You guys have been wonderful
Here it is, the last part. Angst, confusion, dancing, parties, Faith in a sexy Prom dress all mixed into one
Hope you like!!
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Part 9Faith hung her outfit from Prom on the back of her wardrobe door and walked into the bathroom.
Five hours ‘til Prom. Time to start getting ready.She paused for a second.
Maybe I should call Willow….Walking back out of the bathroom, Faith slid down the banister on the stairs and landed next to the phone. She dialled in Willow number and waited for the redhead to answer.
Willow: Hello?
Faith: Will, it’s Faith.
Willow: Oh, hey.
Faith: Where the hell have you been? I’ve been worried sick.
Willow: I haven’t moved from my bedroom.
Faith: In five days?
Willow: Five days in your room can give you a lot of time to think.
Faith: Have you decided what it is you want?
Willow: Yes. I just want to be normal Faith. I wanna be me.
Faith sighed.
She’s gonna brake Tara’s heart…Faith: If that’s what you want.
Willow: It is.
Faith: Are you gonna show for Prom?
Willow: I’m not sure. I’ve got my stuff ready in case, but I don’t know.
She heard Willow pause on the other end.
Willow: Is Tara going to be there?
Faith: Yeah. Oz offered to take her.
Willow: Oh. Well, um, I’ll talk to you later.
Faith: Okay. Bye Will.
Willow: Bye.
Faith hung up the phone.
Faith: Tara’s gonna be destroyed….
Breathing a heavy sigh, Faith walked back into the bathroom and turned on the shower.
**********
Willow put the last thing back on her bookshelf and looked around her room. It wasn’t like it was before, mainly because she’d destroyed half of her stuff when she lost it, but it looked okay. Kneeling down she picked up the top part of her CD player and turned it over in her hands.
Willow: I’m gonna need a new one of these.
She moved to sit on the end of her bed and held her head in her hands.
Willow: I’m doing the right thing. I know I am….
**********
Grabbing a towel off the rail, Tara climbed out of the shower and wrapped it around her body. Oz was picking her up at eight to go to the Prom, so she had roughly two hours to get ready. As she walked into her bedroom, she took her brush off her desk and sat down in front of her mirror. Thoughts rushed through her mind a mile a minute.
I can’t believe I’m going. Faith certainly has a way of persuading people to do what she wants.She sighed.
It’ll be okay. I’ll go, I’ll have a good time…. Yeah. It’ll be okayTara stared at herself in the mirror.
And pigs might fly….**********
Oz walked up Tara’s drive and knocked on the front door. Moments later a woman, who he took to be Tara’s mom, answered.
Oz: I’m here to pick up Tara.
TM: You must be Oz, Come in. Tara will be right down.
Oz nodded and walked into the house.
TM: Tara, Oz is here!
Tara’s mom turned around, winked at Oz and then wondered off into the kitchen. Oz arched an eyebrow and shook his head.
Tara: H-hi.
Oz turned his attention to the top of the staircase, where Tara stood. She wore a long, blue dress that complemented her figure perfectly and she’d left her hair down, with a couple of plats here and there. She tucked her hair behind her ear and smiled at Oz, as she began to walk down the stairs.
Oz: You look amazing.
Oz smiled and opened the front door for Tara.
Tara: Th-thanks.
Oz: Now, lets go have some fun.
**********
They gym was filled with people. Decorations hung from the ceiling and banners covered the walls. Food was set out on a table at the far side of the room and the band was wearing out their amplifiers on stage. Teachers were scattered around the gym, keeping an eye on everyone and making sure things didn’t get out of hand. Oz and Tara walked in behind a number of smartly dressed couples and took in their surroundings.
Tara: Wow.
Oz: This is our gym, right?
Tara: I-I think so.
Oz: Huh. Do you want something to drink?
Tara: N-no. I’m f-fine, thanks.
Oz: Okay. I’ll be right back.
Tara nodded and Oz walked off into the crowd in search of the refreshments table. Tara sighed and folded her arms across her chest.
Well, I’m here. I’m miserable, but I’m here. What am I going to do if Willow shows up? Do I avoid her or talk to her? What if she’s thought things through and decides it was just a thing and she wants to be with some guy? I’m so stupid. I wish I’d never kissed her…. I wish we’d never moved here.Tara looked up when she heard someone calling her name and smiled slightly when she saw Faith walking towards her.
Tara: Hey.
Faith: Tara, you look amazing.
Tara: Th-thanks. Don’t l-look s-so bad yourself.
The taller girl was wearing a shortish black dress that came down just below her knees, her tattoo clearly visible on her upper arm and she’d tied her hair up smartly, leaving a few wisps hanging. (Think Homecoming) Faith sat down and Tara took the seat next to her.
Tara: N-no date?
Faith: On her way.
Tara: You h-have one?
Faith nodded.
Faith: Where’s the Oz-man?
Tara: H-he went to, um, get a d-drink.
Faith: Has he said anything about playing tonight?
Tara shook her head and watched as a blonde girl entered the gym. Faith shot up off her seat and walked towards the girl, smiling. They hugged and Faith wrapped her arm around the other girl’s waist as they walked back to the table. Oz reappeared and moved to stand next to Tara, arching an eyebrow when he saw Faith and the girl.
Faith: Um, guys…. This is my date…. My-my girlfriend…
Faith rolled her eyes at her own babble and started again.
Faith: This is Buffy.
Buffy: Hi.
Tara and Oz both smiled and waved before Faith dragged Buffy onto the dance floor.
Oz: Oh, do you wanna…?
Tara: I-I’m fine. You should…. Go. Have fun.
Oz: Are you sure?
Tara nodded and watched Oz walked towards the stage. She sighed.
This is going to be a long night.**********
As the Prom moved into its second hour, more and more students flocked to the dance floor. Tara sipped her drink and watched all the happy couples. Faith would come over every now and again and ask how she was doing, she’s always say she was okay, even though deep down her heart was braking. She’d put on a happy face to come out with, but found herself unable to keep it up any longer.
Taking hold of Buffy’s hand, Faith stopped dancing and walked over to Tara.
Faith: How you holding up?
Tara: I’m okay. I-I think I’m gonna h-head home, though.
Faith: Tara you can’t leave. The party just got started.
Tara: N-no, Its okay. You… you should s-stay and h-have a good time. Go.
Faith frowned and stayed put.
Tara: Don’t make me m-move you.
Smiling, Faith stepped forward and kissed the top of Tara’s head.
Faith: Everything’ll work out fine.
Tara: Yeah.
Buffy and Faith turned and moved back towards the dance floor.
Buffy: What’s wrong with her?
Faith: My best friend broke her heart.
Tara sighed and wiped away a stray tear she’d let fall. With a heavy heart, she stood up and began to walk toward the gym door.
How could I think I’d have a good time? I’m not sure I can handle feeling like this…. I’m so…. Empty….Tara stumbled slightly when she accidentally walked into someone who was on their way into the gym.
Tara: S-s-sorry.
Person: No problem.
Tara frowned and looked up when she heard the familiar voice. Standing in front of her dressed in a black tux, black shoes and a white shirt, was Willow. She’d left the top two buttons of the shirt undone and was wearing a necklace around her neck. Her black streaks more visible against her black jacket.
Tara gasped when she saw her.
Willow: Hi.
Tara was completely speechless. She just looked at Willow, confusion clouding her eyes.
Willow: I know, after what I did, you probably don’t like me very much right now…. And I don’t blame you if you don’t talk, or want to see me ever again…. But I need you to listen.
Taking Tara’s as her go ahead, Willow continued. As she spoke, she began walking further into the gym and Tara silently followed her.
Willow: That night in the alley…. What happened…. When I took off…. I was confused. I’d never kissed a girl before, or even thought about kissing one until I met you. I freaked. I’ll admit that. Kissing girls…. Wasn’t something I did. Especially in an alleyway on a dark night. I need time to think…. Needed some advice…. And Faith was there to give it me. She said I had to figure out who I was…. That I had to figure out what I wanted…. And I have.
Stopping, Willow turned to look at Tara.
Willow: I had to look at myself and figure out who I was…. I did…. And on my way here, I wasn’t completely sure I was doing the right thing….
Feeling her eyes fill with tears, Tara walked past Willow and started to make her way into the crowd, where Willow couldn’t see her cry.
Willow: Tara! Wait! Let me finish!
Slowly Tara turned around. Both girls looked at each other.
Tara: I’m n-not going to stand here and listen to y-you tell m-me you don’t want this. That you d-don’t want me. I c-can’t handle that.
Willow: Please, let me finish.
Willow took a few steps towards Tara, not realising she and the blonde were the centre of everyone’s attention. The band had stopped playing music and all the couples had stopped dancing.
Willow: On my way here, I wasn’t completely sure I was doing the right thing…. But now I’m here, looking at you…. I know I am. Faith said I had to figure out what I wanted, and I have.
Walking forward with confidence that showed, Willow’s hand came up to meet
Tara’s cheek and she kissed the shocked blonde. Lightly at first, as if asking if it was okay, just like she had done the first time and just like the first time, Tara answered her question by returning the kiss. For a moment everything in the room was silent. Then suddenly, everyone started to clap and cheer. People whistled and shouted things like: “Yeah! Kiss the girl!” and “Sock it to her, Will!”
Tara’s arms wrapped themselves around the redhead’s waist and Willow’s arms encircled Tara’s neck as the kiss deepened. Faith grinned and whistled loudly.
Oz appeared next to her and high-fived the taller girl, grinning as widely as everyone else. Breaking the kiss, Willow pulled back, breathless, and smiled. She rested her forehead against Tara’s and they grinned at each other. Finally happy, they giggled at the cheers around them and turned to face the crowd. Willow took hold of Tara’s hand and bowed. Tugging on the redhead’s hand, Tara pulled Willow up and back to face her.
Tara: Do you have any idea how much you scared me?
Willow: Well, I had to guarantee a shocked reaction.
Grinning, Willow felt Tara put her hand on her neck and pull her forward into another kiss. The crowd of students still cheering, the band stopped clapping and started to fill the gym with music again.
**********
As the night came to an end, the band started packing up their equipment and students began to leave. Willow, Tara, Faith and Buffy in the midst of them. The walked out through the doors of the gym, laughing and smiling, and sat down on the “Darwin High School” sign at the top of the road. They grew silent, and watched as everyone poured out of the gym.
Faith: Sure has been one hell of a night.
Willow: Oh yeah.
Faith: I was beginning to think you’d made the wrong decision.
Faith leaned forward so she could see Willow and winked at her. The redhead smiled and put her arm around Tara’s waist.
Willow: I never make the wrong decision.
Faith laughed and sat upright again, Buffy resting her head on the brunette’s shoulder.
Willow: Hey, where did Oz go? Wasn’t he right behind us when we left?
Faith: He was, but then Xander turned up in a tux to see him…. And the rest’s history.
Willow raised her eyebrows, shocked.
Tara: Xander’s Xander?
Faith: The very same.
Willow: I didn’t know Oz was….
Faith: After hanging around with us for so long and being asked to Prom by the lunch lady, I think Oz thought he’d do better with guys.
Willow laughed and nodded her head.
Willow: You’re probably right. And, I know Xander’s had a thing for him for a
long time.
Buffy: Looks like everything worked out fine.
Hearing Buffy’s voice, Willow spoke again.
Willow: Faith, was Buffy the
friend you spent those three days with?
Faith: She might have been.
Willow: Thought so.
Remember something, Willow took Tara’s hand and pulled the girl up off the sign and they disappeared behind the wall of the school. Faith raised her eyebrow.
Faith: Wonder what that was about.
She looked down at Buffy.
Faith: You okay?
The shorted girl lifted her head and smiled.
Buffy: Never been better.
Faith returned the smiled and leaned down to kiss her girlfriend.
**********
Willow pulled Tara out of sight behind the wall and smiled at the blonde’s confusion.
Tara: W-what are you d-doing?
Willow: I’ve got something for you.
Lifting her arms behind her head, Willow unclipped the necklace she was wearing and handed it to Tara. Frowning, the girl lifted it up to the light. It was the necklace from the chest in the air raid shelter.
Tara: Willow….
Willow: I saw the way you were looking at it. It’s yours.
Tara: I-I can’t….
Willow: I’m telling you, you can.
With a smirk, Willow took the necklace from Tara and moved behind the blonde to put it on her. After she’d fastened the clasp, she wrapped her arms around Tara’s waist and rested her chin on the girl’s shoulder.
Willow: I love you.
Turning in the embrace, Tara looked at Willow, frowning.
Tara: No one’s ever s-said that to me b-before and meant it.
Willow: I meant it. I’ll mean it every time I say it.
Willow lifted her hand to wipe away a tear that was sliding down Tara’s cheek and smiled.
Willow: I love you, Tara. I always have.
Their lips met in a tender kiss. One that was full of love and affection.
Tara: I love you too, Willow.
Hand in hand, the girls walked back towards Faith and Buffy, finally happy and finally together. Finally complete.
As they came into view, Faith stood up and shouted over to them. Oz and Xander had joined them.
Faith: After Prom party at Xander’s!!
Xander: Did I agree to that?
Oz: Best to just go with it.
Xander shrugged as Willow and Tara reached them.
Willow: I don’t think I can handle any more excitement.
Oz: The dancing wore you out?
Willow: No. Our make up kiss wore me out.
Giggling, Willow winked at Tara.
Faith: Common. How many chances are we going to get to have an After Prom Party?
Oz: Just the once, I’m guessing.
Faith: Oz-man just hit the nail on the head!
Xander leaned down to whisper in Oz’s ear.
Xander: Oz-man?
Oz: She started calling it me one day and it stuck.
Xander: Huh. Cute.
Faith: Come on, guys. Buffy’s up for it, right?
Buffy: Sounds cool.
Oz: I’m in.
Tara: Me too.
Faith nodded towards Willow.
Willow: Where Tara goes, I am doomed to follow, but can I go home and get changed first?
Tara: You are not changing!
Willow: Yes ma’am.
Smirking, Tara threaded her finger through the loop in Willow’s trousers and pulled the redhead towards her for another kiss.
Xander: And seeing as how it’s my bar, I should probably come too.
Oz: You better be coming.
Oz punched Xander’s arm playfully and Faith took hold of Buffy’s hand.
Faith: Well, what are we waiting for then! Let’s put on some leather and get it together, people! Lets party!
Oz: Right behind you.
Xander: My bar’s gonna be trashed.
Faith: Hell yeah!
Willow and Tara pulled apart and followed the rest of the group down the road. They all made their way to Xander’s, singing and laughing, hand in hand with the person they loved.
The end.
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If you've got any questions or comments on the story, you can e-mail me at
raye_raye2001@yahoo.co.uk Toodles!
Ginner ~ A happy, fluffy, slightly neurotic, purple kitten from the planet Twang
by Ginner » Fri May 10, 2002 5:51 am 
All our girls and boys are gay, that was a really good idea! I love this fic! 
, it was just down right good ..
