Her mom. She never dreamt something like this could happen to her mom. She read about it happening to other people but she never thought it could happen to her family.
“You what?” Tara asked, still shocked.
“I know this is quite a shock but-
“How long?” Tara asked. “Did you just find out?”
“No, I’ve known for weeks.” Linda said.
“You’ve known for weeks and you never told me?” Tara’s voice grew louder.
“Sweetie, I was trying to find the right time to tell you.” Linda tried to reason.
“Did you know too?” Tara asked her father.
“No, she just told me right before you came down.” Donald said.
“How could you have kept this from me?” Tara stood up.
“Tara please, calm down.” Linda said.
She just shook her head and walked out, slamming the door behind her.
“Well that went well.” Donald said sarcastically.
Willow groaned in disgust and said “Oh, this stuff tastes like crap!” and she threw the fork onto the plate.
“Well what do you expect from a place like this?” Buffy smiled.
“I’m fine, I don’t need this.” Willow tried to get up but dizziness overcame her.
“Whoa, take it easy Will.” Buffy said.
“I’m fine, it’s just cuz I’ve been bed for too long.” Willow said. “Help me Buff.”
“Okay.” Buffy said, trying to push Willow back on the bed.
“No, help me out of here.” Willow explained.
“Are you crazy? Look at you, you’re in no shape to leave this hospital!” Buffy said.
“Come on Buffy, I don’t have a lot of time.” Willow said.
“Time for what?” Buffy asked.
“I’ll tell you on the way. Just help me.” Willow said.
“I don’t think so, you need to rest.” Buffy told her.
“Buffy please!” Willow begged. “I need to make this right.”
Buffy had never seen Willow so determined before. She didn’t know what her motivation was or her plan was, but she was willing to find out. This was her best bud after all.
She sighed and said “Alright, I’m with you. What do you want me to do?”
An hour later, Tara arrived at the hospital. She spent time walking around town earlier, thinking about what her mom told her. Her own mom might die and there was nothing she could do about it. She felt so alone. She needed someone to talk to. So she decided to see the one person who could always make her feel better no matter what.
She walked up to the desk and asked “Excuse me, I’m here to visit someone.”
The nurse looked up from her computer and asked “Okay, who is it that you want to visit?”
“Willow Rosenberg.” Tara stated.
The nurses’ face fell and she said “Oh I’m sorry. She’s gone.”
Tara’s face became pale. “What, gone?” Tara asked. ‘She didn’t die! She couldn’t have, the doctor said she was going to be okay!’ she thought.
“Yes, she left this morning.” The nurse said.
Tara sighed in relief.
“Oh, she left. Wait, she left?” Tara asked. “You just let her leave?”
“No we didn’t see her. Guess that snuck out this morning with her visitor. A blonde woman I believe. Kind of short.” She said. “If you see Ms. Rosenberg, can you please tell her that we are very upset with her?”
“I will.” Tara smiled weakly then walked away from the counter. ‘So much for feeling better.’ She thought.
“Will, what are we doing here?” Buffy asked, walking beside Willow.
“I already told you my plan.” Willow said, taking off the stolen coat and dark glasses she was wearing.
“You know, you didn’t have to knock out that guy at the hospital so hard just to steal his stuff.” Buffy said.
“Are you kidding, he would have called security.” Willow said, walking up to the entrance gate of the Sunnydale Swapmeet.
“Hi, how many?” the girl asked, tearing entrance tickets for them.
“Actually, we’re here to see someone who works here. His name is Jason.” Willow said.
“Okay, just hold on for a second.” The girl said as she picked up her walkie talkie. “Break for Jason.” She said into it.
A few seconds later Jason said “Go ahead.”
“There are two girls here to see you.” She told him.
“Tell him it’s Willow.” Willow said.
“One of them said her name is Willow.” The girl said.
“Okay, I’ll be right there.” Jason said.
“10-4.” She told him.
In a few minutes, Jason arrived at the gate.
“Hey Willow!” Jason said. “Holy shit, what happened to your face?”
“Huh? Oh nothing, car accident.” Willow lied.
“So what are you doing here?” he smiled.
“I need a big favor.” She said. “I need you to get me a job here.”
“What, are you serious?” Jason asked. Willow nodded her head.
“Well Will, um, that’s going to be kind of tough since my boss knows you. I mean, he caught you how many times stealing from here?” Jason said.
“Please Jason, do this for me. I won’t steal anything, I promise.” Willow said. “I’ll convince your boss that I’m not Satan’s kin okay?”
“I’d really like to but-
“Please, I’ll work really hard and as much hours as you want me for.” Willow said.
Jason thought about it for a minute then sighed. “Alright, I guess I can get you a job as a hand stamper.”
Willow smiled hugely and said “Thanks man, you won’t regret it.”
“Alright come on, I’ll show you where you’ll be working today.” Jason said.
“Cool, um Buffy, I’ll catch you later okay?” Willow said.
“No problem.” Buffy said then walked off.
“Willow, I want you to meet one of your coworkers.” Jason said, walking up to the girl in the booth. “This is Christina.”
“Hey.” Christina said.
“Hey.” Willow greeted back. The girl had shoulder length hair black hair with red streaks in it. She had a nightmare before Christmas sweatshirt on underneath her work clothes and Willow could hear music blasting from under her coat.
‘Hmm, hiding music, punker look?’ Willow thought. ‘I like her already!’
Willow followed Jason to another gate where Jason was showing her how to rip tickets and stamp people’s hands so they could come back in. Then he showed her around the whole marketplace, where all of the vendors worked. After the tour, he led her upstairs where all of the workers gather after their shifts. He handed her a workshirt and her jacket.
“There, now you’re all set.” Jason said.
“Hey Jason, thanks again for doing this. I owe you one.” Willow said. “But I have one more favor to ask you.”
“What’s that?” Jason asked.
“I need a whole two months pay up front.” Willow told him.
“You got to be kidding me?” Jason asked.
“Jason please, I’ll work it off, I swear!” Willow said.
“I don’t Will, that’s a pretty big favor. What if you don’t pay it back, I could get fired!” Jason said.
“I will, I promise. I just really need this money.” Willow said, looking him into the eyes. “You can trust me.”
He sighed and said “Alright, I’ll give it to you.”
Willow smiled and hugged him. “Thanks man, you’re the greatest.”
A while later, Tara got back home where her mom and dad were sitting on the couch.
“Hey guys.” Tara said lowly.
“Hello dear, how is Willow doing?” Linda asked.
“I wouldn’t know, she left.” Tara said.
“She left the hospital?” Donald asked.
“Yeah, I guess she snuck out early this morning.” Tara said, taking a seat next to them.
“Well, I’m sure she’s okay though.” Linda told her.
“I’m sorry mom.” Tara told her. “I didn’t mean to freak out earlier.”
“It’s understandable, really.” Linda said.
“It’s just not everyday that you hear that.” Tara said.
“I know it’s hard and I’m sorry I didn’t tell both of you earlier.” Linda said. “I guess part of me was just in denial about this. But I love you both and we’re together in this.” Then she hugged them tight, all of them letting their emotions out in that hug.
“Yes we’ll get through this together.” Donald said.
Just then, a knock on the door brought them out of their heartwarming embrace. Donald gets up and answers it.
“Hi.” Donald said.
“Hi, is Tara around?” Faith asked.
“Yeah just a minute. Tara, it’s for you.” Donald called to her.
Hoping it was Willow, Tara ran over to the door. Her face fell at who she saw it was
“Faith?” Tara asked in surprise.
“Yeah, I was wondering if I could talk to you.” Faith said.
“Sure. Dad, could you give us a second?” Tara asked.
“Yeah okay. Linda honey, why don’t we go upstairs and let them talk.” He said, taking his wife’s hand and leading her upstairs.
Tara turned back to Faith and they stood there in silence, both not knowing what to do.
“Well, can I come in?” Faith asked.
“Oh, yeah of course. Sorry.” Tara said, motioning for Faith to walk in.
They both walked to the couch and sat down.
“Would you like a drink or something?” Tara asked.
“No I’m good.” Faith said.
“So what did you want to talk about?” Tara asked.
“How’s Red?” Faith asked.
“I wouldn’t know. She left the hospital this morning.” Tara said.
“Yup, that’s the Red I know.” Faith smiled at the fact that Willow was okay.
“Is that what you came by for? To ask how she was doing?” Tara asked.
“Actually, I came by to tell you everything that happened with the bet.” Faith said.
Tara sighed and said “Faith, I really don’t want to hear about that right now, okay?”
“No but I have to tell you the good stuff.” Faith said.
“What good stuff?” Tara asked, confused.
Faith sighed and said “Look, Red didn’t go through with the bet. She came to me a few weeks before and ended it. She told me was in love with you and she wanted no part in it.”
Tara smiled at the thought of Willow doing that but then frowned. “But that doesn’t change the fact that she took it in the first place.” Tara argued back.
“Yeah but, she just took it because I offered her money.” Faith said.
“Oh that makes even more since.” Tara said sarcastically.
“It was supposed to help her finally leave this town.” Faith tried to explain. “Look, not everyone is as lucky as you.”
“What do you mean about that?” Tara asked.
“Not all of us have a great home, nice parents who care about us, or many options for our futures.” Faith said. “People like Red and I don’t have those luxuries. We don’t have much of a future, which gives us more of a desire to want to make a life of our own. That’s why she took the bet, okay?”
“I guess I never thought of it that way.” Tara said.
“I’ve known Red for years now and I have never seen her care so much about anything as much as she has about you. Please, you have to give her another chance.” Faith said.
“Why do you care so much?” I thought you hated the idea of Willow and I together?” Tara asked.
“I did but I wasn’t ready to lose Red yet.” Faith said.
“Lose?” Tara asked her.
Faith rolled her eyes and said “Yeah whatever, I got to go but please, think about it alright?”
Tara smiled and nodded as she watched Faith leave.
Meanwhile at the Sunnydale Marketplace, Willow was discovering just how hard a job really was.
“Sir, I’m sorry but I can’t let your wife in if she doesn’t have a military I.D. with her.” Willow told the man.
“But she’s my dependent!” the guy argued.
“I understand that sir but she has to have an I.D. in order to get in for free.” Willow told him again.
“Ah fuck this!” the guy said and left with his wife.
“Asshole.” Willow muttered then continued taking other people’s tickets.
Hours later, her shift was finally over. To Willow, it felt like she was working for days. She never thought she could feel so exhausted. Especially only after three hours.
“Hey Will, how was your first day?” Jason asked.
“Filled with assholes and jerks.” Willow told him, while she hung up her work I.D.
“Yup, that’s the real world.” He told her. “Well here, this may help cheer you up.”
Willow looked at the envelope and smiled.
“Two months pay up front.” Jason said.
“Thanks so much man. I swear, I’ll work it off.” Willow told him.
“Don’t worry about it.” Jason said. “Hey, you want a lift home?”
“Yeah, that’d be great. Thanks.” Willow said then they left.
Three weeks passed by rather slowly. Willow was working everyday, nonstop to pay off the check. She hardly had any time to have fun of hang out with the gang. She would always be too tired after work. She just tried to remind herself that this was for a good cause. Tara on the other hand, occasionally went to school everyday. She would miss some classes, which she thought she would never do. She would sometimes find herself sitting in the music room, listening to her Garbage cd’s, mostly repeating Willow’s favorite song Stupid Girl.
One day after school, Tara walked into her house where her parents were standing right in front of the door.
“Um… hey.” Tara said, shocked by their appearance. “Dad, you’re here? Where were you during math class?”
“I had to come home right away to check something very important and it’s true!” Donald said excitedly.
“What, what’s true?” Tara asked, surprised by his outburst.
“Here, read!” Donald said, handing her the letter.
“Dear Ms. Maclay, we are hereby to inform you that your tuition has now been fully paid. Thus we welcome you to Yale.” Tara read aloud. “Please feel free to come sign up for your classes and to purchase books.” She didn’t even bother to read the rest. She was so shocked. She looked up at her parents and asked “Is this real?”
They both nodded and embraced her.
“Oh honey, isn’t this wonderful?” Linda asked, crying a little.
“Oh my god, dad, how did you do this?” Tara asked.
“I didn’t.” he said. “That’s why I called them. They said someone else paid for it.”
“What, but who else could have done it?” Tara asked.
“I don’t know and I really don’t care at the moment.” Donald said. “This is a time to celebrate!”
‘Who else knew how important Yale was to me?’ she thought. Then it hit her. She ran to the door in a hurry.
“Hey where are you going kiddo?” Donald asked.
“I have to go do something. I’ll be right back.” Tara said, leaving her bewildered parents.
After getting off work, Willow decided to go home and get some rest. She opened her trailer door and saw her mom packing clothes into a suitcase.
“Mom?” Willow asked.
Her mom turned and looked like a deer caught in headlights.
“Hi honey.” She said nervously.
“What are you doing?” Willow asked, inspecting the suitcase.
“I’m uh… leaving.” She said.
“Well, when are you coming back?” Willow asked.
“Sweetie, I’m not.” She told her daughter. “I’m sorry but I just can’t live here anymore with your father.”
“So you’re just going?” Willow asked. “What about me?”
“The road is no place for a teenager.” Her mom said. “Plus you have your job.”
“I can’t believe you want to leave me here with dad!” Willow said. “You know how he gets when he’s drunk!”
“Just stay clear of him. When he comes home drunk, just go to your room or leave and go to Bunny’s.” Sheila said.
“I can’t believe you’re fucking doing this!” Willow said.
“Language Willow!” Sheila said. She walked up to Willow and caressed her cheek “Sweetie, you’ll be okay. You’re too young to fully understand right now but-
Willow just scoffed and walked to the door. “Fine, just leave then!” then she stormed out.
Willow found herself at the place she always went to when she was angry or just has to think quietly. Devil’s Hill. It was the hill that overlooked the whole town. From up there, the town looked so small and peaceful, so different from the real thing. She sat there for hours, thinking about how her life was going to be from now on. With her mom gone, she would have to stay with her dad, still cleaning up after him when he’ll come home drunk. She would work at the marketplace probably until she was too old. And she would have no real future. That was her. That was the real Willow Rosenberg and just the mere thought of it made her want to hurl herself off that cliff. Actually, that didn’t sound like a bad idea. She moved closer to the edge. Closer and closer until her feet were dangling off.
“Careful, you wouldn’t want to fall off.” Tara said.
Willow turned at the voice and said “Just trying to get a better view.”
Tara smiled and sat next to her.
“Wow, this is a really beautiful place.” Tara commented. “You come here a lot?”
“Sort of.” Willow said. “How did you find me?”
“Faith told me this was where you would probably be.” Tara said.
“You talked to Faith?” Willow asked.
“Yeah, I had to talk to you.” Tara said.
“Why?” Willow asked her.
“I wanted to thank you for getting me into Yale.” Tara smiled.
“But I didn’t- Willow looked her in the eyes and sighed. “How did you know it was me?”
“You were the only person beside my parents who knew how important it was to me.” Tara said. “How did you do it?”
“Work.” Willow stated.
“You didn’t?” Tara asked.
“No, I didn’t steal it. I actually worked hard for it.” Willow said, looking down at her work clothes that she was still wearing. “See?”
“But I thought you hated jobs.” Tara asked.
“You’re worth it though.” Willow smiled weakly.
Tara gave her a lopsided grin and right there, Willow wanted to hold her and kiss her and never let her go. But she had to do the opposite. She had to let her go. To let her have a future. One she could never have.
“So, what are your plans?” Tara asked.
“Well, my mom just left my father and me to live in this hell hole by ourselves so I guess I’m in charge of the trailer. I’ll just have to clean up after him every night when he comes home too drunk to stand by himself. And I can keep my job so I can have some cash on the side.” Willow told her.
Tara looked down. Faith was right about them not having a lot of options. Which was part of the reason she came here today.
“S, when are you leaving for Yale?” Willow asked.
“Um, tonight at four-thirty. I had an earlier flight but I changed it.” Tara said.
“Why? Why wait?” Willow asked.
“Well I have to wait for you to go home and pack silly.” Tara laughed.
Willow’s eyes widened.
“Me?” she hesitantly asked. “But, what about everything that happened?”
“Faith came by a couple of weeks ago and explained everything.” Tara said. “And I forgive you. I forgave you the night Faith brought you to my house when you were hurt.”
“How can you? I still took the bet, I tried to seduce you.” Willow said.
“But I know your true feelings.” Tara said. “I know the real you and I can’t live without you Will.”
“But what about when I pushed you? That was all me, not Faith.” Willow said. “I don’t want to hurt you like that, not ever.”
“I admit you have some attitude problems Willow. But I can help you control your anger.” Tara said. “We can go to anger management together when we get to Yale, that is if you come with me.”
“God, you’re so amazing.” Willow said. “But, are you sure? I mean, this is your future. Are you sure you want someone like me in it?”
Tara’s hand caressed Willow’s cheek and she said “I love you. Please come with me?”
“Of course I will.” Willow smiled hugely. It has been weeks since she had smiled like that.
Tara smiled and gave her a hug. They held on tightly, not wanting to let go. When they pulled apart, their lips were centimeters away. They hesitantly leaned closer until their lips touched, lightly then became firmer. Mouths opened as tongues dueled. It felt like heaven to them. A heaven they’ve been apart from for far too long. They pulled back breathing heavily. They smiled and pressed their foreheads together.
Hours later, Tara and Willow were at the airport, saying goodbye to Tara’s parents and Buffy.
“I can’t believe you’re leaving.” Linda hugged her daughter. “I’m going to miss you so much.”
“Me too mom.” Tara said. “Promise me you’ll always call to let me know what the doctor says okay?”
“I promise.” Linda said.
“Dad.” Tara breathed.
“All this time I’ve been trying to get you in Yale and now that you’re going, I don’t want to let you go.” Donald said shakily.
Tara sniffed and hugged her father.
“I’m only a phone call away. If you need anything at all?” Donald said.
“I will dad.” Tara smiled.
“And you better come home for holidays.” Donald said.
Tara laughed and said “I will.”
Meanwhile, Willow was saying goodbye to Buffy.
“Wow, I can’t believe you’re leaving.” Buffy said. “Xander wished he could be here but he said he’s too busy getting laid by his new girlfriend from that Homecoming dance.”
Willow laughed and said “About time he got laid. Just tell him bye for me.”
“Oh hey, what about your job?” Buffy asked.
“I told Jason I was leaving and he gave me the rest of the money I worked for. I already worked off the money I owed him so.” Willow said.
“Well, I’m really going to miss you.” Buffy smiled. “Promise you’ll visit? You won’t forget this crappy town, will you?”
“How can I? It’s where I fell in love for the first time.” Willow smiled. “I’ll miss you too Buff.” And they hugged.
“And as for you Ms. Rosenberg, I expect you to keep a lookout for my daughter. She deserves the best.” Donald said.
“I will sir. Thank you so much for the plane ticket and the dorm at Yale.” Willow said.
“It’s no problem Willow. I want you to think of me as your father. I’m there for you just like I am for Tara.” Donald said.
“Willow smiled and said “Thank you.”
“Now boarding flight 20!” the stewardess said on the microphone.
“Well that’s us. Are you ready Will?” Tara asked.
“Yeah, as ready as I’ll ever be.” Willow said, looking around the airport. But she didn’t see the person she wanted to talk to more than anything.
When they started walking away, they heard a voice behind them.
“What, you’re not going to say bye to me?” Faith asked.
Willow stopped and smiled when she heard that voice. She turned and saw Faith.
“Hey.” Willow said.
“So, you’re leaving now huh?” Faith asked.
“Yeah, looks that way.” Willow said.
“Look, I’m sorry for how I’ve been acting. I was just being selfish.” Faith said.
“What do you mean?” Willow asked.
“Man, you’re my best friend. Shit, you’re my only friend. And if you fell in love with someone, I thought she would take my place and we would rarely hang out anymore, you know?” Faith tried to explain. “It was always just you and me. I wasn’t ready to let you go yet.”
“That’s why you’ve been acting like that?” Willow asked.
“You’re basically the only person I’ve cared about and I always thought we’d do everything together.” Faith said. “But I am sorry for the trouble I’ve caused you and Tara. She really is a great person and you guys deserve each other.” Faith smiled.
Willow sniffed and said “Thanks Faith.” Then they hugged each other but didn’t want to let go. “You are my best friend and always will be.”
“Damn, so you weren’t in love with her” Buffy said. “Guess I owe Xander twenty bucks.”
Faith glared at the blonde and looked back to Willow. “Take care of yourself over there okay?”
“I will.” Willow said.
“I love you Willow.” Faith said.
Willow smiled and said “That’s the first time you ever called me Willow.”
“Yeah well, Red is dead. Willow’s back.” Faith said. “Well, you should go. Your flight’s about to take off.”
“All You Wanted” by Michelle Branch starts to play.
“Bye Faith.” Willow said.
“Bye Will.” Faith said back.
“I wanted to be like you”
“I wanted everything.”
Faith watched as Willow and Tara walked through the corridor. She smiled, knowing she did the right thing for her best friend. She let her have a future. Everyone left but Faith who just watched the plane through the window with unshed tears in her eyes.
On the plane, Willow was looking out her window, looking at Faith, also with unshed tears in her eyes. She waved at her, surprised that Faith waved back.
“You needed someone to show you the way”
“So I took your hand”
While Willow was still looking out the window, she felt a hand interlace with hers. Willow turned and smiled at who she saw.
“I love you.” Willow said.
“I love you too.” Tara said back.
They leaned and kissed each other. A kiss that was a seal of their future together.
“If you want to I can save you.”
“I can take you away from here.”
“So lonely inside, so busy out there.”
“And all you wanted was somebody who cares.”
Willow’s Voice- “Then the plane took off into the sunset. Quite a story huh? Who knew that two people could help each other in different but yet important ways? Thanks to me, Tara is now more courageous and outgoing. She’s actually a leader of a couple of groups here at Yale. She actually has fun now and not from studying but with actual friends and concerts we’ve been going to. She helped me learn I can be the Willow no one else knew. The Willow she only saw. A good person who could love someone and be loved. (laughs) She saved me from me. And to this day our love is still blooming. We’re getting good grades, meeting new people and having lots of fun. Just the way life was meant to be. (hears knock on door) Oh, got to go. There’s my girl now. But I hope you guys enjoyed my story. I hope it showed you that there is someone out there for everybody, even lowlifes like me. Well, I’ll catch you guys later. Don’t be strangers now. Bye.”
The End
Okay guys, that’s it. I hope you enjoyed this story. I loved writing it and thanks for all of your positive feedback. Don’t worry, I’m going to be writing the sequel when they are in Yale and good and bad things will happen. Bear with me on that one; I’ll try to find time to type it. But it’ll be worth the wait. Well, see you guys!
Thanks for the story it's just awesome. 
Oh My God!! That was the best! I cant believe it's over though.. Well I love the story and I cant wait for the sequel. Now I'm offically out of the 'Kill Faith Club' because in the end she pulled through and I got to understand her. 
to do. And knowing 
in ant form we all knew that she had to forgive her. I want a sequal!
the sequel pretty much stayed in my head throughout this whole time actually. I wanted to write it but never found much time to get a lot done..the college life and nowadays my friends and I are making music, basically takes up all my time haha. Also, a good chunk of the story doesn't have willow and tara together(w/other people)..no smut with that at all!! Basically, Tara struggles to figure out who she is in college etc. of course they will be together in the end. but still, I think it would violate "the rules" of some kind. so yea, idk..what do you guys think?