An Act Of Faith
By Angela
Copyright: February 29, 2000
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: Joss Whedon, Fox, Mutant Enemy all have something to do with "Buffy The Vampire Slayer", and all the characters contained herein. The story, as well as any original characters, if there are any, are the sole property of the author, me. No copyright infringement is intended or inferred.
Spoilers: "Who Are You, Part 2"
Author's Note: This is another one of my 'Tara's Thoughts' on tonight's episode, plus a mini story included. I am lifting some dialogue, which was written by Joss. Sorry J, but I needed to use some.
*****
Oh... Goddess, I felt so sick.
I know it wasn't Buffy now, but I had to get away from her. Especially after all the things she said to me while Willow was getting me a drink. I felt physically sick. I've never had that happen to me before.
I couldn't think.
I had to tell Willow that I wasn't feeling well. I had to do something, I knew it would be the only way to let Willow know what I had sensed while with 'Buffy'. I needed to get away from the person Willow considers her best friend.
Last night had started off so well; there were a few good things that occurred; first holding Willow's hand while we walked over to 'Buffy', the other was the spell Willow and I accomplished.
Her skin is so soft...
Back to the point.
We were able to reverse the process and Buffy was back in her rightful body.
I could sense right away when we finally met, that Buffy would never say the things... 'she' had said the night before.
I never really knew how hurtful people could be.
Faith...
She perverted everything.
Made me feel dirty.
I... don't ever want to feel that way again...
I know I had written earlier there were a few good things that happened last night, well, I think I should write this down as well. I haven't decided if I should jot down what happened while we... never mind. That's something I think I want to keep to myself, and not on some piece of paper anyone could run across.
Anyway, I liked when Willow said she didn't want to share me... let me see if I remember it correctly.
She said, "I... I just kinda like having something that's just... you know, mine." She went on, but I think I recalled the important part, not that what she has to say isn't important. But, the part that was important to me.
Of course I meant it when I told her, "I am you know... yours."
Then she smiled that smile that crept into my heart; one I hope to have the privilege of always witnessing and hopefully provoking, and decided to claim a spot that no one else would ever touch.
Tara put her pen down when someone knocked on her door.
"Come in."
"Hi."
"Oh, hi. How are you?" she asked Willow.
"Fine... Tara, what did Faith say to you?" Willow asked, walking towards her.
"Umm... nothing. Why?" She replied closing her journal.
"Hey, come on. You weren't feeling sick before we bumped into her at the Bronze, not that we would ever bump into Faith, who was Buffy at the time and I could see how we could happily bump into Buffy but never Faith. No, that would be number one on the list of things *not* to do. So... you can tell me, can't you?" she asked, wondering what Tara had been writing as she came into her room.
"We should talk about other things, like..."
"Issue avoidance?"
"I like Buffy..." Tara said as she tried to steer the conversation away from the subject.
"I like her to, I love her even, she's special. She's my best friend but that still doesn't answer the question of what Faith said to you. I... I trust you and I hope you trust me enough to be able to tell me. We wouldn't have been able to do what we had to without that trust. So, I'm asking you again. What did Faith tell you at the Bronze last night? When we thought she was Buffy."
"I'm not sure you really want to hear it Willow," Tara replied, wondering if she would ever see Willow again after she answered it.
"Why don't you let me be the judge of that," Willow answered. She couldn't believe that she had been fooled by Faith, she had a brief feeling that something was wrong when they were at Giles'. She had even asked, 'What's wrong?' It had only taken a few words, 'I'd never let her hurt you.' to alleviate her misgivings. So, here she stood, needing to know what Faith had said to her friend.
"Well... I... I think it started when I kinda followed you as you went to get something to drink," Tara began as Willow nodded her head. "Buffy had said something about us hanging out a lot lately."
"Go on," Willow said, taking hold of Tara's hand for support.
"So... I agreed and said your cool. Which you are," Tara added. Willow noticed how Tara started to frown. Whatever it was that Faith had said, it wasn't very kind.
"Tara... please."
"She said," Tara whispered, "She... she said, 'So, Willows' not driving stick anymore.' Willow please don't make me say the rest," Tara pleaded, as she felt sick to her stomach once again.
"I'm sorry," Willow replied, gathering Tara in her arms, while they both cried.
"I don't understand," Tara said, tears streaming down her face. "Why are you sorry? She said these things about you."
"I can't really explain it, but I don't want you to ever feel bad about our friendship. And that's what Faith does, it's what she's best at, hurting people. I... I'm sorry, if we had never met you'd..."
"Willow... stop. Don't say anything else; I'm not sorry I met you. I don't think I could ever be sorry."
"I'm glad we met too," Willow replied.
"I think we've had enough Faith for one day. Why don't we get something to eat?" Tara asked the other girl.
"Sounds like a plan."
"Great."
They left Tara's room and headed for the snack bar, hand in hand.
The End