“It’s nice to meet you Kennedy!” Tara smiled sweetly, watching Kennedy squirm under her gaze. “Is everything ok Willow, you looked pretty upset out there.” she ran her fingers slowly down the redheads forearm, the sensation shooting liquid lightning through both.

“She’s fine now, she has me!” Kennedy spat as she linked arms with the redhead. “I think we need to talk!” she snarled in Willows direction before dragging her towards the stairs.

“She’s nice!” Tara giggled as she watched the pair leave.

Buffy and Xander, who had been watching the exchange with much interest finally exhaled, neither one having realised they had been holding their breath.

“I can’t believe you’re here!” Xander breathed as he gingerly reached out and touched Tara’s arm.

“Yeah, do you want a drink or something to eat or something?” Buffy asked loudly, trying to cover the sound of slamming doors from upstairs. Nodding politely, Tara accepted the glass of orange juice that had been placed in front of her.

 “I think I’m gonna sit in there.” she indicated the living room with her free hand. “Kinda missed soft seats!” she smiled as she left the kitchen.

“She took that well.” Xander said, looking back from the direction Tara had gone in and gesturing with his thumb to the ceiling where it was clear that Willow and Kennedy were having a heated debate.

“Yeah, I thought she might have been cranky too!” Buffy admitted as she slurped her own juice noisily.

—– Upstairs —–

“What the ***** Willow?!!” Kennedy paced the room like a caged tiger, glaring up at the redhead before turning and taking 10 paces in the opposite direction. “You think you can just play with peoples emotions and get away with it!”

“It’s not like that Kennedy!” Willow snapped back. “Don’t you think you’re overreacting just a little?”

“Overreacting???” she yelled closing the gap between them in seconds and forcing Willow to take a step back. “Overreacting?? You kiss me and then this blonde ***** appears and you’re practically making third with her in the kitchen and I’m overreacting?”

Willow’s hand came back and slapped the potential firmly across the face making her stumble backwards and hold her face in surprise.