As promised a few measly hours earlier i have put the finishing touches on part 11 and now bring it exclusivly to the kitten board.
So without much further ado do do do...
Title - More than a Feeling
Author’s Name - Nathan
Rating - M15+ recommended for mature viewing audience. But hey I’m not ya mum so I ain’t gonna spank ya, unless ya want me too.
Disclaimer - These Char’s belong to Joss and ME and totally not mine.
Also title is also a song by Boston but so also listen to it if you get the chance cause its good.
Feedback- Totally, unless you don’t wanna say anything, but u could if u wanted to.
Summary - Totally AU, this fic doesn’t have a hellmouth, demons the weekly apocalypse or even vamp’s for that fact. It’s set the summer before senior high (I may not be a Yank but I’m pretty sure I know how ya calendar runs). Oh yeah lots of Willow & Tara goodness.
Part 11 I believe. Jeez I can’t believe I’ve gotten this far. Anyway on with the show I guess.Willow walked in through the front door of the Maclay household and spotted Tara hurriedly finishing of her conversation before hanging up the phone.
“Just who exactly was that Miss Maclay?” Willow asked curiously.
“N-nobody, nothing, just a little something I’m cooking up.” Tara’s nervous reply suddenly turned into a smile.
“Oh cause for I minute there I thought it was one of your many girlfriends on the side.’ Willow teased as she strutted over to where Tara was now standing and placed her hands on the blonde’s hips.
“None of them are talking to me, they’re all jealous that’s I’m sleeping with you, they want me to ask you if they can have a turn.” The blonde teased back, smile going full force.
“After I’m finished with you I’m just to worn out. You being the little vixen you are and all.” Willow smiled in response.
“So I should tell them your just mine and they should all back off, you know if I tell them that they probably aren’t going to want to see me any more either. Can you live with that on your conscience?” Tara asked, her teasing unrelenting.
“Totally, I want you all to myself.” Willow smiled as she kissed Tara firmly on the lips.
“You’re free on Thanksgiving weekend right?” Tara asked, as she pulled back from her girlfriend’s embrace.
“Well my folk’s would kill me if I reneged on Thanksgiving dinner with them, but the after that I’m free.”
“Excellent, my Aunty has a ranch, I wanna take you there to meet her. Plus it’s a huge ranch plenty of land to explore nature.” Tara looked into Willow’s emerald pools of green and waited for the redhead’s response.
“Birds and the bees count as nature right? We could defiantly do with some more exploring in that area.” Willow smiled back and leaned in and planted another quick peck on the blonde’s lips.
Tara squealed in excitement at the redhead’s response, “So I take it you want to go then?” She asked, making sure she understood totally.
“I think I stated that with the birds and the bees and the kissing.” Willow smiled back.
“Great, I’ll ring her back and tell her we’re so there for the weekend.”
“Just a second missy, what was with all the hurrying up on the phone when I walked in if that was all you were talking about?” Willow queried with one eyebrow perked.
“Oh sweetie that wasn’t you, I was trying to hang up on her cause she wanted to start talking about our sex life. You the fact I haven’t told dad yet means I don’t really wanna be talking about it where he might overhear, beside a big Ewww on the talking about sex to my Aunty.” Tara giggled as she watched Willow totally loose control and break out into hysterical laughter.
……………
Buffy had managed to pry Willow and Tara apart for some research time in the library. Mr. Giles had promised to give them a hand with the English homework they had. He had taken a liking to the two girls in his English class, as they were two of the few who actually treated him with respect and dignity. Most of the other students on campus either made fun of his accent or his glasses. “Teenagers can be so cruel” he often wondered to himself.
Mr. Giles waited patiently until he witnessed Buffy practically dragging Willow into the library. This was odd he thought to himself, it’s normally the other way around with Willow dragging Buffy.
“Sorry we’re late, Willow’s kinda seeing someone at the moment and I had more than a little trouble separating them.” Buffy offered as an apology.
“Yeah but when it was you and Riley, you were only to happy to miss our research session.” Willow snapped back at Buffy, obviously not happy about being dragged away from some serious Tara kissage.
Giles remembered back to the time when Buffy had reneged on their arranged meetings to spend time with the flamboyant football player. He smiled reminiscing about the good old days then refocussed on the present as he noticed the girls pulling their stuff out of their bags.
“So Tara then?” He simply asked.
Willow and Buffy simply stopped what they were doing and looked straight up at him. Willow’s books and different coloured pens falling onto the floor. “What?” They both asked in unison.
“Willow’s someone special, It’s Tara is it not?” He asked as he removed his glasses and started cleaning the lenses so he wouldn’t have to look at the shocked look on their faces any longer which, truth be told was starting to unnerve him.
“H-h-h-h-how did….?” Willow stuttered out, hardly managing the first few words, let alone anything else.
“How did I know, I’m not daft my girl, I see you talking to Buffy during class and I tend to pick up on a few things. Tara’s the same with Cordelia and Anya in their class.” Gile’s answered as he gave Willow the explanation she was looking for.
“Besides it’s so bleeding obvious out in the school yard.” He added which once again brought Willow into a state of shock, but this time Buffy had a severe case of the giggles.
“He’s right Will, as much as you two try to hide it, it is pretty damn obvious out there. You always seem to find a way to in-avertedly touch her.” Buffy stated through numerous giggles.
“Well, she was nice skin.” Willow defended herself and her Tara touching in the schoolyard.
Seeing the discomfit in the redhead Giles decided a change of subject might do the world of good.
“Buffy, I spoke to your mother the other day and she invited me to come over for Thanksgiving, I told her I’d ask you first but otherwise I’d be delighted.”
“Sure, why would I mind?” Buffy answered, totally devoid of the fact that something may be going on.
“Well some might say it’s a bit odd having your English teacher over for Thanksgiving.” The Englishman replied.
“Well I think of you more as a paternal figure, or more like an uncle. Plenty of people have Thanksgiving with their uncle right?” Buffy reasoned. “Besides you’re a damn fine English teacher, who better to teach English than an Englishman.”
Giles smiled politely and thanked the dear girl. He’d been a newcomer to Sunnydale high when Buffy and Willow had started there in his care group. The two girls had quickly befriended him and after meeting Joyce Summers at a parent/teacher night had become close with his young chagrin’s mother. They often met in the supermarket by not so much coincidence but more of the loneliness of two souls seeking comfort.
“So Will looks like I got Giles here for Thanksgiving, you and Tara got any big plans of the Thanksgiving type.” Buffy smirked across to her best friend.
“Well on the Thursday were spending it with our families but for the weekend she’s taking me up to her Auntie’s ranch.” Willow beamed back at Buffy.
Upon hearing the redhead’s news both Giles and Buffy were in shock. “Will you are aware that there will be horses on this ranch right?” Buffy asked to make sure. Willow suddenly entered a deep train of thought. “Horseie’s, terrifying arm-biting horsie’s.” The thought hadn’t occurred to her until now. Willow entered a state of panic, Buffy had just ruined her perfect weekend with the mention of the dreaded four legged creatures and now she wasn’t sure what to do. She couldn’t not go and offend Tara, but how could she go with her overwhelming fear of horses. It was a predicament the redhead now found herself in and she was at a loss as to what to do.
“You okay Will?” Buffy asked sympathetically as she noticed her best friend’s face turn from one of delirium to one of absolute fear.
“I never even thought of horsie’s Buffy, what am I going to do? Thanksgiving is only three weeks away and Tara is gonna know something is up the next time she sees me. I can always tell when something’s bothering her and she’s the same with me. It’ll be unhideable and I’ll have to do something drastic like feign death until New Years.” Willow babbled out of control.
“You could try telling Tara the truth Will, I’m sure she’d understand. If you wanted to take Tara to a reptile farm and found out she was afraid of snakes would you make her go?” Buffy asked trying to put a little Willow logic into the situation. Willow was beyond logic at the moment though and panic had set in completely.
“Why the hell would I ask her to go to a reptile farm Buffy? I’m afraid of snakes” Willow replied, a little peeved at the off topic remark Buffy had made.
“If I may Willow, therapy may help you overcome your fear enough to be able to go to the ranch. It’s an idea that may be worth checking into.” Giles added rather smartly.
Willow shot the older man a glaring look, “Only crazy people go to therapy, you think I’m crazy don’t you? Crazy old Willow Rosenberg afraid of the evil arm eating horsie’s.”
Buffy let out a giggle, “Your not old Will.” She said and got another knowing glare from the redhead.
“Seriously Willow, thousands of people get therapy to treat fears and anxieties everyday, it’s a perfectly acceptable way for people to conquer their fears.” Giles tried to reason with the redhead whose face softened at the older man’s gentle approach to the issue.
“Really?” Willow softened, “I really want to go on this weekend with Tara and I’d probably do just about anything anyway to get over this stupid fear. You guys would support me through this right?”
“Of course we will Willow, that’s a silly question, we’re always there for each other, why would this be any different?” Buffy brought Willow into a loving hug and showed her support and love by giving the redhead the squeezing of a lifetime.
“You can’t tell Tara though, if she knew I had a horse fear she’d cancel the whole trip and feel guilty about it all and I don’t want any of that. I’ll knock this horsey fear on the head and we’ll all be none the wiser.” Willow smiled an nodded.
…………
Tara sat patiently on the Rosenberg couch waiting for Willow to get home. She’d ducked out straight after school and hadn’t even got her usual ride home. In fact Tara was quite shocked to find that Willow wouldn’t be riding home with her until after Thanksgiving break. She’d asked why but the redhead had said it was something silly and personal and brushed it aside. Tara was more than a bit hurt that Willow hadn’t confided in her as she thought they shared everything. But despite her worries, she hadn’t pushed the redhead for further explanation. She was brought back to reality by the front door crashing shut.
“Hey baby.” Willow said slightly out of breath as she rushed over and planted a welcoming kiss on the blonde’s mouth. Willow then took Tara’s hand and dragged her upstairs and as she entered her room threw her schoolbag into the corner and Tara onto the bed and promptly landed on top of her, their lips meeting instantly.
“Hi.” Willow said smiling as they slowly broke the kiss.
“Why don’t you greet me like that more often?” Tara replied with the same knowing smile, the doubts and worries of a few minutes before, gone as she looked into Willow’s emerald green eyes.
“I got shoddy wrists, too much pac-man with Xander when I was little, I don’t think they could take it.” Willow beamed back.
“They were working alright last night.” The blonde teased.
“Yeah well I have to prioritise these things, it’s either greet you by throwing you on the bed all the time or the stuff we do on the bed, really it’s your choice.” Willow said unfazed.
“I think you have your priorities in the right place Miss Rosenberg.” Tara smiled up at her girlfriend.
“I’m sorry about not coming home with you, I just have some things to work through and I don’t want you to think that I don’t want to ride with you cause you know lazy me hates walking. But that’s not the only reason I go home with you, I go home with you cause I like being with you, which makes this situation sucky ‘cause it cuts into Tara time. I really like Tara time and I hop Tara’s not mad at me and cut deeper into my Tara time.” Willow’s babble finally came to an end with her puppy dog eyes eyeing of the blonde.
“Oh sweetie, if I cut into your Tara time, that means I cut into my Willow time. I’m not a chirpy birdie when I miss out on Willow time.” Tara answered with a wry smile.
“I promise that when we get to your Auntie’s for the weekend I’ll explain this whole kebab to you then, if you don’t trust me.” Willow added for good measure.
“Of course I trust you sweetie, it’s just odd because we share everything, god I’m wearing your underwear as we speak. If there’s something that’s bothering you I want to be able to help is all.” Tara offered sympathetically.
“I know you do, but I think this has got to be me and just me. I don’t want you to make a big fuss over something little and I know you care so much and will make a big fuss.” Willow tried to reason to Tara and herself.
Willow and Tara just lay there for a second before Willow reached down and undid the button to Tara’s jeans, unzipped them and then did them up again. The blonde just looked oddly at Willow who was smiling at her now.
“My frilly red one’s I’ve been looking all over for them, I know how much you love taking them off me, but I thought it was because you wanted to score not because you wanted to wear them yourself.” Willow teased the woman beneath her.
“Two birds, one stone.” Was Tara’s simple reply as they both broke into a giggling tirade that would more than likely last a while.
………….
Tara sighed as she slumped back into the armchair, hardly aware of the movie playing on the screen in front of her.
“Cordy I haven’t seen her this depressed since she came back, I mean were watching “Clueless” and she’s not even laughing, or saying how 1995 the fashion senses are.” Anya whispered to her friend who was laying on the lounge.
“Anya the movie was made in 1995 so obviously that’s when the fashion is going to be. She’s not seen Willow all weekend except for a few hours last night, and Willow was all dirty and sore and tired. You don’t think that Willow’s seeing someone else do you?” Cordelia motioned to the girl sitting in the chair closest to where her head rested. Anya seemed to ponder the question for a few seconds before they both broke out in laughter.
“Could you imagine it, here you are all alone and Willow not only with Tara but someone else on the side.”
“Hey!” Cordelia chided, not amused at Anya’s choice of words.
“All I’m saying is that Willow cheating on Tara, not likely, besides you’ve seen how goo-goo she is around Tara. It’d be totally out of character for her to do that.” Anya reasoned and Cordelia nodded her head in agreement. They both glanced back over to Tara, who hadn’t flinched, even during their attack of the giggles. They knew she was upset at the time she was spending away from Willow and constantly mentioned that they’d have plenty of time for catching up on the weekend at her Aunties ranch, but they both knew that the weekend seemed an eternity away for their friend.
“I hope whatever it is that’s keeping them apart gets fixed pretty soon, I can’t stand to see Tara like this.” Anya nodded her head in agreement to Cordelia’s words as they sat there staring at Tara who was lost in her own deep thought.
…………..
Buffy greeted Willow outside the front door to her therapist’s office. “Hey Will, thought I’d give you some company on your way home, I know I’m not Tara company but I’m hoping your in need of some best friend company as well.”
“Always.” Willow replied with a half smile, it was obvious the redhead missed Tara to death and the time apart was tearing her up from the insides.
“So how’s the therapy going, ready for a weekend on a ranch yet?” Buffy asked, looking up at Willow and gauging her response.
“Well tomorrow is my last session and the weekend is only a few days away with the short week this week. I’m gonna tell Tara when we get up there and hope she can help me get through the rest. I’ll be only to glad once the weekend gets here and I can spend all weekend with her though.” Willow’s smile broadened at the thought off three days alone with Tara and it warmed her up from the inside out.
“So how’d it go at the stables on Saturday, by the looks of it you spent most of the time hiding in the hey.” Buffy smirked at her best friend.
“Well Alice, my therapist, was with me and I touched the horse and it got all neighy on me so I ducked out of the way. I swear it was just about to turn around and take my arm of with one swift chomp. Anyway by the end of the day I was feeding it salt cubes out of my hand.” Willow said proudly with her shoulders perked back and a huge grin on her face.
“Oh my god Will, that’s great, I had a few doubts about how serious you were about this to begin with and now I hear you’re palm feeding a horse. Can I just say how proud of you I am and a plus on the big wow.” Buffy said smiling as she wrapped her arms around Willow in a bear hug. The attention that Willow was receiving made her a bit giddy and had her giggling at the blonde’s reaction.
“I know, I had a few doubts myself but every time I did, I thought to myself “You’re doing it for Tara” and that just motivated me to no end. I’d do anything for her, to spend time with her and if I have to conquer a few fears along the way so be it.” Willow said, full of emotion.
“Wow this thing with Tara is getting pretty serious huh? It seems more intense than the thing with Oz. I don’t think you would’ve ever done this for Oz had he wanted you too.” Buffy stated, reflecting on Willow’s relationships.
“If he wanted me to I probably would’ve but the difference here is that Tara doesn’t want me to, I want to for her. They are two totally different relationships and comparing how I felt during both is useless because of how different they are. All I know is that I really care about this relationship with Tara and I’m happy you know?”
Buffy looked over to Willow and smiled at her, she could see how deliriously happy the redhead was when she thought about Tara, let alone when she was with her. Of course it filled her with a sense of jealousy but also a happiness that she wouldn’t trade for the world. Willow was always there for her no matter what the circumstance and was always a shoulder for Buffy to cry on when she needed it. She didn’t think she would have got through her parents divorce without the help of the redhead and now as she watched the redhead walk with a happy smile across her face, she couldn’t help but smile herself.
………….
Willow entered Tara’s house and called out her name. A sharp reply from upstairs indicated to her that Tara was in her room. She expected to see the blonde studying but instead found her crying on her bed.
“Hey baby, what’s wrong?” Willow asked in her most soothing voice as she comforted the blonde.
Tara brought a halt to her crying and sank into the redhead’s arms, which were quickly wrapped around her. “My god I’ve missed you so much, I feel like there’s something happening in your life and I should be doing something to help but I’m stuck here doing nothing and I feel useless.”
“Baby, it’s not your fault, I’ve been the avoidy one and believe me when I say you are definitely not useless.” Willow tried to smooth things over with the blonde, running her fingers through the golden tresses.
“It’s okay I’m being silly, its just not seeing you much for a few weeks can do this to a girl.” Tara perked through tear stained eyes.
“I was gonna wait till we got to your Aunties but I guess I can tell you now. I just want you to know I’m okay with it now and that it’s alright.” Willow offered as Tara just stared oddly at the redhead.
“I have a horse fear, and I’ve been seeing a therapist so that when we get to your Aunties ranch I’ll be able to hopefully ride the horsies with you.” She offered a smile as she studied the blonde’s quizzical look.
“I never said my Aunty had any horsies on her ranch.” Tara said with a hint of a smile creeping into her expression.
“You mean I put myself through a Taraless hell for nothing?” Willow asked in an upset tone.
“Well she doesn’t have horsies but she does have a stable full of ponies.” Tara replied the grin that started to creep its way in before was now glowing with full effect.
“So you’ll take me riding then when we go up there.” Willow asked hopefully.
“Of course I will, I can’t believe you’d go and do something like that for me though. I mean conquer a fear just to spend a weekend with me, that’s pretty brave.” Tara stated whole-heartedly.
“Well it was more of a petrified self imposed restraining order.” Willow stated, trying to boast about how big her fear was that she conquered.
“I’m sure it was sweetie, biggest fear imaginable.” Tara teased, planting a peck on her girlfriend’s cheek.
“It was, not the last weekend but the one before that was the first time I’d been to a horse track. My therapist said it would be good for me to get that close to the horsies for a start but I think it was just an excuse for her obvious gambling problem.” Willow smirked and Tara broke out into laughter before planting another big fat smoochie on her girlfriend.
“See that’s one of the reason’s you should never spend time away from me, nobody can make me laugh quite like you can Miss Rosenberg.” Tara stated as she planted another then another kiss on the redhead’s lips.
“I know it was silly, but I wanted to do this for you, for us and now we can spend our weekend together knowing that instead of me hiding in the stables you’ll be able to slowly take me out for a ride. On the same pony of course with me snuggled up in front of you with your ever protecting arms wrapped around me.” Willow blushed, looking down at the doona before Tara’s hand cupped her chin and brought her eyes level with sparkling pool of blue that were her own.
“I always want you in my arms baby.” Tara said seriously before their lips met in another embrace as Willow pushed Tara back onto the bed. They were both glad to be back in each other’s arms once again.
TBC…
Okay i'll get the next part up on Sunday while i'm recovering from my self inflicted headache
Obviously the next part is gonna be a weekend at Tara's Aunt's place so happy. I'm gonna ask for a little vote from my devoted readers onto weather or not you want the rating uped for the next part or if you prefer not. So feedback plzzzzzzzzzz
Anywayz
Cheers
Nath
If life was meant to be a bed of daisy's we'd have chicken crap thown on us all the time.
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Tara's already a winner having picked up someone like Willow so it's only fair she let Buffy win. 
Not to mention the image of shared undies. Very sexy. Willow is so sweet going for therapy to get over her horse fear. Good insight with Willow saying she would have done it for Oz if he wanted her to, but she wanted to do it for Tara. 
And the competition between Tara and Buffy..lmao. So sweet what willow goes through to overcome her horsie fear for Tara. Great that she wants to do it for Tara. This whole fic is adorable... I won't complain, either, if the rating is upped...heh heh 
And, promises of a dedication to little ole moi. I'm all excited. Farm girl and stable girl. tee hee!
that was a hot update. I can't wait for the next one...
at: 7/13/02 10:34:37 pm