Hi there - before anyone panics - no this has nothing at all to do with a certain Disney film production of a similar name
Kath and I were just feeling all WIllow / Tara goodness deprived so we decided to delve way back in time to the just post Hush days.
We hope you enjoy - please tell us if you do - and indeed if we should continue.
Much love and hugs to you all, Beth xxxxx
COPYRIGHT DISCLAIMER: Buffy The Vampire Slayer, Willow, Tara, Xander, Giles and all other characters who have appeared in the syndicated series Buffy The Vampire Slayer, together with the names, titles and back story are the sole copyright property of Josh Wheldon, Fox and Mutant Enemy. No copyright infringement was intended in the writing of this fan fiction. All other characters, the story idea and the story itself are the sole property of the author. This story cannot be sold or used for profit in any way. Please contact the author for permission to reproduce this story on any other fan fiction site.
TIME FRAME: Season four… sometime after Hush but pre New Moon Rising.
SPOILERS: Not unless you’re unaware of the goodness that is Willow and Tara together.
PAIRINGS: W/T, B/R
RATING: PG 13
DEDICATION: This is dedicated to the true spirit of our witches love before a quest for ratings and shock factor lead them down a dark and horrible road… In our hearts and our minds they will always be too beautiful girls experiencing the purity of true love
‘Bookmarks and Broomsticks’
By: The Rainbow Writers
rainbowwriters@hotmail.comWillow fussed with her super girl T-shirt and looked around the large crowded quad ahead of her nervously. She didn’t really want to be out here on club day, but Buffy had all but dragged her out of their dorm room with promises of free food and a few hours away from her physics textbook. She’d tried every excuse she could think of but the Slayer had given her a contradiction for each of them and so here she was.
“Are you going to join any clubs?” She asked the Slayer looking at the streams of excited students and various coloured tents that spanned the usually open lawn area.
“If they have any sign up sheets that are looking for a self described young, clueless and stake carrying girl I’m signing up for sure.” Buffy gave her best friend a grin and shifted her hands to hold onto the blue strap of her denim shoulder bag.
“I think we already have a Scooby club.” Willow grinned back. “And we’re not sharing you with any others.”
“Do we? Did we get T-shirts, and super useful looking bookmarks?” Buffy held up a worm shaped bookmark from off a near by table, the words ‘Bookworm Club’ written down the length of the fluorescent pink worm.
“No we get donuts though and Giles’ witty remarks.” Willow actually laughed as she grabbed herself a bookmark and tucked it into her bag. The Slayer raised an eyebrow at the redhead as she put the bookmark down.
“How are we ever going to have the time to go to any new clubs with all the work they’re giving us?” Buffy grumbled a little as the pair strolled on.
“I don’t think the University figures in four hours of standard patrol and a world apocalypse it the weekly study time plans.” Willow admitted gladly accepting a ‘say no to drugs’ key chain from another student.
“And anyway the one group you did try you said were a bunch of Wicca wanna be’s?” Buffy shrugged.
“I think Wicca was the wrong name for them, Goddess worship would have been better.” Willow tried to be kind as she watched a member of the Delta Zeta house end up in the water at the frat’s dunk tank.
“Yeah well whatever it didn’t so much inspire as turn me off the whole idea of university groups. I mean is there anything this uni doesn’t have a group for it?” Buffy stopped as she picked up a neon yellow piece of paper with the words ‘we are not alone’ written on it is some crazy computer font. On the reverse side were details of the UofS UFO group, she thrust it at Willow. “I mean please.” She raised her eyebrows even higher.
“Buffy you kill vampires, should you really knock the aliens?’ Willow laughed lightly as she read the flyer.
“Mmmmm okay point taken.” She stuffed the bright paper into the front pocket of her bag. “So anything catch your fancy?”
“There’s sport stuff? Non competitive but just for fun, you’d be good at those.” Willow pointed to a co-ed weekend volleyball team.
The Slayer glanced over as willow directed as she asked her question. For a moment in her head Buffy contemplated the whole idea of joining something like the volleyball team, it was only as she recalled her days as a cheerleader that the whole thing began to look a little less attractive to her. That hadn’t been ‘such’ a great part of her life back then.
“Maybe I’m just not the groups type.” Buffy mused.
“I’ll probably join the computers club, maybe the chemistry club.”
Willow admitted.
Happily Buffy nodded and continued her casual walk with Willow though the bustling area, though to be honest she wasn’t so much looking at the stalls, as people watching, it was a habit she often found hard to curb.
Willow was silently collecting her own private keychain and bookmark collection. As well as a few pens and pencils, she knew you could never have enough free samples of those.
As they turned round one of the angled corners of the display area, Buffy’s eyes fell on someone that she felt she should recognise, but couldn’t quite place. With Willow babbling happily about her various budding collections Buffy let herself focus a little more on the dipped blonde head and the slightly awkward looking stance of the young woman who had caught her eye.
“Say Will…” Buffy interrupted the hacker’s words. “Isn’t that one of your Wicca group wanna be’s?” She nodded over to the table, which she then managed to note was covered with a large rainbow coloured drape.
“One of my....” Willow followed her best friend’s gaze and stopped in her tracks. “Tara...” She floundered. “Yeah that’s Tara, she helped when the Gentleman came remember. I told you about that, she had all those great witchy books.”
“Tara!” Buffy echoed with a nod. “Knew I knew her.” She said almost smugly. “Not the type to be looking after the Wicca stall.” She mused to herself then stopped. “Oh no wait.”
“That’s not the Wicca stall.” Willow realised at the same time as they looked at the pink banner over the main table. She read it and then shook her head. Willow went to point back to the stall that held the pretentious goddess loving bake sale fanatics when she heard Buffy’s voice and looked back.
“No, it’s not is it.” Buffy agreed. “Still she didn’t seem the type though.” The Slayer added tactfully.
“That type is okay, I mean nothing wrong with that type is there... no not a thing.” Willow looked at the Slayer a bit horrified.
“To man a stall. I meant the stall manning thing.” Buffy underlined.
“Anyone can be shy.” Willow followed up trying to put her jaw back into place.
“Yeah of course they can be.” Buffy agreed. “You going to say hi?” She added looking from Tara to the redhead.
“Should I? She looks busy.” Willow bit her lip and fidgeted with her top.
“Busy stacking the rainbow bookmarks into a neat pile Will?” Buffy frowned slightly.
“Though maybe I should tell her how great it is to see... she’s at a stall.” Willow tried to cover up her own hesitancy. “And how cool it is she’s running a stall? Is it cool right?” She checked with Buffy.
“Very cool.” Buffy nodded already losing interest.
“BUFFY HEY!” A deep voice called from behind them causing the Slayer to spin round with a grin.
“Riley!” She beamed.
“Hey, come over to the house stall we’re giving out free food to anyone who can answer a quiz. I’ll give you the answers.” He grinned as she stopped just short of them.
“Mmmmm I was just thinking to myself, self, we need food.” Buffy hugged her bag a little smiling.
“And we have food, so that works out great.” Riley kept his bright smile. “Hey Willow... you can come too.” He looked briefly at the redhead.
“Oh... food... I’ll come by in a bit I’m collecting bookmarks.” She held up her collection feeling completely geek-ish.
“You’re the kind of student these guys love Willow.” Buffy flashed a grin at her best friend and then looped her arm through Riley’s. “Lead on oh hunter gatherer.” She giggled at him.
“So I should say hello?” Willow tried to check but the Slayer was already lost in the crowd. “Okay thanks so much.” She scowled realising she’d lost the Slayer’s attention to Riley again. “Come on Willow, it’s just a hello.” She took a deep breath and moved very slowly over to the booth.
She waited for her turn patiently and then another few moments while the blonde sorted the pile of bookmarks.
“Hi.” She finally said when Tara still hadn’t looked up.
Flailing her hand out as she looked up Tara knocked the pile of bookmarks over sending them in a rainbow-coloured fan onto the tabletop.
“Oh...” She frowned at the mess and then looked at Willow and smiled, but then lost her smile again as she remembered the mess.
“Here let me help.” Willow began gathering up the small cardboard strips of paper; even gathering a few that had fallen into the grass.
“Th-Th-Th-Thank you.” Tara formed two smaller piles this time. “Too h-h-high I think.” She said by way of explanation.
“Safer that way, especially if it gets windy.” Willow nodded and smiled.
“I could weigh them down with the key rings.” The blonde glanced over to the triangle of rainbow striped plastic key rings she had obviously made in the centre of the table.
“Or anchor them between the flyer boxes.” Willow pointed to the cardboard containers.
“Such possibilities.” Tara glanced up with a lopsided smile though she quickly glanced down again.
“I have to ask for a bookmark and a keyring before you get everything settled.” Willow blurted out trying not to let the silence come between them. “I’m making a club fair collection.” She cursed herself for sounding so stupid.
“Oh you could make a display of them on your notice b-b-board.” Tara piped up quickly, she carefully selected a book mark and was about to pick out a keyring when she turned and took one out of a multi-coloured patchwork bag that hung over the chair behind the stall.
“Here you can have th-th-this one, it’s a special edition one, all metal, and not just plastic.” She held it out with a cautious hand.
“Wow, are you sure?” Willow reached out to take it, their hands briefly brushing together and making her smile brighter. Tara nodded. “Thank you.” Willow kept her smile. “I wish I had something to give you but I’m not in any of the clubs.”
“I already have Mr. Poco.” Tara held up a keychain with a small yellow duck on it.
“Where did you get Mr. Poco?” Willow questioned grinning at the little duck.
“Oh it’s a long and silly story.” Tara lowered the toy.
“I like long and silly...” Willow was about to ask for the whole thing when she realised that probably Tara was busy. “Sorry you’re working.” She toyed with the keychain in her hand. “I didn’t mean to get in the way, I’m horrible for just jumping in and taking up time. I mean not odd for me but I so do it without thinking.” She babbled on.
“W-W-Working?” Tara frowned and looked at Willow’s fingers as they toyed with the metal.
“Working at the stall.”
“Oh the stall.” Tara glanced back at the brightly coloured table.
“It’s very nice.” Willow looked at it with her.
“It is isn’t it.” She agreed.
“Though the guys running around with the alien heads on are taking things a bit too seriously.” Willow giggled.
“I think they look kinda scary.” Tara wrinkled her nose a little before going back to her somewhat crooked smile.
“Have you got the chance to see the other booths?” Willow questioned. “Buffy and I just got here awhile ago, then she went off to Riley’s Frats booth for food.” The fact made the blonde chuckle.
“F-F-F-Food first for the boys. Oh not that I meant anything against B-B-Buffy.” Tara suddenly panicked.
“No, she has a boys tummy.” Willow smiled and giggled at the idea. Tara joined in with her giggling again. “Usually in the middle of an apocalypse she’ll announce how she needs pizza or ice cream when it’s over.” She followed up happy to see the blonde laugh.
“I’m sure it helps.” Tara went back to a smile though there looked to be a trace of seriousness creep back into the blonde’s face.
“I wanted to tell you how super amazing it was in that room, with the pop machine and that you were trying to help with the spells... and...” Willow rubbed her fingers on the smooth face of the keychain. “You are so powerful.” She whispered.
“I’m not.” Tara shook her head and let her blonde hair fall forward covering most of her face.
“You are.” Willow underlined boldly walking around the stall a bit closer to the blonde. “I couldn’t have done anything, I could barely get it to shake but you ... with me... just zing.”
“It was more of a zoom.” Tara looked up with a small grin.
“It was very zoomy.” Willow grinned. She hung back for a moment still grinning as Tara handed someone a flyer and bookmark.
“So did you get around all the s-s-stalls yet?” The blonde asked as soon as she as free again.
“Not all of them.” Willow shook her head. “Did you want to do the rest of them when you’re finished?” She found herself asking the question boldly before she even thought about it.
“That would be great.” Tara brightened up instantly. “I shouldn’t be longer than two or three more minutes.”
“That’s fine, I mean totally great.” Willow felt her heart do a back flip. “I can get us lunch too from Riley if you want.” She tried to calm herself down not quite sure why the prospect of spending time with the other witch made her so excited and anxious.
“Could do.” Tara nodded.
“Great.” Willow fidgeted with her bag.
“Unless you’re hungry and you want to go over and get something, rather than wait for me.” Tara asked as she watched Willow fiddle.
“No, I can wait.” Willow shook her head. “Should I go though, let you finish without me crowding you?”
“No it’s okay, you could help if you like.” Tara offered.
“What do I do?” Willow’s tried not to panic. “I’ve never...” She took a breath. “Ran a stall before.”
“R-R-Ran a stall?” Tara sounded confused for a moment. “Oh no.” She shook her head “This isn’t my stall.” She said suddenly realising what the redhead must be thinking.
“It’s not?” Willow’s face showed her confusion.
“No.” She shook again.
“That’s okay.” Willow tired to get her mouth to work.
“I’m just looking after it so Daisy can find f-f-food.” Tara explained “She has a boys tummy too.” The blonde gave a characteristic smile.
“Can’t ignore the boys tummy.” Willow smiled back trying not to show her own disappointment now that she understood. Something had just seemed so right about the shy but powerful witch Tara running this stall. “I have a bird’s tummy, or at least that’s what Xander says.” She wanted to kick herself for mentioning him. The last thing she wanted was for Tara to think she was mentioning her boyfriend to point out she couldn’t run the stall either because running the stall was okay. It was really okay.
Unfortunately that’s more or less what the shy witch did think.
“That’s n-n-n-nice.” She said slightly awkwardly dropping her gaze back to the floor.
“You didn’t get to meet Xander, he’s my best friend, from high school, well from grade school, we’ve known each other for like forever.” Willow went into full babble mode as she saw the blonde retreat. “So he’s known my eating habits for forever, and he says I eat like a bird. A little bit here, a little bit there.” She giggled nervously.
“That must be nice.” Tara said to the grass at her feet. “To have known him all that time, and s-s-still be able to go out.”
“He’s like a brother.” Willow followed up. “Go out?” The words overlapped hers.
“Brother?” Tara echoed as Willow did.
“Oh no, not now. We did in high school, but only cause he was dating a cheerleader and I was jealous but then it was over.” She almost jumped out of her skin. “Xander going out... Ewww yucky not anymore.” Tara giggled when Willow made ‘Ewww’ noises and looked up again. “He’s just a friend, like Buffy.” Willow tried to make it clear.
“So he’s super nice, but super not going out with brotherly boy--friend.” The blonde left a slight pause between the words boy and friend.
“Yes, boy---friend.” Willow mimicked. Tara nodded that the point was clear. “He has a girlfriend, other than me and not a girl--friend.” She added pauses to show who Anya was.
“Lovely.” Tara nodded.
“So do you want me to leave you for a bit? Or wait for Daisy to come back?” Willow went back to the original question.
The blonde was about to say something in reply, when a small stocky dark haired young woman bundled over and enveloped Tara in a huge hug.
“Tar you are a life saver.” Daisy exclaimed and Willow backed away nervously and played with the end of her hair.
Tara looked shell-shocked for a moment and then lifted her arms to loosely pat the woman on the back.
“The Neanderthals at the Frat were giving out free burgers if you could do a quiz.” Daisy laughed. “It was so hard not to pick other and write in a real answer.” She let Tara go.
“I’m s-s-sure you’d have got away with it.” Tara stepped back a little from the smaller girl. All the while she inched closer to the chair ready to claim her bag and slip away.
“Hey you rearranged the table, very cool.” Daisy appraised the set up and smiled.
“Well just a little toying.” Tara nodded and looked at her efforts.
“It looks great.” Daisy looked at Willow. “Hey, did Tara tell you about our meetings? They’ve been moved from Thursday to Monday.”
“I... She...” Willow stammered having been suddenly thrust into the foreground. “Flyer.” She picked one up having noted the info was on there.
“Great, we’d love to see you there.” Daisy nodded. “Freshman year can be such a killer, but there’s always support if you need it.”
“A-A-Actually Daisy…” Tara moved a little round the table towards Willow.
“No, that’s great. Thanks.” Willow was already talking not wanting the older student to feel bad for offering. The blonde glanced at the redhead and then went silent moving back to reclaim her bag. “You ready?” Willow watched Tara carefully. Not sure if she’d said the right or wrong thing. Tara nodded silently to the question.
“Take care Daisy.” She gave a little wave to the shorthaired girl.
“Have you known Daisy for long?” Willow tried to get a hold of some sort of conversation as they began walking away awkwardly.
“About a month, maybe two, she’s in the same dorm as me.” Tara explained.
“She seems nice.” Willow tried to be generous, even thought the girl had made her feel uncomfortable with her forwardness that didn’t mean she wasn’t nice.
“She can be a bit...” Tara didn’t finish.
“I’m sure she just meant well.” Willow finished. “I mean trying to be friendly and open and that’s cool.”
Tara’s dead dropped a little though she managed a small nod.
“Did I say something wrong?” The noticeable slump in the blonde’s body language made Willow panic. “I didn’t mean too, I’m sorry.” Her voice was soft.
“W-W-Wrong? No, of course you didn’t.” Tara shook her head quickly. “I’m just sorry that Daisy embarrassed you.” She explained.
“How could she embarrass me?” Willow bit her lip and her words made Tara’s head fall even further. “Okay so I’ve never been to a meeting like that, and well she didn’t know that but if I had questions it would be great to know that on Monday night I can go get them answered.” She frowned not sure if she was making this better or worse. “And maybe I have questions.” She added softly wanting to crawl under the ground.
“You don’t seem to be the type to ask questions.” Tara said very quietly, she actually glanced up at the hacker.
“Don’t I?” Willow’s frown grew firmer.
“Oh I don’t mean that in a b-b-b-bad way.” Tara shook her head.
Willow stopped herself for a moment suddenly taking in their surrounding and realising they had wandered slightly away from the fair off under a large tree.
“More that you look more like s-s-someone who would just not question things.” Tara too stopped and seemed to realise this at the same moment.
“Are you saying that I shouldn’t make up questions when I already know the answer?” The redhead queried softly.
“I’m not saying this right at all.” The blonde sighed obviously frustrated with herself. “I’m saying you look far more like someone who would just go with her heart.” She tried to sum up with a nervous smile.
“You have a very beautiful smile.” Willow whispered watching and listening intently to the blonde’s explanation.
“Wh-Wh-What?” Tara’s blue eyes suddenly widened and without thinking really she stepped back a little.
“I said something that I shouldn’t have cause I just freaked you out.” Willow stepped back and frowned. “Um... did you want to go back to the fair?”
“No, no.” Tara shook her head. “It’s just no one has ever said that to me before.” The blonde’s voice dropped a notch.
“Everyone should, it’s true.” Willow smiled softly.
“Did you want to sit?” Tara glanced to the shaded spot beneath the tree and then back at the redhead.
“Sure.” Willow nodded and awkwardly moved over and down to sit cross-legged on the grass. Tara did likewise leaning her back onto the tree. Willow picked at a fallen leaf absently while watching the blonde.
“So did you join any clubs?” Tara looked back towards the bustling fair. She pulled her purse around and put it in her lap playing with the frayed edges of patchwork.
“Not yet, did you?” Willow looked down at the bustling crowd.
“I’m n-n-not really a group girl.” She admitted with a shake of her head.
“We could start our own club, a real witches club.” Willow turned with the suddenly fantastic idea. “Like the Wicca’s but with real witchcraft.”
“I think that might make the principalities freak a little.” The blonde smiled warmly.
“We don’t have to tell anyone, not like we need school funding.” Willow shook her head to the worry. “Mr. Giles has enough books for us to borrow.”
“I d-d-don’t know how good I’d be in a large group of witches.” Tara worried slightly.
“How large do you consider a group that is just you and me?”
Willow wound the blade of grass around her finger. “That’s all the witches I know.”
“Oh I think I could cope with that large.” Tara’s troubled look morphed into a smile. “So where would we meet?”
“Buffy is on patrol a lot, so my dorm if you wanted.” Willow put forward. “Only so that no one can accidentally find us doing witchcraft and freak out.” She put in quickly.
“Or we could use mine.” Tara offered softly. “I have lots of books. Oh and the twinkly lights.” She grinned.
“That would be cool.” Willow nodded and smiled knowing she couldn’t hold her enthusiasm at the offer. “Sounds very witchy.”
“So when’s group night?” The blonde asked still playing with her bag but not as intently.
“What night is good for you?” Willow almost reached in her purse to get her calendar but realised it was pretty empty.
“Any.” She said eagerly.
“Friday?” The hacker said the first night that came to mind, the night of the week she was most likely to be left without anything to do as Buffy went missing with Riley.
“Perfect.” Tara nodded happily. “This Friday?” She checked.
“I could bring pizza.” Willow nodded as she made the offer. “And spell stuff.”
“Even better.” Without knowing it Tara let her knees bounce a little in excitement.
“What do you want to call our club?” Willow let her blade of grass fall to the ground as she watched the blonde enthusiasm.
“Mmmmm.” She mused thoughtfully as she played more purposefully with her bag strap. “Real Witches.” She came up with the somewhat unimaginative name.
“RW for short?” Willow smiled, though it was straightforward she liked it.
“Perfect, almost like a secret code or something.” Tara giggled.
“Our own secret code.” Willow giggled with her.
“Should we make bookmarks?” She asked only semi-seriously.
“Definitely, and key chains.” Willow grinned. “I could do a design on my laptop.”
“We’ll have to think of our logo. How about a pop machine?” The blonde grinned.
“With RW across the front.” Willow laughed loving the special thing that was growing between them. Tara laughed gently and nodded clearly pleased too. “Do we need anything else? She questioned.
The blonde glanced over at the slight redhead across from her, and not for the first time had to press down the feelings of complete and utter bedazzlement. Something about Willow just literally took Tara’s breath away. Something about her hair, her eyes, the way her whole face just lit up when she smiled. So lost in her thoughts was the blonde that she nearly missed Willow’s question.
“Er…” She blinked to try and refocus. “No, I d-d-don’t think so.” She managed to say.
“What time on Friday?” Willow smiled realising they hadn’t decided on that small fact.
“Around eight?” Tara offered picking a time out of the air.
“Eight is great.” Willow offered feeling silly when she made the small words rhyme. Though Tara just giggled, apparently drawing pleasure from the small fact that she had.
“So don’t be late.” She added hoping not to sound foolish.
“Cause the magic won’t wait.” Willow giggled with her.
After their laughter died somewhat Tara looked back towards the fair.
“Did you want to check out the stalls?” She checked.
“Do you want too?” Willow questioned back knowing in her heart that whatever they did she wanted to do it together. Tara shrugged that she didn’t really care what they did either. “We could just sit and enjoy the day.”
“Or you could always c-c-come and check out the RW’s headquarters.” Tara offered shyly looking down again.
“That would be great.” Willow nodded happily.
“Really?” Tara looked up her face bright.
“Really.” Willow kept nodding. “You could show me what books you have so I don’t bring repeats.”
“Great.” Tara uncrossed her legs and pulled her tall frame upright. “Its this way.” without thinking she held out her hand towards the redhead.
“Let’s go.” Willow didn’t even think to hesitate as she slipped her hand into the one offered, instantly feeling the connection that had been there the night the gentleman chased them.
Gently Tara pulled on Willow hand to help her up from the grass and still holding hands Tara directed them towards her dorm.
The End for Now…