Piper - *waits for her to stop banging her head* Seriously you don't have to do that on my behalf but i'm not gonna stop ya
Its okay i like that analogy and its COFFEE okay
Michelle - As always, Tara extreme niceness comes to the fore, glad you're liking it Michelle
LostSoul - Here i'm updating, just don't do anything to Sharon she's innocent i tell ya
Viv - Yeah i added him specially for you, since you asked so nicely, glad it made your day
Yeah i think it is like Tara to do something that nice
Puff - No worries, glad you liked them
You know me, big ole softie, couldn't have Tara's parents any other way
Branny - Nice to see you make a reappearance on the board
Tara was just being Tara, she's too nice a person to let Mr. Jones remain a cranky old fool
Okay, last day off with this little bug i got, it's back to work tomorrow which will probably result in a little slower writing, though hopefully not too slow. Anyway, without further ado...
Title – All You Wanted
Author – Nathan
E-mail –
nathspazz@yahoo.com.auFeedback – Well I am a feedback whore so it would be greatly appreciated
Spoilers – None, it’s AU so yeah
Rating – Between PG and R18+ ample warning will be given.
Disclaimer – Willow and Tara and any other character that appeared in the syndicated television show “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” is property of Joss and Mutant Enemy, I’m only borrowing them and am not making any money off them. All the others are mine though. Also the title for the fic is a Michelle Branch song so credit goes to her and part names will be named after various songs I like that fit nicely with the story so credit will be given there.
Summary – Set slightly in the future, 24-year-old Willow and Tara run into each other, it’s set mostly in New York so no Sunnydale or hell mouth or anything. Just good ol’ fashioned romance.
Part 20 The Day You Went Away (Wendy Matthews)Willow, Tara and Sam were giggling like schoolgirls as they sat in Tara’s office at work. They were discussing the movie they’d seen the night before, when a tap at Tara’s door captured their attention.
“Come in.” Tara yelled from her desk, neither Sam nor Willow made any attempt to move from their spot on the desk next to Tara. A young freckly redhead man poked his head through the door.
“Rosenberg, Pickering, Linda wants you in her office ASAP” He smiled kindly at them.
“What about me?” Tara asked the young office worker.
“And you would be?” He asked, not sure who Tara was exactly.
“Look on the door nitwit.” Tara stated, frustrated at the fact he didn’t even know who she was and yet was standing in her office.
“Oh sorry Miss Maclay, I’m new here, please don’t fire me.” He quickly turned and bolted; Tara couldn’t help but giggle.
“I can’t actually fire him can I?” Tara asked, pretty sure but wanting to make sure.
“No, but its nice to think that he thinks you can.” Sam smirked at her playfully; she’d love that sort of power.
“Come on, let’s go see what Linda wants.” Willow said through a smile as she dragged Sam out of the office, Tara giggled before putting her head back to her desk and the papers in front of her.
… … … …
Linda heard the knock on her door and looked up from her desk to see Willow and Sam standing in her doorway.
“You wanted to see us.” Willow smiled and held out her arms, presenting herself and Sam to Linda.
“And here you are I see.” Linda smiled and motioned for them to come in. They did so and Willow closed the door behind them.
“So what’s up?” Sam asked, plonking her butt next to Linda on the desk, the older woman couldn’t help but smile and shake her head at the brunette and or carefree nature.
“Yeah, why’d ya drag us in here?” Willow followed up, leaning on the desk supporting her head with both hands as she stood across from Linda.
“Business trip, you two, two weeks in Florida, leave in a couple of days.” Linda smiled, reaching into her desk drawer to pull out some papers with the details.
“What’s the go, what are we doing there?” Sam asked directly, trying to get straight to the point.
“Well the company has some potential clients over there, woo them or whatever it is you two do, you’ve done it all before.” Linda gave a wave of her hand as she explained it simply, Sam couldn’t help but smile as she remembered some of the previous trips she and Willow had taken in luring potential clients, needless to say after a weekend, let alone two weeks they’d signed up many a client. Through after a brief moment of Joy, Sam caught a glimpse of Willow and the look on her face brought her back to earth very suddenly.
“Linda, why don’t you send Willow and Tara?” Sam offered, giving up her spot, besides it came at a time where she could spend some time with Claire, it was kinda important to both couples.
“What’s the big deal, its two weeks, the company really needs this client and you two are the best.” Linda didn’t even bother to look up from her workstation, busily typing away at her computer.
“It’s not that so much, it’s the timing, we both have our, you know, one year anniversaries coming up and it would be you know, nice to be able to spend them with our significant others.” Sam made the point; Willow put on a hopeful smile, trying to woo Linda into letting Tara go. Linda looked at both women and she wasn’t a monster, but still it wasn’t her decision, if it were up to her, she’d let ‘em go in a second.
“I tell ya what, I’ll have a talk with the higher ups and see if I can’t get Sam swapped for Tara.” She smiled at the two girls before her. Willow and Sam dutifully thanked her for the effort and made their way back to their working area.
“I’m sorry Sam, it’s just I really wanted to spend my anniversary with Tara, it’s not that I wouldn’t love to go with you.” Willow stated, feeling a little guilty towards her friend.
“It’s okay really, mine’s the same day remember and well I would like to spend it with Claire as well, kinda significant for me having never done a one year anniversary before.
“It’s just, well if Claire worked here, I’d offer to let the two of you go, I know how much you love these business trips.
“Yeah well, just make sure you buy me lots of souvenirs.” Sam smiled, playfully swatting Willow across the shoulder as they reached the door to Tara’s office. They knocked and made their way inside, Willow planting a quick peck on Tara’s lips.
“So, what did Linda want?” Tara asked happily as she smiled up at the redhead.
“Seems she wants Sam and myself to do a little wooing of clients for two weeks in Florida.” Willow stated, Tara registered the anniversary right away.
“When, did she say?” Tara asked out of concern.
“A couple of days.” Willow said meekly not wanting to upset her girlfriend.
“What, no Willow! What about our anniversary?” Tara was more than a little upset; this was something she’d been planning for, for quite some time.
“Look okay, we talked it over with Linda, she’s gonna try and get you and Sam swapped around so we can still be together.” Willow tried to calm the blonde down.
“No this is important to me, to us, I don’t want you to go.” Tara was flustered; things weren’t registering quickly enough in her brain.
“Tara be reasonable, we’ll still be together.” Willow pleaded, hoping Tara would see some sense.
“Sam can I talk to you outside for a sec?” Tara motioned, dragging the brunette behind her; Willow just stood dumbfounded as she watched her girlfriend drag her best friend out the office.
Once they were outside the office Tara let go of Sam and almost started berating her in a hushed tone so Willow couldn’t hear if she happened to have her ear up against the door, and if Tara knew her girl well enough, she would have.
“Sam you know I’ve been planning this night for like two months.” Tara couldn’t believe everything was falling to pieces around her in regards to a special night she’d dreamt about for a little longer than those two months.
“I know, can’t you just do it all over there.” Sam tried to reason with the blonde, Tara had made quite clear what her plans were for that evening with Sam, getting the brunette’s seal of approval.
“I don’t know anything about Florida, god we could be in Miami, Orlando or Tampa, it doesn’t really give me enough time to rearrange everything, plus I’d have to cancel everything here. Stuff that’s not cheap and very hard to book.” She stressed her point; Sam had never seen the blonde this freaked before.
“I know, but apparently these are some pretty big clients they need wooed, Willow’s one of the best, if not the best. Think of it as a holiday for your anniversary.” Sam continued to try and shed light onto the situation. Tara gave up and stormed back into her office, throwing up her hands in frustration. Sam stood there, not feeling angry with the blonde for the way she was acting, but sorry for her. She knew how much time and effort Tara had put into planning this night and the way Tara had described it to her, it sounded so much like the perfect evening. She eventually followed the blonde back into the office and saw her pacing back and forth.
“Tara calm down sweetie.” Willow urged in a very worried tone, watching her girlfriend pace back and forth like that was filling her with all sorts of pangs.
“I can’t okay, I just can’t.” Tara stated, on the verge of an emotional boil-over. Willow got up from her spot on the desk and stood directly in Tara’s path. When the blonde approached her, she simply pulled the blonde into her arms and cradled her. Tara let flow a stream of tears that had been building up and buried her head into the redhead’s shoulder.
“Hey baby, it’ll be alright.” Willow’s soothing voice was music to Tara’s ears.
“I put so much planning and effort into our night together, it was going to be perfect.” Tara sobbed, sniffling as Willow caressed her fingers through Tara’s golden locks.
“I know it would’ve been, but you know, as long as we’re together I think it’ll be perfect anyway, don’t ya think?” Willow continued to sooth into her ear, swaying slightly to calm the blonde down.
“Mm, I guess so.” Tara sniffled, slowly regaining her grasp on reality.
“Just think, the two of us, walking hand in hand along the beach as the sun sets, a cool gentle breeze blowing through our hair.” Willow smiled as she visually pictured the scene she was saying to her girlfriend, she could feel Tara settle some more.
“That does sound nice.” Tara stated regaining a bit more of her composure. Sam had witnessed all of this and smiled happily that it had been worked out. Feeling like she shouldn’t be there, like she was intruding on their space, she decided to take her leave. As she turned to leave though, she walked straight into Linda who was on her way to talk to the girls. She called Sam back into the office and made her sit down. Tara and Willow slowly untangled themselves from each other as the got themselves comfortable to listen to what Linda had to say.
“Okay, I’ve just got out of a quick meeting with the powers that be, I tried to run your case through them but they wouldn’t have anything of it. They explicitly asked for Willow and Sam saying this was far to important to be handed to someone who hasn’t done this sort of thing before. I’m sorry Tara.” Sam briefly looked at Tara after hearing Linda’s words before directing her eyes back to the floor in front of her. It also meant that she’d have to be apart from Claire for their anniversary, a fact she was sure wouldn’t sit well with her girlfriend.
Tara was shattered and rightly so was Willow. Two weeks apart would be hell enough for the two of them, but directly through their anniversary would be sure to leave a mark on their mental health combining with their inevitable sexual frustration. Willow and Sam were expecting more carrying on from Tara like she had before, instead the blonde just sat silently stunned, not quite comprehending the facts just given her.
“Tara, sweetie, are you okay?” Willow asked, worried about the catatonic look on her love’s face.
“Yeah, yeah I’m just gonna go.” Tara stated blankly, picking up a few things and making her way for the door.
“Where too?” Willow asked calmly, trying to keep herself composed.
“Home.” The blonde replied simply, she walked past Linda and looked at her for a moment, the older woman brought her hand to the blonde’s shoulder, giving her, her blessing as the blonde walked out the door.
“You’re just gonna let her go?” Sam asked a bit confused as she watched Tara make her way to the exit.
“She went home sick, I don’t think I hear anyone objecting.” Linda stated before turning around, feeling regrettably sorry for having to break up a couple of her best employees on a day that was obviously important to them. But more than employees, they were people she considered friends and would try her darnedest to work something out with the higher ups in the company.
… … … …
Willow turned the key to the apartment and slowly made her way inside, calling out Tara’s name as she entered. She got no response but saw the blonde cuddled up on the couch with a pillow and some ice cream, watching “Sleepless in Seattle.”
“Hey, how you doing?” Willow asked in a soft, sympathetic tone as he walked over and snuggled up with her girlfriend.
“Been better.” Tara stated, not taking her eyes of the movie but not avoiding the snuggling as Willow pulled her in closer, in fact she leant her head on the redhead’s shoulder.
“Well nobody’s expecting you to jump for joy at the moment.” Willow stated, running her fingers through the fine blonde hair.
“It’s just… I mean how do you feel about it all?” Tara asked the redhead, wanting to hear how she felt about it all.
“I’m upset, I mean I’ve been looking forward to this as much as you. I mean obviously you’ve been doing all the planning and hard work, but I’m really upset that I won’t get to see that. Tar I don’t want to be away from you for a day let alone fourteen of them.” Willow replied, still stroking Tara’s hair and looking at her with deep searching eyes.
“Really?” Tara turned her gaze straight into Willow’s emerald pools and gazed deep into the redhead’s soul.
“Really, I wish that I could pack you in my luggage and sneak you away with me, not that I want too stuff you away so people can’t see you, it’s just that we’re supposed to be sneaky about it and I’m just trying to be sneaky.” Willow’s babble was cut off by Tara’s lips softly brushing up against hers for the slightest of moments.
“You were saying?” Tara smiled up at the redhead. Willow just looked at the redhead with complete love and adoration, completely lost for words when she usually can’t say them fast enough.
“Klaflofful.” Was about all Willow could manage to say, Tara let a small giggle escape her mouth before she brought her lips back down to the redhead’s, loosing herself in the embrace.
Tara suddenly got up and moved away from the redhead, leaving Willow gasping and wondering what was going on.
“What, where are you going?” Willow asked with a touch of desperation in her voice.
“To bed silly.” Tara grinned and walked to the bedroom, Willow quickly jumped to her feet and rushed after the blonde, closing the door behind her as she entered.
… … … …
Tara arrived at work the following day with a very satisfied grin plastered across her face. A night of sensual lovemaking could do wonders for your temperament as she hummed next to Willow in the elevator on the way up. Willow was happy to see her love in high spirits after the rollercoaster that was the previous day. Willow watched her go into her office as she made her way to her own cubicle, turning on her computer to actually do some work for the day. As was usual Sam stopped by, grasping a cup of coffee like a life support machine for her usual morning chat.
Tara made sure Willow was busy with Sam and quickly ducked out of her office, she tapped on Linda’s door and waited impatiently for admittance. After being let in she took a seat across from Linda as the two sat in a moment of awkward silence.
“So feeling a bit better today?” Linda asked in a sympathetic tone, breaking the silence that had encased them.
“Yeah, I mean I understand it all, I’m still a little upset but I realise there’s not a lot Willow or I can do about it.” Tara replied Linda was glad that Tara seemed to be accepting this and was pretty amazed at the turn around from the previous day.
“So what brings you in here then?” Linda asked cheerily, hoping she could help the blonde out.
“I realise that Willow or myself can’t do much, but Linda your opinion is held in the highest regard, even by the people above us. I’ve talked to Patrick and Michelle a few times and they both hold you in the highest regard.” Tara pleaded her case.
“So what exactly do you want me to tell them?” Linda quizzed the young blonde.
“Talk them into letting me go, get someone else to go instead of Willow. Please this really means a lot to me.” Tara begged her desperation evident in her tone of voice.
“Tara it’s like this, they’ve asked for Willow and Sam, if Willow and Sam go and we don’t get the contract, they ask them why they didn’t get it and if there’s a suitable reason, they don’t have anyone to blame but themselves. If I change it around and we don’t get the contract, guess whose head goes on the chopping block?” Linda stated, trying to make clear the position she’d be putting herself in if she went out on a limb for the blonde.
“I understand that, if you send me I promise I won’t let you down.” Tara pleaded, meaning every word she uttered out of her mouth.
“I believe you when you say that you wont let me down, but the bottom line is Tara, they may not want this company anyway, regardless of the job you do wooing them, they still say no, its still my head on the chopping block. Besides Tara, there’s a certain skill involved with figuring out how to woo clients. I’d be pretty unfair of me to throw you to the lions with a deal we absolutely need, you should start on the lesser cases.” Linda exclaimed, making her point to Tara, the blonde bowed her head in defeat.
“Tara, I like you and I’ll do everything I can to get the arrangements changed, that is if you want me too.” Linda offered the blonde as she sat back in her chair and awaited the blonde’s response.
“It’s okay, I couldn’t make you risk your job for that, but thanks anyway.” Tara replied dejectedly, getting up and slowly making her way out of the room. Linda sighed and lowered her head onto the table, it was situations like these where she regretted getting involved personally with her staff.
… … … …
For an early spring morning, it sue was raining a lot, the droplets splattering against the roof of the airport as the sound of bucketing rain filled Willow and Tara’s ears. They stood in the waiting area for the last call for Willow’s flight. They had their arms wrapped around one another and their foreheads leaning against each other. Both wore expressionless faces as they just soaked up their remaining time together.
Claire and Sam were in a similar situation, though instead of being all sombre, they were passionately making out, neither wanting to loose the other’s lips. Finally the last call for the flight to Florida was called over the loud speaker, causing the girls to part from each other.
“Argh, I am so gonna miss you, remember no boys or girls at the apartment whilst I’m gone.” Sam teased, pecking Claire on the lips once more.
“How about men and women?” Claire teased, not wanting to relinquish her hold on the older woman.
“Them neither.” Sam replied, giving Claire one last kiss before eventually pulling apart.
“I’ll call you on our anniversary, talk all night.” Sam promised as she walked over to Willow and Tara and put her hand on Willow’s shoulder.
“Come on Will, before we miss our flight.” Sam’s tone changed to match the feeling shared between the blonde and the redhead.
“You gonna be okay sweetie?” Willow asked softly, Tara just covered her mouth with her hand and nodded, a few tears already trickling down her face.
“I’ll ring you every night.” Willow promised as Sam led her towards the gate, Willow never took her eyes of the blonde as she blew her a kiss. She saw Claire go over and comfort Tara as best she could. Tara fell into the younger girl’s embrace as she watched Willow board the plane.
… … … …
The plane was crowded but fortunately they were able to get tickets in business class, at least Willow didn’t have to worried about being looked after whilst she was away, not that she wouldn’t trade it all to be looked after the way Tara did it.
“Hey cheer up, it’ll be just like old times.” Sam tried to offer the redhead some condolence. Willow offered a feeble half smile but nothing convincing.
“I just wish Tara and I had handled things as well as you and Claire did.” Willow stated something she’d thought about when she saw the two furiously making out in the airport.
“Really, I wish Claire and I handled it like you and Tara did. I think it’s a credit to you guys that after all this time you can’t bare to be apart from each other.” Sam stated a touch of envy about her tone.
“You won’t miss Claire while you’re gone?” Willow queried, rather confused at the brunette’s statement.
“Terribly, I just think that we’re different enough that the time apart won’t kill us. Though I do kinda feel bad that Tara wont get to do what she planned, believe me it would’ve rocked your socks off.” Sam smirked, knowing she had piqued the redhead’s full attention.
“What, what was she going to do?” Willow pleaded, desperate to know of the wonderful evening her love had planned.
“That’s for Tara to say, you’ll have to get her to tell ya.” Sam smirked, loving the fact she’d just left her best friend hanging as they prepared for the plane to take off.
… … … …
Tara watched out the window as the plane started taxing on the runway. Claire had an arm draped across her shoulder, pulling her in close. Tara leant her head on the brunette’s shoulder as the plane readied for take-off, not taking her eyes of the jet.
“You know we should totally hit the town tonight and get completely wasted.” Claire stated, she didn’t take her eyes of the taxing jet either.
“You’re underage sweetie.” Tara calmly stated as Claire let out a slight giggled.
“When I said hit the town, I really meant crash at your place after you buy a case of beer.” Tara couldn’t help but giggle and wonder how she ever misconstrued the meanings around.
“That’s be nice, I mean neither of us are used to spending the night alone so it might be good to have a sleep-over.” Tara smiled as she watched the plane, now ready for take-off.
“A sleepover with lots of booze and plenty of sappy movies to cure what ails ya.” Claire replied as she felt Tara’s arm circle her waist as they both watched the plane take-off, leaving Terra Firma for the great grey sky. They watched in silence until the plane was out of sight, the reality that their loved ones were gone for two weeks setting in once more.
TBC…
Next part will be some good ole bonding between friends and you may even learn what sort of night Tara had planned for Willow, that of course is if i dont be a big ole' meanie
Cheers
Nath
Isn't it funny how you feel your most tired five minutes before you have to get up.
, what I wouldn't give to see that!
to you all 
I'm glad W/T didn't stop the trying hard to get know him. Their too sweet! 
I'm a horrible, horrible person!!! *slams head again door* Bad me! Bad me!
Tara and Will seem to have some pretty cool neighbors. I knew Mr. Jones' hard-assed exterior was just a front, cuz he's really a nice guy, just lonely...that was really nice of Tara to make the extra effort with him. As always I'm looking forward to more 
. Willow could have flat-out refused to go of course. That would likely be bad for her career, but would she have much trouble getting another job ?
i trust you'll make all things right again in time...(it better not be too much time! *cough* HINT HINT)