« This meal was great Tara »

Dawn was sprawled on her back on the sofa in the lobby, her hand on her stomach and very satisfied.

« You’re still the queen of cooking » continued Dawn, eyes to the ceiling, while tapping her stomach.

« I did nothing special, you know » Tara said modestly from the other side of the sofa.

« It was brilliant. And then it changes »

« How's that? You eat badly lately? » Asked Tara, frowning.

« Oh, you know » answered the teenager while making an evasive gesture with her hand. « It’s mostly pizzas and Chinese lately. And the rest of the time, Willow is far from being as bright as you are in the cooking department! »

Tara smiled frivolously and leaned against the back of the sofa.

« Willow cooks then? » She asked in a lower voice.

« Yes. » Said Dawn, sitting up slightly. « She makes many efforts you know. »

« I know » answered simply Tara.

They looked one second at each other, then Dawn dropped again on the sofa. A silence settled and finally, Tara turned to Dawn and put her hand on her shoulder.

« So sweetie, do you want to go for a walk? »

Dawn sat up again and leaned this time on an elbow, before turning to Tara.

« I don’t know Tara » she answered lazily. « We could both stay quietly here, couldn’t we? »

« As you want sweetie » Tara said. « We can stay here and do nothing if that’s what you want. »

The training room door’s opened then and closed with crash, making both girls turn around towards the bottom of room.

« Drop it Charles, I am going to crush you » Faith was saying while moving in the lobby.

« Don’t dream girl, Slayer or not, I am a God at this »

They arrived at the sofa where Dawn and Tara were lazily settled and both young women were able to see that Gunn held a basketball ball in his hand.

« You’re gonna play basketball? » Dawn interrogated with a clearly skeptical look.

« Yes, kid » answered Gunn with a big smile. « The Slayer here claims to give me a thumping. »

« She was always kinda snooty » noticed Dawn while sitting down. « And then, she’s a Slayer. Always thinking that makes her invincible in all things sporty »

« Which is true » Ruled Faith, with certainty.

Dawn sniffed contemptuously and stared at Faith from head to toes.

« I would like to see that. I’m sure you don't even know the rules »

Faith shrugged and crossed her arms over her chest.

« Rules? » She interrogated with a derisive smile. « A ball, a basket, that’s enough. And then, what do you know about that kind of stuff, you, miss super-nerd? Wes looks sportive compare to you »

Dawn looked at her with a completely offended look on her face and got up.

« You claim that I can't play basketball? »

« Look at you » Faith said while pointing to her. « I assure you that Wes looks sportive next to you»

« Me, not sportive-gal? » Protested Dawn. « I remind you that I am a mystic key and ‘the’ Slayer’s sister. We’re going to see if I am not a sportive gal »

And saying this, she seized the ball Gunn was holding in his hands and went to the door.

« I team up with Gunn »

"Dawn" began Tara, half- amused, half-worried. « I’m not sure that’s a good … »

« And so that you don't say after the game that you lost because you were alone against the two of us, Tara will play with you »

Faith and Tara exchanged the same appalled glance at this last assertion.

« You want Tara to play? » Interrogated Faith.

« You want ME to play? » Repeated the witch in echo.

"Exactly" confirmed Dawn with a big satisfied smile.

« Dawn, I don't think that » began Tara.

« C’mon Tara! » the young Summers interrupted her. « I leave tonight! I’m the queen of the day! »

Tara grimaced and her glance went alternately from Dawn’s smile to the ball in her hands.

"All right" she admitted finally.
 
Then Dawn caught Gunn by the arm and pulled him behind her.

« So, show me where is this basketball court. »

***

Fred headed toward the kitchen to get some tea. Arriving just outside the door, she was able to hear a familiar hubbub reaching her. The young lady put her head by the doorframe and saw Gunn, perched on a stool, a proud and satisfied look on his face. Beside him, Dawn at least as proud and enthusiastic, was gesturing and trying to have the last word against Faith, who was sitting in front of her.

« We won, whatever you can say about it » said Dawn with conviction.

« I have basketball under my skin » Added Gunn.

« I was disadvantaged » protested Faith. « Tara is unable to receive a pass »

« Hey! » Protested Tara, turning from the stoves where she was fussing.

« Hey Fred » She added brightly when she saw the young lady at the doorstep.

Fred moved into the room and stood beside Tara.

« What are you doing? » She asked her.

« Making some pancakes for our big sportsmen and women » The witch answered with a smile. « And some tea for me. Do you want some? »

Fred nodded her head and came to sit down on the other side of Gunn while Tara finished filling a plate of pancakes, then two cups of tea. She put it on the counter and sat down beside Faith.

« So? » Fred asked, after having enjoyed a mouthful of her tea. « What did you do? You look all excited to me. »

« We played basketball! » Dawn exclaimed immediately. « I played with Charles and we crushed Faith! »

« Crushed? » Asked Faith with surprise. « You HARDLY won. And … And you were favored. »

Dawn burst out laughing and cast a collusive glance to Gunn under Tara and Fred’s amused glance.

« I knew you would be a bad loser » She asserted with force before swallowing a piece of pancake covered with syrup in her mouth.

« You’re really her sister, no doubt » Faith grumbled. « And I won the second game »

« Because you wanted to switch teams and be with ME » resumed Dawn.

« You play basketball Dawn? » Interrogated Fred.

« The kid’s not that bad » explained Gunn. « Faith was crazy with fury »

« That’s not true. » Protested the Slayer.

« That’s true sweetie » Tara contradicted her.

Faith sent her a grin and took another pancake in the pile by way of consolation. Dawn looked at her some seconds, then turned to Tara.
 
« I think that it’s soon going to be time for me to go and catch the bus. » She said in a disappointed tone. « I’m going to have to go. »

Tara nodded her head sadly.

« Yes, you should go and get your stuff. Faith, are you ready to drive us? » She added while turning to her.
.
The Slayer was going to open her mouth to answer but was cut by Dawn.

« No, not Faith. Only you and me, Tara » asked the teenager, looking at the witch with pleading eyes.

Faith cast her a perplexed glance and Tara hesitated.

« Dawn, I don’t have a driver license. » She explained.

« Charles could drive us? » Asked Dawn, turning to him. « And you two can be apart from each other half an hour, can’t you? »

Tara hesitated again, embarrassed by Dawn’s behavior in front of Faith and her glance went to her.

« Go Tara » Faith said simply, seeing that the witch was looking at her and seemed to wait for her approval. « No problem. »

« Charles? » Tara asked, while turning to the young man.

« I can drive you, no problem »

***

Having hugged everybody in the hotel (except Faith) and promised to Angel to greet Buffy for him, Dawn left for Sunnydale, apparently very happy with her weekend. Gunn took her and Tara to the bus station and waited in the car while Tara led Dawn up to the bus due to leave for Sunnydale. They hugged again warmly and Dawn insisted heavily on the upcoming wedding of Xander and Anya before deciding to rise in the bus. Tara watched her going away with a certain melancholy before joining Gunn and returning to the Hyperion.

Hardly arrived, she put herself in search of Faith whom she found outside smoking a cigarette.

« You shouldn't do this, you know » she said from behind her.

« What? » Faith asked automatically, without turning around.

Tara sat beside her and pointed to the cigarette.

"This" she said. « It isn't good for you »

Faith smiled at her with amusement but nevertheless took another drag. Tara sent her an annoyed glance and continued to look at her silently. Faith looked away then turned again to notice that she hadn't moved a millimeter. She sighed and raised her eyes to the sky.

« That’s SO unfair» She protested, while crushing her cigarette on the ground.

Tara smiled brightly, seeing her doing so and Faith could only return her smile.

« So, the kid left? » Faith asked.

Tara nodded her head.

« You see, things were not that bad »

Faith pouted, apparently not really convinced.

« Yeah  »She said simply.

« You almost tamed her with the basketball game this afternoon » Tara insisted.

« Almost » Faith grumbled. « She still didn't want me to come with you this evening. »

« I think that she found it too much with you there. » Tara explained. « She is used to having me to herself only, you know. »

« Or to have you with Willow » retorted Faith.

« Yeah. Maybe » Tara admitted. « But things went good anyway. And I’m sure they will get better and better » she added with force.

Faith shrugged and both girls remained silent for a moment. Finally, Tara turned again to the Slayer and stared at her with acuteness before murmuring.

« Faith, I have to tell you something … »

Faith raised her head towards her, at once in full alert mode at the blonde’s tone.

" Next weekend " resumed Tara. « Xander and Anya are going to get married. »

« I know » Faith said. « And you’ll go there. And I won’t come with you »

Tara grinned to her.

« I know, we have already talked about this and I gave up convincing you for this. »

She kept silent for a second, lowered her eyes, seemed to hesitate and then looked at Faith again.

« Anyway, that wasn’t what I wanted to talk to you about. »

« What’s up then? » Faith asked, frowning.

« I may » began Tara. « No, in fact, it’s not I may, it’s I will…»

She kept silent again, searched her words again.

« I probably won’t come back. I am going to stay over there. For some time, at least » she added finally.

Faith uncrossed her arms and stood up from the wall against which she was rested. She wanted to say something but the words died in the back of her throat.
 
« I know it’s kind of sudden » Tara said in an apologetic tone.

« Sudden? » Faith exclaimed, finding her voice more abruptly than she would have wished it.

The end of the word choked and died in a sigh and Faith fixed her eyes to Tara’s stressed out face. The witch had rolled up her arms around her and indeed looked at the Slayer with big blue eyes brilliant with anxiety. Faith sighed and opened her arms in front of her in an apologic sign.

"Sorry" She said, looking away from her. « It’s just that… I’m surprised. You said nothing like that before … »

« I know Faith. It’s new. »

Tara kept silent and looked for Faith’s glance, which still avoided her stubbornly.

« I talked with Dawn » she resumed. « She says that Willow is doing really better, that … I think that I just want to see it by myself. Do you understand? »

Faith nodded seriously.

"Yes" She broke in a bitter tone. « You want to give her a chance »

« I … I am not there, Faith. I don't think about that right now. I just want to see how things are. »

They kept silent again, each of them looking everywhere except at the other one. Finally, Faith raised her head towards Tara who was staring at her feet.

« Do you still love her? » She asked more curtly than she had intended.

"Yes" Tara answered simply without hesitation. « And I don't know if we can get back together or not, as we were, but … Whatever way it will be, I believe that I have to try to give her a chance … Everyone deserves a chance. I understood that. And it’s thanks to you. »

Tara smiled shyly at Faith and that smile was enough to convince the Slayer to hide the emotion this piece of news had put her into.

« Ok. That’s cool » she said simply, looking away again. « It’s cool. And then… it’s not as if I expected you to stay here forever. »

"Faith" Tara began slowly while approaching her.

« No, no, I promise, I am cool, very cool » Faith interrupted her while raising her head towards her.

« Faith, you could come to visit me in Sunnydale this summer »

« What? »

Faith looked now at Tara as if she was crazy.

« Yes, you could come over there. Things will get better with the gang, you’ll see »

Faith shrugged with carelessness.

« Coming back to Sunnydale? You saw how the kid reacted? I just don’t want to imagine how Red or B will »

« Buffy will get better. I’m sure that this summer, things will be good enough so that she can handle seeing you again. And Willow… She will see that you changed »

Faith uttered a skeptical sniffing and shrugged again.

« And I’ll be there » Tara added shyly.

« I can't leave Los Angeles anyway » Faith argued. « With Morris and everything …»

« I’ve already talked with Angel about this » Tara answered. « He thinks that there will be no problem. He and Morris will find a solution. And then you won't be leaving the State. »

But Faith still didn't seem convinced and was still wearing the same stubborn look on her face.

« Anyway, I’ll come to look for you myself and take you there by force if needed » the witch concluded with a hesitating smile.

Faith started smiling and sent her a derisive smile.

« You’d do that? » She interrogated in a lighter tone than previously.

Tara nodded her head and smiled widely.

« I’d like to see that » Faith concluded.

***

« Hey, Faith, are you ok? »

The Slayer looked away from the whistling kettle and turned to the kitchen’s door where Angel was now standing.

« What are you doing? » The vampire asked, looking at her with curiosity.

« Some tea. » She answered. Before clarifying: « For Tara »
 
Angel nodded in sign of approval.

« Good, good. » He said. « Happy to have her with only you again? » He added with an amused grimace.

Faith shrugged and answered nothing at first.

« She’s going to go back to Sunnydale. » She said finally. « She is going to stay over there»

"Ah" Angel said, by leaning against the counter behind him. « She told you »

« Yeah. You knew? »
 
"Yes" Angel answered. « She talked about it this morning during breakfast. And … »

He kept silent and looked away from Faith who was looking at him with curiosity.

« And? »

« Lorne had seen it »

"Ah" Faith said simply, staring at Angel with acuteness. « So, if Lorne saw it, I guess it’s useless that I ask you to do something to make her stay? »

Angel looked at her with surprise and frowned.

« What? »

« You could say to her that we need her here or… I don’t know, make up something… »

Angel crossed his arms over his chest and the surprise on his face transformed into amusement. But seriousness came back immediately.

« I think that Tara must do what she thinks she must do»

Faith shrugged.

« I didn't really count on you actually. Well, maybe just a little. You’re sure you can't…? »

« Faith. » Angel said seriously.

« Ok, ok » Faith surrendered.

The kettle began whistling at this moment and Faith turned around towards it. She seized the kettle and poured the warm water into a big cup in which she had put down a tea bag beforehand.

« And what else was in Lorne’s vision? » She asked.

Angel hesitated for a second, opened his mouth to say something and closed it.

« That she had to leave for Sunnydale. » He broke finally.

« Had to? » Faith interrogated as she was putting down the cup and a package of biscuit on a tray.

« That she would leave for Sunnydale » corrected Angel.

« Make her stay Angel » Faith asked, in an almost begging tone Angel had never heard her use before.

He looked away and sighed before turning again to her.

« I can't Faith. I shouldn’t. And none of us should. Things have to happen the way they have to happen. »

Faith didn't answer. She stared intensely at Angel during what seemed an eternity to him but probably didn't last more than a few seconds. Then she turned away, seized the tray and went out of the kitchen.


***

The next few days took place without remarkable changes. Tara and Faith spent days and nights together as they were used to and nothing seemed to indicate that the witch would leave the Hyperion on the next Friday evening. Both friends acted as naturally as possible, each seeming to ignore Tara’s next departure.

Other inhabitants of the hotel had noticed the behavior on those of both girls after Tara had announced she was going to leave.  The witch had done it after the dinner, which had followed Dawn’s return to Sunnydale and having announced it to Faith. Neither Angel, nor Wesley, nor Cordelia, all already informed, were surprised and tried to seem detached quite as Faith who showed a mask of perfect indifference. Gunn wasn't able to hide his disappointment and Fred had to hold back some tears.

But if any of them, and Faith in particular, tried to act as usual, there was however a thing that all had noticed. Despite all her efforts to hide her disappointment and to seem as detached as possible, Faith’s mood deteriorated from day to day to the great displeasure of Cordelia who exchanged some verbal fights with a Slayer little inclined to laugh.

And when Friday was finally there, the internal effervescence of the Slayer seemed ready to make her blow up.

While Tara was calmly packing her bag, Faith was pacing the room nervously, trying unsuccessfully to calm her nerves.

"Faith" Tara eventually said, sighing in front of her friend’s agitation. « It’s not as if we’ll never see each other again »

Faith stopped pacing and looked at Tara with light surprise.

" This summer " Tara resumed, smiling to her. « You will come to see me in Sunnydale. »

Faith grumbled something, which could have been « yes that's right » but Tara wasn't really sure.

« And in the meantime, I’ll write and call you. You won't get rid of me, I promise. »

Faith smiled slightly and shrugged.

« You’ll have other things to think about when you’ll be over there » she said in a disenchanted tone.

« Faith! » Tara exclaimed.

The witch was undoubtly hurt by the lack of trust the Slayer granted her.

« Of course, I’ll call you and of course, I’ll write you! » She started again on an serious tone. « Don't you trust me? »

Faith hesitated and crossed her arms over her chest. She looked away and eventually released quite low:

« Of course I do »

Tara smiled brightly at the Slayer’s admittance and abandoned her bag to get closer to her.

« I’ll miss you, you know » she murmured.

Faith looked at Tara at these words. She wanted to say ‘then stay ’ but was unable to pronounce a sound.

« You know? » Tara repeated. « Best friends, remember? »

Faith nodded her head slowly and Tara pulled her cautiously to her and hugged her. She had the surprise to notice that not only that the Slayer let her do so, but that she returned the embrace. They stayed that way for long moments, taking pleasure in the closeness of the other one.  Tara eventually got free and moved back a step to look at Faith, who tried vainly to smile.

« You’ll come to Sunnydale this summer » she repeated again. « And I’ll write you until then. So that you don't forget. I promise »

None of them had noticed Cordelia who was watching them through the half-opened door.

***

« Okay. I can’t look at this and do nothing »

Angel raised his head from the book he was studying. Cordelia was standing in front of him, arms crossed, an serious and resolute look on her face.

« Cordelia? »

« You can't let Tara leave just like that. You have to make her stay. Or tell her. Or tell Faith to make her stay. But DO something »

Angel pushed the book in front of him away and sighed.

« We already had this conversation. We agreed »

« Well, I changed my mind. I won’t let her leave without doing something. If you do nothing, I’ll do it »

« You can’t » Angel answered curtly. « She HAS TO leave »

« Angel, I don't agree. » Cordelia protested « I am going to talk to her. »

« No » ordered Angel, while getting up. « Do you think I’m happy with what’s happening? » He resumed, more firmly than previously. « Don't you think I would prefer that she comes back after the wedding? That Faith doesn't have to go through this? I want nothing of what’s happening or what will happen. But Lorne was very clear. Tara’s fate is bound to Willow’s. And Willow’s to Sunnydale’s. »

Angel kept silent and Cordelia answered nothing. Both stared at each other in the most complete silence. Finally, the young woman let escape a profound sigh and let her arms fall heavily along her body.

« Very well » she admitted. « I’ll do nothing. »

Then the young woman dropped on a chair in front of the vampire.

« Did you talk with Faith? How is she taking it? »

« She says everything is ok. You know Faith »

"Yeah" Cordelia grumbled. « Miss I - am - super-strong will never admit that she doesn't want Tara leaving »

"Yes" Angel simply answered. « But she has it rough »

"Yes" Cordelia said, eyes fixed to him.

Angel looked at her a second, before diving back into his book. The former cheerleader didn't move and the vampire could feel her glance of steel put on him.

« And stop looking at me like that » he threw to her finally. « It’ll change nothing »

***

Angel delicately pushed the closed door and entered the room. Faith was fussing in her wall cupboard and turned around when she heard him.

« What do you want? » She grumbled inarticulately.

« Where’s Tara? » Asked Angel without answering.

« With Fred. »
 
« You’re not staying with her? »

« No. Actually, I was getting ready to go out »

« Going out? Now? » Angel said, curving an eyebrow. « Tara is about to leave »

« I know »

Saying this, Faith sat down on her bed while holding a pair of boots in her hand. She threaded them and began to lace them under Angel’s stunned glance.

"Faith" He began slowly. « You should be there to tell her goodbye. »

"Maybe" She answered while continuing her task.

« Faith, you’ll regret it if you don't tell her goodbye »

"Maybe" repeated the Slayer without looking at him.

Angel sighed and stared at the stubborn and closed look his Slayer was wearing.  An expression that he hadn’t seen for a long time. He hesitated on the behavior to have, wondered what he wanted to do by coming in here. An internal fight raged within him and when Faith finally got up and got ready to cross to the door, he had to decide.

« Faith » He said to her while stopping her by the arm. « Did you tell her how you feel about her? »

« What? » Faith answered, looking at him with an annoyed grin.

« Did you tell her that you want her to come back after the wedding? »

Faith shrugged and answered nothing. But she didn't move.

« Did you ask her to stay? » Angel resumed.

New shrug of shoulders.

« What's the use? » Faith answered. « She said that she wants to see if she can give Willow another chance. And her friends are over there. Her life is over there. Why would she come back? »

« Maybe if you tell her how you feel about her, that will give her a reason to come back. »

Faith opened her mouth to answer but no sound got out from it.

« Faith, tell her how you feel » Angel insisted.

« She loves Willow » the Slayer ruled after a hesitance. « That would be useless. She’ll leave whatever I say »

« You know nothing about it » Angel protested. « You know nothing about it. And you’ll know nothing about it if you say nothing»

“No” Faith said firmly. « It’s useless »

She turned towards the door and again, Angel seized her by the arm.

« Faith, if you don't try, you’ll regret it »

Faith got free without even looking at him.

« Then I’ll regret it. »

And the Slayer left the room without adding anything more. Angel followed her close and had the surprise to find Cordelia on the other side of the door. Faith pushed her aside slightly to pass and tumbled down the stair four by four under both friends’ glance. When she had disappeared through the Hyperion’s main door, Cordelia turned to Angel and looked at him with a stern look.

« I thought we shouldn't try to make Tara stay? » She noted.

Angel shrugged.

« You were right on that one. I had to do something or at least try to. Without saying to her at all what Lorne doesn't want her to know. »

« But unsuccessfully? »

"Unsuccessfully"

***

Gunn grasped Tara’s bag, from the sofa and took the young woman by her arm.

“It’s about that time” he said regretfully.

Tara took a look at her watch and nodded.

“Yes”

Gunn offered her a friendly smile and exited the hotel, the bag thrown over his shoulder. Fred got up from the sofa where she was sitting. Cordelia went from the counter to stand beside Fred and Tara. Angel and Wesley came from the training room.

“Tara” Wesley said. “It’s time to go”

The witch nodded again and the group headed towards the stoop. Gunn had just parked the car in front of the door. Wesley first took Tara in his arms for a hug. Then Fred, who was crying as much as when Tara had announced her departure to the group. And after that came Cordelia. Tara had never seen the former cheerleader so severe, serious and touched. To Tara’s big surprise, she even shed a tear.

“Hey” the witch said, trying to smile despite the emotion that had seized her now. “Don’t cry  guys, we’ll meet again, I’ll come back and you all will come and visit me in Sunnydale when the business calms down”

“Yeah…” approved Cordelia while hugging tightly and trying to smile back.

Then she got free and it was Angel’s turn to hug the witch against him.

“Still not here?” Tara asked discreetly.

Angel shook his head sadly.

“No, she hasn’t come back yet. Or she’s locked herself somewhere. I think she didn’t want to be here for this”

Tara just nodded.

“You’ll say goodbye to her for me?” She asked. “And tell her I’ll phone as soon as I arrive. And will you take care of everything for her to come to Sunnydale this summer?”

“I already promised you this, you can count on me” Angel answered gently while hugging Tara more tightly against him.

“I know. Thank you for this. And thank you for everything that you all did for me”

“You don’t have to thank us Tara. Having you here was a real pleasure.”

“It was really nice to have you” Fred said. “We’ll miss you”

“We finally had decent meals and Faith became almost sufferable. WE thank you for everything you did” Cordelia added, smiling frankly,

Tara smiled back and her gaze wandered around her, hoping to see Faith’s profile. But the young woman did not appear and she had to make up her mind that the Slayer wouldn’t show up to say goodbye.

“We’re going Tara?” Gunn urged her on sympathetically.

Tara nodded and Angel finally released her.

“Take good care of you” he said gently, squeezing her hand in his own before letting her go.

Tara answered the squeeze and got into the car after hugging Cordelia and Fred again. When she was settled in the car, Tara looked again at her surroundings, searching for Faith. The witch sighed and closed the door of the car. Gunn started the engine and Tara made a last gesture with her hand to all the gathered gang while the car left the Hyperion.

Locked in a room on the first floor, lazily leaned on the window’s frame, Faith was watching the scene, arms crossed over her chest, eyes fixed, jaw deeply locked.