Kathy94: Getting the post up for you so you don't have to be late for work and try to explain it to your boss.
Title: Mending Fences
Author: SlayerTazz
E-mail: tazz72@yahoo.com Feedback: Yes, please!
Distribution: Sure, just let me know.
Spoilers: Up to and including Season 6, this is mostly AU though.
Pairing: W/T
Rating: PG-13. Some chapters may increase in rating. Fair warning will be given.
Disclaimers: Joss and Co. own all. I'm just borrowing them for the time being...
Summary: Willow and Tara have broken up, Tara has moved back to the dorms - she's living in the room that we first saw her in (its AU, and I liked her original room), and Spike is remotely still one of the "good" guys.
Notes: All character thoughts/dreams are in italics.
Mending Fences Part 6Tara arrived at the Espresso Pump before Willow. She managed to find a table that was somewhat out of the way of the general traffic. She noted that the place was pretty slow; at least it seemed that way to her. Willow walked in and Tara waved to her. Willow caught sight of her girl and waved back. Tara noted that Willow was wearing her favorite red pants and stripped sweater. Willow noticed that Tara was wearing a rose colored tee that highlighted her lips. Once she got to the table both girls were full of grins. Willow gave Tara a very tight, full body hug.
The waitress knew them well since they used to be frequent visitors. She came up smiled and asked if they wanted their usual. They both nodded and she left to get their drinks.
“You look great,” said Tara.
“Thanks, so do you. I love that color on you…” started Willow before she stopped herself.
“You do huh? Why is that?” said Tara taunting Willow more than anything. She knew damn well why, but she wanted to see if Willow was going to say it or not.
“You really want to know?” questioned Willow as Tara nodded her head, yes. “Well, because it accentuates your luscious and sensual lips,” Willow finished in a slightly sexy whispering voice.
“Um, er…” was all Tara said before she started to blush several shades of red.
Willow started to laugh at the blonde. She didn’t mean to, but she couldn’t help herself. Tara looked so cute when she blushed.
“Aww, baby, I’m sorry…I didn’t mean to make you blush,” she finally said.
“You did too…and it’s not fair that you can make me blush with barely trying.” Tara pouted.
“It’s just because I know you so well. You could do the same to me if you really wanted to,” retorted Willow trying to stifle a giggle.
“Maybe I’m just not as mean as you are,” Tara said playfully.
“That has to be it,” laughed Willow as Tara joined in. “Did you sleep well last night?”
“Not really – had a couple bad dreams that woke me up, but after a while they passed and I was able to get some dreamless sleep. How about you?”
”I’m sorry to hear that. I had a nightmare and then dead dreamless sleep.”
“Are you ok? Do you want to talk about it?” asked Tara in a very concerned tone.
“Well I don’t know…I’m kinda nervous about it.”
“Why are you nervous Willow, this is me…you can tell me anything,” reassured Tara.
“I know, but well, I guess I do need to tell you. I want you to know what our relationship means to me and that I am going to be honest with you about everything…but can we wait until after we leave here?”
“Sure, and Will, I know that our relationship means a lot to you. If I didn’t believe that, I wouldn’t be here today,” Tara said hoping to make Willow feel a bit more at ease about things and to let her know she didn’t need to worry about trying so hard.
The girls drank their coffee, stared longingly into one another’s eyes, and talked about things. Tara told Willow about what she had planned for her and Dawn. After they finished their coffee they headed out of the Espresso Pump, their hands entwined together.
They walked around Sunnydale trying to find the best place to talk. It was a beautiful day out and they wanted to be alone. After making a quick stop at Tara’s room, to grab a blanket, they headed to a field on the outskirts of campus. It was a field they both knew well. They had spent a lot of time out here studying Wicca, and making out. They both squeezed the others hand when they reached their destination. Finding a spot atop the small hill overlooking town and the campus, they laid the blanket down and then Tara half laid down, while Willow sat cross legged next to her.
“Wow, I’d forgotten how beautiful it was here,” said Willow as she looked down at Tara.
“Yeah, I’ve been here a lot lately – but I have to say it is definitely much nicer with you here,” Tara said as she put her hand on Willow’s leg. Willow began to smile as she felt the warmth of Tara’s hand through her pants.
“I love you so much, Tara. I need you to know that and remember that…” started Willow. “What I’m about to tell you isn’t going to make a lot of sense at first and then you may not be happy with me, but know that I love you, ok?”
“Ok,” said Tara not liking the tone and phrasing Willow was using. “I love you too, Willow. I’m here to listen and if I’m not happy, we’ll work through it…together.”
“Thank you,” Willow smiled trying to compose her thoughts on how to explain this all.
Tara reached over and took Willow’s hand in her own and pulled the back of it to her lips and placed a soft kiss of reassurance on it. She felt Willow start to relax. Willow sat there for a bit and then she laid down on her side facing Tara, but never letting go or breaking contact with the hand that Tara had taken into her own.
“Well, last night I had a dream that scared the daylights out of me. It was a dream that was so real I would have sworn it was happening, but I woke up,” she started. As Willow explained about the prophetic dreams she had had in the past and the dream that she had last night, she felt Tara’s hand tense a bit. She wasn’t sure what to make of it – she could see Tara listening intently to her – absorbing every word that she was saying.
“Oh my god, Willow, I’m so sorry you had to be there alone. I’m glad that Buffy and Dawn were in the house with you though,” said Tara pulling Willow’s hand closer to her.
“Tara, I’m scared. I don’t want to go back to using magic and I certainly don’t want to risk losing you. I would and could never forgive myself.”
Tara silenced Willow by putting her hand over Willow’s mouth. Tara had forgotten how soft Willow’s lips were. She gently ran her fingers over her lips, not even realizing that she was doing it.
“Shhh, Willow. It’s okay. I’m not going anywhere and you haven’t done anything wrong. You had a dream, a very creepy bad dream, but it was just that – a dream. We do need to talk more though because my dream relates to that, too,” finished Tara as her fingers continued to dance across Willow’s lips. Willow softly placed kisses on Tara’s fingers. Both girls became hyperaware of their growing desire for the other. Tara pulled her hand off Willow’s lips and tucked a stray piece of hair behind her ear.
“What do you mean your dream relates to mine?” Willow was now completely confused and what Tara had been doing was driving her crazy and making it hard for her to concentrate.
“Well, remember I said I had a couple of bad dreams last night. Well one of them was similar to yours. I dreamt that I was walking home and I started to see these flashes of fire. I remember being drawn to them…I walked closer and saw things bursting into flames and then I saw Buffy – then a large fireball and she was gone. Everything went silent then…there were no noises, no wind, nothing. I remember looking around trying to find out what was going on and everything was frozen in time,” Tara said as Willow sat there astounded at what she was hearing. “I walked closer to where Buffy had been and it was like there was some kind of void. I couldn’t feel the ground, the air, nothing in that area. Then, I woke up.”
“Wow,” was all Willow could say at first. “Baby, I’m sorry you had to go through that alone.”
“See, that is what I don’t get. I didn’t feel alone in the dream, nor when I woke up. I felt like I was being watched and protected.”
“Really?”
“Yeah, but I don’t know by who…all I know is it was a very calming feeling. The next dream I had wasn’t as pleasant a feeling though. I dreamt that you had gone back to the magic and we’re hell bent on destroying any and everything that meant anything to you. Especially Buffy, Dawn, Xander and me.” Tara finished dreading that she was being too open in telling Willow all this.
“Baby, I swear to you that I will never try to destroy you or anyone I love,” said Willow as she leaned forward to place a soft kiss on Tara’s forehead. Tara noticed where Willow was aiming and quickly lifted her head up at the last second so their lips met. The kiss was very gentle, neither woman pushing for more, but simply savoring the contact.
Breaking the kiss, Tara smiled at Willow. “Vixen,” Willow said surprised.
“Sorry, couldn’t help myself. You’re lips have been driving me nuts since you got to the Espresso Pump,” Tara confessed.
“Oh really, well Ms. Maclay, you should have said something sooner and I would have been more than happy to help remedy that fact,” giggled Willow.
Tara ran her hand along the side of Willow’s face and down her neck as she made her way forward under Willow’s chin. She leaned forward to capture Willow’s lips again. Willow leaned into the touch and then into the kiss. A moan of pleasure softly escaped through her lips. The kiss was slow and tender. Tara gently sucked on Willow’s lower lip as she felt Willow’s breath catch. Willow brought her free hand up to the back or Tara’s neck and pulled her in closer. Tara sensing the desire in her lover adjusted and pushed Willow onto her back – never breaking the kiss. Tara was now leaning over Willow. She pulled back ever so slightly to where there lips were barely touching and began to tease Willow’s lips with her own. Willow let out a whimper needing more contact. Tara continued to tease Willow’s lips and then leaned into the kiss, deepening it almost instantly. Both girls let out a moan of enjoyment, neither wanting to stop, neither feeling the need to go any farther than this right now.
They laid there kissing for what felt like hours, breaking away before they managed to get too carried away.
“Wow,” said Tara.
“I um, well, yeah wow about covers it,” babbled Willow. She was still in shock that Tara had been so forward on what was technically their second date.
“I hope you don’t mind, but I needed to feel that – to know that the dream wasn’t anywhere close to reality.”
Willow smiled. “Hey, anytime I can help in that sense, you just let me know and I’ll be more than happy to oblige.”
“I’ll remember that and hold you to it,” said Tara as she placed a soft kiss on Willow’s lips.
They laid there holding one another for a while before they noticed the suns position and they realized they had been there for a long time and both had missed their classes for the day. Neither was all that heart broken about it.
They decided they should head back. Willow had promised to help Dawn, Xander and Buffy with researching her dream and Tara had promised to hang out with Anya while they were doing their “Scooby Bonding” thing. At the time she agreed, Tara didn’t know that they were doing research, but now she had figured that was what they were doing. She wanted to help and knew the best way was to keep Anya from bothering them.
**********
Willow and Tara walked into the Magic Box holding hands. Everyone just stared at them with small grins on their faces. Neither girl knew when their hands had become entwined together – just that it felt so natural and right. Once they became aware of the ten pairs of eyes on them, they both became very nervous and immediately let go of the others hands.
“See you broke them – I told you staring was bad,” Anya said as she reached over and hit Xander upside the head.
“Ow, Ahn honey, there is no need to hit and I wasn’t the only one staring so if you’re going to hit me for it you are going to have to hit several others for it too,” Xander exclaimed trying to get himself out of trouble or at least avoid getting hit again.
“Don’t even think about it,” said Buffy and Dawn together as Anya turned her attentions to them. Spike just sat in the corner grinning. He loved the whole Scooby banter.
“Um, h-hi guys,” said Tara finally. She was hoping that it would ease some of the tensions in the room, but alas it didn’t.
“Hey Tara,” said Buffy as she gave Tara a reassuring smile.
“Hey,” said Dawn as she made her way over to Tara and gave her a huge hug. “I’ve missed you. We’re still going this weekend, right?”
“Of course Dawnie, I wouldn’t miss our day out for anything.” She said as she glanced over to Willow who was still very quiet and seemingly more nervous. Dawn sensed Tara’s worries and pulled Willow into a hug to bring her out of the trance she appeared to be in. Willow snapped out of it, returned the hug and gave Dawn a soft smile.
“You ok Will,” said Buffy growing concerned as to her best friends quietness.
“Me, um yeah – all good with the okay-ness here. Yep, me and ok are like this,” said Willow as she crossed her fingers and held them up. Everyone smirked at the Willow-babble they had all grown to know and love.
“Sweetie, you sure you’re ok?” Tara asked as she pulled Willow aside and everyone went about doing something else. Even Anya, who normally didn’t get the whole concept of privacy, got that they needed a little space at the moment. In reality Anya tended to respond more humanly to things regarding Tara than she did with anyone else. Nobody was sure why that was – but they were all exceptionally grateful that she did.
“Yeah, I’m just nervous about the whole dream thing and well I’ve had such a great day with you…” she trailed off.
“Hey, everything is going to be fine. I promise. And we’ll have many more days like today – I promise,” said Tara trying to calm Willow’s nerves, but knowing that she was also trying to reassure herself that it was going to be alright.
“Not to belittle today or take away from it at all – but when you say more days like today, does that include more of the whole smoochies part too?” asked the smiling red head who saw Tara begin to blush.
“If you play your cards right – I think that can be arranged,” Tara playfully said.
“Yay, I can definitely play those cards right,” Willow said as she wiggled her eyebrows causing Tara to blush even more.
“Vixen,” Tara whispered under her breath.
“Only with you,” giggled Willow playfully. Tara quickly turned to the Scooby’s to get herself out of the trouble that her and Willow were about to get into.
“So, Anya, you…um…ready to go?” Tara quickly asked glancing over at the ex-vengeance demon.
“Yeah, I think we can get out of here and let them do their whole bonding thing.”
“Cool,” said Tara as she took Willow’s hand and turned to her. “Sweetie, if you need anything, let me know…remember we’ll get to the bottom of this together.” As she said that she squeezed Willow’s hand and Willow returned the squeeze.
“Thank you,” Willow said before Anya was standing there with them.
“Ok, so are we going or are you two going to just stay here making goo-goo eyes at one another?”
Both girls started to blush and giggle nervously. “Lets go Anya,” said Tara as she and Anya made their way out the door.
**********
Anya and Tara were walking towards Tara’s dorm room. They had been talking about sales at the Magic Box and how proud Giles was going to be when he saw the profits.
“So, are you and Willow orgasm buddies again or not?” Anya blurted out.
“What? No…Anya why would you think that?” Tara was floored by Anya’s question.
“Well, you were making those eyes at one another again – the ones you used to make when you were orgasm buddies. I figured I’d just ask it since I know it’s what everyone was thinking.”
“Anya, we’re taking it slow, trying to make sure we don’t make the same mistakes we made before,” said Tara.
“Mistakes? The only mistake made was Willow being addicted to the magic – how is that both your faults?”
“That was just one of the problems…there were others,” said Tara hoping that it would be enough to pacify Anya.
“Like what? Come on Tara you can’t leave me with just that – don’t friends tell one another everything? I mean aren’t we friends? I’m a good listener – well I am when people tell me stuff.”
“Yes, we’re friends Anya…and I suppose it would be nice to have someone to talk to, but you have to promise me you won’t tell anyone.” Tara sternly said. She knew it probably wasn’t a great idea to be telling Anya this stuff – but she did need someone to talk to and she knew of all the Scooby’s, Anya was the one she was closest to.
“See, I can be useful – I won’t tell,” Anya said as she crossed her heart with her finger and then held up three fingers like she’d seen the girl scouts do before.
“Anya, you can’t use the girl scouts thing and have it be believable unless you’ve been IN the girl scouts,” quipped Tara.
“Fine – but I’ve done them favors for years. This one time I cursed this boy scout for this girl…” started Anya.
“Is this going to involve something gross because if it is I don’t want to hear it,” interrupted Tara.
“Fine, then if I can’t tell my story you are going to have to tell yours. What other problems did you and Willow have?” asked Anya as they reached her dorm room and went inside. Tara sat down on her bed and Anya plopped herself down on the desk chair.
“Ok, I suppose I have to talk to someone about this. And you swear you won’t tell anyone – not even Xander?” started Tara as she saw Anya nod yes. “Well other than the magic, there was the attitude she took with me at the bronze when Dawn was missing. I can’t excuse that. I mean if we are a couple shouldn’t we both be allowed to have a point of view and be allowed to voice it? She isn’t willing to hear my thoughts on a lot of things and she makes the decisions for us. I don’t get to give my input on it.”
“But don’t you agree with her decisions? Can’t you say something about them?”
“Well yeah, most of the time she makes the right decision, but there are those times that she doesn’t. I know it’s partially my fault because I don’t say anything about it…but…I guess I wish she would look at thinks from the point of view that we’re a couple.”
“Sounds to me like that is more your problem than hers…you need to speak up and tell her how you feel. I’m good at that – I can help you with it.”
“Yeah Anya, you are good at that stuff,” Tara said. A smile crept across her face as she thought of all the times that Anya just said what was on her mind.
“So, most of this sounds like trivial stuff that shouldn’t keep you guys apart. I’ve seen stuff that should keep people apart and that isn’t anything that you can’t work through. I mean you guys are good together, I know I don’t let on – but I like seeing you two happy. Well, you happy at least and she makes you happy.”
“T-thanks Anya,” said Tara stunned by the ex-vengeance demons remarks.
“You know I don’t lie – it isn’t worth it. Tara you are the only one that has ever, well, had the patience to put up with me,” smiled Anya.
“Well you wanna catch a movie or something?”
“Oh movie – yeah that would be fun – but remember you are with me and not Willow so no trying to get fresh missy,” giggled Anya.
“I think I can handle that,” laughed Tara as they headed off to the theater.
**********
When Tara and Anya, left everyone turned to Willow, who was watching them walk out the door. She felt the burn of their eyes on her back.
“So…um…research mode?” Willow asked trying to get everyone to turn their attentions elsewhere or at least away from her.
“You alright, Will?” Buffy asked.
“Yeah, fine – let’s…um…get to researching and find out what we can…there is…um…more now. I told Tara about the dream,” Willow began as she walked to the table and joined the others.
“How did that go? And what do you mean there’s more?” questioned Buffy as she slid over next to Willow for support.
“Well, it went well actually. Tara said that we aren’t going to let it happen,” said Willow as she tried to smile. “But then she told me she had two dreams of her own last night…one that was a slightly different view of mine and then one after it.”
“She what? Was it really like yours,” asked Xander.
“Eerily, yes. So Buffy, I’m guessing everyone is all filled in on the specifics of my dream, right?”
“Yep, I’m sorry you didn’t get to tell them, but I figured if you didn’t have to go through it again it would be for the best.”
“Thanks Buffy,” said Willow sighing in relief that she didn’t have to go through the dream again.
Everyone had gathered around the table and all eyes were now focused on Willow. She hated to be the center of attention but she knew that this was crucial and that she needed to get this taken care of. Willow explained to them about how Tara saw the whole vampire scene from the other side of the trees and how she saw Buffy disappear. She then told them about the calming feeling that Tara had – the void…and then she went into the next dream. Everyone’s face went blank when she told them about her being hell bent on destroying everyone. Nobody could say a word…nobody knew what to say.
“Wow,” Xander said.
“I’m going to second that one,” said Dawn and Buffy just nodded.
“So how about the books then,” said Willow trying to get the attention off her.
Everyone moved and grabbed a book – nobody knew exactly what to say. They went through every book they could find – someone would find bits and pieces but nobody could find anything concrete. Buffy was getting frustrated and Xander wasn’t a huge fan of reading. Dawn had started to go through some of the books when customers came in, so she decided that she would help them instead of the gang having to break from their research; they were better at it than her.
As the last customer left and the clock struck closing time, Dawn turned the sign and locked the door. Everyone was still going through the books. Dawn, wanting to help, started to put away the books that they hadn’t found anything in – she figured it was the only thing she could do.
“Thanks,” said Buffy as Dawn passed her. They exchanged smiles of reassurance easing the others nerves a bit.
“We aren’t finding anything – why aren’t we finding anything?” Xander asked.
“We’ll find it Xander – we always do and I’m not really willing to quit now,” said Buffy annoyed with Xander’s attitude.
“I know, sorry I’m just frustrated,” Xander said in a slightly defeated but sorry tone.
They sat there in silence again, everyone trying to find whatever they could that would help. Willow glanced at the clock. They’d been researching for several hours and she was hoping that Anya and Tara would be there soon. She knew that she would feel better knowing they were safe and not out where they could be attacked by the many things that go bump in the night in dear old Sunnydale. Spike left to go patrol and see if he could find out if there was anything going on in the demon world.
**********
TBC…
A dream is a wish the heart makes.
Willow: "You had two eggs, sunny-side-up. I remember because they were wiggling at me like little boobs."
Tara: "Sassy Eggs."
by The Rose24 » Sat Sep 07, 2002 10:33 pm 
'nuff said
Can't wait for the next part!!! Now it's off to get ready for the Bears game
And awww W/T have a lil coffee date, woo hoo!!
Remember Tazz = 
no matter what Chris has to say. LOL
now you have me wondering if they are just messing with me. Ah man, well there goes sleeping tonight. Tee hee 
still jealous and unfair all I have to say on the matter... 
Hmm...Be back Tuesday to check...HINT HINT 
please don't let there be mad kitties...please oh please
...sorry leaving to get ready for work now.
at: 9/12/02 9:03:57 pm