Fic: Vignette Series

[AutumnT]

Xita, why don't you just say NEENER NEENER NEENER and get it out of your system? Hmm?



You people and your evil taunting.

Autumn

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Well, the reindeer part was nice...

[Puff]

Wow I just caught up with these and they were wonderful Sass. Thanks for giving us so many brilliant glimpses into Willow and Tara's lives.

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

[Sassette]

Thank you, Puff ... I'm glad you like them *G* And xita? Stop teasing Autumn. Oh, wait ... I mean, stop "taunting" Autumn. From what I've heard, the "teasing" is fine

And, umm ... I'm an evil little liar-monkey. Here's the next vignette, MUCH earlier than expected.

Series: Vignettes
Number: 16
Title: Free to Fly
Author: Sassette
Feedback: Can be sent to pink_overalls@yahoo.com
Spoiler Warning: None
Summary: More Rose and Tara
Disclaimer: I didn't create these characters. I do, however, love them, and as they reside in my heart, they belong to me. I'm not making any money off of them, though.
Rating: Shiny Happy Disney G-Rated.

Free to Fly
Part 16 of the Vignettes Series
by Sassette

"Are you sure about this?" Rose asked softly, looking at Tara with a serious expression on her face. She put her helmet and goggles down, then turned back to Tara. "Because you don't have to ..."

"No, I want to," Tara said, her little face scrunched up into a look of pure determination despite the tense set of her shoulders. "And I trust you. You won't let anything bad happen."

"Right," Rose said with a grin and a nod. "It's perfectly safe, and I'm a really >really< good pilot, and I wouldn't ever >ever< take you flying if I wasn't one-hundred-and-twenty-percent Sure-y McSure that it was safe."

Tara just nodded, her shoulders relaxing as she listened to Rose talk. Rose talked funny, Tara had noticed, but it was kind of nice the way she'd just keep talking, filling up the silence. It was so easy to feel alone in the silence, and with Rose, Tara never felt alone. Whenever Rose's Magic Helicopter buzzed in, Tara's silent world was full of such happy sounds: talking and laughter and shouts.

"Oh!" Rose said, her eyes widening. "I gotcha' something," she said, remembering that she had put together a very special present for her bestest friend, and had just been waiting for Tara to decide to go for a ride in the Magic Helicopter so she could hand it over.

"You ... you got me something?" Tara asked, a look of total surprise on her face. "But ... it's not my birthday," she protested.

"Doesn't matter, silly," Rose said, shooting a slightly exasperated look at Tara. "Besides, it's very important equipment. Can't go buzzing around in a helicopter without it."

Rose lifted the front seat and started rummaging around in what looked like nothing. Tara ducked down, looking underneath the seat, and saw nothing but the hollow empty framework of the Magic Helicopter. Somehow, Rose withdrew a small parcel, wrapped in brown paper and tied with a string.

"It's, umm ... I didn't wrap it pretty," Rose said quietly, looking down at the ground and scuffing the toe of her boot in the grass. She looked up quickly, thrusting her arm out straight in front of her, placing the parcel in front of Tara's face, then quickly looked back down.

"Oh, wow," Tara breathed, taking the gift and hugging it to her chest, her eyes twinkling, and a sweet smile crossing her face. "For me?"

"Well, yeah," Rose said, finally looking up, her brow furrowed. "I just gave it to you, and it would be mean and all rude-like to just take it back, right?"

"Oh, did you want it back?" Tara asked, her eyes wide, trying to hand the parcel back to Rose.

"No," Rose said, shaking her head vigorously, and sending her hair flying around her face. "It's for you. I made them for you."

"You made them?" Tara asked, a wide grin splitting her face.

"Well, I didn't 'make' them 'make them'," Rose hedged. "I sort of made the Magic Helicopter all magic-y enough that I can always find more of these under the seat. Y'see?"

"Thank you," Tara gushed, hugging the present to her again. It didn't matter, really, what was underneath the plain brown paper - the only thing that really mattered to her was that Rose had given her a present, and it wasn't even her birthday.

"You're welcome," Rose said shyly. "Go on and open it," she went on, shifting her weight from foot to foot and clasping her hands in front of her, starting to fidget with excitement. "This is ... this is fun," Rose decided out loud as Tara started to carefully untie the string. Rose walked closer, watching Tara's hands working at the knot. "I feel just like Santa Claus. Only I have a helicopter insted of a sleigh. And no reindeer."

"And it's not Christmas," Tara added, looking up at Rose with a little smile, before going back to opening her present.

"Right," Rose said with a nod. "It's not Christmas-y at all, except for the present, but there's no tree. I mean, well, there are lots of trees here, but there aren't any >Christmas< trees, and so it's not the same, and we can't really say it's Christmas at all."

Tara just listened, getting the string off the package, then folding back the brown paper. Her little face lit up when she saw a brown flight jacket, goggles, and a white scarf that matched Rose's. "Oh, Rose," Tara said, looking up and beaming at her friend.

"So, umm ... you like them? I mean, you're smiling, so I guess you like them, but you just kind of said 'Oh, Rose,' and that could mean anything at all, so I'm not completely >sure< that you like them, so I guess I'm just saying ... do you like them?"

"Oh, yes," Tara said, giving Rose a great big hug.

"Oh, good," Rose said, hugging Tara back. "Come on, put 'em on," she said, pulling away and holding up the jacket for Tara. Tara slipped into it, and then Rose helped her put on the old-fashioned aviator helmet, making sure her long blonde hair got tucked in, and then topping it off with the white scarf.

Tara just grinned, half her face hidden by the large goggles, and Rose smiled back. Flying was fun, Rose decided, but it would be more fun to share it with a friend. It was so freeing and beautiful going way up high in the Magic Helicopter, but it would be so much better with Tara at her side.

"Okay, let me just finish setting up," Rose said excitedly, muttering to herself as she double-checked the modifications she had made to the Magic Helicopter so that Tara could fly, too. She went over every inch of it, her little hands pushing and prodding at things Tara didn't understand, her tongue poking out in concentration as she made triple-sure everything was perfect.

Once she was satisfied, Rose stood up, grabbing her own helmet and goggles and shoving them onto her head. "Okay, that's your seat right there," Rose said, pointing to the seat next to hers.

Gingerly, Tara climbed into the seat, holding onto Rose's shoulder to steady herself. Once she was seated, Rose buckled her in, then scampered around the Magic Helicopter, her white scarf flying behind her, before jumping into her seat and bouncing a little as she put on her own safety restraints.

Rose mumbled to herself as she checked all the instruments on the front panel, before darting a glance sideways to check on Tara.

Tara's eyes were shut tight behind her goggles, her hands clamped down on the sides of her seat.

"Hey, Tara," Rose said softly, covering Tara's hand with her own. "It's not too late to decide to do this another time. We could do something else, no problem," she said emphatically. "In fact, I think I'd rather do something else. Let's go swimming or something."

"Oh, no," Tara said, shaking her head. "I want to fly. I'm just ... I'm just a little, umm ... I'm scared," she admitted softly, trusting that Rose wouldn't ever laugh at her for being scared.

"You're very brave," Rose said solemnly. "You sure you want to?"

"I'm not brave," Tara said, shaking her head. "I'm a big 'fraidy cat."

"No, you're very brave," Rose insisted. "You're scared, but you want to fly anyway. That's more brave than someone who isn't scared at all flying."

"Really?" Tara asked, her eyes wide. "I'm, umm ... I'm brave?"

"The bravest," Rose said, turning on the helicopter, the wide blades over their heads starting to spin.

"I'm brave," Tara whispered to herself, squeezing Rose's hand before letting it go so her friend could pilot the Magic Helicopter. "So where are we going?" Tara called out over the buzzing noise.

"I dunno," Rose said with a grin and a shrug. "But we'll find out."

[LeatherQueen]

God, that was sweet, Sass. Perfect for an afternoon break from work. Heh... I love these ones...

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


"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

[BoredNow99]

Oh, Rose and Tara in goggles, that's just such a cute image. Made me grin



I love the fact that Tara's scared but she doesn't appear to ever think about not flying, because she's with Rose. Even though she's scared she's not going to back out.



The interaction between these two is so great, so true to their older selves.



Thanks Sass. Superb as ever.

- Em

"They were fluffy indigenous kittens. Until ME came along." - What Willow meant to say in Pangs.

[ExtraFlameyWT]

Oh, Sass! I love you! This just made my day! I'm all smiley now.. They are SO cute..



Aimee

*****
"Pope John Paul today confirmed his opposition to gay marriages, said they're unnatural. Gay marriage is unnatural. Then he put on a pointy hat, his dress, and returned to never having sex at all." -Bill Maher

[Puff]

Wow that was a fast update. I love the Tara and Rose stories they are just so cute

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

[Sassette]

**LeatherQueen: Heh, thank you *G* I have no idea why, but I love the Lil'Tara and Lil'Rose/Willow ones, too. For some reason I can't quite put my finger on, it's a hoot and a half to write.



**BoredNow99: The level of trust they have in one another is huge amounts of fun to write. And thank you ... I love the goggles, too *G*



**ExtraFlameyWT: Heh ... love you, too *G* I'm happy to have made your day *G*



**Puff: Yeah, that was >much< faster than I expected. And thank you - I'm glad you liked it.



-Sass

[Blue77]

Thanks Sass. I think you got it exactly right, Willow is very insecure about who she was before she met Tara and became a super witch, she always felt like a geek and thought Buffy was the cool one.



The thing is and what we've always known before the Buffy reassurance in Wrecked is that Tara loves Willow no matter what, loves the fact she's a brainy-type as was implied by her proud smile in OMWF. It actually makes me think of Family at the end, when Willow asks why Tara didn't tell her about her family and then she says it only makes her love Tara more, I think this would be exactly the same for Tara, to find out about geeky Willow and see what she came through would only make Tara love her more ... pity the show never explored this, but lucky for us you did.



Again with the thanks. It was Great.



Blue

"She should have died hereafter: There would have been a time for such a word ...

...it is a tale, told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing."

Shakespeare/Macbeth

[Sassette]

Funny you should mention 'Family' ... as it is both the basis of the next vignette I have planned (Hi, TX! *waves*), and because I very nearly put in the line " ... it makes me proud ... it makes me love you more." I could not, however, figure out if that made Willow's words an echo of Tara's, or Tara's an echo of Willow's, as I wanted to leave when this particular vignette happened open to interpretation. *shrug*



-Sass

[fairydust]

That last update was so sweet Rose and Tara are so cute together I cant wait for the next wonderful installment

*****Faye*****I LOVE YOU JENNA

[tommo]

Ah Sassette...this is adorable. Just really simple and lovely and you know, it's so cute it made my toes curl. But then, I'm wearing pajamas so I generally that when I've got flannel on. Heh. You're the best.

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Squish. Squish. Squish.

[xita]

She's a writing, writing, writing machine... also a dancing machine hee



God, I love Rose and Tara. So cute... it's like a cute little fairy tale.

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

Willow and Tara Love

Truly and Forever

[The Rose24]

Yaaaayyyy!!!! The kids are back. Another adorable update as usual.

Tara: My heart doesn't stutter.

Tara: Willow, I got so lost.
Willow: I found you. I will always find you.

Willow: Hi, um Tara. I was wondering maybe you want to go out some time for coffee? food? Kisses and gay love?

[Bookcat]

Cute:

1. (adj.) Pleasing to the eye:

• good-looking

• comely

• handsome

• nice-looking

• pretty

• attractive



Much more so now that I'm actually attempting to read Answering Darkness and have figured out who Rose is... I happen to be on chapter 47 of that other one and am loving it... I got my friends hooked by quoting it to them so much in my IMs.

"Living for thirty minutes at a time with a break in the middle for adverts" - Elvis Costello



"No! I'm, oh, I'm friendless."
"Yeah, yeah. No friends -- I mean, I have friends...."
"Many dear friends, yeah" - Willow, Tara, Willow Entropy.

[Kieli]

Wow, Sass, you sure know how to make me into a complete puddle of mush. And thanks for honouring my request. More Rose and Tara. Love even without the romance implied is still the most wonderful thing in the world.

"I withdrew from the world, not because I had enemies but because I had friends. Not because they did me ill turn, as is customary, but because they thought me better than I am. It was a lie I could not endure." --Albert Camus

[NoveltyAct]

sass,



too cute! makes me go "awwww...yeah" in a totally different way... little rose and tara should get their own segment on sesame street (what a street that would be).



and re: #15 and willow's insecurity, um..it's always made sense to me. didn't anyone ever tell you that it's totally uncool to be a really smart girl in high school, especially a public high school? before the internet came along, ya know, computers were *so* declasse.



novelty



p.s. xita said:

Quote:

---

Oh sass, I am so looking forward to the update for LD, especially since you got drunk and told me the whole plot!!

---

oh, is that what you two were whispering about while i was in bed, sass? i just thought you were trying to turn me on...

[VampNo12]

Oh Sassette I love when you write about Rose and Tara they are always so adorable, and this vignette was no exception. I loved how Tara loves Rose's babbling because it reminds Tara she isn't alone. Tara's childhood is so lonely filled with too much "silence", but with Rose she doesn't feel this way anymore. It was so cute how excited they each were when Rose gave Tara a present "and it wasn't even Christmas," I so loved the Christmas dialogue. And lastly, even though Tara was afraid to fly the magic helicopter, being with Rose allows her to face/conquer her fears, and as Rose said "she is brave". Truly a very sweet moment, and looking forward to the next one.

Edited by: VampNo12  at: 6/12/02 12:47:15 am

[Sassette]

**fairydust: Why, thank you *G* And here's the next update *G*

**tommo: Heh ... thanks, Ruth *G* Just remember, I'll be happy to curl your toes anytime, flannel pajamas or not

**xita: Ixnay on the Ancinday! *G* And yeah ... I totally see it as a fairy tale, too ... it's way fun to write *G*

**The Rose24: *G* Thank you! And I'm sure I'll do more of the Tara/Rose stuff in the future ... they keep popping into my head *shrug*

**Bookcat: LOL ... yeah, the Rose/Tara thing makes more sense if you've read AD *G* And part 47? You're almost done! *snicker* You're like an AD pusher ... giving out free quotes to all your friends ...

**Kieli: Heh ... puddle of mush = fun *G* And, y'know, I love Rose and Tara ... you'll definitely be seeing more of them. I just, y'know, try to space it out, or else I'd end up writing all Rose and Tara all the time.

**NoveltyAct: Heh heh heh ... Holy Schnikeys! And actually, I'm rather aware of what it's like to be a smart girl in high school, oddly enough *G* I guess my problem seeing Willow's problem comes from the fact that there were LOTS of big dorks at my school, and I was their Evil Ruler. And, umm ... I have to try now? *G*

**VampNo12: Why, thank you *G* I just, y'know, try to imagine how Willow and Tara would have interacted as kids, throw in some goggles and a helicopter, and there you go *G*

Series: Vignettes
Number: 17
Title: Gifts
Author: Sassette
Feedback: Can be sent to pink_overalls@yahoo.com
Spoiler Warning: Up to and including ‘Family’ in Season Five
Summary: It’s Tara’s Birthday!
Disclaimer: I didn't create these characters. I do, however, love them, and as they reside in my heart, they belong to me. I'm not making any money off of them, though.
Rating: PG-13

Gifts
Part 17 of the Vignettes Series
by Sassette

Tara wondered idly if she was still floating. There wasn’t, really, any other way of explaining just why she felt so very light and free – a sense of weight having been lifted from her shoulders. She was no longer atlas, carrying the sky – no, she was just a girl. Human. Not a demon at all.

And she was Willow Rosenberg’s girlfriend.

All in all, it was a beautiful night, it had been a beautiful day, and tomorrow was probably going to be pretty darn beautiful, too. She was holding Willow’s hand, and walking up the stairs to her dorm room, and everything was right in her world, for the first time since she had been told what she would become.

But they had been wrong – so very wrong. None of them had any idea what she would become, and in a sense she herself was just finding out, but with Willow at her side that didn’t seem like a daunting prospect at all. It felt – normal. Wonderful. Perfect.

A strange feeling welled up inside of her, climbing higher and higher, escaping as a full-bodied laugh, deep and rich and so very full of life. She couldn’t help it – couldn’t stop it – the laugh just tore it’s way out of her, the joy and relief of the past 24 hours hitting home within her all at once.

Willow looked over at Tara, squeezing her hand in her own, a surprised but happy grin on her face.

“What?” Tara asked, cocking her head to one side and smiling at Willow.

“I just … I’ve never heard you laugh before,” Willow explained, her expression thoughtful, then creasing to a frown. “I mean, I have. Heard you laugh, and all, but … not like that, all loud and throaty and ‘rolicking good time’.”

“Oh, umm … sorry?” Tara said, a shy embarrassed smile crossing her face.

“Oh, no, no,” Willow said, shaking her head emphatically. “Don’t be sorry. No, definitely not – it was nice. I liked it. I … I wanna’ hear it again. Often. But, umm … what was it for? Because if it’s something I did, I’ll do it a lot, even if it was goofy and makes me look like a big dork,” Willow said earnestly as Tara opened her door and they stepped inside, shutting it firmly behind them.

“I’m just … I’m happy,” Tara said, tears stinging her eyes. “You, umm … you make me so very … happy.”

“Good tears?” Willow asked softly, a concerned expression on her face as she immediately noticed that Tara looked like she was going to cry at any moment.

“Best tears,” Tara said with a little watery smile. Self-consciously, she sniffed once, reaching up to wipe the few drops that had spilled over the corner of her eyes, only to find that Willowfingers beat her there, gently brushing them away.

“Dance with me?” Willow asked softly, tugging lightly on Tara’s hand.

“There’s, umm … there’s no music,” Tara pointed out, even as she stepped into Willow’s arms.

“There doesn’t have to be,” Willow said, their bodies swaying. They pressed together, just feeling the nearness of each other, holding on like they’d never let go. “I don’t know what I would’ve done if you’d gone,” Willow said after a few long moments, her voice soft and distant, her arms tightening around Tara.

“For as long as I can remember,” Tara said, pausing as she composed her thoughts. “I was told that I was evil – and that I’d hurt people, or they’d, umm… they’d be killed, because of me. I … I always thought that was the scariest thing in the, umm… in the w-world, but … the only thing I could think of, umm … it was that I didn’t w-want to leave you. That breaking your heart would break me into so many pieces there would be nothing left.”

“Thank you,” Willow said, forcing the words past her tight throat. “Thank you for wanting to stay. And God, I’m going to bake Buffy, like, a million gazillion cookies for this one.”

“Cookies?” Tara asked, her laughter ringing out again, bouncing happily around the room. “I’ll help. I was … umm … I was so surprised. And, I, um … I … I was so scared,” she finished on a whisper.

“You don’t have to be scared anymore,” Willow whispered, placing a soft kiss on Tara’s forehead, then letting their heads rest gently together.

“I’m not,” Tara said simply, a soft smile crossing her face.

“I think it’s time for your present,” Willow said with a little grin, even as a warm flush crawled up her neck.

“I already opened your present,” Tara said, a small frown crossing her face. “You got me a book.”

“I did not,” Willow said, her tone dripping with mock indignation, “get my girlfriend just a book for her birthday.”

“Willow,” Tara said softly, reaching a hand up to cup Willow’s cheek, pressing a light kiss to her lips and lingering there for a moment. “You don’t have to get me anything at all. The best gift in the world is you.”

“Well, I got you something else anyway,” Willow said. “I mean, it’s for you, but it’s, umm … it’s kind of for me.”

“It’s for me, but it’s kind of for you?” Tara said, a confused look on her face.

“Yeah, I’m, umm … I’m kind of … wearing it. Under the dress,” Willow said softly.

“Wearing it?” Tara asked, her eyes widening.

“You gonna’ unwrap it?”

“Oh, yes.”

[AutumnT]

Sassette you are totally toying with my whole "Willow in fishnets" observation in Family you bad thing. Oh, have I ever mentioned that I adore Family like over and over? Probably not. Because I usually keep that stuff to myself.



Thanks dear. I love this episode. And I appreciate your epilogue muchly.

Autumn

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Well, the reindeer part was nice...

[xita]

I like willow's gift, she's so clever. I always imagined the days after Family were some of the most intimate for them. I think Tara finally fully gave herself to Willow then ... without fear or hiding. sigh..

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

Willow and Tara Love

Truly and Forever

[VampNo12]

Sassette I truly loved this moment especially considering Family is one of my favorite W&T episodes. The image of floating I took this literally and figuratively. Not only is she floating from the connection W&T share (when they dance), but finally the "weight" has been lifted with the knowledge that she won't be evil/turn into a demon. She is truly free, and thus can float (she is no longer tied down to the past).



Tara can now really discover who she is with the help and love of Willow, and I think the laughter was a wonderful way to convey that Tara is at peace/truly happy. Willow wanting to dance with Tara was a wonderful image, and yes they don't need music because they carry the music in their hearts. And lastly, loved Willow's present, and I am sure Tara took a great deal of pleasure in "unwrapping it"!

Edited by: VampNo12  at: 6/12/02 1:44:10 am

[TrueXena]

OH WOW! I wake up to not one, but two wonderful vignettes to read. Life is good.



re: #16, god could they be any more cute? I love that no matter how scared Tara is, she is still willing to go flying with Rose because of the trust she puts in her. Just wonderful. (and who can deny the lure of Scarf and goggles?)



re: #17, oh joy! just joy. I'm floating now. See you totally sidetracked the whole "What did she give her" part of my request, but nailed the when, which is totally kewl. (besides I think my mind can come up with some ideas. Fishnets come to mind suddenly) And that just makes me love you more.



Thank you ever so much for these vignettes. I'm now trying to think up some new ones to request.

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

Tara: "C-can you just be kissing me now?" - in 'Entropy'

Tara: "Its good to be a chicken casserole." -in 'Answering Darkness' By: Sassette

Tara: "Evil's....good." - in 'Seeing Red' (shooting script)

[mollyig]

Lovely. Willow telling Tara she doesn't have to be scared anymore. Tara no longer burdened with her past. I say again - lovely!

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

[Lola19]

Ok, new day, new start. I feel bad for not commenting more so today im going to praise everything that i read!

Sassette, u get my first praise of the day!

That was so sweet, made my little tummy go all tingly! Im really enjoying this.

Looking forward to more

Love Lola xxx

[tommo]

I love the security Willow was able to offer Tara back then, when she was strong and confident and could, in this aspect of her life at least, forget about her insecurities. Tara totally depends on Willow's love for self-assertion and it's pretty much a mutual thing. I love these little moments between them and you write them so well, Sassette. Thank you.

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Squish. Squish. Squish.

[zero]

Oh. One of those *special* presents. Niiiice!

"Spatulas are for wimps!" -Dawn

[fairydust]

oohh yay.....very nice. If I were Tara, I'd want to open Willow's special present also also, if I were Tara, I'd be pretty damn hot.....lol......

I really like this update because Family is one of my favorite episodes, so, Im glad you continued on it, very nice work

*****Faye*****I LOVE YOU JENNA

[LeatherQueen]

Oh, Sass... Do you know how much I love this one? Family is, of course, one of my most favorite eps, and this really does work so well within that story. And the part about her not laughing like that before... that was great.



Ahhh.. now I'm gonna be in a sappy mood all day. I may have to go re-watch the kiss from Entropy a couple dozen times.

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


"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

[Grimaldi]

loved the last two Vignettes



#16- it was so cool to read more about young Tara/Rose(Willow), loved that she got Tara a present(could just picture young Tara in her goggles,scarf and flight jacket looking so cute) and that she told Tara that she was brave



#17- very sweet, and Willow got Tara the perfect gift, herself, bet Tara had fun unwrapping that gift

Oh my god, they killed... oh, nevermind

Dude, we're surrounded by perverts!

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