A few comments and the update. I meant to get this up quicker but life intervened.
shuyaku - Yes, Willow is still working toward understanding the difference between the two girls. I think that she is basically there with this update though. Yes, I think that Willow grieved enough as Tara tells her in the dream. And of course we can’t discount the fact that while T1 in Willow’s dream is a figment of Willow’s subconscious, there is also the possibility of a mystical link making her more than just that. Perhaps this is a message from her…Tee hee enthusiastic.
willow fan7 - I’m so glad you liked the update. I know that it was late but I’m glad that it got a good response once I got it going. Thanks.
the vamp nurd - Sorry for the confusion. I’m not sure I can totally explain it but what I was trying to communicate is that Willow is confused about the two girls. The first part is just sensual and erotic and she’s lost in it. Then she realizes that she’s bringing Tara2 home with her. But her home has changed. Everyone has moved on and there are people she doesn’t expect. But they welcome her. Then it’s just her and Tara2 again because that’s what’s important. Then T1 is in the doorway but not angry because she approves. She and Tara2 share their reaction because they are so close. Tara2 tells her that she’s right there meaning that she is the person to get the focus now. I don’t know if that helps but hope so.
Title – Paths Diverged/Divulged Part 20 –
The Best and the Worst Author – JustSkipit - Debra
Spoilers –Season 6
Rating – Part 20 – PG
Disclaimer – Guess what, I don’t own W&T, Buffy or the rest of the BtVS crew. Any similarity to actual persons living or dead is purely coincidental and fortunate. Also Rachel thinks I should point out that I don’t make any money from this…
Thoughts in italicsFlash backs indentedMemories and dreams indented AND italic Their visit to the kitchen left them well fed and they had the chance to visit with the cook for a little while. Willow knew very little about cooking but Tara had an in depth conversation focusing on using herbs in cooking. Although the blonde wanted to discuss growing the herbs also, the cook reluctantly explained that she only harvested the treasures; someone else grew them.
A quick trip to their room allowed the girls to pack their backpacks with materials for the ritual and other necessities. “Did you bring s-something to swim in?” Tara asked.
Willow responded cheekily: “well, there’s my birthday suit.” She waited to see the shocked look that crossed Tara’s face just before the blonde gulped. Giggling the redhead explained, “yeah, I brought a swim suit. I’ll put it on before we go.” On the way to the bathroom to change she stopped to kiss the blonde and was surprised by the passion Tara returned in the embrace.
Reluctantly the two girls broke apart. “Uh… recharge?” Willow gasped.
Tara giggled as she agreed: “as soon as you’re ready sweetie.”
As they were walking to the car Willow asked, “not to bring up… no. Never mind.”
Tara stopped and looked at the redhead. “What Willow?”
“Nothing. It’s nothing really,” Willow tried to backpedal.
Having pressed the smaller woman against the car Tara pushed: “Willow, this relationship is complicated enough without our making it harder by n-not being honest about what we want.”
We’re in a relationship?! Willow’s mind shouted and questioned as she looked duly admonished. “You’re right,” she agreed, “I was just going to ask and not that it’s not ok or but well and driving is fine and not that I don’t prefer and maybe it’s a dumb idea or question and I wouldn’t have asked years…”
Tara silenced her girlfriend in the best way she had yet discovered. “Sweetie, I’m not following this l-lovely Willow-babble.”
Willow gulped and asked quickly, “do you ride any more? I mean horses. I mean any horses. I mean…” She looked away feeling stupid for bringing up such a sensitive and painful subject.
Tara took a step backwards. “I … No.” She turned and opened the back door, whistling for Scooby who came and jumped on the blanket in the backseat. She opened her car door before looking at Willow. The girl looked mortified that she had upset Tara. Smiling Tara held out her keys. “Do you w-want to drive? Have you ever driven a Volvo?”
Willow looked at the keys dangling from Tara’s hand. She was still trying to assess how upset the blonde might be over her insensitive question. “I drove Eliza’s once.”
Tara laughed as she got in the car and waved Willow to get in the passenger side. “I don’t think t-t-this Eliza would let anyone drive her car.”
Feeling how much lighter the mood was Willow finally relaxed, explaining, “well, she wanted to make out with Michelle in the back seat.”
Tara pulled to a stop a short distance from the visible creek. “Ok, that part sounds b-believable.” Before she could open the car door she felt Willow’s hand on hers.
“I’m sorry about… you know… earlier,” she tried to apologize.
Tara leaned over and kissed the redhead on the cheek. “Let’s do our ritual and then we c-can swim. Everything else gets washed away,” she suggested.
Scooby immediately bounded away, flushing birds form the underbrush as she went. Since the blonde was still leaning heavily on her cane, Willow quickly caught up to her and took the blanket from under her arm. As she spread the blanket in the spot Tara indicated she asked, “do we need to tell Scooby to leave us alone? Because I can do that.”
Tara smiled as she placed the crystals at the edges of the blanket. “She knows not to speak or come near the b-blanket during a ritual.” Seeing Willow’s look of disappointment she added, “but I would l-like to see you speak with her sometime.”
Both girls sat down side-by-side and Tara waited for Willow to begin. Although they had not discussed what type of ritual they would share or their roles, Tara hoped that the redhead would take the lead. She was looking forward to practicing with this powerful woman and was curious to see which spell she would begin. Tara heard Willow humming quietly before whispering, “begin.” Tara briefly wondered why the girl used English rather than Latin but quickly discarded her wondering.
Willow cast the spell and felt a calmness fall over both women. She had intentionally used a ritual technique which allowed full interaction with the natural elements while harnessing the energy from the magnetic lines running around and through their site. Her reliance on English was a habit and she had wondered if she should explain it but decided to just start the ritual. As the energy flowed, she observed that like her Tara, this woman apparently had a gift for sensing especially powerful sites of magical energy. Willow had never felt particularly adept at doing so, although ironically enough, she could sense either woman’s affinity for a location.
Both women allowed conscious thought to recede as they absorbed the energizing power of the elements and forced their own used energy into the earth.
After about an hour the girls gradually began to move about. Tara looked to Willow before waving her hand and whispering, “finis.” As she did so, both witches exhaled slowly and Scooby bounded onto the blanket, shaking her entire body and spraying both girls with creek water. Tara laughed before standing up. “Let’s join her,” she suggested as she fluidly stripped off her top.
Willow was entranced as the blonde so casually exposed her tanned upper body. A small bikini top left little to the imagination and the redhead gulped as she waited for Tara to strip off her bottoms. She had not noticed that the girl wore hospital scrubs from the waist down.
Feeling refreshed enough to not need her cane, Tara left it sitting on the blanket as she started toward the water. “Last one in…,” she teased since Willow had not yet removed her shorts and top. Moments later the blonde and Scooby splashed into the water.
Willow stood awkwardly still thinking about Tara’s shoulders and breasts. She felt as if she was having trouble thinking clearly. She had noticed that Tara had left her cane indicating that she could cope without the aid for short distances or when particularly refreshed. She surmised that the blonde must be wearing the light-weight leg coverings to ensure that Willow couldn’t see her scars and felt momentarily saddened to think that Tara didn’t trust her enough to allow her to see but she knew that all she could do was give her time. After quickly stripping her clothes she ran for the bank, jumping in and splashing both Tara and Scooby.
Tara watched the redhead undressing with very personal interest. Although Willow had undressed her the night of their first kiss, as well as seeing her alternate who knew how many times, she had only seen Willow’s body in her dreams and artwork. A twinge of guilt flashed through her mind as she realized what pleasure she took in the sight of the smaller girl in her one-piece swimsuit while she wore hospital scrubs. That guilt left quickly as Willow swam quickly over to the blonde who was standing in chest-deep cool water. Tara wrapped her arms around the redhead’s body and pulled her close.
What started as a gentle kiss quickly turned passionate and breathless. The sexual energy had built up between both women throughout their healing session with the horse and then the shared ritual to refresh their magical powers. While the ritual was not directly sexual, Tara was quickly learning what Willow had known for years: that any sharing of their connection, their essence, would be exciting on every level. Tara’s hands stroked Willow’s back as she thrust her tongue into the smaller girl’s mouth. Feeling Willow sucking on the tip of her tongue, the blonde moaned quietly and enjoyed the tension of Willow’s hands wrapped in her hair.
Willow was breathing heavily and knew that her excitement was only building. She had been here so many times before, and yet had never been quite here. Her heart was beating within her chest and she could feel and taste Tara’s energy in her mouth and on her hands. Passionately she pressed her tongue back into the blonde’s mouth and was rewarded as Tara began sucking on it. After a few moments of this both women were feeling overpowered and overheated. Willow pulled her lips away and leaned her forehead against the blonde’s. Gently she placed a few nipping kisses on Tara’s lips and heard the blonde giggle. Soon Scooby swam near and started pawing at Tara’s hand and both girls started laughing. Willow looked down, noting that Tara held a stick which apparently both she and the dog had planned on her throwing. “I should throw this b-before she knocks us both over,” Tara panted.
As Tara turned away to throw the stick Willow’s face lit up in a sneaky grin. Tara threw the stick and shouted for Scooby to get it just as she felt Willow’s hands on her stomach. At first she thought that the redhead just wanted to pull her close for another kiss but she soon realized that that was the furthest thought from Willow’s mind. Before Tara could push back she found herself upended and dunked under the water. She emerged with water streaming down her face and off of the ends of her hair, dark blonde now, laughing and saw Willow also laughing. “Sorry?” Willow lamely apologized.
Tara laughed at the smaller girl’s playfulness and lame apology: “no you’re not,” she argued, “but you know w-what they say?”
“All’s well that ends well?” Willow suggested.
“Payback’s a bitch,” Tara corrected as she launched her body at her opponent, quickly pulling her under the water.
Willow was shocked at Tara’s move as she felt herself pushed under the water. She got water in her eyes but quickly closed them as she attempted to keep a hold on the blonde so they would both be under. Suddenly she felt Scooby throw herself into the mix, pawing at both girls. Willow pulled away from Tara and the dog and stood to watch her. Tara stood slowly and both girls held up their hands. “Truce?” Willow offered.
“Ok,” Tara agreed, “truce.”
Just as she spoke Willow launched her body at the taller girl one more time, knocking her under water again. “Never believe someone who says truce with one hand behind her back,” Willow teased, “it means her fingers are crossed.” Suddenly she realized that Tara was bent over clutching at her leg. Her mouth was shut in a grimace of pain.
Willow quickly swam over asking, “baby? Did I hurt you? Are you ok? Oh Goddess. I don’t know what to … I can go get the car… I’ll take you to a hospital in town or…” she was cut off as she felt two handfuls of creek silt dropping onto her head and pouring over her face.
Tara laughed loudly at the look of shock and disgust on the redhead’s face as she explained, “see what I m-meant about payback?” The two girls swam for a few more minutes before deciding to get out and dry off.
Back on the blanket they pulled some snack food from their packs and shared what each had. Snuggling together they lay back on the blanket watching the clouds and enjoying the warm weather. “I like this,” Willow whispered.
“The snuggling?” Tara suggested.
“All of it,” Willow tried to explain, “I like being with you and spending time with you and talking or not talking. I want to know so many things about you and it’s … ok I’m sounding kind of like a doofus at the minute but I hope it makes sense.”
Tara leaned up on one elbow as she answered, “I like it too.” She softly kissed the redhead. “I know we have our d-dinner date next week but also … um… do you want to come to Michelle’s birthday party w-with me?”
Willow giggled and nodded answering, “you’re asking me on a second date next week. So I may get to see you more than once a week? Gee let me think about it. I mean I have such a smashing social schedule what with knowing six people in this dimension and three of them will be at the party. Yes.”
Tara pouted playfully: “I’m busy with school and work and everything. I want to see you more often t-too you know.”
“Then see me more often,” Willow answered glibly.
Tara giggled as she told the redhead, “ok. But you may want to back out of the party.”
A confused look crossed the redhead’s face as she asked, “but isn’t it late? Wasn’t her birthday last week? Why would I want to back out of it? You’ll be there right?”
“Yes and yes and it’s a costume party and yes,” Tara responded.
“What? A costume party? Who has a costume party for their birthday?” Willow gasped.
“Michelle does,” Tara answered. “It s-s-started kind of funny. One year my b-brother came to her p-party. He got c-confused by the invitation and thought it was a costume party so he showed up dressed like Elvis. Well he was r-really embarrassed so Chelle, Eliza, and I all went and put on costumes. Ever s-s-since then, it’s been a tradition.”
Willow smiled as Tara told her story. “Ok so a fun costume party. What kind of costume?”
Tara shrugged her shoulders as she told her girlfriend, “it’s good to keep it a secret. There are p-prizes and pictures and everything. A lot of her runner friends dress pretty sexy. I think they see it as an opportunity to wear very f-few clothes and show off.”
“Hey,” Willow reacted, “no semi-naked nubile runners hitting on you. I don’t like that part of the story at all.” Willow nuzzled her nose into Tara’s neck as she pouted, “they had their chances. Too late now.”
Tara giggled at Willow’s childishness. Who knew the redhead could be so jealous of women she had never met? She knew that Tara had dated women before her and she had to know that Willow meant everything to her? Didn’t she? Did she have any idea? Tara wondered for a minute if Willow had any idea how long the blonde witch had waited for this woman to return to her. Shaking the idea off, she sat up and reached into her backpack.
Willow watched Tara’s movement curiously. She had no idea what the blonde had planned and it was strange that she was moving at all. They had been snuggling so well and she was really enjoying it. What was Tara doing? As she watched the blonde pulled two drawing pads from her backpack. Looking at the covers of the books but not at Willow, Tara explained, “I thought this m-might be a g-good time to show you …” She got silent for a few seconds trying to figure out what to say.
Willow lifted the other girl’s chin and looked deeply into her eyes. “What is it Tare?”
Tara held out the two books: “these are the b-best and the w-worst but there are more. L-l-lots more.” Willow took the drawing pads from the blonde simultaneously intrigued and confused about the presentation.
The best and worst of what? What is this? Her drawings right? Well great. I love Tara-art. She carefully opened the first book and was shocked to see her own face looking right back at her.
Page by page Willow examined the first book. Her shock grew with each drawing. Every one was of her. Many pages had multiple drawings on them, in a sort of montage. The drawings ranged from innocent and casual to extremely erotic. There were drawings of her studying, talking on the phone, sleeping, eating, drinking coffee, and making love. No one else appeared in any of the pictures and she didn’t know if Tara never saw the other people in the pictures or just didn’t include them in her representations.
Many of the drawings she recognized as coming from a specific day or experience. Her wardrobe, or in some cases lack thereof, was absolutely accurate. She had never before known the panic in her eyes as she tried to figure out what to wear to see Buffy when Joyce had died. As she looked at the background of the drawings she recognized Buffy’s house, the Bronze, Spike’s crypt, the Magic Box, and Joyce’s room. While many of the pictures were erotic, depicting her in the throes of passion like the one at the exhibit, others showed her in “monster fighting” mode. Turning the final page she gasped. She stood in her and Tara’s bedroom wearing a white shirt which was splattered with drops of blood and she had a panicked and pained expression on her face.
Willow pushed the book from her pointing at the last picture. “That…that…that…,” was all she could get out.
Tara looked from the drawing back to Willow and back to the drawing. The redhead was very upset but Tara didn’t know why. Many of the drawings showed images of her covered with some type of gore or the remains of a battle. Suddenly it dawned on her. That picture was from the last dream she had had. It was over three months ago and she had drawn it after waking up from a mid-morning nap. Making sure that Willow was watching her, she reached over and tore the page from the book before tearing it into pieces.
Willow didn’t know what Tara was planning as she walked toward the stream. The blonde stood near the water holding the scraps of her drawing. Again ensuring that the redhead was watching she did a simple incantation and held the paper as it burned. When the flames neared her fingers, she dropped the remaining scrap into the creek before returning to the blanket. Gently she reached out her fingers and touched the back of Willow’s hand. “I d-didn’t know,” she tried to explain.
Willow’s eyes shined with unshed tears as she began to trace the pattern Tara’s fingertips were making on her skin with her own fingers. “Can you hold me?” she whispered. Tara didn’t answer verbally but opened her arms to enfold the smaller girl within them. As Willow curled up to cry, Tara held her and stroked her skin. Willow noticed that the blonde was not using her powers to try and assuage her pain and her tears flowed openly for a few minutes. After a few minutes she heard Tara singing. Her voice was beautiful and melodious and it was making the redhead feel better. She started to wonder if the witch might have healing power in her song as well as her touch. Finally Willow sat up again giving Tara a hug. Wanting to change the mood she reached out for the other book. “Ok, let’s see…”
Again she gasped as she began looking at the drawings in the book. They were terrible. Not that the drawing was terrible. The content was terrible. She had never seen such dark representations. The pages virtually swirled with dark lines, clouds, storms. Dark rooms filled every page and bugs seemed to crawl from the very paper they graced. Monsters loomed in every shadow. As Willow examined the drawings with growing horror she realized something: while she had recognized every scene from the first book, none of this was familiar. Yes there were monsters and horrific scenes, but none of them were monsters she knew. Even the drawings of the Adam and the Gentlemen at the exhibit were familiar but these were not. Were these related to Tara’s dreams of the other Tara’s life? If so, why didn’t Willow recognize the horror within?
This time the redhead understood the possible significance of the final page of the book. She braced herself for a shock and took a deep breath before turning the page. Even so, the page literally took her breath away. Unlike Adam whom Willow had seen only once, the redhead had seen this figure multiple times: at the magic box, at her penthouse, in the gas station, at the construction site, and most memorably as she pressed her fingers through Tara’s skull at the multi-cultural fair. The drawing was absolutely realistic. It showed nothing more and nothing less than a better-than-average looking woman with curly blonde hair. She wore a silky dress and smiled a bright smile of endless white teeth as she sat on a bench with a carnival atmosphere in the background.
The picture had no fangs or horns. The image contained within displayed no magical powers or evil intent. Nonetheless, the tenor of the page was absolute evil and terror. This, the only page to hold a title, was labeled simply “Glory.” As the redhead stared and stared at the page she tried to understand the technique. How had Tara captured the insanity and cruelty of this creature in a simple drawing?
Tara watched Willow with more than a little fear. How would she explain to the girl the insanity and darkness that had overcome her during that terrible period? Would Willow want to be with someone who was so obviously crazy? These drawings had poured forth during that period and during the extended period of nightmares that plagued her for months after. This entire sketchbook was so dark that Helen had not even considered displaying any of its work in the exhibit. It had been a dark time in the blonde’s life. Suddenly she had fallen into darkness, feeling like she was completely lost all the time. Michelle and Eliza were always walking in to a room to find the witch sitting staring at nothing and cradling her hand tenderly with tears streaming down her face or frantically trying to brush non-existent bugs from her skin and clothes.
Her terror was so real and so persistent that rather than listening for nightmares and then coming in to hold their friend, eventually Chelle & Eliza had simply moved their mattress into Tara’s room so they could be closer to her during her terror. After seeing a doctor for the intense pain in her hand and finding nothing wrong, the girls had decided to take Tara to see a psychiatrist when suddenly one day the darkness had lifted. Although she still had the nightmares, the darkness never returned to her waking hours like it had during that time.
Finally Willow looked up at the blonde with an impassive look on her face. Tara couldn’t tell what she might be feeling. It might be fear or anger or confusion, certainly not warmth or love. Tara reached out for the redhead’s hand and took it in hers to try to explain the drawings. Before she could open her mouth she heard Willow’s quiet voice: “you dreamt this?” The quite statement held no recrimination or anger but compassion and definitely confusion.
Tara stammered as she attempted to explain: “n-not exactly d-dreamt.”
Willow began shaking her head from side to side as she heard Tara’s words. There was no way that this was happening. She knew that Tara had dreamt of their life together but she had no idea the connection between the two women was so strong. “Not dreamt?” she repeated dully.
Tara looked down at her hands feeling completely ashamed.
Maybe I should have told her this earlier? she thought. “It w-w-wasn’t so much d-d-reamt. I f-f-felt it.” Desperately she began to try to explain it to the redhead: “I d-d-don’t know what happened. I was f-f-fine and then one d-d-day…I got so lost.” Willow’s mouth had dropped completely open and Tara tried to reassure her the best she could: “b-b-but it n-never happens anymore. I mean it’s over now and I’m f-f-fine…”
Finally Willow realized how upset Tara was.
God I’m being an ass! she thought. She realized that Tara didn’t know that Willow understood the art and the madness. Goddess, the blonde probably didn’t understand it herself. She thought that she had gone crazy and was probably worried about Willow’s reaction. Smoothly Willow raised her hands to cup Tara’s cheeks in her palms. As she did, she felt the blonde start to calm down. She was taking more steady breaths and their connection was strong enough that Willow could feel the other girl’s terror starting to recede. Gently she pressed her lips to Tara’s in a comforting kiss. “It won’t happen again,” she quietly assured the girl.
Tara felt better from the contact with the redhead but still she worried. “We d-d-don’t know that. It could come back any t-t-time. I don’t know why…”
This time Willow cut the blonde off with her soft lips. “I do,” she whispered cryptically.
Tara blinked her eyes and shook her head trying to understand what the other girl was saying: “What? You do what?”
“I know why it happened,” Willow explained, “it won’t happen again.” As she saw that Tara didn’t understand anything she was hearing Willow elaborated, “it happened because of her.” She indicated the drawing: “it happened because of Glory.”
“S-s-she’s real?” Tara confirmed disbelievingly.
Willow nodded her head sadly. “She was real. She’s gone now.” The redhead leaned back on the blanket and held her arms out. “I’ll explain. Can I hold you while I do?” she asked.
Tara smiled her lop-sided smile again as she nestled into the smaller woman. She was finding that Willow’s arms around her felt like home and belonging. She would always be safe with this woman. Willow took a breath before explaining. She had already decided to edit certain parts of the story. After all, it was bad enough for Tara to be afraid Willow would think she was crazy, did Willow really want Tara to think the same? “Glory was a hell-god. You made a pretty good picture of her there. She was trapped in this dimension but wanted to go back to her hell dimension. Unfortunately she was not only evil and narcissistic, she was insane. And her only means of staving off the insanity was to suck people’s brains.” Tara shuddered at the description.
“Tara and I were meeting at the multi-cultural fair but I was late,” Willow explained, her guilt flooding back.
If only we hadn’t fought, this wouldn’t have happened. “Glory got there first. She knew that Tara was a friend of Buffy’s and she wanted information.” She stopped for a second as she remembered that terrible day but to Tara it was like she was pausing for dramatic effect: “I got there a minute too late.”
“She s-s-sucked her b-b-brain?” Tara asked. She didn’t really have a question about it but just needed to say the words.
Willow nodded silently. “I guess yours too a little?” she commented. She didn’t mean to be insulting but it was obvious that this woman had also been affected by Glory’s cruelty.
Tara nodded gulping:“b-b-but it didn’t last. I mean one d-day it got better.”
Willow explained as quickly as possible, “I reversed it. We needed to do battle with Glory for once and for all and besides bringing back Tara’s sanity it disoriented the hellgod.” She remembered something this Tara had said, “when Tara first recognized me she said something you said. She said, ‘I got so lost.’”
“We did,” Tara quietly agreed.
For a long time the two girls lay entwined in the sun feeling thankful that they were together and healthy. Finally Willow sat up and brushed her fingertips across the blonde witch’s face. “Thank you for sharing your art with me. It’s incredible and powerful and it’s a gift.” She stopped not sure whether she should continue. “And she would never tell me anything about what it was like for her so you gave that to me. Thank you.” She leaned down kissing the blonde who could tell that this time Willow was kissing her and not her ex-lover.
The kiss became more and more heated with Willow pressing her body fully against Tara’s as the taller girl lay beneath her. Finally the redhead pulled away looking somewhat embarrassed. As each girl took a few breaths to steady herself Willow asked, “do you think there’s somewhere to eat around here? I’d love to take you to dinner.”
Tara smiled her quirky smile as she told the redhead, “I’d love you to t-take me to dinner too.” Willow’s jaw dropped as they were folding the blanket and Tara added on the teasing, “but just because you buy me dinner doesn’t mean I’ll put out.”
Yep she’s definitely different from my Tara, Willow thought. Her Tara would never have said something like that. “Doesn’t mean I w-won’t either though,” Tara continued teasing quietly as Willow blushed.
---
Both girls enjoyed dinner together in a small and surprisingly good Italian restaurant in the closest town to the ranch. Even though it was about an hour from the ranch to the town, they were spotted immediately by locals who greeted them saying, “y’all must be them girls workin on the Allen’s horse. Hope you’re helpin. That’s one beautiful animal.” The girls tried to take all the attention in stride and just enjoy their dinner together but it pretty much precluded any serious conversation.
Tara handed the keys over to Willow for the drive back to the ranch because she was feeling tired. She wasn’t particularly drained and, in fact, was walking well, but she just didn’t feel like driving. It was well past dark when the two girls arrived at the ranch house and they quietly got ready for bed. A short make-out session quickly turned hot and both girls found themselves pulling away. After a moment of awkwardness they moved together for comforting snuggles. As each girl was loosing consciousness she felt more than heard the words, “right. Right. Soft. Right,” floating through her brain. Willow knew that the words sounded familiar but couldn’t place them.
---
Willow woke with some amount of confusion about where and when she was. She looked around the room, finally recognizing the ranch house. Her eyes settled on the apple again sitting on the nightstand and this time it brought a big smile to her face. Tara had packed her bag, apparently expecting to leave today so Willow did the same as soon as she had taken her shower.
The night before Willow had told Tara that if she rose early and wanted to check on the horse, she could either wake the redhead or head down to the stable. Not finding the blonde in the kitchen nor her car at the house, Willow assumed that she must be at the stable and spent about 15 minutes walking down there. Scooby ran up to the redhead as she walked and they proceeded together until they reached the barn with Willow throwing the sticks that Scooby kept bringing her.
Willow entered the barn to find a crowd of people including Mr. Allen, Joy, Tara, and another man holding a medical bag. As the redhead approached slowly and quietly it became immediately apparent that the other man was a veterinarian. “Well, I’ve never seen anything like it,” he exclaimed. “I don’t know what you did sweetheart but you’re a miracle.” “It’s like magic,” he muttered. Willow saw the blonde witch shooting a look at Joy to make sure the girl kept quiet. Willow sat on a bale of hay and after a few minutes Joy joined her, babbling excitedly about Golden’s progress and how excited she was. As the redhead looked over at the teenager, she realized that the girl had tears in her eyes.
As Willow sat holding Joy’s hand the rest of the group walked over to them. Tara introduced Willow to the veterinarian who told Willow what a miracle worker the blonde was. Tara’s glance let her know how appreciated she was. “Well w-w-we need to be getting home,” Tara explained as they all started toward the stable door.
At the door to the stable Mr. Allen turned and shook both girl’s hands. Thinking for a minute he quickly hugged each woman also. “Can I give y’all some money? You saved a very special and valuable horse.”
Tara glanced toward Willow and saw that the redhead was leaving the answer up to her. “I d-d-don’t need the money but you can make a donation to
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animalsin memory or Teresa Anders or Rebecca Maclay.” Surprising Willow the blonde pulled a card from her pocket which apparently gave more information about contacting the group and handed it to the grateful owner.
“You have my contact information if y’all ever need anything?” he confirmed and both girls nodded. “Ok, then I’m going to head back in the barn. Thank you so much!” Tara took Willow’s hand and the two girls started to leave. Before they could reach the car Joy can running up to hug both of them.
After stopping to get their bags from the house, they started their long drive home. “I can’t believe you didn’t take any money,” Willow commented.
Tara looked over at the redhead a little worried, “should I? I m-m-mean do you need money?”
“What?” Willow asked, “no I’ve got a pretty good amount and I’m earning some with the consulting. I’m just surprised.”
Tara shook her head relieved that she hadn’t refused money that Willow might have needed. “It’s just that I f-figure it’s a gift so I shouldn’t sell it.”
“That makes sense,” Willow agreed.
“Plus which,” Tara continued, “Helen will invite him to my next exhibit and p-people like that have a lot of money to spend on artwork.”
Willow reached out to take the blonde’s hand. “That makes sense,” she agreed.
She’s having another exhibit? When? Will I be in it? After a second of panicking she decided to live in the present and absorb the seeming perfection of their hands linked as they drove toward Austin and home.
---
"It is better to conquer yourself than to win a thousand battles. Then the victory is yours. It cannot be taken from you, not by angels or demons, heaven or hell." - The Buddha
Edited by: JustSkipIt at: 8/27/03 5:32 am
wow... lol.. yes.. excellent.
by When You Were Mine » Sat Aug 23, 2003 1:06 pm 
Soonissh??
Let the loving begin. 
at: 8/23/03 9:36 pm
I love this fic.
Debra,
It really pulled at the heart strings. When 
asked 
how she would feel about her coming to look for another her. 
All this set off by an apple. It is good that 
I also like hat they can talk telepathacally with each other. I can't wait to 
more. Update soon, please? 
and 
-ing update. 
at: 8/26/03 8:28 pm
Though it was very mean of Tara to worry Willow by pretending to be hurt 
). And then the drawings of Glory and the craziness...the words both Tara's used. It's touching to see the comfort these women can bring each other when they're in pain.