Loved the rescue part!!!

And when will Willow get her kiss?



*lil´c*



Unter den Blinden ist der Einäugige König.

Hey Sleek--You don't know how psyched I was to see an update! You have a nice touch w/ what I think is one of the hardest parts of writing BtVS material: balancing humor with horror. Taking us into Willow's inner world is a fantastic way to accomplish that, b/c when she herself is in danger, she still has this totally quirky dialogue going on.



You also do a very effective job describing Faith at her most vile. This Faith and Tara make an interesting contrast: Faith reacts to all of the hurt that she's experienced by wanting to inflict pain on others; Tara, who has experienced as much pain as Faith--if not more--responds by transforming her pain into wisdom and compassion.



I love the contrast you set up w/ first establishing the "sound and fury" of B&F's fight and then introducing Tara into the mix with the immediate result being that Willow's attention (and ours) is completely captivated by the quiet, protective presence. Everything else almost literally fades to black as Willow realizes who Tara is.



And I gotta say, that one line--"Kiss you?"--had my heart just thumpin'! It was a nice extension of the contrast and quiet I mentioned above: Willow's world has narrowed to Tara, and the ferocity of her hunger for this woman. That Willow--Queen of the Compound Sentence--can only utter these two words b/c of her need is such a great image and testimony.



Was it clear which arm is broken? Because I think Tara's right-handed, and if her dominant arm is broken, that will have certain unfortunate repercussions for any impending manual stimulation. Just thinkin' here...



And what's with the white light? Interesting color, given that Faith is often referred to as the Dark Slayer. And wouldn't she be more outraged and perlexed pby a spell involving lightness than a spell involving pain or retribution? Hmm...



Loving this, as always, Sleek. You set up their reunion so nicely--suspense, humor, eroticism...It's all good!



Awaiting more w/ bated breath!



Mary

Ok so I already had this whole damsel in distress image going on in my head when you had to go and throw cold water all over her chest! way to just accentuate my image!!!



Just love the way the world falls away when they're together. sigh. and Tara is just the only person who can put a stop to Willowbabble. Well you would wouldn't you. I'd certainly be gasping for air if Tara ever came to my rescue. I'd probably just get the Ant Hill Mob.



Immensely enjoyable.



sonya

Edited by: samiamiguess at: 11/21/02 4:55:40 am

Alright!

Tara saved the day

And Willow is so attuned to Tara that she can't find words, or control her body when she is in her presence. A damsel in distress rescued by her Cinderella

But poor Tara's arm might be broken....and what was that mojo she worked on Faith?

Great update



Cindi

Kittens,

I've been bad I know. Not being able to catch up with my favorite fics.Not being able to regularly update
my
fics.Sigh.



But I was able to squeeze in this update during some free time. It's nuthin' much but I hope you guys will like it anyway.

Thank you for keeping up with this,




Sleek


***

Michelle
More sweet things to come my dear.



Nickole
Yup.Sighs and much witchy love to come.Hey, thanks for posting feedback.It really motivates me. A lot.



Will


Thanks! This is short, but I hope you will be appeased.

Rose24
Thank you! I hope you will like this just as much.



Thrilledbymaclay

Wow.
It always thrills me to see new kittens posting their feedback.Thank you for taking time to read mine, I know there are plenty of fics out there and I know a lot of them are ass-kickin good and drool worthy good.So hey, thanks for reading this and some sweet loving comin up!



Mollyig
I feel quite unsure sometimes in writing Willow's babble, but I sure am glad you find the
if this is a dream
babble particularly funny.You may not know it but your feedback
always
gives me clues on what to do on my next update.



Stef
Willow's there alright.But she is more of in a contemplative mood.Don't worry, she will properly show her 'caring for Tara' soon.This is short, me hopes you like it.



BV


Hey girl! Seeing your name here is like seein an old friend.I know I've been a delinquent writer, I hope this short sweet update will suffice in the meantime.



Grimaldi
I know what you mean.Smoochies interrupted.Well I've been known to carelessly leaving cliff-hangers here and there. This update is a short one but something tells me you won't mind. (I REALLY hope so).Thank you for readin this still



Jixer
Some WT bonding of a more sedatey kind coming up.You know I
should
cackle and bend over my keyboard more.Writing this fic is sure as hell more fun than working.I'm really glad you liked the update, now I'm just a bit nervous the following would be a disappointment.Your writing is quite vivid, do you write?Sorry if I haven't read your works so tell me which fics you've written and then maybe I can gobble up some more WT goodness.





Snuggle79


hey you!Like seeing BV's name, I'm glad to know you stuck around for this fic.Short sweet update coming up. Enjoy Snuggle!

Lil c
Thanks! I'm working on a really good kissing scene, but that won't come in this update yet.Hope you keep readin.



Mary

Sigh
.Feedback like yours is something I relish. Actually any word from you be it in the form of your fic or feedback.

I haven't had much time to catch up with
On Second Thought
and I wonder how W/T are doing over there after Willow rescuing Tara from Wolfie Oz.But as soon as I get my schedule free I will gladly drink in all those chapters I have missed.Just keep up the excellent work!




You have a nice touch w/ what I think is one of the hardest parts of writing BtVS material: balancing humor with horror.
Thank you.I do try to have a bit of both.


Faith reacts to all of the hurt that she's experienced by wanting to inflict pain on others; Tara, who has experienced as much pain as Faith--if not more--responds by transforming her pain into wisdom and compassion.
I totally agree on this.I'm not done with Faith yet. (I hope the other Kittens wouldn't mind).There are a lot of facets to her that I want to explore. And can you keep a secret?I really enjoyed writing vile Faith.You should try it sometime.I bet under your hands she can do a lot of stupendous things (uh…did that sound right?)




And I gotta say, that one line--"Kiss you?"--had my heart just thumpin'!
THANK YOU.I'm going for more mush in the following updates and this kind of feedback really helps.Thank you.

(your line Willow Queen of the compound sentence made me smile. See feed back to your feed back. I can't help it. You're words are wonderful that way)

And no need to worry about the "impending manual stimulation" bit

.Thanks Mary, now I am reminded once again of how nice it is to read you. (err…what did I say?)

Much appreciation,


Sleek

Sonya

Ok so I already had this whole damsel in distress image going on in my head when you had to go and throw cold water all over her chest! way to just accentuate my image!!!








I swear you kill me!

(in a good, smiling silly kind of way).Hey, tell me where's your fic.I bet you write.Coz if you don't, you should! Maybe I would have more things to laugh about than my writing delinquency.

Been a bad updater I know.

Cindi
THANK YOU.

Tara doesn't get to rescue that much in real tv Buffy.So rest assured, I will make full use of Tara in my fic (that didn't sound good did it?).Thank you for sharing your thoughts.Really. It means a lot.


NOW ON TO THE UPDATE!







****




Part 16


Descending (a)




Hospital gowns are not sexy.


Willow tried to convince herself as she sat, perched on the edge of her seat.Her knees brushed the cool edges of the white hospital bed.A bed where a blonde woman lay sleeping serenely.

Tara's hair spilled in generous waves around her face.Some golden tendrils rested lazily on the slopes of her breasts, gently rising and falling in cadence with her breathing.


Nope.Definitely not sexy.
Willow sighed heavily.
Except when Tara wears them.


Emerald eyes caressed each dip and curve covered in a baby blue hospital gown. After a while, Willow's gaze drifted once again to Tara's face.Hopelessly drawn, Willow absorbed every minute detail of Tara's profile as if she had all the time in the world.


I wonder what her last name is.Maybe something earthy.Or celestial. Gaelic perhaps…cuz Gaelic is the only thing I can think of that would rhyme with angelic.Which is the only adjective I could come up with right now. And I usually have plenty of words handy but I just can't seem to find the right words that would capture what I'm….


Tara's eyes fluttered for a second.Willow stilled her thoughts, thinking that her inner babble might have somehow interfered with Tara's alpha state.

Tara lifted her free arm (the other was thickly wrapped by a cast), and shifted ever slightly to her left side.She buried her left cheek into the pillow, sighed against it and continued to sleep.Her hair descended and partially covered her right eye.

Willow felt the sudden urge to become a pillow.She wished she would be the one Tara would be curling up to right now and not some lifeless, unfeeling pillow.

The redhead glared jealously for a moment at the offending pillow before resting her gaze on Tara's delicate eyelids, heavily fringed with honey blonde eyelashes.


She would be…Tara Beautiful…Tara Cute-Ears…Tara Plushlips…Tara Nice-to-Kiss…Tara Sigh.Sigh.This is not helping I should stop.What is wrong with me.I am lusting after an injured woman, sleeping innocently.Well not so innocent, what with the alluring vixeny prowess and those amazing long slender fingers and…must stop self now. Must really. Stop. Self.


Willow scolded herself and lifting her chin, almost primly glanced at her watch.


Willow must go to class now and indulge in intellectual verbal sparring with Mike's Sociology Class.


The redhead grinned as she thought of what today's topic might be.She glanced again at Tara's sleeping face and her smile faded.


But I would trade several hours of Sociology for only a few more minutes of watching Tara breathe.


Conflicting emotions battled on Willow's forehead, furrowing her brows.The solid logic of partaking her slice of college education seemed to melt with every passing breath that Tara took.


I think my life is starting to get complicated.I should leave before I can convince myself of ditching class.Ditching class! Look at me saying those words like some veteran delinquent student.Well thought those words actually but still…me ditching class.What's really happening here?


With deliberate movements, Willow averted her gaze from Tara, stood up quickly, stuffed her things in her backpack and smoothed her rumpled clothes.She rushed to the hospital door, fleeing from the woman who seemed to have power over her even in her sleep.

Willow's hand gripped the cold metal of the doorknob and paused in her tracks.


Doorknob.


An impish smile stole across Willow's features.She glanced back over her shoulder to the woman who lay quietly on the hospital bed.

Willow found her feet walking back towards Tara.As if by some uncontrollable reflex, Willow reached out her fingers and gently tucked Tara's loose blonde lock behind an ear, uncovering the face beneath.

"Be right back."Willow placed a whisper on Tara's ear and left the room.

***
TBC Definitely!

I love the image of Willow watching over a sleeping Tara. Especially when said Willow is engaging in such adorable mind babbles: wondering about Tara's last name, contemplating not attending class.



Lovely, thanks.

Adding up the total of a love that's true, multiply life by the power of two
Indigo Girls

Ha! Just too funny!



With Willow accusing Tara of sleeping not so innocently with the alluring vixeny prowess. I can just see Willow thinking, see, its not my fault. RESISTANCE IS FUTILE! Or something like that.



Oh and correcting herself that she was actually thinking of ditching class and not actually saying it, soo Willow.



Thanks for the update, remember, its 'quality not quantity' so no worries. (A useful motto I find that may be employed to great effect when used appropriately. For instance when attempting to justify one's less than satisfactory sex life.)



And writing? no no no, not me. I'll leave that to those such as yourself who can actually entertain through their literary prowess. If I eventually find I have any prowess hopefully it can be centred around the bedroom area. (Just in case a higher being is noting this. What? It can happen)

Ok, there I go again, talking about sex. Do apologise, don't know what's got into me today.



Great update Sleek,

Sonya

Willow´s babble made me laugh. Will Tara still be there when Willow comes back?



*lil´c*



Unter den Blinden ist der Einäugige König.

cool update the Willow babble was cute and funny.

Dude, we're surrounded by perverts!
No! Well, okay. No. Pez!
2nd place? That's just a fancy term for loser!

Hey Girl--Don't apologize for the brevity of the update. I'll take quality over quantity any time (it's true: size doesn't count) and this update has plenty o' quality. I love Willow's inner dialogue. I think it's tough to capture w/ any real nuance (vs. simply stringing a bunch of phrases together) and you really do so here. And what parts did I MOST enjoy, you ask? Well, even if you didn't, I'll answer. I loved Willow's jealousy of a pillow; particularly, I enjoyed your assessment of an OFFENDING pillow. The nerve...I also loved Willow's fear that the nature and intensity of her thoughts could disturb Tara's alpha state. And the idea that Willow, of all people, was considering ditching class--that was excellent.



So take your time and update when the Muse hits/kisses/dances with you, OK? Hope all's going well with you.



Mary

awww ... that was cute!

Willow in full babble and thinkingmode.

Now i'm curious to see what she's up to!

Great update!

snuggle79

__________________

"I got so lost"

"I found you, i will always find you"

Hello Kittens-



Willow was actually considering not going to class. It's love.



I have to say the watching over someone part got to me. I work in a hospital and I've seen this every night at work somewhere. New parents, families and a sick child, grown children wondering where the years have gone, and someone watching over a beloved other half. In the last case those who wait all echo with the same elements of hope, worry and remembrance.



In this case, hope takes most of the stage. It feels right. Thank you, Sleek, for this well crafted moment.





Jixer





And since I've been asked on two seperate occasions (by people here I can't e-mail) my Pens fics are Hotel Kilo 2-2 (action) Tar Lin/Giving Thanks (light) and Lost Pages (?). Never Catch a Break and Just to be Sure were more small remembrance pieces. I love writing for Pens, BTW. The Kitten readers get the most important things.

Excellent update I loved the image of Willow leaning over Tara *sigh* very sweet.



--Michelle

Awwwwww!!! So adorable.

Tara: My heart doesn't stutter.


Tara: Willow, I got so lost.

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

Doorknob.

*snickers*

Amazing isn't it? The simplest things often are the keys to our most amazing and life changing memories.

Willow will never be able to open a door without smiling again

This was so great....but I don't think Willow is gonna make it to class..



Great job, and YAY continued!

Cindi

Such a sweet update



And I'm going to jump on the wagon and say... YAY! Update



Love this, please continue...



~Holly~



Show me where to touch youTara-It Ain't Fickle

Hey sleek, glad you're back!!

A short update on this wonderful fic, is totally better than none!!

I could just see Willow sitting there, watching Tara sleep, and her mind running a mile a minute!!

The love *sigh* Beautiful as always!

BV

"In front of total strangers won't you kiss me, Flowers for no reason but you miss me - OOH, I wanna be in love"

Melissa Etheridge-Skin

Had to catch up a lil! It was great! Very glad Willow got away from the skanky bitch! But poor Tara!! Lookin forward to more!

Willow: We can come by between classes. Usually I use that time to copy over my class notes with a system of different colored pens. But it's been pointed out to me that that's, you know... insane.

Tara: I said quirky.

Kittens,

I had fun writing this. Indulge!!!

all my thanks


Sleek

****
Mollyig
I liked the idea as well.Thanks from appreciating the image of sleepingTara and WillowWatching. Whew.Good to know my written Willow babble was adorable.



Sonya

…remember, its 'quality not quantity' so no worries. (A useful motto I find that may be employed to great effect when used appropriately. For instance when attempting to justify one's less than satisfactory sex life).






!!!!!(Sleek doubles over with gales of laughter)And hey.Thanks for the advice.I might find an appropriate use for it sometime other than for writing this fic.


If I eventually find I have any prowess hopefully it can be centred around the bedroom area. (Just in case a higher being is noting this. What? It can happen)
Sleek runs off to conspire with Desire. (Hey Desire, that Sonya kid could use a little of your Bedroom Prowess Enhancer.What?!What do you mean she already raided your supply?)

Your feedback is a joy to read.

Thanks.

Lil c
No worries.

I won't permit an injured Tara without an attending Willow.Well that depends on what you mean by "attending"

Grimaldi
Cute and funny. Check.Thanks for verifying my written Willow babble was satisfactory.



Mary






Thank you.Thank you. Thank you.

You have no idea how you have intoxicated my muse with your words of encouragement.Now she is beating down my door and not permitting me to sleep and I find myself restlessly tapping against the keyboard and voila--this update.I hope everything is going well in your end as well.

Romantic ending by the way on your fic.Your dialogues between Tara and Buffy were immensely enjoyable.I'll post my appropriate feedback in your thread soon(define appropriate!

).

Will you be writing another fic? I sure hope so.

Sleek

Snuggle79




.Cute.I was really goin for cute for the succeeding chapters.Thank you.

Jixer
You nailed it.Anything that could pull away Willow from class must be the workings of somethin like love.


I have to say the watching over someone part got to me.
Thank you. I am fond of that written scene as well.Your work in the hospital must have exposed you to the ferocity of raw human emotions---witnessing the love between two souls, one watching over the frail form of the other. I hope your experience has made you rich.


In this case, hope takes most of the stage. It feels right. Thank you, Sleek, for this well crafted moment.
I don't know what to say.But my profuse thanks is dribbling from my heart to this keyboard.Thank you Jixer for appreciating my work and for reminding me to stay true to things that matter.



(I'll start reading
Tar Lin
or
Giving Thanks
in a few.Me fancy something light for today.)



Michelle
*sigh* Thank you for finding it as sweet as I did.I'm glad Kittens are not afraid to appreciate cheese.



Rose24


Thank you.More mush to come, so get ready.



Cindi

Amazing isn't it? The simplest things often are the keys to our most amazing and life changing memories.
I AM IN THUNDEROUS AGREEMENT WITH YOU ON THIS OH GLISTENING ONE.

Thank you for appreciating this and the simple things as well.It is the little things that we overlook that fill the important spaces we cannot see.

Holly


Thank you.Some more sweetness for your picking.

BV


Thank you my dear.The following update is not as short but it's not lengthy either.I hope you enjoy this BV!

Ashley


Thank you.Rest assured, Tara is in 'good hands'.

Indulge in the next update!



*****


ON TO UPDATEY GOODNESS!




Part 16


Descending (b)




Her hair danced with the wind. Swayed and waltzed around her neck like gold swans.

Her bare feet happily skipped on a vast meadow, the moist surface soothing her warm skin.

The dewy ground was covered with burgundy grass, as soft as sighs and as tall as giraffes.The sky was an inverted bowl of translucent mint green, not a single speck of cloud in sight.

Tara frolicked in this burgundy meadow.A child's carefree grin spread wide across her face.She threw out a delighted giggle and it tangled with the wind and sailed across the mint green sky.

Wherever she was she felt safe and hugged.


Be right back.


The softly spoken words tinkled in the air, caressing her ear.Tara closed her eyes and inhaled the rose-scented breath that seemed to carry those comforting words.


Tara.


Wait.This voice was different.It was annoyingly screechy and shrill for her taste.Tara opened her eyes and looked around but only saw the flowing strands of burgundy grass.


Tara.


The voice was nearer now.Tara felt something furry rubbing the backs of her legs.She glanced down at her feet and jumped gleefully at the sight of her lost friend.

"Kitty!"Tara swooped down and captured Serendipity in a hug."I've been looking all over you Miss Kitty Fantastico."

"Tara.There is something I have to say.I can't stay long." Serendipity spoke through her tiny cat mouth.Each word enunciated by a high pitched voice. "If Fate finds out, she'll have my ass."

"Huh?!"Tara eyes grew wide and stared incredulously at the cat nestled in her arm. "Did you just
say
something Kitty?"

"Listen. This is important." Serendipity looked up urgently at Tara, bobbing her shiny black cat head with emphasis."Tara, you found her. This happy place you are in right now?It's because of her.She created this with you.No matter what happens, don't
ever
let her go. There is a chance you might be torn apart…
again
. I can't let that happen Tara. I just can't."

"Now that's one vague enigmatic message to haunt my waking moments."Tara said quirking an eyebrow."Kitty, what exactly are you talking about?"

"You found her Tara.Just---believe."Serendipity whispered as she buried her head inside her fur, curling, coiling until she was a tiny black ball dissolving into nothing.

Tara stared, perplexed at her empty arms."Wait.Kitty.What do you mean I found her?"She asked softly to the space where Serendipity disappeared.

A faint breeze tickled Tara's open palm.Tara gazed upon her empty hand and saw a strand of titian colored hair, shimmering against the light.

"Willow."

****


"Sorry to disappoint you but I'm not Willow."

Tara pulled her eyes open and squinted at the blurry figure looming before her.

"W-what?"Tara realized her throat was dry.Her cast was heavy and uncomfortably warm against her left arm.She tried to sit up to grab the glass of water sitting on the table next to her, but a rush of dizziness stopped her movements.

"Whoa. Here.Let me get that for you."Dawn took the glass of water and tipped its contents to Tara's mouth.

Tara drank in grateful long sips. "Thanks Dawnie." She said wiping her mouth and sat up more easily now.For the first time Tara got a good look at her surroundings.She took in the creamy white hospital walls, the soft hues of the drapes, various round fruits settled on the desk and Dawn's huge bright grin.

"So."Dawn continued to smile innocently and cocked her head to one side."What's with this moaning Willow's name about?"

The blonde witch decided that the smile on Dawn's face wasn't so innocent after all.

"Dawn.We both know I didn't moan."Tara squared her shoulders and looked evenly at Dawn.Seeing the teenager wasn't going to back down, she shifted her gaze to the desk and the many fruits on it."I don't know about you, but I-I could use some dinner. I'm kind of hungry."

"Ta-ra.We're friends right?Remember you told me I can tell you anything?I just hope, for once, I can have an older friend who can talk to me and not treat me like some mentally challenged kid."

"
I
don't think you are a mentally challenged kid." Tara replied with a fond smile.

Dawn began to sit at the chair near the bed and toyed with the hospital bed covers with her hands."I just…hope you feel comfortable enough to talk to me about---
stuff
."She glanced back at Tara fishing for a reaction. "I saw the way you looked at her picture Tara. It was like you were looking at a ghost. You have met Willow before, right?"

Tara permitted silence to settle between her and Dawn.She stared at the teenager's eyes, peering at her with simple curiosity.


To tell or not to tell?And if I did, how much can I let her know?
Tara contemplated.She wanted Dawn to be open with her, and that could not happen if she herself held back.

"Yes."Tara found herself saying."I have met Willow before."

Dawn's eyes lit up in acknowledgement that Tara just took a step in trusting her with something very private."So…are you guys like good friends?"

An image of Willow, naked and panting wildly in her ear crept inside Tara's unsuspecting mind.
If you can call two people having the most amazing sex together as good friends--well I guess you can call us that.


Dawn noted the faint blush spreading across Tara's cheeks. She noted too, the way Tara dug her teeth at corner of her bottom lip, as if Tara was remembering the taste of something very,
very
good.

"I see."Dawn murmured.

"What?"Tara, unaware that she had let her mind wander into humid sultry regions, suddenly turned back her attention to Dawn.

"I can see that you like Willow in more than a friend way."

Tara's mouth slacked open then shut just as quickly.This only confirmed Dawn's suspicions.

"Hey.It's okay."Dawn reassured quickly. "I'm cool with it.In fact,
now
that I think about it…I can see why you and Willow would be good together."

The words
you and Willow
coupled with
good together
surprisingly teased the corners of Tara's lips into a giddy grin.

"Really?You think so?"Tara asked, cautiously delighted."I mean, I never seriously thought about me and Willow being me and Willow.But um…do you think…she would?She had a b-boyfriend right?"

"Oh, you mean Oz?"Dawn brushed the thought of the quiet guitarist with a wave of her hand."He's a great guy Tara.For a while he made Willow really happy. But he left Willow…a broken Willow.And a broken Willow is not something I can bear to see.You would be better for her.
Much
."

Tara didn't know how to respond to this so she opted to give Dawn a shy grateful smile.

"So."Dawn lifted a dark brow, apparently not done in her inquisition and relishing every minute of it."Are you in love with her?"

"Oh…it's too soon to tell Dawn.Right now you could say I'm…" Tara rummaged her brain for the right word to describe how she felt about Willow.It was in the vicinity between desire and extreme fondness.

"Infatuated?Besotted?"Dawn supplied helpfully."Twitterpated? Wait that's so Bambi--"

"Charmed."Tara spoke softly, her eyes glazing over at the memory of Willow's upturned candy-pink lips and dancing emerald eyes."You can say I am charmed by Willow.Drawn to her by some…
power
.I-I can't really explain it Dawn.But it's a bit scary and intense.I-I'm not ready to tell her yet. Do you--do you promise not to mention this to her, or any of her friends?"

"I'll never tell."Dawn assured her with a silly grin that somehow did not assuage Tara's fears.And as if to accentuate her point, Dawn made a zipping motion across her mouth and tied it shut.

Tara tossed Dawn a mock admonishing stare."You better not."

"Heads up! Tiny Jewish Santa bearing gifts!"

The cheerful voice of Willow burst through the hospital door.Tara warily eyed Dawn who was waggling her brows vigorously at the entrance of the main subject of their secret conversation.

Tara set a firm line across her lips to communicate a warning to Dawn not to break her promise.

Willow bustled in, a small red plastic bag in one hand, a pile of books in the other.

"Hey Dawnie."Willow chirped.

"Hey Will."Dawn replied enthusiastically, well a bit
too
enthusiastic from Tara's perspective.

"Hey beautiful."Willow said softly and offered Tara one of her cute 1,000 watt grins."Lookie here…I brought you tidings of joy."Willow indicated the red plastic bag, several odd shapes bulged out from it.

Tara felt her heart pirouette. She had no idea Willow could surpass the highest score in her adorable scale until now.A goofy smile shone on her face as she cradled Willow with an amazed gaze.
Wow.She called me beautiful AND she brought me a gift? Could this get any more fairy tale-ish?


Dawn watched the two women drown in each other's eyes.
The way these two are looking at each other, I might as well be reduced to a wallpaper.


Dawn grinned mischievously.A scheme started to stir and brew inside her head.

"Hey Will.Gotta rush home now and help mom with some chores.Tara's
really
hungry.Uh, maybe you can feed her something?"Dawn stood up and grabbed her backpack.

"Uh, that's not ne-" Tara started but was shushed by Willow.

"It's okay Tara.I have some yummy non-hospital food in my pack.How does applesauce and chicken wings sound to you?"Willow immediately settled her stuff down on the desk and rummaged for some things.

"I shall be gone now. Bye guys!"Dawn said and gave Tara a conspiratorial wink.Before she shut the hospital door Dawn sing-songed the words. "I'll never te-ell.I'll never te-ell."

"Now what was that all about?"Willow asked as she prepared some servings of food.

"I have no idea."Tara replied. Her burning cheeks spoke otherwise.


***

Awwww...

Twitterpated hehehh

I love that word



And the memory of Willow's frantic panting in her ear....wow



And now, Willow gets to feed Tara.....how yummy is that?





Great update.....but i'm still wondering where Faith is...



Oh glistening one?

Thats new LOL...

Thanks so much!

Cindi

Hey!! I really love this fic!!



I can't wait for another update!! *Sighs* So, when are our girls gonna talk about "the us" issue? they just gotta be getting together sooN!! :-) and..is faith gone?? hummmm





update soon!!



~NICKOLE~

ooh that was SUCh a good chapter! tara rily didnt have to say much for dawn to know (i lyk the little i'll never tell bit) '

i need more of this fanfic! i can't wait for an update! lol

great job!

I love this update. One can definitely say W/T are twitterpated.

Tara: My heart doesn't stutter.


Tara: Willow, I got so lost.

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

aAAAWwwww! *sighs*



You're such a romantic Willow calling Tara beautiful like that...*sigh* I so cannot wait until your next update. I'm enjoying this fic soooooooooooooo much



~Holly~



Show me where to touch youTara-It Ain't Fickle

Clever Serendipity, using Tara's dream to contact her to offer advice.



I liked the exchange with Dawn, especially Tara's decision to be truthful with her to strengthen the friendship. It was nice to see Dawn this way, as an astute young woman who recognised that Willow and Tara would be good for each other. Great how she made a swift exit on the arrival of the Tiny Jewish Santa.

Adding up the total of a love that's true, multiply life by the power of two
Indigo Girls

"Tara, unaware that she had let her mind wander to humid sultry regions, suddenly turned back her attention to Dawn."



Well that'll kill the mood.....



I just love how you had to get Dawn to ask Tara if she knew Willow. Well what would you say?



"Well I can probably tell you her bra size but didn't catch her surname, you understand Dawnie"



I love her anxiety about it. It was such a non-Tara thing to do if you believe the shy image yet completely believable if you consider the self-assured vixeny Tara we know she can be when under the spell of Willow. And since she was reminiscing, I thought in order to fully appreciate your update, I too should reflect on the laundry scene. So I just went back and re-read it. Just to be complete, I felt it was my duty. I have to be prepared when giving my feedback. You understand. The gloriously descriptive hot sex was purely a bonus.



Wonderful fic Sleek.

Charmed,

Sonya

Edited by: samiamiguess at: 11/29/02 4:37:14 am

that was funny!

Willow is such a romantic and i love Tara's suddenly appearing shyness.

Great update!

snuggle79

__________________

"I got so lost"

"I found you, i will always find you"

cute update



i liked the conversation between Tara and Dawn. i wonder what Dawn is planning on doing.

Dude, we're surrounded by perverts!
No! Well, okay. No. Pez!
I don't know, it's like my brain keeps... jacking off

Great update!!!

Loved the conversation between Tara and Dawn.



*lil´c*



Unter den Blinden ist der Einäugige König.[

my dearest furry cute lil kittens,

here's an update.read it as you please.



I'm sort of finishing something for a deadline so I'll post my individual responses later.Thanks to those thoughtful kittens who dropped a line or two here, I will write to you as soon as I can,err, free my hands.



You guys rock!

In the meantime some W/T goodness.



hugs to all!



Sleek



****






Part 17


The Rosenberg Poll



"Honestly Willow, my hand is very capable of holding a spoon."

"Tara, I have never questioned the dexterity of your fingers--err, I mean the, uh, amazing capabilities of your right arm, which is the very reason why I do not want to strain them with the task of feeding. And that falls under the category of straining so..." Willow took a breath and shakily brandished a spoon brimming with apple sauce, "Open your lips, err, your mouth please?"

Tara stared at the lumpy syrup on the spoon, which was currently suffering from little tremors.Quirking her eyebrows, she let her gaze travel from the slim fingers holding the spoon, towards the creamy white arm and landed on Willow's face.


Fingers. Lips. Fingers and lips.Why is it so hard to look at Tara's fingers and lips?
Chanted Willow's brain.

"Y-you're blushing."Tara observed, a bit embarrassed."And s-shaking."

Willow gulped.
Damn treacherous cheeks! Why do you have to betray me now? And hands! Hands! Why do you have to itch to touch her? Okay get a grip Rosenberg, just slide the spoon in between those full soft lips and try to concentrate on parting those succulent red-- No! Focus on the wonders of enzymes!Yes, gastric juices and velvety moist tongue--Damn! Just skip the tongue part and go straight to the esophagus!


"H-Here."Tara reached out and steadied Willow's shaky hand by clasping it with her own. "Let me help you help feed me."

Without taking her eyes off Willow's widening pools of jade, Tara brought the spoon near her lips.She parted her lips slowly to welcome the spoon in, and encased it with her mouth.

The spoon now inside, Tara slowly sucked the utensil dry from applesauce and relished its pleasant fruity taste as her eyes drank in Willow's slightly open, dewy, rosy pink mouth.Her eyelids languidly fell a fraction over her sapphire eyes as she proceeded to mentally kiss Willow deeply and thoroughly.

Willow felt the air flee from her lungs and wooshed towards her brain causing the neurons to explode with one dizzying message:
Sexy.She's so damn friggin' sexy!


Tara, noting Willow's apparent paralysis, gently removed the spoon from her mouth."Willow?Are you--are you okay?Do you…still w-want to feed me?"

The redhead breathed shallowly in response.


Feed you? Baby I want to taste you and feed you after tasting you.Then maybe I can have a buffet afterwards with nothing but Tara on the menu, a Tara-All-You-Can spree! Oh! Oh! And there will be chocolate syrup involved, and maybe some whipped cream--


"I-I understand.Maybe…maybe you need to rest after, you know, class."Tara suddenly felt awkward about the redhead's frequent spells of silence.
I knew it.If s-she found out about my lack of conversational skills she'll be bored enough to slay herself.
"I can…feed myself. I mean, I'm used to it.Nobody has taken care of me that way.My M-Mama did, but um, of course t-that was ages ago."

"Tara…"

"It's alright Willow.W-Why would an intelligent, gorgeous redhead with, uh, unique friends would want to hang out and take care of m-me?You should…b-be with your friends.I'm just…grateful you and Buffy brought me here.But really, no need to…feel obligated or something."Tara dropped her eyes to her lap, pulled by some burden Willow could not comprehend.

Then, almost imperceptibly, a tiny brave smile grazed Tara's face as she looked up into Willow's eyes."I can take care of myself."
All my life. I didn't need anyone to take care of me.Why should now be any different?


Willow leaned her head closer towards Tara as another facet of the blonde, besides the sexy-vixeny one, was revealed before her eyes.She saw a pure, beautiful child who probably was too busy taking care of other people to know that she deserves to be taken care of.
How on earth could she ever conceive that she's not worthy of my attention?


Wisps of blonde hair strayed towards Tara's eyes, half covering her face as she ducked her head again, waiting for Willow's response. Willow wanted nothing more than to cloak Tara with her body and drop reassuring kisses on those furrowed brows.

"Hey."

The mere sound of Willow's voice tilted Tara's chin upwards.She caught her breath as she felt the undisguised warmth flowing freely from those green eyes.

"Right now, there's no place I want to be than to be here.
With you
."Willow lifted a hand and pressed her palm gently into Tara's supple cheek.Her thumb dipped down and traced the curve of Tara's bottom lip."So, having made that irrevocably clear, can I feed you now?"

***




Another night unfolds as I crouch inside my cell.

My hands wandered absently, sketching the memory of her face on the walls.Remembering her without knowing.Without thinking.

My breath tries to escape from my lungs, from the confines of these cold walls that enclose me.

Better this way.My own prison cell. To be protected and to protect.After all, I am a savage beast.Even sunlight shudders at my presence.

Fuck! Just so useless to feel this way.Guilt. Pointless guilt, gnawing my brain, my stomach and my heart like a thousand ravenous sewer rats digging their sharp teeth inside.

Mom, the bitch who tried to make me a vampire, is a rat.Dad, who's a living carcass and now a carcass, is a rat.My watchers, the Mayor, all who had to die--yes, they are rats too.And Buffy.

No Buffy isn't rat.

I am.The rat.

I'm worse than a criminal.I want to die with my shame--slowly.So in each breath I take I could feel my worthlessness swell in my heart.

Maybe I could find another reason to hate myself more.In my prison cell.Where everyday I celebrate alone, my own funeral.


***



"Willow…
Rosenberg?
"

"Yes Ms. MaClay.If you continue to pronounce my name the way you do, with a slightly husky and lower note than the first time, you may have another bite of some crispy chicken wing."

Tara giggled at Willow's comic face.The redhead was achingly near within tickling distance, but alas her single free arm could do no more than shake with laughter along with the rest of her body.

"So." Tara said after recovering."Tell me something else.Something I don't know."

"Well, besides the fact that you are the most beautiful human being I have ever seen?"Willow curled her lips into a pleased grin at Tara's startled expression. At this angle and this moment, Willow thought Tara looked like some Japanese cartoon character with huge unblinking eyes. Extremely cute and hug worthy.

"Um…I mean. A-About you.S-Something I-I don't know about you."Tara said, uncomfortable.
How can she possibly say that? She doesn't even know me.


"Well my friends already told you I'm good at computers and yeah, I do practice some spells every now and then.I have a Slayer for a best friend.Which makes me some sort of side-kick witch geek-uh--if ever there was a witch geek, I would probably take the cake, that is if there is a cake specifically made for witch geeks--"

"Willow."Tara gently cut in. Her uneasiness forgotten. A fond smile graced her face."What was your most life altering experience?"

The redhead chewed the question momentarily.

"Well, if you live in Sunnydale a lot of things seem to be life altering.I mean, human today, vampire tomorrow.Or vampire today, in the dustbin tomorrow.That kind of thing. And um…as for me I think…"Willow trailed off as she did a quick view of the montage version of her life for the past 19 years.

"Oh!"Willow brightened like a light bulb."There was this one time?"

"At band camp?"Tara couldn't resist finishing the sentence.

Both women laughed at the all too humorous, overused line from a popular movie.Willow felt she hadn't laughed liked this in ages.


I like this.The sound of us laughing together.We sound good.I should make her laugh more often.
Willow quietly filed the information to herself.

"So, are you about to tell me something silly? Or kinky and silly?"Tara allowed her right hand to rest on the arm of the chair Willow was sitting on.Her fingers were only a hair strand away from Willow's wrist.

"It's your fault.Now my mind is flooded with horrid images of flute and band camp."Willow accused, acutely aware of the fleshy pads of Tara's fingers near her wrist."You would have to go first."

Weighing this option, Tara turned the question around in her head.She felt Willow's wrist press against her fingers. Slowly, as if letting Tara adjust first to its presence, Willow's hand trailed smoothly downwards until their fingers were tangled in each other."Umm.Okay."Tara spoke, shrugging off the silent elation at the simple yet sweet contact."When I left the house.Took all my belongings and my trust fund.I've lived on my own and registered at the UCS without telling my Dad or Donnie where I was.The freedom was…life altering."


Why did you run away? Weren't they good to you?
Willow could not imagine Tara's own family would maltreat her.Someone as gentle and as good as Tara surely should come from loving parents.Willow decided not to pursue the subject--yet.

Tara looked at her expectantly.

"I guess it's my turn to answer huh? Let's see.When--when Oz and I…when we did…
it
, I said it was the best night of my life."

Tara felt a lump of emotion surge in her throat.The reality of Willow loving someone else so completely like that…to share her heart
and
body and declare it as the best moment of her life was just…too indigestible right now with Willow's soft fingers entwined in her own.

Tara made a move to disengage her fingers from Willow's but she was immediately stopped by a gentle squeeze from the redhead.

"It was the first time anyone loved me.
Completely
. Showered my geeky body and soul with such…care.That just got to me, y'know?"Willow paused and wondered what Tara was thinking right now.Tara's face was calm and still.Too still for Willow.

"But you know Tara, right now I may have to upgrade my choice.Having acquired new experiences lately, like, for example, that laundry room episode, I may have to ask the recent Rosenberg poll."Willow's thumb rubbed the soft skin of Tara's palm, willing Tara to recall that particular night."I have never, in my life, given myself to
anyone
with such abandon.I mean I didn't even know your name and know zilch about making love to a woman.Considering the typical me would probably consult a manual first or at least get a college degree on lesbian one night stands…that is such a drastic way of altering me."

Tara remained speechless. Willow's words slowly washed over her.Sinking, savoring, trying to make her believe.

"Tara, I have somehow in the space of one night, altered my choice of…craving.I never knew how good it could feel.I couldn't even look at a single doorknob without remembering the feel of your…" Willow paused, unable to finish her sentence.She helplessly stared into the orbs of blue and hoped Tara could read her right now.

"W-well, that's not b-bad I hope.With your altered craving and uh…new appreciation for doorknobs?"Tara asked, apprehension thick in her voice.
What if she didn't want to be gay?I may have dragged her into something she isn't prepared for.


"No.No badness here."Willow shook her head firmly."It just made me rethink of what I considered as the best night of my life."

"So."Tara couldn't help herself.She had to know.She
wanted
to know."Have you asked the recent Rosenberg poll about the best night of your life?"

Willow smiled with certainty.She hugged Tara's hand more firmly in her own."You know.You were there with me that night."

***