Hacker Confidential [AU] (Complete)

[Alex_Vixen]

HOLY CLIFFHANGER BATMAN!!!!!! O_O"

I agree THE TRIO IS BACK!!!!!! *jumps up and down* WOOHOOOO!!!!!

Dude...the robot room...*drools* do I really have to say more? *points to drool* Im glad that Willow impressed every one in her first day.

Now Im wondering who the woman is... huh....I hope she's doesnt cause trouble. I agree that it could be Anya, she had brown-ish hair at first....

Dude, cant wait 'till the next update!! Keep it up!! *thumbs up*

[vampyregurl73]

Unwanted familial types showing up? Has Tara been fibbing to Willow about her family? Or is it worse?,,,, just another day on As The Stomach Churns

[LonelyTara]

Xander and Jesse? Yea! I wasn't expecting that, it was a very sweet and sentimental moment for me! Personally I'm hoping that Xander is married to Anya, but that's just me. I love it when Anya and Tara get to be buds!! So, I have this sneaking, sinking feeling that Willow's job is going to be great and Tara's is going to go to the pits. I really hope that she isn't being let go or something, that would really be terrible since she loves social work so much. Or is this lady someone related to her family? Oooh... (*pouts*) I'm with Magster. Weekend hiatus is a total, total bummer. Pout pout pout. LOL. Pouting aside, this was a great chapter. Such a nice married moment between Tara and Willow at the start, great to see Willow settling in to her dream space and being really successful at it.

Can't wait till Monday...so, any hopes you'll be throwing a second fic at us soon? I got spoiled by the dueling Laraghs...GASP! Maybe one could be a weekend fic? Get us through the Hacker dry spell?

Oh, and don't think I missed that bit about the back-to back-to-back lovin'. YUM YUM YUM. I can't wait!

[love_2003]

Glad to see that Willow enjoyed her first day & I was happily-surprised to see Xander being brought in. Can't wait to see who this mystery lady is that Tara is talking too.

[abarda]

I was wondering if Xander would appear, but... Jesse? I could have never thought he would be in it too. I liked it.

And you're a cliffhanger, huh? I'm curious to know who's that woman...

[arsyadriani]

you're really good at making me..err us, to keep reading and waiting for your fic..
well, I just have to get through this weekend for the next with this high-level curiousity
great update

[taralicious]

I still think it’s something we should think about investing in. I mean we don’t have to get one exactly like Angel’s or anything; nothing flashy, just something for us to get around in.”

And get it on in while listening to Marvin Gaye imploring both of them to get it on and having the built in DVD player play "Bring It On" where they have the idea of role-playing in cheerleading uniforms.

“I’ve never been happier than the past six days I’ve been married to you.”

Well, I've never been happier than when I'm imagining what sort of situations Willow and Tara will find themselves in next.
They have a fundraiser at the DHS office Tara works for where Willow and Tara wrestle in a giant vat of oatmeal and Willow turns to Tara and says "Well, this is another fine mess you've gotten me into."

“So...Alexander and Jesse, right?”

Ah, a shout-out to a character whose unnatural death affected both Xander and Willow so much that all memory and record of him was expunged from the series for the duration of its seven year run.
Next you'll be having Willow trace Marcy, the invisble girl from Season One as well.
Willow certainly schooled Xander and Jesse's asses; ain't no one better than Willow at techical jiggery-pokery.

a middle-aged woman with shoulder-length brown hair and bright green eyes. Tara looked somewhere between nervous and stunned as they walked together and Willow walked up to them, question in her eyes.

Agatha Christie referred to these clues as red herrings; classical pieces of misdirection which made the reader think she was taking them one way when actually the answer was an equine of a variant hue.

[Nue]

hey girl, what´s up? I´m sorry, I didnpt had time to keep reading this, but I just finished (you know, work, girlfriend, reading and writing can really worn off a girl...)

this story is great! I just love these last chapters, the trio is back together! and Tara is always so nice ^^

thanks ^^

[Laragh]

vazy –

Willow back in her natural environment, oh what I wouldn't give to have a ton of computers all hi-tech and awesome like that

Me too

And Jesse and Xander, the trio are back! Jesse doesn't get enough credit, he must have been around as long as Xander, and despite the fact he died he should be mentioned sometimes. But oh the trio

Jesse was just abandoned in the show lol so he never gets much of a mention, but I thought it’d be fun to bring him in!

Cannot wait for more!

Hope you enjoy!

Thanks for commenting!

leonhart17 –

ol I love that Willow was salivating over the robot room ...Curse weekend cliffhangers! Now I'm curious, dang it!

Your curiosity is sated in this chapter

And yay Xander and Jessie are here (is Xander married to Anya or Cordy though? Inquiring minds want to know!)

Glad you like their inclusion! And Xander isn’t necessarily married to either of those (he isn’t necessarily not married to one of them either Inquiring minds will find out! (though not for a little bit )

Thanks for your comment!

Zampsa1975 –

Good that Willow had a productive first day... Big yay for Xander & Jesse being Willow's coworkers...

Glad you like their inclusion

I wonder who the woman with Tara is. I hope she isn't bad news...

Read and find out!

Thanks for commenting!

BuffyFan4ever –

Great update.

Yea for Xander!!! Does he have glasses like in Criminal Minds? LOL

I didn’t envision him having them, but feel free to imagine him that way

I'm guessing that Xander is married to Anya and that is with Tara. I remember that she had brown hair in the beginning, and she could easily make Tara nervous and uncomfortable with her bluntness. I'm just wondering how she got a job in social services. Maybe she's the accountant or has some business management job.

For the first time, your deductions aren’t right! Good guess though!

Can't believe I have to wait for Monday.

Lol, sorry for the wait, but I do need time to write the update

Thanks for commenting!

FIRESIGN –

Great way to work Xander in!

Glad you like his inclusion!!!

Can't wait to hear more about this mysterious woman with Tara...Hmmmmm....

All is revealed in this chapter! (well partially this and fully by the next!)

Thanks for your feedback!

Alex_Vixen –

HOLY CLIFFHANGER BATMAN!!!!!! O_O

Heh heh, sorry to keep you hanging!

I agree THE TRIO IS BACK!!!!!! *jumps up and down* WOOHOOOO!!!!!

Glad you like their inclusion! I wasn’t sure how bringing Jesse in would be received but it seems to be going down well so yay!

Dude...the robot room...*drools* do I really have to say more? *points to drool* Im glad that Willow impressed every one in her first day.

I’d happily give up my apartment and just live somewhere like Willow’s office lol. Add a sofa and a mini fridge and I’m golden!

Now Im wondering who the woman is... huh....I hope she's doesnt cause trouble. I agree that it could be Anya, she had brown-ish hair at first....

I told you a new person was being introduced, remember? And I promised, no trouble

Dude, cant wait 'till the next update!! Keep it up!! *thumbs up*

Hope you enjoy it! Thanks for all the loyal support!

Thanks for commenting

vampyregurl73 –

Unwanted familial types showing up? Has Tara been fibbing to Willow about her family? Or is it worse?,,,, just another day on As The Stomach Churns

First off lol @ As The Stomach Churns and hey, don’t assume it’s gonna be something awful I’m not someone who’s big on the angst, remember!

Thanks for your feedback!

LonelyTara –

Xander and Jesse? Yea! I wasn't expecting that, it was a very sweet and sentimental moment for me!

Well I’m glad I could help facilitate such a moment!

Personally I'm hoping that Xander is married to Anya, but that's just me. I love it when Anya and Tara get to be buds!!

I like them as buds too

So, I have this sneaking, sinking feeling that Willow's job is going to be great and Tara's is going to go to the pits. I really hope that she isn't being let go or something, that would really be terrible since she loves social work so much.

You guys anticipate way too much angst You know I’m all about the happy!

Or is this lady someone related to her family? Oooh...

You’ll find out in this chapter!

(*pouts*) I'm with Magster. Weekend hiatus is a total, total bummer. Pout pout pout.

Lol, well I’d update at weekends if I had this all written but since I don’t, I can’t...I normally only finish a chapter a couple of hours before I post it (I’ve almost missed my deadline a few times trying to finish but hey, the adrenaline rush when that happens is kinda fun )

LOL. Pouting aside, this was a great chapter. Such a nice married moment between Tara and Willow at the start, great to see Willow settling in to her dream space and being really successful at it.

Yay for career success!

Can't wait till Monday...so, any hopes you'll be throwing a second fic at us soon? I got spoiled by the dueling Laraghs...GASP! Maybe one could be a weekend fic? Get us through the Hacker dry spell?

I’d love to (having 2 fics on the go was fun, I can totally see why you’re doing it [PS totally forgot to say this before, I do plan on reading The Wish of Three Hearts ‘cause I’ve heard it’s awesome/know it is ‘cause it’s you who’s writing it and I loved the first chapter (all I’ve read so far) but I’m not good with angst so I’m waiting ‘til it’s finished so I know the happy ending is there ] ) but I’m struggling even to keep up with this one *also pouting*

Oh, and don't think I missed that bit about the back-to back-to-back lovin'. YUM YUM YUM. I can't wait!

I can’t be sure, ‘cause I haven’t decided on a final layout of certain chapters yet, but there is a possibility that it could even be back-to-back-to-back-to-back. Watch this space

Thanks for your feedback!

love_2003 –

Glad to see that Willow enjoyed her first day & I was happily-surprised to see Xander being brought in.

Glad you like his inclusion

Can't wait to see who this mystery lady is that Tara is talking too.

All is revealed in this chapter!

Thanks for commenting!

abarda –

I was wondering if Xander would appear, but... Jesse? I could have never thought he would be in it too. I liked it.

Yay, glad you like!

And you're a cliffhanger, huh? I'm curious to know who's that woman...

She’s...ah, you have to read and see

Thanks for your comment!

arsyadriani –

you're really good at making me..err us, to keep reading and waiting for your fic..

Have to keep the reader in suspense

well, I just have to get through this weekend for the next with this high-level curiosity
great update

I hope your curiosity is satisfied in this chapter!

Thanks for commenting!

taralicious –

And get it on in while listening to Marvin Gaye imploring both of them to get it on and having the built in DVD player play "Bring It On" where they have the idea of role-playing in cheerleading uniforms.

That’d be a very lucky car!

Well, I've never been happier than when I'm imagining what sort of situations Willow and Tara will find themselves in next.
They have a fundraiser at the DHS office Tara works for where Willow and Tara wrestle in a giant vat of oatmeal and Willow turns to Tara and says "Well, this is another fine mess you've gotten me into."

Or jello. Or hot chocolate sauce. Or both. Mmhh...

Ah, a shout-out to a character whose unnatural death affected both Xander and Willow so much that all memory and record of him was expunged from the series for the duration of its seven year run.

Like, really, you’re friends from someone since Kindergarten, he dies and gets turned into a vampire and re-killed and it doesn’t affect you at all? I think not.

Next you'll be having Willow trace Marcy, the invisble girl from Season One as well.

Ha, that’d be funny. “There’s just no trace of her, I can’t see her anywhere.” Dunno how it’d fit into White Collar Crime though

Willow certainly schooled Xander and Jesse's asses; ain't no one better than Willow at techical jiggery-pokery.

She’s got the skills they all envy

Agatha Christie referred to these clues as red herrings; classical pieces of misdirection which made the reader think she was taking them one way when actually the answer was an equine of a variant hue.

Luckily I won’t keep you in suspense for the entire progression of the story!

Thanks for your feedback!

Nue –

hey girl, what´s up? I´m sorry, I didnpt had time to keep reading this, but I just finished (you know, work, girlfriend, reading and writing can really worn off a girl...)

You’re lucky you have so many fun distractions in your life!

this story is great! I just love these last chapters, the trio is back together! and Tara is always so nice ^^

Glad you’re enjoying it! I hope you like this chapter too!

Thanks for commenting!

---

Update Directly Below

[Laragh]

********

TITLE: Hacker Confidential

AUTHOR: Laragh

CHAPTER RATING: PG-13

DISCLAIMER: Willow, Tara and any other characters from the Buffy the Vampire Slayer franchise belong to Joss Whedon, FOX, ME and a whole host of other entities, none of which are me.

SUMMARY: AU, set in contemporary setting. A lot of W/T fluff and some semblance of a storyline.

SPOILERS: AU fic, so at most minor references or pieces of dialogue

FEEDBACK: Yes please

AUTHOR’S NOTE: Okay, so the last chapter broke off when Willow and Tara separated for their work day and followed Willow on her day. This chapter goes back to that morning and follows Tara on hers, getting us all caught up by the end of the chapter. Does that make sense?

Chapter 45

********

Tara looked back before she entered her work building and saw Willow starting to walk away, so proceeded to enter and turned the corner towards the elevators, waiting patiently and nervously for it to arrive. She stepped on when the door opened, with a bunch of other people and pressed the button for the 5th floor, where the Office of Children and Families headquarters were, her Buffalo equivalent to the DCF in Boston.


It was a short ride and when she stepped off, she saw the sign for the offices just ahead and walked in, where a receptionist who had a name-tag that said Angela greeted her.


“Welcome to the Office of Children and Families, Buffalo. How can I help you?”


“Hi. My name is Tara-”


“Hi. My name is Tara-”


“Our new social worker?” Angela asked with a warm smile, “I was told to expect you. Mrs. Peterson said to send you on through. Her office is right at the end there.”


Tara recognised the name as the head of the Buffalo division and felt at ease by the friendly demeanour of the office. She smiled at Angela.


“Thank you. So just right through there?”


“Yes,” Angela nodded, “And don’t worry, she’s very nice. No reason to be nervous.”


“Okay,” Tara replied, exhaling a breath she didn’t even know she was holding, “Right. Better get in there, then.”


“Good luck!”


Tara smiled again as she made her way to the office pointed out to her and saw the door as ajar. She knocked and poked her head in, just as a woman in her early forties with curly black hair looked up from her desk.


“Hello,” she said almost as a question before a look of understanding crossed her features, “Oh you must be Tara. Come in, sit down.”


“Hello, Mrs. Peterson, it’s a pleasure to meet you,” Tara said as she entered the room and extended her hand, which the other woman took warmly.


Mrs. Peterson gestured towards the seat on the other side of her desk.


“Please, call me Steph. You know, your transfer request couldn’t have come at a better time, we’d just begun a search for a replacement for one of our social workers that decided to become a full-time mother. You come with glowing recommendations from Boston. Paul Evans is an old friend of mine, we studied together at NYU, so I was more than happy when he called saying he had someone for me. Am I right in thinking you moved here with your partner’s job?”


Tara nodded from her seat.


“Yes, my wife is an analyst with the FBI. It’s a pretty new development in our lives.”


Tara bit her lip, wondering whether she should have made her sexuality so clear on her first day - it hadn't been a problem in Boston, everyone knew who Willow was and never made an issue of it but she wasn't sure whether it would be the same there. Steph, however, either didn't notice or didn't care and just continued to smile.


“Well I’ve read through your file and I’ve put you on a few cases with some of our senior workers to get you started here, though I’m confident you’ll be working your own cases soon. It’s really just a formality to get you settled and see how we work things here in Buffalo. Also, I have an open-door policy here, so if there’s ever any issues feel free to drop in. I’m afraid the first couple of days here might just be a lot of reading and paperwork, but that’s all part of the job, right?”


“Right,” Tara agreed with a small grin, “I can handle that.”


Steph clapped her hands together and stood up.


“Great. Well I’ll show you to your desk and introduce you to Michelle; you’ll be working with her for the first little while. Very experienced, I think you can learn a lot from her. Shall we? Oh this is your employee badge by the way and I’ve put your computer log-in details on a little post-it on the back here. Remember them.”


“I will,” Tara replied, jumping up from her seat and taking the offered badge before following her new boss out of the office.


Steph introduced her to a few of the other employees as they walked through the office until they reached a bare desk with just stationary supplies and a desktop computer on it, as well as a nameplate with Tara's name embossed on it.


“This is your desk, your place of mindless labour while you work here,” Steph said with more than a hint of mirth in her voice before turning towards the desk behind it where a middle-aged woman with brown hair and green eyes was writing something in a large file in front of her, “And this is Michelle. Michelle, I have the new social worker here I was telling you about. This is Tara.”


Michelle looked up and instantly paled when she saw Tara, opening and closing her mouth a few times in shock.


“Are you alright, Michelle?” Steph asked when she saw her employee's demeanour, “You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”


“Um, yes,” Michelle replied after a moment, her voice shaky, “Just you know, that déjà vu thing. It’s nice to, um...it’s nice to meet you, Tara.”


“You too,” Tara replied, shaking the woman’s hand and feeling an odd sense of familiarity, but not focusing on it since she was more concerned with the odd way this woman was staring at her, “I'm looking forward to working with you.”


Michelle dropped her gaze and started nervously wringing her hands at her sides.


“Well, I’ll leave you to it,” Steph said after a moment, then turned to Tara, “I mean what I said, Tara, any queries or issues, my door’s always open.”


Tara smiled at her boss and thanked her as she left before turning back to Michelle, an uncomfortable tension in the air as the older woman started to gape at her again.


“Um, I'm sorry about this,” Tara said after a minute to try and ease the tension, “I’m sure the last thing you want is to chaperone some junior social worker through cases you’ve already worked on. I promise I’ll just follow your lead, do whatever you want me to do. Or don’t want me to do.”


“Right,” Michelle replied, still lost in whatever thought was going through her mind, “Good.”


Tara was at a loss at how to react and was starting to feel extremely awkward just standing there while this woman stared at her.


“So...” she tried again, “Maybe you could give me the files of the cases you want me to work on and I can catch up on some histories?”


“Uh huh,” Michelle nodded, before seemingly snapping to attention and starting to gather some files around her, “Um, you could start on these. Nothing too hectic. If you write up your own notes I could review them with you at the end of the day?”


“Done,” Tara replied, happy to have been given a clear directive for the day as she took the files in her arms, “I’ll come back to you with these around four thirty?”


Michelle averted her gaze again but Tara saw her give a small nod.


“That should be fine.”


“Okay,” Tara replied before shaking her head in disbelief at the odd behaviour of this other woman, “Well, um, thank you.”


She turned towards her desk and sat behind it, piling the files in front of her, determined to make a good impression on her first day. She turned on the computer and keyed in the username and password she had been given, before tucking the post-it away in her bag on the off-chance she forgotten her log-in details again, then opened the first file and sighed wistfully as she started reading the notes already written; a pretty standard case involving a mother who had a habit of winding up in jail and her six-year-old son.


She quickly got back into work mode and starting writing her impressions of that case and the others she’d been given, taking her time to get to know each situation as well as she could, eating lunch at her desk. She was eerily aware of Michelle’s eyes on the back of her head throughout the day, even when she was distracted by work or other colleagues coming up to introduce themselves and welcome her to the building.


Why does she keep staring? I know there’s nothing on my clothes and there’s no way she could feel her job is threatened, I’m just a junior...maybe she’s just really pissed she has to work with me?


Tara began dreading their meet-up at the end of the day, wondering if Michelle was going to be the type to criticise her work just because she didn’t want her around. She made sure her notes were flawless and read over the files more than once to ensure the full histories were embedded in her mind until the clock on her computer told her it was half four. She gathered the files again and stood up, going across to Michelle’s desk.


“I have my notes here,” she started, nervously biting her lip, “You, um, you said you’d review...”


“Oh of course,” Michelle turned in her seat and took the files and papers offered to her, “I’ll, um...I’ll just. Oh god, I don’t think I can do this.”


Tara looked at the older woman, confused.


“Are you okay?”


Michelle stood up and looked around.


“Could you come with me to the break room for a moment?”


Tara was completely perplexed but agreed and followed the woman to the break room, which was completely empty as most of the employee’s had either already gone home or were getting ready to. She started to get a little bit scared when Michelle closed the door behind her, wondering if she was going to be yelled at or whether the woman was experiencing some kind of psychotic break and that’s why she’d been acting strangely all day. Her fear only heightened as Michelle walked towards her, tears beginning to form in her eyes.


“You’re Tara Maclay, right?”


“Rosenberg-Maclay,” Tara corrected automatically, “But Maclay is my maiden name, yes.”


Michelle walked towards Tara and put her hand out, as if to touch her, but stopped short of actually doing it.


“I knew as soon as I saw you. You look just like her.”


Tara looked at the woman in confusion.


“What? Who?”


Michelle visibly and audibly inhaled.


“Your mother.”


Tara backed away and held onto the side of the table in the room in shock.


“What’re you talking about? Who are you?”


“You don’t remember, do you?” Michelle asked sadly, “You were young, we only met a handful of times. Your father never liked associating with anyone on our side, but your mother brought you to Buffalo a couple of times a year so we could meet. He didn’t know I lived here, at least not then and your mother would pretend it was to bring you shopping for new clothes. You always got a vanilla milkshake from this little cafe on High Street.”


Tara felt her chest begin to tighten as a flood of hazy memories descended on her, the other woman’s words triggering the onslaught. She’d always remembered, vaguely, her and her mother in Buffalo, but now she remembered the exact things her new co-worker was saying. She remembered that little cafe and the milkshakes, and she remembered...she remembered Michelle. Fifteen years younger and a few pounds lighter, but she remembered Michelle...except...


“Ella,” she croaked out, “You’re my mom’s friend Ella.”


Michelle smiled a sad smile and shook her head slightly.


“That was her nickname for me. Ever since we were little. But I wasn’t just her friend.”


Tara’s eyes widened as she started to wonder whether she and her mother had something else in common that she’d never known about, but Michelle spoke up and explained her comment just a second later.


“I was her sister. I’m your Aunt Michelle, Tara.”


Tara’s eyes stayed wide as she felt her whole world begin to spin and quickly sank into one of the chairs surrounding the table she had been gripping onto. Michelle quickly got a glass of water and handed to her niece, sitting in front of her.


“Drink this, sweetheart.”


Tara gratefully took and downed the water, her head swimming. Michelle noticed her distress and put a hand on Tara’s knee in comfort but the blonde shrunk back and Michelle moved her hand away.


“I’m sorry, this probably wasn’t the place or time to unload all of this on you.”


Tara held a hand against her head, massaging her temple.


“I just...I don’t understand. My mother was an only child.”


“No,” Michelle replied softly, “She wasn’t. Your father...he didn’t like us... associating.”


Tara could understand that - ‘controlling’ was a nice way of describing her father. She looked up at the older woman.


“I have...so many questions.”


Michelle nodded her head.


“Of course you do. Of course you do. Do you want to go somewhere more quiet? And I’ll answer anything you have to ask.”


“Okay,” Tara nodded as well, before meeting Michelle’s gaze, “You’re really her sister?”


“I really am,” Michelle replied, cupping Tara’s cheek and smiling when she didn’t flinch this time, “And you are most certainly her daughter. You’re a carbon copy of her.”


Tara smiled at what she considered to be a very big compliment.


“We could go back to my place, it’s not-oh god, Willow.”


Tara anxiously checked her watched and sighed in relief when she saw she wasn’t late.


“Willow?” Michelle asked.


“My wife,” Tara responded, standing up, “I’m supposed to meet her after work.”


“Wife?” Michelle asked in surprise, “Oh...”


Tara set her jaw.


“If that’s-”


“Wonderful that you found someone you want to spend your life with,” Michelle cut her niece off with a somewhat awkward but warm smile, “I’m just sorry I missed your wedding. If you’re busy, we can reschedule for another time...”


Tara gave a small smile back and shook her head.


“No, we can still...”


She trailed off, exhaling in thought before Michelle spoke up again.


“Do you drive?”


“Um, no,” Tara replied, then amended, “Well, I do, but we don’t have a car. We’ve been getting the bus to and from work.”


“Okay,” Michelle replied, calmly, “How about I drive you and...Willow? Back to your place? If that’s still okay?”


“Yes, definitely, that’s definitely okay. I, um...” Tara wrung her hands nervously, “I really don’t know how to react to all this.”


Michelle looked saddened.


“Me either, sweetheart. I never thought I’d see you again.”


Tara was about to question why exactly that was but decided it would be better to wait until they were out of work. She motioned for them to leave and quickly collected her bag and turned off her computer before getting into the elevator and riding down in silence. She kept glancing at her aunt-


My aunt? How is that even...really, my aunt?


-in disbelief, until they got outside the building and saw Willow walking towards them, looking confused.


“Hi. Um, who’s this?”

[vazy]

DIBS!

I love living in Europe, it means your updates come out just at the perfect time of the evening

Anyway, Tara has a nice family member left?! Oh awesome, she seems so nice and at least she has family now other than WIllow and the Boston gang and Buffy ;D

[leonhart17]

Aww good that Tara has family that not complete shit! I'm curious to see how Willow's going to react

[Alex_Vixen]

HOLY CRAP!!!!!!!!!!! O.O

An AUNT!!!! NO WAY!!! DUDE!!!...this is like a mexican soap opera!!!!! O_O So wait....Tara has a relative that isnt a piece of shit?? WOOOHOOO for Tara!!!

How is Willow gonna to react??? Oh my Goddess, Im loving this story, dude!!! Cant wait till the next update!!!

[BuffyFan4ever]

Great update. It's no fair throwing in original characters; it messes up my guessing system. I guess I should know better based on your other stories.

It's great that Tara can reconnect with her real family. What are the odds that she not only gets stationed in the same building as her aunt, but as her mentee? I guess it depends on the author.

Looking forward to the next update and Willow's reaction.

[Zampsa1975]

Yay for great update-y goodness... Big yay for Tara finding her aunt Michelle... I hope Willow doesn't freak out when Tara tells about ther aunt...

[Nue]

hey girl, what´s up? well, I don´t know if working is a funny distraction XD but reading Alice in Wonderland and Philosophy is awesome!

btw, I´m really glad Tara found someone (besides Willow, of course) that she can call her family ^^

[LonelyTara]

Hey Laragh--I'm glad you're enjoying the feedback! Excellent chapter, I really liked the technique of going back and taking us through Tara's day so we could see what led up to the moment outside with Willow. Wow...more family for Tara...I wonder if that means that she has cousins, even living grandparents? It's wonderful that Tara willing to make a sacrifice for Willow has lead to such a wonderful thing for her--more family. Hopefully that won't make the work situation awkward, hopefully they'll let the boss know. Thanks for the update on Wish...I understand why you aren't reading it now since you're not not typically an angst fan. I'm just thrilled that you're going to come back later and read it. It definitely comes to a very happy close (that's already written) but it is going to take some time to get there. Oh...and I formerly request the back-to back-to back-to back. Oh lordy lordy, I don't know if I can wait 17 chapters!

Keep up the great work!

[taralicious]

An adept way of split-screening the events of the day from both Willow and Tara's point of view leading up to the mystifying, from Willow's point of view, vision of Tara walking towards her with a woman whom she didn't have when she left Willow that morning.
Michelle is Tara's aunt. That is brilliant, as others have pointed out, that Tara actually has a family in Buffalo which can outweigh the negative memories and flashbacks, bad vibes and the like of looking over her shoulder and wondering if he will be there.
It is like having a birthday and a fairy godmother turns up with a photo album which reveals an entire facet of your life that you weren't privy to and now can see that door to wonderland opened with the magical key of love.

[vampyregurl73]

Ooooo, between Jesse and Xander for Willow, now we have an Aunt that Tara vaguely remembers - talk about drama of a whole other animal.

This is an interesting way to go, and a familial type that can maybe fill in some blanks for Tara since there seem to be holes in her memories.

[abarda]

Really interesting chapter.
I thought Michelle was a social worker who had worked on Tara's case when she was a child. But it's really interesting that Tara has met her aunt at her work place. She's gonna have much to learn about her own family now, I think.
Please, more!!

[Laragh]

vasy –

I love living in Europe, it means your updates come out just at the perfect time of the evening

Lol, that’s the same reason I post at this time, just in time for the evening

Anyway, Tara has a nice family member left?! Oh awesome, she seems so nice and at least she has family now other than WIllow and the Boston gang and Buffy ;D

More family is always good, right?

Thanks for commenting!

leonhart17 –

Aww good that Tara has family that not complete shit! I'm curious to see how Willow's going to react

Yay for more family You will see now

Thanks for your comment!

Alex_Vixen –

An AUNT!!!! NO WAY!!! DUDE!!!...this is like a mexican soap opera!!!!! O_O

Lol I think by the end of the story with all the arcs I have in mind, it actually will resemble a Mexican soap opera!!!!!!!!

So wait....Tara has a relative that isnt a piece of shit?? WOOOHOOO for Tara!!!

How is Willow gonna to react???

You shall see!

Oh my Goddess, Im loving this story, dude!!!

Yay!! I’m so glad

Thanks for commenting!

BuffyFan4ever –

Great update. It's no fair throwing in original characters; it messes up my guessing system. I guess I should know better based on your other stories.

I do apologise. If it’s any consolation, I have no plans to introduce any new characters!

It's great that Tara can reconnect with her real family. What are the odds that she not only gets stationed in the same building as her aunt, but as her mentee? I guess it depends on the author.

In normal everyday life? Pretty slim.

In my ‘based on a cheesy-rom-com’ type story? Huge!

Looking forward to the next update and Willow's reaction.

Hope you enjoy!!

Thanks for your comment!

Zampsa1975 –

Big yay for Tara finding her aunt Michelle...

Glad you like

I hope Willow doesn't freak out when Tara tells about ther aunt...

Her reaction is in this chapter! Hope you enjoy!

Thanks for commenting!

Nue –

hey girl, what´s up? well, I don´t know if working is a funny distraction XD but reading Alice in Wonderland and Philosophy is awesome!

Well, some fun distractions are better than none!

btw, I´m really glad Tara found someone (besides Willow, of course) that she can call her family ^^

More family=more love, right?

Thanks for your comment!!

LonelyTara –

Hey Laragh--I'm glad you're enjoying the feedback!

I get all excited when I see your name come up ‘cause I know the comment is gonna be excellent (no pressure to keep it up or anything )

Excellent chapter, I really liked the technique of going back and taking us through Tara's day so we could see what led up to the moment outside with Willow.

Glad you liked, I was worried it might be a bit confusing!

Wow...more family for Tara...I wonder if that means that she has cousins, even living grandparents? It's wonderful that Tara willing to make a sacrifice for Willow has lead to such a wonderful thing for her--more family. Hopefully that won't make the work situation awkward, hopefully they'll let the boss know.

Don’t worry, work shouldn’t be an issue...at least not now Michelle has told Tara who she is lol. And as for other extended family, well, that gets addressed in this chapter!

Thanks for the update on Wish...I understand why you aren't reading it now since you're not not typically an angst fan. I'm just thrilled that you're going to come back later and read it. It definitely comes to a very happy close (that's already written) but it is going to take some time to get there.

I’ve been meaning to say it for ages, but I always get caught up in writing the responses and forget lol. I’m very much looking forward to its happy conclusion!!

Oh...and I formerly request the back-to back-to back-to back. Oh lordy lordy, I don't know if I can wait 17 chapters!

Don’t worry, there’s not gonna be a dry-spell between now and the back-to back-to back-to back! Plenty of smut to be had!



Thanks for your feedback!

taralicious –

An adept way of split-screening the events of the day from both Willow and Tara's point of view leading up to the mystifying, from Willow's point of view, vision of Tara walking towards her with a woman whom she didn't have when she left Willow that morning.

Glad you liked and it wasn’t confusing!

Michelle is Tara's aunt. That is brilliant, as others have pointed out, that Tara actually has a family in Buffalo which can outweigh the negative memories and flashbacks, bad vibes and the like of looking over her shoulder and wondering if he will be there.

It’ll be good for her to have some happy memories brought to light, for sure

It is like having a birthday and a fairy godmother turns up with a photo album which reveals an entire facet of your life that you weren't privy to and now can see that door to wonderland opened with the magical key of love.

If nothing else, it’s a connection to her mother, which is definitely something!

Thanks for commenting!

vampyregurl73 –

Ooooo, between Jesse and Xander for Willow, now we have an Aunt that Tara vaguely remembers - talk about drama of a whole other animal.

This is an interesting way to go, and a familial type that can maybe fill in some blanks for Tara since there seem to be holes in her memories.

It’ll certainly help her remember her mother better, which she should be happy about

Thanks for your comment!

abarda –

Really interesting chapter.

Glad you liked

I thought Michelle was a social worker who had worked on Tara's case when she was a child.

Lol I never even thought of that I think for the record though, Tara’s abuse was never notified to any child protective services when she was a child...

But it's really interesting that Tara has met her aunt at her work place. She's gonna have much to learn about her own family now, I think.
Please, more!!

She will indeed Here’s more, hope you enjoy!

Thanks for commenting!

---

Update Directly Below

[Laragh]

********

TITLE: Hacker Confidential

AUTHOR: Laragh

CHAPTER RATING: PG-13

DISCLAIMER: Willow, Tara and any other characters from the Buffy the Vampire Slayer franchise belong to Joss Whedon, FOX, ME and a whole host of other entities, none of which are me.

SUMMARY: AU, set in contemporary setting. A lot of W/T fluff and some semblance of a storyline.

SPOILERS: AU fic, so at most minor references or pieces of dialogue

FEEDBACK: Yes please

Chapter 46

********

Previously:

...saw Willow walking towards them, looking confused.

“Hi. Um, who’s this?”

---

“Hi honey,” Tara greeted and took the redhead’s hand, unsure how she’d react to what she was about to tell her, “This is... Um, Willow, this is Michelle. My aunt. On my mother’s side.”


Willow’s face went from even more confused to hurt within a matter of seconds and she dropped her wife’s hand. Tara instantly knew what was wrong and quickly swooped Willow’s hand back into hers.


“I didn’t know, either. I just found out. I’d never keep something like that from you.”


Willow smiled apologetically at the blonde before looking between her and the newly-introduced Michelle.


“I’m very confused.”


“That makes three of us,” Michelle responded, extending her hand, “It’s nice to meet you, Willow.”


Willow cautiously took Michelle’s hand and shook it.


“We’re gonna go back to the house and talk,” Tara said, squeezing her wife’s hand, “Michelle’s gonna drive us.”


“Okay...” Willow replied, guardedly, “Do you want me to go to Buffy’s?”


Tara shook her head.


“No, I want you to be there.”


If for no other reason than I could be an emotional wreck by the end of the night and need you to hold me.


Willow understood the look her wife was giving her - she needed her to be support-girl and that’s exactly what Willow intended to be. She was glad she’d rejected the idea to go to Buffy’s as well, because quite frankly she wouldn’t have gone.


Michelle smiled at the silent communication and looks the two younger girls were exchanging, the obvious love they shared. She knew she had a lot of explaining to do, but at least Tara seemed receptive to listen.


“My car is right over here...” she said, pointing in the opposite direction to where they were standing, “We could pick up some dinner on the way...give us more time to talk.”


“That sounds good,” Tara agreed, “Alright with you, sweetie?”


Willow nodded, still completely uneasy with the entire situation. They made their way over to the car and the couple climbed into the backseat, an unspoken understanding between them that they needed to continue holding each other’s hand and the ride back to the house was silent except for a quick stop at an Italian place to get dinner and Willow giving directions.


“This is a lovely home,” Michelle said as they walked into the house.


“We just moved in,” Tara replied cautiously, “Still settling.”


“I’ll get plates,” Willow spoke up and gave Tara a kiss on the cheek, whispering in her ear, “I love you.”


Tara squeezed the redhead’s shoulder before leading Michelle into the dining room, gesturing for her to sit down. Willow followed just a few moments later with plates and cutlery and they all settled into eating; the silence continuing, the awkwardness palpable as they ate.


Willow pushed a piece of garlic bread around on her plate, watching the other two doing the same with their own food. She sighed and dropped her fork on the plate in frustration before turning to Michelle.


“Okay I need to know what the hell your deal is.”


“Willow!” Tara hissed in a scolding tone, glaring at her wife from across the table.


Willow held up her hands in defence but kept a determined look on her face.


“Baby, I’m sorry but I’ll be damned if I’m just gonna sit back and let another member of your family hurt you again.”


Michelle’s head shot up at this and she gaped at Tara.


“Again? What does she mean again?”


Tara sighed and dropped her head into her hands.


“Your...your father hurt you?” Michelle continued after a minute as she made sense of Willow’s statement, the shock evident on her face, “I always knew he was strict, but I never thought...Oh god.”


Willow gulped as she realised the floodgates she’d released and rushed over to Tara’s side, who meet her wife’s gaze.


“Can you leave us alone, Willow?”


Willow moved her hand up to cup the blonde's cheek.


“Baby, I’m so sor-”


Tara sighed again and shook her head, giving the smaller girl's palm that was against her cheek a kiss in the process.


“I’m not mad. I just...”


“Okay, okay,” Willow was reluctant to leave but understood Tara needed to discuss things in private with her aunt so leaned forward and placed a firm, lingering kiss against her temple, “I’ll just be in the living room, okay?”


Tara nodded and watched as the redhead walked out of the dining room, closing the door behind her, and heard the television being turned on a moment later. She turned to Michelle and inhaled as she prepared to speak.


“Yes, my father hurt me. He started drinking after...” Tara took a deep breath and shook her head, “After. And he...he used his fists to vent his frustration.”


“Oh god,” Michelle repeated, almost sobbing, “Tara I had no idea. If I’d known, I wouldn’t have just left you there.”


Tara set her jaw and regarded her aunt seriously.


“Why...why weren’t you there? Why did I never see you again?”


Michelle sighed.


“I just...I felt so guilty. And your father told me to stay away, I thought I was doing what was best for you.”


“Wait...” Tara looked up, confused, “What did you have to feel guilty about?”


“I...” Michelle stopped for a moment, her breath catching in her throat, “I was driving the car.”


Tara looked completely bewildered until she realised what her aunt was saying.


“You were there? But Dad said...Dad said...”


“I thought he might,” Michelle sighed, understanding that Tara meant her father had always told her that her mother had been alone when she crashed, “As far as he was concerned, you didn’t know I existed. That’s why we always told you I was your mother’s ‘friend’, in case you accidentally said something to him. He always had this irrational hatred for our side of the family. Mom and Dad...your grandparents...he barely abided them at holidays...they died before you were born, so your mother never fought him on keeping contact. He was always so controlling of Lisa...”


Tara felt her heart clench as she heard her mother’s name and fought back the tears.


“She said it was just his way, and I accepted that. He never hurt her, I know that for sure, I would’ve been able to tell, she would have told me. And she would’ve left if she ever thought he’d hurt you. You were her pride and joy, she never would have let any harm come to you if she could have prevented it. But that day...she was coming over here to see me. Your birthday was coming up and I wasn’t going to get to see you, so she came over to pick up a present I had for you. But she broke down on the I-90 so I called the tow and went to collect her so I could take her home before your father came home from work. We were...” Michelle choked back a sob as a few tears began to fall, “We were only a couple of miles outside Rochester when the truck came at us. It all happened so fast. I just remember screaming and then waking up in a hospital bed with your father standing over me, telling me Lisa was dead and to stay away from his family. Oh Tara, I had no idea. It’s my job to prevent the kind of things that happened to you from happening and I didn’t even notice. I can’t...I don’t even know how to begin to apologise.”


Tara’s head was reeling from this onslaught of new information. How her father had manipulated the entire situation surrounding her mother’s death to ensure she was isolated from anyone who could’ve been an ally to her in the dark eight years that followed before she escaped to Boston. The sick realisation that her father controlled her entire existence of her younger years for a reason, that the abuse he inflicted on her was intentional and not just the result of too much alcohol in his system.


“I, um...I...This is...”


“Do you want me to leave?” Michelle asked softly, “I understand if you could never forgive me for...”


“You couldn’t have known,” Tara replied, her voice a course whisper, “And if...if mom had to...go...I’m just glad she spent her last moments with...with someone she lov-”


The tears she’d been fighting back finally started pouring down her face and Michelle quickly produced a pack of tissues from her pocket, offering one to her crying niece, which Tara gladly accepted and wiped her tears.


“I’m sorry, it’s just, this is all so...”


“I understand,” Michelle soothed, stroking the blonde’s hair, “Tara, I have to ask, your father, how did you...? Is he still...?”


Tara took a deep breath to calm herself as she spoke again in a shaky voice.


“I applied for scholarships secretly, accepted the first one that came through the door. Once I graduated high school, I packed a bag one night and left first thing in the morning, before he even woke up. I don’t know whether he tried to find me, I never heard anything if he did. He only ever saw me as a waste of space, he told me that enough.”


Michelle felt sick to her stomach.


“How did you...how could a little girl possibly survive all of that? Be the strong woman I see here today?”


“There was a diary,” Tara replied, a sad smile gracing her features, “I found it when I was down in the basement one day. It was Mom’s. She wrote about finding out she was pregnant with me and how happy she was. She wrote in it every day of her pregnancy and then sporadically up until about a month before the accident. I knew I was loved and that I had her strength, that’s what got me through it. Not that it didn’t affect me. I buried myself in college work for the first year and half after I left, didn’t think about anything other than that. But then I met Willow, and well, she helped me deal with it. She made me able to trust again and showed me what love really was. I still...it’s not something that I think about or something I think I’ll ever really get over, but she...she holds me when the memories start to overwhelm me. She makes me feel safe. I’m who I am today because of her.”


Michelle smiled.


“You really love her.”


Tara laughed out loud.


“I think that’s a massive understatement, but yes, I really love her. She’s my everything.”


“It’s wonderful you found someone you want to spend your life with. A life...” Michelle stopped and met Tara’s eyes, “A life I’d really like to be a part of again. If you’d let me?”


Tara wiped the last of her tears away and nodded.


“I’m a big believer in fate. I’ve kinda had to be, if I hadn’t had the childhood I had I wouldn’t have gone to Boston, I wouldn’t have met Willow, and...” Tara stopped for a moment and shook her head as the possibilities of life without Willow went through her head, “Apart from many other things that I don’t care to think about, we wouldn’t have moved to Buffalo. I think we were meant to meet again. So yes, I would very much like if you were a part of my life again. And as my aunt this time.”


Michelle moved forwards and embraced Tara warmly, a few more tears trickling down her face, but of happiness this time. She felt her heart swell as Tara hugged back and remembered the little girl she’d been so fond of all those years ago, rejoicing in the fact that she was back in her life. They spent the next few hours talking, catching up on the time they’d missed.


Tara learnt how Michelle had fallen into quite a deep depression after her mother’s death, blaming herself for her role in it and was something she’d only recently come to terms with, after a lot of counselling. Michelle learnt all about Tara’s life post-leaving home, and they laughed at how they’d both been attracted to the same professions. Michelle had also been able to enlighten Tara about her mother and heard stories of when they were young, things she’d never been privy to before.


“Oh god, it’s late,” Michelle said through her laughter as she told Tara about the time her and her sister had had a crush on the same boy in junior high and how it had lead to them refusing to talk to each other for a week, “I should go. We both have work in the morning. Oh and I promise to be of actual assistance tomorrow and not just stare at you all day.”


“Of all the social work offices in all the world, I end up in yours. I’m really glad we met. You know, again,” Tara said with a soft smile, before glancing over at the closed door that lead to the living room, “If I know my wife, and I do...she’s gonna toss and turn all night if she doesn’t...”


“Check me out herself?” Michelle surmised.


“Yea,” Tara nodded, a fond smile on her face, “She’s very protective.”


Michelle looked pleased at that.


“Well that’s a good quality to have in a partner. Should I be prepared for the Spanish Inquisition?”


“I’m not sure,” Tara replied, biting her lip, “Can I...?”


She nodded towards the door and Michelle nodded back in agreement, so she got up and walked into the living room, closing the door behind her to give herself and Willow a moment alone. The redhead was up like a shot as soon as the blonde had entered the room and was hugging her wife in a matter of seconds.


“Are you okay? Is she okay? I’ve been trying not to disturb but it’s kinda been killing me not knowing and I heard laughing so that was really good but I was still kinda scared, I mean, how the hell did this all happen you know, and it’s all so sudden and I mean, are we even sure-”


She was cut off as Tara cupped the back of her head and pulled her in for a gentle, tender kiss.


“I’m sure,” Tara replied when she pulled back after a minute, “I trust her. But I know you need your own reassurances. So go. But please, Willow...go easy on her.”


“I’m not a monster,” Willow responded with a small scowl, “I’m not gonna rip her to shreds.”


“I know,” Tara said softly, “But I also know you’d do anything to keep me safe and away from any pain. Just like I would for you. But she’s the real deal, okay? She’s family.”


Willow looked down, before looking up again, insecurity plaguing her eyes.


“Am I family?”


“Willow,” Tara replied, resting their foreheads together, “You will always be the most important person in my life, okay? She may be blood, but you...you course through every fibre of my being.”


Willow saw the truth shining in Tara’s eyes and nodded.


“I know. I know that, I’m sorry, it’s just...”


“Surreal,” Tara replied with a quiet, almost disbelieving laugh, “I know. But the way the past four months of our lives has gone, I’m kinda getting used to the unexpected happening.”


Willow let out a small laugh, she had to agree.


“Just give me five minutes. You trust her, and I trust you, but...”


Tara nodded with a smile.


“I get it. Go.”


Willow leant in for another quick kiss before slipping past Tara and into the dining room, closing the door behind her and crossing her arms over her chest before raising one hand in a small, guarded wave.


“Hi. Um, I guess I didn’t really introduce myself properly before. Willow. Rosenberg-Maclay. I’m, um, Tara’s wife.”


“Hi,” Michelle replied, despite knowing all of that, “I’m Michelle Monroe. Tara’s aunt.”


Willow sat down in the seat Tara had vacated before.


“How did you find her?”


“It kind of just happened,” Michelle replied with a shrug, “I work at the OCFS office as well.”


“Oh,” Willow responded, surprised. Everything had happened so fast she was unsure of how exactly it all came to be, “Oh. Well that’s quite the coincidence.”


“Tara called it fate. I’m inclined to agree.”


Willow tapped her fingers against the table, her face seemingly in thought.


“And you knew Tara existed?”


Michelle sighed sadly.


“Yes. But we lost contact after my sister – her mother – died. And Willow, I can assure you, I had no idea about what her father was doing to her. I never warmed to the man but my sister loved him so I thought he was a good person, even if he was strict and controlling. Had I known, I would have done everything in my power to stop him, to get her away. I love Tara, I have ever since I visited her in the hospital right after she was born. It tore me up when I had to stop seeing her, but for reasons that I’m sure Tara will explain to you, I thought I was doing the right thing by staying away. And I can promise you, I will never, ever cause her any harm.”


Willow kept the woman’s gaze steady for a tense moment before nodding and exhaling slowly.


“Okay.”


“Does that mean I get the Willow seal of approval?” Michelle asked hopefully.


“You do,” Willow replied with a grin, her voice much warmer than it had been previously, “I’m sorry I’ve been so...I just have to know she’s surrounded by people who care about her. She’s had way too much pain and sadness in her life already. I made a vow, long before our wedding ones were said that I’d do everything in my power to stop her experiencing anything like that again. I mean, I know I can’t stop her from ever feeling those things, it’s not human, it’s not healthy, but I can make sure the good always outweighs the bad.”


Michelle was quite astounded at the sheer depth of feeling that her niece obviously shared with the woman sitting in front of her.


“I’d like to be part of the good,” she said after a moment, “I give you my word I won’t leave her again.”


“Yea...” Willow replied, before giving another nod, “Yea, okay, I can see you mean it. Plus, Tara’s the best judge of character I know, so I was pretty sure when I came in here that you were the real deal. I just have one more question.”


Michelle seemed to tense herself in preparation.


“Shoot.”


Willow leant forward in her seat.


“How did you know it was her? Was it just the name or...?”


Michelle smiled sadly.


“Her eyes,” she replied softly, “I swore I was looking at Lisa all over again.”


Willow smiled at that and stood up, before pulling Michelle into a surprise hug.


“Well in that case all I have to say is welcome to the family. If you know what I mean.”


“That means the world to me,” Michelle replied as she tightened the embrace, “It really does.”


They pulled apart, both smiling before walking back out to Tara, who seemed both delighted and relieved that everything seemed to have gone well.


“All okay?”


“All okay,” Willow confirmed, taking her wife's hand.


“You've got a wonderful wife,” Michelle spoke up, “Your mother would be proud.”


Willow averted her gaze and blushed but Tara just smiled.


“I know she would,” she replied, squeezing the redhead's hand, before regarding Michelle again, “So, I'll see you at work?”


“Definitely,” Michelle responded with another smile, “I'll...I'll see you there, Tara.”


Tara let go of Willow's hand to embrace her aunt again.


“I've got to stop these tears,” Michelle said, wiping a few errant tears that had come to her eyes again when they parted, “It wouldn't be a good look in work.”


Tara laughed and felt Michelle give her shoulder a loving squeeze before she opened the front door.


“I'll be there this time, Tara. I want to be a part of both of your lives.”


“That's what I want too,” Tara replied softly before retaking Willow's hand and looking at her hopefully.


“That's what we want,” Willow said with a smile, “I know for a fact how great it is reconnecting with family members.”


Michelle didn't understand the reference but smiled at the words.


“Thank you. I, uh, I should be going,” she replied, checking her watch before looking at Tara, “But...again...it's so wonderful to see you. All grown up, I still quite can't believe it. I'll see you at work”


Tara nodded.


“See you there.”


Michelle stepped out of the door and walked towards her car, giving a final wave.


“Bye,” Willow called and Tara echoed her before the older woman got into her car and drove away.


Tara closed the door and fell back against it, exhaling slowly.


“Wow.”


Willow giggled and was about to say something when the blonde started yawning, the events of the day finally catching up with her.


“Okay, missy, up to bed with you,” Willow said lovingly, “You look exhausted.”


Tara gave a tired smile and pushed herself off of the door, extending her hand.


“Come with me.”


“I'll be up in five,” Willow reassured her wife, “I just need to do the dishes first.”


Tara chuckled and started up the stairs, Willow hearing her mumble something about 'cute OCD' before she gathered the plates from the living room and quickly loaded them into the dishwasher. When it was successfully starting it's cycle, she made sure all the lights were off downstairs and locked up before ascending the stairs and turning into their bedroom, smiling when she saw Tara’s sleeping form already in bed. She quickly and quietly pulled on a long t-shirt to sleep in before slipping in beside her wife and spooning her gently.


“I never asked how your day went.”


Willow jumped slightly at the sound of the blonde’s voice.


“Jeez, Tare, I thought you were asleep,” she said before snuggling her wife even tighter, “My day was great. I got some great co-workers and I cracked a case. But I’ll tell you all about it tomorrow.”


“You’re amazing,” Tara murmured sleepily, “If I wasn’t so tired I’d rip your clothes off and show you how much.”


“Uh huh,” Willow replied, grinning into the crook of Tara’s neck, “I’ll hold you to that.”


“You better.”


They snuggled comfortably together as they got ready for sleep until a thought popped into Willow’s head and she had to ask.


“Michelle said you had your mother’s eyes. You think that means our kids will have ‘em too?”


“Dunno,” Tara replied, her voice thick with exhaustion, “Maybe.”


Willow cuddled in closer and placed a kiss behind her wife’s ear.


“I hope so, baby. I really do.”

[BuffyFan4ever]

Dibs. Great update.

Poor Michelle. Having to carry all that guilt around. Hopefully being with Tara will make it better.

I loved Willow's interaction. I'm glad she didn't find out everything about the accident all at once. She probably would have overreaction just because she was already slightly emotional. Now Tara can tell her when everybody's calm.

I hope Xander's wife is Anya (you said no more original characters). I find that her bluntness is based more on innocent censorship while Cordelia is more rude.

Can't wait for Friday.

[Zampsa1975]

Yay for great update-y goodness... I'm glad that Michelle & Tara talked about what happened before the car accident & what happened after the accident... Good that Willow warmed to Michelle...

[Alex_Vixen]

HOLY CRAP!!!!!!!!!! This isnt a mexican sopa opera!! This IS a mexican-brazilian-argentian soap opera!! (but not as lame,lol)

Goddess, Im loving this story!! Michelle seem like a really good person and it broke my heart to know that she felt so guilty for so many years and that she wants to be part of Tara's life.... aww....

And GO WILLOW! She has the right and SHOULD be protective of Tara. She has to protect her as much as she can so Im glad that se talked to Michelle alone....

Dude, keep it up!! Great job!!

[LonelyTara]

Oh man, I love, love, love protective Willow. I'm really glad Tara didn't get angry when Willow accidentally spilled the beans about the abuse Tara suffered. I think it was really important for Michelle to understand what Tara went through after her mother died. So, this diary that Tara found, did she take it with her when she left? I would love to see Tara connecting with her mother that way again, maybe even sharing it with Michelle. Oh, and bedtime chat was sweet and tender, I can see them spooning and chatting away when their 90 year old ladies, tiny and gray. Can't wait for the next update, Laragh.

[leonhart17]

Aww, glad it went well! They're so cute! I love how protective Willow is

[abarda]

Awesome chapter! It was really intense.
I love how Willow gets protective, trying to keep Tara away from the pain...

[dtburanek]

Nice. I like that you are bringing in some of Tara's good family (versus her bad family like we saw on the show). And every time I log in to write something you've already got a million more updates. But I can't wait to see where you take this.

-Delayne

[taralicious]

Michelle smiled at the silent communication and looks the two younger girls were exchanging, the obvious love they shared

Willow and Tara are so connected on every plane and wavelength that they don't need words as a glance or other eye contact conveys so much.
...When you say nothing at all.-Alison Krauss.

There was a diary,” Tara replied, a sad smile gracing her features, “I found it when I was down in the basement one day. It was Mom’s

This was a beuatiful expository device for Tara to relate as it reminded me so much of Evey Hammond finding the diary written by Valerie in "V For Vendetta" and it giving her the courage and strength to struggle on and keep getting up every day and facing down her demons to emerge a stronger person full of the confidence of her convictions.
It is what Douglas Adams referred to as the fundamental interconnectedness of all things that allowed Tara and Michelle to find each other again as there was a void in each of their lives that needed to be filled even if neither of them was aware of it before then.
Another testament to the all-enveloping unity of their love is that Willow would lay down her own life to spare Tara having to endure the slightest moment of abuse from another member of her family.