A Star’s Second Chance
By: AstronSoul
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Buffy characters, wish I did though.
Summary: Will Willow & Tara be able to work together, or will something keep them apart?
Distribution: I rather you talk to me first before posting this elsewhere.
Chapter 8After a few minutes the two women had yet to move; it was as if the fates decided they needed to stare at each other, then Sam bumped into Tara breaking the spell. “Oh um sorry didn’t know you were in the doorway Tara. I brought some drinks for you and your assistant.” He looked between them smirking, shaking his head he set the tray down on the desk; then excited the room.
“You look great Willow.” The blonde finally found her voice box, walking up with a smile plastered on most of her face she hugged the redhead. Willow slowly began to hug back; then stepping back, “You look great yourself boss.” Her voice was laced with want, trying to keep herself in check she sat down in the chair she was previously in.
Tara moved around her desk; sitting in her office chair, “So I wanted to go over this contract with you that Faith, my lawyer and I drew up.” Handing the small packet to Willow, she drew out another sheet of paper, “And this is a privacy disclosure, that anything we speak of, discuss and so on is not to leave the four of us, unless specifically said that we can talk about it outside of our little group.”
Willow reached over taking that one as well; skimming through everything she noticed her salary was double what Faith had mentioned. “Tara, I was told I would be getting only two-hundred fifty thousand, this says I am getting five-hundred thousand a year?” The blonde nodded, “Yes, I doubled it, though I know you don’t need it. I make so much I don’t know what do to with my money so I figure I would double it.”
The redhead looks over the rest of the contract; seeing she gets full access to everything that Tara has or gets. “So I get access to everything you have?” Her eyes were very curious, then started roaming over the blonde’s chest.
The actress smirked; watching the woman read over the papers, averting her eyes when the redhead looked up. “Is everything satisfactory Willow?” Tara’s voice took on an even more professional tone, the redhead knew this is how it would be when working, nodding she grabbed a pen. “Everything looks right, so sign the contract and the disclosure agreement right?”
The blonde nodded; she watched as Willow signed her name on both documents, sighing relief that it worked out. “Ok here are the keys to the house, cars, and some various other places I will take you to in a bit so you know what is what” Handing keys to the redhead, the woman inspects them nodding. “I own a few businesses so they are on there too, never know when I need you to run to one to get something. “Also hands her a piece of paper containing numbers and the gate code.
Pulling out her cell; Willow starts putting in the numbers, memorizing the gate code in seconds. “I assume this is the new code since you broke up with your ex.” It was more a statement but Tara nodded, “Yes, want some coffee?” She motioned to the coffee on the table. “Yes please.” The redhead smiled.
“You will have to know my schedule frontwards and backwards.” Points to a black book on her desk, “This has all my appointments and what nots in it. While I take you to the various locations you can look at it. So you know what’s going on.” Handing Willow a black coffee; remembering from her visit that she mentioned she drank it straight.
Taking the cup; the smaller woman nodded, taking a sip she looks around, “Oh and Will, you are not just my assistant. You are my companion, where I go you go always.” Tara didn’t know how she would react to that, watching the redhead she was relieved when the woman smiled. ‘Was that a twinkle in Will’s eye?’ Shaking the thought from her head she moved into friend mode, “Are you doing ok after what happened this morning?”
“I’m fine, just had to shake the shakes is all, I just hope it doesn’t happen again.” She finishes her cup, leaning back in her chair Willow played with a ring on her finger. The blonde looks at the redhead’s hand and internally frowned; she wore a ring on her left ring finger. ‘Damn!’ Standing up she gathered her black book and purse, “Shall we get going, we have a lot of locations to see?”
Rising from her seat Willow smiled, “Of course, one question though. Do I call you Tara or Miss MaClay while on duty?” The blonde giggles, “Tara or Tar is fine, and be ready for rumors to fly once the photographers start to see us out together all the time.” They both laughed, “Nah, I’ve been in tabloids before, no big deal. Willow shrugged following Tara out of her office.
***************************The agent scowled; sitting behind her desk, thanking the heavens above that Willow was ok. Sam had called her to let her know what happened that morning. When he had told her it was a hummer; the brunette had a sneaky suspicion she knew who it was. Picking up her phone, dialing the studio’s number, she waits for Rich to pick up.
The phone rang on the man’s desk; picking it up, “Rich here.” He smirked hearing Faith on the end, “Hello Agent Lehane, what can I do for you?, I trust your client is happy?”
“Yes, she is, however have you seen Clarrise today, I think she tried to run over my clients new assistant today. She and Tara went for a morning run and a hummer very much like hers came close to killing her.” He heard malice in the agent’s voice; he also knew it was probably Clarrise.
Sighing he began to rub a temple, “Yes, she was in. I wondered why she was so on edge, now I know. I told her of the contract details to make sure she doesn’t breach them, but seems that won’t stop her.” He wrote some notes on a piece of paper, ‘Restraining order for offset, report’. “I will handle things, will get both Tara and her assistant a restraining order that takes effect off the set. What’s the assistant’s name?”
“Willow Rosenberg, and Rich, from what I heard they like each other. Clarrise still thinks Tara is her property, we need to take all precautions.” He agreed, they said their good-bye’s and hung up.
The brunette slumped in her seat, quickly sitting up straight when her first appointment of the day walked in. Smiling she greeted the blonde, “Hello, I’m Faith Lehane, Agent to the Stars.” She knew it was corny but it was also true. The slender girl smiled, “Elizabeth Summers…” They shook hands; then Faith started to go over the basics with her of what would be in Ms. Summer’s future.
***************************“So that was the dance studio, the collectibles store and the production studio I own, one more stop. This one is the most important out of all the stops today.” Tara explained driving down Rodeo Drive; the redhead’s mind was spinning. “Wow you really bought a lot of places, didn’t that production company produce the Hostel movies?”
The blonde smiled, nodding as they turned behind a unique looking store on the strip. “yes, my company did, I am a big horror fan, plus I star in a lot of films. The TV series is going to be a horror series.” She parked her Aston, looking at the redhead. “This store is my heart and soul, before I was an actress this store was off the strip, I started it with whatever money I had left from my college fund.”
They both got out of the car, the sign on the door read; “Impulse Design’s”. Willow smiled; it fit her boss well the name of the store, walking beside Tara she couldn’t help but feel a tingling sensation. “So you design stuff?” The blonde nodded, “Not what you think though…” She trailed off opening the door for Willow to enter first.
As she entered; the redhead’s jaw dropped, hanging from the halls were Posters and designs for monsters, gothic buildings and a variety of prosthetics. “You design stuff for movies!? How did this land on Rodeo Drive?” She looked at the actress completely amazed.
Tara had a huge grin on her face; sliding by Willow, she motioned for her to follow. “I have a Masters in Architecture, but I always loved making things for movies. So I started making small props and now I supply most of the major studios.” She opened a door to an office, sitting down on the couch; the blond looked at the other woman. “This place is where I come to get away, though I think I have a new place to get away too now as well.” Blushing she picked up a sketch like she was studying it, so she didn’t have to look at Willow.
The redhead started giggling, “You can come over to my place anytime Tar, might even give you a key.” ‘OMG did I just say that!?!?!’ The blonde’s head shot up; not expecting that offer so soon, “Thanks Will, I mean I love my home but sometimes I like to get out.” Setting the sketch down, she stood. “So what do you think of everything?”
Her assistant looked around, “It’s a lot to take in, but I love it. Oh btw you have an appointment with your producer/creator in like forty-five minutes.” Tara’s face must have looked shocked, because the redhead laughed, “I memorized your schedule already, we probably should head to the studio don’t ya think?”
The blonde simply nodded, walking back outside Tara realized she is driving the Aston with Willow. ‘Wow, it feels perfect having her with me’ Opening the door for the redhead, she quickly moved to the other side to hope in the driver’s seat. ‘Alright let’s head over, and you can meet the creator of the show.”
Pulling out of the back lot, Tara eased the car into the now heavy traffic. It took them almost thirty minutes to get to the studio, “Ready Will?” The redhead nodded, getting out of the car. “This is the first time I have been to a studio lot, this’ll be fun!”
The actress reached for Willow’s hand; then stopped, ‘What am I doing?’ tucking her hands in her pockets. The smaller girl noticed the motion, frowning to herself when Tara tucked her hands in her pockets. “Tar, ya know we are friends, who cares what tabloids or others say?” The redhead held her hand out to Tara; the blonde smiling took it, “You truly are unique Will. Let’s get inside.” Walking hand in hand they moved towards Rich’s office.
***************************“Yes, against Clarrise Jefferson, yes for a Tara MaClay and Willow Rosenberg.” He writes down the information, “Yes, that’s right. Thank you officer, yes the studio will be paying for both restraints.” He looks up seeing Tara enter his office with a redhead right behind her. “Yes Officer, I want it to take effect in the next fifteen minutes. Please notify Ms. Jefferson as well. Thank you, bye.”
The blonde looked at the man confused; sitting in her usual chair, she motioned for the redhead to sit in the other. “Rich, what was that about Willow and Myself?” Willow looked between them utterly confused, staying silent since she didn’t know what to say. “Oh yes that, I got restraining orders for both of you against Clarrise, they are for when you are not on set. Only on set can she interact with you.”
Something clicked in Tara’s mind, “She was the one this morning wasn’t she?” The man nodded, looking at the redhead, “You must be Willow Rosenberg.” He rose from his seat, walking over he offered his hand, “I am Rich Geoffrey, and it’s a pleasure to meet you.” Willow shook his hand, “Excuse me but what about this morning?”
Sighing Tara looked at Willow, “That hummer that almost hit you, well um, from what Rich just said about the restraining orders, it was Clarrise. It wasn’t an accident.” The blonde prayed this wouldn’t chase Willow off. The redhead stood up; her eyes showing uncertainty, “I…I need to step outside, excuse me.” Before anyone could protest; the redhead was out the door and outside by the car in minutes.
Leaning against the car she began to shake her head, “No this can’t be, some stranger tried to actually hit me. I didn’t do anything but go for a run with Tar…” She trailed off as she realized Clarrise was the actress’s very recent possessive Ex. “No, no no no no no,” She kept repeating the word.
Back in the office, Tara’s face fell from the woman’s sudden departure, “I think I might be looking for a new assistant.” Sighing the blonde stood; “Keep the restraining order up Rich, and thanks.” Her shoulders slumped forward she moved to the door. “Tara, don’t give up on her, she seems strong. Don’t write her off yet.” His voice was soft but she heard the truth behind them. “Thanks Rich, see you in a few weeks.”
Willow was still leaning against the car; shaking her head, her lips forming the word no over and over again with her lips. Tara stayed in around the corner listening to the redhead talk to herself.
“Why me, why is it I come for a new start and I get dragged into someone else’s problem…” Willow sighed; the blonde noticed she was on her cell phone. “Xander, Tara’s ex is a psycho! She tried to run me over! I really like Tara, but I don’t wanna get myself killed either!” Willow’s green eyes looked lighter, like she was scared and the color had drained from them.
The other woman stayed around the corner listening; tears were streaming from her eyes. Willow likes her, and Clarrise is in the way trying to get rid of the beautiful redhead. Holding her head up high, Tara walks around the corner right up to Willow. Boldly taking the phone from the now very shocked redhead; “Xander, this is Tara MaClay, Willow will have to call you back. Bye.”
Both women stood there, Willow was in shock and almost angry that her boss just did that. She held her tongue though, “Willow do you want to be my assistant?” The words were spoken but there was no emotion in Tara’s voice. Thinking the redhead looked into blue orbs that would but any of the seas to shame. “Tara, I really do but I also value my life. If that was Clarrise in that hummer, who says she won’t try again?”
Handing the cell phone back to Willow, the blonde motioned for them to get in the car. “I’m taking you home.” The ride back to the house was silent, every time Willow wanted to say something; she wouldn’t getting a neutral look from Tara. The blonde pulls up to the front of the redhead’s house.
Turning to Willow; her eyes show fear, rejection and pain. “If you come to the house tomorrow at ten-am I will know you still want to work for me is serious. If you don’t show up, then I will cancel the contract and we will just be neighbors.” Her voice wavered, fighting back tears.
Willow’s mouth dropped open, “Tara, I said I want to work for you.” She couldn’t believe what the blonde had just said. “Yes I heard you at the studio, but you also said you value your life. I won’t force you to be my assistant, god knows you don’t need the money.” The redhead blinks, regretting stating that earlier, “Tara I didn’t mean I wouldn’t work with you, it’s just first I almost get run over, and then to find out it’s your ex trying to kill me for what going for a run with you?”
The actress refused to look at her; sighing Willow opened the door, stepping out of the car and closing. Before she could say anything else, Tara pulled out and down the driveway out of sight. “This is not how it was supposed to go.” Grumbling Willow moved to her temporary Ferrari, getting in she sped out of her driveway and down the road, not going anywhere in particular.
***************************Tara sped her car into the garage, almost knocking over Lisa; who was working on her other car. “Shit Tara what the hell is wrong with you!?” The mechanic was already having a tough morning and early afternoon. The blonde ignored her, slamming the door shut of the Aston, then sniffling left the garage. Lisa wondered what the hell was going on, Tara never cries; following her to the kitchen entrance she spun Tara around.
Tears were streaming down the blonde’s face, “Tara what is it, what’s wrong?” shaking her head, Tara didn’t want to answer, but knew Lisa wouldn’t give up. “Clarrise tried to run over Willow, my new assistant, and now I don’t think Willow wants to be my assistant.” Lisa noticed how Tara spoke about the assistant.
“You like her don’t you?” the mechanic smiled at her boss and friend, the blonde nodded. “Don’t you dare give up on her, did you ask her if she wanted to keep the job?” Again she nodded, “Lisa, I think I fucked up.”
They walked into the house together, trying to figure out what to do.
***************************Arriving back at the house, Willow slumped on the couch; the redhead began to cry, shaking uncontrollably. “What did I do, say…gees I fucked up big time.” She curled up in a ball, squishing herself into the couch trying to disappear; without realizing it she drifted off to sleep.
A few hours later Willow was awaken by a knock at the door; slowly getting up she yawned, the knocking became more urgent. “I’M COMING! Gees calm your fucking horses.” She ripped the door open, coming face to face with a teary eyes actress. “Can I help you Tara?”
She didn’t move to let the blonde in; she stayed right in the way holding the heavy door, wondering why on earth the blonde was at her door. ‘W-willow…” Tara could barely talk; she had poured her heart out to Lisa, telling her she was falling for Willow. Even after just two days of knowing the woman she loved her, but she didn’t want to rush. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have been so cold. I just…I want to…” She was having a hard time forming words.
The redhead moved to the side finally, “Come in Tara.” Stepping into the very cold house, the blonde noticed that Willow still had nothing in the kitchen; turning around she saw tears falling down the small woman’s cheeks. “Willow I am so sorry.” Without thinking tara moved to her and wrapped her in strong arms, hugging her fiercely.
Willow melted into the embrace; sniffling into the blonde’s shoulder, “I’m sorry too Tara, I shouldn’t have reacted the way I did.” Pulling back to look into Tara’s eyes; she refrained from kissing the blonde then and there. “I would offer you something but I have nothing.” Taking the blonde’s hand, they walked to the living room.
“Willow, let’s go out to eat. Then we can do some shopping for your kitchen.” The blonde offered with a small smile, “And I hope you still work for me, I really want you too.” Squeezing Tara’s hand; Willow smiled bigger, “Sounds great, but um…here…” She grabbed a tissue and started to gently wipe the smeared mascara from the blonde’s face. Suddenly she stopped, biting her lower lip looking at the blonde’s lips.
The taller woman smiles; the redhead was so cute, noticing the cleaning had stopped she saw Willow looking at her lips. They both started leaning in, breathing a bit heavier than usual; their lips pressed together softly. It only lasted a few seconds, both women’s head spinning from the quick kiss. “So um dinner?”
Nodding the redhead grabbed her keys, “We’ll take my car, I have a temporary car till mine is done getting customized.” Grabbing the actress’s hand; they walked out to the garage, Tara’s eyes widening seeing a brand new Ferrari.
“Wow Will!” She looked at the car; it was a burnt orange color, the redhead opened the passenger door for her. Sliding into the seat, she was awed at the car; she had never been in a Ferrari before. “You sure know what kind of car to buy.” Smiling at one another, Willow pulled the car out of the garage.
“Well mine will be black, and fully loaded with extra’s, only set me back about six-hundred and sixty thousand, give or take.” The blonde coughed, shaking her head in amazement at the cost, “Those are some extra’s there.” Giggling they made small talk, not realizing that not too far behind them was a large silver Hummer.
TBC
Hope you enjoyed.
I LOVE REVIEWS!!!! ~hint hint~
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And that car . . . . oooh!!!
holy crap Tara's ex is even worse than I imagined! what a complete looney bin! Man are the sparks going to fly when her and Willow actually meet and not in the good way. Yipes!
in the very near future. 
- he's the only one who seems to know what's going on! 
total psycho! can't wait to see Faith kick her ass 
Now I'm kinda sad I went to bed early last night 
