The work of a ghost
by Per
[reviews]
It was right before twelve o'clock on the evening of the day that the first evil and its army had been defeated. Willow was lying awake in a bed on a ranch somewhere in the fertile landscape of central California.
The ranch belonged to Amanda's grandparents and had a lot of room. It had been a few hours drive from Sunnydale and they had been welcomed with open arms. Jed and Mariah Anderson was a nice and generous couple.
They had been so relived that Amanda was still alive that they gladly offered Amanda and the rest to live there as long as they desired. They had all shared a big and delicious meal and then retreated to their rooms.
The idea of going to Angel had been considered, but they had unanimously decided to go for a less dangerous environment. Everyone was just too tired to fight off the various evils in Los Angeles.
The ranch had a lot of rooms since the Andersons had tourists living on the ranch during the summer. Willow was of course sharing a room with Kennedy. They had been lying awake for hours and talked about everything that had happened.
Kennedy had now fallen asleep with her arms wrapped around Willows. Willow however had trouble sleeping. She was for the first time since Tara's death happy. Evil was defeated, she had a nice time with Kennedy and she had been able to use white magic to save the world.
Willow was for the first time in a really long time proud of herself. She had had doubts about if she really was a good person since her destruction spree a year ago, but today she had proved to herself and the world that she really was a good person.
She was studying the beautiful features of the slayer next to her, when she suddenly heard her name being whispered. It was a faint whisper that sounded like the wind and not like a real person, but it didn't scare Willow. She carefully sat up in bed, but couldn't see anyone.
She heard another whisper that that told her to go to the Gazebo. Normally Willow would have been suspicious, but she somehow felt calm and didn't feel any fear at all. She took some clothes on and walked out into the warm California night.
The ranch had an old Gazebo and Willow walked over to it. Willow sat down in it, not knowing what to expect. Suddenly a white shimmering ghost appeared opposite her and Willow almost fainted. It wasn't the fact that it was a ghost that almost made her faint, it was the fact that the ghost looked like Tara.
Willow was shocked but managed to get out a sentence.
-Tara? Is that really you?
-Yes Willow darling it is me. I know that you have to be wary, but it really is me.
-How can I be sure?
-The fact that the first couldn't use me to bring harm to you. We knew about the first in our dimension quite early on. I made a spell to block all my shapes from this world. That way the first couldn't use me to get to you. That's why the first never showed up as me. On the other hand it meant I couldn't visit you. It hurt me to see you suffer.
Thousand thoughts per second flowed through Willow's mind, but she managed to compose herself. She analyzed what had been said and realized that it must be true. If the first could have been Tara it would surely have used it against her. Her intuition told that it was the real Tara as well. Willow felt calm and the emotional connection she always had had with Tara was back. Tears flooded her eyes as all her feelings came back to her. She thought about the evil deeds she had done and the rage she had felt. Could Tara forgive her that? She started to cry. Tara tried to comfort her.
-Don't cry darling. I forgive you, I understand you. I might have done the same.
-How did you that I was thinking about that? Can you read my mind?
-Not more now then before, but I do know you. I'm so proud of you that you managed to beat the evil inside you. It is the most difficult evil to defeat.
It wasn't just the words from Tara that made willow feel better about herself. Tara radiated positive energy and Willow became happier just being near her.
-I have so many questions.
-I guess you're curious about my whereabouts. It is a higher dimension, it is a more spiritual and less physical dimension, but it is not a perfect place. Buffy was in what is known as heaven, heaven cannot be described no matter what book you read. Buffy came there because she was done. She had earned her blissfulness.
-Why aren't you in heaven? I can't think of anyone who deserves it more.
-I am not done. You can only reach heaven when you have used all of your soul's energy to fight evil. I had just started. It is not any higher being who decide when you go to heaven. It's your soul that decides. I cannot blame anyone that I didn't reach heaven, it was my soul that didn't want to go to heaven. I have things to do.
-Like what?
-My first mission is to make sure that you all manage to become happy. The first evil won't be bothering you for quite some time. It cannot die of course, but the danger is averted for now, so you can take it easy and focus on your own happiness for a while.
-Who gave you this mission?
-I did it myself. It's not like I'm some kind of soldier taking orders. I'm going to do things to make the world better. If someone asks me for help I will try to help. As I was saying I am here to make sure that you all are happy. You have saved the world so many times that you deserve some happiness. As you remember I have always been able to see people's true selves. Like the time I caught Faith in Buffy's body. This ability has been strengthened in my dimension. I can clearly see into every soul. As I said before it doesn't mean that I know exactly what people think all the time but it does mean that I can see which souls match.
-You're a matchmaker?
-Among other things yes. Cupid was very much like me. He lived in this dimension until recently, but moved on. He was actually a poet in ancient Persia before he died in the fight against some ancient demon. He came to this dimension and became famous. He spread love for many years and it is my intention to do the same.
Willow was very happy for Tara. It all made sense. None could be a better successor for Cupid. Many questions popped up in her head.
-Do you have a bow and arrows?
-No, That is a misconception. Cupid never had that, and he was grown man not a baby. Up here it is very clear that humanity always get things wrong. Don't get me started on the so called holy books. Anyway I can see which souls go good together and I am here to get people together. First of all Kennedy is great, keep her and cherish what you have together.
-Kennedy?
Willow hadn't thought about Kennedy since she had met Tara and now she didn't know how to handle it. The reason she had got together with Kennedy was the fact that she had came to terms with the loss of Tara.
-I'm not jealous. We are beyond those feelings in our dimension. You two can be very happy together if you just let yourself.
-I love you.
-I know you do and I love you to, more then ever. I am however no longer a part of this world. You have moved on, just keep moving. I am only a guest here.
Jolts of pain shoot through Willow as she suddenly relived Tara's death all over again. She could stand the thought of losing her again.
-Don't leave me now.
-I won't. I have things to do here right now. I will always watch over you in the future. I will be there for you when you really need me, but you have to manage the rest without me.
It was a lot of new information for Willow to take in and she just sat quiet for a while. She then spoke.
-I guess you are right. I just don't want to lose you again.
-You will never lose me. You must understand that. Our souls will forever be connected.
Willow started to cry again and couldn't stop. Tara put her hand on Willows and it was what was needed to comfort her. Tara's hand wasn't physically there of course, but the contact sent jolts of energy through Willow.
It was an amazing felling similar to what she had felt that same morning when she made the potentials in to slayers. All the best of Tara flowed through Willow like waves on the ocean. Willow managed to compose herself and looked deep into Tara's eyes.
They fell into old habits and kissed. With contact both between hands and lips the intensity of the energy that Willow felt increased tenfold. She felt a kind of happiness that she had never felt before, not even when Tara was alive. She was fulfilled with the higher wisdom from Tara's dimension, but she also felt more alive then ever.
They shared that contact for a while; none of them could tell how long they were connected. It could have been a second, a minute or an hour. They didn't care as long as they were together.
Tara eventually broke the contact though; she had promised herself not to give Willow any false hope of a future for them together and thereby destroying Willow's hope for a normal life. Even though she now was a higher and wiser being, she was still the same girl who was madly in love with the powerful witch and it was difficult for Tara to tear herself from Willow. The sensation of the contact was very intense for Tara as well and she had felt almost alive again. She was here on a mission though and had to focus on that.
-Anyway, there is matchmaking to do and I need your help to make it happen. No magic is needed, we're going to make a few people on this farm look into their souls and give them a push in the right direction. You all deserve happiness after all these years of fighting evil.
Willow was starting to understand Tara's mission. It was so easy, yet so difficult. It had been so hard for the Scooby gang to find love during these years and when they finally had found it, it had brought heartache and misery. Tara was right; they really deserved to be happy.
-Where will we find love?
-As I told you, you have a great future with Kennedy if you make the right decisions. I cannot see the future, but I can see that you two are a perfect match. She really admires you and she is so brave, she would do anything to protect you. Don't feel awkward talking about it. You are both among the living and I am dead.
Willow knew deep down that what Tara said was true. The younger slayer was tough, yet caring and she brought much needed youthful innocence into Willow's life. Willow wasn't that much older, but she had been to the darkest side of magic and back.
She felt like she had seen all that there was to see, but Kennedy still had a fresh outlook on the world. She would never let Willow lose herself in the dark side again. The fact that she found slayers a turn-on also helped. The thought of slayers of course brought Buffy into her thoughts.
-Buffy deserves love right?
-Of course she does. All her lovers have abandoned her. That's not too bad though, none of them managed to make her happy for any longer period of time. They weren't bad, they just weren't good enough. Except for Parker of course, he actually has less of soul then Spike had right before he got his soul back for real. People aren't always better equipped when it comes to souls then certain monsters.
Willow nodded thoughtfully. She agreed to everything Tara said. Her thoughts went to Spike and she realised that she would miss him. Willow couldn't manage to form a complete sense so she just spoke out.
-Spike...
-His soul is not around here at least. That's all I know for now. I'm not omniscient you know.
-Do you think he went to heaven?
-Maybe. He would have deserved it. He really proved his love for Buffy, but he could never have made her happy. It would be impossible for them to grow old together and have children, even if Spike would have made it.
Thinking of one vampire naturally led Willow to think of another.
-Angel...
-Same problem there. Also they are not soul mates anymore. They have both changed since they were together. No doubt Buffy still loves him, but it can never be like before for them.
-So. Who do you think is right for Buffy then?
-Giles
-But he left, Just like the other men in her life he left her. I was so angry with him and I couldn't help noticing how much it hurt Buffy. She needed him, we all did.
-Didn't you ever wonder why he left?
-No. I couldn't really see any good explanation at the time. That's what made me so angry.
-We sang together once. I sang about having to leave you and...
Tara stopped speaking when she saw a sad and regretful look on Willow's face. It hurt her eternal soul to see and sense Willows pain and she tried to reassure her by putting her hand on Willows. Willow who had almost started to sob looked up and into Tara's eyes.
-Willow. I forgave back when I was still alive you know.
Not only did Tara say it, she also sent as much positive energy as she could into Willow and it worked. Willow stopped sobbing and bent in for another magical kiss. Tara responded but pulled away after a short while. She didn't want to get Willow hooked on ghost kisses when she had a real girlfriend sleeping in bed inside the house.
-Honey, We shouldn't kiss too much. Don't forget that you have a girlfriend.
Willow had started to return to her old happy self and returned Tara's statement with a very cute pout.
Tara couldn't help but giggle. Giggling was not too common among the higher beings, but her stay in this dimension and talk with her Willow had made her a bit more human again. She composed herself and continued.
-As I was saying. I sang together with Giles. The same connection that helped us sing together in sync also showed me his feelings at the moment. It was feelings of pure love for Buffy. Willow, he left her because she didn't love him like he loved her. The pain he felt was tremendous.
Willow was at first shocked by this revelation, but the more she thought about it, the more sense it made. Willow's bright intellect had been clouded and confused for a while, but she now quickly realised that all the signs were there.
-The drinking. Ohh oh and the singing. That first year in college when we met he started to change. It can only have been passion and...and a broken heart. You remember that song he sang on the coffeehouse? About a sad man. That was him. He was the sad man because he couldn't have Buffy. Also he talked about leaving when we had beat Adam and that must have been because he couldn't have Buffy.
Willow had said all those thing without breathing and she had to inhale deeply. Tara recognised the incredibly cute look on Willow that she usually had when she had solved some problem or found some demon in a book.
-I kind of sensed it when I first was introduced to the Scooby gang, but I wasn't sure back then. I am now.
-But what about Buffy? Is she in love with him?
-I haven't sung a duet with her so I don't know her deepest feelings like I do Giles. She does love him obviously, but I don't think that she has thought about him as anything but than a friend. Also I think that she has been to busy getting back into life and saving the world to think about love. You just need to be a friend and make her feel good about herself. Just casually plant the idea and she will start thinking of him in a different way.
-I don't know. Isn't that like manipulating? I don't want to get back in those bad old habits.
-No. You won't be forcing Buffy to do anything that she doesn't want too. She will decide herself what she wants, she has got strong will you know. I don't know if this will work, It's not magic. What we have here is two people who would be very happy together and it is up to us to give them some assistance. You just tell her that a friend is in love with her and ask her if she is in love with this friend.
-How will she know who I'm talking about.
-Trust me, she'll know.
-I'll do it.
- You need to sleep now, but we'll talk again tomorrow.
Tara faded away and Willow slowly walked back to bed. She had a lot on her mind.
Willow opened her eyes and started to slowly realise where she was. Then suddenly the visit last night came back to her. Tara had come back as a ghost and urged her to fix her friends up. The more she thought about it, the more enthusiastic she got. She awoke Kennedy by kissing all over her face and Kennedy woke up with a wide grin on her face.
-Morning beautiful, Willow said.
-Morning. You look awfully happy this morning.
-Well, I'm in bed with one lovely slayer and we have recently defeated evil itself so I think I deserve some happiness.
-You're right about that, Kennedy said.
Willow would tell Kennedy about Tara if things got more serious, but she thought it best to wait. Despite what Tara had said Willow wasn't sure about Kennedy. They had great sex and Kennedy was really nice but Willow couldn't help feel something was missing. She shrugged that ugly thought away.
They shared a sloppy kiss and went down for breakfast. The owners of the ranch had set a huge table and made pancakes for everyone. They all hungrily gorged down the delicious food. The new slayers were especially hungry since they had just got their slayer appetite. Not much was said during breakfast since they couldn't discuss the recent events in front of Amanda's grandparents. The carefree young slayers chatted among themselves between bites. Willow spent breakfast watching the two victims of her and Tara's plan. They were sitting next to each other but, they weren't talking to each other. Giles was eager to be polite and repeatedly thanked their hosts for their hospitality. Buffy was quiet but looked happy and ate quite a lot.
Right after breakfast Willow decided to set her plan in motion. She approached Buffy and asked to her to take come with on a stroll and Buffy gladly accepted. Willow decided to cut right to the chase when they were out of earshot from the rest.
-So, What do you want to do now? Willow asked.
-What do you mean?
-About life in general. I mean you're free from the burden now. You can do anything you want.
- Yeah. I know. Actually, it's kind of scary. It was easy when I knew that I had monsters to kill, but now I just don't know. I've been putting my life on hold for so long. I've missed out on things.
-Like love? Willow asked.
-Among other things yes, Buffy answered.
-You know, Love is often found right under your noise if you just look.
Buffy knew Willow better then anyone else and could sense that Willow was up to something.
-Exactly what are you implying Buffy asked?
Willow knew how smart Buffy was and understood that she couldn't fool her. She decided to just say what Tara had told her to say.
-A certain friend is deeply in love with you and I wonder if you are in love with this certain friend.
Buffy's eyes filled up with happy tears and she started to babble Willow-style.
-Oh, I've been in love with this certain friend since I came back two years ago. I couldn't deny my feelings anymore when I came back. Heaven was great but I missed this certain friend that I am in love with. I woke up and shortly after I admitted to myself that I love this certain friend. This love is forbidden however so I didn't dare speak of it before. Also this certain friend was not available at the moment so I just had to keep my love hidden. That's one reason I was so low. Of course being pulled out of heaven was one thing but not being able to express my love was much harder. I'm so glad that this finally is out.
With that Buffy stopped her babbling and took one step closer to Willow. Willow was a little surprised by this but that was nothing compared to the shock she got when Buffy kissed her and not in a friendly way. This was pure passion. Willows brain screamed to stop. Unfortunately this order didn't reach the rest of her body and she found herself eagerly returning the kiss. It felt too right to stop. She had been thinking about this so many times, but never thought it would happen. The kiss continued for what seemed like a blissful eternity, but after a while Willow had to break it off.
-Oxygen, becoming an issue, she said.
This of course brought Buffy's thoughts back to that night many years ago when she thought that she had lost Willow. She hugged Willow closely to remind herself that she hadn't lost her. Willow's brain was working very hard to get a grip, but somehow all she could think about was how nice it was to be close to Buffy and how nice Buffy smelled.
This time however it was Buffy who broke off. She took Willows hand and led her to a bench.
-I guess we need to talk huh? Buffy said.
Willow stared deep into Buffy's eyes and realised that there was in fact nothing to talk about. She loved Buffy with every fibre of her being. She had done so from the first time they met and she had never stopped. She leaned in and kissed Buffy. This second kiss was even more passionate then the first and they made out even longer this time. When they broke off Willow spoke.
-What now?
-I still say we need to talk; First of all you need to talk to Kennedy.
Willows face fell. She had no idea what to say to Kennedy. They were in fact still together and here she was making out with her best friend only a few hundred yards away from the house. She also suddenly remembered the plan that went wrong, well not wrong exactly since she was with Buffy and that could never be wrong. Since Willow didn't speak Buffy decided to continue.
-I'm so happy about this but we can't do anything else until you have sorted things out with Kennedy. I obviously hope that you break up with her, but it's your decision.
Although Willow had a hard time thinking herself right now, she realised that what Buffy said was correct. She didn't want to be unfaithful to Kennedy. She nodded slowly and spoke.
-I'll go and talk to her right now. We'll talk later.
She started to walk away from Buffy and towards the house. The only problem was that she couldn't look away from Buffy. Buffy just there on the bench, smiling. She looked very happy and more beautiful then ever. Willow walked backwards so she didn't see a stone in her path. She tumbled backwards and was just about to land on the ground when Buffy caught her. This surprised them both. Buffy held Willow in her arms and they were face to face and that of course led to another deep passionate kiss. They were both amazed by Buffy's improved powers, but they were more amazed by their newfound love for each other. This third time they broke off simultaneously. Willow went off again, but this time she made an effort to look at the ground.
The door slammed shut behind Kennedy as she left the room. Willow sat on her bed with a sad look on her face. Kennedy hadn't taken the break-up in a mature way. She had screamed all kinds of accusations at Willow. Willow hadn't told Kennedy about Buffy, but Kennedy had somehow understood anyway. Kennedy had accused Willow of thinking of Kennedy as the next best slayer and this had hurt because it was true. Willow realised this now. Without knowing exactly how she realised that she was not alone in the room. She turned around and there of course Tara was. She was a bit harder to see in the middle of the day, but was still clearly visible. Tara had a guilty look on her face and she started to immediately comfort the redhead.
-I understand that you feel sorry for her, but this was better. She will find someone.
-I guess so.
Deep down Willow knew that to be true of course, but it really was extra comforting to hear it from Tara. Tara sat down on the bed next to Willow and looked her deep in the eyes. Willow looked into Tara's eyes and thought to herself that those eyes could never lie to her, but then she realised that Tara had in fact lied the previous night.
-Why did you lie?
Willow asked the question in as neutral a tone as possible since she didn't want to jump to conclusions.
-Only two things I said were untrue; that you should be with Kennedy and that Giles should be with Buffy. The rest was true. I really am here to help people find love. I helped you and Buffy, now didn't I ?
Tara could see how Willow put on her thinking face. Tara couldn't quite decide which of the thinking face and the resolve face that was the cutest. Of course, when it came to Willow, almost any expression was cute. Willow's brain had started to function properly again after all the surprises and she realised how cunning Tara's plan really was. She had managed to bring out the feeling that both Buffy and Willow kept hidden.
-You did. I'm very grateful. I don't know what to say.
Willow really was at a loss of words. She had been involved in saving the world less then 24 hours ago and since then she had been visited by an old girlfriend who now was a ghost, broken up with another girlfriend and made out with her best friend who was in love with her.
It was overwhelming. Tara sensed this of course and spoke.
-You're confused and a little sad. You must go to your girlfriend. And by that I mean Buffy. She is probably very anxious by now. She will make you happy.
Tara was always right and Willow knew it. She really did miss Tara, but right now she had a living girlfriend to take care of. She just couldn't make herself leave Tara. Instead it was Tara who slowly faded away but not without telling Willow that she would be back. Willow sat quietly on the bed thinking for a while. Just when she was about to go find Buffy she heard a soft knock on the door. Willow had made it a habit to never again tell anyone to come in so she opened the door and there of course stood the love of her life, Buffy. The blonde was a bit nervous and started to babble. Willow wondered if Buffy was making it a habit.
-I saw Kennedy leaving and she was kind of angry so I assumed that you had broken up, but then you didn't come so I wondered what had happened and I just couldn't wait, because I love so much and I can't wait any longer to know if we are going to be together or what and...
Willow broke Buffy babbling off by kissing her on the lips. That kiss answered Buffy's question. There was no doubt that Willow really was in love with her. They broke off the kiss and looked at each other. They both had tears in their eyes but it was happy tears.
-I love you, I love you, I love you, Willow Rosenberg my own little tree.
-I love you, I love you, I love you, Buffy Summers my own little slayer who I wish to see in the buff.
Buffy got a bit hesitant, but also turned on.
-You know, you will I've never been with a girl before so you just have to excuse me I'm not that experienced.
Willow smiled at Buffy's nervous expression. She was so cute when she was insecure.
-Don't worry love; I'll guide you through it.
Willow closed and locked the door and took Buffys hand and led her over to the bed. She felt a bit guilty that this was the bed she shared with Kennedy, but she couldn't wait any longer. She wanted to take this last step that made them more then friends. They didn't need to go on dates or take it slowly, they needed each other.
-Make it good I'm going to remember this day.
-I promise, Willow answered.
She was quite confident that she could keep her promise. The next two hours were spent with intense lovemaking. Fortunately Willow had asked for a room with some privacy since she had planned to make love to Kennedy when she came here. That proved convenient now. Willow kept her promise and Buffy was a good learner. What she lacked in experience she made up for with enthusiasm. Although it was the middle of the day they fell asleep in each others arms when they were done. It felt for both of them like this was the first in a long while that they really could relax.
The End