The Legend of Green Eyed Red

[wimpy0729]

Ha Ha Cam. Of course you had to point out my double post. Well see, it was a combination of my trip to the saloon, which resulted in the toppling off the barstool, which resulted in the concussion,which resulted in my garbled thoughts. Or maybe I just wanted to gently nudge your muse for another update..hmmm?



Anyway, glad to see your museth hath returneth. I see she arrived to her destination safely. Now when you're through with her, would you mind tidying her up and sending her back please? I'm gonna need her again real soon.



I gotta say, I love your bad guys in this. I can just picture them with their evil glares, just waiting for the right time to pounce on the other unsuspecting bad guys and take over the town.



And Riley...Capt. Cardboard...OMG, I'm with everyone else, he's getting to be Cowboy Guy once again.



And I'd like to add my comments about Liz's amazing pics too. Wonderful work sweetie.



So now, if I promise to behave, can I stay at the saloon with the other kittens until the next update? I just wanna stare at Tara a little longer. I promise...no groping. Well, not physically grope, but can I at least mentally grope?



Can't wait to see what's next.



Pam

"There was plenty of magic." ~ Tara

[Viximon]

Wowowowowooooo! Stop!

So Will is that RedBandit? ju ju ju That's interesting



I guess Dusty Hollow soon will be a big PARTY town

(hope a party with good ending for our heroines )

What a mess could that be? Besides, I'm sure Miss Horsie will take Will (and hence Tara) out of almost any trouble

Ahhh, I can't wait to read more





Please don't make us wait to long

[hidden watson]

Oh Cameron, you bring in the villains so well. Ethan and Mayor Wilkins (I wonder when Mr Trick will make an entrance) plotting some evilish, dispicable scheme to take over the town.



And Cowboy Riley, yay for Cowboy Riley. It'll be interesting to see if young Will can slip out of his reach this time. Can't wait for the confrontation between the "officials" of the town -- Riley all by the book and the Mayor of course with his hidden agenda.



The little Anya appearance in the beginning was so sweet. Will we see more Anya/Tara love discussions?



No Will, Tara or Donnie in this update, hopefully soon?

------

quiet thoughts

[behindhereyes]

* tips stetson* Cam



I shorely do luv this here update There are more dag nab it shenanigans goin on here, than a bunch of drunk kittens fightin over the chance to dance with Miss Tara. Honestly Cam I'm thrilled that your muse saw fit to smack you around ... I was thinkin I was gonna haf'ta do it... and you know I would'a enjoyed it too .



Way to go Cameron



behindhereyes

kim

"To the world, you may be one person; but to one person, you may be the world"

[EasierSaid]

Ethan Rayne and Riley... not the most conventional W/T update focus but I like it! Ethan is a great character, here, as well as on the show. Gotta love a man who appreciates and promotes chaos, and a preacher drinking whiskey whilst playing cards? Good times! Happy to see Riley show up - you have used him so well in both of your other stories, I can't wait to see what you do with him now (picturing him in his cavalry blues as I type). Great job.

Edited by: EasierSaid at: 2/3/05 8:17 pm

[pipsberg]

Cameron!



I was so happy to see an update from you and I really wanted to read it and leave feedback right away,but as you know the trivialities of work kept me a away for a little while.



This was a great build up to the next part. Slimy Ethan and evil Wilkins are great. I'm also very intrigued by how interested Riley is in tracking Red down personally. I sense a funny and/or embarrassing back story to this. I can't wait to learn more.



Great job buddy and please keep the updates coming!

-pipsberg



"We live our lives, do whatever we do, and then we sleep - it's as simple and ordinary as that."

Michael Cunningham, The Hours

Edited by: pipsberg at: 2/3/05 8:22 pm

[WickedReds]

Now hold on there Cam my dear... I did not make then nuts...okay maybe i did alittle, and i wasnt siting on the bar either... its the smut chant dammit gets them everytime... but i must say great update.. Ethan is a slime ball...



-reds



Meine Banane tanzt für Rußflocke 

Smutbunny Anthem: *sung to tune from Goldfinger* Smutbunnies...they'e the bunnies, the bunnies that love the smut...and Willow's butt. They surf for smut fiction...always lookin' for the next naked sweaty fix...of Tara's tits.- Written By Cameron(tarawhipped) For Us Smut Bunnies

[umgaynow]

OK...so I don't mean to be anal retentive or anything...but little things bug me...what can I say...anyway, just thought I'd share with ya...a wee tidbit of information...Sasparilla is non-alcoholic...it's actually pretty close to root beer...but no bubbles



(crawling back into my hole in the back of the library)

[tarawhipped]

Howdy Kittens, Smut-Bunnies, and Assorted Varmints! I'll be posting the next chapter later today (it's in final rewrites now), but I thought I'd go ahead and take care of replies. First off, many thanks to Elizabeth for her drawing, and to so many of you for complimenting her on it.



robotguru:

Quote:

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Ooh, the plot thickens!

---

*reading recipe for action fic*

"Plot will thicken upon standing." Hmm...over a month...I think it's been standing long enough. Thanks for reading, Chris!


meretricious: Hiya Mary! Yes, Riley gets to be Cowboy Guy, in all his earnest, good=good, bad=bad, and never the twain shall meet doofishness. So while more good guys would seem to be a positive thing, people with shady pasts might have reason to be concerned.


hermitfish: *Tara looks disapprovingly at the lump stretched out on the bar, snoring loudly. With a mischievous gleam in her eyes, she dumps a mug of beer over Cyd's head, who jerks awake and falls over the back of the bar.*

Cyd (looking up at blonde standing over her): "Why hello there."

Tara: "Cam says thanks for the feedback. Now get out of my saloon."


xonethousandtears08x:

Quote:

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Oh ok, let me guess...Willow is the Red Bandit?

---

Well, hmmm...lemme see...I don't really want to spoil...oh what the hell...yes she is...but the real question is what did the Red Bandit do to get wanted, and did she really do it, and if so, why? Ok, so technically that's three questions...and I won't be answering any of them just yet.


stillrunning: Thanks for reading, and I'm not sure just how much of a jerk Riley's going to be, so hopefully you'll still like him more than on the show. I'm thinking he and the Cavalry will resemble the Keystone Cops more than the Initiative.


Rhiannon9891: The disloyalty among thieves that you mentioned will definitely cause some problems in the bad guy camp. They're all so darn vile, of COURSE they can't stand each other! Thanks Rhi.


Tempest Duer:

Quote:

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Riley on the chase? This should be entertaining...

---

See above r.e. Keystone Cops. I do aim to entertain, kind reader. Thanks!


thebardgirl: Cam: "A little higher...oh yeah...perfect."

*Tara hangs the Sketch-Rider's latest drawing on the wall next to the others. As she stands on her tippy-toes, she fails to notice two pairs of eyes admiring the way her dress pulls taut across her firm, round--*

Cam: "Oh, hi Liz...I didn't see you there"

*both author and artist continue to stare until a loud "AHEM!" and glare force their eyes away. They blush and giggle guiltily before leaning on the bar and clinking their mugs of non-alcoholic cider together*

Liz & Cam: "Women!...sheesh."


Artemis: It's really gratifying to see how closely you read each update, Chris. This Riley will most resemble his earlier incarnation on the show: blind trust in his orders, no distinction between degrees of lawlessness/badness. As for your suggestion of a wardrobe change to throw the trackers off the trail...well, Willow's pretty comfy in her duds, but there may be something along those lines at some point. Thanks!


wimpy0729: Hi WImpy! Glad you like the bad guys...they're so much fun to play with, and I wanted to have a fairly balanced good guy-bad guy ratio. As for Riley, well what kind of Western would this be without Cowboy Guy?! On a personal note, since Chris saw fit to deputize all the Smut Bunnies, I reckon I'll just have to trust y'all to behave yourselves. Also, thanks for the use of your muse. *slaps a mailing label on muse's ass, nudges her in Wimpy's direction. She staggers off, smiling dopily and looking slightly rumpled, but none the worse for wear*


Viximon: Yep, Will is the Red Bandit, but having said that, how bad could the Red Bandit really be? heehee. Interesting that you mention a party...there just happens to be one in the works...read on, and thank you.


hidden watson: "By the book" is a dead-on description of Riley, but I have to admit I haven't figured out a place for Mr. Trick. This story has a long way to go however, so maybe I can still work him in. As for the next update, it will have a little more of Tara and Anya, Willow, Donnie, and many others. Thanks Watson!


behindhereyes: LMAO, Kim. I think the saloon full of raucous Kittens are entertaining me and each other way more than my story is, 'specially when I leave y'all alone for such a long stretch. Shenanigans will be multiplyin' real soon...enjoy.


EasierSaid: What, you mean this ISN'T the Ethan/Riley 'shipper site??? Ok...that was just wrong...my bad...please accept my humble apologies. Glad you liked it even without the Tara/Willowy goodness, and this next one will more closely resemble a Willow/Tara fic. Thanks Heather.


pipsberg: Thank you Pips, I'm glad you didn't mind the setup chapter, cause this next one is kinda more of the same. As for Riley's interest in going after Red, I don't know how much I'll go into the back story, but basically it's just a case of "the one that got away and made us look like idiots." But hey, what are the odds of THAT happening again? *snicker* Regarding work delaying your feedback, I always say you have to have priorities. And dude...yours SUCK!!! Leaving me feedback should ALWAYS come first---what's with you???


WickedReds: Regarding your ability to rile up the Kittens, Gina, I think the number of Smut Bunnies over on Chris' thread says it all. You are a baaaaaaaaaaaad influence, and I mean that in the nicest way. Ethan IS a slimeball, but his actions may end up having a positive effect, so hurray for chaos!


umgaynow: *whispers to Sandi* I know that sarsaparilla is non-alcoholic, but I had to do SOMETHING to keep them outta the whiskey! Unfortunately, the sugar rush seems to be just as big a problem.

*to saloon full of raucous Kittens* "Hey! Who'd like a nice glass of warm milk?"

*leaps out of thread, narrowly escaping the grabby hands of the angry mob*


Okay, update later today...promise.

-Cam

---

What should I be but just what I am? - Edna St.Vincent Millay

[tarawhipped]

Title: The Legend of Green Eyed Red

Author: tarawhipped (Cameron)

Email: tarawhipped@hotmail.com

Rating: R (just to be safe)

Disclaimer: All characters are the property of Joss Whedon/Mutant Enemy

Feedback: Throws head back and screams YESSS!!!

Distribution: Take it, just tell me where to visit it!

Summary: A redheaded stranger rides into a town full of trouble and meets a blonde barmaid. Can they save each other and the town?

Setting: AU (the Old West)


Author's note: Forgive the sudden use of lines of ******, but I'm jumping back and forth between the time of the story and the present (the present being 1918), and wanted the breaks to be clear




Chapter 11



“Hurrah! The Cavalry officers will surely arrive in time to save the day!” one bright-eyed young lady cheerfully assessed to a chorus of approval from her companions.


“Indeed,” another replied dreamily. “And that Mister Finn sounds positively dashing. Perhaps he and Miss Maclay—”


“WHAT?!”


The storyteller’s outburst immediately silenced the murmurs and giggles, and all faces turned to the piercing green eyes blazing back at each of them in turn.


“Just what story are you girls listenin’ to, because I’m fairly certain it ain’t the one I been tellin’!”


“My apologies, Miss,” the first girl said contritely, bowing her head under the intense gaze of the elderly woman, who barely paused in her tirade.


“Yes the Cavalry is on the way, but if you think they’re just gonna ride in and make everything right well, you’ve been spending too much time at the pictures. And there will be NO Mister Finn and Miss Maclay—am I making myself perfectly clear?”


A dozen timid voices muttered their assent.


“Now then, where was I?”


“The Cavalry?” a lone voice squeaked out, but was quickly shushed by several others.


“Preacher Rayne?” another offered shyly.


“Oh! I know!” a third eagerly piped up. “Donnie and Will were on their way to the Summers’!”


“That’s right, and it’s nice to see someone payin’ attention. Now, along their ride, Donnie and Will formulated a mighty fine plan to get Tara out of Dusty Hollow. We’ll just call it ‘Plan A’ for the time bein’ okay?"



*****************************************



As they passed out of the forest the road wound its way through cornfields until it reached a clearing. Donnie steered his wagon around the side of a modest wood frame house and toward the large barn, calling out a greeting as they approached. A moment later a gangly brunette came charging toward them.


“Donnie!” she exclaimed happily as she ran up to the cart, stopping just short when she spied Will hopping down from the seat. Donnie followed the girl’s gaze with an amused smirk and cleared his throat.


“Dawnie, I’d like you to meet a friend of mine. This here’s Will Smith. Will, this young lady is Miss Dawn Summers.”


“Nice to meet you, Mister Smith,” Dawn said shyly, attempting a curtsey and stumbling slightly. Will grinned before executing a sweeping bow.


“The pleasure is mine, Miss Summers,” the redhead proclaimed formally. “You have a lovely home...I have not seen your fine estate’s equal in these here parts.”


Dawn giggled and hid her head behind Donnie’s horse while Donnie himself rolled his eyes and shoved Will toward the barn.


“Now you’ve done it,” he teased as soon as they were out of earshot of the girl. “That kid’s already had crushes on every other boy in town, and you just hung a big ol’ target on your back. She’s a nice kid, but a word of advice? Do not under any circumstances eat her cookin’.”




Several hours after they’d arrived, Will and Donnie sat down on the makeshift stage they’d constructed along with Hank, Larry and Clem. Willow wiped her brow with a handkerchief and looked around at the transformed barn in wonder.


“I hope you boys are thirsty!” a voice called out, and Will looked up to see a petite blonde entering the barn with a pitcher, closely followed by Dawn precariously balancing a tray of mugs.


“Don’t drink it!” Donnie hissed in the redhead’s ear, momentarily distracting her and causing them to miss witnessing the collision that brought both Summers girls to the barn floor amidst a heap of shattered glass. Once they had been helped up and away from the shards, Hank sent Dawn off to fetch a broom. Willow peered intently at the pile of glass, a smile spreading slowly across her face.


“Mr. Summers, I have an idea. Would you happen to have any thin twine?”



*****************************************



“An idea involving broken glass? My word, whatever could it be?”


“Perhaps it isn’t the glass, it’s the breaking,” one of the younger girls suggested with a gleam in her eye. “Is Will going to break the Sheriff’s legs?”


The storyteller blinked at the girl several time, bit back a grin and shook her loose mane of shoulder-length silver hair.


“Noo, no leg breaking…no matter how much he mighta deserved it. Now, if y’all don’t stop interruptin’ me, I’m never gonna get through this story.”


Murmurs of “we’re sorry” and “we’ll be quiet” seemed to appease the woman, but before she could continue, the door to the Lincoln County Railroad Depot’s Ladies’ Lounge opened and a woman entered the room. The girls looked at the newcomer nervously, clearly expecting their entertainment to be halted. The woman, smartly dressed in traveling attire, her snow white hair curled into a loose bun, simply leaned against the wall just to the left of the door. Her blue eyes twinkled in amusement at the sight of the storyteller surrounded by her rapt audience, and she arched one eyebrow in silent question.


“I was just, er, telling these young ladies a story.”


“Indeed? I happen to be rather fond of stories myself…when they are well told and…appropriate.”


A dozen pairs of young eyes shifted back and forth between the two women, hanging on every word as they waited with baited breath to find out if the tale would be continued. At length one of the girls cleared her throat softly and spoke.


“She was telling us of Green Eyed Red. Perhaps you know the legend, Miss?”


“Intimately,” the woman whispered too quietly for the girls to hear. Green eyes read the murmured phrase on her lips, then danced up to meet their blue counterparts. “I happen to be very well acquainted with that story,” she told the assembled group as she happily accepted a chair from one of the girls. “In fact, it is one I never tire of. Please...do continue.”


The storyteller shook herself out of reverie after a long moment and directed her gaze back to her younger listeners.


"Back in Dusty Hollow, other ideas were being formed, other plans being made..."



*****************************************



Tara and Anya sat at a small table in the uncharacteristically quiet general store, sipping tea and conversing amiably.


"It is my party Tara--anyone I say can attend--and I say you should invite him."


"Anya! I couldn't possibly! It simply isn't...proper."


"Oh, propriety!" Anya scoffed with a dismissive wave of her hand. "Did I care a whit for propriety when I took Xander into my bed before we were even formally engaged--NO!"


"Oh Good Lord!"


Anya and Tara both turned in time to see Mister Giles pivoting on his toe and rushing back into the storeroom. Tara ducked her head and blushed furiously, realizing their conversation had been overheard, but Anya merely shrugged and continued.


"It's only a dance, Tara. Half the town is going to be there. I could ask him myself if you wish, or have Xander do it. That is...assuming one of the Summers girls hasn't already extended an invitation to him..."


Anya trailed off meaningfully, smiling slightly and looking around the room, her face the picture of innocence. Tara's head had snapped up at her friend's too casual remark, her features darkening as shock quickly turned to indignation. Despite her pleas and her inner turmoil, she did want Will to go to the dance, and it had not occurred to her that someone else might take the opportunity to invite him first. She felt an acute and undeniable churning in the pit of her stomach at the thought of some other girl in the redhead's arms, and a look of fierce determination settled over her face as she caught Anya's knowing and clearly amused gaze.


"I'll do it."



*****************************************



"Excuse me Miss?" a hesitant voice queried. "Please forgive my interruption but well, you see, you've already told us that Willow is a female, yet..." As she trailed off, her face reddening, another girl spoke up in her place.


"It's just that...you speak of Willow and Tara in a...romantic fashion...but how can that be?"


The storyteller's laughter startled the girls, who looked to each other in nervous bewilderment. The white haired woman simply sat gazing at the storyteller, an enigmatic smile on her lips. When the latter had composed herself and spoke again, her voice was calm and clear, her eyes locked on one aged yet no less lovely face.


"True love comes in many forms, girls. The hardest part is to recognize it when you find it, and not to let your heart be unduly influenced by anyone else's preconceptions--not even your own."


A silence descended over the room as each present took in the words. After a long pause, one of the girls spoke, a hint of wonder evident in her voice.


"I do believe you are a radical, Miss."


"I will gladly accept that title, if by the term you mean revolutionary or possessing an alternate point of view from the majority," the woman responded with a wide smile. "Radical thought put into practice turns the wheels of progress. Not so very long ago, higher education for women was considered radical, yet you young ladies are all proof of its merits. Now that the Great War is over, Mr. Wilson is bound to extend the vote to women, which has long been fought for by a good many 'radical' women. Revolutionary ideas abound in the political world today. Is it really so shocking to think that radical thought should be applied to love as well?"


As her words echoed in the minds of the students, the storyteller took a sip of her coffee and continued her tale.



*****************************************



"Faith! What are you doing here, my sweet?"


"What's going on?" the brunette asked suspiciously, ignoring her husband's question and gracing him with only the briefest of sneering glances. Her father stood and enveloped her in a hug before returning to sit at his desk.


"Just a little business. Nothing you need worry your pretty little head about."


"Father...," she warned.


"Now Faithy, you know I don't like you exposed to talk of the criminal elements in this town. I was just asking Warren here to look after a potential troublemaker."


"Well that shouldn't be too hard, considering most of them are his friends," Faith snapped, glaring at her husband, who stood stiffly, his face turning red.


"So, Warren, I believe you were saying you saw the young man this morning?"


Warren looked from his father-in-law to his wife and back again, silently questioning whether or not he should continue with her in the room. At Wilkins raised eyebrow, the Sheriff cleared his throat.


"Yeah, I saw him alright. After he talked to Harris he was over at Donnie's, and the two of them rode off together toward the Summers farm."


"That is interesting," Wilkins mused. "My, my, he's becoming quite the social joiner for someone who was only supposed to be passing through," the Mayor emphasized, staring down his son-in-law, who blanched under the man's gaze.


"Do you want me and the boys to--"


"My gosh, Warren! Jumping the gun a little, aren't we? You know, as much as I appreciate your initiative, I think in this case I'd like to first find out what Mr. Smith's plans are while he's a guest in our town."


Wilkins sat back in his chair and steepled his hands together under his chin, a thoughtful expression on his face. Warren and Faith stood on opposite sides of the room, waiting silently for the Mayor to continue. After several moments, he swivelled his chair toward Faith, smiling broadly at his daughter.


"I think some lucky girl is going to a party tonight!"




Across town, Xander finished hoisting up the buckboard by a system of pulleys, locking the chain in place when the wheels dangled a foot off the ground. He crounched down and wedged a support block under the bottom of the wagon, but paused when he noticed a thin wire running along both underside rails and disappearing under matching brass plates, hinged on one side. Curiously lifting one plate, he heard a muffled click, and shuffled forward on his knees to repeat the procedure on the other plate. When he stood up, he could see that the bed of the wagon had shifted several inches toward the back, leaving a small gap between the front of the bed and the driver's perch. Xander gripped the overhanging edge of wood and pulled, walking backward a few feet and peering into the exposed compartment. His mouth gaped open and he walked slowly around the side of the cart to confirm the sight before his wide eyes. The sound of footsteps approaching his shop jerked him out of his stupor, and he quickly rushed to the back of the wagon and slid the board back in place before sliding himself down to the floor and running a hand through his tousled hair.


"Holy Moley, Will!"




TBC

---

What should I be but just what I am? - Edna St.Vincent Millay

Edited by: tarawhipped at: 3/6/05 4:39 pm

[cperrins78]

I am so glad to see an update to this story finally. Reading this story brought me back to the message board. It also awoken my passion for Willow & Tara again. Thank you so much for bringing me back.







Christina

[hidden watson]

Cam, it's interesting that you've introduced the narrator, which is rather obviously Will (?right?) and her interplay with the "mysterious" blue-eyed lady with the bun hair. It further cements our knowledge that ther is a happy ending, not that that was ever in doubt. Love the raised voice and large-with-the-butch reaction about "Mr Finn and Miss Maclay".

Quote:

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"True love comes in many forms, girls. The hardest part is to recognize it when you find it, and not to let your heart be unduly influenced by anyone else's preconceptions--not even your own."

---

I find it both gratifying that in 1918 this was a sentiment the narrator is able to express in those circumstances, without serious repercusions. Yet almost a century later, now in the 21st Century, on paper we have some progress, yet the preconceptions of the majority remains as just as blinkered as that of the girls' initial reaction. Anyway, that's got nothing to do with this fic ...



Such a lot of scheming going on ... at the Summers', at the Mayor's, even between Anya and Tara. Anya sure know Tara's weak point, appealing to her jealousy that someone else may have snagged the object of her desire before her.



The party is going to be interesting, can't wait.

------

quiet thoughts

[Still Waters T]

YOU UPDATED!!!



Awesome update And if I miss anything in the feedback, blame it on the kitten chat I'm in right now.

Quote:

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Dawn giggled and hid her head behind Donnie’s horse while Donnie himself rolled his eyes and shoved Will toward the barn.



“Now you’ve done it,” he teased as soon as they were out of earshot of the girl. “That kid’s already had crushes on every other boy in town, and you just hung a big ol’ target on your back. She’s a nice kid, but a word of advice? Do not under any circumstances eat her cookin’.”

---

I like Donnie, and lol will Dawnie be having a crush on Will now?



Now, what is Will up to with the broken glass and the twine?



Awww Willow and Tara grew old together It's so...I donno, but I like the thought of them growing old together.



Hehe Anya, she's hysterically funny, and in this update, with the making Tara realize she didn't want anyone else in Will's arms at the dance. Yay! She's always so refreshingly honest and up front about things.

Quote:

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"True love comes in many forms, girls. The hardest part is to recognize it when you find it, and not to let your heart be unduly influenced by anyone else's preconceptions--not even your own."

---

Very true this.



So the mayor will be using his daughter, at the dance, to find out what Will is up to? Hmmm will there be any trouble with Tara feeling jealous about Faith potentially dancing with Will to try to sweet talk some info outta her?



What did Xander find? Eeeh, not good. But he won't tell anyone will he?



Btw were you serious about being able to relax for a month now that you've updated?!



Livvy

[thebardgirl]

Oh....hurrah.



I'm OH so happy now, Cam....thank you for this fabulously fun rant about the West, once again...SUCH a joy to read. Really love it...As you....might...have guessed.



-elizabeth

"Oh, where are my manners, Tara, Willow, Willow, Tara."



-random line I know I search for in every fanfic out there.

[YMKA]

Hey Cam!



Wow....Great update! ... I loved what you did with past and present And I loved how Tara (cuz that's her right ) Said "Intimately"......One word but oh so many meanings.... well at least that's how I see it





Great job Cam!







M.

[Artemis]

Mister Finn and Miss Maclay... heh. Well, I guess Riley hasn't really had much of an intro yet, we'll see what Willow's audience (for it must be she) thinks of Captain Cardboard once he arrives on the scene and proves how 'dashing' he is



It was really touching to see more of the 'narrator', and find out just who it is. So sweet, I can just imaging Tara standing back and fondly watching her gal animatedly telling the story to her rapt audience. "Intimately..." Darn, Tara can still be hot with just a word



Still liking Donnie, which as I'm sure I've said before is kind of a miracle. It's like he's got the whole 'Cameron Eye for the Assholish Guy' treatment, and he's a new man 'Course he's still a bit of a doofus, but a good-hearted doofus, so that's okay. Dawnie's cute too - maybe they could use her cuisine as a weapon against the Mayor and his pesky posse?



Speaking of, yay for Faith! Okay she's in with the villains, but even if she is going to remain evil I like her. And the interaction between the Mayor and 'Faithy' is always good for a grin - the Mayor's such a fun villain.



Anya needling Tara about asking 'Will' to the dance was great too - so true to life, too. I can just imagine Tara weighing up the pros and cons of approaching Will, but once it was pointed out to her that someone else might beat her to it, she's all resolve. Very cute. I'm intrigued to know what'll happen next - will Faith make a typically skank-ho approach to Will to try to get beneath his/her guard? As if Tara isn't pissed off enough at the Mayor and his posse already



Great work Lovely to see an update, I hope there'll be another soon.

Chris Cook

Through the Looking-glass

A Willow and Tara for every world.

Smut Bunnies!: Saving the world, sexily!

[stillrunning]

YAY! Updatey goodness! I love how you're switching back and forth now between an Old Willow telling a story, and the actual story. Quite interesting. Can't wait to see what their all doing at the Summers' house.

"Heaven's not a place that you go when you die...it's that moment in life when you actually feel alive"

[wimpy0729]

Hiya Cam!!



I was whoopin' and hollerin' when I found out you updated. And I'll admit I danced a little jig too. Believe me, it wasn't a pretty sight.



There's so much goodness I don't know where to start. The others have pretty much covered what I was going to say, so if I'm a little repetitive, please forgive me.



Several things (okay a lot of things) made me smile in this, but one thing that really made an impact on me was the image of our two girls as they were older, still together, still so much in love that with just a word or a look, they can convey so much to one another. I could just picture Willow being all excited as she recounted the story to the girls. And the girls were a hoot too, talking about the breaking of legs and calling her a radical. Loved it.



I'm very curious to see what the deal is with Will's wagon. Hidden compartment huh? Very interesting.

And the broken glass and thread...hmmm.



So, us deputized Smut Bunnies are free to roam the saloon -- YAY!!! I'm dancing a jig again, and there may even be some foot stomping and clogging later. (I took my lessons from the Granny Clampett School of Dance). But for your kindness and your wonderful update, I promise I will behave myself to the best of my abilities.



Can't wait for more!



Wimpy Bunny

[WolfNightwind]

Oh my Goss! I love this update!!! And meeting old Willow as the narrator and Tara and seeing them still together is great. It’s so rare that we get to see after the 'happily ever after' and Willow all large with the butch at the suggestion of Mr Riley and Miss MaClay is priceless, so is Tara’s "Intimately” lol! I really like this Donnie. Oh and Anya! OMG! I love the switching back and forth between the story and Willow telling it and the interaction between old Willow and Tara just leave ya a’smilin’. Great story and Great Update!



~Bug



"They kill mice." - Tara

"You've been sporked by the Midnight Sporker!" - Me

[hermitfish]

Quote:

---

Tara: "Cam says thanks for the feedback. Now get out of my saloon."

---

Cyd looks into the bar from the smudgy window on the front side of the saloon. She sees it filled with rollicking music, dancing kittens, and assorted smut bunnies enjoying a tasty brew.



Cyd: "Have I been kicked out forever?" "How will I ever tell Cam how much I liked the shift back to the narrator and her interactions with the blue eyed dame? How will I tell her how cute Tara was when she got jealous of the idea of anyone else asking Will out? And what nifty idea shall play out involving twine?"



She puts one hand against the pane and feels the vibration of the music.



Cyd: "Whatever shall I do to get into good graces again?"





~

---

I am the water to meet your sandy side

I am the water to wash the dirt aside

~TJF



Altered Shadows

[terra21]

<-----------Gallops into thread on a white "STALLION BAYBEE!"



Camster, there's a lot going on in this update. Lots 'o information to digest and of course you did it in an amusing way as always.



I wonder who the green eyed narrator and her blue eyed lady friend are?

Continuous Train of Thought

---

terra

[WickedReds]

Yes thats me a bad influence ...

Hey i know who the narrator is hehe...

Wait, Wait.. Faith and Warren.... ... And Wilkins is her pops... heh...

And whats with Willows wagon.. something special i suppose...



-reds



Meine Banane tanzt für Rußflocke 

Smutbunny Anthem: *sung to tune from Goldfinger* Smutbunnies...they'e the bunnies, the bunnies that love the smut...and Willow's butt. They surf for smut fiction...always lookin' for the next naked sweaty fix...of Tara's tits.- Written By Cameron(tarawhipped) For Us Smut Bunnies

[Rhiannon9891]

(Rhi falls off bar stool after reading update)



Cam,

That was a phenomenal update.





I love the narration.

Quote:

---

I do believe you are a radical, Miss

---

(Rhi stumbles to her feet and sits on bar stool, tips her hat to Cam and begins to re-read the update)



'Till next time...



Rhiannon

She is like a cat in the dark

And then she is the darkness

[meretricious]

cam-fun update, totally worth the wait. and i knew there was something hidden in the wagon, still convinced you're going to blow something up before this is over with. like everyone's been saying, very enjoyable banter between the narrator and her audience, had kind of a princess bride feel to it. really loved the donnie/dawnie stuff. and thank you for just having giles pivot and leave the room, i know it's a giles thing but i get so tired of him cleaning those damn glasses ~mary

you're dangerous, 'cause you're honest
you're dangerous, you don't know what you are U2

[onyxsundrops]

There isn't anything I can say that hasn't been said, but I did love the update and the introduction of the storyteller. Great update, as always.



Yvonne

[amazonaa]

Uh oh. Has Xander found out Will's little secret? Or is Xander going to think he's like a drag queen or something. lol. Anyway great job, loving the story.



More soon, please.





brittney





~Good friends help you move. Real friends help you move the body.~

[behindhereyes]

Cam



I apologize for the lateness of this fb, but you know I haven't been around much. I love the fact that you've given us a glimpse of the narrator ( Willow ) with this update it seems as though you cranked up the action and going-ons in each individual sub-story inside Green Eyed Red. The writing style in this update struck me as somehow different. For a little while there I thought I was going to have to put on the boots of ass kicking motivation ... glad you didn't make me do it Cam... I look dorky in those damn boots .



This one was truly awesome Cameron



behindhereyes

Kim

"To the world, you may be one person; but to one person, you may be the world"

[pipsberg]

Cam,



Hey! First off, so sorry for the delay in leaving feedback. As you know, it took me a while to read the update, then I had to absorb it all. Then, you know, had to do laundry, wash my hair, take the kids to soccer practice. You know how it is.



Anywho, great update! I really loved Willow as the story-teller... it's very cute and Willowy, especially how she gets all defensive about Riley. I'm also very curious about what's in the wagon (omg, is it an alien??). Great job and thanks for the fix!!

-pipsberg



"We live our lives, do whatever we do, and then we sleep - it's as simple and ordinary as that."

Michael Cunningham, The Hours

[tarawhipped]

Howdy Kittens! Hey lookee! 2 updates in one month! Yeehaw!!! Thank you for reading, and on to the feedback for Chapter 11.


cperrins78: You’re very welcome, Christina, and thank you for your kind words.


hidden watson: Hi Watson! Ever since I started this fic with the narrator, I intended to occasionally intersperse the narrative with the actual “telling” of the tale, but at first I didn’t plan on it being Willow (which it is, yes). I wanted to make it clear though that the legend is being told by someone who was actually there, but whose version of events may be slightly biased. Both the storyteller and her blue-eyed lady friend will appear again. Glad you liked that old Willow was able to be so upfront, and it may not be very historically accurate for the time (I don’t know…I wasn’t there ), but it’ll become clear that Willow’s lived through enough in her young life to stand by her convictions. Thanks!


Still Waters T: Hmmm…you asked a bunch of questions that I’m not gonna answer, but I’m glad you liked the update. Showing Willow and Tara still together years later was something I originally intended to do in Secrets & Spies, but decided it didn’t really work, so I’m glad it’s gotten a nice reception here. I was also worried that the “true love” speech was too sappy, so it’s nice to see several people single it out. Guess I’m not the only sap on the Board. And no, I wasn’t serious about slacking off for a month…it’s never my intention to let things sit so long...I’m just easily distract—oh look! chocolate!

Quote:

---

will Dawnie be having a crush on Will now?

---

Well, I’M having a crush on Will, and I’m writing her, so as far as I’m concerned, everyone else should have one too. Thanks Liv!


thebardgirl: Aww, Liz, thank you! I LIVE to make Kittens happy! I hope this last delay didn’t test your patience too much.


YMKA: Hey Marina! Thank you, I’m glad you liked the jumping back and forth in time…I was afraid it might be too confusing, but I really want to continue to use it now and then, so it’s very nice to hear positive reactions to it. Yes that was Tara, and yes she can do amazing things with one word (“vixen,” “unofficially”) *swoon*


Artemis: Thanks Chris. As I told Marina…imagining Tara melting hearts with one word is not much of a stretch. I was LMAO at your remarks about Dawn and Donnie. Very amuzing idea on the culinary weapons. I also really like the sound of “Cameron Eye for the Assholish Guy,” but I don’t know how long people would be interested in watching me smack guys on the back of the head and shouting “BE NICER!” As for the dance, it will not be happening for another couple of chapters, so I cannot address your Faith speculations just yet. Suffice to say, she will not be the only troublemaker there.


stillrunning: Glad you enjoyed meeting Old Willow…she will appear again. As for what’s going on at the Summers’…that won’t be revealed for another chapter. Thanks for reading!


wimpy0729: Pam, I am SO picturing your Granny Clampett jig! Thanks for that image…made my day. It’s nice to know how much everyone liked the elderly W/T, even though it’s a foregone conclusion that the girls will end up together. The broken glass and thread will be explained in the update after this next one, and the wagon…hmmm…sooner or later. Enjoy the saloon!


WolfNightwind: I’m starting to think I should just stop with the Dusty Hollow shenanigans and just write the “Amazing Adventures of Two Old Ladies in Love.” Huh. Nahhh. Thanks for your kind feedback, glad you liked it.


hermitfish: Oh god, Cyd! Reading your Dickensian feedback had me on the verge of tears. Of COURSE you can come back in…in fact, don’t ever leave again! (except, you know, to update and go grocery shopping and stuff). Glad you liked the update, and hope this next one pleases as well.


terra21: Hiya terra…yes, the narrator and her gal pal are exactly who you think they are. Glad you liked the update, and please make sure you clean up after your white STALLION BAYBEE!


WickedReds: Hey Reds! Sorry Faith and Warren give you pukey feelings. *hands G a roll of Tums* Willow’s wagon definitely has a surprise in there…but it won’t be revealed for a little while yet.


Rhiannon9891: Thank you kindly, Rhi. Very glad you liked it. *tips hat right back atcha*


meretricious: Thanks Mary…so happy you liked it, and being compared to the Princess Bride makes me all smiley. I know what you mean about the glasses cleaning…as much as I love the classics, sometimes less is more, ya know? No comment on the contents of the cart…yet.


onyxsundrops: Thanks Evy, it’s always nice just to know people are reading. Glad you enjoyed it.


amazonaa: Hmmm…so while Mary is convinced that there’s explosives in the cart, you think it could be full of Willow’s secret girly wardrobe? Both interesting ideas. Well, thanks for stopping by! (you didn’t think I was gonna tell you what’s in there, did you?)


behindhereyes: Hi Kim…no worries on lateness. I fully understand that people have lives to lead and things to deal with…RL is much more important than having my ego stroked. Glad you liked the update…there were a lot of goings-on I wanted to cover in a short period of time, and I was so psyched that the format I used was so well received. Thank you.


pipsberg: Ah, Pipsqueak…do you see what I told Kim about late feedbacking? Well, none of it applies to you. You get a bare-ass whooping if it happens again. So glad you liked the update…who knew geriatric (but still ornery) Willow would be such a hit?

Quote:

---

I’m also very curious about what’s in the wagon (omg, is it an alien??)

---

You know, I don’t like to reveal secrets in advance, but…dude…uh…NOOO!




oh…final note to the person who sent me an email today: it was blank. But if you wrote nice things, thank you! And if you were asking where the frickin’ update is, it’s here!

---

What should I be but just what I am? - Edna St.Vincent Millay

[tarawhipped]

Title: The Legend of Green Eyed Red

Author: tarawhipped (Cameron)

Email: tarawhipped@hotmail.com

Rating: R (just to be safe)

Disclaimer: All characters are the property of Joss Whedon/Mutant Enemy

Feedback: Throws head back and screams YESSS!!!

Distribution: Take it, just tell me where to visit it!

Summary: A redheaded stranger rides into a town full of trouble and meets a blonde barmaid. Can they save each other and the town?

Setting: AU (the Old West)




Chapter 12



Tara slowly rocked back and forth in one of several chairs on the saloon porch and let her heavy eyelids at last drift shut. An open book lay forgotten in her lap, a recent and wholly unsuccessful attempt to distract her thoughts while she waited for Donnie and Will’s return. The gentle rays of the afternoon sun worked in concert with the rhythmic creaking of the floorboards under her chair to ease her troubled mind into an unconscious, but hardly inactive state, and she began to dream…




The heat woke Tara from a deep sleep, a heat seemingly radiating all around her. She turned to peer out her window, expecting to see bright sunlight streaming through, but in the darkness she could clearly see the crescent moon high in the sky. She threw off her quilt and padded softly to the door, her bare feet shuffling sluggishly over the warm planks, the heat growing more oppressive with each step. When she reached the door, she found the iron latch almost uncomfortably hot to the touch, and the moment she pulled the door ajar a gust of searing air and smoke suffused the room. She quickly drew a handkerchief from between her breasts and covered her mouth and nose, stumbling forward to squint watering eyes into the raging inferno. Standing motionless from panic, she took in the sight of the barroom engulfed in flames. Only the sound of her name shouted from below drew her out of her shock, and her frantic eyes sought out the source.


They moved toward each other as one, Tara lunging for the staircase and pressing herself tightly against the wall as flames danced up the banister. As she reached the bottom, Will flipped his coat over both their heads, wrapped one arm around her waist, and together they raced for the door. Tara’s own horse waited outside in the blissfully cool, crisp air. Will mounted first and held a hand down to Tara, who gripped his forearm and swung herself up behind him. With a sharp snap of the reins, they galloped down the dusty street and out of town.


Miles later, Tara scooted closer as they slowed to a trot, laying her forehead against Will’s shoulder, her arms encircling the redhead’s waist. She felt soft fingertips lightly caress down one arm to her hand, which the redhead raised to place feather-light kisses over her palm. Tara sighed against Will’s neck as her hand was returned to its former position. She squeezed the redhead’s waist once before letting her fingers inch up the slim torso. She sank heavily against Will’s back as her hands kneaded the small, firm breasts, their nipples hardening under her touch. She felt Will’s head turn and she leaned forward to meet soft lips with her own. As they parted she again heard her name called, barely more than a whisper or a sigh.


“Tara.”




“Tara?”


Tara’s eyelids fluttered open to meet green eyes intently appraising her. The afternoon sun shone brightly behind the boy, illuminating his hair to a fiery red. Momentarily lost in the confusion between dreaming and waking, Tara extended her hand toward Will’s face, pausing just before her fingertips reached his cheek. Suddenly turning her head left and right to assess her surroundings, she leapt out of her chair and spun around to look at the saloon.


‘Just a dream...of course...Will isn't...just a dream,’ she thought, exhaling deeply and shaking her head as she turned back to face Will, who leaned against the porch railing, contemplating the blonde curiously.


“Hey Tare!” Donnie exclaimed as he rounded the corner and hopped up the steps. “Why ain’t you gettin’ ready yet? We gotta get goin’ before long.”


“I—,” she started, but Donnie had already turned to address the redhead.


“I’ll take care of the wagon. You just meet us back here in an hour in your best duds.”


Will nodded his assent, still gazing intently at Tara. Donnie looked back and forth between the two a moment, an amused smirk on his face, then disappeared unnoticed into the saloon. Tara tried to rein in her disappointment at realizing that Will had already been asked to the dance.


“S-so you’re going tonight?” she inquired, struggling to keep her voice light.


“I am!” the redhead replied with a wide smile. “I was told that it will be an event not to be missed…the highlight of the social season, no less. Though I was also informed that the closest competition is the annual corn-shucking contest. Needless to say I could not refuse such a kind invitation.”


Tara forced a tight-lipped smile at the young man’s enthusiasm and tried not to let the chagrin show on her face. ‘I bet it was Buffy…everybody just loves Buffy.’


“Donnie said I could ride along with y’all…I do hope it’s not an inconvenience.”


“Not at all,” she answered, bowing her head a fraction. “It’s nice to see you and Donnie becoming friends.”


Will took a step closer and dipped his head down to capture the blonde’s eyes.


“Am I not your friend as well, Tara?” he softly asked.


“Yes, of c-course,” she stammered, becoming increasingly flustered as the redhead inched closer. ‘Great,’ she thought bitterly, ‘the only man I’ve ever been attracted to, and he wants to be friends. Irony’s kind of ironic that way.’


“Good,” Will stated. “’Cause I have a favor to ask and, well, Donnie’s not the type of friend I can ask this particular favor of.”


Despite feeling as though her heart had dropped into her stomach, Tara looked quizzically at the redhead, who nervously knitted his hands together. Long seconds ticked by as they simply gazed at one another.


“What do you need?” Tara whispered.


“You,” Will breathed.


Green and blue eyes widened simultaneously, and matching blushes spread over both their cheeks.


“For dancing! I—I—eh…what I mean to say is…” the redhead hastily added then paused to take a deep breath. “Tara, would you accompany me to the dance tonight?”


Tara’s smile began as a barely discernible quirk at one side of her mouth, quickly spread to a lopsided smirk before becoming a beaming grin.


“Oh...yes.”




TBC

---

What should I be but just what I am? - Edna St.Vincent Millay