My Willow

Willow gasped in relief when the car doors unlocked instead. Before Tara could change her mind, Willow rushed to the side of the car, yanking the door open and jumping in, barely closing the door in time. She squealed as the car shot forward, putting her hands on the dashboard to keep herself from hitting it. Breathing heavily, she struggled to pull her seatbelt on. She looked to Tara, trembling, 

"T-Thank you.." Tara didn't look at her. 

"Don't thank me. I just didn't want them to set my car on fire too." Willow winced at her tone, but knew it was deserved. 

“T-Tara.. I didn’t-” Tara cut her off, still staring at the road. 

“You didn’t /what/ Willow? You didn’t mean to tell your friends where I lived to have them come kill me and ‘rescue’ you?” Willow opened and closed her mouth, unsure how to answer. “Go ahead Willow, lie to me as you have been this whole time!” Willow bit her lip as it trembled, looking away,
“I.. That was what I originally-”

“..I may be a vampire, Willow. A creature of evil.. But I didn’t break any of /my/ promises. Especially not one that put your /life/ in danger, or got /your/ house burned down.” Willow folded her hands tightly in her lap, staring at them. 

“I.. I thought I could.. Could fix it.. I didnt know they were coming /today/ and.. I.. I was afraid you’d hurt more innocent people--” 

“Those ‘innocent people’ in the basement.. They were left to burn in that building. Their blood is on /your/ hands, not mine.” Willow shook with silent sobs, looking at the blacked out window to try and hide them. The car slowed to the normal speed limit as they got on the real road, easing the bumping. “...Try to get some rest. We’ll be on the road for a while.” Willow sniffled and nodded, curling herself up against the door. 

***

Tara eased her clutch on the steering wheel slightly, glancing over at the sleeping girl in the seat next to her. {Did all that really just happen?} She sighed, {Guess it was dumb not to expect it. What did I think? That she’d suddenly forget I was a vampire and love me?} Tara frowned, glancing at Willow again. {I suppose I wasn't the best at first.. or .. other times. I probably had it coming.} When she looked over again, something caught her eye. Why was Willow wearing the locket if she hated her? Why had she consented to last night? Tara had given her multiple chances to say no. {Was she really telling the truth? She wanted to stop it-? But.. she caused it!} Taras grip tightened on the wheel again, {That /was/ before we.. bonded. Her adrenaline was probably still pumping from the minions attacks and she /did/ stop the slayer - Stop! What are you doing? She almost got you killed! She /did/ get the rest of the minions killed!} Tara bunched and relaxed her shoulders, adjusting her seat. {It doesn’t matter /why/ she did it, or what she did after. She tried to kill me, after all the kindness I’ve shown her.} Tara shook the last bit of sympathy clinging to her, hardening her eyes and focusing them on the road. 

((Again, angst and feelings.))