New Fic: Three Years Later

[onyxsundrops]

Okay, so I can completely understand the questioning of Faith's kindness. Living in Sunnydale has got to put a person's mind on constant defense, but it's good that they're trying to accept her. Buffy always seems to revert back to her self-blame (understandable) but there always has to be a flip-side. Like Willow blaming herself for her friend's unhappiness after being pulled from heaven. They both could've helped each other, they just didn't seem to know how (I'm refering to canon).



I liked Buffy's 'better' paragraph. It was almost like a glimpse of what it used to be like. And that brief time during that night when everything was 'better' was like a small step back to normality or at least as close as they can get after all that's happened.



Faith acting as the neutral or balance during dinner was great. Nothing like action to keep the mind of the more depressing thoughts. At least, it did for a moment. I see a likeness in Faith and Willow, although on different levels. Willow has lost someone she couldn't hold on to. And Faith had (has) someone she doesn't know how to reach out to (But by her own choice, I don't know. Both she and Buffy are stubborn).



Thanks for the update.



Yvonne

[wimpy0729]

Okay, I gotta say, the last line left tears in my eyes. So heart wrenching -- time to come home. Man, I just melted.



I'm so glad they're at least talking. I have a feeling this may take them some time though, and understandably so. Lots of emotions going on here.



Anxiously awaiting more!



Wimpy

[Ginner WTluv]

Well, i've got to say, i'm loving this fic! (but i think you've established that already ) I'm SO glad Willow and Tara finally talked! Yay! I thought the 'devil-angel' bit with Willow was hilarious! Lol. And so Willow too.

I really liked the interaction with Faith and Dawn. It just goes to show how much Faith has changed, and that the scoobs are finally beginning to accept that.

I love the way you're describing how each character is feeling, all their inner turmoil over subjects that are, for the biggest part, very different. And of course, i was happy to find out that Tara and Willow still have such strong feelings for one another, despite what's gone on.

Can't wait for the next update! I wanna know what's gonna happen with Willow and Tara! And Buffy and Faith (of course ) must.... have.... update... Lol.



ETD:

Quote:

---

“Willow, you have to come out.”



“I am out.”

---

ROFLMAO!!! i loved that bit!



~ Jen

Helen - Oh please Nikki, be serious!

Nikki - I want to make love you to all night long... is that serious enough?

** Helen and Nikki in "Bad Girls" **

Edited by: Ginner WTluv  at: 5/28/04 7:42 pm

[DreamsToDream]

Home??? Tara-Home????? I sure hope so!! Great update i really enjoyed reading it!

D2D



Damn You Vile Woman!!!- Stewie Griffin

[veiled isis moon]

Man!! I totally felt the tension in that update. Willow's inner turmoil about hurting Tara and thinking she's not good enough for her any more and that she doesn't deserve her, awwww, poor Willow. And Tara being sorry as well and ready to forgive her, but just not knowing exactly how to approach Willow or get her to open up and talk. MY GOD! It's hurting my poor little head and heart Hope all is well soon.



Michelle

[TaraBaby77]

To sum it up... YAY!!!! That was definitely worth reading. Amazing fic, At first, I didn't know. But, now, I'm with the WAHOO and gimme some more, please?!?!?! Keep up the good work and update when you can. =)



P.s. Another bookmarked fic. =)

Aaron

'Tarababy77'

---

"Don't buy into all the media crap. Love yourself for who you are, not what others THINK you should look like. It's DEFINITELY more important in this life to love each other despite our imperfections." - Amber Benson

---

[bindingwiccan]

i absolutely love it. made me cry but it was greaT! i love faith. this is the best ive ever seen her. this is from a few updates ago but i just got caught up

===========================================================================================



“Right.” Buffy turned to go. She’d said or done or implied something wrong, she felt that, but she couldn’t put her finger on it.



“Hey B.”



“Yeah?” Buffy turned back.



Faith gave her that mostly new but increasingly familiar shy smile. “I missed you too.”

===========================================================================================

loveeeee it! please keep it commin!

-Kelsey

[sapphocrazygirl]

Shy One - Hey there! I'm glad you're enjoying this. W/t smoochies ARE the best!



ange - sorry for making you a little sniffly at work. Maybe I should put tearjerker warnings preceeding all W/T conversations so that no Kittens whose bosses are nearby will get in trouble



Arwen - I was going to write a bit in the next update where Willow receives an unsigned package of burgers, but I decided that was just a little cheesy.



Yvonne - It's interesting that you noted a parallel between Willow and Faith (rather than Tara and Faith who are both readjusting to life in Sunnydale) but, now that you mention it, they are alike in a lot of ways. Naturally this shows up in my next update-are you controlling my mind or something?



Wimpy - with the next update I was really tempted to just have Tara lean over and kiss Willow while they're washing dishes (and then be interrupted by Faith, Buffy, or Dawn), but I know that they have a lot to work through before they can get to the yummy part. So stay tuned!



Jen - I'm glad you like the feelings/thoughts behind the characters, I'm never sure if I'm overwriting that bit. Also glad you liked the "come out" bit - which was stolen directly from Ellen DeGeneres, thank you very much. I don't know if it really fit Willow's character at that moment, but it struck me as really, really funny.



D2D - yep, Tara-home! After all, home is where your family is



Michelle - ma belle, sont des mots qui vont tres bien ensemble - Anyway. I promise all will be well between Tara and Willow soon, maybe not like next update soon, but soon



Aaron - I'm bookmarked? I'm bookmarked? I think I have to go lie down now. In reading over the starts to this fic I can see how you weren't sure if this was going to be of the stinky kind of ficness. Hope I'm doing better now. I think it's funny that my updates now run three to four pages on my computer screen when the first installment was maybe three-fourths of a page. Does that mean I'm getting better? Who's to say?



Kelsey - glad you liked the connection between Faith and Buffy. There's a bitty scene in Season 3 when Faith comes to Christmas with Buffy and Joyce, and Faith is so startlingly not herself at that moment - so shy, embarrassed, stuttering, self-effacing - and that's when I fell in love with Faith's character and I keep trying to recreate that moment.



Alright kittens, the next update became very much about Faith and Buffy (again), so I'm spending some time rewriting to focus on Tara and Willow as well. I promise talking, kissage, and two dreams: one strange and one cute. That's all the teaser you get

---

"You see, I think love comes from God. And so, to turn away from love, real love, it could be argued, is to turn away from God." - Dare Truth or Promise

[LizPuRR]

awesome!!

Looking forward to an update!!

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



"I'll hold you up and drive you all night. I'll hold you up and drive you baby, til you feel the sunlight, that's right."

Drive by Melissa Ferrick

[sapphocrazygirl]

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



“Well, I think talk first, kiss later. But what’re you betting?”



“I am not discussing this. It’s rude and intrusive and – other not nice things.”



Faith gave her a sly smile. “But if we were in some alternate universe and you were discussing it?”



Buffy stepped around a headstone and glanced at Faith. She couldn’t help returning the smile. “Alright, the thought has crossed my mind once or twice.”



Faith waited, grinning.



Buffy shook her head and turned away. “But we don’t even know if anything will happen. There is so much for them to work through – I mean, they haven’t seen each other in three years. If they’re still in love, they’re in love with someone they knew three years ago. A lot can happen in that much time.”



“Yeah, but true love, B – I mean, true love, that doesn’t change, right?”



Buffy paused. “I guess not, no, not true love.”



Faith rubbed the back of her neck. She’d meant to just joke around with Buffy, lighten the air, ease the remaining (though significantly dwindled) tension…but now Buffy had that nostalgic tone in her voice which meant she was no longer thinking about Willow and Tara.



Faith knew that she was pushing this too much, but she didn’t want to deal with emotions right now. She just wanted to get the patrol over, go back to the hotel, go to sleep. She would like to not think about feelings, and she would really like to not think about the feeling that had crept from the corner of her mind during dinner. “So come on, B, take a bet. Is it gonna be kiss first and talk later, or are they going to go through some heart-wrenching conversation first that eventually leads to lots and lots of smoochies?



Buffy gave in. “I’m with you. Extended talk first, kissage later.”



Faith smiled and pretended to be pleased that Buffy had given in. But she’d watched Buffy’s mouth during those last two sentences, and the word “kissage” was definitely ringing in her mind. Faith may have looked calm and collected, but her brain was going about three hundred miles a minute and she was definitely freaking.



Buffy appeared not to notice and she turned away. “It’s good for Tara to be back either way. I think she could really help Willow get back into the magicks, slowly.”



Faith joined her as they walked through the cemetary, ducking under a low tree branch. “So you still want her to start up again?”



“Yeah - do you think it’s a bad idea?”



“No no, that’s not – I’m just asking here, B.”



“Yes, I do. I think it would help her regain – I don’t know what.”



“Have you talked to Tara about it?”



“God no, I don’t want to rush anything.”



Just then a vamp rushed at them out of the darkness.



“Mine,” Buffy said, pulling her stake.



Faith was slightly dismayed, but felt encouraged when she saw the vamp behind him. “Okay, dibs on number two.”



A high kick and a left roundhouse made the vamp stumble, and he and Buffy began trading blows. One, one, turn, block, one, jump over the swinging leg – it was easy, though Buffy was having little chance for a decent staking.



“Buffy!”



Buffy grabbed the vamp by the back of his neck and tossed him, then turned to Faith, who was in the midst of three vamps and stakeless. She was fighting like hell, but they seemed to be playing with her, tossing her back and forth between them.



Buffy’s vamp came at her, but she drew her arm back and staked him without even turning her head. Then she ran for Faith.



She was two steps into the run and two steps away when one vamp grabbed Faith by the shoulders while the other snapped her arm behind her back. There was a sickening crack, and Faith cried out.



Then Buffy was there, and she staked the second and the third vamps without even flinching. Faith tumbled to the ground, groping for her stake as Buffy battled with the fourth vamp, quickly knocking him into a large cross headstone and watching as he burst into flames.



Buffy didn’t even pause to offer a witty quip, though a few ran through her mind. She turned and dropped to the ground next to Faith.



“Are you okay?”



“I’m fine,” said Faith through her teeth, trying to sit up.



“Let me see it,” said Buffy, reaching for her. “Is it broken?”



“No, I don’t think so,” said Faith, letting Buffy feel it. “Ow!”



“Sorry,” said Buffy, loosening her touch. “No, I think he just sprained it.” She sat back. “Maybe we should go to the hospital.”



“Hey, I’m fine,” said Faith, who was breathing a little hard. “Slayer healing, right?”



“Are you bleeding?” asked Buffy, reaching for her face.



Faith pulled away from her. “It’s nothing. He just got my lip.”



“Let me see,” said Buffy, cupping her hand under Faith’s chin. Faith let Buffy lift her face as she examined the small trail of blood running down Faith’s chin.



Faith watched Buffy’s eyes. In that moment Faith would have gone through a lot more to have Buffy touch her like this – that tender hand under her cheek – for a long, long time.



Buffy used her thumb to wipe away the blood, keeping her fingers just along Faith’s jawline. Then slowly she lifted Faith’s head just a little more, and softly kissed her mouth.



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



“She just took off?”



“Uh-huh.” Buffy dug the leftover salad out of the fridge and looked for a fork. “Ran like the wind.” She set the bowl on the counter and looked at it. “I guess I surprised her.”



Tara had been leaving the dinner party as Buffy and Faith left for patrol, but then Dawn had run after her with the purse she’d forgotten. Then Dawn and Tara had gotten into a long talk; it was nothing deep really, just an overview of Dawn’s life for the past three years, school things, demon things, the usual. Buffy had tried to get Dawn to go to school somewhere outside Sunnydale, but Dawn – more out of love for her sister than anything else – had chosen Sunnydale U for next year.



Dawn had been careful to avoid any mention of Willow, and if there were gaping holes in the story of her last three years, Tara didn’t pry. The two had talked till almost eleven, when Dawn’s yawns became prominent and she confessed that she’d been up early to finish an English paper before school. Tara had sent her to bed, where she’d given Dawn a goodnight hug and promised to come see her again.



Of course, it was dark by then, and Tara was a little afraid about heading home – even though it was a short drive and her protection spells had been working well lately. But she comforted Dawn’s own fears and was heading down the kitchen stairs and toward the front door when Buffy came in, trying to be quiet.



Tara had been surprised to see Buffy, but not nearly as much as Buffy had been surprised to see Tara coming from upstairs. Tara immediately recognized what Buffy had surmised, and they’d stuttered through the next sentences before Buffy finally understood that Tara had not been talking – or anything else – with Willow, and before Tara noticed that Buffy seemed a little upset.



Tara gave her a sweet smile. “I think you’ve caught everyone a little off-guard with this.”



Buffy frowned. “I know. If I’d known what was happening, I would have – I don’t know what I would have done.”



“Are you sorry that you did it?” Tara wished, suddenly and strongly, that Willow was here, to help Buffy through whatever was going through her head. Tara and Buffy had been close – and Tara had been her confidant before – but there was no denying how strong the friendship was between Buffy and Willow. Tara had seen, during dinner, that it had even strengthened in the years she’d been gone.



Of course, she also wished Willow was here because she wanted to see Willow. And she’d only be deceiving herself if she denied that she’d looked into their – Willow’s - room, just after putting Dawnie to bed, to – to what, she didn’t know. She’d just wanted to see Willow again before she left for the night.



She’d been startled, because Willow wasn’t in the bed – she was sleeping on the floor. She was wrapped up in the comforter, her head snuggled into one of the pillows, but she was sleeping on the floor.



Standing there, Tara had been struck by how innocent, how sweet Willow looked. Willow always looked beautiful - but now there was no self-consciousness, no hint of guilt around the corner of her eyes, and she looked so beautiful that Tara didn't want to ever leave the room. Tara had wanted to stop time and just stand there, watching Willow, forever.



Finally moving, Tara had taken a soft, silky woven shawl off of the bedpost and tucked it around Willow – not because she thought that she might be cold, but because she wanted some reason to touch her, any reason at all. Then Tara berated herself for bad tact, and she got up quickly to leave – stopping at the door just to watch, to see Willow breathe, so peaceful even wrapped up in a comforter on the floor and twisted into a position that would give her a nasty morning cramp.



Tara had been standing there, watching her, about to close the door and take the light away from Willow’s sleeping form, when she’d heard someone come up behind her – the breathing and the steps sounded like Dawn. She didn’t turn around. If she kept watching Willow, nothing could harm her.



“She’s been sleeping there since the night you left,” said Dawn quietly. Tara was saddened, yet not surprised. She had to fight every primal urge in her body at that point - because everything in her was calling on her to walk back into the room, pick Willow up, tuck her into bed, and crawl in beside her. She had to fight her heart with reason – there are still things to work through, she told herself, and was nearly strangled with her want.



But she had found the strength – the cowardice? – to leave the room, to turn away, to give Dawn a quick smile and a touch on the shoulder, to send her back to bed, to wait until Dawn fell asleep and then to head downstairs – only to discover Buffy sneaking in the back door.



Buffy sighed. “I don’t know what I am. I mean, I’m sorry that she took off – I wish we could have – I don’t know if I did the right thing.”



Tara nodded, slowly. She reached across the island counter, took Buffy’s hand, and let her ramble.



“I just – my mind’s sort of tumbly. There’s a lot of ‘Wow’ and ‘Hey’ and ‘Huh’ and ‘What the hell am I gonna say to explain this?’”



“Do you need to explain it?” Tara’s brow furrowed.



“That’s not what I meant.” Buffy was immediately on the defensive.



“Oh, I’m not – I’m not angry with you Buffy, please don’t think that. I just meant – you like her, right? You’re attracted to her?”



“I don’t know. I just – I don’t know.”



Tara paused, thinking out her next question. “When you kissed her – before she freaked and headed for the hills – did you like it?”



There was a long silence. Then Buffy looked up and gave Tara the biggest, sexiest smile that was physically possible.



“Buffy!” said Tara, and she laughed and nearly fell off the stool.



“Okay, it was hot, I’ll grant you that,” said Buffy, grinning madly and picking at a crouton. Then she looked up and frowned. “But what do I do now? What do I say? I mean, if she ever is willing to speak to me again.”



“Oh, hold on a second, I’ll go grab my lesbian kit and find the first-kiss manual.” Tara gave her a sweet smile. “Buffy, there isn’t a guidebook for this. It’s just sort of something you make up as you go along.”



“Like being the Slayer,” murmured Buffy.



Tara nodded.



“Oh God,” said Buffy, and her tone had completely changed. “Are you okay? I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t even be discussing this – how are you doing?”



Tara calmed her. “Buffy, I’m fine. I’m glad you told me. And – I’m fine.”



“It’s hard, isn’t it.”



Tara took a deep breath. “There’s just a lot to make up for. Three years is a long time.”



“Will’s hurting too.”



“I know. I can read it in her face.”



“Look – Tara – obviously I’m not the one who should be giving relationship advice – but go easy on her, will you? It’s – she’s really been working hard.”



“She’s not doing magick anymore, is she.”



Well, that was sudden and intuitive, and perfectly like Tara, and why am I surprised? Buffy wondered for a second if it was her place to tell. But denying it – well, Buffy was never a good liar anyway. “No. She stopped.”



“When?”



“The night you left.”



Tara was silent.



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



Willow rolled over and opened her eyes. The room was dark, and the digital clock read 3:56 AM.



“Uhhnnnhhggg…” moaned Willow as she stretched. It was far too early on a Saturday morning to get up. Then again, she did have work to do. Then again, it could be done later, as in a later that involved regular daytime hours when normal people did their work. Then again, she was in no hurry to retun to dreamland, where tonight Tara had been a vamp who bit Dawn as well as Miss Kitty, and who was staked by Faith who proceeded to make out furiously with Riley. Buffy, meanwhile, stood in the background and laughed.



Willow definitely didn’t feel like going into Part 2 of whatever saga that was. She got up.



What was really bugging her as she brushed her teeth was the only moment of dialogue in the entire dream. Willow and Dawn had been playing checkers (with peanuts for pieces) when Tara had appeared in full vamp-face which had been enough to make Willow die of terror and serious emotion overload several times over, and when she’d seen Willow and Dawn’s shocked faces, she’d smiled – that beautiful smile now marred by a pair of sharp fangs – and said to Willow, “Hey, you started it.”



Guilt, thought Willow as she dragged herself down the stairs, wrapping her light woven shawl around her shoulders and back. Gotta be guilt. I started the magick stuff. And I was a vamp in another dimension, right? So I bit Tara with the magicks, and now she’s super evil and she’s killing my friends as well as my cat and so she has to die and Faith and Riley? I don’t ever want to sleep again.



No one else was awake. Willow decided on cereal for breakfast. And coffee. Oooh, coffee.



She was dumping the second lump of coffee into the filter when she thought, Morning paper. Morning paper’s a good idea. Nothing like a few suspicious deaths to take my mind off of nightmares. And she’d lost track of how many lumps, anyway.



As she walked through the hallway towards the front door, she noticed that she could still smell Tara’s scent in the air. She paused, breathed in deeply, wrapped her shawl a little tighter. Tara’s smell had deepened in the last few years – like walking farther into a forest of Tara-trees, an entire grove of them, where you could barely smell or touch or hear or see anything else but Tara, Tara, Tara. Willow wanted to mark off the hall and demand that no one else ever walk through it, so that the smell would never disappear.



When Willow opened the front door, she was startled to find Faith sitting on the porch steps. Faith lept to her feet, then stuck her hands in her pockets and ducked her head. She rubbed her toe at a place where the paint was chipping.



Willow stood there, the paper at her feet, waiting.



Faith finally looked up. “Hey Red.”



“Hey,” said Willow sleepily. She rubbed her forehead. Faith on porch. Buffy sleeping. Faith and Buffy. Faith and Riley! Ew! Okay, focus.



“So, uh, is Buffy up?” Faith was desperately trying to sound casual.



“Ah, no, not yet,” said Willow with a quick glance toward the stairs. “I think she was up pretty late.”



“She told you?”



“Told me what?” Willow was puzzled.



“Great. Just great.” Faith threw her hands in the air. “Now everyone and their third cousin is going to know. Why not just take an add out in the paper? Did she tell the demons too? Oh, that’s just what we need. I can see them now down at Willy’s: ‘Hey, did you hear about the Slayers last night?’ ‘Yeah, I hear Faith tried to get on Buffy’s ass while she was beat up and bleeding.’ ‘Wow, can’t say I blame the girl but her timing sucks.’ ‘Well, you know those rogue Slayers-‘”



“Hold on a second.” Willow was disturbed both by the phrase “get on Buffy’s ass” and by Faith’s sudden descent into a storybabble that rivaled Willow’s own skills. And even though she was very not awake, she was pretty sure she’d heard what she thought she heard.



“Did you say that you kissed Buffy?”



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



“Thanks,” said Faith as Willow handed her a cup of coffee.



“Sure,” said Willow. “I put too many lumps in anyway.” She sat next to Faith on the porch steps, and they stared out into the darkness.



“You’re sure you don’t want to come in?”



“Yeah. Thanks, though.”



“Sure.”



They sat in silence for a moment.



“How is – I mean, was she okay?”



“I don’t know. I didn’t talk to her when she came in – I hit the sack pretty early. Probably a little confused. But she’s Buffy – she’ll be okay.”



Faith nodded.



“How are you?”



“A lot confused. But I’m Faith – I don’t know how I’ll be.”



Willow looked at her and pulled her feet up a step. “Maybe you should talk to her.”



“What would I say, Red?” Faith turned her eyes to meet Willow’s.



“Well – are you attracted to her?”



Hell yeah, who wouldn’t be? “Yeah – I don’t know.”



The caffeine finally hit Willow’s bloodstream. Oh, that feels nice, she thought briefly as the majority of her cerebral cortex finally woke up. Something occurred to her and, in her half-awakenness, she decided to use it. “Okay, I got it. The big test. The one thing that will tell you. The final determining factor.”



Faith gave her a look that said, very plainly, It’s four in the morning. Get on with it.



Willow mentally scolded herself. “Sorry. But here goes. When you kissed her – before you freaked out and made like a tree – did you like it?”



Faith took a long time in answering. Willow felt a bit of panic. Should I feel panic? If Faith kissed Buffy and didn’t like it, then it’s good, right – because Buffy doesn’t feel that – wait a second…Buffy – oooh, my head. I wish Tara was here. She could sort this all out. Tara…



Finally Faith answered, “Made like a tree?”



What? A conversation is still happening? I knew my brain was too asleep to deal with this. Oh, I want to go back to bed. “You know, make like a tree and leave?”



Faith stared at her, and then burst out laughing. Willow gave in and chuckled too.



“Seriously,” said Willow when Faith regained composure and took a sip of her coffee, “did you?”



Faith paused and gazed into her coffee. Then her entire face lit up with a sexy smile that was way too giddy for 4:13am.



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



Willow walked back into the house, carrying two empty coffee mugs and a very full brain. She walked through the living room and went to the sink.



As she quietly washed out the mugs, she tried to focus on Buffy and Faith. She wasn’t totally surprised – there had always been some sort of chemistry between them, a tension that Willow had usually attributed to being two Slayers silently battling to be the Chosen One. And Willow hadn’t really been a Faith fan, anyway. But now she knew that even a small part of that tension must have been some sort of physical attraction that neither one of them had addressed.



Of course, now that Faith was a) back and b) not insane, they could work it out.



Willow wiped out the inside of a mug and set them both upside-down in the rack to dry.



Now she was awake, it was five in the morning, and she had way too much to think about. She also didn’t like being up during the night if Buffy wasn’t with her; even though she was a pretty decent semblance of a vampire slayer herself, she didn’t like the darkness. Then again, there were few things in this world short of a double apocalypse that were more terrifying than a dream with Faith kissing Riley.



Awakeness it is, she thought, and realized she’d forgotten to get the paper.



She headed back through the hallway and paused again to breathe in that smell. Then she realized – it definitely helped to have caffeine in her system – that the scent of Tara was too strong to have been left earlier in the evening.



Willow looked into the living room. Her lungs collapsed in on her heart and her lower organs suffocated her stomach – metaphorically, anyway. Tara was lying on the couch, sleeping soundly, one hand curled around her own stomach. She looked so peaceful. So beautiful. If Willow hadn’t known she was awake – hadn’t spent the last hour doing normal, awake things, though at a not-awake time, she would have suspected that she was dreaming. Tara was just too beautiful to be real.



She stood by the couch, over Tara, watching her. She wished that she could shimmy onto the couch next to her, slide underneath that silky arm and feel Tara curl up against her. Willow felt guilty – she didn’t deserve to see Tara, to watch her sleep, to think about her like this - but she was also so lucky to see her, to watch her, to think about her that Willow decided her guilt had to play second fiddle to the luck.



I love you, she half-murmured, and although Tara was sound asleep and made no reply, Willow hoped that she could hear her, somehow. Willow’s heart, which until that point had been scrunched into a small corner underneath her collarbone, swelled and made her skin tingle. I have always loved you, Tara. You are the second half of me. I loved you before I even met you – I loved you before magick was even imagined in this world. And now I am willing to do anything – anything – to show you how much you mean to me, and twice as much anything else to make up for everything I’ve done.



Willow took off her shawl and gently spread it over Tara, taking care not to wake her. She stood, her hand lightly touching the fabric just over Tara’s shoulder, and she gazed at her. The woman I loved. No, not past tense, thought Willow with an incredible stomach dip. Present tense. You are the woman I love, I love you, I loved you and I will always love you. Past, present, future, conditional, pluperfect – every language every tense, I love you, Tara. Then she brought her hand to her mouth, kissed her fingertips, and then lightly touched Tara’s temple.



Willow slowly walked back into the kitchen.



Tara murmured in her sleep. She was dreaming that Willow was in her arms – that the arm around her own stomach was around Willow’s, and that their bodies and arms and legs were intertwined. In her sleep she could smell Willow, almost taste her, and she smiled as dream Willow kissed her temple.



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



To be continued...

---

"You see, I think love comes from God. And so, to turn away from love, real love, it could be argued, is to turn away from God." - Dare Truth or Promise

[wimpy0729]

Yes -- kissage is good, but barely enough to be more than a tease for what's to come???



So, Faith bolted but then came back to Buffy's? They're both so confused, but they really need to do some talking.



And, it was just palpable, the longing between Tara and Willow. But they need to be able to say those things, let out those feelings when more than one of them is awake. I think that it might work out better. But I understand -- this is what they feel comfortable doing for now -- baby steps are at least steps.



Loved Willow sensing Tara's scent. (Big Sigh)



Can't wait for more!



Wimpy

[DreamsToDream]

AWWWW how sweet! they are so amazingly cute together!!!!

Screw the whole needed slow process thing get with the happy smoochies!!!!

Absolutely adored this update!!!!!

D2D



Damn You Vile Woman!!!- Stewie Griffin



I Try My Best To Feed Her Appetite, And Keep Her Coming Every Night... - "This Love" By Maroon 5

[mollyig]

Lucky me, I had a couple of chapters to catch up on.



Nice to see Dawn mature enough to realise that if Buffy trusted Faith then she should too. Even better to see Willow finally allowing herself the comfort of telling Buffy how she was feeling.



Love the little side glances Willow was throwing Tara's way, and that Tara was fully aware of what she was doing. There were several incidents of each of them feeling guilty for still feeling that innate belief that they belong to each other. They're going to have to get past this stage - I think they need to have a nice long chat - and soon!



Our girls acting as confidantes for the two confused Slayers. Another duo who need some talk time. Really liked the image of both of them watching over the sleeping other, and feeling compelled to drape something over her, just to be near.

---

"Love is just like breathing when it's true" Indigo Girls

[Sean Gaffney]

Another nice update. I like the juxtaposition of the old lovers finding their way back to each other while the new lovers discover their passion. I loved Buffy and Faith's reaction to the kiss (the huge smiles, that is).



And someone needs to wean Willow off the guilt juice. Wallowing in self-recrimination can be even worse than the actions that caused it.

[ShyTemptress]

Howdy

More please. Good story.

-Shy Southern Temptress

[Pudds]

This is a fantastic story...and beautifully written.

[Shy One]

Hi!

Ooooooh! I just loved the update. Very sweet.

Willow and Tara SO need to have a private talk and then some serious smoochies!

I know, I know, I'm such a big smoochie-nut!!!!

Can ya blame me?



Anyway.....love the story and I wait (not-quite-so) patiently for the next update!



Shy One

[Arwen276]

woohoo!!



this is really beautiful, and I liked all the aspects!



It's funny how Buffy and Tara bond, and are sharing stuff, in parallel to Willow and Faith's sharing moment (which was very surprising ) but I always thought that Willow and Faith could find some common ground...and eventually become friends.



and the whole 'covering ' with the blanket thing...nice touch from both of them!



I understand it's going to be a long way til they become...an item again...



but can't wait to read all about it!





~Arwen

Hear That Baby? You're My Always... Willow

[Ginner WTluv]

WOOHOO!!! Kissage!!! Ahem.... Sorry, but i'm so happy about that (come on, you knew i was going to be). Yay for Buffy and Faith... i can't believe Faith just ran off though...if it had been three years ago, that might have been the other way around Lol.

I really liked this update (and no, not just because of the kissage ) But i loved all the interaction between Buffy and Tara and Faith and Willow, and how they both told the slayers pretty much exactly the same thing. Just goes to show that even after 3 years, their minds are stil very much on the same wavelength. And then there was them both catching the other sleeping... that was wonderful. Especially when Dawn told Tara that Willow had been sleeping on the floor ever since Tara had left.... both sweet and heartbraking... I really can't wait for the next update!!



~ Jen (hopelessly addicted to this fic)

Helen - Oh please Nikki, be serious!

Nikki - I want to make love you to all night long... is that serious enough?

** Helen and Nikki in "Bad Girls" **

[SilverWingedNemesis]

*takes a deep breath and sighs*



that was.... most delightful..



*giggles* faith and buffy.. so cute.. and i can just imagine those smiles...



*hugs*



great update!!!

[veiled isis moon]

Awwwwwww, bless em both. They so want each other back it's heartbreaking to watch them skirt around each other and not talk properly for fear of rejection, but i', guessing you can help them out with that.........and soon???



Michelle.x

[sapphocrazygirl]

Wimpy - Oh yes, I promise much, much more kisses and most of them for W/T. And they will be speaking out loud, most definitely!



D2D - as you will soon notice Tara feels along the same lines as you do...screw the talking, start the smoochies! So...please stay turned!



mollyig - I think I've been overusing the guilt. Maybe we'll be done with the guilt now. How does a nice long "I love you" talk sound, with some smoochies on the side? Stay tuned for the next few updates if that sounds yummy



I liked the imagery of both Tara and Willow tucking each other in, because it reflects an equality in their relationship that I really loved in the show (and in a lot of g-o-g relationships) - there's a power balance, as well as a protection balance, where they treat each other like equals and love each other with an equally fervent passion.



Sean Gaffney - okay. Got it. No more guilting. More of the cuteness. Two orders of cuteness, no guilt, coming up.



ShyTemptress - you got it, and thanks!



Pudds - thanks!



Shy One - what is it with the smoochies? Okay, yes, I am a smoochie slut too. How did I write fifty pages and not get that in there? I need to work on that...



Arwen - Faith and Willow really have a lot in common, but their original situation set them up as sort of competitors for Buffy's best friend...and then Faith went all crazy, so they never really got to bond. And, of course Tara is Buffy's confidant, she's played that role before and done so well...a support and a bit of a vixen in one



I'm trying not to get them back together instantly, because they do have things that they need to work out...but as a big, big fan of w/t smoochies, that is a very hard task! Talks and smoochies soon, I promise.



Jen - always good to hear from you! Yep, Buffy and Faith are well on their way to becoming an item now...and Willow and Tara are not far behind! I hope that their minds would still be on the same wavelength...that really plays into the idea that they are "The One" for each other, if they are still so much in conjunction. I always loved the bit in early S6 when they are attacked by possessed Buffy and it takes them several moments to realize they couldn't have had the same dream ("Right. Right. Wrong! Different brains.") They're just so made for each other. And that's the way it should be, doggone it.



I stole Willow sleeping on the floor from a play called "Avow" which centers around a gay couple, and when they break up and one comes to visit, he discovers that his ex-lover is sleeping in another room. "I couldn't sleep in our bed," he tells him. That part made me cry. I know, I plagarize something awful. Hey, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.



SilverWingedNemesis - more cuteness on the way!



Michellex - oh yes, there will be much less skirting in the future. Well, maybe a different kind of skirting



Alright, I am off to finish up the next update...which WILL involve a bit of making up between Willow and Tara. Also Buffy and Faith being cute. Stay tuned!

---

"You see, I think love comes from God. And so, to turn away from love, real love, it could be argued, is to turn away from God." - Dare Truth or Promise

[sapphocrazygirl]

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



At nine o’clock Willow finally turned away from her computer and decided to make breakfast. Dawn would be up within an hour to do homework and then head out with friends for the day. Buffy would – well, considering the situation Willow didn’t know what Buffy would do. She had checked in on her around six, and she was sleeping quiet and still in her bed. But she might not want to get up – or she might want to get up but stay inside all day – or get up, grab coffee, and leave to find Faith and work everything out. So Willow should make food for Buffy too, just in case.



And Tara. If Tara’s sleeping schedule hadn’t changed, she’d be up soon. Willow had resisted staying in the living room – much as she wanted to watch Tara and be close to her, she didn’t want to be freakishly stalkerlike about it. In the last few hours, sometimes when she stopped typing, she could hear Tara breathing. That was enough.



Upstairs, Buffy lay in bed, staring at her alarm clock. She wasn’t sure if she wanted to get out of bed. She’d slept peacefully for a while, but then her dreams had been convoluted and upsetting, and although she knew that Faith had been involved, she could remember nothing else when she woke up.



She’d always sensed that there was something different going on between herself and Faith, but she’d never really expected it to be of the Sapphic variety. And ever since Faith had taken off for points unknown, she hadn’t really thought about her – except for lately when Faith had started showing up in her dreams.



Okay, she liked Faith. She trusted the changes she saw, and she admired the old qualities that were still shining through in her. And yes, she had enjoyed the kiss. Faith’s mouth had been so soft, so yielding – it was cute and sexy and yummy and Buffy definitely wanted to do it again, and soon.



But Faith’s quick exit didn’t bode well for that idea. If Faith had enjoyed Buffy kissing her, even just a little, wouldn’t she have stuck around? Buffy felt too rejected to think logically about it. Thank God for Tara. It was so good to talk about – Ohmigod, Tara’s still here.



Buffy was out of bed in a flash and dashed for Willow’s room. She’d checked on her before going to bed – she was sleeping on the floor, her face relaxed, her comforter and shawl tucked around her. She hadn’t quite been sleeping peacefully, but waking up to Tara in the living room would disturb any relaxation that Will might have gotten a grip on during sleep.



When Buffy hit the hallway, she sniffed the air. Pancakes?



Downstairs, Tara opened her eyes. One hand was still around her own stomach. She could smell Willow, and her sleepy mind wandered.



She remembered the simple joys of waking up next to Willow, her head on Willow’s shoulder or collarbone or Willow’s face nestled into her chest. She remembered how much Willow loved when Tara woke up first and then gently rubbed Willow’s tummy to wake her up. Tara had loved that too. That physical contact – that lovely warm feeling of skin on skin, of being loved, of belonging to someone, belonging to Willow – mmmm.



She was slightly disoriented for a few moments, and then she recognized where she was. On the couch, in Buffy’s living room, under Willow’s shawl. Willow’s shawl?



In the kitchen, Willow was making pancakes. She’d watched Tara and Dawn and Buffy do it plenty of times, and she was doing remarkably well for the first-timer – and spaz – that she was. When Dawn got up she wanted to try one of those Mickey Mouse ones, with big pancake ears and strawberries and bacon for the eyes and mouth.



Willow was surprised by how contented she felt. Her whole body felt very relaxed, as if she’d had a full-body massage. With candles and incense and oo! scented oils! She usually felt like such a spaz in the mornings – her neck ached, her brain hurt, she was somewhat short-tempered and she drank way too much coffee. Today she didn’t feel as sore or tired as usual. But she’d been up for several hours, and she was cooking pancakes, and Dawn was doing well in school, and Buffy was alive (and possibly kinda gay, not that it matters), and she and Tara were becoming friends again. And she could smell Tara even over the scent of pancakes and butter, and that was a good and happy thing.



Tara stood in the doorway between the kitchen and living room, Willow’s shawl wrapped around her shoulders. She watched as Willow carefully edged the spatula under a pancake and flipped it – almost perfectly – onto the other side. It was such a simple gesture – so mundane and ordinary and completely unimportant – but, in that instant, Tara fell in love with her all over again.



In L.A. it had been easier to forget how much she physically desired Willow. But seeing her again – being near her – being alone with her, right now – Tara’s entire nerve system was on hyperdrive. Screw it, she decided. Screw all the talking and the stuttering and everything that’s happened. I am going to walk around this kitchen, put my arms around her, and kiss her.



And Tara was actually about to move when Dawn said, “Hey, pancakes!”



Dawn came around the corner through the dining room. “Is Tara –“ She saw only Willow, standing at the stove. “Oh.”



Willow looked up, surprised, and then gave her a smile. “Hey Dawnie.”



“Hey Willow.” And then Dawn saw Tara standing in the other doorway – and she must have looked very suspicious with the combination of Willow’s shawl wrapped around her shoulders and a look of I was just about to kiss her and you had to walk in the room on her face – and Dawn said, “Oh. OH!”



Willow turned all the way around then, and finally saw Tara. They looked at each other guiltily – Yes I tucked the shawl around you while you slept and Yes I was watching you make pancakes – and then Dawn jumped up and down.



“I knew it. I knew you guys would get back together. I knew that –“



“Dawn – “ Willow started, her eyes widening as she glanced at Tara.



“Hey, I’m a big girl now, I can talk about – oh, you guys, I’m so –“



“Dawnie, sweetie, we’re not – I mean…” Tara trailed off slightly and wondered if she was blushing as much as Willow.



Dawn stopped jumping up and down. She looked incredulously at Tara, then turned to Willow.



Willow’s mouth stretched at the corners for a moment but didn’t quite make it into a smile. “Um, actually I think Tara slept on the couch last night.”



The three of them stared at each other.



Well, at least Dawn wants us back together, Tara mused. What am I saying? I don’t give a damn what anyone thinks! I just want to get through the uncomfortable moments and get back to the way we were, and I was working on that when someone had to interrupt…Oh God, Willow’s staring at me.



Okay as much as I like the idea of being back together with Tara, this is a very uncomfy situation, thought Willow. It looks like Dawn’s going to kill us for not being back together yet, plus Tara is wearing my shawl, and how did that shawl get on me during the night anyway? and I think my pancakes are burning. Oh God, Tara’s staring at me…must run away now.



I am going to kill them both, thought Dawn.



Finally Dawn said, “So you two aren’t-“



“Morning,” said Buffy, walking in between Dawn and the doorjam. “Oo, pancakes!” She sat at the counter and reached for the raspberry syrup. Then she realized that the kitchen was very, very quiet.



Oh swell, they all know and they’re uncomfortable around me. “Um, guys, your conversation doesn’t have to stop just because I came in the room.”



“Conversation? We were having a conversation?” Willow answered, feigning innocence and praying Please don’t make us go back into the rousing chorus of ‘Sorry Dawn, we’re not together’.



Buffy turned to Willow and Dawn. “And by the way, I don’t care if she’s eighteen, I’d really rather not have my sister know everything about my sex life.”



“You two had sex?” Willow said.



“Sex with who?!” Dawn yelled over her.



And underneath the rabble was Tara saying “I didn’t say a word, Buffy –“



Buffy turned completely around now and looked at all of them. “You didn’t tell them?!” she said angrily to Tara.



Tara was a little taken aback. “Was I supposed to?”



“No – I – what were you talking about when I came in?”



A slight pause while Dawn and Tara looked at each other uncomfortably. Then Willow’s neurons went to work and she said, “Oh, you thought we were talking about you and Fai-“



She stopped and glanced at Dawn. “Fai … thfulness. Church. Um, whether you can really wield a cross properly if you’re not regularly attending…”



“We were talking about something else,” Tara cut in, saving Willow from whatever pitiful excuse she was about to pull out of her babble.



“Oh,” said Buffy. Then her eyes fell on the shawl that Tara was still wearing. “Will, weren’t you sleeping in that last night?”



Willow gestured frantically. “I – um – Tara – not …” And my ears now match my hair, wonderful…Can this morning get any more embarrassing?



Buffy made the “Oh!” face.



“They’re not back together,” said Dawn bitterly, crossing the kitchen and sitting next to Buffy with a scowl. “I already asked.”



Now Buffy said a completely different “Oh.” Her brow furrowed and she looked at Willow suddenly. “How did you know that – that I was concerned about faithfulness?”



Willow waved her hand as if she was giving a completely logical explanation. “Oh, because, because someone mentioned it, last night.”



Dawn gave her a strange look. Tara gave her a strange look. Buffy gave her a “What the hell?” look.



“Who told – I mean, who was talking about…my faithfulness…with you?” said Buffy with annoyance.



Willow looked at Tara, who had to admit she had no idea how to dig out of this one.



Dawn, however, was parsing out the last bits of the conversation, and she suddenly turned and stared at Buffy. “You had sex with Faith?!”



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



“Okay, Dawnie, I’ve got it this time.” Willow slipped her spatula underneath the mound of batter which slightly resembled Mickey Mouse ears. The plate next to her was full of her last three attempts. Making pancakes while three people watched – three people who were excellent pancake makers – three people who were discussing girl-on-girl kissage – three people who included her best friend, her best friend’s little sister also known as the biggest ball of energy ever seen in adolescent form, and the most gorgeous, sexy, take-me-now woman in the world – well, pancake making took on a whole new level of complication in front of such an audience.



Only half hearing Willow, Dawn didn’t turn from her conversation with Buffy. After several minutes of a very harried and embarrassed explanation, with side commentary from Tara and periodic “Shoot!”s from the failing pancake cook (who was paying very little attention to the actual storyline), Dawn was finally caught up in Buffy’s love life. “So she just ran away?”



“Yeah,” murmured Buffy as she spun her fork around her plate. She stared at the small streaks of raspberry syrup and mentally beat herself up for the million and sixth time since she had brushed her teeth last night. Berry syrup and pancakes were all very well, and no one could ever over-appreciate the goodness of minty fresh breath, but she was really missing that slight taste of Faith around the edges of her mouth. Then Buffy realized where her mind was and she thought, Bad! Bad Buffy! Very dirty! Return to PG rated conversation immediately! And she murmured, “I guess I must have wigged her out when I kissed her.”



Willow looked up. When Buffy kissed – but – but – Faith – kiss – what?



“When you kissed - ? But –“ The pancake slid off of Willow’s spatula as she turned dramatically to Buffy, and the half-cooked batter hit the side of the stove and slithered to the floor.



Everyone looked at it, then at Willow, who was staring at the pancake as if it had bitten her. It sat there, next to her fuzzy slipper, one pancake ear folded underneath, and Willow was sure that if it had the bacon mouth and strawberry eyes at that moment, the pancake would have been smirking at her.



Tara got up from the table with a sarcastically exasperated sigh. “Here, let me,” she said gently, coming to Willow. Her fingers closed over the handle of the spatula – over Willow’s hand.



Willow’s breath caught in her throat. She and Tara looked at each other. They were standing so close – Willow could feel the heat of Tara’s body – Tara could smell Willow’s sweet scent – their lips were barely six inches apart. Willow felt Tara’s breath against her own mouth.



Willow heard her heart pounding. Do it, her entire self was yelling. Just lean forward and kiss her. Come on. Do it.



I can do this, thought Tara. I can just lean in and kiss her. I can do it.



Their reverie was interrupted by Buffy and Dawn knocking over a kitchen chair in their rush to exit the kitchen. Buffy caught the chair and quickly shoved it back under the table, and Willow and Tara could hear them giggling as they went into the living room.



Willow turned her head away and slipped her hand out from under Tara’s. Bad, she thought angrily to herself. No kissing. Bad Willow. Big bad evil Willow. Let Tara decide when she wants to kiss you – if she ever does. Oh God, what if she never wants to be with me again? What if it’s really over? What if we’re just friends for the rest of our lives and I slowly rot away from how much I want this woman? Oh God…



Tara felt a stab in her chest, then she turned away, angry with herself. Don’t push her. You don’t even know if she still – if she – if she still loves you. Just because your love and desire for her has quadrupled, if that’s even possible, in the past three years, it doesn’t mean that she…Oh God, I don’t know if I want to ever see her again if I can’t kiss her.



Both turned away from each other.



Dawn stuck her head around the living room doorway. Buffy’s head joined her. Two witches, looking pale around the lips and bright red in the cheeks, and definitely not enjoying any girl-on-girl bliss. Buffy and Dawn looked at each other and frowned.



Willow took a deep breath, faked a smile at Tara, and walked around her to the kitchen table. Tara almost turned, almost stopped her and pinned her against the counter and just ravished her. Almost.



But instead she turned to the stove and poured a Mickey Mouse pancake for Dawn.



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



Buffy was putting away the breakfast dishes. Dawn was at the kitchen table doing pre-calculus, and periodically murmuring pi multiples to herself. Willow had gone upstairs for a shower. Tara had driven home, promising Dawn she’d be back later.



Buffy wondered how only four people – and not counting Dawn who didn’t drink coffee, so three – had used five coffee mugs in this one morning. Of course, Willow had been up early – Buffy wasn’t sure how early, but at least since eight – so she might have made herself multiple cups of coffee, which made sense, but using a bunch of mugs was not practical and very un-Willow-like. Then again, she’s not really in a place to think logically about anything…



Dawn was furiously erasing half-a-page of calculations, and she yelled up towards the ceiling, “Willow, the radian circles hate me!”



“Coming, Dawnie,” yelled Willow from upstairs.



Then Faith appeared in the back door window.



Dawn’s eyes widened, and Buffy and Faith stared at each other. For a very long while, no one moved.



Faith tucked her hands in her front pockets in an uncomfortable and very shy gesture. Okay, so the morning visit was a bad idea, she thought. Should've just skipped town. Not like I got a lot to pack. Could've just taken off, gone back to Mexico or the coven or anywhere. But no, I am a masochist and I have to make Buffy reject me right to my face.



Okay, so, much more coffee than just one mug is needed to deal with this, thought Buffy. What do I say? I say I want you, I think I'm in love with you. No, wrong. I say it was a mistake. No, I apologize first - no, maybe I should try to see if she didn't like it - of course she didn't like it! She ran away! Does that tell you anything? Why is she at my back door? Why did I think it was a good idea to get up this morning? Where is my lesbian fairy godmother when I need her?



Fine, I’ll be the polite one, thought Dawn as she crossed to the door and opened it. “Hey Faith. Come on in.”



“Hey,” said Faith, and she gave Dawn a quick smile as a thank you.



Then Tara entered through the dining room and said, “Buffy, have you seen Willow –“ Her eyes switched to the back door. “Faith.”



And Willow came in through the living room, dressed but with wet hair, and said, “Okay Dawnie, let’s take down those degree conversions…Oh.” Tara. Faith. In the kitchen. And my brain just exploded.



My God, it’s a French farce, thought Dawn, looking at the two couples – because in her mind Willow and Tara would always be a couple, and Faith and Buffy were sort of a couple, and as Slayers they went together anyway - I’ve never actually seen French farce, but I heard Xander talk about it once, and this seems pretty French and also very…farce-y.



“Hey guys,” said Faith, and then she looked at Tara and Willow and, since it was eleven in the morning, she made a somewhat appropriate conclusion. “Oh, you two are –“



“No, they’re not,” said Dawn, and she remembered to be exasperated with Tara and Willow for not getting their very obvious groove on.



“Oh.” And Faith bobbed her head in a sort of accepting nod. Then she looked at Buffy.



Faith looks really good today, thought Buffy. Ah! Stop thinking that! Be polite. No undressing guests with your eyes. Ooo…No! Bad! Be the good hostess. “Want some breakfast?”



“I’m good, thanks.” And she smiled at Buffy, and then they both smiled at each other, and a very cute moment happened before they both remembered to be nervous. Buffy glanced away at the kitchen counter, and Faith slumped her shoulders up and stared at the very fascinating kitchen linoleum.



Inspiration struck Willow. She waved her hands at Buffy and Faith. “Oh! Oh! You two – you two are – Oh!” She looked at Dawn for verbal assistance, but Dawn wasn’t following.



“Oh, you talked to Tara, and I talked to you,” she said, gesturing to Buffy and Faith respectively, “and- oh!”



Maybe it was because their minds had been on the same wavelength for so long that, even after three years, Tara caught on quickly to what Willow was thinking. “Oh,” Tara said, “you two-“



“Yeah!” said Willow, waving at her.



“And did she-?” Tara indicated Faith.



“Yeah! And she-“ Willow indicated Buffy.



“Oh! So they –“



“What?!” said Dawn.



“You both liked it,” said Tara and Willow together to Buffy and Faith.



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



Faith and Buffy were in the backyard, sitting on the picnic table with their feet on the seats. They kept laughing and giving each other extraordinarily adorable gazes.



Dawn was standing at the kitchen door window, watching through the curtains.



“Dawn, give them some time alone,” said Tara, who was sitting at the kitchen table, looking over Dawn’s textbook. Willow was across from her, going over Dawn’s calculations. Both had their feet very uncomfortably tucked underneath their chairs.



“They can’t see me,” said Dawn happily. “Oh! They’re so cute!”



“What are they doing?” said Willow interestedly. She got up from the table.



“Willow,” said Tara with a warning tone in her voice.



“Oh, it can’t hurt to take a peek,” said Willow as she joined Dawn at the window. “Oooh, they are cute!”



“Alright, you two are forcing me to join in your Peeping Tom escapades,” said Tara, getting up from the table.



Dawn giggled as Tara joined them. The three watched as Buffy played with a bit of Faith’s hair, and the two Slayers grinned at each other giddily.



“They’re so adorable together,” said Dawn cheerfully.



“New love is beautiful,” said Tara quietly, aware that she was standing almost next to Willow, but keeping her eyes on Buffy and Faith. “You want to just burst from happiness.”



“Especially when you find that one person that you’re supposed to spend the rest of your life with,” added Willow dreamily.



Tara laughed. “It’s a bit early to know, don’t you think?”



Willow shrugged and tried to keep her gaze outdoors. Faith was whispering into Buffy’s ear, and Buffy had her hand just to the inside of Faith’s knee. “Maybe,” Willow agreed. “But sometimes the first time you look at someone, or the first time you touch them, you know, right then, that it’s forever.”



“So much bad stuff happened between them,” said Dawn quietly.



“Well, that doesn’t really matter when you’re in love, Dawnie,” said Tara. “When you find that one person, you love them no matter what happens. Forgiveness is just part of the big love package.”



“Because when you love someone that much,” said Willow, watching Faith and Buffy and turning her head slightly, “nothing else really matters. Fights, time, mistakes, all the guilt, you both just want to fix whatever’s come between you and get back to just being in love.”



Tara looked at Willow. Willow looked at Tara.



And, behind Dawn’s back, their fingers slowly intertwined.



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



To be continued...

---

"You see, I think love comes from God. And so, to turn away from love, real love, it could be argued, is to turn away from God." - Dare Truth or Promise

[temporality]

brilliant...very very funny,and so true about the hesitation...



can't wait for the next installment !

[DreamsToDream]

YAY! Intertwining Fingers!! Thats A Very Good Start!!!

D2D



Damn You Vile Woman!!!- Stewie Griffin



I Try My Best To Feed Her Appetite, And Keep Her Coming Every Night... - "This Love" By Maroon 5

[Rane018]

really, really, really liking this fic. well written and good plot. sigh... willow and tara... buffy and faith (though i wouldn't mind this faith for myself ) love dawnie in this fic. would write more but i need to get up early tomorrow. looking fwd to more, including the w/t reunion.

"Take care of my heart, won't you please? Take care of it because it's all that I have. And if you let me, I'll take care of your heart too." Pure sweetness in the look between Willow and Tara. (shooting script)

[Sean Gaffney]

Oooh, this fic is making me vibrate in my chair it's so well-written. Love the characterization of everyone. It did indeed read like a French Farce, or maybe Michael Frayn's Noises Off. All it needed was a plate of sardines.



I've always been more fond of the 'shy and cute first love confessions' Buffy and Faith rather than the 'let's hit each other and have violent sex till we fall in love' Buffy and Faith, and this fic is doing that perfectly.



And as for our girls, you are giving us much frustration waiting for that kiss. I half expect the First to walk in next. But that hand holding at the end was lovely.



Sorry for salivating all over your fic, I'll just move along now... ^_^

[Arwen276]

REALLY REALLY LOVING IT!!



That was a beautiful chapter, It kept me on the edge of my seat all the time! and it truly felt like a French -farce (comedie des erreurs)

I'm so glad Willow and Tara finally decided to cut the slayers some slack and announce that they both liked it!



I loved the cute moments in the end, and the fingers entwining or the pancake moments as well!





thanks for a wonderful moment!





more?



~Arwen

Hear That Baby? You're My Always... Willow

[onyxsundrops]

Firstly, I love the flow of everyone's reaction (kitchen and otherwise). There was confusion all around, but it was funny.



I'm enjoying the guilty pleasures, both mental and physical- the shawls being wrapped around both girls. They just couldn't help it and who could blame them. Also, the mild fantasies about kissing (debating about kissing). Very cute.



Also liked the Peeping Tom/Jane. Buffy and Faith are so innocent with their whispering and furtive touching. Like looking into a mirror of Willow and Tara's younger selves. And lastly, the cryptic comparisons- both W and T projecting their hearts but making it seem like they're discussing B and F. Great update.



Yvonne

[BurningWhiteRose]

YAY!!



Faith and Buffy are together, and that means Fluffy! Willow and Tara are going to be happy again, Willow is going to get some body weight, and I AM HAPPY!!



Sincerely,

BWR