Hi Laragh and Kittens! And Salix, you're welcome

I like that you had them do an 'accidental' sextape and delete it afterward, I would have felt awkward otherwise.

I thought you painted a convincing picture of how the characters would react, Tara being angry at first, etc.

And Laragh, shame on you for making me blush again, you've really nailed this smut scene. Atrocious pun intended, indulge me I almost felt like a voyeur but that's the price for reading NC-17 fic. I mean, it's Tara and Willow, I feel as if I'm intruding. But you're really good at it (the smut that is) and also tremendously good at writing characters that feel like the Willow and Tara we saw on screen, keeping them sweet and romantic as they always were.

Great update, yet again!

~Elisabeth

zampsa19752001 -



You're on a roll!



It finally made an appearance!



Yes, although Jack is a pretty nice guy!



It should do

Thanks for commenting

_Salix_ –



Careful!



Adjectives are over-rated anyway



Thank you, I'm glad you enjoyed it!

Thanks for commenting!

SneakyCat -



I don't think there's a chance in high hell Tara especially would have agreed to it knowingly, and Willow would have been so self conscious she would have stopped.



I think there's pretty much one universal reaction: awkward as hell.



I will always indulge a pun.



You know I feel weird about writing it sometimes. But then I remember it's all part of the gift of having characters to love and really, it would be rude not to enjoy them.

Thanks for commenting

---

_________________
Amber Benson killed me once.

Check out my finished fics

Love, The Series … Two For Joy/21+/Joy To The World … Dancing With Dimensions

Inevitable/Infinitely …Confidential Eternal … A Twisted Date … Dachsund Through The Snow

********

TITLE: College Confidential

WRITER: Laragh

CHAPTER RATING: PG-13

DISCLAIMER: Willow, Tara and any other characters from the Buffy the Vampire Slayer franchise belong to Joss Whedon, FOX, ME and a whole host of other entities, none of which are me.

SUMMARY: The first part of the prequel to Hacker Confidential and Family Confidential - the college years!

SPOILERS: Perhaps minor references to the show or stealage of dialogue, but nothing that would spoil the series.

FEEDBACK: Yes please

NOTE: Sorry it's late, I just stepped off a plane a couple of hours ago and had to proof it!

Chapter 88

********

“Shit!”


Willow sat straight up in bed with an alarmed look on her face, while Tara lifted her head from between Willow’s legs.


“What’s wrong? Was I biting too hard? I was just trying to nibble.”


Willow looked down.


“No, no. The nibbling is nice. Very nice.”


“Then what’s wrong?” Tara asked, propping herself up on her elbow.


Willow gesticulated wildly.


“It’s Friday!”


“I know,” Tara replied, puffing out a breath, “What’s up?”


“Friday, Friday!” Willow repeated, getting all in a fluster, “I told Becky we’d meet her at the festival after classes! The, the Oktoberfest thing!”


“Is she waiting on us to go?” Tara asked.


Willow shook her head.


“No. She said she was planning on going at lunch time with Jack. I said we’d catch up because you had an afternoon class.”


Tara nodded.


“Right…so what’s wrong?”


“That class was over…” Willow starting, looking down at her watch, which had been flung off, then over to the alarm clock, “…an hour ago!”


Tara started to rub Willow’s thigh.


“Is another ten minutes really going to make a difference?”


“Well…no,” Willow admitted.


Tara squeezed Willow's thigh gently.


“So why don’t you lie back down and let me finish.”


Willow paused for a few seconds in thought, then sank back down and closed her eyes. She opened her legs again and let out a slow breath.


“Hey…keep nibbling and we’ll only need five.”

---

“Hey, there they are!”


Willow pointed up ahead to a jumble of picnic benches, where she spotted Becky and Jack sitting.


They were in a very large open-air arena, large enough that though the place was well populated –
with many in Lederhosen and Dirndl dresses – it wasn’t thronged or difficult to get around. There were various tents for different beers, using the brand colouring and logo on the tent to identify itself; as well as food trucks, a stage and amusement rides taking up a large chunk of space.


“Hey, Becky wasn’t fobbing us off, there really is more than beer!” Willow commented excitedly, “Will you go on the rides with me? Will you, will you?”


“Yes, but we have to at least say hello first,” Tara replied reasonably, “They look cosy though, I’m almost afraid of interrupting.”


“Apparently they’ve been texting non-stop,” Willow said, casting a wary eye in her friend’s direction, “Or so Becky said yesterday. She was gushing a little, actually.”


Tara smiled.


“Oh, I’m glad for her.”


“Yeah, if she’s happy, I’m happy,” Willow replied with a resolute nod, “Okay…admission time…I was worried that if she screwed it up, he wouldn’t help us out any more. But it’s not fair to be sending them bad juju on the off chance we lose a cameraman.”


Tara put an arm around Willow’s waist and rubbed her hip.


“That’s very mature.”


Willow turned her head and smiled, then leaned in on her tiptoes to peck Tara’s cheek. Becky spotted them as they approached and looked at them with a smirk.


“The lovebirds are here, finally,” she said, eyes glistening with mirth, “Train get delayed?”


“Um, yeah,” Willow replied, cheeks burning, “Friday chaos, you know…”


Becky nodded, anything but innocent.


“Everyone banging…into each other, huh?”


“Nice to see you again, Jack,” Willow cut in quickly, sitting down next to him, “How’s the movie going?”


Tara sat down next to Becky and smiled demurely.


“Having a nice time?”


“Having a wonderful time,” Becky replied, eyes twinkling in Jack’s direction.


Jack was conversing with Willow but slowly dragged his eyes away until they were meeting Becky’s. They shared the same charming smile, then Jack stood up.


“Beer run, I think. Willow, Tara, what can I get you ladies?”


“Oh, we’re not very well beer-versed,” Willow replied, shooting a quick look to Tara to see if she disagreed, “We’ll just have what you’re having.”


Jack nodded, then seemed delighted to have an excuse to look at Becky again.


“Rebecca?”


“Whatever you think, you’re more of an expert than me,” Becky replied, face flushing just slightly as she stared back up at him.


Jack went off with that same smile and Willow looked at Becky with a raised eyebrow.


“Rebecca?”


Becky rolled her eyes.


“What? It’s my name.”


“Sorry, Rebecca,” Willow replied with a grin, “Did I make you mad, Rebecca? Do you really resent me referring to you as Rebecca, Rebecca?”


Becky threw her eyes skyward again, then looked at Tara.


“I’m really glad you came along, you’re the only thing keeping me in this friendship anymore.”


“She was just saying how happy she was for you,” Tara replied, though knew by the playful glares they were only teasing each other.


Becky smiled, resting her chin on her fist.


“Early days, early days,” she said, lips quirking into an even bigger smile, “But promising. But shush, no speaking of it. Don’t want to scare him off.”


“Don’t worry, we are so with you there,” Willow replied, throwing a subtle look to Tara.


Jack returned a few minutes later carrying two beer steins in each hand. He placed them in front of each of the girls and sat back down.


“This is one of my favourites.”


He waxed on for a little bit about hops and mouthfeel and a bunch of other terms that went over both Willow and Tara’s head, but Willow enjoyed her first few sips anyway.


“This is pretty nice. I think I could be a beer fan. What about you baby?”


Tara gave a small nod of agreement.


“It’s different to ones I’ve tried before. But I like it.”


“Great choice, Jack,” Becky complimented.


“Thanks, babe,” Jack replied, taking a very long sip from his glass and eyeing Becky over it, “So what do you ladies like to do for Halloween? I’m going as Popeye this year.”


“You have the muscles,” Becky replied, reaching across the table to stroke his bicep, “Do you need an Olive Oyl?”


Jack nodded, smirking.


“I wouldn’t say no to something slick on my arm.”


Becky let her hand fall away slowly, then looked to Tara.


“Will you still make me that Alice in Wonderland hat? I go to loads of fancy dress parties, I’ll definitely wear it. Your drawings looked so good.”


“Of course,” Tara agreed, “No problem.


Jack looked between Willow and Tara.


“What about you two? I know of some good parties going.”


“No, no, no, no, no, no, no,” Willow said immediately, “We’re not doing college parties ever again, not after last year.”


“Tara almost got roofied,” Becky explained and Jack nodded to her sympathetically.


“We’re going to the science museum instead,” Willow continued, “They’re doing a Harry Potter exhibit, then a sleeping under the stars thing in the planetarium.”


Jack grinned and pointed at Willow.


“Let me guess – Hermione.”


Willow seemed delighted with that comparison as Jack looked at Tara quizzically.


“Hmm, I’m not sure…Luna?”


Tara smiled and shrugged one shoulder softly.


“All I know is, I have to put on a special scarf and carry around a wand.”


“You haven’t read them?” Jack asked, as surprised as Willow was when she’d first learned that nugget of information.


“I’ve started them,” Tara replied, to an approving nod from Willow, “I think my relationship might have been in jeopardy if I didn’t.”


Jack just laughed.


“So you got authentic costumes?”


Tara reached across to squeeze Willow’s hand.


“She was pretty upset when she finished the last book over the summer. Went on a bit of a merchandise splurge. Didn’t you get costumes for all the houses?”


“They’re called robes,” Willow replied, tilting her chin up, “And it’s good, now everything’s all ready to go!”


“Yes, sweetie, you’re very organised,” Tara said, squeezing Willow’s hand.


“That’s practically dirty talk to Willow,” Becky interjected with a grin.


Willow blushed and buried her head in her beer, drinking almost half in one go. She finished the rest a bit more slowly but was getting a bit antsy.


“So we were going to check out the rides before the lines got too long.”


“I enjoy a ride,” Jack nodded in reply, “What do you say, Rebecca?”


Becky smiled, unusually demure.


“Rollarcoasters scare me a little.”


Jack smoothly flicked his wrist so his hand was extended towards her.


“What if I hold your hand?”


Becky put her hand in his and slid off the end of the bench. They walked ahead, with Willow and Tara a few feet behind them. Willow was shaking her head.


“She’s not the least bit scared of rollercoasters. Pfft. Plus, look at the size of it, it’s practically a kiddie coaster!”


“I think she just wanted to hold his hand,” Tara advised wisely.


“Ohhhh,” Willow replied, glancing down at their own entwined hands, “I take it for granted I can just slip ours together whenever I want.”


Tara smiled in Willow’s direction.


“I still get a tingle when our fingertips first brush.”


Willow smiled back and tickled the back of Tara’s hand with her fingertips. She was half-way on her way to another cheek kiss when she spotted something and jumped up on the spot.


“Bumper cars!”


She all but ran over, dragging Tara behind her, and got them two tokens. She brought Tara over to a car and showed her how to put the restraint on, then proceeded to strap herself into a car directly opposite with a devilish grin. As soon as the music sounded to start, Willow pushed the pedal down and went straight for Tara.


Tara knew it was war.


They chased each other around, laughing the whole way, with only intermittent glares from Willow to anyone who bumped her or Tara and got in the way of their game.


They stumbled back onto the grassy area when the ride was over, legs tight from the ride.


“That was so much fun,” Willow gushed, leaning on Tara to stretch, “Did you see that jerkwad in the blue though? Thought he was playing some game with you. I’m the only other multiplayer in that game, buddy!”


Tara shook her head.


“I was just paying attention to you.”


Willow’s whole face lit up and she offered her arm. Tara took it and they walked the fairground, forgoing some rides like the tilt-a-whirl because of lines, and others like the freefall for being just a few feet above their comfort level.


They finally arrived back to the front, with just one ride left.


“I looovvved the teacups when I was little,” Willow commented, putting her hand against a stationary one as they passed.


“I’ve never been on,” Tara replied, looking at the princess design it seemed to have, “I wonder why it’s here, I doubt many kids come to–”


“You’ve never been on?!” Willow interrupted, shocked, “Oh, that has to be rectified. Right now. Come on.”


Tara was again dragged onto the ride, but didn’t mind at all. They sat opposite each other in a teacup and Tara watched, quite surprised to see some, mostly drunk, adults climbed onto the other ones.


“Popular.”


“And you’re about to see why!” Willow enthused as the bars came down.


The ride jerked into action and started slow, gaining speed. Tara watched the joy on Willow’s face, enjoying seeing her blur as they got faster and faster.


Without meaning to, she suddenly shouted ‘I love you’ at the top of her lungs, but didn’t care who heard it. The noise being made by everyone else meant Willow was pretty much the only one to catch it and smiled widely, if also a little dizzily, as they spun to a rocking halt.


Their hands were twined again as soon as the bars lifted and Willow rested her head on Tara’s shoulder.


“I love you soooo much.”


“You’re giddy,” Tara replied with a smile, “I love your goofy head too.”


They started walking back to the area they were in before, and were stopped at a gate to produce their tickets.


“Oh,” Tara said as they walked through the other side, “So the funfair is separate to the festival, but a festival ticket gets you in? That explains some of the kiddie stuff.”


Willow nodded.


“Yeah, although if you kept them out of the beer tents, you could probably have a fun family day with the music and food and stuff…I guess you wouldn’t want them around when people really start getting rowdy though.”


An oompah band had started to play as they walked back to the open seating area, where all the benches had been claimed. Most of the other space had people sitting on grass or in foldable chairs. Tara was about to offer her jacket to sit on when she noticed Jack was waving them over to a bench they’d managed to secure.


They sat beside each other on one side, as Jack and Becky had opted to sit together on the other, close.


“Hey, ladies,” Jack greeted warmly, “We were wondering if we’d lost you to the rides.”


Becky nodded.


“We were going to go get some food, but those lines are crazy. We asked some guys passing; they said it’s more than an hour to go to a few different stalls.”


“Two of us can go with you if you want,” Tara suggested, “We can go to a stall each, split the time.”


“Great,” Jack nodded, “Do you want to come with, Tara?”


Tara agreed and stood up.


“C’mon, I’ll take you on a tent tour,” Becky said to Willow, “We did it on the way in, there’s some cool light shows and stuff going on.”


The two pairs moved off in opposite directions; Willow and Becky disappearing into the nearest tent while Jack lined up to get bratwurst and schnitzel, as well as some sauerkraut for Tara. Tara was looking after desserts with doughnuts, strudel and a variety box of cookies and cakes.


It took a long time as expected, with lots of tipsy people changing their orders halfway through, or dropping them as soon as they were given the containers and demanding new ones.


Jack finished first and hung out at the side waiting for Tara, who finally appeared from the crowd, flustered.


“God, all that for some sausage and donut holes.”


“And pretzels,” Jack replied with a weary grin, patting a white paper bag sitting on top of the Styrofoam containers he was balancing in one hand, “I’ll text Becky and let her know we’re heading back.”


The bench they had vacated had been filled, so both of them laid down their jackets on a grassy spot near the bandstand. Jack texted Becky again to tell her where they’d landed. Five minutes later, she came ambling back with two plastic beer mugs in her hands, along with a stumbling Willow who was spilling the two she had.


Becky handed her two mugs off to Jack, then quickly took the ones off Willow, who just dropped to sit beside Tara.


“Missssed you,” she said to Tara, leaning over to press a sloppy kiss on her cheek.


Tara helped straighten her up.


“You’re a little bit drunk.”


“A lot-tle bit drunk,” Willow corrected.


“I haven’t been encouraging her, I swear,” Becky said, sitting cross-legged on Jack’s jacket, “I brought her out when I noticed how she was getting but she insisted on going back.”


Tara rubbed the small of Willow’s back gently.


“She’s a big girl, she can make her own decisions.”


“And I am deciding that beer is GREAT!” Willow said, holding her hand out for one of the beers in Becky’s hands, “Gimme, gimme.”


Becky looked to Tara for permission, who shrugged it off.


“If she wants it, I’m not her keeper.”


Becky handed them a mug each, which Willow immediately started to guzzle. Tara left hers and just had some food, but Willow took care of it for her between bites of donut hole.


They all chatted as they ate, with some exuberant interjections from Willow and flirty looks between Becky and Jack.


“This isn’t really a bump’n’grind kinda band, huh?” Becky said, leaving her hand dangerously close to Jack’s thigh.


“I know a great jazz club downtown,” Jack replied, pushing some hair from Becky’s brow, “Maybe not bump’n’grind, but…intimate.”


Becky’s eyes glazed, but she broke their gaze to look at Tara.


“I don’t want to leave you guys hanging…”


Tara looked at Willow, who was comparing blades of grass for 'greeniness'.


“It’s okay, I think I should take her home anyway.”


“I’ll go with you,” Becky offered.


Tara just smiled.


“Go have fun.”


Becky glanced towards Willow.


“I wouldn’t leave her again.”


“I know you wouldn’t,” Tara replied, reaching over to squeeze Becky’s hand briefly, “I have her.”


Becky shared her smile, then focused back on Jack.


“I’m in.”


“Well, alright,” Jack replied evenly with an entrancing smile, “Let’s go.”


They stood up and Tara helped Willow stand, putting her own jacket over her girlfriend’s shoulders. Willow smiled and swayed from side to side.


“You’re soooo good to me.”


She wrapped her arms around Tara and hugged her chest. Tara moved her enough to the side that she could walk and followed the other two to the exit.


“You guys are filming soon, right?” Jack asked, his arm around Becky’s shoulder.


Tara nodded.


“Willow’s been teaching me the editing software, but yes. We’re getting final script approval Monday, right?”


“S’posed to,” Jack replied, “Well, hey, let me know when you need me. And I’ll send you a final copy of mine when I’m done so you can get those drawing juices going.”


“Oh, sure,” Tara nodded, having to help Willow through a turnstile to prevent her getting caught, “You guys have a good night.”


They both said thanks, and Willow flung herself into Becky.


“You’re my best friend.”


Becky started to smile, but then Willow fixed a steady, though drunken, gaze at Jack.


“Hey, ‘member…you hurt her… I will BEAT you to death with a shovel.”


“Willow,” Tara said, nudging her, while Becky offered a death stare.


“A vague disclaimer is nobody's friend…” Willow replied gravely, then perked up again, “Have fun!”


She skipped ahead and Tara shot them an apologetic look before catching up with her.


“Slow down there honey,” she said, falling in step.


Willow slowed, but continued to slip.


“Why do we stop skipping? Everyone should skip!”


She twirled around and crashed into people. Tara had to again apologise and keep a firmer hold on Willow’s waist. Willow settled into in though and leaned her head onto Tara’s shoulder.


“I lied,” she said after a few quiet seconds.


“You lied?” Tara asked, lifting an eyebrow.


Willow nodded solemnly.


“Becky’s not my best friend…” she said, slipping her hand into Tara’s back pocket, “You are.”


It was a nice sentiment, but Tara was too busy trying to stop Willow from pinching her butt.


“I think we should get a cab.”


It was only a twenty minute walk or a couple of T stops away, but it was a Friday night and hard enough to navigate around the city even with both of them completely sober.


Willow started waving her arm about and sure enough a taxi did pull up. They bundled in and Tara told him where to go, then went about strapping Willow in.


“No, don’t like it!” Willow protested.


“It’s only for a few minutes,” Tara replied, fussing over her like a small child, “Please.”


Willow stopped undoing the belt, but grumpily folded her arms over her chest. Tara was thankful that she wasn’t saying anything embarrassing and took the chance to take a breath.


The short trip was over quickly and Willow leapt out of the belt onto the sidewalk. Tara paid and joined Willow, who was leaping about like she’d been restrained for years.


“Tara, I forgive you for imprisoning me,” she said nobly.


“Thank you,” Tara replied, reaching for Willow’s hand, “C’mon, we’re almost home.”


Willow planted her feet firmly on the ground.


“I want go to our tree!”


Tara sighed.


“Why?”


Willow hopped over and put her hand on Tara’s shoulders, puppy dog eyes in full effect.


“Because it’s ours.”


Tara looked into the glassy, but genuine eyes of her girlfriend.


“Okay, we can go for a few minutes. But don’t wander away from me.”


“Won’t,” Willow promised, standing right beside Tara.


She hummed and half-skipped, half-danced as they wandered onto campus and to their special tree. Once there, Willow backed up against the tree and rubbed her back against the bark like a bear.


She motioned Tara forwards and when she was close enough, grabbed her and switched them out, shoving Tara up against the tree.


Tara tensed her back.


“Ow, Will.”


Willow put a finger into Tara’s belt loop, either side of her waist, and pressed herself up close.


“Y’know…not really ours…never…claimed it…”


Tara felt her body responding to the warm press and glanced around nervously. They were far enough into campus that they couldn’t be seen from the street, but students could still be around any corner.


“Will…”


Willow started kissing Tara’s neck sloppily. Tara closed her eyes for a few seconds, then made a feeble attempt of pushing Willow away.


“Will, stop.”


Willow popped the button on Tara’s jeans and slid her hand into her girlfriend’s panties. Tara gulped, feeling her heart rate speed up as Willow’s fingers brush her clit. She let out a shaky breath and started to roll her hips into it until she heard a bottle crash somewhere and turned herself away.


“Willow, I said stop!”


Willow stumbled back.


“Jeez,” she said, toppling from one foot to the next, then appeared to convey some genuine remorse “Sowwy.”


Tara fumbled to do her button up and leaned with one arm outstretched against the tree to take a breath. She finally turned back to Willow, unable to meet her eyes.


“Just let me take you home.”


“Okayyyyyy,” Willow agreed, happy again, “Can I wear my panda jammies?”


“Of course you can,” Tara replied, very pleased to see her walking in the right direction, “And your fluffy socks.”


Willow cheered and resumed skipping all the way back to their dorm. Tara got the pyjamas and socks and helped Willow change into them, then tried to get her into bed.


“Wait,” Willow interrupted, pondering something quite seriously, “Mouth tastes funny. Or furry. Do I have a furry tongue?”


She poked her tongue out.


“Why don’t you go brush your teeth?” Tara suggested.


Willow’s eyes bulged with awe.


“Genius!”


She jumped away and ran into the bathroom. Tara massaged the back of her neck for a few moments, than changed into some sleepwear as well. She turned down the bed and waited a couple of minutes, but Willow never returned.


“Will?” she asked, standing up and walking towards the bathroom, “Are you oka–”


She stopped in the doorway, seeing Willow slumped and fast asleep on the toilet with her toothbrush hanging out of her mouth. Tara returned the toothbrush to its holder and gently tried to waken Willow, but she was out cold.


“Oh baby, okay. You’re going to have to help me a little.”


She encouraged Willow’s arms around her neck, then put her arms under and lifted. She carried Willow to the bed and settled her down, then slid in beside her.


She turned off the lamp and cosied up to Willow, soon to join her in slumber.

---

Willow was woken abruptly, but not by any outside noise. Instead, the inside of her head felt like it was trying to thump itself free from her skull. It hurt to open her eyelids, and the light burned as soon as she cracked one open.


She groaned and rolled over to bury her head into the pillow, blocking the light. She was comforted from the smell of Tara’s perfume lingering on the pillow, and allowed herself a slower awakening.


She started to remember why her head was so sore, so was reassured she wasn’t dying, but her face started to furrow as she flashed on coming home. When she remembered the tree, she immediately sprung upwards in a familiar movement.


Shit!


The toilet flushed then and Tara came out of the bathroom, but hung back when she saw Willow. She made a weak gesture, pointing just past Willow.


“I left you Tylenol and Diet Coke.”


Willow looked to her nightstand where a bottle and two pills were laid out.


“Thank…thank you,” she said roughly, touched by the gesture.


She swallowed her pills, just as Tara made a beeline for the door.


“I’m just gonna out for a bi–”


Willow almost choked to get the pills down in time.


“Wait,” she said, clearing her throat, “Please. We need to talk about last night.”


Tara looked back, eyes downcast.


“You remember?”


Willow nodded solemnly.


“Yeah, I do.”


There was silence as Tara slowly turned herself around to face Willow, then they both spoke at the same time.


“I’m so sorry–”


“I’m sorry–”


Willow’s brow creased.


“Sorry? I’m the one who got pushy. You said stop, and I didn’t. That’s not okay. Why are you sorry?”


Tara swallowed audibly and sat on the very corner of the bed, looking down into her hands which were fidgeting in her lap.


“Because I didn’t stop you right away. You were drunk, you weren’t in the right mind. But it was exciting and I let it happen for a minute.”


Willow scooted up and took Tara’s hands.


“No way, no. This is all on me. You didn’t do anything wrong.”


She squeezed Tara’s hands and met her eye.


“It won’t happen again. I swear it, it won’t. Stop is stop. Can you forgive me?”


Tara nodded and Willow moved a hand down to rub her girlfriend’s knee.


“And Tara, if I’m saying yes, it’s okay. You don’t have to have any guilt towards that. You have my permission.”


“You weren’t thinking straight, it was outside,” Tara replied, shaking her head, “It wouldn’t have been right.”


“That’s exactly why I’m saying this. Because I trust you to know,” Willow said, keeping Tara’s gaze for a moment, then smiling sheepishly, “Not that I plan on this happening every weekend or anything. Just so you know.”


Tara finally smiled too, the action lighting up Willow’s face.


“Are we okay?”


Tara was more relieved than anything else and moved to embrace Willow. They hugged lopsidedly for a few moments before finally parting.


“It was a fun night,” Tara said, smoothing down some of Willow’s wild morning hair.


“Yeah, it was,” Willow agreed, then scrunched up her nose, “Don’t know if it was worth this morning though.”


Tara looked towards the door.


“I was going to go load you up with junk food.”


“You were?” Willow asked, voice tilted with hope, “You don’t have to…”


Tara just smiled ad got a small notepad from the desk.


“Do you want to write me a list?”


Willow took the pad and scribbled a few things, then tore the sheet of paper off and handed it to Tara.


“Make sure it’s the crunchy Cheetos and Ho-Hos, not Ding-Dongs. That’s very important. Oh, and thanks.”


She smiled sweetly which Tara could only return, before setting off for the convenience store. While she was waiting, Willow lined up some movies and left out a pair of fluffy pyjamas for Tara.


When Tara returned, she handed Willow the paper bag full of goodies and looked at the folded clothing.


“Are you changing?”


“They’re for you,” Willow replied, cracking open a bag of Cheetos, “I thought you could be my Mrs. Snuggleupagus and we could watch movies…if you know, you didn’t have plans or…”


Tara smiled and started to change, then got into bed behind Willow. She rubbed her girlfriend’s arm gently, then pecked her lips and lingered to give her a few more kisses.


“You know how I know you love me?” Willow asked, smiling happily, “You kissed me with Cheeto breath.”


“One time thing,” Tara replied dryly, rubbing her feet against Willow’s fuzzy socks, “But I think I could probably be convinced to kiss you with any breath.”


Willow lifted an eyebrow.


“Even after a slice of the double trouble garlic and onion sausage pizza from that place we like?”


Tara nodded, kissing into Willow’s neck once.


“Even after two.”


Willow smiled at Tara, then cuddled back and sighed in utter contentment.


Hangover pains were worth it when Tara was there to snuggle them away.

_________________
Amber Benson killed me once.

Check out my finished fics

Love, The Series … Two For Joy/21+/Joy To The World … Dancing With Dimensions

Inevitable/Infinitely …Confidential Eternal … A Twisted Date … Dachsund Through The Snow

Dibs-y Goodness!

Yay for excellent update-y goodness... Oh crap, Willow's enthusiastic drinking habbits return, I'm really glad that Tara is there to make the hangover little bit more bearable...

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We Few, We Happy Few, We Band of Buggered

Posting while nude improves your mood...

I don't know what it says about me but I love Drunk Willow. I also love the fact that we're starting to see Tara's exasperation with Drunk Willow. I get the impression that if she makes any more appearances Tara will just roll her eyes heavily and sigh.

"So Becky got you blitzed again, didn't she Sweetie?"

"No Becky. Only Tara."

And then sexy time ensues.

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Time and Time Again

Hey Laragh

Thank you so much for your virtual hug. It was very well received and made me feel a whole lot better

She pressed her lips against the top of each of Tara’s breasts, then rolled off and propped herself up in a spectator pose.

Barely a few lines in and already it's I swear at

times you're trying to break me, though what a way to go lol

There could be more of this in the next few paragraphs Laragh, just to let you know

Willow pressed her lips slowly around Tara’s chest with teasing, fleeting kisses that matched the delicateness of her fingers. When she finally entered her girlfriend, they immediately switched to a much faster gear with Tara moaning as she thrust.



Sorry Laragh, but I did warn you lol

“Huh,” Willow said as she pressed some buttons, “The battery’s gone. That’s weird, I swore it still had half left when I turned it off.”

You don't think they could have accidentally taped...nah, they couldn't have.

“It’s okay,” Tara repeated, leaving her bag down by the door, “That you watch porn. You don’t have to hide that from me.”

I think it may be who's in the porn that Willow is trying to hide. If the girls taped who I think they taped heh heh heh.

“Tara…come on. I wouldn’t do this. Do you really believe I would do this?”

Yeah, come on Tara; do you really believe that Willow would do something like that????

This actually reminds me of a scene I wrote in one of my earlier fan-fics 'Wedding Bells' where Dawn and a friend try to sneak a look at one W/Ts porn films only to be caught out in a certain way.


“Um, yup,” Willow replied, standing up with her hands behind her back, “Camera’s blank.”

Just wondering if Willow hasn't made a copy of the porn somehow. And Tara's reaction.

“A man with equipment, huh?” Becky asked, glancing for a nanosecond to his crotch,

Only back a couple of days and already Becky's hitting on a new guy :eyeroll

Totally love Becky's statement at the end about how she just wants to find someone the way Willow and Tara love each other. I can believe that it's a very truthful and honest comment coming from her.

Nice to see that Willow and Tara have the right idea, putting their own priorities first (in the bedroom of course) before going off to meet Becky and Jack at the Oktoberfest.

Tara started to rub Willow’s thigh.

Ah Willow's thigh's, one of the sexiest parts of her body

“We’re going to the science museum instead,” Willow continued, “They’re doing a Harry Potter exhibit, then a sleeping under the stars thing in the planetarium.”

Hmm, I sense the 'big pile of crackers' and 'the giant moose head' coming up.

“You’ve never been on?!” Willow interrupted, shocked, “Oh, that has to be rectified. Right now. Come on.”

I just love Willow's exuberant attitude to the world like here. It's one of the reasons that she's one of my favourite characters in the entire Buffyverse. Along with Tara too of course.

This Oktoberfest sounds pretty cool, makes me think of the German Christmas Markets we have here in Manchester just with more rides.

Reading drunk Willow makes me think she will be a bad influence on JJ many years in the future. Or possibly a good one lol.

Good to see Willow taking responsibility for her actions when she tried to force herself on Tara at their tree and apologises to her for her actions. It certainly makes a change from a certain season of Buffy that we all wish to forget.

“I thought you could be my Mrs. Snuggleupagus...

This brings back memories of Sesame Street. I wonder if this makes Becky Big Bird lol.

Some excellent reading there Laragh, I can't wait to see what happens when they start filming.

So I am catching up on 8 chapters - I've been reading but have been terrible at feedback. It is a poor excuse but I hate trying to type out feedback on a kindle or on my phone - too many typos. So I think to myself that the next time I'm on my Surface with a keyboard I will totally put in feedback and then...well...I don't. So 8 chapters of feedback, Cliffnotes edition.

First – the Ben/Glory real life adaptation. I really appreciated the way you put this together. It is a realistic version of a very scary situation. I started reading about the multicultural fair and the argument the girls were having and was really wondering how you would pull it off. I also appreciate the comment Willow makes about Tara getting injured. My thought was Willow more than balances that book when Hacker comes along.

The arc through the summer of the girls becoming disconnected in their communication and their reconnect ion as the summer comes to an end is also appreciated. This really is a part of a real relationship. Most arguments and relationship issues really boil down to communication or a lack there of.

In chapter 83 Willow getting her wisdom teeth pulled made me chuckle. Been there, done that and anesthetic does weird things to people. Stitches from that are not fun. Of course, I didn't have anyone in my life to worry about kissing way back when but that would have just sucked.

The chapter 84 date was very sweet and Willow taking a very conscious effort to do special things that are meaningful for Tara really stands out. She danced and dealt with horses all in the same night! It is a really lovely re connection and deepening of their relationship.
Chapter 85 – the closer with Kristen was much needed. I love the way you wrote the letter which really seemed to capture the voice of a young teenager. And yeah! Becky Returns! She is still my favorite original in a fanfic.

Chapters 86-87 – the movie class, again love how you wrap cannon into this realistic story with the girls planning to film BtVS versions of themselves. Regarding the camera recording, I noticed Willow promised the footage was wiped from the camera specifically, not from her laptop. I’m wondering how that is going to come around again. I could see her editing it as a private movie for the two of them but not sure how Tara would take that. I wouldn't think a copy would get out since Willow is too tech savvy for something like that.

Chapter 88 – Oktoberfest is a really interesting chapter to read. The interaction between drunk Willow and sober Tara is a powerful subject to touch upon. Willow isn't taking no and Tara almost took advantage of inebriated Willow in a way. This is a situation that could become very serious for a couple and they handled it well, talking through the issues the next day. This also shows they have fully reconnected from the issues of the previous summer issues. I have to say, I am curious at this point to see drunk Tara. I wouldn't see this as an intentional experience but as Tara becomes more comfortable with alcohol it would be interesting to see her first true drunk experience.

Okay – that’s all I have for now. The tl:dr you are still awesome and I still love this story.

-H.

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Sometimes it feels like we are running headlong through the woods on a dark cloudy night from monsters we can't see towards a destination we don't know.

Hi

I really enjoy the friendly banter between Becky, Willow and Tara.

We see how Becky interacts with her date, nothing wrong with playing a part when on a date, although demure Becky? Quite a stretch. It's a game, I know. But I love that Tara and Willow never quite played that game, even in the early stages of their getting to know each other, they were pretty much themselves. Not everyone is as lucky as they are though.

Tara is right to point out that after all Becky just wants to hold hands and it's part of her quite transparent ploy to make it happen. Damn that Tara is wise. Becky is afraid to be vulnerable, not just on a first or second date but in general, and it's something she'll have to get more comfortable with as she gets older (letting herself be emotionally vulnerable, that is.)

So generally, Tara is the wise one, the more adult one, which makes me wonder how she would behave if you got her drunk in this fic, I don't know if you intend to (and I don't remember if you have, but I think I would remember...) Or maybe she wouldn't get drunk in the first place, I have a feeling she likes to remain in control.

Drunk Willow is just so funny and adorable, even more so than usual. I loved the little details like looking for the greeniest blades of grass, the butt-pinching, etc. And it brings out her devotion to Tara even more. Out of the mouths of babes and drunks...

The girls talk things out before problems develop, you can either cultivate honesty or neglect budding problems until it comes back to bite you in the bottom, it's great that they know so and that they trust each other enough to deal with (potential) stuff.

Let me say again how glad I am to be along for this very enjoyable ride, and I'll be looking forward to what comes next - that would be the movie, right?

zampsa19752001 -



Woop!



Tara makes everything a little more bearable.

Thanks for commenting

Citanul –



Fun drunks are very funny, though one person's fun drunk is another's annoyance!



You're not wrong, although with a bit of a different outcome. It will all play out in the next few chapters.



I could see that exactly.

Thanks for the feedback

willowtaralover –



Hi



I'm so glad! Here's another one



I hear ya buddy



Thanks for the warning



You did! I can't say otherwise. I had the bucket ready.



Couldn't they?



Heh



She doesn't, but when confronted with something you don't always act rationally.



Their 'own' porn or DVDs they'd bought? I'm curious, I never envisioned envisaged them as porn watchers, but I could see it too.



You're very astute, Mr. Oliver.



She wouldn't be Becky if she didn't.



Oh, definitely. She's a bigger W/T shipper than Dawn.



Who doesn't love a Friday afternoon romp?



That, and, every other part.



They've already had that conversation, but they may revisit it!



It can be bad sometimes, when maturity is needed, but I agree, it's classic Willow and if you don't love that, you don't love Willow.



It's probably very similar! Not all places even do rides.



Actually I think she'll be quite strict and Tara will be the more relaxed one



Yes, yes. Very important. All leading to what I believe is the truth of Willow's character and not what we were subjected to.



Or depending on how early, Oscar The Grouch.



Hope you enjoy it!

Thanks for commenting

loislane1 -



No problem, I'm just happy you're still reading



I like linking things into the show. I think it makes people feel the characters are the ones they know and love.



That she does! Sometimes their dialogue is me letting readers know I'm self-aware of some of the absurdities in my fics and I appreciate them sticking around for the ride



Not even just romantic ones. Even issues that don't start was communication ones, turn into it when there's withholding and assumptions.



I've never had wisdom teeth pulled but I fear what I would be like. I had morphine once twice and I was bad enough.



All Willow wants is to make Tara smile. Sometimes she takes that way too far and it ends up badly, but she loves her with her whole heart and when she gets it right, she gets it great.



It was easy, I'm quite immature



Becky returns to never have to leave again! (I'm glad you like her )



The storyline will be slightly altered (details) to make narrative sense for a short film, but I'm hoping the essence can be there with a happy ending.



We're on the same wavelength Although it will come back ‘round in an amusing reflection of their relationship kind of way than any kind of dramatic way.



I think that is a conversation every couple needs to have. And it was Willow who, being in the wrong, wanted to talk and apologise while Tara, also believing to be in the wrong too, tried to duck out and avoid it. That's all leading to some character growth for Willow in how she deals with her own flaws.



Yes, definitely. They are both trying hard.



You're reading my mind again Before this fic is out, we'll certainly have some tipsy Tara, and I do have a plan for Tara's first full out blotto experience.



Wowsa! Thanks for the feedback!

SneakyCat -



They're in a great place where Becky and Tara are friendly on their own terms too, which leads for a lot of humour and solid friendships.



I agree, it would not be in their nature to play those games. Becky's been taught 'the rules' like a lot of people unfortunately are, but I think she will settle down, because Jack is a very solid, natural guy.



She's very empathetic.



It was the downfall of her last relationship and I'm hoping it's something she learns in this one.



She's gotten tipsy. She will get tipsy again in this fic. There will be a point where she really gets hammered, but I believe it will be in the next set (post-college years). In saying that, sometimes they run away with themselves and I can't stop them, but Tara and her drinking has been a big point with me right from the start, so I think it will play out like I think.



There's nothing I hate more than a melancholy drunk, and Willow's too much of a big kid to be one!



They learned their lesson this summer, and are trying their best.



Next chapter is all about movie making! And more will be touched on in the following few too.

Thanks for commenting

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Amber Benson killed me once.

Check out my finished fics

Love, The Series … Two For Joy/21+/Joy To The World … Dancing With Dimensions

Inevitable/Infinitely …Confidential Eternal … A Twisted Date … Dachsund Through The Snow

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TITLE: College Confidential

WRITER: Laragh

CHAPTER RATING: PG-13

DISCLAIMER: Willow, Tara and any other characters from the Buffy the Vampire Slayer franchise belong to Joss Whedon, FOX, ME and a whole host of other entities, none of which are me. Also do I need to add I don't own Harry Potter? I really, really don't. Nor any attractions mentioned in this chapter. They're an amalgamation of stuff I've read and stuff I've thought up. Still don't belong to me.

SUMMARY: The first part of the prequel to Hacker Confidential and Family Confidential - the college years!

SPOILERS: Perhaps minor references to the show or stealage of dialogue, but nothing that would spoil the series.

FEEDBACK: Yes please

Chapter 89

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Tara fixed her yellow and black tie around her neck, using the bathroom mirror as Willow was hogging the full length one on the closet door.


She wasn’t sure of the exact way to wear it, but figured Willow would be quick to fix her if she was wrong.


She walked out and saw Willow check her out in the mirror, then spin around to face her.


“Wow, when I said ‘accio hottie’, I didn't expect it to work!”


Tara didn’t understand the exact meaning, but caught the gist. She offered Willow an admiring smile for her perfectly donned robes.


“A Gryffindor, huh? I had you pegged as a Ravenclaw.”


Willow scowled and turned back in the mirror to fix her red and gold tie.


“I am a GRYFFINDOR! Like Hermione. Pfft, what do you know, you’ve only read a book and a half, anyway,” she said, followed by an eye-roll, “And you chose Hufflepuff.”


Tara frowned and looked down at herself.


“What’s wrong with Hufflepuff?”


“You’re better than it,” Willow replied with a sneer.


Both of Tara’s eyebrows lifted.


“I know these books and characters are really important to you, but cut out the superiority complex. It’s not cute.”


Willow paused for a few seconds, looked annoyed, then contrite and finally went back to adjusting.


“Sorry.”


Tara just nodded and decided she’d keep her opinions on this subject to herself from now on. It was Willow’s thing really anyway and Tara didn’t feel strongly enough for it for them to get into a fight over it. She would finish the series to appease her girlfriend, and because she did enjoy the story, but let Willow look after the heavy addict duties.


“I just realised you might get spoiled tonight for the rest of the books,” Willow said, walking over to her nightstand.


Tara shot her a sidelong glance.


“You already made me watch the first four DVDs and go to the new one in the theatre in the summer.”


“Eurgh and now we have to wait two years for the next one,” Willow replied, coming to stand in front of Tara, now with her glasses on to complete the look, “Okay, how do I look?”


Tara looked Willow up and down with a smile.


“Enchanting.”


“Good one,” Willow replied, pulling Tara across to stand with her, “Hey, you don’t even have to say lumos maxima to turn me on with how good you look right now. I’d make some magic with you any day.”


Tara looked away for a moment in thought.


“I don’t know if I’m well-versed enough to make a pun yet…Wait! I know,” she finally replied with a small grin, “I can’t wait to Whomp my Willow later.”


Willow blushed.


“I don’t think we can do sneaky sleeping bag snuggle-snuggles. There’ll be other people. Regular snuggles will have to suffice.”


Tara pulled out a sulk.


“No exploring your chamber of secrets?”


Willow laughed out loud.


“You’re better than me!” she said, pecking Tara’s lips softly, “Okay, just need to pack a few things and we can get out of here before the partying starts. It’s an hour on the T anyway and I want to get there early.”


Willow got the sleeping bag she’d bought and strung the two rope handles over her shoulder. They used Tara’s satchel for some water and snacks.


“Tara, wait,” Willow said when Tara went to open the door for them. She stood in front of Tara and took her hands, “You’re a really cute Hufflepuff.”


Tara smiled softly.


“Thank you.”


Willow nodded in recognition.


“And, thank you, for doing all this with me. I know I’m showing off all my crazy.”


Tara linked their fingers and squeezed their palms together.


“It’s good to be passionate. I just don’t think you need to get snarky if I say I see some Slytherin in you or–”


“You think I’m a Slytherin?!” Willow interrupted, physically clutching her chest.


Tara stalled.


“I…You know this stuff so much better than me. My opinion doesn’t matter. I think everyone has traits from all houses and–” she started to reply but stopped short of dismissing them as ‘just books’, “That’s it.”


Willow’s eyes were on the floor.


“I’m a Gryffindor,” she said meekly.


Tara moved her hands onto Willow’s shoulders.


“Willow you can be whoever you want to be.”


Willow looked down at her lion crest and puffed her chest out a bit.


“I’m a Gryffindor,” she said more proudly, “Just like Hermione. Everyone thought she was a nerd but she was a hero.”


Tara was happy to see a smile on Willow’s face again and offered her hand.


“Need to make sure everything is locked,” Willow commented, “I don’t want partying students spilling into our room.”


She locked the door behind her and triple checked it, then nodded to Tara that they could leave.


They walked to the train, which was packed with costumed people; some people completely covered and being guided around by friends and others in barely anything at all, shivering and trying not to let their skin touch the walls or poles.


They ended up squashed in beside a man with an impressive, but totally massive, home-made Nintendo costume on Willow’s side and a group of skimpy bunnies on Tara’s. Willow spent a good chunk of time admiring the detail of the Nintendo, while making sure to keep an eye and a scowl on the women lest they rub up against Tara.


Tara caught her glaring and fixed her with a glare of her own. Willow gulped and looked away; distracting herself by seeing if she could figure out every costume in the carriage.


The ride was exhausting in and off itself and Willow was very grateful to pull Tara off when they got to their stop, just in time to miss some boys cackling after them about giving them a wand to play with.


“All the losers heading downtown,” Willow said as they walked onto the street, “Us cool kids are heading to the museum.”


The street was so quiet that Tara thought she might have actually heard a cricket.


“So, um, anyway,” Willow continued, clearing her throat, “It’s just around the next corner.”


They turned the corner and the museum stood out, with florescent, strobe lights lighting up the building. Signs guided ‘true fans’ to a different entrance for the exhibit - a set of blacked-out automatic doors which were decorated to look like Platform 9 and ¾.


Willow stood in front of the doors for a few moments, then looked for a slide or handle of some sort, but none was to be found. She stared at the doors for another minute, then took a few steps back and made a running start at the door. She crashed into them and fell on her butt.


“Willow!” Tara said, bending down to her.


“That was dumb,” Willow replied, rubbing her nose and at the same time seeing a ‘do not run at the door’ sign above the doors, “Super dumb. How the hell do we get in?”


Tara helped her stand.


“I think we can get in the main building. This was just a gimmick.”


“I am a true fan!” Willow protested, placing her palms on the doors again, “Unless…”


She leaned close and spoke a little uncertainly.


“Alohomora?”


The doors sprung open and Willow almost fell through, but caught herself in time and leaped up in wonder.


“No way!” she said, wide-eyed that it had worked, “They’re using some kind of voice activation software! That’s so cool! I feel like Hermione getting into the chambers! Well, the access point, technically the third floor corridor, but…wow!”


Tara had to agree that it was a very neat trick, as was the artwork on the walls and ceiling, made out to seem like they were on The Hogwarts Express.


“Okay, so we’re here ‘til ten, then we have to head over to the planetarium,” Willow explained as they walked down the corridor, “I have my watch set.”


They walked to the end of the hallway and noticed Hedwig's Theme start to play, growing gradually louder the further along they went. Willow was entranced and they were only on the way in. They turned a curved corner, where a kindly older woman was standing behind a trolley.


"Anything off the trolley, dears?"


Willow’s eyes turned to saucers.


“Oh my god, look! It’s, it’s Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans and Chocolate Frogs and Acid Pops and, oh, oh, Cauldron Cakes! Look, Tara!”


“I see,” Tara replied with a smile, “I always liked the sound of those exploding bonbons.”


Willow picked out one of almost everything and doubled up on the Chocolate Frogs. They paid and Willow ripped open a frog straight away, taking out the wizard card. She grabbed Tara’s arm, who was putting all the candies in her bag.


“I got Dumbledore! I got Dumbledore! Just like Harry!”


“That’s great, sweetie,” Tara replied, closing her bag again, “Want me to look after it for you?”


Willow nodded and handed it over very carefully. Tara secured it away and they walked the last few feet to another set of doors. These thankfully were able to be pushed in as they walked through, with no injury this time.


The exhibit room was relatively small with various displays, boards and shows going on around the room. It was also completely empty, though given the hour and the date, wasn’t wholly unusual.


Right in front of them was an information and payment desk. The woman behind them gave them their passes, then encouraged them both to take a picture with the replica quidditch cup that was on display on the other side.


“Take a picture with the cup, you can collect it on the way out.”


Tara declined, knowing there would be a charge for it, but Willow eagerly went over and held it up with a big grin. The woman asked her name, then gave them a pamphlet to guide them around the exhibits.


They were greeted first by wax figures, which Tara painstakingly took pictures of Willow with in various poses, then a display of carefully locked away but visible props, like quidditch balls, the Marauder's Map, and displays of uniforms. The whole room had at least a hundred props, which they slowly made their way around to see.


Tara was wondering if they’d paid just to see props; though numerous, they weren't the most exciting thing in the world. After a moment, she noticed a door when they neared the other side of the room with ‘Take A Tour Of Hogwarts’ displayed above it, black letters written on oak.


Willow was pressed right against the glass cases to admire the snitch and didn’t even notice the sign until she saw Tara standing under it. Her eyes widened with excitement. They walked through and were into a completely dark room, with only something on the opposite wall flickering every few seconds.


They both stood there for about ninety seconds until Tara finally started to palm the wall for a switch. Once she found and flicked it, the flickering wall lit up to spell; ‘Happiness Can Be Found Even In The Darkest Of Times, If One Only Remembers To Turn On The Light’.


Willow nodded, impressed, then scrunched her nose.


“How many people do you think spend like ten minutes just standing here?”


“They’re certainly very optimistic about the majority of people’s intellect with all these gimmicks,” Tara replied, smiling softly, “I do like that quote though.”


“Me too,” Willow agreed, cocking her head to really regard it and take it in, “I’m glad we came in late. I like being the only ones here.”


She approached the next set of doors, which had a golden frame around it and the fat lady portrait painted on the panels. Willow got excited, hoping it would be what she thought it would be, and grinned from ear to ear as they walked into the Gryffindor common room.


Willow fell into one of the big armchairs and sighed, very at home.


“I wish I’d gone to Hogwarts.”


“Did they have the internet?” Tara asked, perching on the arm.


Willow mused.


“Hmm…would I make that sacrifice?”


Tara almost cackled.


“You wouldn’t even give up the internet for me.”


“I so would!” Willow replied, sitting straight up, “I’d at least talk about it.”


She stood up and took Tara’s hand and they followed through the rest of the room. The next exit was a set of stone steps upwards and through a black curtain.


Even Tara was impressed with Hagrid’s Hut and the display of oversized furniture.


“Wow…”


Willow climbed up onto the chair and kicked her legs against it.


“Mad and hairy?” she said in her best Hagrid impression, “You wouldn’t be talkin’ about me, now would ya?”


Tara climbed up with her.


“This is what small animals must feel like…”


“Or humans in a giant hut!” Willow replied, making a show of jumping down, “See, brave.”


Tara got down a bit more carefully.


“I never said you weren’t.”


Willow had marched ahead into the next room, but stalled as soon as she entered the great hall, stunned by how they’d managed to convey the vastness and how she could smell the feast. The common room had smelled slightly musty and the hut slightly dirty, but the sensory experience being conveyed was the most apparent in that room.


Tara walked in right as a mechanical owl came flapping diagonally across the room.


“Cool!” Willow exclaimed, walking between two tables and running her palms on the tops of the chairs, “Look, the sorting hat!”


She wandered up to where the sorting hat was sitting and put it on herself. She coughed and altered her voice.


“Gryffindor!”


She smiled big and stuck her tongue out.


“See, I told you, Tara.”


Tara came up and sat on the stool. Willow placed it on her delicately.


“Ravenclaw.”


“Willow…” Tara said with a gentle warning tone.


“Fine,” Willow replied, hunching down to kiss Tara’s cheek, “Hufflepuff. The huffliest, puffliest Hufflepuff there is. And I love you not in spite of, but because of it.”


Tara squeezed Willow’s hand that was on her shoulder and they took some photos in the hat. Willow realised she wanted pictures in the other rooms too, so they went back and walked through the rooms again. Once finished the second tour, they walked into an huge room set out in different sections; a Quidditch pitch, a classroom and areas of books and wands.


They had a lot of fun going around that arena; tossing quaffles, pulling mandrakes and watching the hatching of a dragon egg. They got a chance to use their wands with an interactive game and Tara had to admit, it was the most Harry Potter related fun she’d ever had, if she discounted the sex session that had occurred the second time they’d watched The Chamber of Secrets together on a cold winter's night and Willow wasn't worried about Tara missing the plot.


They completed the course, sweaty and laughing, and pushed through yet another set of doors they both assumed was the end. Instead, they were greeted to a Diagon Alley replica street, which was even livelier again than the interactive section.


Some people were eating at a dining stand of The Leaky Caldron and others were standing around drinking Butterbeer, while the rest were walking through the gift shops.


Willow almost fainted when she saw she could get Butterbeer and immediately went off to get them two mugs. Tara sat at a little table and waited, while a spotty Slytherin slithered up to her.


“Hey…” he greeted, voice nasally, “Did you survive Avada Kedavra? Because you are Drop. Dead. Gorgeous.”


Tara didn’t get it, but Willow was right behind to save her.


“Ten points for pun-age, minus twenty for hitting on my girl,” she said, handing Tara a mug, “Now scoot before I Langlock you.”


The guy gulped and ran, and Willow sat down.


“You’ve already settled for one nerd, does he think you will for another?”


Tara just smiled and parroted Willow.


“I love you not in spite of, but because of it.”


Willow held Tara’s hand under the table and took the first luxurious sip of the drink she’d been waiting to try for years. They talked about how impressive the exhibit had been when a man started calling along the alley.


“Daily Prophet, get your Daily Prophet,” he said, stopping at them, “What’s your name?”


Willow confusedly gave her name, forgetting having given it earlier and nearly dropped her Butterbeer when she was given a novelty copy of the newspaper, with her picture and ‘Willow Rosenberg Catches The Snitch For Gryffindor’ as the main headline.


Tara paid the man without needing to ask if she wanted to keep it and Willow just stared at it in awe.


“Me…” she said, touching the paper reverently, a lot of childhood dreams coming true at once.


It was very endearing to watch and Tara was very glad they’d come out for the evening. Willow eventually tore herself away from it when someone almost spilled their drink all over it. She folded it and carefully passed it off.


“Tara, keep it safe?”


Tara knew she was being entrusted with something very precious and packed it away very carefully.


“That is a seriously impressive merchandise ring they’ve got going there. I figured they’d charge for the picture, but they sure make it worthwhile.”


Willow’s nodded but her watch beeped before she could reply and she looked down at her watch forlornly.


“Oh,” she said, swallowing and lifting her head high, “Okay. Okay, I’m ready.”


“We can come back,” Tara offered, rubbing Willow’s arm.


“Yeah,” Willow nodded, making herself smile, “Thank you so much for coming with me…it wouldn’t have been anything without you.”


“Honey,” Tara replied, putting her arm around Willow’s shoulders as they headed out a smokey hallway and out the other side of where they’d come in.


“Wow, need to turn myself around,” Willow said as they stepped outside into the cold air, “I think the exhibit is separate to the main building, so we need to go back ‘round and get to the planetarium that way. Hey can I have my jelly beans?”


Tara handed Willow her box of beans.


“Want one?” Willow asked.


Tara picked one out and lifted it to her mouth, but Willow cut in.


“Oh, careful. That looks like the vomit one.”


Tara dropped it back in the box.


“I think I’ll just have a granola bar instead.”


She fished out a granola bar and they ate as they walked around, Willow was careful to keep the more distasteful flavours out of her mouth and withheld her curiosity for fear of gagging everywhere and embarrassing herself in front of Tara.


Most people were milling out of the museum as they entered, but there were a few other with sleeping bags slung over their shoulders heading in as well.


Again, they paid the small entrance fee and headed into the room, the only one not being cordoned off by security.


There was a huge dome ceiling and there were figures of planets erected around the room. The walls were dark; dark-blue hued with speckles of light to imitate stars. Some people were walking around and reading the information displays on the walls, while others were getting settled on some mats that had been placed on the floor.


Willow went to find them a spot and Tara worked her way around the room until she joined her. She kneeled on the mat and lowered her voice bashfully.


“Should we be sharing a sleeping bag?”


“Well I only got a double and I don't want want to sleep just in my robes,” Willow replied, looking around to the nobody who was watching them, “We’re two girls, nobody thinks anything is going on between us. Which both sucks and works for us right now.”


They took their shoes off and Tara let Willow get into the bag first, then joined her.


“We better not kiss,” she whispered.


Willow linked their hands in the bag.


“No one can see this.”


They smiled and had to stop themselves from going in for the automatic kiss, but the ceiling illuminated just in time to distract them. The dome exploded into action, depicting a night sky, with stars slowly moving around. All of the other lights went off and they cuddled together, watching the mesmerising sight.


Every so often a planet would spin by and induce small gasps from the people transfixed watching it.


Willow loved spotting the constellations, both real and ones she’d invented with Tara, but didn’t want to break the silence by saying anything. Instead, she just looked to Tara and smiled, getting an understanding smile back as The Big Pineapple lit up above their heads.


Slowly, Tara started to creep more into properly cuddling Willow, her body moving on instinct as she drifted towards sleep.


Willow didn’t think anyone could see them, but didn’t care anyway. They weren't doing anything lewd.


She put her arm gently around Tara’s back and enjoyed the different experience of falling asleep under the stars.


Tara curled around her was the only way she would ever consider sleeping on the floor, and she'd choose it every time.

_________________
Amber Benson killed me once.

Check out my finished fics

Love, The Series … Two For Joy/21+/Joy To The World … Dancing With Dimensions

Inevitable/Infinitely …Confidential Eternal … A Twisted Date … Dachsund Through The Snow

Dibs-y Goodness!

Yay for excellent update-y goodness... I really loved their Harry Potter fun-time... And big yay for sleeping under the stars...

_________________
We Few, We Happy Few, We Band of Buggered

Posting while nude improves your mood...

Aaaaand I missed the last update. Sorry 'bout that. I hade a...thing. Uh...I was late for my Green Eggs And Ham discussion group. The topic was "why he would not eat them on a train." (Did you get the reference?)

Sweet update! Salix like. Correction: Salix LOVE.

Happy Wednesday,

-William

_________________
"Miss Edith speaks out of turn. She's a bad example and will have no cakes today"

I have a fish named Drusilla. He doesn't know, he thinks his name is Drew. Shhhh...

Spike: Are we feeling better, then?
Drusilla: I'm naming all the stars.
Spike: You can't see the stars, love. That's the ceiling. Also it's day.
Drusilla: I can see them. But I've named them all the same name, and there's terrible confusion.

Good day Laragh!
Chapter 89 is just plain cute. I love the HP crossover here and having Willow be a pure, unadulterated nerd about all things HP with Tara playing along was really enjoyable to read. I tell people I fly my nerd and geek flags high but it took a long time to be able to do that. Having an SO who can appreciate the nerd side is a seriously underrated attribute. My wife indulges me when I fall down the nerd rabbit hole on a subject and occasionally comes along for the trip so it was rather endearing to me to see these two act out something I could have totally seen happen in my life though with a different topic more than likely (I like HP but never quite nerded out on it)

The planetarium sleepover is a neat idea - watching stars and galaxies in a nice climate controlled environment. As always, an enjoyable read. Here's to the next chapter!

-H.

_________________
Sometimes it feels like we are running headlong through the woods on a dark cloudy night from monsters we can't see towards a destination we don't know.

That was beautiful a collision of fandoms. Simply beautiful, (Willow was so cute and energetic over Harry Potter).
-Mouse

_________________
Willow: You two (Giles and Tara) have been talking about me behind my back. Tara: No! God. Willow: You know how that makes me feel? Tara: Willow, you are using too much magick. What do you want me to do, sit back and keep my mouth shut? Willow: Well that'd be a good start Tara: (Shocked) If I didn''t love you so damn much I would!

zampsa19752001 -







Glad you enjoyed it, it's a nice evening to have

Thanks for commenting!

_Salix_ -



Not in a car, not in a tree. I do not like them, Sam Sal, you see.



I'm glad!



Happy Wednesday.

Thanks for your comment

loislane1 -



Good day to you too! And if I don't see ya, good afternoon, good evening and good night!



Geeking out in front of non-geeks is the worst! They have no idea what's going on. Even small things, like say going to one of Amber's book signings, I always avoid saying who it is because I know they'll have no idea who she is and it'll just be awkward for everyone.



I have a best friend like that. I see the dead behind the eyes look sometimes, but she still puts up with it



I think I'm a mid-range HP nerd. I really love them but I don't freak out over it. Willow is 1000 times the HP nerd I am.



I always hear of people going when there's planetary alignments and such, for exactly that reason - it's warm!



And I hope you enjoy it too!

Thanks for the feedback

Mouselafay -



I'm glad you enjoyed it!



Most HP fans I've encountered are!

Thanks for commenting

---

_________________
Amber Benson killed me once.

Check out my finished fics

Love, The Series … Two For Joy/21+/Joy To The World … Dancing With Dimensions

Inevitable/Infinitely …Confidential Eternal … A Twisted Date … Dachsund Through The Snow

********

TITLE: College Confidential

WRITER: Laragh

CHAPTER RATING: NC-17

DISCLAIMER: Willow, Tara and any other characters from the Buffy the Vampire Slayer franchise belong to Joss Whedon, FOX, ME and a whole host of other entities, none of which are me.

SUMMARY: The first part of the prequel to Hacker Confidential and Family Confidential - the college years!

SPOILERS: Perhaps minor references to the show or stealage of dialogue, but nothing that would spoil the series.

FEEDBACK: Yes please

Chapter 90

********

Tara jerked awake when something flashed behind her eyelids, pulling her from sleep.


She opened her eyes, confused in her surroundings for a moment, before recognising the dome ceiling and remembered they’d joined the museum sleep-out under the fake stars.


The 'night' sky wasn’t being projected any longer, and instead a sunrise was being depicted, looking quite majestic at such a high resolution.


Tara was cuddled up pretty close to Willow but didn’t move, as a lot of the other people there seemed to be in couples too, now she could see them properly in the light.


She watched Willow sleeping for a moment or two, smiling, then began to gently wake her. She slipped a hand onto her belly under the sleeping bag.


Willow woke up pretty quickly, thankfully without her usual snort. Her eyes settled on Tara, who brought her hand up and pointed upwards.


“Sunrise,” she whispered.


Willow’s eyes flicked upwards and she smiled.


“Oh wow…”


They watched the display as the sun lifted off the horizon and rose, until it was high in the sky, or rather, the dome. There was light murmur around the room as people generally woke, watched and decided to leave to experience the real sky.


Tara whispered in Willow’s ear.


“Do you want to head back and beat the morning rush?”


Willow turned to her and nodded with a smile.


“Uh huh and take my rightfully owed goodnight and good morning kiss.”


Tara nuzzled their noses for a very brief second, then unzipped the sleeping bag to get out and stretch. Their clothes were all messed up and she handed Willow a hairbrush from her bag, who smiled sheepishly and tamed the mane before packing up the sleeping bag. Tara brushed her own hair, then popped a mint in her mouth to get rid of that fuzzy feeling until she could brush.


They left with a quick trip to the bathroom and a thank you to the night security guard as they passed him and walked out into the crisp air.


“The digital sky and sunrise was almost as good as the real thing,” Willow said, cracking her neck, “And you know, a lot safer to sleep under. If a little uncomfortable.”


“Need a massage?” Tara asked, standing behind Willow and rubbing her neck as they walked.


“Mmm, baby…” Willow replied, rolling her neck into it, “That feels good…”


They walked to the T station, which was pretty deserted, at least to the crowds they were used to, which pleasantly meant they could sit on the train, with plenty of room to boot.


Willow ended up falling asleep on Tara’s shoulder, who was thankful for the soft snoring so close to her ear to keep her awake and aware of their stop.


Willow wasn’t so lucky waking for the second time, snorting loudly in the process and rousing to the sound of some snickers. Luckily Tara had woken her just as they pulled into their stop, so she was able to make a quick escape.


She rubbed her eyes with her hands tiredly when they got out onto the street, her cheeks lightly flushed.


“I forgot how embarrassing I am waking up without Becky pointing it out to me every morning.”


Tara put an arm around Willow’s shoulders.


“I think you’re cute.”


Willow was too tired to argue, so just cuddled in to Tara’s side. Campus showed remnants of the Halloween antics from the moment they stood foot on the grass, with empty alcohol bottles, discarded candy wrappers, toilet paper and abandoned costume masks littering the area.


The mess continued into their building, but with added passed out bodies to climb over.


“I am soooo glad we missed this,” Willow commented, grimacing as she wiped her hand of some sticky stuff that had transferred from the door, “Be careful, there might be throw up or something around.”


Tara’s nose scrunched and she very carefully stepped around things until they were finally inside their clean room. Willow went over and flopped down onto the bed.


“Bed good. Bed very good.”


Tara came over and took Willow’s shoes off for her, then pulled at the ankles of her pants under her robes to make sleeping more comfortable.


“Take off your clothes, honey.”


Willow’s tired eyes suddenly perked right up and she pushed herself onto her knees to pull Tara inwards.


“Ooh, I’m getting interest on my missed kisses.”


Tara didn’t mind being misunderstood and climbed onto the bed with Willow. Willow took her glasses off for maximum kissing potential, which she quickly took advantage of.


As they were kissing, Willow removed Tara’s robe, then pulled her in close by the tie and started to yank it loose. Tara pushed Willow down with her body, but figured out quickly the robes were too hard to get around like that.


She pushed off, lightly panting already, and pulled the buttons apart on her own shirt.


“Close your eyes.”


Willow closed her eyes and Tara started to undress herself, but tried to fool Willow by teasing her with kisses at the same time.


When she was naked and straddling Willow, she picked up the replica wand lying by them.


“Corpus Nakedus,” she chanted her made up spell, and Willow’s eyes immediately flew open.


Willow squirmed under her robes.


“I will be using that spell frequently.”


She sat up and started to undress herself as well.


“God, these things are tricky.”


She finally had to stand to undress and Tara was amused to see Willow had worn Gryffindor colours right down her underwear. Amused as she was, she still helped to get them off.


Willow grabbed Tara’s naked hips and pulled them into her, letting their bodies press together for a few tantalising seconds, then pushed her back onto the bed with the intention of climbing on top.


Tara grimaced as soon as she landed though and reached behind her back, pulling out the wand.


“Sorry,” Willow said sheepishly, taking it and putting it away, “Roll over, I’ll kiss it better.”


Tara rolled over onto her stomach and Willow came up from behind, kissing from Tara’s ankles up.


Tara folded her arms under her head and sighed contently, wiggling every so often when Willow hit a ticklish spot. Finally Willow got to her neck and brushed her hair off to one side.


“Better?” she asked, kissing the top of Tara’s spine.


Tara glanced over her shoulder with a soft smile.


“I’m not sure…you might have to keep going.”


Willow twirled her finger to indicate Tara should turn over, so she did. Willow worked from the neck down this time.


She got stalled quickly on the descent as her mouth dropped to Tara’s breasts.


Tara arched her back so her nipple was thrust into Willow’s mouth. Willow tugged it between her teeth and tongued the areola. She palmed the other breast and ran her tongue all around, indenting Tara’s skin with gentle love nips along the way.


Tara writhed on the spot and started to lose her breath when one of Willow’s hands sank down her stomach and between her legs.


“Oh!”


Willow felt herself clench as Tara’s moan sent a jolt straight down. She slid her fingers into Tara’s wetness while kissing back up into her girlfriend’s neck. She nipped at the sensitive skin and giggled as her fingers found Tara’s clit and gently rolled back and forth.


Tara curled her toes as her abdomen started to swell with that first rush of pleasure. She gulped as Willow’s thigh pushed hers open and started to pant in anticipation as Willow’s fingers crept down and teased her opening.


She felt her own muscles ripple trying to draw her in, and knew Willow felt it to.


“Do you want me inside you?” Willow whispered, mouth on Tara’s ear.


Tara felt her stomach clench, then a similar sensation a little lower and lifted her hips an inch off the bed.


“I want you inside me,” she breathed, knowing it was what Willow wanted to hear, “Deeply.”


Willow was flooded with arousal and moaned along with Tara as she entered her. She moved her body fully on top so they were pressed into each other at every point and began to drag her fingers in and out.


Tara’s hands roamed Willow’s back, following her spine and sneaking down to cup her butt. Her hips rose on each of Willow’s upstrokes so they were forming a rhythm that sped up and slowed down at Tara’s behest.


Tara enjoyed the slowness of an early morning romp; the changing tempo, chasing the wave and pulling back right before it splashed. Willow knew exactly when to curl her fingers or flick Tara’s clit and work her body just how she liked it.


Eventually Tara took a firmer hold of Willow’s hips and started to pull them towards her.


Willow recognised the request and started moving her hand faster, using her hips for extra weight. She watched the flush rise from Tara’s chest to her cheeks and listened to her moans grow higher and higher.


Tara’s palms squeezed Willow’s back right under her shoulders as the final wisps bubbled in her belly before exploding. Her short nails raked along Willow’s white skin as her hips rose completely off the bed, before she finally collapsed back down, panting.


Willow slid her fingers out and dragged them up along Tara’s lips. She glided along either side, then rolled Tara’s clit beneath her fingers.


Tara’s arms tightened around Willow’s neck as that simmering reignited in her abdomen and spread through her like wildfire as her sensitive clit was stimulated. It only took a few seconds and a few octaves of rising moans for her to come again, and flop back, limbs strewn about, totally spent.


Willow kissed along Tara’s shoulder blade, then lay off to the side, quite satisfied with her performance.


She let Tara catch her breath, then propped herself on her side to draw circles on her girlfriend’s stomach.


“We never did it at this time before,” she commented idly, “We’re early risers, but not that early.”


Tara exhaled a soft breath, getting her glassy eyes to focus, then started playing with Willow’s fingers on her stomach.


“What about when we’ve stayed up all night?”


Willow smiled at Tara’s playful fingers.


“Those were some good nights.”


Tara ran a finger up the back of Willow’s hand, then let it fall away. She curled it and motioned Willow forwards, meeting her lips for a kiss. It deepened quickly, with Tara’s hand sliding from the back of Willow’s neck up into her scalp to pull her in close.


Willow gladly opened her mouth to welcome Tara’s tongue and started to palm her girlfriend’s breast. She was about to throw her leg over to climb back on, but Tara got there first, grabbing Willow’s hip and rolling on top.


Tara ran her hand along Willow’s hip and thigh, then let it float inward to tease her mound. When she could feel her girlfriend’s stickiness coat the tips of her fingers, she broke the kiss, locked eyes with Willow for an intense few seconds before kissing her way down.


Willow’s thighs trembled as Tara parted them and she let out a shallow gasp as lips started to drink from her.


Tara was languid but constantly engaged, building Willow up until she was taut and ready to burst. Willow was, as ever, completely floored by Tara’s adept technique when it came to oral fixation and could just writhe, moan and will her body towards release.


Finally, when Willow’s hip thrusts were turning desperate, Tara wrapped her arms around her girlfriend’s thighs and really focused in on her clit. She used her lips and tongue to create a suction and had Willow screaming in seconds.


She left wet kisses back up Willow’s body rubbed her belly when she felt her girlfriend relax again, and left off with a soft peck.


Willow threw her arm up above her head, completely sated.


“Have I told you how good you are at that?”


Tara just blushed and shyly averted her gaze. She lifted the blanket up and they both started snuggling together, but Willow sat up at the last second.


“Wait, haveta set the alarm.”


She scooted towards the clock.


“I don’t have Film ‘til 11. Do you have any classes this morning?”


Tara shook her head.


“Just at 11.”


Willow nodded and set the alarm for 10 to give them a chance to shower and grab breakfast, then happily resumed snuggling.


“What’s on?” she asked, then clarified off a confused look, “What class are you in?”


Tara smiled, amused.


“What class are you in?”


“Film, I told you that,” Willow replied, slightly exasperated, “What about you?”


Tara lifted an eyebrow, which only served to frustrate Willow more.


“What, why are you giving me that loo–” she started, before realising all at once that that class was the one they shared, “Um. Sleeping now.”


Tara opened her arms, which Willow was grateful to fall into and catch the extra couple of hours of much appreciated sleep.

---

“Tara, Willow,” Jack greeted, coming up behind them in the computer lab, “How’s it going?”


“Hey Jack,” Willow greeted pleasantly, “We were about to go see if we could find you, we’re figuring out the film schedule. We want to get it done in the next week, ‘cause there’ll be a lot of editing with the special effects I want to try out and stuff.”


“Excellent,” Jack replied, pulling up a chair and sitting on it backwards with his arms folded over the seat back, “How’s it looking?”


Willow pulled up a document which had a basic outline written.


“Basically we want to open with my character, Sierra, watching Tara’s character, Regina, leave. I’m walking around, using my power to vent, destroy things, blah, blah, metaphor, blah. Goes to destroy a rose, zooms in on her gaze, cuts to a rose lying flat on the ground, then suddenly lifting. Zoom out, they’re floating the rose together in the past.”


“They’re what?” Jack interrupted, an eyebrow lifting quizzically.


“It’s supposed to show how their magic was sensual and growing together,” Tara explained, “Instead of being destructive.”


Willow nodded, then continued.


“So montage type thing of their eyes across the room, hands clasping and they use their power together for the first time, and it’s just that – powerful. Moving a boulder, slamming something against a door. We need to work that out with props and stuff. Then them doing a spell with lots of candles, the candles blowing out, that’s some more metaphor. We're not doing a full blown sex scene.”


Jack grinned.


“Right. What was it, ah…sensual.”


“Then shows me abusing magic, doing spells on Regina, the fighting, the last time Sierra saw her smile,” Willow kept talking, “Cuts back to me. Slumps, doesn’t destroy the rose, holds it delicately. Then another montage-y deal. This is where Becky comes in. Basically showing me working on my addiction, meditation, running, doing everyday things without magic while struggling to keep the rose just about alive by delicately balancing her power – not overusing it.”


“And then we bump into each other in class, possibly accidentally on purpose, go for coffee, and then the last scene,” Tara added in, “The conclusion.”


Jack’s smile turned more lascivious.


“The kiss.”


“You don’t have to look so perv-tastic about it,” Willow retorted, though with a good-natured smile, “Yes, the kiss. End shot is the rose sitting in a little vase on the window sill coming completely back to life as we, uh...are off screen.”


She blushed despite herself and tried to wave it off.


“Roll the credits, then Tara’s funny little ‘there was plenty of magic’ scene as a bonus at the end. We just want to show shoulders and maybe a little leg. Even that may be too much. If we're not comfortable we'll cut the scene.”


Jack nodded.


“Sounds solid. So…you guys have a few filming locations?”


Willow switched to a new document.


“Yeah, in the hallway, the student lounge, walking around campus, and our dorm,” Willow rattled off from the list, “And the coffee shop said their guys come in at 5 but they don’t open ‘til 6, so if we don’t get in the way, we can shoot those scenes in there then.”


“Ouch, 5am,” Jack replied with a feigned shot to the heart, then an easy smile, “Don’t worry, I’m in. I’ve been doing some night shoots myself.”


Tara looked at him gratefully.


“You’re really kind to help us out. If we can help you any other way we’d be happy to.”


“I’m really excited about having a real movie poster, believe me,” Jack replied genuinely, “So what do you guys think, get the exterior shots done this weekend and the interior the next?”


“As in tomorrow?” Willow asked with a gulp, “Kinda been putting the thought out of my head that I would be acting.”


Tara squeezed Willow’s arm gently.


“I believe in you.”


Willow smiled nervously.


“Thanks. So, um, yeah. That would be great. Guess we should start at the coffee shop first thing and try to catch the outside shots early without too many people around.”


They ironed out the schedule and arranged to meet the next morning, then Jack and Willow went to sign out the equipment. Tara printed off the lists they’d compiled and put them in a file. Outside the room, Becky was waiting and lit up when she saw Jack.


“Hey baby.”


“Hey baby,” Jack replied, putting an arm around her, “I was just thinking about you.”


“Hope you’re free the next couple of weekends,” Willow said, camera bag swinging on her shoulder, “Need you to bust out the acting chops.”


Becky patted Jack’s chest as she leaned into him.


“I love watching my man in action.”


Willow exchanged a sidelong glance with Tara.


“Well, he’s really helping us out. So, um, we’ll be in touch. Don’t worry, we won’t put you in any of the early morning scenes.”


Becky grinned.


“What can I say, the girl knows me,” she said, reaching out for a fist bump, “I’m looking forward to it.”


“It’s a sweet story,” Jack added, “I’m excited to be framing shots with emotion and not action. I’m glad we could figure out this symbiosis.”


He paused and looked at Becky.


“And very glad you introduced me to this lovely lady.”


They shared goo-eyes at each other and Willow cleared her throat.


“Great. So, um, we’ll be in touch. See you tomorrow morning, Jack.”


“Bye Willow, bye Tara,” Jack replied kindly, though not lifting his gaze away from Becky.


Becky offered a distracted wave and they went off wrapped around each other. Willow looked on after them, shaking her head.


“Gross.”


“Willow, heterosexuals are people too,” Tara replied, walking them towards the courtyard.


“I sooo didn’t mean that,” Willow replied, kicking a stone ahead of her, “I just meant all the lovey dovey stuff. I guess they’re officially-official.”


“Well I’m glad she’s happy,” Tara replied, then put her own arm around Willow, “And what’s so bad about the lovey-dovey?”


Willow smiled and rested her head on Tara’s shoulder.


“Nothin’ at all.”

---

Willow blew into her hands to keep them warm and tried to rid them of the nervous shake. Tara was sitting opposite her outside the coffee shop, as composed as ever.


Jack was setting up the camera, and finally nodded to them that he was ready. Willow wiped her palms, which somehow managed to be freezing and sweaty at the same time, on her pants, and closed them around the Styrofoam coffee cup she was using as a prop.


“Action!”


They started reciting the lines, but Jack stopped them after a couple of minutes.


“Willow, ease up a bit. You look like you’re reading off a cue card.”


Willow’s brow furrowed.


“I memorised everything!”


Tara reached across and squeezed Willow’s hand.


“Just pretend we’re having a conversation.”


Willow looked down.


“Easy for you.”


“You told me how much you relate to this character, right?” Tara asked and got a nod, “Tap into it. Make yourself believe this is really happening.”


Willow looked at the coffee cup and back to Tara, suddenly remembering their very first trip there; the butterflies, the stomach lurching, hanging onto every word. She took a deep breath and nodded towards Jack, who lined up the shot again.


“Action!”


They restarted the scene and Willow relayed her lines more naturally. She fed off of Tara’s effortless ability and soon they were going back-and-forth like they were really reconnecting.


“So, what, no rollicking adventures in the dorms?” Willow asked, nervously smiling at the right time.


Tara’s hands scooted around the cup.


“Mm, it's not the same. It's not like living with a house full of family, or sharing a room with someone you…”


Willow physically felt the pang in her heart.


“…are friends with?”


They shared a bittersweet look which lingered for a few moments.


“Cut!”


Both Willow and Tara were jolted from the fantasy and had to take a moment to compose themselves. Jack complimented them, but Willow was engrossed in her own thoughts and moved over to sit by Tara.


“Please don’t…if I ever do something stupid…I…”


“Ssh,” Tara comforted, knowing it was hard but that Willow needed the emotions to act, “Hey, you did great.”


Willow smiled bashfully.


“Yeah, I didn’t feel like a total dork.”


Jack got them back to work quickly, which Willow both appreciated and resented. They worked for a few hours around campus and got some pretty eerie dusk shots that Willow was really excited about.


“I think these are going to turn out really great,” Jack said as they finished up the last morning shot, “I love the kooky clothes you’re putting them in.”


Willow looked down, confused.


“These are just our clothes.”


“Right,” Jack replied quickly, “So, uh, great job. Really great.”


They broke for breakfast, with Jack going off to meet Becky somewhere in the city before they would come back for Becky to shoot with Willow, and Willow and Tara headed to the cafeteria.


Willow noticed Tara was particularly quiet on the way.


“Are you okay?”


Tara kept her gaze low and just shrugged one shoulder.


“Watching your face crumple watching the rose…that single tear.”


“Yeah, where the heck did I learn how to do that?” Willow asked, joking to ease the pain she’d brought up to accomplish it, “Oh, baby.”


She stopped and hugged Tara on the spot, ignoring the annoyed looks they got from people having to walk around them.


“Look, you were right. I had to tap in. And I’m so excited that we’re creating something together. And I’m really excited that I can actually do this. I mean, I’m doing it, I’m acting, and it’s actually turning out sort of okay. It’s mind-boggling. I always regurgitated words and facts and science and got good grades…but this is personal. I’m, we’re, creating something real.”


Tara sniffed, then nodded and smiled.


“I know, it’s amazing.”


Willow put her arms around Tara’s shoulder and leaned over to kiss her cheek.


“C’mere.”


They walked into the cafeteria, where Willow brought a big plate of waffles to a table and Tara, toast and a bowl of fruit and yogurt.


Willow tucked into her waffles hungrily, but after a few minutes, paused.


“So I have something to suggest that I don’t think you’re going to like.”


“Oh boy,” Tara replied, stirring some honey into her yogurt, “You’re not going to suggest punching you to get you to cry again are you? Because I'm not doing that and neither is Jack. Becky might but I wouldn't be happy about it.”


“We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it,” Willow replied with a smile, “No…um…well it’s about all you said about really feeling it to be able to act it.”


“You’re doing so good,” Tara replied, smiling affectionately, “Really, I’m so proud of you. I know you’re totally stepping outside of your comfort zone. You’re so amazing, you could do anything.”


Willow blushed and smiled.


“Thanks. So I’m thinking…for the big kiss scene–”


Tara interrupted with some uncomfortable shuffling


“I get a little antsy thinking about us kissing on a big screen.”


Willow jabbed a waffle but didn’t pick it up.


“…do you want to cut it?”


Tara shook her head.


“No, it’s a good ending…and I know you didn’t want to shy away from affection.”


Willow frowned.


“Well, yeah, but not if it makes you uncomfortable. You’re my number one. Plus if I had ended up not acting, I would not be okay with it, so…”


Tara picked a blueberry out with her spoon and ate it, in thought.


“Would you be okay if it was sort of a long shot? Like no close-ups of our mouths and no tongue-slipping?”


“Um, yes,” Willow replied adamantly, as had been her plan all along, “Of course. I have no interest in being fodder for anyone.”


“I’m okay then,” Tara replied with a soft smile, “What was your suggestion?


“Well…” Willow replied, cutting her waffles into little pieces, “I just thought…well, wow, they haven’t kissed in a while. They’re longing for each other, right?”


Tara nodded.


“Yeah, they’re finding their way home.”


Willow smiled at that.


“Yeah, they are. I like that. So…I thought…to recreate that longing…maybe we shouldn’t kiss ‘til then.”


Tara’s spoon stopped halfway to her mouth and she looked fully at Willow.


“No kissing for a week? Have you forgotten how hard it was when you had that tooth infection?”


“I know,” Willow replied with a slight whine, “I just wonder how I could feel that deep need when I’ve smooched you a few minutes earlier.”


Tara cracked her neck and sighed.


“I love you, Director Rosenberg, but I am looking forward to this foray being over.”


Willow nodded, slightly disconcerted.


“Me too sometimes. I meant every word earlier, it’s amazing but it’s hard. It’s like there’s always something that could have been done better. I’m not as sure as I normally am with my assignments.”


Tara stroked Willow’s cheek.


“That’s not a director trait, that’s a Willow trait.”


Willow sighed.


“Facts are facts, science is science. It’s not what I’m used to.”


“So you’re not changing your career path to the arts?” Tara joked.


“No way,” Willow replied, trying to conceal the pain in her belly she got when she thought of anything career or career-related, “So, um…up for my little experiment? No contact?”


Tara pushed her bowl away and moved closer to Willow.


“None at all? No cuddling even?”


“I just feel like we have to feel like they have to feel,” Willow explained, “It’s not like I’m trying to find an excuse not to kiss you. You know I get cranky when I don’t get…you.”


“Willow…” Tara replied, lowering her voice right down, “No kissing or sex is hard enough, but we can’t even hug?”


“They can’t,” Willow said, only her innate need to produce quality work stopping her from shouting down the idea herself.


Tara wanted to make Willow happy.


“If it starts to affect our relationship…”


Willow took Tara’s hand in hers.


“Then it’s done. Number one, you. Always. I’ll say it a million times.”


Tara turned her hand in Willow’s and linked their fingers.


“Do we get a last one?”


Willow seemed uncertain.


“…they didn’t, not knowingly,” she replied, immediately seeing Tara tense, “No, Tara, if you’re mad then it’s off.”


Tara sighed once, then leaned over and kissed Willow’s temple.


“You will be the death of me, Willow Rosenberg.”


“I hope not, ‘cause I’ll be jumping in the casket with you,” Willow replied, holding Tara’s hand under the table, “You’re my whole life. I love you so much.”


“Honey,” Tara replied softly, embracing Willow sidelong, “I love you too. And I love what we’re doing. And I loved doing the play with you. I was every bit as proud of you then as I am now. I don't care if you're my leading lady or my curtain puller.”


Willow turned to hug Tara properly.


“You’re better than waffles.”


Tara smiled.


“You’re making me blush.”


Willow grinned back.


“Well now I know how I’m going to get my kicks for the next week! Tara cheeks, beware, the blush monster is here!”

_________________
Amber Benson killed me once.

Check out my finished fics

Love, The Series … Two For Joy/21+/Joy To The World … Dancing With Dimensions

Inevitable/Infinitely …Confidential Eternal … A Twisted Date … Dachsund Through The Snow

Dibs-y Goodness!

Yay for great update-y goodness.. I really liked their wakeup in the planetarium and their private morning celebration in their room... The no-contact until their film is shot is going to be really hard for them but I know that their naked celebration after that is going to be incredible...

_________________
We Few, We Happy Few, We Band of Buggered

Posting while nude improves your mood...

Aw, I missed the dibs. *sad face* But it was a FABULOUS update! *happy face* Wow, that filming stuff is cool. I laughed so hard at “Willow, heterosexuals are people too.” Cool stuff. Sweet update...and...er...my brain isn't functioning properly, sorry. I just got back from orchestra practice and now I'm all nervous for the concert that's coming up. A nervous Sal is never a good Sal. So...sorry about the brain that is currently not working.

I wonder how they'll get by with the “no touching” thing. Hell, I don't think I could last even a day if I had Willow or Tara for a girlfriend. But I have no self control, so...yeah. Um...I have nothing else to say, so...g'bye for now, fabulous Laragh. I'll be back soon. Very soon. *starts laughing evilly* *chokes and nearly passes out*

Thank you for the fabulously amazing update.

-Annie (yeah, it changed again. But probably only for today.)

PS: Weird phase that's happening: I can't stop saying “fabulous.” I'm kinda hoping it won't stick, but it would be interesting if it did, wouldn't it?

_________________
"Miss Edith speaks out of turn. She's a bad example and will have no cakes today"

I have a fish named Drusilla. He doesn't know, he thinks his name is Drew. Shhhh...

Spike: Are we feeling better, then?
Drusilla: I'm naming all the stars.
Spike: You can't see the stars, love. That's the ceiling. Also it's day.
Drusilla: I can see them. But I've named them all the same name, and there's terrible confusion.

Eep, sorry I'm so late with this feedback Laragh, I honestly didn't realise the chapter had been posted so soon as I wasn't expecting it till this week, the 28th. Naughty kitten,slapped paws

Becky is a bigger W/T shipper than Dawn. Sorry but I find that hard to believe.

I can't believe that Willow is being such an ass over Harry Potter. As Tara says it isn't cute and is well below Willowesque standards. Also Tara may have read books that Willow hasn't read at all.

“I don’t know if I’m well-versed enough to make a pun yet…Wait! I know,” she finally replied with a small grin, “I can’t wait to Whomp my Willow later.”

Tara you naughty vixen

“I’m a Gryffindor,” she said more proudly, “Just like Hermione. Everyone thought she was a nerd but she was a hero.”

Who says nerds can't be heroes??????

They ended up squashed in beside a man with an impressive home-made Nintendo costume on Willow’s side and a group of skimpy bunnies on Tara’s.

Good job they hadn't met Anya yet lol

Willow stood in front of the doors for a few moments, then looked for a slide or handle of some sort, but none was too be found. She stared at the doors for another minute, then took a few steps back and made a running start at the door. She crashed into them and fell on her butt.

Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha. Sorry Willow but it was just so funny. I've actually done this myself.

I'm guessing that someone has been to the Warner Brothers Harry Potter exhibition in London. Hope it was really cool cos I want to go too.

“Did they have the internet?” Tara asked.

C'mon, you're telling me that a school like that doesn't believe in social media????

I have to say I am loving child like Willow in the Harry Potter exhibition but only cos i would probably react in a similar fashion. Nerds rule

I wonder if Willow has an X Box so she can play the HP video games. She can even do it as two player with Tara or even Jakey later on if she gets the Lego HP games.

Tara knew she was being entrusted with something very precious and packed it away very carefully.

And is now in a frame at their home in Buffalo.

“Yeah,” Willow nodded, making herself smile, “Thank you so much for coming with me…it wouldn’t have been anything without you.”

I get totally what Willow says here. There's a ton of things that I want to do but I'd like a Willow or Tara of my own to do them with. I guess it's just one of things that make life worthwhile.

WOW what an awesome chapter that was. Just so much fun to read and I love fan girl WIllow. I know that in some circumstances it can be tiresome to others but I am just as big a fan boy, though I'm more Dr. Who and Buffy, so I would probably be geeking out just as much.

Looking forward to what happens next to the girls.

Hi Laragh

Sounds like a nice way to wake up after a fun date night. In the planetarium part of the museum with daylight being projected while sleeping next to Willow. Though sleeping on the concrete floor may be a little uncomfortable, I know from experience.

She watched Willow sleeping for a moment or two, smiling, then began to gently wake her. She slipped a hand onto her belly under the sleeping bag.

This sounds like a very nice way to wake up as well. I wouldn't mind waking to a Tara tummy rub myself

I think there may be some drooling to come just to warn you Laragh. Get that bucket ready.

Campus showed remnants of the Halloween antics from the moment they

stood foot on the grass, with empty alcohol bottles, discarded candy wrappers, toilet paper and abandoned costume masks littering the area.The mess continued into their building, but with added passed out bodies to climb over.

Must've been one heck of a party.

Willow took her glasses off for maximum kissing potential,

I always find that rather strange, the idea of Willow wearing spectacles. I just find it hard to picture as we never saw it on the show.

She got stalled quickly on the descent as her mouth dropped to Tara’s breasts.Tara arched her back so her nipple was thrust into Willow’s mouth. Willow tugged it between her teeth and tongued the areola. She palmed the other breast and ran her tongue all around, indenting Tara’s skin with gentle lovenips along the way.

I did warn you lol.

Tara’s hands roamed Willow’s back, following her spine and sneaking down to cup her butt. Her hips rose on each of Willow’s upstrokes so they were forming a rhythm that sped up and slowed down at Tara’s behest. And just a little more lol

I like the planning out that the girls have done for their film. they certainly seem to know what they want though I do wonder if having a scene where they use their magic to move a boulder isn't a tad too much.

“It’s a sweet story,” Jack added, “I’m excited to be framing shots with emotion and not action. I’m glad we could figure out this symbiosis.” “And very glad you introduced me to this lovely lady.”

I like this Jack, he seems to be a nice chap with a brain to him. A rarity these

days.

Becky offered a distracted wave and they went off wrapped around each other. Willow looked on after them, shaking her head.
“Gross.”

Tush tush, double standards Willow.

I've been in Willow's situation so I know how hard it can be so bravo to her for even being willing to attempt it in the first place.

Wow, no kissing, snuggles or sex for a week. Willow is certainly determined to do this film properly. I just hope they both survive.

YAY another great chapter read. I like the continuation of the previous chapter at the start and their beginning to make the film for the class. Hope it turns out as good as this chapter.

zampsa19752001 -







I'm glad you enjoyed it and I think you're right...

Thanks for commenting

_Salix_ -



That's okay, I liked what you had to say!



With difficulty and frustration I would imagine.



I'm the resident choker-on-air in these parts



Fabulous is fabulous!

Thanks for commenting

willowtaralover –



No problem, glad you got around to reading it



I know. No one is a bigger W/T shipper than Dawn.



Some people get very protective over their houses! I know someone who had an identity crisis over being sorted into the wrong house in Pottermore.



She can be when she wants to be



Society until nerd culture became such a huge thing! (remember, they're still in 2007)



Major freak out on the subway!



Me too, into glass!



Only read about it, but it sounds awesome!



The internet wouldn't have been wildly available back when Harry Potter was set...plus you know, they had the whole Battle of Hogwarts thing going on...



Nerdopia for all. Do you watch the show King Of The Nerds? I recommend it.



She doesn't have one in the dorm, and they wouldn't be able to afford one in the post-college, pre-hacker intervening years (maybe Becky gets her one as a present?? We'll have to see!) but they definitely have a games console by the time Jake is a couple of years old.



Ha! It probably is. I could imagine Willow using the basement as a den just for her and all her geeky things (that, of course gets taken over by the kids)



I know that feel, bro.



I'm more of a DW and general Amber Benson fangirl than either HP of Buffy, but I know the *eyeroll* from the friends when you've geeked out too much in front of them!



Hope you continue to enjoy!



They had a mat underneath, but definitely not the most comfortable of experiences.



I imagine it's very calming!



Duly warned and duly noted!



You ever been near a university at Halloween? It's crazy!



It is a bit hard to imagine, but I think it's fun once you get there!



You did!



Of course



Way too hard to film. They're throwing ideas out there because, logically, the mind wouldn't automatically go to 'soda machine'.



Yes, I want Jack to be all things nice. Becky needs a calming influence in her life.



I know! While she's all over Tara, too.



Me too, except I hated (and sucked!) at it.



Barely, but yes.



Like I always say, hope you enjoy

Thanks for commenting!

---

_________________
Amber Benson killed me once.

Check out my finished fics

Love, The Series … Two For Joy/21+/Joy To The World … Dancing With Dimensions

Inevitable/Infinitely …Confidential Eternal … A Twisted Date … Dachsund Through The Snow

********

TITLE: College Confidential

WRITER: Laragh

CHAPTER RATING: NC-17

DISCLAIMER: Willow, Tara and any other characters from the Buffy the Vampire Slayer franchise belong to Joss Whedon, FOX, ME and a whole host of other entities, none of which are me.

SUMMARY: The first part of the prequel to Hacker Confidential and Family Confidential - the college years!

SPOILERS: Perhaps minor references to the show or stealage of dialogue, but nothing that would spoil the series.

FEEDBACK: Yes please

Chapter 91

********

Tara was engrossed in her sketchbook, hunched over on the bed with her back to the wall for support.


She was drawing a very intimate and very detailed picture of Willow, making the portrait she’d done during the summer when Willow posed for her, look like something in a kid’s colouring book.


A knock came to the door and Tara looked up, then down at her drawing and up again. She shoved her sketchbook under the pillow, making sure it was covered, then got up to answer.


“Becky, hi,” she said as she opened the door, “Willow’s in class, but she’ll be back very soon.”


Becky stepped inside with an easy smile.


“You’re who I wanted to see,” she said, going right over to sit on the bed.


Tara eyed her hidden treasure and closed the door behind her.


“Is it about your Alice In Wonderland hat?” she asked, warily coming closer with her eye never leaving her pillow, “I slowed down on it when you said you didn’t need it for Halloween but I can finish it off for you in the next couple of weeks.”


“No…actually, yes, awesome, but take your time,” Becky replied with a wave of her hand, “It’s about Jack – and don’t freak out, I didn’t cheat on him or anything.”


“I didn’t think you did,” Tara replied, sitting a foot away from Becky between her and the pillow and demurely straightening her skirt out under her legs, “Is everything okay?”


Becky smiled with real affection.


“He’s so sweet. And he’s manly, but artistic – thoughtful. Not some macho lug. Really comfortable in himself. It's so easy to be around him.”


Tara nodded and returned the smile.


“He’s a really great guy.”


“He is,” Becky replied, nodding happily, “And we’re totally compatible…especially in the bedroom.”


Tara was a little taken aback despite being used to Becky's frank nature, and her mouth opened and closed a few times.


“Um…”


“Except…” Becky continued, face scrunching as she tried to explain, “See, he’s great with his–”


“Becky–” Tara interrupted immediately, eyes growing wide.


“He’s great during the final showdown. But he’s lacking some…finesse…on the trips downtown,” Becky kept going, oblivious to Tara’s discomfort, “I’ve tried guiding him, but he’s doing the right things, just missing some kind of…I dunno. What should I do?”


Tara’s mouth opened, closed, and opened again, mimicking a fish once again.


“I d-don’t know what you want me to say.”


“Well, Willow said you have a very particular talent in this field,” Becky prompted, “A cunnilingus virtuoso I believe she called you.”


Tara’s cheeks burned brightly and she gritted her teeth.


“What exactly did she say?”


“That you tongue twist with the best of them and drink her like she’s fine wine,” Becky explained, looking away for a second to recall, “She may have been a little tipsy. But she was very adamant.”


Tara stood up, tensed everywhere.


“She shouldn’t have told you that.”


“Okay, but she did,” Becky replied, slightly exasperated, “You must have some tips, she really raved about the way you used your whole mouth.”


Becky waited five seconds before she noticed Tara’s eyes twitching. She got it pretty fast and jumped up.


“Um, never mind. I should go. I’ll, ah, see you around.”


Tara watched her go to open the handle on the door and swallowed a massive lump in her throat.


“Tell him to eat a mango,” she said, tense and looking at the wall and nowhere else, “Savour it.”


Becky paused, hand on the knob.


“Savour a mango. Huh,” she said, eyes creasing in thought, “Should I literally get him a mango or–”


Tara shot a glare and Becky threw her hands up defensively.


“I’m going, I’m going!”


She waltzed down the hallway, an amused and intrigued look on her face. She exited the building just as Willow entered.


“I think I just got you in major do-do.”


Willow started to smile and return what she assumed was a greeting, then the words registered.


“Wait. What?”


Becky was already on the sidewalk.


“Can’t talk,” she called over her shoulder, “Have to go buy a mango.”


“What?!” Willow shouted at her, utterly confused and a little scared, “Should I get flowers?!”


“It wouldn’t hurt!” Becky shouted back before disappearing around a corner.


Willow looked between the street and the hall from her in-between position in the doorway, then, in a panic, ran to the nearest flower stall and got the biggest bunch of daises they had. She slowly made her way home, trying and failing to get Becky on the phone on the way to shed some light on what she was about to walk into.


She hesitated opening the door for a solid minute, then put a big smile on her face and walked in.


“Hey…” she greeted, smile growing very nervous when she saw Tara sitting on the bed with her arms over her chest and face irate, “…saw these and thought of you.”


Tara didn’t move from the spot.


“You met Becky.”


Willow dropped the act.


“She ran off mumbling something about a mango before explaining anything,” she answered, then tried holding out the flowers again and smiling sweetly, “For you…”


Tara grabbed the bunch by their stems and tossed them onto the bed. Willow gulped.


“What did I do? What did she say?”


“She wanted tips,” Tara replied, gaze unfaltering, “For oral sex.”


“Oh god, does she think she’s bi-curious again?” Willow asked, leaning against the desk.


“No, but she seemed pretty certain I was the person to come to,” Tara replied, eyes boring into Willow, “Because apparently you told her I was.”


Willow’s brow creased.


“I never told Becky to come to you for sex tips.”


Tara looked at her pointedly.


“No, but you went into intimate detail about how I performed.”


“No I didn–” Willow started but Tara interrupted.


“She said you were drunk.”


Willow turned pale as the memories resurfaced.


“There may have been…” she started, gulping again, “Idle chat.”


Tara stood up.


“Not okay,” she said, hands starting to gesticulate, “That is not okay! We agreed to keep things private.”


Willow nodded, ashen.


“I know. I’m sorry.”


“I know you have your back and forth with Becky but this crosses a line,” Tara said, arms folding over her chest again, “That was not just yours to share.”


Willow just nodded again, taking heed of Tara's shows of contrition in the past and understanding not to try and defend where she knew she messed up.


“I know. I’m sorry.”


Tara paused for a moment, waiting.


“Is that all you’re going to say?”


“There’s no excuse. I broke your trust,” Willow replied, making herself stand up straight as she cleared her throat, “And it’s not the first time I’ve done something to hurt you when I’ve been drinking. So clearly I'm not mature enough to drink alcohol yet. So I won’t again, until I can trust myself to be the person you deserve.”


Tara’s arms fell slowly away from her chest.


“I’m not telling you that you can’t drink.”


“I know that,” Willow replied, keeping her voice clear to demonstrate how genuine she was trying to be, “I’m making the decision.”


Tara seemed to deflate a bit and finally nodded.


“Well, that’s responsible, at least.”


She sat back down at the edge of the bed and Willow came to sit just a bit away. Some silence lingered between them before Willow’s head lifted.


“Wait a second. Mango,” she said, working it out aloud before she spun around to Tara, “You told her! You told her what to do!”


“I said five words, they have to figure out the rest themselves,” Tara argued, but Willow was beaming from ear to ear, “Why are you grinning like that?”


Willow turned smug.


“Because the queen of sex came to my girlfriend for tips.”


Tara turned bright red again.


“I was so embarrassed.”


They looked at each other and just smiled, breaking the last of the tension.


“I’m really sorry,” Willow said apologetically, “It won’t happen again.”


“Look…you’re owning up, you get credit for that,” Tara replied in a forgiving tone, “And maybe I overreacted a bit…it’s been hard, not being affectionate.”


“Then let’s end it,” Willow replied immediately, “It’s not worth you suffering.”


Tara could have jumped Willow then and there, but managed to control herself and take a deep breath instead.


“We’ve lasted this long, let’s wait out the next two days, or the last five have been for nothing.”


Willow nodded, accepting it.


“How about I take you out to dinner, then. Your favourite Chinese and that gelato place around the corner for dessert.”


Tara smiled and they brushed fingers.


“Yeah, okay. That sounds nice. But please…”


“Promise,” Willow replied, understanding.


Their fingertips wiggled against each other – how they'd been sharing moments of affection during the self-imposed ban, then Tara went into the bathroom to put some make-up on. Willow laid down on the bed and did some slow breathing, thinking about everything and recommitting in her head to not be the person she sometimes be became under certain influences.


After a few minutes, she noticed something was sitting uncomfortably under her shoulder and she fished out the sketchbook. She was about to leave it on Tara’s nightstand when she actually noticed the content and gasped.


Tara came out of the bathroom moments later, saw Willow, and ran over to snatch the book from her hands.


Willow looked at her empty hands for a moment, then to Tara who was clutching the book to her chest and avoiding eye contact.


“Sorry,” Willow said, offering an inoffensive smile, “Getting that tension out, huh?”


Tara didn’t say anything and Willow felt the need to fill the silence.


“Pretty graphic.”


Tara looked down at the floor, embarrassed, especially considering what she'd just been berating Willow for. She cursed herself for not doing enough to hide it.


“I’ll destroy it.”


“No, it’s okay. It’s your art,” Willow reassured, adopting a soft tone, “I trust you.”


Tara’s eyes slowly lifted and Willow met them, smiling. Tara smiled shyly as well and hid her sketchbook away in the closet.


“Do you still want to go out?”


“Course I do,” Willow said, jumping up again. “I’m in major need for some General Tso's.”


“I think I’m in a moo shu pork kind of mood,” Tara replied with a soft smile, “Will we…?”


Willow joined her and opened the door, making a chivalrous start to a lovely evening.

---

Tara was fixing Willow’s hair in the mirror, getting it ready for their last day of filming. She was straightening it to change Willow's appearance and make it seem like time had passed from when they shot the earlier scenes.


“You look really pretty,” Tara complimented, smoothing out the ends, “I was thinking of putting mine in a ponytail.”


Willow grinned through the mirror.


“You’re going for a tough chick look with your ponytail and that leather jacket.”


Tara smiled back.


“Kickin’ butt and kissing girls.”


“GirLLL, singular,” Willow corrected with a subsequent ‘pfft’, “I don’t think she was running around after anyone else while they were apart.”


“Me either,” Tara replied, threading a comb through Willow’s hair to fix her part, “Once you fall for Willow, you stay fallen. Even when she's a Sierra.”


Willow reached up to Tara’s hand on her shoulder and gave it a gentle squeeze. They shared another smile through the mirror before a knock at the door interrupted them.


Tara answered it, to Jack and Becky, smiling like a lunatic. Jack walked over to Willow so they could set the equipment up and Becky threw her arms around Tara.


“What was that for?” Tara asked in confusion when Becky finally pulled away.


“For introducing me to mangoes,” Becky replied, pulling the collar on Tara’s jacket and smoothing it out with a devilish grin, “My new favourite fruit.”


“Which we will never speak of again,” Tara replied pointedly, trying to contain her blush.


Becky winked.


“You got it.”


Tara closed the door and Willow glanced over when she saw Becky staying.


“We’re good with all your scenes…we just need to get this shot and we’re done.”


“I love it when he says action,” Becky waltzed over to hang out of Jack’s arm, “Can I stay?”


“If you DON’T get in his way,” Willow replied forcefully, “We need this take done in one shot.”


“I won’t, I promise,” Becky replied, holding her hands up and taking a step back, “Best behaviour.”


“Why one take?” Jack asked.


“Because we haven’t made out in a week to make it look authentic!” Willow replied with some frustration.


Jack whistled in admiration.


“That is dedication.”


“Seemed more like stupidity as the week went on, believe me,” Willow muttered, then went to sit on her position on the bed, “So are we ready or what?”


“Uh huh,” Jack replied, holding the camera over his shoulder, “Places.”


Becky squeezed Jack’s arm for luck, then tapped his nose and said something. They smiled.


Willow looked at Tara and they exchanged nervous but excited smiles. Tara took her place at the door, feeling the butterflies start to flutter in her belly, both in-character and in-person.


“Action!”


Becky fanned herself with her hand but hung back right in the far corner behind Jack so as not to get in the way. Tara started the dialogue, heart in her eyes and genuine longing in her voice.


Willow followed her lines, too engrossed with the anticipation of the kiss to overthink and mess up. Everything seemed to be slowed down while she waited for the words she’d longed to hear spoken from the first time she read them.


“It's a long…important process, and…can we just skip it? Can-can you just be kissing me now?”


Willow’s whole face lit up and she ran over, meeting Tara halfway. Their arms went around each other and Tara’s hand was on Willow’s face, moving from her cheek back to cup her hair as they kissed passionately, forgoing their own earlier decision not to use tongue without even thinking about it.


After some moments, they fell back onto the bed together with a soft thud and not a second’s break of contact.


“Cut!” Jack said, dropping the camera with a smile, “Nice! I love that improvised fall. Great transition shot to the credits.”


Willow and Tara kept on kissing and Becky came up behind Jack with a grin.


“I don’t think it was improvised.”


Realisation dawned on Jack’s face and he left the camera down.


“Oh. Should we leave them alone? Looks like they don’t want to go over the shot.”


Becky blinked twice.


“Wow. You want to give two girls making out some privacy,” she said, looking at him in wonder, “You are amazing.”


Jack brought them out the door.


“I think it sucks that just having some common decency is a benchmark for ‘amazing’,” he said, “Um, bye, girls. Get in touch if you need anything else.”


The door closed with a pound and Willow and Tara broke off with an audible pop. They looked at each other, then at the door, then Tara looked back to the door.


“Did they go?” she asked, licking her lips to savour the taste of Willow’s lip-gloss, “We had to finish the morning after scene.”


“I think they noticed we weren’t stopping,” Willow replied as she glanced over and saw the camera waiting, “We’ll do it ourselves later. It’s a single 10 second shot. Okay?”


Tara’s eyes darkened with lust.


“Lock the door.”


Willow practically fell over herself getting out from under Tara and scrambling to lock the door. Tara took the jacket off and released her hair from its ponytail. Willow turned back just in time to see her shake it all out and physically stumbled, going weak at the knees.


Tara was close enough to reach out and catch Willow to hold her up steadily. When she was standing straight again, she lifted her hands to Willow’s face and gently cupped her cheeks.


Willow tilted her chin up in anticipation of the impending kiss and melted into the embrace when their lips met. She gently ran her hands along Tara’s arms as they kissed, minutes passing with a softer intimacy building between them.


“I love kissing you,” Tara breathed against Willow’s lips, gently brushing the skin under her thumbs.


“Not as much as I love kissing you,” Willow whispered back, bumping their noses together, “C’mere.”


She slipped her hand into Tara’s and brought her the few steps back to the bed. She held Tara’s hands to help them both climb on, where their heads hit the pillow. Tara’s hands were back on Willow’s face; caressing lovingly and Willow was kissing her; interspersed, sweet kisses.


They kissed for a long time with their hands staying on each other’s faces and necks but inevitably Willow’s hand was the first to wander down to Tara’s breast. They paused, eyes flicking to each other, their breath still co-mingling.


Willow rolled her palm around Tara’s breast through her shirt and felt her nipple start to protrude.


Tara brushed her fingers against Willow’s wrist and pressed a kiss into the hollow of her girlfriend’s throat.


“Make love to me.”


She lifted Willow’s hand to her mouth and kissed the pads of her fingers.


Willow gulped and moved on top of Tara. She kept her gaze locked with Tara’s as she trailed one finger down Tara’s shirt, unbuttoning along the way.


Tara was the first to break eye contact, her neck craning back into the pillow when Willow teased her nipple through her bra.


Willow kissed down Tara’s cleavage and reached behind to unhook the bra. Her mouth teased both of Tara’s nipples into peaks and she nibbled to elicit some deeper moans.


She could hear the vibrations of the moans through Tara’s lips and felt it shake in her own core. Unable to resist, she kissed back up to Tara’s lips and claimed them for herself.


They slowly undressed each other with only minimal breaking of the kiss and caressed each piece of skin as it was revealed. Tara was naked a long time before Willow, as Tara kept moving her hands back to hold Willow’s face and savour their kiss.


Willow had no objection to the lulls in disrobement, just as lost in the sensuality as Tara.


Finally, Willow felt the last leg of her panties fall off her ankle and slid her thigh up so it pressed between Tara’s legs. She could feel Tara’s arousal slick against her skin and her lips moved into her girlfriend’s neck, showing off her desire with more insistent kisses.


Tara tilted her neck and writhed as Willow kissed her way down; offering her body up to her girlfriend’s touch. When Willow reached Tara’s bellybutton she slid her hands off Tara’s hips and linked both sets of fingers together.


She squeezed their palms together as her head ducked between Tara’s legs and licked her length.


Tara moaned loudly and rolled her hips into Willow’s mouth. Their hands stayed locked, twisting and turning in line with how Tara was moving.


After a few minutes, Tara just started tugging Willow’s hands upwards. Willow lifted her head and Tara’s hands were on her cheeks in seconds, pulling her back up to resume a passionate kiss. She tasted Willow’s lips and moaned into her mouth.


Their breasts and thighs slid together as they settled back and Tara was brushing the downy hair of Willow’s mound. Willow joined in moments later and they slid into each other’s wetness together.


Their tongues played a frolicking back-and-forth and their hands were teasing and exciting each other the same way, caressing each other until they were desperately grinding into each other’s hands.


They both paused at the same moment and opened their eyes to look at each other. Willow linked their spare hands and lifted them above their heads, pressing herself into Tara to pin her.


She could feel Tara’s breath on her lips get quicker and entered her on an inhale, which resulted in a groan.


Tara loved Willow’s weight on top of her and behind the momentum of her girlfriend’s hand. She noticed Willow’s hand was still and realised hers was just dangling there. She moved it between them and slipped inside, to a satisfied sigh from Willow.


Willow rested her forehead on Tara’s, squeezed her hand and pressed it right down to secure herself as she started the pace for them.


Tara hooked one knee over Willow’s hip to accommodate a better rhythm. They shared more kisses, some firm and some soft until they were getting close and forewent the kissing for eye contact.


Willow felt thighs shake, but she couldn’t tell if they were her own or Tara’s, such was their entanglement. She held onto Tara’s hand to keep from completely collapsing and picked up the pace for the final sprint.


Their eyes stayed locked right up until the first waves hit and their moans echoed above them.


They were almost stuck together trying to untangle, although neither was moving too far away from each other. Willow finally settled, curled around Tara, with both of their brows sweaty and chests still flushed.


Willow was curling and flexing her toes to prolong her own orgasmic high and Tara was rubbing the dissipated tension in her own belly. They both sighed at the same time, then giggled.


“Missed you,” Willow said, tracing Tara’s collarbone, “Reconnecting is nice but in future…nicer not to need a reason to.”


Tara nodded, then gently swatted Willow’s chest.


“Hey, you should text Jack, say thanks,” she said, a blush rising on her cheeks, “And sorry.”


“Good thing Becky came along after all, huh?” Willow replied, picking her phone up from the nightstand, “Minorly embarrassing but not exactly the worst situation we’ve been in.”


Willow sent the message and cuddled back in.


“You know something, I am sooo glad I’m not an artist,” she continued, shaking her head as the absurdity of her idea sunk in, “Way too much emotional connection needed for me. And if I ever have to do a science experiment where I have to stop kissing you…well, they can shove it up their butt.”


Tara placed her palm over Willow’s heart.


“Everything you try, you put 100% in,” she said, lips twisting in a sultry curl, “That’s a really sexy quality.”


Willow blushed and smiled.


“But we’re never not kissing for a week again.”


Tara nodded quickly.


“Agreed.”


“I hope I don’t lose another wisdom tooth,” Willow joked, then sat herself up, “Hey, I never told you, I found the perfect song to put over the credits, and maybe laced into that last scene too.”


She got out of bed to get her laptop, glad the curtains were already closed from earlier, to simulate the darkness in their scene. She brought it back and pulled up a song to play. Tara propped herself on one elbow and listened it through.


There was not faith enough
Still my heart held on
When we find that kind of love


Willow closed it when it finished and looked to Tara.


“What do you think?”


“It’s really sweet, but can we just use a song like that?” Tara asked, resting her head back on the pillow.


Willow shrugged.


“Probably not, but I doubt the classroom is going to be lined with music execs ready to sue us. We just won’t put it online or anything.”


Tara smiled and squeezed Willow’s thigh.


“Okay.”


Willow started to close her laptop again but stopped at the last second.


“Hey…would you mind if I started looking through the footage?”


“Would you mind if I took a nap while you did?” Tara countered, smiling tiredly, “I know you have your vision so I can’t help much ‘til you put it all together anyway. But you know I’ll do my share.”


“Of course,” Willow nodded, “Go ahead.”


Tara turned on her other side and moved the blanket all around her.


“Wake me if you need me.”


Willow started working on the footage until she heard a small whistle of a snore come from Tara. She smiled adoringly at her sleeping girlfriend and leaned over to leave a soft kiss on her shoulder blade.


“Whatever vision I have, it’s nothing compared to the vision of you.”

_________________
Amber Benson killed me once.

Check out my finished fics

Love, The Series … Two For Joy/21+/Joy To The World … Dancing With Dimensions

Inevitable/Infinitely …Confidential Eternal … A Twisted Date … Dachsund Through The Snow

Dibs-y goodness...

Yay for great update-y goodness... Big lol for not stopping after the kiss...

_________________
We Few, We Happy Few, We Band of Buggered

Posting while nude improves your mood...

Dibs. CRAP! JUST MISSED IT! Kay...Jr. Dibs then.

Yay! Holy crap, great...uh...update. Nice. Very...nice. Yay for kissage. I'm glad they didn't have to go any longer without kissing. I was starting to feel sorry for them, and I didn't wanna do that.

Um...yay for awesome updates and stuff. You're still very very fabulous. (The phase hasn't gone away yet. )

Happy unbirthday,

-William

_________________
"Miss Edith speaks out of turn. She's a bad example and will have no cakes today"

I have a fish named Drusilla. He doesn't know, he thinks his name is Drew. Shhhh...

Spike: Are we feeling better, then?
Drusilla: I'm naming all the stars.
Spike: You can't see the stars, love. That's the ceiling. Also it's day.
Drusilla: I can see them. But I've named them all the same name, and there's terrible confusion.

Hi Laragh :big wave

Sorry about the late feedback

Nerdopia for all. Do you watch the show King Of The Nerds? I recommend it.

I have to confess here Laragh but this is a show I'd never heard of it till now. Is it on a particular channel or it may be something you can only get over in Ireland or can you get it on dvd.

Well so far everything seems to be going great between Jack and Becky but I wonder what will happen if he drops the 'L' bomb.

I loved Becky's references to Tara as a 'Cunnilingus Virtuoso' and her expertise with her tongue. Though I don't think Tara's too happy and Willow may be in some trouble when she gets back to the dorm.

Good to see Willow accepting fault for talking about Tara's abilities with her tongue and taking some responsibility by cutting out alcohol.

“Because the queen of sex came to my girlfriend for tips.”
Tara turned bright red again. “I was so embarrassed.”

Tara says she was embarrassed but I bet deep down she was proud and a little bit smug herself that Becky needed her help.

“You’re going for a tough chick look with your ponytail and that leather jacket.”

Hmm butch Tara, that would be interesting to see.

“Once you fall for Willow, you stay fallen."

I've never been out of love with Willow. Though I do have an appreciation for Karen Gillan and Felicia Day so maybe I just have a thing for redheads

“But we’re never not kissing for a week again.”

Quite right too, there's too much frustration in not doing anything fun with a partner.

“Whatever vision I have, it’s nothing compared to the vision of you.”

And that's why we love Willlow and Tara, because nothing compres to our vision of their true love

Another awesome chapter Laragh, I especially loved the part where Becky goes to get sex tips from the queen of sex Tara. It's why it just out and out sucks what occurred in season sucks, I think Amber could have had some great comedy moments in season 7. Still, that's why we Kittens exist.

Can't wait to see the film classes reaction to their film.

See you next time Laragh

I'm sorry that I haven't left feedback in ages. I can't possibly make up for it now by a thorough commentation on all the ten or more chapters after my last comment, so I'll just throw some random thoughts out there.

First of all:



Thank you for actually inserting my little thought about Willow surprising Tara with a bit of Sign language in chapter 81, I'm feeling honoured by it!

I'm glad that they were able to overcome their communication problems and realized that they were both to blame. Cudos to you for making the "I frighten you"-fight before the fair much more believable than it was in canon.



I can understand that Willow feels especially hurt by this "silent accusation" because for her it probably rings as "you think I would become like my mother?!" Because in my eyes Willow's mother "left" her husband and child long ago for the sake of her career - emotionally, if not physically. And we learn in family confidential that Willow has the deeply engrained fear that she might someday become like her mother. We of course all know - like Tara does - that this could never happen, because Willow has so much love in her heart, love that for some reason her mother was never capable of.

I wouldn't have expected that you'll insert the Tara/Glory (Ben) encounter into your story, but it also turned out very well, giving Willow and Tara the perspective to quickly overcome their fight (this sort of awareness: "the most important thing is that we are together, safe and healthy).

I'm really curious if you intend to introduce other original Buffy-characters into this story (apart from those who we already met in Hacker and Family Confidential), Giles for example?

I loved the "librarian"-sexcapade and of course the wonderful datenight Willow organized for Tara - she can be such a romantic!

I'm glad that you gave Tara some kind of closure with Kirstin and that it helped Willow at least partially overcoming the painful memories of her isolated childhood at the same time.

And yay, Becky is back! She is always so much fun.

This really made me laugh:



It amazes me how Tara manages to come up with those snippets of wisdom on the spot. I can imagine many fights in the future with their teenager-kids in which Willow almost pops a vein and Tara has to settle the dispute with her kind wisdom.

I do sense some potential for future drama in the way Willow secretly "rescues" and hides the form for the Paris exchange. I imagine she will apply Tara for it, "faking" her signature, and that Tara won't take that well when she learns about it.
I also think Tara's reply wasn't the best in this situation, giving Willow the wrong idea:



For Willow, who still harbours some massive insecurities, this must somehow sound like "I would apply if I wasn't burdened with having to take care of you". I know this is so not what Tara meant here, but we all know how Willow's insecurities cause her to totally misread Tara's intentions sometimes. Something like "I couldn't imagine beeing apart from you for one week, much less eight", would have been a "better" response in my opinion (although it might have lead to Tara never going to Paris and who knows what she (and Willow) would have missed if she didn't have that experience).

I loved all the stuff with the movie making, that you had them stage the Willow / Tara-arc of season six but with a happy ending.
The infamous sex-tape...I'm glad that Tara realised pretty quickly how absurd her accusation was that it was a "nefarious plan" of Willow and that it didn't result in future awkwardness in their intimacy.

I adore "big kid"-Willow and therefore had much fun reading the "Oktoberfest-" and "Harry Potter"-chapters.

Conversations like:



are perfect practice for Tara's future motherhood, lol.

Although I find drunk Willow funny I apreciate that she swore off the booze in the last chapter to prevent her from hurting Tara with more indiscretions or "grabby-ness" while being drunk.

Oh and I'm quite fond of Jack. I really hope his relationship with Becky is going to last for a while. I know he won't stick around until hacker, but a serious, longtime relationship with him would be good for Becky, I think.

Last but not least, the mango-thing was just hilarious! We readers always knew that Tara is the "queen of sex" - sharing her throne with Willow, of course!

So, this is all I can think about right now, so I'm going to shut up now ("Finally!" you're probably thinking...)

I'm really looking forward to the next chapter. I'll try to give my comment to it next weekend.

zampsa19752001 -



Woop!



Glad you enjoyed it

Thanks for commenting!

_Salix_ -



Still a worthy triumph



Me too. They should get to kiss always.



Phases can be fun.



And to you.

Thanks for commenting

willowtaralover =



Hi!



Never a problem



It's on TBS over in the states (the same channel Adam Busch's Men At Work was on...Adam actually guest stars in one episode!)



She's learned from her relationship with Lucas...she won't make that mistake again!



I think you might be right.



Willow is trying to work on her faults, and she has to be commended for that.



I don't know about that...she was pretty darn embarrassed!



Her 'look' is modeled in its entirety on how Tara looked in the last scene of 'Entropy' (ie, the scene they acted out)



I agree with you there, and on all three ladies!



It can be good to 'get out' if all you do is make out, but I agree, morning, afternoon and good night kisses for all!



Very true.



Season who? What now? Tara had some great funny moments (genuine molded plastic, not much for the timber, muscle cramp in your pants)



Hope you enjoy it!

Thanks for the feedback

Will's redemption -



Hi! And I love random thoughts!



It was a really great suggestion and has the added benefit of showing that, even though they were going through a rough patch, Willow was still trying to be part of Tara's life.



I so much at that canon argument. A more realistic one would have been entirely Tara's fear of her magic use and then the 'where will I fit in your life' bit being that she'd be left behind if Willow went on to bigger and better magical things (playing on her past insecurities of never feeling 'useful')



Perfect insight. Her biggest fears are her own perceptions of herself so for Tara to almost 'confirm' it (to her) was a punch to the stomach. It all goes back to how 'Tara looks at me and I'm wonderful'. Briefly and in isolated areas, she wasn't wonderful in Tara's eyes and there was a bit of a shattering of the fairytale. However, there's immense joy in getting back to that place, and a real security and bond in knowing someone has seen your bad sides and is still there with you - that was the whole message and development I was trying to bring out through those chapters.



It's one of those things you have to balance - there's a danger of blowing off the fight in favour of that perspective, while not actually sorting out the feelings. That's why I wanted to have Tara push through with talking even though she was tired and hurting.



I have no plans to (although starting Hacker I had no plans for Buffy/Xander/Jesse/Anya either, but I do have these fics a bit more planned out). The trouble with introducing characters in prequels, is that they have to be out of the way by the time time catches up (hence why we got 'Miss Fishy' and not 'Miss Kitty' to stop any trauma when she has to be killed off)



Willow is absolutely a romantic. She's a sweetheart and loving and she really would do almost anything to see Tara smile. Her self-esteem grows from Tara's reactions to her romantic gestures and it's this wonderful cyclical sequence of love through each other.



Back to that cyclical thing - they heal themselves through each other.



I'm glad you think so, it's lots of fun to write her.



Always happy to produce a giggle



She's always deeply thinking, I think. She considers things before she says them (most of the time anyway, she definitely has her blurting moments, but her natural state is to be quiet, so she's used to being inside her head) And I envision their teenager fights in exactly the same way!



You would be correct, but Willow's heart was in the right place and Tara is usually pretty good at taking someone's intent into account.



I totally agree Tara could have worded that better to Willow or recognised that she needed to follow it up, but you're ding ding ding 100% correct with your last line. It had to happen that way because Tara never would have volunteered of her own accord.



As it was in my head!



Me too. Horrible all around to think your partner would do that/be accused when you haven't.



I do too. Even though in can result in disruption or annoyance sometimes, I think it's one of her best qualities and I love that she never loses it.



I think Tara often considers Willow as part of 'the children' as a mother (in terms of: picking a family day out, planning travel, restricting cookies etc)



As much as I love Willow the Big Kid, I think it's important to show that she can and is mature/maturing as well. Recognising that she wants Tara as a life partner (therefore making her Tara's life partner) is a really important perspective and a role she wants to honour.



We're so on the same wavelength. He's not going anywhere any time soon.



Yes! I worry it comes across as off-balance that Tara is better in bed than Willow (because Tara is quiet about it and Willow gushes (vocally ), so it's spoken/seen more) but I am in total agreement that they're equally hot for and as great as each other when it comes to their carnal activities.



No way, always love to hear from/discuss stuff/get new perspectives from people



Some stuff you mentioned in this comment is happening already!

Thanks for your feedback

---

_________________
Amber Benson killed me once.

Check out my finished fics

Love, The Series … Two For Joy/21+/Joy To The World … Dancing With Dimensions

Inevitable/Infinitely …Confidential Eternal … A Twisted Date … Dachsund Through The Snow

********

TITLE: College Confidential

WRITER: Laragh

CHAPTER RATING: PG-13

DISCLAIMER: Willow, Tara and any other characters from the Buffy the Vampire Slayer franchise belong to Joss Whedon, FOX, ME and a whole host of other entities, none of which are me.

SUMMARY: The first part of the prequel to Hacker Confidential and Family Confidential - the college years!

SPOILERS: Perhaps minor references to the show or stealage of dialogue, but nothing that would spoil the series.

FEEDBACK: Yes please

Chapter 92

********

Tara noticed Willow’s incessant leg shaking and gently tried to stop it with her hand.


“Honey, don’t be nervous.”


“Can’t help it,” Willow replied, her upper body compensating for her stalled leg by bouncing up and down, “We put so much work into it. Editing it was so tedious. And it was emotional. I really got in there and you did too and now we just have to show it to everyone and their stupid opinions?”


Tara put her arm around Willow’s shoulders and gave her a squeeze.


“Repeat after me. No matter what, we’re proud of what we made.”


Willow made herself take a soft breath, Tara’s contact helping to calm her.


“No matter what, we’re proud of what we made.”


Tara kissed Willow’s cheek and removed her arm, but took her hand instead. The last students piled into the classroom and the professor finished setting up the projector.


She announced the first three films, which Willow barely paid any attention to, nor the grades or critiques after. She broke out in a sweat when she saw theirs being lined up.


“And now we have ‘Wish I Could Stay’ by Willow Rosenberg and Tara Maclay.”


Tara squeezed Willow’s hand for comfort and luck as the movie opened, framed on Willow's heartbroken face, watching Tara walk away.


Willow actually managed to calm down as she was watching it through; it was good, and she was proud - she didn’t even have to pretend for Tara. She'd worked hard on the special effects, inserting charms and lights around their characters doing magic and was impressed of the effect of the floating rose, where they'd used a stick and some invisible string to levitate it. It was amateur, but it worked, and looked pretty good for a first attempt.


Everyone laughed at the bonus morning-after scene after the credits, which had Tara showing a bit too much leg for Willow to be comfortable with, but had had to get over. The screen turned to its original white again and Willow let out a long breath of relief.


“Are there any questions?” the professor asked, opening the floor.


One guy raised his hand but didn’t wait to be called on.


“They sort of seemed like they were just friends.”


Willow’s eyebrow lifted.


“Did you miss the kissing part?”


“It’s sort of cliché,” another girl added in.


“Yeah, what was the point of having them be gay?” another guy asked, brow lowered quizzically.


Tara saw Willow was about to lose her temper and quickly stepped in.


“There isn’t one. There doesn’t have to be. Gay people exist. These are two people in love and they just happen to both be women.”


The professor stepped forward.


“Does anyone else have any questions?” she asked and a bunch of hands went up, “Which don’t pertain to these characters’ sexuality?”


All of the hands went down, then one shy girl lifted her hand and asked about the special effects. Willow happily answered all her questions, plus a couple more about editing and Tara took one about the script.


When no more questions were asked, the professor offered her critique.


“Interesting use of symbolism and metaphor throughout, if a slightly over-zealous use of computer effects. Good knowledge of composition and nice transitioning, particular the use of the jump cut in the first scene and the smoothness of the last,” she replied, smiling in a way that indicated she’d appreciated the happy ending, “Over reliance on montage for the length but very positive message delivered in a unique way. Overall, a very good effort. A minus.”


“Minus?” Willow muttered with a disapproving pout, “I didn’t not kiss you for a week for a minus.”


Tara took her hand and gave it a squeeze.


“I think we did a pretty good job for our first go. I'll take an A minus, happily.”


The professor made her way back to the computer to line up the next film.


“Next up is Jack Boop with ‘Try Hard’. Quiet again please.”


Jack was sitting a couple of rows ahead and nervously waved to the room. Willow looked at Tara quizzically.


“Jack’s surname is Boop?”


“Yeah,” Tara whispered back.


“Is that why Becky’s always tapping his nose and saying ‘boop boop’?” Willow asked and Tara shrugged, “I just thought they were being goofy. Funny surname. Boop. I thought he was Korean.”


“He’s half Korean on his mom’s side,” Tara replied quietly, “He told us that at the festival, remember? Becky was saying she had French grandparents and I said my ancestors were from Scotland and Ireland?”


Willow thought back but couldn’t remember.


“I think I was drunk by then.”


Jack’s movie started with a bang right from the get-go with two six-packed guys in ripped shirts fighting on top of a building, which Willow recognised as one she and Tara had gone out at night to, to snuggle under the stars. There were comedic additions of ‘Pow’ and the like across the screen throughout and some impressive scenes of jumping around where Jack had taken use of the green screen they’d had available to them. Becky featured quite heavily considering her damsel in distress role wasn’t vital, and she completely overplayed the acting, but it suited the spoof style Jack was going for.


Willow wasn’t an action fan, but enjoyed the play-up of the genre and giggling at Becky’s exaggerated movements. She was glad she’d opted not to give her friend a speaking part.


When it was over, the same guy who’d missed the romantic nature of the characters relationship in Willow and Tara’s movie, astutely noticed something else.


“Did you two share actresses?” he asked, then grinned seedily when Willow nodded, “Can I get her number?”


“No,” Jack and Willow answered at the same time, then shared a smile of solidarity.


Jack answered questions on his camera handling and choreography and seemed delighted when he received an A minus too. They watched three more submissions; two zombie horrors and one that just featured a man painting a portrait from start to finish with piano music in the background until class was over.


Willow stood up and stretched; it wasn’t the worst way to spend a class but some of what they had to watch was painful to sit through. She took Tara’s hand when it was offered and was brought over to Jack.


“We just wanted to thank you again,” Tara said with a grateful smile, “Yours was great. Willow was laughing when she heard your name.”


Willow turned to her wide-eyed.


“Tara!”


Jack just laughed.


“You think that’s funny; if my parents had double-barrelled, I’d be Bu-Boop,” he replied, then smiled inwardly, blushing slightly, “Rebecca does this thing with my nose…”


“Told you!” Willow retorted to Tara, then blushed herself, “I mean, um, we noticed. Cute.”


She glanced away, embarrassed and Jack seemed lost in his own little Becky-filled world, so Tara continued the conversation.


“I hope you like the poster.”


“Framed on my wall,” Jack replied with big smile, “I love it. Thought I was Martin Scorsese there for a while every time I looked at it. My very own movie poster. You guys did great too. Are you going to advance?”


“No way,” Willow replied quickly, “I’m afraid Film was just a phase for me.”


“I think I’ll stick to the drawing,” Tara added in, “What about you?”


Jack leaned back against the wall with a smile.


“I caught the bug. I’m studying finance, but hey, I can have a hobby,” he said, then looked down at his watch, “Hey, I better go, I’m collecting Rebecca in ten to drive her home.”


Willow groaned.


“Lucky. We both have last classes tomorrow.”


“Happy holidays you two,” Jack greeted and pushed off with a wave and a smile.


Willow and Tara waved back, then Willow turned back to Tara and walked them out the other way.


“Can you believe Becky’s going home with him for the holidays? They’ve only been dating a couple of months.”


“Is that unusual?” Tara asked.


“Not in general, but for Becky, yes,” Willow replied with a definitive nod, “I don’t think she’s ever ‘met the parents’ actually.”


“Must be love,” Tara replied with a softly sloping smile, “He’s head over heels too. It’s so obvious.”


“Yeah, it’s nice,” Willow agreed, matching her smile, “What about you and me for the holiday season, will we take out our strip dreidel again?”


Tara’s cheeks tinged pink.


“I could be convinced…”


“And I look forward to doing the convincing,” Willow replied, poking her tongue out between her teeth, “And I have your birthday all planned don’t worry!”


Tara stopped at a vending machine to get a bottle of water.


“I hope you haven’t gone to too much trouble.”


“Why, because you didn’t for mine?” Willow countered, “I will never live up to your glory, but I can try.”


“Okay, okay,” Tara replied with a smile, “I’m sure you’ve got all sorts planned.”


She took her water from the machine, twisted the cap off and offered it to Willow. Willow smiled at the gesture, took a swig and handed it back.


“So do you want to do something this evening?”


Tara sighed.


“I have to study for my French final tomorrow.”


“Oh, my bad,” Willow replied, turning them around a corner and out of the building, “I thought it was just handing in an assignment.”


“Unfortunately not,” Tara replied, rubbing her arms to produce some warmth, “God, it’s cold.”


Willow put her hand on Tara’s shoulder and rubbed gently.


“Lemme warm you up.”


Tara shook her head.


“You’ll get frostbite if you take your sweater off.”


Willow grinned at her, sideways.


“That’s not what I meant…”


Tara met her glance, matched her smile, and they hurried home, hand in hand.

---

“Willow…”


Willow's head popped out from under the blanket.


“Yeah?”


Tara lifted her textbook up so she could see Willow’s face.


“Stop nibbling on my thighs.”


Willow pouted and rolled away to her side.


“They’re so nibblable!”


Tara resumed reading her notes, propping it up on her knees. She was sitting up with the blanket covering her naked body, but Willow still had full access and was taking advantage of it.


“I can’t conjugate French verbs and be your dinner spread at the same time,” Tara replied, highlighting something on the page.


Willow propped herself up eagerly.


“I can help.”


Tara glanced over.


“You don’t speak French.”


“I watched that movie with you,” Willow replied, peering over to see if she recognised anything, “With the singer. Edie somethin’?”


“Édith Piaf,” Tara corrected, “And we watched La Vie en Rose six months ago.”


“Guess it’s not technically a recognised qualification,” Willow replied, flopping back down with a sigh, “I’m just kinda in vacation mode already. Hand in labs in the morning and I’m done.”


She drew a circle on the sheet, but her hand instinctively ambled towards Tara’s thigh.


Tara felt the squeeze and shut her book, then swung her legs off the bed.


“I’m putting clothes on.”


Willow crossed her arms over her chest grumpily.


“Alright, alright.”


Willow watched Tara redress, then begrudgingly got up to put her clothes on as well.


“I’ll just…sit on the floor…quiet…won’t disturb you.”


Tara fixed her top button on her shirt and turned back around.


“Okay. I’ll take an hour’s break, then you have to let me study.”


Willow jumped up on the spot.


“Deal!” she said, clapping her hands together once, “Let’s go get some hot chocolate.”


“Hot chocolate does sound good,” Tara replied, smiling, “Okay, just give me a sec.”


She fixed her hair in the mirror and Willow decided that would be wise as well. When they were both presentable again, they wrapped up in hats and gloves and left. Tara grabbed a scarf on the way out and started wrapping it around Willow’s neck.


“You can use it so your nose doesn’t get cold.”


“I HATE a cold nose,” Willow replied with a smile and loving glance, “Thank you, baby.”


She lifted one layer of the scarf over her mouth and nose as they walked out of the building and into the blustering snow. There was a thick blanket on the ground that hadn’t been there going in and Willow was quick to start making snowballs.


“If you throw one of those at me, my break is ending early,” Tara warned.


Willow quickly changed her aim and went for a nearby tree instead.


“Bulls eye!”


“The snow is so pretty against the street lamps, isn’t it?” Tara commented, smiling softly, “Before I met you, I’d look out the window during snowstorms when I felt lonely. It was comforting.”


Willow stopped rolling her next snowball and wrapped her arm around Tara’s waist.


“I hate thinking of you lonely.”


Tara just smiled.


“Well I haven’t been in a long time.”


They met in the middle to share a kiss and got a little stuck on the pull-away. They both giggled and joined hands.


The coffee shop invited them in with its warmth and soft lighting and there were a few unoccupied tables left waiting for them.


“I still think no marshmallows is sacrilege,” Willow said, overhearing Tara place her order, “Ooh gingerbread men.”


She snaffled a couple to add to her order and Tara playfully shook her head.


“Willow, I do get marshmallows. I just don’t get triple marshmallows like you do.”


“It’s basically just sticky air in that quantity,” Willow replied, then turned her attention to the barista, “Hi, can I get a large hot chocolate with triple marshmallows, a cinnamon stick and swirl of caramel sauce. That’s a swirl, not drizzle, and don’t hold back.”


The barista just scribbled it all on a cup and handed it off for another person to make. They got their drinks and sat at a table by the window. Willow took her gloves off, then took both of Tara’s hands in hers.


“Hot chocolate dates with you on cold winter evenings are all I need in life. And the ‘with you’ is the imperative part.”


She squeezed Tara’s hands, then picked up her mug with both of her own and took the first extra-sweet sip.


“Mmmm, just how I like it,” she said with a satisfied smile, “Got you a gingerbread man.”


She handed one of the men over the table.


“You’re as sweet as that sugar river you’re drinking,” Tara said, taking the offering, “I haven’t had one of these in a while.”


She tore off the head and chewed it thoughtfully.


“It’s sort of one of those tastes, isn’t it? Just makes you feel good.”


“Mmhhm!” Willow agreed, thoroughly chewing down half her man already, “Warm and fuzzy in the belly.”


They talked more about some winter memories and Willow listened to Tara talk about some of the art on the walls, loving how passionate she sounded.


Eventually, two hot chocolates for Willow and one tea later for Tara, the ticking of the clock got louder.


“I know, I know,” Willow sighed when Tara checked her watch, “Hey, thanks for coming out with me.”


“Thank you for bringing me,” Tara replied, standing and donning her jacket again, “Everyone needs a break.”


Willow pulled her purple beanie back over her head and Tara secured it with a smile.


“I love this on you.”


“You do?” Willow asked, pleased, “I love that you love it on me!”


She slipped her mittened hand into Tara’s gloved one and they walked back out into the gusting snow. Willow caught a few flakes on her tongue and got in the frolicking spirit. She kneeled down to mark her handprints in the snow and Tara stopped to wait, warily.


“You’re not going to make me do snow angels again are you?”


Willow’s eyes lit up and she fell onto her back with a raucous laugh.


“They’re soooo fun!”


She made a deep and neat angel while Tara looked on, amused. After a moment or two, Tara looked ahead and noticed a flash of orange in the sea of white. She went over and kicked the object, which turned out to be a cafeteria tray.


“What is that doing out here?”


Willow stood up and came over to investigate. She picked it up, as confused as Tara, then noticed the scratches all over it. Her eyes went wide as she realised the likely reason it was stolen and brought all the way out there.


“Sled!”


In seconds she was gripping it under her and flying down an embankment of snow, shrieking in delight.


She ran back up and repeated the journey, just giggling more when she tumbled over herself at the end. She jogged back up and offered it to Tara.


“Wanna go?”


Tara looked down at herself, then at the tray and finally just smiled.


“Oh, what the hell?”


She got the tray under her, with some positioning help from Willow, and matched her girlfriend’s wild laughter as she slid down. Willow forwent the formality of equipment and just rolled down the hill to be with her.


They kissed in the dusk, cold noses warming each other.

---

Willow watched Tara come through the door, staring down in confusion at a piece of paper in her hands.


“What’s wrong?” she asked, closing the book she’d been reading.


“Nothing…” Tara replied, closing the door and holding up the paper, “I just got a confusing letter.”


Willow scooted off the mattress to sit on the end of the bed.


“From who?”


“My French professor,” Tara replied, dropping her bag and sitting beside Willow, “It says I was accepted into the study abroad program. But I never applied.”


Willow’s eyes widened and she snatched the letter.


“You got accepted?!””


Tara turned to her, baffled.


“Yeah, but I never applied.”


Willow’s eyes ran along the page, then she looked up and gulped.


“I did.”


Tara’s brow creased.


“What?”


The letter dropped with Willow’s hand into her lap.


“I-I applied for you.”


Tara moved right off and stood two feet away.


“What? Why?”


Willow gulped again.


“Because you said you only weren’t applying because of me,” she said, joining Tara in standing, “I-It’s Paris, it’s your dream. I couldn’t let you give up my dream for me.”


Tara snatched the letter back, shocked.


“You didn’t even talk to me about it! Who gave you the right?”


Willow didn’t know what to say so just sunk back down onto the bed. Tara gripped the chair at the desk and leaned over it, trying to breathe.


The silence hung between them for what felt like days until Willow finally broke it, her voice a hollow echo.


“Are you going to go?”


“No!” Tara snapped, then dropped into the chair, “I-I don’t know.”


She stared down at the letter.


“My professor said I had to tell her today before classes close out for winter. She assumed applying meant I would be willing.”


Willow grimaced and kept her eyes in her lap.


“I-I didn’t…I’m not…I…”


The painful silence came again until Willow had to quickly stand up to stop herself from crumbling.


“So, um, how long is it for again?”


“8 weeks,” Tara replied, heavy, “From the second week in January to the second week in March.”


“I-it’s not…forever,” Willow replied with an unconvincing attempt at enthusiasm, but made her voice firmer, “I think that you should say yes. It’s such a wonderful opportunity.”


Tara’s eyes finally lifted to meet Willow’s.


“But I don’t want to be apart for 8 weeks.”


A single tear slid down Tara’s cheeks and Willow was there in seconds.


“Don’t cry,” she said, lifting Tara into a tight hug, “I don’t want to be apart either…but I can’t hold you back. I love you too much.”


She held Tara’s head and gently stroked her hair.


“You want to sit and draw the whole city. And now you can. See the Eiffel Tower. The most magical thing in the world, that's what you said.”


Tara sniffled into Willow’s neck.


“You remember that?”


“Of course I do,” Willow replied softly, pressing her lips to the side of Tara’s head, “I want to make all your dreams come true.”


Tara’s arms clung to Willow, who returned the embrace just as warmly.


“Go. Go say yes.”


Tara was still at a loss.


“It’s all happening so fast.”


“It’s exciting,” Willow replied, forcing herself to put on the front for Tara’s sake, “Europe, it’s, it’s amazing. You so deserve this.”


“Will you come with me to the professor?” Tara asked nervously, “I’m afraid I’ll chicken out and say no if you don’t.”


“Of course I will,” Willow replied, slipping her hand into Tara’s, “Come on, let’s go right now.”


Tara went to go find the letter again and suddenly smiled big.


“I’m going to Paris,” she said, pressing her hands together in front of her excitedly, “I’m going to Paris!”


“Yeah, you are!” Willow replied, working really hard to not make her voice crack.


Tara threw herself into Willow’s arms, giggling.


“Oh Willow, thank you. Thank you so much.”


Willow couldn’t reply, so just squeezed Tara tighter.


Words would turn into tears and that was not what Tara needed right then.


“I love you, baby,” she managed to squeak after a few moments.


Tara pulled back enough to kiss Willow’s lips.


“Je t'aime, mon cheri.”


Willow actually managed a real smile.


“See, you’re getting in the spirit already.”


Tara started listing off all the places she wanted to see as they walked back to her French classroom.


Willow took comfort from the joy in her voice, while trying not to think if she'd made the worst decision in the world.


Tara’s joy is more important than your misery…even eight whole weeks of it.

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Amber Benson killed me once.

Check out my finished fics

Love, The Series … Two For Joy/21+/Joy To The World … Dancing With Dimensions

Inevitable/Infinitely …Confidential Eternal … A Twisted Date … Dachsund Through The Snow

Dibs-y Goodness!

Yay for excellent update-y goodness... Big lol for Boop... Big yay for winter frolicking... I bet they are going to have memorable holiday season before Tara goes to Paris...

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We Few, We Happy Few, We Band of Buggered

Posting while nude improves your mood...

YASSSS!!! UPDATES!

You. Are. A FABULOUS writer, Miss Laragh.

I LOVED this chapter. I giggled at the Boop part. Hehehe...

-Wills

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"Miss Edith speaks out of turn. She's a bad example and will have no cakes today"

I have a fish named Drusilla. He doesn't know, he thinks his name is Drew. Shhhh...

Spike: Are we feeling better, then?
Drusilla: I'm naming all the stars.
Spike: You can't see the stars, love. That's the ceiling. Also it's day.
Drusilla: I can see them. But I've named them all the same name, and there's terrible confusion.