Title: Contentment
Part: 7/?
Email address:
mtnlaurels34@hotmail.comDistribution: I just like to write...but it would be fun to know if this shows up somewhere else.
Feedback: This is my first fic, but I already think I'm going to be a feedbackaholic...your insights will help me steer some of the "fun" aspects of the W/T relationship *wink,wink*
Spoilers: This is completely AU! No spoilage here.
Rating: PG -13...at least for now…
well, there’s some fudging on that perhaps.Disclaimer: Yeah, so I just thought it would be fun to play with the Willow/Tara relationship. I have no rights whatsoever...most of the other characters in this fic are new, so that should be fun.
tommo, blame...thanks for coming to my rescue!
Ch7
At eight that night, Tara finally returned after a very long day of work. Willow was surprised at her rather haggard appearance. The beautiful woman was dirty, bruised-up, and in desperate need of a shower. She threw Willow a weary smile and promised to be back quickly.
When Tara returned about ten minutes later from her shower, she suggested that they go out for dinner and added that she was too tired to cook. Willow had a better idea, “Why don’t you go back in there, fill the tub up with water, soak for a while…I’m going for take out, I should be back soon enough.
The blonde was so thankful that she immediately conceded. “Thanks, Wil.” she said as padded back toward the bathroom do as her companion suggested.
--
Less than an hour later, Willow returned to find Tara asleep on the couch. She sat down on the coffee table and just watched the blonde as she slept. Her light hand reached out to stroke the blonde brows when they suddenly furrowed in unrest.
Tara woke up the moment Willow’s soft hand touched her. She groggily reached for the small hand and brought the tips to her own lips in affection. Slowly, she sat up from her position on the couch and announced that they should probably eat before she decided she was too tired to lift the fork to her mouth. Willow smiled in agreement.
After a quiet dinner, the two retired again to the couch as had become normal, only this time, just after they sat, Willow pulled Tara’s head onto her lap and began tenderly running her hands along the director’s hair in hopes that the woman would be soon soothed into sleep. Willow continued until she noticed Tara’s breathing become even, indicating sleep had finally claimed her. She then shifted minutely, and rested her own head on the back of the chair to rest her eyes that were tired from hours in front of a computer screen…
Tara woke some time later, surprised at her position on the couch. She sat up and noted Willow had fallen asleep as well. She gently shook the sleeping form and announced that they should both go to bed, else they wake up in the morning with even more sore muscles. Tara moved to the far wall then flipped the power switch to remove the remaining light from the room. Still groggy from sleep, they both moved to the bathroom and shared a smile as they grabbed toothbrushes.
There was an awkward moment when Tara turned to the right coming out of the bathroom door as if making her way to the study.
“Where are you going?” Willow couldn’t keep the worry from her voice as she asked the question.
At that moment, Tara couldn’t form a complete thought. “Well, I wasn’t sure what to expect. I mean, I didn’t want to assume that…I just didn’t want you to feel pressured…actually I haven’t…in quite some time—well, where do you want me to sleep, Wil?”
While Willow caught the excitement in Tara’s voice, she heard something else there as well that made her pause: fatigue. The beautiful director was completely worn out, and Willow was concerned over Tara’s exhaustion. Instead of pressing the matter, the redhead responded with a sleepy grin, “It is your bed, Tara. You might as well sleep in it. And I do mean sleep…I just want to be near you tonight—if that’s ok with you.”
Surprised and humbled by Willow’s admission, Tara was grateful for the small hand that reached back to take her own as Willow easily led the way upstairs.
--
For the first time in nearly two years, Tara didn’t wake up until nearly 8:30 a.m., and she didn’t make it out of bed for another hour. She just sat looking as the light filtered through the branches outside and onto the face of the most beautiful woman she’d ever known. While the warmth of the sun kissed her body, she began to feel the chill of loneliness that she had not been able to shake since Momma Kris left her in charge of Contentment. All the insecurities that she tried so hard to suppress surfaced once again.
The staff will be here in two days, campers in two weeks…everyone is depending on me The weight of responsibility for so many lives rested on her.
What if I made the wrong decision about the school here? There is just so much that can go wrong, and it would be all my fault…everything is resting on me. So where do I rest? Tara looked again at the woman who comforted her the night before and she cherished the gift of her precious friend. No one had ever held her while she slept…no one except Willow. Tara knew that there would be little to no time for escape from camp for at least the next month, and she wanted time alone with Willow before everyone else arrived.
Everything is pretty much ready for the staff.As her mind worked on a plan for the coming days, Tara moved from the bed only long enough to make coffee and carry two cups back to the loft. She placed the cups on the nightstand and slowly pulled one corner of the blanket back, which the redhead had shifted to block the bright sunlight from her eyes. Willow’s face scrunched up at the intrusion, but she cracked one eye open to catch the grin on Tara’s lips.
“It’s not funny!” she grumbled good-naturedly as she coaxed Tara back into bed and pulled the dark material of the comforter over their heads. “How long have you been watchin’ me and laughin’?” Willow continued as she settled one arm around Tara’s mid section.
“Been watchin’ for a while, been laughin’ about a minute or two” Tara supplied.
“Why didn’t you wake me up before?” Willow continued, still keeping her eyes closed.
“Because…I wanted to let you sleep, and I was just thinking about stuff.”
“Hmmm. Feel better today after some rest?”
“Yes, ma’am. Ed’s supposed to come and pick me up later this afternoon for that meeting with the group in Dahlonega about providing a scholarship for some kids.”
Tara paused for just a moment attempting to gather her courage. “Um, I was thinking…everyone will be coming on Sunday, and we won’t be able to get away together, ah, again for some time.”
Tara shifted in Willow’s arms so that they were facing one another before she spoke again.
“W-what I really want t-to know is if you and I could follow Ed today, so that on way back tonight, maybe we could go to dinner—you and me.”
Willow was, by this time, completely awake and alert. She shot a hand out to push back the covering darkness and leaned over Tara to search the beautiful eyes that looked up at her. The redhead allowed a small smile to steal over her lips
“Ms. Maclay, are you asking me out on a date? Like a date, date?”
“I am.” Tara responded quietly.
“But whatever should I wear?” Willow stated with a gleam in her eyes.
I don’t so much think what I’m thinking would be appropriate for dinner…the thought played in Tara mind, and a smile crept over her face to soften the slightly anxious look.
Willow noticed the smile and the slight flush that added color to Tara’s cheeks.
Wonder what’s going on in that beautiful head. “So, are you busy up ‘til then? What time is it? Like, nine right now?” Willow hedged.
“About nine-thirty actually.” Tara responded only to the last question while her eyes seemed mesmerized by the sunlight playing through Willow’s hair. She raised a hand to the silky stuff and allowed her fingers to glide through, glorying in the feel of the tresses barely touching her forearm.
Tara’s hand paused at the nape of Willow’s neck, and her thumb rested against the warm skin at the pulse point.
Willow closed her eyes at the sweetness of the touch and gave Tara a little more of her weight as she moved her left hand to cover the one on her neck and then slip let it slip down the length of Tara’s arm. Willow felt Tara’s shiver and opened her eyes.
“Willow, will you please say something?” Tara whispered.
“I don’t feel like talking…I don’t need to say anything.” Willow responded just as softly.
Tara turned, intending to roll Willow onto her back, but only tangled them up in the covers. Chuckling at her own ineptitude, Tara smiled into Willow’s eyes. “This is me trying to be all sexy and not succeeding…Are you turned on yet?”
Willow looked up at the woman she adored and returned the half smile. “Absolutely.” She confirmed just before drawing Tara down for a kiss.
Their lips met in aching sweetness, and the women closed their eyes, marveling once again at the sensations their kisses brought forth.
Many moments passed before Tara felt Willow’s lips part slightly beneath her own and she took that opportunity to touch the tip of the redhead’s tongue with hers. Willow’s grip tightened a little on Tara’s neck and back as she drew their bodies closer to deepen the kiss.
Their tongues met over and again as they learned the feel and taste of each other. Tara’s mouth shifted to savor the skin at Willow’s neck and felt the breathing and heartbeat increase under her lips.
She finally rested her forehead against Willow’s and their uneven breathing mingled between them. Tara’s brows knit in concentration as she tried to hold on to the last bit of her self-control.
The voice with which she addressed Willow was thick with emotion but she had to be sure. “Is this too soon, sweetheart?”
How in the world am I ever going to stop is she says it is? Tara’s mind screamed.
Willow heard the question but did not answer right away so Tara opened her eyes to find green eyes resting on her in complete trust, and knew the answer to both of her questions…
I’d do anything she asked me to.The smaller woman saw the passion in Tara’s eyes that she was barely able to restrain…and knew that she was holding back for her. Willow gently pushed the blonde up and slightly away from her and pressed them both into a seated position.
Tara was already steeling herself for the rejection she was sure was coming from Willow, but the words never came. Instead, she watched in amazement as tender hands tugged at the edge of the stretchy shirt she’d slept in, a silent indication that she was to help remove it.
Once that obstruction was gone, Willow pushed lightly forward once more until Tara was pressed into the now disarrayed softness of the comforter. She slipped her own top over her head and lowered herself to within inches of Tara’s face.
The contact of their flesh made them both stifle a groan at the wonderful feelings the touch elicited. Finally, when Tara thought she could take the silence no more, Willow spoke the words Tara felt she’d waited forever to hear. “Not one minute too soon.”
The walls of the dam that they’d used to check their feelings seemed to crumble upon those few spoken words, and the gentleness that marked the moments before was replaced with the urgency of their need to explore beyond their inhibitions.
Their open mouths met without discipline. The broken words they spoke to one another were almost unheard as all of their other senses were nearly overwhelmed at the completeness with which they surrendered themselves to the offering each gave the other. Soon, no words at all were needed…
--
Hours later, both women had finally eaten a meal and were dressed and just about ready to leave. Willow waited patiently for Tara to finish preparing for her meeting. She’d only ever seen Tara wearing the campy clothes that she worked in, so the blonde stepped out of her office tugging on a black suit jacket over the midnight blue blouse pulled firmly across her chest, Willow’s couldn’t take her eyes away from her.
Ah, Tara in jeans…hot. Tara in that outfit…I can’t even think of the words. And I know so many words! Why can’t I just think of one good word instead of “yum”? She swallowed hard, but continued to stare as Tara quickly straightened the jacket and checked her hair in the mirror.
The director turned around and was about to ask Willow if she looked all right when she caught sight of Willow’s slightly opened mouth.
“So, think I should wear this kind of stuff out here in the woods?” Tara teased.
At those words, Willow began to recite:
The faster we leave, the faster we get to the meeting. The faster we get to the meeting, the faster we get through with the meeting. The faster we’re through with the meeting, the faster we have dinner. The faster we have dinner, the faster that suit comes off… “I think we should get going.” Willow stated flatly as she moved for the door.
Tara smiled at the obvious hurry, grabbed her paperwork and keys and followed Willow to the Jeep parked outside.
“So Wil, while I’m in my meeting, you can check out the town if you like. It’s actually pretty cute. Has some shops, nice parks if you want to read or something. Will that be ok?”
“I think I can manage for a few hours without you.” Willow responded sweetly.
But only a few.--
At five thirty, Tara stood just outside the small office building saying final goodbyes to Ed and their new scholarship partner. Her eyes kept straying from the two men to the woman waiting for her nearby.
What did I ever do to deserve having her stand there, waiting for me? Tara wondered as she forced her gaze back to the man addressing her.
Nothing. She finally decided
“It’s going to be a real pleasure working you both, Ed, Ms. Maclay.” the director heard the gray-haired man say.
“And you, too, Mr. Shepherd.” Tara automatically responded reaching her hand out to shake.
Ed kissed Tara’s cheek, and waived a goodbye to Willow.
“How did the meeting go?” Willow asked with a crooked smile as Tara approached.
“Uh, the meeting went well. They’re willing to sponsor three campers per week throughout the summer and one during the school year. Every little bit helps!” Tara added. “I had a hard time concentrating over there...I couldn’t take my eyes off you.”
“You say that like you’re surprised or something…it just helps that I was born attractive.” Willow teased lightly.
Note, Understatement of a lifetime: what she just said ...Tara thought.
At this, Willow turned and offered an arm to Tara, which she took happily. The couple made their way to a quaint café on the main strip and enjoyed dinner together, neither really tasting the food, but rather they spent the evening flirting lightly and finding any excuse to touch one another.
After they had paid their bill and walked back to the Jeep, Willow held the car door open for Tara but snagged her briefly before allowing her to sit and kissed her soundly before closing the door and making her way around the car.
Once they were on their way back to camp, Tara took a side-long look at Willow.
“So, uh…just in case it isn’t clear. Sleep is the last thing on my mind right now—if that’s ok with you.” Tara teased Willow with her own words from the night before.
“Oh right. I’m supposed to show you the computer program and website when we get back. Thanks for reminding me. Anything else you want me to do?” Willow replied sweetly.
The smile that played at Tara’s lips only increased as she lifted Willow’s hand to nip at the knuckles lightly. “There might be one or two other things you could help me with. Let me think about that some more.”
Willow laughed at the playful comment. “You do that and let me know as soon as we get back.”
Edited by: mtnlaurel at: 5/20/02 10:48:00 am
by BabyJune » Sat May 18, 2002 1:34 pm 
so i figured I would go and cruses Pens that always makes me feel better
Sweet loving, and playful. They are so much our girls even out of the "unnormal" enviorment. This is a beautiful story thus far, I can hardly wait to read more
at: 5/20/02 12:10:15 am