New Fic: Three Years Later

[sunspud]

ohhhhhhhhhh





more more i must have more!!!!



*giggles*



so sweet!!!





great work!



Nickole



edited cause I didn't realize I was signed in under my girlfriend.. *giggles*

"I'm a new day rising. I'm a brand new sky to hang the stars upon tonight." Foo Fighters - Times Like These

Edited by: sunspud at: 6/6/04 1:07 pm

[Ginner WTluv]

*bursts into tears of joy* Okay, Willow and Tara's speech at the end was just.... beautiful! They were so sweet!! And, yay! Hand holding!! And Buffy and Faith!! Finally!!! Fluffy!! ahhhh!! ....excuse me for a moment...



There we go, much better. Lots of happy happenings, too much to take Heehee... can't wait for the next part! Must have more!! *sets up chair and sits down, waiting..not so patiently*



~ Jen

Helen - Oh please Nikki, be serious!

Nikki - I want to make love you to all night long... is that serious enough?

** Helen and Nikki in "Bad Girls" **

[wimpy0729]

Oh yes -- the bonny French farce was very farcy. LMAO



And oh, finally some relief. All the girls are moving forward. Big YAY for finally getting their inner thoughts out and letting them be known. And of course, another YAY for the holding hands.



Do I see more touching and talking on the horizon? Maybe even something more, hmm?



Can't wait!



Wimpy

[lipkandy]

wow! where did this come from?! you know, I haven't been reading much fic, and I clicked on yours just for the hell of it and...frilly heck, you can write! really masterful characterization (all of them) and I love that you've taken a dark time and lightened it considerably by simply showing the care and love these characters have for each other. I have a hard time reading post S6 fic, but this has the perfect mix of angst and hope. and the way you write leads me to believe that they're all safe in your hands.



the details are wonderful, from the shawl, to Willow's need for magick not to mention Faith's appearance taking some of the pressure off our girls. I really love how you've turned her around. she's not perfect, but she's not toogood either. she's completely recognizable, but instead of lashing out at others, she's become more honest, allowing that hurt and emotional fragility/immaturity to show.



I could go on and on (the dialog is really impressive as well), but I'll stop now.

thanks again for a wonderful fic. I'm so glad I finally found it

Edited by: lipkandy at: 6/6/04 6:19 pm

[lilMissFortuneCookie]

That was so cute!



And I don't know what else to say cause I really have to finish this Photography project thing for tomorrow and I wasn't even supposed to be reading fics but this one was definitely worth it!



GO YOU!!!



---

LilMissFortuneCookie

*Crack me.*

[Mikaelah Braenna]

Recently, this fic was recommended to me and I decided to look into it. I am impressed with the way you have managed to duplicate the personalities of Willow and Tara with the hesitation, but most of all the love they share. I must admit, I like the new Faith, as well. The details you have used, such as the shawl and they dialogue Willow and Tara speak to describe their own feelings, but made it seem as though they meant Buffy and Faith,to the hand holding, was wonderful. This is a great fic and can not wait for more.



~Mikaelah

Willow: "Where would you go? If you felt lost and alone? ..."

Tara: "To You..."

~~Truly and Forever~~

[gabbles]

Quote:

---

Tara looked at Willow. Willow looked at Tara.



And, behind Dawn’s back, their fingers slowly intertwined.

---

OK, can I just comment on the big grin that appeared on my face after reading that?



This fic is amazing, and you've captured our girls and the love they have so well.



*hugz*

~Gabs

"I'm known as the fat lesbian chick on Buffy. Of course, I mean you stand me next to an actress like Sarah and I look like I'll eat her. *beat* Wait, that didn't sound right. But, you know what I mean."-Amber

[willowsgirl]

Hey Well you can add me to the list of avid readers that you have here, Im loving this fic! The last update was really lovely, and now Im all excited at the ending! I particularly like Faith, she's kinda cute when she's all shy and Faith and buffy were so cute in this chapter

More soon please!



Stacey xx

[veiled isis moon]

It's so god damn intense, with all the wanting and needing, my stomach got all flip-floppy just reading it!

The ending was wicked, with them both talking to Dawn about love and forgiveness and making out as if they were talking about Buffy and Faith, but really it was a little more closer to home......there holding hands!*goofy grin*i'm so happy



I'm glad Buffy and Faith sorted out there problems and got back to being all cute.



The kitchen bits were hilarious! Willow's 'fuzzy slipper', and her 'staring at the pancake as if it had bitten her', made me laugh out loud to myself, that's just Willow!



Everyone assuming Willow and Tara were back together had it's funny moments too. Hope they(you)don't keep us waiting to long!



Michelle

[sapphocrazygirl]

Hey Kittens, much and many apologies for the tardiness...my muse has apparently taken a summer vacation. But I've dragged a few more W/t scenes out of my own creation, and I'm working out the kinks in them tonight and tomorrow...so stay tuned, the update will be in by the end of the weekend.



On to personal notes...



temporality - glad you liked! more to come soon!



D2D - thanks - stay tuned!



Rane018 - hey there



I always feel special when big-time posters show up...after all they know good fic! I'm glad you like it, especially Dawn and Faith (Faith's been the hardest to write because I have to make her still Faith, yet not quite as insanely spontaneous).



Nice sig by the way. I always wished Joss would have done a little more with W/t in that wedding scene...linger a little longer on those adorable gazes!



Sean Gaffney - vibrating, wow, well I'll just take that as a compliment and refrain from smutty comments. Yay, Noises Off - one of my favs! I'm going to see it this weekend...but I promise it will not distract from the updating.



I like Faith and Buffy in a non-violent love way because I had a lot of trouble with the S6 use of Spike and Buffy...I mean, I totally didn't understand that first sex scene, when they beat the crap out of each other and then the building falls down? What is that? I never really liked it. And, it takes a lot of skill to write violent Fluffy into loving Fluffy and I am just not up to the task, I think.



Oo! The First! Good idea! Actually, I'm going to just give up on the frustration, work through one more angsty scene, and get to the "good stuff."



Arwen - yay! Thank you! and more is coming...



Yvonne - glad that the kitchen scene worked for you, I wasn't sure if it was clear, or if it seemed contrived...but oh well. W/t talking about B/f, but actually talking about themselves - that just sort of happened, because I wanted to have a cute scene with Buffy and Faith. Most of the canon B/f is either "there's something going on here that makes us both uneasy" or "i'm gonna kick your ass now" but I really think the girls have potential to just knock your socks off with adorableness. So, there you have it. I'm indulging my own guilty pleasures.



BurningWhiteRose - so the update was good for you?



Nickole - don't be greedy, more to come soon!



Jen - Jen my friend! Always good to hear from you. Glad that W/t at the end weren't on this side of too corny



I've never heard of "Fluffy" before I wrote this fic...it sort of conjures up somewhat disturbing mental images, but I think I can handle it.



Hope you haven't been waiting this whole time...take the weekend off and come back Sunday evening!



Wimpy - much more talking and touching to come. Much more. Magic of both kinds in store.



lipkandy - hey there!



Well, thanks! I'm glad you like this. Dark times, this is true. But I'm glad to be able to twist what was a hard season into something that makes me smile.



Glad you like Faith as well. She's always been a character close to my heart - even in the midst of the "I'm evil and will try to kill you, mwa ha ha" phase. In canon, she'd had a rough life, and although in the original few eps she seemed like she might open up and let the pain out, she eventually closed off and became hardened towards the people who wanted to help her. Well, what if we could reopen those wounds and have Faith come out a different way? Hey, and a little girl-on-girl action as a result can't be bad.



And by the way. The next time you want to gush about my impressive dialogue, go right ahead. I'm a shameless egotistical author, but at least I know it



MissFortuneCookie - glad that I was worth skipping homework - hope the next update is also procrastination-worthy!



Mikaelah Braenna - I was recommended? I was recommended? I'll have to go lie down now.



I'm glad you think that I've duplicated Willow and Tara in a true and accurate way...that's one of my big worries. It's very tempting to put something into their words or actions that go against who they really are - so it's been a definite focus for me to say, "Would Willow really say that? Would Tara really do this?"



Glad you like.



gabbles - yay, big grins! It gave me warm fuzzies to write that line. Glad it worked for you. And I love your sig.



Stacey - glad you're happy with this! The ending is still a little ways off...there are a few things that I want to work through, particularly the big make-up/make-out scene that keeps replaying in my head...so stay tuned!



Michelle - I never addressed whether Dawn figured out that Tara and Willow weren't really talking about Faith and Buffy...she's pretty intuitive, and definitely wants them back together, yet at the same time she's wrapped up in her sister's happiness and probably is parsing out her own love life or her own understanding of love, so it's completely possible that the wink-wink, nudge-nudge of Willow and Tara's speech went completely unnoticed.



Yay for Fluffy cuteness.



I liked everyone assuming that Willow and Tara were back together because I love (and hate) S4 when there is OBVIOUSLY something going on between them and no one notices it at all (except for Faith in Buffy). I always shake my fist at the screen during those times - like when Willow brings Tara to the Scoobies in NMR, and all the other Scoobs have brought their significant others - Buffy with Riley, Xander with Anya, and no one goes, Hey, check out the new girl, think something's going on? Yet something obviously was. So it's funny to me for Dawn (Dawn of the "I told Mom I wished they'd show me some of the things they do in their room together"), Faith and Buffy to put together clues that say a lot less (I think) than the clues that were going on in S4, and they think that they're together because of that.



Of course, everyone wants them back together...and everyone's going to get their wish, by golly!



Alright Kittens, I'm off to slave away...I promise magic next update, and also kissage. It should be up by Sunday.

---

"You see, I think love comes from God. And so, to turn away from love, real love, it could be argued, is to turn away from God." - Dare Truth or Promise

[Shy One]

That was absolutely brilliant!!



Yay!!!!! The smoochies are coming, the smoochies are coming!!! inky

*does happy dance*



Shy One

[My Always]

Three years is a long time apart

They sooo need each other.



I hope they can move past the pain and get on with the love.

I love when Tara gets all determined and goes after what's hers

I hope nerves don't get in the way



Update soon!!

-LR

[sapphocrazygirl]

Alright, here we go! All disclaimers apply. We're going to be seeing some Fluffy, as well as magic of both kinds (metaphorical and ... not so metaphorical). And I'm already working on the next update as well...so feedback soon, so I can perfect my craft!



I know it's short...I'm working on the next bit, really I am!



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



“Are you sure you’re ready for this?”



“I am.” Willow looked at Tara with determination.



“We can wait, if you want to. Three years – a few more days won’t hurt.”



“No. I can do it. I’m ready. Like riding a bicycle.”



“I don’t want to push you.”



“You’re not pushing. Though it might be easier without the standing-room-only audience.”



Tara and Willow looked around at Xander, Anya, Dawn, Giles, Buffy, and Faith.



“Come on.” Anya looked rather annoyed. “We’ve watched you two before.”



“Well, not doing this particular thing, but –“ Xander decided his best choice was to stop that sentence.



“We’re just here to help,” said Dawn cheerfully.



“Tara and I can do just fine alone. We’ve done it lots of times,” said Willow a bit crossly.



“Yes, well, be that as it may,” said Giles, “it has been a while since you two were together, and you might need some assistance just getting back into the, ah, the swing of things.”



“This was your idea,” Willow pointed out.



“Yes, and I think it will be of great help – to both of you. But, just in case –“



“It might help if Anya put the big axe down,” Faith noted.



Willow turned around and glared at the ex-demon, who held the axe just above her shoulder, ready to swing.



“What?” said Anya. “It’s for protection.”



“Number one, you’re not the one who needs protection, and number two, even if you did, that wouldn’t really help,” said Willow crossly.



“Willow,” said Tara gently. Willow turned back to her. “Focus on me. Forget that they’re here.”



Something in Willow’s eyes sparked, and a small, secret smile flashed briefly across her face. “Okay.”



Tara slid her hands into Willow’s, and they looked deeply into each other’s eyes.



I certainly hope they don’t screw this up, thought Anya. I wonder if Willow even still knows what to do.



This should be really interesting to watch, thought Xander. I should be taking notes. Pictures. Perhaps a home movie.



They look so cute together, thought Dawn. I hope this works out for them. It will be so embarrassing if it goes wrong.



This is far too early, thought Giles They should have begun from the beginning, not just jumped in willy-nilly where they left off.



Well, this is exciting, thought Faith. Never thought I’d get to see this. Wow, Buffy looks hot. Stop it! Need to concentrate. This is serious. If anything goes wrong, we’re going to need to do some serious intervention. Big crisis if something goes wrong. I have to focus. Buffy asked me to help, and fantasizing about her incredibly beautiful – FOCUS! – is not helping.



Damn, Faith looks hot, thought Buffy.



Then Tara and Willow closed their eyes, held their linked hands parallel to the floor, and concentrated.



For a moment, nothing happened. Then the magick circle started to shimmer and glow, and slowly the rose floated from the floor.



“Wow,” murmured Dawn.



“Nice,” said Faith.



Tara and Willow still had their eyes closed, but something passed between them. It was like a whole new world of knowing, like opening one small door and finding a library of ten thousand books, all waiting to be read, all meant just for them.



It was like when they had cast the first spell, back in the first year of college, when they were trapped in the laundry room with the Henchmen pounding on the door. Their fingers had linked, their hands palm to palm, and the energy shot through them in a radiant current. Willow ran through Tara; Tara ran through Willow. And in that moment an entire world was born.



From then on, nothing would be the same. There were so many spells, so many things to learn and try and practice; so many things to explore. But this was more than spells, more than magick or protection or camaraderie. This was knowing, in that first touch, that they had been together since the beginning of time, that their hands were made to fit the other’s, that some part of Willow had been waiting to be filled by Tara and vice versa. This was far beyond synchronicity. This was love.



“It is pretty,” murmured Buffy. Tara and Willow, eyes still closed, knew that she was seeing the gently floating rose. They knew that there was more to come; that the true test of how well their magicks fit together would be slowly plucking the petals, one by one, off the rose. This was where they had gone wrong before. This was where, if anywhere else, they might go wrong again.



Tara had no fear. There would be no rose rocket launcher tonight. She had felt Willow’s soul go through her. Even if they hadn’t spoken one word – even if all of their love was still in sideways looks and secret touches – even so, she knew that Willow’s and her heart were beating together. She could feel it through her fingers, hear it in her ears, sense it in the very core of her being.



Willow had expected to be anxious, nervous, terrified perhaps. But all she felt was a complete sense of calm. It was like waking up in the morning between warm sheets, the lazy and happy dreams of that night still echoing in her head. Waking up with Tara’s arms wrapped around her, Tara’s lips kissing her cheek, Tara’s hand gently stroking her stomach. It was being home. She was Tara’s and Tara was hers; she felt it with each beat of her heart.



And they opened their eyes, and for a moment they just gazed at each other.



And what they saw, out of the corners of their eyes, was the stem of a rose, with twentysome perfectly picked petals orbiting quietly around its head.



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



Willow was helping Buffy wash the dinner dishes. More accurately, Willow was staring out the side kitchen window and rubbing the same china plate over and over again with a dishrag, while the stack of rinsed plates grew in the sink next to her. Buffy, who was up to her elbows in soap suds, glanced at Willow, and then glanced outside.



Dawn was sitting in a lawn chair, holding her iced tea, happily talking with Tara. They were laughing, and although Willow couldn’t hear it, she heard long-ago echoes of Tara’s beautiful singing laugh.



“Well, they’re having a good time,” said Buffy cheerily, watching her sister and her friend as they spilled their drinks in the midst of their giddiness.



“What?” said Willow, and her stream of thought was interrupted somewhere along the lines of I know you felt what I did when you touched me again. It was like holding each other for the first time. I know you felt that completeness, that absolute sense of belonging and love and satisfaction connect us like it always did before, and I want to feel that for the rest of my life – our lives, together. I don’t want to know any home but the feeling I feel when I put my hand in yours. “Oh.” She looked at the sink, where the remains of eight dish sets were waiting to be dried.



She glanced at Buffy with a sincere apology face. “I’m sorry, Buff.”



“Don’t worry about it,” said Buffy as she grabbed another washcloth and began drying the glasses. She gave Willow the famous Buffy “tell me all the dirty little details you terrible skank” face. “Sooo…what’s up? With you and Tara? Cuz there were definitely some googly eyes hanging around after that rose spell.”



“I was googling?” Willow’s face stretched in panic. “Was it that obvious?”



Buffy laughed and put the glasses in the cupboard. “I was speaking more of a two-way street of googly-ness.” Willow relaxed, and a naughty grin flickered at the corners of her mouth. Buffy seized her chance. “So what’s up?”



Faith came in through the living room door. “What’s up with what?” she asked, swinging herself onto the kitchen island counter and propping one foot up so that she could lean her arm on her knee.



Faith in tight jeans is just about the most unfair deterrent to conversation ever, thought Buffy, who for a few moments was so entranced by denim that several demons plus Adam, the Master, and the transfigured Mayor all appearing in her kitchen at once could not have torn her eyes away. Ooo, no, Faith in leather pants. Oh, screw the clothing altogether – Faith naked, that is something I’ve never gotten to enjoy to the full extent, and I want to very soon…Supposed to be squeezing details out of Willow now. Bad Buffy. Very bad Buffy. Buffy must be punished…Oh, focus, for crying out loud. “Oh…I was just grillin’ Will on the current status of a certain pairing which I know everyone in this house or within fifty feet of it is strongly looking forward to the reestablishment of.”



If Buffy had been in la-la land for more than a few indiscreet moments, Willow was spending enough time in her own head not to notice -though she did wince at Buffy’s grammatical faux pas.



Faith gave her a grin. “Yeah, I saw the aftermath of that petal-pickin’ frenzy and I was wondering if it was a bit of a metaphor.”



Faith and Buffy gave each other very naughty looks. They both grinned at Willow.



“Guys, don’t push,” said Willow, though she laughed when she said it. “I don’t know what’s going on. Yet.”



Faith gestured with the hand that was on top of her upright knee. “But you do want to get back together with her, right?”



Dawn had just entered the kitchen through the back door, and Tara was two steps behind her – though she chose to stop on the porch and back up slightly, letting the door swing closed. Faith saw her, looked at Dawn, and then looked back to Willow, who had not seen Tara. Okay, so, if the next word out of Red’s mouth is “No,” we are in a big pit of trouble.



Dawn, standing in the kitchen, gave Faith a look that said, If you were not a Slayer, and able to snap my spine in half with the pinky finger of your subdominant hand, and also not dating my sister, I would eviscerate you right now for your stupidity.



Tara stood on the porch. She couldn’t move. Was it still a question? Hadn’t Willow felt that connection – that absolute quintessential feeling of love – go through them? Tara had thought – well, hadn’t it meant something? And the talk with Dawn? Sure, there were still things to talk about, and work out, and a few years of kisses to catch up on, but weren’t they – wasn’t something going on already?



Willow looked at Faith, who was trying to decide whether or not to leap for the door and drag Tara inside. Willow shook her head. “Of course I do. That’s not even a question.”



“So what’s the what?” said Buffy, who had apparently not seen Tara duck back outside and therefore would unknowingly push this conversation to the most embarrassing of spots. Faith doubted that Willow would say anything to hurt Tara – in fact a conversation in this manner might just be what was needed to get both Tara and Willow to give up the super-guilt-trip and get back together – but it might make them both a bit embarrassed along the way. Faith shot her a look that said, B, don’t push this, she’s….



Buffy glanced at Faith and winked.



Oh, my girl, thought Faith with pride. She’s twice as quick as she will ever let on. And also very, very hot. Would it be totally inappropriate to drag her off for a quick makeout session right about now? Yes, it would. Stay focused. Bad Faith.



“I’m just afraid,” said Willow quietly.



“Afraid of what?” said Dawn, who made sure to stand directly in between Willow and the back door.



“What if I hurt her again?”



Everyone in the room groaned. Faith even rolled her eyes. “Cut the self-flagellation, Red. It’s starting to sound like a broken record.”



On the porch, Tara was silently agreeing. If this goes on any longer, I will personally break down this door, tackle her to the kitchen tile, and do many wonderful and smutty things to her. Hang the obviously attentive audience. I want my girl.



“But what if I do? No relationship is perfect. No two people are so totally matched for each other in thought and life and love that –“ Willow stopped. “Oh.”



Buffy and Dawn looked at her with hope. There was silence as Willow pondered her last sentence.



Yes! thought Tara fiercely. There are! These people are right here in real life and you and I are one of them. I love you. I loved you before I even knew you could exist – even before I thought I was worthy of love. And if there is a forever, I will love you for every single second of it.



There are, thought Willow. Oh God, there are such couples, and Tara and I are one. Are. Not were. Because the waiting is now officially over.



And she crossed the kitchen, threw open the back door and ran outside – she was going to find Tara, she had to see Tara, to be with her, to touch her, to finally say it out loud because if she put off saying “I love you” and kissing her and being with her for one more minute she was going to spontaneously combust.



When she hit the porch, she stared out into the backyard, a yell of “Tara?” on her tongue. Tara stood behind her, unseen, silent, her face open, her eyes glistening.



Willow felt her. Every inch of Willow’s pounding heart told her to turn around.



She turned.



Tara stared at her, her mouth slightly open. For a moment, neither woman moved.



And then Willow and Tara stepped together, threw their arms around each other and finally kissed.



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



The first touch was sweet, almost closed-lipped. But they were too hungry for each other - they were starving - they were dying of want. Their lips crashed together, fought, clung to each other crazily. Their tongues danced, crossing over each other, running along the inside of their mouths fiercely.



Willow tasted Tara, running her tongue over the inside of her cheek. Tara’s hot breath against her tongue – then Tara slowly kissing Willow’s top lip, sucking it gently into her own mouth, stroking it with her tongue.



When they finally broke apart - it seemed to Willow to be hours later - they pressed their foreheads together, almost panting, their hot breaths mingling. Through heavy-lidded eyes, Tara's gaze met Willow's, and the matching cobalt and emerald were dark and deep.



Willow's hand was in Tara's hair, clutching at the rich waves cascading over her fingers. Her other hand was up against Tara's back, holding her between the shoulder blades, and her fingers tingled from holding onto her. She spread them, pulled them into a point, spread them again, rubbing Tara's upper back mindlessly.



Tara had one arm around Willow's waist, pressing their bodies fiercely together. Her other hand cupped the base of Willow’s neck, and she felt her lover’s hair tickle her fingers.



They could hardly see each other’s eyes through the haze of heat and want that seemed to shimmer around them. Both were sure they would pass out from lack of oxygen and from plain and simple take-me-now lust.



Unconsciousness will never so sweet, thought Tara as she covered Willow’s lips with her own again.



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

---

"If homosexuality is a disease, let's all call in queer to work: 'Hi, can't work today, still queer.'"

- The New York Times

[ShyTemptress]

YAYIts about time Willow finally saw what everyone was seeing. Great story, and I can't wait till the next update. I still love the 'ship going on between faith and buffy.

-Shy Southern Temptress

Edited by: ShyTemptress at: 6/13/04 1:47 pm

[wimpy0729]

FINALLY!!!



Excellent update! I got goosebumps twice and now I still feel all tingly!



Absolutely loved everyone's thoughts! Soo funny!



The way you brought everything together -- the rose and the petals. Then Tara waiting on the porch was almost too much, wanting to tackle her to the tile, so intense! And OMG, when Willow finally realized -- more goosebumps!!



Loved the "take-me-now-lust", and what a way to go!



Oh, please don't make us wait too long.



Wimpy

Edited by: wimpy0729 at: 6/13/04 1:43 pm

[veiled isis moon]

Awwwwww, i'm so happy! They're finally together properly, with lotsa making up to do. Three years equals lots of smoochies! Yay!



Michelle.x

[Mikaelah Braenna]

Woohoo!!! Finally, the torment is over for them!



Their friends are so sneaky, getting Willow to listen to her subconscious. This was the perfect ending to a wonderful weekend. Thank you! So...... what happens next? Hmmm? More smoochies?!



~Mikaelah

Willow: "Where would you go? If you felt lost and alone? ..."

Tara: "To You..."

~~Truly and Forever~~

[Shy One]

Finally!!!! Kisses and gay love!!

That was beautiful!!

I can't wait for the "full" reunion, though. *waggling eyebrows*

More, more, more!!



Shy One

[DreamsToDream]

Finalllyyy! LoL Yay To All The People Who Helped Them Realize That They Still Needed And Belonged To Eachother Hurray!

D2D



Damn You Vile Woman!!!- Stewie Griffin



I Try My Best To Feed Her Appetite, And Keep Her Coming Every Night... - "This Love" By Maroon 5

[mollyig]

Lovely. I really liked how Buffy and Faith were conspiring to get Willow to admit she still loved Tara. It might have taken Willow quite some time to get past the self loathing and find the courage to tell her directly.

---

Sheacht mh'anam déag do bhéal, do mhalaí's do ghrua

[Arwen276]

Superb Update!



bravo!!

I don't understand why you were nagging about it? It's really beautiful and THEY'RE FINALLY TOGETHER!



SO thank you, and stop beating urself into a bloody pulp!









~Arwen

[BurningWhiteRose]

That was beyond wonderful.







Sincerely,

BWR

[Ginner WTluv]

Finally!! After many problems with my computer, i finally got to read this update and i must say..... YAY!!!! and that's a big, spankingly good "yay" right there. I'm SO happy!!! Willow and Tara kisses!!! Woohoo!!! They made up!! FINALLY!!! <--- he doesn't express my happiness enough!!! maybe two... nope, still not enough! Yay!! And the way you wrote it... amazing. bloody amazing. as BWR said, beyond wonderful. You conveyed emotions perfectly and i just loved how the whole situation played out, with Tara listening to Willow outside the kitchen, and Dawn, Buffy and Faith all knowing Tara was there!! And i must say... i'm loving the Fluffy-ness of this fic But you already know that. Can't wait for the next update!! I look forward to more cuteness!!



~ Jen

Helen - Oh please Nikki, be serious!

Nikki - I want to make love you to all night long... is that serious enough?

** Helen and Nikki in "Bad Girls" **

[sapphocrazygirl]

ShySouthernTemptress - thanks hun! It was about time for Willow to see the light!



Wimpy - Intensity is my speciality as a matter of fact...my last girlfriend and I were making out once and I was gazing at her and she started laughing. I was very insulted and said "What?!" and she said "God, you're so intense." So I'm intense. Apparently. But the next update is more upbeat and sweet kisses filled.



Goddess sakes, now I'm thinking about that stupid old girlfriend and I'm all depressed. After I'm done with feedbacking feedback I'm going to go read "On Second Thought," which I highly recommend to all of you while you're waiting.



Michelle - our girls will hopefully be making at least a dent in the Overdue Smoochies in the next update...stay tuned!



Mikaelah Braenna - Yes, much more smoochies! And good quote by the way.



Shy One - "Full" reunion? Have you ever read me try to write smut? It's bad. Very bad. Awful. For now you will have to be satisfied with smoochies.



D2D -



mollyig - Buffy and Faith are so head-over-heels giddy for each other that they're really pushing for Willow and Tara to get back together (because they're happy together and it's doggone time!) More to come.



Arwen - OK! I will stop beating myself up about it. Hope you like the next update too.



BurningWhiteRose - aw, short and sweet. Thanks much.



Jen - what's up with your computer? Does it not like me? Mine gets really hyperactive if I read too much fic in one night...I wonder if it's a W/t fan too. It was skipping the last time I tried to play "Villains" on it which is a pretty good sign.



Well I'm glad you liked it, and I hope you like the next update.



Okay my Kittens, I am just now slaving away at the next update, which should be ready by tomorrow evening. I promise a bit of Fluffy, the reappearance of the Big Pineapple, and a cameo performance by another object from a previous Willow and Tara encounter. Same kitten time, same kitten channel.

---

"If homosexuality is a disease, let's all call in queer to work: 'Hi, can't work today, still queer.'"

- The New York Times

[Ginner WTluv]

Quote:

---

what's up with your computer? Does it not like me?

---

Aww, no! I'm sure it loves you! ...it just hates me. Grrr... anyway, patiently (well... not so patiently, heh) awaiting the next instalment of this fantastic fic.



~ Jen

Helen - Oh please Nikki, be serious!

Nikki - I want to make love you to all night long... is that serious enough?

** Helen and Nikki in "Bad Girls" **

[wimpy0729]

Hey Sapph! How are you?



Sorry, I didn't mean to lead you down Memory Lane to Depressionville. Hope you're feeling better. Anyway, I loved your intensity in the story. It was an amazing build up and then when it finally happened, it was just well, overwhelming. So, YAY for your intensity!



That just reminded me though, have you seen Chance? She is having a discussion with an old boyfriend (who is a shit).



She says, "Why does everything have to be so serious?" He says, "That's because life is serious." Then she says, "I agree, but not everything has to be so intense." So, that's her way of looking at it. I still say YAY for your intensity, but you say it's going to be more lighthearted and with more kisses on the way? I can't wait!!!



Wimpy

[sapphocrazygirl]

Wimpy - oh no worries my friend! It wasn't a clinical depression, just one of those few-minute Down in the Dumps things, which was perfectly taken care of by a serving of Diet Coke and a bit of w/t fic.



Intensity is all well and good, and it makes several appearances in my fic...but there are also smoochies. Lots of them.



So, here we go...

---

"If homosexuality is a disease, let's all call in queer to work: 'Hi, can't work today, still queer.'"

- The New York Times

[FIRESIGN]

VERY NICE! I just read this in one sitting today - and I'm very impressed! Looking forward to more!



Cheers!



-Cin aka FIRESIGN

[sapphocrazygirl]

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



Willow and Tara were leaning against the side of Tara’s car. They had spent the better side of a half-hour on the porch, then at Tara’s “It’s late, I should be going” and Willow’s “I’ll walk you to your car,” they had walked to Tara’s car in the driveway…with a few well-placed stops along the side of the house, and then a few more sweet kisses at the car door.



Now they were holding hands – Tara kept rubbing her thumb over Willow’s knuckles which was quickly ascending the ranks on Willow’s Top Ten Best Things I Have Ever Felt In My Entire Life – and they gazed up at the sky, patched here and there with a few clouds, slowly darkening and filling with stars.



“The Big Pineapple,” said Willow quietly.



Tara’s smile widened. “I forgot I told you that.”



Their minds gently fell away from each other. Willow ran her tongue around the edge of her lips, tasting the remnants of Tara’s kisses. Willow’s lips felt a little sore and swollen, but there was definitely no pain associated with it, no sirree. She had missed the taste of Tara’s mouth, more than she could say. And she had definitely missed this feeling, this sense of arousal and longing and tenderness and passion and so many other wonderful warm fuzzy feelings that were all bundled up in being in love.



Tara stroked Willow’s knuckles gently with her top thumb. It felt so strange. So strange that she’d spent so much time away – it had seemed like thirty years – afraid, unsure, hurt, then healed but still afraid – when it was so easy and so wonderful to be back. They were different women now; they had grown separately, but they had not grown apart. If, at that very moment, someone had asked Tara how long she’d been with Willow, her answer would have been, without hesitation, “Almost six years.” Even when she’d been away – even when they’d been broken up, she’d been with Willow. Tara was whole on her own, but the best of her was with Willow.



They were quiet then. It was a comfortable silence. There was much to be said – but neither wanted to ruin the beauty between them.



Willow decided to take the plunge. “Tara.”



Tara turned and looked at her. She saw the serious look on Willow’s face, and although her stomach wrenched with anticipation of what Willow would say, Tara tried to keep her mind clear and her heart steady. She loves me. I love her. Nothing’s going to come between us again.



Willow had been prepared for something along the lines of I know I’ve been the most awful person in the world and I’ve completely destroyed any trust you had in me, but I’m begging for that second chance – or maybe it’s the millionth, I don’t know, just give me one more chance to prove to you how much – but looking at Tara drove all the words away.



“I love you,” said Willow, her voice breaking.



Tara’s eyes glistened and caught the moonlight in a way that made everything else disappear for Willow. “Oh –“



And she pulled her lover into her arms, and they stood there, holding each other, their hearts pounding against each other’s chest. Tara’s face was pressed into Willow’s hair, and she whispered, “I love you too.”



For a few moments, they just held each other. Tara thought, I would be perfectly content to stop time forever and just do this. I will never, ever get tired of this – of Willow in my arms, in my life, in my heart.



Willow swallowed lightly and pulled back, her hands barely resting against Tara’s upper arms, while Tara’s arms still encircled her waist. “Tara, I’m so sorry –“



“Shh, love,” said Tara, and she kissed Willow softly. With their eyes closed, they rested their foreheads together, Tara’s hands on Willow’s slumped shoulders. “I know.”



Willow clung to her. Her mind was a whirl – she was afraid – she was shaking, trembling visibly. But Tara held her, caressed her, ran her hands up and down Willow’s back as her lover collapsed and wept against her shoulder. Willow’s hands clung to Tara wildly as sobs shook her body. A few tears trickled down Tara’s cheeks as well.



“It’s all right, baby,” whispered Tara, a tear dropping onto the top of Willow’s head. “I forgive you. I forgave you a long time ago.”



Willow lifted her head, and with red but clear eyes she met Tara’s loving gaze.



“I love you,” said Tara simply. “Nothing has ever changed that. And nothing ever will.”



Willow melted in her arms, and a worried smile creased her face. She embraced Tara now, kissing her cheek again and again, then finally folding her lips into Tara’s as they traded gentle kisses.



Willow sighed happily and pulled back to gaze into Tara’s eyes. There was nothing like that blue. Nothing like what she felt right now – as if she was falling off a cliff into a beautiful sparkling ocean of blue, of Tara.



Willow smiled. “So, are we…” She stopped, unsure of which of several nouns to complete her sentence.



Tara’s only answer was a slow, sexy smile.



If Willow had ever learned the English language, she didn’t know it now.



Just then the world around them flashed with light, and thunder followed only a few seconds after. The clouds opened and unleashed a gush of rain.



“Did we do that?” yelled Willow, still holding on to Tara.



Tara laughed. “I don’t think so, but we should probably go inside.”



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



Buffy was digging in the darkness underneath the kitchen sink. “Here we go. Will, take this,” she said, holding out a flashlight. Willow took it and switched it on.



Dawn and Faith breathed a sigh of relief as the small beam of light flooded the kitchen.



Willow and Tara had just walked into the kitchen, completely soaked, when the power went out. Thus Faith had only caught a glimpse of their faces – and although she wanted very badly to say, “So? So? Are you or aren’t you?”, she decided that her previous experience with that question warranted an avoidance now.



Dawn was glancing from Tara to Willow in the now-semi-darkness. They had come in together – that meant something, right? But then again, Tara had been in the kitchen with Willow early this morning, and wearing Willow’s shawl, and all that meant was that Tara had been too tired to drive home last night. So she didn’t ask. This morning’s celebratory jump-up-and-down had been too embarrassing to risk reliving.



“Okay guys, let’s head into the living room and light some candles,” said Buffy. “No telling when the power’ll be back on.”



“Does this mean I can skip church tomorrow?” asked Dawn.



“Absolutely not.”



“Darn.”



They crowded into the living room, Dawn sitting in the middle of the couch, and Tara and Willow joining her on either side. They hadn’t made any decisions about what to tell the gang – and right now might not be the time, anyway.



The phone rang. Buffy picked up the cordless and hit the power button, only to be greeted by no sound at all. No electricity meant the cordless phone wasn’t working, but the stretchy cord one on the kitchen wall was, and Buffy grabbed it on the third ring. “Hello?...Hey…”



Faith took the matches from her and kept lighting candles. Buffy continued, “Yeah, we’re out too….You want to come over?...Okay….No….Dawn, Faith, Willow, and Tara….I don’t know….”



Faith and Buffy quickly shared a look. “No, not now anyway….”



Dawn watched both of them, then glanced at Willow and Tara, who were also watching Buffy but didn’t seem to pick up on the caller’s obvious question along the lines of: “Tara’s there? Are she and Willow…Are you gonna ask if they are?”



Buffy turned back to the phone. “Okay….In the morning? Thanks Xand, you’re the best…Okay. Yep. Bye.”



She hung up. “That was Xander,” she said. “He said power’s out all over Sunnydale, but it’ll probably be back up tomorrow morning. He’ll come by and check out our circuit breaker then, make sure there’s nothing extra wrong.”



“You guys can stay here tonight,” said Dawn, meaning Tara but including Faith.



“I was kind of planning on it,” said Faith with a grin at Buffy, who was sitting on the arm of the stuffed chair that Faith was occupying. She stroked the small of Buffy’s back very gently, back and forth.



Okay, now that’s damn hot… Buffy thought, and although she was attempting to maintain her in-control posture, her eyelids were slowly growing heavy with arousal.



Willow leaned forward with an air of seriousness. “Buff, I just have two words for you.”



Faith looked up with anticipation, but Buffy responded like a well-taught schoolgirl, opening her eyes widely and smiling with a patronizing air. “I know, Will.”



Then, Buffy leaned down and whispered into Faith’s ear, barely above a breath.



Faith’s eyes grew wider. Willow smiled smugly at both of them – she’d only heard the sound of whispers, but she knew exactly what Buffy had said. Dawn pouted slightly at being left out.



Tara hadn’t heard anything either, but she remembered a gruffy and grumpy Buffy greeting Willow and herself one morning a few years ago. Buffy had given a two-word explanation for her exhausted – and slighly disgusted - appearance, and Tara guessed that the phrase had become a household staple.



“Thin walls.”



“What?” said Dawn curiously.



“I’ll tell you when you’re older,” answered Buffy in a quick voice.



“Buffy, I can buy porn on the Internet,” said Dawn crossly, and then she turned a slight shade of red when everyone looked at her. “Not that I ever have, or would, or anything…”



Lightning flashed outside again. Buffy looked around. “Well, there’s really no reason for us to stay up.” Everyone got to their feet. “Tara, you can sleep in Dawn’s room – “



“Actually,” said Willow with a bravery that she immediately regretted, “Ah - Tara can stay in my room.”



Faith, Dawn, and Buffy exchanged looks.



Willow looked at Tara. Maybe too bold, she thought. Tara gave her a smile in the flickering light. Oh, no, definitely not too bold. That was just the right amount of boldness.



“Okay,” said Buffy. “Faith, uhm…” Buffy lost the “Slayer in Charge” stance and switched quickly to “Slayer Caught Having Naughty Ideas”.



Faith. In my bed. Sleeping next to me. Scratch the sleeping part.



“Right,” said Dawn, preferring not to know, and she took a candle and lead the way up the stairs. Buffy and Faith followed her, exchanging slightly embarrassed looks, and Willow and Tara came up last, their fingers secretly folding together.



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



“You think they’ll be okay?”



Buffy was squinting slightly in the low light as she dug in her dresser drawer. She looked over at Faith. “Will and Tara?”



“Yeah.” Faith sat on the bed, ran her hands over a pillow.



“I think so,” said Buffy, coming over to sit next to her. “I mean – they came in together, right?”



“Yeah, but does that mean anything?”



“I don’t know.”



They looked at each other for a while.



“So, ah, right side or left?” asked Buffy, glancing nervously at the bed.



“I don’t care, really.” I get to share a bed with you, I will sleep standing on my head if you want me to.



“This is okay, right?” asked Buffy uneasily. “I mean, the bed thing?”



“Are you okay?” asked Faith, feeling the bottom of her heart drop out.



“Well, are you okay?”



“Are you?”



“Well, if you are -”



“I – are you?”



“Look, we have to stop this.” Buffy put her hand on the bed.



Faith nodded, though that didn’t really resolve the fact that her heart was now pounding and she was five seconds from standing up and running out the door. Possibly all the way back to Mexico.



Buffy sensed her panic. She reached for Faith’s knee. “Faith, I –“



“No, it’s cool.” Aside from the fact that my heart just ripped in two. “I understand. I’ll sleep on the floor, no problem.” She reached for a pillow.



Buffy caught her wrist. “That wasn’t what I was going to say.”



Faith swallowed the huge lump in her throat, and turned her head in Buffy’s direction. Buffy wasn’t looking at her. Maybe she couldn’t.



Buffy knew she was about to say one of the most embarrassing things of her life, and she was not going to be able to look at Faith. Although she held on to Faith’s wrist, she stared at the carpet. “What I was going to say was, I want to share a bed with you.” Buffy spoke around the huge lump in her throat, and wondered if Faith could hear how loudly her heart was pounding. “I - I want to cuddle with you, and kiss you, and – and make love to you, and fall asleep naked in your arms.”



Faith stared at Buffy, who finally raised her head and looked into Faith’s eyes. “But I’m so scared to tell you, because I feel so – so strongly, so intensely about it that I’m sure I’m going to scare you away.”



Faith reached out and touched Buffy’s face. She cupped Buffy’s soft cheek in her hand, and Buffy closed her eyes and felt Faith’s fingers, stroking her jawline, driving her slowly mad.



Faith couldn’t speak, though the words were piling up in her brain. She leaned in and softly kissed Buffy’s other cheek, then the corner of her mouth, then her sweet soft lips.



Faith kissed Buffy again, still gentle, but her tongue trailed around Buffy’s lower lip. Buffy wound one arm around Faith’s waist and pulled her lover into her, returning the kiss, tangling her tongue with Faith’s. As Faith sank her fingers into Buffy’s hair, she leaned backwards, pulling Buffy’s body over hers as she lay back on the bed. Buffy used one hand to brace herself and one hand to hold onto Faith frantically as they kissed again and again and again.



Buffy was lying on top of Faith. This realization came to Buffy and she pulled back slightly: amazed, turned on, worried. Faith was breathing hard when they broke apart. Their hot mouths were grazing each other, their quick gasps mingling. Buffy tried to look at Faith, tried to read her face.



Am I pushing? wondered Buffy. Am I going too fast? Did she pull me onto her or did I push her down?



Faith could see the confusion in Buffy’s eyes, and she stroked one hand up and down Buffy’s tense forearm. Faith kissed her tenderly as she brought her knee up between Buffy’s legs.



“I get the left side,” whispered Faith into Buffy’s mouth.



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



“You okay?”



“Oh, very okay,” said Willow as she handed Tara a baggy shirt to change into. “I mean – you’re okay, right? I’m sorry, I should have-“



“I’m good,” said Tara, smiling at her. They grinned at each other warmly for a few moments. Tara made an indefinite gesture. “I’m just going to brush my teeth, and-“ She opened the bedroom door.



Dawn was standing there, a candle in her hands. “Hey guys,” she said, looking at them anxiously. They didn’t look too uncomfortable, but they were both dressed and standing on opposite sides of the bed, so Dawn wasn’t jumping to any conclusions. “I just remembered I had this and I thought it would be more stable than the dinner candle. I think that’s the one I knocked over last Thanksgiving, or maybe the one I hit a Leavaron demon with once.”



Both of them stared at Dawn, who didn’t understand why they looked completely shocked. Um, candles are okay, right? I mean, I did keep this from Willow’s stuff, but it looks like a normal candle, not a magick candle or anything…they do look different, right? I mean, it has little suns on it, but that’s pretty normal. And it doesn’t smell funny, or give off purple smoke, or anything weird, so…And they’re doing magick again anyway, so it’s not like me returning some of the stuff that I kept from the magick clear-out will be a problem…so why are they staring at me like I just brought in Buffy’s head on a tray?



Dawn, whose babbling skills had been finely honed in the last few years, continued nervously, “And I just tought you might want a candle that wasn’t going to tip over in the middle of the night, and I remembered that I had this and thought it would be more stable…” I’m repeating myself. Maybe they can take that as a subtle “So, are you guys gettin’ with the lovin’ yet?”



Tara finally regained her composure. She took the candle from Dawn’s hands. “Thanks, Dawnie. Good night.”



Dawn smiled at her, said “Goodnight, Willow,” and closed the door as she left, breathing a sigh of half-relief and half-exasperation. What good is me bringing a candle to them for no reason at all if they can’t at least be half-undressed when I open the door?



Willow waited until she heard Dawn’s footsteps retreat from the doorway. Then she blew out the dinner candle, which had been looking pretty stable but which Willow was willing to break in half over her own head at this point. She walked around the bed, tossing her pajama pants onto it, and came to stand next to Tara.



They looked at the candle, then at each other as the light flickered over their faces.



“Are you thinking what I’m thinking?” asked Tara, and the edge of her mouth curved upward.



Willow smiled, and then blew the candle out.



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



Tara awoke.



The first thing that she noticed when she woke up was that she was lying in a strawberry field. The blossoms had just bloomed, and their scent infused the air. Tara was naked, lying on her back, and the sun warmed the length of her body and a cool breeze blew gently across her collarbone…



No. Tara blinked a few times and woke up fully.



She was lying in Willow’s bed.



Though she was definitely naked, and could smell Willow – which in a dreamy world was very close to fresh strawberry blossom sweetness – and Willow was spooned up facing her, naked, warming Tara’s body, and breathing softly over Tara’s collarbone.



Willow had a hand curled up just beneath Tara’s breast. Her leg was luxuriously stretched and her calf crossed Tara’s. She was smiling in her sleep.



I’m going to marry this woman, thought Tara, and a smile spread across her face. Damned if I’ll ever leave this bed, but if someone does make me sometime in the future, I’m going to marry her.



She played with a strand of Willow’s hair, then ran her fingers through it, her thumb stroking down Willow’s silky neck. Love for Willow blossomed over and over again in her heart.



They had collapsed into bed mostly naked, a result of frantic kisses and hasty unbuttonings from the bedroom door to the pillow, but somehow, they had started talking and never stopped. About Tara’s life in L.A.– or lack thereof, really, since she had been dragging herself through a job and her college degree, making friends here and there but nothing like the family she’d left in Sunnydale. And Willow’s life in Sunnydale – which had broken Tara’s heart, to hear how meager Willow’s existence had been.



To avoid remembering life without each other, they talked demons, apocalypses – Tara related the interesting conversations she’d had with Angel, starting with the night when he appeared near her apartment in vamp-face after a fight and she’d tried to stake him. Good thing that she’d been working the late shift, or she would have been awake enough to actually aim.



He’d become her closest friend, and they’d spent the last year and some fighting together – though hunting vamps without Willow always gave her the chillies, and also a lot of guilt and nostalgia and big-time loneliness. It had been so hard to go out, night after night, and tackle soulless beasts, being constantly reminded of Willow.



Not that daytime was any less reminding. She’d borrowed notes from an acquaintance for lit class and found that the girl highlighted using different colors. She ordered scrambled eggs in a diner and was accidentally delivered eggs sunny-side-up, which wiggled at her in an exasperated way. Once she came across the word “amphibiophobia” in a magazine article – “fear of frogs.” There were always roses in the florist’s window, mochas in the coffee shop, blue zipper cardigans with little embroidered flowers in the shopping mall. And life in itself – just living, breathing, being a soul in skin - reminded her of Willow.



But Angel – Angel whose eyes softened when she talked about Buffy, who was kind when she talked about Willow – Angel who understood, in some way, what it was like, had eased some of that pain. But he’d also known how to wound Tara the deepest.



Tara had told Willow last night in a trembling voice how Angel had fought with her – the only fight they ever had, besides that first night’s encounter. It hadn’t been physical, only verbal and emotional.



He’d come to see her and asked about what had happened between her and Willow – because there was love evident there, in the way that Tara talked about her and described her – “Love is coming off of you in waves,” he’d said – but Tara’d never said exactly why she left - what in this world or any other could have happened to separate them?



As firmly as she could, and without crying, she’d told Angel why she’d left Willow.



He’d nearly killed her.



Not in a vamp way. In a human, soulful, heart broken, true love lost, “I am your friend and will tell you this to your face and screw what you think of me because you need to hear the truth” way. He and Buffy could never be together, for many reasons, and he understood that. But he would always love Buffy and she would always love him, and if there had been any way at all to overcome the things that stood between them being together, they would have done it in a heartbeat. But Tara – she’d let a little thing like magick do it? Something solvable, something workable? He’d raged. If she really loved Willow that much –



They hadn’t spoken for several days after that. Angel had eventually come by and said that he needed her for patrol, and she came without hesitating. It had been another week before he apologized, and it had been another few months before Tara realized that Angel was damn right.



“Life’s so short, Will,” she’d said last night, tears dropping onto her chin. Willow had caught them with her thumbs, caressed Tara’s face. “It’s just too short to let go of something this good.”



Thank God I got it back, thought Tara now as she watched Willow sleep.



Tara ran a hand down Willow’s body – her shoulder, her ribcage, her stomach. Willow was so small. She’d lost a lot of weight. Tara was momentarily afraid that she’d break her, a feeling immediately replaced by a desire to feed Willow until she burst.



And to feed off her…



Tara trailed a lazy finger over Willow’s stomach. The muscles beneath her jumped. She stroked the luxurious skin, beginning to massage in small, warm circles. Tara grew slowly aroused just from rubbing Willow’s tummy.



She watched her lover’s face. Willow smiled a little broader, then her eyes crinkled, then she stretched and opened her eyes.



The sexiest smile Tara had ever seen slowly wandered over Willow’s face. “Hey,” she said, reaching out and touching Tara’s cheek.



“Hey,” said Tara gently, kissing the tips of her fingers.



“Mmm,” murmured Willow and she pulled Tara in for a kiss.



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



“Will,” came from beyond the door. Buffy stood outside, trying to hear whatever was going on in there. All she heard was a lot of shuffling. She hadn’t heard anything last night, but then again she’d been rather busy…Mmmm, mid-morning recall of last night’s pleasures…very good, very good indeed. She leaned in towards the door again. “Will, are you up?”



Willow turned towards the door, standing in the middle of the bedroom as she pulled on her jeans. Slightly off-balance, she tried to put a foot down as she called back, “Be right there, Buff.” Unfortunately she stepped on her pant leg and went crashing to the floor.



Tara, who was fully dressed and had been watching Willow’s struggles as she pinned up her hair, burst out laughing.



“Will? Are you OK?” Buffy had heard a body hit the floor, then Tara and Willow laughing. Buffy put her hand on the doorknob and began turning.



From her floor position, where she could barely move for laughing, Willow gestured at the door. She'd meant to magically lock it, but instead she knocked a pad of paper off the nightstand. She was laughing too hard to concentrate, though she was dying of fright that Buffy would open the door.



Willow looked frantically at Tara. Tara was barely standing upright for laughter, and was clinging to the bed, but she managed a quick hand flick at the door, and the lock locked itself before Buffy could take matters into her own hands.



Still on the floor, Willow called back, “I’m fine, Buff…just tripping over my own feet, as usual.” She tried to suffocate her giggling.



“I need you, Will. Are you dressed?”



Tara scooped her arms under Willow’s and pulled her up. Willow turned in her arms to face her, and as Tara zipped up Willow’s jeans, they stole quick morning kisses. “Coming…” Willow called back to Buffy between liplocks.



“Later,” said Tara to Willow, her voice husky. Willow’s eyes widened, and she bit Tara’s neck lightly as a scolding for very, very bad timing. She stole one more kiss, then one more, then went to the door and opened it.



“What’s up?” she asked Buffy, trying to look innocent.



“A few things,” said Buffy, looking very serious and upset. “First of all, the power’s not back on and Giles says it’s looking apocalyptic. Second," and Buffy's eyebrow arched ever so slightly, "your blouse is buttoned wrong.”



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



To be continued? More good? More bad? Feedback me!

---

"If homosexuality is a disease, let's all call in queer to work: 'Hi, can't work today, still queer.'"

- The New York Times

Edited by: sapphocrazygirl at: 6/20/04 10:45 am

[effrena]

Definitely good! Very good! And more!

I`m so glad our girls are united again! And Faith and Buffy is just perfect! I really like this story!

I hope the next apocalypse leaves still some time for more bonding!



P.S. Sorry, that I didn`t give any feedback before.... I`m kinda bad at that!

Can`t we not suck anymore?! Ellen DeGeneres