@ashcrash71590- Well, it made you laugh, and thus I am satisfied. And, yes, that smiley is a lot of fun xD Thanks for the feedback, and enjoy this next update!
@Wicca Ness- Well, I'm glad you enjoyed it ^.^ Thanks for the feedback, and enjoy this next update!
@Zampsa1975- Yup, realization is finally sinking in. ^.^ Thanks for the feedback, and enjoy this next chapter!
@Laragh- Yeah, Tara does deserve it, but you know how she is. Completely irrational when people spend way too much on her xD Though, of course they'll be fine~ They're together, aren't they? ^.^ Thanks for the feedback, and enjoy this next update!
@AmberGoddess- Don't worry; Willow has similar feelings xD And wow, just today? You spent all that time reading? I feel special ^.^ Thanks for the feedback, and enjoy this next chapter!
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TITLE: Saving Grace
AUTHOR: lilcheesenip
RATING: PG-13, mostly for occasional naughty language ^.^
DISCLAIMER: Sadly, I don't own any of the characters. Wish I did, but Joss Whedon does. >.>
SUMMARY: Writing was the one thing that was ever important to best-selling author Willow Rosenberg. But when she moves to her deceased uncle's horse ranch, she finds herself at the mercy of the horses, Riley, Faith, and a gentle, blue-eyed blonde who Willow can't help but fall in love with.
SPOILERS: None that I can think of. It's all AU, so no monsters, or anything. ^.^
FEEDBACK: Absolutely! I live for it. ^.^
Author's Note: Sorry, kiddies, no smut to be found here. Sorry to disappoint you ^.^'
PART 19
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Tara traced the line of Willow’s jaw, and smiled as she watched her girlfriend sleep. She had checked the clock a few minutes after Willow had finally drifted off, nestled in the hollow of her shoulder, and found the time to be about three in the morning.
She’d finally done it. She’d opened herself completely to Willow, and Willow had done the same. She closed her eyes, and just remembered for a moment, remembered the sweet, tender touch, and the look on Willow’s face as she’d looked at her.
She’d made her feel beautiful. She hadn’t felt that way in a long time.
Tara smiled again and opened her eyes as Willow sighed, stirred, and rolled closer, her arm finding its way around her waist, and ran her fingers through Willow’s hair, watching her girlfriend grin goofily in her sleep.
“Don’t be silly, Buffy,” She mumbled sleepily, “Vampires aren’t real.” Then her forehead creased, and her muscles tensed; she grasped at the bare skin of Tara’s hip almost desperately. Tara frowned, and ran a thumb across Willow’s cheek, wondering what had upset her girlfriend.
Then Willow relaxed, and grinned again. “Take that, evil frogs...all mine...Tara...” The last word was a sigh. Tara chuckled softly, careful to keep the volume of her laugh down, even though she was sure Willow was completely dead to the world.
She stroked Willow’s cheek once more, then looked at the window, contemplating. She sighed, and, after moving Willow’s wandering hand carefully off and slipping her head off her shoulder, shrugged on a robe, and headed for the door.
Willow whimpered quietly, and Tara paused, wondering if she should leave her, but then Willow calmed herself again, and Tara, after pulling the robe closer, continued on her way down the hall.
She entered Faith’s room without hesitation. She wasn’t surprised that Faith’s bed was empty, or that the window was open. She had expected it. She scanned the room quickly, looking for some sort of disturbance, some sort of fit of rage, but found it as disorderly as usual. That was a good sign. Tara sighed, and headed for the window.
It took a little effort for her to climb out; the robe was short, and even if there was no one behind her, she was still embarrassed about it. She kicked a stool that she found near the bed over the dresser pushed against the wall, scrambled up onto the dresser using that, and carefully slipped out the window.
Faith was sitting on the overhang, knees drawn up, chin resting on her knees, staring out at the stars. She didn’t even turn when Tara carefully eased herself across the roof and sat down beside her. “Done screwing your girlfriend?”
Tara blushed. “D-d-did you...?”
“Hear you guys? Are you kidding? Riley put earplugs in.”
Tara frowned at the brunette seated beside her. Normally, Faith would have taken the opportunity to tease her to no end, but she had spoken with almost no emotion.
“...Faith? What’s up?”
Faith snorted quietly to herself. “What’s up? Riley’s got Buffy. You’ve got Willow. She’s the love of your life, and she just fu-”
“Faith. Please. Skip the details of my sex life.”
Faith rolled her eyes. “-
screwed your brains out. I’m sitting out here on the roof staring at the sky. Don’t you see what’s happening? You’re becoming me, and I’m becoming
you!”
“Since when have you ever stayed with someone more than one day? And what’s wrong with being me?” Tara was indignant.
“Exactly. I’ve had all these one night stands, and they’ve been a helluva lot of fun, but I’ve never had anything...stable. Anything that’s lasted more than one night. And then I look at what you have, with Willow, and all the stupid, gag-worthy things you do for each other, like Willow buying you a cat, or taking you out to dinner, or you making her those stupid funny-shape pancakes...and I want that. I want it bad. Why? I’ve never wanted it before. I just don’t...” She trailed off, and shook her head, wiping quickly at her eyes. Tara was surprised to see tears welling up in her eyes.
She sighed again, and then shifted closer. Just like she always did with people who really needed it, she wrapped her arms around Faith, and pulled her into a side hug, letting Faith rest her head on her shoulder. “God, Faith. How much alcohol did you have?”
“I’m
serious, Tara!”
“I know. That’s what makes me so proud.”
“Well, it’s not helping me. This is not cool. Fix me, already!”
“Faith, I can’t ‘fix you’. It’s only natural that you want something long-term.”
“No, it’s not. I’m sick. Very sick. You gotta help me, Tara! It’s getting so bad...” Faith’s tears soaked her shoulder, and her whole body shuddered with sobs. Tara tried to hold back her shock and concentrate on her obviously-grieving friend.
“You’re lonely, Faith. Why don’t you just look for someone to spend your life with instead of to just have sex with?”
Faith snorted again. “Who would want me?”
“Do I even dignify that question with an answer?”
There was a long moment of silence, and then Faith grinned slowly.
“Thanks, Tare-bear.”
“Eh. It’s what I’m here for, right? Besides, I think Buffy was staring at you when she was leaving.”
“Well, no shit. I
traumatized her, didn’t I?”
“Not that kinda look. A different look. But if you wanna play that way, fine. I’ll keep possible details of your Princess Charming to myself.”
Faith was quiet, and then she took a deep breath. “I’m really sorry about how I’ve been acting. I’ve been such a bitch instead of being your best friend, and not being happy for you that you’ve found someone special. I was just...well, kinda jealous, and I was afraid, after Hannah...” The words were rushed, blurted out, but sincere.
Tara smiled. “I know. And it’s okay. You were just protecting me. Thanks for that.”
A little shudder ran through Faith. “I...still have nightmares about it. Walking in...seeing her standing over you with that piece of glass...your blood everywhere...” She shivered again.
Tara shivered with her. “Me too.”
Faith finally sighed, and detangled herself from Tara. “Alright. Enough of that. I’m willing to bet my fine piece of ass that your lady’s waiting for you.”
Tara laughed, and squeezed her hand. “I don’t know about that. When I left she was mumbling something about vampires and evil frogs.”
Faith laughed, and shook her head. “She’s a special one. Go see Willow.”
“You called her Willow.” Tara stared at her, bemused that Faith had called Willow by her real name for the first time.
“Duh. Ain’t that her name?”
“Yeah, but you usually-oh, never mind.” Tara smiled, and gave her hand a last squeeze, then stood up. “You going to be okay?”
“Five-by-five. But seriously. Get out of here before I kick your ass through that window.”
“You’re a real pal. ” But Tara headed towards the window anyways, shaking her head.
“And Tara?”
“Yeah?”
“Pull down your robe. I love you, but not that much.”
Tara blushed all the way back to her room.
***
Willow woke with a soft cry.
It took her a minute to even realize where she was. The nightmare had been so real, so vivid. It was hard to separate herself from the horror.
Tara disappearing in that fire. God. That nightmare would be enough to stop her writing for a long time, possibly forever. Willow squeezed her eyes shut tight, and breathed deeply through her mouth, sweaty hands curling into fists as she tried to block the images she knew weren’t real, but still terrified her anyways.
Stupid book. Did I have to kill Grace off like that? She’s so much Tara- which is all coincidence, but still. So much like her. And, god, she was right, I-wait. Her hand, which had been stretching across the bed, automatically reaching for Tara to reassure herself that she was there and safe, came in contact with empty air.
She was suddenly wide awake. Rolling to the side to make certain that her earlier realization was true, her throat suddenly went tight with fear.
Where was Tara?
She was probably overreacting. Tara could have slipped out of bed for five seconds. She could be down the hall, or just downstairs, helping a completely wasted Faith up the stairs. She could be in the bathroom, two doors down.
Or she could be laying somewhere, face-down, suffocating in her own blood as Oz, Hannah, or even her father skulked triumphantly around her.
Willow pressed one of her fists against her mouth to keep herself from screaming. The word she was mentally screaming still came out, but softer, even though it was high with fear. “Tara?”
No answer.
Okay, Willow, don’t spaz. Don’t. Just calm down. She’s probably just down the hall, or getting a drink, or- ah, screw that! I’m spazzing.“Tara?” Willow called again, once more, just for good measure. Her voice broke.
Okay. Now it was time to panic. She bolted upright, clutching the blanket to her chest, and did a quick scan of the room, searching for any sign of a struggle or-worse- any blood. Nothing. The room looked the same as always.
Okay. That relaxed the iron fist around her heart slightly until a dark voice in the back of her head reminded her that Tara could have been downstairs.
The iron fist squeezed tighter. She couldn’t breathe.
Tara.She was just about to get up, and run for Faith- if anyone was to find Tara, Faith would hunt her down like a bloodhound and tear apart whoever took her- when the door opened, and Tara slipped in.
“
Oh my god!” Willow flung herself off the bed, forgetting the blanks, and threw her arms around Tara, kissing every part of her that she could reach.
“Willow? Wil, calm down. Wil...you’re crying...?”
Finally, Willow just stopped, and hugged her girlfriend for a moment, took comfort in the feeling of her warm body, and the steady rise and fall of her chest, just clung to her. Then she pulled away, and wiped at her eyes. Tara watched her with concern.
“It’s nothing. Just had a nightmare, and then I woke up, and you weren’t here, and...” Willow trailed off, and laughed shakily, embarrassed by her overreaction. “I’m sorry.” She took a step back.
“Hey.” Tara took her hand, and pulled her right back, wrapping her arms around her. “If you had a bad dream, we could talk about it. But we might want to get into bed, or at least you put a robe on, first, because Faith is awake. And sober.”
“Oh.” Was a sober Faith worse than a drunk one? Apparently so. Willow took a moment to consider, then nodded, and stepped back again, this time taking Tara’s hand in her’s, and walking back to the bed. Tara couldn’t help herself; as they walked, her girlfriend gave her an unintentionally blatant view, and that made her grin. But, of course this was forgotten as soon as Willow turned back to her, and the moonlight made the lingering tears on her cheeks glisten.
Tara helped her gently onto the bed, and pulled the quilt over her. Then she dropped her robe, and slipped into the other side, pulling Willow to her so she could kiss each of the remaining tears away. “Now, what was so bad about this dream?”
“N-nothing. It’s stupid.”
“It must have been something if you were so afraid when you woke up and I wasn’t here.”
That was true. But Willow wasn’t going to admit it. Stubbornly, she kept her mouth shut.
Tara’s face grew sad. “Was I that bad?”
“What?” Willow blinked at her, shocked at the idea. “Baby, you were amazing. It...I...” Willow sighed, and shook her head. “I just had a nightmare...something bad happened to you, and when I woke up, and you weren’t there...I just panicked.”
“...Faith is influencing you too much.”
“What, I’m not allowed to worry about my girlfriend when three psychopaths have it in for her?”
“First of all, those...psychopaths...can’t hurt me. Secondly, you worry too much. And third, what do you have against frogs?”
Willow blinked. “I’m...sorry...?”
“Well, you were mumbling about frogs, and being evil...and I was just wondering. You don’t have to answer.”
“Well...I don’t know. They’re all...bumpy, and squishy, and green, and...gross. Ick.” It made Willow shudder just to think about it.
“...Honey, that’s a toad.”
Willow frowned in protest, and shook her head. “
Nooo. Toads are all dry.”
“Well, yes, but toads are bumpy. Frogs aren’t. So which is it, frogs or toads?”
“Does it matter? They’re both gross, and they’re both scary, regardless of their various skin deformations.”
Tara laughed. “Willow, you’re-”
“Ridiculous, yes. Tara?”
“Yeah?”
“I love you. Thanks.”
“I love you, too. Come here, beautiful.” Tara opened her arms, and Willow grinned, sliding closer to her girlfriend. She pressed her cheek just about her left breast, listening to her heart.
Just in case. Maybe Buffy
was right and her claim that vampires were real and were going to take over the world was true.
Or maybe she was just paranoid.
The steady beat of Tara’s heart, the tempo slightly increased by Willow’s closeness, and the soft, warm arms around her waist reassured her. She smiled, and closed her eyes.
Yup. Just paranoid.
by Zampsa1975 » Tue Sep 22, 2009 2:02 am 
this was my favorite part
no Faith either when Tara keeps her promise 
and i have to agree with ash, that scene was one of my favorites
It was nice of Tara to check on Faith to make sure she was ok, tho I'm surprised she left Willow so soon. Can't wait for more.
This one's shorter than the others~
that was great..and I bet Tara didn't see the proposal coming 
.