Here I am again…and here I go…enjoy!! 
Title: Never A Night Like This
Author: Taras Shadow
Disclaimer: All characters belong to Joss Whedon, ME, UPN…except for Tori, Hadley, Jessica Paris, and Orlando-they belong to me
Feedback: Yes please, everything is welcome
Pairings: W/T, X/A, B/…, D/Tori
Rating:
PG 13+ 
Summary: Willow is one of the hottest models in the world. When she comes home for her holiday, she meets a nice family that is new to Sunnydale. Can she find love, and continue her much loved career? This is an AU fic. There will be a little angst between some characters, but nothing big for I want to keep the angst issue light. Thoughts are in < > Flashbacks are in **
~Part 18b~*~*~*~
On the way down to the limo, Buffy ran to catch up to them. “Hadley…”
Hadley turned around and smiled at the slayer. “Are you coming?” She asked.
Buffy shook her head, “No, but I really wanted to apologize for last night.”
“It’s ok Buffy, I understand.” Hadley smiled. “You hurt inside and you needed to fix it.”
Buffy smiled and picked up the small girl. “How about you and I watch a bunch of movies, your choice, and you can pick the date.”
“Really?” Hadley grew with excitement.
“Really, really.”
“Ok.” Hadley squeezed Buffy into a small hug. “Can we watch Shrek? I love Shrek.”
“Really? Me too…gotta love that donkey.”
“We can sing with sing-a-long.”
Tara and Willow watched from the stairwell in the hall. Watching how Hadley understood and accepted the invite. “I don’t think I can possibly love your daughter anymore then I do now.” Willow whispered.
“Give it time…I still love her more and more each day.” Tara smiled at her lover.
“So it’s a date then?” Buffy pulled back form the embrace.
“Yes!” Hadley kissed Buffy on the cheek.
“That’s it…Hadley is now MY Maclay…no one else’s.” Buffy said looking at her best friend smirking.
Hadley grinned and looked at her mama then her aunt Tori, “All the older Maclays are taken aren’t they?”
Buffy nodded her head and smiled. “But I’m nice…so I guess I’ll have to share you.”
“That’s right…because there is now way you’re getting your slayer paws on mine.” Dawn said protectively, her arm around Tori’s waist.
“And don’t you even think about looking at my Tara.” Willow said.
“Yeah…no taking Tara, she’s Willows.” Hadley agreed and looked at Buffy seriously.
Buffy nodded her head smiled. “You guys better go, wouldn’t want to be late now would we Willow?”
“Nope…Orlando will never let that go.” Willow took Tara’s hand and started down the stairs when Hadley took Tara’s other hand. “See you later Buff.”
Dawn smiled at her sister and followed Willow. Buffy watched them disappear and turned back into the apartment loft.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Willow told the chauffer to park at the very back of the studio. She wanted to avoid any cameras and people, as much as possible until tonight. Getting out first, she waited to take Tara’s hand and lead her out of the vehicle. Tara smiled and kissed Willow for her thanks. Hadley bounced out, followed by two teenagers.
“Where’s my surprise?” Hadley asked impatiently.
“Hadley…” Tara warmed softly. “We just arrived, let Willow start her things first.”
“Sorry.” Hadley apologized.
“That’s ok. Let me go in and find out what exactly I’m doing today, then I’ll give you your surprise.” Willow picked up Hadley and carried her into the big warehouse-like doors.
Inside, people were scurrying all over to get things ready for that evening. Lights were being tested, microphones, floors being swept, and everything else.
Willow smiled watching Hadley and Tori’s eyes go big when they approached the back rooms filled with clothes, make-up, and other models or celebrities. Tori looked at Dawn and grinned when she saw this white sheer dress. “Dare me to where this?” She asked.
Tara heard her, “I don’t think so.”
Tori shrugged and grinned at Dawn again. Dawn grinned back, winking at her.
Willow sat Hadley down on a counter top. “Oh my God…Willow, who is this little cutie?” A female voice said coming up to them.
Willow smiled when she saw who it was. “Libby, hey. This is Hadley…”
“Oh, you mean the cute daughter of that hot blonde you were talking about last time you were here?” Libby asked excitedly.
Willow turned scarlet red, “Uh, yeah. Hadley, this is Libby, she’s the make-up and wardrobe stylist. Libby…” Willow turned her around towards the blonde. “This is Tara, my girlfriend, and you remember Dawn, and the beautiful lady on her arm would be Tori.”
Tara smirked with amusement when she heard that Willow was already talking about her and her family after just meeting them. “Nice to meet you.” She politely shook the woman’s hand.
“My heavens…who hit you all with the pretty stick?” Libby raised her eyebrow. “Willow told me you were gorgeous, but she never mentioned you were some sort of heaven’s beautiful angel.” She said to Tara.
“Hey! That’s my girlfriend, and I did too…you just can’t remember.” Willow pulled Tara close. “Where’s Orlando? I make it here on time, and he’s running late?”
“He’s kind of with someone right now…why don’t I take you all down to the interview rooms. Wardrobe can be done until later, besides, Willow already picked out dresses for you all…” Libby was stopped by an evil glare from Willow. “Imean…”
“You did?” Tara raised an eyebrow, not whether to be fearful, are happy.
Willow smiled nervously, and guided Hadley off the counter to follow Libby. “Let’s go…”
In the interview rooms, tons and tons of magazine covers filled the walls and every side table.
“Oh…look!” Tori looked at one magazine cover. “Who are those women?”
Dawn looked at her girlfriend and frowned. “Excuse me?”
Tori smile sweetly, “I just meant, who are they?”
Tara walked up beside Tori and examined the picture closely. “I don’t know…but the one on the left looks familiar.” Tara furrowed her brow. She felt Hadley tug at her pant leg, and picked her up so the little girl to see too.
Willow peeked over their shoulders and covered her mouth when she noticed what picture they were looking. “Oh my…” She whispered to herself.
“What?” Libby asked.
“It’s that ‘Stuff’ magazine cover with Jessica and I. The one where we were dressed in leather with really dark make-up…”
“OH!” Libby caught on. “New girlfriend, seeing old girlfriend, not really a good thing, especially with the Stuff magazine. Lucky they can’t see the inside…” Libby let out a small comforting giggle, or at least tried.
Dawn noticed the cover, it was one she’s never seen before, but she noticed the two familiar faces instantly. Her head spun around to look at Willow, and matched her worried face. “Ok, let’s move on to the next cover…” She said casually.
“Well whoever they are…leather is their thing.” Tori smirked, but was hit by her girlfriend lightly on the arm. “Dawn…stop that.” She said, “I just meant the photo’s nice. And the models…oh my.” Tori looked back at the picture, then to Willow. “That’s you.”
Willow laughed shook her head, “That’s the model me…this is me.” She pointed to herself. “See, all in the flesh.”
Hadley smiled. “Who’s the other lady?”
A tall brunette entered the room quietly.
“Jessica!” Dawn said a bit to loudly. Tara looked at Dawn then back at that one picture.
“Yes…that would be Jes…” Willow began.
“No, Jessica is right behind you.” Dawn said a little to obvious, trying to be casual just wasn’t her thing.
~*~*~*~*~
Back at the loft, Faith sat on the couch flicking through the channels. “So about Willow’s new chick, is she a swinger?”
Buffy shook her head. “No…not that I know of.” She handed a bowl of cereal to Faith. “What I do know is that her and Willow are happy together, and that’s all I need to know.”
“And Dawn…she’s with Tori?”
“Yes.” Buffy took a spoonful of cereal and ate it.
“You’re ok with that?” Faith asked.
The blonde slayer waited until she was done chewing. “Why wouldn’t I be?”
“No reason…just didn’t know if you freaked or not when she told you.”
“No, I understand the situation Faith.”
“So, where Xander?” Faith changed the subject, with her lack of sleep, she really didn’t want to get into another argument.
“Sleeping…I think.” Buffy looked at the door where Xander and the ex-demon stayed. “Haven’t seen them since last night.”
As if on cue, the bedroom door swung open, and Xander walked out with his hair in a mess, his boxers a little crooked, and his face looked slightly pale. “You ok Xan?” Buffy asked.
Xander rubbed his eyes and yawned. “Yeah, just a very long night.” He grabbed a coffee cup and poured himself some coffee. “What time is it?”
“Oh…about one or so.”
“What?” Xander looked at the microwave clock. “Holy merciful Zeus…what made me sleep in so late?”
“Lots of sex.” Anya came out, dressed in a white summer dress. Her hair was pulled back into a ponytail, and her colour looked more than fine on her complexion.
“Ok…wasn’t really expecting an answer.” Xander mumbled. “Where is everyone?” He asked looking around, “And what are you doing here?” He noticed Faith.
“Nice to see you too Xander.” Faith sarcastically said.
“The others went with Willow to the studio. You two didn’t answer the door when Willow knocked so she left without.” Buffy explained. “And I bumped into Faith last night at the club, and we needed to talk.”
Anya stole Xander’s coffee and sat on a stool. “So…did you guys kiss and make-up?”
“No…no kissing.” Buffy quickly said. “We just talked all night.”
“Yeah, B and I had to work everything out. But I should get back to Kira.” Faith stood up and wolfed down the rest of her cereal.
“Will I see you before I leave?” Buffy asked.
“Yeah…I hope so.” Faith smiled back, “It was an interesting evening B…looking forward to another.” She leaned over and placed a small kiss on Buffy’s lips before waving bye to the other’s and walking out.
Buffy swallowed and turned around making her way to the kitchen. “That was weird.”
“What the kiss? Because Faiths lips on yours or another’s is never surprising.” Xander said.
“Just the whole night I guess. I’m beat…I think I’m going to sleep before this evening.” She walked to the room her and Hadley were sharing.
~*~*~*~*~
Willow stood still as confusion and panic washed through her veins. Before turning around she looked at Tara who was still looking at the picture. She wasn’t sure if Tara actually heard Dawn, or if she just didn’t want to face Willow’s ex. Turning around, she smiled at her ex. “Jessica.”
“Will…wow, it’s good to see you again.” Jessica smiled.
“What are you doing here? I thought you stopped doing international stuff, and decided to stick to local stuff?” Willow hugged Jessica lightly.
“Well I was invited to present and go on the Vanity Fair cover shoot tomorrow. Which I’m still trying to figure out because I’m an actress….no model.” The tall brunette smiled and looked at the others who looked at her, except for the blonde.
“Oh…” Willow cursed herself for forgetting her manners. “You know Dawn…”
“Of course.” Jessica smiled as Dawn welcomed her into a hug. “You’ve grown so much…taller then Willow now.”
“I try.” Dawn smiled. “This is Tori, my girlfriend.”
Tori shook Jessica’s hand and smiled. “It is very nice to meet you. I watched almost all of your movies…ok, two, but they were both good.”
“Thank you.”
Willow walked over to Tara and took her hand. She noticed the little panic and Tara’s eyes as the connected with hers. “Tara?” She whispered. Tara’s lips curled into a small smile. “Are you ok?”
“Yeah, fine.”
“You sure?” Willow asked a little sceptical, when Tara never answered she pulled Tara’s body against hers and kissed her.
Jessica never noticed the move that Willow had made, she was to busy being occupied by a certain little blonde. “I’m five.”
“Five years old. You’re becoming a big girl.” Jessica smiled.
Tara relaxed completely when Willow’s tongue search for her own. The kiss lasted minutes, and the blonde pulled back. “What was that for?”
“Do I really need a reason to kiss my girlfriend?” Willow asked smirking.
Tara loved the way Willow looked at her everyday; it was always the same, yet always different. Those smiles that spelt ‘love’ across it, and her heart that read, ‘yours’.
Jessica looked back up at her ex girlfriend and found her holding a blonde.
“That’s my mama…Willow’s going to be my daddy someday.” Hadley said quite proudly of the match making she did.
“That’s good.” Jessica smiled. “Anyways, I have to get my make-up done so I can do that interview.” She made her way to Willow and the blonde. “Will…”
Willow painfully tore her eyes away from Tara and smiled. “Jessica, this is my girlfriend Tara, Tara, this is Jessica…the other leather clad woman who occupies the some cover of ‘Stuff’ with me.”
Tara smiled and shook Jessica’s hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.” Honestly rung through those words. Tara was glad she met Jessica; she knew the red head’s ex girlfriend will be a part of Willow’s life always, the world knew that literally.
“Likewise.” Jessica smiled, “Treat her right.”
“I will.”
“Good…” The actress smiled. “I guess I’ll see you around tonight, and tomorrow.”
Willow smiled, “Yes.”
“Great!, I should go, you know how these people get when they’re left waiting for to long.” With that Jessica smiled and took off.
Willow turned to back to Tara and saw the smirk plastered on her girlfriend’s face. “What?”
Tara giggled, “Just thinking about you in leather…”
~*~*~*~*~*~
Tori, Dawn, Tara and Hadley sat back against a white wall watching Willow being interview by some L.A. Weekly.
“How can one possibly get used to being followed from day to day?” The young man asked Willow.
“It’s hard to be honest. I live a life completely separate from all of the cameras and stuff…but having this kind of career, privacy becomes an issue, and there’s minimal alone time.” Willow looked so profession sitting in that chair.
Tara watched Willow intently, how her body language seemed so perfect, her choice of words, but most of all…those clothes covering that freckled body.
“So you have a private life?” The guy asked again.
“Yes, one that is very private and personal.” Willow smiled.
“Great! Let’s move on…so tonight is a big night, do you have a date who’s escorting you?”
“In fact I do.” Willow tried not to look over at Tara and the others.
“We just finished interviewing Jessica Paris, and she told us that you two still have a great friendship, is that true?”
“Jessica and I will always have a great friendship. We’ve been through so much together, and it’s stupid to throw all of that away.”
“That is so true, so can you give us an idea of what you’ll be wearing tonight?”
“Well, I have this one dress that is beautiful. But I’m going to leave it for your imagination.” Willow smiled warmly.
“Well Miss Rosenberg, anything you wear makes you beautiful.” The guy chuckled. “You’re presenting tonight, are you at all nervous?”
“Not really no. You get used to these things, and it’s similar to fashion shows. What I’m worried about is losing my family in the crowd.” Willow laughed lightly. “It gets pretty crowded out there on the red carpet, so that’s one thing that makes me nervous.”
“I’m sure you’ll handle it very well like you always do.” He shook her hand. “It was very nice to meet you I wish you luck tonight.”
Willow smiled and got up out of her chair walking to the others. She slumped down into Tara’s lap, “I’m so tired…”
“Already?” Tara asked, wrapping her arms around Willow’s waist. “You just started…”
“No, I just did an hour of interviews, and hour of the photo shoot, and an hour of being fitted for the dress I’m wearing.” Willow whined slightly, Hadley climbed off Tori’s lap and into Willows.
“It was fun though.” Hadley smiled warmly. “I wasn’t bored at all, and spied on Tori and Dawn when they kissed behind racks of clothing.” She giggled.
“Hey!” Tori hissed. “You little…”
Tara looked at Tori raising an eyebrow. “Had, you know spying is wrong.” She said to her daughter.
“I’m sorry, I won’t do it again.”
“Good, now let’s go get your surprise.” Willow waited for Hadley to jump off her lap, so she could get off Tara’s and help her up. “I just realized I was in a Maclay sandwich.” She grinned.
“Lucky you.” Tara whispered her smiled curled into a little mischievous one.
“You still thinking about me in leather?” Willow asked teasing.
“That and…how much I want to take you home and make love to you…you know, so you the sandwich you’ll be in would be between me, and the bed.”
Willow’s knees went weak, her eyes were wide, and fire burned deep within her stomach. Resisting the urge to pull Tara into a dark storage room, Willow just snapped out of it, and continued to walk towards the back where the Hadley’s surprise is.
Tara smirked knowing the state of mind she put her girlfriend in. She followed the red head grinning to herself. < Tonight…it’s my turn to make you feel good. >
~*~*~*~*~*~
Hadley threw dresses everywhere; she was in heaven smack dab in the middle of her very own wardrobe racks. Willow told her that they were hers to keep if Tara allowed it. She knew how much the little girl loved clothes and fashion. So she went out and bought small clothing for her. Libby arranged them on the racks, and even had Hadley’s engraved on each one.
“Willow, you shouldn’t have.” Tara smiled watching Hadley go through every clothing thoroughly. Tori and Dawn were right in there too, looking at the styles Willow had chosen. “Those racks won’t fit in her room.”
“I know, but she can the clothing on her closet, and I can store the racks at my place…in her room.” Willow smiled.
“Her room?” Tara asked.
“Well yeah, the room that has toys, Brady’s bed, the double sized bed, the baby blue wallpaper, Hadley’s name on the door.” Willow said smiling.
“Name on the door? Is she moving out on me and into my girlfriends place without me knowing?” Tara looked over at her daughter then back to Willow.
“Well don’t look at me…she’s the one that wrote her name on the door.” Willow said looking into Tara’s accusing glare.
“She wrote?”
“Well, yeah, she took a black marker and scribbled ‘Hadley and Brady’s room’.” Willow bit her lip. “Don’t get mad at her, it’s fine really….I like it so much, I wrote my name on my bedroom door.”
“Will, Hadley wrote on your property, your door with marker…she knows that’s impolite.”
Tara said softly.
“I know, and she knows that too. We talked about it, but please, I wasn’t mad…and look at her, she’s so happy.” Willow smiled at Hadley then back at Tara.
Tara pulled Willow into her arms, her hands caressing Willow’s lower back. “Thank you.” She said kissing Willow softly. “She’s happy because of you.”
“She’s happy…” Willow whispered, “because of us.”
~*~*~*~*~*~*
Update will be made hopefully tonight. Not sure yet. 
~Holly~
Show me where to touch youTara-It Ain’t Fickle
by SilverWingedNemesis » Tue Oct 22, 2002 10:20 pm 
and vice versa.
at: 10/23/02 7:21:25 pm
Faith and Buffy really need to talk. 
She had a nightmare, and Buffy broke her promise.
I know it was "force majeure" for Buffy, she did need to sort things out with Faith but I can't bear the thought of her having nightmares and no-one to snuggle up to... 
Lookin' forward to more