COPYRIGHT DISCLAIMER: Buffy The Vampire Slayer, Willow, Tara, Xander, Giles and all other characters who have appeared in the syndicated series Buffy The Vampire Slayer, together with the names, titles and back story are the sole copyright property of Joss Wheldon, Fox and Mutant Enemy. No copyright infringement was intended in the writing of this fan fiction. All other characters, the story idea and the story itself are the sole property of the authors. This story cannot be sold or used for profit in any way. Please contact the authors for permission to reproduce this story on any other fanfiction site.

Spoilers: This takes place after the “Family” episode and only vaguely alludes to the happenings there in. 

Thanks: To Drayzie - my beta and my Bud…  to Em - my girl and to anyone else who ever bought me chocolate.

It wasn’t that Willow didn’t want to get back to her dorm, far from it really, she had a lot to do, some spell work, and some reading for an essay. Not to mention the fact that it was clean out Amy’s cage day. But the sun was shinning and the air was still filled with summer warmth, which as everyone knew would not be around for that much longer.  Of course there was no chance that Tara would be around for a while, a long while as she had late lectures that kept her busy until long after this lovely sunny day was at its best.   So what Willow really wanted to do was wander around in the sunshine and think about how good it felt to be Willow Rosenberg.

Not so long ago the young redhead had thought she would never feel this content or happy ever again. When Oz had left her half way through her first year at UOS Willow had thought the hole in her heart and life would never be filled. Now though, not that much short of a year later, her life was complete again, and though an Oz shaped hole still existed, it’s presence wasn’t denounced by the pain and heartbreak it once was.

Yes, life was on course for the young Wicca.  It might not have been the course that everyone had foreseen for her, but it was her course none the less. With a smile Willow thought back to the day she had told Buffy about the importance of Tara in her life. The Slayer had been so predictably best friendish about it. Trying to be cool and not spooked, she had done her best it had to be said, even though it took a while for the redhead to be convinced about how ‘okay’ with her life choices Buffy really was.

‘If proof or evidence of Buffy’s support was needed though…’ Willow thought as she walked with her smile broad and constant.  “Her actions on the night before Tara’s birthday were more than adequate.’  The feelings of happiness and pride in the Slayer that had filled her when Buffy had turned and looked at her girlfriend’s father and said… 

“You just gotta go through me.”

Those six small words had almost made the Wicca speechless for days. Add the fact that Buffy’s stance was backed up first by Dawn, then Giles and then Xander had made her feel so utterly happy with her oldest and dearest friends. Spikes intervention itself was unbelievable, though much as she hated to admit it, the blonde vampire wasn’t all bad.

For a moment a slight frown clouded Willow’s fresh face, as she thought briefly about the fear and sadness her girlfriend went through that day. She had listened patiently to Tara’s explanation of why she hadn’t mentioned anything, but if the redhead was honest, she didn’t understand them. In some ways Tara was so insecure in there relationship, and yet in other ways she was the bold one, always looking to hold hands, or to sit close up to her when they were out. Not that there was a problem with that because there wasn’t, it was just that the shy witch was such a dichotomy at times.

As Willow wandered round the campus, deliberately picking out a path though daisy filled grass, she saw something that made her stop abruptly and made her blood run cold. Out in the parking lot, outside Tara’s building of residence was a slightly beaten up campervan. It was pale green, with green gingham curtains at the windows. Willow had only ever seen one like it before in her life. Adjusting the shoulder strap on her bag the young redhead began running.

By the time she had reached the car park, something inside her had told her to calm down, that there were thousands of campervans in California and that this didn’t have to be the one owned by Tara’s father. As the car park was fairly busy Willow didn’t want to snoop around too much for fear of attracting attention and so instead she headed straight for her girlfriend’s room.

“Hi Willow.” A tall brown haired girl greeted the Wicca as she entered the dorm, Willow vaguely recognised her as someone from Tara’s block.

“Hi, have you seen Tara?” Willow asked trying to keep her voice even.

The student shook her head and glanced over her shoulder.

“I think today’s a busy day lecture wise. She left at around nine this morning, I don’t think she’s been back since.”

Willow glanced at her watch. It was just after three.

“Has she had any visitors, anyone been up to her room?” She asked as the girl continued to move to the door past her.

“No, I’ve been in since twelve and not noticed anyone. Willow, are you okay?” She added onto her reply.

The redhead nodded and waved in thanks as she continued to hurry along to Tara’s room.

When Willow arrived at the familiar door, it was obvious that Tara wasn’t in.  Which left her unsure of what to do. She knew that Tara’s geology lecture finished at three thirty, the next due to start at four o’clock that went right through until six thirty. If she hurried she might be able to intercept her going between the two.

‘Intercept her and say what?’ Her mind queried as she turned and hurried back to the entrance. Unsure of the answer, but determined to find Tara, Willow pressed on regardless.

*******

“Hey!” Tara grinned happily as she looked up totally unprepared to see Willow stood in front of her, she hurriedly embraced the other woman and reached down for her hand. “What are you doing here? I though you were doing some spell work?” The fair-haired witch glanced across at her girlfriend as they began to walk down the relatively busy corridor.

“Never to busy to see you.” Willow said giving Tara a smile. “It’s such a sunny day I wanted to spend some of I with you. I’m feeling Tara deprived.” She continued as she gently guided them towards on of the external doors.

“I have a class in fifteen minutes.” Tara objected, but it was a very weak objection, as in reality she was delighted to see the young hacker.

“Fifteen minutes with you means I have four hours less of symptoms.” Willow explained with a loopy grin. Tara chuckled softly and squeezed the hand in her own.

The fifteen minutes they had together passed far too quickly, and soon the two young women were walking back down a busy corridor to bring Tara to her lecture room.

“Thank you for my sunshine.” Tara said happily.

“It’s okay I liked it too.” She said grinning brightly. “Are you coming to my room after you’ve finished here?” The question was asked with the same grin as earlier.

“I-I-I have reading.” Tara held up a book, they had already discussed that tonight they probably wouldn’t be seeing each other.

“So do I.” Willow agreed. “We can read together.” She suggested eagerly.

“But I though you were spending time with Buffy tonight. To talk about her and R-Riley.” Tara concentrated hard with her sentence delivery.

“But last night I didn’t see you and if I don’t see you tonight, I might get really sick through Tara deprivation.” Willow objected softly, pouting gently.

“Again I whisper, vixen.” Tara wrinkled up her nose slightly and giggled. “Okay I will come round, but only until Buffy comes. What time you expecting her?”

“After patrol, about ten probably, it’ll be too late for you to go home then.” Willow realised that she was behaving suspiciously and was about to add something to her sentence when Tara looked at her.

“Are you hiding something from me?” She asked with a frown. “Is there s-s-something going on?” For the first time since her lovely mid afternoon surprise, Tara began to feel a little uneasy.

“No.” Willow adamantly shook her head. “I just miss you.”

This answer seemed to pacify the witch a little and she agreed to be at Willow’s room as soon as she could after the lecture was over. Happy that she had done all she could Willow watched Tara enter the lecture room before hurrying back to her dorm.

*******

Willow glanced up at the clock.  It was fast approaching seven o’clock. Agitatedly she made another lap of her room and dropped down on her bed, taking a second glance at her watch that informed her that, like the previous lap she had done, precisely thirty seconds had passed by.

With a gentle sigh the redhead leaned over and picked up her math book that she had been reading on and off for the last little while, and turned to the relevant chapter. She glanced down at the complicated formulae and tables and closed the book again. She most certainly wasn’t in the right mood for that. She was just about to swap the book for one of her philosophy course books when there came a light rap on her door.

“Hi.” Willow called in greeting as the door opened. Expecting her fair-haired girlfriend, the Wicca got somewhat of a surprise when Buffy walked in.

“Hi Will.” The Slayer said as she closed the door behind her. “Nose in the books huh.” She added before looking up and seeing Willow’s look of disappointment. “I am hoping that that look is because you were expecting someone else, and not because you suddenly dislike me or something.”

“Oh no, no Buffy.” Willow shook her head and beckoned to her best friend. “Don’t be silly, always welcome. Come sit down.” She turned her beckon into a pat on the comforter.

“Seriously Will if it’s a bad time, I can come back.” Buffy hung for a second not taking up Willow’s offer of a seat.

“It’s never a bad time, we’re best friends, and with you mom being sick and everything, I figure you need us all more than ever.” Willow logically pointed out.

“Thanks Will.” Buffy sat down on the end of the bed. “You’re right about needing my friends.” She began as she leaned back against the footrest on Willow’s bed. Taking a light breath the Slayer launched into a long detail examination of her life, and what was wrong with it at that moment in time, barely pausing for breath before embarking on a follow up series of comments about what she could do about the situation she was in.

It was only after Buffy had been speaking for a good few minutes that she realised that Willow wasn’t listening to a word she was saying. Instead she just kept looking between the clock, the window, her watch and the door.

“Okay Will, what is it?” Buffy asked deliberately waving a hand directly in Willow eye line.

“What? Oh sorry Buffy.” The hacker apologised profusely, her brown furrowed and her eyes honestly both troubled and upset. “Didn’t mean to leave you and join the little people then.”

“That’s okay, as long as you tell me what’s wrong? Are you expecting Tara and need me out of the way?” Buffy tried to fit puzzle pieces together on her own.

“No.” Willow blushed. “That is yes I am expecting her, but no to, what you were suggesting.” She babbled still blushing furiously.

“When should she have been here?” Buffy asked glancing at her watch.

“After her lecture, it’s due to finish at six thirty.” Willow replied a little less distracted now that Buffy was focused on her problem too.

“The sociology lecture?” Buffy queried. “It finished at five Will, Riley’s in it remember, Professor Speile gave them the rest of the time for essay prep. I saw him in the library on the way over here.”

“What?” Willow more or less launched herself at the door, not even bothering to reach for a coat. Buffy was off the bed and by her side in an instant.

“Willow, what’s wrong?” The Slayer put her hand on the door not to prevent her friend from leaving, but just to make her slow down a little. The temporary diversion made Willow rethink for a moment and coming back into the room, she pulled on her sweater.

“Tara was supposed to be coming here after the lecture.” Willow explained.

“Maybe she just got caught up in something.” Buffy said still not really understanding her best friends panic.

“I should have told her.” The Wicca rambled as she picked up her purse and keys.

“Told her what?” Buffy watched her friend’s frantic movements around the room and felt her own worry kick in.

“This afternoon on my way beck from Maths I saw a campervan in the car park.” Willow explained “It was a green one, just like...”

“The Maclay’s.” Buffy finished for her and she pulled open the door following Willow quickly as she ran out. “It’s okay Will, they wouldn’t do anything stupid, Tara’s gonna be okay.”

*******

“You really have no sense of family do you?” Although the figure that  stood over Tara was not a great deal taller, he was in all ways bigger and as the blonde witch sat almost curled into her chair the standing man seemed to dominate her that much more. “After everything we have done for you, all of us. Dad spent hours trying to turn you to the right path.”

“D-D-D-Donny, you sh-sh-should go.” Tara stuttered almost silently.

“Go? I’m not going without you.” He replied walking over to the closet her pulled out a sports bag. With an angry flick of his wrist he tossed it onto the bed.

“I’m n-n-not coming with you.” Though stumbling and weak Tara’s reply was definite.

“You’re gonna do exactly what I tell you to.” Tara’s elder brother replied firmly. He grabbed a random handful of clothes off hangers and forced them roughly into the bag. “You belong at home. Taking care of father and I, it’s what you were taught to do and it’s what you should be doing now, and until I find someone to take care of me and Dad doesn’t need you any more.” He continued, returning to the closet for a second armful. “You have no place here with you magic and your freaky friends. This isn’t what you’re supposed to do with your life.”

“They’re not f-f-freaky.” Tara uncurled a little, her hand moving across her body to rub the middle of her left arm.

“You’re not so tough without them around you are ya?” Donny snarled as he pulled the fasteners closed on the bag.

“You can’t bully me like you used to.” Tara countered, she was actually now in something akin to a normal sitting position, her hand still rubbed her arm gently.

“Why can’t I?” He replied turning back to her. “What you going to do, cast a spell on me? Turn me into a frog?” He jeered. “You’ve not got it in you.” He added reaching down, grabbing her by the arm, in exactly the place she was rubbing.

Tara gasped as he gripped her tightly and dragged her roughly from the chair. Donny reached out and took the bag with his free hand and manhandled Tara to the door. Although she was struggling against his force, the size difference between the two made it an impossible task.

“Now you don’t want to go and draw attention to us out there.” He whispered the words of warning into Tara’s ear as her pushed her literally into the closed door. With a resounding thump Tara’s head connected painfully with the wood.

Briefly letting go of his sister, Donny pulled open the door and motioned to Tara to walk out, which she did, the door closing behind them. The blonde witch was about to make a run for it, when her brother slung his arm around her shoulders and pulled her close.

“Come on little sis.” He said almost too loudly. “How’s about showing your big brother how to have a good time in Sunnydale?”

Tara half walked and was half dragged down the corridor and out towards the car park..

Through eye blurred with tears Tara vaguely recognised the camper as it came into view. Donny pulled open the passenger door and more or less threw Tara towards it. Holding her wrist firmly in place near the door. He carelessly tossed the semi packed bag over her shoulder to land somewhere in the back.

“Dad was so wrong when he let you show him up in front of that bunch of losers. He should have done this then.” The older man snarled as her watched contented as tears spilled down Tara’s cheeks.

“Perhaps he valued his life more than you do.” The sound of the Slayer’s voice at his shoulder made Donny whirl round. 

“Did she send a witchy help signal out, so you’d all come a runnin?” Tara’s brother turned fully to face Buffy, but did not release Tara’s wrist instead twisting it painfully the wrong way. The blonde witch gasped in pain. Buffy glanced downwards and saw the tight grip he had on Tara.

“Let her go, or I’ll break your arm.” Buffy warned, her eyes and voice like steel.

“Dad was a fool to let you gang up on him. What you gonna do girlie girl?” He sneered and laughed lightly. “You don’t look any tougher than my kid sister and I can beat her down in a moment.”

“Let her go.” Buffy restated keeping her voice calm and firm, though if she was honest she just wanted to rip this guys arm off.

“Hear that Tara, your little friend figures I should let you go.”  Donny pulled Tara’s arm upwards forcing her to twist with it.

“Stop hurting her you…you…bastard.” Willow seethed as she watched her lover’s face contort in pain.

“Okay you’ve had your time.” Buffy’s fist lashed out and hit Donny squarely sending him reeling backward, instantly releasing his grip on Tara. Following her first shot Buffy brought her leg up and kicked him in his side sending him crashing into the side of the camper, and slowly down to the floor.

Donny looked up at Buffy from his position slumped against the wheel and concrete, his arm flailing, which gave Buffy an opportunity she could not miss. With lightening speed she reached out and grabbed his wrist and twisted it. He squealed in pain and tried to move into a comfortable position.

“You know I really didn’t think you would be dumb enough to try this.” Buffy said shaking her head. “I never want to see your sorry ass again.” She turned to Willow. “Willow get Tara.” She encouraged gently as she kept Donny pinned in place.

The redhead moved quickly and helped her girlfriend from the car, reaching for the badly packed bag she saw thrown in the back. With infinite care Willow moved Tara away to the grass verge.

“Do you understand this time?” Buffy asked briefly squeezing Donny’s wrist extra tight before letting it drop, only for it to be instantly cradled by the young man. “Get out of here.” She snarled, stepping back as Donny scrambled to his feet, got into the camper and sparked the engine into life.

“You coward!” Willow screamed after him as the vehicle swung out of its spot and drove off out of campus.

“Come on Will, let’s get Tara inside.”

******

“It makes me so mad.” Willow seethed in her own way as she tenderly applied small amounts of witch hazel to the large bruises on Tara’s arms.

“It’s okay Willow, it doesn’t hurt now.” Tara tried to sooth her lover, who had been repeating the same small circle of mutual hatred for herself and all of Tara’s family. “And none of this is your fault.”

“I should have told you I saw the campervan.” Willow replaced the cap on the small bottle and placed it back in the first aid box.

“There are lots of campervans in the world.” Tara tried a brave smile.

“I really, really dislike them.” Willow stated firmly. “How could your Dad let him bully you like this all your life?” She ranted. “We should report him, both of them.”

“Willow, please.” Tara said gently looking up at Willow from her place on the bed. Her eyes red from crying, were filled with still more tears. “Let’s just forget about them. My life is not about them any more.” She shook her head.

Willow shook hers in return.

“It’s wrong.” Willow fixed her tone and frown firmly. “He should pay, he hurt the person I love, that makes him a bad guy.” She began another rant, but briefly glanced up at Tara, she watched saddened as a tear slipped down Tara’s still damp cheek. The redhead hurried to her girlfriend’s side and caught it with her finger before it could reach her chin. “But talking about it only hurts you doesn’t it? And I never want to hurt you so I am never going to mention him again, ever.” She stressed. “I’m never going to mention any of them, it’ll be like, Tara’s family, yeah that’s us, we’re Tara’s family.” She waffled in the special way that only she could. “And we’ll never own a campervan, at least not a green one, a nice blue one maybe with dolphins on the side and a special little seat for Miss Kitty.” She slowed down and eventually stopped her rambling.

She moved closer to her girlfriend and cupped the chilled cheek lightly in her warm hand. Leaning forward Willow kissed Tara’s lips.

“What I am trying to say is your past, present and future is not about them Tara, it’s about you, well you and I if I am lucky.” She said lovingly. She closed her eyes briefly as she felt more of her girlfriend’s tears land silently on her hand. Then when she felt no more she closed her arms around the still slightly trembling woman and held her close.  “I love you.” She whispered into blonde hair.

The End.

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