Phantasyland: Congratulations on the 1st ever dibs!!
I am sorry it was a cruel cliffhanger!! I hope you enjoy the update.
fhiwda: Buffy did perform the infamous “cock” block – you are right. I promise she will learn not to at some point.
JustSkipIt: Silly is something they do best!
Since the last chapter was a bit short I decided to make up for it with this chapter – I hope nobody minds. ---------
<--- too cute!
=====================================Title: Meant To Be
Disclaimer: I do not own any of these Characters, just borrowed them and wish I did own them.
Rating: PG-13 - NC-17
Author: Branny72
Feedback: Pretty please…it helps me improve
Summary: AU – Willow is graduating from college at UC Sunnydale and has accepted a job with a company that is new in town. One night, while out with some friends Willow sees an attractive blonde who turns her life upside down. (No Vamps, No Hellmouth, No Magic...)
Authors Notes: Thank you to Willara4ever for all your help with this story. I appreciate your reading it and helping me with the idea.=====================================Chapter 9Buffy looked down the street and saw what Willow was staring at, Faith and Tara holding one another close outside of Tara's building. Buffy's heart broke for her best friend.
“Come on Will,” said Buffy wrapping an arm around Willow's shoulder moving her forward.
Willow couldn't stop staring at the two down the street, but she allowed herself to be moved forward by Buffy.
Once they reached their apartment Willow sat down on the couch and put her head in her hands. Buffy moved forward and sat on the coffee table in front of Willow and put her hands on her friends shoulders.
“I know she isn't and was never mine, I know I have no reason to be upset, but Buffy, there was something inside that for the first time felt alive. I felt truly alive,” said Willow into her hands.
“I know Willow, I know,” Buffy said comforting her friend.
“I am going to go shower and go to bed,” said Willow.
“Will, are you going to be okay?”
“I'll be fine, I just need to get passed this. I have to...I mean we...fuck Buffy, we work for the same company, I am solely working with her on a project at work. I am going to see her, be in the same room as her alone, smell her amazing perfume, hear her infectious laugh...”
“You are one of the strongest people I know Willow, you will figure out how to make this work,” said Buffy hugging her redheaded best friend.
=====================================Holding Tara close Faith felt the joy that she had seen in the blonde’s eyes escaping her.
“T, it will work out,” started Faith.
“There is something about her though, something special,” said Tara into Faith's shoulder.
“I know,” Faith said pulling Tara a little closer.
“I need to get inside. I have to figure out how I am going to handle work tomorrow.”
“Why? What about work tomorrow?”
“Faith, we are working on that campaign together. Just Willow and I, trapped in a room together, just us,” said Tara.
“I'm so sorry, I totally forgot that. Do you want me to get Donnie or Jesse to put someone else on the project?”
“No, definitely not. I need to learn to control my emotions and Willow was chosen for this project because she is the best choice. I'm not going to hurt her career because I can't control my heart and feelings.”
“Okay, but if you change your mind you let me know and I will get it fixed,” said Faith.
“You are the best friend a person could ask for,” said Tara.
“I learned from you – the best,” Faith said as she smiled.
Tara let go of Faith and went up to her apartment as Faith stared at the building for a moment and then headed home.
Once inside Tara went and stood looking out her patio window at the trees and the stars. The combination had a calming effect on her.
“Mom, here is where I really wish you were still around. I don't know what to do. I feel alive when I am with Willow, like my past is really gone and I am able to move on and enjoy life again. She has someone though and I don't know how to accept that or move past it. I really wish you were here to talk to,” thought Tara.After staring out the window for a long time, Tara knew she had to get some rest so she headed to bed.
=====================================Morning came quickly for Willow. She heard her alarm go off and for the first time she didn't want to get up and go to work. She didn't want to see the gorgeous blonde that she alone was working with.
“Today is going to be the longest day of my life,” thought Willow.She grudgingly got up and got ready for work. As she went into the kitchen she saw Buffy was already up and had gone and gotten her a mocha and muffin from the Espresso Pump.
“It pays to have a sister that opens,” said Buffy offering her friend a smile.
“Thanks Buffy,” smiled Willow as she took the coffee and muffin and sat down at the bar to eat.
“Do you want to meet for lunch today?”
“No, but thanks. I know you are trying to help and be supportive, but I can handle this. I got through Oz, I can get through Tara, especially since she was never more than a wonderful dream that I had.”
Will, you shut down when you broke up with Oz. I don't want to see that happen here. Please, don't go back to that person. Tara may not be yours, but she brought out that fun loving Willow that I have missed since High School.”
“I'll try not to go back. I am just going to need a little time.”
“Okay, but if you try to go back I am going to call you on it,” laughed Buffy.
“I would expect nothing less. Thanks for breakfast,” said Willow hugging her best friend before making sure she had everything and heading off to work.
“Have a great day,” Buffy called from the balcony of their apartment as she saw Willow pass.
=====================================As her alarm went off Tara reached over and shut it off. She lay there for a long time thinking about what she could do to get through the day, how to handle being close and in that conference room with Willow. The thought of the redhead still put a smile on her face even though she knew she wasn't and wouldn't be hers.
Tara got up and got dressed, just as she was finishing getting ready she heard a knock on her door and went and opened it to find Faith standing there with coffee and a scone.
“I thought you might need a little pick-me-up to get your day started,” Faith said casting her eyes down.
“You know me a little too well, Ms. Lahane,” smiled Tara.
“That is what a best friend is for,” said Faith as she followed Tara inside and they sat on the couch and ate breakfast. After they ate Faith drove them to work.
=====================================Willow arrived at work and went to her desk to log in and get set for the day. As she was logging in Xander came in.
“Hey Willow,” said Xander as he came over and leaned against her cube.
“Hi Xander,” said Willow. “How was your weekend?”
“Not bad, I had a date and it went pretty well, I think. How was your weekend?”
“It was a good weekend overall,” said Willow as she finished logging in to her computer and bringing up her files on the campaign she was working on with Tara.
“Just overall? You know if you need to talk, my cube is right over there,” offered Xander pointing to his cube.
“Thanks Xander, I appreciate it. So, tell me about this date you went on,” said Willow leaning back in her chair as Xander sat down in the chair at the edge of her cube.
“Well, it was with Anya. She works in finance here. We've run into one another a few times here at work and outside of work and well, I was having a really good day last week so I asked her out and she said yes.”
“Anya, blondish, very opinionated, that Anya?”
“Yeah, have you met her?”
“My first day I met her, she scared the crap out of me,” laughed Willow.
“She is just misunderstood. Well I asked her out and she said yes, so we went out Saturday night. I took her dancing at that place you suggested, The Bronze. That place is amazing. Well after that I took her home and was a gentleman and gave her a kiss and asked her out again and she said she'd love to.”
“That sounds great Xander. You should take her to Angel's for dinner,” suggested Willow.
“I'll definitely do that, thanks Willow. I better get logged in, but again, if you want to talk to someone who is probably as far removed from anything that could be going on, my cube is right over there.”
“Thanks Xander.”
With that Xander headed to his cube and Willow went back to looking over the scripts that she had prepared for the website campaign. After about an hour she heard a knock on her cube.
“Hey Willow,” said Jesse.
“Hey Jesse, what's up?”
“I just wanted to check to see how the campaign stuff is going?”
“Pretty good,” said Willow. “I was just reviewing a couple of the scripts that I have put together for it.”
“Great, I know that when I talked to Tara last week she was really impressed with your work.”
“That is great to hear,” said Willow.
“Well, I just wanted to touch base to see how it is going. I'll let you get back to work.”
“Thanks,” smiled Willow.
Just as Willow was about to go back to her scripts her phone rang.
“Hello,” said Willow.
“Hey Willow, it's Tara,” came the voice on the other end.
=====================================Once Tara arrived at the office Faith walked her to her office.
“It'll be okay T, you can do this. You are a professional,” said Faith.
“And when did you become a motivational speaker?” laughed Tara.
“You smiled, that was all I needed. I am just down the hall if you need a sanity check,” said Faith.
“You want me to come to YOU for a sanity check? I have known you long enough to know that you are anything but sane.”
“Watch it blondie,” Faith said with a grin as she left Tara's office and headed for her own.
Tara logged into her computer and started to go through her email. She had a few from people regarding the campaign and suggestions. Tara knew it was time to bring Willow in, she had to be professional and remember she had no claim or anything on her, just a crush.
Tara picked up the phone and called Willow.
“Hello,” said the voice on the other end.
“Hey Willow, it's Tara.”
“Good morning,” said Willow trying to sound upbeat.
“Good morning. I was wondering if you had time to come up here and go over the campaign and a few of the emails that I have received with suggestions from some of our advertisers and partners.”
“Sure, did you want to meet in your office or the conference room?”
“Let's go into the conference room.”
“Sounds good, let me load the stuff I have been working on to the server and I'll be up,” said Willow.
“Great, I will see you shortly,” said Tara.
They hung up and Tara let out a loud sigh just as Donnie entered her office.
“Hey Sis, that sounded like a troubled sigh. Anything I can help with?” asked Donnie sitting down in the chair across from Tara.
“No, just stuff with the campaign. Willow and I were headed in a specific direction and now the advertisers and partners have suggestions and I don't know how to incorporate them into what we have set so far.”
“I'm sure Willow can figure it out,” smiled Donnie.
“I'm hoping so,” said Tara. “Did you need anything?”
“No, I was just stopping in to say good morning.”
“Good morning big brother,” Tara said with a smile.
“Okay, I have a meeting with Dad to prep for, I'll talk to you later.”
“Have fun with Dad,” laughed Tara.
“You are an evil woman Tara, I think you have some demon in you,” joked Donnie as he left her office and said good morning to Willow as he passed her on her way to the conference room.
=====================================Willow got herself situated in the conference room, her seat a little further away from where it was last week. She tried not to make it obvious, but she didn't think she could handle touching Tara's hand or their shoulders bumping right now. Once she had time to calm her feelings, maybe, but now things were just too raw.
Tara came into the room and saw Willow's chair was over a bit more than the previous week, her heart sank a bit. She knew that Willow being with Buffy meant that she shouldn't enjoy the flirting, the 'accidental' touches, but she hadn't felt alive like she did when Willow was around in a very long time.
Willow watched as Tara entered and saw the faint look of disappointment when Tara saw the chairs. Willow wondered if she was reading it as that was the disappointment or if there was something else. She was trying to convince herself that it was that, but she had no real indication.
“Stop it Rosenberg, you know she has a girlfriend, she isn't going to be upset that you two aren't sitting close to one another and aren't accidentally touching. You are just trying to project your wants into this,” thought Willow.“She moved, does she know? Could she tell that my feelings for her were more than professional. Of course they are more than professional you idiot, you two spent all day Saturday and most of the day Sunday together. You are starting to build a friendship. Don't blow this,” Tara thought to herself.“Good morning,” Tara said as she entered the room and sat down near Willow.
“Good morning!”
“Thank you again for the tour on Saturday. I think that is about the most fun I have had in years.”
“I had a lot of fun too, and we still have the other half of Sunnydale to tour if you are still interested,” said Willow.
“I am definitely interested!”
“Great, we'll um, find a day and finish the city tour.”
“Awesome, so, now for the unpleasant stuff,” said Tara switching to her business face and tone. “Every year when we have to do the campaign stuff we send out a questionnaire to our partners and advertisers to get their feedback and what they liked and didn't like about the past years campaign. Well, this year they have some interesting feedback and I am hoping that you will have some ideas and suggestions on what to do. I read through a few and I'll be honest, I have no clue how we would make it work with what we are doing.”
“Well, that is more my issue than yours,” said Willow. “Show me what they have to say and I'll see what I can do to make it all happen.”
“For some reason, I don't doubt that you can make this all work,” Tara said smiling at Willow.
Willow and Tara spent the next ten hours going through the requests, tweaking the scripts, testing different options on the parts of the site they had built already.
“Okay, Willow, I give up, I can't focus on this anymore,” said Tara putting her hands in the air.
“I agree, I am starting to confuse the programming code I am working with.”
“You're who what?”
“The scripts are written in different languages and I am starting to forget what language I am supposed to be writing in.”
“Ooohhh, yeah, still Greek to me,” Tara said giving the redhead a lopsided smile and then scolding herself for flirting.
“No, Greek isn't one of the languages, but close,” teased Willow.
“Watch it Rosenberg,” laughed Tara as she opened the door and saw her father just about to knock.
“Tara,” he said.
“Daddy, hi,” she replied.
“I didn't expect to see you here this late.”
“Willow and I were working on the surveys that came in and their suggestions,” said Tara. “Have you met Willow yet?”
“No, I haven't,” said her father.
“Daddy, this is Willow Rosenberg, Willow this is my father Donald Maclay.”
“It is very nice to meet you sir,” said Willow shaking the older man's hand.
“It is nice to meet you too. Have you been with the company long?”
“She is Donnie's new hire, the one he was bragging about,” smiled Tara as Willow blushed.
“Ah yes, now I remember. Well, welcome to the company, from what Donnie was saying about you I expect we will be seeing great things from you.”
“Thank you sir. I will do my best to meet those expectations,” gulped Willow.
“She already has done a bunch to help the company and the campaign.”
“Well, fantastic and now as the owner of this company I am sending you both home,” Donald said raising an eyebrow in the same way that Tara did.
“Yes sir,” said Willow internally smiling at the eyebrow quirk that appears to be a Maclay trait.
“Yes Daddy,” said Tara.
“Oh, and Willow, don't let her be a slave driver, she never stops working and she needs to get out and enjoy life some.”
“I do, Willow gave me a tour of part of Sunnydale on Saturday even,” said Tara.
“Good, now get out of here before I ban you both from the building,” he laughed.
“Goodnight sir,” said Willow as she continued to gather her stuff.
“Willow, I'll see you tomorrow and we'll continue this. Tell Buffy I am sorry I kept you here so late,” said Tara.
“Um, okay,” said Willow unsure what Tara meant about telling Buffy she was sorry. “Goodnight then.”
After Willow left Tara's father looked at her. “You like her don't you?”
“Yes,” said Tara looking towards the ground.
“She seems like a better choice than the last one,” he said lifting her chin.
“She would be, but she is involved already.”
“Well, stick with it honey, you are due for some good luck,” said Donald as he hugged his daughter close.
“Thanks Daddy.”
“Now, I meant it – get the hell out of here,” he laughed.
“Leaving now,” said Tara laughing.
=====================================As Willow walked home she tried to understand what Tara meant.
“What did she mean by me telling Buffy she was sorry for keeping me so late? Did she think we had plans tonight? Does she think that Buffy has some...oh fuckstockings...the sunscreen...she has to think that there is something going on with Buffy and I.”With this revelation Willow sped up her walk home, she needed to talk to Buffy and get her thoughts.
“Buffy! Buffy,” called Willow as she entered the door.
“Will, what's up?” asked Buffy racing out of her room. “Is everything okay? And why the hell are you so late?”
“I had to work late, and I met Tara and Donnie's dad...”
“What was that like?”
“He's really nice, he does that cute eyebrow thing that Tara does,” giggled Willow as her and Buffy sat down on the couch facing one another.
“You are obviously in a better mood than you were this morning. Tell me about the day.”
“Tara and I worked together on the campaign and then as we were calling it a day her dad came and she introduced us and then he told us to leave. The odd thing is that when I was leaving Tara told me to tell you that she was sorry she kept me there so late.”
“What the hell does that mean?”
“I'm not certain, but I thought about it on the way home and I think that she thinks that we are a couple.”
“I love you Will, but not like that,” said Buffy.
“Eww, Buff. Gross,”
“Hey, I am a good catch!”
“I didn't mean it like that, but I'm sorry, you are like a sister to me and the thought of dating my sister is just wrong.”
“I agree, and I love you as a sister too. So why do you think that she thinks we are a couple?”
“Yesterday, you reminded me of the sunscreen and then came over and applied it for me, you are very attentive when we are out together.”
“Will, I have to be otherwise you pull inside yourself, you've done that since we were in High School.”
“That is why I think that she thinks we are a couple though.”
“Are you going to tell her the truth?”
“Yeah, I just need to figure out when and how.”
“Why not invite her to The Bronze on Wednesday night. They are having a new band play. I can't remember the name, but Connor said that they are supposed to be awesome.”
“Okay, I'll ask her tomorrow. Thanks Buffy.”
“Anytime, and remember I am a good catch dammit,” said Buffy as they both laughed.
They called it a night and Willow went and got ready for bed and dreamed of Tara.
=====================================As Tara was heading out her dad caught up to her and offered her a ride home. After arriving home she decided that a hot bubble bath and some wine would help her relax. She opened a bottle of white zinfandel wine to let it breathe while she went and started the bath running. Once Tara the got the water set she went and poured herself a glass of wine, turned on some background music and got in the tub. She lay back thinking about the day, about how it felt working with Willow and how even though she was dating Buffy she loved spending time with her, then she opened a book of poetry that she was enjoying.
After finishing her wine and relaxing a bit more in the tub Tara got out and got ready for bed. As she was getting into bed her phone rang.
“Hello,” said Tara.
“Hey Tara!”
“Faith, what's up?”
“I just wanted to see how you were doing and how the day went with you and Red.”
“It went okay, we ended up staying pretty late and as we were leaving we ran into my dad.”
“Did you introduce him to Red?”
“Yeah, he told her not to let me keep her late anymore,” said Tara.
“He is a smart man,” giggled Faith.
“A little too smart, he guessed that I liked her.”
“Uh oh!”
“Actually it was pretty cool, he told me to stick with it and that I was due for some good luck,” said Tara. “I'm not sure what he knows, but I liked the sound of it.”
“I like the sound of it too. I think I need to get some sleep. I'll see you tomorrow.”
“Good night,” said Tara.
“Night T!”
=====================================The next morning Willow and Tara met in the conference room to continue working on the surveys.
“Did you leave like your dad said to or did you stick around last night?” asked Willow.
“I left, but only because he told me he was driving me home,” laughed Tara.
“Well, it is good that he cares enough to send you home. My parents are the exact opposite.”
“Well, that is their loss,” Tara said offering a smile to the redhead.
Tara pulled up the surveys that they had worked on the previous day and the new ones that she had received that morning.
“Hey, there are more there than there were yesterday,” noted Willow.
“Yeah, a few more came in. I estimate we have about 2/3 of them in.”
“Wow, that is a lot of surveys!”
“I know, but at least a lot of them are saying the same thing so we don't have to reinvent the wheel too many times,” laughed Tara.
“Easy for you to say, I'm the one that has to make it happen,” teased Willow.
“Well, that is your issue not mine,” giggled Tara.
They were both enjoying the relaxed feeling that the day had brought. Most of the tension had subsided and they were able to work without worrying that they were going to say or do something wrong. Willow had started a spreadsheet to compile a list of what the surveys were requesting. The had managed to get through most of the surveys that had previously come in and then those that had arrived before they had started working that morning. It had been another long day, but not as long as the previous day.
“Well, I think we should call it a day before my dad catches us working late again,” said Tara.
“Yeah, I wouldn't want to see him ground you, that could be embarrassing,” teased Willow.
“Very funny! I also think you probably have better things to do instead of hanging out here.”
“Not really, but do you have plans tomorrow night?” asked Willow.
“Outside of working, no, I have nothing going on,” said Tara.
“Well, there is a new band playing at The Bronze tomorrow night and I was wondering if you would like to go see them with me and maybe we can talk and get to know one another?”
“Um, yeah, that would be great. Do I have to dress any special way?” Tara asked embarrassed.
“Nah, jeans and a t-shirt would be fine,” smiled Willow.
“Great, well then I guess I will see you tomorrow for work and then tomorrow night.”
“Sounds good,” said Willow.
=====================================Willow headed out and met up with Dawn coming from the Espresso Pump.
“Hey Willow,” called Dawn.
“Hey Dawnie,” said Willow.
“Are you just leaving work?” asked Dawn.
“Yeah, Tara and I are trying to get the new campaign worked out.”
“So, you really like it there huh?”
“Yeah, I really do.”
“That's great. I'll walk with you since I am going to your place to hang with Buffy for a while.”
“Cool, let's go,” said Willow.
They walked home and Dawn and Buffy made themselves comfortable in the living room while Willow went and got ready for bed. Two long days in a row had taken their toll on the redhead and she needed to sleep.
=====================================“Hey T,” Faith said answering the phone.
“Hi, can I come over?”
“Are you okay?”
“Yeah, I just really need to talk and I don't feel like the phone is the way to do it.”
“Sure, are you at home?”
“No, I'm at work, so I could be there in 15 or 20 minutes.”
“Just hang out there and I'll come get you. I don't like the idea of you walking around at night by yourself.”
“Okay, thanks,” said Tara.
A few minutes later Faith pulled up and Tara got in the car and they drove back to Faith's place in silence. Faith grabbed a beer and handed Tara a glass of wine.
“So, what's up?” asked Faith as they got situated on the couch.
“Willow asked me to go to The Bronze with her tomorrow night to talk and hear a new band play,” Tara blurted out.
“Really?”
“Yeah, I'm sort of unsure what to think of it.”
“Well, what are you feeling?” asked Faith.
“Elation, fear, nervous...”
“Why are you feeling any of that?”
“Because, even if she is with Buffy, I still want her,” admitted Tara seeing the brunette sitting across from her smile.
“Exactly. There is nothing wrong with having an interest in her Tara. Acting on it while she is with someone, yeah, that is wrong, but having an interest and getting to know her better, that isn't wrong. You know what it feels like to be cheated on, so I know you won't act on anything. Just get to know her better, then see where it leads you two.”
“And when did you get so wise?” asked Tara smiling at her best friend.
“I went to college with this really smart chick, blonde hair, blue eyes, killer rack,” joked Faith. “But most of all, she has a heart like nobody I have ever know. She's the most caring, kind, and sweet person I know.”
“She sounds pretty cool.”
“She is, wish you could have met her,” laughed Faith as Tara threw a pillow at her and hit her in the face.
“Hey,” exclaimed Faith as she threw the pillow back.
“Killer rack huh?! Do I need to tell my brother that you have been checking me out again?” asked Tara giving the brunette her trademark raised eye-brow and lopsided grin.
“Hell no, he about kicked my ass the last time I got caught checking you out, I had to make a deal with him that I would never do it again and I would look out for you so he wouldn't...oops,” admitted Faith.
“So he did threaten you back then,” said Tara.
“Yeah, but that is what big brothers are supposed to do for their little sister.”
“He is a good big brother isn't he?”
“Yeah T, you got lucky with him. I know so many people where their brothers are mean, cruel, abusive. Your brother doesn't have that in him. Now, someone disrespects you or something, I don't envy what Donnie will do to them,” laughed Faith.
“That is very true,” agreed Tara.
“So, what are you going to wear on the faux date with Red tomorrow?” asked Faith.
“I have no clue, she said just jeans and a t-shirt would be fine.”
“I know just the outfit, I'll get it ready for you.”
“Faith, you know when you grin like that you scare me right?”
“Yep, I know,” Faith said still grinning. “I gotta get home, but I will come over tomorrow after work and get your outfit together.”
“Please no cleavagey slut-bomb.”
“I swear T, it will be very you and very respectable.”
“Thanks for tonight and for tomorrow,” said Tara pulling Faith up to stand near her and then hugging her.
“That is what I am here for. Good night,” said Faith as she left Tara's apartment.
Tara went and got ready for bed and as she got in and lay there her mind drifted to Willow.
=====================================Wednesday seemed to drag for both Willow and Tara, both anxious and nervous about going out to together.
“I can swing by your place on my way to The Bronze tonight if you'd like and we can walk there together?” asked Willow.
“T-that sounds g-good.”
“Great, say 7?”
“I'll see you at 7,” smiled Tara.
=====================================Tara headed home to get ready, she was nervous so she wanted to take a relaxing bath before Faith arrived to help her get ready.
Once she was done with her bath Tara put on her fluffy cotton robe from college and waited for Faith to arrive.
“T, you here yet,” called Faith as she let herself in the door.
“Yeah, I came home a bit early,” said Tara sheepishly.
“Nerves? Butterflies?”
“More like bats,” laughed Tara.
“Well, let me get what you are going to wear together and then you can finish getting ready. You stay here while I go get things set.”
“Okay, thanks again.”
Faith went into Tara's room and rifled through her closet and drawers to find exactly what she had planned for Tara to wear.
“Alright Tara, come in and get dressed, don't ask, don't complain, just put it on,” said Faith.
Tara went into her room and put on what Faith had set out for her and then she went out into the living room where Faith was sitting.
“Damn T, you look hot,” said Faith.
“Are you sure this is the right thing to wear?”
“Trust me!”
“Fine, you better go, Willow will be here in about 20 minutes and you staring at me like that is going to make me even more nervous.”
“Staring at you like what?” asked Faith.
“You look like you could drool at any second. It is a little disconcerting!”
“Fine, you had better call me no matter what time it is when you get home...unless you don't come home alone,” Faith said with a wink.
“You are horrible,” laughed Tara as she shoved her best friend out of her apartment.
=====================================Willow entered her apartment to find Buffy there waiting for her.
“It is about damn time you got home,” said Buffy.
“Hey, some of us had to work today,” said Willow.
“Yeah, yeah, yeah, whatever. Now have you decided what you are going to wear?”
“No, I haven't got a clue,” Willow said looking down at the ground.
“Great, I have. Now, I want you to go shower and I'll get everything ready.”
“Thanks Buffy,” said Willow as she headed towards the bathroom to shower while Buffy went into Willows room and picked out what she had in mind for the redhead to wear.
Once Willow finished with her shower she went into the bedroom and saw what Buffy had picked out for her.
Willow finished getting ready and then went into the living room.
“Well,” said Willow.
“Looking hot there Rosenberg!”
“Are you sure this is the right outfit Buffy?”
“Positive!”
Willow looked at the clock and she knew it was time to get going.
“Good luck Will, I'll be here when you get home.”
“Thanks Buffy,” said Willow as she headed out of the door to go meet Tara.
=====================================Willow arrived at Tara's apartment and knocked on the door.
Tara jumped at the sound of the knock and walked over and opened the door.
“H-h-hi,” said Tara as she opened the door and saw the redhead standing there wearing tight black jeans and a green fitted t-shirt. Tara felt her heart begin to race.
“Oh dear goddess, she is gorgeous and look at that body,” thought Tara.“Hey,” said Willow as she took in the site of the blonde wearing a blue low-cut v-neck t-shirt that was showing a little more than a hint of cleavage and tight stonewashed blue jeans.
“Please don't drool, please don't drool,” Willow thought to herself.“I just need to grab my purse and I'm ready,” said Tara.
“Great,” said Willow.
Tara grabbed her purse and the walked to The Bronze discussing music they like and their favorite bands. There was a long line at the door and Tara was a bit bummed that they were so far back. Willow took her arm and led her to the front of the line.
“Hey Connor,” said Willow.
“Looking good Willow,” replied Connor. “And who is this?”
“This is Tara, we work together.”
“Well, hello and you guys can go in. I set up the upper V.I.P. area for you.”
“Thanks! It looks like you are going to have a full house tonight.”
“That is what I'm hoping. If you need anything Will, let me know. Tara, it was very nice to meet you,” said Connor as he turned back to the line of people waiting to get in.
“You seem to have some pretty good connections,” laughed Tara as she followed Willow up to the area Connor had set aside for them. Tara noticed it was close to where she was sitting when she first saw Willow. “In those pants, this view is even better than it was the first day I met her,” thought Tara.
=====================================As Willow escorted them to the V.I.P area she saw one of the waitresses and motioned for her to stop by.
“Wow, this is an amazing spot and view of the stage,” said Tara.
“Yeah, it is a pretty nice spot. Did you want a drink?”
“Um, what do you recommend?”
“I usually get a Malibu and pineapple.”
“That sounds good,” said Tara as she saw the waitress coming their way.
“Hi Willow,” said the waitress.
“Hey Fred, can we get 2 Malibu and Pineapples?”
“Sure, large?”
“Of course,” Willow said smiling at the girl.
“Great, I'll be back with the drinks and Connor has me working up here tonight so if you need anything, just let me know.”
“Thanks!”
After the waitress left Tara looked at Willow perplexed.
“What's wrong?”
“Did you call her Fred?” asked Tara.
“Yeah, her real name is Winifred, but she hates to be called that so she just goes by Fred.”
“Alright, makes perfect sense,” laughed Tara as Fred delivered their drinks.
Willow reached for her money and Fred told her that tonight was covered thanks to the work she had done on the computer system for Connor a few weeks ago.
“Great, thanks Fred.”
“So, what band is playing?”
“I believe it is a band called Werewolf Moon. I haven't heard them, but I head they were pretty good and from the size of that line outside, they must be.”
“Interesting name,” said Tara.
“Tara, I want to apologize for how awkward things were on Monday,” started Willow.
“You have nothing to apologize for. I should have been upfront and told you right away.”
“Your personal life is your business.”
“No, Willow, I'm sorry,” Tara said as she reached out and took the redheads hand. “I should have told you I was gay. I'm sorry I didn't, I don't know what clued you in, but I'm sorry I didn't tell you upfront.”
“I don't care about you being gay, it doesn't change who you are, just who you date,” Willow smiled squeezing the blondes hand. “I just was a little surprised that you and Faith were a couple when you told me you were single.”
“Me and Faith? A couple? No, no, no, she is like a sister. That is kind of ew actually,” said Tara.
“Oh, you just seemed so close,” said Willow.
“We are, she helped me through a lot of stuff, she helped me basically survive when my mom died, then when my ex Erin cheated on me , she helped me get through it.”
“She sounds like a good friend,” said Willow leaning towards Tara a bit to hear her over the band playing below.
“She is!”
“So, Erin, I am assuming is a girl,” started Willow receiving a nod from the blonde. “I think it is also safe to assume she is a moron?”
“Faith would agree. Erin was my college sweetheart I guess you would call her. We met our first year and were inseparable right away. She knew the right things to say and do. She told me that I was her true love, we lived together, and we had most of our classes together. I was deeply in love with her, and then one day Faith told me that she had seen Erin and someone else making out. I didn’t believe her and when I confronted Erin she denied it and said she would never do that to me. We were together for three years before Faith proved to me how blind I was and that Erin was cheating on me.”
“That is just horrible, and I was right she is a moron,” said Willow taking a big gulp of her drink.
“Yeah, I felt horrible for not believing Faith. She told me she understood why I didn’t, but I still felt horrible. After Erin and I broke up I swore that I wasn’t dating again for a long time and when I did it would be someone who I trusted completely, and who Faith approved of,” laughed Tara as she took a sip of her drink.
“I have a feeling not many people are going to meet with Faith’s approval,” said Willow.
“Probably not, but I’m certain that there is someone who will.”
“I understand what it feels like to be cheated on. Oz and I started dating in our junior year of high school, he was a guitarist for a local band, I thought all was good with us, I thought he loved me, but then in our first year of college I caught him in bed with someone else. I was devastated, I swore off dating at that point and threw myself into my studies and well, you’ve seen my college transcript,” Willow smiled shyly.
“So this Oz was dumb enough to cheat on you? Wow, he is an idiot,” said Tara taking a larger sip of her drink this time.
“After all these years I can say I agree with you, at the time and for a long time after I always thought it was my fault, that there was something wrong with me. Buffy and Dawn spent a lot of time over the years convincing me that it was all him.”
“So, when did you and Buffy start dating?” asked Tara
“Buffy and I aren't dating,” said Willow. “She is my Faith. She is like a sister and ew.”
“I'm sorry I just thought that since she p-put t-the...” started Tara completely embarrassed.
“She put the lotion on my back and is very attentive,” Willow said and saw the blonde nod.
“She is straight, just very protective.”
“And you?”
“I used to say I was straight, but I saw this woman that took my breath away and now I'm thinking I might be kind of gay.”
“Does the woman know this?”
“Hell no,” giggled Willow starting to feel some of the alcohol.
“Why not?” asked Tara feeling her alcohol as well.
“Because, I don't really know her, I've never thought about a woman in that way before, I don't have a clue what to do.”
“Sweetie, you just do the same thing you would with a guy.”
“Hello, single for four years, one boyfriend, I don't know what to do there either,” giggled Willow and Tara joined in.
“You just have to find something you have in common and start talking to her, get to know her, what she likes, are they the same as your likes,” Tara started looking deep into the green eyes next to her. “It isn't like we are characters being written in a story or in a script where actors are portraying us; this is real life. There is no set way.”
“What if she rejects me?”
“Anybody who rejects you Willow is an idiot. They would be lucky to have someone like you,” said Tara.
“She's flirting with me, oh my goddess, she's flirting with me,” thought Willow.
“Oh hell, I'm flirting and she has told me she already has a crush on someone and I'm flirting with her, what is wrong with me,” thought Tara.“Would you reject me?” Willow boldly asked.
“Would I reject you if you told me that you were interested in me?” asked Tara to confirm what she had heard was what Willow meant.
“Yeah,” said Willow holding her breathe.
“Well, I...” started Tara before a red-haired man walked up to the table and interrupted.
“Willow,” said the man.
“Oz...” said Willow.
=====================================TBC...