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vive,valeque.
by emily 'first' » Sun Feb 10, 2002 8:21 am
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vive,valeque.
by nika » Sun Feb 10, 2002 9:52 am
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"Eat lot's of applesauce, preferably fed to you by attractive young lesbians." Amber Benson
by Bobo's Mom » Sun Feb 10, 2002 10:11 am
I love this story!
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TARA: Willow and I always know how to find each other!
ANYA: With yoga?
by Quill » Sun Feb 10, 2002 3:52 pm
Oh and btw...*sticks out bottom lip and whimpers* I haven't slept in two days and you're dishing out another cliffhanger? *face softens as eyes glaze over* You're good...you know we love it. *wink*
by Puff » Sun Feb 10, 2002 4:24 pm
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'The cold and ruthless sea tossed the lovers' into the starry black night. together they fall, together they sleep. forever.. forever.. *whisper*forever..the cold and ruthless sea...' By Sweets
by tiger17 » Sun Feb 10, 2002 4:30 pm
by Rosenberg » Sun Feb 10, 2002 6:53 pm
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I'm very seldom naughty
by aladdin » Mon Feb 11, 2002 5:38 pm
Actually, mariacomet, fics like this one depress me and amaze me: it is a wonderful read and you got the characters down so well and your storyline is certainly something else.
On the other hand, after a story like this I feel like in some way everything about the issue has been said. The last time I felt like that was "The Beginning Cycle" by Katharyn..it leaves me speechless and is definitely a highlight. You reached a point that is hard to cross for everyone who attempts to write fanfiction after you and who knows, maybe this will challenge some of the future Nobel Prize Winners on this board.
So, this is just very, very good and even sage and it also made me think about myself a lot and maybe I can take something from this for my own future.
Thank you so much! *hugs*
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"The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams."
-Marie Curie-
by katydid » Mon Feb 11, 2002 6:05 pm
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"She practically has 'genuine molded plastic' stamped on her ass.
by mollyig » Tue Feb 12, 2002 2:02 am
A wonderfully written tale, that has me enchanted!
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Now that I know there's something to know, I can't *not* know, just because I'm afraid
somebody'll know I know, you know?
by ForeverPiper » Tue Feb 12, 2002 3:33 am
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Willow! Check you out! Witch-fu. -BUFFY
by jomarch » Tue Feb 12, 2002 4:17 am
by mariacomet » Tue Feb 12, 2002 5:57 am
The main issue is that I want to try and get it just right for you all and 'just right' unlike in Goldilocks's day is proving to be hard to find. I'm still working at it, so I'm not sure I'll be able to give you all a story bit today.
Ending a story and beginning a story, so am I told, is always the hardest part. The next part will contain the much talked about bridge scene.
And then there will be an epilogue, which will decidely NOT contain a bridge scene.
Be patient with me, everyone, I'm trying.
by ForeverPiper » Wed Feb 13, 2002 3:27 am
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Willow! Check you out! Witch-fu. -BUFFY
by mariacomet » Sun Feb 17, 2002 2:47 pm
Now THIS part will be the bridge scene as I have said. The SMUT will come in the epilouge.
I just want to make that clear so I don't get anyone yelling at me saying "You promised us sex!"
I'm getting there. What can I say? I'm a tease.
With any luck, the last part of LOK should be up tonight or Monday night.
The smut will be up a few days later.
[This message has been edited by mariacomet (edited February 17, 2002).]
by ForeverPiper » Sun Feb 17, 2002 4:21 pm
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Tara: How's that cramp Spike? Still bothering you?
Spike: What? Oh, yeah.
Tara: Maybe you, ah, wanna put some ice on it.
by RomanceJunky » Sun Feb 17, 2002 4:24 pm
RJ...a romantic moonlite bridge...the woman who dominates your heart, your world...alone with you...ah! LOVE !!!
by Rosenberg » Sun Feb 17, 2002 5:01 pm
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I'm very seldom naughty
by WiccansIllusion » Mon Feb 18, 2002 10:48 am
by ForeverPiper » Mon Feb 18, 2002 6:08 pm
quote:
Originally posted by WiccansIllusion:
After having watched the new eppy of Charmed, I've come to the conclusion that Hog tied muse can never be a good thing. LOL
I couldn't have put it better myself.
by LeatherQueen » Mon Feb 18, 2002 8:34 pm
But just remember, snuggles are always good, too.
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"Honey, I'm the original one-eyed chicklet in the kingdom of the blind." -Glory
by mariacomet » Mon Feb 18, 2002 9:25 pm
Feedback: - My muse is greedy, I am just an innocent.
Email address: mariacomet@hotmail.com
Distribution: Just let me know.
Spoilers: All episodes. I am loosely tying this to my 'Empty Boxes' and 'Believe' pieces but I don't think you have to read them to understand this.
Rating: One more part till an 'R' rating. Maybe even an NC 17.
Disclaimer: All Characters contained here-in are owned by and products of the genius of Joss Whedon and Co.
Thanks and Attagirls and Attaboys: To Leatherqueen, and kielisan, who make me look like a far more intelligent and capable writer than I really am. And who deal with rewrite after rewrite without strangling me. To my friend Dan and Sean, who barely watch Buffy and yet listen to their friend ramble on about a story they will likely never read for hours at a time. To Puff and katy, and Rosenberg for letting me cry on their shoulders when I was sure I was never going to get the bridge scene done, and for their overall encouragement. To Toni, for being the best meanie, I know. To RJ (MW) You gave me several lines and much more then I could ever note in one brief post. I bounce all my ideas off you and you always make them sing.
I know, I know, I am beginning to sound like I am accepting an Academy Award. Sorry, gang, but I am one giant mush ball.
Lastly thanks to everyone who wrote me either on the board or privately. (Even those of you who are now skipping this bit and getting right TO the story ) In all honesty, I wouldn’t have been able to finish this without you.
Legends of the Kiss part 8a
By Mariacomet
We are taught the truth that nothing in life lasts, and we have no reason to believe that anything is constant. Looking around, one would be hard pressed to find a reason exists to believe that love can endure, that people are inherently good, or that hard work pays off. The wind blows, and the world is dark. Still, the dreamers say that somewhere in the world there are those that have forged lasting things. Since nothing is entirely new, if it happened once, then perhaps it can happen again. Belief is the cup into which we pour our ideals and occasionally sip. For some, the liquid is sweet but often they find their glass empty compared to their thirst. For others, the liquid is bitter and though there is always enough, they must force themselves to drink.
“The whole universe is turning itself inside out so that you two can have a chance to be together.”
From Tara’s dresser, the clock winked its red digital numbers at her.
11:35. She knew because she had checked the clock at least 6 times in the last thirty seconds. She kept grabbing her jacket and heading to the door, only to stop, sigh and march back.
“I do want to be with you, Willow, “she told her ex-lover in her mind. “ I just don’t know if I can be… if we can be… again. Do people really get second chances? The practical side of her said no.
“ “You always think you can fix things. You can’t fix us, Willow.” “
She was of two worlds; the one that she lived in, and the other that lived inside her. Her dreams were simple, but they were so far from the reality, that they seemed enchanted. In her mind, there existed the place where people were inherently good, where hard work paid off and where love – always and forever, prevailed. Certain people in Tara’s life, the ones that mattered, had called her wise. If this was true, it was because she was able to judge just how far apart the world of her dreams was from the real world. It was hard to say where Tara had spent most of her time, in which place she had truly grown up. She had spent countless hours crafting every tree and every animal in that place in her mind. She left nothing to chance. This was her vision and therefore, her creation. It was the way things ought to be.
In her world, there was always music.
In the real world, demons chased the innocent. Parents lied to their children. Love became bitter. She did not ignore the reality, yet she was unable to let go of the dream. It was a part of her. Her eyes saw so much beauty, so much that held potential and she wondered what would happen if those potentials flourished.
In her world, there was magic.
And then, she had met Willow.
“I’ll be at our bridge at midnight. I still believe, Tara. I want you in every way. And I want to be with you. Completely. If you come to meet me, I want you to feel the same way.”
She had been of two worlds, but when she had fallen in love with Willow, her worlds drew close together, almost merging into one. The possibilities came alive.
In the real world, there was suddenly music.
In the real world, there was suddenly magic.
Until one day, with one betrayal, the two planets were shoved further apart then they had ever been.
“I gave you everything and you still needed the magic. I don’t understand how you started needing it more than you needed me. I thought we could face anything together. We faced death, Willow. We faced the end of the world."
The distance became so great between the two that even Tara could not measure it.
“How long did you last without magic, Willow? A few hours? No, not even that. You were planning this in your heart even while she told you she was thinking about leaving you. You were promising that you could go a month without magic and already thinking about your next spell.”
Both worlds had stayed in that flux, occasionally getting nearer, but mostly maintaining their painful remoteness. Yet the Legend and Willow’s gift had made their orbits come round again.
You had your reasons and your fears, but they were no greater than mine, and I never betrayed you.
Would you forgive me if I didn’t come to you, my heart?
Would I be able to forgive myself, if I ignored all my common sense and did go?
She knew deep down that no single act was going to happen in the next few minutes that would sway her either way. As nice as it would have been, Tara was not going to look up to the sky and see a sudden “yes” or “no” written there.
Her eyes drifted to the leather bound book lying near her jacket. The perfect forgery that had somehow became genuine. Tara’s fingertips skimmed the binding and then carefully turned the pages.
She began to read but her eyes stopped on eight words.
"Oh warrior, then go to your true love."
She closed her eyes. The word ‘warrior’ was a painful reminder of everything she was not. Everything she wasn’t sure she could be. The small phrase rang in her head. Go to your true love.
What we had was a miracle. It burned, and it was so comforting all at once. You saw things in me that I couldn’t see; things that I know were always there. I was drowning in you and yet I have never been more myself.
Willow, her heart whispered softly. It said the name again and would not be silent.
"Oh warrior, then go to your true love."
It was the moment she realized that she had been fooling herself.
*******************************************************************************************
Willow pumped her legs faster, she knew her adrenaline was surging, since even Buffy was having a hard time keeping up. She rounded a curve and almost lost her balance. Her female best friend caught her elbow, steadying her.
“Hang on, Will.” Buffy said, looking back for Xander who was much further behind them.
The redhead had a long scratch down her cheek, her hands and face were marred by dirt. All in all, the battle had gone well. Xander and she had charged one of the vampires and had been able to stake him, while Buffy had taken out the other one. Both Willow and the construction worker had taken a few blows, but that was par for the course. Even Buffy got scrapes and bruises.
Willow looked worriedly at the path ahead then back to Xander who was holding his side, still struggling to catch up. She just wanted to reach the bridge; that was all she could think about at the moment.
“Little red Willow engine go fast.” The dark haired man managed to gasp out. “Xander, die here.” He hunched over, hands on his knees, inhaling a few lungsful of air, trying to catch his breath.
“Let’s go.” The redheaded muttered, still focused on their destination. She broke into a run again, but the events of the day combined with the events of the last few minutes were catching up to her, she barely had the energy to jog. She ducked under some trees, not even willing to wait as the path went round a bend. When she emerged from the woods the bridge was in sight. She could hear Buffy and Xander behind her. But her senses were centered on one thing and one thing only, finding any sign of the woman she loved.
But the bridge was empty.
It stood alone, deserted in the moonlight.
“She’s still got a good fifteen minutes, Will.” The slayer said gently, catching up to Willow again and dragging Xander with her.
Surely if Tara was going to come, she would be here by now?
The water running nearby seemed almost black. Willow was battered and bruised and up ahead, that silvery orb was constantly rising, ticking off time.
If Tara didn’t come… after Willow had offered her whole heart, what would be left to ever give to anyone else? After all this, if… if she leaves me here alone, will I ever be able to stop loving her?
Then she saw something, a small movement coming down the path on the other side of the bridge. She didn’t dare breathe, not until she was sure that the familiar form was really Tara.
“Xander and I will be…ah…” Buffy started and then rolled her eyes at herself and just hauled Xander away. Xander gave a forlorn look at being asked to move again so soon, but went along quietly.
Willow couldn’t bring herself to tear her eyes away from the other side of the bridge for long enough to acknowledge them. Even now, a part of Willow was sure that Tara had come here just to leave her again. She didn’t want to move because if this wasn’t real - if it was a dream - she wasn’t sure she could bear it. She didn’t want to look away, because she was sure if she did, Tara would disappear. Her lover started across the bridge and Willow finally moved to meet her.
They met one another halfway.
Neither spoke; both were afraid, and both were unsure what to say.
“I wasn’t sure I should come,” Tara began softly. She swept her long wheat colored hair behind one ear, as she lowered her head slightly. “I’m still afraid. I don’t know how to stop being afraid.” Her next words were turned inward, angry, frustrated. “What you did tonight should be enough; it should be more then enough, but…”
She was so distraught that all Willow could think to do was try and comfort her. “When I showed you – tonight – I didn’t expect that to fix everything. I didn’t really know what would happen, or even if anything would. And what did happen – wow – really didn’t expect that.” Tara didn’t answer and Willow desperately forged ahead. “But really, I know things take time. I know you need to learn, to be shown that you trust me again. I mean, it’s been six months, but I know you haven’t really…let yourself…” Please, Willow told Tara in her mind, please just kiss me. Just let it be okay. One chance, Tara. Just give me one chance. I won’t let you down, baby. Or at least, I’ll try not to. I promise. “I’ll try and show you. I mean, I’m not perfect. I guess you know that better than anyone.”
“Willow…” Tara began to protest, not liking to hear the other woman refer to herself derogatively in any way.
The hacker didn’t stop, couldn’t stop. “I’m that place inside me, and I’m the person here and now – with you. I don’t know if that’s good enough. But I love you.“
Tara wanted to reach out but once again held back. It always seemed to come to that, the question of taking that final step, breaching that final barrier. “It’s never been a question of being good enough, Will.”
“Tara.” The former called out, halting her again. “We can do this. I think if we’re together, we can do anything. We can face whatever happens. We can find what we lost. We…”
“Shhh.” Tara ordered gently. Her nerves had been raw and perhaps that’s why she hadn’t noticed the cut on Willow’s cheek. But she did now. Suddenly all the questions and all the fears didn’t matter. Willow was hurt. Concern consumed her, and love and the need to soothe the pain. “Darling, what happened?”
Unconsciously Willow touched the place Tara was staring and then winced. “Oh yeah, I guess I didn’t notice. There were a couple of vampires we ran into on the way here. Which I didn’t find convenient at all, let me tell you.” A brief flash of pride bolstered Willow’s expression. “But you should have seen me - well maybe not the first five minutes of the fight when they were clobbering me. But after that…”
If anything the blonde’s expression became more worried. “Clobbering?” Tara asked with a frown. “Clobbering sounds bad.”
“No, maybe not clobbering. Maybe thumping? It’s not bad; it’s just a little…” Tara couldn’t help herself anymore; she stretched out her hand. Her fingertips traced her lover’s face lightly, near the cut being careful not touch it. At the caress, it was next to impossible for the redhead to keep her composure. “um…scratch.” If I don’t move, maybe she’ll never stop touching me, Willow thought. Don’t stop touching me, Tara. But her lover’s hand did fall away and Willow acutely felt the loss.
Blue eyes fastened firmly on green. “Are you okay?”
A small uncertain smile rose. “Can I tell you that in about five minutes?”
Tara’s lip corner’s lifted despite herself and they both looked up to the moon before gazing at one another. “I’m here.”
Willow nodded slowly, afraid to hope. “You’re here.”
Tara paused, she knew Willow was waiting, but the words refused to settle in her mind. There was so much to say, and yet maybe, it was all really very simple. “It doesn’t matter how afraid I am or how many doubts I have.” She took Willow’s hand and pressed the palm to where her heart trembled with both uncertainty and undaunted hope. “You still have my heart. You always have.“ Tara searched Willow’s eyes before going on, she needed Willow to know and hold that truth. “I don’t want to just be safe. I don’t want to just be realistic. And I don’t want to stop believing in us.”
The redhead took one more step. Just one. To be nearer to the woman she loved. “What do you want Tara?”
Tara squeezed her beloved’s fingertips where they rested over her heart. “I want to love you. All of you. I want you to love me. Totally. And if we make mistakes, I want us to make them together. Do...do you think we can do that?”
A watery smile. “I think we can do that.” Willow had been holding herself strong, and now her features collapsed, as the need for such masks fell away. The lovers reached for one another. Their foreheads pressed together, tears falling freely, their voices a mingling of whispers. “I love you.”
“And I love you.” Tara answered softly.
Sometimes life dares us to defy its conventions. We humans are taught that nothing lasts, that nothing is constant – it is a common adage that we can trust no one but ourselves. Love laughs at all these rationales and picks up the gauntlet. It was a night where legends had come true and where one heart had been willing to sacrifice itself for another. It was the night that Tara Maclay looked into her soul and found there a white horse on which to gallop in on. It was a risk, and it was a dare but Tara’s heart ran forward.
“I want to give you everything,” Tara whispered, her breath teasing over Willow’s lips.The certainty of a kiss electrified the air between them. Their gazes locked with small unspoken words that were heavy with meaning.
Are you…
Yes.
Yes?
So scared. But…
But.
Oh, Willow.
My Tara.
And then Tara kissed Willow.
The first kiss was warm and feather soft, but they both needed more. They ached to rediscover the tingle of such simple touches between them. They wanted the effortless unity, soul deep and powerful, which had once been theirs. And so they searched and found, enraptured by the journey. Tara’s mouth asked tender burning questions and Willow answered with all of her heart. Willow sought reassurance, and Tara responded lovingly. They opened to one another, teasing each other’s senses with wine too long denied. Neither was brave enough to push forward and deepen the kisses, but at the same time neither was able to draw away. Their heads tilted one way and then another as they rained kisses on one another’s mouths. Fear and the pain seeped away, as hope and love took its rightful place between them. Tara’s fingers buried themselves in Willow’s hair, tangling in fiery tresses, as their hearts bloomed.
Suddenly they were rising from the bridge, but they were still trading kisses and didn’t notice. A blue glow surrounded them, at first soft but then growing brighter and brighter. The wind quickened, and spread its fingers making the water nearby begin to dance. The gusts twirled gently around the reunited lovers, moving over their hair and clothing. The power that held them rotated them slowly, so that the places they were standing in mid-air changed once and then changed back. Willow and Tara shivered, but not from the wind or any ethereal power, and still their rain of kisses continued, intense and unending.
From behind a bush where they were peering, Buffy and Xander grew wide-eyed. They had convinced themselves that they were just looking after their friends therefore spying were allowed. This new turn of events was worrying. But just then whatever power had followed Willow and Tara this night saw fit to carefully lower the lovers back to the wooden planks beneath them. The wind died and the light ebbed away. They parted, just long enough to take one another’s hands.
“I am, you know.” Tara said softly.
Willow’s mind was still somewhere lost in the middle of the thousand kisses they had just shared. “What?”
The woman she loved smiled. “Yours.”
The redhead gave a shy grin and shook her head. “I always fall for that.”
They leaned toward one another and greeted the new day with the kiss. The world was theirs.
************************************************************************
Willow was in bed, adjusting the covers so they were up to her shoulders then back down to her waist. Her eyes darted to the doorway of the bathroom, hearing the quiet movements within. She lifted the covers again, then sighed and folded them back over. She toyed with her pajama top. It was two piece blue set, the one that she usually slept in.
Maybe she should have worn something ‘special? Not alluring special, but nicer? The door she had been watching slowly opened.
Tara had always preferred long, one piece sleeveless gowns. This one looked like it was silk, it hung below her knees and flowed when she moved. DO NOT leer – Willow ordered herself. Eyes lingering on skin is bad. Mind running rapid with visions of curves and the feel of those curves, is ALSO bad. Tara rounded the bed to her traditional side and slowly climbed in. They lay there, a good foot apart, looking up at the ceiling.
“So, t-this is nice,” Tara said, her body stiff as a board.
“Yeah. Right.” They stole a look at one another.
“Are you nervous? I mean, I could understand if you were nervous.”
Willow had been convulsively swallowing every few moments. “Maybe a little.” She willed her nerves to untangle. “It’s just, sharing a bed again seems so…”
“Intimate.” Tara filled in.
“Right.”
Tara darted a glance at Willow and gave a shy smile. “You know, when you fall asleep, you’re just going to snuggle up to me. You always do.”
Willow felt her mouth twitch upwards. Her anxiety was beginning to fade. “So maybe we could come a little closer to one another.” Their eyes met and then danced away again. “You know, in the interest of saving time.”
“T-that’s probably all for the best.”
Neither of them moved.
Finally Willow let out a long exhale and turned toward her love, her head propped in her hand. Her eyes roamed over Tara’s face slowly, leisurely. “Tara?”
“Hmm?”
“Get over here.” The redhead growled playfully. Mirth filled eyes leapt up in time to catch Willow’s dazzling smile. Tara scooted closer and Willow folded her arms around Tara, pulling her beloved close.
The blonde Wiccan clutched Willow closer, her breath catching. Her eyes shut tightly. Being in her lover’s arms still felt like home; like she had been wandering for endless days and nights before arriving here again. Mentally, it was comforting, a relief to be close to Willow again. Her body though, recognized its mate and began to simmer. It needed and wanted and was not sated by the cool feel of her love’s skin. A dull, needle point ache started in her belly. She ignored it. It was going to be hard enough for both of them without that kind of thought process tonight. It would keep. They had time.
The hacker traced one fingertip down Tara’s back; amused at the way it made her shoulders arch forward. Tara always did that when her lower back was touched.
Mmm. TaraScent wrapping itself around me like the softest blanket in the world. Okay, whoa, that last inhale didn’t touch snuggly nerve endings, it moved right along to the much more primal nerve endings. Down, girl. I just got her back, I’m not about to scare her off. I can be patient. I’ll let her set the pace. Except for one thing. Just this one, little thing.
Willow leaned in and claimed a gentle, lingering kiss. She meant to draw away after a moment, but the tip of her partner’s tongue flicked against her. After that, rational thought and reasoning fled. Tara once again felt a surge within her body and groaned. She parted her lips, lifted her head and allowed Willow to drink. It was like Tara was dry, crackling timber that had been doused in gasoline, and then a match applied. Her passion was overwhelming and immediate. It had been denied too long and broke free from its cage utterly. Their mouths fluttered against each other.
Waitaminutewaitaminutewaitaminute, an inner voice in the hacker said frantically. Tara’s mouth suckled on Willow’s tongue as if it was honey. The redhead gagged her conscience.
Their kisses were swollen with desire, tormenting them both. Making them moan, and press closer in need. They clutched at one another, hands fumbling. Each sought to escape deeper into the velvet heat of the other’s mouth, and if they could have they would have swallowed one another whole. They writhed and twisted, hung on a string of desire and dangling. The urgent cry of more shouted inside both of them, uncaring of the consequences as long as this didn’t stop.
Waitaminutewaitaminutewaitaminute. Hormones are nice, but you love this woman, remember?
That logic finally pierced the Tara inspired haze.
“Whoa.” Willow muttered, and buried her head in the warmth of Tara’s shoulder, while she tried to catch her breath. “Whoa.”
Tara nodded slowly, trying to steady her own rising heartbeat. She felt guilty about allowing things to go so far, putting Willow in that kind of position. Her hand rose skimming over Willow’s face, re-memorizing the softness, the curves. “I’m sorry. I guess I got carried away. It’s been…”
“A long time.” Willow finished for her.
“I’m sorry.” The blonde whispered again.
“Hey, it takes two to make-out.” The other woman said with a reassuring smile. “It’s nice to know that you still…” Willow let the statement hang there.
“Oh, I still.” The words were firm, allowing no room for doubt. “But…You’re right.” Tara tenderly placed a kiss on Willow’s shoulder. “I’m not ready for that. Not just yet. Soon. But… not…”
“Not tonight.” Willow finished for her and looked deeply into her eyes. It was okay. It was enough to have Tara here, have her close. But Willow couldn’t stop her hands from moving, couldn’t stop reaching for her. “Can I… Can I touch you?” She whispered. “I don’t mean naughty touching; just… I need to touch you.” Her brow furrowed. “And I..I need you to touch me.”
The blonde Wiccan reached for her partner’s hand. She brushed her lips over Willow’s fingertips, and nuzzled the palm quietly. It was an investigation of the senses. She luxuriated in the softness of Willow’s skin, and the happy, contented sigh her lover made with every kiss and every touch. Willow’s shoulders and back held endless fascination. The flat of her hand caressed there slowly, even as she placed little cherishing kisses on every bit of bare skin she could find. It was exactly what Willow’s heart was starved for. The hacker’s hand curved on Tara’s shoulder, then ran down the slope of her arm till their fingers brushed. They traded a kiss and then Willow began the journey up and down Tara’s other arm. The exploration of one another was slow, gentle, with undemanding kisses and equally slow, soft touches. At one moment, Willow felt Tara jump slightly as her fingertips found a ticklish spot at Tara’s side. She grinned, remembering, and letting her hands continue their journey. Tara watched her beloved’s sparkling eyes and gave a crooked little grin that stole Willow’s heart all over again.
Tara reached behind her for the light switch as she felt Willow dot a kiss to her jaw line. They smiled at one another and then the room was bathed in darkness.
Neither of them would sleep that night and sometimes the touching would be too much and the desire built had to be reined in again. Sometimes their eyes filled with tears, but only happy ones. By the morning all the emptiness left between them was would be gone, and the hope would be so crisp and real that it would fill them with every breath.
***************************************************************************
In the shadow of a tree in front of Buffy’s house, Spike watched as the light from the bedroom above darkened. He lifted his flask in a silent toast and drank deeply.
The front door of the Summers' household opened and the vampire faded back, till he could be sure of who was exiting. He heaved a sigh of relief when he saw it was Dawn. Buffy was likely still very hot under the collar about the whole book bit.
“Spike?” Dawn hissed and he stepped out into the moonlight. She looked at him uncertainly. “So… got your note.”
They both stared at each other.
“I see the two pigeons are all a-cooing upstairs.” He noted.
Dawn smiled brightly. “Yeah, I heard them come in. And it looks like Tara is staying here tonight. And she brought a box with her. It’s a small box, but still.”
The vampire’s expression didn’t change. “You know, what you told Big sis didn’t help anything. I’m going to have to lock my crypt door for the next few days as I sleep.”
The teenager didn’t feel repentant. Not truly. Well, not much. “You mad?”
“Yeah.” He said but slowly a smile touched his lips.
Dawn grinned. “Are not.”
“Am.”
“Not.” She said and slugged his arm, before backing up and running to the front door.
The teenager gave him a small wave and then snuck back in the house, closing the door oh-so-quietly behind her.
Spike let some of his fondness for the girl soften his features. “Sweet dreams, little bit.” He murmured, then lit a cigarette and headed for home.
*******************************************************************
Bang. Clatter. Thud.
And a soft curse ‘damn.’
Tara awoke, and gave a small frown. Firstly, she was cold. Her hand patted the space at her side. Okay, cold and alone. An unreasonable fear leapt in her mind, that everything the night before had been a dream. She opened her eyes and was relieved to find herself in Willow’s room…well…their room. Actually, they hadn’t officially talked about that. Not officially. Not yet. Something or someone was fumbling with the doorknob.
Tara blinked and tried to clear the cobwebs of sleep from her mind. She looked at the clock and found that she had slept till noon. She smiled briefly remembered the night before. Another thud came outside the door. That did it, her curiosity was fully roused and she was now awake.
She padded across the room and opened the door.
Her lover was crouched on the ground picking up a plate. Balanced in her other hand was a tray that had literally two layers of various foods on it. A rather sheepish expression passed over Willow’s face. “Made you breakfast.”
The blonde covered her smile with one hand. Sometimes she thought that she couldn’t possibly love Willow anymore than she did. Then something would happen, and it seemed like her heart would grow just a little larger. Just for Willow. “For me and the army?”
“I panicked.” Willow explained.
The blonde laughed, then bent down and began to help pick things up, but the red head shooed her away.
“Hey, trying to surprise you. Back to bed.”
Tara obediently retreated. Her lover finally managed to balance the tray just right and entered the bedroom with a flourished. Carefully, she placed the overburdened tray in Tara’s lap.
A stack of round Pancakes. Cereal. Scrambled Eggs. Sunnyside-up eggs. Four pieces of toast. A bagel. A tray of butter. Raisins. Peeled orange slices. Two waffles. Two different kinds of syrup. At least five stripes of bacon. Four Sausage links. French fries. And…a salad.
Tara held in her humour and darted another glance at the woman that held her heart. “It looks wonderful, honey. Thank you.” A kiss was a reward for the thoughtful gesture, and the hacker beamed. Too quickly though, Willow stood up, starting out again. The idea of her partner leaving so quickly did not please Tara at all. “Hey. You’re leaving me?”
A kiss denied that she was. “Never. But there’s a whole other tray of drinkage.”
The former laughed and caught her lover’s hand. “Wait. You know what you’ve never done for me?”
“Do you want that listed alphabetically?” That answer made Tara raise a brow. “It’s been six months, baby. I’ve had a lot of time to think.”
The blonde tugged her girlfriend closer and nuzzled her cheek. “Mmm. You’ll have to tell me about that list sometimes.” Tara murmured in Willow’s ear. The hacker groaned inwardly. This woman is trying to kill me slowly, but I am loving every moment.
“Actually, I was thinking, you know how I fed you grapes?” She motioned meaningfully to the tray.
“You're in the mood to be spoiled?” Willow stole a kiss then gave a slow, sexy and openly flirtateous smile. Turnabout is fair play, Willow decided.
"Only by you." Tara's eyes were smouldering.
Willow knew when she was outclassed and surrendered. She rounded the rather full tray and settled beside Tara. "One Tara Spoiling coming up." A memory touched the hacker, unbidden and unwanted. A flash of sadness tinted sea-green eyes. The darkness of the thoughts were hard to shake. She wanted to shove the subject aside, to hide her feelings and try and protect Tara. But she bolstered herself instead and met the blonde's curious gaze. “I did…do this before. You just…” It was hard to get the words out. “You just don’t remember.”
“I do remember.” They had never talked about this. Never. It was the only subject that had ever been off limits. Willow hadn’t wanted to remind Tara of that time, and Tara had been too afraid that talking about it would hurt Willow. But this was morning of new beginnings and maybe it was time. “It’s like trying to remember a dream. I don’t remember everything.” Her partner felt a degree of relief at the words. She didn’t want Tara to have to bear that burden. “Sometimes, for a long time after…all I could remember was the darkness. So dark. And I couldn’t outrun it. It surrounded everything and it kept me away from everything I knew, everything I loved. But I couldn’t escape it. And t-there were voices. My father. My brother.”
Willow closed her eyes, unsure if she could hear much more. She hated it. Hating the feeling of her having to stand there and watch Tara in pain.
“But…there was something else.” Tara cupped Willow’s face. “There was you. In the back of everything. I felt you. And I believed…I believed you’d find me.” Her eyes such a pale, wonderful blue filled with light.
Willow kissed her forehead. “Nobody messes with my girl.”
They held hands. “So, would you mind doing the feeding me thing again?” Tara asked.
Willow’s heart filled with the knowledge that she would do anything for her. And especially, anything to make her smile. Without a word, she reached toward the tray.
[This message has been edited by mariacomet (edited February 19, 2002).]
by The Rose » Mon Feb 18, 2002 10:10 pm
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Tara: My heart doesn't stutter.
Tara: Willow, I got so lost.
Willow: I found you. I will always find you.
Tara: Nobody messes with my girl!
by AutumnT » Mon Feb 18, 2002 10:22 pm
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Autumn
I have the sudden urge to dedicate my productive cooperation.
by LeatherQueen » Tue Feb 19, 2002 12:16 am
Like I said before, love the bridge scene, and the way you've written Spike and Dawn is another high point to this story. I think you've really brought out some of the true feelings between those two in this story. I really like how they interact.
Great update and a wonderful way to bring them back together.
Now... about that smut you were talking about...
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"Honey, I'm the original one-eyed chicklet in the kingdom of the blind." -Glory
by orion » Tue Feb 19, 2002 1:12 am
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"Okay, thats a little blacker then I like my arts" -Willow
by ForeverPiper » Tue Feb 19, 2002 3:57 am
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Tara: How's that cramp Spike?
by katydid » Tue Feb 19, 2002 6:57 am
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"She practically has 'genuine molded plastic' stamped on her ass.
by Jessie » Tue Feb 19, 2002 11:39 am
You did a wonderful job here ... such a way with words.
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"And how long have you known your girlfriend's Tinkerbell?"
by KittyKo » Tue Feb 19, 2002 12:30 pm
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