Fic: No More

[jdcioffi]

Very nice -- very very nice. We get the tour of the apartment and Tara's sleeping in Will's room ... very very very nice.



JD

"I smell the smelly smell of something that smells smelly!" (SpongeBob Squarepants)

[spazz07]

Awesome Tara wanting her apartment to be Willow friendly and i think Tara needent be worried about being to earer to stay in Willow's room as i'm sure the redhead was just as eager to coax the blonde into her room



Cheers

Nath

If life was meant to be a bed of daisy's we'd have chicken crap thown on us all the time.

[LeatherQueen]

Oh, this was so cute. And Tara maneuvering herself into Willow's room. Awesome update!

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"But when they're playing your song on the jukebox in Hell, you might as well dance." - K. Simpson


"Futile... like a FOX, baby!" - Tara in The Late Shift by wiccachica

[4WiccanLuv]

An air mattress.....Ugh!

Okay, I'll be patient!



Love this story, BTW.

- Dime con quien andas y te dire quien eres -

[KathleenWolf]

mmm very nice set up... the description of Willow's house was also very nice in contrast to Tara's apartment... and of course like everyone else can't wait for the sleep over to really start...



bravo kathleen

"I am my beloved's and my beloved is mine."

To The Land of The RainbowWriters

[tkheaven]

Great description on the apts. hehe, the TV-tank, I like it.

Quote:

---

Then we can stay up later, and talk. Or, um, whatever.”

---

uhh, yeah, or, um whatever you want, and on an air matress..hehe that should be fun.

Tk's new and improved "GrrArgg"

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Tara was similarly riveted, her body on slow burn as Willow's lips parted and her mouth opened, the food slipping inside and being consumed. Never in her life had Tara ever wanted to be a chicken casserole so badly...Later that night..."It's good to be a chicken casserole," Tara murmured, before passing out. ~ Answering Darkness by Sassette

[willntlover]

what is it with air matress?! Okay, i know i probably spelled that wrong, but i can't remember the right way so... back to what i meant to say... I LOVED IT!! Cool update. Neat way to add in the frog fear.



-Will

"Hear that baby? You're my always."

"well, you know, when you play a lesbian witch you've gotta get killed in this fun kind of exciting way, so the heart was the way to go..."

"we have the most amazing fans though they LOVE us."

[Latsric]

I want Tara to come to my apartment and decorate it, she's got such a unique style. And I can't wait for the sleepover



One thing I really like about this story is that its pretty much all from Tara's point-of-view, so while we know that she's into Willow (duh! who wouldn't be) we really aren't sure what Will is thinking. Given the laws of the universe (Willow and Tara together happily ever after) we know its gonna happen eventually and I can't wait for that part. keep up the good work.





-lat-

- I need my obsessions, they keep me sane -

[TwiLightJoy]

Okay, about the air mattress, LOL. Since I seem to be getting a lot of comments about it. Willow is being polite and giving Tara her space, that's all. Wait and see how it turns out, okay?



And I'm keeping it basically from Tara's point of view because I usually write from a Willow point of view. It's something different for me to do, and I'm trying not to keep jumping into Willow's head. I also feel that this way it kind of gives more of a real feel to it, like you don't know what other people are thinking, just as Tara doesn't know what Willow's thinking.



I'm still not done with today's update, so I'll get that up as soon as I can, okay? And keep telling me what you think!



~Joy

IttyBittyKitty: "creme filled though...a little subtle there?"
TwiLightJoy: "There are reasons for everything, I tell ya! Chocolate-frosted reasons!"
IttyBittyKitty: "that is quite enough of YOUR sass!"

[Ittybittykitty]

Where are the grunions?

[TwiLightJoy]

Sadly, there are no grunions. However, I present, finally, Chapter 26. Now I gotta run to the beach, so be good kitties while I'm gone!



“Willow, it’s time for dinner,” Mrs. Rosenberg announced from the doorway. Willow looked up from her laptop, where she was showing Tara some of her favorite witchy sites. Both girls lay side by side on the bed on their stomachs, two pairs of eyes now moving from the screen to Willow’s mother’s face.



“Okay, we’ll be right in,” Willow answered. Tara had been slightly surprised that there was so much information online, since she’d never had time or computer access to investigate and see what was available. She had to admit her books seemed a bit arcane now that she’d seen that Willow had so many resources at her fingertips whenever she wanted them. But there was just something about having the actual books, which she was sure Willow would understand.



Willow disconnected from the internet and closed the Apple, and then both girls made their way into the dining room. It felt completely different than dinner at the Maclay house, which Tara appreciated greatly. Mrs. Rosenberg, who only called Tara ‘Tanya’ once before getting her name correct, went on about a paper she was researching for quite some time. Mr. Rosenberg was mostly quiet, but when he asked a question or made a comment, it was well thought out and to the point. Growing up in a house like this, it was little surprise that Willow had such a quick mind.



Almost as an afterthought, Mrs. Rosenberg inquired about Willow’s day, and she went over what had gone on in her classes, making a special point about the experiment they had done in Chemistry lab. Both her parents nodded their approval. They didn’t ask too much about Tara, but she didn’t mind that much. She complimented Mr. Rosenberg on the meal, which was actually fantastic, especially by Tara’s new dining standards, which unfortunately included a lot of ramen and instant foods. She was having a hard time getting used to cooking for only one person instead of three, and her budget had been pretty limited.



After the meal, Tara offered to help clean up, but the Rosenbergs wouldn’t hear of it. She was a guest, after all, but her offer was appreciated. The young women excused themselves and returned to Willow’s room. “Your dad’s a great cook,” Tara grinned, taking a seat on Willow’s bed. “The marinara sauce was so good! And the breadsticks!”



“He doesn’t usually do breadsticks,” Willow smiled, sitting down close to Tara before scooting slightly farther away. “I think he did that special ‘cause you were gonna be here.”



“Well,” the blonde said with satisfaction, “I’m glad he decided to make them. And that you invited me over.”



Green flecked eyes met blue ones. “Me too.” Willow continued to look into Tara’s eyes for a few moments, then began to fidget nervously and looked at her socks. “So,” she began, “um, what is this? I mean, this thing with us. ‘Cause ever since that day, there’s been this … connection. At least, I’ve felt a connection. I wasn’t imagining a connection, was I?” Tara smiled gently and shook her head. “Is it, is it because you’re a witch, too?”



Not sure what to say, Tara gulped. “I think um, maybe?” It was a lame answer, but there may have been some truth to it. Whenever they touched, Tara could feel Willow’s power, but it was thus far largely untapped. Perhaps it was better for now to go with the less complicated answer, since she wasn’t sure exactly what Willow felt, and wasn’t sure Willow was totally ready for the rest of it anyway. She still appeared to be pretty attached to the idea of getting Oz back, and Tara couldn’t deny Willow this chance at happiness. If being with Oz was what she wanted, Tara would not stand in the way.



“Oh.” Willow seemed to accept the stammered answer pretty easily. “So how long have you been, um?”



A soft, almost dreamy smile crossed Tara’s face. “Since I was really little, almost as long as I can remember. My mother, she was … amazing. She knew so much, and was so full of magic. She used to say I was her little pixy, to make me smile. My father didn’t approve of it, though, so we weren’t allowed to…” Now a rueful look clouded her face. “It was … bad, if he saw us. She hid a lot of her books, so he wouldn’t burn them. I brought them with me, when I came here. They’re almost alive, in a way, with all the memories they hold. It’s not just words and spells, it’s life.”



“Wow,” was all Willow could manage. The way she talked about magic and her books was wondrous. For Tara, it obviously wasn’t about floating pencils or even restoring a vampire’s soul, it was about life and time and love. The more she got to know about Tara, the more there was to like. And Willow definitely wanted to know more.



They continued talking well into the night, until Willow started to get the sleepy voice, which Tara recognized right away. “I think it’s time to go to bed,” the fair-haired young woman said gently.



“Aww, we didn’t even do our homework! And, and the air mattress! We forgot!” This seemed to upset the young witch even more than the fact that she hadn’t done her homework, which for someone of Willow’s academic discipline was saying a lot.



Tara was unable to hold back a chuckle. “It’s okay, Willow, don’t worry. I’ll just, I’ll take the guest room.”



“But you don’t like it in there, I know you don’t. Stay in here. I’ll sleep on the floor, okay?” Willow suggested.



“No, no, I’ll take the floor.” Off Willow’s concerned look, she added, “I’ll be fine. It’s not like I’ve never slept on the floor before.”



Willow shook her head, and the voice of logic stepped in. “You know what? This is silly. The bed is big enough for both of us, we were both on it earlier and we’re both on it now. I don’t mind if you don’t.”



There are not enough words to describe how not upsetting that idea is, Tara thought. “I – I don’t mind.”



“Then it’s settled. Now I need to brush my teeth and stuff, so … I’ll be right back.” The fiery-haired girl opened a drawer and pulled out a few items before leaving for the bathroom. She returned wearing a worn purple t-shirt with a unicorn rearing across her chest and a dark pair of shorts. She shot a grin at Tara, who smiled back. “Your turn, Blondie,” she said playfully.



Tara shouldered her backpack, now grinning at Willow’s little nickname. She quickly washed, then brushed and flossed her teeth and changed into an orange tank top and blue cotton shorts. She returned to Willow’s room to find it darkened, illuminated with a bedside lamp and, she now noticed, glow in the dark stars on the ceiling. “Hey,” she whispered as she entered. Willow was already in bed, on the side closest to the door. Tara set her bag down and walked around to the other side of the bed, pulling the covers back and sliding in between them.



“Hi,” Willow said sleepily, then flicked the light off. “Look at the stars.”



“I was looking at them,” Tara smiled, then turned to watch Willow’s face instead. “Very beautiful.”



The redhead girl closed her eyes and snuggled down into the blankets. “Good night Tara.”



“Good night, Willow.”

IttyBittyKitty: "creme filled though...a little subtle there?"
TwiLightJoy: "There are reasons for everything, I tell ya! Chocolate-frosted reasons!"
IttyBittyKitty: "that is quite enough of YOUR sass!"

[tommo]

Just caught up with this. What a great update! I love how you have Willow questioning their connection, and Tara wondering about just what it is between them as well. This scene is so lovely; the way that Tara looks at Willow and says "Very beautiful". Thanks

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TARA: ...didn't think she liked my fucking until I realized that that was her yummy face

[spazz07]

Awwwwww, i loved their little cimprimise, i'm sure Tara's a lot more comfotable than she would have been on the air matress. Its great to see Willow and Tara getting closer together and sharing a connection. : great update joy and i hope you have fun at the beach



Cheers

Nath

If life was meant to be a bed of daisy's we'd have chicken crap thown on us all the time.

[xita]

Oh Tara has it bad, he he.

Quote:

---

There are not enough words to describe how not upsetting that idea is, Tara thought. “I – I don’t mind.”

---

So cute, she's just so happy to be around Willow. I think Willow's finally just gotten to the point where she thinks Tara's special. Though it's neet to know she found the connection right away!

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

"Oooh Xita!" - Amber Benson

[Zahir al Daoud]

Be patient, Tara. It'll take time, but Willow's heart will open to you.



This is such a sweet story. *sniff*

"O Let my name be in the Book of Love!
If it be there I care not of that other Book above.
Strike it out! Or write it in anew, but
Let my name be in the Book of Love!"
--Omar Kayam

[tkheaven]

Aww..this is soo sweet. I'm soo loving this fic. Willow wondering about the connection, and Tara saying how beautiful the stars were but looking at Willow. and again, awwww *sigh*

Tk's new and improved "GrrArgg"

-----------------------------
Tara was similarly riveted, her body on slow burn as Willow's lips parted and her mouth opened, the food slipping inside and being consumed. Never in her life had Tara ever wanted to be a chicken casserole so badly...Later that night..."It's good to be a chicken casserole," Tara murmured, before passing out. ~ Answering Darkness by Sassette

[pikescoob]

Lovely updates..... Yay for Tara gettin' to sleep in bed with Willow....albeit not entirely the way she would want ...but it's a start.



--Michelle

[KathleenWolf]

very sweet update indeed... I like the thread of innocence and tenativeness you are weaving into them...



and though I know Tara isn't being forthright with the information on her move and her resettlement it's nice to see her opening up about the important basics... especially her Mom...



bravo

kathleen

"I am my beloved's and my beloved is mine."

To The Land of The RainbowWriters

[LeatherQueen]

Wonderful update! And I love Tara's line about not minding in the least when Willow suggests sharing the bed. Just lovely.

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


"But when they're playing your song on the jukebox in Hell, you might as well dance." - K. Simpson


"Futile... like a FOX, baby!" - Tara in The Late Shift by wiccachica

[Ittybittykitty]

The timing has to be right to go and see the grunion I suppose...if one goes to see them too soon it can really ruin a relationship.



I loved it...I really did! I'm a little dissapointed about no grunion action...but I can wait, I am a pateint girl. It is very noble of Tara not to want to interfere with Willow and Oz, that is so her!



Loved it!

Meri-SCREW THE SYSTEM!
Me-I will not, who knows where it's been?!

[foreverpiper]

I just caught up with this and read the last couple of parts and this story is amazing! I ablsolutly love it!



Tara's so sweet! I can't wait for the next part. More soon please?

[AmberBensonRockzMyWorld]

I LOVE this story. Awsome update. I hope to see more, really soon. You Rock!

Much Love,

Lisa

"Staring at the cracks in the walls, 'Cos I'm waiting for it all, to come to an end." ~Pink

Must I dream and Always see your face.~ Jeff Buckley "Last goodbye"

Edited by: AmberBensonRockzMyWorld  at: 7/14/02 8:58:20 pm

[Shinnen]

I've finally caught up with your fic. Looks like I'm pretty much behind in this... heh heh. I've read parts 1 and 2 so far... I find it very interesting as you focused much on Tara's POV. Which is cool. And the reference to Titania... very cool. I've read that Books of Faerie comic book that focuses on Titania... ultimately cool way of Tara's take on Willow the first time she laid her eyes on her.



I'm still catching up with the new chapters. And always looking forward to more.



CheerZ

Shinnen

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When I Am Standing On My Head, The Sky Is So Deep And The Sea Is So High.

[jdcioffi]

Excellent update -- hey, Willow doesn't happen to know about the meeting Tara went to with Michael and Amy, does she?



I'm very exited to read the next update ... so ... more soon?

JD

"I smell the smelly smell of something that smells smelly!" (SpongeBob Squarepants)

[TheWhiz]

Great updates

This fic is sooo sweet, I love all the interaction between Willow & Tara and the questionning over their 'connection'. I thought the description of Tara's flat was also great-it sounds wonderful!!

"I am a whiz...If ever a whiz there was"

[Marilda]

Hey, I've been reading your fic since the beginning and realized that I needed to get with the feedback. You're story is great, I loved the perspective of the earlier chapters, the need to get out of the house and I'm loving the friendship you're developing with the girls now. I'm also loving how you're incorporating them into the season 3 Buffyverse. Great job. Update soon?

[TwiLightJoy]

Yes, spazz, I had a great time at the beach, though I was away from home for 2 days in Anaheim and Huntington Beach. Got a call from home that work called and wondered why I wasn't there for my shift - I had a SHIFT!?!? Damn! Swear to god I wasn't scheduled for one! Nothing one can do about it while out of town, though. When I got home I checked the schedule and nope, nothing on the board about it. Wonder what's up. Hmm.



Thanks everyone for the feedback! I like knowing what I'm doing right and also what I'm doing wrong, so feel free to point these things out! Yes, can't jump right into the grunion, Kitty! ^_~ And Shinnen, I have the Books of Faerie graphic novel with the Titania story (to save the wear on the individual books!) - very good read and very cool. I love being a comic geek sometimes. I was working in a comic shop when it first came out, so I also have a promotional poster for the series and one for Stardust by Neil Gaimen. Yay!



Now to catch up on my writing! As you may have noticed, I do write fairly quickly - but I leave for work in 2 hours (because I still have a job! LOL), so you probably won't get an update until tomorrow. But I promise it will be worth the wait! You're probably gonna all want to kill me when I fly back east for almost a week and you'll be update-less. ~_^



Again thanks for reading and for posting feedback - I'm a complete feedback addict so it's very much appreciated. Another thank you to Holepunch (EK) because you've really helped me improve by pointing things out to me that I didn't really realize I was doing. Much appreciated!



~Joy

[Shinnen]

Oh Joy! That's so cool! The promo posters! I've read Stardust by Neil Gaiman also... it's only a novel, right? Unless I missed the comicbook. It's one very very wonderful faerie tale.



To save on wear and tear on my Books of Faerie series... I ordered 2 copies each last time. But now... that's just too costly for me because I'm trying to earn my own money. Being a comic geek rocks! I'm not labeled a comic geek where I come from because it's very prestigious to be able to afford to read American comics here. . $12:50 average for a 32 pager!

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When I Am Standing On My Head, The Sky Is So Deep And The Sea Is So High.

[fell]

I just found this fic and read it all the way through and now I can hardly wait for more! I like the way this started as canon and then took a very natural-feeling detour into AU land. My favorite W/T fics are always the "getting to know you" variety.



You do a wonderful job with the dialog and with capturing all the characters' distinctive voices. Also, your suspense plot thread is nicely interwoven. Having an unknown baddie that the Slayers can't find stalking Tara and attacking Michael makes the story much more interesting and gives it some edge.



One (very) minor point: Like you, I always imagined Tara coming from some small, semi-rural central-California town, perhaps near Modesto or Fresno. However, I think it's pretty well established that Sunnydale is located where the real city of Santa Barbara is, about an hour north of LA. This was first made clear in S3, when we see the map of Sunnydale on the wall of the Mayor's office. (BTW, if you have any questions about S3 plot points I'd be happy to help.)



Please keep writing; reading this wonderful fic made my day.

[TwiLightJoy]

Shinnen - Stardust was also put out in I believe a series of 6 illustrated um, kinda like booklets. It had text with lovely illustrations of Tristan and his journey. The part with the lion and the unicorn was actually pretty scary with the illustrations. >_< I'll try to scan some for you if you'd like, when I bring them back from New York next month.



fell - thank you much! I was aware that Sunnydale was based on Santa Barbara, but was unaware that that was also where it was supposedly located. Since they usually refer to LA as being "up" (i.e. I went up to LA, I'm going up to LA), I just stuck it somewhere south of LA. I'll make changes to my copy of the story to reflect that for where ever it moves from here, thank you so much for the info!



And here's the next chapter.....



“How dare you leave, you little bitch!” Mr. Maclay raged, reaching for those blonde tresses – just like her mother’s. He curled his hand, grabbing a handful of hair, while tightening his other hand into a cruel fist. He hauled his daughter upright, pulling her hair so hard tears of pain as well as fear sprang into Tara’s eyes. “And exactly what did you think you’d do, hmm? Run away? Thought you’d make a new little girlfriend, hide from your family, and lie to everyone you meet? Hmm? Is that what you thought you’d do?”



He’s here, oh gods, he’s found me! Tara gasped, bolting up in bed, terrified, still seeing her father’s angry visage before her eyes. She reached back blindly and clutched at the pillow, fumbling before holding it tightly to her chest as though it would somehow protect her. She backed up against the headboard, protecting her back from the fists, the heavy-booted feet, the sharply cracking, stinging belt. A fearful whimper escaped the witch’s throat, and she curled tightly into a ball, pulling her legs up in front of her to similarly protect her torso. All of this she did without thinking about it, instinctually going into the most defensible position she could.



Motion on the bed – she wasn’t alone. At first this scared her even more, and she buried her head down in the pillow, which had a soothing scent, and wrapped an arm protectively across the back of her neck. But the touch she cringed away from was soft and gentle, not rough, harsh, bruising as she had expected. Only then did she begin to realize that the scent she had been taking comfort in was – Willow’s? “Shh, shh, Tara, it’s okay, you’re safe here. I promise you’re safe, nothing is going to hurt you here.”



Tara pulled her tear-streaked face up out of the pillow, her defensive posture only slightly relaxing, as though unsure whether to trust this was real. “W-Willow?” came the frightened query.



Smooth, delicate fingers ran softly over golden tresses. “It’s okay, Tara, I’m here. Are, are you all right?” An incredibly gentle finger caught one of Tara’s tears on its way down her cheek, wiping it away. “You’re crying, what happened? Tell me what’s wrong?”



Tara swallowed hard, trying to calm herself. It was just a dream, just a dream. She managed to stop crying, realizing that the danger she had perceived could in no way harm her now. “I had a n-n-nightmare.” Slowly, she relaxed further, unfolding her legs but still holding tightly to the pillow.



“It’s okay, it’s gone now, whatever it was, it’s gone,” Willow whispered, her hands still trailing over the pale mane.



Unexpectedly, Tara shook her head. “N-n-not gone. He’ll n-never be gone. I can r-run forever, and he’ll always be there, so-somehow.” She sounded almost defeated and still scared beyond belief.



Not knowing what else to do, and knowing somehow that this was right, Willow scooted closer, wrapping her arms around the Wiccan. She continued to smooth Tara’s hair with one hand, holding her with the other. “Who is it? What happened?” The blonde tensed in her arms, but Willow now ran her hand over Tara’s back, curling the other around her slender waist. “It’s all right, I’ve got you. I promise you’ll be okay. You can tell me.”



“It – it was my f-father. He-he followed me here,” Tara explained haltingly, “i-in my dream.” She settled against Willow, giving in and allowing herself to take the comfort her friend offered, finally discarding the pillow to wrap her arms instead around Willow’s small shoulders. “He was really m-mad, that I’d, that I’d l-left. He probably r-really is, too.” She sighed. “Gods, if he ever found me…” her slight frame shuddered.



“If he ever found you, he’d have to go through me first,” Willow stated firmly as she cradled the blonde reassuringly, and Tara believed that she honestly meant it. “You don’t have to talk about it, if you don’t want to. But if you ever do? I’ll be here.”



“Thank you, Willow, so much. I can’t, I can’t even tell you how-” She searched for the words that she wanted but was having trouble finding, trying to express what was going on inside. “I d-didn’t mean for you to find out like this. About him. I w-wanted to – I don’t know. Do it different, if I had to.”



Willow nodded, her cheek rubbing against Tara’s head gently and not unpleasantly. “He … he’s why you’re here, isn’t he? You came here because of him.” It was more of a statement than a question, as if she knew already what the answer would be. The fair-haired young woman merely nodded. “I’m happy that you came here. It means that he can’t hurt you any more. And, and because you came here, I met you. And I’m really glad that happened.”



Tara pulled back to see Willow’s face, her arms loosening around the smaller girl’s shoulders, and Willow released her arms from around Tara’s waist. “I am too. I, I’m just afraid that somehow, he’ll come to get me. I didn’t exactly make it hard for anyone to follow me. I just n-needed to get out.” She frowned, worried, and dropped her head downward.



“But you’ve already been here for a whole month,” the auburn haired girl pointed out. “Even if someone did want to – I would think they would have come a lot sooner. Right?” She reached out a hand towards her friend, and gently lifted her chin until their gazes met.



A hesitant smile fluttered its way over Tara’s lips. “Yeah, that, that does make sense.” Willow’s hand was warm, and her touch was so light, so soft. “And, I feel really safe here. W-with you. How do you do that?”



“Magic.” Willow reached down and tenderly squeezed Tara’s hand. “Can you sleep? It’s three in the morning.”



Tara’s smile was heartfelt, grateful, and loving. “I’m good now. Thanks to you.” The young women settled back down into the bed together, Tara searching for her pillow a moment before finding it. “I’m sorry I woke you.”



“I’m not,” Willow whispered.