Author: Fanofargo
Disclaimers: Don't own the characters, they belong to Joss. They are borrowed without permission but I wouldn't bother trying to sue, I'm a poor student, nothing worth suing for here. So unless you want a three-legged hamster and a finicky computer you'd be wasting your time.
Rating: It will be NC-17 but this first part is pretty tame. So I'm sayin NC-17 just to be safe.
Feedback: Sure, any criticism is welcome, constructive or not. Though if it's not constructive I'll likely tell you that if you don't like it, don't read it. Send comments over to: fanofargo@hotmail.com
Spoilers: Yep, through season 6-Takes place after Hells Bells
Summary: Uh, Willow and Tara go on a date?
Notes: There's really no plot in this story, it's not really even a story. More of a scene, a really long one. I'm impatient I want W and T back together, and I want it now so hence the story. Was watching old eps and the idea for the story emerged. Anyway, there'll be no fighting, nothing angsty, it's just a date pretty much.
Willow Scores A Date: Pt 1
Willow smiled to herself as she searched excitedly through her closet. She had a REAL date tomorrow. It wasn’t just coffee, or a Scooby meeting, it was a real live date with beautiful, wonderful, amazing, Tara. Willow sighed dreamily as she thought about the woman she loved with everything she was. Everything had been progressing so well lately, with shy smiles and sly ‘mistaken’ touches here and there. It was yesterday that Willow had finally built up the nerve to ask Tara out on an official date. And it was then that Willow knew what it must be like to be hit in the chest by the slayer because she swore she’d been dealt a physical blow, her heart had momentarily stopped and her lungs had refused to draw air because Tara had said no.
Willow shook her head to clear her mind of the awful feeling, a full out grin replacing the frown. Instead she was now filled with the giddiness she felt when Tara had said that it wasn’t that she didn’t want to go out with Willow but that she was busy that day, but Willow was more than welcome to join her on Saturday if she promised to be open to anything. Willow had jumped at the offer as if it was a life jacket and she was drowning. But she was drowning, wasn’t she? She felt like she was drowning when she woke up every morning to an empty bed and a day that lacked the only thing essential for her existence; Tara.
Willow surveyed her closet again, nothing looking right to her. Dress very casual Tara had said. What the hell is very casual anyway? Willow thought to herself. Tara had refused to tell Willow what they would be doing so Willow was at a total loss for what to wear. She wanted to look nice to impress Tara but those clothes didn’t exactly fall into the casual category, let alone VERY casual, whatever that was. Willow sighed; she was getting frustrated with this simple task, if only Tara had told her what they’d be doing. In fact, Tara had been uncharacteristically cryptic about the details. Willow had not pressed further irrationally thinking that if she nagged or asked too much the offer would be withdrawn. Now she was wishing she’d been left with more information than, “dress very casual and pick me up at 9am”.
Stopping abruptly she realized she’d forgotten to ask Buffy if she could borrow the Jeep. Willow turned tail, the clothing problem quickly forgotten, and rushed across the room and down the hall hoping that Buffy hadn’t left for work yet. Still absorbed in her thoughts on her search through the house, the notion entered her mind of just how weird it was that she had to ask for the car to go on a date. She felt oddly like she was in high school again, though of course she never had such a smart, funny, breath-taking date in high school. She giggled as flashes of Buffy sitting in the back seat on their date as chaperon entered her mind.
She rounded the corner leading into the kitchen and found Buffy sitting at the kitchen table sorting through the mail. Buffy looked up and smiled when she saw her friend enter the room giggling to herself, “Giggles? Smiles? Gee Wil, what’s on your mind?” she asked, knowing exactly what was on Willow’s mind. The ONLY thing that had been on her friend’s mind for the past day.
“Oh, you know not much.” Willow replied trying to sound nonchalant. But despite herself she felt the flutters and giddy feeling return to her stomach.
“Sure…” Buffy replied, winking conspiratorially at her friend. It’d seemed like a lifetime since she’d seen Willow being so jovial; she hoped everything went well tomorrow. She missed happy-Willow and she just plain missed Tara. Buffy hadn’t noticed just how much Tara had become an integral part of their family, hadn’t noticed that is, until she’d left. Willow had sat down in the chair across form her and was eying her suspiciously, realizing she’d gotten lost in her thoughts she raised her eyebrows at her friend asking wordlessly what Willow wanted.
Taking Buffy’s cue Willow began, “So, uh, Buffy…” she said fidgeting around uncomfortably in her chair, “would you mind, I mean, can I borrow the Jeep tomorrow?” Why was she so uncomfortable asking, she wondered. You know why, she thought, you’re not trust-worthy anymore she admonished herself. Yep, her behavior and actions and the lessons she’d learned from them took her down a couple of rungs, perhaps a whole ladder, on the self worth and confidence scale.
Buffy looked somewhat confused at why Willow was so weirded-out, but she smiled kindly and answered, “Of course Willow, don’t be silly. Everything we’ve got is yours too, you know that.”
Willow’s heart warmed at her friends words, she’d done so much damage it she found it just amazing that everyone could still stand to have her around and still accept her as part of their family. “I know it’s just, well, you know I don’t know how you, and well anyway, and I don’t know how long, or where even and then theres—“
“Uh Wil, not making much in the sense department there.” Buffy said cutting off her friend’s disorganized rambling.
“Oh, yeah, sorry. Thank you.” Willow finished simply, smiling and mentally kicking herself for her inability to stop her mouth from spilling out all of the thoughts that bounced around in her mind. She sighed as she got up and moved to the sink to get some water, thinking that perhaps she’d be better equipped to control her babbling mouth if she kept it occupied. Her cheeks heated and reddened as she thought of the ways that she could keep it occupied…
Buffy shook her head, she hoped everything worked out because not only would it be nice to have happy-Willow permanently back it would be nice to have her friends stop living in her head all the time. She knew Willow had a lot to work through she just wished her friend would talk about it and having Tara back in her life might make it easier for her. Buffy rose and grabbed her jacket off the back of her chair and started toward the door. “I’ve got to go to work.” she grumbled, “Xander took Dawn to the movies and he said he’d take her for dinner too, do you mind hanging out with her tonight?
“Oh no problem, I wasn’t going to do anything tonight anyway. Maybe Dawn can pick out what I’m gonna wear tomorrow ‘cause I’m really not having much luck.” Willow replied. “Hey Buff, what would you wear that is very casual?”
Buffy scrunched up her face and shrugged, “Very casual? I dunno, pajamas?” She opened the door to make a hasty exit before she started laughing and in doing so giving up her secret, she knew full well what Tara had planned tomorrow and giving Willow a heads up could mean that she had time to back out. “Catch you later Wil! Thanks for looking after Dawn!”
“Have a good day Buffy.” Willow called after her friend.
Buffy couldn’t help but laugh when just before she closed the door she heard her friend inside, “Pajamas, hey, I hadn’t thought of that kind of very casual.” Yep, Buffy, thought, I’m a very very bad friend indeed…
****
Willow had spent the rest of the day pondering the words, very and casual, and tearing her room apart trying to find the perfect ensemble that fit that description. After Dawn had arrived home and informed her repeatedly that she was a major spaz she’d relented and had Dawn pick out her outfit. A pair of old jeans and a hooded UC Sunnydale sweatshirt was what the teen had come up with, to which Willow had said, “Yes Dawn, it’s casual, but is it very casual?” Dawn had just called her a spaz again and had dragged her downstairs to subject her hour after hour of Disney monopoly and bad 80’s romantic comedies…
****
The next morning Willow found herself being immensely nervous on the drive over to Tara’s. Her palms her all sweaty and her mouth was dry and her anxiety was increasing exponentially as she got closer to her destination. She hadn’t been to the new place, actually Tara had just moved again a few weeks back. After the wedding disaster she had moved in with Anya and that had proven to be a very good thing as they leant one another much needed support while making the rent affordable. Despite her initial jealousy Willow was now really glad that they’d moved in together, something about it just seemed right. She had hurt Tara, Xander had hurt Anya and now the two were helping one another heal, they were kindred spirits of sorts, victims of the Scoobies. Willow parked the jeep in front the Pable Apartment Complex and hopped out. She shivered as the cool air hit her; it had rained overnight and the chilly air still held the memory of the rain that had recently fallen. Willow had been convinced when she’d gotten up that the rain was an omen that her date was doomed, but saw now that he sun was fighting to reclaim the sky, perhaps the date had a chance of success after all. She scanned the buzzers until she found her baby’s name and hesitantly pushed the button still feeling nervous.
A moment later the speaker crackled and she heard mumbling then, “…doing this right? Hello?” Willow easily recognized it was Anya and chuckled when she heard Anya’s voice sounding a little farther away ask, “Well, was that better than last time?” “Yes sweetie that was much better.” She heard Tara’s reply. “Well how come they aren’t saying anything then?” Anya asked sounding somewhat miffed. Tara’s voice got a little louder this time, “Because you have to stop pressing this butto…” Willow was now giggling and she heard the hollow echo sound that she realized was Anya finally hitting the right button to listen to the lobby. Stifling a snicker the managed, “Uh” she cleared her throat. “It’s Willow.”
Another moment passed and the speaker crackled again, “Hi Willow! It’s Anya! I’m using this buzzer thing!” Silence as Anya waited for Willow’s reply, “Oh, right, other butto…”
When she heard the echo again she replied, “That’s just great Anya.”
“I know, isn’t this neat? I’m getting very good at—“ Anya’s voice dropped off suddenly and then just as quickly came back on, “Tara says that now is the appropriate time to let the guest in, so I’m going to push this other button and the door will let you in. Good bye Willow!”
Willow entered the building and made her way to the apartment. Willow couldn’t have missed the apartment if she tried, when she was still 20 feet away a door swung open down the hall and Anya emerged excitedly, motioning for Willow to hurry up. “Come on Willow, I want to show you my apartment!” The sound of someone clearing their throat was heard from inside the apartment and Anya glanced in and rolled her eyes. “Okay, OUR apartment.”
Trying not to laugh Willow walked up and hugged Anya, “Hey Anya, how’re you doing?” she asked softly.
Anya awkwardly returned the hug, somewhat unsure of why Willow would hug her. They’d never really gotten along all that well, perhaps Willow had killed off some brain cells with all that dark magic. “I’m okay, we have a buzzer.” she answered and started to push Willow away and toward the door. “I want to show you our home!”
Willow stood stock still in the doorway despite Anya trying to push her in from behind. Her body wouldn’t move and her heart near stopped, she held her breath as she took in the splendor that was Tara. She was standing at the entrance to what must be the kitchen, leaning against the wall with her arms folded over her chest. Her natural beauty was breath taking in her simple attire of jeans, and a tank top. She was shyly looking at the floor and drew her eyes up to meet Willows. Almost in a whisper, “Hey Willow…”
Holding the stunning blue eyes with her green, her mouth opened to return a greeting but nothing came out and she closed it again. She blushed and looked away bashfully, “Umm hi Tara.” The name rolling off her tongue tasting sweet, just saying the name brought her joy. Anya finally managed to push her to the side and rushed by her breaking the intimate moment.
“Come on Willow!” Anya said impatiently, standing by Tara at the end of the short hallway. Willow grinned goofily and followed, her gaze set on the lovely blond.
“I’m just going to get everything together, Anya can give you the tour.” Tara said, her eyes still glued to Willow, she then turned and disappeared into the kitchen.
Anya proceeded to drag Willow around their modest two-bedroom apartment. After she was done Willow had no real recollection of anything she’d seen or heard Anya say. Her body was walking with Anya but she was still at the door with her mouth hanging open. She did note, with a frown, that she hadn’t gotten to see Tara’s room, she was not really surprised guessing that perhaps Anya had conveniently forgotten that this was not solely her apartment.
The tour ended at the kitchen and she saw Tara was sitting on the floor by the door tying up her boots. “You ready?” she asked.
“Oh yeah.” Willow answered breathily.
“Alright.” Tara said getting up and pulling on a wooly sweater that was unfortunately not at all as form fitting as the tank Willow thought disappointedly. “Anya you know where we’ll be, Buffy said she’d be around the house today too if you need anything.”
“Yes, don’t worry. I’m going to spend time with my home today.” Anya answered with a huge smile on her face. Willow was glad Anya seemed to be enjoying her newfound freedom and her very own apartment that came with it.
Tara nodded and hefted a large backpack onto her shoulder. Willow began to panic, a bag? Oh no do I need a bag? I didn’t bring a bag. Calming her nerves she told herself that if she’d needed a bag, Tara would’ve told her to bring a bag. Walking up to Tara, Willow gently lifted the bag away from her and slung it over her own shoulder. She smiled at Tara as the blond blushed because of the sweet, simple act. Willow was rewarded with a beaming smile from Tara.
The two girls made their way out of the apartment and out onto the street. Tara stopped about ten feet away from the jeep. She turned to Willow and held her hand out flat. “Keys.” She said simply. Willow’s brows drew together in confusion but she didn’t say a word, she fished the keys out of her pocket and handed them to Tara. Tara’s fingers closed over the keys and gently brushing Willows fingers, sending shivers down the redhead's spine.
Tara took the bag from Willow leaving her standing on the curb. She threw the bag in the back seat then opened the passenger door for Willow, motioning for her to come over. Complying without question, Willow walked to her. “Sit.” she told the red head with a mischievous grin. Again Willow obeyed, a curious smile on her lips. Tara swung Willows legs back out toward her so they were facing one another. She pulled a blue bandana out of her pocket and began folding it diagonally. She held it up closer to Willow’s face her grin spreading. Willow’s eyes widened when she realized what Tara had in mind. “Oh, I don’t know...” she said shaking her head slightly.
“I told you that you could only come if you promised to be up to anything.” Tara said, still smiling.
Willow sighed and nodded pursing her lips. Just what did she get herself into? Tara gently pulled her shoulders down. “Close your eyes.” She whispered seductively. Okay, Willow thought, as something in her body ignited at the sound of Tara’s voice, this is a verrryyy good thing that she got herself into. Tara gently slipped the material over Willow’s eyes and leaned in close to secure it at the back of her head.
With her eyes covered Willow’s other senses became hyper aware, mostly aware of the woman standing so very close to her. She could feel Tara’s breath on her cheek, breezing lightly down her neck. Willow was fighting the urge to pull Tara to her, her breathing was quickening as she thought about those soft lips that were so close to her. The sweet scent of Tara’s skin was making her dizzy. Willow licked her lips trying to focus on anything but Tara’s scent, Tara’s breath, Tara’s chest...oh...her chest...her chest that is so, so close...damn the blindfold! she thought when she realized just what her vantage would be if she weren't wearing it.
At some point during her mental war those hands that had been fastening the handkerchief had drifted down to her shoulders where they gently rubbed small circles. The breath that had been tickling her neck had moved over to her lips, the light breath gently blowing against her sensitive lips. She leaned forward hoping to capture the lips she knew were so very near her own. Just then those hands that had been rubbing her shoulders pushed her back into the seat and had shifted her knees so she was facing forward in the seat again.
Willow almost whimpered at the loss of nearness, she put on the saddest pout she could manage and was rewarded by a slight squeak of delight from
Tara who trying to contain the giggle that welled up inside her. Tara tried to make herself feel at least a little bad as it was really not nice to tease Willow; she blushed slightly thinking that it was also very very nice to tease Willow. She was leaning over trying to fasten Willow’s seat belt when her arm grazed past Willow’s breast causing the redhead to inhale sharply.
“Uh, sorry.” Tara said, sounding almost embarrassed. Teasing, okay, but that was just evil she thought to herself.
“Oh, that’s okay.” Willow replied airily. You can do that anytime she chimed in mentally, often, and in public if you like.
After the torture that was fastening the seatbelt and finally getting herself settled into the vehicle the two girls were finally off and making their way toward their destination. After a long comfortable silence Willow could finally stand it no longer. “So are you going to give me any hints on where we’re going today?”
“Hmmm” Tara replied thoughtfully. After a moment of consideration she finally answered, “Nope.” She was trying to stifle the giggles that were threatening to erupt when she looked over and saw that Willow’s pouty lip stuck out at least half an inch further than it previously had. She was pullin out the big guns now!
“Okay, well how much longer until we get there?” Willow asked somewhat impatiently. She never was very good with surprises; she loved them, but couldn’t stand the suspense of waiting for them.
Tara finally divulged a little bit of information, “Only about ten more minutes.” Willow was being such a good sport about all this. Tara smiled remembering the night before when Dawnie had phoned her, after she’d finally driven Willow to refuge of her bedroom with the second viewing of ‘Girls Just Want To Have Fun”. Dawn had filled Tara in on all new things Willow and had nattered about what a ‘spaz’ Willow had been all day and that she finally had to rescue Willow by picking out her clothes for her. Tara looked over at Willow and grinned appreciatively, Dawn had done a fine job. Tara loved those old jeans on Willow, they did her girlfriend’s bottom justice.
Willow was trying to calculate just where they could be going. She’d deduced that they’d gotten onto the highway because of the steady travel but she couldn’t figure out what was 20 minutes out of town. Oooh the lake was about 20 minutes away, maybe they were going swimming today! No swimsuit equals skinny-dipping, she thought happily to herself. Or they could be going hiking, that could be it too, not nearly as exciting as the lake but secluded woods had potential too.
Finally content that she’d finally discovered what they were likely going to do with their day she made small talk with the beautiful blond sitting next to her. She mostly just asked about how Tara was fairing living with the ex-demon and aside from a few disputes about the rankness of some weird cheese or something that Anya had demanded she be allowed to keep, all was well.
True to her words about 20 minutes later Tara pulled off of the highway and they drove down a bumpy road for about 5 minutes, then the jeep came to a halt. “Can I take it off yet?” Willow said reaching for the bandana.
“No!” Tara said quickly and grabbed on to one of the hands that was reaching for the blindfold. She held onto the hand and said, “Just wait here a sec, I’ll be five minutes at most. Okay?”
Willow smiled and nodded reveling in the feeling of Tara’s hand holding her own. “Five minutes or I’m comin to getcha.”
Tara squeezed her hand hopped out of the car leaving Willow to get lost in her thoughts. This had taken a turn for the odd, maybe Tara was checking the lake to make sure that there was no one around to catch their skinny-dippiness, she giggled.
A moment later the door to the back seat opened, “Ju-just hang on, I’m gonna get the bag.” Tara said and a moment after that Willow’s door opened, “Okay all set.” Tara said as she took both of Willow’s hands and helped her out of the jeep. Holding onto to one of Willow’s hands to guide her Tara slowly lead Willow away from the Jeep.
Willow was puzzled; it felt like they were still walking on a firm enough surface, not like the forest bed or soft dirt by the lake. She crinkled her nose, come to think of it, this place smelled funny too. Some memory pricked in the back of her head but she couldn’t quite pinpoint it.
It seemed they had only walked a few yards when Tara had tugged her to a stop and dropped her hand. “Okay, now.” was all Tara said as she felt the blond behind her unfastening the bandana.
She eagerly opened her eyes, squinting a bit as the sun left her slightly blinded. And then she saw it. She stumbled back, right into Tara who placed steadying hands at her waist. “Oh no no, no Tara. No, not that.” Her words came out like a child, full of fright. She tried to turn around, but Tara was holding her close, the hands on her waist not yielding.
“No, I don’t think I can. I, no, I don’t want to.” She said anxiously.
The breath that had teased her earlier was back on her neck, that helped, that was distracting. A low whisper in her ear, “Do you trust me?”
Willow closed her eyes and leaned back into the steady body that held her, she tilted her head to rest it against the blonde’s cheek. “Yes.” She relaxed into the protective arms that now encircled her waste and sighed as Tara’s thumbs made lazy circles on her belly. “But I don’t think I can…It’s just not…I can’t.”
“Shhh, you trust me and you promised to be open to anything, now you have to.” Tara said letting go of Willow and stepping around to her side taking Willow’s hand to guide her closer to the thing scared her most in life.
Willow resigned herself to her fate, she was not to live through this day, but at least she would die pleasing Tara, and in doing so she would die happy. She gripped Tara’s hand and grimly followed the other girl into her own private hell. A few steps closer and Tara slowed their pace.
“It’s okay Willow, I’m right here, don’t be afraid. I’ll protect you.” Tara pulled Willow in front of her, her stomach pressed against the redhead’s back again. She slid her hand down the other girl's arm to take her hand. Tara reached out bringing the other hand with, “His name’s Dex.” she said using Willow’s hand to stroke the magnificent beast.
Willow snorted in response, “Are you sure? Did you check that in the tomes because I think you might have mistaken that for hell-spawn, or the devil, or don’t the Gwoirchoane demons look like this?”
Tara couldn’t help but laugh, “Willow, it’s just a horse, I’m pretty sure of it.”
The horse/hell-beast was long forgotten when Tara laughed. Her whimsical laugh capturing Willow’s consciousness, she became acutely aware that Tara’s chest was pressed tightly against her back and her eyes drifted closed.
After a moment Tara let their hands fall, “See, that wasn’t so bad was it?”
“Mmmm.”, was all received as a response.
“Good, you’ll be ready to ride him in no time then.” Willow’s body stiffened and her eyes shot wide open as the words penetrated her Tara-fixated mind.
After about an hour of coaxing and instructing Tara had finally gotten Willow onto the horse and had her practice riding around in the small corral. Tara went about unpacking her backpack and repacking the gear in the saddle bags that hung over the horse that she had saddled a moment ago.
Her task finished she stroked the mare’s strong neck murmuring softly to the gentle beast. She had purposefully chosen Dex for Willow to ride as he was by far the most dependable of them all and he was the oldest. He was the one chosen for children to ride because of his easygoing nature. She turned her attention to the horse she was stroking. “You on the other hand, you’d better be good today Missy.” she said and patted the horse firmly.
“How you doing Wil?”, she called as she walked over to the corral gate.
Willow looked up, careful not to keep her eyes off the beast for too long lest he reach back with those powerful jaws and try his hoof at meat eating. She smiled reassuringly, “I’m getting the steering down I think.”
“Good”, Tara said and opened the gate. “Steer him on out.” she finished amusement evident in her voice. In spite of Willow's urging the horse still walked in circles, seeming not care just how good Willow thought she'd gotten at 'steering' it.
Tara untied her horse and mounted it with ease; she guided the horse away from the fence and toward a trail, across from the enclosure, that lead into the woods. Willow turned and saw Tara moving in the opposite direction. Calling out worriedly, “Tara! Don’t leave me here!”
She needn’t have said a word because as soon as Dex noticed the open gate and the horse making its way to the trail he smoothly changed directions and made his way to the other horse that was now waiting for them by the trail. Tara smiled as she watched Willow hang on to the saddle horn for dear life.
The nice thing about Dex was that he’d been a trail horse for so long that the only place he’d truly felt comfortable in life was staring at the back of another horse. Tara felt more secure knowing that he wouldn’t likely run away with her Willow. Her Willow? Had she really just thought that? Okay so things were going good, really good, but she felt a bit odd reclaiming this woman as hers so soon. Willow’s green eyes were gazing into her blue, and Tara felt instantly at ease calling this woman hers. This was the only woman she would ever love, the only person she would never live without, no matter what.
****
That's all for part one, next part is partially finished.
Stay tuned for scenes of the next episode of: Willow Scores A Date.
Next time on Willow Scores A Date: Willow and Tara continue their date. (think woods, picnic, stream etc)
Thanks for reading!!
Fanofargo
Edited by: xita
at: 1/3/03 7:33:53 pm
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Actually the nick is fan of Argo (Argo was Xena’s horse).