Broken Wing

[Mainer]

First, I am so sorry it took so long to get an update. I've been very busy since Christmas. Hopefully the next update won't take so long.



Title: Broken Wing

Rating: PG-13

Disclaimer: All character's belong to Joss Whedon.



Part 14



Tara stood in the hall outside Willow's door. She was doing her best to make herself wait another five minutes before knocking, as she had been so anxious to see Willow again, she accidentally got there ten minutes early. Tara wasn't quite sure why she had given herself ten minutes to walk down the flight of stairs from her room to Willow's room, but it seemed logical at the time. After trying Willow's spell two days ago and failing dismally, the two witches decided to work on some sychronicity spells. They had already tried one last night, and it had gone well. Tonight they were trying one that would be a bit more difficult. Tara checked her watch for the hundredth time and found herself knocking on Willow's door. She convinced herself that being a few minutes early wouldn't be too bad. When the door didn't open after a moment and she sensed no sign of Willow on the other side, her gaze dropped to the hall floor, immediately expecting the worst. As Tara began to ponder the many reasons why Willow was blowing her off, she was startled back to reality when the door to the common room of the suite opened and Anya stepped out.



"Hello," Anya said cheerfully, "Willow isn't here."



"Oh," Tara said looking back at Willow's door trying to hide her disappointment.



"She'll be back soon though, and she wants you to wait here, but only if you want to," Anya said repeating it as Willow had said it. Tara walked in and waited for Anya to close the door and sit down again before choosing a seat.



"I'm watching Six Degrees of Separation," Anya said as she unpaused the tape. The room was immediately flooded with sounds of sex. Tara quickly averted her eyes, and wished there was a way to avert her ears. "This movie is nothing like I thought it would be. It's much more interesting than the stuffy movie Giles described," Anya stated as if there was nothing odd about the movie she was watching. Tara finally realized Anya was waiting for her to say something, but what could she say? She had only ever spoken to Anya about the math class they were in, and now didn't seem like the right time to discuss quadratic equations. She certainly wasn't going to comment on the movie. What she really needed right now was a distraction. Miraculously, the door opened and Willow came in. 'Prayer answered,' Tara thought.



"Hey, thanks for... oh my... ANYA!!!! What the hell is that? What are you WATCHING? " Willow asked, her eyes and ears being assaulted by Anya's video.



"A video Giles recommended, Six Degrees of Separation," Anya said without taking her eyes off the screen.



"No, it's not," Willow said grabbing the remote and stopping the tape.



"Yes, it is," Anya said trying to steal the remote back, but failing. "I ordered a pizza and a movie from that new place that just opened up on Main street. I specifically said, anchovie pizza," Anya said pointing to her pizza, "and Six Degrees of Separation," she said pointing to the television.



"Anya I have seen -that movie- and this," Willow said picking up the movie case, "isn't it. This is," Willow said reading the case in her hands, "Six Degrees of..."



"Separation," Anya finished cutting Willow off.



"Penetration," Willow said blushing. "They must have made a mistake."



"What a lucky mistake," Anya said successfully grabbing the remote and pushing play. Willow rolled her eyes and quickly took Tara's hand leading her to the safety of her room.



"I am so sorry about Anya," Willow said as soon as the door closed behind them. "If I knew she was gonna be watching something like that, I never would have asked you to wait there with her."



"It's okay, r-really," Tara said giving a small smile, partly because Willow was still holding her hand.



"It is?" Willow asked nervously. Tara's smile grew and she nodded her head. "In that case then, I'm just sorry I was late."



"It's okay, Willow... really," Tara smiled.



"I had a feeling you'd say that," Willow said with a smile, lightly squeezing Tara's hand. She was pleased that Tara hadn't pulled her hand away yet. "So hey, don't you wanna know where I was?"



"Only if you w-want to t-tell me," Tara said, though in truth she wanted to know every detail of every day that Willow had lived.



"I was at a meeting. See a chemistry experiment that I did for a competition while I was in high school won an award, and the award committee contacted my old high school teacher, who contacted my professor and gave him all the details, and Professor Wicks wanted to brief me on what was going to happen tomorrow night at the presentation. There's gonna be press there from a whole bunch of scientific journals, it's gonna be so cool," Willow said excitedly, but then out of nowhere, Willow let go of Tara's hand and walked towards her bed, sitting down on the floor beside it, looking like she might cry. Tara sensed Willow's sadness as she walked towards her and sat down beside her, instinctively, yet tentatively putting her arm around Willow. Feeling her new friends comforting presence, Willow instantly buried her head in Tara's shoulder and started crying. They stayed that way for several minutes before Willow lifted her head.



"I'm sorry, this is so stupid," Willow said still crying.



"Crying?" Tara asked unsure.



"Yes," Willow said. "I shouldn't be crying over this. I should be used to it by now," Willow said wiping her eyes even though the tears hadn't really stopped. "I found out about it last week, and when I called my parents to tell them, they said they couldn't make it. It would be different if they were gonna be out of town, per the norm, but this time they just don't wanna come."



"I'm sorry," Tara said bringing her other arm around Willow and hugging her and placing a soft kiss on the top of Willow's head before her brain had a chance to stop her.



"Me too," Willow said pulling back from the hug. "I just wanted them to see me accept this award, so maybe they would think I was something, and they would be proud of me," Willow said laying her head back down on Tara's shoulder.



"You ARE something," Tara said.



"My parents don't think so," Willow said.



"They're wrong," Tara said, taking Willow's face in her hands, "I've never met anyone like you. You're so smart, funny, and nice, no one's ever treated me the way you treat me. You're beyond something, and if your parents can't see that then they must be blind," Tara said looking into Willow's green eyes.



"You think I'm beyond something?" Willow asked quietly.



"Yes, I do," Tara said gently rubbing her thumb across Willow's cheek, her eyes never leaving Willow's. It was the perfect moment for a kiss, and Willow's lips were right there, so close to her own, but what if she kissed her, and Willow didn't want to be kissed, especially by her, and then it ruined everything. "Well," Tara said dropping her hands, and breaking the moment. "You probably want to be alone now."



"Actually, could you stay? Just for a little while?" Willow said dropping her head onto Tara's shoulder again. "I don't want to be alone."



"Sure," Tara said pulling Willow a little closer to her, and using the hand that Willow wasn't leaning on to stroke her hair. Tara could remember her mother doing the same thing for her when she was upset.



"Just for a little while," Willow mumbled closing her eyes.



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





~Spencer~

"To the world, you may be one person; but to one person, you may be the world."

Edited by: Mainer at: 1/2/03 11:18:44 am

[SilverWingedNemesis]

AWWW



Great update!!



Can't help but worry about Cordelia and her meddling ways.





Keep up the great work





~NICK~

[Grimlock72]

Good, good.... the closer Tara and Willow the less 'dangerous' Cordy is. Together they can handle all the trouble she would cause.



Tara wants a lot doesn't she ?

Quote:

---

she wanted to know every detail of every day that Willow had lived.

---

Oh yeah, she know what she wants. So sad to read about Willow 'parents' who wont even go to an award ceremony for Willow, tsk tsk... they should bloody well be proud of her dammit. Tara will probably go, just to support Willow, even though she likely wont understand what the award is for .



Owww... no email/pm listed, well then I was wondering about this line which seems like sorta impossible: Willow said laying her head back down on Willow's shoulder., you sure Willow2 isn't supposed to be called Tara ??



Grimmy

"You hurt Tara," Willow said too calmly. "The last one who tried that was a god. I made her regret it." -- Unexpected Consequences by Lisa of Nine

Edited by: Grimlock72 at: 1/2/03 11:09:02 am

[Mainer]

Thank you Grimmy, for pointing that out. I knew there was going to be at least one mistake in one of my updates today. My brain goes to fast for my fingers to type.





~Spencer~

"To the world, you may be one person; but to one person, you may be the world."

[littlecrazy80]

Great update!



*lil´c*



Unter den Blinden ist der Einäugige König.

[The Rose24]

Awwww. I love the way you are taking things slowly with our girls. The relationship progressed similar to this on the show. I am anxious to see what other actions you take.

Tara: My heart doesn't stutter.


Tara: Willow, I got so lost.

Willow: I found you. I will always find you.

[Mainer]

I'm so glad people are reading this and liking it. I'm not sure when the next update is coming, but hopefully it won't be too far off.



Nick: We haven't seen the last of Cordelia yet. She's definitely up to something.



Grimmy: Yeah, Tara does know what she wants. Do you blame her? I mean, who doesn't want Willow?



Lil'c: Thanks for reading and posting some feedback. I'm glad you're enjoying it.



The Rose24: I've been told by some that I'm taking things a little too slowly, and they want to see some smoochies, so I'm glad you like the slow. Smoochies are in store for our girls, I'm not exactly sure when, cause I never know. I like to let the stories write themselves.





~Spencer~

"Cause when we're torn apart, shattered and scarred, love has the grace to save us. We're just two tarnished hearts, but in each other arms, we become saints and angels."



~Sara Evans~

[jixer]

Hello Kittens-



Put me down on the slow-build-up-has-been-good-so-far side of the ledger. I think the pacing has been well done for this type of story. I even like the undercurent of waiting for this Cordelia's evil plans to surface. Well, actually I'm waiting for them to show to see what W/T do to them



Thank you for this work,



Jixer

[pacou]

A great update, Mainer



I loved Tara and Willow talking like this

And that Tara decided to not kiss her, that was a brave decision Go Tara!



Like always, great update



It's great you're not planning to rush lol although smoochies would be good too... lol All your stuff is great so Im cool with whatever you write



-Viv-

You wanna know what my new last name is?
Forgetful... and its the invention of my English teacher....

[pikescoob]

Excellent update!! What a perfect mix-up of videos for Anya! So sweet of Tara to stay and comfort Will. I think Tara did the right thing not going for the kiss at that mo cuz Willow's upset, not exactly a nice romantic time for a first kiss...although I do wanna see smoochies, as I've told you , but I know that you'll make it worth the wait!



**Michelle

[deixs]

Awww how sweet....



More soon please



Stef

[Mainer]

Hey everyone, just want to say thanks for reading before I move on to the comments.



Jixer: Well, in truth there is a reason Cordelia's evil plan hasn't surfaced, and that's because I'm not exactly sure where I'm going with that. I think maybe soon though we'll find out what's going to happen to poor Cordelia.



Viv: I was actually writing the whole Tara not kissing Willow thing as her being afraid too, but now that you mention it, it was kinda brave of her. I don't think that was the right moment, and I'm sort of building up to the right moment, I'm not exactly sure myself what that moment will be.



Stef: Thanks for the comments, and I'm not sure when the next update will be. It's being beta'd right now, so it shouldn't be too long.



Michelle: Hi You have Annie to thank for the movie switch up as the whole thing was her idea, including the movie titles. She's a smart one. Yes, you want your smoochies, I think I told you they were about four updates away. I can't remember now, but that sounds about right. I hope you can wait that long.





~Spencer~

"Cause when we're torn apart, shattered and scarred, love has the grace to save us. We're just two tarnished hearts, but in each other arms, we become saints and angels."



~Sara Evans~

[rezeaka]

I'm honored to be posting this on behalf of Spencer. Enjoy!



Title: Broken Wing

Rating: PG-13

Disclaimer: All character's belong to Joss Whedon.



Part 15



Tara let out a large yawn and pulled a few strands of hair from her face. She couldn't remember a time when she had slept so well, nor could she place why she had experienced such a peaceful sleep. It had been years since she slept through the night. Most nights she woke up with every groan and creak of the floor. Every little noise she heard, jolted her awake, but not last night. Last night she had felt safe, in fact she still felt safe. However, the more awake she became, the more she happened to take note of a weight on her left arm. Little by little, Tara realized she was not in her room, nor was she alone. As she finally opened her eyes and took in her surroundings she realized she must have fallen asleep comforting Willow. She distinctly remembered Willow falling asleep on her shoulder as she told herself she would stay with her for a few minutes, then gently extricate herself from her friend and go back to her own dorm room.



"Oops," she grinned slightly as she glanced over at Willow, who was just beginning to stir. It wasn't how Tara had imagined their first night together, but she wasn't going to complain. Willow picked her head up, and stretched as she drowsily looked around the room before finally realizing someone was there. Slowly she turned and looked at Tara. Her mind was a complete blank, as she searched it desperately, looking for something to say.



"I drooled on your shoulder," she finally said with a sleepy smile.



"That's okay, it's asleep, so I c-can't feel it anyway," Tara said smiling. She had been wondering what sort of things came out of Willow's mouth first thing in the morning.



"I can't believe I fell asleep on you," Willow said standing up, shaking out the kinks in her legs before helping Tara off the floor.



"Thanks," Tara said stretching. "It w-was my f-fault you fell asleep. I... I shouldn't have..."



"No, Tara," Willow said taking Tara's hands, "it was not your fault, it was nobody's fault, it just happened. No one's ever done that for me before, just held me, comforted me, you know? Usually I'm the one doing the holding. If I'm crying, I'm usually alone. I've never really cried in front of other people, cause you get all blotchy and your nose gets all runny, and not attractive, and blech. But last night, I wasn't thinking about that, I was just thinking, 'my parents hate me, but Tara's here', and suddenly I wasn't so sad and lonely,and I started to feel peaceful and relaxed by your presence and it was exactly what I needed, so thank-you," Willow said pulling Tara into a tight hug. As they broke apart Tara ducked her head, trying to keep Willow from seeing her eyes, afraid they might betray the depth of emotion she was feeling at that moment, but Willow would have none of that. She placed her hand under Tara's chin and lifted it up. "Hey...no hiding anymore, not around me anyway. I mean, we have slept together," Willow said grinning mischievously, as Tara giggled. Willow loved that sound. Tara had the most intoxicating laugh. Oh who was she kidding, Tara had the most intoxicating everything. Just standing there holding her hand, Willow was giddy. She wasn't sure she'd ever been so happy it qualified as giddy before, but it was definite giddiness she was feeling now. They were just standing there smiling at one another stupidly, when Tara finally sighed.



"I... I should go. I h-have class," Tara said not really wanting to leave.



"I know, we have the same one, " Willow said not wanting to let go of Tara's hand.



"I n-need my hand," Tara said.



"Oh, sorry," Willow said slowly letting it go. "I'll see you in class then," Willow said walking Tara to the door. "I'll save you a seat if I get there first."



"Thank you," Tara said leaving.



"Bye," Willow said closing the door. As the door clicked shut Willow leaned back on it, Tara stood just on the other side.



"I am so in love with her," they said in unison from their respective sides.



Willow sat in the lecture hall, drumming her pen on her notebook. It must have been at least an hour since Tara left her room this morning. She couldn't help the smile that spread across her face at the thought of sleeping with Tara, or how it grew when another more pleasing visual of sleeping with Tara entered her mind.



As Willow's mind raced about in the land of daydream, Tara strolled into the classroom and spotted the bemused redhead sitting at a desk with a grin a mile wide on her face. '...What I wouldn't give to be the one causing a smile like that on her adorable face...', Tara thought to herself, "Hey, whatcha thinking about?" Tara queried as she slid into the empty seat next to Willow, entirely unaware that she herself -was- the cause of Willow's grin.



"Oh...Tara!..." Willow said, as her pen, notebook, and textbook went flying out of her hands and clattered to the floor. "Thinking...me...nothing. I was thinking nothing, well not nothing cause I'm always thinking something, but nothing you know, that one shouldn't be thinking about. Class, I was thinking about class," Willow said cheerily gathering up the fallen items as she tried to hide her true thoughts from the intuitive blonde".



"How many mochas did you have this morning?" Tara asked smiling, handing Willow the pen that had dropped down by Tara's feet.



"Mochas? Just one, why? Oh, I get it," Willow said smiling back. "I'm just nervous about tonight." Okay so it was a lie, but she couldn't very well tell Tara the truth. She couldn't just come right out and say, 'I was having sexual fantasies about you, and all the marvelous things I'm sure you can do with your tongue.' No, somehow Willow didn't think that would go over to well.



"It's so exciting," Tara said smiling brightly.



"Yeah... oh wait, you mean the award presentation," Willow said quickly noting Tara's confused look, she decided to continue before Tara had a chance to ask her what else she would have been talking about. "I just wish someone I know was going to be there, but they all have other things to do," Willow said. "Buffy did say she was going to help me get ready though. It's a formal occasion."



"Oh, I didn't know it was so fancy," Tara said. She had been planning on surprising Willow, but she wasn't prepared for a formal occasion.



"These things always are," Willow said casually, this wasn't the first award she had won.



"I'm sorry I can't be there," Tara said very apologetically.



"It's okay, really. I'm used to going to these things alone," Willow said turning her attention to the professor, who had just entered.



'Not this time,' Tara thought, determined to show Willow just how special she was.











Tara finished her classes for the day and headed to her dorm to drop her books off. As she made her way across town, she began to worry that she wouldn't have time to find a suitable dress for the award ceremony. Finally arriving at her destination she ran into the magic shop and headed out back to Grace's office.





"Tara honey, what brings you here on your day off? Supplies for a spell?" Grace inquired.



Tara didn't normally come in on Friday's, and today was no exception. Grace could sense an urgency in her young employee.



"N-no...I... I need your help," Tara said looking pleadingly at Grace.



"Oh, is something wrong? It's not your father is it?" Grace asked panic stricken.



"Oh, no, n-nothing like that," Tara said smiling to reassure the older woman. "It's Willow. She's g-getting an award t-tonight, and none of her friends or family are gonna be there for her, and I r-really want to go. Especially after l-last night."



"Last night?" Grace asked smiling. She had never heard Tara say so much at once, it was as though Willow's nervous babbling was rubbing off on the shy blonde.



"She f-fell asleep while I was c-comforting her, and then I fell asleep," Tara said.



"Oh, I see, and what exactly do you need my help with?"



"I n-need some help picking out a dress, and some make up help," Tara said.



"A formal dress?" Grace asked.



"A nice dress."



"And when's the award presentation?" Grace asked still assessing the situation.



"At seven....tonight," Tara frowned feeling that wouldn't be enough time.



"Well then. We better get shopping, we've only got four hours!" Grace said with excitement as she led Tara to the door, switching the sign to closed, and locking the shop.











Willow walked into her room, dropped her bag, and collapsed on her bed. Her entire body ached from having slept on the floor sitting up. It was a dream come true, even though in most of her dreams, Tara spending the night always involved the bed, and on occasion much less sleep than she had gotten last night. Willow smiled remembering some of her more erotic dreams involving the blonde. She wished she could spend the entire night laying in bed dreaming of Tara, but she had an award presentation to get ready for. Buffy promised her that she would separate herself from Riley long enough to help Willow with her hair and make up. Lately the slayer had been spending every minute of every day and night with Riley. Both she and Willow had been so excited about sharing a suite together, but now Willow was pretty much sharing with Anya and Xander. Not that Xander wasn't great, but he wasn't Buffy. Plus, every time Tara came over, or she went to Tara's, he made this face, as if he was visualizing them having sex. And though she couldn't be a hundred percent sure, she was fairly certain that Buffy wouldn't make that face. Willow had just about convinced herself to get off the bed, when there was a knock on her door. Reluctantly she peeled herself off the bed and answered the door.



"Do you have my work?" Cordelia asked.



"Yes," Willow said going to her desk to retrieve the homework, when she turned around Cordelia was right behind her, "Don't do that," Willow said jumping, thrusting the books at Cordelia.



"Relax," Cordelia said taking the offered homework. "I'll be back tomorrow to drop the books back off," she said walking out the door as Buffy walked in.



"What was Cordelia doing here?" Buffy asked dropping a dress and a large make up case on Willow's bed.



"Ahhh... homework help," Willow said.



"Homework help on Friday evening?" Buffy said, "Is she sick?"



"So this is the dress?" Willow said picking up the garment, and changing the subject.



"Yes, it is," Buffy said smiling proudly at her choice. "Willow Rosenberg, prepare to become a scientific goddess."

[deixs]

An update!!



Stef

[Grimlock72]

I almost forgot about Cordelia, must think up some evil scheme to get her good. I still say a bad grade due to a horrible report would do nicely. Or even simpler, just inform the teacher exactly WHO made that homework... hand them the backups if nessecary Something humiliating in public would work too.... must think....



As for the rest, I remember Tara comforting Willow... at least someone is nice to Willow. Good they help each other sleep, sad to read about Tara usually waking up at the slightest sound



Sweet Tara is going to show up at the awards ceremony, gooooood. It was sad to read that Willow had gone to more of those all alone in the past Stupid parent . I wonder who else will be at that ceremony, anyone either Willow or Tara knows ?



Grimmy

"You hurt Tara," Willow said too calmly. "The last one who tried that was a god. I made her regret it." -- Unexpected Consequences by Lisa of Nine

[SilverWingedNemesis]

*bounces up and down excitedly*



Tara is going to surprise Willow!! YAY!!!



and Cordelia...hummmm



another great update!! Can't wait for more!!







~NICK~

[MissQuirky]

Boy i've missed a bunch but I'm all caught up now... wonderful updates!! I loved that Tara was there to comfort Willow! And Tara surprising Willow for her award ceremony - i can't wait! Definitely sounds like it'll be exciting. Can't wait 4 more!



~Ashley~

Willow: We can come by between classes. Usually I use that time to copy over my class notes with a system of different colored pens. But it's been pointed out to me that that's, you know... insane.

Tara: I said quirky.

[pikescoob]

Yay an update!! Hehehe, if only Tara knew what Willow was thinking about Soooo sweet that Tara is gonna suprise Will! Can't wait to see how that goes Cordelia sooo needs to get hers I'm sure you'll think of something good to get her with



**Michelle

[The Rose24]

This is sooo sweet. W/T are having the perfect courtship. I love the way they wake up in each others arms, and they both realize they slept a lot better.



I can't wait to see Willow's face at the award ceremony when Tara shows up.

Tara: My heart doesn't stutter.


Tara: Willow, I got so lost.

Willow: I found you. I will always find you.

[SJ]

Got a synopsis and have now caught up with this. Thanks for the update

[Grimaldi]

just read the last 3 parts and enjoyed them



its sweet that Tara wants to suprise Willow like that by going to the awards ceremony, hopefully they both will be able to admit their growing feelings to each other

You can't just go declaring shenanigans on innocent people, that's how wars get started!
I'm not stealing, I'm just taking things without paying for them. In what twisted dictionary is that stealing?

[xita]

Oh Tara's going to surprise Willow, it breaks my heart to see Willow so used to being ignored. Tara's not going to do that, Willow will never feel ignored again.

If I had to live my life again, I'd make the same mistakes, only sooner.

Tallulah Bankhead

[jixer]

Hello Kittens-



Hi. Just waiting. Patiently.



Hello?



Jixer

[pacou]

Aww, why did i miss this?



Well lol I didnt miss it, i just missed replying lol



But doing it now



And I'm curious to see what is gonna happen next



A great update, I really LOVE this fic



Thanks for writing



-Viv-

I am human and I need to be loved
Just like everybody else does

[Mainer]

I know it's been awhile since this fic has been updated, I have not forgotten about it. I've had a bit of writer's block when it comes to this story, but I guess that's what happens when you start writing something and aren't exactly sure which direction you're going to take it. I do have parts written and ready to be beta'd. Hopefully by the time I run out of the stuff that's already finished, my writer's block will be gone. Thank you for sticking with this story.







~Spencer~

"Cause when we're torn apart, shattered and scarred, love has the grace to save us. We're just two tarnished hearts, but in each other arms, we become saints and angels."



~Sara Evans~

[rezeaka]

Quote:

---

I do have parts written and ready to be beta'd

---

correction: "in the process of BEING beta'd"



ya'll can blame me for any delay on the next part getting posted... ...I sincerely do apologize for the delay!!



My prediction though, is "soon." Tomorrow is a holiday fer me afterall!



hang in there, good things to come!

-annie

"why do you try to hold on to what you'll never get a hold of? You wouldn't try to put the ocean in a paper cup." ~Ani Difranco, 'Hour Follows Hour'

Edited by: rezeaka  at: 2/16/03 7:05:43 pm

[Mainer]

Title: Broken Wing

Rating: PG-13

Disclaimer: All characters belong to Joss Whedon.





Part 15a



Tara entered the conference room where the award ceremony was being held and began scanning the small crowd for Willow. She quickly spotted her sitting to the left of the podium up on stage with the rest of the honorees. After taking a seat in the back of the room, she brought her gaze back to the stage to get a better glimpse of Willow in her formal attire. Unfortunately, the blonde had chosen a seat with a stunning view of the podium. A podium that happened to be obstructing what would have been an otherwise clear view of Willow. Tara let out a sigh of frustration, silently cursing herself for not taking more time in selecting a seat to watch from. She contemplated moving to a different seat, but opted to stay put, instead trying to persuade the time to pass quicker so she could finally see Willow's full ensemble. After what seemed like an eternity to the uncharacteristically impatient blonde, the professor finally announced Willow's name. She stood to accept the award, and Tara's jaw hit the floor. Willow was a wearing a black dress with spaghetti straps, the hem falling just above her knee. The dress was simple, yet elegant, but there was nothing ordinary about the person wearing it, or the way it made her look. Never in her life had Tara seen someone so beautiful. She tried to focus on the words Willow was saying, but her hormones were in overdrive, and she had all she could do to keep her drool to a discreet minimum. It took a sudden burst of applause to shake Tara from her fantasy and as she finally looked at something other than Willow, she noticed people leaving their seats and starting to mingle. Reluctantly, Tara stood glancing nervously around the room, deciding on her next course of action. For the shy blonde, a room packed with strangers socializing was generally her cue to leave, as she had never been much for mingling. However, she had come to support Willow, and what good was showing up if Willow never knew she had attended. Furrowing her brow in concentration she tried to think of a subtle gesture that would catch Willow's eye, just something to let the red head know she had been there, but not enough to alert the entire room to her presence. Looking back up at the stage, hoping to draw inspiration from the object of her affection, the blonde saw Willow descending the few steps to the ground.



As Willow cautiously stepped down from the stage, silently cursing Buffy with every step she took for having convinced her to wear heels, she sensed a familiar pair of eyes on her. Looking out across the room she saw Tara looking back at her, smiling nervously. Willow's entire face lit up as she focused on the blonde, absolutely stunned to see somebody she cared for in the crowd there to support her. She stumbled a little down the last couple of steps, as she had been looking ahead at Tara and not paying any attention to where her feet landed. She quickly looked around to see if anyone had noticed, but the only eyes on her were those of the blonde. As she made her way to Tara, she wondered why she hadn't noticed her before. She looked incredible. Her long navy gown seemed to hug every curve on her body in just the right way. Never in her life had Willow seen someone so beautiful. She was still gazing appreciatively at Tara when she found herself standing in front of her.



"Hi," Tara said stopping herself from ducking her head.



"Hi!... Oh my God," Willow said excitedly, unable to stop smiling at the sight of her friend as she pulled her in for a quick embrace. "I didn't know you were coming, this was so sweet of you! Tara, nobody has -ever- done something like this for me in my entire life," Willow beamed as they released from the hug.



"Well, you know... it's not everyday I h-have a friend receiving a b-big award," Tara said, "By the way, you l-look..."



"Breathtaking," Willow said unintentionally cutting Tara off.



"I was going to say amazing, but b-breathtaking works," Tara said nodding with a grin.



"No, I meant you," Willow said, "you look beautiful."



"Thanks," Tara said blushing, this time not having the strength to fight ducking her head.



"Against the rules, remember?" Willow said, smiling as she raised Tara's chin.



"Sorry," Tara said smiling shyly. She wanted to look away, to somehow avert her gaze from Willow, but she couldn't seem to tear her eyes away. If she didn't know any better she would have sworn she saw... love gazing back at her? Yes, that was it, there was love reflected in Willow's eyes. Something in the way they were sparkling, and the intensity of her gaze. No one had ever looked at her that way before, but she was positive something about that look had love written all over it. Suddenly as if realizing what was being acknowledged to each other through their eyes, both girls looked away, peering around the room in an awkward silence until finally Willow spoke.



"I have to talk to some people before I can leave, not that you're not people, but these people are important people, well you're important people too, far more important to me than them, but these are reporter people, and you're not reporter people, at least I don't think you are, maybe you are. It's possible that you write for some magazine or newspaper and I just never knew that about you, but if you did that would be good, cause then I could talk to you more, and you could interview me and write what I said, but not what's coming out of my mouth right now... cause I think I lost where I was going," Willow said stopping to smile at Tara, who was just smiling back at her affectionately. "Okay, so," Willow said trying to collect her thoughts and get them back on the right train, but for some reason she couldn't remember what she had been talking about.



"You have to t-talk to some reporters before you can l-leave," Tara said hoping she was helping.



"Right! So I was just gonna ask if maybe you wanted to hang around for a bit and we can walk back together?" Willow asked nervously.



"Okay," Tara said unbelievably happy that Willow wanted her to stay, "I'd love to walk back with you."



"Okay, great, so I'll go mingle quickly and then we can leave," Willow smilied, looking at Tara for a second confirmation that she was indeed going to stay.



"Okay," Tara said nodding as she reached out and grabbed Willow's hand, giving it a quick squeeze. Willow smiled brightly and then walked back toward the reporters she was suppposed to talk to. Tara watched as Willow walked away, unable to take her eyes off the red head's back side. The dress hugged it perfectly, and while Tara never liked to see Willow go, she had to admit the view wasn't bad. Slowly, Tara moved from the middle of the room to a corner in the back where she was hoping to blend in with the wall and become invisible until Willow had finished doing her interviews. From where Tara stood she could easily see Willow as she made her way around the room. She was amazed at the girl's grace and poise. Willow possessed the ability to be at ease, whatever the situation, and that was something Tara admired about her. She was completely transfixed by everything Willow was doing. Every little hand gesture or smile was mesmerizing to Tara, she wanted so much to have that same casualness in a room full of strangers. The blonde was so caught up staring at Willow, and studying her every move, she didn't notice a young man approaching her.



"Hello, Dave Freidman," he said extending his hand.



"Huh? Oh... Tara... Maclay," Tara said snapping back to reality.



"If you're trying to get an interview, hanging back in the corner like this, probably isn't your best bet," he said with a flirtatious smile. "What paper are you with?"



"I'm n-not a r-reporter," Tara replied shaking her head.



"Oh, I just figured you were. Reporters are usually the only ones who come to these things," Dave continued, "I write for the University paper. Are you a student here?"



"Yes," Tara replied, purposely keeping her answers short.



"I'm a senior here," he smiled puffing out his chest and taking a step closer. Suddenly Tara didn't think the corner was such a great place to be standing. Her body was going into panic mode as her palms became sweaty, and her heart began to race. She tried to take a step back, but there was no place to go.





Meanwhile, across the room, Willow found herself losing her patience to do interviews. She understood completely that they had to be done, but with Tara in the room looking so gorgeous, she was finding it difficult to give the reporters her full attention. She had been sneaking glances at Tara as she made her way around the room, and had even managed to position herself so she could continue glancing during what she hoped was her final interview. Peeking around the reporter, she expected to see Tara looking back at her, but instead Willow saw Tara conversing with a young man. Unable to look away Willow was instantly jealous, and she couldn't help but wonder what they were talking about. 'Why is Tara talking to him?' Willow thought, 'and look at him, standing all close to her like he's God's gift to women, I don't think so, Buddy. I'm God's gift to that particular woman, and wait... what if I'm not? What if she likes him?'



"Miss. Rosenberg?"



"Huh? What?" Willow asked her attention being drawn back to the interviewer.



"Your answer?" He asked politely.



"Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't hear the question, could you repeat it?" Willow asked giving her best 'I'm really sorry smile'. As the interviewer began to repeat the question though, her focus wandered back to Tara, expecting to see her smiling and flirting away with the boy, now throughly convinced she was not what Tara wanted afterall. However, when Willow's eyes caught back up with blonde, she saw her attempting to take a step back only to run into the wall that was directly behind her, and even from that distance she could see fear mounting in Tara's eyes.



"Miss. Rosenberg," the interviewer said again.



"I... I'm sorry, would you excuse me," Willow said brushing past him, completely distracted by the scene unfolding across the room, coupled with her determination to protect Tara from whatever threat that was being posed to her by this stranger. She strode purposfully across the room, finally stepping in front of the overbearing student, "Are you ready?" She gently asked the blonde. Grateful for having been saved, Tara fervently nodded yes. Willow gently took the blonde's hand, giving a firm squeeze as she could now see and feel that Tara was visibly shaking. Tara responded by clutching Willow's hand in a vice grip.



"Do you have time for a quick interview?" Dave asked hopefully. Clearly this girl was Willow's girlfriend. He wished he had known before he hit on her.



"No, I don't," Willow said walking away, taking Tara with her. Once outside, Tara's grip on Willow's hand loosened, and Willow stopped walking as she turned to face her friend. "Are you okay? Did he hurt you?" She asked taking Tara's other hand, her face showing nothing but concern.



"Yeah.. I... N-n-no, he didn't h-hurt me... I..." Tara paused as she pulled her hands from Willow's and wrapped the red head in a tight hug, unsure what had come over her. "I'm fine now," she said as she closed her eyes and smiled. For a moment, Willow hesitated, more out of shock than anything else, then happily returned the embrace. They stayed that way for several moments before they broke the hug and Tara spoke.



"Thank you," she said smiling.



"For what?" Willow questioned.



"For rescuing me," Tara said.



"Oh, well..." Willow said unable to say anything else. Tara had left her speechless. Willow began blushing and ducked her head.



"Against the rules," Tara said lifting Willow's head and continueing to smile at her.



"Throwing my own rule back in my face," Willow said laughing, "So are you ready to head back?"



"Sure," Tara said.



"Hey, are you doing anything tonight?" Willow asked.



"No," Tara said a little thrown by the question.



"Good, well not good that you don't have anything to do, but good because I thought you might want to come over and watch a movie...eat popcorn, or talk," Willow suggested. "Of course if you would rather do whatever it was you were going to do, that's okay too. I could always study instead."



"I'd love to w-watch a movie," Tara said smiling.



"Really?"



"Really."



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





~Spencer~

"Cause when we're torn apart, shattered and scarred, love has the grace to save us. We're just two tarnished hearts, but in each other arms, we become saints and angels."



~Sara Evans~

Edited by: Mainer at: 3/3/03 11:33:08 am

[pacou]

Yay, an update Thanks mainer



I'm sure it'll be greater than great



Off to read now



Thanks for writing



-Viv-

Yummy, yummy, yummy
I've got love in my tummy

[jixer]

Hello Kittens-



Oh, those pesky rules! I love Tara enforcing Willow's rule.



There's no vampires in this update, no blinding magic and it doesn't need any. The simple drama here speaks so quietly it shakes the foundations. Tara goes out into a mass of strangers dressed for Willow's big night. Willow steps away from the reporters, the people who can give her recognition and acceptance, because of Tara's fear. Even a reporter can see the truth (okay, maybe magic there) about their attraction. Courage, rescue, caring, and perhaps a bard all in a ballroom on an average night. Off stage our villian lurks. We wait for the next scene.



Soon?



Thank you for this,



Jixer

[The Rose24]

Yay!!!! I've been waiting for an update to this story.



At Willow being distracted during the interview. I am so glad Tara shows up.



Are they actually together yet?

Tara: My heart doesn't stutter.


Tara: Willow, I got so lost.

Willow: I found you. I will always find you.

Edited by: The Rose24  at: 3/22/03 8:39:51 pm