Tara22 - be excited, be very excited
Vix84 - she is actually in the part as a pretty main character, so maybe more of Xerox gal if she comes across well. Yeah bummer i missed Byron, and yeah getting back to Adeliade weather after a week on the coast was like coming back to winter
Sharon - Like i mentioned to vix84, lots of Clarie action below, hope you enjoy
BV - See id rather have the swooning gals, the not so much keeping 'em at bay, i think they're doing a pretty good job keeping me at bay lol
Okay apparently this is a little overdue say some.
, hopefully updates will come with a little more regularity between them now as i settle back into the mediocrity that is my life. Hopefully all the vodka didn;t kill of my writing ability so be gentle i beg of yee.
Ayway without much further ado...
Title – All You Wanted
Author – Nathan
E-mail –
nathspazz@yahoo.com.au Feedback – Well I am a feedback whore so it would be greatly appreciated
Spoilers – None, it’s AU so yeah
Rating – Between PG and R18+ ample warning will be given.
Disclaimer – Willow and Tara and any other character that appeared in the syndicated television show “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” is property of Joss and Mutant Enemy, I’m only borrowing them and am not making any money off them. All the others are mine though. Also the title for the fic is a Michelle Branch song so credit goes to her and part names will be named after various songs I like that fit nicely with the story so credit will be given there.
Summary – Set slightly in the future, 24-year-old Willow and Tara run into each other, it’s set mostly in New York so no Sunnydale or hell mouth or anything. Just good ol’ fashioned romance.
Part 15 Love Is All Around (Wet Wet Wet) Willow and Tara sat opposite Sam and Claire at an elegant restaurant. The four girls were out having dinner at the insistence of Willow and Tara who had been hassling Sam to invite Claire out for a night with the girls. They eventually got their wish and Sam folded asking out Claire to a night out which included dinner and movies back at Willow’s apartment.
Claire was eager to get to know Sam’s friends herself. She was a vibrant young lass and was deeply smitten with the slightly older woman. She’d not been with a girl before Sam but was pretty open to the idea and when Sam had asked her out she’d agreed, deciding to give it a go. It was a decision was quite happy with at the moment.
“So any ambitions outside of the Xerox place?” Asked Willow towards Claire as they ate their meal.
“Well I’m going to NYC at the moment but my grades aren’t that flash, between work, school and keeping a place of campus it’s a bit hectic at the moment, plus Sam’s not one to give me five minutes alone.” Claire winked to her girlfriend next to her and Willow could have sworn she saw Sam blush.
“So what are you studying?” Asked Tara, interested as to what course she was taking at the college.
“Palaeontology, dinosaurs just really seem to interest me, I could sit here and talk about them for hours and hours but I’m sure you’d be bored shitless in a couple of minutes.” The other three girls smiled and nodded their heads in agreement.
“Yeah I get that a lot.” Claire added with a giggle herself.
“You know Sam and I went to NYC.” Willow stated to the young lady.
“Yeah she mentioned, said you were roomies.” Claire nodded her head as she replied to the redhead.
“Any stories you care to share with us?” Tara queried her girlfriend and Claire piqued at the question as well, wondering just what her girlfriend got up to during her college days.
“Probably not stuff her girlfriend wants to hear.” Willow smiled and Sam breathed a quick sigh of relief that Willow hadn’t spilt any beans.
“Oh go on, try me, I can handle it.” Claire smiled across the table, tempting Willow into story mode; Tara smiled at her girl and saw her breaking. Sam was nervously twitching in her chair, hoping that if and when Willow broke that it would be one of the lesser stories that came out. Willow finally broke under the careful gaze of her girlfriend and her best friend’s girlfriend and silently apologised to Sam for not being stronger.
“Okay.” Willow began, breathing in to compose herself for her bout of storytelling. “We were at a club flirting with the bar-guys, as you do in college and they started teasing us with the cool drink hose, threatening to soak us down. Anyway after we kept on teasing them, four of ‘em lined up their hoses and absolutely drenched us with soda water. The owner offered us free drinks for the rest of the night if we took of our shirts and went behind the bar and let them all drench us. Well lets just say Sam got drenched enough for the two of us, we didn’t go thirsty for the rest of the night after that.” Willow and Tara were giggling but Claire was sitting open mouthed, not believing Sam had done something like that. Sam sat worriedly for a moment before she heard laughter coming out of Claire’s open mouth.
“You so have to take me clubbing with you.” Claire playfully hit Sam on the arm.
“You’re only nineteen sweetie, kinda not legal yet, for drinking anyways.” Sam replied with a regretful tone to her voice.
“What, you honestly believe I’ve never drunk alcohol before?” Claire asked a little shocked.
“I’d say that time we had a few glasses of champagne at my place that you don’t do it very often if you do.” Sam perked her eyebrow at the brunette girl beside her. Claire was trying hard to think back to the night in question, the amount she was trying spoke volumes in itself.
“Its okay, I’m not much of a drinker myself, Tara drinks me under the table.” Willow said with a giggle.
“Yeah, but its what we do under the table that counts.” Tara replied with a seductive wink to her girlfriend. Sam and Claire watched how effortlessly Willow and Tara flirted around them and both wished they could be that open about their relationship. It wasn’t that neither wanted to hide it, they were both afraid of what the other might think if they tried something; the lack of communication in their relationship was something both girls silently vowed to work on from that point.
“So you two have been going steady for a while now?” Claire asked, she could tell it was a while now.
“Yeah just over four months, in fact I think our first date was the same night you and Sam first went out.” Tara replied happily, bringing hers and Willow’s conjoined hands up onto the table.
“Yeah I think you’re right, it was the same night.” Sam replied, thinking back to their first date.
“I gotta use the bathroom.” Willow stated, standing up, giving Tara a quick kiss on the hand before pulling out the seat.
“I’ll come with.” Sam replied, quickly pulling out, sending her own girlfriend a brief smile before heading of with her friend. Tara and Claire watched their partners leave before Tara heard a thud and turned to see Claire with her head on the table.
“Are you okay?” Asked Tara, her voice full of concern.
“Yeah it’s just you and Willow seem so great and I mean with Sam its good but I’m not sure I want what she wants.” Claire replied bringing her head slowly of the table.
“Sam really likes you, you know that right?” Tara asked, looking out for her friend.
“Yeah I do, the thing is I like her a lot as well but I’ve got a lot on my plate at the moment. School, work, its all pretty tough and I don’t know, I guess what I’m trying to say is that I think Sam thinks this may be a forever deal. I’m just looking for something steady through college, I don’t wanna break her heart but I’m only nineteen and still got so much to do. I’m a smalltown girl and I don’t think the city life is for me, I think Sam’s pretty settled here.” Claire’s long-winded speech filled Tara’s head, it was a lot to take in, here was this girl she hardly knew opening up to her and she found herself at a loss for words. She was torn between wanting to support the girl who had opened up for her and looking out for her girlfriend’s best friend.
“Look Claire, Sam’s a great girl, and if you hurt her me and Willow are the ones that are gonna have to pick up the pieces. That said, you seem like a pretty descent girl yourself and the only advice I can really give you is that I think you should be telling Sam this and not me.” Tara smiled supportively as she gave out her honest answer.
“Thanks, I’ve been meaning to, guess I shouldn’t put it of any longer huh?” Claire offered a meek smile.
“I think you’ll find a nice long chat will clear a lot of things up, Willow and I talk all the time, it’s the basis for a meaningful relationship.” Tara offered supportively once again, always willing to offer advice to anyone who needed it.
… … … …
“She hates me, she just wants to up and leave I can see it in her eyes.” Sam was near tears as Willow comforted her in a vacant stall.
“No she doesn’t, she’s scared and maybe confused but Sam if she hated you do you honestly think she would be here tonight?” Willow reassured her friend.
“No.” The brunette replied meekly, slightly lifting her now tearstained face to her friend.
“I’m sensing some serious lack of communication in your relationship.” Willow stated, pinpointing the problem exactly.
“Wow, didn’t you just find a nail and hammer it on the head.” Sam blurted out sarcastically; Willow let it slide with the state her friend was in.
“Look Sam, lack of communication is an easy fix, all you have to do is talk, and believe me when I say it’s a subject you excel in.” Willow playfully teased her friend, Sam lifted her head and gave a weak chuckle, she loved how her friend could make her feel better despite not being sure about herself.
“You’re right, I just need to sit down and talk things out with her, I’m sure everything will be alright.” Sam sniffed and cleared her head; with some help from Willow she cleaned herself up and made her way back out to the table to enjoy the rest of their meal.
… … … …
The next morning Tara was hovering over the oven making some of her home-style pancakes that her dad had taught her how to make. Willow had her arms wrapped around the blonde, dipping a finger into the pancake mix before feeding it to Tara. The two girls playfully fooled around with their food, feeding each other pancake batter as Sam walked unannounced into Willow’s kitchen.
“Do you ever knock?” Willow asked as she heard Sam’s clearing throat sound to pull them out of their fun.
“I’m moving in with Claire.” Sam announced abruptly.
“What?” Willow flung around facing her friend in shock.
“We talked last night and I’m moving in with her.” Sam stated once again, her face was straight and was telling Willow she was telling the truth.
“What, where, when, why?” Was all the redhead managed to stammer out as her disbelief over the situation continued to grow.
Sam took a seat at the kitchen table and began explaining; “Last night we were talking and I was telling her I’m falling in love with her and that I enjoyed having her in my life. She replied with some stuff about not being sure about a lot of things but that she was falling in love with me as well and we think this will make things easier on the two of us.” Sam tried to explain.
“So what, are you moving in with her? Are you keeping your place just in case? What’s the whole deal?” Willow asked, still shocked but somewhat calmer than she initially was.
“I’m moving into her place and yes I’m keeping my place as a back-up for a while in case it doesn’t work.” Sam made sure that they’d thought this through and that they had a back-up plan in case it didn’t work.
“Okay, so at least you have a plan, but Sam are you really sure about this.” Willow was taking deep breathes and was talking much calmer now, Tara just stood wide eyed as the friends talked it out, she was still as shocked as Willow about the whole ordeal.
“No, but I’m willing to give it a try, Will this is the first real relationship I’ve had. I mean it’s been going four months and well my previous best was four weeks so it’s kinda scary for me. All I need throughout this is the unconditional support of my friends and I’m hoping I can count on you two to be there for me if the chips fall down.” Sam spoke with a pure honesty that Willow nor Tara was used to.
“You can count on it.” Willow softened and moved to embrace her friend in a caring hug; smiles easing onto their faces as the situation calmed down.
“We’ll be there no matter what.” Tara reiterated the words of her lover as she moved into the embrace and was welcomed with open arms from the other two ladies.
“Thanks you guys, you don’t know how much this means to me, OH MY GOD I’M MOVING IN WITH HER!” Sam shrieked as if it had just finally sunk in, Willow and Tara smiled their support as they pulled the brunette in once more for another hug.
… … … …
“Yeah just throw that in the spare bedroom for now, we’ll find somewhere to put it later.” Sam directed Alex as he brought in another box from the moving van. Sam was running around frantically dishing out orders, all the while Claire sat blissfully as she watched it all unfold. Having Sam move in was a great benefit. Not only would she be able to cut back on hours at the Xerox shop to help focus on school due to the shared cost of living, it would also give her more time to spend with Sam. Sam had given her total freedom and no pressure of where they were going to take their relationship, they were living in the now and that was all that really mattered for the time being.
“Babe calm down before you blow a fuse.” Claire giggled to her girlfriend as Sam continued to run around like a chook with its head cut of.
“I’m sorry, I’m just so excited.” Sam stopped for a moment, taking a deep breath, letting out a happy sigh.
“Yeah it’s almost as big a step as that last one near the stairs.” Willow smirked as she entered the apartment with some of Sam’s stuff.
“Oh stop complaining.” Tara giggled as she came up behind the redhead.
“Hey I’m not complaining, I’m just stating that the last actual step was a big one.” Willow replied a little defensively, although playfully.
“Please Tara don’t get her started, she’s liable to get a tape measure out there and measure it if you keep on about it.” Sam cut in with a chuckle.
“And I will too.” Willow added as she plonked her box down on the kitchen table before taking Tara’s from her and placing it beside the one she just put down.
“There a beer in it for me or what?” Tara sank into a chair as beads of sweat started to saturate her bandanna.
“Sorry I don’t have beer in the fridge Tara, not being legal and all.” Claire apologised, feeling a bit guilty.
“No worries, should’ve thought of that before I asked.” Tara apologised herself.
“Hey I’m just going down to get those last few boxes.” Alex said as he took off out the door and down the steps. An uneasy silence broke out over the group.
“If you come with Tara, I might know a few neighbours who might have some refreshing drinks.” Claire stated with a bubbly tone, breaking the silence.
“Okay, sounds good.” Tara replied with a smile and followed the petite girl out the door.
The departure of Claire and Tara left Willow and Sam to themselves and Sam was quick to pick up on a not quite so chirpy Willow.
“Hey Will, what’s up?” Sam asked in a caring tone.
“Nothing.” Willow brushed the question of with a wave of her hand.
“No tell me, I’m your best friend Will and I can tell when something’s bothering you so fess up.” Sam pushed for more answers.
“Really, its nothing.” Willow sounded less believable than before.
“Will?” Sam tested her friend once more.
“Its just you’re moving in with Claire already and it all seems to be happening to fast but Tara and I seem to be stuck in the same happy little rut, I feel like we’re getting left behind and not moving forward in our relationship.” Willow opened up honestly.
“Look Will, I whish Claire and I were in the position you and Tara are in. You two seem so sure of everything you do together and there’s not a moment when you don’t seem happy about being together. Claire and I have to fight to keep our relationship going Will and that’s why some things call for drastic measures like moving in together. Will believe me when I say that when I see you and Tara together, I know I’m looking at a couple of people who were destined to spend their life together. She loves you Will and you love her, you’re young and have your whole lives ahead of ya, you don’t have to rush.” Sam offered her words of wisdom.
“You know we haven’t said it to each other yet.” Willow stated in reference to those three little words.
“Well do you… love her I mean?” Sam asked the question to her best friend.
“Of course I do.” Willow answered without a shadow of doubt, if there was one thing sure in this world it was that she loved Tara Maclay.
“Then maybe you should tell her.” Sam offered, Willow looked up at her friend and realised that she was right.
“Woohoo beer.” Tara said giggling and slightly out of breath as she held up a six back of buds with Claire right behind her, giggling as well.
“Those guys have no idea.” Said Claire through her giggling as she took a beer from the pack popped the lid and clanged it against Tara’s already open coldie.
“Hey what guys?” Asked Sam in a very jealous tone.
“Yes, I would also like to hear about these guys.” Willow added, smirking her eyebrow at her girlfriend.
“Claire showed me to this apartment where a couple of guys lived.” Tara started the story before passing it over to Claire as they both tried to contain their giggling.
“We knocked on the door, put on our seductive voices and asked if they had a spare six pack for a couple of thirsty girls.” This time is was Claire’s turn to handball back over to Tara.
“Anyway, us being the irresistible lasses we are, we got our beer and as soon as they gave it to us we bolted.” Tara finished with another giggle as she once again clanged her beer bottle against Claire’s, before taking a swig. Willow and Sam couldn’t hold the laughter in any longer and broke out into a bout of their own giggles. They each took a beer, as did Alex when he came back up and the five of them sat around relaxing for the rest of the afternoon.
… … … …
Willow was lying in bed, she had a book open in front of her but she wasn’t paying any attention to the words. Her mind drifted back to the talk she had with Sam earlier in the day and her mind continued to think things through as Tara finished up in the bathroom.
Tara walked into the bedroom, slipped into the bed next to Willow and snuggled up. Willow shut off the bedside lamp and placed the book she wasn’t reading aside and turned so she was face to face with Tara, their noses almost touching.
“Busy day huh?” Willow started the ball rolling; she brought her hand up and ran her fingers through Tara’s blonde tresses.
“Yeah it was pretty hectic, I think we should be grateful Sam’s still got half her stuff at her old place else we’d probably still be their unpacking.” Tara giggled and Willow let out a short laugh.
“Well we could be shipping that stuff over permanently soon if things work out for the two of ‘em.” Willow stated and Tara took note of Willow’s serious tone.
“What’s up Will?” Tara questioned her girlfriend.
“We sleep together like every night right?” Willow asked the question to her lover.
“Yeah, I’m pretty sure it’s not been a problem, do you think you need some space.” Tara backed off a little, scared maybe she’d overstayed her welcome.
“No, no baby it’s not that at all.” Willow moved quickly to reassure the blonde.
“So what is it then, you think maybe we should be moving in together?” Tara was now a little confused as to where Willow was taking this conversation.
“No, I mean maybe… not yet, but definitely in the future it’s something I’d definitely want to look at.” Willow tried quickly to dig herself out of the mini hole she dug herself in.
“Okay I can deal with that, so what’s with the now?” Tara asked, still confused as to why Willow had started this talk.
“You know when you first start dating and when you wake up and the first thing you think of is where we can find an hour so we can be alone and do the stuff new lovers do?” Willow asked the question to her girlfriend.
“Yeah, very fond memories of that stage.” Tara replied with a sultry smirk.
“Exactly, it’s a stage. I wake up in the morning now and I think about holding your hand as we walk back from the movies, cuddling up on the couch watching a video, throwing on a cd and trying out some funky new dance moves with ya. I mean I still get those new lover feelings but it’s different. When you first start dating it’s all passion and lust and basically its sex. Now it’s different, there’s still lust and passion, but there’s emotion and it’s not just sex. It’s making love, it’s what two people in love do and I guess what I’m trying to say Tara is that I’m in love with you.” Willow finally managed to babble out.
“I love you too sweetie.” Tara replied with a tear sliding down her cheek. The two women met in a soft embrace as they physically let their emotions flow into one another. After a few moments of just gently brushing their lips against one another’s, Willow pulled back slightly, her hand still gently caressing Tara’s golden locks.
“Wow, intense much.” Willow breathed out and both girls let out a slight giggle, easing the tension somewhat.
“So I guess we’re in love, not that we weren’t before, just now its official.” Tara felt a burst of Willow babble take over her for a moment and both girls let out another slight chuckle.
“Officially in love, I wonder if they have that as a bumper sticker?” Willow smirked across to Tara.
“Hopefully they got one big enough to cover my large rear end.” Tara playfully added on.
“Hey missy, there will be absolutely no putting down the ass that I love.” Willow replied defensively.
“You love my ass?” Tara queried her girlfriend, eyebrow perked and all.
“Every square inch of it.” Willow replied as she bent in and planted a kiss upon Tara’s lips.
“Care to prove it?” Tara challenged her girlfriend.
“Is that a challenge Miss Maclay?” This time it was Willow’s turn to perk the eyebrow.
“You betchya.” Tara smirked lustfully; Willow just shook her head and dove beneath the covers. All that was followed was Tara twisting and turning and laughing as Willow went about taking up that challenge. Come morning we would have two very tired but very much in love girls cuddled up together, contemplating the rest of their lives together.
TBC…
Hope you all enjoyed, hopefully i can update with a little more regularity now though there are still a crap load of updates i need ot catch up on and to all those authors that haven;t got a reply form me yet, i'm on it
& 
to you all
Cheers
Nath
Isn't it funny how you feel your most tired five minutes before you have to get up.
by Lola19 » Mon Sep 23, 2002 6:53 am 
Bad that I dont have Aussie tv! It must be a pleasure to see you on TV 
i couldn't have lasted much longer through this withdrawl, so when's the next update? 
and if you get her and Kathy94 together -- dangerous man!!
reminded me of dorm life. Guys and their beer. 
, I actually type messages to someone who's been on tv....