A Star’s Second Chance
By: AstronSoul
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Buffy characters, wish I did though.
Summary: Does Willow make it to LA, and what has Tara been up too?
Distribution: I rather you talk to me first before posting this elsewhere.
Chapter 6The large U-Haul truck moves with the congested early morning L.A. traffic, the redhead downed the rest of her coffee; having decided to drive straight through the night just stopping in Phoenix to eat. “What the frilly heck?”
She looked out the window at someone, not knowing if it was male or female. They were dressed in various bright colors that clashed against each other, two different shoes and rather odd looking hair in the colors of the rainbow.
Shaking her head she began to giggle, “Welcome to L.A.” Reading the map on her phone her turn should be coming up within a few blocks. She pulled her purse closer to her hip, making sure she had the keys and gate code to her house; not wanting to get stuck outside of her home.
Coming up on North Vigines Street Willow flicked the blinker on, noticing a lot of sports cars moving by her; smirking at the young kids blaring music from their stereos. Taking the turn the redhead’s eyes grew wider, this was obvious a high scale neighborhood. ‘Well for the house being two point five million, this better be a nice area’ she thought gazing at numbers on each gate.
There was a house with a large blacktop driveway that looked brand new, she saw the number ‘1208’ checking her paper she began to smile, turning onto the drive way she rolled down the window reaching out and punching the gate code in. Hearing a metallic creak the gate opened; pushing the accelerator she entered the estate of her new home.
She admired the drive to the house, palms trees and various shrubs lining the road; she knew she would need to hire some people to help her take care of it all. Pulling up to the house Willow gasped, it was huge with large bay windows, four pillars holding up the overhead for guests to get in and out of vehicles when it rains.
“Wow, I have good taste.” She turned off the truck as she noticed a Camaro sitting off to the side, wondering whose it is she approached it. Suddenly a brunette jumped out and hugged Willow, “You made it!” Faith exclaimed.
Hugging the woman back the redhead wondered how her friend got in, “Faith how did you get in here?” The other woman blushed biting a finger, “I uhhh kinda hotwired the gate then fixed it?” Willow’s eyebrow shot up, “Faith!” Don’t ever do that again, gees could have just asked me for the code.” Slapping the smaller woman on the shoulder the redhead grabbed the keys to the house.
Walking up the few steps to the door she took a deep breath, her friend right behind her as she unlocked the door; stepping in her jaw dropped. The entrance was homey, welcoming guests with the feel of coming home from a long trip, the wood floors stained in a dark warm walnut color. A chandelier hung above them made out of cast-iron, giving off a warm glow.
One thing the software genius noticed was the house was completely furnished, stepping more into the house she turned around looking at her friend. “This is amazing, I didn’t know the furniture and all came with it! This is so freaking amazing OMG look old vintage furniture all matching!” Faith chuckled at her friend’s one sentence babble.
“Will, I have something I need to tell you.” She was grinning as she looked at the house, it fit the redhead perfectly; even the furniture fit her. The woman looked at her, waiting for her news. “Tara MaClay lives next door.”
Willow was silent, starting to grin she giggled. “Well short commute to work then.” The agent busts out laughing at the comment, “Got that right girl, why don’t we unload the U-Haul and get you settled?” Walking back outside, Willow opened the back door of the U-Haul then looks to Faith. “Actually all the furniture can stay in the truck all I need are the boxes and suitcases.” She starts to pull out boxes, placing them on the ground.
Faith began to take the boxes inside, reading the label on the outside and putting them relatively where they should go. After a few hours all of Willow’s things were in the house, shutting the truck door Willow sighed. “Well guess I need to drop off the truck, don’t care what they do with the furniture.” Faith came out shutting the door as she tossed the keys to the redhead. “Want me to follow you so you have a ride home?”
Willow nodded as she got in the car, sticking her head out the window. “I don’t know where the U-Haul place is.” Faith walked over, “No worries I know where it is just follow me.” Faith went to her car, getting in they both started their vehicles. The redheads close behind Faith as they pulled down the driveway.
Thirty minutes later the two women were laughing as Faith drove down the road, turning in her seat Willow got a wicked idea. “Faith, can you take me to the nearest Ferrari dealership?” The brunette nodded turning off of the main road, “Planning on splurging Will?” The other woman nodded smiling from ear to ear, “Faith I am going to live in style for once!”
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Tara jogged up her driveway after watching Faith’s Camaro and a U-Haul pull out of the driveway next door; wiping her small towel across her forehead. ‘Wonder why Faith was next door’ she thought, shrugging it off she went in the kitchen entrance to get bottled water.
Running into Sam getting ready to make lunch, “Hey same make some sort of pie will you? I want to take it to the new neighbor later tonight.” He nodded already getting the ingredients’ out for a homemade apple pie.
Taking her water, the blonde headed to her room to get a shower in; then get ready for her important phone meetings of the day.
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The sleek Camaro pulls into the Ferrari dealership; before Faith couldn't even put the car in park, Willow had jumped out starting to look at cars immediately. She watched as the redhead moved from car to car reading all the details. A salesman was making his way over, however he was headed to Faith not the redhead.
Shaking her head knowing that because Willow was dress in jeans and a t—shirt that read ‘Quick Run Fish Bitch is coming!!’ with stick figures running away from a fish with four legs. She looked the salesman in the eye as he approached.
“Good afternoon, may I help you?” He sounded like a pompous ass but Faith held her tongue, “Actually I have my car…” She looks at her Camaro, “But my friend here wants to buy a Ferrari.” She pointed to Willow who seemed very interested in the sleek black Graf Weckerle Ferrari 599 GTB.
He cleared his throat, “Miss, I don’t think she wants to buy.” Willow walking up heard the comment, smirking to herself and wrapping an arm around Faith’s shoulders. “Babe should I pay with cash or check, or is this ass even gonna serve me?” Faith stifled a giggle, playing along as she leant into the redhead’s embrace.
“I dunno honey, I mean I think he assumes rich people dress a certain way, I mean good way to turn customers away right?” Faith’s tone was cool and even, as the man started to pale. “Well I could always get a Camaro like you, the Ferrari is great but ya know a sleek Camaro would be nice…” the redhead trailed off as the man got even more nervous.
“I…err…I am sorry ladies, we are not used to having customers dress so casually.” He fidgeted, straightening his tie. “I noticed you were interested in the Graf Weckerle?” He motioned to the black Ferrari on the lot. Walking back to the car Willow looked at the man, “I want a test drive it, if I like it I’ll drive it off the lot.” She waited a moment before quirking a brow at the man.
Visibly swallowing the man felt like these were two power house women, nodding he asked for Willow’s ID; after getting it he quickly went inside to get the keys. “OH MY GOD! That was hilarious Will! When did you get so butch?” Faith was having a hard time not laughing. Willow shrugged, “I don’t like people disrespecting me, that’s when I do something. Plus it works like a charm.” The brunette shook her head as she sees the man come back.
Handing Willow her ID back; he unlocked the car, opening the doors for the ladies to get in. “Take it out for a drive, but please not too long. I’ll be here waiting for when you get back.” Dropping the keys in the redhead’s hand he stepped back.
Shutting the door Willow, grinning from ear to ear started the engine. “Oh yeah that’s a nice rumble, sounds like a V8 maybe.” The two buckled up, pulling out onto the road. “She handles nice, though I would want extra’s put into her.”
“Well you can get whatever you want Will, I mean you are rich in your own right.” Faith ran her hands over the leather seat, knowing her friend would only get the best. Suddenly she remembered a meeting, “Oh shit Will I have a meeting in…” Looks at the car clock, “Oh fuck twenty minutes!”
The redhead understood, turning a complete U-turn in the middle of the road; thankfully they were on a road off the main ones. Hitting the accelerator she floored it, pulling into the lot eight minutes later.
Faith jumped out smiling, hugging her friend; stating she would see her tomorrow as she hopped in her car and took off. Willow watched her leave, turning to the guy who had come back out. She finally noticed his nametag. “I want it John, but I want a loaner till you get the exact things done to this car that I want." He smiled; showing her to his office to seal the deal.
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Later that evening Willow was sitting in her kitchen eating some ramen noodles; she had yet to go shopping for groceries, when the gate buzzed. She walked to a wall console pressing a button, “Hello?” From the other end she heard a crackle, “H-hi I’m your neighbor, wanted to give you a welcome pie.” The redhead smiled, buzzing the gate open, “Come on up will meet you at the door.” Tossing her bowl in the sink she made her way to the front door.
Making her way up the winding driveway Tara took a deep breath, she was always nervous meeting new people; especially on a personal level. Stopping at the front door she was about to knock, instead the door flew open startling her; almost dropping the pie. Two slender pale hands shot out and caught the pie before it hit the ground.
“Sorry, didn’t mean to startle ya.” The woman stated holding the pie and taking a sniff. “Mmmm smells delicious, I’m Willow by the way Willow Rosenberg.” She smiled at the blond, blinking she recognized her but waited for the blonde to introduce herself.
Straightening her t-shirt Tara smiled, I’m Tara MaClay, it’s nice to meet you Willo…wait Willow as in the translator Willow?” She looked at the smaller woman, noticing the funny shirt and how it fit her like a glove. The redhead nodded to her question, “Looks like I will be working for you Tara, and be your neighbor. Would you like to come in and share this pie with me?”
Willow stepped inside and to the side to allow Tara to enter, shutting the door she grinned. “The kitchen is down the hall here and to the left.” She led the blond through the house a bit, Tara was amazed at how it looked, remembering the one U-Haul from earlier. “Tell me you had more than one U-Haul here today…”
The redhead chuckled grabbing some plates, forks and a knife; “Nope just the one, the place came furnished so I just needed my clothes and computer software stuff.” She began serving up some apple pie, “Would you like some vanilla ice cream with yours?” The blonde nodded looking at the kitchen, it looked like a Master Chef had owned this house.
As Willow served up the ice cream, Tara had to ask. “Willow who did you buy this house from, I never tried to find out?” The smaller girl slides the plate toward Tara as she sat down, “Wolfgang had it before, I got it from him at a great price.” She took a bite of pie, noticing the actress was slack jawed.
“Hey Tare you there?” She waved a hand in front of the blonde; the blonde started shaking her head. “Sorry I never realized he owned this place, wow good for you though, being able to have this kitchen.” The blonde began eating her pie and ice cream.
The women ate in silence, exchanging smiles; when they finished they washed the few dishes Willow had, both ending up even more wet then the dishes. “HAHA ok ok no more Tare!” Willow held her hand up in defense against the water splashing at her. Tara was grinning victoriously, “See not just an actress, I am a champion splasher!”
They both were laughing again; Willow looked at the time, walking to the kitchen door she motioned for the blonde to follow her. She led her guest into one of the many living rooms, moving to the fireplace the redhead started a fire.
The blond sat down on a plush black couch, watching as the smaller woman walked around the room, finally sitting on the opposite end of the couch. “I still can’t believe this is mine.” The redhead was looking around at the art and furniture.
“It’s gorgeous Willow, much like the owner of the house.” ‘OMG I am flirting!’ The blonde tried to hide her shock from her own words, seeing the redhead smile shyly at her with a light blush on her cheeks. “Well um thank you, I always lived in condos or apartments so it’s nice to have a house, well more a mansion.”
Hours past as the women got to know one another; then the topics fell to translations and how Willow got into it. “Oh well, I had a friend in elementary school that was mute, she could hear but no words. Because of that I decided to learn, eventually it became my passion. I like to help those who can’t talk or hear.” Willow fiddled with a pillow, looking at Tara knowing other questions were coming.
“Will, why did you take this job, clearly you have money, you don’t have to work at all, yet you do?” Tara scooted over on the couch, curling up as she waited for her new friend to speak.
“I know I don’t have too, I mean my software programs are wanted everywhere, it made me money fast after I got my degree’s. But I don’t want to party all the time,” She took a breath setting the pillow to the side.
“I like having money sure, but I want to do something with my life, help those that can’t help themselves. Not much money in that so I create software programs to balance it.” She smiled and leaned forward, “Plus it’s a lot of fun manipulating stuff in a computer. Translation will always be my passion, that’s why I took this job.”
Tara’s heart was soaring, she never met anyone so selfless, she herself got whatever she could that was high class. She grew up with abusive father and brother; she figured she deserved it. Then here is Willow, having a lonely past but still having money and yet she wants to give and help others.
Looking up into emerald eyes; Tara’s breath caught in her throat before she could speak, taking a deep breath she began smiling. “Will you are such a selfless person I wish I was like you.” As if on instinct both scooted closer; leaning in like they were sharing secrets, “Beautiful, a powerhouse and so giving, you are an amazing person.”
Willow blushed almost as red as her hair, looking up past Tara she noticed they had been talking for hours; it was two in the morning. “Wow time flies when you have great company.” Now it was the blonde’s turn to blush; she looked at her own watch, “Oh wow yeah, I better get going I have a meeting with my new assistant at nine am.” She smirked getting up; Willow standing walked Tara to the door.
Placing a hand on the door handle she looked at the actress, “I had a great time talking to you, and I look forward to the meeting boss.” Grinning from ear-to-ear at calling her boss; giggling Tara was stepping out the door, “Only when you are my assistant am I your boss, and just call me Tara.”
“Ok though I like Tar better.” Willow flirted again, both women thinking “OMG’. Tara began her walk down the driveway, waving to Willow before she disappeared around the corner. Shutting the door, Willow leaned against it, “Wow, she is amazing!” Shaking her head she heads upstairs to her bedroom to get a few hours of sleep in before heading to her meeting.
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The blonde floated up to her bedroom, or so that’s what it felt like, dropping onto her bed smiling. “This will be interesting, Willow is….amazing.” Changing into PJ’s, she climbed into bed; falling to sleep thinking of a woman with emerald eyes and red hair.
TBC
Hope you enjoyed this installment!
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what a wonderful beginning... i can see so much potential for fun and excitement, not to mention drama. you sucked me right in and have my imagination working on overdrive hehehe
Soon?