Sam: Hey dude! What would I do without you as my beta, kicking me, and making me look good? You know I love you…OH, btw, SHADES ARE COOL!
Robin: You are amazing! I can't thank you enough for the research you've done for me. You really don't know how much it meant to me...and GO WHITE SOX!!
Trish: thanks for kicking me into writing this every once in a while—it’s definitely necessary at times!
-AimJD: thanks for making me study during finals, it kept me from rushing into this, and I’m sure that will make it much better because of it.
Jen: thanks for the support. I know I can be stubborn at times, but you put up with me..
Thanks for everything…including the tummy rubs! Meg Ryan-cute-straight-girl: Hey, Lu…we’re really missing those clowns, aren’t we? Oh well…thanks for your help and advice—you know I need it. Love your fan, Sweet Pea.
Laura: you know why I am writing this. You always know what I think…I don’t think I want to say anything more than that. Our friendship doesn’t need more. Thank you for always being there for me, throughout everything. Love you.
Okay...now on to the story!
TITLE: Sunrise
AUTHOR: ExtraFlameyWT
DISCLAIMER: Don’t own them, belong to Joss, ME, UPN, etc.
SPOILERS: None
RATING: PG-13
FEEDBACK: Yes, if you feel the desire to do so…please feel free.
AUTHOR’S NOTE: This is an AU fic, and all thoughts are in italics..
SUMMARY: This fic takes place mostly on a cruise ship .. Willow and Tara have both been sent on vacations by their friends.
SUNRISE
PART 1
Looking out over the sea, Willow finally realized just how much she needed this vacation. The wide sea of red that melted softly into the blue expanse of the ocean at sunrise was breathtaking.
When her friends had suggested the trip, she had told them that she couldn’t leave her job. So when Buffy Summers, her best friend from high school, called the principal and requested two weeks vacation for her, she was more than a little surprised.
The fact was Willow Rosenberg did not want to go away. She loved her little apartment in Sunnydale. She lived alone, and she had since she had caught her boyfriend cheating on her and had kicked him out. She worked as a Computer Applications teacher over at Sunnydale High. She loved her job, and the students that she taught.
She hadn’t used any of her vacation time since she had started there, and she knew she had a lot of leave remaining. She didn’t ever go on vacation. She liked her life as a normal twenty-five year old woman who really only had two very close friends. They were a family though, and Willow honestly believed she wasn't missing anything else. Buffy was a martial arts instructor, and Xander Harris worked for a local construction company. They were always there for each other.
She thought back to the main reason for this vacation. Sheila and Ira Rosenberg, Willow’s parents, had died in a car crash on their way home from the opera a few months back. While her parents had never paid too much attention to her or her achievements, Willow still loved them unconditionally. It had hit her hard, and she had really needed to get out of Sunnydale for a little while.
Now she was on a cruise ship. They had left from a port in LA, heading out west. The trip was to Hawaii, where she would stay for a few days before returning to LA.
She was leaning against the railing along the side of the upper deck. It was shortly before sunrise. She loved the sunrise. There was something about the way the colors of the sky mixed with her surroundings and somehow expressed what she was feeling. Living on the west coast, she had never seen the sun rise over the ocean, and she was looking forward to possibly seeing something incredibly beautiful.
Willow heard a door open and close quietly. She turned, startled, and nearly jumped on a blonde woman who looked about her age.
“I-I-I’m s-sorry… I d-didn’t mean to s-scare you,” the blonde stuttered softly. The young woman looked up at Willow, then her eyes darted away as her hair fell forward, covering her eyes.
Oh, I wish she wouldn’t do that! She’s got the most amazing blue eyes…What the HELL am I talking about? Willow’s thoughts clouded her mind for a moment, but then she remembered where she was. “Oh. No! Don’t worry about it. I didn’t know anyone else was up. I take it you couldn’t sleep?”
“No, it’s just that…well, I really love sunrises, and I wanted to see the sun rise over the ocean.” The beautiful blonde girl said this softly, glancing up to look into Willow’s eyes occasionally. She saw that Willow was staring at her. “What?” The blonde asked self-consciously.
Willow realized her mistake, and replied quickly, “Oh! Nothing! It’s only that I came up here to watch the sunrise, as well.” Willow turned to look out over the water. “There’s just something about the serene silence at dawn.”
Tara looked up guiltily. “O-oh. I’m s-sorry. I d-didn’t mean t-to interrupt y-you.”
Willow spun around and looked at the girl in front of her. “No. You didn’t interrupt. It’s nice to have someone to share it with,” Willow said, thinking that there would be no one other than this woman standing next to her that she would rather spend it with. “That is, if you want to spend your time with me.”
“Oh, yes. I mean, thank you. That sounds n-nice.” The girl gave Willow a cute little half-smile that melted the red head’s heart.
Wow, she’s beautiful. Where is this coming from? You like boys! Boys, remember? Oz? Xander? BOYS! Willow lectured herself in her head, but held out her hand and said, “I’m Willow.”
“Tara.”
End Part 1
*****
Okay...I should have part 2 up soon. I have it done, I just want to pace myself. Thanks again everyone! Much love,
Aimee
*****
"Pope John Paul today confirmed his opposition to gay marriages, said they're unnatural. Gay marriage is unnatural. Then he put on a pointy hat, his dress, and returned to never having sex at all." -Bill Maher
Can't wait for the next part girly. 
& 
blossom in a place that is untouched by those assholes at ME! 
