FIC: The Gift of Sorrow - Rainbow Writer's Season 7 Pt. 1,2

[KathleenWolf]

Oneeyedchicklet:



A strong double... (carefully looking through selection and pouring out a generous portion)... here you go... (setting it on the little cloth rainbow napkin)



Chocolate Chip Mint happens to be one of Captain's Beth's favorites so we're completely stocked with it... can I put you down for two scoops or three?



... and oh the Captain likes turbulance... makes the sweet lovin all the better

"I am my beloved's and my beloved is mine."

[witchbitchwillow]

yay, thanks for the update i dont have to wonder anymore!



great update, loving it as always.



more soon please.



love ellie x x x x

*thats me as a vampire im so evil and skanky and i think im kinda gay*

*no candles? well i brought one its extra flamey!*

[Loco2]

woop, updates! thanks for these, this is getting really interesting now. hmm, my theory seems to be getting more and more likely.



steph

ps. kfc

"Dr. Becker, have you seen the skeleton?" "What do you think I am, a skeleton thief? You want to search me?!"
"Who sponsered career day this year, The Brittish Soccer Fan Association?!" - Xander - What's My Line?
"We'll all be a lot happier without the constant whining....Mom, Buffy, Tara, Waah" - DMW to Dawn

[KathleenWolf]

witchbitchwillow: oh still much to wonder about I'm sure... hopefully there will be another update soon...



Loco2: yep your theory is coming up at 2-1 odds...



Miss1234Kitty: wow did we? much with the woo hooing... and yeah Tara is taking it slow but getting better all the time



thanks for reading

kathleen

"I am my beloved's and my beloved is mine."

[Beth Dragon]

It had been a long slow walk, but every step showed that the blonde was making undeniable improvement in her strength and coordination. While the others gathered as best they could and went into research mode Buffy’s first and primary concern was getting Tara back safely in bed. After a brief pause to gather her breath at the top of the stairs, they were now slowly making their way down the hall towards the bedroom.



“You still think that Maladic has Xander don’t you?” Tara asked softly glancing across to the Slayer.



“I do, I’m not sure why but it’s not really far fetched for the big bad of the moment to kidnap Scoobies.” Buffy explained not sure what of their demon fighting times Tara did remember.



“But we usually win don’t we?” Tara checked with a smile.



“We always find a way.” Buffy smiled back softly.



“I want to help Buffy.” Tara drew them to a stop outside of the bedroom door.



“You are helping Tara, taking care of yourself and Willow is the most important job right now.” Buffy stopped with the witch. “We’re going to be all insane with the research and the looking and then the ass kicking I’m going to give this mage when I find it. We need you two safe and not having to be worried about.”



Tara pushed the bedroom door open with one hand letting a little of the light from the landing stream into the bed but she was careful not to make the bedroom too bright for fear of waking the sleeping form that lay on her side in the large bed.



“I will look after her Buffy.” Tara glanced back at the Slayer. “I promise you that.”



“You okay from here?” Buffy questioned seeing Tara’s brave move forward.



“I want to try.” Tara nodded thankful that Buffy had read her attempt at independence.



“I know you’ll take care of her, I don’t trust her with just anyone you know.” Buffy winked as she moved down the hall to go downstairs with the others.



Tara moved slowly and carefully, using all the available furniture she could to lean on and eventually managed to reach the bed.



“I knew you would come back.” A soft whispered called to her when her weight shifted onto the bed.



“Willow?” Tara squinted her eyes in the near darkness and looked down at the bed.



“I knew if I was just patient you’d come back to me.” Willow whispered again.



“You’re supposed to be asleep.” Tara chastised jokingly she leaned forward and moved her hands down to her legs to move them onto the mattress.



“I couldn’t sleep without you here.” The hacker answered moving over to slide her arms around Tara and help as she could to assist the blonde in lying down.



“Mmmmm you’re good at that.” Without really thinking for the first time Tara snuggled into Willow’s shoulder as the slight redhead eased her back



“Are you okay?” Willow questioned carefully as they snuggled up together.



“Are you?” Tara didn’t answer as she snuggled more concerned for Willow than anything whilst at the same time feeling a little overwhelmed at the familiarity of this position and the comfort it immediately offered her.



“I feel safe now that you’re here.” Willow admitted easing her thin arm around Tara.



“You are safe sweetie.” Tara moved her arm and laid it lightly over Willow’s body, across her waist.



“Its so hard to concentrate sometimes.” Willow whispered her hand softly stroking over Tara’s back.



“Can you tell me about it?” Tara asked tenderly. “Tell me what its like?” She let her fingers caress the material of Willow’s nightshirt.



“I heard Giles tell Buffy it might be from the magic, from how much of it was inside of me. That it might have loosened things, made little crinkles in my mind.” Willow’s voice didn’t show any discontent as she explained. “But it’s not like that at all. It’s like being asleep and knowing you’re asleep but you just can’t wake up.”



“Does this feel like a dream?” Tara asked her heart filling with love for the redhead beside her.



“It did at first but now I think I know this is what being awake is.” Willow hugged her slightly.



“It is.” Tara assured her. “You’re awake and you’re safe.”



“Did Buffy tell you everything?” Willow’s voice for the first time shook a little.



“Everything?” Tara asked wanting to see how much Willow could talk about comfortably.



“I know you might leave me when I tell you but I have to tell you.” Willow’s voice still shivered and got even quieter.



Tara moved her head slightly and looked up into green eyes, gently she moved her hand and placed a finger on Willow’s lips.



“I won’t ever leave you again Willow.” She vowed.



“I killed him.” The redhead whispered almost silently. “I hunted him down and killed him cause he hurt you.”



“I know.” Tara nodded so proud of Willow for telling her.



“Do you hate me?” Willow questioned seeing that her statement hadn’t made Tara pull away or grow anger.



“No, oh Goddess no.” Tara shook her head as tears sprung to her eyes. “I love you Willow.” She said slowly definitely and clearly. “With all of my being, all of my soul, I love you.”



“I love you too baby and I missed you so much.” Willow eyes welled up with tears but for the first time they didn’t seem to involve a complete split within her mind.



“Hold me.” Tara pressed herself tighter to the fragile figure beside her. Willow wound her arms around the blonde’s body and pulled her as tight as she could. “Do you hate me?” Tara asked as she pressed her face against Willow’s cheek.



“No, Tara of course not.” Willow shook her head lightly knowing with the close contact Tara would feel it. “It wasn’t your fault it was Warren’s.”



“I wish.” Tara began nuzzling into the crook of Willow’s neck slightly. “I could remember everything, I mean details.”



“What do you want to remember?” Willow’s hands opened wide on the blonde’s back as she held her close.



“Us…” Tara breathed. “Or first kiss.”



“There was a power outage, I bought you a candle and it was extra flamey.” Willow whispered putting one hand up to run her fingers through long blonde hair.



“I bet you looked as beautiful then as you do now, in the moonlight.” Tara mused feeling the words spark familiarity inside her though no direct memory.



“I was nervous, I probably looked silly.” Willow admitted. “But you... you were gorgeous.”



“Nervous?” Tara pulled out of her snuggled position for a moment and looked up at Willow. “Why were you nervous?”



“Cause Oz had come back and I was confused, but then I knew it was you I loved.” Willow reached up to cup her hand around Tara’s cheek. “It wasn’t our first, first kiss but we always called it our first kiss cause it was the first night we ever made love.”



“You were my first weren’t you?” Tara gazed into green eyes and immediately Willow bit her lip and nodded slowly. “You made it beautiful.” Her focused on Willow’s lip for a moment and then flicked back up to her lover’s eyes.



“You have never needed me to make you beautiful, you are beautiful.” Willow contradicted lovingly.



“But only you make me believe I am.” She admitted. “I want to kiss you Willow.” The blonde said after a breath as she moved her hand to cup Willow’s cheek like the redhead held hers.



“I want that too.” Willow whispered.



Sliding her long fingers back into Willow’s hair Tara drew the other woman’s face closer and placed her lips over Willow’s. A soft sigh escaped from between her lips as she broke the first kiss and followed it with several short but tender kisses over and around Willow’s mouth. New warmth spread through her as she repeated the action over and over each kiss making her feel a little more alive.



Willow met each of the kisses with silent awe and wonderment. For so many months, so many conscious moments she had been plagued by the fact that this would never happen again. She would never be graced with a kiss from Tara’s sweet lips but here she was receiving them and with each something inside her seemed to ease just a little. Finally taking a little more initiative of her own she kissed back, her lips full over Tara’s as she breathed in through her nose and drank in the fact that her lover was alive.



For a moment Tara lost herself completely in the warmth and the pleasure of the kiss, but as she moved to open her mouth she stopped herself and instead pulled back softly.



“You should rest.” She said tenderly.



“Sorry.” Willow smiled as they separated knowing that the heat and eagerness wasn’t just hers alone. It was such a wonderfully overwhelming feeling for this moment to have all her fears, worry and fragmentation overshadowed by something so lovely.



“Sorry?” Tara checked that Willow hadn’t meant the kiss.



“Getting carried away.” Willow explained softly.



“We have all the time in the world to get carried away Willow. You don have to fight your meds to do it tonight.” Tara gave her a beatific smile.



“You still want to though right?” The redhead’s voice was anxious with worry. Tara caught hold of Willow’s hand and held her green eyes.



“Always.” She whispered.



“Me too.” Willow smiled again but before she could help it though she was gripped by a long yawn. “Sorry, the medications make me sleepy.”



“No sorries sweetie.” Tara shook her head. “You want to shift a little, I could hold you while you sleep.”



Willow nodded and in a few short movements they were spooned together comfortably under the blankets. The hacker closed her eyes feeling the warmth pouring off of Tara’s healing skin to make her sleepy body even more tired.



“I love you.” She whispered as contentment drifted through her.



“For always.” Tara echoed.



******

[Loco2]

wow. another one. you really are spoiling us, aren't you? not that i have any complaints....

this part was so sweet, and willow seems to be getting much better. thanks for updating so soon.



steph

"Dr. Becker, have you seen the skeleton?" "What do you think I am, a skeleton thief? You want to search me?!"
"Who sponsered career day this year, The Brittish Soccer Fan Association?!" - Xander - What's My Line?
"We'll all be a lot happier without the constant whining....Mom, Buffy, Tara, Waah" - DMW to Dawn

[Jennpurr]

Quote:

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Jennpurr: no worries ... i was just teasing hopefully the update will be soon (ie: today sometime) ... so glad we got you hooked for the future smoochies

---

K, good.



And you've got me hooked period, with this story. As well as your other stuff.



I liked the update. Poor Tara. I hope she gets stronger soon. And I'm really worried now about this Maladic fella. The plot keeps thickening. As long as nothing happens to our girls, I'll be happy.



Looking forward to the next update.



Jen



Edited to give more feedback:



Again, that's a happy cry. OMG... that was so beautiful. Thank you. Tara's getting stronger, as is Willow, and they are helping each other.



This is just too, breathtaking. You guys have outdone yourselves. Thank you so much.

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


"Alyson Hannigan is a frickin' amazing kisser."Amber Benson

Edited by: Jennpurr  at: 6/30/02 12:07:02 pm

[darkmagicwillow]

That was a beautiful moment between Willow and Tara.

--
"Omnia mutantur, nihil interit. "   "Everything changes, but nothing is truly lost."

[xita]

Just getting caught up! Great updates. I loved the last one, w/t reasserting their love and their atraction still as good as ever. And I loved how Willow wanted to be honest right away even knowing it could drive away Tara,



And I must say I am glad Madalene is not Maladic, I liked her and I think her intentions are good, but will Maladic be coming after Willow...



thanks!

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

Willow: (to Tara) I could heal.

Tara: (to Willow)And we’re gone.

[LeatherQueen]

Oh yes... very lovely! And I love the fact that it's Willow sharing their memories with Tara. So very sweet!

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


"But when they're playing your song on the jukebox in Hell, you might as well dance." - K. Simpson


"Futile... like a FOX, baby!" - Tara in The Late Shift by wiccachica

[Scout]

Wow, so much updatey goodness. And I'm happy, too, that Willow came right out and told Tara, even though she already knew. The girls are on the right track, but they need to get stronger cause I suspect trouble is on the way. Looking forward to more!

[no birthday cake]

i just said "aww", out loud.

very nice update.



p.s. it's not that i hate snakes, i think they just scare me, but i'm sure if i got to know one, i might like it. like the boa in harry potter.

[katydid]

That was so incredibly sweet. *sigh* Don't know what else to say but awwwwww

--------------
She practically had genuine molded plastic stamped on her ass.

[spazz07]

As you can imagine the big stupid goofy grin spread across my face after reading those updates. A great way to start the day if there ever was one. A little happy fance that Mad's isn't the big bad here cause she is kinda cool. Also loved the Willow and Tara moment at the end of the last chapter. It was oh so sweet and i'm glad Willow was honest with Tara striaght away. Thanks for the update and will sit patiently twiddling my thumbs waiting for more.



Cheers

Nath

If life was meant to be a bed of daisy's we'd have chicken crap thown on us all the time.

[Tiggrscorpio]

Wow, that was simply wonderful. I love how Tara is handling everything, with all the grace she always had. This mage thing sounds bad. Very bad!

*****

She's my everything!

[VampNo12]

I loved today's updates guys! Glad to know Madalene isn't Maladic, but I am still intrigued with Madalene's motives (ie she seems completely good, but I am still a little wary of her).



As for the second update, W&T reveling in their connection was just lovely. I loved how Willow explained how she has a lack of focus at times ("It's like being asleep and knowing you're asleep but you just can't wake up."). However, connecting with Tara (ie kissing/snuggling) this feeling is starting to slowly lessen (ie Willow is starting to feel awake/alive).



I also liked the fact that Willow was up-front with Tara about killing Warren, even though she knew this information might make Tara pull away from her. Considering how much Willow needs to cling to Tara (like a "lift-raft"), her open-ness shows a shift in her (she is slowly starting the healing process). Lastly, I loved how Willow described their "first kiss", and it was wonderful how the kisses W&T shared in the present were tentative at first, but then started to build on instinct. Can't wait for the next part!

Edited by: VampNo12  at: 6/30/02 4:30:23 pm

[BethanyB3]

Wow, what a wonderful update.Tara & Willow on the way to recoveries, physically, emotionally & spiritually joining so close together again.

***********************************************************************

~ "And maybe, I'll find out a way to make it back someday. To watch you, to guide you through the darkest of your days."~

~The Calling~

[MadeinNZ]

Well that was packed with all sorts of chocolatey goodness. Sooo sweet (with a touch of hotness on the side). I love the way that they're taking things slow and discovering stuff again. Its the first time WIllow seemed lucid for an extended period on time. I feel recovery is on its way. Yay.

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


"When someone falls for Willow, they stay fallen" - Normal Again

[tommo]

Sigh, lovely stuff. The moments where they are alone together could make up the rest of the story and I'd be happy.



But yes, big powerful Mage and you know that everyone secretly wants it to be Madalene but I hope that it's not. She's a nice girl, and you've purposely done this to throw the readers into confusion over her, and conflict as well. That's clever.



Oh, and by the way, Jenpurr typed in my name instead of Kath's because she's obsessed with me and my jiggly boobs.

----------
What kind of lesbians are you? You love men so much...go love men!

[The Rose24]

God. That was moving. You ladies are really hitting the mark. You are bringing up my favorite moments from NMR, and that episode is truly a classic. Tara is slowly starting to remember, and Willow is slowly recovering and already getting carried away. Before long, Willow will not need her medicine anymore because she has Tara, but I hope she doesn't get too dependent. She will have to do a lot of things herself. I am so glad Madeline seems to be legit, unless you are hiding something else from us? Applause, Applause.

Tara: My heart doesn't stutter.

Tara: Willow, I got so lost.
Willow: I found you. I will always find you.

Willow: Hi, um Tara. I was wondering maybe you want to go out some time for coffee? food? Kisses and gay love?

[Jennpurr]

Quote:

---

Oh, and by the way, Jenpurr typed in my name instead of Kath's because she's obsessed with me and my jiggly boobs.

---

Okay... you caught me. I'll admit it. Hee...



Jen

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


"Alyson Hannigan is a frickin' amazing kisser."Amber Benson
-----------------------------------
Mi corazon perdido en ti...

Edited by: Jennpurr  at: 6/30/02 11:48:10 pm

[tommo]

I knew it!



And um, well...there you go. Ahem.

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What kind of lesbians are you? You love men so much...go love men!

[Tulipp]

Okay, see me carefully avoiding the topic of jiggly boobs.



That was a great update; I loved the idea of Tara feeling this world of comfort well up in a kiss. And I was also intrigued by the idea that it was not just Tara's death but also her big magic overload that had lasting implications for Willow. I know you've suggested this before, but I was glad to see it again here; that's got to have some fallout.



Nice installment. Thanks.

[Blue Athame 1]

Oh...so beautiful, you two continue to awe and move me. I believe you have them so true...the emotions...the loving. Exquisite! A gorgeous read.



Thank you!



Athame.

[mollyig]

Lovely to see Willow lucid again. And she has her Tara back. Now they just have to best Mr Warty Mage, and all will be well. sigh Life on a hellmouth ain't easy.



Thank you both for sharing your talents with us.

Adding up the total of a love that's true, multiply life by the power of two
Indigo Girls

[Jennpurr]

Quote:

---

I knew it!



And um, well...there you go. Ahem.

---

I'm a breast gal, and I admit that proudly.



Jen

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


"Alyson Hannigan is a frickin' amazing kisser."Amber Benson
-----------------------------------
Mi corazon perdido en ti...

[Miss1234Kitty]

Wow, more updates?



Not that I'm complaining. Nope, nothing of the complainty variety in this kitten's... um. I'm not complaining.



Tara is so sweet. It's nice that she and Buffy are really bonding in a way that we've only really seen once on the show. Great updates, you two. Thank you.



Gem

Tara: There's just so much to work through... and can you just be kissing me now?

[Puff]

Great updates Kath and Beth. The kiss was beautiful and I am so happy to see the girls getting back together

-----------------------
You know, it's a real deal relationship and that's why people can relate to it
Amber Benson

[little wicca dude]

hi guys



wow, what a cool update that was so sweet, i cant wait for more



luv jill xx

"did i just say that? did i just say that too?"

My Scooby Page

[sparrow]

Wow, is the beverage cart still available cause I caould also use a nice drink.



Wonderful and sweet moment between our girls. They are so healing eachother.

And, yet, I just can't seem to care


I'm not coming back