FIC: Just One Of The Wiccans (Part Duex)

[dreiser]

Just One Of The Wiccans
Part Duex

By: Dreiser

Anya's night wasn't going at all how she planned. All she wanted, all she really wanted, was to have an orgy. A nice simple orgy. But no, she was to be denied.

Because of a stupid brain dead barbarian.

"You are an evil, evil, evil, nasty man!" Anya accused, poking her finger into Riley's chest as he glared down at her. "And I hope you get an erectile dysfunction!"

"Tell me where Buffy is and I'll leave," said Riley, his expression firm and definitely dense.

"For the millionth time no brain cells boy, I have no clue where your infinitely more intelligent girlfriend is!" said Anya as she scowled deeply. "If I did know, I would tell you so I could get rid of your stupid ass. Now get out of the house. I'm expecting company very shortly."

"I won't leave until Buffy comes back," Riley said. "Her car is in your driveway. If she's not here now then she'll have to come back for it. Until then, I'm not moving."

"Fine! Stay for the orgy! I don't care!" Anya declared hotly. "No one stops me from having my fun!"

Riley, for some reason, didn't know how to reply.

---

The car ride back to Willow's house was very quiet.

Quiet and uncomfortable. Finally, Tara spoke up, "I'm sorry we were out so long, Buffy. I hope you're not too tired at cheerleading practice tomorrow."

"Oh no," said Buffy, smiling nervously on hearing her own lie thrown back at her. "I'll be fine. I promise."

Once she remembered that she was supposed to be on a date with Riley instead of helping Willow pull off her drag routine with her new friends, Buffy had panicked. Which then led to her telling a fib about having an early cheerleading practice tomorrow so they could leave.

"I bet you will," Faith chuckled easily.

"I wasn't talking to you," said Buffy sharply, averting her gaze to look out the window.

"Uhm..." Willow began hesitantly. "I had fun tonight, Tara. Thanks for thinking of us."

"Yeah, I had fun too," said Tara, her body stiff and her face turning bright red.

Faith observed this and gave a soft groan. She then narrowed her eyes as she observed the figure of a guy running down the street, his pants around his ankles and a shirt blocking his face.

"Looks like he had way more fun," Faith remarked dryly.

Watching the guy run away, Buffy frowned. There was something vaguely familiar about him and those boxers he had on but she couldn't put her finger on it. Oh well. She had more important things to worry about.

Like ignoring Faith until they got to Willow's.

Willow was having similar problems. Well, okay, not similar. But she was having problems. Namely the odd feelings that Tara always caused in her when she was around the other girl. That and the fact that ever since Tara ran off earlier, she was acting strangely. Avoiding talking to her or even looking her way.

Was it something she did? And why was she so concerned? She never worried about Buffy or Xander's feelings this way and they were her closest friends.

Did she... did she like Tara? Like the way Gunn liked Wesley or, Willow winced at this, Kate liked Jenny?

And if she did then what?

While Willow was busy contemplating all this, Tara brought her car to a stop in front of her house. "We're here," she announced.

Snapping out of her musings, Willow looked at her house and frowned on seeing two unknown cars parked in the driveway. Now what was Anya up to? Willow just hoped she controlled herself.

As much as Anya could.

Still... where was Riley's car? She was sure that he'd be there, waiting in stalkerness for Buffy to show up.

"I had a great time, Tara," said Willow, unbuckling her seatbelt. They were the only ones left in the car since Buffy scurried out of it at first chance and Faith followed suit. "I was thinking... maybe we can hang out tomorrow? Buffy is going to be busy cheering and all."

Staring straight ahead, Tara swallowed nervously then found herself replying before her brain could warn her. "I'd like that," she said. "Call me, okay?"

"Definitely," said Willow with a grin.

Getting out of the car, Willow could only sigh as she observed Faith and Buffy bickering yet again. She had no idea what was with the two girls but their constant ability to irritate each other was clear.

"Buffy," said Willow in a sharp tone. "Lets go inside. You left something there, remember?"

Looking up from her fight with Faith, the blonde cheerleader's eyes widened. "Right!" she turned on her heel and was about to walk away when Faith grabbed her arm. Frowning, she asked, "What?"

"Remember what I said," Faith murmured evenly, her dark eyes solemn. "You deserve better. Someone who'll give you what you need. Real passion," she added.

A shiver of desire ran through Buffy but she still jerked her arm away, feeling nervous about this emotion. "I think I know what I need," Buffy replied.

She then turned to walk into Willow's house. Leaving Willow alone with Faith who looked at her with narrowed eyes. The air was thick as Faith studied the stylish suit and trendy haircut of the redhead.

"Watch yourself, pretty boy," Faith warned.

With that, she got back into Tara's car and the two drove off, leaving Willow in shocked silence. Sighing, she then walked inside her house.

Surprisingly, it was quiet. Willow frowned, wondering where Buffy and Riley were, not to mention Anya. Then she heard Buffy's outraged shout from upstairs.

Trudging towards her cousin's room, Willow prepared herself from anything and everything. Which is what one should do when dealing with Anya, really.

Maybe that's why she wasn't at all surprised to find Anya in bed with two beautiful blondes, looking utterly unfazed as Buffy yelled at her about Riley.

"How could you initiate him into your weird sex games, Anya?!" Buffy demanded, turning red.

"Well, you ignore him all the time," said Anya. "Case in point, you forgot about him tonight. The stupid caveman wouldn't leave and if he wasn't going anywhere I figured he should at least be of use and serve my girls." She gave the two blondes a grin. "Am I right, Amy and Veruca?"

"Poor boy," Veruca purred, snuggling closer to Anya. "He only withstood twenty minutes before he ran away."

"Wimp," Amy accused with a giggle. "Big wimp."

"See?" Anya said, forming her best innocent expression. "Your boyfriend is so pure and virginal that he couldn't even have fun with little old us. I think that you should do your duty as a good girlfriend and spend some between the sheets time with him or cut the guy loose." Anya grinned salaciously. "Especially now that you're into the alt scene with my cutesy poo cousin."

Buffy turned redder at this and looked like she was about to explode when Willow heaved a huge sigh. Taking her friend by the back of the shirt, she dragged her out of the room, looking back at Anya as she said, "You owe me."

"Ohhhh, sounds fun," purred Anya in response before Willow rolled her eyes and slammed the door shut. Then Anya turned to her companions and said, "Who feels ready for a refreshing round eleven?"

As this went on, Willow was forced to listen to Buffy's endless rants about Anya and her perversity. It wasn't like Willow didn't agree with her friend but what good was stating the facts going to do? Anya wasn't about to change anytime soon, that was for certain.

"Buffy," said Willow, giving a sigh. "Don't you think you ought to find Riley? That's why we came here."

"I don't want to find him," Buffy said with a pout, flinging herself down on the couch. "He cheated on me. Sort of."

"He didn't cheat," Willow said, sounding exasperated. "He just got stuck with Anya for a long period of time."

"I don't care," Buffy said resiliently. "We're through."

"Because of Anya or because he's boring?" asked Willow, forming the slightest of grins.

Eyeing her friend evilly, Buffy sighed then said, "Both. I've been meaning to do it anyway. This at least makes it seem like his fault and gives me an unbitchy way out."

"He broke your clause," Willow said smartly. "You make it sound like a business agreement, Buffy."

"It was that, if you think about it," said Buffy thoughtfully, gazing up at the ceiling while Willow sat on the coffee table to observe her. "I gave him some and in exchange, I got a hunky college boyfriend who didn't say much but looked nice at parties."

"And you don't want that now," stated Willow.

"Not really," Buffy sighed again. "I think... maybe..." She turned bright red and muttered, "It's stupid."

"Buffy," Willow cajoled, nudging her friend gently with her foot. "Tell me. We've been friends forever, you're my fake girlfriend. You know I'll understand."

"Okay," said Buffy. She turned her head to meet Willow's eyes and murmured, "It's just... since my parents divorced I never really believed in love. I figured it was made up, a fairy tale thing, you know? And it was better to just find a person you were attracted to and compatible with. It didn't even matter to me there was no passion or spark, because that was a fairy tale thing, right? Except..." Buffy trailed off as she thought of dark eyes, a husky voice, and breasts that... oh gods. "I met someone who makes me feel like they say in the movies and it's scary, Will."

Mulling over this, Willow finally replied, "I think you should do what makes you happy, Buffy. Even if it does scare you at first. Because isn't everything new scary? That's how it is in life. But if we don't try new things we never grow, we stay stagnate, the same for the rest of our lives and that's just eww."

"Yeah," said Buffy quietly, forming a smile. "I get what you're saying, Will."

"Good," said Willow, beaming at her friend. "I'm glad. So," she wore a devilish expression. "Do you want to tell me who this mystery person of yours is?"

A pillow instantly covered Buffy's face and although she couldn't make it out, Willow was positive that the muffled reply of her friend was a resounding no.

---

It was probably the first time she ever invited someone to her house. Faith had been there plenty of times and so had Oz but they grew up with her. They knew about her home life and her family. But Will... he didn't and yet, somehow that didn't matter to Tara.

She wasn't afraid of him being there. Of him knowing her and where she came from. Maybe it was the kindness in green eyes whenever he looked at her or his gentle smile. No matter what it was, it made Tara trust him.

Faster than anyone else she ever met.

That honestly frightened her. Tara didn't let people in so easily, so quickly, and so deeply as she did with Will. It made no sense but it felt so right, to trust him. To allow herself to get close to him.

Tara knew this feeling well. She had only experienced it twice in her life so far and both times...

Both times she had been in love with the person.

Attracted to them, drawn to them, just like with Will. Only, unlike Will, they weren't boys. Because Tara was a lesbian. She liked girls. Not once in her life had she ever felt this way about a boy.

What did that make her? Was she bisexual now? Did liking one boy do that to her? This had never happened to her before... it was strange... scary and thrilling and...

And it felt right.

She was just happy her family was gone for the day. Her father at work and her brother... well, Donny had gone off on one of his binges a week back. Tara was pretty sure he was either in jail somewhere or sleeping it off. The lord knows that if they were around the excitement they'd have on seeing her act so... girly around Will would be epic.

The doorbell rang and Tara leapt to her feet, wringing her hands nervously before she frowned at herself for doing this. Brushing her hands on her corduroy white pants, she then adjusted her fuzzy blue shirt, the one that always made her feel safe, like a little girl when she wore it.

When she opened the door, Will was shifting from foot to foot, brushing what looked to be invisible lint from his tan dress shirt and dark brown slacks. On hearing the door, he looked up and grinned at Tara.

"Tara," said Willow, grinning still. "Hi."

"Hi," Tara echoed a bit nervously, she moved back to push the door backwards. "Come on in."

Willow stepped inside the small house and smiled at the comfortable atmosphere. It was so much different from her own home that often felt like a museum to her. When she was a child, Willow remembered being afraid of just touching things because she was sure it would break and her mother would end up yelling at her.

But Tara's house wasn't like that. It was an actual home, where people could be themselves and not worry about breaking things. At least, that's what Willow thought.

"It's not as nice as your place--" Tara began.

"No," Willow interrupted, turning to face Tara and giving a reassuring and warm smile. "I love it. Besides," she felt herself blush now. "Anywhere you are is nice."

"Will..." murmured Tara, feeling a familiar heat seize her system. She shook her head and moved to sit down on the couch and said, "What do you want to do?"

"I don't know," said Willow, still looking around the living room. Her eyes got wide and she looked at Tara with a rather shy expression. "Could I see your room?"

Blinking at this request, Tara recalled the last time someone had asked her that. Smiling softly, she said, "Sure." Rising to her feet, she walked down the hall. "I haven't cleaned it in awhile though."

"My room is a mess too," Willow admitted wryly. "I've been trying to work on my computer program and it's sort of kept me from doing the domestic."

Tara chuckled at this and pushed open a door that had a poster of a punk rock bear with the words 'Tara Bear' scrawled all over it in different colored markers. Willow supposed it was either a gift from Faith or what first gave Tara the nickname that the singer always used.

Charcoal dusted walls met Willow's eyes and she blinked at the darkness of it. She had always thought of Tara as a bright and cheery person, so it came as a bit of a shock to see her room like this. Then Tara smiled at her, giving a look of understanding and crossed the room to pull her blinds shut, leaving the room in total darkness.

That's when the room seemed to light up internally and one by one, Willow watched as beautiful paintings filled in the darkness. Women with flowing hair, the swirls of a galaxy forming, and the beauty of the ocean, it was all there on Tara's walls.

"Tara," said Willow breathlessly. "Did you do all this?"

"Yeah," Tara confessed bashfully. "I've always liked painting, since I was younger. We've never had much money so I just started painting on my walls. Except, I didn't want my family to see so..."

"You used glow in the dark paint," Willow finished for her, smiling widely at the blonde. "It's wonderful."

Returning the smile, Tara felt her heart grow warm. Then she seemed to realize something and her eyes darted over to one portion of the wall and turning bright red, she ran and covered it with her body.

Noticing this because anyone with eyes couldn't help but, Willow raised an eyebrow and grinned. "Tara," she said in playful tones. "What are you hiding from me?"

"Nothing!" Tara squeaked, giving a nervous laugh.

"Taraaaa," Willow drew her name out in an almost sensual manner as she moved forward. She reached out to lightly touch the blonde's hips. "Let me see."

"No," said Tara, setting her jaw and biting her lip as she tried to hold back the urge to laugh. To say that Tara was massively ticklish would be an understatement. "It's very private and embarrassing and no."

Green eyes met blue ones and Tara swallowed nervously on seeing them bore into her. It was almost like Will was looking into her very soul. Then he formed the smallest mischievous grin before tickling her at full force.

Hunching over as she collapsed laughing, Tara tried to fight off Willow's wandering hands which were lightly resting on her stomach as she calmed down. Lifting her head, Tara's face was inches away from Willow's as she accused with delicate teasing, "Bully."

"Me?" Willow looked innocent. "Never. Now then, lets have a look at what you were hiding," she said this as she moved her head up to gaze at the portion of the wall that Tara had been blocking.

This time Tara allowed her to look, staying still in Willow's bare embrace, and trying to calm her breathing and the erratic beat of her heart. He smelled nice, she noted, like incense and burnt candles. She liked it.

Reluctantly pulling out of Willow's arms, Tara watched the play of emotions cross the redhead's face. That was her most personal painting. A nude of what was, at the time, the love of her life. Finally, Willow turned to face Tara and said quietly, "Cordelia?"

"I used to date her," Tara replied in reserved tones. Blue eyes moved to caress the painting and she sighed. Even now she still found it beautiful. Just like her. "My mother died almost two years ago. Back then, Cordelia and I were just becoming friends. She was there for me through the whole thing and we got close. We... we fell in love."

"What happened?" asked Willow gently.

"After awhile, I couldn't take hiding what I felt for her," murmured Tara sadly. Walking towards the painting, she rested her finger tips on the planes of Cordelia's face. "It was too bad she didn't feel that way." Looking at Willow, she said wryly, "She's closeted and I'm not. As much as I loved her, I got sick of being ignored by her at school and being treated like a second class citizen. So we broke up. It was the best thing for both of us, really, but..."

"You still miss her," Willow supplied quietly.

"Yeah," Tara admitted, giving a sigh. "I think she must miss me too or else she wouldn't..." Tara trailed off and blushed deeply, averting her gaze from Willow's.

"What?" asked Willow in confusion. Her eyes widened as she realized what Tara was saying. "That's why she asked me out that day. She must think that you... but that's... I mean, you're..." Willow broke out into nervous laughter. "Cordelia really must miss you, to think that."

"Yeah," Tara echoed again, her voice weak.

Looking at Tara closely, Willow swallowed the lump in her throat and neared the other girl. Hesitantly, she moved to clasp Tara's shoulders. When Tara turned around and soulful blue eyes locked on her, Willow gasped at the depth of emotion revealed there.

"Tara," whispered Willow, swallowing again, very aware of Tara's proximity to her and her own 'role' of a boy right now. "You... you like girls, don't you? I'm not--"

"I think..." Tara began in the barest tones. Her hands smoothly reached out, tracing a light path up Willow's neck to rest at the base of her spine. "I like you."

Before Willow could respond, she felt herself being pulled in closer and then soft lips descended on her own. Causing Willow to be lost in a world of gentle touches and passion she never thought she'd experience.

Willow's mouth opened almost of its own will, drawing Tara further into her as the blonde girl backed into her wall, Willow pressed firm against her. Skin burned skin as tongues entwined to taste each other.

Then finally, the need for air overwhelmed them and they pulled apart, breathing heavily. Willow rested her head on Tara's shoulder forming a goofy smile. That had to have been the most amazing thing she'd ever felt.

"Tara, I--" Willow stopped when she lifted her head and saw the expression of horror on Tara's face. "Tara?"

"I... I can't do this," Tara said quickly, moving away from Willow. "You're a... and you have a girlfriend..."

"But Tara," Willow tried again, walking towards the other girl. "It's all right. I can--"

"You should go," interrupted Tara quickly. Turning to look at Willow with a pained face. "I can't... deal with this. I need to think... alone. Could you please leave?"

"But--" Willow attempted once more.

"Will," Tara enforced strongly, though her voice was wracked with unshed tears. "Please?"

Forming a sad expression, Willow nodded and said, "Yeah. All right. But..." Willow sighed heavily then added, "I'll see you at school, okay?"

Tara didn't reply as Willow quietly walked out of her room and then out of her house. Driving away in the car she hardly ever liked to use. Leaving Tara alone with her thoughts.

And her confusion.

---

"She kissed you?"

Sighing heavily, Willow nodded. Once she got home, she paced around, going over the scene a few thousand times in her mind before she gave up and called her two friends to ask their opinions on the matter.

"Cuz, you're such a stud," Anya purred.

Of course, anytime something remotely interesting happened, Anya found out about it and got involved. Which was why she was lounging on Willow's bed, smirking at her cousin who was busy glaring at her.

"Very funny," said Willow dryly. She looked over at Buffy who sat next to her. "At the club, did it seem like Tara, you know, liked me that way?"

"I don't know," Buffy frowned, thinking back. "I mostly spent the night talking with Faith." When Willow arched an eyebrow, Buffy rolled her eyes. "Fighting then."

"Correct me if I'm wrong," Xander commented from where he sat in his usual chair. "But I thought Miss Tara was a part of my extended family. Or am I wrong?"

"That's why Big Willy is a stud," Anya chuckled, looking extremely amused. "My cuz converted a lesbian."

"Not technically. Wind of the Wills does have all the correct equipment, despite their hidden nature," Xander reminded, wearing a thoughtful expression. "Although it is still quite the feat. Drag King seducing an unsuspecting and unknowing lesbian dish."

"You guys!" Willow said, scowling deeply. "I wanted to get your advice and help with this situation, not your... whatever this is!"

"But..." murmured Xander, ignoring Willow's comments. "The girl didn't know about the manly parts I loaned to Willster so..." Xander eyed Willow for a moment then gave a long whistle. "No wonder she freaked, hon. The poor girl think she's got the hots for the man meat."

"Xander!" Willow exclaimed, turning bright red.

"Whatttt?" Xander wore an innocent face as he pressed his hand against his chest. "It's the truth. That's definitely the reason she got so wigged out on you, sweetie. That would be my exact reaction if I suddenly found myself attracted to Buffy and sucking face with her. Oh lordy, it would be worse than that. I'd probably pass out."

"Thanks," said Buffy dryly.

"It's nothing against you, I'm sure," said Xander. He sighed then murmured to himself, "Although with my tiny boy dumping me I might turn to the sheer madness of heterosexual romance." Xander shuddered then shaking his head fiercely, he said, "I think not!"

"I make her want to pass out?" Willow now looked close to suicide before she picked up a nearby pillow, covering her face with it.

Everyone stared at the redhead for a moment, then Anya snatched the pillow away. "No killing yourself," she said in forceful tones, flinging the pillow aside. "It's tacky."

"My life sucks," Willow moaned. "All I wanted was to pretend to be a boy for two weeks, make a new program, win that contest and get my internship. But no... I had to make a new friend and then end up falling for her and--" Willow stopped abruptly when she noticed the strange looks they were all giving her. "What?"

"Falling for her," said Buffy, her expression concerned. "That's what you just said, Will."

"I did?" said Willow, her eyes going wide.

"Well, well," Anya smiled slowly. "Pretending to be a boy has affected you in strange ways, huh, cuz?"

"More like opened her eyes," Xander supplied, watching his longtime friend carefully. When Willow looked at him he gave a soft smile. "Some of those questions starting to get answered for you, Willy?"

"Yeah," said Willow softly. "I... I like Tara."

They were quiet for a long moment as Willow looked around and saw nothing but supportive faces. Then Anya formed a huge smirk and declared, "It's about time you admitted that you're a great big lesbo!"

Seconds later, she was covered with pillows.

---

"You kissed him?"

Sighing heavily, Tara nodded. Once Will left, she sat down on her bed, going over the scene a few thousand times in her mind before she gave up and called her two friends to ask their opinions on the matter.

"Goddamn Tara Bear, why'd you do that?" Faith asked.

Of course, anytime Will was mentioned, Faith tended to get more than a bit defensive. For some reason she had a problem with the red haired boy.

"Because... because I wanted to... oh..." Tara shook her head and looked infinitely frustrated as she flopped down on her bed. Landing next to Oz who was leaning on his arm, his chin in the palm of his hand. She peered up at him and he smiled kindly at her. "Help?"

"Do you like him?" asked Oz.

"I shouldn't but I do," said Tara softly, her expression turning wistful as she thought of Will. "I really do." She felt the bed shift and a light touch on her leg. Meeting the concerned dark gaze of Faith, she whispered in tearfully, "I'm so confused... I've never felt like this before."

"Hey," murmured Faith, pulling Tara up and into her arms, feeling the blonde collapse in the strength of her embrace. "It's gonna work out, don't worry."

"No," Tara cried softly, shaking her head against Faith's neck, breathing in the always comforting scent of the best friend she'd ever known. "He's... he's a boy and it's so weird... liking a boy that way. And to top it off," Tara gave a strangled, bitter, laugh. "He has a girlfriend."

Moving backwards, Faith smoothed some tangled strands of hair from Tara's eyeline and cupped her face tenderly. "I'll ask you once, Tara Bear," she began.

"Faith?" asked Tara with a sniffle, looking confused.

"Do you like Will? Is it like with Fred and Cordelia?" asked Faith, her eyes solemn but accepting.

Moving her gaze down to study her bedspread, Tara finally looked up and taking a deep breath, she said, "It's more. Stronger somehow. It's like... he knows me. He has since the first time we've met, I think."

"All right then," Faith said after a long minute. She formed a slow smile and looking over at Oz, she then drawled, "Howzabout you teach our girl all about the wonderful world of bein' bisexual?"

Giving an easy chuckle, Oz pushed himself up into a sitting position and murmured, "I can do more than that. I can even show her if she wants."

"Oz?" Tara and Faith said together in puzzlement.

"We broke up," Oz replied simply. Before his friends could start comforting him, he held up his hand to stop them. "It's all right," he assured. "I guess I reached the same point you did, Tara. I got sick of hiding."

"Huh," Faith's smirk came back as she eyed her friend. "I'm thinking Tara Bear won't have to worry about that anymore, Dorothy. Not with her latest interest."

"Faith!" Tara exclaimed, pushing her friend lightly on the arm. Her face soon turned sad as she murmured, "Will has a girlfriend. As much as I like him, I shouldn't..."

"Trust me, that relationship ain't lasting much longer," Faith remarked in droll tones. "Not with the way he only has eyes for you and leaves his girl alone with me."

At this comment, both Oz and Tara stared at Faith who almost seemed to blush on seeing this attention. "What?" Faith said defensively. "I'm just sayin'..."

"Faith has a crush again," Oz said in sing song tones.

"And she's a blonde," Tara sang along, smiling impishly.

"Shut it, smart asses," said Faith as she scowled deeply.

This only caused Oz and Tara to sing louder and more obnoxiously about Faith and her latest blonde obsession.

---

The next day at school went by slowly. It seemed like to both Willow and Tara that they would never get a chance to talk to one another.

Finally, lunch arrived and Will walked in, looking beautiful in sleek blue pants and a dark green shirt that matched his eyes. Tara rose to her feet and looking at Faith and Oz, she smiled warily. "Wish me luck," she said before she strode across the room to talk to Will.

"She's gonna need it," Faith murmured.

"Faith?" asked Oz quietly.

Turning to look at her friend, Faith frowned at his worried expression. "What's up?" she questioned.

"Did I do the right thing?" Oz wondered, watching Tara walk out of the cafeteria with Will. "Going along with her on this? I know Tara said this what she wants to do, that she thinks it's the right thing but..."

"No worries," Faith advised, forming a slow smile. "If I get my way, everything's gonna work out for all of us. With everyone getting just what they want."

"Don't you mean who?" Oz smiled.

"Funny, Dorothy," Faith chuckled dryly. "Very funny."

Meanwhile, Tara had taken Will to someplace she knew that no one ever went in their school.

The library.

Eyeing their desolate and dusty surroundings, Willow rubbed her nose and held back the urge to sneeze. "They don't endorse the three r's do they?" she asked.

"Huh?" Tara blinked.

"Reading, writing, arithmetic," Willow supplied in wry tones. "If you want to get technical just one of those is an actual 'r' word, so therein lies the real problem."

Shaking her head at the oddity of the statement, Tara had to hold back an overwhelming sense of affection for Will just being Will and saying something like that. "We have to talk," she said softly, her voice not brooking argument.

"Yeah, I'll go with that," said Willow nervously. She averted her eyes before she said, "About yesterday--"

"I'm so sor--" Tara began at the same time.

Immediately, they both halted their statements and turned bright red. Then Tara took a deep breath as her head was ducked, staring at the library floor.

"Will," she pronounced, still looking at the floor. "I shouldn't have kissed you yesterday. It was wrong of me. You have a girlfriend, I know that but... I was just so confused. I think I have been for awhile."

"What?" asked Willow rather dimly.

"You see," Tara continued, looking out the library window. She just couldn't look at Will as she said this, not when she knew very well it was a lie. But this was the only way. Tara didn't want to be that girl, the one who didn't know her own mind, who was confused about who she was. Or even worse, be the girl who stole other girls boyfriends. God, if she didn't do this that's exactly who she'd be. One of those women on talk shows. This thought made Tara grimace. "I've been feeling attracted to you and... well, you're a boy. This sort of confused me because, hello, lesbian!" Tara laughed a sort of desperate, anxious, laugh as she glanced back at Will. "Only now, I realized it just isn't you."

"What?" Willow echoed again, her voice raw.

"I'm going to prom," Tara informed, turning back to look out the window and squeezing her eyes shut. "With Oz."

Now in full blown shock, Willow could literally her heart breaking into little pieces. "Tara," she began, taking a tiny step towards the other girl. "Please, let me--"

"I can't!" Tara shouted abruptly. She turned quickly and Willow froze on seeing tears in deep blue eyes. "I'm not going to be that girl, Will! I won't be on Jerry Springer!"

"Jerry Springer?" Willow asked with puzzlement.

Tara was running out of the library before Willow could question her further and she was left alone. Lost in a state of hazy confusion, Willow found herself leaning against the wall of the library, sliding down to the ground and slumping there. How had this happened?

"You're hurtin' a lot of people, y'know."

Willow didn't even have to look up to know who it was. Sighing on hearing that husky voice, she said, "Faith."

"Bingo, you're a winner," Faith said, her voice sharp. Smoothly crossing the room, she stopped in front of Will and knelt down, resting on the tops of her feet, she peered into green eyes. "Tara Bear likes you. I got no idea why she likes you, but she does. And it's no good for her." Will was about to protest this when Faith grinned and said, "I don't want no excuses from you, pretty boy. You know I'm telling you the truth. I ain't blind, I know you like her too, but still, you're not good for her right now. The way I see it, you won't be any good till you get your own head worked out. Figure out what you want and what you're willin' to do to get it and then to keep it."

Rising to her feet, Faith stared at Will hard in the eyes. "Until then, I think you oughta keep your distance from Tara. Because seeing you is just gonna hurt her." Faith studied Will for a long moment, then added softly, as if in afterthought, "And you too." Faith then turned on her heel and headed out of the library. Only to pause at the door to turn back and grin wickedly at Will. "Oh yeah," she said in a slow drawl. "If worrying about who'll take care of your girl is holdin' you back from Tara Bear, don't sweat that. A line is already forming with me."

With that, Faith walked out of the library. Leaving behind a bigger mess than she could ever imagine.

---

"There's a line? A line is forming? That's what she said, really and truly?" Buffy demanded, appearing to be on a strange sugar induced pixie sticks high.

"Yeah, but--" Willow said with a frown.

Once again, she'd invited her two closest friends over to talk about the state of her life. So they were in their usual chatting place, Willow's room. Willow sitting on her bed with a hyperactive Buffy and Anya who was watching Buffy's antics with a lidded gaze of amusement. Xander was occupied with wondering if Buffy had went over to the dark side of the cheerleading force on them.

"I can't believe it!" Buffy cried, hugging a pillow to her chest. "Xander!" she exclaimed, looking at him. He raised an eyebrow at this attention. "She wears leather," Buffy informed with a smug expression. "A girl who wears leather is forming a line for me."

"Congrats," Xander said in jolly tones, giving a smirk.

"Thanks," said Buffy with a happy sigh, flopping back on the bed and smiling widely. "Life is good."

"If I had known leather caused this reaction in her, I would've slaughtered some cows," Anya remarked.

A loud cough then filled the air. Causing everyone to look at Willow who was scowling deeply. "Here to talk about me and my woes," she reminded in grating tones.

"Someone's grumpy," observed Anya. When Willow's scowl deepened, she shook her head and said, "What do you want us to say, cuz? Your life is messed because of this drag deal of yours and you haven't even got a new program yet, have you? You like Tara, find out you're a lesbian or whatever because of it, but Tara thinks you're a boy because of the drag thing, and now she's all confused about her lesbian street cred. Then you've got the whole Buffy is your fake girlfriend issue that's unresolved and keeping you from Tara. Plus the problem of when/if Tara finds out about your womanly self how happy will she be about being tricked? You want us to come up with some way to fix this? Sorry, not happening."

"Anya," they all breathed her name, looking stunned. It was probably the first time they had ever heard the girl say something remotely significant and not sex related.

"What?" Anya said, studying them all like they were science experiments. "I have a brain too, you know. And you," she stared seriously at Willow. "Are in deep shit."

"I know," Willow moaned, covering her face with a pillow. Lifting the edge away from her mouth, she asked, "How can I fix it though?"

Exchanging a look, Xander, Buffy, and Anya wore firm expression and answered together, "Tell the truth."

For a reply, Willow moan turned altogether pathetic. And somehow, no one in the room could really blame her.

In the meantime, someone who had done a great deal of snooping and scooping finally located the address of the most mysterious boy at her school. The one that was too close to Tara for her own liking.

Ringing the doorbell, Cordelia smoothed her hair and practiced her winning smile that she used on all the boys. The fake one that somehow still managed to trick them all into believing she wanted them badly. Sometimes she thought she should go into acting, it worked so well.

Her boyfriend certainly fell for it.

Cordelia heard the sound of graceful footsteps and expecting Will, she formed that winning smile, only to blink when she rested eyes on a gorgeous blonde girl wearing tight capri pants and a spaghetti string tank top that revealed very abundant cleavage.

"Hello there," the blonde girl purred, draping herself on the doorframe. "What have I done lately that makes me such a good girl that the heavens sent me an angel?"

"Hi," Cordelia sputtered nervously, utterly unprepared to deal with someone this, well, forward and sexy.

"I'm Anya," the girl smiled. Her hand ran down the doorframe and Cordelia remained frozen as she felt the soft pad of her thumb trace her chin. "And you?"

"Cordelia," she replied.

Maybe it had been too long since she was last with a woman. She never had this reaction with the girls she dated before. Then again, they never acted like this.

"So," Anya moved her thumb up, lightly rubbing Cordelia's full bottom lip before she smiled slowly. "Why are you here, Cordelia?"

Snapping out of her daze, Cordelia backed up, just a bit to leave some distance between her and Anya but not enough so Anya would stop touching her. In fact, Anya's hand fell, tracing Cordelia's face to rest on her lithe neck, a gesture that caused the tall girl to shiver.

"I came to see Will," said Cordelia, shifting nervously. Wondering if she really wanted to go through with her plan now. Especially with someone like Anya around to distract her from it. After all, wasn't it really time she got over Tara and moved on? Cordelia licked her lips in an unconscious movement. Moved onto someone... more seductive? "I go to school with him."

"Ah," Anya said wisely, her eyes glinting with mischievous humor. "You're friends with the studmuffin." Turning around, she called out, "Will! Hunky hunky man meat! You have a girl here to see you!"

There was an instant clamor of noise and rushing around then Buffy peered out of Willow's room to look down at Cordelia who was now in the foyer, Anya having finally shut the front door. Frowning at the taller girl, Buffy then stuck her head back into the room and the noises calmed down to some dull thuds and faint talking.

Buffy and Xander soon emerged from Willow's room. Seconds after they did, Xander shrieked in girlish horror.

"Cordelia!" Xander exclaimed, rushing downstairs. "What are you doing here?"

"Xander?" Cordelia frowned. "You're friends with Will?"

"Yeah, old friends, we're buds, solid," Xander laughed nervously, seeming to deepen his voice which made both Anya and Buffy stare at him strangely. "Me and Will, we go back. Play football together and stuff."

This made Anya burst out laughing and glaring fiercely at her, Xander stomped on her foot. Making the blonde hop around as she grabbed her foot and cursed loudly.

Looking worried, Cordelia watched as Anya hopped over to the stairs to sit down, still holding her foot. Then Will appeared at the top of the stairs.

"Cordelia?" asked Willow in confusion. "What are--"

"She's with me! She's my girlfriend!" said Xander quickly, his eyes darting around and giving his friends a warning look as he took Cordelia's hand in his own. "Aren't you, honey?"

Blinking now and feeling completely lost about the situation, Cordelia tried to figure out what was going on. What on Earth was her beard doing at Will's house? And why did Xander hurt the hot blonde girl? And who was the other blonde anyway?

Cordelia didn't know the answers to any of these things and she wasn't about to get them either. Because she was being pulled out the door by Xander before she knew what was happening. The only thing Cordelia could clearly recall was Anya smiling sensually at her.

And that made it all worthwhile.

---

If there was something Dawn wasn't used to it was seeing her sister this happy. She had to be on one of those club drugs that they always warned them about at school lately. One of the ones that were pastel colored.

Buffy liked pastels, after all.

Then again, something was different. But Dawn couldn't put her finger on it. Something had changed lately. Made their lives infinitely less annoying. What was it?

"Dawnie, my precious little sister?" Buffy sing songed, causing Dawn to blink at her. That solidified it. She had to be on pastel colored club drugs. There was no other answer for the situation. "If Riley calls, I'm not home. In fact, I'm never home for Riley. I'm in Turkey."

"Turkey?" Dawn echoed, eyeing Buffy as she rooted through their refrigerator. She never could understand how her older sister looked so anorexic when she really wasn't and in fact, ate like a pig. "Why?"

"We broke up," supplied Buffy, peering at her sister. She frowned then revised, "Okay, I broke up with him. Only I haven't exactly told him yet. But I think if I don't call him for a couple of weeks, he'll get the hint."

Buffy broke up with Riley. All right, maybe she was wrong. Her sister was happy because of pastel colored club drugs and because she was rid of boy boring. She couldn't fault her for that, certainly.

"Why'd you break up?" asked Dawn, giving into her sense of morbid curiosity. This might be good for her journal.

"He was involved with Anya in a most compromising way," Buffy answered. "Plus I met someone better." She closed the refrigerator, revealing that her arms were full of various sandwich supplies. "Someone who's not only sexy but is smart and has a personality."

"Way to go big sis," Dawn grinned. "What's his name?"

"Faith," said Buffy in dreamy tones as she walked over to the pantry and pulled out the bread. "It's a pretty name, don't you think?"

"Faith?" echoed Dawn, her eyes going wide.

"I never considered myself really one thing or the other," Buffy revealed, continuing to make the sandwich. "But I like her and she's so..." Buffy shivered then looked at Dawn before smiling. "If she comes over, I want you to be nice to her, Dawnie. I've sort of already been bitchy enough to last for three lifetimes."

"Okay," Dawn agreed dimly, feeling very shocked.

She watched as her big sister went back to fixing her food and realized that she hadn't seen Buffy this happy in some time. That meant this Faith girl couldn't be all that bad.

Even if she happened to make Buffy act like she was on pastel colored club drugs.

---

Why was she doing this?

She didn't want to do this. Really, she didn't. Ever since that day in the library, Willow hadn't seen hide nor hair of Tara. This caused her to bury herself in her work, making a whole new program partially inspired from her friend.

But still, why was she doing this? Dressed up in a tuxedo and going to the prom? Dragging Buffy along with her.

"Will," said Buffy rather nervously. She bit her lip and smoothed out invisible wrinkles on her sleek black gown that molded perfectly to her body. "Uhm, you know that Faith is playing prom, right? I haven't been able to see her since, well, you know, and..."

"You want to talk to her," Willow supplied with a sigh. She eyed her best friend who looked altogether anxious. "It's cool, Buffy," she smiled softly.

"Great!" exclaimed Buffy happily. She frowned and studying the redhead, who looked altogether sharp in the black tuxedo she wore, she asked, "Are you going to talk to Tara tonight?"

"I don't know," Willow sighed again. "Tara told me one thing and Faith told me another and what my heart tells me," she laughed caustically. "That's a whole different story."

"Show her the program," Anya advised, walking in the door, clad in a silk robe. "That'll fix it."

Shaking her head, Willow smiled fondly at her cousin. "It's more complicated than that," she said. She looked at the clock on the wall and murmured, "We should get going. It's starting soon." Looking over at Anya and her attire, she said, "Inviting people over?"

"I'm recuperating," Anya replied, actually sounding tired.

"Then get rest," Willow ordered affectionately, walking out the door with Buffy at her side.

Watching her go, Anya smiled then said quietly, "Good luck, cuz. I hope it works out for you." Stretching in a cat like movement, Anya yawned. "I can't believe I'm going to bed without sex," she said to herself. "I feel so nunly."

---

Tara wasn't sure who decided to name their prom 'seaside madness' but whoever did do it, she'd like to smack them.

Then again, Tara had been rather irritable the past few days. Faith and Oz thought it was a side effect from the lack of time the blonde was spending with Will.

Looking at her friends who were setting up their equipment, well, everyone but Lindsey who refused to play with them at prom. Saying that he was far too mature for this kind of gig. Ever since the boy started dating that law student, Lilah, he'd developed a big head.

Everyone else was here though. Faith, Oz, and... Tara frowned as she peered around the drum set. Where was--

"Hey Tara."

Jumping in the air, Tara whirled around to face the subdued and lanky form of Not Driving Stick's drummer, Marcie, who raised a dark eyebrow at her. "Don't do that," Tara said, taking a deep breath.

"Do what?" asked Marcie, giving a quirky grin.

"Show up out of nowhere," Tara elaborated with the tiniest of scowls that showed she really wasn't upset at all. "It's almost like you turn invisible at times, Marce."

"It's a skill," Marcie waggled her eyebrows and her grin widened. Leaning forward on her drum set, she said, "I'm planning on working for the CIA when I graduate."

"Ha," Tara rolled her eyes.

She was about to say something more when Faith called to her and turning around, Tara froze as she saw Will and Buffy walk onto the wooden dance floor the school had set up on the beach. Of course she knew he'd show up. But it was an altogether different thing to see him. And with his girlfriend at that.

"Tara Bear?" asked Faith, her voice gentle.

"I'm okay," said Tara shakily, closing her eyes and willing herself to be calm. She couldn't cry, she wouldn't cry, it wasn't her right. He wasn't hers, he never was. Feeling the quiet and comforting presence of Oz at her side, she turned to him and smiled. "I have my own date."

"The best date here," Oz said with soft confidence.

"So butch," Tara chuckled, her eyes tearing up as she wiped them away. "All right!" she said before taking a deep breath. "I'm going to be a good date and hang out next to the stage, acting groupie like while you guys start up your first number." Winking at Oz, she gave her best imitation of a happy smile. "How does that sound?"

"Groovy," said Oz in droll tones.

Laughing at this, Tara walked off stage, giving her friends one last wan smile before she disappeared into the crowd. In this time, Faith turned to Oz and sighed.

"Why do I got the feelin' this is gonna be a long night for us, Dorothy?" asked Faith rhetorically.

"At least you have eye candy," Oz replied, nudging Faith before he went to his side of the stage.

Blinking at this, Faith turned to look out into the crowd and grinned on seeing Buffy watching her with what was, for once, an expression that wasn't antagonistic. In fact, it was almost fond. Especially how the blonde gave the smallest wave of her hand as she smiled.

"Well now," Faith murmured to herself. "This just might be my lucky night after all."

That opinion was entirely debatable.

---

Everyone began dancing as the rhythmic and wild beats of the band filled the air. Including Willow as she tried her best not to focus on Tara's back. The blonde girl was standing in front of the stage, smiling up at her friends as they played, looking totally content.

Willow, on the other hand, was utterly miserable.

An unfortunate situation for her date, Buffy, who was on cloud nine as she let her body go, dancing to the beats and smiling up at Faith who seemed to be singing just for her. Particularly when she would form that sexy smile or her voice would lower into husky, seductive, tones.

It took until the third dance for Buffy to snap out of her Faith induced haze of happiness to realize Willow was trapped in the land of misery.

"Will," said Buffy, forming a face of concern as she clasped her friend's arm, feeling like a total asshole for not noticing earlier. Hormones really were a bitch, Buffy noted. She'd just have to try and not look at Faith if she wanted to be there for Willow tonight. She cringed inwardly at the thought. Not look at Faith? She was just now letting herself look. How unfair. Shaking her head quickly, Buffy reminded: this is for Willow! Willow who looked like she was in a mental coma. "Hey," Buffy said, shaking Willow's arm. "Snap out of it."

"Can we leave now?" Willow said, looking and sounding completely pathetic as she looked at Buffy with sad eyes.

"Oh Will," murmured Buffy. She reached up to cup her friend's face and said, "Don't do this to yourself. Go talk to her. Tell her the truth, you know you want to."

Willow frowned and formed a thoughtful expression. When she looked up and met Buffy's eyes, she appeared to have made a decision. She was about to reply when Faith's voice cut through the air from the stage.

"This next song is a cover with a special dedication. I think they'll know who they are when they hear it."

The air seemed electrified as Faith took the microphone and began the first lyric, "Your love is like a tidal wave, spinning over my head. Drownin' me in your promises, better left unsaid." Willow shivered, watching Faith's dark eyes lock on Buffy while she smiled. "You're the right kind of sinner, to release my inner fantasy. The invincible winner, and you know that you were born to be..."

A sense of foreboding ran through Willow when those eyes locked on her and Faith held a menacing stance while she sang out, "You're a heartbreaker. Dream maker, love taker." Her eyes locked straight ahead, Faith shot her arm out, stating her declaration. "Don't you mess around with me! You're a heartbreaker. Dream maker, love taker. Don't you mess around--"

"No, no, no!" the rest of the band sang along.

"Your love has set my soul on fire, burnin' out of control," Faith continued to sing. Stalking the stage, her eyes on those the lyrics were meant for. "You taught me the ways of desire, now its takin' its toll. You're the right kind of sinner, to release my inner fantasy. The invincible winner, and you know that you were born to be..." Faith paused to give a wild grin. "You're a heartbreaker. Dream maker, love taker. Don't you mess around with me! You're a heartbreaker. Dream maker, love taker. Don't you mess around--"

"No, no, no!" the band chimed in again.

The song went on until it ended with a final slam of the drums and Faith's husky voice fading into the shouts of the crowd. Closing her green eyes, Willow tried to dull the pain her chest. That had to have been meant for her.

She opened them just in time to see Tara making her way from the stage towards the refreshments. Seeing a chance, maybe her only one, Willow looked to Buffy who seemed lost in a world of Faith worship.

"Buffy?" Willow waved her hand in front of the blissful cheerleader's face.

"Huh?" Buffy blinked, looking dimly at Willow.

"I'm going to talk to Tara," said Willow. She looked back at the stage and saw the band was taking a break. "Maybe you want to do the same with Faith?"

In an instant Buffy was gone. Chuckling at this, Willow shook her head and headed towards Tara. The blonde was talking with the people running the booth Kate and--

"Jenny?"

The words were out before Willow knew it. She couldn't help it, really. Who could expect that her other computer teacher would be at the dance? Then again, after what she saw at Caritas, Willow wasn't too surprised.

"Will," said Kate warmly. "How's the program going?" The blonde teacher had been a big help to Willow as she worked nonstop in the lab the past few days. "Did you work out those nasty bugs?"

"Yeah," Willow said nervously, coughing and purposefully lowering her voice as she darted her eyes to Tara who seemed comfortable to stand there and let the teacher talk. "They're all gone."

Jenny didn't say anything, she merely studied Willow closely, her dark eyes observant. Finally, she formed a slow smile and murmured, "I'm sure you've worked it all out. You're very resourceful, aren't you, Will?"

Green eyes widened and Willow realized right then and there Jenny knew exactly who she was. And for whatever reason, her old teacher wasn't going to turn her in.

"I just love resourceful women," Jenny purred, latching onto Kate's arm while the blonde woman arched one fine blonde eyebrow at this. "They're so much fun."

"Yeah," Willow agreed with a nervous laugh. Looking over at Tara who was gazing off into the distance, Willow reached out to touch her back lightly. When the blonde turned towards her she smiled hesitantly. "Can we talk?"

Gazing into green eyes, Tara once again found herself replying before she knew it was really safe. "All right."

For a response, Willow gave a breathtaking smile.

---

At that exact moment, Anya was wearing a much different expression as she glared at the object of her perpetual annoyance. She really had planned on sleeping tonight, she hadn't been lying. For once Anya wanted to be boring and get some rest.

Only now the most boring person on the planet wasn't going to let her. This truly had to be one of life's greatest ironies. At least to her.

"I've already cursed you with an erectile dysfunction!" Anya declared, her eyes boring through Riley's skull. She was sure if she stared at him long enough, it'd explode. "What more do you want me to do? Hex you with herpes?!" She narrowed her eyes then wiggled her fingers and declared, "Then hex, hex, hex! A pox on your genitalia!"

"Where's Buffy?" asked Riley with a severe frown. "I need to talk to her. She hasn't called me in days." His frown deepened and he leaned closer. "This time I won't let you trick me into getting into bed."

"Like I want you around when there aren't any lovely ladies for you to service," Anya rolled her eyes. "Don't you think that Buffy not calling you for days on end is a sign of... oh, I'd go with... callous dumping of a relationship?"

"Buffy wouldn't do that!" Riley cried out. "She's gentle, kind, sweet, and tender! She's--"

"Nothing at all like that, crack addict," Anya interrupted in droll tones. "Have you been busy watching Leave It To Beaver and hitting the beer bong again?"

"Ye--NO!" Riley shouted, shaking his head. His frown growing wider and deeper, he looked almost dangerous as he declared, "Just take me to where Buffy is!"

"Fine, fine," said Anya dismissively, heading to the door. Stopping only when he yelled her name. "What now?"

"Put on some clothes," said Riley. He made a face as he waved at the silk, almost sheer, robe that clung to Anya's athletic frame.

"Barbarians these days are so demanding," Anya muttered to herself, heading upstairs with a grumble.

---

Faith had taken Buffy to the closest place to the stage that was private. Which was, surprise, surprise, behind it.

Leaning against the wooden frame, Buffy peered up at the sky, trying to control the butterflies in her stomach. Then a soft touch graced her cheek and she looked up and saw Faith smiling, her finger wound around a lock blonde hair.

"So," Faith tilted her head to one side and slowly let the hair unwind from her finger. "You said you know what you need. Are you gonna tell me?"

Her heart beating out of control, Buffy's eyes ran over Faith's curvaceous form, clad in the constant pair of black leather pants and this time a red half shirt. Dark eyes met hers with an easy, almost comforting gaze, as if to say that it was all right. Go ahead and spit it out.

"I think," Buffy began in breathless tones. "That you already know what my answer is going to be. Which, in that case, why should we bother saying anything at all?"

Chuckling softly, Faith grinned and her hand moved up, resting lightly on the nape of Buffy's neck as she pulled the blonde close to her. "I knew there was a reason that I liked you the moment I met you, sugar," she murmured.

"Oh?" asked Buffy curiously. "What's that?"

"We're the same," Faith said before she ducked her head to meet Buffy's lips with her own.

It was everything that Buffy wanted and more. The emotions, the passion, and the wonderful softness of Faith's lips pressed up against hers.

And oh, the taste of her! Buffy never had anything more delicious and the thing that made this truly special was the overwhelming fact that Faith actually had a brain.

It was safe to say Buffy was having the time of her life.

---

Hearing the vague sounds of a make out session from behind the stage, Oz smirked at Marcie who merely made a barfing noise and poked her index finger in her mouth.

"Don't like young love in bloom, Marce?" Oz asked.

"Oh, I like it fine, just not where I can hear it," answered Marcie, giving a snicker.

She was about to say more when her face shifted to a worried expression. Noticing this, he looked into the portion of the crowd she was focused on. Which is when Oz saw him. The person he least expected, the one he'd just dumped for keeping him a dirty little secret, and he was with someone who did the same thing to Tara.

"Xander," pronounced Oz in what was almost a growl.

Hearing her friend say this, Marcie studied the boy she'd only met a handful of times and watched as he shivered as Oz said this. Oh yeah, Marcie thought to herself, he knows he's in trouble.

Big trouble at that.

---

"I've missed you," Willow said softly.

It was the truth, she had missed Tara so much that it physically hurt at times. And looking at the blonde now, so beautiful in the light blue gown that clung to her frame, accentuating all of her curves and revealing the barest hint of her cleavage, and her hair pulled back, sprouting up in a wild fashion that made her utterly sexy, Willow had to remind herself to breath.

"Will..." Tara trailed off, squeezing her eyes shut. She wanted so much to hear that but it hurt so much. Why did he have to say things like that when he was with Buffy? And why did he have to look so cute in that tuxedo? Leaning against the wooden fence surrounding the dance floor, Tara looked out the ocean. "I missed you too." A moment of silence seized them and Tara recalled what Kate had said. "You finished your program?"

"Yeah," said Willow giving a small, happy, smile. "You actually helped a lot with it. I didn't know what I wanted to make but then I thought of you and your paintings."

"How did that help?" asked Tara with confusion.

"Well," Willow began, her smile widening. "I designed--"

The rest of her sentence was cut off by the sounds of a scuffle and the shouts of people Willow recognized. She just couldn't figure out what they would be doing at Pylea High's prom, of all places. Especially since Anya was supposed to be asleep right about now.

Frowning at she heard the sounds as well, Tara's eyes widened on hearing a loud shout. "Faith!" she cried out, running into the crowd.

"Great," said Willow sourly, having a moment of pure selfishness. She was just getting somewhere with Tara and then Anya and Riley... wait. Riley? Willow's eyes widened too and she exclaimed, "Buffy!"

Then it was Willow's turn to disappear into the crowd.

By the time Willow caught up with Tara, the fight appeared to be mostly over. She figured that was thanks to Kate who was standing in between Faith and Riley who looked hell bent on beating each other up.

"That's enough!" Kate declared, glaring at first Faith then Riley. "This is prom, not a boxing match." Looking over at Riley, she then said, "You're a little too old to be here picking on my students, don't you think?"

"Not picking on me, I was stomping him good," Faith grumbled, calming slightly when Buffy clasped her arm and leaned against her.

But this action just caused Riley to get, well, riled up again and attempt to approach Faith for another fist fight. Unfortunately, Kate was in front of him. Stepping close, she grabbed the collar of his shirt, yanking him down so she could glare fiercely at him. "Don't make me say it again," she growled. "No one messes with the students of Pylea while Kate Lockley is around."

This statement caused a huge outpouring of shouts declaring Kate to be the coolest teacher of all time and for her to kick Riley's ass all over the beach.

Smirking at this, Kate peered at Riley. "Well?" she said. "Don't you think you should be leaving?"

"She was making out with my girlfriend!" Riley sputtered, shifting in Kate's hold. "I had to do something!"

"Oh?" Kate arched an eyebrow and turned to face Faith who wore her best innocent expression. Which was, to be perfectly honest, nowhere near believable. "Is that true, Faith?"

"No way," Faith shook her head. "The only person I've been making out with is sugar here," she pointed at Buffy. "And she's going out with Will." She jerked her head over at Will who paled when everyone looked at him.

"Hey..." Willow said reluctantly, waving her hand.

"He's not dating Buffy!" Riley wailed discontentedly. He really didn't like being almost beaten up by several girls in one night. If his frat brothers found out he'd probably have to go through hell week again. "I am!!" He glared at Willow for a long moment, causing her to pale even more, then went on to say, "I don't know who that guy is! Buffy could never cheat on me! I watch her too closely!"

The world seemed to freeze as Riley said this and Willow turned just in time to see Tara lose all the color in her face before she faced him, wearing a look of total betrayal.

Then she ran through the crowd onto a deserted portion of the beach. Watching her go, Willow felt her heart seize in her chest and she immediately took after the other girl.

Leaving everyone else quite shocked about the situation.

Heaving a sigh, Kate looked back at Riley. "You ready to leave yet?" she asked in extremely dry tones. "I think you made enough trouble to last a lifetime."

"But Buffy--" Riley began petulantly.

"Oh, that's it!" Buffy shouted irritably as she walked up to Riley, causing Kate to release her hold on him. Glaring up into his eyes, she said, "We broke up! I didn't call you for how many days now?! Broke up! Big b, little u, broke up! And if you don't leave now I'll tell all your frat brothers about those kinky dreams you have involving them!"

Riley turned as white as a sheet and after giving several profuse and quick apologies, he ran away. The last thing he needed was his frat brothers finding out about those dreams.

Smiling triumphantly, Buffy leaned back into the comforting arms surrounding her and looked at Faith. Then she heard an all too familiar voice saying, "Frat boys sometimes do have those glaring tendencies, you know. Sort of like cheerleaders."

"Anya," said Buffy, looking mildly irritated. Willow's cousin was clad in a sheer dress that showed off the slinky red slip she wore underneath. "I supposed you were the one who brought him here. Thanks a lot."

"He was being barbarian like and threatening," Anya defended herself, looking hurt as she pressed her hand to her chest. "If I hadn't brought him here he might have assaulted me with his club." She formed a sensual smile at this and murmured, "That might've been fun though."

"Sick," Buffy accused, rolling her eyes. "You are the sickest person I've ever met."

"Thanks, beautiful," Anya said, her eyes searching the crowd for nummy treats. When her eyes locked on a very familiar lithe form, she smiled widely. "I'll see you later. I'm suddenly feeling very hungry..."

"That girl," Buffy sighed.

Faith frowned as she studied Anya closely. She looked back at Buffy and said, "How do you know her, sugar?"

"She's Will's cousin, why?" Buffy was frowning now. "Have you met Anya or something?"

"Somehow," Faith gave a low chuckle as she smiled slowly at Buffy. "I think everyone's in the community has met her one time or another."

And how could anyone argue with that apt statement.

---

Willow found Tara near the section of the beach where large boulders were located. It was only a few feet from the dance floor and Willow hoped Tara going here meant that she wanted to talk with her. The place was used by many visitors for a place to sit and watch the sunset on the shore. Tara was leaned up against one of them, her back facing Willow.

"Why?" Tara's voice was hoarse and breaking. "If you weren't really dating Buffy why did you...? Is it because you don't really like me? That you wanted to be nice and spare the poor confused lesbian's feelings when you realized that liked you?" Moving her head, Tara's watery blue eyes hit Willow like a force of a thousand suns. "Why did you do it?"

"It wasn't like that at all!" Willow protested, taking a slow step forward. "I swear, Tara! I like you so much. It scares me sometimes, how much I like you."

"Then why?" asked Tara, wiping her tears away, and fixing an almost cold gaze on Willow. "I need to know why you lied to me, Will. There had to be a reason."

Shifting from foot to foot and feeling very aware of her fake equipment she was wearing, Willow closed her eyes and took a shaky breath. It was now or never. If she didn't tell Tara the whole truth, she never would.

Ducking her head down, Willow tried to calm her nerves as she shrugged off her jacket, letting it fall on the beach, her fingers then fumbling with the bow tie, taking it off, then undoing the buttons of her shirt. All the while, Tara watching her with widening eyes. When the shirt was unbuttoned, Willow let it fall open, revealing the bindings over her chest which caused Tara to frown. This was it, Willow realized, the moment where she sank or swam.

Her entire body trembling beyond her control, Willow undid the bindings one by one until they fell softly to the ground and revealed a pair of petite and perfect breasts.

Tara's only reaction was to glance from the breasts to Willow's face to the breasts again. "Will..." she began in puzzlement. "But you..."

"I'm a girl," Willow interrupted softly. "My name is Willow Rosenberg and I came to your school so I could enter that computer program contest as another person. I never meant to trick you... Buffy told people she was my girlfriend to keep people from hitting on me. I never knew I would meet someone like you. That I would--"

"You lied," Tara said harshly, her face forming a cold mask. "You not only lied about Buffy but you lied... you lied about everything! You're not even who I thought you were! Are you even gay?" Tara shook her head and gave a bitter laugh. "No, don't tell me! I bet you're just a straight girl getting weird kicks off of getting me to fall for you while you wear fake plastic equipment! That is what I felt that day isn't it? God," Tara laughed again. "I can't believe I actually thought I was in love with a boy!"

"You're in love with...?" Willow began in hopeful tones which were immediately dashed when Tara glared at her.

"WAS," enforced Tara strongly. "I don't know you and I'm starting to think I never did. You..." Closing her eyes, Tara seemed drained of her anger and she shook her head. "Just leave me alone, Will... Willow... whoever you are."

Willow remained completely frozen as Tara walked away, heading back towards the dance and, presumably, her friends. Then she came out of her shock and ran after the other girl, catching up with her on the crowded floor.

Unaware or uncaring of the fact that her shirt was open and revealing her breasts for most anyone to see, Willow grabbed Tara's arm. "Tara!" she called out, turning Tara around to face her. When Tara looked down at her with dull blue eyes that seemed devoid of emotion, Willow felt her heart break in two. "I'm sorry," she whispered. "The last thing I wanted to do was hurt you. I... I love you."

Cupping Tara's face gently in her hands, Willow moved forward to meet their lips in what she hoped would be a healing kiss, one that would express how sorry she was, one that would bring them back together.

Willow's lips were tender and soft as they caressed Tara's, pulling away slowly, trying to make the moment last. The entire prom was silent as they watched Tara, her eyes still closed and her face shuttered against emotion.

Then Tara's blue eyes locked on Willow.

"It doesn't matter," said Tara quietly. "I don't know you."

Then she turned and walked away, leaving Willow alone, feeling utterly defeated and completely heartbroken.

She was still standing in shock when she felt a tender arm around her shoulders and she looked up at Xander. He was clad in a tuxedo like her, except his was covering a more of his body than hers did at the moment. Noting this, his hands reached down to button her shirt and she watched him work with listless eyes.

"I lost her, Xander," said Willow, her voice hoarse.

"Maybe not, sweetie," Xander murmured, looking up into her eyes. "Give her time. She just found out the boy she fell for is really a girl. That's a bit much."

"She hates me," Willow said in dead tones.

"No, no," Xander crooned, pulling Willow into his arms and rocking her back and forth. "She doesn't hate you. I'm the expert at seeing hate and that girl doesn't hate you. She's just hurt, that's all. If she hated you, she would've looked at you like Buffy looks at polyester."

Laughing tearfully at this, Willow looked up at Xander who smiled softly down at her. "Xander," she whispered.

"Yes, honey bottom?" asked Xander quietly.

"Why are you here?" asked Willow, frowning a bit. "Not that I'm not glad to see you but you don't go to Pylea."

"Ah, but my beard does," Xander replied with a small grin. He darted his eyes around dance floor and not seeing Cordelia anywhere, he frowned. "Although I will admit, I have no idea where that girl disappeared off to. Not that I'm overly worried about that right now. Come on," he said, looking down at Willow. "Lets get you home."

"Yeah," Willow sighed, rubbing her eyes. "That would be a good idea. Buffy will be okay. She's with Faith."

"I love that sooo much," Xander chuckled. "Bufficus has gone 'But I'm A Cheerleader' on us. It's yummy gossip!"

They had just stepped off the dance floor and were about to leave when they paused on seeing someone step in their way. Both their eyes widened as they looked at them.

"Oz," Willow and Xander said together.

"Hiding the truth is never a good thing," Oz murmured, his eyes seeming to never lock on just Willow or Xander, but rather on them both. "Don't you agree?"

"She's had a rough night," said Xander, his voice turning almost hostile. "She knows what she did was wrong but it's a tad late to change things. But," brown eyes were soft as they met Oz's. "She can try to fix things. We all can."

"Yeah," Oz formed a small smile. "We can." Walking past them, he paused next to Willow and murmured, "She does love you. I know that."

"Thank you," whispered Willow.

"No problem," replied Oz. He lifted his gaze to look at Xander and he said, "Call me?"

"Right after I have an altogether traumatizing talk with my parents about the bees and the bees," Xander said as he gave his very best flirtatious grin.

Chuckling, Oz said, "Let me know if you need help."

"Oh, I will," Xander said coyly, giving a wink before he walked away with Willow at his side.

Watching them go, Oz sighed then turned back to the prom which seemed to be slightly back to normal. That meant they could probably start playing again. Only there was one problem with that idea.

Their lead singer was missing.

---

Faith and Buffy were involved in an extremely enjoyable make out session when soft footfalls interrupted them. The couple pulled apart reluctantly to look at the figure of a very distraught Tara with tears in her eyes.

Instantly, Faith pulled away from Buffy and went dashing towards her best friend who collapsed in arms. Concerned and shocked at this reaction, Faith held Tara closer as she leaned down to whisper in her ear, "Tara Bear?"

"Wi-Will..." Tara sobbed. She buried her face in the crook of Faith's shoulder, trying to gain a semblance of comfort as she breathed in the familiar scent of Faith's cologne.

"What about Will?" asked Faith softly. All the while swearing inwardly that if he hurt her best friend it was going to be quite some time before he could walk right.

"He's not a he," Tara hiccuped, her hands gripping Faith's half shirt in her grasp. "He lied to me... all this time."

"Tara Bear," Faith began, pulling away from her friend to clasp her shoulders. Ducking her head she looked up into teary blue eyes. "I don't understand. What did he do?"

"Will is Willow," said Tara, wiping her tears away with the back of her hand. "He's really a girl, who's just been in drag this entire time. To enter that computer contest." Her gaze drifted over to Buffy who smiled nervously. "You," she said quietly. "You knew all along."

"She wanted to tell you," Buffy offered, not quite knowing how to deal with the situation. "She was just scared of... well..."

"How'd I react?" Tara asked, giving a little sob. "Yeah, well," she shook her head. "Sorry for freaking. I was sort of surprised to find the boy I was falling for is really a girl and that I don't really know them at all."

"Wait," Faith said, blinking. "Will is a girl?"

"Yeah," Tara and Buffy said, looking at Faith with some concern. Surely the dark haired girl wasn't that slow.

"Why are you upset then?" Faith squinted at Tara. "Your perfect guy is a perfect girl. Now you're free of that sexual confusion deal. You're a lesbian, you like a chick. Granted she sorta lied to you but..." Seeing Tara scowl at her Faith sighed and said, "Tara Bear, just hear me out." When Tara calmed a bit, she continued, "How much do you like her? Is it enough to try and forgive her? Or is it so little you can't manage? That's what you gotta decide now."

"You're making me feel guilty," said Tara, sounding like a small child as she peered at Faith with sad eyes.

"I'm sorry, Tara Bear," said Faith with a gentle smile. "Y'know I don't wanna but that's the deal. You know it and I know it. What happens next is up to you."

"Yeah," Tara sighed deeply. "I know."

The only thing Tara didn't know was exactly what she wanted to happen next.

---

Stepping into her house, Willow noted that the lights were on. Anya must've gotten a ride back home, she observed.

Walking upstairs, she gave into the need to talk with her cousin and pushed the door to Anya's room open, only to freeze as she stared at the scene before her.

"Cordelia?" Willow squeaked, gawking at the tall brunette who was barely covered by Anya's sheets as she hovered above her cousin.

Moving away from Anya to lie on her side, Cordelia arched an eyebrow at Willow and smiled. "Seems that we have more in common than I thought, Will," she said in somewhat teasing tones.

"You... Anya... what?" Willow sputtered in shock.

"Cordelia's days in the closet are over," Anya supplied with an evil grin. "I've set her free, unfettered her from the worries of caring what other people think of her!" She leaned over, leaving a series of kisses on Cordelia's collar bone, looking up at her cousin. "She's been welcomed to the fun that is Anya's world."

"This is... okay," Willow shook her head. She was about to say something more when someone called her name.

Turning to look around the door, Willow saw Xander bounding upstairs, holding her tuxedo jacket in his hand. "You left this in my car, Willy," he announced.

"Xander! Xander, hi!" Willow said, rushing forward, feeling for some reason she had to hide from him the fact that his beard was also using him for a beard. "Lets go downstairs, it's nice downstairs, it is!"

"Willster?" asked Xander with a frown. "What's up? Has your brain finally been fried by the crossdressing drama?"

Laughing nervously, Willow said, "Yes! It's fried!"

Before she could say anything else, Cordelia poked her head out of Anya's room, walking into the hall with the sheet clinging to her bare frame. Anya soon followed, not seeming concerned at all with her nudity.

"Xander, good," said Cordelia, sighing. "I wanted to talk with you. As you can see," she gestured towards Anya as her eyes darkened with desire. "The team I'm playing for is somewhat different than yours so..." She trailed off and seemed to ponder how to say it. Cordelia then shrugged after a moment and said, "We're through."

"What?!" Xander cried out. His eyes narrowed and glaring at Anya he declared, "You little slut! You've gone and converted my beard!" Sniffing, he rolled his eyes and muttered, "You're just lucky I've decided to come out myself because of all these unfortunate revelations going on with crossdressing and Willy. I swear."

"What?" Cordelia frowned now. "You mean you--"

"Honey, I'm as queer as black sunshine!" Xander announced. Looking over at Anya he waved his hand at her and said, "You just treat her right. She was a good girlfriend." Meeting Cordelia's gaze, his voice turned soft as he murmured, "You were divine, darling."

"Thanks," said Cordelia with a smile. "You weren't so bad yourself. For awhile there I had the prettiest boyfriend."

"You better believe it," Xander said saucily. Looking down at Willow who was still holding onto his arms, he said, "I'm fine now, Willy the Pooh. Don't stress out on me, you've got a long road ahead."

Looking from Xander to Cordelia who was busy being pressed against the wall by Anya as a spontaneous make out session was initiated, Willow sighed heavily.

Nothing could be more true.

---

Trying to ignore the stares, Willow ran her fingers through her hair. It felt strange to have it so short and to be back in her girl clothes again, sans manly parts.

Actually, she was quite glad to be rid of the manly parts. And she was even gladder to be back at Sunnydale High. It was a lot nicer than Pylea. Except...

It didn't have Tara.

That alone made Willow depressed. Along with the fact that the other girl hadn't talked to her in a week. That was how long it'd been since prom took place and in all that time, no matter how many times she'd called Tara, she'd never spoken to her once, or gotten a call back.

Maybe Tara didn't want to see her. Maybe Tara wasn't going to forgive her. Maybe Tara never liked her at all.

Willow now looked like someone shot her puppy.

Noticing this happen for the seventh time today, Buffy sighed deeply and shoved Willow on the arm lightly. "It won't do you any good, brooding over it," Buffy advised. "And brooding is just so..." Buffy shuddered. "It isn't an attractive state, that's for sure. I could never date Faith if she brooded all the time like you do lately."

After she said the word Faith, the blonde cheerleader went off into her usual haze and Willow sighed again. Both her friends were lost in deliriously happy land lately. Buffy in her new relationship with Faith, the girl with a brain, and Xander on getting back together with Oz. Plus the fact he had come out and all the girls who'd been previously molesting him now only wanted to go clothes shopping with him.

And Anya? She didn't change much at all due to whatever she had with Cordelia. What was different was when she had her weird escapades she had someone constantly with her. Which, in a way, was the oddest thing of all.

That even Anya had discovered someone for her. Someone who would love and accept her for exactly who she was. Willow thought she had found that in Tara despite the fact who she was became obscured by being in drag and wearing certain manly parts.

But Tara wouldn't talk to her.

So Willow found herself wondering if Tara really knew her at all... if Tara ever really cared about her.

"Uh oh," Buffy grabbed onto her arm and Willow looked up just in time to see the jocks approach. "It begins."

"Buffy," said Willow with a huge sigh. "You really should be used to them asking you out by now. Just--"

"Willow?" the head jock interrupted, giving a small smile as he looked nervously at the tiny redhead.

"Yes?" Willow asked, blinking as she wondered just why he was talking to her and why Buffy looked so smug.

"Can we go out this Friday?" the jock asked.

"Me... you... Friday?" Willow repeated in certain shock, unsure why this was happening or how to reply.

Lucky for her, Buffy took over. Hooking her arm in Willow's, she smiled sweetly at them. "I'm sorry, you guys, Willow has been through some bad times lately, she's still getting over stuff," she said apologetically.

The jocks nodded then turned to walk away, leaving Willow in certain shock. Turning to Buffy, she asked, "How did that happen? They weren't here for you."

"Of course they weren't," Buffy smiled slyly. "Don't you know, Wills? I'm a lesbian now."

At this, Willow could only break out laughing.

---

Years had passed since the last time she sat in Jenny Calendar's office. At least, that's what it felt like as Willow sat there, looking at her computer teacher.

"You won the contest at Pylea," Jenny said, smiling. "I guess I should congratulate you on your resourcefulness and ability to create a great program in a short time. But somehow," Jenny's dark eyes were sympathetic as she gazed at Willow. "I don't think that would help make you any happier right now, would it?"

"You're right," Willow gave a wan smile.

"I have to say," began Jenny as she leaned back in her chair. "I was surprised to see you there at prom. And in a tuxedo at that. I pretty much figured out what was going on after hearing you talk with Katie. I admire what you did, Willow," Jenny smiled. "Not giving up... having that persistence. You have what it takes to be a great computer programmer for any company."

"Thank you," said Willow, blushing a bit.

"Your program seems very personal," Jenny murmured. "It's touching... I don't think I've ever seen an art program that lends such involvement to the creative details or such variety in the patterns or choices for the artist."

"I made it for her," Willow revealed softly, positive Jenny would know who she was talking about. "She paints."

"Has she seen it yet?" asked Jenny.

"No," Willow shook her head. "I still have a few things I want to fix and change... maybe improve on. Soon as I do that, I'll send her a copy. Maybe she'll see it and..."

Watching Willow trail off sadly, Jenny said, "Give it time." When Willow looked up at her, she smiled. "If you truly love someone, sometimes you have to wait for them. And that wait is worthwhile. Believe me, it is."

"Kate?" asked Willow hesitantly.

"She's a pain in the ass," Jenny said, smiling fondly as she thought of the other teacher. "But one I love very much. If you love Tara too, then all you can do is wait."

"That's the hardest part," said Willow in wry tones.

Arching an eyebrow, Jenny chucked appreciatively and leaning back in her chair, she said, "Too true."

---

On walking out of Walsh Enterprises, Willow was met with the sight of Anya draped all over her sports car, looking like something out of a hair metal video. Especially in her black vinyl pants and sheer blue top. Not to mention her tacky orange lens sunglasses and boots.

"Anya," Willow said in her usual commanding tones. "What are you trying to do? Wax your car with your butt? You know that doesn't work out very well."

"Ha," said Anya in droll tones, pushing her sunglasses down to peer at Willow. "Don't start the insulting brigade with me, cuz. I'm doing your delectable self a favor by picking you up at work each day. And it's summer too, I should be at the nude beach with Cordy right now."

"Thanks for the visual," Willow remarked, watching Anya hop down from her car.

"Not a problem," Anya said, giving a rather lascivious grin. "But next time I might have to charge you for the entertainment that is imagining my sex life."

"Get over yourself," said Willow, rolling her eyes.

Anya was about to reply when she froze, leaving her mouth wide open and Willow rather stunned about this reaction. Turning around, the redhead reacted quite the same when she saw Tara standing there.

Tara, clad in a pair of crisp blue pants and white shirt. Looking more beautiful than Willow had remembered.

"Hi," Tara murmured quietly.

"Hi," Willow echoed, feeling shocked.

Moving her eyes from one girl to the next, Anya announced to no one in particular, "I'm going to stand over there now. Which is far, far, away from here."

With that, Anya dashed towards a local ice cream stand to buy some treats and watch the scene play out subvertly.

Willow remained still as she observed Tara's blue eyes smoothly tracing her form, going over the long green skirt she wore and the light tan shirt with a swooping collar that showed off her female curves nicely.

"You look nice as a girl," Tara complimented finally. Her eyes traced up to Willow's hair which was slightly longer and less spiky than before. "Growing it out?"

"Yeah," Willow nodded. "I only cut it because..." She trailed off as she watched Tara wince. "I missed you," she said after a long moment. "It's good to see you, Tara."

"I got your program," said Tara, her eyes solemn.

"Did you like it?" Willow asked nervously.

"It's almost like painting on a real canvas," said Tara. She then smiled wryly. "Not that I'd know. But I did like it."

"I'm glad," said Willow, smiling happily.

They were quiet for a long and endless moment then Tara ducked her head and said in soft, pained, tones, "I missed you too. I really did."

"Tara," Willow moved forward, stopping in front of the other girl, leaving them only a breath apart. "I'm sorry for what I did. I never meant to hurt you, I swear. I just--"

"Do you still feel the same?" Tara interrupted softly, locking an earnest and unrelenting gaze on Willow.

"I love you," murmured Willow, her eyes teary.

Instead of replying, Tara formed the most breathtaking, beautiful, smile Willow had ever seen then moved to capture the redhead's lips with her own.

Lips met lips over and over again as tongues entwined and they tasted the sweetness of each other. Only aware of the other's presence and the love they felt. That and the faint sounds of soft moaning one of them was producing. Or was that both of them? They weren't really sure.

The only thing there sure of was that this was right. That this was where they belonged. That this was where they were happiest.

And watching the couple from across the street, Anya smirked and took a slow lick of her double chocolate mint ice cream and murmured, "I'd like some of that."

-End-

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"I hope she didn't feel my manly parts." Misaki from Futaba-kun Change.

[Warduke]

Simply amazing nic, just such a great fic, I will have to read it again...soon

[Rane]

very bizarre but cute. you can do an 80's series. like pretty in pink next or the goonies...

[xita]

Oh n;c, how brilliant is this. My dream came true. Willow in drag.

Thank you, thank you.

Anya and Xander are just the best.

[tommo]

Nic, as always, you exceed expecatations in a delightfully humourous and pithy manner. Gotta love Anya.

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"Tara had never felt as good about herself in her life. Willow gave her that gift. And another gift. Tara couldn't quite bring herself to call it love. Not yet. But there was time." ~ Unseen: The Burning

[madeira_bluegrrl]

I absolutely adore this story. You did an amazing job with it, dreiser!

Alicia

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Amber is the Goddess of Gorgeous
~*~

[Kajun]

WoW!! This is awesome! I've enjoyed every delicious word! Now I'll be grinning all day... Thank you.. Thank you.. More please!

Oh.. I loved the movie but your fic is much better!! Again, I say WoW!

[Ginner]

I've just finished reading both the first and second part to this fic Nic and all i can say is wow.

It is absolutely amazing.

Anya was so funny.

The couples and the way you paired the characters together was great.

Great fic Nic. (Heh heh, that rhymed)

[Halcyon]

Heehee...Willow in drag and Anya so true to form. Thanks for a good read.

[DISASTERAREA]

Very bizzare, but hugely enjoyable, Great fic dude!
*Yes Honey Bottom*.......Tee Hee

[Dave]

Yes! Another fic for my Dreiser story folder!

Thank you for your fun novella that I thoroughly enjoyed reading.

Just another gushing Fanboy,

Dave

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Willow: I can do dramatic. (To MKF) You cannot have more catnip! You have a catnip problem!"

Tara: (beams) Definitely drama.

[Catwoman]

This fic had just about everything. All the characters, all the possible pairings, and of course the compulsory prom scene . I loved it. Definitley one of the best fics i've ever read.

[Puff]

wow nic I loved it, so funny and so sweet.

[fell]

finally, the all-gay buffy episode of my dreams!

this seemed so weird and bizarre when i started reading it, then it just swallowed me whole. made me laugh and cry at the same time.

thank you so much for this absolutely amazing fic.

[Sparky]

Now I used to love that movie when it was on, but this story beats it by far. If this story was ever made into a movie, I'd watch it over and over.

Willow with short spikey hair, and a package.

Fashionable Xander, and

Anya...I giggled so much when I read her lines. She's so crazy.

I really liked this story. It wasn't that long, but it still had the entire plot. How do you do that?

Great job, Nic!

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-"She's my girl"

-"She's my everything"