Apologies for the length of time this has taken me. Writer's block decided to pay me a vist.... but, i finally got it written and my little, tiny bit turned into a long, 10 pages or so
But i hope you like it.
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Chapter 11There was nothing worse than the first day back at school after the weekend. Everyone in the English literature class sighed as the bell rang, indicating the end of school. Willow shoved her books into her back and made her way to the front of her class. She handed in the five-page essay she’d managed to complete the night before and walked out of the classroom, into the student filled hall.
Kirk: Rosenberg! Hey, wait up!
Willow rolled her eyes and stopped, leaning against a row of lockers. Kirk Thompson made his way over to her, dodging the people in his way and shouting back at the ones who bumped into him. The blonde footballer stopped in front of Willow and shuffled his feet for a second, nervously.
Willow: What do you want?
She never did like waiting around. Always straight to the point.
Kirk: I just wanted to apologize for last week.
Willow: What? Beating me up?
Kirk: Um, yeah.
Willow: Long forgotten.
Not enough time to be thinking about losers.Kirk: Yeah well, I just wanted to let you know I was sorry. It was a misunderstanding and just got out of hand. And I was um, I was wondering if maybe you wanted to catch a movie on Friday night…. Like a date?
Willow just stared blankly at him before answering.
Willow: See, the thing is…. It wasn’t a misunderstanding, I was with a girl from SH that night…. And about the date, sorry, but
the girl made me a better offer. A much better offer.
She patted his shoulder and began walking down the hallway, smirking. Leaving a stunned Kirk leaning against the lockers to hold himself up.
Outside, Faith and Oz were sitting on the steps waiting for the redhead. The smaller boy sat with his back against the wall, his nose stuck in a “The History of Witchcraft” book, with Faith’s back resting against his knees while she painted her nails.
Faith: You think black’s out?
He lowered his book and looked down at his own clothes: A black sweatshirt with some Chinese symbol on it, and a pair of black jeans.
Oz: I hope not.
Faith chuckled and began blowing on her nails to dry them, as Willow walked out of the two double doors at the front of the school. She got to her feet and pulled Oz up with her.
Faith: Come on, speedy. We’re going to be late.
She and Faith had arranged to meet Tara and Buffy early after school, seeing as how their school was still closed.
Willow: I tried to hurry, but Kirk “I love myself” Thompson decided he wanted to talk to me.
Faith: What did he say?
Willow: He apologized for kicking my ass, which he never would have done if it hadn’t been three on one, and then asked me out on a date.
Faith almost choked on her drink, but instead it flew out of her nose and she burst into laughter.
Faith: He what?
Willow: Asked me out. Friday night.
Faith: What did you tell him?
Willow: I told him the girl Lewis saw me with made me a much better offer.
Faith: And the Willster strikes again.
She high-fived the redhead and they began walking down the steps. Willow knew once word got out about her and Tara, there were going to be people who wouldn’t be pleased, mainly because Tara went to Sunnydale High, but she wasn’t going to hide it from them. It was a stupid, petty rivalry anyway.
Oz stopped them at the bottom of the steps.
Oz: I’m gonna split.
Faith: You’re not hanging around to meet Will’s new girl?
He shook his head.
Oz: The trout’s making me clean out the basement. Apologies though.
Willow: No problem. You’re still coming on Friday, right?
Oz: Wild horses couldn’t keep me away. See ya.
He saluted and strode away. Willow and Faith began walking again, talking among themselves.
Faith: Do you ever wonder why he calls his mom that?
Willow: Trout?
He brunette nodded and Willow shrugged.
Willow: Since when was there any logic behind anything Oz says.
They turned the corner and made their way into an alleyway, where two blonde girls were waiting for them. The first’s face lit up when she saw them and she practically ran towards the redhead, who giggling.
Willow: Hey. Miss me?
Tara grinned in response and placed a small kiss on Willow’s lips, taking the other girl’s hand.
Tara: You know I did.
Willow: Yeah?
They leaned closer together and began giggling. Buffy and Faith looked at each other, rolling their eyes. The brunette stepped forward and grabbed hold of Willow’s arm.
Faith: Come on, Romeo.
Willow: What? Oh, right.
The four girls once again began walking down the alleyway. Faith and Buffy in front, Willow and Tara trailing a little further behind. When they came to a dead end, Buffy and Tara exchanged looks.
Buffy: This is what you wanted to show us? A wall?
Faith smirked.
Faith: Nothing is ever as it seems.
Buffy: Great, now she’s talking in riddles.
She turned to Willow and Tara.
Buffy: I did not sign on for riddles.
Faith: Just the free food and hot girls then?
Buffy stuck her tongue out at Faith, who merely returned the gesture. The brunette turned back to the way and did something that the other girls couldn’t see. Moments later a low grumbling nose surface.
Buffy: And monsters? Another thing I didn’t sign on for.
Faith: Shh.
A large section of the wall in front of her suddenly began to break away from the rest of it and Buffy’s jaw dropped.
Buffy: What the-
Faith: Shush!
The grumbled stopped and the wall jolted to a halt, leaving a small space in between, big enough for them to get through. Faith began grinning widely and she turned to Willow.
Faith: It still works!
The redhead beamed and nodded, giving Faith the go-ahead. She shifted her gaze to Buffy.
Faith: Come on.
Buffy: You’ve got to be kidding.
Faith: What?
Buffy: I am
not going in there.
Faith: Oh yes you are.
The brunette made a grab for Buffy’s hand, but she quickly moved both of them behind her back.
Buffy: I said no.
Faith: And I said yes.
A small “slapping fight” ensued and before long Faith had Buffy thrown over her shoulder just like the previous night.
Buffy: Faith, put me down!!
Faith: I will, once we’re inside.
Buffy: Faith!!
The brunette disappeared behind the wall, carrying a kicking and screaming blonde with her. Willow and Tara had fallen into fits of giggles when the “slapping fight” had started and were desperately trying to get their laughter under wraps. Willow breathed in deeply and tried to regain some composure.
Willow: Okay, okay…. Breathing in…. and out again.
The blonde chuckled and leaned forward to kiss Willow.
Willow: What was that for?
Tara: I have to have a reason to k-kiss you now?
Willow: I didn’t say that.
There was grinning from both girls and then they too disappeared behind the hole in the wall. It was pitch black inside and they couldn’t see a thing.
Willow: Um, Faith…. Why do I remember this place being a lot…. Lighter?
Faith: I’m on it…. Just wait a sec. Kinda hard when I have a ton weight on my shoulder.
Buffy: I am not that heavy! And if it’s bothering you that much, put me down.
Faith: Nu uh. You’ll do something stupid, like try to get away.
Buffy: I can’t see a thing!
As soon as the words left her mouth, a “click” noise was heard and the space around them was filled with light.
Faith: And the Goddess said, let there be light, and there was.
Buffy snorted.
Buffy: Goddess. Yeah right.
Faith: Just remember who has hold of you and could drop you at any time.
Buffy was about to say something, but stopped when she saw what was in front of her. The four of them were standing at the top of a stone staircase, which led down to a hugely spaced room below. It looked exactly like one of those bunkers they had in the old war films. Three sets of bunk beds were set up side by side against the far wall in front of them and at least a dozen shelves lined the other walls. In the centre of the room was a large, concrete hold that looked as if glass had once covered it. Two wardrobe-style cupboards stood at opposite ends of the bunk beds three light bulbs hung from the ceiling, lighting the room. The walls consisted of largish, grey bricks that were stacked high, supporting the ceiling. Painted on the ceiling itself, was a white dove, which took up most of the ceiling space. Buffy and Tara gawked at the site in awe.
Tara: This…. This is amazing.
Faith and Willow glanced at each other and grinned.
Willow: We knew you’d like it.
They spent a further few minutes looking around, before Buffy spoke.
Buffy: Can you put me down now?
Faith: Oh, yeah, sorry.
Faith dropped the blonde from her shoulder and turned to Willow.
Faith: Shall we.
They looked at each other for a second and then bolted down the staircase. Faith threw herself on the bottom of the middle bunk bed, while Willow climbed to the top of the first. Buffy and Tara made their way down, a little more slow then the other two and once at the bottom, took their own seats. The redhead stretched out her arm, helping her girlfriend up and Buffy sat across from Faith on the brunette’s chosen bed.
Buffy: How do you know about this place?
Faith: Willow, Oz and me stumbled upon it when we were ten.
Buffy: It’s pretty cool.
Faith: You expected less from me?
Willow and Tara made themselves comfortable on the top bunk bed. The redhead lay down and pulled Tara down beside her, wrapping her arms around the blonde. They curled up together, not wanting or needing to do anything else.
Tara: You know, with a slap of paint and a bit of a brush and polish, this place could really clean up.
Willow smirked and raised an eyebrow.
Willow: You offering?
Tara: You willing to get off your butt and help?
Willow: Nope.
Tara: Then no.
Tara chuckled and closed her eyes, resting her head on her girlfriend’s shoulder.
Willow: You okay?
The blonde sighed, contently.
Tara: Never been better.
She opened her eyes and lifted her head to look at Willow, smiling.
Tara: And it’s all thanks to you.
Willow: I’m glad I could help.
The redhead smiled as Tara dipped her head and kissed her. Willow brought her arms up and wrapped them around the blonde’s body, pulling her closer and deepening the kiss. A few days ago, this was something they only dreamt about. Neither of them believed the other felt the same, little did they know, and now they were together. Another thing they thought they would only dream about. Suddenly, Willow pulled back and looked at Tara.
Tara: W-what’s wrong?
Willow: Nothing.
Tara: Are-are you sure?
Willow smiled and gently brushed her fingers across the blonde’s cheek.
Willow: I just…. Wanted to make sure I’m not dreaming again.
Tara: You dreamt about m-me?
Willow: Every night.
Tara’s trademark crooked grin appeared on her face and she leaned forward, placing a feather light kiss on Willow’s lips.
An hour or so later, after Faith and Buffy had returned from getting everyone Chinese food, they found some candles in the bottom of one of the wardrobes and lit them, placing them around the room. Then, all four girls took a seat on the floor, their legs dangling over the edge of the hole in the middle of the room, and began eating. Willow and Tara had a blanket wrapped around both their shoulders and we huddled together, while Faith and Buffy sat on the opposite side of them.
Faith: Why exactly are we eating this here?
Buffy: You’d rather be eating it at home? All alone? With nobody to eat the things you don’t like for you?
Faith: Good point.
Willow: I know I’d rather be here with you guys, than at home with my parents.
Tara: That g-goes double for m-me.
They exchanged smiles, knowing exactly what the blonde meant. After the incident the night before, Buffy had been the one to call the police. She explained what had happened and the police had taken Tara’s father into custody. As far as they knew, he was still there now. Being grilled by the cops or sitting in a cell where he belonged.
Once they’d finished eating, Willow and Tara made their way back to the bunk beds and continued where they left off. Leaving Buffy and Faith to play cards.
Buffy: What’s the game?
Faith: You know how to play rummy?
The blonde nodded her head and Faith started dealing out the cards.
Faith: Then rummy it is.
Half an hour passed and Faith was on a winning streak. Buffy frowned at her cards, as the brunette placed hers down in front of her.
Faith: I win.
Again.The blonde, angry, threw the cards into the hold and huffed.
Buffy: You cheated!
Faith: My cards!
Realising what Buffy had said, Faith’s head snapped upright.
Faith: I did
not cheat! You’re just a bad loser.
Buffy: And there’s only one thing worse than that, a winner who cheats.
Faith: I didn’t-!
Leaning forwards, Buffy lifted the front of Faith’s top and pulled a “joker” card from the waist of the other girl’s trousers. The brunette stared blankly at the card, before going into “innocent girl” mode.
Faith: I wonder how that got there.
Buffy: Uh huh.
Faith: Okay, so I cheated. But I only did it once.
Buffy: Yeah, right.
Faith: I did!
Buffy: Prove it.
Faith: I can’t.
Buffy: Then why should I believe you?
Faith: Because I’m your friend and you should trust me.
Willow lifted her head from its position on Tara’s tummy and she shouted across the room to Faith.
Willow: I’m your best friend, and I don’t even trust you when it comes to things you can cheat at.
The brunette threw her arms in the air.
Faith: Why do I even bother having you people as friends?
Willow: Oh, we know you love us really.
Faith: You can’t prove that!
The redhead let out a laugh and snuggled back up to her girlfriend.
Faith: I still say I only cheated once.
A pillow thrown by the redhead flew across the room and hit the side of Faith’s head.
Faith: Hey!
A giggle came from in front of her and she turned her head to look at Buffy.
Faith: Don’t start.
Buffy: Hey, you got what you deserved. Every cheater should be pummelled with pillows.
Faith: And every annoying blonde should be locked up away from sane people.
Buffy held her hand to her chest in a “mock hurt” fashion and wiped none existent tears from her eyes.
Buffy: That hurt.
Faith: Shut up.
Buffy: You shut up.
Faith: You.
Willow&Tara: Shut up!
Both Faith and Buffy fell silent, trying not to laugh. The brunette lifted her gaze, stealing a look at the blonde in front of her.
Faith: Hey, Buffy…. I um, I was thinking-
Buffy: You want to be careful doing that. Might strain your brain.
Faith: Oh, you’re so funny.
The blonde chucked as Faith ran her fingers through her dark hair and continued.
Faith: I um, I thought, maybe…. If-if you wanted to I mean, maybe we could um, grab a pizza Friday night and uh, maybe catch a movie afterwards or something.
Faith nervously fingered the sleeve of her leather jacket as Buffy looked at her, raising an eyebrow.
Buffy: Are you…. Asking me out? On a date?
The brunette laughed, uncertainly.
Faith: A date? No! Not a date…. As such, more like a friendly get-together between, you know, friends.
Buffy: So, not a date?
Faith: No. You think I’d ask you out on a date? We haven’t long met, even though Willow and Tara haven’t long met… but this is us, not them, and I wouldn’t ask you out on a date. Not yet. Um, not that your not askable, b-because you are. I mean, you’re beautiful and funny and smart and hell, who wouldn’t want to ask you but…. Do you want me to be asking you out on a date?
Buffy hesitated for a second. Faith had spoken so fast, it took a moment for to comprehend even half of what the brunette had said.
Buffy: Do you want me to want you to be asking that?
Faith: Um…. Maybe.
Buffy: Is that a yes?
The brunette fingered the sleeve of her leather jacket, nervously.
Faith got to her feet.
Faith: Look, if you want, we can forget this happened.
She began to walk off when Buffy spoke up again.
Buffy: What if I don’t want to forget this happened?
Faith: What?
Buffy: I said: what if I don’t want to forget this happened? What if I don’t want to forget you just told me you like me?
Faith: I never-!
Faith stopped when she realised that’s exactly what she had said.
Faith: So, you don’t want to forget?
Buffy: Do you want me to?
Faith: Why do you always answer a question with a question?
Buffy: You’re doing it know, why don’t you ask yourself?
Buffy smiled, playfully and Faith shook her head.
Faith: Let’s just forget this, okay?
Buffy: Not okay. I don’t want to forget this.
Faith: So…?
Buffy’s smile turned into a grin.
Buffy: What time shall I pick you up?
Willow: Will you keep it down over there? Jeez, trying to get some serious snuggles from my girl here. Go flirt outside.
Faith began to blush furiously as she took in the fact that Willow and Tara had probably heard every word. After a second, she looked at Buffy and smiled at her.
Faith: Eight o’clock okay with you?
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I want to thank you all for reading this and giving me the feedback i live for
Just to let you know, i'm thinking of writing a sequal to this.... funny, whenever i have writer's block, when it goes i'm bombarded with ideas for new fics
So i hope you'll all take a peak at that when i get it written.
Once again, thank you!
Ginner ~ A happy, fluffy, slightly neurotic, purple kitten from the planet Twong.
by xita » Wed Jul 10, 2002 4:26 am 
and cool there's still another bit to come. 
And so much has happened! I'm glad, that Tara is out of that hell of a place and now safe with Willow. 
Excellent update! 
He hurt Tara!! Grrr...
Look forward to the sequel! 
at: 8/24/03 1:58 am