"Nothing Special written all over"

[guardian146]

That was great. I just found it and i must say definitly liking it. Most post more.. Can't wait....Don't leave me hanging here... I gotta find out how Willow got rid of that Bill Guy.

Oh...GOOD JOB... KEEP WRITING...



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I'm Dancing Like A Monkey!!! - GIR

[sam darls]

Ooh..I loved this part..so good. I'm glad you're feeling better..but colds..grr..stupid things!! 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)

[sabina]

Hi



I was right?! Yay... I was right

Better enjoy it now who knows when will I be right again



Great chapter



It was good to see Tara stop panicking and realizing that she would hurt Willow a lot more if she left than if she stayed... Even with all her 'bad luck' following her!!

W/T always belong together



And the employees bit about Buffy was hilarious

---

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

The in between is mine.

I am mine!" - Pearl Jam

[bluewillowwitch]

Elizabeth ,

Love the update! Can't wait to hear about the grant. and back on vacation? Poor Buffy, not getting any. Can't wait to more. Update soon, please?





Grace

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

"Fate keeps on happening."--Anita Loos



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

[singgirl]

HTML Comments are not allowed

[thebardgirl]

Note:

Happy Love to all who posses such a fabulous gift! And may your significant other be as happy as you, and more so!



And now, for those of us that are single, alone, or perhaps looking at the award for "Best Spinster of the Milennia" i just want to say Hi and congratulations on surviving another Valentine's day....i know from experience, as in today this morning not wanting to go out into public let alone have breakfast with family and pretend to be happy, it is not easy. Also, some of my friends that do have significant others have crappy Valentine's Day experiences...oh yes....it's possible for the un-single as well...



Oh, can this be rated R for Romance? and onto the replies!





allykat-hmm....yes i can be crude, it's true...glad to make you laugh. Oh no prob with the update, it was my pleasure to make you have....pleasure....er...did that sound right? Bill's bald? ahah! yes! Good idea on your part! can i hurt him? I don't wanna hurt anyone now...can i just make a happy ending? Jees! You're a violent reader!



Tempest Duer-Thanks, glad to know you're interested and good choice.



I can do it too! HA! Tickets are 5$ for the ride on this fanfic. You didn't know that? *Yells at carni-folk* WE GOT A STOWAWAY!



MellindraX-The coworkers are definitely fun now...although i believe i should sprinkle the fun bits over the fic mix...watch me sprinkle now *sprinkle sprinkle* Bill, Bill, Bill, is this all you readers think about?? Oh wait....*smacks head* i made you think about him...whoops...He won't accept your marriage proposal because of something.....else....you'll learn eventually...



irishlassie101-hy to you too. you soooo liked it now? Whoo! I'm wicked? Uh oh....you shouldn't read this update then...i mean...like...umm...uhoh...ahhh.....w/t goodness? umm....okaaaay.....see, do you remember the thing about me being incapable of writing such lovely stuff known as smut? Well, i'm still stuck there...and unless i think up something quick to escape it, again, you're stuck with this update...whoopsies...*runs away* see? i'm going!



snuggle79-yes, lovely smoochies! i can do smoochies! thanks dude, and danke for reading once again this crazy story of mine.



guardian146-You just found this fic? Well, i'm so happy you've chosen to reply! I sometimes get the feeling people are reading this but don't respond, so then i get paranoid thinking they're gonna jump me one day with "Why don't you kill bill???" all at once and it'll be painful and involve wiffle bats and...and...oh post more? okay will do. Aw, thanks, i like the "good job" thing, makes me smile....*smiles as of now*



sam darls-happy to know you are...happy....for lack of better wordage....if it's not the cold, slight blues over loneliness, it's Valentine's Day encouraging both to attack me at once! *snicker* i'm a hypochondriac....but i'm glad you're sympathetic to my pathetic-ness....



sabina- yo dude! Yes you were right....*snicker* okay, you enjoy the rightness.....go you....thanks, it was my version of how to address the problem of leaving a loved one...although this one had less reason than the show's, i'll admit....yeah i'll definitely admit to that....and i'm glad you liked the employees...



bluewillowwitch-Grace, thankyou, ahah you remember the grant as well? well good, glad some one did. Vacation...hmm...vacation....sounds fun....can i go too? Yea, Buffy,well she's under alot of stress right now...*tries to erase images she gets from own words* and i'm updating as we speak.



singgirl-I'm gonna take your "HTML Comments are not allowed" reply as computerish for saying, "i read it and so you must update" but that's only a slight translation due to the fact that i am not fluent in computerish....in reply to that reply i say: Thanks for reading and now onto the fic!









Second Note in that Elizabeth is a strange, sad girl that thinks notes are cool: Okay, so, whether or not you believe it is wicked to have cliffhangers, stray from the original plot, and then start a new one, before the first is finished, that's what this update entails. Although, I like it.

So, no attacking me, i'm hiding as we speak.





due to fear of -like readers just because i'm like that. hee these are oh-so-much-fun.









Chapter 42



“Dream, for me,” came a small voice.



“Why?”



“Why not?”



“Good point.”



“I have several.”



It was twelve o’clock and the two were snuggled up on Willow’s bed, comfortably close. Flannel pajamas created a devil-may-care mess about them, and quilts were no longer keeping up their original restrictive tugging.



“What should I dream about?”



“Lots of things.”



“Like?”



“Leaves, rivers, mountains, the sky, the earth…”



“Horses?”



“You had to bring them up, didn’t you?”



“Couldn’t help it. Besides, you should give them a chance, you know.”



“Did.”



“Okay, another chance, this time not so bite-y.”



“Perhaps, if it involves some bribery on your part.”



“Like?”



A quirked eyebrow brought the blond back to her original thought.



“Stars.”



“Pardon?” The redhead was still stuck on “the bribe.”



“I dream about stars.”



“Makes sense, something beautiful and incomparably unique loving another.”



“Stop, or I’ll thwack you with this here pillow.”



“Beautiful, beautiful, beaut—“ The threat was made good upon, and frizzy red hair went, well, frizzy with the impact of cotton on skin.



“I warned you,” came the giggling response.



The other huffed a strand of hair away from her cheek, and eyed the blond once more skeptically.



“Well, although I suffered, it was for a good cause,” came the stuffy reply,” give me beauty, or give me pillow-death!”



“ACK!”



Another thwack.



“You said give you pillow-death," came the laughing voice.



“Now my pride is hurt,” the whimper was not lost on the blond.



“Aw, poor wounded thing.”



“By you.”



“Well, yes, poor wounded thing by me,”



“Beautiful,” she said once more but at the threatening look, “but deadly.”



She seemed satisfied with that change in phrasing.



“I can live with that.”



“For how long?”



“Tonight sounds pretty good for now,” she said slightly confused by the question.



“No, I mean…” she thought for a moment and then, “wait a sec, okay?”



The mystified girl waited and watched her lover disappear into the living room hallway.

She waited a few minutes before calling out uncertainly, “Will?”



“Just a sec,” came the faint reply.



So she waited longer.



The redhead’s form came slowly back, hunching over her clasped hands. Tara looked on, trying to see through Willow’s very opaque hands. The moonlight managed to collapse on her body as a cloak. She was wrapped in light, and radiated beauty. If only she could see herself now. But Willow seemed to have a different target in mind.



She sat back down on the bed, knees side-knocked towards the floor, horizontal to Tara’s vertical form. In return she pulled her knees up to her chest, staring questionably at Willow’s expression. It seemed happy, content, and yet apprehensive.



“When I was five, I went to this old antique shop, with my mother,” began the redhead, ”lot’s of junk, lots of fu-fu stuff, and tons of gaudy jewelry that looked more like lumps of rock than jewels, and honestly did nothing for any woman’s figure nor helped you looked any richer because the prices were so high no one with a right mind would buy it,” she shook her head, “all that aside, I snuck around by myself, and found myself in the middle of the stuffy dump, completely lost.”



Tara looked intently into Willow’s eyes she seemed pensive, yet bubbly.



“I walked about, and then started to cry, it was silly to, I know, but I thought for some reason I’d loose my mom or I’d be stuck in the room forever, with no way out. The worst part was thinking I’d never been able to say to my family or friends ‘I love you’ one last time,” Willow cast the words away realizing their own insecurity, “silly, I know.”



“No, I’ve thought that too.”



“Not in a stuffy Antique Shop, I don’t think,”



“Well, no,” Tara shuddered, ”not quite like that.”



“Well, at the time it was silly, but the shop owner, found me,” Willow continued, “my mom grabbed me by the hand, after I was pulled back to the counter by the old man, not realizing the major trauma I had just experienced,” she mock-sniffed, “and after she made her purchase she led me towards the door.”



“When we reached the door knob, the shop owner called me over again. Mom let me go and waited by the window; I remember her looking slightly miffed I was holding up her three o’clock perm. I walked slowly up to the old man, and he knelt down,” Willow lent up to Tara’s hand, “held out his cupped hand,” grasped Tara’s fingers and laid a small but hard object into her palm, still covering the object with her hand, “and he handed me this.”



Willow slowly pulled her fingers away revealing Tara’s fist, she in turn unclasped the digits and revealed a small, and deep red glass heart.



“He told me if I ever felt lost, I should poor all my worries, love, anything into this, he called it a dream lock. ‘Very special, very rare’ he said,” Willow repeated.



Tara looked down at the small object, kindly worn by old fingerprints.



“I want you to have it,” Willow said looking into Tara’s eyes, “you had…you have my heart, as you have this now, and if you possess it, I know that all my love will be in the right place. Please, keep it for me?”



Tara looked up into the green eyes pleading with her own blue.



She smiled, a brilliant show for anyone nearby.



She cupped Willow’s cheek slightly with her free hand.



“Dream lock?”



“Yup.”



“How many dreams have you told it already?”



“About two-thousand nine-hundred and ninety seven,” Willow said considering the days spent talking to the ruby heart during her childhood, giggling slightly.



“Really?”



“Oh, yes. I never miss a dream,” she replied mock-serious.



“How does it work?”



“Well, you sit here like this, right?” Willow said crossing her legs, “and then you hold the dream lock in your hands like this near your chest,” she held it in her hands, closing her eyes and seemed to go into a trance.



Tara looked on, waiting for the redhead to speak again.



Willow quirked one eye open, spying on her attentive audience, and then went back into her trance.



The giggling would not subside from Tara’s throat, and decided to have a luxurious journey through her mouth and out into the air of Willow’s room.



Willow then snapped out of her meditation.



“One of your newest additions?”



“Yes.”



“May I ask what it was?”



“Were.”



“Were?”



“Plural.”



"How so?”



“Not only a few worries, and fears but one big ol’ hoping dream.”



“Would you be willing to share?”



“Well, that would be the reason why I told the dream lock first.”



“Do tell.”



Willow lent in and soundly kissed Tara on the mouth, slowly and lovingly. She handed back the heart to Tara, keeping her face dangerously close to Tara’s.



“I dream of you marrying me.”



Tara’s mouth opened slightly in the darkness against Willow’s in a quiet gasp at the admission.



Willow kissed lightly Tara’s cheeks and nuzzled her nose.



“Marry me?”















Does this mean i'm wicked? Posessed? Evil? Or perhaps devilish? oh! Mephistophilees like?



Chapter 43 should be up soon maybe tomorrow, or if the first replyee sings, "Love Stinks" at the top of their lungs and can prove it, or post it, i'll update sometime later tonight, unless i'm asleep, we'll see.....*snicker*

Hee, the dream-thing idea came from a nice vendor i met at an antique show this last friday, i got me a nice lil' glass heart as of now, any takers?

Last night in sweet slumber I dreamed I did see my own precious jewel sat smiling by me.

And when I awakened I found it not so; my eyes like some fountain with tears overflowed.

[shuyaku]

I thought that was amazingly sweet.



As for the spinster comment- aren't you still a teenager? I think you have quite a while before the spinster thing will apply



-shuyaku



ps - I thought about mentioning that I had a great Valentine's Day, but then I thought that might be rude



pss Love Stinks by the J. Geils Band



You love her

But she loves him

And he loves somebody else

You just can't win

And so it goes

Till the day you die

This thing they call love

It's gonna make you cry

I've had the blues

The reds and the pinks

One thing for sure



(Love stinks)

Love stinks yeah yeah

(Love stinks)

Love stinks yeah yeah

(Love stinks)

Love stinks yeah yeah

(Love stinks)

Love stinks yeah yeah



Two by two and side by side

Love's gonna find you yes it is

You just can't hide

You'll hear it call

Your heart will fall

Then love will fly

It's gonna soar

I don't care for any casanova thing

All I can say is

Love stinks



(Love stinks)

Love stinks yeah yeah

(Love stinks)

Love stinks yeah yeah

(Love stinks)

Love stinks yeah yeah

(Love stinks)

Love stinks yeah yeah



I've been through diamonds

I've been through minks

I've been through it all

Love stinks



(Love stinks)

Love stinks yeah yeah

(Love stinks)

Love stinks yeah yeah

(Love stinks)

Love stinks yeah yeah

(Love stinks)

Love stinks yeah yeah

Oh God, Willow—you’re giving me the gift of Karen Carpenter. Just when I think I grasp the full extent of your love." - Tara

"Why do birds suddenly appear? It’s because, you are queer…" - Willow (Gods Served and Abandoned by AntigoneUnbound)

[thebardgirl]

shuyaku-you rock dude. And the spinster comment was more or less for those of non-teenage age, not i said the fly, alas tis so i might reach it one day and thus go into spinsterhood. And congrats on your FAB valentine's day! I'm very happy for you!





and wow! you did eet.....thankyou fair one for making me laugh....













Chapter 43



Flashback



Footsteps, footsteps, she hears footsteps. That could be Tara, coming back, her blond goddess saving her from this not-so-fun dizzy feeling she had had since Anya had been shouted down. That, that was not a pretty thing, if Anya could be overpowered by anyone, she did not want to be near that person, let alone talk to them.



“Ms. Rosenberg, please come with me,” came a deep voice.



Willow turned around to see the large figure of a Bill Barker standing in the doorway.



Oh, you’re not Tara. Came the whimpering thought.



He didn’t wait for her to protest, and merely pulled her away from the standing support of the coffee table.



“We need to discuss what happened between you and,” he seemed to sound more threatening, if that was possible, “ Ms. Jenkins.”



Oh fun.



He pulled her aside into an empty conference room.



There are a lot of empty rooms in my building…need to fill them with productive people, it might stall future ugly discussions…



“From what I heard, Anya—Ms. Jenkins, tried to make a pass at you, is this true?”



Willow looked pained, and did not want to be the target of his anger. But she had to tell the truth if it meant fulfilling the plan, and getting rid of Anya. Was it even worth it now?



She nodded her head slowly, somberly. It was a cruel set-up.



Course, she is the major Bitch Queen of the Century, no, no. Focus. Bad homophobic man, verses Bitch Queen, focus, focus.



“I don’t want any games played here now, I want answers did she come on to you?”



“Yes,” came the croaked reply, it wasn’t a lie at least, ”there’s a security camera that will prove it.” Willow’s heart sank at the admission. What was going to happen now? To Tara? What had she done?



A new sound erupted into the room that was completely and utterly unfamiliar. The walls were used to the tippy-tapping of keys on plastic, printers groaning at the paper, and the profanity of construction workers, but not this new cacophony.



Bill Barker was laughing.



Willow looked upset and confused. Was he going to go psycho now and kill her using his pink tie? Was he in fact a serial killer that left behind tell-tale ties with each pitiful, yet fashionably dressed victim?



“Oh, oh god, someone bake me for forty minutes and call me breakfast!” He slapped his knee and seemed louder than before, again, if that was possible.



Willow stared on, even more confused.



“Wait, you’re, wait, you’re not angry?”



“Angry? Oh!” He seemed suddenly nicer, softer, and more at ease, “Girl, I’m so sorry, I’ve been riding you worse than a rodeo’s bull, haven’t I?” came the sugary tone. He seemed to all of a sudden change form and everything was lighter about him.



Willow looked stunned and once again completely bewildered.



“I’ve been trying to get that Anya out for a while now, she’s been nothing but trouble,” came the explanation, “ she knows that I don’t approve of her tactics at times, but I couldn’t ever legally catch her red-handed. What’s worse is she’s as slippery as a fish in sticky situations and I’ve never been able to keep a grip on her.”



The redhead still didn’t understand where this was going and why she was involved in either sicko’s strange world.



“I’m sorry, what does this have to do with Anya’s choice of who she dates?”



“Oh! Wait a sec, hon, I haftah catch my breath!” He bellowed once more, he slowly but surely calmed down.



“Whew, thought I’d loose myself in the giggles for a moment there,” he said cheerfully.



“Going back to the problem at hand, Mr. Barker," Willow said seriously.



“Oh, call me Billy, sugar,” came the reply.



“Alright, Billy,” Willow said slowly, “What does this mean? I’m sorry, I’m just a little confused and why are you so…?” she left the question hanging, it’s best not to make assumptions or else someone is made into an ass, although Willow always forgot which subject pronoun it was: you, me or perhaps it was them?



“Different? Aw, honey, let me tell you something, I’m as gay as Boy George,” He said smirking, “I’ve been trying to get Anya for so long and now that I have, oh it feels so good,” he finished giggling again.



“Wait, wait, hold on, what about all that ‘hell hath no fury’ crap I heard you scream?! You really scared Anya, me, everyone within a mile radius of that room!” Willow said even more bewildered, “How could you say something like that? Even if it is Anya, why would you do such a thing and lead her to believe being homosexual to be a bad thing?”



“Because she made me believe it,” he said seriously.



“What?”



“Back at our offices that woman would do nothing but preach against gays, nothing but ‘keep them away from the work force!’ I haven’t been able to show my true colors,” he said looking down at his pink tie, “because of that woman. And now that I’ve got her, stuck in her own rotten situation, she has nothing to do but think about how wrong or right she was,” he said smiling again.



Willow gawked.



“Pretty neat, huh?”



“So, that whole ‘Big-Bad-Bill’ thing was an act?”



“A pretty good one I might add, too, it takes time to perfect ‘asshole,’ hon.”



“So, what happens now?” Willow said still staring at the wall as if it would grow wings and fly off, which seemed as likely a what 'Billy' was telling her.



“Well, first off I get to make a report on Anya,” he said quirking his head up, thinking, ”then she might get suspended on harassment charges, possibly demotion of some sort, that is if you’re willing to follow up with the trial?”



“Trial?”



“Well, no, not a whole jury-MacGiver thing,” he said smirking, “just a meeting with our lawyers, a settlement agreement and a promise to not let this sort of thing happen again, blah, blah, blah and we’re back in business. Oh! And you get a grant for 'past afflictions'.”



“A grant?”



“Yes, rather a nice sum to keep your company happy, you can spend it on whatever you like, employees, office supplies, construction on the building, etc. It’s all very straight forward and we’d only need to meet with you on a couple occasions,” he replied.



“And who would be our new inspector?”



“Why, me, I guess,” he said at once smiling again, “and don’t worry, I’ve seen what you’ve done and are doing, inspection is the last thing this company needs.”



“Okay, let me get this straight,” Willow said sitting up and pacing the room, “Anya’s going to be suspended, if anything, you’re not a homophobic psycho, and consequentially are our new inspector?”



“Don’t forget the grant.”



“And we get a grant in recompense of Anya’s wreaked havoc.”



“Yes.”



Willow smiled, a huge and voluptuous smile.



It had been a while, in fact, too long since it had last happened.



“Aw, sugar, you’re such a cutey,” he said pinching her cheeks, “glad to make you happy,” Billy made his way towards the door and grasped onto the doorknob before asking,” Oh, and Ms. Rosenberg, can I ask you a personal question?”



“Hmm? Oh, sure.”



“Are you dating that Tara-girl I saw a few hours ago?”



“Yes.” Willow said simply, smiling like a mad fool.



“Oh good, with a body like that it’s no wonder why you went all machismo for her. Keep a hold on that one,” he said winking and disappearing behind the door.



Click.



Silence.





Machismo...



Does this mean I’m the butch one?











*bows for the lovely shuyaku*

-elizabeth

Last night in sweet slumber I dreamed I did see my own precious jewel sat smiling by me.

And when I awakened I found it not so; my eyes like some fountain with tears overflowed.

[shuyaku]

I got a bow, I got a bow and an update. I am feeling all kinds of special



Big, bald Bill is gay That could not have been more perfect and hilarious. As soon as he started "talking" I knew it.



And, ah my sweet, young bardgirl... if it is any consolation, remember Valentine's Day can be classified as an excessively commercial attempt to get your loved one to buy you something



-shuyaku



ps – I was going to use instead of but does anyone else wonder why the source code for that particular emoticon is eatme? I mean I know it's a banana and all, but... this is the kitten board and well… you know…

Oh God, Willow—you’re giving me the gift of Karen Carpenter. Just when I think I grasp the full extent of your love." - Tara

"Why do birds suddenly appear? It’s because, you are queer…" - Willow (Gods Served and Abandoned by AntigoneUnbound)

[justin]

That was a great update



I like Billie in this part, I'm glad that he turned out to be so nice.



So Anya has been preaching homophobic rubbish on one hand, while harrassing Willow on the other. She definitely deserves a



Looking forward to reading more

Postel's Prescription: Be generous in what you accept, rigorous in what you emit.

[Arwen276]

Lol that was the funniest update ever!



Who whould have thought that Bill would do a 180 degree! That's some great luck Willow's got!



and then the previous cuteness with the glass heart and the dreams ...awww...



Oh and about being a spinster? Well I might join ya!





Great updates!



~Arwen

Hear That Baby? You're My Always... Willow

[Karmah]

See I knew Bill wasn't that bad

hehe

and ok the part before this on Did Willow really ask Tara to marry her? WOW

and I love the office people thanks

Great update

Arron

She walks in beauty, Like the night of cloudless climes and starry skies;

And all that's best of dark and bright. Meet in her aspect and her eyes.

~ by Byron ~

[snuggle79]

tee hee, Bill is as gay as Boy George

I'm glad that he is totally ok and not some weirdo.

"Machismo"...like that word...lol... sooooo...what's that with the marriage?



superb update!

snuggle79

This is how everyday should end and start ..and all the stuff in the middle

The greatest thing you'll learn, is just to love and be loved in return.

[sabina]

Hi



You know, I heard on the radio last week that St. Valentine's day was originally meant to be a day dedicated to all your loved ones, family, friends, lovers... But since that didn't make shops sell tons of chocolates, flowers, teddy bears and so on and so on, things changed along the way... Ah, I wonder if that was a lot more information than you really cared for



Oh, by the way I spend a couple of days away from the board and then when I come back there are lots of new cute emoticons... I love these things



Ah... hum... back to your story



Great updates

I loved the whole 'dream talk'... That was really sweet



And Bill's gay... I sure wasn't expecting that one...

Way to go Bill!



More?

[bluewillowwitch]

Elizabeth ,

OMG! I love these last two updates! giving that heart lock thing was so sweet. And wacking with the pillow was so funny. 'Billy' was the best! I thought I was going to die. I have like 20 other ppl sitting around me. I had to work hard to stiffle that laugh. You are so with that cliffhanger. I want more! Please? Can't wait to more. Update soon, please?





Grace

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

"Fate keeps on happening."--Anita Loos

[MellindraX]

Quote:

---

Does this mean I’m the butch one?

---

Is it possible to keep liking this more? Why yes, yes it is!

I’ve never purposely gone out to take somebody out. Well, maybe, in elementary school I once did try to trip somebody. –Amber Benson

[LizPuRR]

great update!!!

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



"Oops, that talk's more appropriate for the bedroom. I apologize."

Alyson Hannigan, That 70's Show

[thebardgirl]

Update non-existant as of now. The reason?



Beware, it's long, and unfortunately without replies.



Really? You'll read it?



You're so sweet.



No, really.



ACK! Okay, so....it's been a while since i've been styling in my jacket and jeans...ACK! No! *smacks head* Erp....Okay, we'll try this one more time....I had a dream, late last night...NO! *smacks head again* BAD Bardgirl, BAD! Okay....see...i got a problem....i discovered the grand elixer of Mellissa E....and needless to say, all i've had on my mind is her...music...her music is what i meant to say.



But, anyhoo....see, i have this 12-string i've been aching to use more than just strumming, and see, she DOES that! and so....me get supper happified by her music, me obsess over her music, me find chords online and play and play and play and oopsie-daisy, i have a story online, don't I?



So.....bear with the bardiness of this girl....please? *pouts* i'm sorta behind on everything; life took my time away and i chose guitar over fanfic, for me and for you readers....so sorry....i'm alright, though, i'm alright, it only hurts--Ahah! I caught that one...okay, i fly now like some flying mechanism of which i can not name as of now.



-elizabeth



p.s. can we devote this delay to the category of purposeful dramatic pause before the big deep dive into W/t goodness?

Last night in sweet slumber I dreamed I did see my own precious jewel sat smiling by me.

And when I awakened I found it not so; my eyes like some fountain with tears overflowed.

[Tempest Duer]

Ha ha! Hell-hath-no-fury Bill is gay! And Anya's a raging homophobe on the job? How funny is that...



But Willow's not large with the butch! She even said so. But protective Willow is so cute...

Willow: Hey Buff. One more thing. Buffy: Yeah? Willow: I’m gay. Buffy: Okay, Will. Xander owes me ten bucks.

~Remember to Breathe by Yellow Crayon

[shuyaku]

I guess I shouldn't mention that I saw mentioned singer in concert last week. I also probably should not mention that I sat in the VIP section by her wife and Eric McCormack, either. Nope, I shouldn't mention that...

Oh God, Willow—you’re giving me the gift of Karen Carpenter. Just when I think I grasp the full extent of your love." - Tara

"Why do birds suddenly appear? It’s because, you are queer…" - Willow (Gods Served and Abandoned by AntigoneUnbound)

[thebardgirl]

I've been a very non-updatey writer, haven't I? I'd suggest capital punishment, but that might make me sound like a masochist, possibly suicidal of which I am none. So...would you like the long (and painful) explanation, or the short and un-true explanation? I'll leave that up to you crazy kittens...for now, i must reply to those fab more-than-four people who said hello after chapter 43.





shuyaku-only for you, dude, do i do the bows, (and possibly to the dew, too). Yup, Bill is gay, i figured that was what i was going to do to him, but man oh man, the initial response to this character had me worried. I was afraid there might be protests....Valentines day isn't all that bad of an idea, hell it's now April, so, eh...i'm okay...although love failures manage to happen (around me) regardless of that illustrious Feb. 14th.

Yup, that smiley is smiling a little too much for it's own good...





justin-Thanks, dude, i appreciate it. Actually right now, for some inexplicable reason i pity Anya...there is no one sadder than one that hates themself for being themself...Ooo now i'm getting all freudian, dear god, i hope my parents don't look at this and realize i think....and thanks for reading...always a pleasure to hear from you...



Arwen276-Thanks, i'm glad i made you happy (although this was a while ago)...and yes that 180 degree turn was more or less pre-planned...then i got the bad-bill response and had to do it or die by the glares of readers...Spinster, i am not...but a tintster, i am...(teenage spinster)...and you're welcome to join my club! Thanks for reading...



Karmah-Good for you and your almighty guessing! And yes, Willow proposed to the lovely Tara...i mean...where else was i gonna go with this? (possibly bermuda, true, but that was only when i couldn't think coherent thoughts)...crazy ladies...thanks for reading, dude...



snuggle79-Yup...yeah, although there are wierdos in the world that still exist and manage to ruin life for the rest of us...whoops...sorry, got off track. I'm glad you like the story, though, and are continuing to read. And yuppers, Willow proposed to Tara...we'll see where that goes soon...



sabina-ah, yes, tis true, but in America, we managed to suck all love out of that day and dedicated it to "lovers" instead. *shakes fist at the Cold-corporate set up of evil americana* Yup...the emotions have multiplied...makes sense, you leave enough little criters alone during the spring time, somethings bound to happen...thanks dude, glad you're reading...



bluewillowwitch-Thanks, i bow to you and your praise...(don't tell shuyaku) oh dude, i made you laugh at in public? Alright! I'm happy now, and yeah, that was an evil cliffhanger...but, i have my reasons, lets just say for now it was a purposeful cliffhanger and a necessary dramatic pause...



MellindraX-Yay! You like it more! *does happy dance* thanks, dude, for reading, and liking....



LizPuRR-Thanks, i'm glad you're liking the story although at the moment it seems to have stalled worse than S.F. traffic... And hey, i like your sig (i forgot to watch the darn episode when it came on...) but now, now i have a glimpse into the world of that 70's show...



Thebardgirl-Where the hell have you been? Seriously, no excuses, even if it has to do with the whole "there's this girl at school that i really like that...*sniff*...likes one of my friends...but, but we're really good friends a-and i've been trying to make her feel better while at the same time doing a musical every other night...plus figuring out where i'm going to college and planning my speech at graduation and thinking about AP exams" thing, NO EXCUSES! Don't MAKE me come over there to your computer and force you to write! I have wombats! I have bananas! I have college acceptance letters that will force you to think about the future! (Which is scarier by far than the average rabid raccoon)...So....that's all i have to say to YOU missy...



Tempest Duer-Tis true, the Bill in my world has changed...Anya's not really a homophobe, she is more or less a confused creature that desires everthing when she can only attain certain things at a time...plus she'll be screwed over for a while if she pertains to believing homo's are bad....(she is one)...Ahah! Good, Willow no-butch!...wait...does that mean Tara is?....*getting strange images now*



shuyaku-You saw....HER....last week? (meaning last week when you wrote this and not now last-week) VIP section? Near her Wife? Woahh......dude....I bow to you repeatedly now...like seriously....continuously....dude! That's friggin awesome...and hey, you know something cool? I can even play "Occasionly" exactly like that Miss Melissa Etheridge...my 12-string is a nice ol' drum! I'm glad to have found another fan that will get the continuous allusions to her.







I can't make any promises these days, all i can say is this lovely long story must come to an end due to my insatiable life at hand (...plus i'm running out of ideas that i like...) so, i will try to make a nice finale to this story soon, actually meaning soon, not soon as in 3 weeks from now, so don't scream! Don't yell! and don't disappear on me, yet! It will have an update, i just can't handle a continuous story right now (hints of why are found above)...ciao

-elizabeth

Last night in sweet slumber I dreamed I did see my own precious jewel sat smiling by me.

And when I awakened I found it not so; my eyes like some fountain with tears overflowed.

[Tempest Duer]

Tara may not be butch, but she's definitely a good top. Haven't you read Please and Sex Journals? Honestly, Liz.

Saying that up is down will not make up, down.



~Gene Burns

[thebardgirl]

Tempest Duer- pardon? pardon moi? No, no i have not read such a thing as those that you speak. But from what i gather of what you say, i probably would fall out of my chair if i did. But i'm glad for the input my dear friend.













Chapter 44



It seems when one decides what to do with one’s life, there are things always dragging you back down to your original, unoriginal routine. When life throws melons at you, you’re inclined to have a fruit salad. And if you don’t, you get hit in the head with large and hard produce.



That’s about where Tara’s head was at this point in time.



Possibly post melon-attack.



It had all been a dream, waking up that morning, finding herself whisked away by that gorgeous redhead. All a fairytale. And now that she had survived the dragon, the magical spell, been awakened by her princ…cess, there were bills to take care of, arrangements to be made, home repair left, honeymoon ideas and possible meltdown if she doesn’t hear from those silly florists soon, and when exactly did roses and lilies become so popular because the last time she checked they were just flowers. Flowers, for Christ sake! They GROW. They are a renewable resource—not in limited production. So why, WHY are they so hard to find?!



The trouble with the world today is it never takes into consideration the average lesbian woman’s need for the correct floral arrangement in her legal union with her life partner.



And if she were to become any further politically correct, she would have to go on a killing spree.



Perhaps that’s what happens to all the roses and flowers…renegade women with a violent tendency towards the floral world in general.



Tara pondered this until she heard the doorbell ring, and approached the redwood panel slat, rubbing her tired fingers onto thought-filled temples. Upon opening the door she barely heard a, “look out!” before being showered with boxes of all different shapes and sizes.



“Baby! Oh god! I’m so, so sorry, I just, I lost grip after so many blocks, I was going to bring the car, but then I figured that mom wouldn’t go overboard—seeing as she never has before—but then whoopsy-daisy five billion presents overflow out of her---“ Willow was presently cut off by an irate blond.



“Willow, before you end up making Webster tired,” she said slowly, picking herself off the ground, presents in-tow, “why don’t we pick all of this up, and maybe—“ Tara’s feet slipped on what might be the Mr. Coffee 3000 Sheila Rosenberg proclaimed would be the perfect house-warming gift for “that Tamarah girl” her daughter had fallen for.



The girl fell back down, too fast for Willow to do anything but stare with a grimace at how grumpy her lover would be now.



No nice snuggles tonight.



“URGH! This is crazy! This is insane! I can’t think!…And all I do think about now are appointments! Schedules! Catering! Vegetarian catering! Lilies! LILIES!”



Willow decided that that little outburst meant white flowers were a “no” for making her girl feel better.



Next time: chocolate.



“Honey, honey, calm down,” she knelt down to the whimpering blond.



“Maybe my proposing wasn’t the best idea?” she asked with a weak smile.



Tara looked up with a reddened face, as if to say, “please, don’t say that.”



But Willow understood already before this wreck, the moments after her meek request were the best of her life so far. She could see Tara felt the same way, considering the alternatives they had experienced together.



“Okay, time to take a break,” Willow said grabbing the blond by the hips.



“A break?”



“A looong break, possibly with several more to come.”



“What kind of break?”



“A real one, missy, so don’t be using any of those sassy looks on me,” Willow replied to the slight smirk she saw on her face.



“You are going to take a nice bath, filled with soapy rose pedals,” Willow saw Tara’s kick glance at the word “rose” and then proceeded, “okay, so never mind about the rose pedals, but there will be soap involved—no doubt about that. We want a clean-Tara in order to make a happy-Tara.”



She spooned Tara and carefully walked her to her, now their, bedroom and sat her down on the bedside.



“There will be food after you are done cleaning your beautiful face up, and then we shall forget I ever had the nerve to put such a curse upon our relationship as to unify it in a bond of love. And we shall do whatever you want—even if that involves watching a corny movie on tnt.”



Tara looked up smiling, weakly.



“And I won’t take any objections to this plan. You shall abide by the rules of Willow, and you shall enjoy your free time. And next time things get this bad, tell me. We’re in this thing together; meaning one of us isn’t dependent on the other. If you and I are going to be a couple, we might as well do couply-things that I hear so many other annoying newly-weds spewing about. Just think, honey, we’ll be just like them some day!"



Tara laughed quietly. She nodded her head, agreeing at the new proposal—no more taking on everything, which for some reason she never figured was a problem. She just wanted to get an early start, while Willow seemed content to go as slow as possible. Then all of a sudden, things go wrong, everyone park, ruined church, and resort was booked, people’s schedules were all crazy and no one, not even the caterers understood the meaning of a tofu sandwich.



“So, you get undressed, I’ll go and get that soap I’ve been so talkative abou…on second thought, if you want, I can stay here while you get undressed? I could help! You might have trouble with those sleeves. Awful things they are, sleeves.”



“No, no, you go, I can survive the sleeves.”



“That’s my girl.” The redhead walked out, proud to have prevented a mini-Chernobyl.



Tara was left on the bedside and instead of doing as she promised, she flopped onto the bed backward and lay there. Thoughts bubbled into her head, but the bed felt nice, so she let them consume her mind for the moment.



Things, so many things to be done…perhaps they’ll all work out on their own? Perhaps, perhaps. Then again, weddings were meant to be difficult, even the simplest ones take time, pressure, and work.



Tara lay there for a while; contemplating how many more nights she’d have to work with this.



And it had only been the first day.

Last night in sweet slumber I dreamed I did see my own precious jewel sat smiling by me.

And when I awakened I found it not so; my eyes like some fountain with tears overflowed.

[bluewillowwitch]

Elizabeth ,

I loved the update! Poor ! All those mean arragements to do. That is why if I ever marry I want to elope! Thank God for . We could of had off hurting florist all over the place if not for coming home when she did. Can't wait to more. Update soon, please?







Grace

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

"Fate keeps on happening."--Anita Loos

[The Rose24]

I love seeing an update on this.

Tara: My heart doesn't stutter.


Tara: Willow, I got so lost.

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

[singgirl]

wow, poor Tara. Florists should have flowers, after all, that's what they do. Can't wait for more!

Pax! -Bev

[sam darls]

LIZ!! Yay..an update..I loved this, as always.. 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)

[thebardgirl]

I've got a theory that those of you still reading this are going , about how long i am taking...possibly, how silly i've been about handling a live story...ah well. Thank Pixie or Hells Bells for encouraging me to get into gear.



You guys have been wonderful readers. And with my impending doom of graduation, and getting aquainted with the real world, as opposed to the wonderful, protective and funny-ass online reality of this board, i must bid adieu with this last update. I know for those of you that have been uber supportive probably are wondering why i didn't give fair warning of this end, but i uh, can't write, at least not efficiently right now, and that's definitely not cool for you guys awaiting updates.



oh! i finally watched the first five episodes of season six...whoo...and, and thanks to this board i've come out to my friends.



I want to thank this place, the people, and the readers for this gift of telling a half-hazard romance story.



So, thanks. And on with the final update!











Chapter 45





“How’re you doing Mrs. Maclay?”



“Very well, Mrs. Rosenberg, and may I ask how your day was?”



“Extremely enjoyable,” a smirk found its way onto the speaking mouth, “I managed to marry a beautiful redhead, with a ceremony to boot.”



“You forgot the presents.”



“Well, I was getting to the presents. They were, above all, the highlight of my day.”



“Wait, even, even above the uh, you know…” A quirked eyebrow and another cameo smirk, “the uh, snuggles?”



“Well, those are my favorites of all the presents.”



A satisfied smile beamed across a freckled face.



“So, what do you suggest we do now?”

“Right now, I’m pretty much beat. The reception seemed to go on forever, and bless Buffy and Xander for trying to make it as appealing as possible, but I just wanted…”



“To get back home?”



“Yeah, although, your vows were enough to keep me standing on that grass forever.”



“They weren’t anything special.”



“Will, they were everything.”



A moment of silence slips in between the sheets. It is a comfy silence though, one that manages to tie the bonds the two have made. However, it is broken by the words of a fidgeting redhead; compliments never sit well with an anxious perfectionist; something’s bound to go wrong if they’re left hanging in the air.



“Well, you and your writing wasn’t so little to forget about either; I can’t imagine how long it took you to perfect the art of courting, or wooing,” the freckles crinkled up in curiosity, and turned towards the blond locks, “Who wooed you when you weren’t wooed by me? I mean, it’s like you took a course in it or something, an intensive course in Wooage. Or, or Woo 101. Or! Or a book like, ‘How to Woo Your Wicca.’ Like Shakespeare’s Idiot’s Guide to Woo, without the Idiot part.” She exclaimed excitedly.



“Will?”



“Well think about it, there’s a course on almost everything. I could check at the UC Sunnydale course catalogue and see if there is one—“



“I think I want to keep you, missy, right here,” grabbing a runaway bride is sometimes a necessary thing, especially when lying comfortably in bed, waiting for sleep to wash over you. Who knows what will get her brain going, but for the moment, it was necessary not encourage desertion of the bed. That’s a bad, bad. Bad.



“Argh! The Tara monster! It claims yet another life of cottony fabric!”



Tumbling over limbs is no easy feat it might be added. Especially when unexpected tugging of your p.j.’s ensues in massive clumping of clothes.



“Yeah, grr arg.” A lopsided smile and another moment of silence seeps between both woman’s heavy breathing; horseplay is not for wimps.



“Tara?”



“Yes, Willow?”



“What do you want to do with the rest of our lives? I mean, we’re pretty much set economically, and politically we have no quarrels, and socially…”



Tara leant in a little just barely above Willow’s busy lips, “yess?” she purred.



“Socially, I believe we get along fine…fantastically…even…”



A kiss.



“So,”



“So?”



“Is there anything you want?”



“I want?”



“Yeah, is there anything you want me to get you? A book perhaps? Or maybe, a movie. Or, or maybe you want to go shopping?”



“Will.”



“Perhaps tomorrow I could take you out for a trip to England! I could take you for a day to any European country you like; I’ve saved up over the years, and I could even rent a small island for you somewhere that has yet to become part of a tour.”



“Will.”



“Or, or, maybe I could get us a puppy!”



“WILL.”



“Okay, no puppy, how ‘bout a kitty? We could name her some fantastic name that cries out to the heavens, ‘this is one fantastic kitty!’ “



“WILL!”



Curls bounced with the reacting head to the sudden yelling. Why was there yelling?



“Will, what’s the deal? I don’t want anything. I don’t want anything but you.”



Green eyes stared disbelieving.



“You sure? Cause Mt. Vesuvius is looking quite appealing these days. They say it’ll—“



“Will! Just listen to me. All I ever wanted, ever needed since before I came to this town with my f-father, was you. I can’t explain it, but even before I served you that mocha I wanted you. I loved you. And I still love you. And I still want you. We’ve got our lives together, and I’ll tell you if I want a volcano visit. For now, I just want to hold you, be with you and see you right here,” she said, patting the pillow next to her.



Willow looked on, staring; it’s hard that moments like these can’t be put on replay, over and over again. She wanted to keep it forever.



“Okay.” The redhead gave up and lay down next to her wife, stroking the soft blond locks, admiring the view.



“But I still say, Shakespeare’s got nothin’ on your woo."



“And I say you’ve got a lot to learn if you think I’m going to let go of you so easily.”



“I don’t mind learning.”



“Well good, while I’m teaching Woo 101, you do that.”



“Could you teach me?”



“Depends, on how good a student you are.”



“Are you kidding me? I was valedictorian of my high school. I’ve got nothing but 4.0’s and above! All my teachers adored my work! Bring it on! I’ve got the smarts to take on all things knowledgey.”



“Oh really?”



“Really.”



“Prove it.”



The redhead leant in and kissed her wife passionately, catching the blond off guard. She fell into the kiss though, delighting in the feel so much she began to forget how she got there, and why. But that information seemed completely pointless compared to the sensation of Willow-lips.



Placing her body horizontal to that of Tara’s and slowing running her hands up her back while indescribably massaging each and ever back muscle made the blond almost ache with delight.



Finally pulling back, the redhead sat up on her elbow, smirking pompously.



“Willow,” the blond said breathing heavily, “I’ve got two words for you,” the redhead looked on uncertainly. This could make or break her reputation as the ‘amazing student.’



“A+.”



Reputation safe.







THE END













Thankyou! Thankyou! (ducks from vegetables) Thankyou! And also to explain the long delays, i've been fighting a major computer virus that makes it take literally 10 minutes for an internet sight to pop up...so, i've only been able to peek in here a little here and there... and i'm hoping you guys enjoyed this as much as possible. Maybe i'll write another...who knows? Maybe one with witches, warlocks and women! oh My!



-elizabeth

Last night in sweet slumber I dreamed I did see my own precious jewel sat smiling by me.

And when I awakened I found it not so; my eyes like some fountain with tears overflowed.

[thebardgirl]

Replies of which i must make known:





bluewillowwitch-grace! Thanks for reading continuously, hope you’re happy with the update.



The Rose24- you’ve been reading this since the beginning, a faithful reader and a wonderful replyer…thanks for all the wonderful words, and I’m glad you’ve enjoyed it thus far.



singgirl-thanks bev, pax to you too, dude.



sam darls-Sammi, hiya. I’ve been little miss no-show…sorry ‘bout that no go with the uh, showing…thanks for reading, I really appreciate it.



-elizabeth

Last night in sweet slumber I dreamed I did see my own precious jewel sat smiling by me.

And when I awakened I found it not so; my eyes like some fountain with tears overflowed.

[The Rose24]

Thanks bardgirl. This a beautiful end to a beautiful story. Willow is Tara's Knight-in-Shining-Armour in this story. And they lived happily ever after. Sorry, I am feeling a little silly today.

Tara: My heart doesn't stutter.


Tara: Willow, I got so lost.

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