Yippeekiyayyyyyyyy!!!! Howdy pardners! Thank ye all kindly fer yer continued support, and saddle up fer the next installment, right after I git to some individual appreciatin.'
behindhereyes: Awww, Kim! You are so sweet.
And way to get large with the butch. If the gals need any assistance kicking Darla's ass in the future, I'll be sure to write you in, ok?
Of course Willow's going to help--she's a helpful gal. As for Tara leaving town, you say there's "no way" do ya? Hmmm...
YMKA: Marina! Yay, another member of the "Donnie's not a complete jackass" club! Of course everything will will be fine...eventually. Thanks for reading!
EasierSaid: Thank you kindly, Heather. As you know, I had a lot of trouble writing this chapter, in large part because I had no actual Willow/Donnie dialogue to draw on, so it's nice to get positive feedback. As for the "look" of the story, I'm a very visually oriented person, so when I write I do try to imagine the scene as it might be filmed. It's nice to hear adjectives like "great" and "entertaining" rather than "reminiscent of Ishtar." But blinking is important, Heather...please do not neglect to blink.
<--see! blinking is fun AND saucy!
meretricious: Hiya Mary. Tara will definitely not just go along with any old crazy plan Willow and Donnie concoct, which is going to lead to all sorts of fun! Very astute assumption about the cart, but no need to worry about giant snakes...just the garden-variety 2-legged kind.
You know, I was actually a little concerned about starting a costume, cross-dressing fic set in the 1860s because Pips was already doing it so well, but then I decided "screw her...she's not the boss of me!" As for fighting, I have no idea what you're talking about...but she started it. Thanks Mary!
pipsberg: Pipsqueak! Thanks for your always lovely comments, dude. Willow's difficulty talking to Donnie seemed appropriate as she hardly knows the guy, but it was also a little dig at my own trouble writing it (which you know from my spazzy emails)
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I can't wait to see Willow rushing in, with Donnie's backing, and saving the day for Tara
Me too! Gee, I hope it goes off without a hitch!
hotydnic: Yeah, yeah...thanks for reading, and sorry about the wait (for the last one and this one). Willow will come up with some fine plan, no doubt, but there may be others out there plotting as well.
Rhiannon9891: Thanks Rhi! It's always nice to be grouped with other authors I admire, and Pipsberg's Rosenberg Institute is one of my favorites. I'm glad you liked the little touches (Will walking behind the cart; Donnie punching the cart) that seem like remarkably clever planning on my part, but were in fact both happy accidents. Thanks for making me appear smarter than I really am...though now that I've revealed the truth...damn. Does honesty count for something?
Artemis: You're right, Chris, Tara is not going to be easily convinced to go anywhere. She's not the type to need rescuing by the menfolk (even if one of them is really a womanfolk), so Will and Donnie will have their hands full. As for Donnie, he may be unlucky, but I've grown rather fond of him, so I'm going to do my best to keep him out of that pine box. Thanks!
xonethousandtears08x: Thank you for your enthusiastic feedback! I love dancing bananas! As for Tara leaving town, it's going to be a tough call which is stronger: Willow's powers of persuasion or Tara's sense of duty.
robotguru: No, no Chris...your Western is fine! *snicker*bloody Brits*snicker*
Your assumption about Willow's success in convincing Tara to leave is pretty accurate, but that doesn't mean they
won't be leaving. Thanks dude!
hermitfish: Yes, Donnie may put the "fool" in "foolhardy," but he ain't no yellow-belly! And why does eveyone think Tara's so stubborn??? Not moving an inch, huh? Guess Willow'll have to think of something else. Thanks, Cyd!
hidden watson: Aww, watson! Your praise had me grinning and blushing furiously, and I feel the same way about your stories. Thanks for your comments r.e. Donnie's reaction to Willow's revelations. I had a hell of a time writing it, so it's nice to get good feedback for it. As for his stubbornness (must be a Maclay thing), you're right that it doesn't make sense considering the forces that are aligned against him, but Donnie's not the sharpest knife in the drawer. He also believes himself to be responsible for his own predicament and deserving of the repurcussions, but his new pal Will (and some timely interference by outside forces) may allow him to keep his hide. I don't know if I'd call Will powerful, but clever, resourceful, and resilient would definitely apply. Bits and pieces of her story will come out over time to better explain, so I won't say more right now. Thanks again!
TromDeGrey: Welcome, Trom! No beating yourself up in my thread...you're here now and that's enough to make me happy. So grab a seat at the bar, place your order, and relax a spell. It's funny, I really didn't intend to make Donnie that big a character (or as noble). I just wanted to give Tara a LITTLE bit of familial support, and I knew her parents would be out of the picture. The response has been very cool, though, especially considering how far away from canon "nice Donnie" is. Glad you're enjoying it.
The Rose24: No fear of me not continuing, even if I may take extended breaks from time to time. Willow will surely try to convince Tara to leave, but Tara may take more than simple logical persuasion. Thanks Rose.
wimpy0729: So Pam...did you know you left me feedback twice, and the second time you apologized for not leaving any before? I don't know if it's the result of a concussion or too many shots at the saloon, but you take it easy, okay sweetie?
You were the second person to comment on the "Xander's incompetance" bit, which was fun to throw in there, and seemed in keeping with people's opinion of him throughout much of the show (though how he went from being an apprectice carpenter to a supervisor in one season is beyond me). Thanks Wimpy!
Viximon: Thank you Viximon! Tara will definitely NOT be all "OKAY! I'll just quick pack a bag and let's go!" But once Willow sets her resolve face, well...they'll be leaving town somehow, I reckon.
Reallybigpineapple: I'm still grinning madly over your Western feedback...awesome! Miss Anya, smoochin', and courtin' will not be appearing in this next update, but there could be all of the above before long. Give my regards to the gals...and the cattle!
thebardgirl: Elizabeth, my dear, words fail me (not that it'll keep me from babbling on anyway). First off, I'm far more likely to be spilling coffee down the front of my shirt than "elegantly sipping an extremely fancy drink," but young talented artistes can light my smokes any time.
As for this:
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Cameron's indifferent face became slightly amused
Slightly amused, my ass!!! You made my WEEK, Liz! Seriously, the drawings are wonderful, and I'm overjoyed that you shared them with me and everyone else. I can't think of any higher praise for my lil' ol' story. I also appreciate the constant badgering--err--I mean gentle nudging to get back to work. It really helped. Thanks again.
terra21: Thank you terra, it was so cool to see your name in here, and I'm glad you're enjoying the story. Smoochies are still a ways off, but more flirting and some dancing is just around the corner.
Tempest Duer: First off, I agree with you that Elizabeth and her drawings rock.
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Of course, none of us can be sure that Tara won't be immune to all of Willow's charm...
That is true. Willow might say "come on, baby," and then Tara might be like "I ain't your BABY, biotch!"...and then Willow'd be all "aw, why you trippin'? Don't be that way!" to which Tara might hold up a hand and say "step off, girlfriend."
Ummm...none of that dialogue will be appearing in this fic. But an excellent point, nonetheless.
WickedReds: Gina, YOU are a nut! But you're also sweet and adorable, so I'll let you off the hook for riling up all the Kittens and causing a ruckus in the saloon (and don'e even TRY to deny it was you
).
stillrunning: Thank you! One of the benefits of an action adventure is that I don't have to write long drawn out descriptions of...well, ANYTHING...and can just do kind of cartoony supporting characters. It helps that everyone already has them pictured in their heads, and I'm glad you like them!
Okay, enough of my yakking...on to the update!
What should I be but just what I am? - Edna St.Vincent Millay
at: 1/8/05 7:05 pm
a update a update.
The offer to rid this here town of that no-good scallywag still stands... Once again, me and the gals are much obliged... The cattle sends their regards!
Edited by: 
I love the way the light's playing across her face, it's so real. And Willow looks so adorable in her Western gear 
And Horsey looks great, very lifelike. I'll put them up on Looking-glass, I hope that's okay?
