New first fic- The Right Mix

[the hero factor]

I'm really enjoying this, dragkinggoddess. I love non-Hellmouth-y AUs, with Willow and Tara just meeting and falling for each other.

I loved the scene when Willow told Buffy about Tara. I've often wondered what it might have been like if ME had been a bit more head on in dealing with Willow discovering her sexuality. I must say, this scene is shockingly close to how I imagined it would go. With Willow being nervous, and crying, and finally just getting it out. And Buffy being surprised but supportive. And there was hugging. Great scene.

“Tara Maclay, quit beating around the bush, young lady.” Kara laughed at her own joke. “Ahh, I’ll never get tired of lesbo-puns.

Hee! I like Kara. Can't wait to see what she and Lynn do to help our girls out.

[cperrins78]

Great update. I am so glad that at least they got to talk to each other. Now only if they could get up enough courage to go out on a date. I can't wait to see watch kind of matchmaking Kara is going to be doing.


Christina

[dragkinggoddess]

As I have said before, I am so thrilled everyone has enjoyed this story so far. I hope you all still love me in about 10 minutes.

Photographer2: I hope you still love it after the angst. Had to expect it sometime right?

Dender456: Writing this has kind of been like repairing what was done (or wasn’t done) with Willow coming out in the series for me. I think I will pretend that is how it really happened between Buffy and Willow.

Willow~rosenberg: Yes, as I was just saying, it is nice to have a place to show what really should have happened. Even for it’s time and pioneering situation, the whole issue was handled (not) very poorly. I love reading all fics involving Willow coming out. Kara is so much fun to write. I think Lynn is going to be right up there too.

Justskipit: I am glad you enjoyed the conversations. At first, it just happened that the two sets of roommates were very parallel, but it is working so well, I just have to keep it up. We’ll just have to wait and see if Kara and Buffy can get along.

Kisstheviolets: A prize, let’s see…you can have one of my dogs, they are all annoying me at the moment. Oh, I mean they are all very sweet and loveable and…
Thanks again for catching that one. I’ve been thinking about it and I just may make my next fic involve magic. It would be a great challenge. Hope you continue to enjoy!


Irene73: Whether your feedback mentions it or not, when I read a post from you I will forever think of the duck and proceed to have the song stuck in my head all day. I’ve said it before, but I’ll say it again, I love writing Kara. I am starting to think of her and Lynn as the story’s Jack and Karen.

Blue_eyed_girl: All I will say right now is…sorry. You’ll see what I mean soon enough.

The_Rose24 and stillrunning: The covert operation is so covert at this point…that I don’t even know what it is. Really, it has a lot to live up to I think. Must find the perfect plan for the wacky match-makers.

Artemis: The three musketeers will most likely have to join forces to complete such a difficult task. Nothing can ever be easy for our women can it? You know, I bet Bunnies could complete such a mission without any trouble, and not just a few fun accessories.

The_hero_factor: I love the beginning relationship stuff in fic almost as much as I love it in real life. OOHH, my gf might not like to hear that so much lol (memories honey, memories). I know Tara is a little different around Kara than in the series, but I think such a friend could bring this out in her. I am glad the scene satisfied!

Cperrins78: I am afraid courage to date might be a bit far away still. Alas, nothing could ever go this smoothly. Thanks for reading.

[dragkinggoddess]

Title – The Right Mix
Author name – Jess-dragkinggoddess
Email Address – lambdawholesale@frontiernet.net
Rating – Let's say R for this chapter. A little adult internet content and bad language from a certain bad dancer.
Disclaimer – I don’t even own a car, how could I ever own anything like Willow and Tara. Written respectfully and unprofessionally (no $$ sought) based on characters created and owned by Joss Whedon and Mutant Enemy. This is AU so no direct episodal content. Mild angst here and there gives way to lovely smutty goodness later on.
Feedback- PLEASE!!!
Summary- To begin: Willow and Tara are students at Sunnydale U, but no slayers, vamps, hellmouth etc. Willow is a DJ for the University’s social events. Tara notices her from afar for a time before they meet.
Notes- This is my first shot at this. THANK YOU to my betas.


Warnings: angst and cheese (I know the song I used is corny, but deal with it)
Chapter 7
Learning Curve

3am Monday morning, Willow and Buffy’s dorm room:
“Buffy, you awake?” Willow wasn’t trying too hard to be subtle.

“Well, I wasn’t until something bear-shaped descended upon my bed. Wherever might that have come from?” She didn’t sit up, but rolled over facing her roommate’s bed.

“Sorry, Buff. I can’t sleep.” Willow sat up and reached for her bedside lamp. Her motion was reprimanded to a halt.

“Turn on the light and you’ll eat brown fur.” Buffy was happy that did the trick. “Lemme guess, more Tara ramblings?

“I just, I mean, what do you think kissing a girl is like? According to Jill Sobule, it’s just like kissing me. Or was it meat?”

“Only Willow Rosenberg would be researching such things, especially with pop music. And eeww! Kissing meat? Let’s hope not. I think you should be a little more focused on finding out more about the girl before you worry about kissage. Now go to sleep. Maybe you’ll dream about it.” Buffy ended the conversation by rolling over and facing the wall. “Good night Will.”

“Goodnight Buffy.” But Willow was nowhere near tired. Now that she didn’t need to worry about her best friend being supportive, she had created a mental list of other things to obsess about. She had whittled the list down into two categories: things to research on the Internet, and things to research in person. Most people would have needed days, even weeks to compile such lists, but Willow’s overactive cranium had been working double overtime since leaving the café the day before.

Since sleep was nowhere in the foreseeable future, Willow crawled to the end of her bed and retrieved her laptop. Settling back into bed and under the covers, she opened the web browser. Well, may as well start with the obvious. Into the address field she typed: www.lesbian.com.

Willow experienced a brief moment of panic as the page started loading. Typing such terms into a web browser often has disastrous results. If this turns out to be one of those cases, I at least hope there’s no sound! She breathed a sigh of relief as a legitimate information sight came into view. Scanning the main page, she soon came across a side bar entitled: “How We Identify”. OOHH! Jewish lesbians. That might be me! Willow started clicking.
*******************
Because of the limited amount of time Kara had on the phone before Tara returned from the laundry room, she and Lynn made an appointment to meet at Lynn’s café just after opening. Kara was not eager to accept such an early date, but it was the only time of the day Lynn could guarantee undivided attention. Owning the place meant little time to socialize during operating hours.

Kara slipped out of the dorm just before 7 while Tara was still asleep. She made her way to the café, arriving as Lynn was turning the sign on the door to Open. “Perfect timing.”

Lynn was a little too chipper for Kara’s early-morning tastes. “Yeah, yeah. Coffee. Need it. Now.”

“I’m way ahead of you girl.” She lifted the pot of freshly brewed Java high in the air for Kara to see. Reaching behind her, she grabbed two mugs. “Let’s sit outside. I think my morning staff can take care of things on their own.” The two found a table and started plotting.

“I thought I recognized her. She did a show a few months ago off-campus. She’s really good. And, as a matter of fact, really cute. She is definitely more Tara’s type than I was.” Lynn casually sipped her coffee while they chatted.

“Yeah, Did I ever apologize for trying to set you two up? I don’t know why I did that. Seemed like a good idea at the time.” Kara was waking up slowly.

“If nothing else, I gained a very, very good waitress and friend from the whole ordeal. Now, let’s go over what we know about this Willow.” Lynn reached in her back pocket and pulled out an order pad and pen. After a few minutes of deliberation, they had compiled a short list.

-DJ
-Left mixer with boy on Friday
-Likes Mochas
-Goes to Sunnydale


“Hmm, not much to work with here.” Kara poured her second cup and tried to think of more.
*********************************

“Willow, hey Will.” Buffy called quietly from her bed. “Will, I think you forgot to set your alarm.” No response. Buffy peeled the blankets off of her and sleepily padded her way across the room. Willow was sitting up in bed, laptop in its namesake place, Internet browser open. Buffy peeked around to see what Willow could possibly have been working on in the middle of the night. She leaned in to see the screen. “OH MY GOD! Willow what is that?” Buffy couldn’t help but stare.

Willow woke with a start. “What? Huh? Who? Buffy what is it?” She nearly knocked her computer off her lap. When nothing else came from Buffy, she followed her roommate’s eyes to the screen in front of her. She had fallen asleep after following links from lesbian.com to Toys in Babeland. The last thing she remembered seeing was their main page, but she must have hit the mouse button in her sleep, because now on the screen was a page from their catalog featuring the “Rabbit Habit” vibrator. Willow echoed Buffy’s awe. “Holy moly, where did that come from?” The two young women stared for a moment, their heads tilted like confused puppies. Finally, Willow’s brain gained enough consciousness to not only recognize exactly what was on the screen, but to recognize that she was looking at it with her best friend. She slammed the portable computer shut. “It’s not what you think. I was just, um, well, I was doing a little research is all. Research is perfectly normal you know. It’s the best way to learn…”

“Will, it’s ok.” Once the computer was closed, Buffy couldn’t help but be amused by her roommate’s early morning flustering. “Just promise me if you decide to make your research more hands-on, you won’t do it with me sleeping right over there.” She reached out and tousled Willow’s already disheveled hair.

“Um, OK, bad pictures in my head now. Thanks Buff.” Willow rose to her knees to place the laptop onto her desk.

“Yeah, sure, bad images. Besides, like I said last night, don’t you think you should focus on getting to know your dream girl before worrying about accessories?”

“Buffy!!” Willow dove back under her covers and pulled them tight over her head. “I am never coming out!”

“Too late.” Buffy laughed, tugging at Willow’s cocoon. “Come on perv, get up. Mocha time.”

A tuft of red and two sleepy green eyes peeked out from the blankets. “Tara mochas?”
***************************

“Maybe a list of things we need to know about her will be easier?” Lynn looked around at the crowd starting to form at the hostess station. “Let’s make this quick. I’ve got to get inside and give them a hand.”

“Ok, ok, let’s see,” Kara tapped the pen against her lips, deep in thought. “Well, I guess number one would be to find out if she’s family. I am perfectly willing to play stalker-girl. Just gotta find her is all.” Kara looked up at Lynn who was suddenly smiling.

“Doesn’t look like that’s a problem anymore.” Lynn nodded her head in the direction of the table behind them. Kara turned and looked as a petite blonde and the topic of their early morning war council were being seated.

“Well, if this isn’t a sign, I don’t know what is. You go wait on them. I’ll eavesdrop on their conversation from here.” Kara shooed Lynn away and pulled her sunglasses out of her purse. She rose switched seats so she could see the targets as well as hear them. Sunglasses in place, she could easily stare without being noticed.
*******************

That’s odd. I don’t think Kara’s ever been up before me. That’s when she usually goes to bed. Tara rose, appreciating the sun shining through the light curtains. What a beautiful day. Too bad I have class and then work. Tara hummed her way through her morning routine, glad not to have to walk on tiptoe through the room. After her shower, Tara stood in front of her closet pondering wardrobe. Oh, I can actually listen to the radio this morning. She hopped over to her desk and flipped the power switch on the stereo. Another of Kara’s mix CDs spun into play. Soon, Peter Gabriel filled the room:

in your eyes
the light the heat
in your eyes
I am complete
in your eyes
I see the doorway to a thousand churches
in your eyes
the resolution of all the fruitless searches
in your eyes
I see the light and the heat
in your eyes
oh, I want to be that complete
I want to touch the light
the heat I see in your eyes

She was twirling and frolicking amidst a field of wild flowers, hand in hand with Willow. It was a wonderful place; warm, peaceful, happy, secluded. A light breeze flowed through red hair allowing sunlight to shine through onto her face. Green eyes sparkled in front of her, reflecting the gentle stream trickling beside them. The only sounds were leaves rustling, water running, and …a CD skipping….

Tara realized she was standing in the same place, wearing the same towel, holding the same brush in her hand, as she was when the song started. She hadn’t noticed her lack of movement due to the flurry of activity in her mind. Panic washed over her as she looked at the clock. Class started in ten minutes.

OH Crap! That’s it Kara, no more songs about eyes.
*****************************

“SO, what did you hear?” Lynn rushed over and joined Kara at her table as soon as Buffy and Willow had left.

“Absolutely nothing!” Kara threw her hands up in resignation. “That blonde can really talk. Willow hardly got a word in edge-wise. She seemed really tired.”
“No hints at all?” Lynn blew her hair away from her face in frustration.

“Nada! I did, however, get her schedule for the day.” A glimmer of hope was revealed as she took off her sunglasses. “Lucky for me I have nothing else to do today.”

“Go forth and stalk, young lady,” Lynn proclaimed as she stood and cleared the table of Kara’s breakfast things. “Report back here later, and we’ll analyze the results.” She quickly disappeared into the restaurant amidst a flurry of customers.
**********************

Oh good, professor’s not here yet. I got lucky. Tara scooted down the aisle to one of the very few empty seats left, right in the center of the lecture hall. She set her books on the desk and slid into the seat trying to make herself invisible. Tara didn’t usually sit in the center of things. She was much happier in the back where she was less likely to be called on, less likely to be noticed at all. She opened her notebook and began to review her notes from last class. The task proved futile as the booming male voices behind her refused to be blocked out.

“So you really went home with her?”

“That’s not the only place I went.”

The second voice was followed by a grunted snicker and a congratulatory high-five smack. And people wonder why I don’t like men. If biology wasn’t enough to determine these things, boys like this would do the trick. Tara was disgusted. She did not want to hear the rest of this conversation. Just as she was about to stick her fingers in her ears to block out the machismo, one more line found its way to her ears:

“I tamed DJ Red alright. I banged her harder than any beat she could lay down on the dance floor.”

Tara spun around in her chair. Jack! She suddenly felt sick to her stomach. The walls of the lecture hall crumbled around her. The world was ending, Tara was sure of it. Fighting back the sudden tsunami of tears threatening her vision, she scooped up her books tucking them tight to her chest, stumbled back through the row of full seats, and ran out the door. She didn’t stop running until she reached the bathroom near the exit of the academic building. As soon as she locked the stall door, she let her tears flow.

TBC…

[cperrins78]

Oh no poor Tara!!!! I can't believe that stupid Jack is going around saying he slept with Willow. I hope this little situation gets cleared up quickly.


Christina

[Willow~Rosenberg]

Ok. Willow or Kara and Lynn must plan something evil to do to Jack. Evil man saying that and hurting poor Tara. Aww.

And Willow with the research and hitting a different page while she was asleep. lol Loved the scene with her and Buffy.

I'm hoping Kara can find some good news for Tara. She needs it now.

[Willster]

Man that Jack guy is such a jackass

I hope Kara's investigation will be more successful. It's so cute how Kara and Lynn and working to make thngs work.

I'm def addicted!

[blue eyed girl]

I can't believe Jack. Telling his friend that he slept with DJ Red when he didn't. Well actually I can believe it since he is a guy but still Willow needs to get him back for that. I hope you fix this soon.

I loved the interaction between WIllow and Buffy. Especially this:

“Just promise me if you decide to make your research more hands-on, you won’t do it with me sleeping right over there.”

Very funny. Great job as always. And update soon.

[ladydameon]

I'll have you know that song - In Your Eyes by Peter Gabriel is a GREAT song! The whole album is great!

Your story is very cute. I am enjoying it, however I just wish there was more to read, more often.

Not many people apply music to Willow. Personally, I think the concept is interesting...After all, didn't Xander mention that Willow knew how to play the piano in Season 1? I realize off topic for your story, but still...

Very fun-loving characters, a nice change from the doom-and-gloom everyone else tends to write. But the question is...Will this story become one of those dramas where everything is dragged out? Or will it be a fast paced lust fest? Oh the options!!!

Love the story!

[JustSkipIt]

Yep, there's some angst. I liked the first parts with Kara & Lynn's plan. INteresting that Kara tried to set Tara up with Lynn. Too bad they didn't hear anything interesting from Willow and Buffy but that would have been too easy I guess. Jack is clearly an ass. Unfortunately Tara doesn't know enough about men (or boys) to know how often braging like that is nonsense. Poor her. I trust you though.

[meretricious]

i thought i had left you fb before, but it doesn't look like i have, sorry for that, i've been enjoying this fic since the beginning. nice to see a fic where tara has her own "buffy" in kara, seems like so often she's made to be friendless in season fourish fic. great contrast between kara trying to overhear info and failing (so far) and tara trying not to listen to a convo and hearing way more info than she ever wanted to hear. also seems like a realistic obstacle, college guys bragging, but i sense a pretty public humiliation in jack's future (or maybe that's wishful thinking on my part).
and "in your eyes" is a fabulous song. i saw peter gabriel's "so" tour, and youssou n'dour was the opening act, and they did like a 15 min. version of it that just killed. now if you had tara holding up a boombox playing it at willow's window ala lloyd dobbler, that would be cheezy. still cute, but cheezy.
btw, this sentence "turn on the light and you'll eat brown fur", i can't be the only perv around here that had to read that twice, right?
anyway, impressive that this is your first fic, i'm enjoying muchly~mary

[FloatingRose]

I love this story!! I think the idea of Willow being a dj is very unique, what an awesome way for her to express herself. I had never thought of her as one, but it works! and with all the sparks flying between Will and Tara, it gives me mushy feelings in my tummy. Your sense of humor is great, I love the interaction between buffy and willow. These scenes almost made me fall off my chair:

“Turn on the light and you’ll eat brown fur.”

hehe... I can just picture a grumpy sleep deprived buffy threatening willow with that.



"According to Jill Sobule, it’s just like kissing me. Or was it meat?”

“Only Willow Rosenberg would be researching such things, especially with pop music. And eeww! Kissing meat? Let’s hope not."

*snicker*




“Buffy!!” Willow dove back under her covers and pulled them tight over her head. “I am never coming out!”

“Too late.” Buffy laughed, tugging at Willow’s cocoon. “Come on perv, get up. Mocha time.”

A tuft of red and two sleepy green eyes peeked out from the blankets. “Tara mochas?”

that was so cute... and hilarious.. buffy calling her a perv. I can practically hear willow saying "tara mochas?" in my head in that cute voice she does... awesome.

[cooper]

This line is the best ever!

Go forth and stalk, young lady

The perv comment also got me. I love the setup you're building with this. The Kara/Lynn war council was great and of course they couldn't hear anything from Willow, because she was having coffee with Buffy!

cooper

[dragkinggoddess]

OK, I usually don't respond to feedback until the next chapter is ready, but I just couldn't resist this time.

meretricious: You got me on that brown fur comment. As I was telling one of my betas yesterday, I think certain dirty parts of my mind are asserting themselves without the rest of me noticing.

Don't worry, I won't be doing anything to squash it.

Sorry this isn't an update. By Sunday, most likely.

[candybabe86]

Hey there!

I don't think i've ever left feedback here before. I thought I had, but I obviously haven't. I'm a bad kitten. I'm sorry... Forgive me? This story is really great. I was laughing my ass off just about the whole way through. Kara and Lynn are freakin' hilarious. These lines, although they were definately not the only ones, had me rolling :

Turn on the light and you’ll eat brown fur.

don’t you think you should focus on getting to know your dream girl before worrying about accessories?

Go forth and stalk, young lady

And this was soo cute, and funny!

“Too late.” Buffy laughed, tugging at Willow’s cocoon. “Come on perv, get up. Mocha time.”

A tuft of red and two sleepy green eyes peeked out from the blankets. “Tara mochas?”

This:

I tamed DJ Red alright. I banged her harder than any beat she could lay down on the dance floor.

Made me want to strangle that fucker Jack!! Sorry. I don't usually swear like that...

Fighting back the sudden tsunami of tears threatening her vision, she scooped up her books tucking them tight to her chest, stumbled back through the row of full seats, and ran out the door. She didn’t stop running until she reached the bathroom near the exit of the academic building. As soon as she locked the stall door, she let her tears flow.

Oh, poor Tara! This made me want to cry so bad!!

This is soo great this story. Love Willow as a DJ. So hot! How Tara and Willow met was great too, and so adorable. The spilling of coffee was really funny. You write everyone really well and true to character. Kara and Lynn are really cool too. Their scheming is hilarious. Love that they are helping Tara out. Are they based on anyone you know, or did you just make them up? Anyway... Can't wait for more! Great story.

Candy

[StarCat]

I just started reading this fic today and I can't believe I didn't see it sooner. I really like how Kara and Lynn are trying to help Tara with Willow. I do hope they get all the information they need and fast...please .

At first I was getting annoyed with Buffy with the way she was pushing all these guys on Willow. I was like enough already Buffy, take a hint. But then I was glad she didn't freak when Willow had told her about her feelings for Tara, so all is forgiven Buffy.

Ok, Buffy looking at Willow's laptop screen with the Rabbit Habit vibrator ....... that had me on the floor, ON THE FLOOR!

I am loving this story. I can't wait to see what's up next for Willow and Tara.
One last thing..... please do something with Jack . He is really screwing everything up.

[dragkinggoddess]

OK, so I completely lied. Chapter 8 is still a few days in the making. I promise not to leave you hanging *too* long.

[the hero factor]

I really like the Willow-Buffy interaction in this update. Especially this:

The two young women stared for a moment, their heads tilted like confused puppies.

I could totally picture this in my head.

At least now Kara no longer has to feel bad about Willow 'stealing' Jack. Did her a favor, really. But poor Tara.

[Artemis]

Argh! Poor Tara! And Jack! This, ladies and gentlemen, is why males have external genitalia - it's so they can be kicked in them really hard with maximum efficiency. Grrr.

Well, this is going to play havoc with Tara's efforts to get to know Willow. I only hope that Willow finds out about Jack's bragging-type assholishness, and takes matters into her own hands, say by making a general and very loud announcement during her next DJing gig, to the effect of Jack being a lying sack of dren who never laid a hand on her

[stillrunning]

Ok, so all in favor of killing Jack...say 'I'!!!

IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII

Anyways...OTHER then that part...the rest of the update was lovely. Can't wait for more!

[The Rose24]

Geez. Another road block for W/T. I hope Jack gets straightened out really soon.

[dragkinggoddess]

With all appoligies to my loyal readers, I must announce another delay in chapter 8. I am working 75 hours a week right now between two jobs to save up so I won't have to work so much during my thesis semester this fall. I also start a two week intensive screenwriting course next week, so my time will be extra limited.

I will try my best to find some time to write. I would hate to give you a sub-standard chapter. You never know what that icky Jack might do if I'm not paying attention!

[amazonaa]

Oh my god! This is a great story. I love it. Although I hope Jack gets his ass kicked.

Great job. Very funny. More soon please.

b

[dragkinggoddess]

OK, it seems I lied a few times here. Sorry it has taken me so long to update. AMong other annoying life-things, I just had shoulder surgery. Now that I can type, I am happier. Unfortunately, this isn't an update, but chapter 8 is finished and as soon as I finish final editing (thank you betas!!!!), you will have a new, and quite long, chapter to enjoy.

Response to feedback will have to suffice for now.

Cperrins78: A similar thing happened to a friend of mine in college. It was a crappy thing to say, but I think Jack will get his in the end. If I have anything to do with it that is. Oh, wait! I do!

Willow~Rosenberg: I think Willow would feel the need to research just about anything. I think she got quite the education that night! Let’s see if she can find a way to apply that knowledge.

Willster: I found it important and in a way comforting for Tara to have such a support system. Plus, Kara and Lynn make things much more interesting. Such fun they are.

Blue_eyed_girl: Finding a way to “fix” the whole situation is what has taken me so lang. Well, that and a few other real-life things. I have to find a way for them to get back at Jack, that’s for sure. As for the clever banter between Will and Buffy, they are such good friends, it just flows ya know?

Ladydameon: Oh the options indeed! I love the Peter Gabriel song too. In fact, it was my senior ball theme way back when. Yup, that’s right, it was the In Your Eyes Ball. Heehee. I think music suits Willow and Tara’s relationship so easily, and it has been easily to apply it to them separately as well. I am sorry it has taken so long, but I hope you continue reading! I promise some lusty-ish things soon.

Justskipit: I am so glad you are reading and enjoying this. I am a BIG fan of your fics. Was just reading Please yesterday and it knocked me off my chair a few times. I know it was a bummer leaving everyone in the story hanging like that for so long, but I just couldn’t decide where to go. I think I’ve got it all set know. Hope I still have your trust.

Meretricious: I honestly hadn’t even noticed the brown fur entendre until my beta pointed it out. I have a dirty little subconscious. Thank you for reading. It is always nice to get such positive feedback, but it is even nicer when someone “gets” what you thought were tiny little things. That seems to be a common talent amongst readers here. The mirroring of situation, conversation, and feelings between tara’s world and Willow’s world is now very intentional even though it wasn’t in the beginning. It just sort of happened I guess. As for the Say Anything reference…BAH! You ruined my ending. Just kidding.

Floatingrose: I really enjoy writing the dialogue between Buffy and Willow, so I am glad you are enjoying reading it. Sometimes I can “hear” the words so vividly in my mind in their own voices I forget that I didn’t steal them from the show. I guess it is helping.

Cooper: Those are my favorite lines too. I have my own Kara and Lynn irl, so it is fun to see them meddle in someone else’s life for once.

Irene73: I think Lucy and Ethel are a great comparison! I just keep thinking of the chocolate factory episode, or maybe the vitameatavegamin one (Kara would sooo drink that stuff). I’ve decided that the song reference wasn’t so cheesy after all, thanks for helping convince me. As for jack, I was thinking of throwing in the hellmouth just to take care of him, but alas, we shall stick to a closer version of reality.

Candybabe86: Funny you should mention it, but I have met my own Kara and Lynn, but after I started writing this. As I mentioned above, it is nice to see them meddling in someone else’s life though… I am so glad you found me here. I hope I can keep making you laugh and cry.

Starcat: I wasn’t sure how well the laptop scene would read, but I guess its humor shined through. It could picture it happening with Willow and Buffy. When I started this fic, I was bound and determined to write a better coming out scene for the two friends. The show version just didn’t satisfy.

Artemis: All I have to say is, just wait, Jack will gets what’s coming to him…and then some. You will have to wait patiently a while though…

The herofactor, stillrunning, the rose24, and amazonaa: see above hehe.

[onlykaren]

Hey,
I've never left feedback here before...but I love this fic Hope you update it soon.

[dragkinggoddess]

Here you go kittens. As my Beta is well aware now, My writing skills suffered greatly over my absence from working. Ugh. Hope you enjoy it all the same.

Title – The Right Mix
Author name – Jess-dragkinggoddess
Email Address – lambdawholesale@frontiernet.net
Rating – Let's say R for this one just to be safe.
Disclaimer – I don’t even own a car, how could I ever own anything like Willow and Tara. Written respectfully and unprofessionally (no $$ sought) based on characters created and owned by Joss Whedon and Mutant Enemy. This is AU so no direct episodal content. Mild angst here and there gives way to lovely smutty goodness later on.
Feedback- PLEASE!!!
Summary- To begin: Willow and Tara are students at Sunnydale U, but no slayers, vamps, hellmouth etc. (except for one minor flub in chapter 1) Willow is a DJ for the University’s social events. Tara notices her from afar for a time before they meet.
Notes- This is my first shot at this. THANK YOU to my betas.


The song used herein is Sweet Surrender by Sarah McLachlan. Let’s pretend it is a wholly positive song shall we? The sound just fit the moment really well.
***********************************************************************************

Chapter 8
Mission possible?




“Sorry she wasn’t there. We’ll go back every day, ten times a day if necessary, until we find her again.” Buffy couldn’t tell if her best friend was upset or just tired. She knew Willow hadn’t gotten much sleep the night before. On the walk back to campus from the café, Willow was quieter than usual, especially given her raging stream of hyper-babble that had accompanied the walk to their morning stop.

“Thanks Buff, I was just so excited about everything I guess I got myself a little too worked up.” Willow continued sipping her second mocha as they found their way back onto campus. “I’m off to class, and then the studio. I’ll see ya later?”

“Yup, I’ll be around all day, no classes for me today. Will you be done recording before dinner?” Buffy inquired.

“Yeah, definitely. Meet you back at the room five-ish?” Willow started backing towards her class building.

“Sounds like a plan.” Buffy smiled at her best friend. “Try to keep your mind on class Will.” The smile turned to a smirk.

“I’m pretending I didn’t hear that Buffy.” Willow turned and headed towards the entrance.

I’ve GOT to find Tara for her. And I’ve got all day to do it.

Kara caught up with her stalkee as Willow was saying goodbye to her blonde companion but wasn’t yet within earshot of the duo. Damn! Willow actually said something this time and I missed it. I need to follow a little closer I guess. Still with her sunglasses on for maximum concealage, Kara started walking faster to close the distance between herself and the redhead. As she reached the spot where the two girls had parted ways, her phone rang. She looked down as she rummaged through her purse. Having taken her eyes off her path, she smacked right into Buffy who was still watching Willow.

“Ah!” Kara jumped as they made contact. Her phone flew through the air just as she had pressed ‘Accept’.

Buffy stumbled forward, then turned to see her assailant. “Whoa there!” A glimmer of recognition sparkled in Buffy’s eyes. “Hey don’t I know you?”

Trying to remain anonymous, Kara made herself as small as possible, hoping to completely fit behind her sunglasses. “Oh, um, no, I don’t think so.” She started to turn away.

“I swear we’ve met.” Buffy had an odd feeling about this girl, but shrugged her shoulders and let her walk away.

Some people are very strange.

***********************************************
Willow stopped at the vending machine just inside the main entrance. Water would be a good thing. Maybe it will dilute the mochas in me and make me a little less spazzy during class. Yeah right self, like anything could accomplish that elephantine task. She rolled her eyes as she dropped $1.25 in quarters into the machine. Just as she pressed the button with the mini bottle of water on it, she felt a strange presence. Is someone staring at me? Willow was getting used to the heightened notoriety she was gaining with each DJ appearance, but most people didn’t immediately recognize her. This time, however, she knew someone was looking, and looking hard. She spun around to try to find the culprit before he or she looked away. She spun a little too fast and found herself on the floor just in time to catch the bottle of water shooting out of the vending machine. See, not even water can help me. As she sat, more than a little embarrassed, she heard a loud giggle, followed by a quieter more muffled giggle. She looked up in enough time only to see a sunglassed figure retreating into the shadows, hands over mouth.
“Hey! Who’s there? Clumsiness is no laughing matter let me tell you. I mean, you try to make it through the day staying on these two feet.” Willow pulled herself to a standing position and brushed off the seat of her pants.

She speaks! Kara was stunned by two things; 1. That she was caught, and 2. That Willow was actually speaking. I have a few choices here, Kara was trying to think fast. I can run away or just take advantage of the situation. She squeaked as she saw Willow starting to move towards her. No time to think, just act.. She spun around, nearly hitting the wall and falling to the floor herself, then dashed off towards the ladies' room.

Willow stood, water in hand, and stared. What was that about? Surely, it was one of the stranger things to happen to her in an academic building. She wished she had more time to follow the perp, but class was soon to begin. Shrugging, she slowly turned and headed for her classroom. As she moved, she twisted the top off of her plastic bottle of water and lifted it to her lips. She felt a trickle of cold down her chin and onto her chest. She closed her eyes. Definitely NOT funny.
*******************************************************************************

Kara didn’t stop until she was safely inside the bathroom. It was only after the door closed behind her that she really stopped to think about what just happened. God, what is wrong with me. I’m acting like the one with the crush. AGH! Hearing footsteps outside the door, she dove into a stall, hurriedly securing the latch. Continuing to panic, Kara jumped up onto the toilet seat, and crouched, balancing herself by placing one hand the walls on either side of her. The footsteps faded. Whew! I may not be the one with the crush, but I am in love with the idea of Tara finding someone special. I guess I just really want this for Tara. As she tried to relax and catch her breath, she heard a muffled sob coming from one the next stall. Ugh, some pathetic freshman probably flunked a test or something. Kara stepped down from the toilet seat and felt her sunglasses slide off her face. What, now I’m sweating? She bent over to retrieve the glasses and caught a glimpse of the shoes belonging to the stall’s crying occupant. Hey, I know those shoes. Kara hopped back up onto the toilet seat and, throwing decorum and modesty to the wind, leaned over the top of the stall to verify. She immediately recognized the top of her best friend’s head. Her heart sank and she felt a lump form in her throat. She never could handle seeing Tara upset.

“Oh God, Tara, what happened? Why aren’t you in class?” Kara tried not to startle the girl, but it obviously didn’t work.

The crying stopped. After a moment of orientation, Tara looked up, bewildered and speechless. What the…? Her sadness proving too great for even a scare to stave off for long, tears began to soundlessly flow from her eyes once again.

Kara scurried down from her perch and out of the stall. “Come on out here hon.” As Tara emerged, face in hands, Kara threw her arms around her and held her tight in unconditional comfort. Here I am as a result of trying to make her happy, and just the opposite has happened. How?

“What happened?” Kara pushed Tara gently out in front of her so she could see her face. She wanted to know the truth and there was no way Tara could look her in the eyes and lie.

“It’s stupid, I-I don’t know w-why I even care.” Tara was still sobbing, the words coming in short bursts alongside a few stray tears. She looked up at Kara hoping that was going to be enough. From the lack of action, she knew that it wasn’t. “It’s Willow.”

“Willow?” Kara was confused for a moment, then her protective, defensive instincts took over. “What did she do Tara? If she hurt you I swear I’ll…”

“N-no! No. She d-didn’t do anything to m-me. She d-did something t-to Jack, or m-maybe he did something t-to her.” With that last turn of phrase, the waterworks started again, but a little more quietly this time.

Kara just looked at Tara. “Honey, what are you talking about? Jack and Willow? What did they d… oh, OH!” Her face crinkled. “Really? No way! I mean, how do you know?” Kara was still a little confused.

“He’s in my class. I h-heard him t-talking about her. And not in a very nice way.” Tara suddenly angered. “If I was a, well, a different person I might have decked him the way he was talking about h-her.”

“If you were me you mean,” Kara consoled.
*******************************************

“God, I am such a freak!” Tara splashed cool water on her red, irritated eyes. “I have no right to be upset. She’s not my girlfriend, she can sleep with whoever she wants.” She had finally agreed to leave the bathroom and head back to the dorms to relax a bit before she had to be at work.
*********************************

If she worked anywhere but the Café, Kara would have been concerned about her well-being. She took comfort in knowing that Lynn would be there to keep an eye on her.

It wasn’t as if Tara was a fragile child that needed supervision. Both Kara and Lynn just knew that their friend was very sensitive, and that this was a virtue, not a flaw. Tara had been through so much pain and suffering in her life and Kara and Lynn knew she didn’t deserve any of it, or anymore. Kara would do anything to protect her best friend from harm.

The two girls walked along the campus paths in silence. Just as their building came into sight, Kara’s phone rang. She fumbled around in her purse and retrieved the vibrating object just before it went to voicemail.

“Hello?”

“Yo, it’s me. Any info yet?” It was Lynn. Subtlety was not one of Kara’s strengths. She panicked at the idea of Tara finding out about their plan. Not that there was much left of the plan.

“Uh, um, nothing much going on here. “ Kara was stiff in her reply.

Tara cocked an eyebrow and looked at her roommate. What the hell is she talking about? Who could she possibly be talking to?

They had reached the courtyard in front of the dorm. Kara reached out an arm to stop Tara as she quickly and awkwardly tried to end her phone conversation. As she snapped her cell shut, she pulled Tara in for a big hug. “You’ll be alright?” Kara had originally planned on returning to their room with Tara, but her mission had changed. “I’ve got to go, um, I need to go get something from the library.” She couldn’t look Tara in the eye, her friend would know she was lying.

“Library?” Tara managed a smile. “Y-ou mean you actually kn-know where that is?” She giggled ever so slightly.

“Yes, I…HEY! Yes, I know where the library is. Go relax smartass.” She gave Tara a final squeeze before spinning her around and pushing her towards the main entrance. She watched Tara disappear inside before heading on her way; the opposite direction of the library. I hope Jack thought to wear a cup today. He’s going to regret it if not.

Kara stormed off with a vengeance.
*********************************************************************************

Amazing how the mind can play tricks sometimes. Willow, never one to miss even a word of a class lecture, was daydreaming.

This was not an ordinary daydream. She was not transported to another place, she was not imagining fictional characters. She was staring straight ahead, training her attention on the Professor leading the class. Suddenly, the lecturer sprouted shoulder length blonde hair out of the top of his bald head. He seemed to shrink a few inches in height, but grow in other areas. His hips curved into sexy crescents on each side of a delectable waist. A slender, creamy neck pushed it’s way into where the Professor’s was disturbingly missing. Below the gleaming, sultry neck sloped perfect shoulders, and below those swelled two perfect, perfect, luscious breasts. Finally, the professor’s thick glasses melted away to reveal two hypnotic blue eyes.

The newly transformed figure disregarded the academic purpose of the gathering and began to sway, then the swaying unleashed into the sultriest, most sensual dance Willow had ever seen. Strike that, she had seen it before, a few times; on the dance floor three days ago, and in her dreams each night since. Willow watched the girl move her way across the lecture hall, her heart pounding an inaudible rhythm for her to follow. Finally, the dancing goddess looked up, looked up to meet the green eyes fixed on her form. The connection was palpable. The energy that flowed between the two sets of eyes sent shivers down Willow’s spine, then climbed back up in waves of heat. When the waves hit her chest, her breath quickened to a pant, her panting made her sweat. Just when she thought the moment couldn’t possibly get any more intense, the dancing girl spoke. “Willow…” The panting, seated girl couldn’t respond. “Willow…Willow, it’s time…

“Miss Rosenberg, it’s time to go. Class is over.” Professor Roberts was standing at the front of the room, trying to catch Willow’s attention. She snapped back to reality as the classroom door slammed behind the second to last student to leave. She looked around, she was the last one in the room. The mirage was gone, but she was still sweating, and still panting. The professor seemed to be satisfied that Willow was ok because he turned around to gathered his things before exiting himself.

Willow sighed heavily, almost groaning. “Wow.”

Walking to the studio proved a little more difficult than usual.
*************************************************************************************

Relaxing was out of the question. Tara had tried lying down, pacing, sitting, everything she could manage within the confines of their cramped dorm room. It was no use. I am never going to be able to survive work in this frame of mind. With that thought she picked up the phone.

“Yeah, hold on a sec Tar.” Jules, the waitress who had answered the phone, went off in search of Lynn.

“Hey, Something new already?” Lynn hadn’t even waited for a greeting from the caller.

“Um what?” Tara mumbled, perplexed.

“OH! Tara, I thought Jules said Kara was on the phone.” Lynn attempted a casual giggle. She was clearly jumpy.

“What would be new with Kara?” Tara was starting to think that phone call weirdness was a city-wide epidemic.

“Oh, nothing, no, nothing new with anyone.” Seeing as a cover-up didn’t seem possible at this moment, Lynn just ignored the whole thing. “So, what’s up babe?”

Tara shrugged. My friends are so weird. “Um, I’m not feeling so hot today. I think I need the night off. Will you be ok?” It was the first time Tara had ever called in sick to work there. She was hoping Lynn wouldn’t be too mad.

“I totally understand. You definitely need some time to yourself. We’ll manage here somehow without you.” As soon as the words left her mouth, she knew she had said too much. Wincing, she tried to think of a good explanation.

Luckily for Lynn, Tara didn’t notice her seemingly psychic understanding of the situation. The conversation ended as quickly as it had started with Tara hanging up without saying goodbye.

********************************************************************************
Willow knew exactly what she wanted to mix today.

Being a modest campus, Sunnydale didn’t have a “real” recording studio. Luckily, the early afternoon was down-time at the campus radio station and the station manager was always happy to let DJ Red record there. There were four turntables and counter space enough for her to plug in her own mixing board. When she first started, DJ Red had tried to mix in her dorm room, but wound up with nothing but skips. The constant foot traffic and slamming doors of the older, less sturdy dorm buildings were hell on turntables.

Her in-class daydreams had provided her with a subconscious, but very urgent, need. She would use music to squash the feelings that had bubbled up inside various parts of her. Not that she necessarily wanted them to be squashed, released was more like it.

It used to bother Willow that the front wall of the radio station was glass and overlooked the largest common area of the student union. After a few sessions, and more experience with a real live crowd, she began to feel at home and was easily able to ignore passers-by.

Without much thought, she pulled out two records. The first, her favorite set of house beats she had acquired in NYC a few months back, and the second, another old favorite. Headphones secured to her head, levels set appropriately, she listened as the song began.

it doesn't mean much
it doesn't mean anything at all
the life I've left behind me
is a cold room
I've crossed the last line
from where I can't return
where every step I took in faith
betrayed me
and led me from my home

and sweet
sweet surrender
is all that I have to give

Swallowed by the sound, Willow began swaying. The image of Tara dancing that had permeated her vision just an hour ago returned to her mind. The lyrics seemed to be coming from somewhere else instead of the electronic gadgets before her. The sound was coming from Tara. The lyrics, the rhythm, the driving guitar, they all emanated from the beautiful dancing woman’s soul and poured forth from her body filling Willow.

********************************************************************************
A nice cup of tea might help calm me down. Tara crossed the room after pondering her brief conversation with Lynn. She opened the cupboard and removed the box of tea bags from the shelf. Empty. URGH! Kara! This did not help her mood any. Her mind set on a cup of chamomile, she grabbed her purse and a book and headed for the snack bar in the student union.


Tara had a tendency to keep her head lowered as she crossed through the center of the Student Union Common area. Today was not exception. Being at the school nearly four years gave her the ability to navigate most of the campus without effort, or even conscious thought. Tara was thinking though, about Willow. Her thoughts were possessed by questions as she walked. No matter how hard she tried to quiet the internal Q&A, her mind refused to stop racing. Does Willow sleep with every guy she meets? No of course not, she’s not that kind of person, I could see it in her eyes. Does this mean she’s positively straight? She could be bi.

As she crossed the open floor, she felt an overwhelming need to look up, like someone was calling her emotionally. She stopped and turned. Raising her head, she found herself staring into the radio station studio. Her face, among other things, warmed at what she saw.

****************************************************
you take me in
no questions asked
you strip away the ugliness
that surrounds me
are you an angel
am I already that gone
I only hope
that I won't disappoint you
when I'm down here
on my knees

and sweet
sweet
sweet surrender
is all that I have to give

sweet
sweet
sweet surrender
is all that I have to give

Completely taken over by her imagination, Willow could not have stopped her hands from moving even if she wanted to, and she definitely didn’t want to anyway. The dancing form approached her, closing the gap between them with smooth, graceful, and immeasurably sensuous movements. Both women gasped as they made contact. Willow’s own, real hands mimicked the motion of the form in her mind. Her hands dropped to her waist and began a slow trace of her silhouette, moving to the front of her body just under her breasts. With torturously slow progress, the hands slid over her breasts, over her nipples, stopping for just a moment before continuing on up the sides of her neck. She could feel her pulse quickening as her hands climbed higher. Her heartbeat became louder than the base layer she was listening to. Her hands stopped moving as her imaginary dancer cupped her face and slowly, excruciatingly slowly, closed the distance between their lips.

Bang, Bang, Bang!

Willow crashed back to reality with such a shock that she nearly fell over. It took her a moment to remember where she was and what she was doing. Her eyes focused and she stood motionless, hands still in place on her neck, and she saw exactly where she was and what she was doing.
***************************************************************

Tara wasn’t the only one who had noticed the show unfolding behind the soundproof glass of the studio booth. A crowd began to form around her as Tara watched the object of her growing affection, and now with this display, lust in awe. Tara did not notice. She was drawn into the closed room with Willow, imagining her body moving alongside Willow’s, their breath mixing as they danced. The dumbstruck voyeur felt beads of sweat forming on her upper lip and brow as Willow’s hands climbed up the most beautiful body Tara had ever seen. She wished they were her hands, tickling, teasing, cupping and grazing her flesh…

Bang, Bang, Bang!

The noise caused Tara to drop her things and gasp. A security guard had happened upon the crowd and wanting to disperse it, knocked loudly on the outside of the studio window. When the show stopped, the crowd began to applaud raucously. As badly as she wanted a moment, if only a millisecond, for their eyes to meet, Tara became very, very aware of her surroundings and scrambled to gather her books and flee.

Willow focused on one spectator in particular who turned and ran. Tara!

[Marilda]

Great update! I really enjoy the idea of Willow as a DJ. And Tara is, as always, adorable. I like the whole confused intentions thing as well. In short, I like it all.

Hope to see an update soon.

[Willow~Rosenberg]

I call second dibs!

Wow, nice update. I could totally picture poor Tara horribly upset and then Kara peaking over the top of the stall and startling the poor girl. lol

Nice amount of tension you have working. It makes it nerve-wracking for the reader, but also keeps us wanting to read more.

Also, Willow with the dancing. That's going to be a major teasing point if Buffy hears about it. Great update.

[The Rose24]

Argh! This is so frustrating. I can imagine how the girls feel.

Jack needs to have someone shut his mouth.

[onlykaren]

Hey, great update Funny, and sad, and hot, and frustrating all the same. And the dance...wow! You described it so well that I could totally picture Willow's hands and again...wow! Hehe...oh, the song also, very well chosen. I just hope that they meet properly so they can finally talk!
Can't wait for more!