BV
Alex is one of rhe good guys. He's essential in my plot. You'll see.
Lipkandy (aka melissa)
I've been meaning to tell you that I've read your feedback to my other story (Metamorphosis) and can't help but be bowled over by your feedback here (Three Words). You're one of the talented writers in the Kittenboard and your heartfelt feedback just made me
Thank you for making my heart twirl.
So you're the straight best friend? Well I hope you weren't as thick as Willow.
faithy
Yeah, Tare-bear and other petnames are kinda cute. Quirky cute like our couple.
michelle
No worries.
You left thoughtful feedback, we're all good.
Sappho
I don't know if the next update qualifies as 'fitting' together. But together is definitely in here.
Grace
Can you stand a tiny bit more of angst? Just a quark?
sammi
Moving on can be painful, right? So you'd understand why I had to be all maudlin sometimes.
Sonya
Welcome back to the feedback chair! I missed you so!
Knowing fully well about your angst problem, I am honored that you were able to sit through and absorb my fic. And the line you wrote: "unrequited love threatens to tear us into tiny atoms," just sounded Willowy to me. Oh I forgot. You are a woman of science. Ergo your Willowish appeal.
Love isn't always rosy. And you're right, it would be un-Tara if she didn't prioritize Willow's happiness. There's a certain kind of maturity in letting someone go. And Tara is certainly more mature than most characters in THAT show. So anyway, I'm glad even with the tricky 1st person POV, I am still able to stay consistent with Tara's character.
So my British buddy, here is the bloody update and another
for being a sweet fiend— er, friend I mean. Out of morbid curiosity, your cat wouldn't be named 'Sam' or 'Thing One' or 'Thing Two' right?
Sleek
SaraBiga
Yes. We both know darn well what it feels like. Been there, done that too. But at least you're happily coupled off now.
And will Tara suffer for years? Hmm…maybe tow updates more before we go all "tra-lala-lala-lala".
Incitatua 8
Hello (Sleek bows courteously). I read your feedback in Metamorphosis too and I thank you for using the word "magnetic." I'm a fan of words, always will be. But I am a bigger feedback junkie and you just gave my fix.
And don't worry about Alex, he's harmless ( I hope so). Thank you for picking up my fic from the dusty shelves.
TempestDuer & intricate mirage
Charming, a tad pushy but charming.
Thank you for giving me that extra push.
==
Dear Kittens,
Presenting the next installment in this 10 part saga about three measly words. Should this fiction touch you please let me know. Appreciation is the sweetest thing we could give to another human being.
Dancing in the rain, Sleek
==
THREE WORDS
Part 6
By Sleek"Hello, Mrs. Maclay. Is Tara there?"
Willow twirled the telephone cord nervously around her index finger.
"Willow, for the hundreth time, please call me Liz. And yes, Tara is in her room."
"Right…um…Liz. Uh, Tara didn't go to school today. Is she alright?"
"Oh. I thought you knew. Alex brought her here late last night, flushed and drunk. Now she has an almighty hangover and refuses to leave her bed. Good thing actually, since I'm grounding her for a month."
"What?!"
For a moment, Willow thought she misheard Tara's mother. "Tara's drunk, with Alex? But she—we talked in my room last night. Definitely no booze or Alex involved. Do you think Alex did this?"
"Well, he seems like a nice young man for bringing my daughter home in one piece. He insisted that I not punish Tara and punish him instead. He was the bar tender who allowed my seventeen-year-old daughter to drink. But Tara kept saying that she
begged Alex for the drinks, so I should stick to the plan and ground her."
Willow was too stunned too speak. This can't be Tara. Tara never gets drunk. Tara despises alcohol. But something was askew last night. Tara was keeping something from her. But what?
"Willow, can you do me a favor?"
Liz's voice yanked Willow's attention back to the conversation.
"What, Mrs. Maclay?"
"I'm really worried about Tara. She usually opens up to me when something is bothering her. But this morning she seems a bit…I don't know…reclusive and depressed. Do you have any idea why?"
Willow rummaged her memory files for any relevant data and drew up a blank.
"I honestly don't know," Willow admitted. "But I promise to find out."
***
Bleh.
No other word could perfectly describe my day.
Bleh.
The bitter taste of vomit is still lingering in my mouth. I want to get up and gargle but getting up means the assault of air— and the rush of air means woozy head.
I glanced at my window and squinted at the late afternoon sun. A thousand tiny jackhammers pummeled my head.
Nope. Definitely not getting up.
Sigh.
I can't believe I'm grounded. After seventeen frickin' responsible years, Mama is grounding me. Me, Tara Maclay. Goody-Two-Shoes Extraordinaire is officially on house arrest. Can't go out. Can't hang out with Willow. Haven't seen Willow for seven hours and twenty minutes. Not that I'm counting. 'Coz counting the minutes till you see somebody again is pathetic. And I don't wanna be pathetic. I'm strong…like an Amazon, as Willow would say.
Double sigh.
Can't I have a Willow-free train of thought?!
"Tara, sweetie?" Mama's head poked into my room. "Are you in the mood for visitors?"
Willow!
My heart leapt to greet its owner but it drooped upon seeing muddy-brown eyes instead of emeralds.
"Alex." I managed hoarsely without sounding too disappointed.
The tips of his big ears turned red as he held out a bouquet of white roses towards me.
"Um, I picked this up and the florist said this is the best anti-hangover flowers he has," he said, shifting from one foot to another.
"I'll leave you kids alone," Mama said, after sparing an encouraging glance at me.
As the door closed, I realized this is the first time anybody gave me flowers.
"They're beautiful, Alex." I said, sincerely.
A wide grin lit up his face as he placed the bouquet on my bedside desk. He took in my pasty complexion.
"So have you learned you're lesson now, you big bad boozer?" he teased as he settled himself comfortably on a nearby chair.
"Well, you're the bad bar tender who let the poor innocent girl drown her in misery." I said, arching a brow.
"Touché," he agreed. "But the next time you go begging, the most you'll get from me is spiked water."
I smiled wanly. "No Baileys cream?"
"I made an oath to your Mom," he said, solemnly. "I'm not giving you even a molecule of liquor."
"A quark of liquor, Alex. A quark," I mumbled.
"Huh?"
"The smallest particle, even smaller than molecules and neutrons, is a quark," I elaborated. "You get to know such things when you hang around Willow. When she's there it's like having a handy and cuddly encyclopedia nearby."
"Hmm, cuddly encyclopedia. Now I understand the attraction," Alex said, waggling his eyebrows.
I groaned.
"I'm hopeless, aren't I?" I said, burying my face on the pillow.
Alex leaned down and rubbed my shoulders soothingly.
"Hush, there now. Someday I will concoct a non-alcoholic drink for the lovelorn that will make all the pain scuttle away. I'll name the drink as 'Tara Tarantula' in your honor."
Tara Tarantula. Hairy black legs. Now that's a thought.
I giggled against my pillow.
"Tara?"
She's here!
I turned my face to the sound of her voice. She was standing in my doorway with an odd expression on her face.
Her eyes darted towards Alex and the flowers on my table.
Alex quickly removed his hand from my shoulder and stood, facing Willow.
"Am I disturbing you?" she asked meekly as she turned her gaze towards me.
Wisps of auburn fell just above her emerald eyes. Her skin was smooth and milky as ever.
I want her near me. Why isn't she getting any closer?
"No," I said. "Why don't you come in?"
And while you're at it, why don't you lie on the bed and snuggle my woes away?
Willow shot another glance at Alex before stepping inside my room.
"Why did you get Tara drunk?" she demanded as she stopped in front of Alex.
"I didn't get her drunk," Alex said, surprised by the accusation of the slight redhead. "We shared a couple of drinks."
"If it were just a couple of drinks, why does she have a hangover now?"
The glint in her eyes was unmistakable. Willow was mad. But why would she be?
"Well, if you're really a good friend of Tara's, you'd know why she was drinking in the first place," Alex retorted hotly.
A red flag flapped in my mind's eye. I didn't like where the conversation was leading at all.
"Alex—"
"What do you mean by that?" Willow shot back. "I'm Tara's best friend!"
"Some best friend you are," Alex muttered wryly. "While you're wrapped up in your own little world, Tara was drowning in her sorrow. If you really cared about her, you'd pay her a little more attention."
Willow was thrown back for a moment. She narrowed her eyes.
"Of course I care about Tara!" she took a menacing step towards Alex. "And for your information I'm not wrapped up—"
"Well start showing it!" Alex butted in.
The two willed each other to wither under their own glare.
"If you two are done with the death stares, can we please proceed to conversing like civilized people?" I said, a bit worried by the heated exchange.
I bit the corner of my lip thoughtfully. They're both protective of me of course, but why the hostility?
I lifted my head and tried to sit up. Suddenly the room tilted.
"Whoa, easy now," Willow was at my side in an instant. Her hand slipped under armpit and helped me lift my upper body.
I rested my back against the headboard.
"Thanks," I said, grinning feebly at my favorite redhead.
Her hand slid from under my arm to cup my cheek. Her thumb traced the shape of my brow and massaged my temple.
My eyes fell shut in response.
Sigh. Willow-touch.
I must've purred like a spoiled cat.
"I'll be leaving now," Alex said from the periphery of my attention. "Tara, I'll call you, okay?"
I nodded my head automatically.
When the door clicked shut I opened my eyes and found pools of emeralds peering at me.
Willow had sat herself on the side of my bed. She was painfully within hugging distance.
Hug me, hug me, oh please hug me Willow.
"Tara," she began and stirred a song in my soul. "Is there...something you're not telling me?"
I can't hide. I can't hide with her so near.
I shifted under the blankets, contemplating whether to disappear under them.
Probably noticing my evasiveness, Willow slipped two fingers under my chin and forced me to look at her.
"Tara, please. I…" Willow sighed, her brows arching up. "If there's something wrong, if you were really 'drowning in your sorrows,' I'd rather you tell me. And not hear it from Alex."
Ah. So this is what it's about. She felt like she was being a bad friend and Alex was being the better friend.
"Willow," I whispered. "I trust you with all my heart. With all that I am. I've never…made myself more vulnerable to anyone than when I'm with you…y-you're like my karmic soul twin."
"You mean soulmate," Willow corrected. She removed her hand from my chin and smiled at me in that maddeningly sweet way of hers.
It took all my strength not to swoon.
My throat went dry.
"Right," I croaked. "Soulmates. And um, I will tell you everything…someday…in the near future. Just not today."
"What's wrong with today?" she inquired gently. An impish smile playing at her lips.
Never let it be said that Willow Rosenberg dropped a subject without protest.
"Well," I said, managing a normal tone though my heart was palpitating wildly, "Today I haven't taken a bath. I am wearing last night's clothes. I reek of vomit. And I haven't brushed my teeth."
"Really?" she raised an auburn brow and brought her face closer to mine.
Scant breaths separated our lips.
I froze.
For one infinitesimal moment I thought she was going to kiss me.
The tip of her nose nudged my chin playfully. She inhaled my scent.
"Hmm," she smiled and pulled back. "You still smell nice, for someone who reeks."
Can I melt now? Can I throw my arms around her neck and beg her to kiss me?
Take me, please Willow? Take care of me and I promise I'll take care of you.
"Well," I said, moistening my parched lips. "Even if I smell okay I still can't tell you today. But someday, pretty soon, I will."
"Soulmate's promise?" she asked, linking our fingers together.
"Soulmate's promise," I nodded. And in my soul I know I have already forged an unbreakable bond with this woman. Even if we can't be together in this lifetime, someday we will.
A flood of joy surged in my chest.
We're soulmates, Willow and I. That kind of certainty doesn't happen to everyone.
My mind wrapped around this truth like a cherished gift. I grinned like a pirate who has found a lost treasure.
"Yay! Tara-grin," Willow beamed. "I missed Tara-grin big time."
"As much as you miss Tara-paws?" I asked.
She glanced at our linked fingers and gave my hand a squeeze.
"Not as much as I miss Tara-paws," she answered. "Hey, wanna come with me to the Bronze tomorrow night?"
My heart sank.
"Uh, can't" I said, ruefully. "Grounded for a month remember?"
"Oh," Willow pouted. "I forgot. Well, Oz's band is playing tomorrow. I figured we all could hang out and do the funky."
Now my heart dipped below sea level.
The warm fuzzy feeling I had was doused by the mere mention of Oz's name.
Am I glad Mama grounded me.
"Too bad," I said, glumly. "I'm sure you guys will have fun without me."
"Tara," Willow probed. "Are you okay with Oz? I mean, you're my best friend and what you think about my boyfriend is important to me."
Bleh. Boyfriend. Willow has a boyfriend. Get that through your thick skull.
I bit my lip, keeping the roiling emotions at bay. I can do this. I can be strong like an Amazon. Don't crumble now Maclay.
Inhale. Exhale. Inhale. Exhale.
"As long as he makes you happy Willow, I have nothing against him," I said with all the sincerity I could muster.
But if he hurts you, my Dad has a nice, shiny, unused revolver I would like to try.
Unaware of my vengeful fantasies, Willow smiled a pure smile.
"Did I ever tell you you're the bestest bestfriend slash soulmate anyone could have?"
Did anyone ever tell you you're supposed to end up with your soulmate?
I smiled bravely. And for the first time in the course of our friendship, I initiated a hug.
I can't bear looking at her anymore without bursting.
My arms encircled her waist. My chin anchored over her shoulder.
She pressed her cheek against my neck and sighed.
At times like these labels didn't matter.
Bestfriends. Girlfriends. Soulmates.
Those are just words, empty and meaningless.
This, I thought as I cradled Willow in my arms, is what makes everything have meaning.
Willow.
Everything leads back to you.
==
TBC 4 more chapters to go, maybe less. I can't stand the angst either I just might jump in to the juicy part… 
…nah…
I absolutly adore your writing. This chapter was especially good (imo) for Tara to put her feelings in perspective. 
at your talent and in anticipation of the next chapter *Bounces in chair*
Sleek 
to realize that 
fits her perfectly and not OZ? 
I can't wait to 
more and find out what happens next. Update soon, please? 
Tell me about it. Am an old hand at one sided love. No worries though, 'coz if I haven't experienced it, I wouldn't be able to write realistically.
I mean…is that appropriate? How about the pouring of souls from one mouth to another, drinking, tasting, sharing, slaking each other's thirst? 'Course there will be smoochies. Thank you for the feedback. 
what is it gonna take for her to see the missing link?
. Yes, me, made-of-stone TD, wanted to