Not so NEW FIC: Legacy of a Stone

[Arwen276]

BIG MEANIE! YOU HAVE MASTERED THE TRUE ART OF TEASING!

So that's what they get for being a bit rash in their hot-and-heavy time?

hmmm who's the mysterious caller?

-sister? but the woman was being a bit formal, like she hadn't talked to Tara in a time...

-best friend? nah

-ex-girlfriend? probably. it explains the "umm, and hello..." and stuff. The nervousness...



But why did Tara compose herself?

And why was she so out-of-it to answer Willow?

Poor Willow... Wouldn't wanna be in her shoes. Shouldn't Tara apologise for blowing her off like that?



Want more! and don't forget the bat if it pushes you to update sooner!



~Arwen

[irishlassie101]

HEY



YOU are really BAD BAD BAD



How can you let us all hang there just at that monent



....YOU do a GREAT job, I´m sure you enjoy every bit of it



waiting for lots more (please)



Aishling

[VicariousSmoochies]

Oh boy! The kittens are not happy with me!



Thank you Washi (whom I left confused and wanting more), bluewillowwitch (Tara coulda said something, you're right), good2cats (I'm a meanie), shuyaku (coffee gal , SoL (calling your American friend dirty little names now? , littlecrazy80 (are you siding with SoL? , Arwen276 (I'm scared of bats and have now hidden mine) and Irishlassie101 (teasing is good, you know for not turning me into a hairball just yet. I'm trying to get a bit of storyline built up and do it in spurts...so, I guess the teasing will just sorta...well...hafta stay! (She runs herself to the nearest tree...)



Here's a bit more to chew on and I'll get more up either tonight or tomorrow. Thanks, everybody, for sticking this through and reading anyway. I'll tie things up with the stone again shortly.



Onward to part 9!



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





Willow could hear Tara’s voice, murmuring into the receiver as she spoke to the woman. She felt completely awkward and, strange enough to say, given their rushed set of circumstances, even a bit used. Oh, perhaps she was jumping to conclusions. Something like this probably would not have bothered her before anyway. Why was she over personalizing this? Because it became personal the moment they kissed. She had deepening feelings for the blonde, who was still in the other room, and barely audible while on the phone. She didn't want Willow to hear. Her body was still charged from their sensual kisses and caresses but her heart had fallen.





She went back towards the kitchen to retrieve what remained of her glass of wine. She intended to polish it off. Then she was going to go. ‘Oh.’ she thought. ‘ I didn’t drive here.’ Now Willow felt stuck and sorely out of place, and at the mercy of the woman in the other room. She heard the footfalls of Tara coming back into the kitchen.



“Oh. Hey. I..I..I’m really sorry about that. It’s..um...it was just somebody that I used to know...”



“It’s okay, Tara. You don’t owe me an explanation.” She lied. She felt Tara owed her the truth of who the woman was, especially given her strange reaction after what they had been doing on the sofa just minutes earlier. The incredible physical and emotional intimacy was greater than anything she’d ever experienced in her young life. Was it too much to ask for? Tara had behaved nervous and uncomfortable for Willow not to assume the worst. Assumptions. They really can do damage. She was in no place to give Tara a hard time. She probably was being overly reactive, even if it was Tara’s girlfriend....even if Tara should have said something to the effect that she had someone else in her life. ‘Damn. There I go again. Assumptions.’



The blonde was reaching into her purse for something. Willow’s mind went into self-pity babble mode. ‘Well, she should have said something to me. Maybe the caller is just an ex-girlfriend. Maybe it’s her sister? Maybe it’s just a friend who was really lonely and needed to hear her voice, just like she said? I’m sure lots of lonely and sad women call Tara at 11:30 at night. I would.’





“No. I do, Willow.” Tara’s low tone broke the redhead away from her spiraling thoughts. “ I do owe you one. But I can’t talk about it right now. I’m sorry to have to do this, but I have to go. I’ll take you b...b..back to your c..c..car, okay?”



Willow put a forced smile on her face. “Sure... no problem.” She was hurt but she tried to put it down, keep it on the back burner.



Tara’s mind screamed inside and out. She knew she was hurting Willow but she couldn’t explain things to her yet. It was a counselor’s oath she took and she couldn’t breach her word. There would be no way to fix this tonight. She had to go immediately to where she was needed. Yet her mind stumbled on how she could fix this...



As they got into the car, Tara reached for Willow’s hand. Willow pulled back and ran her hand through her own hair. “Willow, I’m sorry. It’s really not what it seems.”



“It’s okay, Tara. Honestly. Let’s go, okay?”



Tara started up the car and backed down the driveway. Both women felt the end of something wonderful had taken hold. As Tara drove, she knew she needed to explain things to the poor girl next to her. She sometimes found it awkward and uncomfortable to express herself as it usually gave way to misunderstood feelings. Truth was, the woman on the phone was an ex-client of hers. And an ex-lover. They had dated briefly in the following two years since the client terminated her therapy sessions. Tara had quickly put an end to the relationship, however. It wasn’t appropriate and she did it to have someone for company, to keep the fear of rejection away and have the familiarity of a friend who, in turn, needed her. A completely wrong set of circumstances to be in a relationship with someone. Tara chastised herself for such motives. She wasn't going to be shallow with Willow and she would try to put things right.



“Willow, the woman you heard is an ex-client of mine. And an ex-girlfriend. I was uncomfortable that she called but she wouldn’t unless there was an emergency...but I didn’t want you to assume the worst of me. She caught me off guard. I was shocked she called, frankly. I got nervous...and I’m not very happy about it. This took my time away from you...”



Willow sat in silence before responding. She let the words sink in.



“Tara, really. I understand. I...I...don’t know what got into me, back there at your place. I mean...we hardly know each other, right? And...and...it doesn’t surprise me, ya know, that you're needed because you’re a very attractive person to want to know.”



They reached Willow’s car.



She rubbed her hands up and down her thighs, still flustered. “So, I will call you when your pendant is ready to be picked up. It won’t take me long to repair it.” She looked away, out the window. “I had a really nice time with you tonight. Thank you for letting me come over...even though I never did see those papers.” She turned to face Tara again, but this time with a more genuine smile on her face.



With that, she opened the door to get out. Tara grabbed her hand and leaned over to look up at Willow’s standing form. “I will call you. I don’t want this to end.” She gazed intently into Willow’s eyes and smiled openly for her. “I still want you to see those papers, too.”



The red head nodded feeling a bit more reassured. She wanted things to continue and she hoped Tara would be true to her word. She stood and watched as she drove away, into the cool damp of the night, and opened the door to her car to get in.



She put the key in the ignition and turned on the radio to her favorite station. At that same moment, an old, familiar song resonated through the tiny speakers of her Audi.



“Listen to the wind blow...

Through the great divide.

Voices trapped in yearning.

Voices trapped in time.

The night is my companion.

And solitude my guide.

Would I spend forever here.

And not be satisfied....

I would be the one.

To hold you down...

Kiss you so hard.

I’ll take your breath away.”



Willow sat, letting the words flow through her. What an appropriate song for an appropriate moment. She, too, drove off towards home, in the dark dampness of the remains of the night.



Tara sat in her car, collecting herself and calming her body before getting out to see Chris, her ex and ex-client. She never heard her sound this bad...she knew this was going to be tricky. Her brief time with Willow was more pure and more loving than anything she’d ever known. The past few days with her was timeless and precious. Willow’s words still reverberated in her mind.



'Because you’re a very attractive person to want to know.’

She had wondered if the pendant, laying somewhere on Willow’s bench, would be hot to the touch. It signaled such emotional extremes whenever Tara had them. She missed the familiar feel of it around her neck...and she could use it’s source of power right now.

Her rotation, her need to be on 24 hour call was rarely taken advantage of, but when duty did call, she had to be available. She just wish it hadn’t been her ex-client, of all people.







To be continued...

Tara: It's not really so much about hating the men...

Willow: We're more centered around the girl on girl action

[bluewillowwitch]

,

I loved that update! WOW! I can total understand 's POV on this. Her and in that position and then she pulls back to go and deal with an ex of 2 kinds. You are with this fic! I can't wait to more and see what happens to our favorite lovely couple. Update soon, please?







bluewillowwitch

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

"Fate keeps on happening."--Anita Loos

Edited by: bluewillowwitch  at: 9/10/03 8:17 pm

[shuyaku]

Well, that was a realistic interuption. At least they talked about it enough to move forward and be hopeful.



But we will be needing more smoochies soon

-shuyaku

[Stroke of Luck]

Huh me giving you dirty lil names...No way otherwise i had written them down...i just said something like BAD etc...such words u know?



Okay i dunno but i have a bad feeling about Tara´s ex...she doesnt wants to get her back or something like that, doesnt she? I mean, Tara is Willows, no? I am SO relieved, that Tara told Willow about that girl...that she was her ex and not is her GF...



More Kelly i need more to

use u´re hands and type! What u are still here, go go go and write it down



Cu

SoL/Natti

This is a duet, Amber! You need to sing!"- Tony

Edited by: Stroke of Luck at: 9/11/03 12:36 pm

[Arwen276]

I'm glad Tara explained to Willow who was the other woman.

Its also great that Tara won't let it end...

But I really have a bad feeling about that EX, calling in the middle of the night... I hope she won't trick Tara into something.





More please? And since you've been very good the bat will remain hidden, but NEAR!



~Arwen

Hear That Baby? You're My Always... Willow

[Washi]

Dear Kelly,



First of all, I saw your pic in the pic thread, and you are one hot mama-yama. Plus, you're talented. Great combo.

Now, after I read the other update, I got thinking (weird, huh?), and I thought about the therapist thing, because you never specified Tara's job, and by revealing it this way, you totally chocked us, the readers who were gleefully reading a nice piece of hot flirtation.

Greatly done and I want more (I think that's my motto: "I want more!" ).

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



"See? I've mastered this tact crap." Anya in Tears Of The Goddess by Lisa



The course of love doesn’t always run smooth, especially for the neurotic and accident-prone. ~ LadyB

[irishlassie101]

Hy,



you were true to your words, the teasing goes on..and I love it, it´s really gets juice into things



and I´m sure that will not be the last time that EX comes into play



Aishling

[littlecrazy80]

I´m glad Tara told Willow about her ex (in 2 ways). And yes, I totally agree with Natti (SoL) on this fic. So please post the next part ASAP!!!



*lil´c*

Let´s get happy and let´s be gay. germany´s grand prix song



Check this out

[SySnootles]

Okay, I'm better. That previous update was like being in a sauna and then jumping into icy water, but you came back nicely.



Reassurance for both of the gals was wonderful to see. And the moment, which could have been really awkward, turned out very well.

Catie



"The purpose of life is not to be happy - but to matter, to be productive, to be useful, to have it make a difference that you lived at all." -- Leo Roston

[Lady6string]

Just dropping by to tell you that this is so beautifuly written that it makes me want to swoon... and the fact that you threw in one of my favorite sarah mclachlan songs makes this one of my favorite fics (i'm obsessed with sarah almost as much as i am with W/T).



so thank you very much for this story, and update soon please!



~Cyn

[VicariousSmoochies]

Oh my goodness! Thank you all those kittens who have kept up with the story!



bluewillowwitch ~ As always, I thank you for leaving me a note and expressing what you liked. I hope you will continue!



Shuyaku ~ Oh yes, more smoochies definitely. It will take a little bit, well, not too long actually, but I promise you, with steamy latte, there will be intense smoochies!



SoL ~ Heh - heh... I'm a typin' as fast as I can! I have to watch out for you...and I know I owe you a note. My fault for not writing sooner. I will!



Arwen276 ~ I've formally written a letter to the bat manufactures of the world asking them to cease production until this story is finished. I don't think they're gonna listen to me...



Washi ~ I humbly bow before your feet. What a nice thing to say! I've never been called a hot mama yama but I ain't complainin! (She sighs contentedly...)



littlecrazy80 ~ I'm always happy to see you and Natti teaming up...but as long as I make you both enjoy what you're reading!



irishlassie101 ~ I like your name, by the way. It appeals to the Scottish lassie in me. Well, you're right about that ex of Tara's...you can never really trust 'em sometimes...



SnSnootles ~ Howdy! It's always nice to see your post here. Thank you for reading and for letting me know your thoughts about the story. I'm glad you like it!



Lady6String ~ Hey there! I loved your story, too! I think it's a fabulous concept and you've done justice to the characters of both the movie and the Buffyverse! I'm glad you picked up on the lyrics. I love Sarah...oh, boy how I love her!



A big, fat overwhelming thank you to everybody!



So, how about onward to part 10? In 3 seconds or less, Tara confronts her ex in a possible twitchy situation...



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



The house was as it always was...a reminder of pained and troubled times. She walked up the cobbled pathway towards the front door. The car parked in the driveway had a broken headlight and the side panel was crushed. ‘That’s not good...’

The large, wooden door had glass frosted windows and she saw the hummingbird stained glass portrait she made was still in position. There was a light somewhere in the back part of the house and the warm glow filtered out the translucent glass. The manicured shrubbery brought back memories of her hard work to help rebuild this home.



She put her finger up to doorbell but the door had already opened before she could. Chris was standing there, a drink in her hand, her hair and clothing slightly disheveled. A deepening bruise was developing above her cheek. In spite of it all, she was still a very attractive woman she had to admit, although reluctantly. Chris spoke first.



“I’m so glad you came. Thank you for coming, Tara. Come in, please.” She motioned for her to step inside.



Tara smiled weakly and accepted the invite. She was nervous about this meeting, even if it had to do with Chris’ current partner instead of her.



“How are you, Chris? Did you get anything settled between then and now? Did you hear from Stacey?”



The older woman turned to face the blonde, choosing to momentarily ignore her question. ‘She’s still so beautiful...’ she thought. ‘She still makes me wet.’



“Listen, can I get you a drink or something?” Tara noticed Chris had unbuttoned the top two buttons of her blouse.



“No, thank you, Chris.” Tara put her purse and keys down on the table in the hallway, growing more uneasy with the set of circumstances developing. “Why don’t you tell me what’s going on?”



“Well, Stacey and I obviously had a fight but before you assume anything, she didn’t do this to my face. I know it looks probable and suspicious.”



Tara had eyed her with concern. People usually lied about these matters but the energy she was sensing from Chris felt unguarded. She may have been a basket case but her energy wasn’t too erratic.



“I was in a car accident earlier today.” Pointing to the swollen area on her cheek, she added, “A result of my getting acquainted with the steering wheel...” She saved face with a smile and took another sip of her drink.



"That would explain the car’s condition in the driveway", concluded Tara.



"Yeah. Nothing like damaging your brand new car. I haven't even made my first payment on it yet." She took the final sip of her drink.



“Are you sure I can’t get you anything? Water even?”



“Um, actually, water would be nice, thanks. But you sit here and I’ll go get it.”



“Well, let me at least keep you company. I haven’t seen you in a long time. You look good...you look really well.” She reached out to touch Tara’s arm. Both women temporarily froze but for two entirely different reasons. “I’m sorry I took you away from whatever you were doing. You sounded preoccupied, to say the least. But when you said I could call given an emergency, I just needed to talk to you about Stacey and I.”



Tara feigned a return smile. She really didn’t want to be here.



“It’s okay, Chris. I..I..I’m glad you called.” She wasn’t truthful. She was disappointed that Willow and she had to leave something wonderful interrupted. It just wasn’t like her to rush into a physical relationship with anybody. The sudden appeal had left her nervous but it had left her desperately wanting. She was incredibly wet as she stood there talking to Chris. As hard as she tried to concentrate on what the brunette was saying, her mind continued to wander back to Willow. She and Willow would never have this kind of difficulty. She and Willow would always find a way to resolve a situation before it became bitter and angry. She and Willow would never hurt each other to cause a riff. She felt this truth of knowledge to be as true as the rain is wet. Wet. There’s that word again. ‘I’m in love with her.’ Everything she sensed about Willow was just...well, it was just right.



Chris finally had begun to collect herself from the present situation. Never mind the two cocktails she had consumed in the last half hour of Tara’s arrival. She had hoped it was diffused enough she could leave and maybe give Willow a call, if it wasn’t too late...



“Chris, I think you need to continue your therapy. I have someone in mind for you to talk to.”



“Can’t I talk to you?”



“Not anymore, no. I could lose my license. I can’t provide counseling to a former partner.”



“Couldn’t you offer me sound advice, then?” Chris wasn’t ready for her to leave. She had looked so beautiful sitting in her old chair, with the soft hue of the lights glowing around her golden hair. The light framed her face and made those blue eyes radiate compassion, warmth, understanding...all the things she sorely missed. All those things she had taken for granted when Tara used to be there with her.



“You can call me and as a friend, I’ll be as available as I can. But you don’t need me for this. You need to go to couple’s counseling. At least consider it...please? I care about you and I don’t want to see you hurt over this...”



“I really care about you, too. Damn, if only you knew how much I cared.” Chris turned around, shoulders shaking and the ice cubes in her drink clinking with the fresh onslaught of tears. “Oh, Tara...where did things begin to go wrong?”



Compassion overtook Tara’s heart and although she knew better, she got up from the chair, walked over to the crying woman, and turned her around. She stood looking in eyes she used to know and wanted to say something. Nothing would come to mind. It wasn’t her place to say anything anymore. All she could offer was a consoling ear.



Chris leaned over to put her drink down. She straigthed up, grazing Tara's waist with her free hand, and placed her other in Tara's. She intertwined her fingers through the blonde’s.



“I think you must know how much I’ve missed you.”



Before Tara could react, her former lover was kissing her, those familiar lips burning with desire. She took Tara’s hand and ran it along her breast. She could smell the dewy heat of Tara’s earlier passion and took it as mutual sign. Chris knew the longing and the want all too well. She was making bold movements and her ex partner was certainly caught off guard.



But this was misplaced. It was not Chris she wanted.



“Chris...s..s..stop this...I..I...can't."





To be continued...

Tara: It's not really so much about hating the men...

Willow: We're more centered around the girl on girl action

[Rage More]

evil chris, keeping our girls apart and willow in babble mode, even thought babble mode is cute!!! put the girls back togther, they are beyond cute ;-)



sionan

"Rage More" Paulie- Lost and Delirious

[SySnootles]

Wow. Poor Tara! And poor Chris. Well, more poor Tara than Chris.



I think you picked a perfect profession for Tara. Her warmth and compassion would make for a fabulous therapist.



I have to say that this passage:

Quote:

---

She had looked so beautiful sitting in her old chair, with the soft hue of the lights glowing around her golden hair. The light framed her face and made those blue eyes radiate compassion, warmth, understanding...all the things she sorely missed.

---

just left me breathless. The beauty of your words; the descriptiveness of it all, was just astounding. The imagery and illustration was amazing. I felt completely enveloped in the story when I read that. The sensuality of Chris' thoughts made me feel for her. I normally wouldn't care much for a character such as Chris, but with this passage, you made me feel what Chris felt for Tara, and now I can't help but pity her. But I'm still glad Tara dumped her. If she hadn't, she wouldn't be gettin' all hot 'n' heavy with Willow.



Very interesting plot you have going here. I can't wait to see where it leads.

Catie



"The purpose of life is not to be happy - but to matter, to be productive, to be useful, to have it make a difference that you lived at all." -- Leo Roston

[bluewillowwitch]

,

OMG!! I love this fic! I can't believe that Chris did that. What am I say, of course I believe she did that! I wonder if is going to tell about this or if she is just going to pretend it didn't happen? Oh you are too with these cliffhangers. I can't wait to more. Update soon, please?





bluewillowwitch

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

"Fate keeps on happening."--Anita Loos

[shuyaku]

to Chris. That's it really - them's the wrong smoochies Kelly!



I think I need a drink stronger than coffee

-shuyaku

[littlecrazy80]

Wrong smoochie-partner for Tara. I hope Tara goes really fast to Willow.



I don´t like this Chris. She gives me some bad feelings.



*lil´c*

Let´s get happy and let´s be gay. germany´s grand prix song



Check this out

[LostWithoutTara]

Hey Vicarious Smoochies!



I've been away (and deprived of 'net access ) so I haven't been able to respond per update, but I've just read them all and they're all fantastic.



Here's hoping Tara sorts out the situation with Chris (it feels so weird reading a story where a character has my name, though I'm a boy-Chris, not a girl-Chris) and gets back to her rightful place with Willow-smoochies.

Every time you walk away, I pretend that I'm okay

[irishlassie101]

..has anybody got a shovel..



hole...Chris...concrete !!!!!!!!!!



I hope Tara stays strong and resists or a certain redhead will



looking forward to updates



Aishling

[Arwen276]

I KNEW IT!!!



Chris ! The bat just designated her!



Hope Tara will push her back? She already did!But she's got to end it once and for all.



more??



~Arwen

Hear That Baby? You're My Always... Willow

[Washi]

Ditto on everything everyone said.

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



"See? I've mastered this tact crap." Anya in Tears Of The Goddess by Lisa



The course of love doesn’t always run smooth, especially for the neurotic and accident-prone. ~ LadyB

[good2cats]

Hi,
I don't know what the weather is like at your location but here in Richmond it has been cold and rainy all day.I desparately need a distraction.An update of your sublime story would fiil the bill nicely.More please I implore you.
Be well,Karen

[shuyaku]

I agree - we definitely need a distraction!



-shuyaku

Edited by: Warduke at: 9/13/03 9:06 pm

[VicariousSmoochies]

Err-hum. She clears throat and sees if she still has interest on the boards.



Another round of thank you's are definitely in order.



Maudmac ~ Thank you!



Bluewillowwitch ~ I love cliffhangers! Thank you for your feedback...it helps to keep me going!



Shuyaku ~ I've prepared a vodka on ice with a mint sprig and I hope this will help some. As a matter of fact, I think I'll join you.



littlecrazy80 ~ You have a bad feeling, heh? I guess if I were in Chris' shoes, I might do the same! Who can resist Tara?



LostWithoutTara ~ Hi there! Computer problems are horrific, esp. when you go without the Kitten Boards! Glad to see you're back up now. So, you and Chris share the same name It would be odd to read your own name...esp. if Tara is refusing the smoochies cuz if I were Chris, I'd try to do the same thing, shameless little me that I am!



Irishlassie101 ~ Concrete, shovel, large hole... That was quite a visual and I liked it!



Arwen276 ~ That bat is aiming for Chris...well, I'd rather it be her than me, definitely!

I like how intuitive you are...you're right with the story all the way!



Washi ~ Hey, I saw your pic, too! Very nice, if I do say so myself...but you're in France? What are you doing all the way over there? I'm glad you're posting away and ditto-ing what every one else says!



good2cats ~ I lived in Virginia Beach for years! I heard about the rainy and icky weather from the remnants of the storm from some pals in Va. Beach who are going through the same thing. So, I will abide by your request and put the next section up! Thank you for reading!!



Disclaimers: Briefly, all Joss, all his, all the time, 24/7, and although the man is a genius he should be stripped of all Willow/Tara priveledges. (And I think mabye I should too!)



Feedback: Completely welcome and appreciated! Thank you!



Rating: R in present parts, PG in past parts, NC-17 in good parts, and definitely rated seX in future parts. This chapter has some angst and something unpleasant...but it will get better!



Onward to part 11!





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



“Chris...s..s..stop this!” Her heart quickly kicked in.



Like a snapshot, she saw Willow in her mind’s eye. She had tasted the sweetness of Willow’s kiss. This was not what she wanted. Satisfying her body was not the sole objective unlike Chris’ needs. She wanted sensuality, love, passion, and the longing electrical spark that she’d only felt with Willow. “I love Willow.” The statement replayed endlessly.



“I..I..I mean it. Now!”



She pulled away from Chris, forcefully, leaving her ex breathless and staring back with still smoldering eyes, to which now was overcome with confusion and questioning.



Tara took a hold of Chris’ hand and looked her squarely in the eyes. She bit her lower lip in search of a way to say the truth of her heart.



“I want this with someone else.” She knew it would hurt the vulnerable woman whose tears continued to cascade down her cheeks. She had to be truthful. “You have another, Chris. This is not right. Try and fix it. I am in love with someone else and just because you’re hurting, doesn’t make this okay.”



“God, Tara. This was my fault. I let the alcohol do the talking and the stupidity of me to do the convincing. I had hoped maybe we could work on a reconciliation. I mean, my motives was to talk about Stacey...but honestly, seeing you again brought back all my old feelings. It’s hard not to love you...” Chris gave her an impish smile. She meant what she said. She did love Tara. She watched as the blonde grabbed her keys and pocket book, digging for a business card of a contact she knew.



“I know. But this is not the way for either of us. Promise me, to contact this number if need be.” Tara handed her the card. If one thing she could believe in now, she could, with resolve, say miracles of love do happen. What she had for Willow was proof enough.



“Before you go, I want you to have something.” Chris walked to the door and removed the stained glass portrait Tara had made over two years ago. “I know you loved making this...and I want you to have it. Just consider it my one selfless act. Now go, before I start to cry again.”



Tara glanced at the hummingbird and turned to smile at Chris. She took the stain glass, saying goodnight, then headed for the last time out the front door. Chris stood at the archway, her hand pressed up against the heavy door where the decorative glass used to be. She had to be content to watch the woman she once knew and loved get in her car and drive away.



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



Willow had decided to go to back to her shop. She couldn’t go home now. Her body was pulsing with the ebb and flows of Tara’s kisses, Tara touches, Tara everything. Going home would serve useless when all she wanted to do is be around this mysterious woman with the amazing energy. She needed to preoccupy herself with something constructive. She couldn’t shake the wretch of stabbing paranoia in her gut. What was her blonde friend doing at this moment? Willow wasn’t exactly pleased she’d been dismissed in favor of an ex-client, ex-girlfriend, or who ever the heck she was. She felt immature and possessive for thinking this way. ‘She said it was an emergency. Give her a break.’



Still, something was rolling around the back of her mind. She wasn’t comfortable with it. Strolling about outside the shop, she felt the shame in her own childishness. Besides, mumbling to herself with exaggerated body language this time of night wasn’t the smartest thing to do. So, she’d settle for going inside and holding Tara’s pendant. It was like the next best thing.



She opened the door forgetting the code to the alarm again. ‘Crap, why in Sam Heck can’t I remember this.’



*0*8*0*1*. The light continued to flash its warning red.



‘What does Sam Heck mean?



*8*0*1*0*. The blinking light still did not change.



‘Like, who thinks of these things? Don’t they have anything else better to do?’



She was feeling overwhelmed and frustrated with herself for her inability to concentrate on much of life. Three days ago this wasn’t a problem. But her world had changed and she was tumbling headlong into a new dimension. She snuffled with impatience and berated herself,

‘C’mon, Willow! Before the Police Squad show up!’



For the second time in one day, the numbers came to her.



*1*0*8*0*



‘I am a dork of wondrous magnitude, in a galaxy far, far away.’





The light went from red to green and she stepped in to close the door behind her. All was well again in Willow world, at least on the surface. She put her keys on the counter and turned on the main light to the shop, then walked to the glass case where she kept the rocks she found in England and Wales. She had the three unique cabochons cut from the rough she brought home with her. They were cool to the touch. Nothing out of the ordinary. She put two of them down keeping the one with the golden flecks in her palm. Walking to the bench, she reached for the spot where she had placed Tara’s heirloom pendant. The stone she held suddenly flamed white heat into the palm of her hand. She flung it, yelping at the searing redness it left behind.



“Fuck!"



"Oh, God!”



A cry of both pain and fright.



Tara’s pendant wasn’t there.



It had somehow fallen to the floor where it had broken in two pieces.







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



Tara drove along a dimly lit road deciding to take an alternate route home. She put the stain glass in the front seat, hoping to offer it some protection against the pot holes inundating most of the streets. ‘I am in love with Willow.’



She stayed lost in her thoughts, tenderly recalling the remnants of an emotional day. She caught her reflection in the rear view. Her face shone of her inner light as she fondly replayed the memories of the intimacy she shared with Willow. Willow. She was as beautiful as was her name. Mindlessly reveling in her thoughts adrift, Tara was startled from the bone-jarring jolt of her wheels landing in rough roadway. A huge pot hole sprung out of nowhere. The stained glass took a sharp hit and fell onto the floor. She reached over to quickly pick it up but not before seeing the oncoming glare of headlights illuminating into her front windshield. That was the last thing she would remember.



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



Willow felt pain. Increasingly and acutely sharp pain piercing within her chest. Her hand throbbed from the burn. Something was wrong. Something horrible had just happened.



Visions flooded her mind. Tara!

She saw headlights, saw the looming vehicle slam into the driver’s side front bumper. She fell to her knees, coughing and unable to breathe. The shattering pain was numbing her senses.

Tara!

A stain glass exploded in tiny sharp pieces, scattered about the interior of the car.

Tara!

Blood on the steering wheel. Blood on glass shards.



A horrific scene of frenzied images...Willow laid on the floor of her studio, unable to move, the fragmented movie clips frenetically rotating in her mind.



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

Tara had awoken to a man's pitched voice and the whine of a siren in her ear. The flashing of red and white streaked the interior of the vehicle. Fuzzy recollections of images spun through her mind. From the looks of things, she'd somehow managed to land herself in an ambulance, but how she got there was a disjointed blur. Her head ached and her chest was tight with pressure. She tried to speak but something was covering her mouth.



“Okay, she’s awake!”





To be continued....

Tara: It's not really so much about hating the men...

Willow: We're more centered around the girl on girl action

Edited by: VicariousSmoochies at: 9/14/03 8:46 am

[Stroke of Luck]

KELLY What have you done...Poor Tara had an accident! I hope she isnt hurt to serious..And Willow saw/felt the whole accident how is that possible...is it because of the stone or just because they are soulmates. Anyhow pls let them be okay...no pain for those 2 sweet girls...Tara is save but what about Willow?



Kelly more ASAP i have to know it



Cu

SoL/Natti

This is a duet, Amber! You need to sing!"- Tony

[bluewillowwitch]

,

OMG! What did you do? No has to be alright. Oh, what about she had to see all this. I loved this update! You are so with these cliffhanger but I do have to admit that it make me just love and crave an update more. Update soon, please?







bluewillowwitch

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

"Fate keeps on happening."--Anita Loos

[LostWithoutTara]

You can't leave us hanging there!!



I Willow and Tara will be okay and anxiously await to see what will happen next.

Every time you walk away, I pretend that I'm okay

[shuyaku]

Hey Kelly,



Have a seat - I'll pour you a double



This update was fraught with drama. I'm glad we know Tara is awake and on her way to the hospital. Hopefully a clear image - you know with the name of the Hospital in (maybe) neon - will make an appearance in Willow's fragmented movie...



Great update! More soon

-shuyaku

Edited by: Warduke at: 9/14/03 9:27 am

[Arwen276]

Oh that was mean!!



I WANT MORE!!!! HURRY UP WITH MORE!



NO ONE IS ALLOWED TO DREAM WHILE DRIVING!



SO?? WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR??





Loved the update, by the way...



~Arwen

Hear That Baby? You're My Always... Willow