It really is a compliment to see you here waiting C, it's nice to see my fic in demand, good ol boost to the ego
Well here it is a tiny bit late but 3 updates in 3 days what more could you ask for
Anyway without much further ado...
Title – All You Wanted
Author – Nathan
E-mail –
nathspazz@yahoo.com.au Feedback – Well I am a feedback whore so it would be greatly appreciated
Spoilers – None, it’s AU so yeah
Rating – Between PG and R18+ ample warning will be given.
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. All the others are mine though. Also the title for the fic is a Michelle Branch song so credit goes to her and part names will be named after various songs I like that fit nicely with the story so credit will be given there.
Summary – Set slightly in the future, 24-year-old Willow and Tara run into each other, it’s set mostly in New York so no Sunnydale or hell mouth or anything. Just good ol’ fashioned romance.
Part 8 When I Come Around (Green Day)Tara sat in her office, idly going over some paperwork as her mind wondered over the past couple of days. After she’d taken Alex into hospital, they’d cleaned him up and kept him overnight for observation. The weekend had come and gone and Willow had moved back into her own place and still neither of them had admitted their feelings. Though at the moment Tara had been more concerned with making sure Alex recovered properly than her own feelings. When she was alone with Alex she’d admitted to him that she was going to confess her feeling to Willow before he staggered in the front door. He’d humbly apologised for having the snot beat out of him and Tara had playfully laughed with him.
Hayley had spent a large amount of time at the hospital with them and she regularly came to visit a recuperating Alex at their apartment. Tara had taken the time to talk to and get to know her in the few days they’d met and was glad someone as nice and pleasant had taken a liking to her best friend. She knew her friends only deserved the best.
It had been a quiet day at the office, since she and Willow had returned from their successful trip to Hawaii, the workload had been significantly lowered though they both knew it was only the calm before the storm. Tara sighed as she wondered what she would do during her lunch break. Willow, her usual lunching partner, was out running personal errands and paying off bills. She was wondering what to do when she heard a knock at her office door.
“Hey Sam.” Tara greeted the brunette as she walked into the office.
“Hey Tara, I was just wondering with Willow not joining us for lunch today if you still wanted to go?” Sam asked a little apprehensively.
“Um sure, I mean as long as you do, if you have other plans or something… “ Tara replied, not quite sure when the brunette stood on this issue.
“Great, I’ll meet you here just before lunch.” Sam smiled and looked at her watch. “Heck there’s only 45 minutes to go, I’ll just make myself comfortable.” Sam added, Tara just smiled at the laid back nature of the brunette.
… … … …
Tara and Sam entered the Xerox place. Tara had a paper that she wanted put onto nice paper and bound and they decided to stop of at the copy place on their way to lunch. As they entered they saw a young girl of nineteen or twenty years old behind the counter. She had short shoulder length brunette hair, beautiful hazel eye and a bust that was accentuated by the cut off t-shirt she wore. Put simply, Sam was drooling over the floor and Tara was struggling to restrain her giggle as she watched the facial expression change on Sam’s face once they entered the shop.
“Here, give me that.” Sam stated as she offered her hand for Tara’s report all without taking her eyes of the counter girl that had only briefly looked up at them and smiled casually to them. Tara giggled once again and handed over the report as Sam greedily accepted it.
“Okay meet me at the coffee shop, I’ll be about ten minutes.” Sam stated as she walked up to the counter and began chatting up the Xerox girl. Tara laughed quietly to herself and turned around to make her way up the road a bit to the coffee shop.
Tara walked the small distance to the café and ordered herself a mocha. She found a nice table in front of the window as she waited for Sam to arrive, though she wasn’t sure exactly how long the brunette would be. She sipped her mocha and stared out the window until she was interrupted by a male voice. She turned around and looked up to see a rather good-looking guy standing over her.
“Is this seat taken?” He asked, pointing over to the empty seat across from Tara.
“I’m actually waiting for my friend, she down at the Xerox place hitting on the girl behind the counter.” Tara smiled up at him.
“Well in that case, I’ll just keep her seat warm.” He sat down across from Tara; they both just smiled politely at each other.
“So my name’s Dave anyway.” He said as he offered his hand across the table for a handshake.
“Tara.” Tara replied as she returned the gesture and shook the man’s hand.
“I kinda noticed you as soon as you walked in, are you attached to anyone at he moment?” He asked, making his intensions perfectly clear. Tara’s mind spun at a million miles an hour, this guy was nice and good looking, in fact he’d made the perfect first impression on her except for one thing, he wasn’t Willow. Tara’s mind raced to the fiery redhead and all her feelings for the girl came to the fore. Tara had begun to doubt weather or not anything would happen weather or not she should be trying to move on or not.
“Um no, quite single actually.” Tara eventually stammered out, the smile on Dave’s face broadening.
“This might seem kinda forthright, but would you have dinner with me tonight?” He asked in his most polite voice. Tara knew after he’d asked if she was single that this question was bound to come up. He mind raced to Willow once again and a disappointed sigh echoed through her head as she thought that maybe she should try and move on.
“Eight o’clock okay?” She asked a little tepidly.
“Sure.” Dave smiled once again, they exchanged information and he quietly left. Not long after a very happy Sam entered the café.
“Guess who has a date tomorrow night?” She asked, sounding rather pleased with herself.
“Well if you’d said tonight, I would’ve said me.” Tara answered sheepishly; Sam just looked at her stunned.
“What, how, when?” Was all she was able to stammer out.
“While I was waiting, a gut asked me out.” Tara replied and gave a small smile.
“What about Willow?” Sam asked, still not understanding completely.
“What about Willow?” Tara replied a little fazed by the brunette’s questioning.
“Oh don’t play coy with me Tara, I know you two are doing everything but sucking face. This will crush her.” Sam stated, sounding very astounded.
“No it wont, Willow doesn’t feel that way it obvious. Any feelings I may have had are gone now anyway.” Tara sure as hell wasn’t convincing herself, she hoped she was faring better with Sam, but by the look on the brunette’s face, she wasn’t.
“Are you crazy, the thing that is obvious is how she feels about you Tara, you might just wreck anything the two of you could have had if you do this to her.” Sam was sounding pretty peeved at the moment, she had to stick up for her friend.
“Yeah well, maybe I don’t want to risk our friendship on something that may or may not work. I think this may actually be good for me, and I’m hoping as one of my friends you can be happy for me.” Tara’s anger grew a touch as well at her little outburst.
“Okay, maybe you’re right. Just don’t do anything to hurt Will okay?” Sam seemed to calm down somewhat.
“I wouldn’t ever.” Tara replied with as much honesty as she could muster.
… … … …
“Hey.” Willow cheerily popped her head into Sam’s cubicle after returning from her own lunch break.
“Hey.” Sam replied before turning her attention to the paper back on her desk.
“Is Samantha Pickering in, cause I know you’re not her, being all worker like and all.” Willow smiled as she plonked her butt on the brunette’s desk.
“Will, Tara has a date tonight.” Sam decided it was best not to flirt around the issue, suddenly Willow’s happy go lucky expression changed to match that of Sam’s.
“Well, good on her. I was kinda amazed that someone as beautifully good looking as her hadn’t been hit on left, right and centre.” Willow’s sullen mood didn’t give credence to her words.
“Will, I just think she’s scared about getting into a relationship with you, you need to talk to her before it gets to late.” Sam offered hopefully.
“Yeah it could be because she’s scared, or get this, it could be because she’s straight and I was a fool to ever think I had a chance with a girl like her.” Willow became mad at herself for her feelings towards the blonde girl.
“Willow, she told me she’s meeting him at eight. If you want we can pretend to play supporting friends so you can scope out the competition.” Sam smiled and Willow slowly raised the corner of her lips.
“Well, supporting friends are good.” Willow smiled sheepishly.
“The best.” Sam smiled back full force. She hoped Willow would be brave enough to confess her feelings to Tara if she saw that she might loose any shot she ever had.
“Oh you know the Xerox girl?” Sam continued to show the full force of her smile.
“You mean the one you practically drool over every time we go there, the same girl you constantly picture playing with on those lonely nights.” Willow grinned evilly, “Yeah I think I know who you’re talking about.”
“I have a date with her tomorrow.” Sam stated, very pleased with herself indeed.
“Oh my god, really. That’s so great, I mean now instead of “I wish I could tear off the clothes to the Xerox girl and ravish her” it could be “I did tear off the clothes of the Xerox girl and ravish her.” Willow giggled slightly as she grinned feeling really happy for her friend.
“Well missy, don’t be expecting any details if I do, well maybe except every last one.” Sam giggled herself and couldn’t contain her beaming smile. Willow sighed happily, now if only she could get her dream girl.
… … … …
Tara got home and threw her bag on the chair; she walked in to check on Alex and wasn’t surprised to see Hayley asleep on the chair next to him. Alex was staring intently at the girl but turned his gaze to Tara as she walked into the room.
“How you holding up.” Tara asked quietly, with all her love.
“Seen better days, you?” He asked back with the same quietness and love the blonde had given him.
“I have a date tonight.” She stated and offered a wry smile.
“Willow?” The young man’s eyes brightened for a second.
“No, some guy I met at the café today.” Tara explained, Alex’s expression dropped somewhat, though he still tried to show his support for his friend.
“Bout the weekend, you know I was just trying to make some alone time for you and Will. I didn’t mean to interrupt your weekend, I was kinda incapacitated though.” Alex smiled as he explained his actions.
“Its okay sweetie, I’m not blaming you. You gave us most of the weekend, it’s my fault I didn’t make anything happen and well now I just hope I can put those feelings behind me and get on with my life.” Tara sighed as she took a seat on the edge of his bed.
“Why are you giving up on having something with Willow, I think you two make a great couple.” Alex displayed his disappointment at the fact his friend wasn’t chasing the object of her affections any more.
“It’s complicated, every time when it seems a good time to talk about our feelings, something always get in the way. Besides our friendship is really starting to blossom, it’s getting to the stage where I think is it worth the risk of our friendship.” Tara tried to explain the reasons that she had told herself.
“Is it working?” Alex asked, Tara just looked confused to the meaning of his words.
“Huh?” Was the only reply she could muster.
“The reasons you keep telling yourself why dating Willow is wrong. Is it working to keep telling them to yourself?” Alex asked and watched Tara’s face contort in understanding.
“I didn’t think so Tar, you’re only pushing her further away by dating this guy. You can’t actually sit there and tell me you fell head over heels when you met him.” Alex responded, the smiled to let him know he was right, though this was something he was certain of, the feelings each had for one another was tremendous and it baffled him as to how they couldn’t see it.
“We’ll see Alex, I’m going tonight and I’ll see how I feel after it, but you’re probably right, I’ll probably end up coming home early, wishing I was with her instead.” Tara lamented her lack of courage when she was around the redhead and sighed at her confusion.
“Looks like you got your hands full though.” Tara nodded towards the perky little brunette sitting in the chair, changing the focus from her disastrous love life to that of her friend’s.
“She’s nice, really sweet. She’s been here most of the day, I think she might be fired.” Alex smiled and reached out and lightly brushed the girl’s hair.
“She really seems to have taken a liking to you. What if I pretend to get all jealous and possessive and scare her off.” Tara smiled cheekily.
“Yeah well you could, but she just heard you say it so, it probably wouldn’t work.” With that a tired Hayley opened her eyes and smiled at Tara.
“Oh so you were just pretending to be asleep, why?” Tara asked with a bit of confusion, the brunette just shrugged her shoulders and all three of the giggled helplessly.
“There is no being fired here, I had a sickie.” Hayley confessed as to what Alex had said previously.
“Uh huh, you look real sick too.” Tara noted playfully and Hayley just smiled back.
“Well you and that Willow girl looked like you were about to suck face the other night when I walked in, dragging his carcass behind me. I guess looks can be deceiving.” Hayley noted playfully and Tara smiled in response.
“Ah, point taken.” The blonde added as they continued their playful banter.
… … … …
“What to wear, what to wear?” Willow looked in a mirror as she held up a skirt and sweater to her towel clad body. She wanted to look good tonight, let the guy that Tara was going to be going out with know that he was gonna be up against some pretty stiff competition. Willow wasn’t prepared to let Tara go without a fight any more.
She flung the clothes onto the bed, getting a pair of jeans and her kitten t-shirt out as she pondered these clothes for a moment. She thought while Tara might like the kitten shirt, the guy would probably laugh at her, she wanted him to be trembling with fear when he looked at his competition.
When Willow finally emerged from her bedroom to the main living area where Sam was waiting, she was wearing a grey business like skirt that went just above her knees and a lace white blouse. She had the top couple of buttons undone but she lamented her lack of cleavage, though she thought to herself she looked pretty damn fine in the mirror.
“Wow, you look great.” Sam commented as she watched Willow enter the room. “I’m sure Tara will just fall all over herself when she see you.” Sam added, being a tad over-supportive Willow felt but none the less she liked the reassurance.
“Tara sees me like this nearly everyday like this at work.” Willow responded with a grin.
“Yeah but two blouse buttons undone.” Sam perked her eyebrows a couple of time suggestively and Willow couldn’t help but giggle at the suggestion.
“Remember though, tonight I’m just playing supportive friend, once I find out who she’s dating I can start to dig up some dirt on him and make Tara hate him.” Willow smiled evilly and Sam grinned.
“That’s my girl.” The brunette laughed as she got up and gave the redhead a reassuring hug.
“Remember I’m there for you, no matter what happens, you know that right?” Sam asked Willow, her voice full of reassurance and love that Willow needed right now.
“I know sweetie, and I appreciate it all.” Willow replied as she leant into the hug, Sam had always looked out for her and she had always appreciated it.
“I’m just glad that after so long on the sidelines, you’re actually getting back into the game.” Sam teased and got a playful slap on the shoulder as her reward.
“Yeah well you watch, it’ll be the comeback of the century.” Willow smiled once again.
“I know it will.” Sam replied as they finally broke their embrace. Willow went over and put some food into the fish tank and grabbed her handbag and made for the door.
“Lets do this.” She said as she took a deep breath and turned the doorknob and exited the apartment, Sam right on her heels.
… … … …
Tara wandered around the living room nervously, it was seven forty on the clock in front of her and she wished the last twenty minutes would just hurry up and go. Alex sat on the couch and Hayley sat next to him closely.
“Tar you’re just gonna work up a sweat if you keep pacing around, you don’t want to be smelly for you date now do you?” Alex stated with a smile, Hayley looked up at him with a smile on her face as Tara pondered his statement.
“Right, I should probably sit down.” Tara noted and sat on the edge of the arm chair. Just as soon as she sat down, the buzzer went off and Tara jumped straight back up.
“Oh my god, he’s here, it’s early, he’s early. Alex do something.” She panicled, not sure if she was ready for this or not. Alex got up from his spot on the couch and walked to the intercom.
“Alex here.” He talked into the speaker.
“Hey Alex, just me and Will.” Sam’s voice came through the speaker.
“Okay I’ll buzz you up.” He replied and after he did so, made his way back over to the couch.
“What are they doing here?” Asked a panicked Tara, she wasn’t sure what to make of this new development. She was already having second thoughts about this date and having Willow here would only make things worse for her.
“Hey guys.” Sam said, smiling as she walked in the door, “Hey” Willow added rather sheepishly, hiding behind her friend.
A various chorus of “Hey guys” filled the room and Sam was promptly introduced to Hayley.
“So, what brings you ladies here tonight?” Tara asked with a smile, getting straight to the point.
“We’re here to meet Mr. Right, supportive close friends.” Sam smiled and Willow nodded in agreement, though she was far less enthused than her friend in front of her.
“Oh, goodie, so glad the guy I just met today is already going to be subjugated to my social circle.” Tara said with a forced enthusiasm that didn’t fall short of the other people in the room. They all grinned and giggled as they watched Tara squirm with nervousness.
They all chatted for the few minutes while they waited for Tara’s date. Tara wasn’t sure how to react when she looked at Willow who seemed to be generally happy for her. Seeing Willow happy that they were friends removed the lingering doubt about the date she had though she knew the redhead would be running through her mind all evening. Eventually the buzzer sounded and everyone sat up in anticipation. Alex got up from his seat once again to do the door answering duties he was assigned.
“Alex here.” He talked into the intercom.
“Yeah, yeah it’s Dave here, I’m looking for a… Tara.” The man’s voice sounded a little slurred and Alex frowned as he noticed this.
“Yeah she’s expecting you, come on up.” He pressed the button and stood waiting for the knock on the door. When he heard it, he opened the door to find a very ruffled up man who quite frankly looked like shit. He leant on Alex as if his life depended on it and asked the tall man where his bathroom was. Alex pointed in the direction and the obviously very drunken man rushed off in that direction. All eyes turned to Tara, as they couldn’t believe that this was the man that had swept her off her feet.
“He wasn’t drunk when I met him.” She stated, incredibly ashamed and embarrassed at the way her date had showed up. Willow looked up at her sympathetically; she hated how someone could make Tara feel like that. Her gut started to boil once again as the guy came out of the bathroom, wiping his mouth with some toilet paper after having obviously thrown up.
Alex had made his way back in between Hayley and Sam on the couch and Willow was sitting on the arm of the chair where Tara sat in embarrassment. She couldn’t even bring herself to look at Willow, she couldn’t believe she’d chosen this atrocity of a human being over the gorgeous redhead.
“So which of you lucky ladies is… Tara.” Dave giggled as he looked at the napkin with all the details written on it just to get the name right. Willow had reached boiling point, she couldn’t believe how badly this jerk had disrespected Tara, her Tara and in her face to boot. Enough was enough and Willow was putting her foot down, there was no way Willow was letting Tara walk out that door with that jerk.
“LUCKY, you want to know something about lucky?” Willow almost shouted as she made a beeline for the drunken man. He started quickly backing up towards the door, as the crazy redhead approached him. Everyone else in the room started at Willow in disbelief, they couldn’t believe Willow was sticking up for Tara, although they were all quietly very happy that she was.
“You mister, should consider yourself the luckiest man alive that someone as beautiful, caring and loving as Tara even agreed to go on a date with you. But you obviously don’t know how lucky you are, else there is noway you would be here right now in the state you are.” Willow stated as she continued to back him into the door.
“If she’s so damn special why don’t you date her?” Dave almost spat into her face as he talked.
“I would if I could find the guts to tell her how I felt.” Willow stated with a touch of sadness to her voice. “You however mister, juts missed out on the chance of a lifetime.” With that Willow pushed the drunken man out of the now open dor and proceeded to slam it shut. She just stared at the door, taking deep breaths as she tried to compose herself. Tara’s voice however brought her out of her reverie.
“Really?” Willow turned around when she heard Tara speak, the blonde was standing in front of her chair with her hands clasped together in front of her. Willow knew instantly what the blonde was talking about and lowered her eyes to the floor.
“Yeah Tara, I kinda have feelings for you. I’ve wanted to tell you but things got in the way. I was gonna try and be happy for you dating someone else but someone as great and special needs to be with someone who can love and cherish you like you should be. I couldn’t let you be with him, you deserve someone better.” Willow replied, slowly bringing her eyes up to meet the blonde’s pools of blue that bore into her from across the room.
Tara walked ever so slowly over to wear the redhead was standing in front of the door, her hands still clasped together in front of her as she walked. She slowly but eventually made her way so she was standing right in front of the redhead. She clasped a hand on Willow’s cheek to bring her eyes back up to hers after they had slipped down to the floor once again. With her hand on Willow’s cheek and her eyes looking deeply into the emerald green valleys that were her eyes, Tara saw the strong feelings for her for the first time and she cherished it.
“Someone like you?” Tara replied as she brushed her lips every so slightly against Willow’s. The touch was soft and wonderful and after a moment she felt Willow respond as the two lovers shared their first kiss.
Back on the couch there were smiles all round as the three people cuddled each other at the sight of their friends finding each other brought happy feelings all round.
Willow and Tara finally broke from their kiss and gazed lovingly into each other’s eyes. A look of pure contentment filled over each of them as they wrapped their arms around one another and leant their forehead against one another. This was certainly the beginning of a beautiful relationship.
TBC…
I hope you can all forgive me for taking so long with this but i think it turned out nicely. Updates will be at a premium over the next few days, hopefull i can manage one on Saturday night.
& 
to you all
Cheers
Nath
Isn't it funny how you feel your most tired five minutes before you have to get up.
by foreverpiper » Wed Aug 28, 2002 11:50 am 
Please more soon!! 
Twister in tshirt and undies...
have 4 hours passed yet? 
i'm just looking forward to your post.
Way too stick up for the love of your life. Finally, they know how the other feels. 
at: 8/29/02 7:37:41 am
But actually I better should pity her, that shes all panicky. 
