Tara yawned and stretched sleepily. Almost immediately she turned over on her side and blinked at the still sleeping figure of her lover beside her. Willow was laid on her back with her arms thrown haphazardly across the bed. The thin cotton sheet being trapped between her legs trailing up to cover her upper body but leaving her legs mostly exposed. The redhead’s mouth was slightly open and small sleepy noises escaped from her occasionally.
A smile spread over Tara’s face as she tried carefully to slip out of the bed without disturbing the redhead. Pulling open the draw unit beside the bed she pulled out a pair of white cotton shorts and pulled them on and then searched around for the matching strap top. Not able to find it she decided to go for a pale blue one instead.
“Mmmmm more chocolate sauce.” Willow mumbled as she rolled over, the bed sheet still trapped between her legs as she resettled.
Tara turned to look at the bed, grinning brightly. Noting that her lover was actually still asleep Tara decided to go ahead with her plan to make breakfast in bed.
Pottering through to the kitchen, Tara worked diligently collecting things for the breakfast tray. She hummed a bright tune as she put toast in the toaster and filled two bowls with cereal, crossing to the fridge she filled a little jug with milk and another with yoghurt and then sliced a banana over one bowl of cereal and strawberries over the other.
As she closed the fridge the toast popped up from the toaster. She cut it in half and arranged it on a small floral plate. She poured two glasses of juice and then put the three tiny jam pots she had found in a little shop on the tray with the rest of the things.
Then she skipped into the lounge to pick out one white rose from a vase on the table and then put it in a smaller vase on the tray. Finally she gathered the necessary utensils and picking up her tray of goodies walked back through to the bedroom.
Tara slipped the load onto the small bedside table on Willow’s side of the bed and then crossed over to the large window on the wall to the right. Reaching around the slatted blind Tara eased the window open and then slowly twisted the cord hanging down the side of the window, easing the wooden slats open just a little to let small strips of sunlight flood the room.
“Mmmmm baby.” Willow stirred a bit as the bright light slid over her face.
“Good morning sunshine.” Tara turned from her place at the window and smiled.
“Bright sunshine.” Willow pulled the covers up over her eyes.
“Oh sorry.” A troubled frown flashed over her face and she turned the cord in hand to re-adjust the blind.
“Mmmm it’s okay...” Willow sniffed and pulled the blanket down. “Do I smell toast?”
“You do.” Tara turned back around releasing the cord as she padded back to the bed. “And strawberries and banana.”
“Yummy breakfast.” Willow grinned while blinking open green eyes. Tara moved over to sit on the edge of the bed close to Willow. “Hi love.” The redhead reached up for a hug.
“Good Morning baby.” Tara closed her arms around her lover’s sleepy warm body.
“Very good morning... my sunshine and sunshine and yummy breakfast made by my sunshine.” Willow hugged her closer.
“Well I wanted to make it special, you know.” Tara smiled at the early morning Willow babble.
“It’s always special when we’re together.” Willow kissed Tara’s cheek before the blonde pulled back. “So are you getting into bed to join me for breakfast?”
“I thought I should start the packing.” Tara glanced over her shoulder.
“We can pack later. The gang are coming over to help.” Willow took the blonde’s hand. “Come have breakfast with me, more than enough for two.” She glanced at the tray.
“Okay.” Tara gave her lover a soft smile.
“So you excited about being back in the dorm?” Willow lifted the tray over to rest between them as Tara settled in.
“Mmmm let me see am I excited about leaving this, and moving into my own single room?” She contemplated softly.
“I’m only two floors up though.” Willow tried to be positive. “And I hadn’t really figured we’d spend much time in separate rooms.” The redhead grinned. “We could have a rotational schedule.”
“I know, it’s just.” Tara’s objection stilled in her mouth as Willow elaborated. “One would get the impression Miss. Rosenberg that you are slightly serious about our relationship.”
“Well if you only got the slightly serious impression then I must be doing something wrong.” Willow put on her serious face. “Cause I’m very serious. Which is why Monday, Wednesday and Friday’s were in my room and on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturday were in your room. Sunday’s alternate.”
“You have it planned already?” Tara grinned happily.
“I can draw up a rotation if you want. I figured that schedule would work best cause you have early classes on the days we’ll wake up in your room and I have early classes on the other days. Saturday’s post bronze we get to crash at the closer bed and Sundays well we can pick after Xander’s movie night.” Willow babbled on.
“Oh I love you so much.” Tara beamed. “Eat your breakfast.” She added picking up a strawberry and popping it into Willow’s mouth.
“Yes dear.” Willow opened her mouth and grinned around the ripe fruit.
“So how was your mother yesterday? You never did really tell me before getting me into the shower.” Tara picked up a spoon and put some yoghurt on the cereal with the strawberries and took a mouthful.
“She was...” Willow finished her berry and picked up a triangle of toast. “She asked how you were.” She tried to find a bright spot in their shopping trip.
“Mmmm are you going to make me push for details?” Tara had another spoonful of cereal.
“Mmmmm it was okay, she wasn’t pushing the boy thing again.” Willow finished her square. “Though I think she was glad that the school put us in different rooms, gives her the illusion you know?” She added sadly.
“I know.” Tara said softly. “It’s okay Willow.” She paused and looked at her lover, “It might not be the best reaction sweetie, but it’s certainly not the worst.” She assured her lover tenderly.
“No, I know. I just wish...” Willow sighed and chased a piece of banana around in the yoghurt. “I just wish she could be happy cause I’m happy and there is every reason in the world to be happy.”
“You’re dad’s happy.” Tara reminded.
“My dad adores you.” Willow giggled.
“He doesn’t.” Tara blushed instantly.
“He does, he bought you that book back from his symposium in Seattle.” The hacker pointed out.
“That’s just because we had been talking about it.” Tara tried to argue.
“Oh yeah, cause a third edition copy of Dr. Marwell’s Theory of Modern Art and Societal implication signed by the author is so common.” Willow rolled her eyes playfully and the blonde blushed more.
“Did I thank him enough?” She worried momentarily.
“Oh yes, little Tara stationary is perfect.” Willow nodded picking up another berry.
“So what time are the gang arriving?” Tara glanced at the alarm clock on the chest of drawers.
“Ten thirty, Xander had to go get Tito’s truck and then drop him at the worksite.” Willow sipped at her juice.
“Ten thirty?” Tara said turning back and looking at Willow.
“Yes.” Willow munched on more toast.
“Baby that gives us, ten minutes.” Tara leaned over and picked up the clock turning its face to Willow.
“WHAT?” The hacker mumbled through a mouthful of yoghurt that dripped down her chin.
“It’s ten fifteen.” Tara jiggled the clock a little trying not to smirk at the yoghurt spill.
“OH MY GODDESS!” Willow looked down at her herself. “I’m naked.” She pulled the sheet up.
“You are.” Tara smirked more. “I’m not much better.” She added noticing her skimpy outfit.
“Is this a bad dream? Like you bring me breakfast in bed then the whole gang come in and start doing Madame butterfly?” Willow downed more juice.
“Hey hey, slow down!” Tara urged. “Its ok, they can start in the kitchen.”
“Oh...” Willow took a deep breath. “Sorry.”
“It’s ok sweetie. Today’s gonna be fine.” Tara reached over to hug her.
******
A tall longhaired brunette watched carefully as a stocky young man and a small bubbly blonde made trip after trip out to a truck parked close to the entrance of the large dorm building that she stood near.
She watched carefully when another slightly smaller blonde came out followed by a slim redhead that seemed to be talking non-stop.
“Good afternoon.”
A voice made the young woman jump causing her to lose her focus on the busy group. She glanced at the older man who had greeted her in passing. He looked oddly well dressed to be around a student campus wearing a smart shirt, vest and tie.
“Are you here to move in today as well?” Giles questioned politely.
“Erm.” A look of slight panic flashed across the woman’s face. “Actually no.” She shook her head.
“Oh, moving in someone then? I have to say it’s quite an ordeal or possibly that is just my experience.” Giles laughed lightly.
“Is your daughter moving in?” She decided to be polite after all he might be able to help her.
“Oh no. I’m a family friend.” Giles tried to be succinct without lying. “Buffy is moving into the first floor, while Tara is on the second and Willow on the fourth. Though for heaven’s reason I have no idea why they bothered with two rooms.”
“People like their space I guess.” The young woman shrugged. “I hope you don’t mind me asking you something.” She added quickly.
“Well actually it gives me an excuse to not help lift that rather large dresser up four flights of stairs.” Giles smiled softly.
“You mentioned a Tara, I mean I know it’s probably a long shot but that wouldn’t be Tara Maclay would it or you wouldn’t happen to know her or anything would you?” The girl asked almost nervously.
“Oh yes, are you a friend?” Giles eyed the girl with a carefully hidden appraisal.
“You could say that.” The young woman smiled.
“Well you should come in then, she’s just upstairs unpacking while the others move stuff.” Giles motioned to the stairs.
“It looks busy, perhaps I should wait.” She seemed to hesitate.
“Quite the kafuffle. Neither of them were packed when we picked them up this morning.”
“Perhaps you could tell her I was here, I could wait for her perhaps in the coffee shop I noticed in town.” The young woman offered a solution.
Giles looked to the truck as Buffy yelled inaudibly at Xander for something.
“Of course, I’m sure after this they will indulge in their mocha obsession.” The watcher offered. “Who should I say is waiting?”
The brunette smiled and resettled her bag on her shoulder.
“Natasha.” She said before turning and walking away.
Giles watched her leave abruptly and reached up to straighten his tie before moving towards the building.
******
It had been a blur of activity but at last the back and forth flow of people and belongings was slowing in fact it had pretty much stopped in the last few minutes. All the main furniture was in the right room, finally in the right place and Xander and Anya had gone to get pizza. Buffy was in her room with Riley deciding on poster locations while Willow was sat crossed legged on the floor in front of Tara’s closet. The floor around her full of the blonde clothes and the redhead was busy sorting them into colour co coordinated piles. Tara was sorting her files and papers as she filled the small desk with supplies for the coming semester.
“Well this looks considerably more lived in.” Giles stepped into the open doorway but didn’t enter.
“Mr Giles.” Tara turned and smiled brightly at the watcher.
“Hello.” The watcher nodded. “Is there anything else you need?”
“No I think we’re okay, are we okay sweetie?” Tara looked over at her lover.
“Oh yes much with the okayness.” Willow grinned.
“Well then I won’t hold you two up any longer... oh though Tara.” Giles stopped in the doorway as he turned. “I ran into a friend of yours earlier, she said perhaps you could meet her at the coffee shop when you were finished. She was reluctant to interrupt the move.”
“A friend?” Tara stopped flicking through the paperwork and looked up.
“Yes, she said her name was Natasha.” Giles filled in the information.
“Tasha?” The name literally breathed out the name with a slightly panicked look Tara turned towards Willow
“A slim brunette.” The watcher attempted to give details.
“She was here?” Tara asked in a whisper.
“Downstairs.” Giles stopped pulling off his glasses. “Are you allright?”
“Oh yes, we’ll be fine. Thank you Giles.” Willow put down a sweater and moved over to Tara.
“I’ll leave you two to unpack then.” Giles nodded and slowly turned leaving them alone.
“Baby, are you okay?” Willow moved in behind her lover.
“I...” Tara didn’t realise how much she was shaking until she lifted the pile of papers in her lap and put them on the floor.
“It’s okay baby.” Willow hugged the blonde from behind. “Are you okay?” She followed up softly.
“He said Tasha was here.” Tara whispered turning to look at Willow with wide blue eyes.
“I know.” Willow nodded biting her lip. “Do you want to go to the coffee shop?”
“I have to.” Suddenly Tara pushed up from her place and moved to the door.
“Oh... of course.” Willow stayed where she was feeling very small and pointless suddenly.
Tara pulled the door open without speaking and moved out into the corridor.
“I’ll just stay here!” Willow called after her flatly knowing she really didn’t have a choice.
For a moment Tara’s footsteps could be heard on the wooden floors outside trailing away before they stopped for a heartbeat and then got louder as suddenly the blonde reappeared in the doorway. Willow had her head down as she shuffled papers absently into neat piles.
“You’re going to need some shoes.” Tara said from her place.
“What?” Willow looked up confused.
“Shoes.” Tara restated looking at the redhead’s tiny bare feet.
“Why?” Willow pulled herself up using the corner of the bed. “I’m just finishing the unpacking. Books to alphabetise, papers to sort.”
“To walk to the coffee shop.” Tara explained her own reasoning.
“You want me to go?” Willow stopped her babble.
“You’re my girlfriend Willow.” Tara took a step inside the room. “My everything.” She clarified in whisper.
“I know... but you need to talk to her, you haven’t talked to her in along time and you have history. I know history and I love you too, you’re my everything too.” Willow stepped closer to the blonde. “But I love you enough too if you need to talk to her… alone.”
“Oh if you don’t want to c-c-come.” Tara’s head dropped.
“No, oh no Tara. If you want me there I am so there.” Willow ran over to get a pair of shoes and stuffed her feet into them. “Look shoes.”
“No.” Tara shook her head. “I-I-I mean, you might be right...” She was suddenly confused.
“Well I could go and just be moral support, how about that?” Willow tried to find a compromise.
“I really want you to be there.” Tara said the only thing she did know that she wanted.
“Then I’m there.” Willow reached out and put her hand in her lover’s.
“But maybe you’re right about needing to see her on my own. Perhaps we should take Buffy too.” Tara tried to work a scenario out in her head.
“Buffy for sure. Let’s go get her.” Willow nodded. “Double moral support.”
******
Buffy lifted her full cup of mocha to her mouth and sipped at the hot liquid through the frothy cream topping. Her eyes flicked from the far corner table where Tara and Natasha sat before settling back on Willow who sat opposite her. The hacker was carefully shredded her napkin into long equal strips as she made an obvious effort not to stare.
“You enjoying your mocha?” Buffy asked quietly.
“Sorta not that great right now.” Willow looked down at the barely touched mug. “She’s pretty isn’t she?”
Buffy glanced over again at the far table. The brunette was sat forward her hands joined together and on the table. Tara sat back in her chair toying with the small braid in her hair.
“Well she’s…” Buffy studied the brunette’s profile. She had a soft face with nothing angular what so ever, her brownish hair hung around her ears flowing down around her shoulders and back in soft curls.
“You’d date her wouldn’t you!” Willow hissed glancing over and then quickly back. “Oh I can’t compete with that.”
“No!” Buffy looked back quickly. “Will I wouldn’t date her.” She shook her head adamantly.
“So if you had to date one of us you’d pick me?” Willow questioned immediately.
“Well...” Buffy frowned.
“Oh if you were gay, you know hypothetic making your best friend feel better.” The hacker qualified. “I know you’re not gay Buffy, I mean hello you and Riley attached at the hip.” She pointed out.
“Oh I see.” Buffy seemed to relax a little. “In that case yes, definitely yes. I’d choose quirky little redheaded you.” Buffy nodded.
“Thank you.” Willow smiled softly taking a sip of her mocha.
“So this is....” Buffy looked to Willow for more information. She’d not really managed to glean much from her best friend in the short journey to the coffee shop.
“She just showed up, wanted to talk to Tara.” Willow shrugged sadly. “I don’t think Tara’s even talked to her since she left for school.”
“Tara doesn’t exactly look....” Buffy glanced back to the other table.
“Happy?” Willow offered feeling a huge tug to go over and save her girlfriend.
“Comfortable.” Buffy thought the word sounded a little less needing action.
“Do I rescue? I mean my baby is uncomfortable, should I run over there and save her?” Willow questioned nervously.
“Err no Will.” Buffy shook her head. “If she needs you she’ll come and get you.”
“Oh... okay.” The redhead put her hands down digging into the sides of the booth.
Buffy let her eyes linger over to the other table again just as Natasha leaned down a little to reach into her bag pulling out an envelope. The brunette pushed back the sleeves on her light grey top as she placed the envelope on the table, revealing a tattoo that snaked up her arm.
“Wow.” Buffy whispered without thinking. “She has a tattoo.” Her voice more than impressed.
“Hey no being impressed with other women’s tattoos!” Willow snapped at the Slayer.
“Sorry.” Buffy pulled her eyes away but only for a moment.
“Oh great, even the straight girl is drooling over the tattoo wonder girl.” Willow leaned over her mug sulking.
“No, no I’m not.” Buffy pulled back. “I was more thinking wow weird Tara went out with a girl who has a tattoo.”
“You went out with Faith.” Willow smirked as her mind found another outlet for a moment.
“I did not.” Buffy squeaked looking at Willow aghast.
“Oh come on the dancing, the leather, all the ‘slayer’ stuff.” Willow rolled her eyes. “You were all but dating.”
“We were not.” Buffy stressed again, her voice slightly too high-pitched. “No!” She shook her head. “Definitely no.” She stressed over.
“Oh my... they stood up.” Willow forgot her torturing of the Slayer as she stared down into her coffee.
“Did they?” Buffy forgot the bating almost instantly and looked over.
“Don’t look!” Willow hissed.
“Sorry.” Buffy turned quickly again feeling much like a puppet on a string.
“What are they doing?” Willow checked without looking up.
“How do I know you told me not to look?” Buffy hissed.
“Buffy!” Willow whined looking up into hazel eyes.
“Okay.” Buffy picked up her mocha and lifted it taking the opportunity to glance over. “Oh.” She said softly.
“Oh, what does Oh mean?” Willow snapped immediately.
“Tara’s crying.” Buffy hissed again feeling her protective side kick in.
“I’ll kill her!” The redhead’s eyes flashed up angrily.
“Will, Will, no.” Buffy looked back at Willow shook her head.
“Why not?” Willow put her hands on the edge of the table ready to get up. “She made my baby cry.”
“Yeah but...” Buffy took the opportunity to glance over again. “Oh…”
“If you do that again I’m going to have a heart attack.” Willow’s voice was tight and anxious.
This time however the Slayer’s exclamation was followed by the scrape of her chair on the floor as she pushed up to stand. Willow felt the world go in slow motion as Buffy moved up and out of her vision.
Slowly, ever so slowly Willow looked over to the booth.
“Where is she?” The hacker jumped up her own chair squeaking.
“I don’t know. I mean she was there.” Buffy pulled her jacket off the back of her chair.
“Bad, very bad.” Willow reached into her pocket and threw some money on the table. “I have to find her.”
“Of cour...” Buffy stopped again as the blonde re-entered the coffee shop. Willow stopped as she too saw the Wicca come through the doors.
“I think I’ll take a walk.” Buffy continued to pull on her jacket.
“Are you okay baby?” Willow moved over towards her lover.
“I am now.” Tara moved the rest of the way, her voice small as she pressed herself into Willow’s arms. Willow hugged her back tightly rubbing her hands up and down her lover’s back. “I love you.” Tara whispered letting the innate feeling of comfort Willow’s attentions filled her with seep fully into her being.
“I love you too.” Willow kissed her lover softly.
“Take me home.” She requested gently.
******
Willow looked around the darkened room, adjusting to the light from the campus security lamps filtering in through the window that bathed the room in a soft glow. When they’d come home Tara had been quite and they’d curled up in bed for along time.
“I guess we should carry on with the sort.” Tara whispered not moving from her curled up spot.
“No, it’ll be okay till tomorrow.” Willow hugged her closer. “You all right angel?”
“I just don’t like being the bad guy.” Tara admitted.
“I can listen.” Willow whispered to encourage her lover to talk.
“I know, I’m sorry love I didn’t mean to push you out.” Tara turned over and looked into Willow’s eyes.
“No, no it’s okay. Very traumatic when people come back from your past, especially girlfriend type people.” Willow comforted her by running her hand down Tara’s cheek.
“I had no idea she find...come after me.” Tara changed her sentence carefully.
“Find you angel?” Willow caught up on it immediately.
“I... that is, I didn’t t-t-tell her where I was c-coming.” Tara stuttered.
“It’s okay love, you wanna not to hurt her more, make a clean break.” Willow tried to make it better.
“No, it wasn’t so much that...” Tara shook her head.
“As?” She pushed softly.
“I didn’t want...” Tara took a breath. “Tasha wanted me to stay home.” She began soft trying to explain. Willow kept rubbing her lover’s cheek. “She believed that we could better the things we faced there but I knew she was wrong. The things were bigger than us. M-M-MM-Much bigger.” She dropped her face out of Willow’s reach.
“Nothing is too big to face with love.” Willow whispered cupping Tara’s chin and kissing her softly.
“It....” Tara began to argue but stopped. “I had to leave, because if I left at least I would keep Natasha safe.” Tara admitted softly.
“Safe from what?” Willow questioned not understanding.
“Th-Th-Th-Things.” Tara took a slightly panicked breath. “J-J-J-Just things, it was a small town...”
“Baby, you can tell me anything you know that right?” Willow soothed her.
“I love you Willow.” Tara looked up with sad blue eyes. “I’d never leave you, you know that don’t you?” Tara asked scared. “O-O-O-Only if you w-w-wanted me to.”
“I never want you to leave me.” Willow shook her head adamantly.
“It’s been a great summer.” A vague smile played on Tara’s lips.
“Our first summer of love.” Willow beamed.
“Yes.” Tara agreed with a nod. “I wish it never had to end.” She added wistfully.
“The best part about it ending, is that we get just that little bit closer to next summer.” Willow leaned in to kiss her again. “So really it never does end, not as long as we have each other.”
by Little M » Mon Jul 01, 2002 2:42 pm 
Majorly reinforced my "Try not to read these things at work" rule. Which I break all the time. 
at: 7/1/02 3:20:01 pm
Lurking, that's my specialty. I had not choice but to have my calls held...because I most certainly couldn't say a damn word if I wanted to. I turned my fan up to high and that still wasn't enough. Ahem. Did I mention that I was a Smut Slut and Update Fiend? Just so's you know. 
at: 7/1/02 8:10:19 pm
)..sounds like Tara has a secret and she's having a tough time fessing up. You won't keep up hanging RIGHT? Cuz, you know that I'm not cool with the Ms. Cliffhanger thing 
I wonder what that is all about. I know you will explain it, right?? I feel bad for her right now. I hope everything will be okay. I wonder what Tara's so scared about? 
at: 7/10/02 12:59:28 pm