Paths Diverged/Divulged

[Tibbs]

I totally was digging this update. I am no stranger to the world of karaoke. It is such a blast.



Tara's choice of song, just fabulous. I remember growing up we used to edit it though, to a slightly more naughty version.



Willow singing the " Monster Mash" < snort>



All in all, great round robin. Can't wait for the ones to come!



Tibbs

[2DIAMONDS]

Hey Debra!! Happy New Year!!

Hope all is well with Rachel and the baby

I've been MIA this last week or so, but I was so glad to see that you updated once I finally got back online. Anyway...



Yeah, that last line of the text message was kinda kooky until Eliza explained it. I was thinking it was just another wierd circle of friends tradition or thingy. Nice to see the teasing continues even when they're apart.



LMAO Great round robin idea, Tara! And I loved Willow's reaction. The whole part kinda reminded me of Cameron Diaz at the karaoke bar in "My Best Friend's Wedding." Ever see that movie? With Julia Roberts?



Willow's so romantic I can't wait for her round robin turn. It must suck for them to be away from each other even for a day! *pouting* I'm sure they're both in each other's minds as well as their hearts.



I think I need to download this song. You know what? I think I will!



Helen

xoxo

Edited by: 2DIAMONDS at: 12/30/03 9:23 am

[Betinha]

Hiya!



Now that was really nice. Willow facing her fears for Tara and singing in public, well it takes a lot of love. You gotta admire her courage! It was really lovely. Yet, Willow was right in considering that this was probably not even half as difficult than it had been for Tara to show her scars. But still: Way to go Willow!



By the way, is there any pitter patter of tiny feet yet? Ok, it is kind of early for that, but still... any news yet? Hope all is going well with you and Rachel. This is for the two of you, with wishes for all the best.



Take care

Betinha

[amazonchyck]

Hey there! I've been reading your story over at the Muse and didn't find a feedback link over there, so I wanted to post over here and just let you know that I am enjoying this fic muchly I'm really looking forward to the point in the story where Willow and Tara have to deal with the fact that all of Willow's friends are back in the other universe but this Tara's life is in the present one, but perhaps that's just because I dig angst. Anyway...nothing particularly enlightening to post at this time, just wanted to say that you've made a story worth staying up nights for and I'm looking forward to more!



amazonchyck

[Washi]

I'm loving the sweet updates, but I too, like amazon, am waiting for the moment they'll talk about all this, I mean, it's a very difficult issue and you know I love angst.

Also, I wanna c how Tara's family reacts to Willow and how Giles, Jenny, Faith and Dawn react to Tara. I'm curious, sue me. Happy New Year's!

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"See? I've mastered this tact crap." Anya in Tears Of The Goddess by Lisa



The course of love doesn’t always run smooth, especially for the neurotic and accident-prone. ~ LadyB



.:Dark-bliss.net :. .:Blink.Flash.Sparkle.:. .:My blog:. .:Blood and Ink:. .:Washi's 70s Site:.

[Marilda]

D'oh. I missed an update! I just finished readingy it and thought it was very sweet. The only problem is that I now have "Do Your Ears Hang Low" running on a constant loop in my head.

[JustSkipIt]

Grace – Everything is great. We’re waiting for the baby any time now. Everyone says we should try to have the first baby of the new year but it’s kind of not up to us… Glad you liked the singing and the globes… I thought the text message was a bit of a stretch but relatively amusing.



The Rose24 – I’m glad you liked. Thanks.



russ – Thanks. That was exactly my intention, go be silly and funny and then serious and touching. I’m glad you liked the headlines: I particularly liked the thought of the Sunnydale CCC touting their program to increase tourism with the deaths. I guess you’ve been to Texas? Seriously I once got directions to a party that included, then “go about a hundred miles and turn at the cows.” Eliza’s secret will come out at the Brenhams homecoming.



Yes, it seems that some readers thought the karaoke was mean. I’d say it was all in good fun. Yeah, I love that MCC album and that’s my favorite song. Thanks for the good thoughts.



alli – Ha ha. So Debra uses real places? I’m not a big coffee fan but it seems that the hyde park crowd loves it there. Thanks.



Arwen – Thanks. Yeah, some readers guessed the next round and others didn’t. Any guesses on Willow’s round?



Rachel says I sing worse than Willow but I love to sing and will even do it in limited public so I don’t have that much pity for her embarrassment. The holidays are lovely. Hope yours are too.



Insanity – So welcome. Want to guess Willow’s? And yes, Will & Eliza could be serious trouble any time. No not explicit scene of Tara’s paying up. But you are welcome to imagine it.



Thanks for the good thoughts.



sam – Thanks for your thoughts. Glad you’re enjoying.



Grimmy – Glad you liked the headlines.

Quote:

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Makes me wonder what the point of said code is anyway, Tara wants Willow to dress in a certain way right ? Then why tell her in a code she might not know ?? Such are the questions of life I guess :-)

---

For a few reasons but the easiest to explain is basically that Tara, Michelle, and Eliza are people who are seriously into having fun. And having codes and inside jokes is part of that.



Yeah, some readers didn’t like Tara pushing Willow but I think it was ok. She could still have said no.

Quote:

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Unless she drank only one beer in the entire first half of the evening, which I doubt, she should not have drunk alchohol in the first place. Probably me being over-cautious, I know.. :-)

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Not that I’m a big fan of either drinking or driving after but my understanding is that basically if you average less than a drink per hour, you’re probably fine to drive. Yes, no drinking would be better, but less than a drink per hour is moderately safe.

Quote:

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Tara blushing even when they are alone... it does make me wonder what she promised Willow. Don't need a 5 page description of it, just wondering ... honest....

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I think it could be summarized with something like: “I’m going to do things to your body that will make you scream for hours…”



russ – Thanks for answering Grimmy’s question before I could.



Romy – Thanks. See response to Grimmy for promise…





Karen – Thanks for the thoughts and I hope yours have been good as well. I’m with you on singing quality but I love music and love singing so while I sympathize with Willow, I think she should lighten up a little bit (which she did here). Ha ha about breast gals. Happy New Year to you too.



justin – Thanks. I think that the assumption is that the piano player is likely to know all the songs and if not, will play along and pick up the tune. Laughing about the kazoo. Any guesses about Willow’s round?



Grimaldi – Thanks.



Auburn – Glad to know the classics never go out of style.



Liz - :welcome Always glad to see feedback from a new reader or a new poster. I’m glad you like it so much.



Tibbs – Hey, so glad you liked it. Thanks.



Helen – Thanks for the good wishes and happy new year to you too. But you are right that the circle of friends thing is a big part of the message.

Quote:

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I think I need to download this song. You know what? I think I will!

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Um, not a music download person or anything like that but I should probably say, please pay for it?



Have a great New Year.



Betinha – Yes, Willow was brave. The feet are kicking but they aren’t showing their, well feet, yet. Could be any time. Thanks for asking.



amazonchyck – Thanks for coming over here to post the feedback. Yes, they will have to deal with that fact but quite a bit of it has already happened just in their mutual understanding that Willow is staying and doesn’t want Tara to go back with her.



Washi – Thanks. Yes, I like I said … some covered already and some foregone conclusions. Any guesses about Willow’s round?



Marilda – Sorry about the song stuck thing. I went to a elementary school show and got “Santa is the man and he’s got a plan and he’s coming at Christmas” (imagine pounding feet on the bleachers ala Queen) in my head for over a week. I still say that “In the Jungle” is the worst but sorry for the Ears problem. Glad you liked.

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"I was working on a proof of one of my poems all morning and took out a comma. In the afternoon, I put it back in again." - Oscar Wilde

[Washi]

Willow's round? Um... Maybe something with computer or no, that's not it, now is it? Going to Sunnydale! Or not... Um, seriously have no idea.

Happy New Years and hope everything goes well. Send my love to Rachel!

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



"See? I've mastered this tact crap." Anya in Tears Of The Goddess by Lisa



The course of love doesn’t always run smooth, especially for the neurotic and accident-prone. ~ LadyB



.:Dark-bliss.net :. .:Blink.Flash.Sparkle.:. .:My blog:. .:Blood and Ink:. .:Washi's 70s Site:.

[The Rose24]

No offense, AC, but W and T2 have had plenty of angst already: Willow losing Tara1, them having to separate Tara's dreams and obsession, Willow's having to realize Tara1 and Tara2 are different people, Tara2's embarrassment of her scars. Not to mention, Tara2 has had enough angst already. I say, Enough is enough.

Tara: My heart doesn't stutter.


Tara: Willow, I got so lost.

Willow: I found you. I will always find you.

Edited by: The Rose24  at: 12/31/03 7:18 pm

[amazonchyck]

Quote:

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amazonchyck – Thanks for coming over here to post the feedback. Yes, they will have to deal with that fact but quite a bit of it has already happened just in their mutual understanding that Willow is staying and doesn’t want Tara to go back with her.

---

No problem about the feedback - been wanting to do it ever since I started reading over at the Muse.



As far as the implicit resolution you mentioned - yes, I agree with you to a certain extent that W and T have worked that out in your story, but it seems to me that it would be very hard to leave all your bestest friends behind even if it was for the love of your life (or her alterno-version). It just seems to me that some sort of conflict should arise between Willow's past (the friends she's left behind in Sunnydale and her version of Tara) and her present (the current Tara and the life she's leading now). But that could just be me needed to make angst because I'm weird that way. Anyway - I'm looking forward to more chapters regardless!



amazonchyck

[amazonchyck]

Fair enough Rose 24 - there is certainly enough conflict in the fic. I suppose that I thought, all things being equal, Willow having to realize Tara1 and Tara2 were different people went by pretty smoothly with fairly little conflict. And yes, Tara2 has had PLENTY of angst - but most of it has been pre-story, so not really re-occuring in the fic.



I suppose my only point was that it wasn't very realistic to not have Willow have a huge conflict with leaving behind life-long friends beyond forever, even though she is doing so for the best reason possible. If this were pure fluff fic, I wouldn't have made the comment, but because JustSkipIt has done a great job at writing some angst and writing an interesting alterno-Tara, it was just something that struck me.



amazonchyck

[Always410]

Okay...so im still not done reading this yet...and I was going to wait till I was caught up. But then I read the part where Tara 2 shows Willow her art and im just.... I wasnt expecting the last picture to be of chestnut and you certainly have a way of writing that ables us to actually vividly see the image! I was so shocked and im still speechless!



I loved Season 3 Y'all and I actually wasnt going to read this just because well....the whole thing about 'replacing Tara' even if it is with Tara 2. But Im glad I did keep reading.



So, Keep up the great work and you will hear from me again when im caught up or you've wrote something that I just HAVE to reply to!



Jen

Tara: Willow, you are using too much magick. What do you want me to do, sit back and keep my mouth shut?

Willow: Well that'd be a good start.

Tara: (Shocked) If I didn''t love you so damn much I would!

[Insanity]

RR#3 - W (or maybe #4..)

Sat - 10:00 am-8:00 pm (I think it would be a day some weekend)

Rend: W

comfortable; J+B



Soo, that would be my guess for Willows RR.. wanna guess, what I think *ggg* But I'm not entirely sure, if my guess is even possible. But I have a second guess *fg*



Insanity

"Nobody messes with my girl!"Tara, Bargaining

[Always410]

I KNEW it was going to be that song! And this must be weird if other people are reading this cause im so far behind...but im trying! I just KNEW it was going to be the song and and at first I wasnt sure if this was a good thing cause I mean, its NOT willow and Tara 1 but on the other hand I knew it was going to be an important step and was wanting this to happen. And I have a willow-babble going on in my head and its making it hard to think and type but wow.



Okay, im gonna keep reading and hopefully catch up within the next couple of days. I figure if I read about....3-4 updates a day I will be caught up. So expect to hear from me soon!





Alright! I am finally caught up! Cant wait to see the next round robins! I tried to download the song in the last update but it was taking forever! Oh well.



Short reply but all I can think of is 'way to go' and 'keep up the good work!' Hope to see an update soon!



Jen

Tara: Willow, you are using too much magick. What do you want me to do, sit back and keep my mouth shut?

Willow: Well that'd be a good start.

Tara: (Shocked) If I didn''t love you so damn much I would!

Edited by: Warduke at: 1/3/04 8:41 am

[JustSkipIt]

First comments, then update..



Washi - Good guesses. Thanks for the New Years wishes. Same to you.



amazonchyck - I agree that it’s hard to leave all your friends and promise that there will be some resolution to that. That said… the decision is made. They’re staying in this reality so that W & T2 can be together.



The Rose24 - Thanks for chiming in with the opinion. Yes, they’ve been angst aplenty.



amazonchyck - Excellent points re: the source and timing of the angst in this fic. Thanks for the implicit compliments.



Always410 - Welcome to the reading and commenting party. Thanks for the great thoughts on the art part. That is my favorite piece of writing that I’ve ever created so anytime someone reads and comments on it, my heart flutters. I’m glad that you decided to stick with the reading even if the idea of a second Tara seemed bad at first. Welcome and thanks.



Insanity - Hmmm, well that’s not going to be right because of the time but thanks for guessing. Her round is #4 so I’ll continue taking guesses…



Always410 - Hey, you’re caught up! Congratulations. How’d you know it would be that song? Actually, I used that same song in Two Days. It’s my favorite song. Thanks.





Title – Paths Diverged/Divulged Part 32 – RR #3 – E





Author – JustSkipit - Debra



Spoilers –Season 6



Rating – Part 32 – R



Disclaimer – Guess what… I don’t own W&T, Buffy or the rest of the BtVS crew. Any similarity to actual persons living or dead is purely coincidental and fortunate. Also Rachel thinks I should point out that I don’t make any money from this…



Note - Guesses on Willow’s turn???



Thoughts in italics





No one was surprised when they got the text message announcing Eliza’s round robin turn. The fact that the four girls were having lunch at Mongolian BBQ and that she entered the message while they were eating was the least of the factors clueing them in. Her constant teasing about their upcoming evening had started earlier in the week and had not abated. Tara and Michelle seemed to have a nonchalant, “we can’t really do anything about her,” attitude and Willow was busy being grateful that the girl had traded weeks with her. In the original drawing, Willow was supposed to have the third turn but she explained that some things she needed for her evening weren’t “in place” yet. And voila, for just the price of dinner and drinks (her bribe to get Eliza to trade weeks), she was last in the rotation.



If none of those things were enough hint that Eliza had just sent the text message, the fact that Eliza and Tara’s phones rang simultaneously was another clue. Obviously the dark-haired girl had decided that they needed two escorts and had text messaged both James and Little Joey. Little Joey called his sister’s phone while James called to say that he would leave Dallas shortly and be in Austin well ahead of time.



“James will be here by 6:00,” Tara reported as she hung up from her call.



Willow smiled as she heard her girlfriend’s words. She had always liked James in high school, although she never got to know him that well. Now she was getting to know him more and more and really liked the young man. It was apparent that he had a true affinity for Tara and that besides Michelle and Eliza he had been one of her greatest sources of support after the accident. In addition, as a fellow artist he had always been a valuable resource for her in her work. While Willow knew that he was independently wealthy, she respected that he was actually able to support himself through his work rather than live off his family’s money. “Good,” she whispered.



Eliza hung up announcing, “And that was Little Joey.”



“Is he bringing Sue?” Michelle asked.



“No,” Eliza explained, “she’s out of town.” She reached for the newly arrived fortune cookies and broke one open before starting to laugh.



“Ok,” Michelle asked, “what does it say?”



“Never be afraid to try new things… in bed,” Eliza smirked.



Tara turned to Willow to tease, “Really puts the mind to work doesn’t it?”



“Hey,” Eliza playfully took offense, “there are probably a few things we haven’t tried.”



“Speak for yourself,” Michelle quipped uncharacteristically.



All four girls laughed as Willow broke open her cookie next to read: “You have traveled far to find your destiny.” She lifted Tara’s hand to her mouth to place a soft kiss on the skin before jokingly adding, “… in bed.”



“We’ve noticed,” Eliza teased.



Tara broke open her missive next. “Good things come to those who wait,” she read, adding the obligatory, “in bed.”



Michelle reached out for her fortune from the only cookie that remained. “I guess this one is mine,” she announced. “Of course that means that it will contain great wisdom and be absolutely appropriate. Probably the most fitting fortune I’ve ever had.” She cracked it open and read the words inside before reading them in a deadpan: “You enjoy gambling, liquor, and horses… but not to excess.”



“In bed!” the other three girls chorused as they guffawed at their friend’s fortune and the implications of it in bed.



When they had all finished laughing Eliza stood and picked up the check. “I’ll start the paying now but I need to go and study,” she explained. The other girls agreed that they had studying to do also, except for Willow, who was happy to go and waste time sleeping or playing with the dog while the others studied. She had just received her acceptance letter to transfer to UT in the spring semester and was sure that her vacation would be short-lived.



By 9:00 all four girls as well as James and Little Joey had gathered at the house to go out. Eliza and Willow wore jeans while the others wore slacks and nice blouses or dress shirts. They had each had a margarita and they were feeling excited to go out. The group split up so that each escort was in a car with one of the couples and drove to the club.



At the door the bouncer seemed impressed with the girls that Joey and James had with them, as if he couldn’t imagine that the girls were only with each other. It probably seemed more exciting to him to imagine them as threesomes. Both James and Little Joey were excited to get to come with the girls, not to mention having the bouncer imagine them as such major studs. Who cared that the image was completely erroneous?



Willow looked around the club immediately upon entering. She had never been to a topless bar or even imagined going. But now here she was. She glanced over to note that the other girls all have very blasé looks on their faces except for Eliza, whose countenance demonstrated her excitement with the evening. It was as if testosterone was in the air. Willow noted all the men sitting at tables or the bar watching the dancers with glazed looks on their faces. She wondered briefly how much money a place like this made in a night.



“I reserved us a table,” Eliza announced and led the group to an area cordoned off with a red-ribbon type barrier. The bouncer at the entrance took her name and called over a girl who led them over to a table. Willow noted that apparently the wait staff was not made up of dancers as the girls carrying drinks were all wearing black slacks and white tuxedo shirts with different colored bow-ties. She noticed that the dancers seemed to be mingling in the VIP section.



No sooner had they taken a table and Eliza ordered drinks for them than a dancer came over. “Eliza, Michelle, Tara,” she called as she gave each girl a quick kiss and hug and pulled up a chair. “I can sit for a minute before I have to move along,” she explained. She smiled at the group as she said, “Unless one of you wants a lap dance.”



Tara giggled at the girl’s offer. “Kelly, this is my girlfriend Willow.” Turning to Willow she completed the introduction: “Willow this is Kelly, a friend of Eliza’s from school.” The dancer stuck out her hand to shake the redhead’s and visited with Eliza for a second about an assignment in one of their classes. Continuing to assess the events, Willow noted that James and Little Joey had now joined the other men in the club in leering unrestrainedly at the women on stage, although they did show a modicum of couth in doing so.



The entire group was having a fun time. They watched the various shows around the room, sometimes oohing or aahing with the rest of the audience at some seemingly impossible stretch or move. Kelly was a particular favorite of the room and Willow could see that she danced not just for the money, which she was making hand over fist, but for a love of dancing. Eliza had been very liberal with ordering drinks for everyone and buying a few lap dances for each escort as well as one for herself. Seeing two dancers with long dark hair enter the area she waved them over and paid for them to simultaneously give her girlfriend a lap dance. While Willow noted the Michelle’s embarrassment she also noticed that she was definitely enjoying the attention. Oh well, to each their own, she thought, aware that she personally had no need for a dancer on her lap with Tara in her life.



While neither Willow nor Tara wanted any individual attention from any of the dancers, Eliza had other ideas. “You are going to have a lap dance before we leave here,” the dark-haired girl insisted as she slammed two twenties down on the table. Willow and Tara looked at each other as if to show their agreement that neither girl wanted any attention from any of the dancers. In fact, they both had enjoyed the evening but it only served to make them want the other more. Willow would be watching a girl dancing and think, she has nice breasts but not as nice as Tara’s, while Tara spent the time evaluating each dancer’s hips or belly button in comparison to Willow’s and finding all competitors paled by comparison.



Spotting Kelly, Tara decided that if the she paid the girl for a dance, Eliza would be satisfied and at least Kelly would make the money. She waved the girl over and handed her the money, indicating herself and her girlfriend. Kelly seemed to understand immediately their wishes and began dancing for them, keeping herself relatively distant while she used her arms to sensually wave them closer together. By the end of the dance, the two witches were locked in a kiss which had those around them clapping and sounding wolf whistles. As they broke apart they asked with embarrassment, “is that ok?”



Kelly laughed as she explained, “Believe me, this place makes money off sights like that. Usually it’s the dancers but if it’s you, it’s all ok too.” She gave each girl a kiss on the cheek and moved to another table.



Michelle leaned her head on her girlfriend’s shoulder and pouted, “Can we go home, sweetie?”



“Don’t you want to stay a little longer,” Eliza urged. At that Michelle leaned over to whisper in her lover’s ear.



Immediately their hostess stood up saying, “Well come on, everyone. Let’s go!” The group laughed and Tara was pretty sure she heard mumbles of “whipped” to match her own.



The two witches dropped James off at Tara & Michelle’s house where he was staying and then continued on to Willow’s apartment. They had tried to divide time between the two homes so that both could do any household duties they needed but they weren’t willing to sleep apart. On nights that Tara had to work late, Willow would go over to her house and be waiting in the blonde’s bed. Tara didn’t always wake the redhead but she always enjoyed the warmth of snuggling with the woman she loved.



Tara was feeling tired so she sat on the edge of the bed as Willow went to use the bathroom. Her eyes sparkled as she saw her lover emerging from the bathroom. Willow’s hair was dark red, damp around her face where she had obviously gotten it wet when she washed her face. “Well, baby,” the blonde asked, “how was your first visit to a topless bar?”



The redhead’s eyes glinted as she commented, “disappointing.” She took a few steps closer to the bed and elaborated: “I was expecting more stripping. I mean what’s the fun if the woman is already nearly naked?” She sat gently onto Tara’s lap, ensuring that she wasn’t putting any weight on the girl’s injury and leaned forward slightly to purr in the blonde’s ear: “Why don’t we try an experiment?”



Tara was only slightly surprised as her lover stood up and walked over to the stereo, turning on the CD player. Apparently satisfied with the selection, Willow turned back toward the bed. “I really think a more personal dance is better,” she whispered as she began to sway to the music. Tara’s mouth was dry so she just nodded.



Willow kept her eyes fixed on the blonde’s just long enough to see the encouragement and excitement there. Then hers fluttered closed as her body swayed more expressively with the beat. Slowly her fingers traced their way through her hair, bouncing easily with her movements. Continuing the journey, she allowed her fingertips to brush against her neck, running them down the skin and imagining the way she loved to do just that to Tara’s sensitive skin. The memory brought a smile to her face and she did nothing to remove it as her hands continued their descent. Unwilling to touch herself too boldly at first she fanned her fingers and rubbed her palms down her arms, cradling her own elbows as she began to deepen the movement of her slight hips.



Taking a step forward she finally opened her eyes and took in the sight of her lover. Tara still sat on the edge of the bed, watching her with darkened eyes. Willow noticed that the blonde managed to stay still although her hands seemed to be opening and closing on their own as if seeking something to hold, stroke, or touch. The redhead held Tara’s gaze as she moved her hands to the top button of her blouse and slowly slipped it from the button hole. Without coming closer or changing the rhythm of her movements she undid the buttons one by one until her blouse hung open.



Tara stared unabashedly at the strip of skin exposed by Willow’s blouse, or rather lack of blouse. Her smooth neck seemed to flow into the beautiful skin of her chest. The bare swell of her breasts was only hinted at by the skin exposed around the delightful green bra and its front clasp and finally the flat white skin of her stomach seemed to invite a line of kisses that would eventually make it even lower.



The look in Tara’s eyes did not go unnoticed by her lover. Even though the women at the bar hadn’t particularly turned Willow on, it was virtually impossible to be near Tara for any length of time, hell to think about her for any length of time, and not be aroused. The redhead allowed her blouse to slide down both arms simultaneously, catching it in one hand and playfully swinging it around her head before tossing it at her lover’s feet. Willow allowed her hand to follow the path Tara’s eyes were tracing, her thumb and finger grasping the first button on her jeans before quickly tugging all five buttons apart.



The blonde was surprised as Willow slowly turned her back to her and slid her hands down her sides inside the jeans. The denim material followed the motion of her hands and she bent at the waist as she pushed them to the floor, twisting slightly to smile at the blonde over her shoulder before stepping out of the clothing. As she did, she turned back toward the bed and slowly approached Tara, settling again on her lap. The blonde began to raise her hands to Willow’s hips but was quickly admonished, “No touching the dancers, miss.” Tara smiled slightly and nodded that she remembered the standard rule. As if to reward Tara for quickly removing her hands, Willow ran one fingertip along the lace of her bra. “My lover bought me this bra,” she whispered. “She wanted the green to match my eyes.”



“Beautiful,” Tara managed to whisper. She was finding it increasingly difficult to speak and keeping her hands off Willow was nearing the level of impossibility. Seeing the look in Tara’s blue eyes and feeling that same passion herself, the redhead slid her fingertips to her clasp and released it. For a second she held it closed, half-teasing both girls, before dropping it completely and allowing the lingerie to fall to the floor.



“Fortunately,” she whispered as she bent her lips to Tara’s neck, “the dancer can touch the customer as much as she wants.” She knew that she hadn’t finished her performance, that she still wore her the matching emerald green panties, that if she were a topless dancer, Tara hadn’t gotten her entire money’s worth yet. And yet, she couldn’t keep herself from her newest task. Her hands fumbled only momentarily with the buttons on Tara’s top as she gasped, “I need to feel your body naked against mine.” Tara’s hands wrapped around the redhead’s hips as she pulled her down onto the bed.

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"I was working on a proof of one of my poems all morning and took out a comma. In the afternoon, I put it back in again." - Oscar Wilde

[willowfan13]

Hey Debra-



Hope your holidays were happy!



How tantalizing but you're a meanie with the cliffhanger!



You write their lovin' so well - *please* let us be a fly on the wall next time



cheers-

jackie

[sam darls]

Oh my..that was lovely..very nice Love sammi xx

"Sometimes things happen between people that you don't really expect. And sometimes the things that are important are the ones that seem the weirdest or the most wrong. And those are the ones that change your life." - Jessie Sammler (Evan Rachel Wood)

[littlecrazy80]

Loved the update! More please?!?!?!



*lil´c*

I´m an actress... I don´t pee. Amber in Augsburg



SweetAmber

[Always410]

What to say....you can be evil with cliffhangers! Keep up the great work! Hope to see another update soon.



Jen

Tara: Willow, you are using too much magick. What do you want me to do, sit back and keep my mouth shut?

Willow: Well that'd be a good start.

Tara: (Shocked) If I didn''t love you so damn much I would!

[sabina]

Hi there



I just realized that I completelly forgot to leave feedback to the previous chapter...



But at least I'm here to leave feedback to this one, so not all is bad



I liked Eliza's RR. It was fun to read about them in the topeless club

And Willow's private lap dance to Tara was worhty... And... hm... maybe you could continue the next chapter from where you ended this one



Now I'm curious to see where will Willow's RR take them

---

"I know I was born and I know that I'll die.

The in between is mine.

I am mine!" - Pearl Jam

[The Rose24]

I am not surprised at all that Eliza takes Willow and Tara to topless bar.



I am glad Willow and Tara realize they don't need lap dances from other women. All they need is each other.

Tara: My heart doesn't stutter.


Tara: Willow, I got so lost.

Willow: I found you. I will always find you.

[Arwen276]

BESTEST LAPDANCE EVER PERFORMANCE: and the winner is WILLOW!!



My only complaint over this chapter? Its' TOO short!!



I can't wait for Willow's thing!

Will it have to do with computers? or something reminding us of the other-dimensiony-Sunnydale?

Like vamps and demons?





anyhoo! Can't wait for more! TAKE CARE!!



~Arwen

[Grimaldi]

loved the update



Eliza sure was easy to bribe



loved Willow's lap dance at the end

I'm not stealing, I'm just taking things without paying for them. In what twisted dictionary is that stealing?
They think she's innocent and sweet, but I know she's an evil bitch

[good2cats]

Hi Debra,
I hope the New Year finds you doing well.Very funny update.A strip club is pretty sleazy but woman has a right to demean herself if she wants to.I liked Willow's personal appearance much better.I can"t wait to see what Willow has planned that ought to prove interesting.
Be well,Karen

[2DIAMONDS]

Hey Debra



I will make my first appearance at a topless bar in a couple of weeks! My friends are taking me for my birthday. How's that for a coincidence?



So Eliza personally knows a stripper? Big shocker there!



It's so true - When you're crazy about someone, anyone else pales in comparison. I'm sure that Willow and Tara enjoyed the show though It definitely got them revved up for playtime. Willow is definitely a smitten kitten. First she serenades Tara, and now a dance! All together now, awwwww.



Can't wait for Willow's round robin turn. Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go read the latest "Please" chapter.



Helen

xoxo

[AmbeRocks]

hey debra



i think i still haven't left any replies, but i wanted you to know that i've read Y'all and Paths completely in less than a month. and may i say WOW



at first i wasn't really compfortable with an "other" Tara, but your writting makes it all ok



so i guess i should say you THANK YOU, i had nice hollidays reading your fic (suggested by Marina, thanks to you too )



very loveable update, keep them coming!



jen

There is such a variety of well-invented things that the earth is like the breasts of a woman: useful as well as pleasing - Nietzsche

[Grimlock72]

Eliza's turn was a bit predictable in that she seems to have done that turn before, based on Chelle and Tara's comments . She did pick a female-friendly place it seemed, most of such places are rather packed with males drinking LOTS of beer... oh yeah and LOUD music..



Kelly is a smart girl, dancing Willow and Tara together. Sure no women can compete with Tara in Willow's mind and the other way around. Doesn't mind they won't like some attention. I have a feeling Willow intends to provide the attention right about now, heh.



Adding 'in bed' to every fortune cookie was fun, though Chelle's had a not so good for that, heh .



I'm very curious what Willow has planned. Doubtlessly she has it planned down to the nitty-gritty detail, heh.



Grimmy

--
"You hurt Tara," Willow said too calmly. "The last one who tried that was a god. I made her regret it." -- Unexpected Consequences by Lisa of Nine

[JustSkipIt]

willowfan13 – My holidays were good and dull. Thanks for asking. Glad you enjoyed. No cliffhanger, just allowing you to picture it in your head. I’m pretty much restricting most of my NC-17 writing to Please these days rather than in Paths.



sam darls, Romy, Grimaldi – Thanks. Glad you liked.



Jen – Thanks. I have one more written but not sure when I’ll get it posted. Things are kind of busy here…



sabina –

Quote:

---

I just realized that I completelly forgot to leave feedback to the previous chapter...

---

Well for you. No seriously: you never have to leave feedback. If you do, that’s great, but if not, I just hope you like the story.



Glad to have induced some interest in Willow’s dance and also in Willow’s turn.



The Rose24 – Yes, Eliza has been saying that was her round so no surprise. And it is sweet that they only want each other.



Arwen – Rewatching Fellowship of the Rings and thought of you… Sorry for the shortness. Like I said above, I’m inviting readers to exercise their imaginations with “what happens next.”



Good guesses on Willow’s turn.



Karen – So far the new year is good but slow. Waiting and waiting and waiting… I have mixed feelings on strip clubs. On one hand, it is demeaning to women but on the other hand, maybe there’s something economically fulfilling about seeing a lot of men transferring their money to women. And then on the other hand (that’s the third), it seems to be an environment that probably employs a lot of women with deep issues and abuse, etc. so that’s not good. Kind of complicated… Yes, Willow’s personal dance was much better. Thanks for reading.



Helen – That’s funny. I’ve been once before. Some friends took me: they were appalled that I’d never been which I found funny. Then they were jealous because: 1. I needed to use the restroom and the only women’s restroom was in the dressing room. Hubba hubba and the dancers wanted to visit. 2. A dancer came over to personally offer me a lap dance, I was confused because my friends were at the bar and said “maybe in a few minutes” so she told me her name, gave me her phone #, and gave me a long kiss. My friends almost fell over. So I’ll be crossing my fingers for your first trip…



Yeah, they’re crazy about each other. Hope you liked that other story you mentioned.



jen - Welcome. And thanks for Marina for recommending the fic. I’m always thrilled with new readers, especially ones who comment. Thanks.



Grimmy – Yeah, it was predictable but fun for them. I really did get that fortune of Chelle’s once: a friend and I were discussing our love lives (or lack thereof) and we declared that the fortunes would contain all the answers. Needless to say, mine was short on guidance. Willow’s will be fun and interesting.

---

"I was working on a proof of one of my poems all morning and took out a comma. In the afternoon, I put it back in again." - Oscar Wilde

[bluewillowwitch]

Debra ,

I love this fic! Topless bar. Yeah that is what I thought. I have been to a couple of them. We don't need guys to get in here. I wasn't impressed. I can't wait to see what is going to do for her RR. I'm sure will love it. Can't wait to more. Update soon, please?





Grace

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

"Fate keeps on happening."--Anita Loos



"I'm here without you baby/But you with me in my dreams/And tonight girl, there's only you and me."--Here Without You--3Doors Down--Mine and My Baby's song.

[umgaynow]

I think Willow's RR should involve bowling...cuz that'd have real great yummy visual place action later on for W&T, cuz as we all remember...Willow is turned on by rented shoes



Keep up the good work Justy darlin' :::wiping steam off screen:::