One comment then the update:
TareBearRS – Yeah, I guess I just left the Buffy & Faith thing hanging. Let’s say if they do remember it, no one’s bringing it up right now. You are right though: too bad our girls had to atone for the mistake when everyone else was being a jerk. But I guess it’s the law of the bigger and more recent bad. Thanks for reading and comment.
Title– W/T Season 3 Y’all – part 37 –
Waves 
Author– JustSkipit - Debra
E-mail –
debraser@yahoo.com Feedback – Yes please.
Spoilers–Season 3 through Amends
Rating– Part 37 – R Disclaimer – Willow and Tara and any other character that appeared in the syndicated television show “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” is property of Joss and Mutant Enemy, I’m only borrowing them and am not making any money off them Thanks.
Notes and Huge Thanks – To Romy (littlecrazy80) who hosts my stuff out on
her fan fic site.
Thoughts in italics! Willow knocked on the front door and it was quickly opened by Buffy. “Hey Will, come in,” the blonde offered.
“Thanks,” Willow answered as she stepped inside the Summers house.
“I don’t really get you Will,” Buffy started. “You and Tara are staying here and got dressed for this date together but you left 15 minutes ago and now are knocking on the door. That’s really weird you know?”
Willow huffed slightly, “well I wanted to get her some flowers. That’s why I left 15 minutes ago. I went down to the flower shop to get her these roses.” She held up the red buds in question. As Buffy nodded but still looked skeptical over the setup Willow continued, “the thing is: Tara is amazing.” As a dreamy look came over the redhead’s face, her speech trailed off.
“Yeah, I kind of noticed Will,” Buffy laughed.
Leaning against the arm of the couch Willow answered the slayer, “no. I mean yeah she’s amazing but that’s not the why for the weird. It’s well, ok we went away for my birthday to this sweet bed and breakfast and she was incredible. She treated me like a queen the whole time with bubble baths and fruit breakfast and it was amazing. Then 2 weeks ago, she planned a whole anniversary weekend for us with dinner out and staying in a hotel all weekend and it was just amazing. It was the first time I really understood how much she loved me and let her know how much I love her and ok, now I’m totally embarrassed…” Willow trailed off turning red as her color started to match the roses.
Touching Willow’s hand the slayer answered, “that’s cool. You feel like you owe her.”
“Grrr Arrgh!” Willow growled. “No. That’s not it at all. I just want to give her as great a romantic time as she has given me. And we haven’t been on that many like ‘go out’ dates. Usually we just hang together or maybe go see a movie on campus or something. This is a chance to have a more ‘datey’ time.”
“Ahhh, that does sound great,” Buffy agreed. “Do you want me to go and get her?” Willow nodded and Buffy went up the stairs to knock on the guest room door.
Tara heard the knock and knew that Willow had “arrived.” It was kind of funny to her that Willow felt it was so important to pick her up for their date but she went along with it any way. Having not packed for a romantic date, she wore jeans and a long-sleeved shirt and boots. Of course, she smiled as she remembered that it was basically the outfit she was wearing when she first met the redhead. Her hair hung loose but she carried a rubber band so she could put it back if it bothered her. Crossing to the door, she opened it to find not Willow but Buffy in the hall. “B-b-buffy?” she questioned.
Buffy smiled as she said, “hey Tara. Willow’s downstairs. She wanted me to come get you.” Seeing some level of puzzlement on Tara’s face, she clarified, “like a real date.”
Tara smiled as she moved into the hall, “yeah I g-g-got that.”
“She’s kind of quirky isn’t she?” Buffy asked.
Spotting Willow at the bottom of the stairs, Tara nodded, “only one of the m-m-many reasons I l-l-love her.” As the blonde approached Willow held out the flowers she had picked up. Tara accepted them, kissing the redhead lightly as she whispered, “I m-m-missed you love.”
Willow gave her lover a light hug as she agreed: “me too. Are you ready to go baby?” As Tara nodded, Buffy took her flowers promising that she would put them in water right away. The two witches said goodbye before pulling on their coats and going out the front door.
“Baby isn’t this k-k-kind of early for d-d-dinner?” Tara asked.
“Who said we are having dinner?” Willow responded. As Tara gave her that adorable lopsided smile that the redhead loved so much, she had to answer, “well ok, when you look at me like that, I’d tell you just about anything. We are going to dinner but we have a stop to make first. Our date’s theme is ‘California.’ Ok, maybe more than California. Maybe California and things we can’t do at home. Ok, maybe that’s not the best thing to call it because not everything that we can’t do at home we want to do or …” Knowing the best way to stop an out of control Willowbabble, Tara quickly pressed her lips to her lover’s soft ones, stroking her fingertips along Willow’s cheeks as she tenderly kissed her.
Sighing deeply as Tara pulled back Willow whispered, “right. Are you ready baby?”
“Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do,” Buffy called out behind them as the two girls skipped down the porch stairs. Both girls giggled, raising their eyebrows seductively at each other. Willow subtly shook her head indicating that she had no intention of following Buffy’s admonition and incurring a hearty laugh from Tara.
Nearing the end of the walk, Tara looked up to note the taxi standing at the curb. “Hey, a t-t-taxi. Where are we going baby?” she asked.
Opening the door to allow the blonde to slide across the seat, Willow just smiled coyly and winked at her lover. Leaning forward she handed a piece of paper to the driver who accepted it, read the instructions, and started from the curb.
As they drove, Willow pointed out various sites throughout Sunnydale. Many of her stories started with “this one time at the Expresso Pump when Buffy and I were patrolling” or “this one time at the park…” stories dated earlier started with “this one time: Xander and I were goofing off.” Although Tara tried to keep Willow off guard by tossing in questions about their date, the redhead managed to keep her secrets to herself.
Leaning in to nibble on the blonde’s neck Willow teased, “maybe if you are very good I could tell you something about the date.”
Giggling Tara responded, “well I can think of a few ways to be very g-g-good such as …” she whispered in Willow’s ear, “but I can’t really do that in this c-cab so I guess I’ll just have to be patient.” As the redhead gulped in response to Tara’s teasing words, the cab pulled to a stop.
Willow paid the driver, giving him a generous tip and confirming that he would return at 5:00 to pick them back up as previously arranged. Although the redhead considered covering her lover’s eyes to surprise her, she was abundantly aware that the smell of salt water permeated the air and both women now knew where they were.
As the cab drove off, Tara’s face was filled with a smile: “you brought me to see the ocean?” She grabbed the redhead in a tight hug swinging her around.
Excited by Tara’s enthusiastic response Willow pulled her by the hand toward the beach. “Come on love; let’s get your first glimpse of the Pacific.”
As they crested the dunes Tara gasped grasping Willow’s hand even tighter. “Oh Goddess!” she whispered, completely overwhelmed by the sight. The two girls walked silently toward the waves. At the point where the dry sand met the wet Tara dropped immediately to the ground, pulling off her boots and socks.
Watching her with disbelief Willow interrupted the blonde’s action: “Baby? It’s too cold. You can’t go in. It snowed her last week and it’s only 50 degrees out.”
After rolling up her jeans as high as she could, Tara stood up hugging Willow again before speaking: “sweetie. I’ve never s-s-seen either ocean before. As long as it’s not frozen solid, I’m going to at least w-w-wade in.” Before advancing closer to the water she asked, “are you coming?”
The redhead leaned forward whispering in her lover’s ear: “not yet baby.” Brushing the tip of her tongue up Tara’s ear she continued, “that’s later love – I hope” before stepping out of her shoes. She grasped Tara’s hand so the two women could wade into the cold surf together.
In spite of the shock of the cold water, both women reveled in the beauty of the ocean: the sun on the waves and the feeling of the ripples of water running over their toes. As it withdrew, they felt the erosion of the sand beneath their feet as the receding water pulled the damp earth with it. Tara felt completely ecstatic with the start to the date. Hugging Willow tightly she asked, “baby, do a ritual with me.” As Willow nodded, Tara closed her eyes and started the incantation.
Both women felt as well as heard the words that echoed through their souls. The effect of the magic was as usual multiplied by their connection and the energy passed through their bodies, tingling at the spot where the skin of their hands met. Untainted by the Hellmouth, the incoming waves poured purity and power into their souls while the receding tide pulled negative energy away. Having never done a ritual of this type before, Willow was amazed by the feelings rushing through her magical center. The connection she felt to Tara was nearly overwhelming, as she could not separate the pleasure and power passing through her from that entering her lover.
After a few minutes, both women opened their eyes and kissed deeply as they turned to move from the water. Looking at her watch, Willow indicated that the taxi would be back any minute and both girls replaced their shoes. Although the ocean was beautiful, their feet were very chilled and they shivered as they huddled close walking from the tide.
As they entered the taxi, Willow again handed a scrap of paper to the driver who nodded and pulled quickly toward the town. Seeing that the girls were chilled, he turned the heat up full blast to allow them to defrost a little. Willow continued pointing out highlights and lowlights of her life in Sunnydale as they drove quickly toward dinner. Although the sun was still keeping darkness away, the streets were growing more and more deserted as those residents sensible enough were getting somewhere safe for the night. The taxi pulled to a stop and the two girls exited as Willow again paid the driver and thanked him for the heat.
They stood in front of a barely noticeable but classy looking building. Tara looked up at the sign before looking questioningly at Willow: “Sushi?” As the redhead nodded, Tara remained skeptical: “Sushi as in r-r-raw fish? We’re eating sushi for dinner?”
Smiling at her lover Willow teased, “hey I’ve adjusted to Texas with ‘y’all’ and ‘dinner’ and ‘supper’ and ‘best’ and the heat not to mention chicken-fried steak which by the way, not chicken and why do that to a steak? You can try a little California ok? If you don’t like it, we’ll go get hamburgers ok?” She ended pleading with her lover like a child.
Smiling Tara again leaned in to kiss her lover as she nodded: “I can think of at least one thing from California that I love and I never tried before so why not s-s-sushi?”
As they entered she looked around the restaurant. The lighting was dim in a very classy romantic way. Most people were dressed nicely and the crowd seemed to range from families enjoying a treat to business people out for happy hour. Those in the happy hour contingent seemed to have been drinking for a while and noisy boisterous laughter came from that section of the restaurant. When they removed their shoes as indicated by the hostess Willow asked, “baby, do you want to sit at the sushi bar where we can see them make it or at a table by ourselves?”
Tara glanced again at the two choices. On one hand, she wanted to see the sushi chef make the dinner but on the other hand, a romantic dinner and evening with her lover beckoned. Kissing Willow’s hand she nodded toward a secluded table in the corner and Willow let the hostess know their choice.
The two girls sat close together on the floor while Willow explained the menu. Before the hostess left, she ordered some sake which she explained was a Japanese wine which you drink warm. Although Tara thought warm wine sounded kind of gross, she figured she could at least try it. Willow showed the blonde the menu explaining the kinds of sushi and recommending her favorites. Overwhelmed by choices Tara finally just asked the redhead to order for them and then admired her lover’s authority in placing the order.
After ordering Willow turned to look Tara. The light in the restaurant was low and although they occasionally heard a commotion or excitement from the other side of the restaurant, their section was quite deserted. The light glimmered in Tara’s blonde hair and sparkled off her blue eyes. Willow felt her heart jump into her throat and she gasped as she took in the beauty of her date. Stroking her hands along Tara’s cheeks she leaned forward kissing her lover tenderly. “Sometimes I feel completely overwhelmed with how much I love you,” she whispered.
Feeling tears of happiness welling up in her eyes Tara nodded: “I know the feeling Willow Rosenberg.”
As they hugged, the waitress brought the wine. Not knowing what to expect, Tara took a tentative sip and was pleasantly surprised by the taste. She smiled at Willow and leaned into her to snuggle as they waited for the food to arrive.
“What do you think of Sunnydale?” Willow asked. As Tara raised an eyebrow, Willow clarified, “ok. Not what do you think of Sunnydale. I mean Sunnydale: who thinks much of it. It’s a Hellmouth and filled with vampires and demons and it’s been an interesting trip. I guess I mean what do you think of my friends?”
Tara nodded, “Ok. W-w-well Sunnydale might be a H-h-hellmouth but at least you’d never be bored here.” The food arrived and Willow pointed out the different items, the wasabi, and ginger and how to eat each in combination. Used to hot food in Texas, Tara was nonetheless surprised by the taste of the wasabi but warmed to it quickly as it enhanced her enjoyment of the sushi. The girls took turns slowly feeding each other with their fingers or chopsticks.
As they ate slowly enjoying their dinner and drinking more wine, Tara expanded on her response: “Xander and Buffy are great: very fun and nice. Actually I like Buffy a lot. I think that she’s really deep although she seems to try to portray this dumb-blonde persona. I think she’s k-k-kind of angsty about the slayer stuff and not being comfortable with her role in the world.” As Tara spoke Willow nodded her head, amazed at her grasp of people. “I think both of them r-r-really miss you a lot. It seems like you were an important part of the group.” The blonde lifted Willow’s hand to her mouth, softly placing a kiss on her palm as she spoke.
Loosened up with the wine, Tara laughed: “You were right on the roof. Cordelia is a human bitch, but not d-d-dangerous, just bitchy.” As the thought about it, the blonde added, “there’s something more there though. She is going to change and g-g-grow after high school and become a very different person.”
“How do you know?” Willow asked.
“I don’t know but I do,” Tara responded quietly. “Oz is nice and doesn’t seem to have a problem about us. I’m really glad about that. I know you didn’t want to hurt him. I like Giles even if he is a bit, well, British you know? He sure cleans his glasses a lot.” Willow choked on her wine as she laughed. “And Faith. I don’t know what to say about her. She’s…”
Willow nodded, “rude? crude? socially unacceptable?”
“Well yeah rude and mean, but…” Tara began. “There’s something else. She’s missing something. I read her energy the other n-n-night and it was scary. She’s lonely and alone and hurt and angry. I mean I guess it’s good if she takes that out on the vampires but …”
“But what baby?” Willow worried. “Do you think she might be dangerous?”
“I don’t know sweetie,” Tara responded. “Let’s not spend our California date thinking about her anyway.” Changing the mood Tara dipped her finger in her wine before drawing her fingertip lightly down Willow’s jugular. The blonde slowly licked up the spot glistening in the dim light to whisper in her lover’s ear: “we don’t need any hamburgers. I think everything I want to put in my mouth is right here.” Willow whimpered her agreement as she pressed her lips against Tara’s.
“So you like Sunnydale and the gang then, well except Faith?” Willow confirmed.
Changing the subject she asked, “Are you ready to go love?” Tara nodded and both girls rose somewhat unsteadily from the floor. Tara noted that the sake had apparently had more of an effect than she realized and she felt quite light and dreamy as they made their way across the restaurant. Although she tried not to take any notice, she was aware of the cost of their very expensive meal. At times the difference in their economic situations made the blonde somewhat uncomfortable. For the cost of the dinner, she could have bought two textbooks or pairs of new jeans and it was hard not to think of the money in those terms. She had to placate her self by thinking of it in Willow’s terms: that the redhead had money and wanted nothing in the world better than sharing her love and good fortune with Tara.
As they exited the restaurant, the cold air struck them as the temperature had dropped further during their long dinner. Looking around, they were amply aware that the dark meant danger in a town like Sunnydale. As they started walking Tara asked, “n-n-no taxi?”
“We don’t have far to go and I have a cross in my pocket baby,” Willow responded although both girls continued walking quickly.
Pausing for a second before laughing and continuing to walk Tara asked, “and you figure Buffy can keep us safe?”
“Er. Um. Various signs of hesitation…” Willow stammered back.
“She’s more s-s-stealthy than that when she’s stalking creatures of the night right?” Tara teased. She made sure to speak loudly that the slayer following them heard her.
“Hey, I’m stealthy!” both girls heard Buffy call.
Willow continued laughing as she explained, “she just wanted to make sure we make it home safely baby.”
The short walk soon led the three girls to a house with a mailbox out front. “Hey!” Tara called out. Before Willow could comment that she was still adjusting well to Sunnydale, the blonde continued: “this isn’t Buffy’s house. It’s yours baby.” She pointed to the mailbox, which clearly showed the Rosenberg name. A few lights shown from inside the house. “I-I-I thought your f-f-folks were out of the c-c-country,” she stuttered.
Realizing Tara’s panic Willow explained as she unlocked the front door: “oh they are. They’ll be gone for a few more weeks. But I wanted to show you my home and give us a few nights away.” She continued, “is that ok baby?” Tara nodded and both girls called out to Buffy that they were inside safely and thanks for following them home.
Once inside Willow turned to kiss her girlfriend on the cheek before waving at the living room. “Welcome baby. Let me show you around ok?” Tara nodded as they started the tour.
After seeing the downstairs and starting up the stairs Tara asked, “what if your parents f-f-find out we were h-h-here?”
“Oh, no problem,” Willow answered. She explained, “I e-mailed my mother two days ago saying ‘hey mom, my friend Tara and I are here. I need to pick up some clothes and will be at the house for a night or two to pick up some clothes and books; let me know if that’s not ok.’ But I sent it through three servers that all have delays so she wouldn’t get it until it was too late to say ‘no.’”
Tara pressed the redhead against the wall at the top of the stairs growling, “sometimes I don’t know whether you are more sneaky or vixeny.”
Willow took the opportunity to kiss her lover softly at first. After a few minutes, she wound her fingers in Tara’s soft hair, pulling her closer and darting her tongue to lick and flick at the blonde’s lips. Soon Tara opened her mouth to accept the soft intrusion and Willow swirled her tongue around the interior of the blonde’s mouth. Tara sucked on the tip of Willow’s tongue and felt the redhead moan in appreciation and lust. Both women could feel their bodies pressed tightly together, breast on breast and hip to hip. Their breathing came short and fast as the kiss grew.
Pulling her mouth back Willow answered, “at the moment, I’d say vixeny.” After placing a quick kiss on Tara’s gasping mouth she whispered, “come on. I’ll show you the rest of the house including my room.” As the girls entered Willow’s room, Tara was fascinated and impressed simultaneously. It was much larger than she had imagined and the French doors to the balcony were beautiful. Before she could even ask Willow reminded her, “sorry baby. We can’t sleep out there: too dangerous.”
Tara nodded as she commented, “your room is awesome. I love the balcony especially. What are all the other rooms for up here?”
Sitting on the bed and pulling Tara to her to snuggle against the pillows, Willow thought about it before responding: “I guess maybe they thought they’d have more kids when they bought it. Now it’s a study for mom, one for dad, and the library. They said I could use one room as a study but I like my stuff in here.”
Tara turned slightly to look into Willow’s green eyes. Stroking her face with her fingertips she spoke: “it seems like a lonely house my love. I’m sorry.” After thinking about it for a minute, the redhead nodded, then leaned in to snuggle her lover more closely. For quite a while the two just held each other, trying in vain to heal the past with the love of the present and the future.
Finally Willow sat up saying, “so something else we’ve never done.” Tara looked at her curiously as the redhead jumped up from the bed and picked up a video case. “Want to watch a video?”
Tara laughed in response, “never d-d-done before! Sure baby, a video sounds great as long as we snuggle. Here or downstairs?”
Willow kissed her softly before responding: “here so if we want to fall asleep we can. I thought we’d stay here till we leave Sunday so whatever we don’t watch tonight we can watch tomorrow.” She handed over the two cases to allow Tara to choose.
Neither girl had seen Tara’s choice: the Matrix. They enjoyed the movie fantastically as they snuggled absent-mindedly stroking each other’s skin as they watched. After a while, Willow started playing with Tara’s hair. As the blonde purred with pleasure from the gentle strokes, Willow got up and got a brush to pay closer attention to her lover’s hair. As she finished the intricate braiding, Tara took the brush from her to work on the red hair she loved so much.
The movie ended and both girls lay discussing the movie for hours. Although neither girl considered herself an action movie aficionado, both loved the movie. They talked excitedly about the meaning of the movie, its implications for the difference in reality and life. About the spiritual life and the one we live in the physical world and reincarnation. As they talked through and around and over the intricate themes of the move, Willow felt a tickling at the edges of her mind. She couldn’t put her finger on it but it seemed that she should know something more than she knew. As the two girls finally reached the end of their discussion on the movie, their beliefs, and life, they snuggled together to fall into sleep as always holding each other.
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"War may be a necessary evil. But no matter how necessary it is always evil." - President Jimmy Carter after receiving the Nobel Peace Prize
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Great update!
But now that they know the power contained in the symbols of their mutual adoration...anything that happens as a result is purely on them! (Personally I'd be tempted to move *my* ring to the other hand just to avoid having to detail another car! 
)
.
. I have always wondered about that 
. Hope there is more to come soon.
and 
, making them do all those "chores" for them, i mean they did a mistake but come on! how could Willow or even Tara for that matter, have guessed that saying those words would make it come true! Ok i will admit that maybe they could have be a little more curious about the rings origin even though not everything is magick related, ok i know we are in Sunnydale, my bad 
at: 2/4/03 4:10:44 pm
