TITLE: Racing The Rain
AUTHOR: Finey_McFine
RATING: R (For Language)
DISCLAIMER: Willow, Tara and any other BtVS characters, as well as some random dialog, belong to Mutant Enemy.
SUMMARY: Totally AU, Willow and Tara Meet with not so surprising results! Set in LA with lots of W/T fluff and a little teeny tiny bit of angst, but no Hellmouthyness. Just good old regular day-to-day drama.
FEEDBACK: OK
AUTHOR’S NOTE: Hello Kittens! This is my longest chapter to date, so enjoy because the next one will be my shortest to date, lol. This was originally two chapters, but I didn’t like the way the first one ended and the flow was off, so I decided to combine them:) I hope it works!
Chapter 8: Ella and LouieWillow arrived at Tara’s a few minutes before 8pm. The address was painted on the curb at the edge of the driveway, but there was no house in sight, just a lot of shrubs and trees. She turned into the driveway and was suddenly faced with a large, rather ominous, black iron gate. Noticing an intercom on the left, she pulled forward and pressed the button. There was no reply, just a grinding noise as the gates began to open. Willow drove through the opening and continued on towards the house.
She followed the curvy, tree lined driveway until it opened up to reveal a rather modest looking split level home. The house was not typical for a celebrity of Tara’s caliber, which didn’t surprise Willow, since getting to know the blonde she knew that Tara was anything but pretentious. She would have actually been shocked to find Tara living in a typical ‘Hollywood mansion.’ She parked and walked up the path towards the front door. The landscape was lush and the walkway was lined with accent lights that illuminated the flowering vegetation. Willow smiled when she noticed the double font doors were painted a vibrant red. She raised her hand to knock, but Tara was already there and greeted her with a quick hug.
“Hey,” she said shyly, ducking her head as she invited Willow in.
“Hi, wow…you look great.” That was about all Willow could manage to spit out. Her body and mind were in complete Tara overload.
“Y-you too. You look good too.” Smiling as she noticed the goofy grin plastered on Willow’s face.
Willow couldn’t help but admire the vision that stood before her. Tara was wearing a royal blue shirt that made her eyes pop. The cotton v-neck clung to her in all the right places and landed just a few inches above the top of her low rise jeans. Revealing the soft white skin of Tara’s midsection, much to Willow’s satisfaction.
Tara was having a similar reaction as Willow stepped in the front door. To this point she had only seen Willow dressed in sweats and t-shirts or her softball uniform. But tonight things were different and Tara’s mouth was so dry that she could hardly speak. The redhead had applied a light amount of make up, bringing out her bright green eyes. As the blonde’s eyes traveled downward from Willow’s, they stopped momentarily on the spattering of freckles spread across Willow’s chest, causing Tara to instinctively lick her lips. Tara noticed how the extremely low cut red v-neck showed off Willow’s cleavage and the tight fitting black jeans brought out the curviness of her hips.
The girls were lost in each other and began to instinctively move closer to one another. Willow reached out and took Tara’s hand in hers and absently started playing with her fingers. Tara’s breath hitched as she locked eyes with Willow. She could almost physically feel the want and desire rolling off the redhead. Willow’s eyes radiating with unspoken passion, which was building to a crescendo as they inched closer together. Just as their lips were about to touch, they heard a door slam. Startling them, making both girls jump apart.
“Sorry Tare!” Shouted a voice from behind them.
Willow looked in the direction of the voice and she saw a young brunette walking down the hall towards them. Smiling at Ralphie, who was trotting next to her.
“You know Tare, you really should get that door-” The brunette said, looking up and halting her sentence when she realized that someone else was there.
“Oh, Hi! I didn’t know we had company.” She said smiling at the Willow and Tara.
“Will, W-Willow?” Tara said as she waved her hand in front of the redhead. Snapping her out or her self-induced mind babble.
“Oh, sorry. Must have just zoned out there for a second.” She answered sheepishly.
“Will, this in my personal assistant Kelly. Kelly this is Willow.”
“Hi, it’s nice to meet you.”
“You too. So, you’re Ralphie’s knight in shining armor?”
“Yep, that would be me.” Willow proudly proclaimed.
Willow sat down on the floor to visit with the lovable little dog.
“How ya doin’ little man?” Scooping him up into her lap, giving him a kiss on the head.
Willow gave him the once over. Checking his eyes, gums and skin for any signs of dehydration. She checked the healing cuts on his back and felt the injured leg for signs of a worsening infection.
Tara giggled, raising an eyebrow “Dr. Rosenberg, I presume?”
“Did you hear that Mr. Ralphie? Your Mommy’s giving me a hard time.” Willow responded, looking up and giving Tara her best pouty face.
“Well, we’d better get going. It’s getting late.” Tara said as she held out her hand to help Willow up off the floor.
“Yep, we’d better get rolling. Are you ready?” Tara nodded. “It was nice to meet you Kelly.”
“You two kids have a great time and don’t stay out past your curfew.” Kelly chided, in a mock parental tone.
Both girls laughed as they exited the house, their hands instinctively coming together as they walked towards Willow’s car. Breaking apart only to enter the car and then coming back together once inside.
Willow decided to keep the conversation as light as possible, considering the intensity of ten minutes earlier. Plus, Tara’s current living arrangements piqued her curiosity.
“So, your personal assistant lives with you?” Trying desperately not to sound jealous.
“Yeah, it’s a recent development, as in yesterday recent. She was living with a couple roommates and things weren’t stellar. The girls were constantly partying, bringing home some really smarmy guys. There was a lot of drugs and alcohol involved. She was dealing with it until last weekend when some drugged out crack head, that one of the girls had brought home, climbed in bed with her in the middle of the night. He was all grabby and trying to kiss her.”
“Yuck. What did she do?”
“She did what anyone would do…she freaked. He thought she was one of the other girls and was completely wasted. Kel was raised in a not so great part of LA, so she’s mindful of her personal safety. She leaned over, grabbed the iron frying pan she keeps under the bed and whacked him in the head.”
“Holy shit! Remind me to never sneak up on her.” Willow said laughing.
“I know, right?” Tara snickered. “So, I said she could stay with me until she finds another place to live.”
“That was really sweet of you Tara.” Willow said, giving Tara’s hand a little squeeze.
Just then Willow’s cell began to buzz.
“Can you check it Tare? It’s probably my friend Morgan wanting to know where I am.”
Tara picked up the phone and started to giggle.
“She says: ‘Where the F are you Red? Stop making out with your girl and get here!!’
Tara let out a little snort and glanced over at Willow, who was completely embarrassed.
Tara answered with a quick ‘on our way’ and left it at that.
“I take it they know you’re bringing a date?” Loving that she could actually say that she was Willow’s official date.
“Yeah, but I didn’t tell them
who I was bringing. So, they will probably all freak when they see you. They’re not as clueless as I am and I’m sure they’ll recognize you right away. Besides if I’d told them, they would have either, A) not believed me or B) told everyone and their brother. Turning our little get together into a raging Sixteen Candles free for all.”
“You’re not clueless Sweetie. You just didn’t expect me to be standing at your front door.”
When Willow didn’t reply, Tara glanced over to see a beautiful smile and a dreamy expression on her face.
“No, I didn’t…but I’m glad you were.”
Tara smiled, leaned back in her seat and placed her right hand on Willow’s arm. Running it up and down in a soothing motion, feeling an unparallel need at that moment to just touch Willow and be closer to her.
Tara had become lost in her thoughts when she felt the car come to a stop and the engine turn off.
“Well, here we are. Ready?”
“Yep!”
********************************************
When they arrived at the front door, of the second story apartment, they could hear music and the familiar sounds of a party in full swing.
Willow took a deep breath and knocked on the door. She heard a voice calling out, ‘I got it’ and she cringed inwardly, knowing all too well exactly who was coming to answer the door. She glanced at Tara and smiled weakly, “I apologize in advance.” Tara simply ducked her head a bit, looking back up at Willow and giving her the lopsided smile that she saved just for the redhead.
The door burst open with Morgan standing on the other side.
“Willow where the hell have you…” stopping dead in her tracks. “Holy shit balls Batman! You and her and you and when…wha..how?” Stammering and sputtering, Morgan’s face went completely white.
“Hey Morg. What’s up?” Willow replied, trying to ease past the brunette.
“Oh no, no, no. Don’t you ‘hey Morg’ me.” Clearly annoyed at her friend as she stepped in front of Willow, blocking entrance into the apartment.
Willow started to giggle, “Morgan, this is T-”
“…Tara Maclay. Your Tara Maclay, but w-why are you with her?” She said, pointing at Willow.
“Hi Morgan, it’s nice to meet you.” Extending her had to shake Morgan’s. “And um, I’m Willows date.”
“Willow’s date?! Are you freakin’ kidding me? Oh, oh sorry it’s nice to meet you too. Can I get you anything? Some food? Water? Whatever you need, I’m your girl. I so can’t believe I’m talking to Tara Maclay!”
Tara just smiled, raising her eyebrows and nodding her head.
“First of all, food and water? She’s not a dog. Second, she’s
‘my’ date and I think I can get
‘anything’ she needs.” Willow responded in an amused voice.
As they slipped past a speechless Morgan, Willow leaned in and whispered to her friend, “You are
so not her girl.” Smacking her on the leg while making their way into the living room and giving her a smirk. Leaving Morgan holding a still open door, with her mouth agape.
As they entered the living room of the small apartment, Willow began making introductions as they bumped into people. They were surprised, but none having as dramatic a reaction as Morgan, much to Willow’s relief.
As the party progressed, the girls mingled, ate and drank. Willow and Tara each drank a couple beers, but had eventually switched over to soda. Willow never left Tara’s side all night, both feeling the need to be close and constantly touching one another. Tara seemed to mesh well with the group and that made Willow happy. She had initially felt some trepidation over integrating an
outsider into the close knit group, but soon realized that she was just being silly. These girls had been her family for the last 3 years and she knew that they would never let her down.
Willow, Tara, Morgan and a few other girls were sitting around a small round dining table playing a trivia board game when Tara excused herself to the restroom. Leaving the redhead alone to get grilled by her teammates.
“Willow what the fuck?” Stacey was the first to speak.
“Stac, I’m sorry. I know it’s your birthday and I didn’t mean to take away from that by bringing Tara and all.” Looking at her friend with puppy dog eyes, asking for forgiveness.
“What? Are you kidding me Will? This is the best gift ever!” She exclaimed.
“Well, she’s not exactly your gift and-”
“No babbling. We only have a few minutes…now spill it. How the hell did our resident nerd-y honor student, who might I add never even dates anyone, get involved with one of the most famous, wickedly hot women in the world?” The question coming from Mandy, who was now leaning across the table staring intently at Willow.
“And give us the short version, she’ll be back in a minute.” Morgan proclaimed.
“Ok, ok. You don’t have to get all testy. Last Saturday I found her dog in the park, you know the one by my place. Sometimes I go hang out there to study-”
“WILLOW!” The entire group exclaimed.
“Alright, alright…so, I found the dog, fixed him up and called her on Sunday. She came over to pick him up and that’s when we met. She took me to lunch as a thank you and we’ve been talking ever since. There, short enough?”
“Almost too short. We definitely need more details.” Morgan said, Inquisitively.
“What kind of details? And keep your questions G-rated, cuz there’s nothing else to tell.” Willow interjected.
“Well, for starters…didn’t you almost pee your pants when you opened that door?” Morgan questioned.
“Honestly, I didn’t even recognize her at first.”
Another girl at the table snorted and began to laugh.
“What?” Willow said, giving her best innocent look and shrugging her shoulders. “You guys know me. I can be kinda clueless sometimes. Besides she had dark glasses on.” Doing her best to defend her lack of social grace.
“Uh huh and exactly how long did it take you?” The same girl said, raising an eyebrow towards Willow. Over the years her teammates had gotten to know the redhead pretty well and they knew that Willow was in fact socially clueless.
“Forget about that, Bri. Let’s get to the good stuff, like who asked who out?” Stacey queried.
“I asked her.” She said, holding up her shoulders confidently.
“I think hell just froze over.” Morgan said with a look of shock on her face.
“Well, to tell you the truth, I was kinda surprised too. But I really like her. I mean
really like-like her and I think she likes me too. I feel like we have this connection and…” Willow noticed that the girls’ expressions had changed and that they were looking slightly behind her. “…and she’s standing
‘right’ behind me isn’t she?”
“Oh my God! This is priceless! Look how red she is! Her face matches her hair!! Someone get a camera…quick!!” Bri exclaimed.
Willow buried her face in her hands and bent over on to the table shaking her head as everyone, including Tara, began to laugh.
She finally began to pull her hands away from her face when she felt Tara’s hand rubbing soothing circles across her back. Still too embarrassed to look at Tara until she heard a soft whisper.
“I
like, like you too…a lot.”
Willow’s head shot up, “I think I need to get some air.” She blurted out, finally overcoming her initial embarrassment, and rising from her chair. She held out a hand to Tara, pulling the blonde towards the balcony.
Once out the door, Willow dropped Tara’s hand and walked to the railing, she leaned across the rail, looking up at the sky, closing her eyes and taking in a deep breath. She had to do something to calm her nerves, since Tara’s declaration made her light headed and send her heart fluttering. Tara closed the curtain and the slider behind her and walked over to join Willow, both girls enjoying the soft music that was wafting up from the apartment below.
“Umm…I love this song,” Tara sighed.
“Me too.” Willow agreed. “Dream A Little Dream of Me…Ella and Louie, the best.” She stood up straight, turning towards Tara and extending her hand. “Dance with me.” Willow’s hand was trembling slightly and her heart was pounding. She knew this was it, the moment she’d been dreaming about all week. She decided to stop thinking and just be.
“Absolutely.” Tara placed her hand in Willow’s and pulled the redhead close. She wrapped her arms around Willow’s neck and began to sway to the music. Willow responded in turn by placing her hands on Tara’s hips and then running them up and down her sides.
They danced lost in each other’s embrace, while the rest of the world faded away. Their bodies pressed close, fitting together like pieces of a puzzle. Tara smiled and reached out to tuck a few strands of red hair behind Willow’s ear.
“You’re so beautiful,” she breathed to her Goddess, feeling her shiver in response.
“So are you Tare. God, you’re absolutely gorgeous.”
Tara smiled, running her hand into the silky red hair. She felt light as a feather, like she was walking on air. She needed to feel Willow, to taste her and never let her go. She had never felt such raw desire for anyone in her life.
As they drew closer, Willow instinctively licked her lips and saw Tara’s reaction mirror hers. Tara gently snaked her hand around the back of Willow’s neck and pulled the redhead to her and their lips finally met. The kiss was slow and tender, both girls just savoring the moment. They pulled apart slightly, then came together again and again. Willow brought her hands up between them and gently cupped Tara’s cheeks as their kiss began to deepen, mouths opening as tongues began to duel. They finally pulled apart, if for nothing more than to catch their breath, and rested their foreheads together.
“Tara, that was…” Willow whispered, breathless.
“Wow,” Tara whispered, completing Willow’s sentence.
“I mean, I never felt…” Willow said. Unable to finish, closing her eyes desperately trying to choke back the emotions that were about to boil over.
“I know Sweetie, I know. I feel it too.” Tara breathed.
Willow raised her head and captured Tara’s lips again. Where their first kiss had been slow and gentle, this one was passionate and filled with desire. Willow ran her fingers through the golden locks, pulling Tara as close as possible. She felt as if her entire body was on fire. Her chest began to tighten and she felt a pleasant warmth begin to settle just below her stomach. This simple act of just kissing Tara was having a profound effect on Willow. She’d never been this aroused just kissing someone before.
They finally broke apart, their breathing quick and heavy.
“Tare, you…you wanna get out of here?”
“Oh yes…time…to…go.” The blonde said, punctuating each word with several kisses across Willow’s face.
Even though they’d decided to leave, Tara couldn’t tear her lips from the voluptuous redhead. Willow’s skin tasted like strawberries and cream, it was driving Tara insane with desire. She’d began kissing down Willow’s jaw line and then nibbling on the soft earlobe she’d found in her path. She began to run her tongue around the ear, causing the redhead to moan. Hearing the moan only encouraged the blonde and her hands began to wander.
Seeing that things were about to get out of control, Willow reluctantly pulled away and clutched Tara’s wrists. Stepping back a little and breaking the blonde’s contact with her body. When Tara finally realized what was happening, she was a little embarrassed by her actions and hoped that she hadn’t pushed for too much too soon. She looked up at Willow, blue eyes meeting green, and she was surprised to see the redhead grinning at her. Tara snickered and was thankful that her worries had been for nothing.
“We
really need to go…now. But first we need to calm down a bit and we can’t do that if we’re still kissing.” Willow said, breathing heavily. Tara agreed, nodding her head and taking a deep breath.
They came together one more time with a quick chaste kiss, before opening the sliding glass door and heading back inside. Willow began yawning dramatically, with Tara following her lead, letting everyone know that they were tired and ready to go. As the girls said their goodbyes, Morgan pulled Willow aside.
“You know, it’s really hard for me to be pissed at you with that goofy grin on your face.” Morgan said to Willow in a hushed tone.
“Why pissed? Cuz I didn’t tell you?” Willow questioned, knowing full well what Morgan was getting at.
Morgan cocked her head and gave Willow her best indignant look. “Again, I’m going to assume those questions were rhetorical and I’m not going to dignify them with an answer. Just, call me tomorrow sometime, kay?”
“Promise,” Willow crossed her heart with her finger, leaned in and gave Morgan a hug goodbye.
Willow walked across the room to retrieve Tara from the group that was, by now somewhat buzzed and fawning all over her. Tara was cordial and gracious as always and assured them that she’d see them again soon. She took Willow’s hand and the two exited the apartment. As the walked down the stairs, they could hear the girls inside suddenly shriek in unison, causing Willow and Tara both to start giggling.
“That was for me, they always do that when I leave.” Willow joked, still amused by her teammates reactions.
As they walked the short distance to Willow’s black Jetta, the redhead watched Tara intently and again the fire within her began to build. Upon reaching the car, Willow spun Tara around, placing her hands on Tara’s hips and gently pushing her back up against the cool steel. Crushing their lips together in a steamy kiss. Tara was caught off guard, but responded immediately by cupping Willows cheeks and then wrapping her arms around her neck. Tara felt her legs weaken and was thankful that Willow had her pinned against the car. They stayed that way for several minutes until oxygen became an issue and their lips finally parted.
“I could kiss you all night.” Tara breathed, finally gaining her composure.
“Ok.” Willow smiled.
“My place or yours?” Tara offered.
“Mine, it’s closer and no
roommate.”
“Then yours it is.”
Willow opened the door for Tara and with a hand on her shoulder gently guided her to the seat, not wanting to break contact for even one second. She closed the door, sprinted to the driver’s side and slid into her seat. No sooner had the door closed than she found Tara leaned across the console seeking out Willow’s already kiss swollen lips. Tara reached up, placing her hand on the back of Willow’s neck and pulled her in for a deep, wet, soft kiss. The blonde was in heaven exploring the velvet softness of the inside of Willow’s mouth. She finally pulled away, taking the redhead’s bottom lip with her. Willow moaned, fumbling with her keys trying to start the car.
With the car finally started, the redhead began to navigate their way back to her apartment. They rode in silence, simply enjoying the nearness of the other. Tara had pulled Willow’s right hand into her lap and held it with both of hers. Rubbing the lightly freckled skin and playing with her fingers.
The ride to Willow’s gave both of them a chance to reflect on the events of the evening and to contemplate what was to come. Thus beginning a mind babble of epic proportions for the redhead. What was Tara expecting? Was all this happening too fast? Could she control herself? What did she want to happen? She had herself so worked up that by the time they arrived, she had broken out in a cold sweat.
Tara had noticed that something was up with Willow. Most notably that her palm had become slightly sweaty and clammy. She instinctively knew what the worried look was all about and rubbed up her arm in an attempt to sooth her. They finally reached the apartment complex and came to a stop in the parking lot, but Willow made no attempt to move.
“What’s going on up there Will?” She asked the redhead.
“Busy. It’s busy up here,” Willow answered, tapping her temple as she spoke.
“Sweetie, it’s ok. We don’t have to do anything you don’t want to do. I’ll just be happy sitting next to you, holding your hand and talking or we could just call it a night.” Tara spoke, with all the caring and understanding in the world. Truthfully, she was nervous as well and didn’t want to move too fast.
Willow nodded her head, leaned in and kissed Tara on the cheek.
“I want you to come up. I don’t want you to leave.” Willow whispered in Tara’s ear.
“Me neither Will, me neither.”
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
~ TBC ~
by LonelyTara » Wed Dec 08, 2010 1:28 pm 
wooo and a hoo..an update...I loved it..U rock..felt like I was right there on the field with willow and sitting next to tara at the same time..love those kinds of stories..great job...
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