FIC - Into the Woods

[wiltar]

this is such a sweet, funny story



keep up the good work!!



Patricia

---------------

W-what were they looking at?

-The hotness of you doofus!!!

[pikescoob]

'time for us to sleep together'....lol.....classic Anya. Should be interesting to see how the fishing goes...



--Michelle

[shootingstar]

I absolutely love Anya in this story. The waving cracked me up! And the w/t kiss was just...wow.



But I wanna s'more! (Yes, that could be taken as whining, but it's not...really ) I can't believe I haven't had one or that I didn't even know what one was til a few days ago. They sound so nice...



Luv Star x

***
'I know what it's like to want to die. How it hurts to smile. How you try to fit in but you can't. How you hurt yourself on the outside to kill the thing on the outside'
-Girl, Interrupted.

[Tulipp]

What I really liked about this latest chapter was Buffy's reflections about why she keeps interrupting Willow and Tara's moments: partly out of a sense that by just BEING in the same room she is intruding on private and intimate moments. In the midst of this funny and sweet story, that was just really insightful. Of course, I'm happy ANY time that Buffy actually thinks about Willow! In a friendly way, I mean.

[LadyLily]

Wonderful update!



I have to admit, Anya waving her hands, jumping up and down, and yelling "Time for us to sleep together!" is just laughable material.Poor Willow. It is very comical to have such a simple term mean a lot more when Tara and Willow are seperated. I can see Anya making a little comment about the night in the morning that will just make Willow's head explode.



Good stuff you got going. Keep it up.

-------------------------

Xander: It could be witches, some evil witches.

Which is ridiculous,
‘Cause witches, they were persecuted

Wicca good and love the earth and women power and I’ll be over here

[Loco2]

the visuals you can get from reading this fic are frickin' hilarious! this is so good, please give us s'more soon, i'm loving it. and fishing will be highly amusing, i'm sure



steph

"Dr. Becker, have you seen the skeleton?" "What do you think I am, a skeleton thief? You want to search me?!"
"Who sponsered career day this year, The Brittish Soccer Fan Association?!" - Xander - What's My Line?
"We'll all be a lot happier without the constant whining....Mom, Buffy, Tara, Waah" - DMW to Dawn

[Grimaldi]

great update, very funny. Buffy is such a meanie for breaking up the kiss. Anya better not say anything else about sleeping with Tara while they are fishing or she might end up as bait

Dude, we're surrounded by perverts!

Worm, are you ready to die in the cleansing apocalypse?

Its not my fault that you're a little geek with no sense of humor

[ally02]

Damn everyone else has allready said this but I'm going to say this anyway: This fic is fuckin amazing and ur a fantastic writer!! I was literally laughing out loud at points and awwwing at others. Someone actually came in and was like: what the hell are you doing Alyson!? Right ok point made. Ha ha, medieval on ur ass! Ha ha! Ok I think you get that I found that funny! If I write anymore in this reply I think you might get a restraining order out against me so leaving now...



love Aly xxxxx

You cannot have more catnip! You have a catnip problem!

[LiangFeng]

LOL, that was so funny! We must have more updates!

O-Mei Duei! JIA YOU!

[DarkWiccan]

::takes out bullhorn... marches to center stage::



testing... one.. two...



ahem.



MORE!!!



thank you... that is all



Cheers

DarkWiccan

[Jennpurr]

Hee hee... DW-



Yes, BB can we have some more??



Jen

-----------------------------------


"Alyson Hannigan is a frickin' amazing kisser."Amber Benson
-----------------------------------
Mi corazon perdido en ti...

[WillowsSlave]

*Waves panther paw* Hi! I just got finnished reading the first four parts and I have to admit...



I LOVE THIS FIC!!!



I absolutely love your potrayal of Anya, and the line Buff says



Quote:

~`~`~`~



Tara heard a slight rustling, what sounded like a struggle, an "oof," and finally Buffy's voice.



"Willow! Don't make me get medieval on your ass!"



~`~`~`~





Hehehe. I'm just a big nut. I can't wait to see what Tara's gonna do about "sleeping arangements", (I doubt there will be much actual sleeping).



I can't wait for update!! *stops as my entire kitty weight makes bounces sound like loud bangs*



Hehe, MORE!!



~`~ Kerri ~`~



*please edit your sig, it's too big, read the FAQ

Edited by: Warduke at: 7/15/02 8:14:06 am

[blameburner]

Hey everyone... thanks for all your replies. I'm really glad you all are enjoying this so much! Sorry, I'll get to individual replies later - RL is leaving me no time right now.



I'm in a wedding tomorrow, so I probably won't have a chance to update until Sunday - the earliest would be late tomorrow night. After I get home and take off my big blue fru-fru dress and heels. Can I just say that whoever invented nylons must be taken out back and beaten. Fifty lashes with a wet noodle!



Anyway, I just thought I'd give you a few clues to what's in store next:

-Yes, there will be fishing... but that's at least three updates away. That's right, the night ain't over yet!

-We get some friendly bonding as we take a peek inside Willow/Buffy's tent, and Tara/Anya's tent.

-A little incident places all four girls in a very interesting situation.- and all this takes place the first night.



Okay, I know that's kinda vague, but I don't want to give it all away. So for now, I'll let your imaginations wander... update soon, I promise. And thanks again for reading this thing!



-BB

[Jennpurr]

YAY!



Have fun at the wedding, BB. Or at least try to.



And those little hints sound very exciting. The last clue sounds especially interesting. Along with the bonding one, as well. I'm looking forward to them, very much.



Thank you.

Jen

-----------------------------------


"Alyson Hannigan is a frickin' amazing kisser."Amber Benson
-----------------------------------
Mi corazon perdido en ti...

[blameburner]

Hey all... Sorry, I'm a wee bit hungover from the wedding (a good time was had by all, BTW), so still no individual replies. But here's the update, as promised!



-BB



Title: Into the Woods - Part 5 (aka Buffy and Willow's tent)

Author: blameburner

Feedback: Sure… Always a plus

Summary: While the men are away, the ladies will play. Anya, Buffy, Willow and Tara head into the woods for a little female bonding. Hijinks and wackiness are sure to follow.

Spoiler Warning: None - it's AU, I guess. It's sent in the present - but no big bads, no S6 nastiness. Anya and Xander are together, Giles never left, Buffy never died, Dawn still exists, Spike helps out the Scoobies cuz he gets paid, and Willow and Tara never broke up since Willow was never addicted to magic. Pretty much think "Everyone's happy, together, and their usual amusing selves."

Disclaimer: Not my characters, but oh how I wish they were! Joss, blah blah, ME, blah blah.

Rating: R for now. I know, I know... we'll see.

Pairings: W/T… duh. Also B and A. But not B/A cuz, well, Buffy and Anya? That would just be scary - they'd kill each other!

Angst: Huh? What angst?





Part 5



"But why does she always have to make everything so... so... sexual!"



Buffy groaned. Willow had been carrying on this way for the last ten minutes.



"I mean I'm the only one who's supposed to make things sexual about Tara. Me. Not Anya. Me!"



"Willow, keep it down," Buffy shushed her friend. "Do you want to wake up the bears?"



That got Willow's attention.



"Bears?" she croaked. "Bears as in big mammals? With the fur and the teeth and the... bigness?"



Buffy stifled a giggle. Willowfear was multiplying by leaps and bounds on this trip. First frogs, then fish, and now bears.



"Wil, there are no bears," Buffy said.



Willow sat up and looked questioningly at Buffy. "Then why'd you say-"



"So you'd stop talking about Anya!" Buffy nearly shouted, and then threw her hands up over her face. "ARGH!"



Willow watched her friend for a minute, and then laid back down on her side, facing Buffy.



"I guess I went a little overboard, huh?" she said quietly.



Buffy rolled over on her side to look back at her friend in the darkened tent, propping herself up on her elbow.



"I know you love Tara, Wil," Buffy said. "We all know you love Tara."



"I know, but-"



"And we all know Tara loves you. Even Anya knows that," Buffy continued.



"Yeah, but-"



"Do you really think Anya would ever try anything with Tara?" Buffy asked.



"Well no, but-"



"I mean, it's not like she's really interested in Tara. She loves Xander," Buffy explained.



"Well yeah, but-"



"Besides, she knows you'd kick her butt. Hell, we all would kick her butt," she said.



"Of course, but-"



"And do you really think Tara would ever, and I do mean ever, sleep with, kiss, touch, or even think about anyone other than you?"



"Buffy!" Willow shouted.



"Huh? What?" Buffy said, startled.



"Would you stop making so much sense? It's scary."



Buffy looked at Willow for a moment, and then burst out laughing, as did Willow. Buffy started to say something, but took one look at Willow laughing and started laughing all over again. Willow saw Buffy start in again, and started laughing even harder.



Finally, after several minutes of hearty guffaws and belly-laughs, both girls calmed down a bit.



"Ow, my stomach hurts!" Willow said through broken giggles.



"Mine, too!" Buffy agreed, tears sliding down her cheeks. She had been laughing so hard she was crying.



"I can be pretty silly sometimes, huh?" Willow asked.



"Yeah, but that's why I love you," Buffy said.



"Buffy," Willow said in mock seriousness, "I'm sorry, but I'm taken."



Buffy groaned and threw her pillow at the redhead, who laughed as she threw it back. Buffy slid it back underneath her head, and then looked seriously at her friend.



"I really do love you, you know. Not in an 'I wanna jump your bones' kind of way, but in a 'you're my best friend and I can't imagine my life without you' way," she said sincerely.



"I know," Willow said simply but full of emotion. "I feel the same way."



"You do?" Buffy asked.



Willow peered intently at her friend. "Why do you sound surprised?"



"Well, I..." Buffy trailed off, gathering her thoughts. She looked her best friend in the eye. "I guess... I don't know... it's like, Xander has Anya, you've got Tara, Dawn has a life, Giles is, well, Giles, and I..." she trailed off again.



Willow waited for Buffy to finish, but it soon became clear that the Slayer couldn't quite get the last bit out.



"And you feel like you don't have anyone who really needs you," Willow finished for her.



Buffy nodded. "I know that sounds silly. I'm the Slayer - everyone needs me, in a way. But..."



"It's not silly at all," Willow said. "I mean, yes it's silly because it's not true that no one needs you, but no it's not silly because your feelings are never silly. You feel how you feel. But Buffy," Willow said, "we all need you. You, not the Slayer."



Willow sat up a little, making sure she had her best friend's full attention.



"Giles needs you because you're practically his daughter. Dawn, well duh, you're her sister and primary role model. Anya... hmmm... well she needs you to smack her around sometimes," Willow said, giggling slightly. "Xander needs you because you're his best friend. Even though he doesn't have any super powers, you make him feel important and necessary to fighting the good fight, and you're the only one who can make him feel that way."



Buffy sat up and faced Willow, crossing her legs underneath her.



"As for me and Tara..." Willow paused, trying to find a way to explain just how important Buffy was to both of them. "Remember when Tara's family came to get her on her twentieth birthday?"



"Yeah, I remember. Her dad's an ass hole."



Willow smiled. "Oh, definitely. Don't even get me started on that, or her brother, or... okay, I could really get side-tracked here," Willow said, shaking her head. "Do you have any idea how much it meant to Tara when you stood up to her father? When you told him he'd have to come through you if he wanted to take her away, because we were her family?"



Buffy shook her head, remembering the events but not understanding what Willow was getting at.



"God, Buffy, that meant so much. That day... it was like Tara had finally found a home. She told me that later. Your words, your actions... I mean, Tara knew I loved her, but that was different, you know? She thought you guys were simply tolerating her because she was my girlfriend. But that day, that moment... she realized you all really cared about her. You made her feel that."



Buffy looked down for a moment, trying to absorb everything Willow had said. But the hacker wasn't done yet.



"As for me... you're my best friend, Buffy," she said. "When I met you I was this geeky little bookworm, destined to stay that way for the rest of my life."



"No, Wil-"



"No, I know, that's not true," Willow interrupted, putting her hand up to silence Buffy's protests about Willow's self-assessment. "But that's how I felt back then. And then you were there, wanting to be my friend. You didn't want me to help you with homework, or get caught up in school, not really. You just wanted to be my friend, and that meant everything. That means everything."



Buffy was speechless.



"Wil, I... wow. Just. Wow."



Willow smiled. "So now you know. We need you. I need you. Yes, I love Tara, that's not even a question. She's my best friend. But so are you. How lucky am I, that I have three best friends?" Willow said happily, bouncing up and down slightly.



Buffy couldn't help but laugh. Willow's enthusiasm was infectious.



"Okay, so I think hugs are in order," Willow said. Buffy happily complied.

"And remember... if you hurt her I will beat you to death with a shovel. A vague disclaimer's nobody's friend. Have fun!"

[LadyLily]

Glad you had fun at the wedding, BB. And you came back with a blast!



Nice update, just confess it's a little short. Maybe that's why I read it so fast. But it is true, we all need Buffy. A great thing you did here, explore Willow's and Buffy's relationship a little in this camping trip. The whole trip is for bonding (and a little romance, who could forget that?!) and this is were it all begins.



So, what's up for the morning? I doubt by the time I have my morning they'll be an update, so I must wait. *looks at watch* Hopefully I won't wait too long if you get what I mean.

-------------------------

Xander: It could be witches, some evil witches.

Which is ridiculous,
‘Cause witches, they were persecuted

Wicca good and love the earth and women power and I’ll be over here

[blameburner]

In my hangover haze I missed the fact that that Part 5 was so short. Oops. Then I looked at Part 6 and realized that's kinda short too. These two parts kinda turned into more emotional/feelings stuff than I had originally envisioned. But, I think it was kind of necessary.



So, with that, I present Part 6! Just think of this as one big post, 'k?



-BB



Title: Into the Woods - Part 6 (aka Anya and Tara's tent)

Author: blameburner

Feedback: Sure… Always a plus

Summary: While the men are away, the ladies will play. Anya, Buffy, Willow and Tara head into the woods for a little female bonding. Hijinks and wackiness are sure to follow.

Spoiler Warning: None - it's AU, I guess. It's sent in the present - but no big bads, no S6 nastiness. Anya and Xander are together, Giles never left, Buffy never died, Dawn still exists, Spike helps out the Scoobies cuz he gets paid, and Willow and Tara never broke up since Willow was never addicted to magic. Pretty much think "Everyone's happy, together, and their usual amusing selves."

Disclaimer: Not my characters, but oh how I wish they were! Joss, blah blah, ME, blah blah.

Rating: R for now. I know, I know... we'll see.

Pairings: W/T… duh. Also B and A. But not B/A cuz, well, Buffy and Anya? That would just be scary - they'd kill each other!

Angst: Huh? What angst?



Part 6



"...so then I said, 'Oh yeah? Well see how many women want to have sex with you now that your penis is sprouting out of your forehead!"



Tara couldn't help it. The visual was just too much. She burst out laughing.



Anya smiled brightly, very pleased with herself that she had made Tara laugh. It seemed like she and Tara had very odd senses of humor which most people didn't get. Even they didn't get each others jokes half the time, at least not at first. But now...



"So you think that was funny? I told an amusing and humorous story?" Anya asked, seeking reassurance.



Tara nodded, still giggling. "Oh, yes. That was very funny. Sick and twisted, and also kind of gross, but definitely funny."



Anya's smile widened. "So I should tell Xander that story, then?"



Tara stopped laughing, and tried to let the ex-demon down easy. "Um, well... I don't think Xander would really appreciate that story, Anya."



Anya frowned. "Is this another one of those stupid human rules? It's okay to say this, but only to this person and not that person, unless it's after 7 p.m. on a Thursday, because if it is then you can say it to that person but not this person, unless you're wearing fuzzy pink slippers and a tiara!"



Tara stared wide-eyed at Anya's little tirade. Although she does have a point, Tara thought. The blonde had never really been able to make much sense of all the nuances of appropriate social behavior, either. She just didn't get into trouble for it as much as Anya because she tended to censor herself to be on the safe side, whereas Anya tended to think the safe side involved saying anything and everything that came to mind.



Although everyone would scoff at the idea, Tara thought that she and Anya were really more alike than anyone realized. Sure, Tara was generally quiet, although much less so now than when she and Willow had first met. I was a downright wall flower then, Tara mused. She had come a long way, much more secure in her abilities and self, and able to stand up and be heard without being afraid that lightening would strike her down where she stood for the sheer audacity of actually using her voice.



Still, she was still the quiet one of the group, and she knew it - especially compared to Anya. Anya was like her polar opposite, at least at first glance. North to her South. Winter to her Summer. Yin to her Yang. Yin to my Yang? Tara thought. I don't want Anya anywhere near my Yang!



But that was just the surface. Tara knew that deep down, she and Anya were very much alike. They were both outsiders, in a sense. Though the core Scoobies had welcomed them with open arms, though they had all fought side by side for years, though they all counted on each other and needed each other... at the heart of it all, the blonde witch and the ex-demon shopkeeper were the odd women out.



Willow, Xander, and Buffy were the core of the group. It had all begun with them - them and Giles. Others came and went, but the core had remained. Even Dawn, who was newer to the group than either Tara or Anya, seemed less of an outsider. Tara thought that maybe that was because they all had the memories of Dawn having always been there, even if they had the knowledge that she had not, in fact, really been there.



Tara supposed she would always feel a bit like an outsider. It wasn't anything that anyone else did or said; it was simply her own insecurity. The other thing Anya and I have in common, she thought. Insecurity



Tara was convinced that Anya's sometimes outrageous outbursts were largely the product of the ex-demon's own insecurities. Although Tara understood that a lot of what Anya did or said that seemed, well, inappropriate, was caused by her very real non-understanding of humanity. After all, Anya had only been human for a few years - not a very long time to learn how to live by humanity's rules and conditions.



Yet there was more to Anya than a simple lack of knowledge. Tara sensed the insecurity in the shopkeeper. It was like an extension of the blonde's own fears, reaching out to Tara, calling to her. A kindred spirit. Someone who simply wanted to find a home, to belong, and who always doubted that she ever could truly belong anywhere.



Anya knew full well that there was so much she didn't know, that she put her foot in her mouth more times than not. Still, Anya kept trying to fit in, knowing that most of the time she probably wouldn't succeed. Actually, Tara rather admired that about Anya - that no matter how many strange looks she got or exasperated sighs, Anya always kept trying to make a place for herself. In Anya's own way, she was trying to help.



And you know what? Tara asked herself. We have helped. Both of us. We've fought, we've listened, we've suggested, we've comforted, we've talked... we've loved and been loved in return. We've been accepted. So why can't Anya and I accept that we've been accepted? That we belong? That we're worthy?



"Hello? Tara? Are you paying attention to me? I was ranting, and you're not even listening!" Anya complained, breaking Tara out of her train of thought.



Ignoring Anya's questions, Tara looked Anya in the eye and said, "You know what? You and I are not outsiders. We are good enough, smart enough... and dog-gonnit, the Scoobies like us!"



Anya stared at Tara blankly for a moment, to the extent that Tara realized she must have totally lost the shopkeeper. Well, it was a logical progression in my head, she thought.



Then a slow smile crept onto the ex-demon's face. "Really?" she asked tentatively.



Tara smiled back, delighted that Anya had understood. "Absolutely," she said, nodding.



"So we're real Scoobies?" she asked somewhat less tentatively.



"Yes," Tara said, still nodding. "We are most definitely Scoobies. Not Scooby girlfriends, not friends of the Scoobies. We are Scoobies!"



"Yay for us!" Anya said, clapping.



"Damn straight!" Tara agreed.



"Tara!" Anya admonished, though still smiling. Tara thought Anya was going to make a comment about the swear word Tara had used, but she was wrong. "It's not 'damn straight.' It's 'damn gayly forward!'"



Tara burst out laughing, and through her laughter shouted, "Damn gayly forward!"



TBC... next up, Part 7, the incident (aka Things That Go Bump In The Night)



Edited cuz I'm an idiot 2x

"And remember... if you hurt her I will beat you to death with a shovel. A vague disclaimer's nobody's friend. Have fun!"

Edited by: blameburner at: 7/7/02 7:20:48 pm

[SlayerTazz]

WOW - that was a great update. I love how Willow explained it all to Buffy - absolutely perfect. Thank you!!!!! Can't wait for more...

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."

[LeatherQueen]

Ooh, great update, BB! So nice to see Willow making Buffy realize how much everyone needs her.

--------------------------------


"But when they're playing your song on the jukebox in Hell, you might as well dance." - K. Simpson


"Futile... like a FOX, baby!" - Tara in The Late Shift by wiccachica

[LadyLily]

Opps, made my feedback a little to early. But my opinion hasn't changed: great update. And now it's longer!

-------------------------

Xander: It could be witches, some evil witches.

Which is ridiculous,
‘Cause witches, they were persecuted

Wicca good and love the earth and women power and I’ll be over here

[LeatherQueen]

Ooh! Part 6 came up while I was still replying to Part 5. And it's lovely too. Love the gayly forward bit.

--------------------------------


"But when they're playing your song on the jukebox in Hell, you might as well dance." - K. Simpson


"Futile... like a FOX, baby!" - Tara in The Late Shift by wiccachica

[Murasaki S]

You can never go wrong with some girl bonding. It's good to go back to the source of Willow and Buffy's friendship. They have grown apart so much recently.

Anya and Tara are great fun, as always.

This fic is just so full of warm fuzzies, I need more soon!

[MadeinNZ]

Hooray for the bonding. Its been a long time since Willow and Buffy really connected. Looking forward to the next chapter.

------------------------------


"When someone falls for Willow, they stay fallen" - Normal Again

[Thanatopsis]

Yay. Tents and bonding. All kinds of fun. Curious about what's gonna start going bump.

-----------------
Oh, trusty soda machine. I push you for root beer, you give me coke.

[Jennpurr]

Hee... Damn gayly forward. I LOVED that. I've never heard that before though.



I LOVED the bonding. Especially with Buffy and Willow. I'm glad Wills made Buffy finally see that everyone needs BUFFY and not just the Slayer and that they all love her. Very sweet, scene there. And I loved Anya and Tara's too. ... Anya talking about the man, funny, but EW! at the same time.



Can't wait for the next update. It sounds very interesting, the title. I'm very intriguied.



Thanks, BB.

Jen



Edited cause I can't spell tonight.

-----------------------------------


"Alyson Hannigan is a frickin' amazing kisser."Amber Benson
-----------------------------------
Mi corazon perdido en ti...

Edited by: Jennpurr  at: 7/7/02 11:52:58 pm

[spazz07]

LOL , i prosmised to start every reply to this fic with those three letters and you don't fail to impress. I loved how you brought their emotions to the fore yet were still able to incorporate the fun. Loved the Damn Gayly Forward line and can't wait to see what goes bump in the night.



Cheers

Nath

If life was meant to be a bed of daisy's we'd have chicken crap thown on us all the time.

[mollyig]

I like how the bonds of friendship are strengthening in each tent. Especially liked the interaction between Anya and Tara. Nice work.

Adding up the total of a love that's true, multiply life by the power of two
Indigo Girls

[Grimaldi]

loved the last two parts. very funny, especially Anya saying "Damn gayly forward"

the bonding between Willow/Buffy and Anya/Tara was sweet

Dude, we're surrounded by perverts!

Cross my heart, smack me dead, stick a lobster on my head.

[Loco2]

oh, these were cool, bonding. (and not in an Anya/Tara sleeping together kind of way, thank the heavenly turkeys in the sky!)



ooh, 'things that go bump in the night'...sounds highly entertaining.



thanks for these parts, very nice.



steph

"Dr. Becker, have you seen the skeleton?" "What do you think I am, a skeleton thief? You want to search me?!"
"Who sponsered career day this year, The Brittish Soccer Fan Association?!" - Xander - What's My Line?
"We'll all be a lot happier without the constant whining....Mom, Buffy, Tara, Waah" - DMW to Dawn

[Puff]

Oh two great updates. I liked the interaction between Tara and Anya and the Buffy and Willow talk as well. Finally Buffy has a clue

-----------------------
You know, it's a real deal relationship and that's why people can relate to it
Amber Benson