At Long Last
by willowfan
At Long Last
[reviews]
This is in response to a challenge wanting a Willow returning home story by Kirky. Hope you like it. It's my first attempt at Willow/Buffy so let me know what you think.
At Long Last
Chapter 1
Three years-God had it really been that long since she had seen her Wills? Buffy stood at the end of the couch, phone still in hand, when her mother walked into the room. "Buffy? Was that the phone?"
After a distracted second the blonde Slayer looks up at her mother. "What? I'm sorry, I didn't..." she stops.
"Was that the phone?" Repeats the woman.
"Yeah," says the still perplexed young woman.
Joyce half grins and then rolls her eyes at her daughter. Her smile fades as she suddenly worries that something is wrong. "Buffy is something wrong?"
"Ah... It was - it was Willow." Her eyes meeting her mother's. "It was Willow, she wanted to know if it was okay if she came home."
Joyce is shocked by the words. "Willow?" Buffy nods. "What did you tell her?"
"I - I told her yes."
"Buffy, don't you think you should have asked Tara that question?"
Buffy shakes her head slowly. "No."
"Buffy, after what happened, what she did to that young woman..." Joyce starts.
"Mom," the tone of just that one word stops the older woman's protest. Memories come flooding back to the Slayer and she bristles. As she turns away she relives the past one painstaking scene at a time. Her friend, her best friend, so lost, the Magicks taking over her.
She remembers Tara's tears as she tells them about Willow taking her memories. The Slayer didn't believe the blonde witch at first, she hadn't wanted to, though later she realized her not trusting the woman had only enabled Willow to become worse.
In the final showdown the redhead's black eyes, the outward sign of her sickness, burned the Slayer as she tried to protect the others from the woman, her friend.
That day three years ago still haunted the Slayer, she watched in horror as Willow forced Tara to grovel at her feet and beg for forgiveness. She finally stepped forward only to be thrown back by Willow's powerful Magicks.
After struggling back to her feet she was able to get between the redhead and the woman she was torturing. Summoning all of her Slayer strength she launched herself at Willow, knocking her to the ground. She held her there as Tara's words bound her Magicks.
Two days later plays back in vivid color in her mind. She and Willow are standing in the entrance way of the Summers' house. "You need help Willow."
"I'm fine, I just need to talk to her."
"No, she doesn't want to see you."
"You're just trying to keep us apart!" The redhead screams. "You take everything away from me!"
"She's not a thing Willow," Buffy says softly. "She doesn't belong to you."
"You can't have her!" Willow starts for the stairs. Buffy stops her, taking her by the arm. The redhead shoves her, pulling her arm away from the blonde. "She's mine!"
Buffy grabs her around the waist and picks her up. She carries her to the porch and puts her down. "You need help Willow! Listen to Giles, go to the coven."
"I don't need his help or yours! When I get my magics back..." Her words seethe with hate and anger.
Buffy fights tears as she looks at the broken woman. Guilt fills her as she remember the Willow she met in high school, the Willow she let get involved in the craziness of fighting evil, the Willow that stood before her now. "You're not welcome here. Until you get help, don't come back." The tears slip down the Slayers face.
"I hate you!" She screams out as she runs from the porch.
The memories fade and Buffy stands in her living room, tears falling. Her mother wraps her in her arms. "Shhh... You did what you had to do."
"I know, and I have to do this to. She says she better. I told her she could come back when she was."
Joyce nods. "I'll call Tara."
"No, I need to be the one, it should be me." She wipes the tears away and steps from her mother's arms. "But could you tell Dawn?"
Again Joyce nods, "Is she going to stay here?"
"No, her parents house." Buffy sighs. "I didn't think... It's better that way." The Slayer walks toward the door. "I'm not sure how long I'll be gone."
Joyce watches her daughter go out the door. She turns as she hears Dawn, "I thought Buffy was eating dinner with us."
"She had to take care of something first. Come sit, we need to talk."
She and Dawn sit on the couch, "Is it another apocalypse?"
Joyce shakes her head, "Though, that might be better for everyone."
Dawn frowns unsure. "Did my teacher call again? 'Cause, I so turned in that paper, it was just a little late."
"What paper?"
"Oops." Dawn looks away.
* * *
Buffy knocks on the door of a small apartment. She waits nervously for Tara to answer, but she's surprised when Faith does instead. "Hey B, didn't know you were coming by." They walk inside and close the door.
"I needed to talk to Tara." Buffy says, trying not to make eye contact with the other Slayer.
The once Dark Slayer's spidery senses go off, "Something wrong?"
"Willow called," the blonde Slayer says simply and with those words, the Rogue bristles.
Tara walks up and slips her arms around her lover's waist. "How is she?" She asks nervously.
"She says she's better."
Tara nods, "That- that's good."
Faith scowls, "She better stay the fuck away from T."
"She wants to come home, so..." Buffy is interrupted.
"You're shittin' me, back here? After what she did? She's grown a pair."
Buffy looks away, "I promised, if she got help..."
"That she could come home, I remember." Tara finishes for her.
Faith speaks, "And you just believe her?"
"It's been three years and not a word, she calls now... Makes me think something's changed. So yeah, I do." Buffy nods.
Faith moves from Tara's arms and walks across the room. Tara looks at her girl then at the other Slayer, "It's okay, she should be with people who care about her."
Buffy nods, "She'll be here the day after tomorrow."
Tara nods and watches as Buffy turns to go. "I won't let her hurt you again, I promise."
Tara smiles sadly, "I know." Buffy leaves and Tara watches the door close before walking across the room to her girl. "Hey," she stands behind her. When Faith doesn't turn to face her, she puts her hands on her waist and turns her. She puts her hand on her Slayer's chin and lifts it so that their eyes meet. "This doesn't change anything between us. Got that, Slayer?"
"You loved her." Faith says softly.
"Now I love you." She kisses her lips chastely. "Only you."
"She hurts you again and I'll..." Faith looks away. She hates when the anger gets so strong inside her. "I won't let her."
"Listen to me, " Faith looks into her eyes again. "I'll be fine as long we are. You have to trust me."
"I do T," she leans in and kisses her softly.
"No getting all jealous when we talk, 'cause we'll need to."
Faith pouts a little, "I could come with you."
"I don't think so. The two of you didn't get along all that much, from what I remember."
Faith smirks, "'Cause she was hot for me and just didn't wanna admit it." Tara rolls her eyes. "It's true." She laughs a little, "Or, it could've been the whole I tried to kill her thing."
"I forgot about that," Tara becomes sullen, but then smiles a little at her girlfriend of nearly a year. "See? Perfect example of how people can change."
"Yeah, could be she has." But the little voice inside the Slayer adds, 'Like hell she has.'
* * *
A week later, Buffy stands on the porch of the Rosenberg house. She's not sure she should be there, but the waiting has finally gotten to her. After four unreturned phone calls, she decided on a more direct approach. Finally willing her body to follow orders, she raises her hand and knocks on the door.
A few nervous minutes later, the door opens just a little, the chain latch not allowing it to open fully. She smiles at the soft green eye peeking out. "Will..." she breathes out softly.
"Buffy."
"I thought... I tried to call."
"I - I know I've just been-it's been a little overwhelming. I was gonna call..."
"Right... So I'll just..."
"No, don't go. I - I mean unless..." she stops her words and closes the door. There's a rattling of a chain, then the door opens again, all the way this time.
Buffy can't take her eyes off the little redheaded girl in Willow's arms. The toddler giggles, then ducks her head into her mother's chest. Finally, the Slayer's eyes meet the witches. "Will I..." she stops.
Willow smiles a little as she runs her hand through the little one's hair. "This is Eve," she says softly.
Buffy is speechless, but she can't stop the smile.
Willow continues as she steps back and Buffy walks in, closing the door. "My daughter Eve."
Well, that's the first chapter. Hope it's what you were looking for. I promise, fireworks, well cause if there's Faith there has got to be, but also lots of fluffy Will/Buffy scenes. Let me know what you think. Thanks to Wolfkin for the beta work.