new fic: The Outing

[singgirl]

woohooo!! thanx for the update. tara helping everybody out, despite her discomfort...that's so her character. good job woohoo!

[xita]

That's great Joyce and Giles getting the mac on. Thanks for the update.

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

"Oooh Xita!" - Amber Benson

[shootingstar]

Sneaky Joyce/Giles getting rid of everyone so they can make-out teehee...Great update!



Ah BBQ's, they'll never be the same since we accidently light one and the flames shot out at around 4 feet...then once it was under control we proceed to burn anything which could possibly have been edible including bread, burgers and marshmellows..I won't go into the cremated mess that was the burgers



Luv Star x

***
'I know what it's like to want to die. How it hurts to smile. How you try to fit in but you can't. How you hurt yourself on the outside to kill the thing on the inside'
-Girl, Interrupted.

[The Rose24]

Two updates. Thanks, they are really great.

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?

[kpmuse]

Fabulous Mainer! Very funny BBQ! I always knew Giles and Joyce were hot for each other! Thanks for the update!

Kristine


Tara & Willow Forever

[eccentrictulip]

go giles!!

*please use both hands....*

[LeatherQueen]

"Randy" Giles is in the house, I see.



Great updates!

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


"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

[Thanatopsis]

Great BBQ. Joyce and Giles, definite Band Candy flashbacks. It was nice that Tara was so sweet to Dawn.

--------------------
Too many of us live desert lives. ~Charles de Lint

[Mainer]

Title: The Outing

Rating: PG-13

Disclaimer: All characters belong to Joss Whedon.





Part 17





Willow laid her head down on the library table. After four straight hours of paper writing she really needed a break. Of course if she hadn't put off the paper she would be having a break right now. At the time Tara smoochies seemed much better than paper writing. They always seemed much better than paper writing. She could use some Tara smoochies right now. Finals week was killing her. Between papers, exams, and scoobyage she was exhausted. She tried to keep reminding herself that once this paper was finished it would be summer. Although once this paper was finished she would have to start thinking about where she was going to live for the summer. She only two days before she had to move out of the dorms, and she couldn't stay with her parents since they currently wanted nothing to do with her. Oh well, she could think about that later, first she had to finish the paper for art history. If she had been smart like Tara she would have started this weeks ago when it was assigned. If she was smart like Tara this whole paper would be a lot easier. Tara knew all about art stuff. It only took her like an hour to write the whole paper. Willow had been at it for four hours today and about six hours yesterday and all she had was the introduction. She just wasn't as good at this kind of thinking. She needed something more concrete. Willow looked down at her watch for the millionth time, 'Tara should be just about finished her last exam. If I could just finish this stupid paper we could have a celebration tonight,' Willow thought. She picked her head back up and started working once again.



"Am I interrupting?" Tara asked sitting next to Willow and kissing her cheek.



"Yes, and thank you," Willow said returning the kiss on Tara's lips.



"Do you want to take a break for dinner?" Tara asked, her hand resting on Willow's thigh.



"I would love to take a break," Willow said saving the file and closing her laptop. She began gathering the various papers she had scattered around her on the table.



"Is this your outline?" Tara asked examining a few sheets of paper.



"Yes. Is there something wrong with it?" Willow asked moving to Tara's side and reading over her shoulder.



"No, well, yes," Tara said trying to let Willow down gently. She knew how much Willow hated to be wrong.



"What?" Willow asked examining the paper for her mistake.



"It's nothing really. It's just that you should discuss him before him because that's how the movements occurred," Tara said using her finger to indicate which him needed to be moved.



"Everything else is good?"



"Everything else is perfect," Tara said smiling at Willow.



"Good," Willow said breathing a sigh of relief and cramming the last few papers into her bag. "I'm ready for food."



Tara smiled lovingly at Willow and took her hand. "You shouldn't work so hard. Did you even eat lunch today?"



"No, I was just so busy with my exam this morning and then my paper. I didn't have time," Willow said knowing Tara would be disappointed in her for missing a meal.



"You shouldn't be skipping meals Will. You're so skinny I won't have anything to hold on to," Tara said.



"I guess we better fatten me up then," Willow said bumping into Tara's shoulder playfully.



"Yeah then I won't look so fat next to you," Tara said.



"Tara you are not fat," Willow said. "I love everything about your body."



"Even my fat stomach?"



"Especially your cute, adorable, nonfat tummy," Willow said punctuating her words by tickling Tara's stomach.



"Okay, okay," Tara said squirming and giggling. "You win, I'm not fat."



"Darn tootin," Willow said as they entered the cafeteria. "You go sit down, I'll get us something to eat."



"Okay," Tara said looking around for an empty table. She spotted one on the far side of the dining hall. She sat down and watched Willow move through the line gathering things to eat.



"Here you go," Willow said placing some items in front of Tara.



"Thank you," Tara said. "Should I leave a tip?"



"A kiss will be thanks enough for now," Willow said pointing to her cheek. Tara leaned forward and placed a kiss on the redhead's cheek. "You can pay me the rest later."



"The rest?"



"Oh yeah, a kiss on the cheek isn't gonna cut it for this kind of service. I need more. Much more," Willow said grinning devilishly.



"If you finish your paper we'll have to work something out," Tara said.



"Finals suck," Buffy said plopping down at the table. "You study, and study, and study, but you're always missing something. Some random fact that the professor decides to have half the exam over. I'm dropping out and working at the double meat."



"Buffy don't say that. Do you know what's in that food?" Willow said.



"It's just so frustrating," Buffy said snagging one of Willow's fries.



"I'm sure you did fine," Tara said giving Buffy a reassuring smile.



"You studied really hard. You probably did great," Willow said.



"I guess," Buffy said knowing she wouldn't get away with doubting herself in front of these two. "So what are you guys up to tonight?"



"I get to relax tonight before I start packing everything up tomorrow," Tara said.



"Lucky you," Buffy said. "It's pretty cool that Giles is letting you stay at his place while he's in London this summer. What about you Will?"



"I have to go back to the library and finish writing my last paper."



"I'll go with you. I have to study for my final, final," Buffy said smiling at her word play.



"Okay," Willow said stuffing down the last of her dinner. "Are you gonna be okay walking back by yourself?"



"Willow it's still light out, I'll be fine," Tara said. "Go finish your paper."



"You're sure," Willow asked standing up. "Because we can walk you and then go to the library."



"You're being silly. Now go. The sooner you go the sooner you can come back," Tara said leaning over she whispered in her ear, "and I believe I still owe you for my service." Tara kissed Willow before gently pushing her on her way.



"Fine, fine, I'm going."



"What was that all about?" Buffy asked.



"What?" Willow asked.



"What Tara whispered?"



"Trust me when I say you don't want to know," Willow said grinning.



"I think I already know, and you're right. I wish I didn't," Buffy said. "So where are you staying this summer? She asked as the two girls headed back to the library.



"I don't know yet," Willow said.



"Procrastinate much," Buffy said. "Why don't you stay with Tara at Giles'."



"I wouldn't feel very comfortable in Giles' apartment with her. I mean chances are we're gonna have sex this summer and I don't want to do it in Giles' bed."



"Good point," Buffy said. "Hey I have an idea. You can stay with me at my house. It'll be fun. We can share a room and stay up late. Every night can be our own private slumber party."



"Except that you'll be at Riley's every night and I'll be there with Tara, but I'm in," Willow said.



"So you can have sex with Tara at my house, but not at Giles'?"



"Yeah," Willow said.



"Just stay off my bed," Buffy said smiling at her best friend as they entered the library. The size of it still made Buffy gasp. It wasn't nearly as cozy as the high school library, and without Giles it just didn't feel the same.



"Oh shoot, I forgot a page to my outline in Tara's room, when I was there earlier," Willow said. "I have to go get it, I'll just be a minute."



"Sure you did," Buffy said.



"Buffy I'm serious. I'm not going back just for smoochies," Willow said. Although that prospect was highly motivating.



"If you say so."



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

"Oh, Buffy. You really need to have every square inch of your ass kicked."
-DMW- Two To Go

[LeatherQueen]

Yeah... she's going back to snag some smoochies.



Great update!

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


"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

[mollyig]

I'm a natural pessimist, so I'm worried about Tara going off on her own. Even though she did say it was light out, I can't help but worry.

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

[Mainer]

I forgot to add an unpleasantness warning at the beginning of this part which is why I'm adding it now. There is some abuse in this next bit. I just wanted to warn anyone who doesn't want to read about such things.





Part 17 cont.



Tara headed back to her dorm wishing she had agreed to let Willow and Buffy walk her. She hated walking alone even during the day. It made her feel out of place. It also made her nervous. She felt vulnerable by herself, no one there to protect her if she got in trouble, or if she was found. Relief washed over her as she climbed the steps to her dorm, only to be replaced by absolute terror when she opened the door to her room.



"Didn't think we'd find ya, did ya?" Donnie asked examining the contents of Tara's room.



Tara just stood in the doorway too scared to do anything. Her mind kept telling her to run, but her legs wouldn't move, then she felt her father's hand clamp around her bicep and he threw her forward into the room. She landed hard on the floor. He slammed the door and moved to her swiftly, striking her across the face with a back hand. Her brother wearing a satisfied smirk on his face.



"Don't even think about screaming," her father said back handing her again.



"No sir," Tara managed to squeak out between tears.



"Running away wasn't very smart was it?" Her father said bringing his leg back and kicking her in the ribs several times.



"No sir."



"I'm sure you'll never do it again, right?"



"No sir."



He pulled Tara to her feet by her hair. "Donnie and I are gonna go pull the camper around to the front of the building. Pack what you can. We're leaving."



"But dad, what if she runs?" Donnie whined.



"She won't," he said turning to face his daughter. "Come on."





Willow walked by the two strange men on the steps of Tara's dorm and shuddered. Something about them gave her the wiggins. She figured they were probably just somebody's family coming to transport them home for the summer and continued on her way to Tara's room to pick up the missing page from her outline.



"Tara? Oh my God, what happened?" Willow asked rushing into the room.



"You have to leave," Tara pleaded with Willow.



"Not without you. Now tell me what happened," Willow stated.



"My father, he found me."



"Your father did this to you?" Willow said softly stroking Tara's already swollen face. Tara just nodded weakly, embarrassed that Willow had found her like this. "We have to go."



"No when he finds us, he'll hurt you too," Tara said.



"Not where we're going," Willow said. "Now are you gonna make me carry you or are you gonna walk?" Willow asked extending her hand to Tara, who took it. Normally Willow wouldn't use the back exit, especially not at night, but this was an emergency. She didn't want to push Tara to go too fast, she could see her cradling her ribs, but they really needed to get to her dorm. She was going to drop Tara off there, and then run to the library and get Buffy.



"Where are we going?" Tara whispered.



"To my room. You'll be safe there. I'm gonna go get Buffy," Willow said as they approached her building. "Let me help you up the stairs."



"You're not going to leave me here are you?" Tara asked weakly.



"I have to get Buffy," Willow said escorting Tara into the room.



"Please don't leave me. I'm so scared."



"There must be a phone at the library," Willow said helping Tara onto her bed.



"Thank you," Tara said laying her head on Willow's pillow.



After several minutes Willow managed to reach Buffy at the library. Now all that was left was the waiting. She sat next to Tara on the bed stroking her hair trying to make her feel more comfortable, and safe. Once Buffy got there, they were going to take her to the hospital, she probably had a couple broken ribs.



"Tara! I know you're in there," Tara's father yelled through the door.



"Willow, you've got to hide. He doesn't know you're here," Tara whispered.



"How did he find us?" Willow asked.



"He probably found it on something in my room. Please hide."



"No, the door is locked. I'm not leaving you," Willow said leaning down and placing a kiss on Tara's forehead. "Buffy's on her way. She'll stop them." Willow could hear the door knob being jiggled and she watched as the lock slipped open. This was it, Willow needed to protect Tara, even if it meant risking herself.



"Told ya I could do it dad," Donnie said pushing the door open.



"I told you not to run," her father said stepping into the room. He saw Willow sitting on the bed next to Tara, holding her hand and presumed her to be the Willow Tara had drawn hearts around in her notebook. It angered him more to see the kind of life Tara was living away from home. Being corrupted by those kind of people. Willow stood up as Mr. Maclay got closer. "Leave. This is none of your concern."



"No," Willow said defiantly.



"Willow please," Tara begged. Why had she asked her to stay? She should have let her go after Buffy and then she would be safe.



"I'm not going to let you hurt her," Willow said positioning herself completly in front of Tara.



Mr. Maclay threw Willow out of the way and onto Buffy's bed and made a grab for Tara only to be shoved away by Willow. He turned and grabbed Willow by her wrists.



"Donnie, hold this one down," he said handing Willow to his son.



"She's cute. Can I have her?" He asked pushing Willow down onto the bed and pinning her there.



"No," Tara screamed.



"You see how bad you are? Look what's happening to your little friend because of your selfishness," her father said striking her. "Go ahead son."



"Get off," Willow said struggling beneath him, trying to get up so she could get Mr. Maclay away from Tara.



"I believe the girl said get off," Buffy said charging through the door and throwing Donnie into the wall, knocking him out. "Now do I throw you too, or do you walk away?"



"I'm not scared of a little girl," Mr. Maclay said.



"I'm not a little girl," Buffy said.



"This doesn't concern you," Mr. Maclay said.



"You think I'm just gonna leave so you can beat your daughter, and let your son rape my best friend. I don't think so. And I have news for you Mr. Maclay. I'm just the first of the calvary to arrive. Willow and Tara have some pretty strong and powerful friends. I'm not so sure you want to be here when they arrive."



"Are you threatening me?" He asked.



"It's actually more of a warning," Buffy said.



"I'm not leaving without my daughter."



"Then I'll make you leave," Buffy said pulling him away from Tara and sending him in the direction of his now conscience son. "Will, are you okay?"



"Yeah, I'm fine," Willow said moving to Tara's side.



"Are you gonna fight us both by yourself?" Donnie asked as he and Mr. Maclay made their way toward Buffy.



"She doesn't have to," Riley said coming into the room followed closely by Xander, Anya, and Giles.



"If you leave now and never come back I see no reason to involve the police," Giles said trying to settle the matter diplomatically, of course he was prepared to fight if he had to.



I won't leave without Tara. She belongs with her family," Mr. Maclay said.



"Tara doesn't belong with you," Willow said standing and moving directly in front of Mr. Maclay. "She doesn't belong with people who beat her. She belongs here with me, because I know how special she is, how great she is. Do you know how smart your daughter is? Do you know how powerful she is? She could incinerate you with one word, but she would never do it, and do you know why? Because she's too caring and it wouldn't be right, and Tara believes in doing the right thing. She belongs with someone who can love her the way she deserves to be loved, and that is not you. I wake up every morning and thank God that I am lucky enough to have been chosen by her. That I was lucky enough to have her say yes, when I proposed. Yeah you heard me right. We're getting married. Tara belongs here because it's where she wants to be, and you'll have to kill me first before I ever let you take her from me."



"I think it's time for you to go," Buffy said showing the two men the door. They exited realizing they had been bested, and that they couldn't fight everyone in the room. After a moment Willow ran into the hall and caught them by the stairs.



"If you ever come back here, I'll kill you," Willow said. "I'm just as powerful as your daughter and not nearly as nice. I have no problem exacting justice for her," Willow said setting flame to a small piece of paper in Mr. Maclay's hand before going back into the room to check on Tara.





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

"Oh, Buffy. You really need to have every square inch of your ass kicked."
-DMW- Two To Go

[witchbitchwillow]

wahoooo!! go Buffy and Willow, they soooo derserved to get every inch of their arse kicked lol!



great update!!



more soon please??



xxelliexx

**"Damn gayly forward!"** Anya- into the woods by blameburner.

[MissQuirky]

God, that was great!! I loved Willow's lil speech bout Tara, soo sweet and loving!! I hope those Jerks don't come, I really Hate them!



Can't wait 4 more!!

"W-well, I-I was wondering, maybe, you would wanna go out sometime? For coffee ... food ... kisses and gay love?" - Willow (Normal Again)

[singgirl]

ooh ooh!! fight fight!! Kick their asses!!

[spazz07]

Some great updates there, at the bbq i thought it seemed odd how Joyce was trying to get rid of everyone, there's always an alterior motive Poor Tara though in the last update, no one deserves a family like that, least of all Tara. I'm glad the gang were there to stick up for Tara, it shows how important to the group she is.



Cheers

Nath

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

[xita]

ahh a hint of darkness from Willow but somehow I don't think Tara's family gets it. I think they'll be back. I am so curious why w/t would not use the magic defensively if not to hurt then to push away. I mean maybe Tara because she's been abused by them for so long. Thanks for the update! Buffy kicking their asses was worth it!

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

"Oooh Xita!" - Amber Benson

[shootingstar]

Loved Willow's speech, and Tara's Dad and Donnie getting their butts kicked was brilliant!

***
No it was the frogs! Take them! They stole the pie...
-Sleeping Willow in Loco2's >insert imaginative title here<

[jessie 85uk]

I say woo and may i add a hoo for the butt kicking!

Im lovin this fic, keep up the good work.

CJ

God created woman and she had three breasts. He then asked the woman, "Is there anything you'd like to have changed?"

She replied yes, you could get rid of this middle breast?"

And so it was done and it was good.

Then the women exclaimed as she was holding the third breast in her hand, "What can be done with this useless boob?"

And God created man.

[Jennpurr]

OH, wow. First the barbeque, with all the goodness, and then Tara's father and brother showing up. Damn those two. Grrr...



WOW... Go Willow! Loved what she said to them. I guess the engagement is out now, huh? I really hope Tara's father and brother don't show up again. They better not, if they know what's good for them. Hope Tara's going to be okay.



Looking forward to more,

Jen

------------------------"Give me them lips, honey." - Lisa Vidal to Laura Innes

[Grimaldi]

loved part 16, it was sweet that Tara was able to comfort Dawn, the Joyce/Giles bit was an interesting twist.



part 17 was good also, its cute that there is a subject that Tara is smarter in than Willow is. i'm glad that Willow, Buffy and the gang were there to save Tara from her jerk father and brother, hope those two are smart enough to get the message and stay away.

Dude, we're surrounded by perverts!

Cross my heart, smack me dead, stick a lobster on my head.

Beer: the cause of and solution to life's problems

[The Rose24]

Wow!!!!!!



That was EXCELLENT!!!! Donny and Mr. Maclay deserve every bad thing they get!!!!! : -->

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?

[willowsgrrl]

i just started reading this and am loving it. you write the characters so well ad the love of willow and tara really comes through

[Thanatopsis]

Excellent. Loved Willow's speech and Buffy kicking Mr Maclay's ass. Not to mention, the whole gang showing up was nice too.

--------------------
Too many of us live desert lives. ~Charles de Lint

[MadeinNZ]

Great updates. The "family" visit was graphic and kind of disturbing - which I'm sure was the point. Hate those MacLay men.



Thanatopsis: I found another variation of your signature:



Too many of us live dessert lives. ~Charles de Hershey

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


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

[the vamp nurd]

Tara's family needed the their collective asses kicks so hard they wouldn't come down.



Grr. [The vamp nurd looks around growling]



Bar that *g* great story.

[mollyig]

Willow standing up for her girl was great. I liked that Buffy brought the whole gang, that'll show Tara how important she is to all of them, not just to Willow.

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

[pikescoob]

Awesome!! The gang really showed it to Tara's father and brother...man I really don't like them. I just don't understand how some people can be so mean.



--Michelle

[funkyasian]

go willow!! see, i wouldn't have given them warning...just would start burning things in their hands...maybe singe some hair...but hey...i'm not willow or tara (though i wish i was so i can have the other one... )



steph

[raspberryhat]

Excellent. Those misogynistic b*stards finally get a bit of whats coming to them.



R.

"There's nothing very merry 'bout going round and round..."