”So there you are, that’s how she told me, sat out on the porch swing having a chat and then WHAM! Big reveal. I figured something within her had changed when she came down with Willow the other day. The fury that radiated from her was like nothing on earth, certainly nothing that we would have ever thought possible from the Tara we knew pre-death. But that Tara is no more. That sounds really bad, she’s Tara, the really real Tara, you can see that when she looks at Willow but there’s something missing. Giles would probably say it’s her innocence but I don’t think she’s all that innocent. Seriously, I’ve not seen moves like the one she pulled on Xander since… well, I don’t think I’ve ever seen a move like that! She could be really helpful in training the potentials. I have some bits to sort out with Giles, he’s organising another search for Kennedy. I think that he’s drawing up maps and stuff so I better get going and save them before he starts dishing out walkie-talkies. I’ll catch up with you all later. Oh, if you happen to see Kennedy, tell her to stop being such an idiot and get her ***** home… I just hope it’s not too late for her.”

Tara climbed the stairs slowly; in her hands she carried a tray with a pot of steaming tea, two mugs, toast, cereal and a bottle of milk. She had paused briefly on her way back from her early morning walk to pick a full red rose, which she had laid in the centre of the tray. Tapping ungracefully on Willows bedroom door, Tara took a deep breath; she hadn’t expected an answer, as Willow had always been a deep sleeper. Pushing the door open, she caught it with her foot and pushed it closed behind her.

“Willow?” she whispered and then rolled her eyes. ‘Why do people whisper when they’re waking people up?’ she wondered. Placing the tray on the nightstand, she turned on the lamp. “Willow!” she said a little louder, reaching our and shaking the sleeping redhead softly.

“Its still gotta be too early!” Willow mumbled from under the covers.