TITLE: Racing The Rain
AUTHOR: Finey_McFine
RATING: R (Language)
DISCLAIMER: Willow, Tara and any other BtVS characters, as well as some random dialog, belong to Mutant Enemy. This post includes minor references to the movie, Home for The Holidays. ALL other original characters belong to me! This includes: Willow’s siblings and teammates, plus Tara’s friends and co-workers. Mention of any ‘real’ people in this fic is brief and pure fantasy.
SUMMARY: Totally AU! Set in LA with lots of W/T fluff and some angst, but no Hellmouthyness; just good old regular day-to-day drama. Willow is attending college on an athletic scholarship and Tara is Hollywood royalty. They meet and fall in love, of course, but will they be able to survive the pitfalls of a public romance? Well, you’ll just have to read and find out!
FEEDBACK: Yes! Any glaring issues…please send me a PM!
AUTHOR’S NOTE: Hi Everyone and happy almost Monday! Wow, was this tough to get posted. So freakin’ busy in RL right now! Anyway, here you go:) Unproofed, so PM me if you catch a little misstep. I also may have borrowed a small part of my favorite Thanksgiving movie, Home for The Holidays...couldn't resist! Happy reading:) Oh and HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!Chapter 52: Midnight Snack Willow waited patiently in the car for Tara, listening to holiday music and the soft sound of the rain hitting the windshield. After getting Aunt Gerty settled, Tara had gone back inside to use the restroom and had yet to return.
Willow jumped, hearing a clanking sound as the back passenger door opened and she saw Tara inserting a large floor lamp into the backseat. The look of surprise on her face was evident as her girlfriend struggled with the bulky item.
The backdoor shut and Tara soon plopped down in the front; a tad winded as she glanced at Willow, “It’s mine. You can’t have it. She gave it to me.” Tara deadpanned.
Willow grinned widely, as she punched Grayson’s address into the GPS, “You obviously charmed the socks off of Aunt Gert; she only gives her things away to people she’s extremely fond of. I have an entire box of random items out in the barn.”
“Well, what can I say? I’m very popular amongst the geriatric set,” Tara joked, “Um Will? I know it’s cold out and still raining, but could we put the windows down for a bit? I think
nature’s relaxant was working overtime in the back seat.” She chuckled waving a hand in front of her face and scrunching her nose.
Willow snorted with laughter, happy that the mood had lightened drastically from earlier in the day, “Oh, so you noticed?” She joked poking her tongue out between her teeth.
“Uh, you could say that. She was so loud I thought someone was behind us
‘tooting’ their horn…pun definitely intended.” Tara said making eye contact with Willow as they both burst out in a fit of giggles.
**********************************
About twenty minutes later, they pulled up to the gated community of Lakeshore Village and Willow punched in Grayson’s name on the keypad; patiently awaiting a response.
“Yeah?” A scratchy voice responded.
“Hey, it’s Will.”
“Hey…1201-D,” He replied as the gates began to open.
Willow pulled thru and came to a stop at a large map of the community. She scanned the map intently, “Wow, this place is huge.”
“You’ve never been here before?” Tara asked.
“No, I haven’t been home since he bought the place back in September. Ah ha!” The redhead finally proclaimed, “Here it is…straight past the clubhouse, then left, right, second building on the left…” Willow mumbled; verbally plotting her course.
Willow pulled away from the sign, following the winding road, making a left and passing the well-manicured clubhouse. The complex was new and a bit barren, although there was a fair amount of greenery, and a tree in front of every home. The town homes themselves were two-story with sharp angels that gave them a distinctly modern feel and all situated around two large man-made lakes. The buildings looked like small homes with only two units per building and each unit having it’s own private garage. It all looked a bit ‘too perfect’ and sterile to Willow.
Tara finally broke Willow from her thoughts as they made the final turn, “These places seem expensive, Grayson must be doing very well for himself.”
“Huh? Oh yeah, he makes good money I guess, but I’m sure my Mom helped him get a good deal. I was just thinking that they look kind of…I don’t know…”
“Stepford-ish?” Tara said, finishing Willow’s sentence.
“Exactly,” Willow agreed smiling as she pulled into Grayson’s driveway. Coming to a stop, she shut the car off and pulled the keys out of the ignition; exhaling deeply and rubbing her tired eyes.
“I was in that movie, ya know?” Tara mentioned.
“Really? Hey! Bette Midler was in that movie!!”
“Umm hmm, I played her daughter. It was a small part, but that’s how we met and became friends. I was the only one that could give her a run for her money playing cards. Sweetie, do you want me to wait out here?” Tara asked.
“What?” Willow asked turning to face Tara, “No, why would you think that?”
“Oh...well, I just thought maybe you’d want some private time to talk, you know, after everything…”
Willow smiled sweetly; completely taken by how considerate Tara was, “No baby, of course I want you there.” Willow said, leaning over and brushing her lips across Tara’s, “No way I’m leaving my girl out here alone. It’s cold and dark, plus I don’t want you getting kidnapped and turned into a creepy Stepford Wife.”
Tara giggled, “Ok then, let’s get this show on the road...shall we?”
Willow nodded in agreement and they hopped out of the car; Tara was carrying the tupperware container full of left overs in one hand and holding Willow’s hand with the other. Just as Willow raised her free hand to knock, the door opened. Grayson greeted them with a slight smile, holding a beer in one hand and a small bag of frozen peas in the other.
Willow grimaced when she caught sight of his face; his eye was now visibly swollen and the area surrounding it was a deep shade of purple. He had a small cut on his forehead and other various bruises and red marks across his face.
Grayson, noticing the look of horror on his sister’s face, decided to downplay his injuries as much as possible, “Don’t worry, it looks worse than it feels. What cha got there?” He asked, motioning towards the plastic container.
“Oh, Mom sent leftovers for you. She said you’d be upset if you couldn’t make a turkey sandwich tomorrow.”
Grayson rolled his eyes and shook his head, “Jesus...” He muttered, “Here, let me take that Tara.”
Tara smiled in response, “You have your hands full, if you show me to the kitchen...I’ll just put it in the fridge for you.”
As he backed away to show them to the kitchen, Tara noticed the Texas A&M logo on his flannel pajama bottoms and inwardly cringed. The mere sight of the logo bringing back the events of the afternoon and murky thoughts surrounding their future together and impending conversation.
As they made their way towards the kitchen through the living room, Willow took in the surroundings. The decor was tasteful and typical of a bachelor. The walls were stark white and the living room furniture consisted of a black leather sofa, a matching recliner and a huge flatscreen TV that was currently blaring the annual UT/A&M Thanksgiving match up. The coffee and end tables were made of glass and chrome, as were the matching floor lamps. The room was devoid of any real personality,
typical Willow thought, as she noticed the only framed pictures Grayson had on view were of himself.
Tara let go of Willow’s hand as she walked ahead into the kitchen; placing the leftovers in the stainless steel refrigerator.
“Hey Tara, feel free to grab you guys a drink while your in there,” He said smiling.
“So, what’s the score?” Willow asked as she dropped down onto the couch.
Grayson made a face, “UT’s up by 14 in the 3rd. It’s not looking good.”
Willow stared at her brother smiling, “Just not your day, is it?” She quipped.
“Hey, at least we have a winning record,” Grayson said, alluding the the UCLA Bruins current football team; their season record was particularly heinous.
Willow smirked, “Point taken.”
“So,” Grayson asked as he muted the TV, “Anything exciting happen after I left?”
Willow looked to Tara, who plopped down on the couch next to the redhead with a bottle of water; twisting the cap off to take a sip and then handing the bottle to Willow.
Willow smiled at the sweet gesture; taking a long sip and handing the bottle back to her girlfriend, “Well,” She started, “Let’s see...Mom blamed Tara for everything, I disgust her, Tara and I both told her off, oh and she applied to A&M on my behalf and apparently I’m starting vet school there in the fall. But other than that...no, not too much happened after you left.” Willow said sarcastically.
Grayson smirked, holding the bag of peas to his bruised eye, “Not exactly your day either,” He said flatly, taking a swig of beer. “Congrats on vet school, by the way,” He chuckled.
“Uh, thanks?” Willow responded with an amused tone of voice.
Grayson leaned forward towards Willow, “Will, are you ok? I mean after Robby...”
Willow stiffened, the incident with her mother had taken her mind off the assault and she hadn’t really thought about it since, but realizing that her emotions were still raw, she absentmindedly took Tara’s hand to calm herself, “Yeah, I think so.”
Grayson nodded and eased back in the chair, “I have to say, he shocked the shit outta me. In all the time we’ve known him...I mean, I never expected something like that. Did you?”
Willow shook her head, “Not in a million years, I was just as surprised as you.”
“Well I’ll tell you what, he better not show his face around the house ever again. No telling what might happen to him.” Grayson said in a threatening tone.
Willow smiled at her brothers big show of bravado, “Gray, please don’t mess with him, even if you run into him somewhere, he’s just not worth it. Besides, if something were to happen in public, you could go to jail, lose your job...”
Grayson nodded in understanding, “I know. I guess we were just lucky it happened where it did.”
To this point, Willow hadn’t thought about the real possibility of her brother getting arrested, but now that she had, her mind was churning, “You don’t think he’ll press charges do you?” She said in a worried tone.
Tara chose to remain quiet, letting the siblings talk and began rubbing soothing circles across Willow’s back. She could tell her girlfriend was starting to get upset again.
“Nah, I doubt it. There’s too many witnesses. Plus it was justifiable, considering he’s the one that attacked you first.”
Attacked. The word reverberated through Willow’s mind; she hadn’t actually thought of it like that, but that’s exactly what he did. Robby attacked her; the thought making her shutter. She suddenly grew tired, wanting to go home, crawl under the covers of her warm safe bed and hide from the rest of the world.
Willow began to fidget nervously as a scowl appeared on her face. “Do you...do you think that maybe we
should have called the police? Is he dangerous? Do you think he may hurt someone else or...or come after you or Eli, or Hunter or oh God...what if Milo gets hurt!?” Willow was beginning to slip into full blown panic mode at the thought that she unleashed a ticking time bomb on her family and the community at large. She suddenly jumped to her feet; no longer able to keep the nervous energy at bay and began rapidly pacing and mumbling under her breath.
Tara was up and at Willow’s side instantly, “Shhh, darling...” Tara said, laying her hands on the redhead’s shoulders. She kissed Willow on the forehead and several times on the mouth until she visibly calmed. Tara pressed their foreheads together and began to gently massage Willow’s neck and shoulders.
Grayson decided to give them a little privacy and quietly slipped into the kitchen.
“Sweetie...it’s gonna be ok.” Tara soothed, as she continued to massage Willow’s shoulders. “I need you to be strong baby.”
Willow had tears in her eyes that were beginning to drip down her cheeks, “Strong like an Amazon?” She said in a child-like voice that completely melted Tara’ s heart.
“Strong like an Amazon, right.” Tara replied and they both smiled slightly.
“Ok,” Willow said sniffling and nodding, “I just...I just wish none of this had ever happened.”
“I know baby, I know,” Tara cupped Willow’s cheeks and wiped several tears away, “Will, you’re so tired. Come on, let’s get you home, ok?”
Willow took in a deep breath and steadied herself; wiping the remaining tears on her shirt sleeve. She reached out for Tara’s hands; catching her lovers deep blue eyes, she mouthed ‘
I Love You,’ just as Grayson was returning from the kitchen. Tara smiled softly and squeezed Willow’s hands in return.
“Gray, I think we’re gonna get going.”
Grayson nodded, “Are you gonna be ok?”
Willow returned the nod, “Thank you, for everything you did today. I love you, ya know?”
Grayson’s eyes softened and Willow thought she just may have seen a tear appear right before her swept her up in a giant bear hug, “Love you too sis. Now get outta here so I can get drunk and finish watching the football game. You’re interrupting my man time.”
Willow laughed and swatted him playfully on the forearm, “Dork.”
“Hey, I’m gonna see ya’ll again before you go, right?” He asked.
“I think we’re all going to the zoo on Saturday...you should come too.”
Grayson scrunched his face, “I dunno, maybe. Call me tomorrow.”
“Ok, see ya later.”
“Bye Grayson,” Tara said as she gave him a hug.
“Bye Tara,” Grayson said as the girls left the apartment.
**************************
The night had turned cold and the rain was still falling as Willow navigated the dark, wet country roads.
“Tare?”
“”Umm?”
“Would you be terribly upset if we changed our plans for tomorrow?” Willow asked.
“No sweetie, not at all; not really weather for amusement park rides anyway.”
Willow sighed in defeat, “Sorry baby, this really isn’t how I planned for things to go this week.”
Tara arched an eyebrow, “It’s not...really? And here I thought all this was just for me.” She sighed dramatically.
Willow giggled, “You goof.”
“Yes, but I’m
your goof,” Tara said playfully as Willow pulled her hand up and kissed the back several times. “So, what did you have in mind then?”
“Rachael asked if we wanted to stop by and see the nursery, maybe get some lunch, you know...girls day out or something.”
“Ummm, that sounds like fun. I’m in, but we should invite Molly and Stella too.”
Willow quirked her mouth into something resembling a scowl,
Tara really is a saint if she wants to include Stella, Willow thought.
Tara gave Willow one of her patented
‘looks’, “I know what you’re thinking Will and you need to stop.”
“What?! No you don’t!” Willow squealed.
Tara chuckled, “Yes I do and you all really need to start including her more. It’s tough being on the outside, trying to figure out where you fit in or if you even fit at all.”
Willow realized that Tara was right, even if Stella declined the offer, it was important that they ask. She also knew that Tara was referring more to herself than Stella.
“Tara, you’re not an outsider. They all love you.”
“Well, yeah, I kinda am and it’s ok Will. You guys all just have this really tight bond. It’s-It’s hard to break into something like that, and I’m not even sure I want to.” Tara dipped her head, turning her eyes to her lap.
They pulled up to a stop sign, Willow threw the car into park and turned towards Tara. “I’m sure,” Willow said as she put two fingers on Tara’s jaw and turned her head, “You’re completely one of the gang now, especially after today.”
Tara smiled a half smile, “Oh, so today was a sort of Rosenberg gang initiation? Do I get some kind of special ring that identifies me?” Tara joked.
Willow smiled shyly, looking up at Tara through her thick lashes, “One day you will.”
Tara’s heart literally skipped a beat and then she melted into a puddle at the look of complete adoration on Willow’s face, not to mention the implications of what she just said.
“Willow...” Tara breathed, reaching up to cup Willow’s cheek. She leaned in and pressed her lips to Willows; their mouths moving in a well choreographed dance. They stayed like that, kissing, for several moments before the sound of a loud horn caused them to jump apart.
“Shit! Sorry...sorry...” Willow giggled as she put the car in drive and continued the trek home.
**********************
“That totally hit the spot. Here Tare, last bite,” Willow said as she fed Tara the last bite of their shared slice of pumpkin pie.
Tara opened her mouth as the small piece of pie teetered and almost fell off the fork. They giggled in unison as Willow somehow managed to keep it on the utensil and get it into Tara’s mouth.
“Mmmm, c’mere you,” Willow breathed as she looped a finger into the collar of Tara’s shirt and pulled her forward into a sticky sweet kiss, “Mmmm yummy pumpkin lips!” She proclaimed.
Tara giggled again, wondering how Willow could make something as mundane as eating Thanksgiving leftovers at midnight so much fun.
“Are you
finally full?” Tara asked.
“Yep and sleepy too,” Willow replied as she folded her arms and laid down her head.
Tara couldn’t resist running her fingers through Willow’s silky red hair, “Then let’s get cleaned up and get you to bed.”
“Aren’t you coming too?” Willow quipped.
“Don’t I usually...several times,” Tara said teasingly.
Willow’s head shot up, “Then what are we waiting for!?” She jumped out of the chair and began rapidly putting things away as Tara sat shaking her head, thoroughly amused at her girlfriends silly antics.
**********************
Fifteen minutes later, Willow was passed out cold. Tara had gone to brush her teeth and left Willow sitting on the edge of the bed, presumably taking off her shoes. She returned a few short minutes later to find the adorable redhead sprawled across the bed, sound asleep; her shoes still on.
Tara couldn’t help but smile, Willow looked so cute; lying on her back with both arms above her head and snoring lightly. She put her toiletry bag away and knelt down in front of the sleeping redhead. She took off her shoes, socks, pants and so on until Willow was completely undressed. She did the same with her own clothes and then somehow managed to wake Willow enough to get her scooted up and under the covers. Tara lay for several minutes simply watching Willow sleep until she herself began to succumb to the sandman. She brushed a soft lingering kiss against Willow’s forehead, “I love you baby,” Tara whispered, rousing the redhead slightly.
“Love you too,” Willow mumbled, snuggling into Tara’s chest as they both relaxed in each others arms and fell into a deep and satisfying sleep.
***************************
Several hours later, Willow sat straight up in the bed and shouted, “TARA NO!”
The blonde had been sleeping soundly and was startled awake but still somewhat groggy, “What? Will, a-are you ok? W-What’s wrong?”
Willow’s eyes were darting around the room and she began feeling around her neck and then Tara’s with both hands; finally falling back into her pillow, relieved.
“Bad dream...nightmare,” She said breathily.
“Jesus,” Tara said, resting her hand over her own pounding heart, “You scared me half to death.”
“Sorry, just a bad dream, but um, could you do me a favor?”
“Hmm?”
“Can you please close the closet door?”
“Your serious.”
“Yes...please?”
Tara exhaled deeply, hopping out of the bed and making her way to the closet. She hesitated before closing it and turned on the light; looking all around inside...just in case. Satisfied there was nothing sinister going on, she turned off the light and closed the door. Returning the the bed a few seconds later.
“Thank you,” Willow breathed, “Oh and Tara? Promise me you’ll never cheat on me with a vampire. A tall, bleach blonde vampire with washboard abs.”
“Uh ok, I think I can keep that promise,” Tara replied.
“Good, cuz he really gave me the creeps.”
“You’re sure he wasn’t gay? You know, hanging out in your closet and such?”
Willow snorted, turning towards Tara, “No, definitely not gay.”
“Willow,” Tara said seriously as she stroked her fingers through Willow’s hair, “I...I’ll never cheat on you...with anyone, ever.”
“I know, i-it’s my fault anyway...uh the dream that is.”
“Sweetie, you can’t help what you dream.”
“Well, I sorta can. See something that you don’t know about me is that, eating big meals late at night or eating mexican food after 8pm causes me to have nightmares.”
“Um, did you say mexican food after eight causes nightmares? What if you finish at 7:59?”
“Smart ass. Come on Tare, I’m serious!” Willow whined.
“Sorry...that um, actually explains a lot.”
“What do you mean?”
“Oh, the other night after we went out with Hunter and Molly? You kept me awake half the night talking in your sleep.” Tara said.
“Ugh,” Willow grumbled, “Tare, I’m so sorry. Why didn’t you say anything?”
Tara shrugged her shoulders, “It was our anniversary and we exchanged gifts and...I guess I just forgot. I actually meant to ask you if you remembered anything.”
Willow shook her head, “Nothing, I never even knew I was having them.”
“Probably because you never fully awoke,” Tara ducked her head slightly, “I kinda rubbed your back until you fell back to sleep.”
“Awww baby, your the best girlfriend in the entire world.”
“And the sleepiest, can we...?” Tara questioned.
“C’mere,” Willow said as she held out her arms, “Your turn for some serious snuggles.”
“Ummm, you feel so good Will. Nite sweetie, I love you.”
“Nite, love you too Tare.”
I’ll have to try and remember more and put it in the dream thread later today.
. She just does not get it. She has hurt and offended two of her children. But, for some reason Grayson's lack of turkey sandwich goodness is her top priority. 
for Ira standing up to the wicked witch! He obviously cares about and loves all of his children equally. I'm glad they have one parent who can put his kids wants and needs above his own.
), anyway, "Go Ira! Go Ira! Then his talk with Willow was awesome. She really needed that right then, and it was just sweet and perfect. Thank you for that. I really needed a feel good moment after all that turmoil from the last update. 
Yay for excellent update-y goodness... Big yay for Ira telling the Evil Bitch Monster how out of touch she is with her children and that she really needs to take a hard look on what she had done and take responsibility for that... Really big lol for Finchmeister's evil Prune Juice making an appearance 
UCLA is having a decent season in the Pac-12 this year; thank you very much 
!
