quick update from work...
and an extra special thanks to everyone who is enjoying our Riley... Beth and I are firm believers in tht season he had one purpose... straight man comic relief
oh and Buffy's bad timing... EVIL GRIN... it's sorta a theme
hope you enjoy...
COPYRIGHT DISCLAIMER: Buffy The Vampire Slayer, Willow, Tara, Xander, Giles and all other characters who have appeared in the syndicated series Buffy The Vampire Slayer, together with the names, titles and back story are the sole copyright property of Josh Wheldon, Fox and Mutant Enemy. No copyright infringement was intended in the writing of this fan fiction. All other characters, the story idea and the story itself are the sole property of the author. This story cannot be sold or used for profit in any way. Please contact the author for permission to reproduce this story on any other fan fiction site.
TIME FRAME: The Summer of love!
SPOILERS: Not unless you’re unaware of the goodness that is Willow and Tara together.
PAIRINGS: W/T
RATING: PG 13
DEDICATION: This is dedicated to the true spirit of our witches love before a quest for ratings and shock factor lead them down a dark and horrible road… In our hearts and our minds they will always be too beautiful girls experiencing the purity of true love
Bookmarks and Broomsticks
Part 14
By: The Rainbow Writers
Tara hummed a bright tune as she flipped open her rainbow striped shoulder bag and slipped in a bottle of sun block, a packet of travel tissues and a disposable camera.
“We’re going to the zoo, zoo, zoo.” Her humming spread into a little song as she moved back over to the dresser and picked up her wallet and shades.
“How about you, you, you?” Willow emerged grinning from the bathroom.
“You can come too, too, too.” Tara turned with a grin pointing her shades at her lover as she sang.
“I can’t wait to see the camels.” Willow grinned as she pulled on her sandals.
“I like lemurs.” Tara crossed back over to the bed and put her last collection of things into her bag.
“Do we need anything else?” Willow tucked her sunglasses up on her head.
“Mmmmm, do you have socks?” Tara glanced down at Willow’s bare toes sticking out of her sport sandals.
“Why would I need socks?” Willow questioned.
“If you get a blister.” Tara pointed out. “The zoo’s big”
“You’re so smart.” Willow moved over and pulled a small pair of ankle socks from the drawer.
“No, I just love you, every little bit of you.” Tara replied with a soft smile.
“As I love you.” Willow moved over and kissed Tara’s cheek as she dropped her socks in the bag.
“Okay so can I have the check list please.” Tara picked up the bag waiting for Willow to begin.
“Money?” Willow started and Tara looked into the bag. She noted the presence of both her multicoloured wallet and her lover’s ‘hello kitty’ wallet.
“Check.” She nodded.
“Sun tan lotion and zinc?” Willow continued.
“Check and check” Tara reached in to check that the lids were secure.
“Funny zebra rain ponchos and candy?” Willow questioned.
Tara moved the candy bags to the side in the bag and put her hand in the plastic of one of the ponchos. She lifted just her covered hand out of the bag.
“All ready to keep you warm and dry!” She used the sock puppet to say.
“Candy?” Willow checked again. “Need yummy candy.”
“No, I ate it.” The poncho puppet shook its ‘head’.
“You ate my candy.” Willow frowned. “Oh no, now I can’t share with my beautiful girlfriend.”
The poncho animal dropped its head as Tara animated it being ‘ashamed’.
“Did you eat all the jube jube’s too?” Willow questioned.
The black and white striped hand dipped back into the bag momentarily and then popped back up. It shook its ‘head’.
“Well then I forgive you.” Willow blew a kiss at the poncho puppet.
Tara chuckled and put her hand back in the bag, shaking off the poncho.
“What else did we need?’ Willow laughed.
“The camera we bought yesterday, though did you want to take the digital too?” Tara asked closing the flap on the bag.
“I think candid shots are fine, don’t you?” Willow smiled. “I get all arty with the digital.”
“Is that what you call it.” The blonde looked down as she blushed deeply.
“Mmmmm oh yes very arty.” Willow slid closer. “You didn’t like the pictures I took?” She looped her arms around Tara’s waist.
“I liked the effect they had on you.” Tara whispered putting her arms around Willow’s neck.
“You like me all drooling and unable to form a sentence?” Willow growled.
“No I like you passionate, loving and touchy feely.” Tara admitted.
“I like touching and feeling.” Willow nuzzled her head in kissing Tara’s neck.
“Mmmmm have I told you yet today how much I love you?” Tara cupped her hands at the back of Willow’s head.
“I still like to hear.” Willow kissed and sucked lightly on the slightly vanilla scented flesh.
“I love you as much as Poncho zebra loves candy.” Tara tipped her head slightly.
“That’s a lot.” She kissed up to her lover’s ear.
“It’s more than that, it’s completely.” Tara smiled under the affection.
“I love you.” Willow whispered sucking Tara’s earlobe.
“You ready to go and find a camel?” Tara shivered in pleasure.
“Mmmmm we could go tomorrow?” Willow sucked softly.
“We’re going to the mall with Buffy tomorrow.” Tara reminded moaning softly.
“Wednesday?” Willow pulled with her hands pressing their hips together.
“I have class.” Tara closed her eyes and dropped her hands onto Willow’s shoulders massaging a little.
“Friday?” Willow began walking Tara towards the bed as she kissed up and down her neck.
“Friday is the first day of August, I loose you Friday.” Tara opened her eyes and sighed.
“You don’t lose me.” Willow pulled back. “Love my parents were in town when we were at school. It doesn’t change anything.”
“Don’t you remember Friday night is the night they come home? I meant lose you for the night, well the weekend actually.” Tara’s mood dropped lower.
“Why the weekend?” Willow squeaked. “We have picnic Saturday.”
“A S-S-Scooby picnic.” Tara reminded. “After which you go home for relative visits with your aunt Loretta?” She squinted trying to look at the brightly coloured hand written calendar pinned up on the notice board.
“But I thought you were coming for dinner?” Willow questioned.
“No remember B-B-Buffy reminded you about how intuitive your aunt is and you agreed that you weren’t ready for people to know.” Tara pulled back a little.
“I am ready.” Willow shook her head. “I want to scream to the world I love you.”
Tara moved her hands and moved Willow’s off her body. She took a few deliberate steps away from her lover.
“You weren’t ready last Wednesday.” She said softly.
“I know but I had five whole days of very heavy contemplation and I realised I was being silly.” Willow sat down on the bed. “I love you, I know you love me and what does it matter what the rest of the world thinks?” She cut her lover off before she could object. “It doesn’t, because there are always going to be people who don’t like it, that think it’s wrong or whatever.”
Tara moved over to the notice board and played with the edge of the decorated piece of paper. She smiled almost sadly at the happy faces adorning all those days that had already passed.
“I’ve been a geek all my life, I’m used to people thinking that what makes me happy isn’t right or normal. That has never made them right and me wrong. It just makes them loud and intolerant.” The hacker kept going.
“This is different Willow, you know it is.” Tara said her voice increasingly sad.
“No it’s a thousand times more important than that.” Willow looked at Tara seriously. “I’m going to tell them on Friday.” She put on her resolve face.
“I’m not sure Willow.” Tara turned her arm wrapped loosely around her stomach.
“About what?” Willow questioned feeling the wind drawn out of her ‘out and proud’ sails.
Tara crossed softly over the bed and sat on the edge of it looking at Willow with serious blue eyes.
“Willow, telling your parents is a huge thing.” She said slowly and softly. “The time has to be right.”
“You don’t want me to tell them?” Willow questioned looking at her girlfriend.
“O-O-Oh no, of course I do.” Tara shook her head frowning. “But only if you want too, if you feel it’s time.” She tried to make her point clearer.
“I do feel its time.” Willow reached out and gently took one of Tara’s hands. “Because all I’ve been thinking about is that they are coming back and I don’t want to have to hide, I don’t want to have to make excuses to see you. I just want to say... ‘Mom going to Tara’s, I’ll be home Friday’ and her know I’m safe and loved and eating my vegetables cause you won’t give me dessert till I do.”
“I love you.” She breathed as she drew Willow’s hands up and kissed them.
“I love you too.” Willow smiled.
“So are we going to the zoo?” Tara asked.
“Of course.” Willow put on a brave face. “We have a big day planned, together.” She added softly the most important fact.
“We don’t have to go.” Tara looked carefully at how the redhead was reacting.
“No, of course we do, we’ve planned.” Willow shook her head.
“Yes but then we started doing the heavy talk thing.” Tara pointed out softly.
“Yes, but we’ve talked and decided right?” Willow checked.
“We talked yes.” Tara answered carefully.
“But didn’t decide?” Willow’s brow furrowed.
“I just don’t want you to decided on a course of action and have it circumvented because of ‘other’ things.” Tara tried to be gentle.
“What other things would circumvent it?” Willow questioned. Now that she’d decided she’d thought this would be the easiest thing and Tara would be so excited.
“Sweetie.” Tara took a breath. “Just don’t expect too much from yourself.” She warned gently. “You haven’t seen your parents for a while.”
“But what does that matter if I want to tell them?” Willow stood up.
“I know it should be Willow, but this isn’t all about you.” Tara delicately outlined.
“You don’t want me to tell them?” Willow checked knowing Tara was the only other person she’d factored into this equation.
“Not me sweetie.” Tara shook her head. “You’re parents.”
“I know.” Willow stood up straighter. “And I’m in college now and grown up and they have to start understanding I’m an adult.”
“You are.” Tara nodded. “A lovely, amazing, and wonderful adult who any family would be proud of.” She paused seeing that the redhead was poised for another long babble.
“If I don’t tell them I’m just going to lie awake at night thinking... stupid childish Willow you didn’t tell them, it was like when you broke the swan statue, you’re such a coward.” Willow fretted shifting from one foot to the other.
“Whatever Willow, I love you.” Tara whispered.
“Do you want to go to the zoo?” Willow slowly moved over and sat down next to the blonde, she leaned over to put her head on Tara’s shoulder. “I love you too.” She whispered.
“If you’d rather just be here with me, that’s okay.” Tara slipped her arm around the redhead.
“I always want to be where you are.” Willow snaked her arms around hugging the blonde.
“Always?” She checked leaning to kiss the red hair under her chin.
“Always.” Willow squeezed tighter.
“So, zoo or hot tub?” Tara whispered.
“Your choice.” Willow whispered back.
“Your choice.” Tara shook her head.
“You really wanted to go to the zoo.” Willow reasoned with a big breath as she tried to get her feelings under control.
“As you keep reminding me, we have all of August, minus about seven days.” Tara rubbed Willow’s back soothingly.
“Why are we losing seven days?” Willow pulled up looking into blue eyes.
“Mom and Willow days, Dad and Willow days, Buffy and Willow days.” Tara listed off the ones she knew of.
“It’s not the whole day, only part of them.” Willow pointed out. “The rest is Tara time.”
“Mmmmm I like that.” Tara smirked so happy to know that she was always included in the hacker’s daily equation.
“I though there was something so black and white old movie about coming in late after dinner out with roses for you and slipping into bed to kiss you awake.” Willow mused rubbing her nose against Tara’s lightly.
“Is that a promise?” Tara pulled back and looked into Willow’s eyes.
“Promise.” Willow underlined leaning into to kiss the ruby lips before her. “So what do you want to do?” She reached up and massaged her fingers lightly into Tara’s neck.
“Well the Zoo is lovely, and we’ve not spent that long out side so far.” Tara reasoned.
“And we’re all packed.” Willow added glancing at the rainbow bag.
“We are, there will be camels.” Tara prompted.
“Oh and polar bears.” Willow giggled.
“Lemurs And penguins.” Tara nodded.
“What are we waiting for?” Willow brightened.
******
Tara looked carefully though the rows of T-shirts hung on the long rail of the shops back wall. Occasionally she glanced over to Willow who was weighing up the pros and cons between two stuffed camel toys.
“One hump or two?” Willow turned to see green eyes appraising her and smiled.
“I think the one with two humps looks happier.” Tara pointed out. “But maybe it’s a grumpy camel you’re looking for.”
“No happy camel.” Willow put the other one down. “She’s coming home with us she has to be happy.”
“She just smiled, I swear.” Tara went back to her T-shirt sorting.
“Did you find something you liked?” Willow wandered over clutching her camel.
“No, no little lemur T-shirts.” Tara shook her head. “They have a dolphin one though.” She held up a light blue T-shirt with two dolphins on it.
“I already got my treat though.” Willow pouted as she saw the gorgeous shirt.
“Oh no.” Tara shook her head. “We’re rescuing the camel. It’s not a gift.” She smirked.
“You’re sneaky.” Willow hugged Tara from behind. “I don’t want it unless you find a shirt you like too.”
“Well they don’t have a lemur.” Tara pouted softly.
“What’s on the tie dye one?’ Willow nudged the blonde’s shoulder with her chin.
“Mmmmm.” Tara moved the other shirts aside to find the one Willow pointed to. “It’s a panda. Chewing bamboo.” She narrated needlessly as she pulled it out.
“It’s cute.” Willow smiled at the shirt.
“You think?” Tara contemplated.
“I do, do you?” Willow questioned still leaning lightly on the blonde. They had walked the entire zoo and it had been a long day. The gift shop was their last stop before the bus back to Sunnydale.
“I wanted a lemur.” Tara sighed.
“Here let me ask the little shop helper.” Willow kissed Tara’s shoulder and pushed herself towards the circular middle counter of the store.
She had a brief conversation with the clerk before he nodded and headed towards the back. She meandered her way through the aisles back to Tara.
“He’s going to check.” She smiled at her lover.
“Thank you.” Tara beamed. “I’m sorry I’m lemur girl.”
“Why? You’re gorgeous lemur girl.” Willow shook her head to shake off another apology when something caught Tara’s eye.
“Oh Willow look!” She enthused pointing to the display of small finger sized animals.
“Miniature lemurs.” Willow giggled as she realised which of the tiny creatures her girlfriend was squealing over.
“Do they have striped tails?” Tara asked as they both moved closer to the rack.
“Mmmmm.” Willow fished one out and put it on her finger. “They do!” She giggled more as she bounced the now animated little creature around.
“Oh my, that is so cute.” Tara beamed trying to quell her enthusiasm when the store clerk came back.
“This is the only one we have in lemur.” He held up a light blue shirt similar in colour to Willow’s but that had a shot of a lemur in habitat on the front.
Tara had to pull her head gaze away from Willow and the tiny bouncing lemur, to look at the shirt.
“It’s the same colour as yours.” She noted.
“Cool do you like it?” Willow turned to look, the little finger puppet still dancing on her finger.
“It’s lovely.” Tara noted.
“We’ll take it, thank you.” Willow nodded and relieved him of the T-shirt.
“What if it’s not my size?” Tara frowned softly at Willow’s enthusiasm as the clerk wandered away.
“Mmmmm lets see.” Willow held it up to Tara’s body judging. “It’s perfect.”
“So is there anything else you’d like?” Tara asked with a radiant smile.
“We have a camel, two lemurs and two dolphins. I think we’re okay, unless you want something else?” Willow looked around a little.
“Oh I found this for Dawnie.” She held up a sun visor in the shape of a rabbit, complete with ears.
“She’ll love it but Anya is going to freak.” Willow laughed loudly.
“Oh…” Tara frowned. “They have an elephant we could get instead.”
“No, Anya will deal.” Willow motioned for her to keep the bunny one.
“D-D-Does she hate rabbits then?” Tara asked confused.
“Anya? She thinks they are worse than demons.” Willow rolled her eyes. “But Dawn likes them so we should get it for her.”
“I can’t believe that she hates teeny tiny bunnies, that makes no sense.”
Tara shook her head.
“It’s Anya.” Willow summed up. “She’s odd.”
“Oh I don’t know, someone I know hates horses.” She teased softly.
“Hey, they are much bigger than bunnies and they have more teeth and did I mention bigger?” Willow’s eyes went wide as Tara put her collection of things on the cash area.
“It’s ok Willow, I understand, though really, they don’t eat arms.” Tara reassured gently.
“I’m trying to believe you.” Willow admitted putting the other things up as well.
“So I can book a pony trek for us next week?” Tara took her purse out of her bag.
“Pony trek?” She swallowed hard as Tara nodded as the clerk began running things through the till. “Pony trek... sure... I mean since they don’t eat arms.” She ran her finger along the edge of the counter.
“It’s okay Willow we don’t have to. It’s just that I have a friend who helps in a stable not too far away, I was going to call her and see if she could arrange anything.” Tara explained. “If you like we could just go out there and meet a horse.”
“Meet a horse, now that is a logical first step.” Willow looked up taking her courage in both hands. “Meeting a horse sounds very civilised.”
“It will be, I promise.” Tara nodded. “I’ll see what Amanda can do.” The blonde handed over her card as the clerk totalled the bill.
“Here I have money.” Willow fumbled to get her wallet out of the bag.
“No, my treat.” Tara shook her head. “I’m the girl with a job.” She winked.
“Sexy woman of the world.” Willow leaned in for a second to whisper as the clerk did his best to ignore them.
“So you ready for home time?” Blushing lightly Tara sealed the transaction and took the bags as they were handed to her. Willow held her hand out for them and was happy to receive half.
“I ready for Jacuzzi time.” The redhead grinned as they moved outside.
“Oh feeling lucky are you?” Tara chuckled.
“I always feel lucky when I’m with you.” Willow slipped her arm around Tara’s waist.
“It’s been a great day sweetie.” Tara leaned in as the walked on together.
“Thank you.” Willow whispered with a broad smile. “Cause it was a great day.”
“It was.” Tara sighed happily. “So you want to slip into the tub when we get in?” She checked getting excited about the idea.
“I would love that, unless you don’t want too?” Willow checked back not wanting to suggest something that Tara didn’t want.
“Oh no I love the tub.” Tara smiled.
“Me too.” Willow slipped her hand into Tara’s back pocket.
“Well I love you in the tub.” Tara underlined with a shy smirk as she squeezed her lover slightly. “I know we mentioned this earlier sweetie, but when do you need to leave Friday?” She hated that her mind when to their impending separation but she needed to formulate a plan on how she was going to cope and that meant knowing how long they were going to be apart.
“I should be home for six. Their plane gets in at five and they’ll taxi from the airport.” Willow forced herself to think of the impending separation as well.
“But don’t you want to tidy and everything? Not to mention flowers.” Tara suggested thoughtfully.
“Flowers?” Willow raised an eyebrow.
“Flowers for the house.” She clarified.
“Why would I waste money on flowers for a house when I could buy them for you?” Willow grinned making the blonde laugh softly.
“Well you could always buy them for me and then put them in the house.” Tara mused.
“We’ll see.” Willow nodded. “The house isn’t really in need of tidying as I haven’t been there much.”
“You can wear your new shirt. Are you cooking them dinner?” Tara asked smiling.
“Me cooking?” Willow laughed.
“Well I possibly lean towards buy in and just plating up.” Tara gave a sideways smile.
“That could work and save lots of time.” Willow nodded as they reached the bus stop.
“What should I have to eat for dinner that night?” Tara quizzed.
“I think we should have that nice salad for lunch.” Willow mused.
“Mmmmm and for dinner so I don’t spend lots of time thinking about how you are?” Tara asked trying to show her lover how much she was going to be missed.
“Well we could make you dinner while I’m there so that you have it for when I’m out with the parental.” Willow tried to think of a good strategy.
“Could do.” Tara nodded looking down the road for any sight of the bus as they reached the designated stop.
“And I’ll be back later that night.” Willow promised.
“You said you would stay over.” Tara turned back wit a slight frown. “I remember you telling your father, so that you would be there for your aunts arrival.”
“But I never said what time I’d be home.” Willow grinned mischievously. “To go to sleep.”
“You are a cheeky girl.” The blonde leaned to kiss her lover.
“I know and you love me.” Willow accepted the kiss happily.
“I do love you.” Tara nodded.
“Mmmmm not as much as I love you.” Willow whispered kissing her girlfriend again.
“Next year is going to be tricky.” Tara said suddenly as she tucked Willow’s hair behind her ear.
“What? Why?” Willow questioned trying to catch up.
“Well you’ll be sharing with Buffy and after spending so much time together this summer, it’ll be odd. Don’t you think?” Tara mused sadly.
“Who said I was sharing with Buffy?” Willow blinked hoping she wasn’t hearing what she thought she was.
“Well I just assumed, I mean we didn’t talk about it before the break.” Tara blinked back. “I booked a single in Stevenson.” She added her head dropping a little.
“That means I have no one.” Willow frowned. “Buffy put in for a single cause she figured we’d be...” She stopped. “I figured…”
“Oh no.” Tara frowned and for a moment thought she may actually cry. “But I thought, I mean you and Buffy...”
“Is my friend.” Willow underlined. “Did you not want to share with me?” Her lip trembled.
“Oh no of course I do, we could share my single, you know get you a room, but just for appearances.” Tara tried thinking quickly.
“Can we go to the office and see if we can get a double?” Willow questioned quickly.
“We could, but they’re the first to go.” Tara mused with a hard frown.
“But I’m sure someone would much rather have a single than a double and we can have the double.” Willow frowned more.
“They’re bound to right?” Tara tired to perk up.
“And if not we could rent our own place?” Willow posed.
“Could we afford that?” Tara didn’t want to dash it but they needed to be hopeful.
“Well you have your grant right and I have mine.” Willow tried to do the calculations in her head. “And what they give us for student housing would be the same as renting an apartment.”
“We’ll work it out.” Tara perked up as the bus rounded the corner.
“We will and either way we won’t be apart any more than is so necessary.” Willow vowed.
“Ready for the ride home?” Tara looked up as the bus drew closer.
“Yes.” Willow shifted the bag in her hand. “Take me to the tub.” She grinned making her lover laugh as the bus stopped beside them.
To be continued…
by jdcioffi » Mon May 20, 2002 5:17 pm 
whipped cream. And trust me, there will be many fireworks 
I like the "heavy" talks. It makes them real.
