New Fic: Time Slip

[ExtraFlameyWT]

TITLE: Time Slip

AUTHOR: ExtraFlameyWT

DISCLAIMER: Don’t own them, never will. They belong to Joss Whedon, ME, UPN, WB, etc.

SPOILERS: Up to “Normal Again”

RATING: PG-13, I think

FEEDBACK: Yes Please! I need all the help I can get! :)

AUTHOR’S NOTE: *Thoughts represented in italics and in between asterisks.*



Time Slip



Part 1



*I hate not knowing where we stand.* Willow Rosenberg thought to herself as she stood with her books. She knew this had become sort of a ritual, waiting to see her ex-girlfriend, Tara Maclay, outside her class. *I can’t say that,* she thought, *she left me. We are officially exes. Goddess, it hurts just thinking that. It’s my fault though. What the hell was I thinking? No, why wasn’t I thinking?*



She stopped all rational thought as she saw the most beautiful thing ever. Tara was walking towards where she was standing.



“Now would be a good time to go.” Willow said under her breath. As she turned she heard someone call her name. *Oh, Goddess,* she thought as she frantically sought out something good to say to the love of her life.



“Willow!” The voice repeated.



Willow turned and smiled an extremely awkward grin. “H-Hey, Tara.” She said quickly, “How are you?”



“I’m good. How are you? I was going to call to see how you were all doing. Buffy’s okay now, right?” Tara asked as her lips turned downwards in an uncertain frown.



“Uh, yeah. Buffy’s great. I mean she’s not insane. Well of course she’s not insane, I mean we gave her the antidote, so, duh, she’s not crazy-Buff anymore. But she’s still pretty shaken up. I mean how often do you go crazy and think your mom is alive and your parents are together and your in an institution? And, I mean she’s still kinda...” Willow trailed off as she realized she was in babble mode. “And I’m gonna stop the babble right now.”



Tara smiled gently, but sincerely. *Goddess, she’s so beautiful. I’ve missed her Willowbabble. Who are you kidding, Maclay? You’ve missed everything about her!* Tara mused silently. “I was really worried about you guys when I saw that you were tied up.” *She could have gotten out of that in an instant.* Tara thought happily, *She didn’t use magick–not at all. She’s come such a long way.* “I’m so proud of you.” Tara said out loud without even realizing it. At the puzzled look on Willow’s face, she blushed deeply and looked down.



“Tara?” Willow asked uncertainly, “What do you mean?”



“What I meant was that I’m proud of you.” She looked up and into the perplexed emerald eyes. “You could have gotten out of it at any time, and you didn’t use any magick at all.” She saw the red head look down, a blush creeping on to her cheeks at the compliment.



“I-I didn’t even think about it.” Willow said honestly. “I don’t use magick anymore. It’s nothing anymore.” *Not without you.* She thought unhappily. She toyed with the Doll’s Eye Crystal in her pocket. The one that Tara gave her. She always had it with her.



Tara smiled shyly and thought, *Goddess, I love her so much. If only we could go back to the way we were before. Before. Before what? Before she violated your mind, Tara?* She shook her head and said, “I’m sorry, I have to go. I have class.” *I wish I didn’t.*



“It’s okay.” Willow said, even though she was disappointed. “Um, Tara?” She asked, clearly uneasy.



“Yes?”



“Could I, I mean would it be okay if... Could I call you sometime?” She finally finished.



*Here’s your chance. This could be your chance to get her back.* “Sure!” She had tried to make her tone indifferent, but she knew it came out sounding very eager. *Just great. That was real smooth, Maclay.*



Willow smiled brightly and Tara felt herself unable to keep from mirroring the happy grin.



“So, I guess I’d better go.” Tara said eventually.



“Yeah, uh I mean, you’d better get to class.” *She’s so gorgeous. And she said I could call her!* Willow thought excitedly. “I’ll, uh, talk to you later, then.”



“Yeah! Later.” Tara agreed. “Bye!” She walked past Willow, catching a whiff of her love’s perfume. Her arm grazed Willow’s and her legs almost gave out as she felt the electricity of Willow’s skin against her own. *We bump arms and I swoon!* She thought to herself. *I’m pathetic, but, WOW!*



*Oh My GOD!* Willow thought has her body went rigid from the bliss of just brushing arms with her ex-lover. *I always thought it was just the magick. That was not magick. It couldn’t have been magick, right? Right. You haven’t cast in months, Will. It wasn’t magick.* she thought. *Wow. I get a high from just being around her!* She thought as she skipped off to class with definitely a happier outlook on the relationship she wanted back so badly.



TBC

"Hey Will, this is me. It doesn't all have to be good and fine. This is the room where you don't have to be brave. I still love you. If you're worried, you can be worried." -Tara to Willow in ep. 603 Afterlife

[ExtraFlameyWT]

TITLE: Time Slip

AUTHOR: ExtraFlameyWT

DISCLAIMER: Don’t own them, never will. They belong to Joss Whedon, ME, UPN, WB, etc.

SPOILERS: Up to “Normal Again”

RATING: PG-13, I think

FEEDBACK: Yes Please! I need all the help I can get! :)

AUTHOR’S NOTE: *Thoughts represented in italics and in between asterisks.*



Time Slip



Part 2



“Dawn!” The blonde slayer yelled up the stairs as Willow walked in. “Oh, hey Will. How was your day?” Buffy grinned at her best friend who looked deliriously happy. *She hasn’t looked this happy since Tara left. I wonder what’s up.*



“Hi, Buffy. My day was GREAT!” Willow replied enthusiastically. “What are you doing?”



Buffy suddenly remembered what she had been doing before Willow came in. “Oh yeah. Hold on a sec.” She ran to the bottom of the steps and yelled up them again. “DAWN! It’s time for dinner!”



Willow grimaced. She realized why Dawn wasn’t coming down right away and mentally kicked herself for not eating before coming home.



“Come on, Dawn. I’ve got burgers from Doublemeat Palace. If you don’t hurry it’ll get cold.” Buffy was still calling her sister.



*Eww. I don’t think I can take another hamburger–no another ANYTHING from Doublemeat Palace.* Willow thought gloomily.



“I’m not eating, Buffy. I don’t feel well.” Dawn yelled back.



*Good excuse, Dawn. Buffy always falls for that one.* Willow thought conspiratorially. “Um, Buff?” Willow asked.



“Yeah, Will?”



“I talked to Tara.” Willow replied quietly.



Buffy looked up at her friend and a smile spread over her lips. “That’s great! What happened? I need details. Best friend privileges, don’t you forget that.”



Willow grinned ear to ear. “She said I could call her,” she breathed. “I mean I can call HER.” She said the last word reverently, as though she was speaking of a God.



Buffy giggled as she looked at her love struck best friend. “What else? Is she okay? I can’t believe I made her fall down the stairs. God, what was I thinking?”



“Buffy, it’s okay. Everyone’s okay. It was a mistake.” Willow said as she looked into her best friend’s eyes, trying to convince her. *But if you had hurt her..* Willow thought to herself, before brushing the thought away.



Buffy nodded, but she changed the subject. “So, what’re you gonna do now?”



“I think... I think I’m gonna... call her? Yeah, I think I’m gonna call her.” Willow said uncertainly.



“Good luck. I’ve gotta go check on Dawnie.” Buffy headed up the steps to her sister’s room.



*Good luck, Dawnie!* Willow thought, then her mind drifted back to where it had been before.



*Okay,* she thought, *I can do this. I can DO this!* She walked over to the phone and dialed.



******

TBC



If this sucks, please let me know, cuz then I'll stop.

"Hey Will, this is me. It doesn't all have to be good and fine. This is the room where you don't have to be brave. I still love you. If you're worried, you can be worried." -Tara to Willow in ep. 603 Afterlife

[Sela]

This most definitely does not suck. Please continue with your story. I like nervous Willow and Tara. It's adorable! Good job on these first two parts.



--Sela

[Bobos Mom]

This is a charming beginning. I want to know about the phonecall Willow is about to make. What will she say? How much will she babble before stating her undieing love? Can Tara skip out on class the next time she runs into Willow in the hall? Will Dawn learn to love burgers? So many questions that beg answers.



I would love to see where you take W/T as they find eachother again.



Please continue.

And keep up the good work.

*********

TARA: Willow and I always know how to find each other!

ANYA: With yoga?

[tommo]

Excitable Willow never sucks. This is cute.

----------
Hey Grrrrlfriend! Yoo hoo! Over here! It's me...Flaming Joel!

[xita]

oh i love nervous excited Willow, especially when it is all about Tara. Go Willow!

- - - - - - - - - - - -

"Everything is turning out so dark..."

"No, it's okay. Lost is good. Willow and I always know how to find each other!"

[mollyig]

This is lovely - with the nerves and the Willowbabble and the hope of reconciliation.

I could paint you in the dark, 'cause I've studied you with hunger as a work of art - Collecting you (Indigo Girls)

[daydreamer]

Same with the others. I just love excited Willow, especially when it's Tara that gets her in that state. More updates.

----------

I love you as certain dark things are to be loved, in secret, between the shadow and the soul... - Pablo Neruda

[TheWhiz]

You can't stop, it doesn't suck!

I like how you have incorporated their thoughts into the story and its good to see an excited, babbling Willow!!

"I am a whiz...If ever a whiz there was"

[pikescoob]

This absolutely doesn't suck...keep going!!



--Michelle

[snuggle79]

Great! More please!

"Oh, baby, want me to rub your tummy? She likes it when I ... stop explaining things"

[ExtraFlameyWT]

Thank you all for giving me such wonderful feedback! I really didn’t think anyone would like it! Here’s Part 3 (sorry, it’s kind of short.)



TITLE: Time Slip

AUTHOR: ExtraFlameyWT

DISCLAIMER: Don’t own them, never will. They belong to Joss Whedon, ME, UPN, WB, etc.

SPOILERS: Up to “Normal Again”

RATING: PG-13, I think

FEEDBACK: Yes Please! I need all the help I can get! :)

AUTHOR’S NOTE: *Thoughts represented in between asterisks.*



Time Slip



Part 3



Tara looked up as she heard the phone ring. Putting down her pencil, she leaned over her desk and picked up the phone.



“Hello?” She froze when she heard Willow on the other side.



“Hi, Tara. I was wondering,” Willow started, “do you think you could go out with me for some dinner tonight? Buffy brought home more hamburgers and fries from work, and I really don’t think I can take anymore Doublemeat grease without killing myself.” Willow asked quickly.



“Uh, hi, Willow. Um, w-what d-did you have in m-mind?” She asked, silently berating herself, *God, I sound like an idiot. Why do I always have to stutter?*



“I don’t know, I was thinking maybe Italian?” Willow replied, upset that Tara was stuttering. Tara only stuttered when she was nervous or uncomfortable. *I don’t want her to be uncomfortable around me.* She thought worriedly.



“That sounds good,” Tara said. * What’s going on? Why am I going out with her after what she did? Because you love her, you doofus! * She answered her own thoughts happily. “Pick me up at 7:30?” She looked at her watch, * 6:30 now, I guess an hour to prepare would be good. *



“Uh, yeah. That’s okay, I mean, GREAT! I’ll see you in an hour!”



“Okay, bye.” And with that Tara hung up.



“What have I gotten myself into?” Tara asked herself. Then she began the clothes search.



*******

TBC



Thanks Again for the feedback, I'll try to post more tonight.



-Aimee

"Hey Will, this is me. It doesn't all have to be good and fine. This is the room where you don't have to be brave. I still love you. If you're worried, you can be worried." -Tara to Willow in ep. 603 Afterlife

[mollyig]

Aw, they're all nervous - bless 'em!



Looking forward to your account of their date!

I could paint you in the dark, 'cause I've studied you with hunger as a work of art - Collecting you (Indigo Girls)

[jdcioffi]

No suck. Very nice. Need more.



*grunt* JD

...but if I did call, she wouldn't hang up on me.

[BigMac]

So far so good need more updates.

Tara: Assume Crash
Positions

[Drakkenfyre]

Wow, this is just great and it does not suck..Please do continue, I love the playfulness of the story. Excited Willow, stuttering Tara, it all works...can't wait for next update...

"We few, we happy few."
"We band of buggered."

[ExtraFlameyWT]

I’m going to try to finish my next part and post it tomorrow, but I have to write two essays and I have some Chemistry homework (I’m not doing too well in that class), I have been putting this first, and I’m going to pay for it tomorrow. I will try my best to finish the next part by tomorrow afternoon, though. Thanks for the feedback!



TITLE: Time Slip

AUTHOR: ExtraFlameyWT

DISCLAIMER: Don’t own them, never will. They belong to Joss Whedon, ME, UPN, WB, etc.

SPOILERS: Up to “Normal Again”

RATING: PG-13, I think

FEEDBACK: Yes Please! I need all the help I can get! :)

AUTHOR’S NOTE: *Thoughts represented in between asterisks.*



Time Slip



Part 4



*KNOCK KNOCK*



Willow knocked on Tara’s door nervously. She played with the hem of her black miniskirt and nearly fell over when Tara opened the door. *Uhhh...* Willow couldn’t even think straight and she tried to regain the use of her voice.



Tara stood there with a smug grin on her face. She knew exactly what was going on in Willow’s head, it was the same in hers. “Will? Breathe.” She said with a soft laugh as Willow opened and closed her mouth in silence. “Come in.” She took Willow’s hand and pulled her in. *Wow, there it is again!* She thought when she felt the energy pass through her as it had earlier that day on campus. It reminded her of that night so long agoin the laundry room at Willow’s old dorm. That night Willow was speachless, also, but only because The Gentlemen had stolen their voices.



Tara was forced out of her reverie by Willow’s words.



Willow had finally recovered her voice and spoke softly. “You look, wow. I mean, you don’t look ‘wow.’ Cuz what’s ‘wow?’ You look... great! You look great.” Willow broke off into babble, bringing a sweet smile to Tara’s face.



“Thank you. You look very n-nice, t-too.” Tara replied. *Very nice? Oh wow, that’s gonna impress her.* Tara thought sarcastically. “Ready to go?”



“Um, yep, ready. That’s me, I’m ready,” Willow said. *Ahhh! I sound like such a dork! Why can’t I stop babbling?* Willow wondered embarassedly. *Maybe I should try not talking.* She followed Tara out of her room.



“I made a reservation, baby.” Willow said once they reached the hallway. When she realized what she had said she blushed a deep scarlet. *Yeah, definitely gonna try not talking after this.* She thought miserably. She turned to Tara, who was looking down at her feet and seemed very uncomfortable. “I’m sorry, Tara. I didn’t mean to-“



Tara looked up and put a finger to her ex-lover’s lips to shush her. “Shh. It’s okay. Don’t worry about it, Willow,” She said quickly.



“-upset you.” Willow finished.



Tara looked down again and they continued walking to the restaurant. *She didn’t upset me,* Tara thought. *It was nice to hear her call me that again. I should reassure her.* But she couldn’t find the words to tell her.



*******

TBC



Like I said, I’ll try to get up the next section during school tomorrow. I can probably write it (I mean, what else is history class for?) and have it up pretty quick. I hope.



Thanks again,



Aimee



p.s. Next up: the date

"Hey Will, this is me. It doesn't all have to be good and fine. This is the room where you don't have to be brave. I still love you. If you're worried, you can be worried." -Tara to Willow in ep. 603 Afterlife

[Tiggrscorpio]

This is so sweet. I love W/T when they're all nervous and shy. Are we gonna get smoochies soon?

*****

She's my everything!

[daydreamer]

This is getting better and better. You just gotta love them when their nervous, excited, and shy all at the same time. Same with the others, I can't wait for the smoochies.

----------

I love you as certain dark things are to be loved, in secret, between the shadow and the soul... - Pablo Neruda

[Rane018]

i remember the days i'd sit in astronomy class and write w/t fic, Aimee. those were the good old days. somehow i found it easier to write when i had a bunch of other stuff to do rather than my homework. school is important so you take your time and we'll wait here patiently for the date. this is well written and i love these early fics things were so sweet back then... however the sections are too short for me. hehe, i want the whole story now! just kidding.

[mollyig]

They're still all nervous.



I thought it was good that Tara thought of the night they met. Gives me hope.

I could paint you in the dark, 'cause I've studied you with hunger as a work of art - Collecting you (Indigo Girls)

[wiltar]

Me like this! Me want more! Me waits! Me not patient! Me curious for date!



Please, write more soon



Patricia

---------------

W-what were they looking at?

-The hotness of you doofus!!!

[Mix]

Me Likey. Especially nervous babbly Willow.



**Sits back to await next installment**

[ExtraFlameyWT]

TITLE: Time Slip

AUTHOR: ExtraFlameyWT

DISCLAIMER: Don’t own them, never will. They belong to Joss Whedon, ME, UPN, WB, etc.

SPOILERS: Up to “Normal Again”

RATING: PG-13, I think

FEEDBACK: Yes Please! I need all the help I can get! :)

AUTHOR’S NOTE: *Thoughts represented in between asterisks.*



Time Slip



Part 5



By the time they had reached Caffe Italia, they had both worn out all the niceties they could think of.



They were seated in a more secluded section of the restaurant and there were two candles and some flowers separating the two women.



“So, what do you think you want?” Tara asked shyly while looking through the menu.



Willow looked up and sought out the blue eyes she had always found comfort in. “I kinda thought I would go with Chicken Alfredo, but I’m contemplating lasagna.”



“Oh! I was thinking about lasagna, too. But I think the portion is too large for me.” Tara said with a small frown.



“Well, I guess… um, we could always share a portion.” Willow replied uncertainly.



Tara replied as nonchalantly as possible, “Sure, that sounds good.” She looked down and a grin spread across her face as she hid behind her menu. That was what she was trying to do. * Oh yeah, Willow Rosenberg, I’m gonna get you back. * she thought with a sensual smirk.



Willow was excited. Things were going pretty well. * I wonder if I’ll get a good night smooch?! * She thought happily.



After they finished their dinner, Willow called for the check. The waiter brought it and the two girls both reached for it.



“Please, let me.” Willow said with a smile. “Thank you,” she added to the waiter.



Tara’s face turned quickly to crimson as Willow’s hand brushed her own. * Willowhand! * She thought as she smiled appreciatively at the red head.



Willow paid and they headed out. * Well, it’s now or never, * Willow thought with a slightly nervous frown.



“Tara, can we talk?” Willow asked plaintively. “I have a few things I really need to say.”



* Oh, no. Goddess, please don’t let her have found someone else. * “S-Sure, Will. W-What is it?” Tara asked with a definite strain in her voice.



Willow stopped walking and turned to face the blonde, who, in turn, stopped and gazed into her eyes. “Tara, I love you. I have done a lot of thinking and I’ve realized that I don’t want you in my life.” She paused and looked at Tara, who looked like she had been punched in the stomach.



“Well, o-okay, I-if that’s w-w-what you w-want.” Tara replied brokenly and turned to go. * Goddess, please tell me this is a dream. It has to be a dream. * Tara felt tears sting her eyes and was about to rush off when she felt a hand on her forearm.



“Tara, what’s wrong?” Willow had seen the tears in the blonde witch’s eyes and then she realized what she had said. “Oh, no. That’s not what I meant, baby.” She didn’t even care that she had used that term of endearment, all that mattered was that she made sure to take all that hurt out of Tara’s eyes.



Willow reached up and brushed tears away from Tara’s cheeks.



“Willow, it’s okay. I l-left you. I didn’t exactly expect that y-you would w-wait… forever…” Tara broke off.



“No. What I meant is I don’t JUST want you in my life. I need you. I have this emptiness right here.” She pointed to her heart and continued, “I love you so much. I’ll understand if you can’t forgive me, I mean, I don’t even forgive me. It’s just I have to try to get you back in my life. We could take it slow. Please, I need you. I haven’t used magick in months. Give me a chance to regain you trust.” Willow stopped, overcome by emotion, and a short sob escaped her throat.



Tara looked at Willow and said slowly, “Will, I don’t know. You broke my trust in you.” * What are you doing!? You WANT to get back together, Tara! * Why are you uncertain? * She thought frantically.



Willow looked down with a miserable face. “I know. I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have asked.” She paused, then said, “Let’s go. We should get you back to your dorm before any vamps attack.”



Tara was too shocked to even reply. She just walked next to the red head as her mind raced, * What have I done? I have to tell her that I love her and that I want to give it a try. * “Willow-“ she started, but when she reached out and took Willow’s hand in her own, there was a flash of bright light, a strange whooshing noise and Tara felt her stomach lurch.



When she was finally able to open her eyes again, she was shocked at what she saw. “Willow? Where are we?”



****

TBC



Yep, I finished writing this section in history. The next section is the part where the story is actually going to take off. I know I took a while to get to it, but I have pretty much the whole story planned out in my head, and I wanted to work my way up to it. Thank you everyone for all your feedback. I’ll try to have Part 6 up tomorrow… Maybe tonight, if I get a chance to write later on.



Thanks,



Aimee



Next up, we find out what happened with Willow and Tara.



*******

"Hey Will, this is me. It doesn't all have to be good and fine. This is the room where you don't have to be brave. I still love you. If you're worried, you can be worried." -Tara to Willow in ep. 603 Afterlife

[mollyig]

Where are they indeed? I was wondering at the title of the fic and figured you were just setting a little background.



Nice work.

I could paint you in the dark, 'cause I've studied you with hunger as a work of art - Collecting you (Indigo Girls)

[BigMac]

WOW it is getting good they are trying to get back and bam oh yeah this great and now Tara feels lost. Need a update.

Tara: Assume Crash
Positions

[snuggle79]

ooh, it's getting interesting. Where were they switched into?

I'm curious...

"Oh baby, want me to rub your tummy? She likes it when I ... stop explaining things"

[jdcioffi]

ah .. and now the title comes into play ... very interesting.



JD

...but if I did call, she wouldn't hang up on me.

[daydreamer]

I was wondering about the title too. But then I read the end paragraph. And just when Tara was about to tell Willow she wanted her back too. More updates, please.

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I love you as certain dark things are to be loved, in secret, between the shadow and the soul... - Pablo Neruda

[Wolflord]

OHHHHHHHHHHHHH......cliffhanger.....GOOOOOOOOOD...

Can't wait til the next. Great story so far.

Sometimes I think of them doing spells and I have a spell by myself.