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TITLE: THE LOVERS, THE DREAMERS AND ME
AUTHOR: Wimpy0729
RATING: R
DISCLAIMER: Willow, Tara and all other BtVS characters belong to Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy, etc. All other characters, human and otherwise, belong to me. The Rainbow Rescue mentioned in this story is in no way based on the actual establishment. The fundraiser/ghost hunt mentioned is based on one I actually attended, and that group is simply amazing. A big thanks to them and similar groups who do such amazing work for animals.
FEEDBACK: Yes please.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: I have no beta, so please PM me for any glaring errors.
A huge thanks again to all for reading and/or replying!
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CHAPTER 12
Tara awoke the next day and everything seemed brighter somehow. She smiled as she opened her bedroom curtains and looked out over their huge yard. The closest house was at least half a mile away, and she loved being out in the country. The sun was shining and it would be a great day for a swim. It would be a great day for anything really.
Faith already had breakfast ready and the coffee on when Tara made it down to the kitchen.
"You're up early today," she said as she poured her cup of coffee and joined Faith at the table.
"Yeah. I'm feeling a lot better. That stomach bug kicked my ass for a couple of days."
"Well, you look better. That pale look just doesn't suit you."
"Thanks...I think. I thought I'd start mowing soon before it gets too hot."
"You need any help?" Tara asked as she helped herself to the eggs and toast.
"Nope, I got it covered."
"Okay if you're sure. I'll go on over and help mom out, then when I get home how about we take a swim?"
"That sounds great. I'll probably be ready for it when I get done with the grass."
Tara glanced over at Faith as they ate and laughed internally as she remembered what Willow had shared with her about Buffy.
"Have you talked to Buffy lately?" She tried to ask nonchalantly.
"I was thinking about calling her today, get everything set for Saturday. I hope she's not freaked by that school. I've seen stuff there that I'll never forget."
Tara looked down into her plate and tried to hide her smile. "I have a feeling she'll be fine."
"What about you and Willow? When are you gonna see her again?"
"I'm not sure. She asked me to go out on a date with her but we didn't pick a day yet."
"You're off Saturday and Sunday, right?"
At Tara's nod, Faith continued. "Well, why don't you two just come to the fundraiser with us? You could always do dinner or something before or after."
"I could give her a call today and see what she says. I'd really like to go to the fundraiser again."
"You gonna wear the shirt I got you at the last one?" Faith teased. Of course she was referring to the shirt she surprised Tara with that read, 'Don't Scare Me I Poop Easily'.
Tara just laughed and shook her head. "Right, Faith. I've just been dying to wear that on my next date. That shirt is reserved for sleeping only, and definitely not when I'm with a very cute redhead."
"Fine, be that way," Faith huffed. "I thought it was cute." Then Tara could've sworn she actually saw Faith pout.
Calls were made and plans arranged for Saturday. Willow was excited about the fundraiser, and even told Tara they had dealt with a poltergeist problem before when they were in high school. It seemed like Willow had led a very exciting life. Her one stipulation was that she was taking Tara out to dinner beforehand as their first "real" date. They would drive to Tara and Faith's, then go separately in the trucks from there.
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Saturday came quickly, and once again Buffy was needed to help Willow find the right outfit to wear for the dinner/ghost hunt date.
"Our lives are not like other people's," Buffy said as she handed Willow a long sleeve sweater.
"You got that right."
"I suggest layers, like a hoodie to wear over that for the school. I mean, it's a deserted old school, probably on the dusty side."
"I concur," Willow agreed as she grabbed her favorite sweatshirt. "Okay, I'm ready. I just need to call Xander and remind him to let Chosen out later."
"Are you nervous?" Buffy asked on the way out the door.
"You know, surprisingly I'm not. I'm just excited. I get to see Tara again," Willow practically gushed as she started her car and turned to her friend. "I can't stop thinking about her, Buffy. I've never felt anything like this."
"Really? Cause I couldn't tell with all the goo-goo eyes and the sighing," Buffy teased. "Tara this and Tara that..."
"Say what you want, I don't care. I'm too happy."
"Well, it's about time," Buffy said sincerely. "Just be careful not to get all dizzy in the knees if you two start with the kissing again."
Willow just grinned and sighed...again. "I like the dizzy."
"You like the kisses."
Willow sighed once more. She did like the kisses. No, she actually loved the kisses. She couldn't get Tara's soft lips off her mind and couldn't wait to taste them again. "Okay, enough making fun of my goo-goo eyes. What's up with you and Faith anyway?"
"I talked to her a couple of times this week. Man, she's even sexy on the phone." Now it was Buffy's turn to sigh. "I guess I'll just see how it goes tonight."
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"Tara, aren't you ready yet?" Faith yelled through the blonde's bedroom door.
"Um...almost. I'll be out in a minute."
"What the hell are you doing? You've been getting ready for two hours." Faith cracked open the door and peeked in then opened it the rest of the way and stood there with her hands on her hips. "You gotta be fuckin' kiddin' me. Turn that thing off, they'll be here any minute."
"Oh shit. What time is it?"
"It's 10 til 'get your ass downstairs now' o'clock!"
Tara sighed then began to shut down her laptop. "Sorry. I was just gonna read for a minute and lost track of time. I was just getting to the good part," she mumbled.
"Well if you play your cards right, you just might get some 'good parts' in real life."
Tara stood silently and closed the lid once all the programs ended. She hung her head and ran her fingers over the black rectangle then smiled. "There have been some amazing real life 'good parts' with her already, but..." she trailed off with a shrug.
Faith leaned against the doorframe and folded her arms over her chest. "But?" she asked quietly. They had had this conversation many times and she knew how important it was to her friend.
"You know what 'but', Faith," Tara whispered. "The big scary one."
"You really like her, don't you?"
Tara raised her head and looked her in the eyes. "Very, very much. She makes me all..."
"Crazy?" Faith teased and Tara blushed.
"Look, you guys just met, so give yourself time. There's no pressure. If you get to where you think you're ready to get past the 'but'...just talk to her. Now try to relax and have a good time tonight, okay?"
Tara smiled and nodded.
"Good. Are you ready?"
"Yep. All relaxed and ready to have a good time," Tara said confidently. "And thanks, Faith. You're not always an asshole, you know."
The brunette shrugged and started to turn a light pink. "Don't tell anyone or it'll ruin my rep. Now, do you need to go wash your hand before we go?" Faith smirked to cover up her blush.
Tara glared at her then gave her a sly smile as she raised her right hand and looked it over. "I changed my mind...you are always an asshole," she said, then burst out laughing as she chased a screaming Faith out of her room and down the stairs with it.
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Willow and Buffy arrived right on time and Willow and Tara shared a shy hug and kiss. That was all they dared to do in front of their best friends, who would probably tease them mercilessly.
Faith and Buffy went straight to the school to get everything set up. Different places had donated food, drinks and a variety of prizes for the raffle, so they had a lot of work to do.
Tara helped Willow up into the small 4x4 and snuck another quick kiss before she closed the door. Once out on the road, both girls reached for the other's hand at the same time and smiled as the tingle began.
After some research and consulting Tara, they had decided on a small Italian restaurant not far from the school. Their conversation flowed easily and both girls were enjoying their meals, but Willow was enjoying her view across the table even more. Tara was wearing a slightly low cut V-neck sweater, and Willow had to force her eyes up to meet Tara's several times. She kept chastising herself mentally, but it was a constant battle. <Gosh, look at those...no, don't look at those...look at those beautiful blue eyes...but if that sweater was cut just a little bit lower...No! Eyes...look into her eyes> Up and down, Willow's eyes just kept bouncing until she started to get dizzy, not to mention very warm. She finally decided to try to focus on her food until she could get her eyes to behave.
When she did look up again, she saw lidded blue eyes staring back at her own chest area, and a pink flush had come over the tan skin of Tara's face and neck and seemed to be extending a bit south of there. <Well, if she's looking at mine...>
They both looked up guiltily at the same time and Tara cleared her throat and took a long drink of her ice water. "I like your um...top," she said, almost convincingly. She was surprised she could speak at all considering the thoughts she had just been having about the things she wanted to do to Willow's lovely little breasts.
"And I really like yours. Your sweater's nice too," Willow whispered as she leaned closer.
Tara licked her lips and also leaned forward. "Willow," she whispered huskily, "are you through with your dinner?"
Willow gulped and nodded quickly. She motioned for the check and declined the waitress's offer for dessert. Tara could've sworn she heard her mumble something that sounded like, 'No thanks, I brought my own'.
In a blur, they found themselves locked safely in the truck sharing heated kisses. Willow's lips soon began a trek down the long, smooth neck, kissing, licking and sucking the sensitive skin.
"Oh God...you taste soo good."
Tara groaned as she thought of all the implications of those words. Her hands tightened their grip in red hair and pulled her in tighter. She felt delicate hands on the hot skin of her back, sliding tentatively inward and over her belly, then moving around to her back, then forward again over and over. On their last pass forward, they inched up slightly as Willow's warm tongue slowly descended down the V of the sweater. Willow felt a vibration against her lips as Tara tried to hold back a growl. Her hands were itching to move daringly higher just as a car's headlights flashed through their windshield.
"Oh, God." Willow leaned her forehead against Tara's shoulder and took a few deep breaths. She reluctantly eased her hands away from temptation as she placed a few more kisses back up the blonde's neck. "I'm sorry," she whispered as she pulled further away. She felt long fingers on her cheek turning her back to look into smoldering blue eyes.
"Please...don't ever apologize for making me feel so good," Tara said as she brought their lips together one more time. Willow nodded and swallowed hard at the intensity in those eyes.
"Well, I wasn't really apologizing for that part," she said wryly, "more for the timing and location."
Tara released a deep, throaty laugh obviously still tinged with desire. "Yeah. I guess it wasn't the smartest move, but...it's been too long...and I...I really missed you," she admitted honestly.
Willow's breath caught at the sincerity of Tara's words. She slid her fingers into silky blonde hair and pulled Tara closer until their breath mingled. "I missed you too." Soft, gentle kisses followed until they once again reluctantly pulled apart.
Tara sighed as she started the truck and turned, smiling at the redhead. "Well, I guess we better go see what kind of trouble Faith and Buffy are getting into."
"I shudder to think."
"Is that why you were shuddering?" Tara teased, smiling sexily.
"Definitely not."
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Buffy was impressed to say the least, and not just with Faith. The turn out for this fundraiser was much larger than what she had expected. Everyone who attended was asked to donate a bag of dog or cat food, which would then be shared between animal shelters in three counties. She watched as bag after bag was brought in and stacked at the entrance. She could see Faith glowing as she greeted each person with a genuine smile and thanks. Her smile grew even wider as she saw Tara enter with two large bags of dog food thrown over each shoulder. Buffy laughed when she saw her best friend following the blonde, obviously impressed, with a dreamy look on her face. That was until...
"Hey, sexy."
The greeting came from a tall woman with short brown hair that Buffy had noticed milling about earlier. Faith informed her she was a firefighter at her station, and Buffy supposed she could be considered attractive if one found large, rough-looking women their cup of tea.
"Haven't seen you at the gym lately, but you're lookin' fine as usual. Here, let me give you a hand with those," she said as she leered at Tara.
"Uh...hi, Kelly," Tara said uncomfortably as Kelly moved into her personal space to take the bags off her shoulders one handedly and threw them on the growing stack by the door.
Buffy took a quick glance at Willow and immediately recognized the look on her face. The narrowed eyes and the scowl told Buffy that the redhead was probably wondering if this Amazon woman fell into some demon category, and if not, did she really have to stick to the 'I can't slay humans' creed. Buffy's spidey senses however, were not tingling, so she moved quickly beside Willow and shook her head 'no' to her questioning look and heard her mumble something about 'damn slayer rules'.
"We've just been working out at home lately." Tara kept her response short and to the point. Of course, Kelly had been one of Tara's three dates from hell. She still couldn't figure out why she had agreed to go out with her in the first place, aside from the fact that Kelly had pursued her like a rabid pitbull and wouldn't take no for an answer. She sure didn't need this tonight. She was on her first real date with Will...<oh shit>
"Bye, Kelly," Tara said quickly as she turned and walked back to her date, who she could've sworn had steam coming from her ears as she gave Kelly her best death glare.
Tara smirked as she held out her hand to Willow, who she thought was even cuter when she was jealous -- God help her. "Ready, sweetie?" Tara asked as she got the redhead's attention and firmly took her hand. Buffy told Willow she was going to stay up front with Faith, so Willow nodded and let Tara lead her away.
Willow stayed unusually quiet as Tara took her down a long deserted hallway. They took a turn into a dark, empty classroom before Willow realized that this didn't look like any fundraiser she had ever been to. "Where is every..."
Her words were cut off as she found herself pressed against a wall and Tara's tongue vigorously invading her mouth. The intensity of the kiss and Tara's take-charge attitude made her knees start to buckle. The firm grip around her waist and the warm body pushing into her were the only reason she didn't collapse to the floor. She wrapped her arms around Tara's neck and held on as the blonde's tongue danced with her own, the slick muscles sliding and writhing perfectly together. Willow thought she was melting inside as she felt a firm thigh move between her own and gently press into her center. She vaguely wondered if it was possible to pass out from pleasure right before the state flag beside the chalkboard fell out of its holder and clattered across the floor, abruptly coming to a halt.
Willow jumped but Tara held her steady. "It's okay," she whispered as she lightly nipped her ear. "Hello, Mrs. Thompson," Tara called out. Willow watched in amazement as the flag started rolling again coming closer and closer to them.
"What the hell, Tara?"
"She was a teacher here a long time ago. She loved it so much, she decided to hang around." Tara giggled when she saw exactly how big those gorgeous green eyes could really get. "I'll be right back."
Willow slumped against the wall and stared at the blonde as she picked up the flag and put it once again in its holder. "Have a nice night, Mrs. Thompson. Sorry if we disturbed you." Tara took Willow's hand and led her back down the long hallway.
"Tara, what was that back there?"
"I heard that she's just pissed because they took her American flag out of there. There's nothing evil here, sometimes just a little mischievous."
Tara was jerked to a stop as Willow quit walking. "Not that...although that was pretty surprising. The other stuff...before."
Tara ducked her head, slightly embarrassed by her actions. "I'm sorry. I just didn't want anything to ruin tonight, and when I saw how you were looking at Kelly, well...I wanted to take your mind off of it. Did it work?" she asked shyly, looking up through her long lashes.
Willow stepped closer, cupped her cheek and repeated Tara's words from earlier. "Don't ever apologize for making me feel so good." She kissed her tenderly and sighed, then started leading Tara back down the hall. "And yes, believe me...your method worked perfectly. Feel free to use it anytime."
"Cool." Tara's smile was beaming.
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They entered the front area and people were everywhere. They saw Faith and Buffy near the door and headed that way.
"Hey, guys. Did you give Willow a 'private' tour, T?" Faith teased and watched the blush rise to her cheeks.
"Willow met Mrs. Thompson," Tara tried to ignore her and did her best to change the subject.
"Wasn't it awfully dark in Mrs. Thompson's room? All the way down there...out of the way?" Apparently Faith wasn't going to let it go that easily.
Tara squeezed Willow's hand and the redhead joined in to help. "You should've seen it, Buff. The flag came off the wall by itself, rolled around, stopped, then Tara talked to her, and it started rolling again."
"Wow. Sounds a lot better than muddy graves and a horde of wasps."
Noticing the matching raised eyebrows, she tried to explain.
"Our school was a special experience."
"Okay then, let's get this party started!" Faith said as she placed a hand on Buffy's lower back and guided her toward the main room. She took a quick glance at Tara and grinned.
"How was your dinner, T?"
"It was very good," Tara answered, a light blush rising unbidden to her cheeks.
"You sure Willow had enough to eat? Seems to me she might've still been a little on the hungry side," Faith smirked and cocked an eyebrow at the blonde.
Willow and Tara turned to each other with a questioning look as they entered the well-lit main room
"Oops," Willow whispered wide eyed as she caught sight of a light purple mark on Tara's neck.
"What 'oops' are you 'oopsing', Will? It's not like our shirts are inside out or anything...yet," she added on with a sexy grin.
Willow needed a couple of deep breaths to cool herself down after the visuals that comment brought to her mind. She cupped a hand around the blonde's ear and whispered softly. "Hickey, baby. Just a little one. I'm sorry."
Tara pulled back feigning shock, then smiled at the term of endearment. "Really? It's my first," she said almost proudly. She pulled Willow against the wall away from the crowd and spoke quietly. "Next time, just make it lower," she said with a wink as they moved toward the table where their friends were now sitting.
Willow was surprised her legs still worked considering they once again felt like jello. <Damn, you're killin' me>
Tara pulled a chair out for her, smiling as she plopped into it. "Better?"
"Much, thanks."
Tara sat beside her and reached under the table for her hand, then rested them together on her thigh.
"So, how's this thing work exactly," Buffy asked as she turned to Faith.
The brunette wrapped her arm behind Buffy's chair and casually leaned her body closer. "The tables in the back -- free food and drinks, all donated by local businesses."
"Cool," Buffy said enthusiastically.
"All the stuff on those tables there," she pointed to the front tables up by them, "all donated and will be raffled off in a little while. I'll start selling the tickets after we eat. Lots of autographed stuff, collectibles from the Ghost Adventure guys -- they always come through for us. The tables along the wall -- all that stuff's for sale."
Buffy and Willow were growing more and more impressed at the amount of work and love these people had put into this whole affair to help the shelter animals.
"That big jar at the end of that table is for donations. Then once we're done with everything here, they take groups through the school to do the paranormal investigations. There's always some type of activity here. It's pretty cool."
Faith poked Buffy lightly in the side. "I hope you don't scare easily."
Buffy just laughed as she looked into the deep brown eyes. "I think I'll be okay -- as long as you're with me," she flirted openly.
Willow choked and tried to muffle a giggle at Buffy's blatant actions. Tara released her hand and squeezed the warm thigh beneath. "What?"
"Can we get something to drink?"
Tara nodded, took her hand again and followed her to the back tables. When they were far enough away from their friends, Willow pulled her a little closer. "Buffy hasn't used a line like that since high school. It's just kinda funny to see her acting like that again. She's totally smitten."
They both turned to see their friends heading their way, huge smiles spread across their faces. Tara nodded and leaned into the soft red hair. "Believe me, it's mutual. I've never seen Faith so happy."
Once everyone was finished eating, Faith took the floor to a big round of applause. She thanked them all again for coming and contributing whatever they could to this important cause, then she began selling the raffle tickets to what Willow estimated close to 200 people in attendance in the old school.
Willow handed Tara a hundred dollar bill with the request to 'pick us a winner'. Buffy had done the same with Faith before she started the raffle. Tara sat up front helping her while Willow and Buffy walked around looking at all the items for sale at the other tables. They noticed a group of kids clustered around one area and listened to hear what had them so excited.
"I'm getting at least two -- one for each wrist!"
"Oh, me too!"
"I want the necklace. It's soo cool."
"Oh, me too!"
"I'm getting one of everything. Look! She even autographed the shirts! OH MY GOD!!"
When the squealing kids finally cleared away to pay for their treasures, Willow and Buffy's jaws dropped when they saw what were obviously the favorite items for sale -- leather wrist bands, rainbow wrist bands, necklaces, tank tops, t-shirts, autographed photos of Faith and Bubba, and books.
"What the hell?" Buffy said in shock.
Willow elbowed her friend in the ribs. "Hey, Buff, looks like your girlfriend's kinda famous. I guess in all the excitement, I forgot to google her."
"I had no idea. Look at all this! It's...it's her tattoo...on everything. That's so cool. And a book -- she actually wrote a book!" Buffy picked up a copy of 'Rescue Them All Or Die Trying' and began to leaf through it. Willow thought she'd need to get a napkin soon to catch her friend's drool if she didn't close her mouth soon. The Slayer was staring at a picture of Faith in her uniform with Bubba by her side. "Wow" was all she could keep repeating.
"This is pretty amazing," Willow agreed. She picked out a blue t-shirt for herself and a copy of the book and turned back to Buffy. "What are you getting?"
Buffy finally pulled her gaze from the picture and turned to her with a very determined look on her face.
"Her."
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Once the raffle was over, each girl having won at least one item, it was time for the ghost hunt to begin. On their way out of the room, Buffy saw Faith give the item she'd won to a little blonde preteen girl sitting in a wheelchair by the door with her therapy dog. The look on the little girl's face was priceless, and she was even more impressed as the brunette leaned down to autograph it.
They headed upstairs following their group leader. Tara held a flashlight in one hand and Willow's hand in the other. Faith also carried a flashlight, and as the rest of their group entered the first darkened classroom, she turned to face Buffy and held the light under her chin.
"Are you scared, little girl?" she said teasingly. Buffy pulled the flashlight down then brought her hand up to stroke the strong jawline. She looked intently into the dark brown eyes and smiled.
"Not one bit," she whispered as she leaned in.
Faith stood still in shock for about 1.2 seconds before wrapping her arms around Buffy's neck and returning the kiss. They slowly pulled apart and Buffy opened her eyes to see Faith slowly lick her lips, which only made her want to kiss them again.
"Mmm...you have the softest lips," she whispered leaning in to capture them again, then she jumped back with a start. She raised her eyebrows and smirked at the brunette. "Did you just pinch my ass?" she asked accusingly...not that she really minded.
Faith just laughed as she wove her hands in blonde hair.
"In case you didn't notice, my hands are up here."
"But, I know I felt..."
Faith just laughed again and yelled down the dark hallway. "Hey, Fred, keep your hands off my girl!"
Buffy looked behind her seeing nothing but darkness. She turned back to Faith to see her pull a device from her back pocket. "Watch this." She pushed a button and a row of lights lit up, then only one stayed lit. She moved down the hall a few steps and slowly, one by one, more lights stayed on until they were all lit up to the last one staying solid red.
"There you are, you rascal. Not that I blame you, but her ass is off limits, got it?" The lights flickered off one by one. "Thanks, Fred."
Faith stepped back over to Buffy, who was leaning against the wall smiling. "Your girl, huh?" the Slayer asked coyly.
Faith wrapped her arms around the little blonde and the next thing she knew, she was flipped around and pressed to the wall with fingers running wildly through her hair. Buffy finally pulled away from the kiss panting. Faith smiled and Buffy about melted as those dimples emerged once more.
"My girl."
"Cool."
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"So he really pinched your ass?!" Willow asked her best friend again.
"Oh yeah."
"Yeah, it was good ol' Freddie," Faith piped up. "He likes the ladies. He's got mine a couple of times, and he likes to pull hair too."
"Is that what happened to it?" Tara gave Faith a knowing smile as she watched her attempt to smooth it down.
"Not exactly," Faith said smiling as she reached for Buffy's hand.
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A couple of hours later, the girls decided they'd had enough ghost adventures.
"Well, that was definitely interesting. I had a great time, Faith," Willow told her as they left the haunted school.
"I'm glad you guys came. I had a great time too," she said as she squeezed Buffy's hand. "Did you guys see anything else 'scary'?" she asked as they reached the trucks.
"Well, the lockers rattled in the north hall again."
"And those chains shook in the gym," Willow added.
"And I saw an idiot trying to corner Tara in the bathroom," Buffy mumbled under her breath.
"Buffy..." Tara tried to shush her, but it was too late.
"What?! Who cornered you? Why didn't you say something?"
"I was going to tell you later. It wasn't a big deal, I promise," Tara said squeezing both of Willow's hands.
"Was it that lunatic Amazon again? Cause I've got a few choice words for her!" the irate redhead said emphatically.
Tara gave her an arched eyebrow and her lop-sided smile. Willow's jealousy was just so cute...and kinda hot.
"Willow, you are just too adorable sometimes. Yes, it was her, but it was taken care of. She tried to ask me out again, and I explained that I was seeing someone when Buffy came in and uh..."
"Scared the shit out of her."
"Yeah...that," Tara giggled. "She told her that I was dating her best friend, and if anyone messed with either of us, that she would spank their ass into the next county. Then she proceeded to pull a door off a bathroom stall and shook it at her."
"Buffy, you didn't," Willow pretended to scold her while she was grinning wildly. She was just sorry she wasn't there to see it.
"Um...poor workmanship? I put it back on," the Slayer said with a shrug.
"Damn, B, I gotta get me some of them Wheaties you're eatin'. So, are we meeting you guys back at the house?"
"Um, in a little while. I wanted to show Willow something first."
_________________ Pam aka Wimpy0729 Restlessness ~ Quickies - The Lovers, The Dreamers & Me "There was plenty of magic." ~~ Tara
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