Author: Willow Watcher
Rating: NC-17
Disclaimer: I do not own anything having to deal with BtVS. They all belong to Joss Whedon and the other people out there who have a claim in the series and all things dealing with Buffy. I however did write this story and the other characters are mine.

Willow picked at the IV tube that was in the back of her hand. "This thing hurts." She complained.

"The nurse said she would be in here in a minute to take it out sweetie. Have a little patience." Tara said as she picked up Willow's hand and kissed it. "Better?"

Willow's eye lids fluttered and she smiled seductively. "I know what would feel a lot better."

Tara giggled. "I don't think that would be a good idea right now."

Willow pouted.

"Aww." Tara leaned closer and kissed the bottom lip that was stuck out.

Willow moaned. She moved her lips closer and kissed Tara slowly. She licked the outside of Tara's lips, asking for entrance.

Tara opened her mouth happily accepting. Their tongues touched gently enjoying the feeling. Willow pulled Tara's head closer pushing her tongue further into the blonde's mouth.

Both of them started breathing heavily, wrapping their arms around each other.

"God Tara!" Buffy shouted playfully from the door. "You want to give her another heart attack."

Tara's eyes shot open and she quickly pulled back.

"Buffy." Willow whined. "You took away my Tara time."

Buffy rolled her eyes and walked closer. "Any more Tara time like that and you're gonna have to stay in here another two weeks."

Willow huffed and folded her hands across her stomach.

Tara smiled. "They said she might be able to go home later today. That is if her tests come back alright."

Buffy looked at her friend in the bed.

Willow smirked and stuck out her tongue. "See. I can have Tara time at home."

"But," Tara interrupted. "you have to take it easy. Remember you promised the doctor?"

Buffy smirked back at Willow and stuck out her tongue.

Willow pouted again. "It's not fair."

Buffy walked over to the other side of the bed. She bent down and kissed Willow's head. "All's fair in love and war."

Willow looked at Tara and smiled. Tara smiled back remembering saying those exact words years ago.

Willow made her hand into a claw.

Tara giggled and stroked her hand across her love's cheek.

"O.K. totally missed out on some kind of groping thing between you two and happy to say I did." Buffy kissed Willow's head again and stood back up.

"How's Lacey?" Willow asked trying to change the subject.

"She keeps asking about Aunt Wiwwow." Buffy smiled loving the way her daughter talked. She pretty much knows how to make out words clearly, but the redhead's name has always been a slight challenge for her.

"Well, you tell her Aunt Wiwwow will be back playing Chutes and Ladders with her in no time." Willow smiled at the thought of spending time with the little blonde haired child.

"I told you I'm alright. Quit picking at my hair." Cordelia said swatting Anya's hand away as they both walked in the room.

"I am just making sure." Anya said.

"It's been two weeks since it happened. Get off me." Cordelia demanded.

Tara rolled her eyes and smiled.

"Hello Willow." Cordelia said as she moved closer to the bed and further away from the aggravating Anya.

"Hey." Willow said as she waved. "Hi Ahn."

"Hello. It's good to see you all better and not close to death." Anya smiled.

"Uh...thanks." Willow said as she crinkled her brows together. She turned her attention to Tara. "It's kind of disturbing that she says that every day."

"She's disturbing." Cordelia spoke up.

"Thank you." Anya said and smiled. "I know you don't mean it and Xander says that you say hateful things because you care. He's very perceptive."

"Uh, yeah. Xander is the man." Cordelia said and rolled her eyes.

"Yes he is and he's my man. You can't have him back." Anya said as she crossed her arms.

Cordelia opened her mouth to say something, but just let it slide by.

Anya smiled in victory. She looked at Tara and winked.

Tara smiled her half grin and shook her head.

"Here." Cordelia held out a white box to Willow.

"Thank you." Willow said in a more than grateful tone.

"Well, we're all going to clear out. Hope to see you back home soon Will." Buffy said as she tried to rush the other two girls out of the room.

"We just got here." Anya spoke up.

"Oh shut up and move it." Cordelia shoved her out the door.

Tara and Willow watched as the crowd left.

Tara turned her attention back to the woman who held her heart. "What's in the box?"

"Oh nothing." Willow smiled and swallowed a lump in her throat. "I...uh...want to talk to you."

"O.K." Tara felt uneasy about the tone in Willow's voice. Then it hit her. She knew this dreadful conversation was going to come up sooner or later. She had prepared herself more or less.

"You remember when we were in the warehouse and we talked before everything...ya know...happened." Willow started out.

Tara nodded her head.

"Well, I know you were wondering about whether or not I would be going back to San Francisco."

"Good, I'm glad you're awake." Giles came in the room.

Willow growled lowly and smiled. "Hey Giles."

"Hello dear. How are you feeling today?" Giles said as he walked over and kissed her on top of the head.

"Feeling better, thanks. I might be able to get out of here today." Willow said as she wiggled in her bed.

"That's wonderful news. I'm sure you and Miss Maclay will be happy to leave this more than dreadful place."

"Mr. Giles, please call me Tara." She smiled sweetly at the man.

"If you prefer, then alright Tara." Giles said they shared smiles at each other.

Willow smiled. "You have that file I asked for."

Giles sighed. "Yes. But I would like for you to reconsider. Personally I think it's too soon."

"I made up my mind." Willow smiled and gently took the yellow folder from Giles' hand.

He bent down again and kissed her on the cheek. "Call me soon."

Willow wiped a tear that ran down her cheek. "I will." She choked out.

Giles stood upright. He wiped a tear away from the corner of his eye. He walked around the bed and stood in front of Tara. "You have her heart, therefore you have mine."

She stood up in front of him and wrapped him in a hug. He hugged her back and kissed her on the cheek.

Giles cleared his throat and pulled back. He smiled as he looked at Tara then back to Willow.

"I will see you soon." Giles backed up and walked out.

Tara sat down, but looked at the floor. She knew in her gut that Willow was going back.

"Tara, I want to tell you..."

"No Willow. I understand you have to go back home to your work. It's who you are." A tear streamed down her cheek. She lowered her head and her hair covered her features.

Willow struggled to sit up. She reached her hand over and pulled Tara's face up. "You promised me that you would never do that. Don't ever hide, baby. You are so beautiful and I love you so much."

Tara looked over at the redhead. Tears poured from her eyes and landed on her jeans. "Th-then why are you g-going back?" She fumbled over her words. "You promised me you would never leave me." Tara stood up with her back facing Willow. She realized how Willow must have felt all those years ago.

"Tara, please look at me." Willow pleaded with her love.

Tara wrapped her arms around herself and shook her head. "No. If you are going to leave then I might as well leave now." Cries wracked her body. She heard the faint sound of struggling behind her. She stood there wiping tear after tear away. She stood up straight and turned her body around. She looked towards the bed and Willow wasn't in it. She looked down and Willow was on the floor. Tara's first reaction was to reach down and pick her beloved up, but Willow held up her hand for Tara to remain still. Tara noticed that Willow hadn't fallen out of the bed but was kneeling.

Willow took Tara's hand into hers. "Tara, I'm not going anywhere. Giles gave me my resignation papers from the bureau. I'm staying here with you." Willow reached over and picked up the box that Cordelia had given to her earlier. She found it difficult to pry it open with one hand but managed.

She held it up to Tara. "I love you Tara Maclay. I want to spend the rest of my life showing you how much. You are my strength that holds me together. You are my everything and each time I look into your beautiful blue eyes, I loose myself. I see through your soul and know how much you love me. When I feel you near me, my heart stops. Well, actually it started back up again, but I want you to be my wife. Will you marry me?" Willow said as her green eyes shone with love and devotion. Tears streamed down her face and she smiled brightly.

Tears still poured down the blondes face. She stood there in shock. Tara smiled and picked up her love from the hard floor. She gently wrapped her arms around her. "Yes baby. Yes, yes, yes!" She shouted out.

"Tara." Willow squeaked out. "Baby, oxygen."

Tara realized she was holding Willow tightly. She carefully pulled away. "Oh sweetie, did I hurt you?"

Willow smiled at her love and shook her head. She pulled the three tiered diamond and gold ring out of the box and slipped it on Tara's finger. She kissed her hand and then kissed her on the lips. "I love you."

"I love you as well." Tara said.

They pulled each other close and kissed with such passion and love.