Fic (AU): Betrothed

[ambercissism]

Title: BETROTHED - "Hate at first sight."

Author: ambercissism

Summary: What if it was the other way around and same sex marriage was much favored and widely accepted? Wouldn't that be great? But what if Tara was forced by her father to marry a woman she not only didn't love, but hadn't even met before in order to save him from financial ruin before she could finally meet Willow? Wouldn't that be so unfair?

Disclaimer: Willow and Tara and other characters from BTVS are not mine, I'm just borrowing them... and not gaining any profits from this story.

Author's Note: This is totally AU and Romance.

Rating: R For language

Feedbacks: Yes please. I love that. I'm open to any kind. Constructive criticism is very welcome.




Chapter 1
[center]The Deal[/center]



"How could you do this to me?" the young lady blurted out angrily after her parents told her the news. They remained seated at the dining table.

"It's already fixed," the elderly man said to his furious daughter as he took a sip of red wine.

"Mom, I don't wanna marry someone I don't love!" She turned to her mother, begging for support and placing her hands on the table.

"Sweetheart, your father has a perfectly good explanation for doing this," was all her mother could say, and looked at her anxiously.

"What?!" she snapped, not wanting to believe what she had just heard. Her mother agreed to her father's plan for her. "And what could be the perfect explanation for that?" she retorted.

"No more questions!" the man shouted. "You're going to marry Donald Maclay's daughter, and that's final!" he declared and banged his free hand on the table.

"And you're not going to dictate my future!" the young woman retorted vehemently, and hurriedly rose from her seat and walked away from her parents.

"Come back here, young lady!"

She heard her father shout, but she ignored him and walked further out of the room.

On her way out, she could still hear her parents fuming remarks.

"Sheila! Talk to your daughter and tell her that I'm going to disinherit her if she doesn’t do what I say!" She heard her father's furious remark. Followed by an angry retort from her mother: "It's your problem Ira! I told you not to do this!"


****************************

A few days ago...


"How bad is it?" asked the man in the dark suit, as he paced to and fro inside the office of Donald Maclay.

"I need fourteen million to put it back together," said the man seriously. He worried over where in the world he would get that amount.

"But why did you have to gamble that much?" returned the man with dark hair as he continued his pacing.

"Don't question me about what I should do with my money!" he reprehended, angered by the remarks of his legal adviser. "It's your job to figure out how I won’t lose my business!" With that, he rose from his desk and stormed out of the room, leaving behind the man in the black suit with a heavy burden on his shoulders.

The name Maclay had been an influential and respected name in the wine business in California. For generations it preserved its wealth by maintaining the business within the family. However, that tradition was about to be broken if his client couldn’t raise fourteen million dollars lost in gambling. And now, Jaime Lopez, had been left again with the immense task of how to restore the Maclay's wealth while maintaining its’ good name in elite society. All due to the impulsive gambling of his client.


Two days later...

The man's brooding was cut short when his lawyer entered the room with a briefcase in his right hand and a worried look on his face.

"So, what have you got?" the head of the Maclay's company asked.

"I have tried asking all your friends," Lopez started, as he sat on the chair opposite his anxious client. "Unfortunately they've all refused to invest fourteen million in your company after they learned about your gambling."

"That son of a bitch!" Donald Maclay cursed. He stood up and paced, furious about what his co-player had done to his life. "Why did he have to tell my friends that I lost in that stupid game!"

"I'm sorry to tell you this," Lopez said apologetically, and waited for a moment before telling another news to his client. "However..." he started, and yet hesitating. "there is one man who is offering you the fourteen million, but..." he had not finish the sentence yet...

"Then why didn't you say so!" Donald Maclay exclaimed instatnly. His face brightened with shrewdness upon hearing the sound of fourteen million. "But what?" he asked.

"Here you go." Lopez gave the paper to his client and carefully watched his expression.

After reading the whole page, his client handed it back to him, looked at him with resolve and said, "Prepare the papers, tell him I'm accepting his offer."

"Are you sure about this?" Lopez asked, surprised at the answer. "Don't you think that you should ask..."

"I'm certain about this," Donald interrupted as he glared at the man in front of him.


********************


The following day, Jaime Lopez handed over the papers that his client needed to sign. "Is this the last one?" Donald Maclay asked impatiently. Jaime just nodded, sadness and regret lining his face.



TBC







Chapter 2
[center]Runaway [/center]


Two days Ago…

Tamara's father had been a widower for four years now, and ever since her mother, Margareth died, everything in the Maclay's household changed. Tara, as what her mother fondly called her, had been greatly affected when her mother died, while her brother Donnie recovered right away. However, she recalled her father, Donald Maclay grew more irritable each passing day and showed no interest and concerns anymore to her and Donnie. He resorted to gambling as a means of forgetting his wife's death and devoted a lot of himself in his work. Since then, it never change.

Despite of being deprived of a father's love and attention, Tara was thankful that they were provided with all the material things they needed and have been sent to the best schools, however, she still longed for a parent's affection. Unlike her, after their mother died, Donnie, decided to move out of the house and asked their father for financial support. Wanting to help her father overcome his loneliness, Tara remained living with her father, due to a promise once made.

On her mother's deathbed, Tara recalled her mother's wish; that she stay with her father until she was able to find a wife of her own, since her mother knew that her father cannot take her death very well.

Tara had always been a good daughter, and had endured all her father's irascibility. She always made sure to obey him. But her docility resulted to her not having a single girlfriend. Her father had always threatened those potential suitors and would always look down on each of them. No one had passed Donald Maclay's standard for his daughter's partner, and now at 21, Tara unfortunately had never experienced having a girlfriend. Sure, she had some flings before, but never someone she had been serious with, for fear that her father might hurt the person. And still, she remained an obedient child.

But little did she know, that her future had already been decided and sold to unknown person…

"Tara, are you there?" a female voice asked, after tapping on the door of her room.

Realizing that it was her cousin, "Yes, Beth," she replied right away and opened the door. "You need anything?"

"Uncle wants to talk to you," Beth informed. "He's in his study."

"Okay, thanks," she uttered and hurriedly went downstairs.

************************

After almost an hour and after receiving the message from her father, Tara found herself crying endlessly in the seclusion of her room. She hated her father. Her future was now ruined by his father's selfishness.

All through out the night she pondered on how she would get out of this mess. When there's no more tears to cry, when her anger subsided a bit. She thought of one thing to do... She hit the number two on her cell phone.


It's been half an hour since she made the call, and Tara found herself fidgeting in her room.

"He's so unfair!" she exclaimed, furious about her father's decision. She had been a good daughter to him, and patiently stayed by his side, since their mom died. But right now, she could never allow her father to ruin her life. Then she remembered what her mother told her, "I want you to marry someone for love, and not for what she had." The thought saddened her more… Her pondering was cut short when she heard a light tap on her window.

"Damn! What's this all about?" the somewhat uncomfortable brunette whined, after dusting off the dirt from her leather black pants. "I feel like we're still in High school."

"I'm sorry Faith," Tara told her childhood best friend, after she asked her to come through her room's window. "But Dad is still in his study and Beth is in the living room.

"Didn't occur to you that they live here too?" her best friend joked… "Unless you're hiding somethi- ... Faith stopped, realizing that something was wrong. "Have you been crying?"

Faith's mood changed. She approached Tara's bed and sat beside her, "Tara, are you alright?"

"Nooo!" she burst out and cried at her best friend's shoulder.

"What happened?"

Faith had asked, while stroking her long blond hair. "He… He set me up with someone," Tara said in between sob.

"Who?" the confused brunette asked, and released Tara from the embrace. Tara just gestured on the floor referring to the one who was in the study room. "Your father?"

Tara could just nod in reply, and went back to Faith's arms.

"Then what's wrong with that? At last! You'll gonna have a girlfriend! And you'll be free!"

"You don't understand!" she exclaimed growing frustrated at Faith's slowness, and pulled out from her best friend's arms. "He arranged me to marry someone I don't love!"

"Holy shit!" Faith exclaimed. "Why the hell would he do that?"

"Coz we're nearly bankrupt Faith," she said. "Someone had offered Dad to help him with his debts, but there's a catch: That I marry his daughter."

"But that's fucking insane!" the angry brunette uttered, pacing around the room "Have you met her?"

"No, I haven't," Tara returned and sighed, even the thought of meeting the woman she was destined to marry made her more angry. "And I don't even wanna know what her name is!"

"So, what are you plannin' now?" was her best friend's worried question. "Don't tell me you'll gonna do it?!" Faith asked, she knew how kind Tara was. "Coz I'm telling you now, it's like taking a fucking suicide!"

"I know, that's why I've asked you to come over," she returned, in between sobs. "Will you help me get out of here?"

"It'll be my pleasure," Faith retorted and grinned. "I just don't understand why you still chose to stay with Donald the grouch. Don't get me wrong, but living here is like being in the prison!"

"Ok, I get the message now," she interrupted, as she noticed her best friend becoming hyper. "Will you please calm down before my father and cousin heard us."

"So, where are you heading? You could live with me, if you want," was Faith's eager suggestion.

"Faith, you just live a block away from us," she answered. "Where do you think is the first house my dad's gonna search when he found out that I'm gone, eh?"

"Oh. You're right," Faith returned, realizing that she's been hyper and excited by the thought of her and Tara living together. "But you're not planning to go to Mexico or Canada, are you?"

"No, you silly," she said, as she smiled a little bit from her best friend's disoriented remarks. "I'm planning to stay at my mom's old friend. You see, before my mother died, she told me about that friend of hers, and she said that if ever I would be in great trouble, all I have to do is go over there and tell her that I'm Margareth's daughter."

"And how do you suppose to know, that your father won't find you there?" Faith asked, "She's your mother's friend, I'm sure he knew about her."

"No, he doesn't," Tara said with full of assurance. "Coz she's my mom's former lover."

*******************************************

Before the crack of dawn, with Faith's help, Tara quietly slipped out of the Maclay's mansion and headed to the train station. Her mind was fully disoriented as she fidgeted and paced to and fro at the old wooden planks of the station, her musing was cut short as she heard the chugging sound of the first train of the morning. Quickly she embarked and took a seat at a corner, where no one would recognize her. She was glad that the train was almost deserted, as it started its journey.

Hours later the train arrived at its destination. When she came out of the station, she saw how small and quiet the town was and felt secured. Compared to where she lives, it felt so homey and safe. She then took a piece of paper out of her pocket and read it as she treaded along the street.

********************************

When Willow Rosenberg stormed out of her parents' house, and drove out of Beverly Hills, she was full of hatred. She was already twenty-five years old, and yet, her parents were still interfering in her life. She cannot hinder them though, coz even if she had chose to live alone and stay in their old house in Sunnydale she was still financially dependent to her parents.

"Shit! I really need to get a job now," she thought, while driving in her silver Mercedes-Benz SLK convertible. She had been slacking up in her life since her father became a successful and rich businessman five years ago. And now, her worries were overflowing as to how to fend for herself in case her father seriously disinherits her, if she would refuse to marry the daughter of his father's acquaintance. "I hate him!"

When Willow made an instant turn in one of the streets in Sunnydale, she had no idea that she was about to encounter the person that will change her life forever…

BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!

She hit so hard on the horn of her car, and stepped hard on the break when a certain blonde carrying a baggage and a knapsack suddenly crossed the street absent mindedly.

She almost hit her. "Hey! Watch out!" she shouted to the shocked young lady who almost fainted at the sight of her car.

"You bastard!!" the woman yelled back furiously, after regaining her composure. "You're the one who should watch where you're driving! You almost killed me!"

"You're not lookin' where you're goin'!" Willow retorted, and blamed the person as she stood up in her convertible.

"And you're driving like a maniacl!" the blonde retaliated. "You don't own the road! I could sue you for this!"

"Oh really! Go ahead, call your lawyer!" was Willow's arrogant remark. "You don't know who you're messing with." And with that, she zoomed out of the scene and left the poor blonde picking up her bags.

TBC

[AlysonGoddess]

What?! Your leaving me hanging like this!? And now once they see eachother in person there gunna know who eachother is and not want anything to do with them. Thats all gunna change right? I need to know what happens next!!!!!!!! Im dying for an update

ERIN

[cosmic dancer]

A great start, I love this idea!

I like playing with ''what if' ideas myself, but had never considered something as clever as this.

I can't wait to see what comes next. I hope you're able to update soon.

[ambercissism]

AllysonGoddess : Hey Erin! Thanks for the first feedback… I really didn’t mean to left you hanging like that… Umm… Yup! You got that right. You can find out what I meant, so here’s the next chapter. Hope you like it.

cosmic dancer : Thank you so much for reading another story of mine. I’m glad you love the idea… and that you find it clever. Well, I think you should push through with those ideas of yours too. As you requested, here’s chapter 3.


Chapter 3 [center]The Blaming Game[/center]


Moments later, after recovering from the trauma of having nearly hit by a car, Tara tried to pacify herself from that hideous vexation. The face of the driver was without a doubt, instantly engraved in her memory after the nasty incident. She had never encountered such an arrogant person in her life, she thought, while gathering her things that were tossed on the ground.

After surveying and perambulating the quiet dark streets of Sunnydale, she finally found the house, and stared at the façade for a while and double-checked the number, 1630. After confirming the address from the paper that she held, she treaded towards the driveway and made three steps up going to the balcony of the white painted house. Slowly, she tapped on the wooden door. After the fifth knock, the door was opened, and there, she saw a beautiful lady in her fifties, with curly blonde hair, and round deep-seated eyes gazing at her in total awe. She instantly crimsoned at the sudden adoration that the woman displayed and cannot help herself, but to hide her face at the back of her long golden locks.

“I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to scare you,” the tall slim woman said.

Tara responded with a bashful smile and gathered her confidence and said, “I-I’m M-Marg...” she was saying, but was immediately interrupted by the lady of the house.

“I know,” was the certain reply.

“H-how did y-you...?” was the blonde’s curious question, and assumed correctly that it was the person she was looking for.

“Coz for a moment, I thought it was Margareth who was standing in my doorway,” she heard the woman confessed, after discovering the strong resemblance between her and her mother. “Please, come in.”

Shyly, Tara crossed over the threshold and stood at the doorway for a while, as she waited for the woman to close the door.

“So, you’ve finally come.” She heard the woman said, as she was led to the living room and they both took a seat.

For a while, Tara was left without a word and was trying to determine what her mother’s former lover meant with the last sentence that was uttered. She had known her mom’s past ever since she was a teenager, and she had discovered a lot more about this woman, when her mom’s health started to deteriorate. She admitted that she’s totally curious to meet this woman, the one, her mom trusted so much. And now, Tara is bound to discover why, as she already found herself face to face with the woman Margareth considered “my shelter.”

“Tamara, right?”

Suddenly she was snapped out from her reverie as she heard the woman address her.

“Umm, I-It’s Tara,” she corrected, and then received a puzzled reply. “I-I preferred to be called Tara. Coz only my dad calls me Tamara.”

“Oh. I understand,” the woman said. “It’s nice that you could visit me.”

“I-I ran away f-from home,” she replied sheepishly, as she began to shrink in shame. “I’m h-hiding from m-my father.”

“Why? What happened? Did your father hurt you?” was the worried inquiry.

“No, he... he’s forcing me to marry someone I don’t love.”

“What?! That fool!” was the woman’s angry reaction. “Excuse me for calling your father like that, but that’s completely absurd! How dare him, doing that to his own daughter!”

“Because we’re bankrupt,” was her unashamed answer.

“Bankrupt?! The Maclays are filthy rich, how could your father run out of money?”

“Dad, had been gambling since mom died,” she finally revealed.

“So, what’s got to do with your father running out of money and arranging you to marry someone?”

“Coz somebody offered to help him recover all that he lost, and in return I must marry the daughter of that man.”

“And your father agreed?!”

Tara just nodded, as loneliness and worries covered her face, recalling the selfish decision that her father did.

“That son of a bitch!”

She was torn away from her thoughts as she heard the woman’s wrathful remarks, and saw her rise from the couch and started to pace around the room.

“Nobody has the right to do that to you! And nobody can force you to marry someone you don’t love!”

Tara just stared for a while as the woman temporarily burst into rage.

“Do you know the man that your father is dealing with?”

“I- I didn’t bother to ask my dad, coz I was so angry and hated him, when he informed me few nights ago.”

“But why would that man want you?”

“I don’t have any idea.”

For a while, Tara was left wondering. So, how come the man wanted her for his daughter instead of their remaining assets? She started to become curious. She does not consider herself that beautiful and attractive, since she had long been denied of a lover, and her self confidence had sank more and more due to her father’s intrusion in her love life and for keeping her in the house all the time. She was never the perfect candidate for a wife, she thought.

“Don’t worry dear, you can stay here in my house as long as you want.”

Suddenly, she felt relieved upon hearing that. At last! She could now live in peace. “T-Thank you,” she mumbled in reply.

“As long as you’re under my care, nobody can force you to do something that’s against your will! I’m sorry for flaring up like this... but I just can’t imagine what your father did.”

“No, it’s fine,” she agreed. “I totally understand how you felt. Coz that’s exactly how my best friend reacted when I told her.”

“You must be exhausted now! Come on let’s go upstairs. I’ll show you to your room, and then we could eat dinner.”

As they reached the second floor of the house, she got curious, when she saw a room that seemingly occupied by a younger woman, as they passed along going to the room that she is about to sleep in.

“Here’s your room, Tara. I want you to consider it as your own, since you’re like a daughter to me. Feel at home and don’t hesitate to ask me for anything.”

“Thank you so much, it’s so kind of you to accommodate me. I really am grateful for all of this.”

“Oh, Tara. I feel great that, I’m the person you considered you could turn to in times of trouble.”

“Umm... could I ask you something, who’s sleeping on the other room? I was just curious, coz it seems...”

“It’s Buffy’s room. She’s studying at UC Sunnydale, trying to finish her Master’s degree. She stays in the dorm, but comes home on the weekends.”

“Who’s Buffy?”

“She’s my daughter.”

***************************

***Sometime in the past***

“What are you doing here? I told you, that I don’t want to see your face anymore?!”

“Please, sir... I just need to talk to Isabelle...”

“Didn’t I make it clear to you, that you are not suitable for my daughter!”

“I love her! And I’m going to work hard, to give her all that she wants. Just let me prove that I...”

“You’re nothing! Get out of my house before I call the police!”

It had been thirty-five years after that incident happened, and yet, the pain and the humiliation were tattooed in his mind and heart. Isabelle was his first love, and the girl that he had ever dreamt of. They met at the Maclay’s vineyard, when he was picking grapes with his father. Isabelle Maclay was just sixteen then, and was riding in a horse around the vineyard when they first laid eyes with one another. He was just an eighteen year-old poor boy from Texas, who came to California with his family in hope of finding a good life. But despite of their extremely different family background, their love grew and set no boundaries. For almost a year, they managed to hide their relationship to Isabelle’s family, until one day, Isabelle’s father, Donald Maclay, Sr., caught them in one of their rendezvous. Since then, things began to fall apart for him, and Isabelle was sent to Europe and he had never seen her again.

“It’s payback time Maclay,” he thought, sitting in the dark corner of his room, while smoking his Cuban cigar.

*******************

After rounding the whole place and getting all she needed, she hurriedly headed towards the check-out section, as she neared the end of the aisle, Tara had no idea that she’s about to face again the person she hated since the first time she arrived in Sunnydale, when her cart bumped rapidly to another one.

“What the...!” she exclaimed, as the toilet papers and some contents from her cart fell due to the strong impact.

“Hey! You’re the one who’s...”

She heard the other person was saying, but suddenly stopped as it came face to face with her.

For a while Tara tried to recall where she saw the face. While her curious blue eyes remained glued at the mischievous green orbs that are playfully looking at her, she was suddenly snapped from her recollection when she heard the person utter, and realized who she was staring at.

“It’s you again.” Was the sarcastic remark, and Tara received a devilish grin.

Annoyed at the wicked behavior, she declared irritatingly, “You really wanna kill me, don’t you?!”

“What?! You’re the one who’s always blocking my way!”

“Oh! So, you’re tellin’ me that it’s my fault again?!”

“Well, I’m not the one who’s crossing the street absent-mindedly, and I’m not the one who’s running with the cart.”

Furious at the truth, “Aargh! Why do I bother talkin’ to you!” and with that, she hurriedly picked those things that fell from her cart. All she wants now is to escape the sight of this arrogant redhead in front of her, she thought. But this time, she was surprised, when the person helped her gathered her things. Tara then, flushed a little bit when the redhead came upon the box of tampons and smiled naughtily when it was handed to her.

“So, that’s why you’re flaring up, you had your monthly visitor????”

Irritated at the continuous vexation from the redhead, Tara hurriedly wheeled her way out from the spot. But before she could get two meters away from the redhead, she stopped and turned around, and declared: “I am still gonna sue you!”

“I’ll be waiting for it!” was the sweet sarcastic reply.

****************

Before entering the door, Tara glanced at her watch and got worried when she saw that it was nearly lunchtime. Hurriedly, she slipped her way in the house.

“There you are. I was beginning to worry about you,” she heard Joyce’s told her, as she arrived in the kitchen with three bags full of groceries.

“I’m sorry, I just had a little trouble at the grocery store.”

“Why? What happened?”

“I’ve bumped into someone,” she said while putting the cartons of milk in the refrigerator.

“I didn’t know that you’ve already met someone here.”

“I actually didn’t know her. It’s just that, the first day I arrived here, she almost hit me while she’s driving.”

“Oh my god, Tara! Why didn’t you tell me?! Have you reported it to the police?”

“Well, I didn’t bother coz, I’m not hurt at all.”

“But you could sue her for that.”

“I don’t think that’s a good idea, Joyce. Coz I’m hiding from my father, and if I go to the police now, they could track me here.”

“Oh. I forgot.”

”And besides, I really don’t wanna sue her. I mean...”

“What are you sayin’? Of course you could sue anyone who almost killed you!”

“Yeah, I know. But it’s kinda my fault too, coz I wasn’t lookin’, where I’m goin’,” was her sheepish remark. But then, her attention was diverted to the three plates that Joyce took from the cupboard, “Someone coming?” She asked.

“Oh! I forgot to tell you. I’ve asked Buffy’s best friend to come over. Coz I thought you might be bored now, staying in the house with me for three days already.”

“No, I’m not. I actually like staying inside the house than going out.”

“Tara, you need to get out from time to time, and since Buffy is not arriving until this weekend, I’ve asked Willow to take you out, and show you around, so that you’ll be familiarized in Sunnydale.”

“B-but, I’m just fine being here.”

“No buts. After lunch, you and Willow are going out. She’s adorable, you’ll gonna love her. She had been like a daughter to me.”

“Umm... Joyce, I-I was just worried that someone might discover who I am...”

“Oh, don’t worry about that. I’m gonna tell them that you’re my niece, is that fine?”

“Y-yeah, I guess so. Thanks.”

Minutes later, after having set the last spoon and knife on the table, she heard the doorbell rang twice.

“That must be Willow, could you please get the door, Tara?!” she heard Joyce’s voice from the kitchen.

She walked towards the door, and tried to fix her hair first, before answering it. Excitedly, she put a smile on her face, anticipating that that someone could fall for her charms. Slowly, she opened the door, not having a single hint, who, is on the other side. Right now, she is just looking forward to meet this person that Joyce considered “adorable”. But how would she take it, when she finds out that it’s the very person that had successfully plagued her for past few days?

TBC

[AlysonGoddess]

NOOOOO Not A cliffhanger GRRRR you cant leave me hanging like this there better be an update soon otherwise im gunn pop GREAT UPDATE i beg you to continue

ERIN

[The Rose24]

Intriguing story. This very different because W/T really dislike each other. I wonder how they are ever going to get past their first impressions of each other.

[cosmic dancer]

Poor old Tara! I can't wait to see how she'll react when she opens the door.

If Tara & Willow are 'forced' to spend time together, hopefully they'll soon see how good they could be as a couple. Or do you plan to make this a bit angsty and keep them apart in some way for the forseeable future?

I'm trying to push on with writing my own fic, but work keps getting in the way! I'll be on holiday soon though, so hopefully I'll get more done then!

More soon?

[SakuraEtsuko]

i like this story alot! its very unconventional but still has the same willow personality and tara personality that were so used to seeing..i think its funny how they dislike each other..must be quite a journey coming up for them to fall for each other!

~Karen

[ambercissism]

AlysonGoddess : Hope I could calm you down now, here's the update that you've been waiting for.

The Rose24 : Thanks for leaving a feedback... I hope to intrigue you more on the later chapters.

cosmic dancer : I really am so happy with all your feedbacks No, unfortunately I'm not making this story angsty coz I've already wrote 2 angsty stories (one of them is Written In The Stars). So, I just wanna try a bit comedy for a change Goodluck with writing your own fic, hope you could finished it soon.

SakuraEtsuko : Hey Karen! I'm so happy to know that you like Betrothed a lot. Yay! I was a bit hesitant with this story, coz of the idea that W/T not liking each other in the beginning, which we don't normally see and read in other fics. I guessed I just have to take my chances posting this story.

Here's it is....

Chapter 4 [center]SURPRISE![/center]


”What the hell are you doing here?!” Tara exclaimed in shock upon opening the door, and remained her eyes fixed at those familiar green orbs, as if expecting the redhead to retaliate. But this time, she felt confident, coz she knew that she’s in her territory and could do whatever she desire with this person. She preserved her stiff and arrogant features, as if telling the intruder that she cannot hurt or humiliate her.

The redhead was then seized with surprise, which immediately became dumbfounded for a moment. Willow did not blink a bit, as if trying to make sure that the person in front of her was nonetheless, the snobbish woman that she kept bumping into lately. Then, when she had already recovered her composure, “Me?! I think I’m the one who should ask that question. What are you doing at my best friend’s house?!!” was her demanding retort.

Suddenly, as her ears received the message, all her strength and pride rapidly disintegrated, and instead, the table was turned on her and she was now the one in the state of immobility. Before her mouth could utter a comeback, Tara saw the redhead already passed by her, crossed the threshold and proceeded inside with such confidence.

“W-what?!... S-she?!... Oh my.” Tara murmured in panic, as she closed the door behind her, and treaded towards the dining room.

She then heard Joyce’s excited voice, and realized how close this person is to the Summers, when she saw Joyce gave the redhead a kiss on the cheek, followed by a warm hug. Tara is still trying to forcefully absorb the whole scenario into her mind that she just stumbled onto. However, her contemplation was interrupted when she heard Joyce called for her, as her eyes searched for the older Summers, she was taken aback when she saw the two approaching her direction.

“Tara, this is Willow,” Joyce enthusiastically introduced. “She’s the one I’m talking about.” And then she saw the tall lady’s smile, as if proud for introducing this certain redhead to her.

Tara let a weak “hi”, and forced a smile on her face, but came out as a sarcastic grin instead. She then felt even more irritated when the redhead returned the grin too, but more wickedly than she did, as if mocking her in this awkward situation that they have gotten themselves tangled into.

“Pleased to meet you... Tara,” returned the redhead, her voice seemingly annoying when she said the name “Tara”.

“Likewise.” Tara remarked sarcastically, and then shifted her look to the tall slim lady. “Joyce, I’ll just take the roast out of the oven.” Was the blonde’s quick excuse, and stride towards the kitchen.

At lunch, Joyce dominated entirely the conversation, telling her stories about Buffy and how Willow and the petite blonde became best friends. As the older Summers sits comfortably at the head of the table while relating her story, she on the other hand, had been aching to finish this lunch and can not seem to calm herself on the chair, as Willow, who is sitting across her, kept on stealing a glance. It made her even more uncomfortable when she caught Willow staring at her, until she died of consciousness and had to compose herself on the seat. She felt that those penetrating green eyes are beginning to swallow her composure. But she tried her best not to become affected, and continued listening to her mother’s former lover as attentively as she could. Finally, Joyce diverted her attention to the source of her annoyance, and she felt a bit relieved.

“Willow, how come you’re late?” Joyce asked, shifting her attention to the redhead on her left. “Did you stayed all night again at the Bronze, and woke up just an hour ago?”

“Umm... no,” Willow answered, and then darted her look to the blonde in front of her and then back to the mother of her best friend. “Actually, I met a snob at the grocery store.” She said, while eating her pot roast.

Realizing that it was her that the redhead was talking about, Tara gave Willow a subtle and yet searing glare.

“Really?! So, what happened?” Joyce asked curiously, her attention still on Willow while eating her Greek Salad.

“Well,” the redhead started, cutting her meat. “She accused me of killing her.” She said, and then glanced at Tara, wanting to catch the blonde’s reaction.

Wondering, “Why would she tell you such things like that?” was Joyce questioning defense.

Tara’s ears were already fuming red at Willow’s misleading, and yet, she remained cool. But her disgust was diverted to the food in front of her.

“Tara, do you have a problem with your roast?” was Joyce’s unexpected question.

Suddenly, Tara realized that she’s cutting her meat savagely and then saw Joyce staring at her plate. “Oh! N-No! I’m s-sorry, it’s just that... m-my knife. Yeah. M-My knife. It’s not that sharp!” was her quick alibi, and then pierced her eyes for a second to the redhead, who seemed to be amused in her chair, as she lost her poise.

“So, you were saying Willow?” Joyce resumed her conversation with the redhead.

“Yeah... as I’ve mentioned,” Willow said. “This snob is going all accusy of me of trying to kill her, coz I’ve bumped my cart to hers, which, by the way, wasn’t my fault. Coz she’s the one who’s not looking where she’s going!”

“Silly girl.” Joyce concluded, shaking her head lightly and rolled her eyes, in between bites.

“That’s it!” Tara thought angrily. Her annoyance and tolerance had already reached the maximum level, and she would not let the redhead just fry her like that again.

“Well, perhaps, that snob isn’t just talking about crashing your cart with hers.” Was Tara’s sweet retaliation. “Maybe, she’s talking about another bad thing that you’ve done to her.”

“Like what?” was Joyce serious and curious interjection, not having the slightest idea about the brewing feud between the blonde and the redhead.

Willow’s face was growing pale now with worries as she held her breath and waited for Tara’s reply.

“Like for instance... almost running your car over her?” Tara retaliated, and grinned mischievously at the redhead.

It was Willow’s turn not to allow Tara see that she was squirming as Tara tried to cook her on the spot.

Joyce turned her gaze to Willow instantly and asked curiously, “Is that true Willow?”

“Huh?!” Willow exclaimed and was caught off guarded. “No! Of…Of course not!” was her rescued answer and glared back at the grinning blonde.

“Of course you can’t do that dear,” Joyce took back aright away. “I know how careful you are on the wheels, unlike the others, who just drive carelessly.”

Willow was a bit appeased now, as the focus on her “little crime” was disclosed.

“I swear Tara,” Joyce spoke again, finishing her salad. “I’m gonna kill the one who almost hit you! He shouldn’t be messing up with my other daughter!” the older woman declared, referring to Tara’s almost accident.

The ice tea that was in Willow’s mouth almost splattered at Joyce’s heavy and strong declaration, Willow then forced to swallow the liquid, but had a hard time doing it, and caused her to cough awfully.

“Willow, are you alright?” was the older woman’s worried question, seeing that the redhead cannot seem to cease from coughing.

Tara tried to suppress as hard as she could the laugh that is wanting to explode from her. She then took the napkin on the table and covered half of her face.

“Are you surprised that I’ve mentioned Tara as my other daughter?” was Joyce assuming innocent question, perhaps thinking, that Willow was freaking out that Buffy had a half sister.

“Umm... Uh huh.” Was all Willow could utter and nodded, still seized from that choking incident.

“I’m just talking hypothetically,” Joyce explained, still totally clueless why Willow almost choked. “Coz Tara is very special to me.

Tara then looked at Joyce and smiled at the kind remarks from her mother’s former lover, while Willow cannot seem to recover from coughing.

“I think we should cancel the tour,” was the older Summers worried declaration, seeing the “tour guide” is not well.

“I think that’s a very good idea.” Tara affirmed. “I’ll just get the coffee and tea.” She then rose up and left the table.

“Willow, do you need anything?” Joyce asked worriedly, while stroking the redhead’s back.

“None... I’m good.” Willow said. “Thanks.”

TBC

[cosmic dancer]

This is a really funny chapter!

The way in which you described Willow & Tara's reactions as they traded verbal blows was terrific.

I now know to come to 'Betrothed' for humour and 'written in the stars' for angst. As you know I'm enjoying both.

As for my attempts at fic writing, I think it will be a while before I put it on pens, but you never know how long it will take to write things. I'm just assuming it will take a while as I've never done this before and am a bit of a perfectionist.

As ever I look forward to the next update.

~Sez

[s82 v]

Ooh, this is getting good, not that it wasn't good before, it's just getting.. good-er? Better. ; ) Update soon?

[AlysonGoddess]

*SIGH* Your ending it there?! Whats gunna happen when there dads come and get them and they have to marry eachother whew i cant wait to see what happens then! PLease continue!!

ERIN

[The Rose24]

Geez. This isn't going well at all. What in world is going to get them together?

[ambercissism]

cosmic dancer: Hi Sez! I'm so glad to see your review again Here's the update that you've been waiting for... you should really try working on your fic. There's Beta Pens to help you if you'd want your story to be that perfect as you want it to be. Good luck!

s82 v: Thanks! It's nice of you to drop-in and leave some feedback. It sure means a lot to me.

AlyssonGoddess: Hey ERIN! Thanks again! Your reviews always makes me smile, coz you're always craving for more Here's another update.

The Rose24: Hey there! I really appreciated that you dropped by again and left a review. It sure inspires me to write more I know you're a bit worried how W/T will fall in love. Rest assured that I'm gonna try my best to get them together.... For the meantime, here's another update for you guys, hope you all like them!


Chapter 5 [center]Turning Away[/center]


Forcefully, she tried to salvage the fragmented pieces of her vaguely erotic dream, but was rudely expelled from dreamland when the annoying sound of her phone ringing stubbornly persisted. Feeling that her body was still in the state of lethargy, she forced to move her toes first, and then she took her time to stretch each foot, followed by her arms before fumbling through the wooden table beside her bed “Who the fuck could this be?” she grumbled, as her half-opened eyes caught the sight of the numbers showing 0930 on her radio clock that was sitting on beside the cordless phone.

“Yeah?!” she proclaimed grumpily, after seizing the receiver. As she recognized the voice on the other line, the half-asleep redhead almost hissed, “Mom! What do you want?!”

“Your father asked me to tell you, that we’re going over to the Maclays this Sunday.”

Willow jerked upright as if she was splashed with ice-cold water, she couldn’t believe what her mother just told her. “What?! I told you I don’t want to!” She exclaimed with frustration, and immediately sat on her bed.

“Oh, Willow, please be reasonable.”

“I am being reasonable!” she retorted. “I told you that I’m not just gonna marry some girl I don’t even know!”

“She is not just some girl, you know.” Sheila exclaimed, her voice apparently running out of patience from her daughter’s stubbornness. “She is, the daughter of one of the well known men in California.”

“Well, how come I don’t know her, huh?” she returned sarcastically. “I don’t care even if she’s the daughter of the president of the United States of America…”

Willow was about to finish what she was saying but stopped immediately when she heard the raging voice of her father in the background, as if listening to the conversation with her mother. “Willow Rosenberg, If you don’t get your stubborn ass in here, I’m gonna donate all your cars, and you won’t have a single penny from me!”

She was immediately frozen when she heard these threats her father just released. “My cars?” she mused in panic and seemingly contemplating now, her father knew how she loves her precious cars, and that nothing in the world could give her satisfaction but driving some of the world’s most fabulous vehicles.

However, her musing was interrupted, when she heard her mother, told her father, “Will you just leave the room and let me talk to my daughter alone?!” She overheard her mother, ordering her father. Then there was nothing but silence. After a few seconds, “Willow, are you still there?”

“Yes mom.” She uttered, her voice already softened, and her anger subsided.

“Sweetheart, I know this is going to be hard for you,” Sheila tried to explain in a motherly calm tone. “But your father wants us to go to the Maclays, so that you and Donald’s daughter could formally meet.”

“But mom, what’s the point of meeting them?” she asked, almost whiningly. “I told you, I don’t want to marry someone I don’t love.”

“I know how you feel right now, but your father had been furious since you left the house,” Sheila’s voice was beginning to break. “Sweetheart, could you just please do this for me. Let’s just get this over with and meet them. And if you think that she is not suitable for you, I’ll be the one to convince your father about this,” Sheila explained. “Is that alright with you?”

“I guess so,” was her defeated reply.

Willow knows that her mom never beg her to do something unless it is really important. Her mother used to tell her that she is the mirror of her father’s youth and temperament that is why they always clashed.

“So, we’ll see you on Sunday, then?” Sheila asked hopefully.

“Mom, just promise me that you’ll get me out of this mess,” was her firm reply.

“I’ll do my best.” Her mother reassured.


*****************************************

The following day…

The Maclays’ mansion had never been the same again after Tara left. And now, Beth, Tara’s cousin, was facing a very critical situation: experiencing the worst display of temperament of Donald Maclay.

“Beth!” she heard the harsh voice of an angry man who was in the study room.

“Yes uncle, I’m coming!” she replied at once, with fear in her timid voice.

As she opened the door, there she saw Donald Maclay, seated at his favorite leather chair with a bottle of vodka in his hand, every evening, she always sees him with every different hard liquor, and every evening she had to deal with this temperamental and frightening mood of her uncle.

“Any news yet?” the fussy man asked, as his chair turned around to face the young woman.

Beth could feel that each day that passed, seemed to be more excruciating than the other, when she had to report again and stood on the same spot, with just two meters away from the wicked man. “I’m sorry uncle, but they haven’t found her yet.”

“Those useless pricks!” he cursed those private detectives that he had hired since the day Tara disappeared.

“With all due respect sir, don’t you think we should call the police now?” Beth hesitantly suggested.

“Don’t you have brains?!” Older Maclay snarled. “If you report to the police that your cousin is missing, Rosenberg would find out, and we’re all gonna live on the streets tomorrow!”

“Sorry, sir,” she said right away, and bowed her head.

She knew that the man was in much stressed now, after they received a call from Sheila Rosenberg last night and informed them that they want to meet Tara formally and would come on Sunday for dinner.

“Call Sheila Rosenberg tomorrow. Tell her that Tara was hospitalized and needed to stay there for a while.”

“Yes uncle. Would that be all?” she asked with trembling voice.

Beth did not receive a reply, and instead the man just turned his back and began to sulk again in the darkness of his study room. She knew instinctively that it was her cue to leave now. But how long could they keep Tara’s disappearance a secret? How many more excuses does she have to tell the Rosenbergs that they cannot meet Tara yet? How long would she have to lie for her uncle’s sake? She heard from Donald’s legal adviser that her uncle had already received half of the amount that they have agreed upon to. And knowing Donald Maclay, he might have spent most of the money already…


*********************************************

“Mom! I’m home!” was the cheerful call that Tara heard after the door banged closed.

“That must be her.” She thought, with the name of Buffy ringing in her thoughts at once. She then started to fidget in her bed, and did not know if she’s going to meet the young woman immediately or she just have to present herself at once. Reluctantly, she went downstairs but before she could land the first floor, she saw the door opened and in came Joyce with bags of groceries.

"Hi Tara!” Joyce greeted her with a smile.

“I-I think y-your daughter is already here.” She said, and took the other grocery bag that Joyce is carrying.

But before the older woman could utter a reply…

“Mom!”

Tara then caught the sight of a beautiful petite blonde emerging from the kitchen, with a bottle of milk on her hand, and ran towards Joyce’s direction and embraced her mother. After releasing from the embrace, Joyce turned to her to introduce the young lady who is about four years older than her.

“Tara, this is my daughter, Buffy.”

“Hi! Nice to meet you,” was the friendly remark and shook her free hand.

“Buffy, Tara is going to stay with us for a while,” Joyce informed the petite blonde with a smile.

“Cool! Are you my mom’s friend?” the young lady asked, as they walked towards the kitchen.

“I… I’m…” she was saying, but the fear of revealing her identity had overcome her again.

“She’s your distant cousin.” Joyce finished, realizing that she was still not comfortable on revealing her real identity, except to the older Summers.

“I didn’t know that I have a gorgeous cousin like you!” Buffy teased and looked at her adoringly, as the petite blonde took the brown paper bag from her mother and started to take the grocery items out.

She then blushed on the spot and cannot seem to reply on the petite blonde’s remark, while she unloading the fruits and vegetables from the grocery bag that she was carrying and put it straight to the refrigerator.

“So, where are you from?” Buffy asked, while putting the boxes of cereals on the cupboard.

“Buffy, can’t you just stop asking Tara too many questions for a minute,” Joyce uttered, noticing that she is getting uncomfortable now at each query Buffy asked.

“Oh! I’m sorry. I just seem to ramble on and on when I just met someone new.”

Tara gave the charming petite blonde a timid shy, and resumed putting the remaining carrots in refrigerator. Buffy was such an energetic woman, she thought. Even if she was smaller than her, the younger Summers moves swiftly and lively. She was quite an extrovert, she noticed, and that reminded her of Faith.

“Will you girls help me make dinner?” the tall lady asked.

Three hours had already passed after dinner, with unwanted questions from Buffy being blocked and answered by Joyce throughout the dinner, Tara was now left in the stillness of her room and was contemplating about the things and responsibility that she was now escaping. However, her thoughts were interrupted when she heard a tap on her door.

Assuming that it was the older Summers, “It’s open Joyce!”

“Hey, did I woke you up?” a low young voice asked, seeing that the room was already dimly lit.

Tara quickly got up and sat on her bed upon finding Buffy by the door, “No, you didn’t… Come in.”

Buffy then approached her bed and sat on the side.

“I was just wondering if you’d like to hang out with me tomorrow?” the petite blonde started. “My mom told me that you never get out of the house, except when you need to go to the grocery store.”

Tara’s cheeks became pink and timidly broke her eye contact with the younger Summers. “Did Joyce asked you to take me out? Coz she’s been telling me to go out. But I told her that I’m just fine being in the house. So, you don’t have to worry about me too.” she revealed and smiled at Buffy.

“Yeah, my mom told me that you haven’t seen the whole town yet,” Buffy replied, and made herself comfortable on the bed by squatting her legs. “But I was wondering if you could go with me to the mall tomorrow and help me buy a birthday gift too.”

“Well, I don’t have anything to do tomorrow,” she replied.

“I’ll take that as a yes, then?” Buffy asked hopefully.

“Yeah, sure.” Was her convinced answer, and gave the smaller blonde a nod.

“That’s great!” Buffy exclaimed happily, and rose from the bed and headed to the door. “You could come with me to the Bronze too! Okay, goodnight!” she proclaimed excitedly.


*********************************************
The following day…

After eating brunch she and the petite blonde did not waste any time and went out right away. Buffy showed her around first so that she would be familiarized with the town. They went to the mall first and then afterwards, Buffy decided to take a rest and hanged at the Espresso Pump.

The sun was nearly down, as they both relaxed and enjoy their mochas, while watching the people that passed along the small café. They seemed to have accomplished a lot of things today. Buffy and Tara shopped for some jeans and tops, seeing that the season was already getting warmer. However, the petite blonde almost forgot the reason why they needed to go to the mall.

Panicking, “Fuck! I forgot about the gift!” Buffy exclaimed.

“Oh my gosh! Why didn’t I remember that too?” was her baffled remark. Then suddenly, her eyes caught a little store by the end of the street. “Would you like to check that shop over there?” she told the petite blonde and diverted her sight on the far away end.

Buffy stood up and stepped out of the place, followed by her. “The Magic Box?” Buffy mumbled, perplexed.

“Yeah. It sounds like there are a lot of unique and unusual stuffs there.” She suggested.

“Well…” the petite blonde trailed off, a bit reluctant of Tara’s suggestion. “Oh, why not?! Let’s check it out.” Buffy returned, and they headed towards the shop.

As they opened the door, the shop was almost empty, except for the man behind the counter on the right side of the shop, as they walked further inside they were mesmerized to find different kinds of stuffs that they have not seen in a regular gift shop, or in the mall before.

“Wow! These are awesome!” Buffy exclaimed in awe, while looking at every items in the shelves.

“Yeah,” Tara agreed, eyeing on some crystal balls and small crystal unicorns on the other glass shelf.

A few minutes had passed and yet, they can’t seem to decide what gift to pick, finding that everything in the shop are fascinating.

“Buffy! Come here.” Tara motioned for the smaller blonde. “How about this one?”

“Umm… that’s quite interesting,” Buffy proclaimed and took the item and scrutinized it. After a minute, “Okay, I’ll take this.”

**************************************

It had been an exhilarating day for her, Tara thought as she and Buffy arrived at the Summers’ residence. It’s been a while since she enjoyed a day strolling outside, and she was glad that Buffy took her out. Just as she was about to go upstairs and was planning on sleeping early:

“You’re coming with me, aren’t you?” Buffy asked her while resting on the couch.

She then gave the petite blonde a questioning look and stopped from taking another step to the stairs.

“The Bronze?” Buffy tried to supply Tara’s empty thoughts.

“Haven’t we’ve gone there yet?” she asked innocently, thinking that the Bronze was some kind of shop or boutique that they have visited and checked out this morning when she and Buffy strolled along the mall and through the town.

“What do you mean?” was Buffy’s puzzled remark.

“Haven’t you’ve shopped at the Bronze this morning?” Tara supplied.

“No. The Bronze is not a boutique,” Buffy tried to enlightened her. “It’s a bar.”

“Oh!” She exclaimed in understanding.

Buffy then approached her and pleaded, “Please Tara, say you’ll come. Pretty please?!” the petite blonde gave her a puppy sad face look.

“Alright!” she give in right away, thinking that she would enjoy spending the night with the very enthusiastic and funny daughter of her mother’s former lover. “I’ll just shower and change.”


*************************************

An hour later, they found themselves at the entrance of a very trendy bar. Tara saw that there was a long queue by the entrance, remembering that it was Saturday night. However, Buffy just walked passed the line with her following behind. She was surprised when the bouncer nodded to Buffy and let them in.

“Thanks Jake!”

Buffy smiled at the big man after patting his side arm and they passed through without any difficulty and entered the heavy door. It was way more crowded inside and the thick smoke and heavy sound of the band’s music made her head began to ache. She had been to bars and clubs, but most of them were not so crowded like this and a lot of them were exclusive and radically chic.

Belonging to the elite crowd sure made her ignorant from this unconventional, and yet, exciting place, and now, Tara felt like she could do whatever she wants here.

“You okay?!” Buffy asked as they forced themselves and passed through the crowd.

“Yeah!” she yelled in reply, with the loud music still playing in the background. She then noticed that Buffy was looking among the crowd, as if she was searching for someone. “Are we meeting someone?”

“What?!” the petite blonde exclaimed. “I’m sorry, can you talk a little louder?!”

“I said, are we meeting someone?!” she yelled back, as they stopped for a while in the middle of the crowd that seemed to be endlessly walking and passing by from all directions.

“Yeah! My friends!”

“Your friends?!” Tara replied in shocked, as the face of a certain redhead instantly flashed in her mind, and made her restless. “Just friends, not best friend, right?” she said, her eyes strained in hope, while Buffy scanned the crowd for some familiar face.

“Well, it’s actually my best friend’s birthday, and we’re celebrating it tonight!” Buffy declared, clueless of the anxiety that Tara is feeling at the moment. “There they are!” the petite blonde declared after she spotted some people at one of the tables near the billiard pool.

But before Tara could retreat, she felt Buffy grabbed her hand and she was guided through the crowd. And she knew that she would be at the receiving end of sarcasm once again.


TBC

[Amanda]

They just keep bumping into each other... its funny stuff.

[AlysonGoddess]

wonder whats gunna happen this time but i need an update to find out dont i so make it quick please

ERIN

[cosmic dancer]

Oh dear poor tara! She should probably have guessed that Willow might be there though, after all she knows she is Buffy's best friend.

I'm intreguiged by what Tara selected in the magic box. I'm hoping that we'll find out in the next chapter.

As for my fic, I've drafted 2 chapters and sent them to my beta reader, but I think the 2nd especially will need redrafting, as I rushed bits of it and I know I haven't checked it fully against the research I've done to check it's fairly accurate. I may well post bits of it in beta pens before posting it here. Kittens there have already helped me with my research, so it kinda makes sense.

~Sez

[s82 v]

It's been almost a month since this was updated last!! Update soon?! :-)

I miss this story.

[SakuraEtsuko]

me too!!! this story is great i cannot WAIT to read more!! funny funny stuff!!

~K~

[Trom DeGrey]

Unfortunately, the delay with this story is my fault. I'm helping beta both this and Written in the Stars and am going through both stories from the beginning. ambercissism is writing, I'm just trying to get caught up. Sorry folks!

[ambercissism]

I'm sorry guys, I forgot to put a note here too, like I did with "Written In The Stars'" thread.... Just like Trom DeGrey mentioned, she's betaing both my stories and it's a lot of job for her, so we hope you all could still bear with the delay.

Thank you all for the wonderful replies, it just shows that there are still people out there who are interested on BETROTHED. I really appreciate it.

ambercissism

[ambercissism]

Hiya Kittens! I know some of you have been waiting for an update. I just like to thank you first for all those amazing feedbacks. It's always nice to know what people think of what I write Let me reply first to your individual feedbacks.

Amanda: Hi! Thanks for the first reply, I really appreciate it. Yeah, and are bound to bump and bump into each other in this story.

AlysonGoddess: Hey Erin! I know you always wanted to have a qucik update, and I'm sorry that I just wasn't able to do it. But I do have it now, so I hope you'll be satisfied already.Thanks again for the reply

cosmic dancer : Hello Sez! Thanks for leaving a feedback here too. Really appreciate it. Well, you'll gonna know now what Tara had selected in the Magic Box as a gift for Willow.

s82 v : Hey! I know, it's been so long and I apologized again, I love this story too and I know that most of you would wanna know soon what would feel when they found out that they're both destined for each other. Anyway, I'm thankful for the feedback.

SakuraEtsuko : Hi K! Well, the waiting is over now, I'll be posting the update in a few minutes. So, I hope I'd be able to make you happy Thanks again!

[ambercissism]

Chapter 6 [center]Blood of My Blood[/center]



“Darn!” Tara groused as she and Buffy walked towards a group of two young ladies and a guy sitting around the table. “I should’ve guessed! Arrgh!” She grumbled in distress as she saw Willow’s naughty eyes holding her gaze. Tara composed herself so as to not look affected and panicky.

“Hey, you really missed me, didn’t you?” Willow said to Tara, grinning as Buffy and Tara reached the table where Willow and the others were sitting.

“You know each other?” Buffy asked, perplexed at the sudden casual greeting that Willow uttered, although Buffy thought her best friend’s voice sounded sarcastic.

“Umm… yeah,” Tara replied dryly, avoiding Willow’s eyes. “Joyce invited her to the house the other day.”

“I see. Oh! Tara, this is Xander,” Buffy presented as she motioned to the dark-haired guy.

“Hey! Nice to meet you, Tara,” Xander exclaimed and offered his hand.

“And this is Anya,” Buffy said.

Tara let out a shy, “H-hi.”

“Tara’s my cousin, and she’s here staying at our house,” Buffy informed the two and turned to her best friend with the gift. “Happy birthday, Will! Open it now!”

“You bet I will!” Willow answered with a selfish grin and tore at the wrapping. Her green eyes glittered as the gift was unveiled before her. “Oh! Buffy! It’s beautiful!” she exclaimed, mesmerized by the crystal in her hand. “I’ve wanted a Doll’s eye crystal since I was a kid.”

“Well, you should thank Tara,” Buffy said. “Coz she’s the one who picked that out.”

“I’ll go grab some drinks,” Tara declared before Willow could say a word. “What are you havin’ Buffy?”

“Beer… Bud Light, please,” Buffy replied.

As Tara left, Buffy noticed that someone was missing and turned to Willow’s direction. “How come Cordy is not here?”

“She’s not coming anymore, coz Willow’s broke,” Anya simply chimed in.

“What?!” Buffy exclaimed.

“Hey!” Willow glared at Anya. “I’m not broke!" she declared and let out a sigh, and then rolled her eyes. "Well… not yet. But… And who told you that?!” Willow wondered and realized who the culprit was. “Xander?!”

“I didn’t! I… Err… maybe just a bit,” Xander said, trying to defend himself but failing miserably.

“You promised!” Willow blamed.

“But I didn’t tell her everything!” Xander reproached.

“You’re right,” Willow returned.

“Wait!” Buffy interrupted. “What’s this all about?”

“Willow’s father is gonna disinherit her if she doesn’t do what he wants,” Anya simply declared.

“He what?” Buffy got more confused. “What’s goin on?”

“Did I ask you to be my spokeswoman?” Willow voiced, glaring at Anya. She was thankful that Xander was sitting between them or else she could have pulled Anya’s hair earlier.

“No. I’m just saving you from the embarrassment of having to tell,” Anya retorted.

“Ahn!” Xander interjected, sensing a brewing war between Anya and Willow.

“Pre arranged marriage, Buff,” Willow sighed with a heavy heart.

“Okay, what the hell is this… pre-arranged marriage?” Buffy puzzled, shaking her head lightly.

“It’s when your parents set you up to marry someone you don’t know,” Anya said.

“But why would they do that?” Buffy wondered innocently.

“This usually happens with rich families so that they can preserve their wealth,” Anya related. “And in older times, a woman’s parents must give a dowry to their daughter’s future wife.”

“What? They give fabric softener to their wife?” Xander commented seriously.

“Not Downy, you moron! Dowry,” Anya corrected. “It’s money or properties.”

“I think you should move out from your parents’ basement,” Willow said, eyeing Xander.

“But that’s insane!” Buffy remarked.

“Well, the rich are insane,” Anya said and glanced at Willow.

“Oh gosh Willow,” Buffy consoled and stroked her best friend’s back. “I hope your parents are not serious about it.”

“So, who’s the lucky girl that gets to hear you babble for the rest of her life?” Anya asked Willow.

“I don’t know!” Willow snapped and took a swig from her glass.

“That’s karma, you know,” Anya badgered. “For dating Cordy instead of me.”

“Hello?! How many times do I have to tell you that…” Willow reasoned and turned in Anya’s direction but was interrupted by Xander.

“OK! That’s enough!” Xander shouted. “I think you two shouldn’t talk for a while,” Xander suggested and motioned for Anya to go to the dance floor.

As Buffy saw Xander and Anya go toward the dance floor, “Geez Willow, you have weird taste in women. But what’re you gonna do with Ms. Anonymous?”

“Dunno! And I don’t care!” Willow proclaimed. Her ‘father-arranged’ future was getting on her nerves now and she drank straight from the bottle of Absolut Citron.

“You’ve had too much already!” Buffy shouted and tried to snatch the bottle from Willow’s mouth.

“Hey! Go get your own drink!” Willow whined and pouted to Buffy, feeling a bit tipsy from the effect of the alcohol.

“Will, give it to me,” Buffy demanded, worried, knowing that Willow was not used to drinking too much alcohol. She tried to grab the bottle from her best friend, but Willow jerked away from her before Buffy could grab it and took another swig.

Tara returned and saw Buffy snatch the bottle from Willow’s hand. “What happened?” Tara queried, as she put Buffy’s beer and her glass of Cosmopolitan on the table.

“I think the party is over!” Buffy replied.

“Oh, hi baby! Would you like to dance?” Willow asked Tara with sarcasm.

“Let’s get outta here,” Buffy suggested. “Tara, I think we better drive Willow to her place. Could you please tell Xander and Anya that we’ll go ahead?”

Sensing that the alcohol was already taking effect on Willow, Tara nodded to Buffy. “Sure,” she said as she saw Buffy grab Willow’s hand and led her out of the crowd.

As soon as she relayed the message to Xander and Anya, Tara ran to the exit. She saw that Buffy and Willow were still standing by the entrance and headed towards them.

“Tara, could you just wait here for a while with Willow?” Buffy asked. “I need to find where Willow parked her car.”

“No problem,” Tara agreed and stood beside Willow.

“Hmm… I guess you’re stuck with me,” Willow said and brought her face closer to Tara’s neck. “You smell good.” Willow said, while sniffing Tara.

Annoyed, Tara jerked her head a bit away from Willow. But Willow came closer and with Tara’s hair tossed up in soft bun, Tara felt Willow’s breath blowing against her sensitive bare neck. The next thing Tara knew, she felt soft warm lips touching her skin. “Hey! Stop that!” Tara demanded. But Willow planted more kisses on her neck. “Dammit Willow!” she said irritatingly and slapped Willow on the cheek.

“Don’t I get a kiss, it’s my birthday?!” Willow whined, grimacing at what Tara did.

“You’re such an arrogant spoiled brat!” Tara proclaimed.

But before Willow could utter a retort, Buffy arrived and got out of the black sapphire BMW X5 and approached Tara and Willow.

“Hey! What’s going on here?” Buffy asked, seeing that she had just walked into a heated argument.

“Your best friend just kissed me!” Tara told Buffy, with her brows contorted in fury and her arms crossed over her chest tightly.

“You did what?!” Buffy exclaimed, facing her best friend.

“Geez, it’s just a kiss!” Willow said nonchalantly.

“But you don’t just steal kisses from someone!” Buffy scolded.

But Willow didn’t seem to care and just walked out and opened the passenger seat door and got inside. “Are you driving me home or not?” she asked Buffy.

“Tara, I’m sorry. Let’s just drive her home so that this is over, ok?” Buffy comforted, and received a nod from Tara.


A few minutes later, Buffy parked the car in the driveway of Willow’s front yard. She was thankful that Willow had fallen asleep on the way, or else, she would be stressed, driving with Willow pissing Tara off. Buffy hurriedly got out of the front seat to carry the intoxicated Willow inside the house. She opened the passenger’s door and searched Willow’s pockets first before pulling Willow out of the vehicle.

“Where’s the fucking key?” Buffy asked. “Gotcha!” Buffy murmured when she found it and carefully pulled Willow out of the seat.

Tara was standing by the door waiting to help Buffy carry Willow. “Ok, got her,” Tara said as she got a hold of Willow. Buffy put Willow’s left arm over her shoulder while Tara took the other arm.

“Jeez Willow! I didn’t know you could be this heavy when you’re drunk!” Buffy complained as she struggled opening the door and balancing Willow with her.

Buffy sighed when the door finally flung open and they headed straight for upstairs. As soon as they arrived in Willow’s room, Buffy and Tara laid Willow carefully on the bed and sighed in relief as the heavy load was taken off their shoulders. Buffy took off her best friend’s boots and jacket and tucked Willow in.

“I bet somebody’s gonna be asking for lots of Tylenol tomorrow,” Buffy said, as they studied Willow’s sleeping figure and left her.


********************************************

Two days later…
0900H

“Willow! What’re you doin’ here?” Buffy exclaimed, as she opened the door and found a sheepish-looking Willow.

“Hey! Are you alone?” Willow said, her eyes hovering around the house as she entered.

“Umm… No. Why?” Buffy wondered and scanned her best friend’s expression. “You wanna see Tara?”

“Why would I?” Willow asked.

“To apologize,” Buffy returned.

Willow blushed with guilt. She knew that her behavior hadn’t been acceptable that night.

“You like her, don’t you?” Buffy inquired.

“Give me a break, Buff! I don’t have a thing for your cousin!” Willow retorted.

“Really?” was Buffy’s sarcastic response.

“Believe me, she’s not my type. She… she has this… this big mouth that if I ever kissed her, I might not be able to breathe at all coz her mouth would be all over mine… and…”

“And what?”

Willow froze, muted from the sound of the husky voice behind her.

“Uh-oh,” Willow murmured, paralyzed in embarrassment and thinking of a way to weasel out of this mess. However, before she could defend herself, Willow heard a sound of the door slamming. Before she knew it, Tara was gone.

“Will that’s strike two now!” Buffy commented, looking at the door that Tara just left.

“I’m… I’m just. Oh fuck! I blew it again!”

“I think she heard everything you said, Will.”

“You think so?”

“Uh huh,” Buffy confirmed and nodded. “And I thought Anya was the one who’s tactless.”

********************************************

2200H

“Hello?”

“He-Hello?”

“Will, what’s up?” Buffy uttered as soon as she recognized her best friend’s voice.

“Umm, is she… is she home?”

“Who? Tara?”

“Ye-yeah”

“No, she’s not, and my mom is worried.”

“Oh my gosh, Buffy. I’m really sorry.”

“Maybe she just met someone and didn’t notice the time. Don’t worry.”

“But if it hadn’t been for me, she shouldn’t have gone out today,” Willow said. “Please call me as soon as she arrives, will you?”

“Yeah, I will.”

********************************************

2300H

Not being able to sleep and feeling guilty about making Tara leave the house, Willow decided to go to the Bronze.

“Xander?” Willow uttered, after hitting the number 3 on her cell phone, connecting her instantly to Xander’s phone. “It’s me.”

“Hey Wills! What’s up? It’s kinda late now.”

“Err… could you… could you meet me at the Bronze?”

“Everything all right?”

“Umm… I just need to talk with someone… please.”

“Okay I’ll be there.”

***************************

2345H

Buffy jumped up from the couch as soon as she heard the door close.

“Tara!” Buffy called as she saw Tara. “Where have you been?”

“I’m- I’m sorry I di-didn’t call,” Tara apologized.

“Are you all right?” Buffy asked.

“Yeah,” Tara said and gave Buffy a lopsided shy grin.

Buffy was about to tell how sorry Willow was when the phone suddenly rang. Buffy went and grabbed the phone before it could ring again so as not to wake Joyce up.

After putting the phone down, Buffy walked back to Tara blankly.

“Who’s that?” Tara asked, as she saw worry pasted all over Buffy’s pale face.

“That’s Xander,” Buffy said, still in shock. “They’re at the hospital.”

Anxiety and fear overcame Tara as she heard what Buffy said and felt something was wrong.

“I… I’m so-sorry, what d-did he say?” Tara inquired, her brows furrowed with worry.

“Willow… Willow had an accident,” Buffy explained, while getting her coat. “I’m going to the hospital now, are you comin’?”

“Yes, I am,” Tara replied and followed Buffy outside.

*********************************

A few minutes later, Buffy and Tara found themselves running towards the emergency room of Sunnydale Hospital. They were met immediately by Xander and Anya.

“What happened?!” Buffy asked.

“There was a fight at the Bronze,” Xander started, facing the two worried girls. “Those who had seen it told me that Willow just came out from the ladies’ room and there were these two guys who were arguing near the restroom. The other guy took out a knife from his pocket and tried stabbing this other guy, but he missed him, and instead… he… he stabbed Willow.”

“Oh my god!” Tara gasped.

“Did you guys report this to the police?” Buffy asked firmly.

“Yes we did,” Anya responded.

“How is she now?” Buffy asked.

“She’s been there for an hour now,” Xander informed. “But they haven’t told us anything yet.”

Just as they were drowning in worries, a doctor emerged from the emergency room and walked towards them.

“Hi! I’m Dr. Davis,” the man said after removing his mask. “Are you Miss Rosenberg’s family?”

“No, were not, but we’re close friends,” Buffy proclaimed.

“Doesn’t she have any family?” Dr. Davis queried.

“We’ve already called her parents, but they’re out of town,” Xander declared and turned to the man in the white coat. “Why? Is something wrong?”

Standing quietly beside Buffy, Tara felt worried for Willow even if they didn’t get along well. At times like this, she remembered how important family was and she was amazed to discover how Willow had such caring friends.

“She lost a lot of blood and she needs a transfusion,” Dr. Davis relayed.

“Well, then go ahead, give her the transfusion!” Anya blurted.

“That’s the problem, Ms. Rosenberg had a rare type of blood,” he related. “And we don’t have it here right now.”

“What type does she have?” Buffy inquired, hoping she could save her best friend’s life.

“Yeah, maybe one of us has the same type like hers,” Xander said.

“Well, I’m not giving my blood to anyone,” Anya returned.
“Ahn!” Xander exclaimed and glared at her.

“Alright! I’m giving! Even if it’s against my will!” Anya shouted.

“Well, we could test all of you and see who among you might have this particular type,” the doctor informed.

“How rare is it?” Buffy asked, as they walk to one of the rooms.

“About 1 in 1,000,” Doctor Davis responded and led them to the laboratory.

Buffy was the first one who went inside the room, then came Xander and the reluctant Anya.

Minutes later, sitting in between Buffy and Xander, Tara stood up as she saw Anya emerge from the room.

“Where are you goin’?” Buffy asked.

“Inside,” Tara responded.

Buffy smiled. She never expected that Tara would be willing to give her blood too. Buffy knew that Tara had been upset with Willow earlier, but didn’t realize how compassionate Tara was until now.

“Thank you, Tara,” Buffy said.

“Don’t thank me yet,” Tara said and walked inside the room.

As Tara arrived inside, she was given a form to fill out, but she hesitated before writing the name Maclay. She thought that her father might trace her to Sunnydale. So instead she wrote her mother's maiden name. She was a bit nervous as she handed it back to the nurse, thinking that she had committed a crime by falsifying her name. However, she didn’t have time to think of what was right or wrong. What mattered now was knowing if she could be a possible match and save someone's life.

After having all of their blood samples taken, Tara, Buffy, Xander and Anya returned to the lobby near the emergency room. Anya and Tara took a seat, while Buffy and Xander paced back and forth.

A few minutes later, the anticipated moment came and they saw Willow’s attending physician running towards them.

“What now?” Buffy asked anxiously. Xander faced him with anticipation while Anya remained seated, as if not caring what the doctor would say.

Tara just remained sitting quietly beside Anya, not wanting to impose herself to the others. She had realized today how close the bond of these friends was when everybody proclaimed that they were willing to give their blood to Willow. “How close they must be,” Tara thought.

“There’s a match!” the doctor exclaimed. “Which among you is Tara Benson?”

Tara’s musing was interrupted when her name was called. “I… I am,” Tara mumbled.

“You and Ms. Rosenberg have the same blood type!” the doctor revealed.

Suddenly, four pairs of eyes darted towards her and Tara was left dumbfounded as she witnessed those anxious eyes staring at her, as if waiting for her comment. Not wasting any more time, “Let’s do it,” Tara declared and joined the physician inside the emergency room.

****************************************

The following day, Buffy, Xander and Anya went over to the hospital the first thing in the morning. Willow’s attending physician told them that they could now visit Willow, since she had already been moved to the recovery room.

As they opened the door to Willow’s room, they were surprised to find Willow awake.

“Hey! How do you feel now?” Buffy greeted happily.

Willow just smiled back at her friends.

“Willster! I’m so glad to see you are alive!” Xander exclaimed and approached Willow’s bed, with Anya trailing behind.

“You know, they used to say that the bad ones don’t die right away,” Anya remarked.

Willow just rolled her eyes at the comment.

“Do you feel anything different, aside from the pain?” Anya asked nonchalantly.

Willow looked in Anya’s direction furrowed her brows and wondered.

“Coz your blood is already contaminated,” Anya quipped and sat at the small couch across from Willow’s bed.

Willow was shocked and jerked her head towards Buffy, who was standing by her bed, looking at her questioningly.

“She’s exaggerating,” Buffy replied. “Didn’t they tell you?”

“What?” Willow let out a feeble reply.

“That someone gave you a blood,” Anya chimed in. “And who knows, she might belong to a werewolf clan.”

“We don’t belong to a werewolf clan!” Buffy snarled back.

Willow pondered and remembered being stabbed in the Bronze, but after that everything was blurry to her. She glanced at Buffy to seek more information but Buffy and Anya were still snarling to each other.

Xander approached the other side of Willow’s bed and touched Willow’s hand consolingly.

“Will, you lost lots of blood,” Xander started. “And the doctor said that you needed a blood transfusion in order to live.”

Willow realized what had happened and touched Buffy’s hand and mumbled, “Thanks Buffy.”

“Oh no! It isn’t me, it’s my cousin,” Buffy corrected. “The blood that is inside you now is Tara’s. You’re lucky that you two both have the same type, coz your doctor said that you have a rare blood type.”

Willow’s mouth dropped open, dumbfounded. After seconds of recollection, “Tara?” Willow murmured in realization.

“She saved your life,” Buffy returned, stroking Willow’s hair.

Disoriented… “Where is she?” Willow whispered, still not believe what had happened.

“At home, resting,” Buffy replied.

“Coz you sucked half of the blood out of her,” Anya added.

“Anya!” Buffy warned.


TBC

[cosmic dancer]

Blimey, what an action packed update!

It was great that Tara was able to help save Willow's life. May be the two of them will now be able to speak to each other without too much unpleasantness. We can but hope!

More soon please!

~ Sez

[AlysonGoddess]

Awww how nice of tara!! I think there starting to like each other which will lead to happiness but still with the angstyness right? Im so looking forward to an update please continue

ERIN

[WillowRulez]

Sorry for bumping the thread but I really miss this story. You stopped when it was just about to get (more) interesting, whats up with that ?
I just love this idea, it's so unique. Please update kay?

[NeTGiRL]

wow.

this fic is soo cool. i like the plot cos it's not the usual love-at-first-sight situation. i wonder how they'd interact now cos they were all out being sarcastic with each other before.

Kirstin

[writerfreak]

great fic, hope you post an update soon.



writerfreak

[ambercissism]

I'm sorry for the lack of update on this story. Coz I thought, nobody wants to read this anymore. But since I've found out that there were some who were waiting for the continuation of this story, I'll resume on writing. I actually have written quite some recently. I just need to polish it and send it for betaing. So you could propably have an update by next week.


cosmic dancer and AlysonGoddess : My two wonderful feedback givers on this thread. I am really grateful for all your replies. Thanks for always bearing with me and for always being there on every update. You two really deserve these :

It was great that Tara was able to help save Willow's life. May be the two of them will now be able to speak to each other without too much unpleasantness. We can but hope!

Yeah, it was. Coz now you could see that Willow was gradually changing and sees Tara in a more different way.

Awww how nice of tara!! I think there starting to like each other which will lead to happiness but still with the angstyness right?

Yup! It's really nice of Tara to give her own blood to save Willow even if Willow had been so arrogant, bratty, and not to mention, sarcastic towards her... Happiness? Ummm... let's see.


*******************************************

WillowRulez: Hey there! I must admit, your reply "woke" me up. Thanks for letting me know that you miss this story.

You stopped when it was just about to get (more) interesting, whats up with that ?

Sorry about that. Well, from now on I'll try my best to update this story.

***********************************************

NeTGiRL: Hi Kirstin! I'm so happy to know that you like this story. Thanks!

this fic is soo cool. i like the plot cos it's not the usual love-at-first-sight situation

.

I like to experiment. And I just wanna take love on a different beginning, and that's the opposite: hating each other

i wonder how they'd interact now cos they were all out being sarcastic with each other before.

I really have a "beautiful" plan for that I really hope that I could carry on with what i have in my mind, coz it's really "good".

Hope to hear again from you


***************************************

writerfreak: Thanks for letting me know that! I'm glad that you liked it too. Yeah, I'd really try my best to update soon. The next update would probably be up by first week of January.

Thanks again for the reply.

[Drut]

I just need to polish it and send it for betaing. So you could propably have an update by next week

Aww wow Thank you, thank you, thank you!