FIC: Just One Of The Wiccans (Part Uno)

[dreiser]

TITLE: Just One Of The Wiccans
AUTHOR: Dreiser
EMAIL: dreiser0@earthlink.net
YAHOO I.D.: dreiser3
MY REALLY LONG HOMEPAGE ADDY: http://www.angelfire.com/anime2/superhi ... eiser.html
BTVS FIC ARCHIVE: http://www.geocities.com/shaych3/dreiser.htm
CONTENT: F/F romance. M/M romance. Hell, this fic is just loads of gay romantic fun. lol. W/T main couple.
SUMMARY: A somewhat UberBTVS fic based off of the movie, Just One Of The Guys. That means no slaying, the cast is normal in this fic, folks. Well, as normal as anyone can be in a fic that I'm writing.
DISCLAIMER: I own nothing but my 80s movies.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: This fic wouldn't be here without Xita and Dri, who came up with it far more than I did. So much thanks to both of them!

Just One Of The Wiccans

By: Dreiser

Willow frowned as she gazed at the numbers on her screen. Something just wasn't right. One of them didn't fit correctly in the program and it was bothering her. It was definitely a big--

"Problem!"

Blinking, Willow looked up at Buffy hovering over her, a perturbed expression on her features. "What?"

"I have a problem," Buffy said dramatically, sitting next to Willow in the computer lab. "A big one."

"Aren't you supposed to be in history?" asked Willow, frowning. "You're going to get in trouble again."

"Giles is dating my Mom," Buffy waved it off. "He's not going to do anything to me. Besides, I need your help."

"Uh huh," said Willow, studying Buffy closely. "So what's the big problem anyway?"

"Three guys," Buffy began as she let out a huge breath. "Asked me out for this weekend."

There was a pause of complete silence then Willow turned back to face her computer screen and said, "I'm making my new program now. Call me when an actual problem comes up."

"Will!" whined Buffy, clasping onto the redhead's arm. "This is a problem! Prom is coming up and you know I'm not really happy with Riley anymore."

"Then go on a date with one of the guys who asked you out," said Willow in tones that echoed of the word 'duh'.

Rolling her eyes, Buffy replied, "I would but they're all like Riley. Boring with a capital B. I'm starting to get very concerned with the quality of guys who ask me out, Will. They're all cute, sure, but they seriously lack brains."

"I thought you didn't care about that," Willow chuckled lightly. "You always said you just wanted a pretty face."

"I know, I know," Buffy sighed. "But I'm starting to rethink my priorities, seeing as we're graduating soon. In the real world one needs brains, right?"

"Unless you're in a fraternity like Riley, yes," Willow nodded, wincing slightly when Buffy punched her on the shoulder for the comment. "Ouch," Willow rubbed her shoulder. "That hurt. Are you working out again?"

"I'm naturally butch," said Buffy drolly. Shaking her head, she murmured, "I really don't know what to do. You're lucky you don't have this problem."

Feeling an intense gaze bore into her, Buffy lifted her eyes and met Willow's narrowed green eyes that clearly said she was in trouble. Laughing nervously, Buffy was about to apologize when the computer class teacher walked in the room, saving her from it.

"All right," Jenny announced, forming her usual slow smile. "You've all been bothering me constantly ever since I announced the contest to win a summer internship at Walsh Enterprises, who we all know are…"

"The top company locally for computer programming," the class chanted together, wearing wide grins. Buffy in the meantime, just looked baffled at this outburst.

"Bingo!" Jenny grinned. "I've looked over all the programs you've submitted carefully and I'm happy to announce I've picked a winner for our school. There can only be one since Walsh only has two positions open for internships and the other goes to Pylea High."

On hearing this, the room was filled with boos and various insulting shouts that caused their teacher to form another slow smile as she shook her head.

"Yes, yes," said Jenny. "We all know they're bad, icky, people at that school. That's why I let you guys get away with sending them viruses. But they still deserve a shot at getting as good as you all. Anyway," she turned to walk back into her office. "The winner of the contest will be posted after lunch on the main announcement board."

With that, the pretty brunette disappeared back into her office, leaving her computer class in relative peace.

"I hope I win," said Willow quietly. Looking at Buffy, she smiled and said, "It would be great to be able to work for an actual computer company. I could learn so much."

"You'll win," Buffy assured. "Who in here could beat you? You've got them all beat on years programming and talent."

"Thanks Buffy," Willow smiled softly.

"No problem," said Buffy easily as she rose to her feet. "Now I better get out of here before someone else asks me out on a date. Three is enough for one weekend."

"Aren't you exaggerating?" asked Willow dryly, raising an eyebrow. "I know you're popular but--"

"Buffy?"

Together, green and hazel eyes focused on the nervous figure of a bulky and rather dense looking football player as he shifted foot to foot.

"I was wondering," he gave a shaky smile. "Do you maybe wanna go out this weekend?"

Closing her eyes, Buffy shook her head and muttered to herself, "Why me?" Then she swiftly exited the room and left the football player alone with Willow.

"Uhm," he said slowly as he looked at the redhead. "Was it something that I said?"

For a response, Willow only sighed.

---

"That really wasn't nice, you know," Willow chastised.

She and Buffy were having lunch off campus at a local restaurant, as was their right as High School Seniors, and Willow felt it was the perfect time to elaborate how much she didn't like apologizing for Buffy to sensitive jocks.

"How was I supposed to know he'd cry?" said Buffy sheepishly, looking a tad guilty. "I'm sorry, Will, honest."

"Don't do it again," grumbled Willow, taking a bite of her pasta. Looking past Buffy, her eyes widened in alarm.

"What?" Buffy asked, seeing the panic on her friend's face. "What is it? Is someone else here to ask me out?"

"How did you guess," a familiar voice purred in Buffy's ear, causing a shudder to run through her body.

Hazel eyes turned and locked with brown ones and on seeing who it was, Buffy scowled. "Anya," she stated in chilly tones.

"That's me," Anya said, sounding pleased with herself as she plunked down in the seat next to Buffy. She reached out to toy with the sleeve to Buffy's shirt, only to have her hand immediately slapped away. "Ohhh, forceful," Anya teased, giving a naughty grin.

"Stop harassing Buffy," commanded Willow, pointing her fork at Anya. "Or I swear I will get some of those tiny hidden cameras and record all the freaky stuff I know you plan on doing so I can show it to the folks."

"Her parents are gone for two weeks," Anya informed Buffy, leaning close so her breath lightly hit the blonde's neck, causing Buffy to scoot away. "Me and my uptight cuz, all alone without companionship. I'm thinking you want to help us out with this, am I right?"

"I wouldn't touch you if we were the only people alive," Buffy said calmly, staring Anya right in the eye.

"I'm hurt," Anya pouted cutely, drawing back. With a sigh, she focused on Willow with a grin. "I guess that just leaves me and you cuz," she waggled her eyebrows. "How does that saying go? Incest is best?"

"Anya!" shrieked Willow, turning bright red as she leapt to her feet. Upon noticing that everyone in the restaurant was now staring at them, she sat down quickly and replied in a more subdued hiss, "Stop embarrassing me. I swear, I think mom and dad were right… spending your childhood traveling around Europe with Auntie did scar you."

"Not so," corrected Anya, waving her index finger back and forth, making a tsking sound. "I prefer to think of it as a wonderful journey into my preteen sexuality."

"When you were six you lived in a brothel in Amsterdam for eight months," Willow said dryly. "That was a wonderful journey?"

"Some parts of it," Anya smirked.

Groaning softly, Willow shook her head and rising to her feet she looked at her cousin pointedly. "I'm leaving," she announced. "Try not to get arrested before school's out."

"I don't make promises I can't keep," said Anya with a wide smile. Her hand slowly inched up and she ran just the tips of her fingers across Buffy's arm who turned to look at her with a murderous expression. "Later sexy."

Yanking her arm away, Buffy shuddered again as she walked out of the restaurant with Willow. "No offense to your family or anything, Will, but your cousin just gets creepier each time I see her," Buffy remarked. "And I really should be used to her after five years."

"Anya's Anya," Willow shrugged. "I just try to stay out of her web of sexual intrigue and we get along fine."

"Except for that time she tried to take nude pictures of you," reminded Buffy, giving a snicker.

For the second time that day, Buffy was on the receiving end of a very harsh Willow glare. One that told her most definitely she was in trouble yet again.

---

I think I won, I think I won, I think I won.

This was the mantra that Willow repeated to herself, walking down the hallway with Buffy at her side. In a few moments she would find out just who Jenny had chosen for the internship at Walsh Enterprises, something she had wanted more than anything since hearing of the contest.

She had to have won, she just had to.

"Willsterrrr!"

Stopping abruptly in her hurried walk, causing Buffy to almost crash into the back of her, Willow looked over at her other oldest friend, Xander Harris, who was currently being draped on by several girls. Looking uncomfortable with this situation, Xander wound himself away from them and dashed over to the two girls.

"The Harpies ensnared me in their claws," Xander whispered lowly to Willow who giggled at this.

"That bad, huh?" she asked.

"Worse," said Xander melodramatically. "I think one of them tried to touch my manly parts and please! You know I'm not having any of that!"

"Don't worry," Buffy soothed, standing at Xander's left side, hooking her arm in his as she patted it. "We're here to protect you from scary straight girls."

"Hallelujah!" Xander declared, shooting his arms up in the air. "I have been saved by the light of the Lord!"

"Right," Willow said in dry tones, taking Xander's hand in her own and leading them down the hall. Looking back at him, she said, "Don't you think all of your problems with scary straight girls might lesson if you just… oh, I don't know… came out of the closet?"

Xander looked horrified at this suggestion. "Come out?" he pressed his hand to his chest. "And face severe social ostracism and many a beatings up from the guys who call themselves my 'friends'? I don't think so Willy the Pooh. That's just not happening," he said firmly.

"Besides, Will," Buffy cut into the conversation, wearing a mischievous grin. "Isn't he obvious enough already? If he came out most everyone would just go 'durh'. Except for the dense girls who chase after him and his--"

"Oh no," Xander said, slapping his hand forcefully over Buffy's mouth to silence her. "We're not going there."

Hazel eyes pleaded with Willow to finish her statement for her, and smiling now, she said, "I'll do it. Your oh so mysterious girlfriend. Of which we've never met."

"You did it," groaned Xander, letting his hand fall away from Buffy's lips. "Why did you do it? We were having a pleasant conversation and you bring up my beard."

"I'm sure she appreciates being called that," Willow pronounced in droll tones.

"Honey, she appreciates me," Xander said, giving his best flirty smile which was rather charming. "I am a catch."

"You're queer as a three dollar bill," Willow stated, rolling her eyes. "And she has no idea. If she really exists. Part of me thinks you made her up in a vague attempt to stave off the ravenous herd that chases after you here."

"She's real!" Xander cried in offense. "Real and hot. Really hot. I have a hottie for a girlfriend beard, I do."

"Uh huh," said Willow skeptically. Xander was about to reply when the redhead went running ahead quickly and stopped in front of the glass case ahead. When Xander and Buffy caught up to her, she was staring at the contest results with an expression of disbelief. "I lost," she said after several seconds of silence. "To Jesse."

"How did you lose?" asked Buffy, glaring at the results, feeling both confused and perturbed with them. "You're the best one in that class, aren't you? Jenny said so."

"I don't know," said Willow sharply. A look of determination spread across her features as she then said, "But I'm going to find out."

---

Sitting at the side desk in Jenny's office, Willow loaded her program onto the spare computer. She went through it step by step and still… she didn't understand. It was a good program. Why did it lose?

"Did you see what Buffy was wearing? I swear, she's giving Joyce and I heart attacks. Constantly we have to hear her complain about the boys that ask her out but she still wears those blasted outfits."

Mr. Giles, she recognized him immediately. Anybody would, he was probably the only British person around in a thousand mile radius. Just as she expected, what she heard next was Jenny's warm laugh. She had always loved hearing that laugh, it was so kind and comforting, but now… well, it just made Willow scowl.

"Honestly, Rupert, what do you expect?" Jenny replied. "Buffy's a teenage girl. They all dress like that."

"Willow doesn't," Giles said smartly, sounding pleased with himself for using this answer.

"Yes," Jenny agreed in smooth tones. "And she's still quite the beauty, isn't she? I sometimes get distracted."

"You're not going to start that 'if I were younger' rubbish again, are you?" Giles questioned. "That's what got you in trouble last time."

"And how would she find out if I did, hmm?" Jenny asked, her tones teasing yet somehow threatening. "Are you the spy who's been snitching me out?"

"If I were, I wouldn't tell you," Giles said, his voice growing distant as he walked out of the room. "She's far more frightening than you could ever be."

Jenny chuckled again, causing Willow's scowl to grow deeper as the computer teacher walked into her office and saw Willow waiting for her. Blinking with shock, she took in the scowl the redhead wore rather warily.

"Willow?" Jenny asked hesitantly.

"Why did I lose?" asked Willow immediately, pulling no punches. "My program was good, I know it was. So why did I lose to Jesse? You always said I was the best."

"You are," said Jenny. Sighing deeply, she massaged her forehead and murmured, "You're the best in the class, you always will be because you have the most talent. But this wasn't about talent… it was about skill. Your program just didn't show the skills I know you have." Jenny looked Willow dead in the eye and said quietly, "To be perfectly honest, it was a disappointment."

Reeling with shock, Willow stared at the computer screen and said in stark tones, "I worked so hard…"

"I know," Jenny was sympathetic. "You always do. It's just, you didn't try very hard, Willow. The winner of this contest had to have the skills, the drive, and the creativity to make an impact with an actual company. I don't think you can do that right now. Because as talented as you are, you're not trying to come up with new ideas."

Willow didn't know why it was but as Jenny said this, all she could hear was the echoing comment about her looks. Looking up at her once favorite teacher with a harsh gaze, she bit out, "I guess I just don't try enough with anything, huh? Maybe I'm just too 'distracting' for you."

"Willow!" said Jenny with alarm, her eyes going wide. "What are you trying to--"

"My program was good and you know it!" Willow declared, storming out of the room. "You know I deserve that internship, not Jesse. He just won because you don't find him nearly as pretty as me."

Alone in her office, Jenny stared at the classroom door slamming shut before she released a huge sigh. Feeling a headache coming on, she muttered to herself, "And today started so good, really it did."

---

Naked boy. Near naked boy. Naked girl. Near naked girl. Naked boy with another naked boy. Near naked boy with a near naked girl. Naked girl with another naked girl. Near naked girl with a naked boy and a naked girl.

And so on and so on.

Poster after poster, Anya lined her walls until one could no longer see the pale blue of the paint and her room was completely covered in naked and near naked bodies.

"Much better," Anya said, giving a contented sigh.

She was about to put up her favorite poster, which had several naked boys and girls featured on it when the ring of the doorbell sounded. Forming a frown, Anya put the poster down on her bed and walked over to her window, peering outside to see who was there.

Immediately on spotting a familiar green jeep, Anya scowled and muttered, "Brainless brawny boy. Huzzah."

A few seconds passed when the doorbell rang several times in sharp succession and rolling her eyes, Anya went to answer the door. Walking downstairs, she said, "She wouldn't touch me if we were the last people alive but she'll boink him? Where is the justice in the world?"

"About time," was Riley's greeting as she opened the door. Stepping around Anya, he gave her an imperious frown then demanded, "Where's Buffy?" His eyes then narrowed. "You better not have molested her."

"Not yet I haven't," replied Anya coyly. When Riley scowled and seemed to move closer to her, she backed up and waved her hands towards the patio. "She's outside, trying to convince Willow not to drown herself."

Turning on his heel, Riley marched outside and observing him, Anya shouted, "Civilized barbarians say thank you!" Shaking her head, Anya walked upstairs. "If that's what a fraternity turns a straight man into… ugh."

Meanwhile, Riley walked outside to a most welcome sight. Buffy clad in a skimpy red bikini top and jeans, sitting on a chaise lounge with Willow next to her talking. Striding over to his girlfriend, he smoothly sat behind her and hugged her waist. Kissing the back of her neck, he said, "Weren't you going to call me? I was worried."

"Sorry," Buffy replied, not looking over her shoulder, still focused on Willow. "I sort of forgot."

"Just don't do it again," Riley lightly teased or at least, attempted to, while his hands wandered up Buffy's back to play with the double knotted ties of the bikini top.

"Yeah, sure," said Buffy absently. "Anyway, Will," she began, looking at her friend. "I know Jenny likes you and all but I don't think she likes likes you, and if she did why would she let you lose? I'd think she'd let you win."

"To throw people off track!" Willow declared hotly. "I just can't believe her. She said I had no creativity, that I didn't push myself to create a great program. That I just do what I know and nothing else."

"She's wrong," said Buffy emphatically. Frowning, she looked over her shoulder at Riley who wore an expression of total concentration as he played with her ties. "What are you doing?" she asked sharply.

"Why do you always make double knots?" Riley whined.

"Stop that!" Buffy ordered, wriggling away from him. "I'm talking to Willow. She's in crisis."

Staring at Willow who met his gaze blankly, Riley commented, "She doesn't look in crisis to me. C'mon," he wheedled. "Her folks are gone… lets have some fun. We can't at your place and the frat house is so crowded."

"Riley!" Buffy shouted in definite outrage. "That's, you, I can't… god!" Rising to her feet, she looked at Willow and said, "I'm sorry, Will, really I am. I'll take him away."

"Huh?" Riley said dimly as Buffy took his hand and dragged him off the patio and into the house.

"Call me later!" called Buffy before she disappeared totally with Riley in tow.

Sitting alone for a moment, Willow sighed then rose to her feet and walked inside. Wandering upstairs, she found herself walking towards Anya's room. It was true that her cousin was a raging pervert but sometimes she was also a good person to talk with.

Unfortunately, when Willow stepped foot inside Anya's room and saw what was plastered all over the walls she no longer knew quite what to say.

"Like it?" Anya grinned on seeing Willow. Spreading her arms wide, she said, "I did some redecoration."

"You made your room a shrine to porno," Willow pointed out dryly, regaining her ability to speak.

"Exactly," said Anya, waggling her eyebrows. "I think it speaks well of my personality and libido. Now when I get ready for sleep at night, I'll be surrounded with all of my fondest dreams, hopes, and future memories." She studied Willow for a moment then said, "You going to tell me what's wrong with you or do I have to guess?"

"My life sucks," Willow complained.

"Oh?" Anya arched an eyebrow, sitting down on her water bed with a muffled wave of noise. "Why's that?"

"You know the computer program I've been working on for that contest at school?" Willow began. "Well, it lost."

"How come?" asked Anya, lying down on her stomach and tucking her pillow under her chin.

"Because I'm a girl," replied Willow sarcastically. Leaning against the wall, she continued, "And Jenny thinks I'm cute. That's why I lost. She doesn't take me seriously. She just sees me as… as… something cute!"

"Uh hmm," Anya said, looking a tad skeptical. "Jenny never struck me as the equal sexist type. Why would you think that anyway?"

"I heard her saying I was a beauty and how if she was younger she'd--" Willow turned bright red. "Anyway! She picked Jesse as the winner and his program wasn't nearly as good as mine. The only reason he won is because he's a boy and uncute so he's taken seriously! Well, I won't stand for it… this is cute prejudice!"

"You don't say," murmured Anya in droll tones. Flipping over to lie on her back, she stared up at her ceiling and the poster directly in front of her. Pointing up at it, she said, "Cecilia had a similar problem. She wanted more than anything to join the army, but where she was from, some foreign country I forget, girls couldn't join. So she dressed up in drag as a guy, called herself Cecil, and joined the army, living out her dream and having semi-gay sex with several unsuspecting queer soldiers who thought she was a gorgeous hunk of girlish man meat."

Blinking at this story, Willow shook her head and said, "As weird as that is, I don't think that helps me."

"Hey," Anya shrugged. "It's a quality porno."

"I bet," said Willow dryly. "But that still doesn't help me with my problem. I just know if I was a guy…" Slowly a look of amazement crossed her features as Willow let her words trail off into nothingness.

"If you were a guy what?" asked Anya, turning around. But by the time she did, Willow was gone. Frowning at this, Anya shrugged again and focused back on looking at her various porno posters. "What a view."

---

Anya was still contemplating her porno posters and perhaps trying out her new vibrator when the doorbell rang yet again, causing her to scowl.

"Always when I'm about to have fun," she remarked to herself, walking downstairs. Opening the door, she stared at the ducked face of a tiny boy wearing a backwards baseball cap. "Yeah?"

"Is Willow home?" the boy asked.

"She's wallowing around here somewhere," Anya acknowledged, turning around. "Willow! Some guy is here to see you!" Facing the boy, she began, "So, who are you…" Anya trailed off as the boy lifted his face and revealed his features in the dim light of their porch. "Willow?" she asked in shock. "What?"

"I fooled you!" Willow proclaimed proudly, walking inside and shutting the door. Pulling off the baseball cap, she continued, "You really thought I was a guy."

"Only because I didn't see your face," Anya replied irritably. Pulling back, she looked at her cousin's outfit and frowned. "What in the hell are you wearing? I didn't know you even owned flannel."

"I sleep in it," Willow replied. Waving her hands about, she said, "But that's not the point! I fooled you! If I can trick you then this could really work! I can do it!"

"Do what?" asked Anya rather warily.

"Be a guy," said Willow breathlessly, giving a grin.

A long moment of absolute silence passed then Anya turned around and said, "You're on crack."

"I'm not! And it's a good plan!" Willow declared, scurrying after Anya who was headed towards her room. "I can enter the contest again at Pylea High and this time I'll win because I'll be a boy when I enter!"

Ignoring Willow's words, Anya stopped in the middle of the room and looked up at her posters, "I never should've told her about your sexcapade adventures, Cecilia. Now she wants to emulate in your freaky footsteps." Forming a slow grin, Anya said, "On second thought…"

"Stop being horny," Willow said, rolling her eyes. "I'm doing this to win the contest, nothing more. I mean, it's a fool proof plan, really. I have to win this time!"

"Willow," said Anya in solemn tones, walking over to her cousin and clasping her shoulders. Locking their eyes she pronounced, "You do know that just because we're Jewish you don't have to emulate Yentl."

Shrugging off Anya's hands, Willow scowled. "Very funny," she replied. "This is a good plan, I know it is. I'll make a very believable boy, trust me."

"Maybe," admitted Anya reluctantly, studying Willow's somewhat androgynous dress. "If you fix a few things."

"Like what?" Willow asked in confusion.

Walking around the redhead, Anya pulled open her closet door to reveal her full length mirror. Standing behind the other girl, who was clad in a pair of dirty jeans and an old flannel shirt, Anya said firmly, "Like your clothes."

---

Lock after lock of hair fell to the floor and seeing just hints of it made Willow start to seriously regret what she was doing. Then again, it was only hair, right? It would grow back… eventually.

Sensing Willow's unease, Xander paused in his cutting to peer down at his friend. "Don't worry, honey," he assured. "When I'm done with you you'll be so pretty gay boys will cry just from the sight of your nummy treats."

"Thanks," said Willow slowly. "I think."

"Now that I think about it," Buffy began as she studied Willow closely. "She would make a very pretty boy."

"Oh lord, the prettiest," Xander declared, snipping off more of Willow's hair with certain flourish. "She's got that sweet face of hers and those to die for eyes. Yum. If you were a man, I'd snap you up so quick, Willy." Frowning as he continued cutting her hair, he said, "You should've been born a boy, my love life would be perfect then."

"Sorry," Willow chuckled. "Blame my dad for that."

"Oh, I do," said Xander darkly. "Evil x chromosome."

"Evil?" said Buffy, sounding offended. "Hey now. Just because Will isn't the right gender to suit your romantic fancy is no reason to insult our only chromosome."

"Sorry, sorry," Xander said airily, giving a final snip before he stood back to study Willow closely. "Mmm. I could just eat 'him' up. What do you think?"

"I'd do her," Anya commented, causing everyone to look at her. Before this, she'd been fairly quiet, just lying down on Willow's bed, observing the hair styling by Xander.

"That somehow doesn't reassure me," Willow said dryly.

"You look hot, Will," said Buffy. "See for yourself."

Following Buffy's suggestion, Willow took the towel off from around her shoulders and walked into her bathroom to get a look at herself in the mirror. Her immediate reaction was to gasp softly in surprise. She knew her hair would be gone… that Xander was cutting most of it off. But still, it was another thing to see it gone.

Running her fingers through her short, spiky, locks that were barely two inches long, if even that, Willow studied her face closely. The vague hints of makeup were gone to leave her face paler than usual but somehow…

"Stop staring at yourself, you look utterly fuckable," Anya said bluntly, leaning on the doorway to the bathroom. "It puts Cecilia in drag to shame. Come on," Anya continued, taking Willow's hand in her own and forming a lascivious smile. "We've still got to dress you."

When they walked back into her room, Xander was arranging various outfits on Willow's bed. Looking up, he smiled widely. "I've got you a spectacular wardrobe, honey," he announced. "You'll make hearts flutter."

"Yeah?" asked Willow with a grin. Walking over to him, she looked at the collection of sharply tailored pants, silk button up shirts, and cashmere sweaters. "Xander," she said in amazement. "Did you buy this all for me?"

"Oh, hell no," Xander said, looking at Willow like she was a science experiment. He went back to arranging the outfits and said, "I got them for my tiny boy, except he's mad at me right now and refuses to wear them. I swear, if he'd just leave the pride issue alone we'd be fine. That and if I could get him to wear something other than jeans."

"Mysterious boyfriend," Buffy giggled, leaning towards Willow. "Whom we've never met either."

"I think he's ashamed of us," remarked Willow slyly.

"Embarrassed, maybe, ashamed, never," Xander said in droll tones, finishing his outfit arranging. Looking back at Willow, he studied her for a moment then turned back to pick out a pair of black tailored pants and a long sleeved green button up shirt. "Put this on," he commanded.

A moment of silence passed then together, Willow, Xander, and Buffy all turned to look at Anya.

"What?" asked Anya, attempting to be innocent.

"Out," they said together.

"Poo," Anya pouted, allowing Xander to propel her out of the room. "You always ruin my fun."

Moments later, Willow was dressed and a halfway pouting Anya was back in her room, observing her cousin in full drag. Standing next to Xander and Buffy who were eyeing Willow with utmost solemnity, Anya smiled sensuously. "Something's missing."

"What?" asked Willow, peering at herself. She'd even gone the extra length and used some icky sports tape to help press her breasts down. It was sort of uncomfortable but hell, now she looked more like a guy.

Anya's smile widened and striding over to Willow she stood behind her and slowly traced her hands down to cup the redhead's waist. Then in a sudden movement, she grabbed Willow's crotch as her cousin shrieked.

Bouncing away from Willow before she could get hit, Anya smirked and said smugly, "No equipment. Don't even tell me that someone won't notice that."

"Barring an expensive operation, I can't fix that," Willow scowled at Anya.

"Oh!" Xander shouted, clapping his hands together. "I nearly forgot! My bag of manly parts!"

"Bag of manly parts?" Buffy and Willow echoed, watching as their friend dashed towards the shopping bag lying on the side of Willow's bed.

"I like him," Anya purred, her smile getting wider.

"Honey, everyone does," Xander chuckled as he searched through the bag. "Gotcha!" he said with triumph before he pulled out a strap on dildo.

Staring at it for several moments as she tried to ignore Anya's wild howls of laughter, Willow finally said, "Do I even want to know?"

"You put it on," Xander said, sounding like he was talking to a six year old. "Then it'll seem like you have the stuff." He paused and then formed a naughty smile. "Unless they try to check for themselves."

"They?" Willow squeaked. "Who's they?"

Xander's smile grew naughtier as he walked over to Willow and purred lowly, "The girls, my lovely little androgynously confused friend, the girls."

The only response Willow had was to squeak again.

---

Stopping her red convertible at the front of Pylea High, Buffy solemnly locked her eyes with Willow's.

"Will," she began, reaching out to clasp their hands. "You're my best friend, my oldest friend besides Xander, and I support everything you do… even this strange journey into cross dressing, but promise me one thing."

"What, Buffy?" asked Willow, looking confused.

"You won't root for their team," Buffy said, her expression deathly serious. "They're our mortal enemies and if I saw you at some football game, sitting on their side of the field while I was cheering…"

"Buffy," Willow sighed hugely. "I don't go to our own games, why in the world would I go to one of theirs?"

"I don't know, why are you in drag?" asked Buffy smartly.

"Funny," Willow rolled her eyes. Shaking her head, she squeezed Buffy's hand smiled warmly. "I promise that I'll show no signs of school spirit for my two weeks here."

"Much better," said Buffy, beaming widely. She watched Willow climb out of her car and once the redhead shut the door with a slam, she teased, "Be a good boy."

"Ha," Willow replied dryly. Observing as her friend drove away, she shook her head and turned around to face her temporarily new high school.

Pylea High was just like she heard. Totally crappy. Sunnydale High was only a few miles away but the two schools were completely different. Maybe because all the upper middle class and way upper class families had their kids attending Sunnydale while everyone else…

Well, everyone else got stuck at Pylea.

To be perfectly honest, it was known as high school hell among certain circles. The students were rumored to be an uncontrolled class of criminals, freaks, and psychos.

It almost made Willow wonder if she really should be dressed in her ultra expensive black tailored pants, dark blue shirt, and black dress shoes.

Well, it was too late now.

She had only walked five feet on campus when a gangly boy went running past her at top speeds. Willow leapt out of his way just in time to see a group of two girls and two boys come barreling after him. They were all dressed head to toe in black, most of it leather.

"Where do you think you're going?" the tallest boy growled. He was smoothly muscular with a head of hair Xander would die for.

"Yeah, ducks," the second boy chuckled, circling around the boy as the taller one held him off the ground. "We're not done with you yet. That's not all your money, is it?"

"Miss Edith says he has lovely greens hidden, hidden, away deep down, down in the undies," the lithe brunette in the group sang out, dancing around the blonde boy as she twirled her hands high in the air. "Poof! Gone!"

Smiling wickedly at this, the blonde girl reached for the brunette's waist, pulling her close so they were pressed together. Leaning down, their faces were inches apart as she murmured, "Really, Dru?"

"Hidden away," Dru giggled happily, reaching her hands up to cup the blonde's face. "Will Darla buy me treats?"

"Darla will buy you more than that," Darla promised, giving a harsh smile. Looking over at the tall boy who was nearly strangling the boy as he kept holding him off the ground, she said calmly, "Take his money and drop him, Angelus. Our baby girl needs her fix."

"Spike and I wanted to have fun," Angelus pouted while the blonde boy searched the boy's pants and pulled out a wad of money which he tossed at Darla.

Catching the cash easily, Darla raised a fine blonde eyebrow then pronounced, "Then have fun." She turned on her heel, taking Dru's hand in her own. "But it will be without us." She was about to say more when she noticed Willow gazing at them. "Yes?"

Her eyes going wide, Willow stammered, "Sorry! I just… I mean… I'm new and… sorry!"

"Fresh meat, yeah?" Spike grinned evilly. "I think we just found our next 'donator' to the cause, Darla. Mr. Fancy is probably just stuffed with bills."

Now having a full blown panic attack, Willow tried to come up with something to say to get herself out of this situation when a voice called out, "He's with me!"

Green eyes turned to look at their savior and Willow felt her breath still in her chest when she was met the deepest blue eyes she'd ever seen. A blonde girl with hair that ran evenly down her back met her gaze steadily. She had on a pair of boots, loose cargo pants, and a shrunken t-shirt that revealed just a hint of her flat abdomen.

"Tara," said Darla in tones of tired annoyance. "Don't you ever get tired of being such a goody two shoes?"

"Not really," Tara quirked her lips up in a smile. Tilting her head to one side, she asked, "Don't you ever get tired of hoping to get my best friend back in the sack?"

Forming a definite scowl, Darla stomped away, dragging Dru with her as Angelus and Spike followed after. Spike lingered a moment and said cheekily, "She won't want the Slayer forever, you know. Soon as she stops…" He trailed off and smiled darkly. "Bye, bye, blondie."

Tara watched them walk away before she turned back to face Willow. Giving a warm smile, she said, "Don't worry about them. They won't bother you again, I promise."

"Thanks," said Willow with relief. "I owe you."

"No problem," Tara replied, waving it off. "I hate it when they pick on the new kids. It gives a bad impression right away of our school and people should have at least the whole day to realize it sucks here." She blushed then said, "That probably sounded really bad."

"No," Willow grinned. "It was honest. I like that." She blinked then exclaimed, "Oh! I'm sorry. My name's Willo… Will Rosenberg." She offered her hand.

"Tara Maclay," said Tara with a smile, taking Willow's hand and giving a soft handshake.

Distracted by the warmth and softness of Tara's touch, Willow was staring down at their hands when she heard someone shout out the other girl's name.

"I have to go," Tara said, pulling her hand away from Willow's. "It was nice meeting you, Will. Maybe I'll see you around."

"Yeah, maybe," said Willow distantly, standing frozen as Tara jogged over to a dark haired brunette who looked at her with a pair of narrowed eyes.

Seconds later, the bell rang.

"Great," Willow groaned. "Five minutes on campus and I almost get beaten up and robbed and now I'm late."

Then again, she did meet Tara. She seemed nice. Very nice. Very, very, nice. And brave and pretty and…

"Ugh," Willow groaned again, shaking her head as she trooped inside her new school aka war zone. "I should've gotten more sleep. I'm starting to think like a boy."

Whether this was good or bad is yet to be known.

---

"Tara Bear, I love you but you're a pain in my ass."

Smiling impishly, Tara studied her best friend's lovely features that were constricted in a familiar frown. She was used to seeing this expression. It was something that always happened after she did something dangerous.

Or at least something dangerous according to Faith.

"I had to help him," Tara replied in explanation. The two were seated at their usual table, having lunch. Faith's reputation and proof as a kick ass fighter with a short fuse kept them both out of trouble with most everyone. And the few people who weren't scared of Faith wanted to fuck her which left them pretty much safely insulated. Darla and her crew were among the latter. "He's new and the Vamps were going to eat him up, Faith."

"Uh huh," Faith said skeptically. Taking a bite of her sandwich she contemplated this a moment before she set it down and said, "Darla's pissed. If you keep this up I might have to throw down with them."

Tara's blue eyes widened in alarm and she said quietly, "I don't want that. I'll lay low for awhile. Not make them mad."

"That's my girl," Faith drawled, forming a grin. The grin left her as she jerked her head to one side. "Ain't that your boy? He's an awfully pretty thing, that's for sure."

Following Faith's gaze, Tara looked across the cafeteria and smiled softly on seeing Will holding a lunch tray and wearing a lost expression on his elfin features. Turning back to Faith, she looked at her with doe eyes.

"Aw, dammit," said Faith with exasperation. "It's not enough that you save his scrawny ass from the Vamps, you want him to eat with us too? What's with you today, Tara Bear? You havin' case worker flashbacks?"

"He's nice," Tara said lamely.

Tara didn't know what else to say, because she really didn't know why she wanted to see the boy again. It certainly didn't have to do with the fact that he had the most beautiful green eyes and a lilting voice. No, it had nothing to do with that at all. After all, she was a--

"Hi Tara."

"Will," Tara breathed his name out, trying her best to ignore the huge smirk Faith wore on her features. "Hi."

"Can I…?" Willow began hesitantly, darting her gaze from Tara to Faith to Tara again.

"Yeah, it's fine," said Tara quickly. She looked over at Faith then said, "Isn't it, Faith?"

"Yeah, yeah," Faith rolled her eyes. "It's peachy keen."

"Thanks," said Willow gratefully, sitting next to Tara. "I'm not used to being at a new school. It's strange…"

"Well, you are sort of out of place," Tara agreed. When Willow and Faith both focused on her after she said this, she turned bright red. "I just meant your clothes are a lot nicer than most people's here and… oh, god, forget it," she declared, waving her hands a bit. "I said nothing."

"What Tara's tryin' to say is you look like you got money and most kids here don't," Faith stated plainly. "It's bound to get you into trouble eventually. In fact, sorta already did, huh?"

"Yeah," said Willow reluctantly. She looked down at her clothes which Xander had picked out so carefully for her and sighed. "I guess I'll have to adjust my wardrobe."

"No, it's all right," Tara shook her head. When Willow looked at her, she ducked her head and said softly, "You look nice." Looking up at Willow, she continued, "And I took care of the Vamps."

"You mean my rep took care of them," Faith corrected, leaning back in her chair, smirking. When Tara stuck out her tongue as a reply, Faith drawled, "Save it for later."

"The Vamps?" asked Willow with a frown.

"Yeah," said Faith, giving a nod. She jerked her thumb over at the group from before who were once again busy threatening a kid for his money. "Them guys. That's what they call themselves. Has something to do with the super whacked out Goth scene they're into." Faith's face spread into a huge grin and she said, "Only thing I know is that their leader, Darla, is a certified babe who got a thing for me after I thrashed her boy Angelus."

"Ever since they've called Faith 'the Slayer' for some reason," Tara supplied, leaning closer to Willow. "Don't ask why though. They're sort of," she twirled her finger in a circle by her head and made a funny face as she whistled.

Chuckling softly, Willow said, "They sound scary."

"They are," said Tara solemnly. She pulled back and smiled warmly. "But I'm not scared. I have Faith." She looked over at her friend and said, "She's my leather clad warrior of truth and justice."

"Shut it, smart ass," Faith replied dryly.

Smiling as she observed the two friends banter back and forth, Willow no longer found the school quite as awful as she first thought it to be.

And it was all thanks to Tara.

---

Staring at the blonde woman that sat in front of her, Willow wondered if it was some sort of requirement that all computer teachers in the area be drop dead gorgeous.

"Miss Lockley?" Willow began hesitantly, observing as the woman scoured over her program.

"Call me Kate," the teacher replied absently, running through the final stages of the program.

"Kate," Willow tried again. "What do you think? Is it good enough for the contest with Walsh Enterprises?"

Looking up from the program, Kate looked at Willow with lidded blue gray eyes. "It's a good program," she started, trying her best to ignore the hope that lit up on Willow's features. "But not good enough to enter."

For the second time in a week, Willow felt her world go crashing down around her. Why? She worked so hard on it. What was wrong with the program? With her?

Seeing Willow's confusion and hurt, Kate continued, "This contest is about operating within the stressful life as a software designer, Will. Often you have to come up with a program with next to nothing to guide you." She paused to consider her words then smiling softly, she asked, "We're a capitalist scum society, right?"

"Yeah," said Willow, still sounding confused.

"In such, you've got to sell it," Kate smirked. "Sell your program and sell yourself. You just aren't doing that right now. What did you design? An operating system. Hell, that's all well and good but do we need more of those?" Kate snorted then said, "Do we need more lawyers?"

Smiling reluctantly, Willow said, "I see your point."

"You have two weeks," reminded Kate gently. "That's more than enough time to write a new program. I think you can do it. But this time think along the lines of creating something people won't know they need until they see it. And once they see it?" Kate grinned. "They can't live without it."

"Yeah, all right," said Willow, her tones disappointed as she rose to her feet and walked out of the classroom.

Watching Willow go, Kate sighed to herself then murmured, "Poor kid. Hated to do that but an O.S.?" She shuddered then turned back to her computer, eyes narrowing at the instant message she received. "What?! She got the new scanners first?! I swear, I'll get that woman…"

---

"I'm depressed," Willow mumbled, taking a bite of her chocolate chocolate fudge chip ripple ice cream. "Maybe my life has been a huge lie. I hate computers and what I really want to do is teach gym class."

"You're manly enough now to do it," said Anya not so helpfully, causing Willow to glare at her. "Hey, it's true."

Stretching out on Willow's unusually large bed, Buffy looked at her best friend. "Don't be depressed," she said, her tones pleading. "Whenever you're depressed you end up making me depressed. It's the sad eyes, I think."

"I'm sorry," said Willow, looking at Buffy with her sad green eyes that caused the blonde to shriek and cover up her own before her mood went downhill. Heaving a huge sigh, Willow murmured, "I'm just so confused."

"You should be," Anya remarked. She nodded at Xander who was sprawled out in a nearby chair. "You're wearing his underwear."

"Eww, I got her new ones, thank you much," Xander replied, crinkling up his nose in distaste. He looked over at Willow and said, "Why don't you just come back to school again, Willy? I mean, so what if I gave you a dykey haircut? We all love you there."

"Love you sooooo much," Buffy added, her eyes soft.

Staring at Buffy for a moment, Willow pointed her spoon at the blonde cheerleader. "Five guys today?"

"Seven," Buffy corrected, her eyes baleful. "It's an epidemic. Plus Xander almost got molested today."

Willow turned to Xander who shivered and would only say that a girl snuck her hand somewhere he never wanted a girl's hand to be remotely near.

"I'm sorry you guys," Willow said after considering the option of giving up. "But I have to stay. Maybe my program isn't good but I can come up with an idea for a new one. Plus," she beamed widely. "Everyone really thought I was a guy. It worked. All I really need is a new idea… a great idea for a program."

Anya opened her mouth to say something and Willow immediately cut her off, scowling as she said, "I'm not programming anything with sex games, Anya."

"Poo," Anya sighed heavily. "Even in drag you're no fun."

---

The next day, Willow was still in drag, and wearing one of the flared collar shirts Xander picked out for her. One that looked great on her but was extremely itchy.

Willow was contemplating changing her wardrobe as she opened up her locker and got out her math book. She had no idea why she was even doing her homework here. It's not like she was staying to get the grades.

Workaholic studying habit, she supposed.

"Great," a nearby girl's voice said dramatically. "I've lost the back of my earring again."

Poking her head around the locker, Willow looked at the figure of a statuesque brunette with beautiful sculptured features. Recalling Buffy complaining about something similar, Willow stuck her head back in her locker to rifle around until she found a pencil and pulled off the eraser.

Shutting her locker with ease, Willow stepped close to the brunette who blinked at this action. "Here," Willow began as she offered up the eraser. "Just use this until the end of the day. It's a temporary solution that works."

"Thanks," the girl said with an easy smile. "I owe you." Noticing the looks of interest her companions gave the newcomer, she said, "I'm Cordelia. And you?"

"Will," said Willow quickly. It had taken awhile but after several introductions around school she was finally used to giving out the shortened version of her name.

"Be seeing you around, Will," said Cordelia smoothly, walking around Willow and brushing against her slightly as she gave another winning smile.

"Yeah," Willow echoed, frowning as she wondered if she had just been flirted with. "See you around."

"Cordelia!" Harmony cried as soon they were out of earshot. "Wasn't he the yummiest? I mean, I usually don't like guys so short but god, he can dress!"

"That he can," Cordelia replied with a smile.

All the while, thinking in the back of her mind that he dressed a little too well. Especially for a straight boy. That just caused Cordelia's smile to widen even more.

At last, she sighed inwardly, a better prospect.

---

Faith was eating lunch peacefully, enjoying her time with her two closest friends when Tara rose to her feet, waved her hand, and called out, "Will! Over here!"

Suddenly, Faith wasn't enjoying lunch quite so much.

Noticing this change, Oz nudged her with his elbow and looked at her with concerned sky blue eyes. "You okay?" he asked, his voice turning softer than usual, if possible.

"I'm fine," Faith answered. She watched Will walk towards them then turned back to Oz. "Just not used to the new boy that Tara's adopted, I guess."

"What's new and unusual scares people," Oz said wisely, pulling away from Faith and wearing a small smile.

Rolling her dark eyes, Faith tapped Oz on his forehead then said, "Thanks. I needed to hear that, Dorothy."

"No problem," said Oz with a mischievous grin.

The two turned back just in time to see Will sit next to Tara and them begin to talk quietly. Upon noticing the stares, Will turned to face them. "Hi," he said, looking at Oz curiously. "I don't think we've met. I'm Will."

"Oz," supplied Oz, offering his hand, looking surprised as he felt the softness of Will's hands. It reminded him of…

Frowning as she noticed Oz's features darken, Willow asked hesitantly, "Are you all right?"

"Yeah, fine," Oz shook his head and looked apologetic. "Having a lousy flashback, that's all."

"Need to dump that dipstick," Faith said strongly, her tones were softened by the fact she reached up to ruffle the back of Oz's hair. "They're not good enough."

"No," Oz said quietly, his tones firm. "It's all right. We're spending some time apart, to think it over."

"Uh huh," said Faith in knowing tones as she looked over at Tara. "And we all know how that goes, right?"

Right after Faith said this, Tara turned bright red and Willow opened her mouth to ask a question when she heard her name being called out. Looking towards the sound, she was met with the sight of Cordelia waving at her and wearing a wide smile.

"It works!" Cordelia informed, smiling. "Thanks!"

"I'm glad!" Willow responded, returning the smile without helping it. When she turned back to the group she noticed everyone had their eyes on her. "Yes?" she squeaked.

"You know Chase?" asked Faith lowly.

"Cordelia?" Willow blinked. "Not really. I just told her how to fix her earring, that's all. Why?"

"No reason," said Faith, her eyes turning to Tara who was looking off into the distance. "We're cool."

"Okay," said Willow slowly. She also turned her gaze to the blonde and said softly, "Tara?"

"Huh?" Tara jerked, as if she'd been woken out of a deep slumber then offered a shy smile. "Sorry," she said. "I was just thinking, that's all."

"It's okay," Willow reassured. She gave a wry grin, then said, "Smart people tend to do that." Noticing the pair of headphones around the blonde's neck for the first time, she asked, "What are you listening to?"

A huge smile gracing her features, one that took Willow's breath away, Tara took off the headphones to hand them over. "Faith and Oz's band," she said. "They're great."

"We're playing prom," Oz said in dry tones. "Ohhhh."

"Ahhhhh," Faith added, giving a snicker.

"Stop it, you two," Tara ordered, pointing her index finger at them. "Prom is just to get Snyder off our backs. You've got plenty of real gigs and you know it." Turning back to Willow, she said softly, "Go on. Give it a listen."

Doing as Tara said, Willow put on the headphones and was met with the sounds of rapid drum beats, strong guitar riffs, and the sexiest siren's song she ever heard. She pulled off the headphones and looked at Faith.

"You're the singer?" she guessed, looking impish.

"Yeah," Faith said, her eyes narrowing. She didn't know why but she didn't trust this guy. Maybe it was because Tara liked him a little too much. "How'd you guess."

"It sounded like you," said Willow simply.

Faith studied Willow a moment later, then snorted as she shook her head. "Whatever," she said.

"So," Willow looked to Oz who was definitely the more receptive of the two. "What's your band's name?"

"Not Driving Stick," Oz said, his expression deadpan.

"Okayyy," Willow drew the word out, vowing to herself that she'd resist the urge to ask why they were named that.

"You should come see a show sometime," Tara said with a smile, touching Willow's arm lightly. "It's fun."

Reveling in the warmth that spread through her, Willow didn't notice a pair of eyes boring into her from across the cafeteria with disarming intensity.

"Cordy?"

Continuing to stare at Will and Tara, who STILL had her hand resting on his arm, Cordelia scowled. "That's it," she said to herself. "I'm going to get him."

"Will?" asked Harmony, catching the last statement. Moving to look at where he was sitting and who he was sitting next to, she giggled. "Well, that won't be too hard, Cordy. Especially when you consider that the girls he's hanging out with have no interest in the male gender. I swear, poor Will, he just has no idea, does he? I wonder if he actually likes Tara or something."

"Yeah," Cordelia's scowl grew deeper. "I wonder."

---

Perched on the small brick wall that surrounded a pathetic attempt at a garden, Willow waited for the familiar sight of Buffy in her car, coming to pick her up.

After several minutes, a shadow fell over her and Willow looked up to see Cordelia. "Will," she seemed to purr as a slow smile spread across her features. "How are you?"

"I'm fine," said Willow, feeling a bit confused. "Just waiting for my ride, that's all. How about you?"

"Good, now that I'm with you," Cordelia replied coyly, sitting next to Willow and reaching out to touch her leg. "I was wondering, what are you doing this weekend?"

Green eyes went wide and Willow swallowed nervously as she realized she was being asked out. Asked out by a very attractive but somehow scary girl. She finally knew how Xander felt when it happened to him.

Before Willow could come up with an appropriate reply, she saw Tara walking towards the parking lot. Giving into the strong need to flee rather than deal with the situation, Willow got to her feet and shouted, "Tara!"

The blonde turned to face her and Willow noticed her face fall into a sad expression as she saw them. Walking over, she stopped in front of them, her eyes locked on Cordelia who met her gaze steadily.

"Cordelia," said Tara, her voice going cold for the first time since Willow had met her.

"Tara," replied Cordelia in equally chilly tones. She turned back to Willow and smiled widely. "Now," she said, reaching out to touch her. "About our date."

"I have to go," Willow said quickly, moving away from Cordelia and hiding slightly behind Tara. "I'm getting a ride home from Tara, so I'll see you later. Okay?"

"Sure," said Cordelia, giving a nod. She paused and then formed another seductive smile. "Definitely later."

"Right," Willow laughed nervously, taking Tara's hand and pulling the blonde girl away with her. It took a few moments and feet away for her to realize she still had their hands locked together. Releasing them, she laughed nervously again and said, "Sorry. I guess I forgot."

"It's okay," said Tara, smiling quietly. They walked side by side in silence, then she ducked her head and said, "I'm guessing you're not too eager to date Cordelia, huh?"

"She's nice, but no," said Willow, fighting the urge to make a childish expression. When she saw the teasing smile on Tara's expression she figured she failed. "I'm sorry," she shook her head. "It's just… no."

"You don't have to explain," Tara murmured. "I understand. But not many guys would say no to her." Silently, she added: not many girls either. Looking back at Willow, she found solemn green eyes studying her. "What is it?" she asked in soft surprise.

"Nothing," said Willow with a shrug. "I said no because I guess I don't want to be with her like that. Besides," she bumped her shoulder lightly with Tara's. "I rather spend time with you anyway. You're much more fun."

Blushing now, Tara ducked her head and said, "I'm not. I'm probably the most boring person in school."

"You're not boring," Willow said emphatically. When Tara lifted her gaze to meet their eyes, she added, "Not to me."

Tara's only response was to smile in soft pleasure.

---

Buffy was the kind of person who got bored easily.

So after a few minutes of waiting for Willow to arrive in front of Pylea High in relative silence, she put in a cd and began singing along with the song.

"What a feeling, bein's believin' I can't have it all, now I'm dancin' for my life," Buffy sang, moving to the song as she did a mini dance inside her car. "Take your passion, and make it happen. Pictures come alive, you can dance right through your life. Now I hear the music, close my eyes, I am rhythm…"

"Hear you roar?"

Jumping in her seat and abruptly stopping her song and dance routine, Buffy turned to gaze at the figure of a very curvaceous girl leaning on her car. Turning down the volume of the cd, she frowned severely.

"What did you just say?" asked Buffy sharply.

"I asked if I could hear you roar," the girl replied evenly, not shaken at all by the appearance of what Xander liked to call Buffy's alter ego, Bitch Buffy. "I'm thinking that you're the type that really could, if you'd let yourself."

Blinking at this, Buffy studied the girl closely. She was clad in a pair of boots, black leather pants, and a far too small white tank top that showed off her assets nicely.

Noting Buffy's interest, the girl smiled and leaned closer, to give just a hint of cleavage. "Faith is the name," she drawled. "What's yours stranger? You're not local, that's obvious. You here to check out our talent?"

"I'm Buffy and no," Buffy said, her tones snarky as she folded her arms across her chest. "I'm only here to give someone a ride, that's all."

"Uh huh," Faith drawled again. "Who? Boyfriend?" Her eyes darkened and she suggested, "Girlfriend?"

Growing nervous at the sensual tone in Faith's voice and the appreciation in her gaze, one that caused Buffy to grow more excited than anything in years, she nodded and said, "Boyfriend! I'm here to pick up my boyfriend… his name is Will! He just transferred." She nodded firmly and looked pleased with herself. "Yep, that's why I'm here."

Faith's expression grew dark and she frowned as she studied Buffy closely. "You're dating Will? Tiny red haired guy, dresses real sharp? That Will?"

"Yeah, that's him," said Buffy, blinking at Faith. "Are you guys friends or something?"

"Not really," Faith said, pulling away from Buffy. Her gaze moved across the parking lot and she frowned again as she thought back to who Will left with. Turning back to Buffy, she said, "I wouldn't wait around for your fella if I were you. He's long gone. Caught a ride with a friend of mine. Don't worry though, she's not interested."

With that, Faith walked away, leaving Buffy feeling both disappointed and stunned at this reaction. "Wait!" she said before she knew what she was doing. When Faith turned back around, she said lamely, "Uhm… thanks."

"Not a problem," Faith answered smoothly, giving a jaunty smile before she sat down on her motorcycle. She lifted up her helmet and said, "I love helping pretty girls. It just makes me feel like such a hero." Pausing, her eyes were dark and they burned through Buffy. "Y'know, a person like you deserves someone more attentive. If you were mine, I wouldn't forget about you. No way."

Having said that, Faith put on her helmet, started up the motorcycle and drove away. This time leaving Buffy in total shock as she contemplated her words.

And just what liking them meant.

---

Tara stopped her in car of a house that was a hundred times nicer than anything she'd ever seen. Staring at it for a long while, she finally said, "It's big."

"Try cleaning it," Willow said wryly, unbuckling her seatbelt. When she was done, she looked over at Tara who was still staring at her house in awe. "Do you… do you want to come inside?"

Moving her gaze from the house to Willow, a soft smile spread across Tara's features. "Yeah," she said quietly. "I think I'd like that."

The pair walked inside the house and into the living room, where Willow set her books down on the coffee table. "I'll get us some drinks," she said, moving into the kitchen. "Is soda all right? We have milk and juice too."

"Soda's fine," Tara assured, sitting carefully on the couch which was almost larger than her own living room. Each wall was lined with paintings and on the far side of the room there was a grand piano. Standing up, Tara walked over to the piano and ran her fingers over the keys.

"Do you play?"

Jerking her head up, Tara watched as Willow walked into the room, holding two glasses of soda. Handing Tara her drink, she smiled. "It's all right," Willow said, noticing Tara's nervousness. "I was just wondering."

"No, I don't," Tara shook her had before taking a sip of soda. "I mean, I know a bit, but only because of Oz."

Willow smiled and dipping her head, she walked around Tara and sat on the piano bench. Patting it, she watched as the blonde girl sat next to her. Sitting the glass down on the piano, not really caring about rings, Willow ran her fingers delicately over the keys to play a cheery tune.

"That was pretty," Tara complimented gently.

"Thanks," Willow said. Green eyes twinkled as she said, "Now you give it a try."

"But I can't--" Tara began.

"It's okay," interrupted Willow in soothing tones. "You can do it, I know you can. It's easy, really."

Rising to her feet, Willow stood behind Tara and leaned forward to reach around her and cup her hands. Moving them until the rested just above the necessary keys. With a tender patience, she guided Tara's hands with her own until soon, the song once again filled the air.

When it was over, hands still clasped hands as Tara turned her head to look up at Willow with an expression of wonder on her lovely features. "I played," she said quietly, her face disbelieving.

"I told you," Willow said, a smile playing on her lips.

"That was amazing," Tara whispered, her blue eyes lighting up. "I've never done anything like that." She blushed and ducked her head. "Thank you." Lifting her head after a moment, Tara met Willow's gaze to repeat in understated and tender tones, "Thank you."

Willow was about to reply when someone beat her to it. Correct that. When Anya beat her to it.

"If this isn't compromising I don't know what is," Anya pronounced saucily as she leaned on the doorframe to the living room, watching with interest. "And me without my video camera. Did you put the tiny hidden ones in yet?"

"Anya," said Willow with a growl, pulling away from Tara. She felt angry and frustrated with her cousin for interrupting but confused about just what she had gone and interrupted. "What do you want?"

"Nothing," said Anya airily, inspecting her nails carefully. "I was in the kitchen preparing some treats for my newest playthings when I hear voices. Low and behold, I step into a den of repressed sexual foreplay!"

"Get out," Willow ordered, stomping over to her cousin. "Before I find your 'playthings' and show them the photos we have of you playing Jesus at the Christmas Pageant for your all girls Catholic school. Which I still have no idea why Auntie sent you to, considering our religion."

"You wouldn't!" Anya shrieked. When she observed the growing scowl on Willow's features she pouted. "You're a mean, mean, person, do you know that?"

"Out," Willow ordered again, pointing at the door.

"Fine," Anya heaved a huge sigh. Looking around Willow, she grinned at Tara. "Don't be gentle with my macho cousin. He body builds, you know!"

"OUT!" Willow roared at the top of her lungs.

Giggling now, Anya dashed out of the room, saying that she really wished they had cameras all over the house. As she released a groan, Willow rubbed her forehead, trying to fight the headache she felt forming.

Peering at Tara, she said, "I'm sorry. I wish I could explain for my cousin but we're still not sure what caused her to turn out this way. Mostly we blame Auntie."

"It's all right," Tara assured, walking over to Willow. She looked down to meet their eyes. "I'm guessing she stresses you out quite a bit."

"You have no idea," said Willow with a dry laugh.

"Stress isn't good for you," said Tara wisely. The blonde paused for a moment then pulled Willow's hands down to replace them with her own. After a few seconds of gentle rubbing, she heard the redhead sigh quietly. "Better?"

"Much," Willow nodded, smiling gratefully at Tara. Watching as the other girl pulled her hands away, she murmured, "You're good at that."

"The last person I dated…" Tara began, trailing off as she formed a sad expression. "They had headaches a lot."

"I'm sorry," said Willow, unsure of how to reply but not liking Tara being depressed in the slightest.

"It's okay," Tara shook her head. She turned to look at the clock on the wall and said, "I should get going."

A feeling of disappointment swept through Willow as she followed Tara to the door. Opening it, she said, "I'm sorry again about my cousin but it was great to have you over."

"Yeah," Tara smiled kindly. "I had fun."

Watching as Tara walked towards her car, Willow waved when the blonde turned around. The blonde gave a small wave in return before she got into her car and drove away.

Sighing softly, Willow shut the door, wishing things had gone better than that. Now because of Anya, Tara probably thought she came from a family of overreacting headache getting freaks who were chronically horny.

"Your girlfriend's gone already? You didn't know how to show her a good time, did you? And you have all the right equipment too. I'm disappointed."

Lifting her head, Willow scowled deeply as she looked at Anya observing her from the second floor of the house. In seconds, she was dashing up the stairs while Anya gave a squeal of delight before she ran into her room.

Which, to note, was currently occupied with two boys. One of which was devoid entirely of clothes.

---

Chemistry class was when Faith liked to practice her meditation skills. Mostly because it was damn boring and doing that provided a small escape.

And that was what Faith was doing. At least until she heard the familiar sound of Tara's musical laugh. Now accompanied to the more and more common sound of Will laughing along with her.

Opening her brown eyes and scowling, Faith decided right then and there to cease her meditations so she could tell Tara about her run in with the blonde from yesterday. The one that was apparently dating Will.

"Faith," Tara said warmly, sitting next to her best friend. "Will just told me the funniest story about her cousin, you just have to hear it. Even though it is sort of icky…"

"It's Anya," Willow rolled her eyes. "Anything that relates back to her is icky in some way, Tara. You'll see."

Chuckling now, Tara smiled and said, "I hope so."

"Uh huh," said Faith, her voice low. She studied them for a moment, Tara's easy smile and obvious happiness as she talked with Will and the way his damned green eyes kept sparkling around her. That settled it. "You forget about your girl yesterday, William?"

"What?" asked Willow dimly, blinking.

"Your girl, Buffy," Faith supplied. Leaning forward she tapped Willow on the head before she pulled back to smirk. "She was waiting for you. Gotta say, it makes sense, you datin' a cheerleader from Sunnytown Happyville. That's your sorta place, ain't it?"

"Buffy," Willow repeated, her eyes going wide. "I forgot all about her…" She focused back on Faith as she recalled what the other girl just said. "Wait? Girlfriend?"

"You having a brain fart or something?" Faith said. "I already told you. Girlfriend Buffy was waiting for you in the parking lot. You forgot her and left with Tara Bear."

It had taken a few moments but it had finally sank in. For whatever reason, when Buffy met Faith she must've said that they were going out. Willow supposed that was good. That kept girls from going after her, right?

Yeah, it was a good thing.

Moving her gaze to look at Tara, who was unnaturally quiet during this entire discussion, Willow reminded herself once again that it was a good thing.

"Tara?" asked Willow softly, hesitantly reaching out to touch the blonde girl's arm. When Tara turned to look at her, she smiled weakly. "I guess I should've told you. I mean, friends tell friends about girlfriends. Ugh, doesn't that sound like a cheesy public service announcement?"

Forming an impish smile, Tara shook her head and murmured, "No. If it was a public service announcement it would go something like: friends tell friends not to forget about girlfriends and catch another ride."

"Definitely," Willow agreed with a chuckle. She ducked her head and when she looked up, she said rather shyly, "I am sorry I didn't tell you. Forgive me?"

"It's okay," Tara assured kindly, squeezing Willow's hands gently before pulling away. "We're still friends." Her blue eyes twinkled mischievously and she added, "But you don't have anymore girlfriends hidden around here somewhere, do you?"

Watching them very carefully, Faith's scowl deepened and she considered giving up on meditation altogether. There were more important things to take care of.

Like 'straightening' out the situation with Will and Tara.

---

"Faith, what's wrong?"

The dark haired girl turned to face Tara and arching an eyebrow, she drawled, "Nothing's wrong with me."

"Faith," Tara heaved a sigh. "Don't fib to me. I can tell when you do. I've been able to since we were six. You get little frown lines around your lips when you do."

"Dammit," said Faith with a growl. "This ain't about frown lines and me telling fibs, Tara Bear. If we should be talking about anything it's you and pretty boy."

"Will?" asked Tara, looking confused. "What about him?"

Shaking her head, Faith looked around study hall, which was, as always, in complete and utter chaos. With no one even looking close to like they were studying.

Leaning over, Faith's dark brown eyes were earnest as they bore into her best friend's. "He likes you," she said in simple cut and dry terms. "I can tell. And…" She frowned to study Tara more closely. "I'm startin' to think that he doesn't got a clue about your real interests."

"Will doesn't like me," said Tara in an easy dismissal. "We're just friends, you're reading it all wrong."

"Right," said Faith dryly. "And I'm Martha Stewart."

"Okay," Tara relented, shrugging. "I'll give into your warped theory he likes me. So what if he does? It's not like he's all gropey and stuff."

"Shoot me," Faith muttered to herself as Tara stared out the nearby window. "All right," Faith said, reaching out to cup Tara's chin and meet their eyes. "I'm gonna say this 'cause I think I should. This… guy," Faith seemed to grimace at the word. "He has a girl." She paused to smile slowly. "A real hot girl."

Watching Faith's dark eyes glaze over slightly, Tara sighed inwardly. She really did love Faith dearly but the girl had the most horrible habit of falling in love at first sight. And falling in love with pretty much anyone attractive and blonde at that. Tara still sometimes had nightmares about the brief period of time when Faith was convinced Darla was her soul mate.

"Faith," Tara drew her name out. When Faith recovered from her daze, she smiled impishly. "Are you sure I shouldn't be lecturing you about falling for a girl who's dating my FRIEND Will?"

Snorting at this, Faith remarked, "Real subtle with the friend enforcement there. Yeah, I get your point. Still," Faith formed a naughty smile as she thought back to her parking lot encounter. "Don't you think seein' is believin'? Maybe instead of telling him we oughta show him what we're all about. A night on the town."

"With his hot girlfriend?" asked Tara wryly.

"What the hell," Faith said, leaning close to Tara as her smile widened. "I'll be nice. She can come too."

"You're bad," Tara accused lightly. She reached out to tap Faith lightly on the nose. "And if you scare Will to death I don't think I'll forgive you."

"Fine, fine," Faith pulled back, looking completely at ease. "We'll give them the censored tour of our world."

"Lord," said Tara, giving a sigh. "I wonder if they'll survive through the night."

Chuckling softly, Faith said, "They've gotta. If they don't they might never find out we're lesbians."

For a reply, Tara rolled her eyes.

---

"I'm all for socializing, you know me, social butterfly that flutter flutters but… uhm…" Buffy's face scrunched up in a cute expression. "Shouldn't you be working on that new program of yours instead of being all butterfly fluttery?"

The two girls were sitting in Willow's living room, waiting for Faith and Tara to arrive. Apparently they were going to be taken out for a gay night on the town. What that meant, they weren't exactly sure.

"I'd agree with you normally," Willow began wryly.

"Except…?" prompted Buffy.

"Except I have no ideas for a new program yet," said Willow, heaving a sigh. She frowned and leaned back against the couch. "I want something incredible, something innovative, like what Kate suggested. I'm just not sure what."

"Huh," Buffy said thoughtfully. She plopped down next to Willow on the couch, crossing her shapely legs, riding up her already massively short black skirt. "I'd suggest some ideas but you know me and computers."

"Buffy touch computer, computer on fire," said Willow in a dense caveman talk before chuckling.

"Smart ass," Buffy accused playfully, bumping shoulders with Willow who grinned at this.

"That's what Faith calls Tara," Willow remarked. She was busy adjusting her light gray tie which perfectly matched her tailored pants. Then she went about brushing invisible lint off her long sleeved black dress shirt.

"Really?" asked Buffy, feigning disinterest. "That's nice."

Narrowing her eyes, Willow studied Buffy for a moment then said, "All right, spill it. What's with you and Faith? I know you met her that day. By the way," Willow drew the words out. "Why am I suddenly your boyfriend anyway?"

"There's nothing with me and Faith," said Buffy indignantly. "She's leather clad and annoying. Besides, I had to tell her something. Don't even act like I didn't do you a favor. Having me as your wonderful and luscious girlfriend keeps away the harassers."

"Luscious?" Willow echoed skeptically.

"Don't start," Buffy stated, pointing her index finger in Willow's face, only to have it pushed away.

"Okay," chuckled Willow. Taking Buffy's hand in her own, she kissed the top of it lightly and murmured, "I couldn't be happier to have you for my girlfriend, Buffy."

"And the plot thickens!"

Turning their heads together, Buffy and Willow wore identical scowls as they glared at Anya who was leaning against the doorway to the living room. Per usual, Anya was clad in a scanty outfit that revealed oodles of skin.

"Cuz," Anya said sensuously, striding into the room and sitting on the coffee table in front of the couch. She crossed her legs to show far more skin than Buffy could even imagine putting before the public eye. "I'm simply shocked at your behavior, I tell you. Shocked. First I find you with that dreamy blonde about to lip lock and now I discover that Buffy is your girlfriend? Finally," Anya smirked widely. "All those years of repression pay off."

"Anya," started Willow in a low growl.

"I know, I know," said Anya airily as she rose to her feet with certain elegance. "Get out. I've heard it so often that it's becoming repetitive." A loud honk filled the air and turning to look out the front window, Anya smirked once more. "Sounds like your dates are here."

"It's not a date!" Buffy protested, rising to her feet. "They're just… I don't know what they are."

"Uh huh," Anya chuckled lowly. "That's what they all say." Blowing Buffy a kiss as she was dragged out of the living room by Willow, she said, "Don't do anything that I wouldn't do. Which is pretty much anything!"

Buffy and Willow disappeared from sight and Anya smiled slowly as she murmured to herself, "Now I can finally start to have some real fun."

Then Willow's head reappeared around the corner. Frowning deeply, she commanded, "Don't burn down the house, get in trouble with the police, or molest innocents."

"I'll do my best," Anya said mischievously. She batted her eyes prettily then cupped her hands over her heart. "But only if you do me a favor… try and get some. It might just mellow you out for once."

Willow merely scowled again then the only sound was the front door slamming shut. Smiling serenely at this, Anya walked over to the phone and began dialing.

It was time to have some fun.

---

Tara was driving mostly because it would be a really tight squeeze to fit everyone on Faith's motorcycle. Sitting in the front seat, Faith looked into the rearview mirror, eyes locked on Buffy who seemed to meet her subversive gaze.

"You look good," Faith complimented in easy tones. "I figured you were the type that cleans up real nice."

"Thank you," said Buffy in chilly tones, trying to ignore the heat these words caused in her. She averted her gaze to look out the window. "Where are we going?"

"Someplace fun, sugar," answered Faith smoothly. "I guarantee you and your boy will have a great time."

"Faith," chided Tara, hitting her friend lightly on the leg. She glanced into the rearview mirror and smiled warmly. "We're taking you to our favorite club. Faith's band plays there all the time. It's a really nice place."

"They don't card?" asked Willow hesitantly.

Faith began laughing heartily at this, causing Tara to hit her again and the dark haired girl to pout. "Damn, Tara Bear," Faith said grumpily, rubbing her leg. "Why do you got to abuse me so much? I'm delicate you know."

"Right, and I don't dye my hair," Tara chuckled lightly. Glancing back in the rearview to connect with Willow's green eyes, she continued, "They don't card us. We're friends with the management so they let us get by."

"Give us free drinks too," Faith added with a grin.

"That's nice," said Willow, smiling at Tara. "I'm sure we'll like the place." She looked over at Buffy who was gazing out the window still. "Don't you think, Buffy?"

"Huh?" Buffy blinked, snapping out of her daze. She had been doing her level best to go into a mental stupor. Buffy was positive that was the only way she could ignore Faith and the odd affect the girl had on her. "Yeah, I think."

"Got a leg up on most cheerleaders, dontcha?" Faith commented with an easy chuckle.

"Quiet, biker barbarian," Buffy snapped, scowling.

"Was that an insult?" Faith chuckled some more.

"Faith," Tara began.

"Buffy," Willow started at the same time.

"Be good," they said together.

There was a moment of silence before Willow and Tara burst into laughter and Faith and Buffy frowned.

One thing was for sure, tonight would be interesting.

---

She had never seen anyplace like this. Much less been inside it. Her eyes wide, Willow studied the bright lights, wildly dressed people, and the charged atmosphere.

"Where are we?" Willow whispered to Buffy.

"A club?" Buffy suggested in hesitant tones, sounding like she was slightly unsure about her answer.

"THE club, sweetie."

Turning around, Buffy looked into dark brown eyes that held just a hint of scarlet. The man before her was lanky and tall with spiky dark blonde hair, dressed impeccably in a lime green suit.

"Welcome to Caritas," he purred, reaching for Buffy's hand and kissing the top of it lightly. "I'm the Host."

"Lay off," Faith seemed to growl, sidling up to the Host and pulling him back by his ear. "She's already got a fella or didn't you check out the cute red haired guy?"

"Owww, Faith, honey dew, why do you hurt me so when you know I worship your heavenly body?" the Host gave a slight whine as he smiled sheepishly.

"Shut it, Lorne," Faith smiled, letting go of his ear. "If I didn't lay down the law with you now you would've spent all night bugging us, am I right?"

"I confess nothing," Lorne sniffed. He looked over at Tara and smiled widely. "Ah! The civilized one in the bunch. I hope you plan on keeping her out of trouble, beautiful." In a smooth movement, his eyes flew over Tara's outfit, a knee length dark red skirt and loose white button up shirt that was rolled up to her elbows. "Love the ensemble."

"I'll do my best and thanks," said Tara wryly.

"Uh hmm," Lorne said wisely, his eyes turning back to Faith who was watching Buffy talk to Willow while they inspected the club. Leaning close, he whispered in her ear, "Snacking on forbidden candy is a no no, Faithy."

Dark eyes lifted to meet brownish red ones. "Lorne," Faith said in even tones.

"Yes?" asked Lorne, arching an eyebrow.

"I gotta tell you somethin'," Faith continued, observing as Tara led Buffy and Willow over to the bar.

"What, honey pie?" Lorne frowned, looking worried. "Is something wrong? You're being mood killer serious."

Faith lifted her head to look him right in the eye. "I'm gonna snag that girl if it's the last thing that I ever do."

Blinking, Lorne watched dimly as Faith strode over to the small group before he heaved a sigh. "Here we go again," he murmured to himself. "I just hope she doesn't start any major fights tonight. Renovating is costly."

In the meantime, Buffy and Willow were finding themselves in the middle of a spat amongst the two bartenders. Well, they were hearing about it.

"Then I said to him, 'English, I don't know what jealous bug you got bit with but I have no interest in Lindsey'!"

"Lindsey?" Willow asked in confusion.

"He's in Faith's band," Tara supplied, whispering in Willow's ear, her breath tickling her neck. "A big time swinger."

"Oh," said Willow, acting like that explained it all.

"And you know what he says? He says it's because I encourage them with how I dress!" Gunn looked down at his ensemble which was nothing but a pair of extremely baggy black pants, boots, and a tight tight tanktop. "Oh, and lord, he insulted my name. Not even!"

"Six shooter," Faith drawled, sitting down next to Buffy and giving her a saucy grin which caused the blonde to immediately turn her head elsewhere. "You complaining about the Missus again? What's the what?"

"He's being a bitch," Gunn informed snippily.

"Yeah?" said Faith, directing her eyes to the other side of the bar where Gunn's partner, Wesley, was doing his level best to look uninterested in what they were saying as he cleaned some glasses. "Why dontcha go make up with him? You know if you don't…" Faith's smile turned somewhat evil. "People are gonna jump all over his 'you have such a cute foreign accent' tight little ass."

Gunn formed a horrified expression as he realized Faith was exactly right then instantly went scurrying over to his partner and in seconds the two were making out.

"Ah, I love playing matchmaker," Faith smirked.

"What… what… what…?" Willow sputtered as she watched the men devour each other while Lorne shouted for them to try and not break the merchandise.

A smile quirked on Faith's lips and turning to Tara, she rose to her feet and stood in front of her friend. One of her favorite sexy pulse ridden songs of the club was playing as she held out her hand to the other girl.

"Wanna dance?" asked Faith, eyes dark with amusement.

"I'd love to," Tara replied, accepting Faith's hand and walking out onto the dance floor. Looking back slightly at Willow who watched them with wide eyes.

"Will?" asked Buffy in very reluctant tones.

"Yeah, Buffy?" Willow said. She was busy watching Tara who was letting Faith rest her hands on curvaceous hips and pull their bodies close together.

"Have you noticed," Buffy continued as she darted her eyes around the club and took in all the couples that were dancing and otherwise. "A lot of sameness here?"

"What?" Willow blinked, turning to face Buffy.

"You know, sameness," Buffy repeated.

She nodded towards Wesley and Gunn whose make out session was now at epic proportions while Lorne ran around, saving the bottles of alcohol they were knocking off the shelves. She then gestured towards the nearby tables which featured very romantic couples of the same gender exchanging glances, touches, and so on.

"I see what you mean," Willow swallowed nervously.

"Do you think… Faith and Tara…" Buffy suggested in extremely hesitant and wary tones. "You know?"

Instead of replying, Willow focused back on the dance floor as Buffy followed suit. Together, they observed as Faith and Tara moved to the music, their bodies pressed against one another, swaying rhythmically to the beat in a motion that couldn't be anything other than sexual. The heat that radiated off them as they danced was perpetual and they could feel themselves being affected. Especially when Faith traced her hands down from Tara's waist to rub the bare skin of the blonde's leg, exposed by the slit on the side of the skirt she wore.

"Yeah," Willow said, her voice hoarse. "I think that you know is probably entirely right." She was quiet for a long moment then snapped out of her daze. "But that's okay because I'm cool with it! It's fine. I mean, Xander, right?"

"Yeah, Xander," Buffy nodded fiercely. "We're all with the gay rights and hip to the alternative scene."

"We're fag hags!" Willow added exuberantly.

Seconds after she said this, Buffy and Willow formed similar disgusted expressions. Then they went back to watching Faith and Tara dancing. Very sexily.

"Shouldn't they be getting tired?" Buffy commented rather bitchily after they watched for awhile. "I can see them sweating, they should stop before they stink."

"The sweat makes them shiny," Willow remarked vaguely, causing Buffy to stare at her strangely. On noting this, Willow said, "What? It does!"

Buffy just shook her head in response. Moments later, Willow shifted in her seat rather uncomfortably. "Do you have a stomach ache?" asked Buffy.

"Not exactly," Willow winced. She looked nervously around the club then leaned close to Buffy and whispered, "My... equipment... still bothers me. I'm not used to having stuff down there, you know?"

This time Buffy could only make a face in reply.

And watching her do this from the dance floor with Tara was a very observant Faith. A slow smile spread across her features as she drawled, "We're bein' watched."

"I think you shouldn't care," said Tara teasingly.

"What?" Faith pulled back to look a bit offended. "I'm just sayin' maybe he oughta be watching his girl instead of me and you, that's all."

"Sure," Tara wore a skeptical expression. Moving closer to Faith, she pulled the girl against her by the hips to lean in and whisper in her ear, "Don't think I don't know that you've got another crush again."

"So?" said Faith, sounding adorably like a five year old. Tara was just waiting for the other girl to jut her lip out and stamp her foot in frustration. "I can tell she likes me. Just like I can tell Will has a thing for y--"

"Enough with that," interrupted Tara, rolling her eyes, looking everywhere except at Faith. "Will is a friend. He likes me in a friend type way. I like him in a friend type way. I wish that you'd stop insinuating otherwise."

Brown eyes bore into Tara for a long and endless moment before Tara regarded Faith rather nervously. "What?"

"I never said you liked him as nothin' other than a friend, Tara Bear," said Faith quietly. "Why bring that up unless you're starting to think that yourself."

"I don't have any idea what you're implying," said Tara.

She averted her gaze away from Faith and fixed them on the object of their discussion. Blue eyes immediately widened as Tara observed Will anxiously shifting around in his seat while Buffy tried her best not to look at him. Turning bright red as she imagined just why Will was doing that, Tara snapped her eyes away from the scene.

"What's with you?" asked Faith, moving to follow Tara's line of vision and when she did a huge smirk formed. "So you got no idea what I'm implying, huh? Bullshit."

"Quiet!" Tara demanded, her face looking like a tomato. "He's just excited from being here, that's all! I mean, all guys get like that with lesbians around. It's nature."

"Lesbians on Wild Kingdom, yeah, yeah," Faith snickered, watching as Tara scowled deeply and yanked her hands away to then stomp off of the dance floor. Laughing still, Faith called out, "Don't be mad! Y'know it's all part of the circle of life!"

Willow was busy in her shifting when Tara came to a stop in front of them and she immediately ceased this action. It somehow didn't seem appropriate with Tara there.

"You looked like you had fun," Buffy commented drolly, her eyes resting on Faith who was standing behind Tara.

"I always do, sugar," Faith grinned wickedly.

Buffy rolled her eyes at this and made a smart ass remark in reply which caused the two girls to go off into a bizarre land of insult flirting with one another. Meanwhile, Tara wiped the sweat from her forehead. Lorne did his best to keep the place cool but it was hard with so many people pressed up against each other.

Particularly when they were pressed up by their own choice. That's why Willow sat, watching transfixed as Tara moved her hands down to her waist, pulling out her white shirt, undoing the last three buttons and tying the shirt off just below her breasts. Revealing an expanse of tanned skin that was beaded with sweat and shined as Willow had noticed earlier.

Graceful fingers rested lightly against a lean belly, caressing the skin delicately in a circular pattern. Swallowing the lump in her throat, Willow followed them as they moved upwards in a slow path, brushing the sides of her body and almost lingering on full breasts.

Then just as Willow was positive she would pass out before she could take anything more, the fingers were now tracing a lithe neck and moving backwards, to lift sweat stroked blonde hair into the air. It was something incredibly simple. Tying back your hair so you felt less hot, less stifled, and she had seen Buffy do it a million times before. But with Buffy it was never this... this...

"Sexy," Willow breathed raggedly.

"What, Will?"

Snapping out of her self induced lust/daze, Willow jerked her head up quickly, turning just as red as her spiky hair. "I... yes... what?" she sputtered in embarrassment.

"Are you okay?" asked Tara, laughing a bit. She formed a frown and hesitantly reached out to clasp Willow's arm. "I didn't scare you, did I? With my dance with Faith?"

"Aw, hell," Faith chuckled deeply. "How the hell could that scare him, Tara Bear?" Dark eyes locked on Willow who paled on seeing them. "He's a red blooded man, no matter how slick he dresses. And we all know guys just love the idea of two hot chicks getting it on." Faith turned to look at Buffy and grinned. "Ain't that right, sugar?"

"I wouldn't know," Buffy sniffed, shooting her gaze as far away from Faith as she could get.

Sighing again as she watched Faith and Buffy interact, Tara shook her head then sat down next to Willow who seemed to be eternally trapped in a daze. "Hey," she said softly, shaking Willow's leg gently. When green eyes focused on her, she smiled. "Are we cool?"

"Yeah, we're cool, so cool! We're frigid even! If we were any cooler we'd be Antarctica which would be impossible since it's a country, region, whatever, but that's what we would be!" Willow said, nodding her head fiercely.

Arching an eyebrow at this, Tara ducked her head and began laughing. Observing her, Willow formed a slight scowl. "Quit it!" she demanded, tapping Tara's hand that was still resting on her leg. Resting on her leg and causing a most delightful burn in her skin, she noticed. "When I'm nervous I babble. I can't help it, I swear."

"Sorry," Tara replied, lifting her head and not looking the least bit apologetic as she smiled impishly. "It's just... I've never seen anything that cute before."

"Right," said Willow skeptically. She studied Tara for a minute, then said loftily, "Well, I forgive you. This time."

"Thanks so much," Tara smiled widely. Suddenly, Willow's eyes turned wide and she formed another look of shock. "What's wrong?"

Instead of replying, Willow pointed towards the dance floor and turning around, Tara saw what the redhead was so shocked about seeing.

"Oh, them," said Tara, looking relieved. "They're always here, aren't they Faith?"

"Huh?" asked Faith, tearing herself away from her sniping conversation with Buffy. Staring at the dance floor, Faith smirked. "Those two? Hell yeah."

Following everyone's gaze, Buffy looked out on the dance floor and exclaimed, "Miss Calendar!"

"And Miss Lockley," Willow added, feeling dazed again.

The two teachers were currently in the middle of what looked like a horrible fight on the other side of the club. Jenny had her arms folded across her chest and wore a cross expression on her features while Kate wildly waved her hands about.

"They sure look aggressive," Buffy said dimly.

"Just wait," said Faith wisely, moving up against Buffy, breathing in her ear. "They always change their tune."

"I give them five seconds," said Tara with confidence.

"Wanna start a countdown?" Faith grinned.

"Sure," Tara replied mischievously.

Together, Faith and Tara began counting, "One... two... three... four... five."

And exactly on the word five, Jenny unfolded her arms to reach out and cup Kate's face, pulling her in for a passion filled kiss. Soon, the teachers were pressed up against the nearby columns, completely absorbed in their embrace.

"What... was that?" said Willow, feeling hot and loosening her tie so she could breathe better.

"That was Kate and Jenny, the Itchy and Scratchy of lesbians," Tara supplied, giving a wide grin. When both Willow and Buffy looked at her with confusion, she elaborated, "You know, like the show. They fight, they kiss, fight, fight, fight, kiss, kiss, kiss. It's the Kate and Jenny shooooooow."

There was a long moment of silence then Faith shook her head and said, "You're damn strange, Tara Bear."

"Strange but lovable," Willow added, giving a smile.

Blushing at this, Tara gave Willow's leg another slight shake and said, "That's swee..."

Tara trailed off and turned bright red as this time the shake and the tiny adjustment of where her fingers were on Willow's leg caused her to touch something that as a lesbian she was damn sure she never touched before. With a squeak, Tara sprung back, hiding her hands behind her back while Willow stared at her in puzzlement.

Meanwhile, Tara's train of thought went like this: I didn't, did I? If I did, oh god, he has a girlfriend! I didn't mean to though, so it's okay. But... oh... do they all feel like that? It was big too! I mean, big! Don't think about that, you're a lesbian. Remember that! It's you, you like girls. Wash, rinse, repeat... Tara Maclay is a lesbian! I wonder what it looks like? It's probably pretty, he's pretty... oh god. Oh god. Why did I think that? Boys aren't pretty. I think I need to get out of here. I'm walking... walking away... very slowly... act calm, give him an excuse that makes some sort of sense then run like crazy. Do it brain.

"I... I have to pee," Tara said in a rush.

Then she promptly turned on her heel and dashed into a crowd of dancers to leave Willow watching in shock. In a second, she felt a hand clasping her shoulder and she looked up into Faith's earnest features.

"Loverboy," Faith said in tones that seemed to threaten with the smoothest of caresses. "Take care of your girl for awhile, huh? I'm goin' after Tara Bear."

"Yeah, okay," said Willow with a nod, running her fingers through her shortly cropped hair. "I'll do that."

"You're a good boyfriend," snorted Faith before she disappeared into the crowd.

Sitting next to Willow who was frowning as she looked into the distance, Buffy said, "What was that about?"

"Girrrrrl, are you blind? She wants your man."

Turning their heads, Willow and Buffy faced the bar and looked at the figures of Gunn and Wesley. Gunn wore a smug smile on his handsome features and Wesley looked rather wistful as he rested his chin on Gunn's shoulder to gaze at Willow and Buffy.

"Tara? Me? No way!" Willow's eyes went wide.

"Yes, you," Gunn said, arching an eyebrow. "Didn't you see how she was checking on you? And when she ran off, I know you felt what she was strokin'."

Willow turned bright red at this comment and Buffy stared at Willow in dim shock. Wesley, in the meantime, nipped Gunn's ear lightly. "Don't tease them so," Wesley ordered, chuckling. "You're embarrassing the poor little heterosexuals, Charles."

"Tch, well, it's the truth," said Gunn. He looked over at Lorne who was approaching. "Ain't that right, boss?"

"Quite the love square, isn't it?" Lorne murmured wisely. Warm brown eyes locked on Buffy and Willow. "I think you all have some issues to work out, no? Beginning with what sort of relationship you have with your boyfriend, young lady," Lorne locked his eyes with Buffy's.

"My boyfriend?" Buffy echoed. She formed a stunned expression then whispered, "Oh no... I forgot..."

(go to part duex.)

------------------
"I hope she didn't feel my manly parts." Misaki from Futaba-kun Change.

[Warduke]

Oh god nic, I loved that movie, this fic is amazing, I'm off to read part deux

[Ed Wood]

You say this fic has gay men in it? There's no way I'm reading it!

EDIT:

OK now, how the freaking hell stupid was that? Oh my God, I have been a fucking moron! I'm totaly disgusted with myself!

I'm extremely sorry to everyone I've hurt by typing this half a year ago.

I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry.

BTW, xita and Hugin, I'm very sorry you had to listen to all this shit I've typed on this board. I was an idiot, a totaly blind idiot.

[This message has been edited by Ed Wood (edited January 20, 2002).]

[xita]

Ed Wood, let me break it down for you. This is a homesexual friendly place. That means all homosexuals even gay men. Can you believe this?
The only requirenment I make of the fic here is that it's main couple is willow/tara. If this is the attitude you will take, this is not the place for you. Because we won't tolerate negative feelings towards homesexuality. In the future keep these feelings to yourself. It will not be tolerated on the board.

[This message has been edited by xita (edited June 24, 2001).]

IP: Logged

Ed Wood
Big Pineapple


Posts: 887
Registered: Jun 2001 posted June 24, 2001 14:48               

---

Hey, chill out xita, all I meant to say is that this fic offends me and that I won't read it couse I don't like reading about gay men. Do you understand what I mean? In my opinion I have done nothing wrong. Will anybody back me up on this?

IP: Logged

tommo
Lesbian Gay Type Lover


Posts: 5417
Registered: Sep 2000 posted June 24, 2001 15:04               

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Ed Wood:
Will anybody back me up on this?

---

Er....no. As far as I know, the kitten board embraces all walks of life; all people and all persuasions. If the lesbian community started making rules and regulations to exclude others, wouldn't that just make us as bad as homophobes?

Ed, I really don't understand your insane troll logic here...really I don't.

And just for the record, I think this fic is one of the better ones I've read in the last few months or so. And nic always does a really sensitive and thoughtful job, even in comedy.

------------------
"Tara had never felt as good about herself in her life. Willow gave her that gift. And another gift. Tara couldn't quite bring herself to call it love. Not yet. But there was time." ~ Unseen: The Burning

IP: Logged

Hugin
Ms. Moderator
Fantastico


Posts: 1141
Registered: Sep 2000 posted June 24, 2001 15:22               

---

Ed, let me try to explain. Because, this is very basic Kittenboard stuff. It's less than Kitten 101, it's more like Kittengarten.

I'll start with the simple idea, and then I'll do the very very very simple idea.

1. All fics are not for everyone. Some fics have sexual content folks don't want to read about. Some fics feature characters that folks don't care about. If a fic has content that you don't care for, don't read it. There is no need to post the reasons why you decided not to read it, simply move on quietly. If you feel a fic has deeply offensive content, such that no one should read it, contact one of the mods, we'll take a look and make a decision. Other than that let other folks enjoy the fics they choose to on thier own terms in peace.

2. And this is the super basic idea, so read it carefully Ed: The Kittenboard is queer friendly. Friendly to lesbian women. Friendly to gay men. Friendly to bisexuals, to transgendered folks, friendly to straight folks for that matter.

Fics that contain gay men are cool. Fics that feature your favorite straight male characters as gay men are cool. Fics that depict gay men having hot sweaty sex are cool.

If you have a problem with that, absolutely keep it to yourself. If you have a big problem with that, you should probably reconsider your involvement with the board at all. And if you insist on making comments that indicate that it's a big problem for you, the mods will show you the door, because being comfortable with gay folks, the whole spectrum of gay folks, not just Willow and Tara, is quite definitely a prerequisite for participation here. Okay?

-len

IP: Logged

ourgirlbashir
Willowhand


Posts: 396
Registered: Mar 2001 posted June 24, 2001 15:23               

---

I don't get how this fic can offend anyone. Good job, Dreiser

ogb

[This message has been edited by ourgirlbashir (edited June 24, 2001).]

IP: Logged

Ed Wood
Big Pineapple


Posts: 887
Registered: Jun 2001 posted June 24, 2001 16:15               

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Hugin:
Fics that depict gay men having hot sweaty sex are cool.

---

Errr... but that's like, your opinion man! (quoating The Big Lebowski there)

Personaly I don't think so, and generaly, I think you two (xita and Hugin) were REALLY HARSH to me. I just said I didn't want to read the fic so you wouldn't expect any comments about it from me. I understand your gay friendly policies and value them greatly.

But if you want to ban me, ban me. I just won't understand why you did it!

I'll apologize if you apologize.

And dreiser, keep up the good work!

BTW I'm a guy if that clears things up a bit.

[This message has been edited by Ed Wood (edited June 24, 2001).]

IP: Logged

tommo
Lesbian Gay Type Lover


Posts: 5417
Registered: Sep 2000 posted June 24, 2001 16:43               

---

I understand what you're saying Ed, but you know, if you're not going to read a fic, don't read it and leave it at that. Why bother posting that you're not going to read it and making comments that some of us (me, I mean) find pretty offensive from the get go.

Seems to me like you're digging a hole here, which is inappropriate on a board like this, and which also contains some rather single-minded ideas.

You don't wanna read nic's fic? Great. Don't read it. But don't go off posturing about why not. Please?

Thanks.

------------------
"Tara had never felt as good about herself in her life. Willow gave her that gift. And another gift. Tara couldn't quite bring herself to call it love. Not yet. But there was time." ~ Unseen: The Burning

IP: Logged

dreiser
Doll's Eye Crystal


Posts: 84
Registered: Oct 2000 posted June 24, 2001 17:02               

---

well, i know kitty 101 inside out. which is why my flowery cute gay boys in love intense harlequin romance series isn't being posted on the board. of course, i could just write a bunch of w/t scenes in and then post.

hmmmm.

nic

------------------
"Kissing and licking the sideways of her panty." THE quality.

IP: Logged

ourgirlbashir
Willowhand


Posts: 396
Registered: Mar 2001 posted June 24, 2001 17:21               

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by dreiser:
which is why my flowery cute gay boys in love intense harlequin romance series isn't being posted on the board.

---

Can I ask where it is being posted?
I'd like to read it.

thx,
ogb.

------------------
"I got confused, I killed a nun, I can't help the way I feel..." -- The Smiths, "Is It Really So Strange"

IP: Logged

Ed Wood
Big Pineapple


Posts: 887
Registered: Jun 2001 posted June 24, 2001 17:40               

---

I'm sorry, I apologize.

To dreiser and anyone else who felt offended (except xita and Hugin)

IP: Logged

dreiser
Doll's Eye Crystal


Posts: 84
Registered: Oct 2000 posted June 24, 2001 17:43               

---

the gay boy epic harlequin romance is a work in progress. right len? lol. anyway, i like the m/m romance myself, and it's in a few of my fics, including my big f/c one, it starts with faith. all my buffy fics can be found on this little site...
http://www.geocities.com/shaych3/dreiser.htm

thanks for the interest!

nic

------------------
"She's no good for you baby."
-Pizazz; The Misfits lead singer-

IP: Logged

xita
Ms. Moderator
Fantastico


Posts: 6563
Registered: Sep 2000 posted June 24, 2001 18:15               

---

Let me make it clear, I would never ever require or need your apology. I am sure Len doesn't either. It is my responsibility to keep the board running and to make sure everyone follows the rules of the board and the spirit of the board. Remember, the moderators set the rules and if you disagree, then you can go. Please do not reply to this on the board as it will be deleted and further action could be taken. Further questions can be mailed to me at xita@yahoo.com. I would e-mail you but conveniently, you do not list an e-mail.

IP: Logged

Ginner
Big Pineapple


Posts: 1037
Registered: Mar 2001 posted June 24, 2001 18:25               

---

I don't usually read fics that have two men as a couple or gay men characters in it. Not because i have a problem with them, no i don't, i just tend to stick to W/T or F/B but if they are all going to be as good as this Nic, i might change my mind

Great fic Nic

IP: Logged

Catwoman
Sassy Eggs


Posts: 701
Registered: Jan 2001 posted June 24, 2001 23:36               

---

OMG, that fic was *so* weird- but in a good way . It was hilarious. How naughty is Anya?! I'm skipping off to read the next bit as we speak.

IP: Logged

Puff
Gay Now!


Posts: 1384
Registered: Feb 2001 posted June 25, 2001 10:49               

---

Nic the fic was great...as if you need more people to tell you that

IP: Logged

ryankelly
Cool Monster Fighter


Posts: 161
Registered: Apr 2001 posted June 25, 2001 13:29               

---

Ah nic, the wait was excruciating but in the end it was most definately worth it. "Just One of the Guys" is an 80's favorite of mine *hangs head in shame* and it was a pleasure to read...Thanks

[This message has been edited by ryankelly (edited June 25, 2001).]

IP: Logged

fell
Sassy Eggs


Posts: 538
Registered: Nov 2000 posted June 25, 2001 14:50               

---

this is soo funny and really sexy, esp gunn and wesley, i couldn't stop laughing. it's totally freaking me out. i loved that movie but this is even better. i can just picture willow in drag with short spiky hair. brilliant!

IP: Logged

fell
Sassy Eggs


Posts: 538
Registered: Nov 2000 posted June 25, 2001 16:08               

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Ed Wood:
You say this fic has gay men in it? There's no way I'm reading it!

---

Your loss, Ed. This is one of the best fics i've read in...well, ever! an open mind is it's own reward.

IP: Logged

AngelusUK
Willowhand


Posts: 349
Registered: Mar 2001 posted June 25, 2001 17:36               

---

Dreiser

Excellent fic, I really enjoyed it. I certainly hope you write more and soon.

Once again well done.

------------------
Amber Fan
Willow "Thats fine I don't need to be snuggled"
Tara "Vixen"

IP: Logged

[This message has been edited by xita (edited June 24, 2001).]IP: LoggedEd WoodBig Pineapple


Posts: 887
Registered: Jun 2001 posted June 24, 2001 14:48               

---

Hey, chill out xita, all I meant to say is that this fic offends me and that I won't read it couse I don't like reading about gay men. Do you understand what I mean? In my opinion I have done nothing wrong. Will anybody back me up on this?

IP: Logged

posted June 24, 2001 14:48                Hey, chill out xita, all I meant to say is that this fic offends me and that I won't read it couse I don't like reading about gay men. Do you understand what I mean? In my opinion I have done nothing wrong. Will anybody back me up on this?IP: LoggedtommoLesbian Gay Type Lover


Posts: 5417
Registered: Sep 2000 posted June 24, 2001 15:04               

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Ed Wood:
Will anybody back me up on this?

---

Er....no. As far as I know, the kitten board embraces all walks of life; all people and all persuasions. If the lesbian community started making rules and regulations to exclude others, wouldn't that just make us as bad as homophobes?

Ed, I really don't understand your insane troll logic here...really I don't.

And just for the record, I think this fic is one of the better ones I've read in the last few months or so. And nic always does a really sensitive and thoughtful job, even in comedy.

------------------
"Tara had never felt as good about herself in her life. Willow gave her that gift. And another gift. Tara couldn't quite bring herself to call it love. Not yet. But there was time." ~ Unseen: The Burning

IP: Logged

posted June 24, 2001 15:04               

quote:

---

Originally posted by Ed Wood:
Will anybody back me up on this?

---

Er....no. As far as I know, the kitten board embraces all walks of life; all people and all persuasions. If the lesbian community started making rules and regulations to exclude others, wouldn't that just make us as bad as homophobes?

Ed, I really don't understand your insane troll logic here...really I don't.

And just for the record, I think this fic is one of the better ones I've read in the last few months or so. And nic always does a really sensitive and thoughtful job, even in comedy.

------------------
"Tara had never felt as good about herself in her life. Willow gave her that gift. And another gift. Tara couldn't quite bring herself to call it love. Not yet. But there was time." ~ Unseen: The Burningquote:IP: LoggedHuginMs. Moderator
Fantastico


Posts: 1141
Registered: Sep 2000Ms. Moderator
Fantastico posted June 24, 2001 15:22               

---

Ed, let me try to explain. Because, this is very basic Kittenboard stuff. It's less than Kitten 101, it's more like Kittengarten.

I'll start with the simple idea, and then I'll do the very very very simple idea.

1. All fics are not for everyone. Some fics have sexual content folks don't want to read about. Some fics feature characters that folks don't care about. If a fic has content that you don't care for, don't read it. There is no need to post the reasons why you decided not to read it, simply move on quietly. If you feel a fic has deeply offensive content, such that no one should read it, contact one of the mods, we'll take a look and make a decision. Other than that let other folks enjoy the fics they choose to on thier own terms in peace.

2. And this is the super basic idea, so read it carefully Ed: The Kittenboard is queer friendly. Friendly to lesbian women. Friendly to gay men. Friendly to bisexuals, to transgendered folks, friendly to straight folks for that matter.

Fics that contain gay men are cool. Fics that feature your favorite straight male characters as gay men are cool. Fics that depict gay men having hot sweaty sex are cool.

If you have a problem with that, absolutely keep it to yourself. If you have a big problem with that, you should probably reconsider your involvement with the board at all. And if you insist on making comments that indicate that it's a big problem for you, the mods will show you the door, because being comfortable with gay folks, the whole spectrum of gay folks, not just Willow and Tara, is quite definitely a prerequisite for participation here. Okay?

-len

IP: Logged

posted June 24, 2001 15:22                Ed, let me try to explain. Because, this is very basic Kittenboard stuff. It's less than Kitten 101, it's more like Kittengarten.

I'll start with the simple idea, and then I'll do the very very very simple idea.

1. All fics are not for everyone. Some fics have sexual content folks don't want to read about. Some fics feature characters that folks don't care about. If a fic has content that you don't care for, don't read it. There is no need to post the reasons why you decided not to read it, simply move on quietly. If you feel a fic has deeply offensive content, such that no one should read it, contact one of the mods, we'll take a look and make a decision. Other than that let other folks enjoy the fics they choose to on thier own terms in peace.

2. And this is the super basic idea, so read it carefully Ed: The Kittenboard is queer friendly. Friendly to lesbian women. Friendly to gay men. Friendly to bisexuals, to transgendered folks, friendly to straight folks for that matter.

Fics that contain gay men are cool. Fics that feature your favorite straight male characters as gay men are cool. Fics that depict gay men having hot sweaty sex are cool.

If you have a problem with that, absolutely keep it to yourself. If you have a big problem with that, you should probably reconsider your involvement with the board at all. And if you insist on making comments that indicate that it's a big problem for you, the mods will show you the door, because being comfortable with gay folks, the whole spectrum of gay folks, not just Willow and Tara, is quite definitely a prerequisite for participation here. Okay?

-lenIP: LoggedourgirlbashirWillowhand


Posts: 396
Registered: Mar 2001 posted June 24, 2001 15:23               

---

I don't get how this fic can offend anyone. Good job, Dreiser

ogb

[This message has been edited by ourgirlbashir (edited June 24, 2001).]

IP: Logged

posted June 24, 2001 15:23                I don't get how this fic can offend anyone. Good job, Dreiser

ogb

[This message has been edited by ourgirlbashir (edited June 24, 2001).]IP: LoggedEd WoodBig Pineapple


Posts: 887
Registered: Jun 2001 posted June 24, 2001 16:15               

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Hugin:
Fics that depict gay men having hot sweaty sex are cool.

---

Errr... but that's like, your opinion man! (quoating The Big Lebowski there)

Personaly I don't think so, and generaly, I think you two (xita and Hugin) were REALLY HARSH to me. I just said I didn't want to read the fic so you wouldn't expect any comments about it from me. I understand your gay friendly policies and value them greatly.

But if you want to ban me, ban me. I just won't understand why you did it!

I'll apologize if you apologize.

And dreiser, keep up the good work!

BTW I'm a guy if that clears things up a bit.

[This message has been edited by Ed Wood (edited June 24, 2001).]

IP: Logged

posted June 24, 2001 16:15               

quote:

---

Originally posted by Hugin:
Fics that depict gay men having hot sweaty sex are cool.

---

Errr... but that's like, your opinion man! (quoating The Big Lebowski there)

Personaly I don't think so, and generaly, I think you two (xita and Hugin) were REALLY HARSH to me. I just said I didn't want to read the fic so you wouldn't expect any comments about it from me. I understand your gay friendly policies and value them greatly.

But if you want to ban me, ban me. I just won't understand why you did it!

I'll apologize if you apologize.

And dreiser, keep up the good work!

BTW I'm a guy if that clears things up a bit.

[This message has been edited by Ed Wood (edited June 24, 2001).]quote:IP: LoggedtommoLesbian Gay Type Lover


Posts: 5417
Registered: Sep 2000 posted June 24, 2001 16:43               

---

I understand what you're saying Ed, but you know, if you're not going to read a fic, don't read it and leave it at that. Why bother posting that you're not going to read it and making comments that some of us (me, I mean) find pretty offensive from the get go.

Seems to me like you're digging a hole here, which is inappropriate on a board like this, and which also contains some rather single-minded ideas.

You don't wanna read nic's fic? Great. Don't read it. But don't go off posturing about why not. Please?

Thanks.

------------------
"Tara had never felt as good about herself in her life. Willow gave her that gift. And another gift. Tara couldn't quite bring herself to call it love. Not yet. But there was time." ~ Unseen: The Burning

IP: Logged

posted June 24, 2001 16:43                I understand what you're saying Ed, but you know, if you're not going to read a fic, don't read it and leave it at that. Why bother posting that you're not going to read it and making comments that some of us (me, I mean) find pretty offensive from the get go.

Seems to me like you're digging a hole here, which is inappropriate on a board like this, and which also contains some rather single-minded ideas.

You don't wanna read nic's fic? Great. Don't read it. But don't go off posturing about why not. Please?

Thanks.

------------------
"Tara had never felt as good about herself in her life. Willow gave her that gift. And another gift. Tara couldn't quite bring herself to call it love. Not yet. But there was time." ~ Unseen: The BurningIP: LoggeddreiserDoll's Eye Crystal


Posts: 84
Registered: Oct 2000 posted June 24, 2001 17:02               

---

well, i know kitty 101 inside out. which is why my flowery cute gay boys in love intense harlequin romance series isn't being posted on the board. of course, i could just write a bunch of w/t scenes in and then post.

hmmmm.

nic

------------------
"Kissing and licking the sideways of her panty." THE quality.

IP: Logged

posted June 24, 2001 17:02                well, i know kitty 101 inside out. which is why my flowery cute gay boys in love intense harlequin romance series isn't being posted on the board. of course, i could just write a bunch of w/t scenes in and then post.

hmmmm.

nic

------------------
"Kissing and licking the sideways of her panty." THE quality.IP: LoggedourgirlbashirWillowhand


Posts: 396
Registered: Mar 2001 posted June 24, 2001 17:21               

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by dreiser:
which is why my flowery cute gay boys in love intense harlequin romance series isn't being posted on the board.

---

Can I ask where it is being posted?
I'd like to read it.

thx,
ogb.

------------------
"I got confused, I killed a nun, I can't help the way I feel..." -- The Smiths, "Is It Really So Strange"

IP: Logged

posted June 24, 2001 17:21               

quote:

---

Originally posted by dreiser:
which is why my flowery cute gay boys in love intense harlequin romance series isn't being posted on the board.

---

Can I ask where it is being posted?
I'd like to read it.

thx,
ogb.

------------------
"I got confused, I killed a nun, I can't help the way I feel..." -- The Smiths, "Is It Really So Strange"quote:IP: LoggedEd WoodBig Pineapple


Posts: 887
Registered: Jun 2001 posted June 24, 2001 17:40               

---

I'm sorry, I apologize.

To dreiser and anyone else who felt offended (except xita and Hugin)

IP: Logged

posted June 24, 2001 17:40                I'm sorry, I apologize.

To dreiser and anyone else who felt offended (except xita and Hugin)IP: LoggeddreiserDoll's Eye Crystal


Posts: 84
Registered: Oct 2000 posted June 24, 2001 17:43               

---

the gay boy epic harlequin romance is a work in progress. right len? lol. anyway, i like the m/m romance myself, and it's in a few of my fics, including my big f/c one, it starts with faith. all my buffy fics can be found on this little site...
http://www.geocities.com/shaych3/dreiser.htm

thanks for the interest!

nic

------------------
"She's no good for you baby."
-Pizazz; The Misfits lead singer-

IP: Logged

posted June 24, 2001 17:43                the gay boy epic harlequin romance is a work in progress. right len? lol. anyway, i like the m/m romance myself, and it's in a few of my fics, including my big f/c one, it starts with faith. all my buffy fics can be found on this little site...
http://www.geocities.com/shaych3/dreiser.htm

thanks for the interest!

nic

------------------
"She's no good for you baby."
-Pizazz; The Misfits lead singer-IP: LoggedxitaMs. Moderator
Fantastico


Posts: 6563
Registered: Sep 2000Ms. Moderator
Fantastico posted June 24, 2001 18:15               

---

Let me make it clear, I would never ever require or need your apology. I am sure Len doesn't either. It is my responsibility to keep the board running and to make sure everyone follows the rules of the board and the spirit of the board. Remember, the moderators set the rules and if you disagree, then you can go. Please do not reply to this on the board as it will be deleted and further action could be taken. Further questions can be mailed to me at xita@yahoo.com. I would e-mail you but conveniently, you do not list an e-mail.

IP: Logged

posted June 24, 2001 18:15                Let me make it clear, I would never ever require or need your apology. I am sure Len doesn't either. It is my responsibility to keep the board running and to make sure everyone follows the rules of the board and the spirit of the board. Remember, the moderators set the rules and if you disagree, then you can go. Please do not reply to this on the board as it will be deleted and further action could be taken. Further questions can be mailed to me at xita@yahoo.com. I would e-mail you but conveniently, you do not list an e-mail.IP: LoggedGinnerBig Pineapple


Posts: 1037
Registered: Mar 2001 posted June 24, 2001 18:25               

---

I don't usually read fics that have two men as a couple or gay men characters in it. Not because i have a problem with them, no i don't, i just tend to stick to W/T or F/B but if they are all going to be as good as this Nic, i might change my mind

Great fic Nic

IP: Logged

posted June 24, 2001 18:25                I don't usually read fics that have two men as a couple or gay men characters in it. Not because i have a problem with them, no i don't, i just tend to stick to W/T or F/B but if they are all going to be as good as this Nic, i might change my mind

Great fic Nic IP: LoggedCatwomanSassy Eggs


Posts: 701
Registered: Jan 2001 posted June 24, 2001 23:36               

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OMG, that fic was *so* weird- but in a good way . It was hilarious. How naughty is Anya?! I'm skipping off to read the next bit as we speak.

IP: Logged

posted June 24, 2001 23:36                OMG, that fic was *so* weird- but in a good way . It was hilarious. How naughty is Anya?! I'm skipping off to read the next bit as we speak.IP: LoggedPuffGay Now!


Posts: 1384
Registered: Feb 2001 posted June 25, 2001 10:49               

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Nic the fic was great...as if you need more people to tell you that

IP: Logged

posted June 25, 2001 10:49                Nic the fic was great...as if you need more people to tell you that IP: LoggedryankellyCool Monster Fighter


Posts: 161
Registered: Apr 2001 posted June 25, 2001 13:29               

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Ah nic, the wait was excruciating but in the end it was most definately worth it. "Just One of the Guys" is an 80's favorite of mine *hangs head in shame* and it was a pleasure to read...Thanks

[This message has been edited by ryankelly (edited June 25, 2001).]

IP: Logged

posted June 25, 2001 13:29                Ah nic, the wait was excruciating but in the end it was most definately worth it. "Just One of the Guys" is an 80's favorite of mine *hangs head in shame* and it was a pleasure to read...Thanks

[This message has been edited by ryankelly (edited June 25, 2001).]IP: LoggedfellSassy Eggs


Posts: 538
Registered: Nov 2000 posted June 25, 2001 14:50               

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this is soo funny and really sexy, esp gunn and wesley, i couldn't stop laughing. it's totally freaking me out. i loved that movie but this is even better. i can just picture willow in drag with short spiky hair. brilliant!

IP: Logged

posted June 25, 2001 14:50                this is soo funny and really sexy, esp gunn and wesley, i couldn't stop laughing. it's totally freaking me out. i loved that movie but this is even better. i can just picture willow in drag with short spiky hair. brilliant!

IP: LoggedfellSassy Eggs


Posts: 538
Registered: Nov 2000 posted June 25, 2001 16:08               

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quote:

---

Originally posted by Ed Wood:
You say this fic has gay men in it? There's no way I'm reading it!

---

Your loss, Ed. This is one of the best fics i've read in...well, ever! an open mind is it's own reward.

IP: Logged

posted June 25, 2001 16:08               

quote:

---

Originally posted by Ed Wood:
You say this fic has gay men in it? There's no way I'm reading it!

---

Your loss, Ed. This is one of the best fics i've read in...well, ever! an open mind is it's own reward.

quote:IP: LoggedAngelusUKWillowhand


Posts: 349
Registered: Mar 2001 posted June 25, 2001 17:36               

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Dreiser

Excellent fic, I really enjoyed it. I certainly hope you write more and soon.

Once again well done.

------------------
Amber Fan
Willow "Thats fine I don't need to be snuggled"
Tara "Vixen"

IP: Logged

posted June 25, 2001 17:36                Dreiser

Excellent fic, I really enjoyed it. I certainly hope you write more and soon.

Once again well done.

------------------
Amber Fan
Willow "Thats fine I don't need to be snuggled"
Tara "Vixen"

[Ed Wood]

Hey, chill out xita, all I meant to say is that this fic offends me and that I won't read it couse I don't like reading about gay men. Do you understand what I mean? In my opinion I have done nothing wrong. Will anybody back me up on this?

[tommo]

quote:

---

Originally posted by Ed Wood:
Will anybody back me up on this?

---

Er....no. As far as I know, the kitten board embraces all walks of life; all people and all persuasions. If the lesbian community started making rules and regulations to exclude others, wouldn't that just make us as bad as homophobes?

Ed, I really don't understand your insane troll logic here...really I don't.

And just for the record, I think this fic is one of the better ones I've read in the last few months or so. And nic always does a really sensitive and thoughtful job, even in comedy.

------------------
"Tara had never felt as good about herself in her life. Willow gave her that gift. And another gift. Tara couldn't quite bring herself to call it love. Not yet. But there was time." ~ Unseen: The Burningquote:

[Hugin]

Ed, let me try to explain. Because, this is very basic Kittenboard stuff. It's less than Kitten 101, it's more like Kittengarten.

I'll start with the simple idea, and then I'll do the very very very simple idea.

1. All fics are not for everyone. Some fics have sexual content folks don't want to read about. Some fics feature characters that folks don't care about. If a fic has content that you don't care for, don't read it. There is no need to post the reasons why you decided not to read it, simply move on quietly. If you feel a fic has deeply offensive content, such that no one should read it, contact one of the mods, we'll take a look and make a decision. Other than that let other folks enjoy the fics they choose to on thier own terms in peace.

2. And this is the super basic idea, so read it carefully Ed: The Kittenboard is queer friendly. Friendly to lesbian women. Friendly to gay men. Friendly to bisexuals, to transgendered folks, friendly to straight folks for that matter.

Fics that contain gay men are cool. Fics that feature your favorite straight male characters as gay men are cool. Fics that depict gay men having hot sweaty sex are cool.

If you have a problem with that, absolutely keep it to yourself. If you have a big problem with that, you should probably reconsider your involvement with the board at all. And if you insist on making comments that indicate that it's a big problem for you, the mods will show you the door, because being comfortable with gay folks, the whole spectrum of gay folks, not just Willow and Tara, is quite definitely a prerequisite for participation here. Okay?

-len

[ourgirlbashir]

I don't get how this fic can offend anyone. Good job, Dreiser

ogb

[This message has been edited by ourgirlbashir (edited June 24, 2001).]

[Ed Wood]

quote:

---

Originally posted by Hugin:
Fics that depict gay men having hot sweaty sex are cool.

---

Errr... but that's like, your opinion man! (quoating The Big Lebowski there)

Personaly I don't think so, and generaly, I think you two (xita and Hugin) were REALLY HARSH to me. I just said I didn't want to read the fic so you wouldn't expect any comments about it from me. I understand your gay friendly policies and value them greatly.

But if you want to ban me, ban me. I just won't understand why you did it!

I'll apologize if you apologize.

And dreiser, keep up the good work!

BTW I'm a guy if that clears things up a bit.

[This message has been edited by Ed Wood (edited June 24, 2001).]quote:

[tommo]

I understand what you're saying Ed, but you know, if you're not going to read a fic, don't read it and leave it at that. Why bother posting that you're not going to read it and making comments that some of us (me, I mean) find pretty offensive from the get go.

Seems to me like you're digging a hole here, which is inappropriate on a board like this, and which also contains some rather single-minded ideas.

You don't wanna read nic's fic? Great. Don't read it. But don't go off posturing about why not. Please?

Thanks.

------------------
"Tara had never felt as good about herself in her life. Willow gave her that gift. And another gift. Tara couldn't quite bring herself to call it love. Not yet. But there was time." ~ Unseen: The Burning

[dreiser]

well, i know kitty 101 inside out. which is why my flowery cute gay boys in love intense harlequin romance series isn't being posted on the board. of course, i could just write a bunch of w/t scenes in and then post.

hmmmm.

nic

------------------
"Kissing and licking the sideways of her panty." THE quality.

[ourgirlbashir]

quote:

---

Originally posted by dreiser:
which is why my flowery cute gay boys in love intense harlequin romance series isn't being posted on the board.

---

Can I ask where it is being posted?
I'd like to read it.

thx,
ogb.

------------------
"I got confused, I killed a nun, I can't help the way I feel..." -- The Smiths, "Is It Really So Strange"quote:

[Ed Wood]

I'm sorry, I apologize.

To dreiser and anyone else who felt offended (except xita and Hugin)

[dreiser]

the gay boy epic harlequin romance is a work in progress. right len? lol. anyway, i like the m/m romance myself, and it's in a few of my fics, including my big f/c one, it starts with faith. all my buffy fics can be found on this little site...
http://www.geocities.com/shaych3/dreiser.htm

thanks for the interest!

nic

------------------
"She's no good for you baby."
-Pizazz; The Misfits lead singer-

[xita]

Let me make it clear, I would never ever require or need your apology. I am sure Len doesn't either. It is my responsibility to keep the board running and to make sure everyone follows the rules of the board and the spirit of the board. Remember, the moderators set the rules and if you disagree, then you can go. Please do not reply to this on the board as it will be deleted and further action could be taken. Further questions can be mailed to me at xita@yahoo.com. I would e-mail you but conveniently, you do not list an e-mail.

[Ginner]

I don't usually read fics that have two men as a couple or gay men characters in it. Not because i have a problem with them, no i don't, i just tend to stick to W/T or F/B but if they are all going to be as good as this Nic, i might change my mind

Great fic Nic

[Catwoman]

OMG, that fic was *so* weird- but in a good way . It was hilarious. How naughty is Anya?! I'm skipping off to read the next bit as we speak.

[Puff]

Nic the fic was great...as if you need more people to tell you that

[ryankelly]

Ah nic, the wait was excruciating but in the end it was most definately worth it. "Just One of the Guys" is an 80's favorite of mine *hangs head in shame* and it was a pleasure to read...Thanks

[This message has been edited by ryankelly (edited June 25, 2001).]

[fell]

this is soo funny and really sexy, esp gunn and wesley, i couldn't stop laughing. it's totally freaking me out. i loved that movie but this is even better. i can just picture willow in drag with short spiky hair. brilliant!

[fell]

quote:

---

Originally posted by Ed Wood:
You say this fic has gay men in it? There's no way I'm reading it!

---

Your loss, Ed. This is one of the best fics i've read in...well, ever! an open mind is it's own reward.

quote:

[AngelusUK]

Dreiser

Excellent fic, I really enjoyed it. I certainly hope you write more and soon.

Once again well done.

------------------
Amber Fan
Willow "Thats fine I don't need to be snuggled"
Tara "Vixen"