ok, hi! happy new years to those that celebrate it! have fun but be safe. here's a lil update. hope you like. thank you all so much for all the feedback! it's been great knowing you like my stories. and katharyn, there's s little something for you in here.
oh, as for EF and WW i'll post it there once the story is finished (and miss kerry fixes my horsie mistakes). i personally like reading the stories as a whole not bit by bit in fanfic sites. i know i'm a total hipocrite posting here section by section but you guys help out with the beta and realism and stuff. i was a bit afraid to post the fight scene cause i really suck writing fight scenes. I'm glad you kittens liked liked the hickey comment. i just HAD to throw that in. and the rock, just had to as well. dunno why. thanks again for all your comments.
and yay for my own psycho pep squad, jae. not that you're psycho or anything honey.
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The next morning held an impromptu Scooby meeting after breakfast to talk about the happenings of the night before. It was decided that Willow and Oz would research, Buffy and Riley would patrol that night, and Xander would supply the Scooby snacks since he was so well connected working in the kitchen and all.
The rest of the morning Willow spent with some of her campers at the pool while Buffy accompanied the others to dance class. Willow didn’t know how to dance very well and was very self-conscious about that fact. She usually just jumped in place, moved her arms around and nervously smiled a lot. She loved dancing but never had the full body flow like Buffy or Faith.
To tell the truth she sometimes enjoyed watching people dance and have fun more than participating in the activity. She liked watching people, period. Maybe it was the geeky, scientist in her that enjoyed observation. After all that was the first step in the scientific method and Willow was very methodical.
And now Willow had been waiting by the creepy Wilkins cabin for five minutes taking in her surroundings. Even though Tara had told her the ghost story was bogus she still felt a bit queasy after her demon encounter last night. She gathered up all her courage to look inside through one of the broken and cobweb filled window to see that it really just contained old, thrown out camp equipment and some furniture. She saw a couple of old beds in the small room and though about what Tara had said with regards to Donnie.
‘Poor girls,’ Willow thought. Donnie was ruggedly handsome but his personality sucked in her humble opinion. How in the world could sweet, wonderful Tara be related to him?
She checked her watch again and sighed. Seven minutes. She knew Tara would never stand her up. She’d half expected her to be there waiting for her but…
Oh god. What if Tara thought Willow was a terrible kisser and didn’t want to see her again? What if Tara felt horrible about last night and now she hater her? Willow couldn’t live with the thought of Tara hating her or not being able to pleasure her properly. But that was her first time kissing another girl, she rationalized. How would she know all the tricks? Were there tricks? She’d kissed Oz and Xander before but Tara was different. She was soft and sweet and…
A part of her thought that last night had been totally instinctual, something deep within her had taken over and she grinned knowing the experience had certainly not been displeasing. She’d loved it. If only she’d get the chance to do it again.
“Penny for your thoughts.” Tara suggested as she walked up to Willow.
Willow turned around a bit startled by the newcomer. “It’ll be a lot more than a penny that’s for sure.”
“Always so pensive in there, huh?” Tara smiled as she stood in front of Willow holding a mid sized basket in her hands.
“Hi.” Willow said as she nervously leaned over and pop kissed Tara on the lips.
“Hey.” The blonde beamed back. She reached over with one of her hands and pulled Willow close. Tara looked deep into her eyes and they kissed again, a real kiss this time. “You ready?”
Willow exhaled happily. “Yes, this place gives me the oogly mooglies”
Tara looked at Willow and the redhead noticed she was a bit hurt as she backed away from her. “I told you that’s a lie.” She said tenderly trying to make Willow believe her.
“No,” Willow pulled her close again. “I believe you. I’m still… Ok, I’m not nervous about the cabin. It’s daytime, who ever heard of a ghost running around in the day anyway. Unless it’s a Scooby Doo cartoon but then that’s not a real ghost anyhow, right? Anyway, I’m nervous because I haven’t stopped thinking about last night for a second and I thought you were standing me up. That you didn’t want to see me ever again and…” Willow looked to Tara for answers.
“Really, huh?”
“What?” that reply wasn’t what Willow had expected.
“And here I was the one giving you time to run away if you wanted to.”
The reality hit Willow, “You came late on purpose?” she asked, stunned.
Tara lowered her head. “I’m sorry. I…”
“No, Tara, I just found you. I’m not going anywhere.” She said cupping the blonde’s face and lifting it up. The second their eyes met, Willow kissed her again. “And you better not go anywhere because I like you a lot. Too much, and it hurts when I’m not with you. And after last night… God. I’ve never felt that way and I’ve certainly never done anything like that before... It was incredible.” Willow sighed. “All this feels like a dream and I’m afraid you’re not real. That this isn’t real though I feel it all over me… I still feel you.” She blushed as the passion of last night rushed through her body again.
Tara understood her completely. “Me too. I just... I can’t say it in so many words. B-but I know exactly what you mean.”
Willow smiled lightly and asked, “So, then, we’re ok?” she tried to not let her anxiety leak out.
Tara softly grinned and replied, “We’re more than ok, Willow.”
Willow quickly squeaked in glee as her arms reached out to embrace Tara.
“Is that what you were thinking about?” The blonde asked her as she kissed Willow’s forehead.
“Yes.”
Tara’s face moved to peck her sweet lips. “No more doubts, ok?”
Willow kissed her again. “Ok.”
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Walking further into the unknown woods panicked Willow for a second but she knew she was with Tara, she knew she was safe. This was Tara’s backyard so to speak. She lived in the area, these woods were hers, though not officially hers. Or were they? Willow thought about asking if they were on private property, but she didn’t want to spoil this moment just yet. Holding on to Tara’s hand and walking besides her was the most perfect moment she’d had in a long time, well besides last night without a doubt, and without the demon.
As they walked silently for about two minutes Willow experienced Tara lovingly squeeze her hand and ask, “How long have you been practicing magick?”
Willow was a bit shocked about the question’s topic. They hadn’t talked about magic since that day at the stable almost a week ago. Willow wondered exactly how to answer her without sounding like an amateur but couldn’t help it. “Well, I’ve been setting my blanket on fire and freezing my plants for a year now. I can’t seem to get past the hump.”
“Hump?”
“Bigger, better. Actually getting the spells right.” Willow spoke as she looked to the ground not wanting to trip over anything. Now would not be a good time to twist her ankle. But then again maybe Tara would rescue her before falling down and-
“That should be your first priority, not the other stuff.” Tara said as she scoped around the forest searching for the quickest route to where they were headed.
“I know, I’m just very impatient.”
“I’ve noticed,” Tara giggled as she turned to her.
“Hey!” Willow stole a honeyed kiss from Tara’s lips. “I’m patient for some things.”
“Like what?” the blonde eyed her.
“I’m… I guess I’m not, huh?” Willow giggled.
“Not from what I know.” Tara laughed as she began to walk again.
It was meant as a joke but the reality of Tara’s statement brought Willow out of her Tara laugh reverie. She had only known the blonde a week and already she’d fallen head over heels in love with her. They were quickly getting to know each other but Willow realized there was so much more to Tara that she still needed to learn and vice versa. But no matter what, she felt very strongly about the other girl already.
Even with Oz it had started out as a ploy to get Xander jealous but with Tara… It was unforced. It felt sincere. And not that she hadn’t loved Oz with all her heart, she had, she’d grown to love him and it broke her heart when he broke up with her, but there were so many questions she always had that went unanswered. With Tara it was different, the answers were slowly drawing near.
Willow quietly followed Tara and reached over with her free hand to hold onto Tara’s forearm. The blonde’s fingers were enlaced with her own and Willow could feel energy slowly crossing between the two. She looked down to the sight of their hands clasped and smiled, it was magickal.
Tara stopped all of a sudden and Willow noticed they were now standing in front of a clearing. Up ahead of them were two lone pine trees that stood parallel to each other. The redhead felt the magick everywhere. It rose in her body, wanting, craving, crackling.
“Tara…” she whispered amazed by the power.
“Can you feel it?”
Willow nodded. “It’s so strong.”
“Come on.” She said as she led Willow out into the meadow.
As they reached the two trees Willow couldn’t help but stare in awe as she extended her free hand and touched one of the tree trunks. “Oh my god. It’s so strong.” She repeated at a loss for words.
Tara smiled at her and then proceeded to open her basket and take out a large quilt. Willow helped her spread out the big colorful comforter on the ground in between the two trees.
“You should have told me we were going to have a picnic. I wouldn’t have had lunch.”
The blonde grinned at Willow. “We’re not eating.” Tara replied as she sat down and began to unload the contents of the basket. “Sit?”
“Ok.” Willow whispered as she noticed a narrow mouthed jar filled with what looked like salt, purple candles, stones she recognized as Amethyst, and a flask of oil were being taken out. “Are we doing a spell?” she asked innocently sitting on the ground little indian style.
“A ritual.” Tara smiled at her and proceeded to finish her task.
Willow’s eyes focused on Tara. She was so graceful, so lady like. Her arms and upper body moved with such elegance that Willow felt like a bumbling fool besides her. And she was simply just sitting there, watching.
“I used to come here with my mother a lot. She was a witch.” Tara mentioned after spreading out the ingredients and scanning the meadow around them. “She was always so serious at home but as soon as she saw these trees, as soon as we sat down… she had a smile that could light up the whole universe.”
Willow daintily grinned, that was exactly how she would have described Tara’s smile.
“Her laugh was so rare but when she laughed it came from within. Somewhere deep. Her whole body laughed. You know what I mean?” Tara’s blue eyes finally connected with Willow’s green.
Willow simply nodded. She didn’t know what to say. “Where is she?” the redhead managed to inquire. Deep down she knew the answer.
“She, um, died two years ago.” Tara looked down to the quilt and traced her fingers over one of the threaded sections.
“Cancer?” was the only thing Willow could think of.
“No… Lupus.” Tara stared at her hands that were trembling softly.
Willow reached out to touch them, to hold them, “Tara…”
But Tara gently pulled back. “No, I’m fine.” She quickly sighed and said, “Sorry for the downer.” She smiled sadly as she ran her fingers through her hair.
“No.” Willow inched forward and cupped her hands, she caressed them in between her fingers. “Tara, I’m glad you told me... I’m sorry about your mom.” Willow was ready to cry seeing Tara so mournful.
Tara gently nodded her head as she gazed down at the quilt her mother had made many, many years ago. “Thanks.” She whispered. Tara realized just being in Willow’s presence slowly chased her old demons away. The redhead made her feel like her life was getting better every day and she smiled up at Willow letting her know how much she cherished her.
Willow immediately embraced Tara and held her close. Tara’s aroma enveloped her once again as she ran her fingers down Tara’s hair. Delicately, Tara began to kiss her neck as her hands fondly grazed Willow’s upper arms.
“Oh my god!” The blonde gasped as she backed her upper body away from Willow. “Did I do that?” She asked, stunned, as she stroked the small hickeys on the redhead’s throat. She thought they mysteriously looked a bit heart shaped.
Willow smiled as she blushed ightly. “Yeah.” She cupped Tara’s face with her right hand and softly caressed her cheek with her thumb. “Aren’t they cute?”
The rest of the gang had noticed the little marks during breakfast but Willow was quick to blame it on the demon attack and mosquitoes. She’d kept her hair loose during the day not to have any other people ask.
Tara grinned as she nuzzled into the redhead’s palm. She turned her head to kiss the inside of Willow’s hand. “You’re cute.” She said with a smile as she leaned over to kiss Willow’s lips. “How long is your break today?” She asked as her lips brushed the tip of Willow’s nose.
“Two hours.” She breathlessly replied as she kissed Tara’s jaw line.
Tara gently persuaded Willow down on the quilt, “Plenty of time.” She smiled as she leaned over to kiss her again.
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TBC....
