Very promising start. I hope that Tara sees this therapist again, she seems a good fit.

_________________
Wave ... The Wish of Three Hearts
The Yuletide Present ... In From the Cold

"We're in love. We're lovers. We're lesbian, gay-type lovers."

Hey...I loved this chapter too! A great first step for Tara and I was relieved that she got along well with her therapist. Poor Willow pacing a rut in the waiting room carpet. I have to say though, I would have been doing the same thing.

About half way through, I was thinking, 'they should stay in the city, go out to dinner or something and get a little time away from the compound.' Then poof! You wrote exactly what I was thinking, lol.

Maybe in the next chapter we'll get to see some...

Thanks for the quick update!!!

_________________
Shelby - Racing The Rain (IN PROGRESS) / Baby Makes Three (IN PROGRESS) / The Santa Line / Everything She Does...Is Beautiful / Calfornia Grass

"Transform your pain. Release your past. And ... uh ... get over it."
~Willow, Where The Wild Things Are

Cyteach:

A lot of meat here, particularly liked the accurate overview of cognitive behavioral therapy. Also liked that there was no blinding revelation, just a meeting and a discussion.


Also enjoyed the tongue-in-cheek description of the waiting room chairs:

Funny and true . . . I’ve SAT in those chairs!


Finally, I loved the humor from Tara and their ability to banter and enjoy each other:

Lovely building of the relationship.


Again, it’s wonderful to hear your voice again.

Ariel
How I Met Your Mother

Yay for excellent update-y goodness... I'm glad that the first therapy session went ok... I'm really happy that Willow didn't pushed to talk about what happened in the therapy session... Can't wait for their date...

_________________
We Few, We Happy Few, We Band of Buggered

Posting while nude improves your mood...

Ooh, what a treat. Another update so quickly. Well, that was a relief. I've been stressing about her therapy session for a long time now, but I'm glad it went so well. Aside from Willow's pacing and Tara's rock rolling, they both still seem more relaxed, especially considering everything. This therapist seems like someone Tara can talk to, and she was right that Tara needs to be able to be honest. I'm also glad she brought up the future of her therapy once she leaves this area.

Loved the idea of a date and a breather from everything. They very much need that right now. Come to think of it, so do I.

More soon please. Can't wait to see their alone time together.


Wimpy

_________________
Pam aka Wimpy0729
Restlessness ~ Quickies - The Lovers, The Dreamers & Me

"There was plenty of magic." ~~ Tara

Whew! What a story to get caught up on! So much has happened!
First off, I have totally been in the situation they were at the beginning of the story - the uber-awkwardness, specifically. I'm so impressed that they decided they liked each other at all, because wow... extremely embarrassing.

Not to mention extreme angst :( poor Tara, I feel for her... truly awful. She's really torn up.
And hey, who doesn't occasionally indulge in alcohol at 10am? Okay not too many people, but it's been heard of.
It is totally a bummer that their first time was while Tara was drunk...

great writing

gotta say, therapy looks promising. but no big desk?! lucky Tara, i always got the ones with big imposing desks.

a proper date night is the perfect thing, get their relationship on the right track, hopefully smooth things out.

great update!

_________________
if it's not real, you can't hold it your hands; you can't feel it with your heart, then i won't believe it. but if it's true you can see it with your eyes, even in the dark; and that's where i want to be. 'brick by boring brick' -paramore

Hey kittens! Thanks so much for the feedback! And for reading! Much, much, much appreciated!

Here's some replies to individual posts:

SMOGVAN



Yay! Dibs



Keeping to my realistic attempt at portraying this process, I still have to show the ups and downs. Willow’s trying to do everything in her power to support Tara, but at the same time, they’re dating and it’s a new thing. I thought this would be a good celebratory “date” for Tara’s “first step” taking bravery.



Definitely. I think if that perceived stigma of partaking in therapy began to lessen, people in general would be more willing to use this arena to seek help. As it is, therapy often causes more stress and anxiety the first time around because of the “unknown”, definitely.

LonelyTara



Thanks. I’m glad their connection came across. The perfect pairing in doctor-patient situations don’t often happen the first time around, but since Willow did so much research into the situation beforehand, I thought it would be okay to make it success on the first go.

Finey_McFine



Glad you liked the update!

Willow’s been a part of everything up to this point, and to have to take a step back and relinquish control of the situation is sure to cause a bit of her own stress. Not knowing how the session is going and whether or not she’s thrown Tara to the wolves results



Great minds think alike, hey?! There’ll definitely be some smoochies in this next part, but you may have to be patient for the real good stuff


Ariel



I’ll be honest and say that a bit of research went into this section. I wanted to be as true to the therapy as possible since I spent so much time on the setting up. Glad it worked and came across as such.





Why oh why do “professionals” feel the need to makes us squirm even more by killing us slowly with the torture chairs?!



Glad you liked this… Be prepared for more of it in the next part. I wanted to set the stage for the date (and the naughty times that will follow )




There’s been a lot of emotional development for each woman individually, so I thought it was time to give a little “face time” to their relationship. Glad you liked it!


.

Aw, thanks!

Zampasa19752001



I’m sure there will be hitches along the way, but the healing process is starting truly now.



Willow’s able to read Tara’s mood and also act as a silent support for here when she wants to talk. But for now, it was a success and Willow can tell that by Tara’s mood.



Here it is!

Wimpy0729



Some things have to go right, right? I wrote it this way because I think there is inherent good in seeking professional help (in whatever capacity), and also because Tara and Willow needed something positive to happen. Glad the stress is over (for now?!)



She seems pretty cool, hey? Honesty is huge, and will be a challenge, but it’s out there now, so both parties are aware. This is a woman who takes her job very seriously (as it should be but is often not) and the fact that a long relationship cannot be built and fostered due to the fact that they’re not going to be in this setting all that much longer.. seemed to be the rational thing to do.



Here’s the date (and the breather)… and you can breathe easier in the fact that it will most definitely be a two-parter (and maybe even a three)


KnightlyLove



Welcome! It’s always great to get a new reader so far into the game



Lol.. yes, those first parts were really awkward and things just “always” seemed to happen. But, it’s Willow and Tara… they’ll get through those initial bumps and end up how they should: together and happy.



It’s a heart-wrencher, that’s for sure. She’ll come out on the other side, though.

.

Lol. True enough… but I think the whole significance behind the action was the kicker here. It wasn’t a “hair of the dog” hangover solution here… but a negative coping mechanism



More sex coming up… soon



Thank you very much!

Indigokane



That does sound imposing.. like being called to the principal’s office or into the boss’ lair.



One hot date, coming right up!

*********

Disclaimers: See Pg. 1

Notes on this chapter: This is a lot lighter than previous posts. I hope it works and that you enjoy the change in pace.

Author's Notes: Thanks, as always, to my beta, vampyregurl73. You're feedback, suggestions and guidence make this so much more than it would be, Heather!

Feedback: Your thoughts, comments (good or bad, big or small) are always welcomed and appreciated!

Rating: Hmmm.... R?

Thank you to everyone who reads!

********

Chapter 32: Lists and Plans


*******

The SUV took the tight turns expertly as Willow and Tara made their way high above the city to their destination. Right there in the middle of the city there was a tiny fishing village nestled against the cliffs, its presence so unexpected with its rickety wooden wharves hanging precariously to the rocky terrain and the weathered fishing dories bobbing slowly with the ebb and flow of the waves.

“I wasn’t sure whether or not you’d be up for a date night,” Willow said and broke the comfortable silence in the car. “Just in case, though, I packed us a few things for the night.”

“Ooh, your devious planning skills are so incredibly sexy, darling,” Tara teased as she leaned in close and placed a loving kiss on Willow’s cheek. “It makes me so… hot. Your attention to detail hasn’t let me down yet,” Tara continued as she placed open-mouthed kisses along the side of her face, travelling up and around Willow’s jaw and nibbling delicately on her ear.

“Tara!” Willow squeaked as she felt a warmth rush through her body. Her frame, without thought, tilted closer to the sensations and she slightly tipped her head so that Tara could gain better access. Shaking herself out of her immersion of the feel of Tara’s mouth and focusing on her present task, she quickly brought the SUV to a stop in front of the hotel and turned fully in her seat to capture Tara’s mouth, her hands delving instantly into golden locks.

“Mmmm, baby,” Willow moaned against Tara’s lips as they crushed together. Letting the kiss extend, lips roaming, mouths opening, tongues battling, Willow finally began to pull back from the connection, placing small short pecks on Tara’s glossed lips, taking her bottom lip into her mouth before finally removing herself from temptation.

Opening her eyes slowly, arousal causing them to become slightly hooded, Tara smirked at Willow, predatory in her appraisal.

Willow closed her own eyes to the blatant sexuality seeping from Tara’s azure eyes. “Now get those thoughts out of your head right now, missy,” Willow grumbled, trying to control her own urges. “I have plans for our first date, and you’re going to just have to wait a little longer for the bed portion of today’s events.”

Conceding to the requests of Willow, Tara clarified before exiting the car, “Okay, sweetie, I’ll stop for now. But kisses? We can have smoochies, right?”

“Hmmm. There may be a ‘conditional smoochie clause’ in my plans,” Willow admitted grabbing their overnight bag and leading Tara out of the car. “There’re rules, though.”

“Rules?” Tara asked for clarification with a quick quirk of her lips.

Intertwining her fingers with Tara’s, Willow led them towards the front doors. “Yes, rules,” she reiterated, giving Tara a mock-stern look. “If you want your smoochies, you’re going to have to follow these rules during our date.”

Tara waited patiently, and amused, for Willow to lay down the law. “By all means,” Tara said with a jump in her step, turning to Willow, “bring on the rules,” she grinned.

“Okay, rule number one,” Willow began, “involves hands,” she said as she brought the offender in question up to her lips and placed a kiss on the knuckles. “No hands in inappropriate places. Above the waist and, uh, away from, you know,” she blushed as her eyes travelled down over Tara’s chest.

Tara paused, thinking of a loophole in this first rule. “So,” she said, inching closer to Willow’s body. “Just for clarification—because I don’t want to unknowingly break the rules and halt the smoochie privileges,” she qualified stepping even closer. “Hands above here?” Tara questioned taking Willows waist in her hands, her fingers dipping inside to softly press against the skin there. Moving ever so slowly, she brought her hands up between their now pressing bodies and skimmed them upwards inch by inch, revelling in the audible catch in Willow’s breathing. “And no touching… here?” she asked innocently, her eyes never leaving Willow’s as she gently cupped her breasts in her hands.

Willow’s eyes widened comically in surprise, never thinking that Tara would actually go through with touching her so intimately in such a public venue. Her body leaned into the touch, feeling the barely there sweep of a thumb over her hardening nipples. “Tara!” she hissed. Bringing her own hands up, she covered Tara’s and reluctantly removed them.

“You’re on thin ice, baby,” Willow admonished, hooking her arm in Tara’s and continuing on inside to the front desk.

Tara never thought of herself as one for the coquettish coyness, but she found herself opening her blue eyes widely and batting her eyelashes in innocence at Willow’s scolding. Biting her lip nervously, she apologized, “Oh sweetie, I’m sorry. I, uh, just wanted to make sure I understood you, um, fully,” she said, leaving the innocent look behind and adopting one full of lasciviousness.

Willow’s mouth opened and closed in surprise, thrown completely off by the playfulness of Tara’s actions. She couldn’t help but smile fully, and whisper, “Vixen,” in Tara’s ear. “I’ll get you back for that later,” she warned.

“Mmmhmm, looking forward to it, darling,” Tara shot back with a wink.

They walked up to the front desk and received their room keys without any fuss. Willow assured Tara that she’d requested the best view and both were excited to drop off their bags and begin their date.

******

A city perched between the past and the present spread out below; cobblestoned roads, uneven in its handmade workmanship, competed with multi-levelled skyscrapers, perfect in its precision. A modern wharf spread from one end of the harbour to the other, providing a home to boats and ships varying in size, color, usage and make-up.

Tara stood at the window inside their hotel room and took in the view as Willow changed for their date. The spread of the city below, nestled protectively by cliffs all around, certainly had character.

“Almost ready, baby,” Willow called from the bathroom where she had escaped to change after Tara was unable to behave. Willow, after capitulating to Tara’s request, and her own need, for a little tongue-tangling before getting ready for their evening out, finally had to banish herself to the bathroom in order to keep on time and task for her strategic schematics. As much as Willow wanted to throw her lists out the window and allow herself to fall into the lure of Tara’s provocative wiles, she knew that waiting for the sexy portion of the night’s activities would be so much better if she was able to show a little restraint.

“No hurry, sweetie,” she replied, “I’m just enjoying the view. The sun is going to set soon,” she added.

Tara was caught up in the visual canvas in front of her and didn’t hear Willow return to the main room. Slipping her arms around Tara’s waist, Willow hooked her chin over her shoulder and gazed out at the setting sun. The moment of serenity and calmness brought an overwhelming sense of contentment to Willow and she couldn’t help but to nuzzle into Tara’s warm neck and breathe her in scent.

Not wanting to spoil the moment, but needing to keep to their schedule, Willow squeezed Tara tightly before speaking softly, “We need to leave soon if we’re going to keep our reservations, baby.”

Tara turned in her arms and placed a soft kiss on Willow’s receptive lips. “Okay, I won’t be long,” she said as she slipped into the bathroom.

Closing the door behind her, Tara just leaned against it and tipped her back for a second and allowed the sensation of happiness to sweep through her body. She didn’t want to question or analyze her mood, she just wanted to steep in it and enjoy her first date with Willow. Shaking herself into action, she looked curiously around the large bathroom searching for the outfit that Willow had brought along for her.

Tara hadn’t packed many items of clothing that could be considered dressy when she set off on her cross-continental journey. Willow was able to take her one knee length black-patterned skirt with the aqua details and pair it with a plain spaghetti strap tank top that closely matched the color of skirt’s details—one she remembered left bare a strip of her torso—with a black fitted blazer to protect her from the brisk cold.

Smiling at the choice—and the potential for easy access if the opportunity should arise—Tara stripped out of her soft denim jeans and pullover and went about changing quickly.

*******

Willow had to call in many favours to get a table for two at the most popular and romantic restaurants in town, which was known for its diverse menu and atmospheric privacy. The room was pragmatically designed with the idea of intimacy in mind and the strategically placed decorative bamboo screens added an air of solitude for the dining couples.

Candlelight flicked dimly over Willow and Tara as they finished the last of a bottle of red wine and slowly fed each other a selection of fruit dipped in a warm chocolate sauce.

“Mmmm, I think fruit and chocolate should never be separated ever again in my diet. From this moment on, any fruit that passes these lips shall be forever dipped in chocolate,” Willow adamantly stated as she swirled her fingertip in the cooling bowl of chocolate. As she was raising her hand to her mouth to enjoy the sweetness, Tara quickly snagged it and brought it to her own mouth.

Willow’s eyes widened dramatically and stayed glued to Tara’s as she slipped her tongue out of her mouth and sensually flicked at the pad of Willow’s finger. “Mmm, I think Willow and chocolate are a better combination,” Tara murmured as she brought the finger even deeper into the warmth of her mouth, making sure she had captured every last speck. Just as the look in Willow’s green eyes was moving from aroused to catatonic, she removed the finger and grabbed a strawberry before popping it quickly in her mouth. “Yum,” Tara said with a wink.

Willow’s mouth opened and closed without sound for a moment or two before she shook herself out of her stupor of arousal. Clearing her throat audibly she pushed back from the table quickly and grabbed Tara’s hand. “Come on, let’s get out of here,” she rushed as they made their way to pay.

Tara smirked to herself when she thought her ploy at returning to the hotel for the night had finally worked. She had been plying Willow with seductive glances and bordering on publically inappropriate caresses the entire night. “Finally,” she whispered to herself.

“You say something, honey?” Willow asked, turning to look at Tara.

“Uh, nope, nothing,” Tara insisted with a satisfied smirk.

“Alright,” Willow conceded with a rising of her eyebrow. She had caught onto Tara’s plan after she had ‘inadvertently’ brushed her hand over the side of Willow’s breast for the third time that evening. She kept her own face unreadable as she took Tara’s hand in her own and began to lead her down the cold street and away from their parked vehicle.

Being in an unfamiliar city, Tara didn’t notice the blunder in direction until they had walked for about ten minutes. Knowing they had parked fairly close to the restaurant, but being too wrapped up in the woman beside her and the feelings she evoked in her to pay much attention, Tara finally stopped suddenly in the middle of the sidewalk and forced other pedestrians to make their way around the unexpected obstacle.

“Tara, honey?” Willow questioned as she tried to pull on her girlfriend’s hand to get her moving again.

“We’re going the wrong way,” Tara said with a smile, thinking her extra attention had flustered Willow into forgetting where she had parked the SUV.

Willow chuckled slightly and tugged on Tara’s arm to get her moving. “Come on, baby, the night’s not over yet,” she explained as they cut between some colourful shops and made their way down a discrete set of wrought iron stairs.

“But I thought we were going to go back to the hotel now,” Tara pouted as she allowed Willow to lead her. Pulling the collar of her coat tighter to protect herself from the biting wind, Tara inched closer to Willow in search of body heat.

Without missing a beat, Willow released Tara’s hand and wrapped her arm around her waist, pulling her close. “You cold?” she asked as she felt Tara’s windswept face nuzzle into her neck.

“A little,” Tara admitted. The sound of cars speeding by could be heard but not seen. They had walked down a set of stairs and found themselves in the middle of a foot-traffic only part of the city.

“Wow,” Tara said as she looked around the enclosed street. “What is this place?” she asked as she took in the small groups of gathered people milling around and finally heard the faint beating of music pumping from what seemed like hundreds of bars, pubs and clubs that huddled close together on both sides of the cobblestoned street.

“George Street,” Willow offered in a way of explanation. “It’s famous for the sheer number of bars on such a small stretch of space.” Willow watched Tara take in her surroundings and added, “I thought we could, you know, go dancing.”

“Dancing?” Tara questioned with a little apprehension.

“Yeah, you know… dancing,” Willow wiggled her eyebrows. “Packed dance floor, bodies close together, music so loud that it beats through our bodies. Thump. Thump. Thump.”

“Ohhh… dancing,” Tara acknowledged with a nibble on her lower lip. “I like that kind of dancing.”

“Okay, so we have some decisions to make,” Willow said quickly pulling her phone out from her jacket pocket. “Hmm, let’s see. Choices, choices.” She scrolled down the list she had compiled that afternoon, club names and types of music played by each were organized in alphabetical order.

“So, we have a few types of music to choose from,” Willow said with a grin. “Alright, we have techno—Club Etomik, Irish—Bridie Malloy’s, a live local cover band—Club One, or… An 80s/90s mix—the Sundance.” Willow looked at Tara expectantly, waiting for an answer.

“Y-you made a list?” Tara asked with a half-smile and a quirk of her eyebrow. Inching closer to Willow, she slid her hands inside her open coat and ran the pads of her fingers along the hemline of Willow’s shirt. “That is,” Tara said leaning into Willow’s ear. “So sexy,” she finished with a slight nibble on Willow’s ear.

Willow grinned at the utter hilarity of the situation. She knew she was what most people would describe as ‘quirky,’ but Tara’s actions made her feel even more comfortable in her own skin.

“Of course I made a list, silly,” Willow laughed. Changing the tone of her voice and lowering the tone she continued, “I made quite a few lists for tonight—do you think you can handle going through each one?”

Tara leaned back from her position and took in Willow’s face; her green eyes had darkened perceptively and she slightly bit her lip while looking wantonly into Tara’s hooded eyes. “Lists?” Tara questioned running her eyes down from where they had been captured by Willow’s to the low cut shirt and hint of cleavage that was perceptible. Bringing her eyes back up and swiping her tongue unknowingly over her bottom lip, Tara whispered, “Lists are good.”

Willow was jealous of the tongue that was tasting Tara’s lips so she tangled her hands in Tara’s hair and brought their lips together in a hungry kiss. Tara’s hands, already inside of Willow’s coat, tightened at her waist and she tugged to bring their bodies closer. Willow moaned into the kiss as her tongue duelled with Tara’s and Tara’s hands snaked up the back of her shirt to meet bare skin. This caused Willow to squeal and Tara to chuckled as she realized her hands were quite cold from their walk.

Slowly backing away from their kiss, Tara placed playful nibbles around Willow’s mouth. “Cold, sweetie?” she asked with a grin.

“Oh, ha ha,” Willow mocked as she prowled towards the retreating Tara. “I’ll show you cold,” she threatened wiggling her fingers like weapons in front of her as she stepped closer and closer.

Without warning, Tara let out a loud yelp and turned tail and ran away from Willow yelling over her shoulder, “You’ll never catch me alive!”

********

In the end, Willow cornered Tara between the outcropping of buildings and pinned her there and tickled her mercilessly with cold fingers. When both women were breathless and still revelling in their playful mood, they decided to just enter the closest club and hope for the best and not worry about music-type lists anymore.

They didn’t have to wait in a line to enter the club, but there was a prerequisite tough-guy standing guard at the door carding every person who didn’t have grey hair and use a walker and also collecting the cover when age was verified.

“That guy was quite intimidating,” Willow whispered in Tara’s ear, her arm coming around Tara’s waist so as not to lose her in the thickening throngs of people as they inched closer and closer into the club. The lights were dim but pulsated blue and white over the dance floor where bodies gyrated to club mixes of popular music. Mirrors adorned the walls where booths were strategically placed for people to drink and enjoy the company of their friends as they took a break from the sweaty work of dancing.

Finding an empty spot in the corner, Willow leaned in close as said, “Grab this seat for us, baby, while I get us some drinks. What do you want?”

Tara slid into the booth and placed herself in the corner, her back against the wall while she gained a vantage point of the rest of the club. “Hmmm. I don’t care,” she said with a shrug of her shoulders. “Surprise me.”

Willow smiled as she backed away from the booth and squeezed her way through the crowd and towards the bar. She managed to find an opening at the bar, only wide enough to squash her petite body through sideways. She waited a few moments before an overworked bartender finally made his way over to her.

“Hey, sugar, what can I get ya?” He asked quickly.

“Uh, what do you suggest?” Willow asked, not taking the time to come up with an interesting drink request before being served.

“For you?” he asked raising his brow. He waited a beat while Willow nodded and said, “Metropolitan.”

“Sure. Sounds good. Make it two,” Willow bellowed over the music as the bartender made his way to mix the drinks.

Willow watched with a cringe as it seemed the bartended placed four or five different shots of alcohol in the tall highball glass. He added a clear liquid from the fountain spout and added a slice of orange and a maraschino cherry as garnish.

Willow placed a $20 bill on the bar as he slid the drinks down to her and she nodded her head in thanks as she made her way back to Tara.

She shuffled into the booth, placing both drinks on the table, getting as close to Tara as possible. Conversation was impossible otherwise. “Here, baby,” she said pushing a drink in front of Tara and taking a sip of her own. “Whoa,” she said with a wince. “Quite the kick.”

Tara smiled and took her own tentative sip. Her throat burned and her taste buds were assaulted by a plethora of tastes. “What’s in this?” Tara asked with her own cringe.

“I have absolutely no idea,” Willow admitted as she pushed both drinks away. “The bartender’s choice of something or other,” she said with a wave of her hand. “I guess I’ll be more prepared to order the next time, hey?”

“Or, you know, fall back on the good ol’ favourites—beer, rum and coke, gin and tonic, vodka and cranberry.” Tara’s eyes widened in mock horror. “Jeez, I sound like quite the booze hound, huh?” she asked with a smile.

“Nah,” Willow said with a shrug. “You learn at least that much by watching movies.” She wiggled even closer to Tara and pushed her hair off of her neck and began to place open mouthed kisses along the exposed column, smiling knowingly when Tara tilted her head to allow better access. “Wanna dance with me?” Willow questioned in between kisses and nibbles.

“Mmmmm,” Tara groaned, feeling her nipples harden with the attention to her neck. She brought Willow’s hand up in her own and brushed it across her chest, arcing at the touch. “If dancing means taking you, feeling your wetness slide across my fingers and into my mouth, my name on your lips as you finally break over into an explosive orgasm, then yes, I would love to dance,” Tara growled.

Willow felt the aforementioned wetness begin to escape from between her legs and it took everything in her being not to say “fuck it” and drag Tara back to their hotel room. But she had a plan and lists and she needed to stay strong and resist what her body was crying out for: Tara.

Willow clenched her eyes shut and begged her body to calm. The thumping of the bass of the music swallowing the club beat in time with the heat emanating from her aroused body. Beginning her own mantra to coincide with the beat of the music, Willow chanted: Need to. wait. Just. A little. Long. Er. Willow finally opened her darkened eyes and whispered into Tara’s ear, “I have plans. Lists. One dance, baby, please.”

Tara had to admire Willow’s self-restraint and so she acquiesced to her girlfriend’s plea and began to make her way out of the booth on the other side of Willow. Brushing imaginary lint from the thighs of her pants, Tara held out her hand to the still-panting Willow and dragged her out to the dance floor.

Neither woman was aware of exactly what song was pumping out from the club’s speakers. It didn’t matter; the music was merely a canvas for their connected bodies to paint a masterpiece together in their movements.

Willow planned on leading Tara through a seductive dance, grinding her body and causing Tara to become the puddled mess that she herself was. Tara, on the other hand, had plans of her own. Once they reached and staked out their own little space on the dance floor, Tara draped the front of her body against the back of Willow’s, her hands sliding across Willow’s abdomen in a shameless caress.

Willow could feel Tara’s hips press against her ass and it was getting hotter in the middle of the press of the crowd. Sweat began to form along her hairline and the hands on her front were doing nothing to appease the heat pouring out from her body. Willow spun suddenly from Tara’s embrace and delved her hands directly in Tara’s hair as their faces met in a steamy kiss. Their bodies continued to move to the beat of the music but the crowd began to fade away so that only they remained.

Pulling back slightly from the heated kiss and opening her eyes, Willow said breathlessly against Tara’s lips, “Enough dancing. Hotel now,” and grabbed Tara’s hand in her own as she dragged them back through coat check and out in the chilly night.

Hands clasped tightly together, Willow and Tara made their way through congregating groups of drunken revellers and back up the set of stairs and towards the parked SUV. A sultry looked graced Willow’s features and she skipped giddily on the inside when she thought of the rest of the plans she had for Tara that night.

*****


TBC....

Back to back....dibs!



I laughed my ass off! Willow is O.C.D. with all those lists. Sometimes I wish she would just throw caution to the wind and be a bit more spontaneous.. But then she would'nt be the Willow that we know and love. Thanks for the break in angst. It was nice to see them having a carefree evening for a change.

hmmmmmmm, sexy playfulness. very nice. and worded so eloquently. well worth the wait, but still SO frustrating!!! as always, dying for more.


tina

p.s. don't spell and chat. the post you wreck may be your own.

_________________
if it's not real, you can't hold it your hands; you can't feel it with your heart, then i won't believe it. but if it's true you can see it with your eyes, even in the dark; and that's where i want to be. 'brick by boring brick' -paramore

Yay for great update-y goodness... Wow, that was one hot date. Can't wait for the naked part of the date... I hope Tara teaches Willow to be more spontaneous...

_________________
We Few, We Happy Few, We Band of Buggered

Posting while nude improves your mood...

Wow! Awesomely HOT date:)

You gotta love Willow and her 'lists.' lol. Reminds me of the Go-Go's song 'Girl of 100 lists.' Only problem is that she did not anticipate Tara's actions. Great job building the tension! It will make their naked time together all that much better!!

_________________
Shelby - Racing The Rain (IN PROGRESS) / Baby Makes Three (IN PROGRESS) / The Santa Line / Everything She Does...Is Beautiful / Calfornia Grass

"Transform your pain. Release your past. And ... uh ... get over it."
~Willow, Where The Wild Things Are

Cyteach:


Stellar! I know that: Willow is a great driver, what her car looks like, where the town is situated, what people do for a living AND get a complete picture and feel for the place. Compact, beautiful prose – did it again, girlfriend!


Very sensuous prose, beautiful stuff throughout. Love Tara teasing Willow in the parking lot!


I love this one because you clearly see Willow getting something special in the relationship – acceptance and love for who she is and you see Tara’s appreciation. Of course the hotness factor doesn’t hurt either!


Love is art, so is writing . . . thank you!

Ariel
How I Met Your Mother

Fun and cheerful, I like it. I'm a bit suspicious of it, but I like it!

_________________
Wave ... The Wish of Three Hearts
The Yuletide Present ... In From the Cold

"We're in love. We're lovers. We're lesbian, gay-type lovers."

That was a hot date! I don't understand how Willow was able to resist Tara for so long. Looking forward to the next update.

SMGOVAN:



WooHoo! Congrats! So what happens if you make it 3 for 3?!?



Lol.. I may have overdid it a little with the lists… but we all know she’s a bit of an over-organized crazy lady, so I wanted to bring that across. The fact that she even utilizes lists and plans in her love life might be an indication that she needs to let go a little… it’s a learning process for her




Angst is good (imho) when necessary. But this was needed for everyone (me included). Glad you liked it!


Indigokane:



I just think that the playfulness adds just so much to the situation. I tend to use this technique a lot! Glad you liked it




Aww.. thanks!



Well, the wait is almost over…. Sorry for keeping you hanging

Zampasa:



Glad you enjoyed… Here’s the naked portion of this evening’s program



Yes, Willow needs to be more spontaneous… but it’s just one of her quirky quirks, too.

Finey_McFine



Glad you liked it! I had fun writing it




She certainly goes all in, doesn’t she?! Personally, I hate making lists so much that even if I should make a list, I don’t on principle



Glad you liked the tension-building. Because we all know what happens when you set things up like that… leads to a big ol’ cork poppin’

Ariel:




Aww.. thanks! I live here (well, not in this particular hotel, but you know what I mean!) so I see these things on a daily basis. And sometimes I even take the time to take in the view (because I usually do take it for granted). I’m glad it came across as it did




Tara’s certainly put on her vixen cape on this date, hmm?





That was one of my favorite things from the show… Willow and Tara’s love for each other transcended everything (well, except for that whole storyline about magic abuse, but let’s pretend that doesn’t exist here). Tara loves Willow’s quirks because that’s who she is… and she wouldn’t have her any other way



No, thank you again for such thoughtful and extensive comments!


LonelyTara:



Lol, suspicious? Of moi? Okay, okay I’ll concede I’m not usually one for the happies… but I think you’ll like this next part as well

Love_2003



So true. Who could resist Tara? Not me. Thanks for commenting! Hope you enjoy this next part as well.

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

Notes on Chapter 33:

This chapter was quite the experience... My beta and I (aka vampyregurl73 aka Heather) were joking around about writing each other's next chapter for our fics and as a jest, we both set off and did exactly that. Things were changed, added, and tweaked for both parts, but I have to give Heather co-author rights to this here chapter. I hope you guys enjoy it as much as we did writing it

Notes on the Story:

Well, it seems as though "Changing your Goals" is meeting its final destination. I wanted to give everyone a heads up that there are probably going to be 3 to 5 more chapters of this story and I'll leave it with the potential to be continued on in a sequel (if anyone is interested in the continuance). I just wanted to put this out there so you could be prepared for a slightly different pace for the next few parts (excluding this one)... It's been a blast from beginning to end (with a few roadblocks in between) and I just wanted to give a big THANK YOU to everyone who has, had, or continues to read this

Disclaimers: This part is NC 17.. beware!

Feedback: is always welcomed and appreciated!

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

Chapter 33: Coming Together


Willow fumbled with the room key as Tara pressed against her back nibbling her neck. Tara’s hands had wandered inside Willow’s coat, one hand cupping her breast and teasing the nipple, while the other one played with the button of Willow’s slacks, Tara’s dual assault making her fumble even harder with the key.

Finally, after what seemed like a lifetime of torture, with a loud click the lock disengaged and Tara’s hand snaked out from Willow’s waist, hitting the door handle, pushing them both through the door and into the room. Tara whipped her jacket off as she eyed a flushed Willow, who let her coat slip off her arms to the floor, as she watched Tara stalk towards her. She nervously licked her lips, the gleam of desire in Tara’s hooded blue eyes making the moisture pool between Willow’s clenched thighs.

Tara stepped to Willow, purposefully stalking her prey. For every step closer, Willow took one back, her body subconsciously moving of its own volition. With a predatory grin, Tara backed Willow up against the bed and slowly raised her hand to grab a fist full of Willow’s blouse. With a sharp tug, Tara pulled Willow in and kissed her hard, and then with a growl, she pushed her backwards, toppling her onto the bed. She was through with waiting and teasing.

“Baby,” Willow squeaked.

“Yes, darling?” Tara answered calmly as she undid the buttons to her skirt, letting it puddle on the floor at her feet. Her mind was on one thing and one thing only: taking Willow. But first, she had to divest them of their pesky clothes.

“Uhhh,” was all Willow managed as she watched Tara continue to undress in front of her, her brain taking a vacation somewhere in the vicinity of the throbbing between her legs.

Smirking at the glazed look on Willow’s face, she slowly let one strap from her bra fall down her shoulder, and with a subtle wiggle of her other shoulder, let the other strap fall. Holding the bra in place, Tara tilted her head back a little so she could look down at Willow as she held her breasts.

Willow tilted her head to the side and licked her lips again at the sight of Tara standing before her in just her panties and her half-removed bra. Suddenly kicking into action, Willow toed off her shoes, and began to shimmy out of her pants. The fog that had been building all evening was beginning to take hold and all Willow wanted was Tara.

And she wanted her now.

Tara finally let her bra drop as she watched Willow remove her pants, but she still held her hands over her breasts, hiding their full view from Willow. Slowly, she began to massage them and watched Willow’s eyes widen with her action. She cupped her breasts so Willow got a nice view of her hard nipples before taking them and rolling them between her thumb and forefinger, tilting her head back with the feel of the sensations rushing over her body.

With Tara playing with her own nipples, Willow hastily went for the buttons on her blouse, but her fingers weren’t cooperating, so with a frustrated growl she pulled roughly sending buttons flying everywhere. With her blouse now open, Willow shrugged out of it hurriedly and sat up sharply pulling Tara down with her on the bed. Giggling as she bounced on the surface, Tara’s laughter was quickly replaced by a sharp intake of breath as Willow immediately latched onto her hard left nipple, and groaned in pleasure.

“I’ve been waiting for this all day, Will; I’m so wet for you,” Tara moaned with an arch of her back as her hands went to Willow’s hair and held her to her chest.

Willow growled into Tara’s breast at her sultry words and the vibrations slithered across Tara’s skin to rest directly in her overheated core. The gathered moisture began to escape and trickled down the inside of her thighs.

Letting go of Tara’s nipple with a popping sound, Willow mumbled into Tara’s skin, “No more waiting. Want you now.” Lifting her hips Willow slid her own panties off kicking them to the floor; she then worked her way down Tara’s body. Leaving a hot trail of wet kisses, Willow dipped her tongue into Tara’s belly button and playfully swirled around, giving Tara an idea of what exactly she was going to do to her moist core.

Tara arched her back, purring with delight under Willow’s mouth. “Mmmm, yes, Will,” she groaned. Willow grabbed a pillow from the bed and placed it on the floor at the edge of the bed before she knelt in front of Tara. She was lucid enough to understand that rug burn was no one’s friend. Hooking her fingers into the waistband of Tara’s panties, she pulled them down over smooth legs and flung them over her shoulder.

In one sure move, Willow slid her hands under Tara’s thighs and grabbed her hips to jerk her forward. With a wicked grin she watched Tara’s eyes widen a bit at the forceful gesture. With the luring scent of Tara’s arousal attacking her senses, Willow took her tongue, and in one long, slow movement, licked up Tara’s wet center while she kept her eyes locked on Tara’s expressive blue eyes.

Tara closed her eyes when Willow’s hot mouth caressed her center and she groaned under the sensation that that one movement created. She cupped her breasts harder, rolling her hard nipples again, as she pushed her hips in front of Willow’s face, her eyes still closed. A needy whimper escaped Tara’s throat.

“Damn, Tara, watching you play with your nipples is so hot, baby,” Willow murmured just loud enough to be heard as she watched Tara move and flex her body beneath her.

“Mmm, well if you like the view, why don’t you watch me with your eyes while your tongue fucks me, hmm?” Tara purred with a wicked grin. Tugging hard on her own nipples, skirting that line between pleasure, pain, and pleasurable pain, Tara reopened her eyes and looked down at Willow, seeing the effects of her words on her girlfriend. She bit her lip and released a breathy moan as her fingers continued to work over her reddened nipples. Willow sat back on her heels with her mouth a little slack as she watched Tara writhe for her.

“See, how hot you make me, baby? I can’t stop moving, my body’s humming. Touch me, Will, make me come, please,” Tara insisted with need coloring her voice.

Without further thought, Willow buried her face deep in Tara’s wetness. She took another long, slow lick before she rubbed her mouth and chin into Tara, making her groan again. Willow slid Tara’s thighs up over her shoulders, and grasped her hips splaying her fingers so she could hold Tara in place.

“Oh, yesss! Yes, Will, that’s it,” Tara gasped, her hips gyrating continuously in time with the movements of Willow’s tongue.

Making slow circles with her tongue Willow moved up and down Tara’s center. When her tongue flicked over Tara’s clit, she jumped, bucking her hips in response. Weaving her fingers into Willow’s hair, she held Willow to her throbbing bud, begging for more.

“Willow, don’t stop…oh, God, don’t stop,” Tara moaned, her voice getting louder.

Willow smiled into Tara, hearing Tara’s moans and words caused a delicious warmth to spread to her own center. Willow shifted on her knees slightly and played her fingers over Tara’s entrance, dipping in slowly but pulling away teasingly before fully entering her.

“Willow!” Tara warned with a growl as she felt Willow’s fingers move away from her dripping center. “I need you inside, baby.” Without further preamble, Willow lowered her fingers and entered Tara with two fingers, as she continued to circle and suck at her rapidly swelling clit.

“Oh, Willow, yes!”

Willow set a pace with her already drenched fingers that alternated with the pressure she was giving to Tara’s clit. As she pushed forward with her fingers, her tongue and mouth released her clit, and when she pulled back, Willow began flicking and sucking on the twitching nub once again. Tara’s inner muscles started to flutter almost as soon as Willow set her steady pace. Moving inside Tara, steadily massaging her g-spot with every stroke, offset by every flick of her tongue, Willow couldn’t stop the moan that escaped her own throat as she tasted a change in Tara’s essence.

“Will, I’m coming, oh, God, I’m coming… WIIILLLLOOOWW!!!” Tara screamed with both hands now tightened in Willow’s hair to hold her mouth in place as her fingers kept up the massage sending her straight into a second orgasm from the constant stimulation before she could even catch her breath from the first one.

Tara’s eyes were clenched closed and her hips continued to move, the fervor of her bucks becoming less forceful now that she had finally been granted that sweet release. A constant keening noise broke free from Tara’s throat as the delicious prickle of fulfillment washed through her.

As Tara finally released the hold on her head, Willow lifted her mouth away, and slowed her fingers to a stop so Tara could ride out the last fluttering remnants of her orgasms. Willow sat back on her heels again to take in the sight of Tara, breathing heavily, flushed and twitching.

With a pleased smile Willow crawled up next to Tara, who immediately rolled into her. Shaking from the intensity of their joining, Tara brought her lips to Willow’s and could taste herself on them. This seemed to help quiet the shakes and ground Tara, although it did nothing to lower their arousal. Tara’s scent was all over Willow, and it was all both could smell, as Tara took her tongue and licked around Willow’s lips.

“You taste so good, baby,” Willow said after Tara had licked her mouth.

“I know you taste better, but maybe I should check, just to be sure,” Tara purred, pulling Willow on top of her while she let her hands wander, stopping to knead the supple flesh of Willow’s bottom, as she looked at Willow with hooded eyes.

“Far be it from me to stop you, I mean you have to be sure, right?” Willow said as she stared into the deep blue of Tara’s eyes.

Tara began nibbling on Willow’s neck and along her shoulder. “I love your skin, I love your freckles,” Tara whispered into Willow’s neck. “So tasty,” Tara said, slipping her hand between their bodies, she caressed the outer lips of Willow’s sex, making her stiffen at the contact.

Tara shifted her attention from Willow’s neck, wanting to see the play of arousal and want rush over her face. With a look that most definitely was hungry, Tara ran two fingers over Willow’s center, dipping playfully into her core to capture some of the moisture that had accumulated thus far. Willow watched, unaware that she was holding her breath, as Tara brought her fingers to her lips and swept her tongue out slowly for a taste.

“Breathe, baby. I don’t want you passing out just yet,” Tara said smiling wickedly before rubbing her fingers on her lips, and then sucking them into her mouth. “Mmmm, you do taste better, wanna try?”

Willow kissed Tara deeply, tasting herself mingle with Tara’s taste still in her mouth. Groaning in pleasure, Willow sucked on Tara’s lower lip.

“I don’t know, baby, you’re so sweet,” Willow said, tilting so she slipped off Tara and onto her side next to her. “Maybe I should check, just to be sure.”

Willow slithered her hand between them and back into Tara, snickering when she heard Tara gasp at her fingers on the sensitive skin. She dipped two fingers inside Tara to the second knuckle, wiggling them a little she removed them and repeated Tara’s actions. Rolling so they were side by side, Tara hungrily attacked Willow’s mouth.

As their kisses continued, Tara again slipped her hand between them again. With slow, soft movements she began to massage Willow. Her fingers slipping to just inside her entrance then back to her clit. Willow began pushing her hips into Tara’s hand forcefully as she dipped into her.

“Tell me, baby, is there something you want?” Tara whispered against Willow’s mouth, as she moved her mouth along Willow’s jaw, and down her throat. Tara rolled so she was flat on her back, pulling Willow with her so she now straddled Tara’s abdomen. With her hands at Willow’s hips, Tara pulled forward so that Willow would move up her body.

“Tara?” Willow questioned breathlessly with the new change in position.

“Come up here,” Tara demanded, her need to taste Willow overwhelming her.

With only a split second of hesitation, Willow slithered up Tara’s body until her knees straddled each side of Tara’s face. Lifting slightly and grasping the headboard tightly, Willow allowed Tara to guide her hips down onto her waiting mouth.

Tara wasted no time and immediately attacked Willow’s clit, her tongue flicking furiously over the swollen nub. Willow’s head flung back as she let out a long low moan and clung furiously to the rungs in the headboard. She began to move her hips gently, rocking in time to the rhythm that Tara had set. With liquid pouring generously into her hungry mouth and down her throat, Tara groaned and sent vibrations through Willow’s center.

Looking down, Willow was assailed by a pair of dark blue eyes staring hungrily back at her. “Oh, fuck, baby, yes. That’s it, yes, baby,” Willow panted, locking her eyes with Tara’s. “God, you look so sexy, baby,” Willow growled, her hips continually moving over Tara. Letting out a slight whimper when Tara removed her tongue from her clit, Willow’s hands clenched even tighter on the headboard as she felt Tara’s tongue flit over her opening.

“Inside, baby, please, I need you…” Willow panted as she felt Tara’s tongue. Tara’s hands gripped Willow’s hips tightly, neither woman caring that there would be red marks left behind. Willow jerked downward to meet the inside thrust of Tara’s tongue and couldn’t hold back the scream that escaped with the sensation.

“Tara, YES!” Willow’s back arched as she felt Tara’s tongue darting furiously inside of her, her moaning sending a constant vibration over Willow. It was too much for Willow and she felt herself tremor tightly against Tara’s tongue, trying to hold her inside as sparks of color burst against her clenched eyelids.

Willow’s cries joined Tara’s muffled groans as she held herself rigid above Tara and let her orgasm rush through her. Finally relaxing her thighs from where they gripped Tara’s face, Willow released her hands from the headboard and allowed Tara to bring her down.

Willow’s back hit the cool sheets and as she was shifting to snuggle with Tara, her target moved and hovered over her prone and exhausted body, peppering kisses all over her face, jaw and neck.

“I’m not quite done with you yet, Will,” Tara whispered as she nibbled around Willow’s ear. “I hope you’re not too tired yet,” she said with a steamy smile.

With no further hesitation Tara pushed two fingers inside Willow as far as they would go, as she bit down on her shoulder. Willow groaned, and lifted her hips up off the bed, trying to take more of Tara inside her.

“Mmmmm, oh, not too tired,” Willow whimpered.

“You’re so hot, baby, I love being inside you,” Tara breathed into Willow’s ear as she began to pump steadily inside Willow’s core.

“Oh, God,” was all Willow could say as she rolled her hips in time with Tara’s thrusts, her head thrown back, digging into the softness of the pillow.

Tara rose up on one elbow and looked down at Willow. She could see Willow’s skin flushing bright pink, as her arousal was taking her closer and closer to orgasm. Tara dropped her head to Willow’s breast, sucking the nipple into her mouth, teasing it with her tongue and biting the sensitive skin.

“Yes, Tara, just like that,” Willow said when Tara bit into her nipple.

Swirling her tongue around the nipple in her mouth before biting and sucking at it hard, she sped up her strokes, shifting to the other nipple, to give it the same lashing as the other. Willow pressed her heals into the bed and rolled her hips hard into Tara’s hand.

“Oh, God,” Willow whimpered.

Grazing the nipple with her teeth Tara pulled back, to look down at Willow, moving with her eyes closed, riding Tara.

“Look at me, Will, I wanna see your eyes when you come,” Tara said.

That was what it took to push Willow over the crest she had been riding towards. Her eyes snapped open as ordered, her breathing hitched as her hips rolled one last time with Tara’s hand.

“Taa-raa!!” Willow bellowed as Tara kept stroking, Willow was raised almost completely up on her shoulders as she kept coming and coming. Willow’s eyes rolled up into her head, and without warning, her body dropped listlessly as she took a deep breath and passed out.

Tara looked down at the unconscious Willow, and, with a quirked eyebrow muttered, “I was just joking about passing out…but hey, damn, I’m good.”

After watching Willow’s chest rise steadily for a moment and catching her own breathe, Tara got up off the bed and padded into the bathroom. She washed her hands and brought a cool, damp cloth back to bed with her. Lying back down next to Willow, Tara tenderly stroked the hair off of her face, and placed the cloth over her forehead. Gently stroking Willow’s face, Tara began to whisper in Willow’s ear.

“Baby…wake up for me… open those pretty green eyes for me, baby.”

Slowly, Willow’s eyes began to flutter open.

“Hi,” Tara said.

“Hi,” Willow said then buried her face in Tara’s shoulder. “See what you do to me?”

Tara pulled back and removed the wash cloth from Willow’s head, smiling.

“Proud of yourself aren’t you?” Willow asked.

“Damn straight, I am,” Tara said, and then yawned. This caused a chain reaction in Willow.

“Sleepy now,” Willow mumbled.

“Sleep now,” Tara agreed. They righted themselves on the bed, pulled the sheets back, and slipped in. Willow crawled into the circle of Tara’s arms and they drifted off to sleep.

*******

No one thought to close the heavy hotel room curtains over the massive east-facing window before they tumbled together in a mass of spent body parts.

Tara, not one for sleeping soundly nor fully, shifted quietly in the middle of the king size bed, as she grinned at the miniscule amount of the massive space she and Willow actually used. Willow was tucked tightly into her side, her face burrowed deep into the space between Tara’s neck and shoulder. Wondering wordlessly about what exactly woke her, Tara glanced around the room and took in the scattered clothing—some articles beyond destroyed—from last night’s frivolities.

She smiled widely and stretched fully feeling every single millimeter of her body hum with life. She eased backwards out of the bed, the crisp sheets rustling and breaking the silence of the room. Willow slept on, stretching widely and shifting onto her stomach and rubbing her face into the pillow Tara had just left behind.

It was early still, but the sun was starting its ascent into the early morning pale sky. It left a deep golden shadow over the dark ocean’s surface, peppering the surface with its reflection. The beauty of the scene lay in the contrast of the city’s scape. To the west, it was still night. To the east, where Tara was facing, the sun was rising and shining its first rays. The juxtaposition of dark and light, night and day, good and bad, made Tara think—think of her life, her experiences up until this moment. She stood stark naked in the early morning light of dawn, unobserved and unrestrained, and she finally reached her turning point.

Everything seemed so clear now. Here, in the infancy of the day, Tara Maclay was reborn. But, like a child who first enters the world and greets with her screaming wail, Tara had an immense amount of growing to go through, but here, in front of the ever rising sun, she took her first step.

Taking one last glance at the sun now hanging midway over the rippling ocean, Tara slowly made her way back to Willow’s sleeping form. One arm snuggled deeply into Tara’s pillow and one delicate leg, deceptive in its underlying strength, peeked playfully from the twisted sheet.

Tara pulled gently on the corner of the sheet and it slithered as it moved inch by inch and uncovered the creamy skin of Willow’s body. Feeling the warmth leaving her body, Willow burrowed down further into her pillow and shifted in her sleep.

“Sweetie,” Tara called softly in a singsong voice. “It’s time to wake up, sweetie.” Creeping over the expanse of the bed, Tara could detect a shift in Willow’s breathing pattern and knew she was close to consciousness.

Sidling up to Willow’s sprawled body, Tara began placing soft kisses along the base of neck as she brushed aside crimson locks to give her mouth better access. Only her mouth, her kiss-swollen lips, touched Willow’s body, but the air touched her skin when Tara’s mouth left a wetness behind as she moved from her neck down the long expanse of her back.

“Will, sweetie, wake up now, darling,” Tara crooned quietly. Bringing a fingertip into play, Tara swirled around the wet patches her mouth left behind, feeling an increase in Willow’s breathing indicating her lover was playing possum and was now fully awake.

“You know, sweetie,” Tara said against the skin of the dip of Willow’s lower back. “If you don’t wake up soon I’m going to have to enjoy this all by myself.” Tara ran her tongue up Willow’s spine from the top of her bottom in a long slow stroke.

“Mmmm. You’re missing out on the beautiful morning, sweetie,” Tara urged.

“Too early,” Willow mumbled finally.

“It’s such a wonderful morning, love,” Tara continued in between her continuous kisses and nibbles. “Your body is so warm still,” Tara pointed out as she straddled the back of Willow’s thigh. “I’ve been up for a while now, I may be a little chilly,” she warned as she glided her body down Willow’s back, her nipples hardening on contact with the soft skin.

“Mmmm. Morning, baby,” Willow groaned pressing her body into the mattress.

Tara nipped along Willow’s neck, her body continuing its motion over Willow’s now responsive one. “I love you,” Tara whispered in Willow’s ear, her hands now coming into play. “I love you.”

Willow rolled over gently when she felt Tara’s weight shift slightly. Tear’s stained the sculpted cheekbones under deep blue eyes. Willow’s fingers lovingly traced the pattern that the tears fell and brought Tara’s mouth down to hers in a slow whisper of a kiss. She could taste the saltiness of those tears, but somehow, intrinsically, Willow knew they were not sad tears. Those tears had a different taste. These were tears of love, happiness, and a new beginning.

Their bodies glided smoothly over each other as hands moved at a slow mapping pace, learning each over as if for the first time. Mouths came together, tongues swept inside mouths and over smooth skin. One set of hands linked together, connecting them even further together. Every touch, every reverent sweep of a fingertip or hand, was rife with emotion and love. Whispered assertions of love were exchanged from still connected lips as quiet cries of love and completion filled the hotel room in the welcoming light of the early morning dawn.

The peace and beauty of the moment left their hearts free of worry and pain as they came down from their love making. With the sun still rising higher and higher in the sky over the undulating ocean, Tara and Willow molded together in sleep once again.

********

DIBS

This was an amazing chapter...my favorite by far. I love it!!! Can't wait for the next one.

Yay for yummy update-y goodness... Wow, that was very hot way to spend some quality naked time together... I'm really glad that Tara felt "reborn" under Willow's unconditional love...

_________________
We Few, We Happy Few, We Band of Buggered

Posting while nude improves your mood...

that was an amazing chapter. just.... wow. well worth the wait. i am without words enough to decribe it.

GREAT JOB!!!

(standing ovation)

tina

_________________
if it's not real, you can't hold it your hands; you can't feel it with your heart, then i won't believe it. but if it's true you can see it with your eyes, even in the dark; and that's where i want to be. 'brick by boring brick' -paramore

Wowza! That was some kind of hotness! I started to read it at work and had to stop, lol.

Anyway, I don't know who wrote what, but you both did a great job!! I'm happy to see that Tara has reached a turning point, but also sad to see that you are nearing the end of this wonderful journey.


As always, looking forward to the next update!

_________________
Shelby - Racing The Rain (IN PROGRESS) / Baby Makes Three (IN PROGRESS) / The Santa Line / Everything She Does...Is Beautiful / Calfornia Grass

"Transform your pain. Release your past. And ... uh ... get over it."
~Willow, Where The Wild Things Are

Crystal and Heather:


Keep this sort of thing up and you will be forced into a permanent collaboration! The conjoined twins of Tara/Willow titillation!


Then the writing changes, and you two muses of poetry now, give us this:

What grace, what beauty – a love worked for, suffered for and celebrated with salty tears and sweet embraces.

Pretty much speechless . . . . thanks!

Ariel
How I Met Your Mother

I'm glad Tara is realizing she is reborn. Now she has the choice of changing the way she will see her life/live it. I think meeting Willow definitely helped her in achieving this though. Their chance of having a successful future is looking good.

Well, well, well.... I'm creeping back to the board with my kitten tail between my legs--it's been almost two months since I've last posted?!?!

Here's a little update on where I am with this story.... Like I mentioned in the last post (which was like forever ago), we're nearing the end of Changing Your Goals. There are four more chapters (including this one) remaining, and then there will be an Epilogue. I've made it so that if there is interest, there is room for a sequel. So let me know if you guys would be interested in something like that!

Here are some replies from your lovely lovely feedback!

WR/TM:



Congrats on your dibs! Thanks for your kind words… Sorry it’s taken so long, but here’s the next chapter.. hopefully it was worth the wait!


Zampasa19752001:



Glad you liked the hotness! And yes, it was “quality” time but also “naked” time



I’m glad that the concept of Tara being “reborn” came across.. that was what I was aiming for. Thanks so much for reading and commenting!

Indigokane:



Wow, a standing ovation?? Thank you so much. I’m glad it was worth the wait.. I hope this one was too!

Finey_McFine



Lol.. definitely not a chapter to read at work! I should have warned you better!



I don’t know at this point who wrote what either! It was really quite fun to collaborate that way and I’d encourage anyone to give it a try.



It’s bittersweet, the ending. I’ve actually finished writing the story now, and now we’re going through the beta process for a big ol’ chunk of writing. Hope you’re still reading and enjoying!

Ariel

Your feedback really hit on what the chapter was all about for me… It was the culmination of a whole lotta teasing in a big pile of sweaty limbs, but I really wanted to bring across the loving side of things as well.

I always appreciate (and look forward to) your kind words and feedback! Thanks for reading and sticking with me.

Love_2003



This is the peak of the turning point for Tara, you’re definitely right in saying that.



Most definitely—Tara was on this path before Willow, but it’s with Willow’s love and support that she’s able to actually come through on the other side, healthy and whole and ready for her new life.



Well, this is the KB, so you know there’s going to be a happy ending… but you’re very right—the future is now theirs.

Thank you to everyone who has read! Feedback is always golden, big or small

**********

Disclaimers: I don't own 'em, they belong to others... I've just borrowed them for a short period of time .. please don't sue!

Rating... Uh, let's put it at R for "just in case"

Author's Notes: Well, I kinda really covered everything above, but I want to give a shout out to my beta, vampyregurl73 aka Heather the Great who's stuck by me and given me a poke to get on with it when I've needed it. Thanks for making this story so much better!

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

Chapter 34: On the Other Side of Things


A deafening shrill broke the early morning silence and the peaceful—exhausted—slumber of Willow and Tara.

“Arghhh!” Willow screamed as she bolted upright in the disheveled bed. “What the frilly heck is that?!” she growled as she searched frantically for the noisy culprit.

Tara, awakened ten minutes earlier by Willow’s adorable dream-babble, chuckled exuberantly to herself at Willow’s frantic stirring.

“Sorry, darling,” Tara shushed as she reached to the far side of the bed and the phone that lay on the mahogany nightstand. “It’s the wake-up call that I ordered earlier this morning,” she explained as she picked up the phone.

Tara spoke gently and quietly to the hotel staff on the other end of the phone. “Thank you,” she said as she replaced the receiver and settled back into the warm cocoon of blankets and Willow-heat in the chilly room.

“How much time do we have?” Willow questioned with a playful pout. “I don’t ever want to leave here,” she admitted as she laid her head against Tara’s chest and threw a leg over her hip, holding Tara a willing prisoner in her tangled embrace.

Tara chuckled softly and snuggled into Willow. “Well, you see, we were supposed to be out of here a few hours ago,” Tara began shifting in her spot. “But, um, I might have told the front desk a tiny white lie when I called them this morning,” she admitted with a blush.

“Oh, yeah?” Willow probed waiting for further elaboration.

“I might have mentioned that you were a very important hospitality and tourism journalist visiting from New York and that you were thinking about writing a piece about this hotel…” Tara trailed off.

“Tara!” Willow admonished as she began to shift from her comfy position. “You lied to the hotel people?” Willow looked down at Tara’s blushing face with mock chastisement.

Tara, thinking Willow was serious in her concern, quickly explained her reasoning. “Well, you see, I had this nefarious plan to seduce my incredibly sexy girlfriend as the sun rose over the ocean this morning. So, being a fan of the Boys Scouts and their very logical motto, I phoned down to the front desk this morning while you were still sleeping,” Tara paused and peeked at Willow’s reaction.

“And?” Willow prompted Tara to continue.

“And that’s when I came up with the aforementioned plan,” Tara admitted sheepishly. In a quiet and self-deprecating voice, Tara stated, “You’re upset with me... for lying?” she clarified.

Willow, who up to this point, was biting her lip to keep herself from laughing at her devious and prepared lover, quickly scrambled up from her position to gaze down into sad blue eyes. “No! Baby, no,” Willow reassured Tara as she gathered her limp body safely in her arms. “I’m sorry, baby. I was just playing with you,” Willow insisted in between soft kisses that she placed lovingly around Tara’s face.

‘You’re not mad?” Tara checked again in reassurance.

“No, of course not,” Willow replied as she brought her lips gently to Tara’s in a sweet brush. “I may even have to buy you an expansive brunch to thank you for your ingenious plan,” Willow smiled gleefully.

“Mmmm,” Tara moaned at the thought. “Well, since you’re so thankful and all, I just may have to let you,” she winked knowingly.

“So,” Willow asked as she settled into Tara’s side once more. “How much time do we have to be naughty?” she continued as her hands made their way over Tara’s torso and crept towards her breasts.

“Ah, ah,” Tara rebuked catching Willow’s hands before they could reach their destination. “As much as I’d love to stay here with you like this and let you have your wicked way with me, it’s already past two and we have…” Tara paused to glance at the bedside clock. “Exactly forty-three minutes to shower, dress, pack, and check out.”

“But, Tara,” Willow whined as she tried to get her hands free. “Forty-three minutes is plenty of time for us to fool around,” she insisted placing open-mouthed kisses all along Tara’s chest.

“Willow,” Tara scolded with a laugh as she fended off, quite adeptly, Willow’s dual oral and tactile attack. “Have you not seen the mess of our things strewn around here?”

Willow buried her face in Tara’s cleavage, blew a raspberry before Tara could react to the attack, and then rolled reluctantly out of what she coined as their love nest, and onto the floor. “Fine, fine,” she grumbled as she began to gather pieces of clothing—some whole, others in tatters.

“Ruin all of my fun,” Willow continued to grumble to herself as she spotted the strap of Tara’s satin bra peeking out from behind the dresser. “Oopsie,” she laughed to herself as she scooted and bent over to retrieve it.

Suddenly, Willow’s world turned on its axis as she found her body upended in the air and then back on the bed with a thud.

“What the…?” Willow gasped as Tara’s desire-ridden eyes fixed on her own. Gulping audibly, Willow took a shuddering breath and held back a moan of anticipation as Tara’s lips attacked her neck.

“So, I was thinking,” Tara said in between nips and kisses. “About brunch,” she continued, bringing her hands up between their bodies and cupping both of Willow’s breasts in her palms.

“Yeah?” Willow asked breathlessly at the dual assault.

“Let’s make it supper,” Tara conceded as she slid down Willow’s body, leaving a trail of wet kisses in her wake.

*******

It was with reluctance that Tara left the colourful little hotel nestled in the side of the cliffs overlooking St. John’s. She had experienced a turning point in front of that window as the sun rose, but she was aware that in order to fully make things real, to make this next step towards regaining her life back, she would need to leave the cozy and comforting walls of that room.

Willow packed the last of their belongings together as she gave Tara a few more minutes to gaze out the window. The day, while dawning bright and promising, had now turned overcast, displaying the city in a drape of grey that beckoned to the hanging fog drifting over the mountains and rocks.

Willow was cognizant enough to understand that Tara had reached some sort of pinnacle in her own self-growth that morning, but she did not ask her about it, knowing Tara would share her thoughts when the time was right. She just knew for certain that they now had a much better chance of making it together as a couple, as was evidenced by their intense love making under the dappled dawn sun—and again as they awoke for the second time that afternoon.

Willow grinned to herself, love encapsulating her face, as she stood stark still in the middle of the room with Tara’s hairbrush in one hand and their overnight bag in the other.

“Hey, you,” Tara smiled walking towards Willow who was clearly deep in reflection. “Whatcha thinking about?” she asked playfully as she placed a kiss on the tip of Willow’s nose.

Shaking herself from the moment, Willow dropped the items in her hands and brought her arms up to encircle Tara’s neck. She leaned in close and placed a soft kiss on Tara’s lips, hoping to illustrate just what she was thinking about. Tara’s heart skipped with the gesture and she brought her own hands out to wrap around Willow’s waist. “You,” she admitted with a happy sigh as her arms tightened around Tara.

Tara blushed, but accepted the loving, yet simple, admission. “You ready to go face the music, Miss Big Journalist?” she bantered, finally releasing Willow from her embrace.

“Lead the way, darling,” Willow said with a devilish grin.

*********

Hands interlaced, Tara and Willow giggled together as they exited the hotel and made their way to the SUV. It took some quick explaining and improvisation on Willow’s part, but she was able to get out of the extra charges for their late check-out without too much hassle. Her gushing over the service and of the breath-taking view from their room certainly helped matters.

Buckling her seatbelt, Willow sighed dramatically as she steered the car out of the parking lot. “Back to reality,” she bemoaned.

“Only for another couple of weeks, though, right?” Tara inquired. “Then you’re going back to New York?”

“I’ll have a little bit of a break in between,” Willow clarified as she kept her eyes on the road. “But yeah, back stateside soon,” she confirmed flicking her eyes to Tara quickly.

“Hmmm,” Tara replied noncommittally at Willow’s explanation. A part of her was hoping—waiting—for an invitation to New York from Willow, but she would play it by ear until the time came closer. Tara’s reluctance in being assertive over this situation was a throwback to the way the old her used to handle things, but this situation seemed to be a hurdle that she still seemed unable to navigate.

Changing the subject, Tara reached over and took Willow’s hand. “I know you never asked, but I wanted to let you know that I feel really positive about the session I had with Dr. Hogan yesterday,” she began, wanting to bring Willow up to date on her emotional status at the moment.

“Yeah?” Willow probed, hoping for an elaboration.

Tara nodded. “Well, we didn’t really get into anything specific, but I get a positive vibe from her. I feel good about this, about therapy,” she admitted with an honest smile.

“That’s great, baby,” Willow acknowledged with a squeeze of her hand. “I’m glad things went well.”

Tara nodded again. “I’m not saying ‘bam!’ I’m all better; I’m just seeing things in a more positive and healthy way now,” she added. “It’s a start, right?”

Willow glanced to her right, capturing Tara’s gaze before returning her eyes to the road. “I know it’s a cliché, but then again, it had to become a cliché for a reason. Just like stereotypes. They develop because the assertion holds true for a number of people within a group or demographic. That’s not to say that I agree with stereotyping. Of course, that’s not a very fair way of looking at people. That’s like looking at me and saying I’m short-tempered and feisty because I have red hair! I’ll have you know that I’m…” Willow felt two fingers press gently into her rapidly moving lips and smiled sheepishly. Kissing Tara’s fingers, she blushed. “Sorry.”

Tara giggled. “I love it when you babble like that,” she admitted. “I don’t know how you do it, you know, with the regular need for breathing and all,” Tara teased, “but I think it’s cute and endearing,” she finished with a wink.

Silence swept through the vehicle and both women relaxed into the scenic drive. A short excursion on the highway brought them back onto the double-laned straightaway to Ferryland and the compound.

“Oh!” Willow exclaimed suddenly causing Tara to jump. “The cliché,” she elaborated. “I never did say what I was going to,” she laughed. “The first step is often the most difficult one; that’s what I was trying to get to before I lost myself to the land of the dreaded babble,” Willow said with a smirk.

“Very true,” Tara agreed. “I’m glad this one’s over—the first step,” she explained. “It will take work, but I’m going to see this through,” she insisted with fervor.

“And I’m going to be by your side every step of the way,” Willow added. “You let me in, and now you’re stuck with me.”

Tara sighed dramatically. “Oh, no…Really? I’m stuck with you?” she said with a smirk and a wink. Willow nodded eagerly. “Well, I guess I’ll have to deal,” Tara conceded.

“Darn tootin’.”

*******

Avoiding the curious looks, and the occasional lusty glances from coworkers and students alike, Willow brought Tara into her room and threw their overnight bag into the corner. Flopping down onto the bed, Willow summoned Tara with a crook of her finger. “C’mere, you,” she smiled.

Tara bounced over to the edge of the bed. “I’m staying right here,” she insisted as Willow tried to get her to recline with her.

“But…” Willow pouted and batted her puppy-dog eyes at Tara.

“Uh uh,” Tara shook her head with a laugh. “You promised me supper, and you’re going to have to deliver before I come even an inch closer,” she said with a smile.

“Supper?” Willow asked.

“Supper.”

“Now?” she whined, burying her face into a Tara-scented pillow.

“Uh huh,” Tara nodded. Changing tactics, Tara began to rub her tummy. “I’m so hungry, sweetie,” she sighed. Rising from her position, Tara turned towards the door. “Guess I’ll go make myself a sandwich or something,” she pouted.

“Hey, hey!” Willow stopped Tara with a hand on her arm before she could make it to the door. “I promised my girl supper, so supper she’ll get,” Willow vowed with a firm nod of her head.

“Well, if you’re sure it’s no trouble,” Tara checked.

“Of course not. What do you feel like, baby?”

“Hmmm,” Tara thought for a moment and did a self-check for any underlying cravings. Finding none, she said with a quirk of her eyebrow, “Surprise me?”

“You sure?”

“Yup,” Tara conceded with a lopsided grin. “I trust you.”

Willow made her way into Tara’s embrace for a quick kiss before turning from the room. “I’ll be back soon-ish,” she hollered over her shoulder.

“I’ll be here,” Tara threw back. “Will! If you see Faith, send her my way, will you sweetie?”

“Sure thing, love,” Willow answered distractedly as her mind began to plan their supper.

********

The all night, and into the next day, love fest began to catch up with Tara and she allowed her well-used body to snuggle into the soft comfort of the bed. Closing her eyes for a quick rest, she breathed deeply and relaxed.

A few quiet moments later, Tara’s eyes opened slowly as she heard a quiet knock on the door. “It’s open,” she hollered as she sat up and brushed her untidy hair away from her face.

“You looking for me?” Faith asked as she poked her head around the opening in the door.

“Yeah, come in,” Tara ushered Faith inside and sat upright.

Faith smirked as she took in the obviously tired woman in front of her. “So I guess the relaxing day in town turned into something else entirely, hmmm?” Faith questioned with a wink.

“Yeah, yeah,” Tara waved the insinuation away.

“So, what’s up?” Faith finally asked pulling the desk chair over to the bed.

Tara shrugged. “You know… Went to my first therapy session, had wild monkey sex, lied to the hotel concierge. Just a typical day in the life of Tara Maclay,” she sighed and flipped back onto the bed with a thud.

Faith chuckled before becoming serious. “Seriously, though. What’s on your mind?”

Tara’s fingers plucked at the comforter as her eyes drifted around the room. “The dig season is ending soon,” she said.

Faith remained silent, waiting patiently for Tara to continue.

“Willow’s going back to New York,” she continued, pushing herself up from the bed to begin pacing around the small room. “Willow’s going back to New York and I’m… I don’t know what I’m doing, I’m in limbo. I mean, I love her, she loves me, why should there be an issue?” Tara asked with a huff.

“Okay… so what’s the issue, then? Go with her,” Faith said knowingly, glad that the contention was so easily fixed.

Tara stopped suddenly with a slump to her shoulders. “It’s not that easy, Faith. I can’t just tag along with Willow. She has a life, a career, in New York. And all I have is enough baggage to fill the storage rooms of the Titanic,” she sighed, sitting back down on the edge of the bed and holding her head in her hands.

“Hey, stop that,” Faith said with indignation. “Fuck the baggage, Tara, that just makes you who you are. Willow loves you, you know that. And you love her, so what’s the deal? There’s nothin’ to worry about. I love Willow like a sister, but sometimes the girl is a bit dense. The thought of having to ask you to come to New York with her probably hasn’t entered into her big ol’ brain yet.” Faith paused and draped a friendly arm around Tara’s shoulder. “And if it has,” she continued, “then she’s just probably waiting for you to say something about your plans and not wanting to step on your toes.”

“Maybe,” Tara conceded, not really convinced.

Faith paused for a moment to allow Tara to take in what she was saying. “Have you said anything one way or the other to Willow? About what you want?” Faith prodded.

“No, I haven’t,” Tara admitted sheepishly. “It’s just that… I’m not used to this, Faith,” she explained waving her hand around the room. “I’m not used to being an equal partner in a relationship and having a say,” Tara shrugged self-deprecatingly. “I guess I’ll wait just a little longer and then ask Willow myself if she doesn’t bring anything up,” Tara decides with an air of finality.

Taking a deep breath and letting it out slowly, Tara shifted her glance to Faith. “How are you doing?” she asked vaguely, letting Faith have control over the conversation, and where it might lead.

“Five by five,” Faith smirked.

Tara’s brow furrowed with Faith’s statement. “Is that some kind of archeological grid lingo?” she questioned.

Laughing heartily, Faith bumped her shoulders with Tara’s. “You’re one of a kind, you know that, Tara Maclay?”

“You better be hungry, baby, because I’ve prepared quite the feast for my lady,” Willow chirped as she entered backwards into the room holding a laden tray with a spread of food.

“Mmmm, thanks, sexy, I’m starving,” Faith declared as she stole a cherry tomato sitting atop a spinach salad as she made her way towards the door.

“Faith!” Willow chided, protecting her tray. “Get your own damn supper!”

“Where’s the fun in that?” Faith laughed as she plucked a piece of cheese.

“You can join us if you like?” Tara offered as she cleared the bed for Willow to set down the tray. “Right, sweetie?” Tara said in a tone that suggested that there would be no arguing.

Pouting internally at the ruination of her sexy eating fantasies, Willow conceded. “Yeah, Faith, I made plenty of food, pull up a chair.”

Faith smiled at Willow’s obvious reluctance but was pleased at the offer. “You sure you don’t mind?” Faith asked, aiming her question at Willow. Truthfully, she missed her redheaded friend, not having the chance to spend much time together since Tara’s arrival. “I’d like that,” she said bashfully, pulling up a seat.

Laughing and chatting amicably, the three women shared food and news with each other. Finishing off the last of the desert, Faith gathered the dishes and tray and made her way towards the door. “Thanks for supper. I’m going to do some paperwork before calling it a night. I’ll see you in the morning?” she aimed the question to Willow. “We have that last push to start in Grid 8 before the season ends, right?”

Nodding her head distractedly, Willow agreed and waved to Faith as she shut the door quietly behind her.

“Thanks for letting Faith share with us, love,” Tara smiled as she placed a soft kiss on the side of Willow’s mouth. “I think she misses spending time with you, for which I’m partly to blame,” Tara continued, snuggling into Willow’s arms.

“You think?” Willow asked thinking about her lack of time spent with Faith, promising herself to work on changing the situation. “I haven’t thought about it. She’s really picked up the slack for me, too. I should really try harder,” Willow intoned guiltily.

“Oh, sweetie, I didn’t say that to make you feel bad, just to point out the situation. I’m sure Faith understands. After all, I am quite the hottie, so you can’t be blamed too much for wanting to spend so much time with me, right?” Tara giggled with a waggle of her eyebrows.

“Oh, so very true, my love,” Willow agreed wholeheartedly as she lowered Tara to the bed. “In fact, I think I need a helping of your ‘hotness’ right now,” she growled and swept in for an encompassing kiss.

*******

TBC.... 3 + Epilogue Left....

DIbs! Ha!

You know I loved this chapter.

From sneaky Tara, to how Willow can pick up on the shift in her, it's wonderful.

I have to admit this is one of my favorite parts -



- gets me snickering every time...

Well done, hon.

_________________
Heather aka vampyregurl73 aka Riverwillows73

My stories:
"Dry Heat – In Progress (still)" "Penny Arcade - Completed"

My Fic Challenge entries:
"Fireworks" "Promise" "I Did What Last Night?"

Yay for great update-y goodness... I loved sneaky Tara... I'm really glad that Willow picked up Tara's change in her outlook on life... I hope Willow very soon asks Tara to move to New York with her... I hope Willow makes up to Faith for her absence in the dig...

_________________
We Few, We Happy Few, We Band of Buggered

Posting while nude improves your mood...

Hi Crystal!

Another great chapter! Sneaky Tara was awesome and so, so happy to see things moving in a healthy direction for both girls.

I'm pretty sure that Willow just assumes that Tara is coming with her back to NY, even though Tara has doubts. If she doesn't say something soon, I bet Faith nudges her along.

Too bad their little rendezvous ended so quickly, I hate it when those weekends/overnighters come to an end...boo! But I'm sure there are many more in their future!

Looking forward to the final chapters and you already have my vote for a sequel!

_________________
Shelby - Racing The Rain (IN PROGRESS) / Baby Makes Three (IN PROGRESS) / The Santa Line / Everything She Does...Is Beautiful / Calfornia Grass

"Transform your pain. Release your past. And ... uh ... get over it."
~Willow, Where The Wild Things Are

Cyteach:

Yay!!!! You’re baaaaack!

Lovely hot opening, loved the sex play and the teasing and Tara’s lie.

Also loved this bit of description:

Evocative – I saw a strong visual and also got an emotional sense – lovely!

Then the banter with Faith, Tara, and Willow. I love the layers of Faith’s character, how she’s tough then the flashes of vulnerability are allowed to show.

I’m excited about what’s coming next, the ending of this part of their journey together. And New York? Are you kidding? I LOVE NEW YORK! So if you’re taking an opinion poll on a sequel, I’m in!

Welcome back, sure missed you!

Ariel
How I Met Your Mother

I'm glad Willow and Tara had some time to themselves away from the camp site. I think they definitely needed it. I'm sure if Tara talks to Willow about New York Willow will be more than happy to have Tara accompany her. Sad to see there are only 4 updates left (including the epilogue). I vote for sequel!!!