Buffy and Giles opened the door slowly; they were exhausted although they had done little at the hospital but sit and worry. The doctors had told them that Kennedy had a punctured lung, a large laceration in her large intestine and would need to spend some time in hospital. The surgery had been a complete success and they had fixed everything they could.

In the kitchen, Tara was preparing dinner for herself and Buffy and Giles.

“Hey Tara.” Buffy said weakly, she was tired and wanted to shower but the delicious smells that wafted from the kitchen made her stomach growl and she realised that she was starving. She looked around the kitchen, trying to find where the mouth-watering aromas were coming from.

“Buffy, Giles, hi!” Tara said softly, looking up from the dishes she was washing. “I made dinner, its Cajun chicken with rice and stuff, it’ll be done in a minute.” she told them.

“Oh Tara, I could kiss you right now!!!” Buffy grinned and Giles smiled his thanks also.

“How is Willow?” Tara asked gingerly as she dried her hands on a dish cloth.

“She’s upset, but I think she’s ok.” Giles told her, “How are you?” his cheeks flushed slightly as he realised that in all the commotion with Kennedy, he hadn’t asked the blonde if she herself was ok.

“I’m ok, I had a shower and a work out but not in that order and feel better!” she replied, deliberately avoiding the true question.

Buffy glanced between Buffy and Giles and cleared her throat. “I’m gonna grab a quick shower before dinner then!” Buffy said, knowing that Tara would probably be more likely to talk to Giles. Leaving the room quickly, she jogged up the stairs and disappeared into one of the bathrooms.

“Are you really ok?” Giles asked as he took a seat and removed his spectacles.

Tara turned and tossed the dishcloth onto the counter. “I’m fine Giles, I told you!” she replied coldly, her eyes softening almost immediately as she saw the sadness in the watchers face. “I’m just a little tired, she’s heavier than she looks, especially when she’s unconscious!” she smiled weakly.