W/T Season 3 Y'all

[littlecrazy80]

Great update!!!

Faith is such a bitch.

Willow´s right her friends are really immature children.

So some angst is coming?



*lil´c*



Unter den Blinden ist der Einäugige König.

[MissQuirky]

Hey Deb! Great update!! Omg I knew they couldn't be quiet, Buffy hearing everything from the previous night. But ya can't blame W/T, they had to test the stuttering theory out, right? I found Buffs thoughts pretty funny and yet typical!



Faith! Grrrrrrr!!! So much for the 'Welcome Home' party! She seems to be the source to every problem, someone should bitch slap the bitch! At least the girls have each other to get through the rest of the trip... can't wait 4 more!!



~Ashley~

[Cindy Lou Who]

First of all *Thank You* for putting my mind at ease with the Oz/this story/canon explanation. I can *so* count on you to make my tummy-rumbles smoooooth out.



Second...may I just remark how VERY disappointed I am with Buffy's reaction to Faith's remarks in the Bronze:

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As Faith smiled and nodded, Buffy turned to Willow saying, “and Will. Sorry that Faith’s being a jerk but you kind of caught us off guard here.”

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This after her "slayer hearing" conveyed her best friend not just dabbling but completely IN LOVE. Her shifting loyalty is disturbing...but you make it understandable. Buffy's spent more "real" time with Faith than Willow over the past months. And Willow's disclosure (given her past proclivities) is unexpected. Still...it sticks in my craw!



As for me: YAY on Joyce! I expected Cordelia's Xander's and Giles' responses but Joyce seemed to get it a little bit...or did I miss sumpthin'?



Sorry for the length of response...your writing really get's me going...is that so wrong? TY~~~Suse (CLW)

[sheila wt]

Great update!



Faith is such a bitch! And Buffy, heck, not any help there, is she? Must be a slayer thing...



Who said only demons and vampires can hurt in Sunnydale?

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"She had tasted Willow on her tongue, and she had worn Willow on her skin. There wasn't a shower in the world that could have washed that away." (Terra Firma, by Tulipp)

[JustSkipIt]

All – Individual comments to come but . No one commented on the final paragraph or events therein. Did I write it that badly? Eek worried about myself.



TheRose24 – Good call on the angst warning. To come later. about the students in Texas taking things better. Who woulda thought: Texas reacts better to our girls than California? Doesn’t seem right does it?



Tee hee, everyone wants Faith to get slapped. Yes, Tara is having a very hard visit with all the making fun and seeing Willow feel hurt. Thanks for your great comments.



Nora – Honestly I have to think that everyone’s reaction is moderately in character. We can expect Faith to be a cruel teasing bitch, Cordelia to be tacky, Buffy to be clueless (still), Giles to be not much of anything, Xander to be sexually interested, and Joyce to be accepting. Not that she took it that well when her daughter “came out” but it’s easier if it’s not your kid right? The college issue will become more and more dominating as the story goes on but keep in mind the Kitten rules. No worries there. Personally, I loved college: stayed 9 years and got 3 degrees. Thanks for your words of encouragement and praise.



Nick – Thanks. Yeah can you imagine Angel trying to control a room of sugared-up kids by himself? Another vote for slapping Faith.



Stef – Hmmm, not happy with Faith I take it? College to come but taking a little while to get forefront.



Xita –

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Willow kinda lost her temper there at the end

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I’m gonna call “understatement” on that one. Yes, I’d say she very lost her temper. But you are right, they were all being stupid including Buffy although you point out a good motivation for her freak-out. Tee hee, you sense trouble… you’d be right.



Grimaldi – Wow, the longest comments I ever saw from you. Yeah definitely poor Buffy but the girls did try to be quiet (think about all the biting down they did ). Yes the gang were jerks but they are over it for the moment…



Sysnooles –Wow, cringe and walk away is a good thing? Ok, I’ll believe you. I’m assuming you mean Faith’s sadistic tendencies right? Thanks: I’m trying to hit her right on the head. And yeah for Joyce too.



Grimmy – You’d think it would clean up the university choice issue quite a bit wouldn’t you? … but… Hmmm, interesting theory that Faith wants attention. I can definitely see that. Yes, Buffy’s behavior is disappointing but why Joyce? She didn’t stand up for the girls but didn’t join in either.



I’m not sure I’d say that Oz has a right to be upset but either way, he gets it and isn’t upset. Plus which I don’t feel like playing werewolf games. We’ll go home in a few days (about 4 their time). The rest of the visit will be interesting I promise.



Glad you liked Willow’s commitment to their college choice. Yes, glad that Willow didn’t burn Faith up but what did she do exactly?



As always, thanks for your wonderful, thorough, and insightful comments.



Stroke of Luck – Natti is your name? I’ll start to address that way if so. Never feel guilty: it’s a useless emotion. If you don’t like Faith then don’t like her. Lots of readers want to slap her so you can join that group if you want. Thanks for your encouragement. Update late this week.



littlecrazy80 – Thanks a ton. Yes Faith is letting it really show isn’t she? And yes to coming angst both short and long term.



Ashley – Well of course they can’t be quiet. I think back to those days and can’t remember how I ever stayed that quiet. Glad you liked Buffy’s contemplation of what she had heard. Tee hee, yes not much of a welcome home party.



Suse – You are so welcome about the Oz issue. Yes I think that Buffy’s reaction is disappointing but not unexpected. But I’m not sure that what she heard would let her know Will was in love, although certainly the conversation at lunch did. You are totally right: Joyce does get it. I love long responses. Keep em coming.



sheilawt – Thanks and everyone is in agreement about Faith and Buffy. Tee hee thinking about hunting in Sunnydale. Ha ha. Thanks.



Thanks for reading and commenting everyone.

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"War may be a necessary evil. But no matter how necessary it is always evil." - President Jimmy Carter after receiving the Nobel Peace Prize



"Use your imagination not to scare yourself to death but to inspire yourself to life." - Adele Brookman

[AntigoneUnbound]

Hey Deb--Sorry it's taken me so long to get caught up on the installments and to write some feedback. It's been lovely, though, immersing myself into our girls' adventures as they travel to California and face darkness of all sorts...



You paint such a great picture of Tara's healing powers, esp. when she works on Willow, and of the toll that it takes on her. That whole debacle in front of the Bronze, w/ Angel's mistaken identity, Faith's "kick ass now, take names later" approach to everything, Buffy's realization of how much she hasn't told Willow...it was a great scene that gave us a look into every character's dynamics and motivations.



Now about this Faith...She's a complicated one, isn't she? I mean, her actions are loathesome, yet Tara picks up on the myriad of conflicting feelings that she has. There's definitely a cruel streak to her, and yet I wonder if her actions are fueled by a kind of jealousy that she may not even recognize or grasp just yet. There was always this thinly-veiled homoerotic element to her connection w/ Buffy; I wonder if her behavior here has anything to do w/ seeing two women so happily and erotically connected. Just thinkin' out loud here, of course...In any case, I'm intrigued by your depiction of her and very curious to see where it goes.



I also thought that you hit a great chord in depicting the gang's reaction to Willow's news, and I loved the multitude of information conveyed by the simple act of Joyce shaking her head w/ approval. I could easily see her doing that; being the one who saw through everything else to the love that prompts the action.



Again, sorry for the delay in feedback. Loving this story and can't wait to see what happens w/ that whole cake thing.



Mary

[SySnootles]

No, no. The last paragraph is just fine. I have to be honest and admit I am a bit confused about the goings on. But, I'm a third shifter and read the updates after a long night of back breaking factory work. But I have full confidence in you and I know you'll make it clear in the next chapter, which I am eagerly awaiting.

[TareBearRS]

Hmm they didn't really react that well huh, i mean at first i thought Buffy was ok with it but her last comment shows she's not really. Xander was being a typical guy and Faith was being a bitch, Cordy was just herself.



I can relate to Willow's outburst, but i do hope they will talk this out and make up.



R.

[Grimlock72]

One more thing I kinda forgot to mention. I liked that Tara didn't get to use her healing powers (on Willow) in the beginning of the group conversation thing. Yes, that didn't went to well I'll agree....However you can't gloss over everything using healing powers, it would merely make Willow look meek (bit to cooperating so to speak). At least Willow got out how she really feels about all those worthless scooby people.



As for Joyce, I figured that she being the older person in the group would at least try to calm things down a bit. About Oz, well he WAS Willow's girlfriend when she went of to Texas wasn't he ? Can't really see Oz getting upset either, he's to understanding for that. Maybe he should transfer some of that the other scoobies...



When did I say I was glad Willow didn't burn Faith ? Must have mistyped that Wait a sec, I remember... I said that so Willow wouldn't be in trouble. At the moment Faith is mostly waisting precious air while breathing, shame really.



As for people not liking Faith in this story; yes you're free to do so. HOWEVER take a number and stand in line (BEHIND ME ) as far as hitting her over the head with a 2x4 is concerned.



Heh, yeah Tara is probably all about understanding Faith and knowing why she behaves like the bitch she is. Me... not so much, either behave or get lost... fairly simple really. Tara is waaaay to nice for this world for sure



Grimmy

"You hurt Tara," Willow said too calmly. "The last one who tried that was a god. I made her regret it." -- Unexpected Consequences by Lisa of Nine

[JustSkipIt]

Mary – Thanks so much. Been away? Great to see comments from you again. Yes, I think debacle is a great term for what happened in front of the Bronze. Tee hee, you hit everything on the head and thanks so much.

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There was always this thinly-veiled homoerotic element to her connection w/ Buffy

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Yes, I think the emphasis on the word thinly. Definite homoerotic element to Faith & Buffy throughout their relationiship. Perhaps jealousy is a factor but I’d say more exactly it’s basically that she is lost and hurting. She likes to strike out and its not just that she does it to W&T. She does it to everyone. But right now, they are her focus.



Glad that you liked the array of emotions and reactions from everyone and Joyce too. Glad as always to have your feedback.

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Loving this story and can't wait to see what happens w/ that whole cake thing.

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Well, yes, things can get messy with a bar full of children …



SySnootles – Thanks so much. Glad to know it’s ok. But obviously it still needs something since you are waiting for the next installment to clear it up. I will say that IMHO, the next chapter is my funniest one ever. I hope everyone enjoys it. Third shift huh? Couldn’t do that: I need my regular sleep.



TareBearRS – Yeah, not well is kind of an understatement. Although everyone is in character, not a fun time. I’m not sure I’d call it talking it out…



Grimmy – You make an excellent point about Tara’s healing powers. I think that sometimes it is a paradox when we try to heal other people (just by listening or whatever). On one hand, we want to relive suffering, but on the other, everyone has to feel and move through their feelings to grow and live and love. So maybe she can’t assuage Willow’s anger because Willow needs to feel that anger. And yes, Willow doesn’t need to look meek to them so a great point!



over

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About Oz, well he WAS Willow's girlfriend when she went of to Texas wasn't he ?

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Yes he was I guess but is doing a great job with getting over it. I emphasize again: he’s one of the good guys here.



Ok, so Grimmy is at the head of the pound on Faith line. I can always count on you. Hey guess what, I’m working on updates to Turned so you can vent some venom on you know who over there. I’m thinking I’ll finish it up before posting so it’s not start and stop again.

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"War may be a necessary evil. But no matter how necessary it is always evil." - President Jimmy Carter after receiving the Nobel Peace Prize



"Use your imagination not to scare yourself to death but to inspire yourself to life." - Adele Brookman

[samiamiguess]

*Sonya dashes in, screaches to a halt in Debra's thread* Phew, couldn't let an update go by without giving my two-penneth worth.

Ok, there seems to be an angst thing going on in people's stories at the moment. Must be something in the water, or the January weather. Or perhaps people just like the little bit of torment But I just loved the beginning, had me in stitches. Buffy with her three excellent questions, how was she going to look at them now, and why was Tara thinking of stopping. As for everyone's reactions, hmmm all I can say to that is I'm proud of your Willow. Her outburst was just wonderful to hear. And I can just picture Angel's face. Priceless.

Great update Debra,

Sonya

[Cindy Lou Who]

...addenda to my last post



(1) I ssssstand keeerected! You were so right about when Buffy got the big epiphany re: Willow being in total and unabashed love. Smack me on the head right now!



(2) Glad to know at least Joyce gets it. Maybe she will ultimately help the others (her daughter and Giles in particular) come to terms with an obviously GOOD THANG!



(3) As to not remarking on the final paragraph: It cracked me up. I'm thinking Willow should watch her words. ("Would you just stop acting like children?" or something to that effect.) I guess I didn't want to think I saw something I *didn't* whilst I was trying to place this sort of thing in season 3. Mayhaps an exquisite twist on the "My Will Be Done" thingy?



You weren't *really* worried about not writing that paragraph well were you? Oh now...don't get me started on your writing prowess. I know you said "lengthy replies" are okay but to sing your praises...well suffice to say there's not room enough or time.



^^^Suse (CLW)

Edited by: Cindy Lou Who at: 1/30/03 12:27:51 pm

[JustSkipIt]

Two comments then a hopefully funny part:



Sonya – Great running. You made it with time to spare. Tee hee glad you liked the Buffy part to start. I’m not a big fan of long running angst so I’ll try not to innundate with it. Everyone seems to like confident and angry Willow and yes, poor Angel.



Suse – Yes, Buffy gets it but that doesn’t mean she doesn’t have more boneheaded things to say… I’m not sure that Joyce has that much to do, just be herself. Yes you are right, Willow could be much more careful with her words. What you saw was definitely there. Thanks a million for your wonderful kind words about my writing.



Title – W/T Season 3 Y’all – part 35 – Oh Grow Up!



Author– JustSkipit - Debra



E-mail – debraser@yahoo.com



Feedback – Yes please.



Spoilers–Season 3 through Amends



Rating– Part 34 – PG 13 (for entrails)



Disclaimer – Willow and Tara and any other character that appeared in the syndicated television show “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” is property of Joss and Mutant Enemy, I’m only borrowing them and am not making any money off them Thanks.



Thanks - Thanks to Rachel who agreed to beta this part in exchange for my letting her read 4 parts ahead.



Thoughts in italics!







“Uh, this probably can’t be good?” Willow ventured.



“Willow, Tara, get over here!” Angel yelled from the center of the Bronze.



As they rushed over to the very distressed vampire, they took in the chaos of the scene. The crowd of children, mostly about 8-10 years old ran completely wild throughout the bar. A few were running up and down the stairs. Others had taken the cake and were trying to smash it into each others’ faces. Three kids were fighting over who got to play Oz’s guitar while one little kid with spiky hair tried to keep them from getting it. He was definitely losing the battle as feedback whined throughout the club.



One kid stood on the bar, holding the soda spigot and alternately drinking directly from it and spraying anyone within spraying distance. He appeared to be trying to experiment and see if jumping up and down while spraying would make the streams of sticky liquid go any farther.



Tara, Willow, and Angel looked on in horrified shock as the scene unfolded before them. Suddenly a little boy with a crew-cut ran past followed closely by two little girls, one blond and one dark haired. As they caught up to him, each punched him on the arm and he screamed, clutching the spot where they had hit him. “Xander,” Willow whispered as she pointed at the boy clutching his arm.



Angel and Tara both turned to Willow asking, “how do you know?”



“He got that haircut right before my eighth birthday party. He wore a cap with a chicken on it the whole time.”



“Oh,” Tara agreed. “H-h-how about the r-r-rest? It seems safe to s-s-say that the kid wrapped around that g-g-guitar is Oz.”



Angel nodded, “and the one over there in the tweed pants looks like Giles.”



“Oh Goddess, he just kissed that little girl: Mrs Summers?” Willow asked appalled. As the other two nodded their agreement, she strode over and pulled the two smoochers apart. “Hey kids, how about either sitting down and reading a book or punching some other kids ok?” she suggested.



Willow pointed, “hey, the junior beauty queen having the tea party is Cordelia. I guess that’d be Harmony and the others with her?”



Angel waved his arms around: “Buffy and Faith?” Simultaneously all three pointed at the two girls who had punched Xander.



Grabbing a chair Tara slumped into it. Angel looked from her to Willow and followed suit. “Uh Angel,” Willow said to get the vampire’s attention.



“Yeah?”



“See that kid dangling from the catwalk?” she asked.



“Devon?” he ventured.



“Seems likely,” Willow conceded. “Um, do you think you ought to go catch him or pull him up or something?”



After pulling Devon from the catwalk and setting him back on his feet on the ground level, Angel looked around. As Tara and Willow shrugged at him, he tore out the bottom few steps so that no one could get to the second level of the club. “Well, that w-w-works,” Tara nodded as the vampire returned to the table.



Angel looked over at the red-haired witch: “Hey Willow, this has been fun but you want to put it back?”



“What? Me? Why me?” she asked shocked.



Both Tara and Angel looked at the hacker. Tara stroked her hand as she said, “um baby, you uh, c-c-called them immature c-c-children.”



“What? Well, I called Angel a child and he’s not a kid,” Willow retorted. Although it sounds likely that she had in fact done this, she just wanted to be insulted and indignant for a few minutes.



Tara thought about it for while before responding: “maybe he’s y-y-young for a vampire? Or maybe it didn’t work on him b-b-because he’s a vampire.” Turning to Angel she apologized, “s-s-sorry.”



“Hey, it’s fine Tara,” Angel smiled, “I am a vampire.”



“Ok, but back to the problem at hand,” Willow interrupted. “So you guys think I did this?”



“Yeah Will,” Angel and Tara responded together.



Standing and looking around she ventured hopefully, “so I just say they’re not kids and they grow up?”



Tara shrugged her shoulders: “it’s w-w-worth trying.”



Willow stood on the table so she could see all the kids. She closed her eyes and concentrated on gathering the magical energy from nature as Tara had taught her. When she felt that she had a good level in her system, she thrust out her hands to encompass the room. “You are not immature children!” she shouted.



Opening her eyes, she was hit in the face by a handful of cake and icing thrown by Faith who was subsequently high-fived by Buffy and Xander. “Hey Faith,” Xander shouted, “for someone who’s not a child, that was a pretty childish thing to do.” As he finished he took off running around the table on which Willow stood, followed closely by the dark-haired future slayer. Seeing the chances of being injured once again increasing with every step taken by the kids, Willow quickly climbed down from her perch. As she did, she noted Giles and Mrs. Summers again in a lip-lock.



All three adults looked up as a brunette woman came in the door. Allowing the door to slam shut behind her, she seemed to grasp at her neck as if she had lost something there. Finding nothing to grab, she nodded her head and got a smile on her face before crossing to the bar and getting a beer. Opening it and taking a long drink, she advanced toward the others. “Neat,” she commented and dropped to sit at the table.



Staring at the newcomer, Willow answered in shock, “yeah, except not so much.”



“It’s pretty good though. I remember once when this woman’s husband was always chasing younger women and she wished… well, never mind. This is good,” the brunette nodded.



Seeing not much of a solution at hand, Tara got up and went over to Giles and Mrs. Summers. She grabbed Giles and brought him back to the table. Joyce followed closely behind. “You’re G-g-giles right?” she asked him.



The watcher nodded.



Willow kneeled down in front of the boy in tweed: “ok Rupert. We need to fix something that went wrong. Do you know a spell to undo a spell?”



“Ripper,” the boy responded trying to look cool.



Willow sighed, “sure: Ripper. Do you know a spell to undo a spell?”



Sitting at the table like the adult he wished he were, Ripper responded, “you have to find them in the books. Father has lots of books. Grandmother too.”



“Right the books,” Willow nodded vigorously. Turning to the others, she suggested, “so I should go and get some books from the library and you three can watch them? Make sure none of them leave or knock themselves out much?”



Angel quickly stood, “well, it seems to me that I’d be more safe than you going to the library. Maybe I should go?”



The new girl waved her arm, “or I could go since I didn’t have anything to do with this anyway?”



Phooing both their suggestions Willow argued, “do either of you know anything about magic? How will you get the right book?” “Hey,” she suddenly screamed, “you kids get off that speaker!”



Still intent on trying to get the non-kid detail for the next hour, Angel suggested, “I could take Giles…”



“Ripper,” the tweed-dressed boy interrupted.



“Right. I could take Ripper with me. He can help find the book,” Angel persisted.



“Me too. I could take tweed-boy with me,” the new girl suggested.



Still grasping for a solution Willow retorted, “how are you going to take tweed-boy, I mean Ripper, with you? Can either of you drive?”



Both Angel and the new girl shook their heads and sat back down. “Uh b-b-baby?” Tara commented.



Willow turned to the blonde, “yeah?”



“By that l-l-logic shouldn’t I g-g-go?” Tara asked.



“Well, yes but you don’t know where the library is,” Willow responded. “But you and I could take Ripper with us,” she suggested.



“Oh wait a friggin minute little miss I-don’t-know-how-I-turned-these-kids-into-kids-and-now-I-want-to-leave-the-scene: No way you and she are going off to fulfill some nerd library love-scene fantasy while this …” she looked at Angel for a moment before continuing, “… vampire and I watch all these rugrats.”



“Who are you anyway?” Willow finally asked.



“I am Anyanka. Ok, now I’m just Anya. I’m new here,” Anya explained. “I know Cordelia,” she pointed to the girl still holding the peaceful tea party in the corner with her entourage.



Angel spoke quickly, “ok, so if Tara takes Ripper to the library, how will she find it?”



Willow looked around at the kids in the club: “Uh, take Cordelia. Wait no, she’s not breaking anything or anyone. Take Xander. He knew where the high school was when he was eight.” As Tara stood, Willow gave her a quick kiss and suggested, “take Ripper’s car. He should have the keys in his pocket. It’s a crappy gray foreign car. There can’t be that many of them parked around here.” Tara quickly yelled for Xander and Ripper who both followed her out of the club. As they went out the door, she heard Willow call desperately, “hurry!”



Once they found the car, Tara, Ripper, and Xander raced toward the high school. Xander’s directions weren’t as clear as she might have hoped—probably due to the fact that he only knew how to get anywhere from McDonalds so they had to find the McDonalds before they could find the high school. By the time they located the high school, Willow’s spell had been cast for over an hour and a half and the chances of someone being seriously injured or slightly killed increased with every minute.



At the high school, they had to find the library and both boys decided they needed to use the bathroom. Tara didn’t warm to the thought of setting them loose in the school so she took them to the bathroom and waited outside the door. As she listened, she was pretty sure she didn’t want to know what they were doing to the interior of the boys room. Both children emerged from the bathroom soaked and laughing. Xander’s nose was bleeding and Tara quickly used the sleeve of her shirt to try to stop the drip. This trip has been pretty hard on my clothes she chuckled.



Once in the library, Tara found the occult books locked in the large metal cage. Unfortunately, to open the cage she had to get the keys from Giles who, insistent on being called Ripper, ran around the library. Finally, he stopped at the top of the stairs announcing that he would trade the keys for a kiss from the pretty lady. As he dangled the keys in front of her, Tara simply used magic to reach out and take the keys. Before entering the cage, she grabbed both boys by the collar and shoved them in the cage with her. She didn’t fancy the thought of two eight year-old kids locking her in the book closet and making her stand on her head or take off her shirt or hop on one leg or something before letting her out.



“Ripper,” she said, “what book will be useful?” As she and the tweed-clad boy began looking through the books, Xander started grabbing various weapons from the shelves and waving them around. “Hey!” Tara yelled, “put that d-d-down Xander.” After a few moments, she had to take a large axe away from the boy. “Now Xander,” she told him, “I want you to sit r-r-right here, on your hands or when we get b-b-back, I am going to hold you down while Faith and B-B-Buffy give you a wedgie. Understand?” The last word was unnecessary as the boy was already sitting on his hands by the time she finished her threat.



Despairing of finding the spell she needed, Tara grabbed a few likely looking books, threw them in a book bag and directed the boys from the room to return to the car. Unfortunately, Willow’s plan about Xander knowing how to get to the high school was only useful to get TO the high school. They found their way back to the McDonalds but Xander had no idea where the Bronze was. Ripper called out from the back seat, “so it’s not a total loss. I would fancy a happy meal.”



Tara pounded her head on the steering wheel as Xander joined in the call for food and both boys banged their hands on the windows, seat, and ceiling of the car until she agreed to go through the drive-through for Happy Meals. As she handed the food to the two boys, she began driving around trying to estimate where the Bronze might be. I don’t even want to know what Xander is doing with the ketchup and mustard she thought. Having been gone a few hours by now, she searched for the club and wondered how the other three adults were doing with their charges.



The answer to Tara’s question was not well. The only advantage that Willow, Angel, and Anya had over Tara was that the kids at the club were beginning to tire. Those who had managed to intake any of the cake rather than just wearing it were coming down from their sugar high as were those who had taken the soda spigot from the first guy to hold it, who Willow had finally identified as Jonathan, and had drunk their fill of the sugary sweet refreshment.



With Xander gone, the two future slayers had turned their attention on the “girly” tea party. In moments the table was overturned with the tea cups broken on the floor as Buffy and Faith hooted and high-fived their way across the club. Cordelia and Harmony and their friends shrieked each time the two tomboys ran past whether they actually did anything to the more sedate girls or just catcalled them.



Chasing the Faith and Buffy Willow called after them: “Buffy! Faith! Stop running now!” The two slayers headed into the bathroom ahead of the screaming witch. Entering the bathroom, Willow was pelted with tampons and condoms from the machine formerly attached to the wall. As she stood there shocked at the blatant destruction, she had to dodge the dispenser that flew at her from across the room. She easily sidestepped the metal only to be smacked in the forehead by a wet blob of toilet paper, followed by another. She was able to grab hold of the two girls only when they took a break from their assault to congratulate each other. As they raised their arms to again slap palms, she grabbed each and dragged them from the bathroom.



She emerged from the bathroom with the two slayers and took in the scene. It appeared that Angel of all people had been able to organize some sort of exercise for the children. Allowing each child to take a turn, he and the “leader” had all the others doing a series of calisthenics. On the other side of the room, a group of children sat at the foot of Anya, as she told stories. Oz was in that group, crying as he cradled his broken guitar. Joyce, Cordelia, Harmony, and their entire clique listened intently to Anya.



“So she makes this wish and the next thing you know, intestines, entrails, tendons everywhere…” Anya was saying as Willow passed by tugging Buffy and Faith behind her.



Dropping her hands from the slayers and pushing them toward Angel’s group Willow grabbed Anya by the arm, pulling her to her feet. “What are you doing?” Willow shouted. “You are telling these kids a story with intestines? Are you crazy? No intestines! No entrails! Do you understand?”



“But they were listening and sitting so calmly,” Anya pleaded, indicating the children sitting in horrified shock. “That’s better than the ones you are watching,” she pointed to Buffy and Faith who had taken over the exercise group, apparently trying to drive the other children to collapse.



Seeing Tara coming in the door with Xander and Giles, Willow told Anya as she turned away, “right, listening calmly. Keep it up but not with the intestines ok?”



“Ok,” Anya agreed sullenly.



As Willow turned away she heard Anya start, “and anyway, if any man cared half as much about the woman’s orgasm as his own…”



Willow turned back again hissing at the strange girl: “Anya, how about Goldilocks and the three bears, ok?”



Anya got a dreamy smile on her face. “Oh yeah, they were a riot. Very fun. What a mess…” Seeing the look of anger from Willow she retracted her musings, “ok, whatever a nice story.” Turning to the enraptured and terrified children she began, “Once upon a time…”



Willow raced across the club to greet Tara just as Faith and Buffy sighted Xander entering. Taking off as he saw them coming, he leapt onto a table that crashed to the ground allowing the slayers to catch up and dog-pile on him. Willow glanced over and turned away quickly. She remembered the time that Xander had eaten 5 hot dogs and then a gallon of Gatorade on a bet and it wasn’t a pretty sight. Although she wasn’t looking, it sounded like the crazed tickle-fest the slayers were embarking on was re-enacting that scene.



She shuddered at the thought but sighed thankfully as she saw that Tara had a book bag in one hand and the other held firmly to Giles’ collar. Crossing the club quickly, she plopped the books on the table and shoved Giles into a chair. Seeing that Willow was about to open her mouth and ask something, Tara held up her hand: “d-d-don’t even ask. I t-t-think Xander threw-up in the b-b-back of the car.”



Willow shook her head as she answered, “yeah here too. Buffy and Faith are tickling it out of him. Yuck!” Grabbing a book she asked, “did you find anything?”



Tara, Willow, and Giles sat and began quickly paging through the books. Tara looked up, “do you think Oz w-w-would be any help looking through this s-s-stuff? Or Cordelia? You said they both h-h-help with research.”



Looking across the room at the two figures Tara indicated Willow answered, “yeah but not when they were eight. Anyway, both of them fell asleep a little while ago.” In fact, most of the kids had fallen asleep by the fourth hour of the immature-a-thon. Angel was still supervising Buffy and Faith who had given up on Xander as the boy became too tired and messy to be any fun. Anya joined in the research and Joyce sat nearby looking moon-eyed at Giles.



After 10 or 15 minutes, Giles held out a page from the book he was looking through: “how about this one?” Willow and Tara looked over his shoulder at the “Spell of Undoing.”



“That one never works,” Anya predicted. “Not unless you have the spit of three virgins and even if we counted you two, which I don’t, where are you going to find another one?” she continued on.



Tired out and irritated Tara turned on the girl: “have you met F-F-Faith? You two have a l-l-lot in common.” Turning her attention to Willow she asked, “do you want to t-t-try anyway baby?”



Nodding Willow read through the incantation once again before standing on the table and reciting:



“Spells done undo.

Make earlier words now untrue.”



Everyone watched in hope and then shock as Buffy and Faith fell instantly to the floor and lay there unmoving.



“Oh Goddess!” Willow and Tara shouted as they ran across the room to the fallen slayers. Angel reached the two girls before Willow or Tara and the three of them bent to check on the girls. Just as they placed their fingers on their necks to check for pulses, Buffy and Faith leapt to their feet shouting: “Gotcha! Ha ha, we Gotcha!” The two slayers again high-fived as they jumped up and down waving their fingers at the witches and Angel.



As the adults stood shocked at the completely age-appropriate display, Faith said, “you are so fun B,” before leaning forward, kissing Buffy on the lips, and running off in the opposite direction.



Tara’s jaw dropped as she asked, “did Faith j-j-just…”



“Kiss my girlfriend? Oh Yeah.” Angel completed.



“Ok, let’s scrub that from our memories and hope they do too,” Willow suggested as they returned to their books to continue the search for a spell. Forty-five minutes later, Faith, Buffy, and Joyce had all joined the pile of sleeping children while the 4 adults and Giles continued scanning the spell books for any thing that might reverse Willow’s ill-advised words. So far, she had tried 10-12 spells ranging from “aging” spells to “true-essence” spells. Anya was perhaps the least helpful member of the research team as the others quickly learned to read for footnotes about side effects. It had occurred to Tara that the girl might actually be looking for spells with the most messy or gross side effects rather than those that might reverse the problem.



Suddenly Tara shouted: “HEY!”



“You’re adjusting to Sunnydale fast sweetie,” Willow teased.



“No. I m-m-mean… Hey! L-l-look!” Tara held out the book she was searching for everyone to see.



Anya commented first, “aren’t those…”



Angel completed the sentence: “your rings?”



Ripper echoed everyone’s sentiment: “Bloody Hell!”



Tara handed the book over to Willow who read: “The Legend of the Rings: Paired Rings acquired for pure love, exchanged simultaneously as gifts of soul, joined as union… blah blah blah…” Tired of summarizing Willow leaned down kissing Tara gently as she whispered, “hey baby, you did it too.”



“W-w-well let’s undo it before Buffy and Faith get a second w-w-wind and burn the p-p-place down,” Tara proposed.



Reversing the spell was anticlimactic after the entire evening and morning. The two girls stood on a table, holding hands so that their rings touched. Tara opened her magic channels completely to give all her strength to Willow as Willow recited a simple incantation:



“With these words I do tell,

make it so. Undo my spell.”



This time both witches felt the power surge through them as an electric-like current jolted from their bodies to each and every child in the bar. As the light hit each form, the individual grew to their former age and maturity. Angel, Tara, and Willow began waking them one by one, joined by Giles who glared at the two witches the entire time. Anya left fairly quickly after declaring that the evening was no longer interesting.



Tara had her hands full healing the numerous cuts and bruises everyone had amassed. Even after her work on it, Xander’s arm held proof of Faith and Buffy’s tireless assault on it throughout the night. Her final attempt was to do some healing on Oz’s guitar and Willow leant her energy for that effort. Although Tara was able to mend a few cracks, the instrument was pretty thoroughly trashed and Oz left the bar still cradling it in his arms. Tara and Willow continued apologizing to everyone until the bar was empty and Mrs. Summers finally insisted on driving home the three girls.



As they sat in the back of the jeep, Willow turned to Tara: “welcome to Sunnydale sweetie. How do you like it so far?” She hadn’t noticed before speaking that the blonde was fast asleep on her shoulder.

---

"War may be a necessary evil. But no matter how necessary it is always evil." - President Jimmy Carter after receiving the Nobel Peace Prize



"Use your imagination not to scare yourself to death but to inspire yourself to life." - Adele Brookman

Edited by: JustSkipIt at: 1/31/03 1:22:45 pm

[Little M]

Hehehehe the little kids are so funny Especially Xander and 'Ripper'



It was funny to see how Willow and Tara were acting like moms, trying to keep the children in check

------------------

'I go online sometimes, but everyone's spelling is really bad..it's depressing' - Tara



Amber Online www.amberbenson-online.cjb.net

[deixs]

Hi Debra!



This was so funny *laughs out loudly*



Stef

Willow: Hey, clothes!

Tara: Better not get used to 'em.

Willow: Yes ma'm

[Grimaldi]

that was too funny great update

You can't just go declaring shenanigans on innocent people, that's how wars get started!
I'm not stealing, I'm just taking things without paying for them. In what twisted dictionary is that stealing?

[AntigoneUnbound]

Debra: Oh, God, what a fantastic idea! It was so fun AND so illuminating about each character. How telling it was that Faith and Buffy operated as a unit throughout the spell...And poor Xander, always the whipping boy. There were so many great touches here, like having Xander be unable to get anywhere except with McDonald's as the starting point, and Cordelia having her sedate little tea party in the corner. I think the one sentence that just captured my fancy so much was this one: "Ripper," the tweed-dressed boy interrupted. I mean, it's perfect: the contrast b/w such a tough nick-name and then "tweed-dressed boy." Oh, and poor Oz, cradling his guitar and focusing on that more than on any human interaction...



This was such a great update and innovative idea, Debra. Loved it.



Mary

[littlecrazy80]

This chapter was so much fun to read!

More please!?!?!?!?



*lil´c*



Unter den Blinden ist der Einäugige König.

[Velaingie]

Hello, great updates. . That was a really great idea and also very funny . I loved how you discribed Ripper's car.

Really great story

Bye

Velaingie

[SilverWingedNemesis]

*giggles*



This was so much fun! LOL I could So see that happening..lol



Tara buying "ripper and Xander" happy meals.. awww.



keep up the great work!





~NICK~

"All fear is the fear of loss. And only through that fear, can we truly love."

[MissQuirky]

God this update was packed with lil demon terrorists!! Willow should definitely watch what she says from now on... cuz that was hell, but damn hilarious! Faith giving Buffy a lil smooch... interesting. Poor Tara having to take Xander and Ripper by herself to the library... that sure was a fun trip! Anya trying to tell the kids inappropriate lil stories ...but what was even more funny about that was the fact it was making them calm! This was great Deb!! I Loved it!!



Can't wait 4 more!

~Ashley~

[JustSkipIt]

I’ll post a few responses while I wait for my wife to get home from a hard day at the office so we can go get me a haircut (tmi you say???)



Little M – Ha ha. Glad you liked Xander and Ripper. And I think Tara & Willow act kind of like moms but kindof just panicked and trying to control them any way they can.



stef – Ahhh, thanks. Glad you liked and found it funny.



Grimaldi – Thanks a ton.



Mary – Glad you liked it so much and coming from you a great compliment (anyone not reading Gods Served & Abandoned, you are missing out on a great fic). And glad you liked each character’s childlike incarnation. Yes, Faith & Buffy operating as their future selves—slayers together. They didn’t have much other identity but way too much energy to burn. Xander is certainly the whipping boy, even from Tara who threatens him. Ripper ha ha ha. But you are right, that’s Oz exactly, interacting more with his guitar than any other person. Glad you liked. Thanks for the comments.



littlecrazy80 - Glad you liked. As always, update in a few days. More then.



Velaingie – Thanks a ton. Yeah, I had the idea a month ago or so and Rachel thought it would be funny too (of course she made me let her read 4 updates ahead to agree to beta it). Yeah, that car sucked.



Nick – Thanks a ton. I’m glad you could “see” it. I was hoping that people would picture it in their heads as they read. I almost put that in the intro but figured everyone reads their own way. BTW: updates of HsD soon? Please?



Ashley – lil demon terrorists . Great way to characterize them. Ha ha. Glad you liked everyone. I’m not sure the kids were calm from Anya’s stories as much as horrified. Glad you loved it. Thanks for the feedback.

---

"War may be a necessary evil. But no matter how necessary it is always evil." - President Jimmy Carter after receiving the Nobel Peace Prize



"Use your imagination not to scare yourself to death but to inspire yourself to life." - Adele Brookman

[Tawilove]

As always wonderful updates, i'm a little late in my feedback but sometimes RL is annoyingly getting on the way

Anyway

Quote:

---

Willow is really in love with her. Not in like and not just playing around with something new: a girl thing. She’s totally in love with her. Wow, I didn’t get that at all. Jesus.

---

it was about time, geez this girl is really slow in the process of realization, you might be inclined to believe that with her enhance abilities as a slayer she would be faster to get a clue but no, no way, apparently it was not included in the package!



Also i was feeling unsettled about this little "college conversation", i know that in the end everything is going to be fine but i can't help feeling upset for Tara. She doesn't want to be an obstacle in Willow's choice of a college and i fear she would be willing to make the sacrifice of her own wishes! It seems also that they should talk about it more openly cause i don't think Willow really got the point to how deeply it bothers Tara, or maybe i'm wrong !!!



As for part 35, God you just craked me up it was hillarious, i would say it was a real master piece, you descriebed everything so well, i could feel myself lost in the middle of a bunch of 8 years old it was precious

The parts with Giles and Joyce liplocking all the time was

Quote:

---

Tired out and irritated Tara turned on the girl: “have you met F-F-Faith? You two have a l-l-lot in common.”

---

That's so true, but i must admit i always had a preference for Anya's bluntness, what? , i like Anya's blurt outs they are always so genuine, she's not trying to be bad or inapropriate, just honest that's why it's so funny!!!

Quote:

---

As the adults stood shocked at the completely age-appropriate display, Faith said, “you are so fun B,” before leaning forward, kissing Buffy on the lips, and running off in the opposite direction.

---

Hmmm Hmmm why am i not surprised , call me wicked but i wish they'd remember

Quote:

---

Ripper echoed everyone’s sentiment: “Bloody Hell!”

---

Well it's nice to see some things never change

Quote:

---

As they sat in the back of the jeep, Willow turned to Tara: “welcome to Sunnydale sweetie. How do you like it so far?” She hadn’t noticed before speaking that the blonde was fast asleep on her shoulder.

---

i think we could say without wildly speculating, that it's a trip she will never forget

The earth is blue like an orange
Paul Eluard

[Penrose Orleans]

Cuuuuuuuuuute.... oooh, I don't think I can concentrate on the issues at hand with small children running around all over the place... great update, and can't wait for more! -Nora

"The sound of laughter is like the vaulted dome of a temple of happiness."



"No matter how much we scorn it, kitsch is an integral part of the human condition."-Milan Kundera

[The Rose24]

W/T really need to return to Texas. I know Tara is not having such a good time. I have a whole lot of empathy for Tara, and I hate to see her hurt. First, she has to hold off a slayer and a vampire trying to protect Willow, second, she gets harassed and teased by Faith, and third, Willow's "friends" do not seem to have a good understanding of their love.



They are going to need a vacation to recover from their vacation. Tara deserves it.



I loved that there is more information on the rings W/T exchanged. They really are made for each other.

Tara: My heart doesn't stutter.


Tara: Willow, I got so lost.

Willow: I found you. I will always find you.

Edited by: The Rose24  at: 1/31/03 7:10:33 pm

[xita]

the rings are such an interesting development! I was totally on the Willow did it camp but now the possibilities of the 2 of them working together are just huge. Wow... lovely surprise.

If I had to live my life again, I'd make the same mistakes, only sooner.

Tallulah Bankhead

[Stroke of Luck]

YAY I would say what a mess

But it was so funny.

Faith kissing Buffy does that has any meening?



Just a lovely lovely story, update soon?



Cu

SoL/Natti



I love my family but I´m a part of you. I want it to be that way - Gabrielle - The Abyss



ps. Natti is just my nickname. all my friends called me so. so go on! I would say we all around FRIENDS or?

[Grimlock72]

Oh yes, I'm all for them remembering every bit of this... heh.... : -->



I kinda missed the meaning of the last paragraph on the previous update, didn't figure out they really WERE acting like children because of Willow yelling at them. Likely 'cos I was still pissed due to Willow being all upset at her friends.



Horrible bunch of kids to control btw. I can easily see Faith being a little rascal, of course Buffy will happily joun her. Not many chances for Buffy to come out and play, with her being mostly duty girl and such.



I did wonder why an 8 year old giles would know anything usefull about spells though. Going to the library was a good idea but why ever take Giles with you ? Xander's point of reference, heh... fun that.



Hmm... about Anya, she did come to get a wish from Cordy. Will Cordy still get to say her wish or did she miss her chance when being a little tea-drinking kiddo ??



No matter fun this entire kiddy stuff was, it only adds to Willow and Tara's troubles really. Get a good night's sleep and get the heck out of Sunnydale. Take a looong train ride back, I've been told trains can be very relaxing.... heh.



Grimmy

"You hurt Tara," Willow said too calmly. "The last one who tried that was a god. I made her regret it." -- Unexpected Consequences by Lisa of Nine

[samiamiguess]

All through this I kept thinking to myself its a bloody good job its not me. If I was one of the adults I'm sure I'd fail miserably at controlling the little bleeders and if I was eight again I dare say I'd be in the Faith and Buffy camp of tomboys. Which itself is an amusing thought



Very very amusing Debra but for me the funniest line was spoken by Anya

Quote:

---

, “and anyway, if any man cared half as much about the woman’s orgasm as his own…”

---

Sonya

[Shadow ALH]

I was out of town for about a month and missed so many fantastic updates that I have to comment right now. You are doing a wonderful job at keeping up this story. I love AU fics about Willow and Tara meeting in different ways, but sometimes I get bored after they realize their feelings for each other and become a couple. This is NOT the case with this fic...it just keeps getting better and better. I loved the scene with Tara's grandmother testing Willow's magical abilities, she sorta reminded me of my own grandma, very understanding, wise, and kind.

The last part was hilarious, especially with little "Ripper". I was laughing out loud.

Thank you so much for this story and keep up the great work.