Thanks for the wishes to - Washi, shuyaku, Diana, Patty, Insanity, Grace.
Diana - Ha ha. Ok, it’s not a stretch to see them as in love even if they haven’t said it. Patience is a virtue you know… Glad you were amused about the dominatrix bit. What about demons disemboweling the residents of Revelo Drive? Ok, the humor probably isn’t as good if I feel compelled to point it out…
Patty - Thanks. Good to be back too. I’m glad you like my writing. The backyard is like mine would be if there was a garden there… the deck is ours though and I didn’t even describe the lights strung around it. Hmm, may have to mention that soon. Everyone liked Willow-so glad to hear. And Eliza looked pretty hot in my head too… I’ve never been a big costume person but I like to imagine them. Lol about the happy birthday. Thanks.
Insanity - What’s boring about “wonderful?” We writers love to hear it. Heck, we lovers love to write it. Thanks for your kind wishes. I think that Willow understood that Tara’s dreams were a connection more than just random dreams after she saw all that art. There is no way that that detail was coincidence. But not it’s even more confirmed. Re: Tara’s losing her virginity – as Tara says: “wait for it; wait for it…”
Title – Paths Diverged/Divulged Part 24 –
Breakfast Author – JustSkipit - Debra
Spoilers –Season 6
Rating – Part 24 – PG-13
Disclaimer – Guess what, I don’t own W&T, Buffy or the rest of the BtVS crew. Any similarity to actual persons living or dead is purely coincidental and fortunate. Also Rachel thinks I should point out that I don’t make any money from this…
Note - Dedicated to the most important meal of the day.
Thoughts in italicsFlash backs indentedMemories and dreams indented AND italic Willow wiggled her nose as she began waking. The foreign smell assaulted her senses in a way that was simultaneously unpleasant and somewhat comforting. Without completely leaving the embrace of sleep she wiped her hand across her nose as if trying to dispel the strange scent still assaulting her small nose. Finally opening her eyes she focused first on the shiny green apple just inches from her face. A smile spread across her features as she took in the sight of the offering resting on Tara’s nightstand. Closing her eyes briefly Willow breathed deeply and was surprised to find little trace of a hangover despite her late night and the heavy drinking at Michelle’s birthday party.
Finally she opened her eyes again and took in the sight in front of her. She was incredibly careful to avoid moving and attracting Tara’s attention. The blonde was intently focused on her work as she moved fluidly in front of the canvas and easel. Her easel was turned sideways to the bed so that Willow could not see what Tara was painting but neither could she see Tara fully. The blonde wore a pair of hospital scrubs from the waist down and it was obvious that she had painted in these before as they were liberally splattered with dried paint. Surprisingly she wore a button-down denim shirt which was unbuttoned completely. A wicked smile crossed Willow’s face as she realized that with each stroke of the brush Tara leaned forward exposing a portion of one beautiful milky white breast.
The redhead suddenly wondered if she had intruded onto the blonde’s private moment. It was hard to imagine that she intended for Willow to see her like this, exposed in a way that they had never been together and she wondered if she should turn away or make some “waking up” noises but she just couldn’t tear her eyes from her blonde goddess. Willow had seen images of painters before and they always seemed to be holding a flat thing, she thought it was called a pallet, with paint smeared on it in one hand and a brush in the other. Tara wasn’t using this technique. A pallet was obviously stationed on the stand next to the wall and the blonde held two brushes, one in each hand. The brush in her right hand was large but the one in her left hand was small and Willow watched in fascination as the blonde painted what seemed like large strokes with one hand, quickly adding precise touches with the other.
Her hair was pulled back with a rubber band, nonetheless it had flecks of color at the tips as if Tara had allowed it to trail through her paint as she turned her head or bent to the pallet. A large smear of paint stretched from her forehead to the tip of her nose and Willow could imagine the blonde attempting to scratch an itch and trailing color along with her fingers. Most intriguing was a splash of blue paint which highlighted the valley between Tara’s breasts, its color so bold that she might have been attempting to put focus on her eyes. Willow began to giggle as she thought that no one who could see that splash of paint would be looking at the girl’s eyes.
“Are you spying on me, Willow Rosenberg?” Tara teased as she was finally distracted by the sound of Willow’s giggles.
The surprising sound of Tara’s voice pulled Willow’s eyes from their current focus up to the blonde’s face. She looked, in a word, wild. Strands of hair had escaped from their binding and framed her face, most of them tinged with brightly colored paint. She still held a brush in each hand, hands which Willow now saw where coated with paint splatters. Her eyes danced with excitement and Willow couldn’t tell if that was due to her passion over her creation or at realizing that the redhead was awake
and in her bed. Her button down shirt swayed gently, continuing to tease Willow as it exposed only the smallest glimpse of Tara’s soft flesh. Rather than answering Tara’s question Willow decided to tease the artist: “too bad you’re ruining your clothes. Seems like there should be someway to avoid getting paint on them…”
It was obvious that Willow was in a flirtatious mood this morning, which Tara definitely wanted to return. But she was nearly finished with her painting. She had been working on it for a few hours while Willow slept and if she could spend a few more minutes finishing the work, she could see if Willow wanted to go to breakfast. She knew that if she left the work undone it would haunt her until she could return to the canvas. She wouldn’t give her girlfriend the attention she deserved until the painting was complete. “Well,” Tara drawled, “you wouldn’t believe where I g-g-get paint when I try that…”
Willow swung her legs over the side of the bed as she escalated her flirtation: “oh I would believe it. But maybe if you had someone to help you…” She noted the look in Tara’s eyes before continuing, “you know, someone to help you reach those ‘hard to reach’ places in the shower.”
Tara’s blushed furiously and Willow was fascinated to see the color affecting her areas other than her face. Tara watched the redhead’s eyes and followed the path they were traveling, only then realizing that her shirt was unbuttoned. “Oh Goddess,” she panicked looking for a place to set down her brushes. “I d-didn’t realize…I mean … I f-f-forgot,” she stuttered trying to figure out how to button the garment.
Willow quickly reacted to Tara’s panic. She wasn’t sure why Tara was getting so flustered. After all, they were girlfriends and very close to being lovers. Last night had been wonderful and Willow knew that she was ready to make love with this woman when the time was right and when Tara was ready. In truth, the blonde was a paradox: so confident and aggressive when flirting but so vulnerable too. The redhead stood quickly and bridged the two steps separating her from the blonde as Tara continued trying to negotiate the brushes and watched her with shock in her eyes. Although tempted, Willow kept her hands from even touching or teasing Tara’s flesh as she gently buttoned the central button first before adding a few more to ensure that the blonde’s modesty would be preserved. “There,” she whispered as she finished, “better?”
Tara nodded unable to believe how insightful and gentle this woman could be with her, particularly given Tara’s penchant for teasing the redhead. “Thanks,” she shyly answered.
“My pleasure,” Willow answered as she leaned in for a good morning kiss.
Well ok, my pleasure would have been taking it off, but…, she thought. After a much longer and intense kiss than she would have expected she pulled back. “Can I look?” she asked. As she saw the look of confusion in Tara’s eyes she clarified: “the painting. Can I look at the painting?”
Tara giggled as she understood what Willow was asking.
Wouldn’t really make much sense to button my shirt and then ask to look would it? she thought, giggling again. She nodded her head at the canvas, “yes you may. I’ll be done in about 30 minutes. If you d-d-don’t have anything else to do we could go have breakfast?”
“Holy god!” Willow exclaimed as she looked at the painting. Even having seen her girlfriend’s art before, it still shocked her. The intensity and colors were amazing enough when the painting was finished but with the paint still wet, it was simply overwhelming. It was as if she started by painting the subject’s soul and then added to it to make it jump from the image. Eliza was in her most undressed state of the party last night—slacks and shirt mostly unbuttoned with the dark tie around her hair—and her body was taut with the tension of her dancing. Each leg looked tensed as if about to jump from the bench on the deck and her mouth was open as she sung. If she hadn’t known the painting was wet Willow would have reached out her hand to trace the sparks coming off the girl’s body as she danced. “I didn’t know if you saw it,” she explained indicating the sparks.
Tara nodded as she explained, “and I didn’t know if you d-did.”
“Can she cast?” Willow asked, very intrigued by this conversation. She had noticed Eliza’s magical energy on first meeting this woman. She had never noticed the Eliza from her world having a signature at all but this Eliza broadcast the energy of a natural but completely untrained witch. Since Tara had never mentioned it, Willow had also never brought it up.
“She’s not interested,” Tara explained.
“Does she let you drain it?” Willow asked. She had been wondering how the girl regulated her energy without seeming to cast. It was apparent that someone was managing it for her to keep it from becoming noticeable or overwhelming.
Trying to keep her hands from rising to make just one change to the painting Tara nodded and quickly explained, “she f-finds that if she doesn’t meditate with me once a month, she goes a little wonky.” She gave Willow a slightly conspiratorial smile.
Willow noticed Tara was almost unable to keep her eyes off the canvas. “Why don’t you work on that and I’ll go take a shower, ok?” The brush had touched the canvas even before Willow had finished speaking. She wanted to give her girlfriend another kiss but it was apparent that she was involved with the painting and wouldn’t be able to give Willow her full attention until she was done. Willow only hoped that her estimate of 30 minutes was accurate.
Knowing how much Tara liked it, Willow left her hair wet when she finished in the shower. She dressed quickly in her jeans from the night before and a fresh T-shirt before opening the bathroom door. “I’m just finishing,” the blonde called without looking up from the canvas.
“Take your time,” Willow answered, not wanting to distract her girlfriend. The redhead wasn’t hungover but that didn’t mean she was ready to face the day without some caffeine. “Uh… can I make coffee?” she asked.
Tara giggled at the question: “I made it when I got up. I knew if I brought it when I b-brought your apple it would have gotten cold.”
“All is forgiven,” Willow announced with mock seriousness as she pulled open the door, “as long as there’s coffee waiting.” She returned a few minutes later with two mugs and set one down on the nightstand nearest the blonde while sitting on the edge of the bed to enjoy her own drink.
As Tara put the finishing touches on her painting Willow watched her work. She could see the streaks of paint which had multiplied on her face and hands as if she were wiping her face more and more often as she worked on the painting and Willow wondered how many times she would have to wash her beautiful blonde hair to get all the paint out of it. Her energy poured off her skin. Willow had never been very good at reading energy, but even she could see the golden sparks flying from the blonde’s fingertips and the tips of her ears as she worked. The blonde slowed before setting down both brushes in a tin which Willow assumed contained some kind of cleaning fluid and closing her eyes. As Willow watched her lips moving she knew that the blonde was thanking the Goddess for aiding in her creation.
“I need to shower,” Tara announced quietly as she opened her eyes. “Do you have t-time for breakfast? Are you hungry? Thanks for waiting.”
Willow giggled as she listened to Tara’s babble. Maybe it was contagious. “Yes you should. Yes I do. Yes I am. You’re welcome,” she answered teasingly. “But since you are so ‘untouchable,’” she announced, “I want double good-morning kisses later.”
The blonde got an evil smirk on her face as she held out her paint covered hands. “Who says I’m untouchable?” she asked as she wiggled her fingers at the redhead.
“You wouldn’t,” Willow declared confidently.
“Ok, you’re right,” Tara agreed, “I wouldn’t.” As she went toward the bathroom she responded to Willow’s earlier flirt: “definitely double l-later.” At the door to the bathroom she turned around. “Hey baby?”
“Yeah,” Willow asked.
“Why don’t you go and pound on Chelle’s d-door and wake them up so Eliza can buy us breakfast?”
“Sure,” Willow joked, “and then they pound on me for waking them up?”
Tara laughed at Willow’s assumption. “Michelle was up before me. She already r-ran this morning and has been studying for hours.” She continued explaining: “they will either want to go with us or you can cajole Eliza into giving us the money.”
“But we don’t need the money,” Willow contradicted.
Tara laughed, “No we don’t, but that’s not the p-p-point with Eliza.”
“How long does it take to refill a cup of coffee?” Eliza grumbled an hour later as they waited for the waitress to return.
“Ahhh,” Willow teased, “is someone a little grumpy bear this morning?”
Eliza shot the other three girls nasty looks as they giggled at her bad mood. Seeing that the younger girl was particularly vulnerable, Tara decided to take her shot too: “I’m not sure why you are in a bad mood, Liza. We have it on good authority that the two of you had a ‘Happy Birthday’ last night.” Both witches burst out laughing as they remembered the shouts coming from the other bedroom. Michelle blushed as she dropped her head into her hands.
“Hell yes,” Eliza agreed, “it was definitely a happy birthday and I’m not ashamed of it.”
“She wasn’t last year either,” Tara mock-whispered to Willow as the waitress refilled all their coffee cups.
“Like you two weren’t making with the smoochies,” Eliza pouted, refusing to be embarrassed.
“Well not like the two of you,” Willow teased back. She wondered if the other two girls really needed to know that much about their sex life
or lack thereof. She definitely didn’t see the look that passed between the two roommates as Michelle looked at Tara with a mixture of exasperation and sympathy. The blonde quickly ducked her head to avoid looking at her best friend.
Feeling her girlfriend’s discomfort through their linked hands Willow decided to change the subject. “So Eliza,” she started, “what were you cajoling Tara about last night and why do you owe me breakfast this morning?”
“Tara won’t be in my next play,” Eliza complained.
“Huh? And also the what again?” Willow asked. Eliza’s answer was approximately what Willow had gathered last night but she still felt lost in the conversation. While it seemed that the younger girl wanted Tara to perform, Willow felt confused about where this performance would take place. Was Eliza studying theater at college? Did she have a place to put on shows? What was going on?
“We’re doing Chicago next and Tara doesn’t want to be in it,” Eliza again explained wondering a little bit if Willow was completely dense. Even an idiot should have been able to tell that Eliza wanted Tara to perform in her production from the conversation last night. Turning to Tara she began to plead once again, “come on, Tare. You know you are the best and you’d make a great Mama Morton and Willow’s never seen you perform so you could impress her.” She was hoping that the last part would make an impression since Tara was being so stubborn.
“Eliza Maria D’Angelo,” Michelle admonished her girlfriend, “what have I told you about playing nice with the other kids?” She tried to sound like a stern school teacher or mother but came off sounding like a teasing girlfriend.
Eliza appeared to think about the question for a minute. “That I should only play
nice with you,” she suggested with a smirk.
“That’s a given,” Michelle agreed, “but why don’t you leave Tara alone? She said no.”
“Actually she said, ‘I can’t dance,’ and ‘I’m too busy,’ and ‘I don’t have the right voice,’” Eliza argued, “she never actually said ‘no.’”
Michelle leaned over and began playfully pounding her head on the table, nearly trailing her hair in her plate of pancakes and syrup. Although she wished Tara would just fucking say “no” she wasn’t going to push the girl. Maybe Tara really did want to do the play but she was scared of something. There was really no way of knowing. She was relived when Tara abruptly changed the subject: “did Debra and Rachel show up last night? I never saw them.”
“I thought I did,” Willow commented, “but then they weren’t there so I wasn’t sure.”
“They stopped by and brought a present and said Happy Birthday,” Michelle explained.
“I didn’t see them,” Eliza commented, “that must have been one quick stop.” She added, “how is Rachel feeling?”
“She said much better,” Michelle explained, “the morning sickness is mostly over but she’s pretty tired. That’s why they just dropped by and left.”
The other girls nodded and everyone began eating with more attention to their pancakes. As they finished with the breakfast Tara and Michelle both said they needed to use the restroom and they got up and left the table, leaving Willow and Eliza. Willow thought back to her first visit with the Eliza from her world and how that girl had come on so strong. Really, Willow realized, Eliza was the first “out” person she had ever met. But she was still confused about the performance thing. “Ok, Eliza,” she said to get the dark-haired girl’s attention.
“Wazzup Red?” Eliza answered.
“Well, ok,” Willow started, “I don’t want to get either of our girlfriends mad or anything and I’m not trying to be dense but I’m confused.”
“Yeah,” Eliza led.
“What performance? Are you a theater major or directing a play or what? What’s up with this whole Chicago thing?”
Eliza started laughing as she started to understand Willow’s confusion both last night and this morning. “I’m an English major with a minor in philosophy,” Eliza explained, “basically that’s pre-law.”
Ok, that’s the same in my world, Willow thought,
so what’s the deal with the play? “Look,” Eliza started, “I don’t know what Tara’s told you about her recovery but I kind of performed for her and stuff…”
“Right,” Willow agreed to let the younger girl know that Tara had told her this. “She told me all about it and it sounds spectacular. I can’t believe how much both of you did for her.”
Both girls looked up and noted their girlfriends returning to the table. “Well,” Eliza continued, “I really liked doing it and I think it helped her. So I started a performing group. We put on 3 musicals a year. We go to all kinds of nursing homes, hospitals, rehab centers, schools, whatever. All free and all for fun.”
“You’re kidding?” Willow asked inanely.
“She’s really not,” Tara interrupted, “she’s doing a pretty wonderful thing. Basically she had started two non-profits by the time she was 20 years old.”
“Two?” Willow questioned.
“Oh yeah,” Michelle explained, “the other group goes and does storytelling or story reading at the same places. They’ve even had stand-up comics go.”
“Wow,” Willow responded completely impressed with the girl. “That’s pretty amazing.” Suddenly her face lit up. “What about other stuff?”
“Huh?” Eliza asked completely lost to what the redhead was talking about.
“Well what about computers and stuff? E-mail access, basic computer literacy, stuff like that. Not that everyone would want to do it but I bet people in the hospital don’t have access to computers and maybe people in nursing homes would like to communicate with their families. They could send pictures or whatever.”
Tara leaned back as she watched Willow’s mind working. Eliza apparently liked Willow’s idea and the two girls began brainstorming how to improve people’s lives through technology. The blonde witch enjoyed being a spectator for the conversation. Rather than feeling left out she was excited at the possibility of Willow finding something to do with her time and energy. She sometimes felt guilty that the redhead had so little in her life that she cared about besides Tara. Sure she was available anytime that the blonde wanted to see her, but what if she was relying on Tara too much? Tara had so much to do and Willow needed interests of her own too. Obviously she hadn’t brought her demon-fighting hobby with her and she wasn’t enrolled in school yet. Tara had no idea what she did with her days besides work on her computer and drink a lot of coffee, but she sounded so excited about this that Tara was definitely intrigued. After half an hour, Eliza pulled her cell phone from her pocket, dialed a speed-number and had a quick conversation.
By now Tara and Michelle were discussing their friends who had been at the party and filling each other in on what was happening with different people. “Hey there, hot stuff,” Eliza interrupted.
“Yes,” Tara and Michelle both answered, teasing Eliza. They knew that she was really talking to Michelle but it was an old joke and one that they enjoyed dusting off from time to time.
“I just talked to Daddy and he wants to hear about this from Willow and me. Can we drop you off at the house and run over there?” Tara and Michelle both nodded. They knew enough to know that there would be no “running over there.” Willow and Eliza would be at Mr. D’Angelo’s for hours as the three of them pounded out the entire plan.
“You just want to get out of c-cleaning the house,” Tara teased.
“Not true,” Eliza argued, “that’s just a bonus.”
As they arrived at the house Willow and Eliza walked their girlfriends to the door. Each couple lingered kissing and hugging for a few minutes. “Is this ok?” Willow asked. “I mean did you want to spend the day together?” She was suddenly worried that she had ruined Tara’s plans.
Tara smiled as she tucked the redhead’s hair behind her ear. “It’s fine,” she answered, “I need to clean the house and s-study and I may go with James to visit Helen later.” She whispered Helen’s name, aware that Michelle was standing just feet away. Not that the girl was irrational but there was no reason to incite a rant.
Willow could hardly keep the excitement from her voice. “Ok then,” she answered, “this is really cool. I mean I could set up a wireless hub at all these different places and get refurbished computers and take them to the different rooms and… “ Her voice trailed off as she realized that she was getting carried away with her excitement. She noticed Tara smiling lovingly at her as if entranced by her plans.
“Hey girls,” Eliza interrupted, “Daddy’s waiting.”
“Right, “ Willow agreed, “I’ll call you tonight, ok?” The blonde nodded and they kissed again quickly before Willow and Eliza left.
Entering the house to find the mess looking exactly the same as when they left, Tara frowned at the place. “Well,” she started, “I’ll get started out here.”
“Tara Maclay,” Michelle said in an admonishing tone. Tara had seen Michelle’s look when Willow said that they didn’t share the same kind of smoochies and she didn’t want to discuss it.
“Michelle,” Tara answered, “I’ve got your birthday present in my room but it’s not dry.” She started pulling her roommate by the hand toward her room. Michelle looked at her suspiciously resolving not to drop the topic of what was taking so long for Tara and the other witch to become intimate.
---
"It is better to conquer yourself than to win a thousand battles. Then the victory is yours. It cannot be taken from you, not by angels or demons, heaven or hell." - The Buddha
, loved the end of the party and with Tara singing, that was just WOW and im at a loss for words. 
at: 9/17/03 8:01 pm
Debra 
,
doing? Great I hope! 
When 
sang that song I thought that 
was just going to come on the spot. 
It was so sweet how they stopped themselves from doing anythin cause it is so important. 
Oh and Eliza and Chelle's little after birthday party, that was just too good for words! 
more. Update soon, please? 
, hug, and 
I don't think I've ever been so emotional after reading an update. I don't have any words to describe just how damn happy and grateful I felt after reading this part. 
don't y'all think?? (*lol*)