"n-no…I…you…" Willow stammers overcome.

"I am sorry…I" Buffy blushes.

"Oh..B-buffy … if you didn’t w-want t-to…” Willow tries to move away.

"God..no Wills,  I’m not sorry about .. about this..It was so…there are no words…I’m sorry I didn’t say something first..before we.."

"Uh..I see." Willow’s face cringes.

"No..Willow..I just should have told that … I…before I took you I should have said I love you, too.  I do and I should have said it before I…so you would know it wasn’t just…"

"Oh Buffy, I didn’t think that…I didn’t, but could you say it again?" her face turns crimson.

"Willow, I love you.  I love you with all my heart, body, and soul."
She hugs the redhead tight to her.

"Then, you forgive me?"  Willow asks her voice shaking with fear.

"My God, Wills, there is nothing to forgive…not one damn thing.  What should I forgive you for bringing me back to be loved?  Loving me enough to want me at whatever cost?  Why would I need to forgive you for that?  Willow, I feel again..the cold is receding..The pain is slowly going with you here in my arms.  Yes, it will take longer to forget the peace of that place, but you are my heart, and you can give me peace…please Willow forgive yourself for I have nothing to forgive you for.  I would have done the same thing for you if I could have.  I need you now just as you needed me…maybe we can be peace for each other?  Just love me Wills…hold me..you are my heaven on earth Wills and don’t you forget it, as if I would let you. I love you, My Willow…forever.  I wanted to die tonight," Willow cringes, "Sshh, but now I have a reason to want to live.  I live because of you and I love because you are here." Willow shivers," Oh Wills, you have to be cold.  I demolished your shirt…I…”

"I am not cold, baby.  I just can’t believe all you said.  I never thought…I only hoped…Buffy I love you so much…I can try to be your peace for you, but will I be enough?"   Willow moves so she can gather together her clothes.  She begins to slide on her skirt. 

Buffy reaches out and helps her buckle it, “You have always been enough, Willow.  I could just never tell you."

Buffy reaches down and picks up the tattered shirt holding it so Willow can slide into it, "I jumped on purpose, Willow. You should know.  I want us to be truthful from now on so," Buffy wraps the shirt around Willow from behind her arms holding her against Buffy tightly as she whispers in Willow’s ear, " I jumped on purpose.  I was so tired, Wills.  I couldn’t take it anymore.  Mom was gone, Riley left even though that was right he still left.  Xander was doing well, you had Tara and as far as I knew were happy, Dawn, well, I knew you would take care of her.  I just couldn’t go on anymore.  I wanted to tell you everything before I left, but I couldn’t.  How would that have been fair after you found someone so special?  I just didn’t want to fight anymore.  I was so tired, Wills…so tired.  Will you forgive me, Willow for making you have to bring me back and go through all that guilt?  Please Willow?"  She turns to tears.

Willow turns in her arms and kisses Buffy with love and a kindling passion, "Buffy, you should have come to me.  All the time we lost…All the pain…We could have…of course you are forgiven, love, of course.  We should get home.  I love you, Buffy Anne Summers.  Let’s get home before we both freeze." She gives Buffy a big hug.

"I love you, Willow Summers…if you will have me?" Buffy holds Willow closer waiting frightened.

"I already do love…I already have you and I am never letting go.  Walk me home?" Willow moves holding her shirt together as Buffy places her arm around her holding her close.

"Thank Heaven," Buffy smiles and kisses Willow softly as they begin life together out from under the Willow Tree.