Hacker Confidential [AU] (Complete)

[Alex_Vixen]

WOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOO!!!! UPDATE!!!!!!!!!!!!

Im sick as Hell and everything hurts but your update made me feel better... and the chicken soup but your story was a great part.

I loved the smut and YAY for protective Willow. She needs to take care of her woman, damn it! lol...

[Laragh]

Zampsa1975 –

They sure enjoy their skin-on-skin-activities...

Lol, yes they do.

I truly hope that Tara keeps her promise and eats healthily and reduce her stress levels...

She promised her girl and she’s not one to go back on a promise

Thanks for commenting!

taysla –

Aww, that was H-O-T..

Glad you liked!

I didn't had the time to post here before, but I love all your stories.

thanks

I hope see you on the chat again

Oh you definitely will lol

Thanks for your comment!

sapphoselene –

I love the interactions between your characters... you make them seem so alive and real...

That’s so sweet, thanks for your kind words I do my best with them lol

I can't wait for the next update.

I hope you enjoy it!

Thanks for your feedback!

abarda –

Wow... Great chapter...

Glad you liked

It made me

Glad you could get a laugh!

Thanks for your comment!

taralicious –

Every series of stories should have some unifying theme to them even if it is unintentional and your theme is Willow and Tara's love-making sends out a phermonic signal into the ether which draws in their friends like a moth before the flame.

Lol it actually is completely unintentional, I never realise ‘til after I’ve posted. I’ll have to make sure I keep it up in future stories lol

The old gags are always the best and nothing says comedy like the ol' walking into the doorframe routine and then pretending that nothing happened.

You can’t beat the old slapstick

WOW, if this level of hot smut ensues when Willow has been gone only a month, I shiver with antici...pation at how lewd and ruttish their concupiscent activities will be when they are reunited for good.

Lol I’ll try and make it as lewd and ruttish as possible!

Thanks for your feedback!

leonhart17 –

I love protective Willow! Taking care of her woman!

Always her number one priority!

And yay! I'm glad you liked the baby story! My brother's name is Kyle Mclellan and I've always loved the way it sounded together so I couldn't pass up the Maclay opportunity...

I’ve never actually thought about the name Kyle before but now you’ve put it out there in my head I really love it lol. And Kyle Mclellan does go well together. Just as good as Kyle Maclay

and yes, it was Smallville - I was rewatching it this summer so the names snuck in there...

Yay! I got it right! I always get my names for secondary characters by staring at my DVD collection and picking and choosing random ones lol. Picking names is like one of the hardest parts of writing a story! Well I think so. Anyway, I loved the baby story. I have some chapters I wrote ages ago that was supposed to be a sequel to Frothy Goodness but I had to abandon for lack of ideas, your one-shot is making me think I could adjust it slightly and post it like that too!

Thanks for all your feedback!

Codyteddyh –

Wow 2 updates in a row that I need to take a cold shower from. Great smut

Glad you liked

Can't wait to read the next update and I can't wait for the wedding.

Hope you enjoy it and the wedding isn’t too far off now!

Thanks for your comment!

Alex_Vixen –

Im sick as Hell and everything hurts but your update made me feel better... and the chicken soup but your story was a great part.

Aww I’m sorry you’re sick. Hope you feel better! And stick with the chicken soup, it works wonders!

I loved the smut and YAY for protective Willow. She needs to take care of her woman, damn it! lol...

Glad you liked it and protective Willow will make a few appearances throughout the story

Thanks for your comment!

---

Update Directly Below

[Laragh]

********

TITLE: Hacker Confidential

AUTHOR: Laragh

CHAPTER RATING: PG-13

DISCLAIMER: Willow, Tara and any other characters from the Buffy the Vampire Slayer franchise belong to Joss Whedon, FOX, ME and a whole host of other entities, none of which are me.

SUMMARY: AU, set in contemporary setting. A lot of W/T fluff and some semblance of a storyline.

SPOILERS: AU fic, so at most minor references or pieces of dialogue

FEEDBACK: Yes please

Chapter 20

********

Previously:

“You know you can’t promise things to your future wife that you’re not gonna keep, right? And that if you don’t keep it, it’ll result in a massive tickle attack?”


Tara nodded with a giggle and leaned forwards to meet the redhead in a sweet kiss before pulling back.


“I promise. Better eating, less stress. I would never risk your relentless tickling.”

---

“Good,” Willow smiled and picked her noodles up again, “Now, you wanna talk about what’s been stressing you?”


Tara smiled and nodded, settling back into her seat.


“Just work stuff. But my caseload’s eased off a bit; Alice took over on a few. And there was some wedding stuff, but it’s all good. I got my dress a couple of weeks ago.”


Willow giggled as she remembered the email she received detailing the shopping trip.


“Brian told me. Something about the assistant thinking he was your fiancé?”


Tara laughed as well, remembering the incident


“Yea. Don’t worry; I corrected her, told her I was all about the ladies. Well, lady. And, oh! I think I found a rabbi! I just talked to him on the phone, but I’m meeting him on Wednesday. He wanted to meet the two of us but I explained you were away at the moment. He said it’s okay as long as he sees you before the actual wedding. He does a lot of independent weddings, especially interfaith ones, plus he doesn’t cost too much. And I have some possibilities for venues, that’s what Becky was dropping in earlier. Oh and one of Brian’s friends is a DJ, so he’s going to do the music. I was feeling a little…out of control for a while but almost everything is starting to work out now, so I’m okay. Your visit couldn’t have come at a better time, though. I really needed to see your face.”


Willow nodded, impressed.


“Wow, you’ve really been busy.”


“Well, so have you,” Tara replied with a loving smile, “How’s everything going down in Quantico?”


“Very cool, actually,” Willow said a fond smile, “I met loads of different people, actual FBI agents and other like, professional type-people who work there, different analysts and stuff. We learn how to like integrate all our jobs together. Then there’s a lot of policy and boring stuff like that. But I’m really looking forward to starting on the job. I think it’s gonna be really exciting.”


Tara smiled; delighted her fiancée was having a good time.


“And Buffy?”


Tara had heard all about Buffy on their phone calls and thought it was great that Willow got on so well with her roommate, had somebody who understood what she was going through.


“Buffy’s good. She told me to hit you with a pillow from her.”


Tara laughed, she’d been told about the impromptu pillow fight that had broken out when Willow and Buffy had first met.


“Well, hit her back when you see her tomorrow.”


“I will,” Willow grinned, “Actually, I wanted to ask you…you think it’d be okay if I invited her to the wedding? Her and Angel, her boyfriend? I know I’ve only known her five weeks, but we’re really close. If it makes the numbers all weird or is gonna stress you out, then don’t worry, it was just an idea, I totally-”


Tara cut the redhead off by putting a hand on her knee and squeezing.


“Of course you can invite her. I want to meet her, especially if you’re gonna stay friends. Besides, adding another two isn’t gonna make a difference to the preparations.”


Willow scrunched her nose up in delight as she twirled some noodles on her chopsticks and popped them in her mouth.


“Awesome. You’re the best. She might not even be able to make it but I thought I should at least ask. She’s been really good to me. I feel like we’re gonna be friends for life, even if we get posted on opposite ends of the country. You know when you just know something like that?”


“Completely,” Tara smiled with a small nod of her head, knowing she'd felt the same when she'd first met Willow and although had been hoping they'd be more than friends, knew she'd be part of the redhead's life forever, “I’m so happy you made a new friend. You know, I’m really getting excited. Only six weeks now.”


“Me too,” Willow replied, putting her now-empty food container back on the table and getting a giddy grin on her face, “I mean, back at the academy, I’m pretty swamped most of the time but there’s these moments where I just forget about everything and all I see is you in this white dress – your dress is white isn’t it?”


“Yes,” Tara said, she was refusing to let the redhead see the dress, just like Willow was keeping hers at Becky’s to be away from prying eyes, but she figured giving away the colour wouldn’t matter, “Is yours?”


“Kind of off-white. Anyway, all I see is you and me, standing in our white dresses and we’re smiling. Just really, really happy.”


“Sounds like a premonition.”


“Oh yea, I’m a regular witch,” Willow replied, laughing, “But I think you might be right on that one. I can’t wait to marry you.”


“The feeling’s mutual, love. I’m counting the days.”


The couple shared a sweet smile for a moment until Willow’s lips turned into more of a grin and she pulled Tara to her.


“Wanna go for round six?”


***


“Oh…my…god.”


“Oh, right there, right there!”


“Just a little harder…”


“So close…”


“Don’t stop, don’t stop…!”


“I’m…I’m…”


“Oh, baby…”


“Willow!”


“Tara!”


Willow rolled off the blonde; a huge, dreamy grin plastered on her face and was surprised when she noticed rays of sunshine coming in under the curtains.


“When did morning happen?” she asked, glancing over at her fiancée.


“When the moon went down,” Tara replied with a half smile, her face glowing, turning on her side and running a hand down the redhead's side, “You sure do know how to make a girl lose track of time.”


Willow was about to respond that it was very much a mutual effort when she glimpsed at the clock on the blonde’s nightstand and sighed.


“Jeez, tell me about it. I have to leave in like an hour. I can’t believe we stayed up all night.”


“I can,” Tara grinned and moved her hand down, drumming her fingers on the redhead’s naked stomach, “It was wonderful.”


Willow could only laugh and nod at that.


“Can’t deny that. I actually thought I might pass out from pleasure a few times.”


“Oh you did.”


Willow turned her head to meet Tara’s gaze with a confused look.


“Huh?”


“Last night…or this morning…the hours just kind of knit together, but anyway, you were totally unconscious for like a minute after you…”


Tara cocked her head to the side with a smile to indicate what she meant. Willow rubbed the blonde’s arm and grinned.


“Oh really? Wait…wait…I remember…I remember you having a really smug smile…plastered all over your face…kinda like the one there right now.”


Tara giggled as Willow rolled on top of her and starting placing kisses all over her face, her laughter getting louder as the redhead’s hands began tickling her.


“I’ll wipe that smile off your face,” Willow continued in a teasing tone, giggling as well, “You give?”


“Never,” Tara replied through the laughter, trying in vain to flip them so she’d have the control. When it became apparent that wasn’t going to work, she changed her tactics, “Not…that…I’m…admitting…defeat…but…”


“Just say you give and I’ll stop…”


“How about I say I love you?”


Willow’s fingers stilled and she locked eyes with her fiancée, looking at her with pure unadulterated love.


“Give me a kiss and we’re even.”


“Knew that would work,” Tara muttered before leaning upwards and meeting the smaller girl’s lips in a slow, sweet kiss.


They pulled back after a couple of minutes and Willow rested her head in the crook of Tara’s neck, snuggling into the warm body beneath her as the blonde wrapped her arms around her.


“I really need to have a shower before I leave,” she spoke up after another few minutes had passed, "Can't go back to Quantico smelling like I've done naughty things to you all night. No matter how much fun they were."


Tara sighed and tightened her hold.


“Just one more minute. Please?”


“Of course,” Willow whispered softly before the room lapsed into silence once again, both enjoying being in the quiet presence of one another.


Five minutes passed before the redhead raised herself slightly and Tara nodded, acknowledging the fact she had to get ready and Willow gently extracted herself from their cosy embrace with a quick kiss, going into the bathroom and starting the shower.


The blonde watched her leave before turning back into the bed and grabbing Willow’s pillow, smiling when she noticed it smelled of the redhead once again, the scent of her fiancée having faded in the five weeks she’d been away. She put the pillow back with a final deep inhale, looking forward to cuddling up to it that night in place of her girl's actual presence before getting out of bed and wrapping her robe around her body.


Willow came out of the bathroom just as she was leaving the bedroom, wrapped in just a short towel, beads of water still falling down her body. Tara couldn't help roaming her eyes down her fiancée's body, her shapely legs in particular making her mouth go dry.


“You’re just trying to tease me with that hot, wet body aren’t you?”


Willow grinned and did a twirl.


“Maybe. But you like to be teased.”


Tara dropped her head and placed a kiss on the redhead’s exposed shoulder and couldn't help dropping her hand and squeezing her butt through the towel.


“Tara! Hands!”


“You like my hands,” Tara murmured, moving her lips up to the smaller girl's neck and pulling the towel off completely, cupping both of Willow's butt cheeks in her hands, “You like them a lot.”


“Oh baby...” Willow replied with a small moan as Tara kissed that place beneath her ear that drove her wild, “Baby you know I want to...but I can't miss my flight.”


Tara sighed into the redhead's neck and placed a final soft kiss against her pulsepoint before pulling back.


“Okay, okay. I’ll go make you some coffee. I think we have one of those travel mug thingies somewhere.”


Willow nodded and picked her towel back up, seeing Tara cast a final, longing glance at her naked body and feeling all warm inside that her fiancée still had an overwhelming desire for her even when they'd just spent at least 20 of the past 24 hours completely consumed with one another.


“Thanks, baby,” she said as she walked back into the bedroom, “We cut it kinda close. I need to leave in like ten minutes or I’ll miss my flight.”


“I know,” Tara said loudly so Willow would hear as she walked into the kitchen, “There should be plenty of cabs at the rank around the corner. Not much traffic either.”


A few minutes passed as the blonde went about making coffee before the smaller girl emerged again, fully dressed this time just as Tara was pouring dark liquid into a large stainless steel mug. She walked back into the living room and handed it to Willow, who took it and picked up her overnight bag, which was still in the same place she had dropped it upon arriving.


“So I guess this is goodbye…again.”


“Yea,” Tara replied, biting on the skin of her nail, “I guess so. I’m really glad you came home for a visit.”


“Me too,” Willow said and smiled at her fiancée, “C’mere and give me a hug.”


Tara wrapped her arms around the redhead and held on tight, determined not to let go until she absolutely had to.


“I love you, darling. And I’ll miss you.”


Willow sighed and took every out of comfort and love that was being offered from the embrace as she brought her lips to Tara's ear and whispered in it with all the feeling she had.


“I love you too. But remember, it’s only four more weeks. Four more weeks and we never have to be apart again.”

[sapphoselene]

great update... i love that they can't seem to get enough of each other... having them so in tune and connected shows how strong their relationship is... more soon please... oh and so cool about finding a rabbi for the wedding

[abarda]

Nice chapter.
It's nice that Willow will invite Buffy (and Angel) to the wedding.
Please, more!

[FIRESIGN]

Nicely done! Can't wait for more!

FIRESIGN
aka Cin

[Zampsa1975]

Yay for excellent update-y goodness... Good that Tara agreed to invite Buffy & Angel to the wedding... Big yay for Tara's ability to induce orgasm-related-unconsiousness. I hope she is very soon again able to practice her skill on Willow... Maybe a surprise visit to Quantico...

[LonelyTara]

It's sad that this is my first post on this story because it is fabulous, but I just found it today, so hopefully I'll be forgiven. I've never read a W/T story that combined such breathtaking passion with such sincere tenderness. I have to say, I was sad when Willow and Tara's friends weren't the scoobies, but I love to see how they're being peppered into the story in other ways. I hope this story stays delightfully fluff and wonderful. Angst is great, but I don't want these two to have it, you've created this sort of distilled perfection of Willow/Tara love that I really just can't get enough of. I really hope you'll keep with the quick posting schedule! Bravo!

[Alex_Vixen]

WOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!! UPDATE!!!!!!!!!!!!

AWWW...that was sooo sweet!!! And sexy but mostly sweet!!

[leonhart17]

Aww, yay for more wedding plans and inviting Buffy! I loved the lines you used from the show

You should totally post it! More fic!

[Codyteddyh]

Great update. That had to be hard on both girls when Willow went back to training, but I'm sure it will all be worth it when she comes home. Again I can't wait for the wedding and to hear what location Willow will be working at.

Cody

[taralicious]

Lovely of Willow and Tara to take to heart the message of "Rent" and embrace that there is no day but today as they managed to eat, catch up on each other's worlds, and do naughty things to each other with the chopsticks and the soy sauce.
Sorry, there I go again adding my own bits to your story. it's the writer in me.

Four more weeks and we never have to be apart again

That was a pop song of the 70's, I believe. No wait sorry, that was "We'll never have to say goodbye again" but still...

[taranwillow4ever]

Wow, I forget how good your writing is.I have been away from my reading for awhile, so I caught up on this in two readings. It is HOT. I am amazed at your ability to capture all of this stuff (passion,work,etc.) I love your characterizations. looking forward to reading more.

[Laragh]

sapphoselene –

i love that they can't seem to get enough of each other... having them so in tune and connected shows how strong their relationship is...

I always thought their relationship (despite or maybe even because of their problems) was one of the strongest shown on TV so I'm trying to reflect that!

oh and so cool about finding a rabbi for the wedding

Tara’s gonna meet the rabbi soon

Thanks for commenting!

abarda –

It's nice that Willow will invite Buffy (and Angel) to the wedding.

Glad you like their inclusion

Thanks for your feedback!

FIRESIGN –

Nicely done! Can't wait for more!

Glad you liked it!

Thanks for your comment!

Zampsa1975 –

Good that Tara agreed to invite Buffy & Angel to the wedding...

The more the merrier lol

Big yay for Tara's ability to induce orgasm-related-unconsiousness. I hope she is very soon again able to practice her skill on Willow.

Only a few more weeks and a couple more chapters until they’re reunited fully!

Thanks for commenting!

LonelyTara –

It's sad that this is my first post on this story because it is fabulous, but I just found it today, so hopefully I'll be forgiven.

Forgiven? Most definitely I’m glad you found it though (and the others, it was nice getting comments on my older stuff!)

I've never read a W/T story that combined such breathtaking passion with such sincere tenderness.

Thanks for your kind words

I have to say, I was sad when Willow and Tara's friends weren't the scoobies, but I love to see how they're being peppered into the story in other ways.

Don’t worry, I plan on continuing the Scooby love!

Angst is great, but I don't want these two to have it, you've created this sort of distilled perfection of Willow/Tara love that I really just can't get enough of.

Lol, well angst is definitely not my strong point, either to write or to read, so it’s not likely to make a huge appearance.

I really hope you'll keep with the quick posting schedule! Bravo!

Monday, Wednesday, Friday! I’ll definitely keep up with that don’t worry

Thanks for all your feedback!

Alex_Vixen –

AWWW...that was sooo sweet!!! And sexy but mostly sweet!!

Glad you liked!

Thanks for commenting!

leonhart17 –

Aww, yay for more wedding plans and inviting Buffy!

The wedding plans are gonna continue for the next few chapters and the wedding’s soon!

I loved the lines you used from the show

Glad they worked! I never know whether it’s cheating to include dialogue from the show, but I figure the odd inclusion isn’t gonna hurt.

Thanks for your feedback!

Codyteddyh –

That had to be hard on both girls when Willow went back to training, but I'm sure it will all be worth it when she comes home.

Hard, definitely, but I think they’re both happy they got to see each other

Again I can't wait for the wedding and to hear what location Willow will be working at.

The wedding is soon! There’s a few more chapters of preparations first though. And all be revealed in terms of placement very soon too!

Thanks for your comment!

taralicious –

Lovely of Willow and Tara to take to heart the message of "Rent" and embrace that there is no day but today as they managed to eat, catch up on each other's worlds, and do naughty things to each other with the chopsticks and the soy sauce.

Hehe. I laughed at ‘eat’. They certainly did plenty of that

Sorry, there I go again adding my own bits to your story. it's the writer in me.

Lol, adding your own parts is half the fun! I have to admit though, I’m curious as to what exactly your mind conjured up with the soy sauce!

That was a pop song of the 70's, I believe. No wait sorry, that was "We'll never have to say goodbye again" but still...

Either way it’s true

Thanks for commenting!

taranwillow4ever –

Wow, I forget how good your writing is.

.I have been away from my reading for awhile, so I caught up on this in two readings. It is HOT.

Glad you’re enjoying it!

I am amazed at your ability to capture all of this stuff (passion,work,etc.) I love your characterizations.

Glad you’re liking everything! I’ve been meaning to catch up on Meeting Expectations too, I was gone from the kittenboard for ages too and I’m still catching up!

Thanks for your comment!

---

Update Directly Below

[Laragh]

********

TITLE: Hacker Confidential

AUTHOR: Laragh

CHAPTER RATING: PG-13

DISCLAIMER: Willow, Tara and any other characters from the Buffy the Vampire Slayer franchise belong to Joss Whedon, FOX, ME and a whole host of other entities, none of which are me.

SUMMARY: AU, set in contemporary setting. A lot of W/T fluff and some semblance of a storyline.

SPOILERS: AU fic, so at most minor references or pieces of dialogue

FEEDBACK: Yes please

Chapter 21

********


“The prodigal roommate returns,” Buffy said, throwing the magazine she was reading on the floor as Willow walked into their dorm room.


“Hey Buff,” Willow replied in a small voice, putting her bag on her bed and unzipping it, unpacking the few things she had put in there.


Buffy heard the sad tone in her friend’s voice and stood up, going over and putting a comforting hand on her shoulder.


“If you need to talk-”


“I’m fine,” Willow cut her off, then turned with what she hoped was a convincing smile, “Really. Just hard, seeing her, then leaving again.”


“But you had a good weekend?”


“Oh yea,” Willow grinned, subconsciously rubbing the spot on her neck that Tara had left quite a large hickey on, “I had an amazing weekend.”


Buffy seemed convinced and went back to sit on her own bed again.


“Well, good. I wish I was able to see Angel. He took a job in Mexico for the time I’m away. We never really thought about visits.”


Willow threw her now-empty bag in the closet and flopped onto the bed.


“Well, only four weeks left. We’ve got through more than we have left. Oh, oh, before I forget!” Willow jumped up, grabbed her pillow and walked across the room, hitting her friend with it once before calmly going back to her bed, “Tara said to hit you back.”


“Aww,” Buffy replied with a grin, “You talked about little ole me?”


“We did. Actually…um, there was something I wanted to ask you. It’s totally cool for you to say no if you feel uncomfortable or you just don’t think it’s feasible or whatever, you don’t even have to give me a reason, just say no and that’s perfectly fine.”


Buffy put her legs beneath her on the bed and settled comfortably.


“Well, ask away.”


Willow held her pillow to her torso and smiled.


“You wanna maybe come to the wedding? You and Angel?”


“Really?” Buffy asked, her face lighting up, “I’d love to!”


“Yea?”


Buffy nodded enthusiastically, jumping up and down slightly on the bed.


“Cool. I’m really glad. It’s just a small one, friends and…well, my Dad is the only family coming from either side…my mom isn’t exactly ‘yay gay’ and Tara’s family…well, better not talking about that.”


Buffy smiled, feeling an odd sense of pride at the invitation.


“Well, I’m honoured you asked me to come. I’ve never been to a wedding before.”


Willow got a surprised look on her face and grinned.


“Really? Wow. So we’ll be your first? So cool.”


“Yep. You’re breaking my wedding cherry!”


Willow laughed, feeling better than when she had first come in and grabbed her phone.


“I better message Tara so she includes you guys in the numbers. We’re having it outside, by the way.”


“Ooh, pretty. Anything else I should know?”


“Well, the date. November 24th. I’ll get Tara to send you an official invite-”


“Yea, that’s probably a good idea,” Buffy replied sheepishly, “I’m not so good with the numbers and times and stuff. Notoriously late.”


Willow’s phone beeped just as Buffy finished speaking and the redhead read the reply quickly.


“Tara says she can’t wait to meet you and wants to know if…you’re a vegetarian? What the…? Oh, the reception! You eat meat, right? I’ve seen you devour a steak in the cafeteria.”


“Oh I eat meat,” Buffy nodded seriously, “I eat meat like crazy. No hippie veggie here. Angel either. Except pork for some reason. Something about ‘pigs just not cutting it.’ I preferred not to ask for details.”


“Good call,” Willow agreed with a nod of her head, “We definitely won’t have pork anyway. Not like I’m the world’s greatest Jew or anything but we’re having a Jewish ceremony so the food’ll be kosher.”


“Oh cool! So wait, does Angel need to buy one of those hat thingies? The, uh, sweet potato one?”


Willow looked completely bewildered for a moment before realisation dawned and a huge grin broke out on her face.


“You mean a yarmulke?”


“That’s the one!”


“No,” Willow shook her head, still smiling, “There’ll be some there if any of the guys want to wear them but by no means is anyone required to. Tara’s not even Jewish.”


“Oh,” Buffy replied, looking slightly confused, “But you’re still doing the whole Jewish ceremony thing?”


“Well, I guess technically it’ll be inter-faith…Tara doesn’t really have any religion. Kinda just generally spiritual but not like with any higher being. Still celebrates Christmas though. Actually, we celebrate Christmas and Hanukkah. She gets all excited lighting the Menorah each year.”


Buffy saw the look of sheer love cross Willow’s face as she talked about Tara and smiled in response.


“So that means you get eight days of presents, and Christmas?? You guys are just holiday whores.”


“We only do Christmas presents. And, hey! There will be no calling my future wife a whore of any kind!”


They both laughed again for a minute until Buffy jumped up, seemingly excited about something.


“I’m gonna practice for the wedding, when you step on the glass thing! Shalom!”


Willow shook her head playfully, a smile on her face.


“It’s Mazal Tov, Buff, but I gotta appreciate the enthusiasm.”


***


Tara looked up from her position on the sofa when she heard a small knock on the front door. She walked over and opened it, surprised to see Becky standing there with a cupcake in one hand and a bunch of papers in the other.


“Is, um…am I disturbing…?”


“Willow’s gone,” Tara said with a small smile, “Just an overnight visit.”


Becky visibly exhaled before handing the cupcake forwards.


“Um, peace offering?”


“Peace offering?” Tara questioned, taking the cupcake and standing aside to let her friend in, “Why do you need a peace offering?”


Becky turned in place as the blonde closed the door and shuffled from foot to foot.


“You know, yesterday? Walking in on you and Will, you know, going at it. Accusing you of cheating. I figured you’d be furious with me.”


Tara let out a low laugh and shook her head.


“You weren’t to know Willow was home. I didn’t even know until she arrived.”


“Yea but I-” Becky paused as she realised the glow surrounding the blonde and nodded her head, “I’m apologising at what is probably the best time ever ‘cause you’re still all post-crazy-monkey-lovin’ happy.”


Tara blushed and took some of the icing from the cupcake on her finger, licking it off.


“To be perfectly honest, Beck, I don’t remember much from the past twenty-four hours that’s not just me and Willow. So, we agree to never talk about it again?”


“Oh, very much agreed,” Becky said, exhaling slowly in relief, before grabbing a chair from the table and sitting on it, “Now, what I have in my hand here is going make you love me in all kinds of ways, so I just want you to picture Willow in your head to remember not to jump me.”


Tara chuckled and pulled up a seat beside the brunette.


“Right. Imagining her. I’ll try to control myself. What have you got for me?”


Becky flattened the papers she had in her hand and pushed them across the table.


“This,” she said, pointing to the one on top, “Is your reception room.”


Tara looked at the glossy photograph on the paper of a beautiful room, chandeliers and glass ornaments lighting it brilliantly with just a few small tables set up and an area to the side that could be used as a dance floor. The photo was relatively small, just filling the top half of the page, but it showed the room with a great radiance. The blonde ran her thumb along some of the features in the room before seeing the name of the webpage along the top of the printout and sighing.


“It’s…just beautiful. But there’s no way in hell we can afford the Four Seasons. We already spent a small fortune on the rings and my dress wasn’t exactly from Target either. I know Willow has the new job and everything but she hasn’t even started it yet and I don’t want to start our married life in huge debt.”


“This is the part where you’re going to love me,” Becky said excitingly, pointing to a figure in the bottom corner of the page, “How does that look?”


“What, is that per person?” Tara asked, sighing dejectedly, “Definitely can’t afford that.”


“Tara, that’s for the whole room, including, wait for it…the chef they have on staff to provide a whole buffet of food and one of their bar staff for the night for the small bar set up in there.”


Tara looked at the figure again, then at Becky, then back at the page, shaking her head in disbelief.


“Becky, that can’t be right. I was on a comparison site a few weeks ago and I saw the Four Seasons prices. This is barely a fraction of it.”


“That is because you’re wonderful and illustrious friend teaches the asshole son of the manager of the hotel. Anyway, the kid went from failing to getting a B average and the father was so happy, he came in to thank me, we got chatting-”


Tara cut the brunette off by holding up her hand.


“You flirted with him, didn’t you?”


“Maybe,” Becky shrugged with a grin, “Regardless, we chatted and he mentioned where he worked, I said a couple of my best friends were getting married and well, he offered me the ‘family and friends’ rate. And threw in the chef and barmaid for free.”


“You definitely flirted.”


“Tara!” Becky sighed exasperatedly, “This is for real. And by the grace of God, the day of your wedding they had this room free. Normally you have to book like two years in advance. There was a cancellation of some sort. Anyway, I need to let him know like tomorrow. So can I tell him yes?”


Tara rested her head on her hand and looked at Becky seriously.


“You’re telling me we can get this room, at this price and I don’t need to worry about caterers? And this isn’t some weird punk’d kinda thing?”


“You know I hate Ashton Kutcher,” Becky responded, equally as serious.


“You were right,” Tara replied, her face lighting up, “I do want to kiss you. The Four Seasons is literally around the corner from The Public Gardens. This couldn’t be more perfect.”


“Well, I am amazing.”


Tara put her head in her hands and laughed for a moment.


“I can’t believe this. That’s like the biggest stress literally gone out of my life now. You, Rebecca Hardy, are my personal saviour.”

[leonhart17]

aww, I kind of love relaxed, blissful, post solid day of loving Tara I'm glad things are starting to work out on the planning...

And I love your little references to Angel not liking pig... so awesome!

[arsyadriani]

yay for Becky
so much for peace offering
why do I feel like it was short update..
Glad that Tara was stress-less so Willow won't have to worry about missing Tara's wonderful curves
great update anyway
so more..please

[Alex_Vixen]

AWWW!! Soo sweet.... GO BECKY!! Ya know...I like her, *giggles* Shes a good friend.

And dude...so funny the interaction between Buffy and Willow.. LOL... awesome update, dude... *thumbs up*

[Zampsa1975]

Yay for great update-y goodness... Big yay for them getting the reception place and staff cheaply. That is a huge weight off Tara's shoulders...

[LonelyTara]

Hooray for updates. Love the Buffy goodness, and of course happy Willow and Tara. Can't wait for the wedding!

[abarda]

Becky was awesome.
Loved the update.

[willowtarabuffyfaith]

LOVE IT!!

[sapphoselene]

i love how buffy gets so excited and happy to be invited to the wedding... I can see how their friendship is growing and evolving... it is easy to see that they have the potential to be lifelong friends... awesome that becky was able to ease tara's stress over some of the wedding details. she is a real good friend... the apology cupcake was a great touch.

[taralicious]

“Yep. You’re breaking my wedding cherry!”

I am just thrilled to bits that I am in any way involved in breaking Buffy's cherry of any kind since I might have a shot with her even if she could beat the hell out of me.

“Oh I eat meat,” Buffy nodded seriously, “I eat meat like crazy.

These jokes just write themselves so no need for me to comment on it.

does Angel need to buy one of those hat thingies? The, uh, sweet potato one?”

Our minds really are attuned since that is the sort of gag my novel is peppered with.

You guys are just holiday whores.”

Ho! Ho! Ho!

“You flirted with him, didn’t you?”

Nothing says greasing the wheels of commerce like the ol' unbuttoning your blouse and leaning over the desk to pick up a pencil routine to free up the grand ballroom at the Four Seasons plus complementary chef and bartender for the evening.

[love_2003]

I'm sure Buffy and Tara are going to get along nicely when they finally meet. Becky sure is a good friend to help Tara and Willow out like that. Now Tara can just focus on her work until Willow comes back. Everything is coming together nicely.

[vampyregurl73]

Awww, everything is falling into place! Can't wait to see how the whole introduction of Angel goes, that should be fun.

The things girls do for love...

[Laragh]

leonhart17 –

aww, I kind of love relaxed, blissful, post solid day of loving Tara

Relaxed Tara means no stress!

I'm glad things are starting to work out on the planning...

They won’t have to plan for too much longer, wedding soon

And I love your little references to Angel not liking pig... so awesome!

Lol it’s hard to have canonical references but fun when you can!

Thanks for commenting!

arsyadriani –

yay for Becky
so much for peace offering

Lol, the hotel deal was much better than the cupcake!

why do I feel like it was short update..

I’ll try and make them longer I have a personal minimum word count of 1500 words per chapter so they’re all at least that but some are longer than others!

Glad that Tara was stress-less so Willow won't have to worry about missing Tara's wonderful curves

Don’t worry, Tara’s curves will be back post haste! Glad you liked the update!

Thanks for commenting!

Alex_Vixen –

AWWW!! Soo sweet.... GO BECKY!! Ya know...I like her, *giggles* Shes a good friend.

I liked Becky too She’s my favourite of the three friends. She’s outspoken and loud lol

And dude...so funny the interaction between Buffy and Willow.. LOL...

Glad you liked

Thanks for your comment!

Zampsa1975 –

Big yay for them getting the reception place and staff cheaply. That is a huge weight off Tara's shoulders...

It is indeed Yay for Becky.

Thanks for commenting!

LonelyTara –

Love the Buffy goodness, and of course happy Willow and Tara.

Glad you liked

Can't wait for the wedding!

My chapter outline guru tells me the wedding is 9 chapters away so not too much longer!

Thanks for your feedback!

abarda –

Becky was awesome.
Loved the update.

Glad you liked and yea, Becky is cool!

Thanks for commenting!

willowtarabuffyfaith –

LOVE IT!!

Yay! I’m glad

Thanks for your comment!

sapphoselene –

i love how buffy gets so excited and happy to be invited to the wedding... I can see how their friendship is growing and evolving... it is easy to see that they have the potential to be lifelong friends...

I want them to be lifelong friends I always thought the show tried to show them as these fantastic friends but they failed in the reality of it a little. Anyway, glad you’re liking their friendship!

awesome that becky was able to ease tara's stress over some of the wedding details. she is a real good friend... the apology cupcake was a great touch.

The girls have good friends all around lol. Glad you liked the cupcake!

Thanks for your feedback!

taralicious -

I am just thrilled to bits that I am in any way involved in breaking Buffy's cherry of any kind since I might have a shot with her even if she could beat the hell out of me.

Lol, true she could beat you up but if done in the right way...

These jokes just write themselves so no need for me to comment on it.

You can be sure you will find this story filled with cheesy gags!

Our minds really are attuned since that is the sort of gag my novel is peppered with.

Great minds think alike

Ho! Ho! Ho!

Nothing says greasing the wheels of commerce like the ol' unbuttoning your blouse and leaning over the desk to pick up a pencil routine to free up the grand ballroom at the Four Seasons plus complementary chef and bartender for the evening.

Hey, you gotta work with what you got

Thanks for your feedback!

love_2003 –

I'm sure Buffy and Tara are going to get along nicely when they finally meet.

I think you’re probably right!

Becky sure is a good friend to help Tara and Willow out like that. Now Tara can just focus on her work until Willow comes back. Everything is coming together nicely.

Yep, and the wedding is soon too!

Thanks for your comment!

vampyregurl73 –

Awww, everything is falling into place!

Yep

Can't wait to see how the whole introduction of Angel goes, that should be fun.

I’m looking forward to introducing him too lol. He’ll come in around the wedding!

The things girls do for love...

Ain’t love grand?

Thanks for commenting!

---

Update Directly Below

[Laragh]

********

TITLE: Hacker Confidential

AUTHOR: Laragh

CHAPTER RATING: PG-13

DISCLAIMER: Willow, Tara and any other characters from the Buffy the Vampire Slayer franchise belong to Joss Whedon, FOX, ME and a whole host of other entities, none of which are me.

SUMMARY: AU, set in contemporary setting. A lot of W/T fluff and some semblance of a storyline.

SPOILERS: AU fic, so at most minor references or pieces of dialogue

FEEDBACK: Yes please

Chapter 22

********


“Hello?”


“Um, yes, hello? Is this, uh…Tara Maclay?”


“Speaking,” Tara replied pleasantly, holding the phone to her ear with her shoulder as she pulled boots onto her feet, “Can I ask who's calling?”


“This is Ira Rosenberg.”


Tara’s eyes widened and she swore under her breath as she almost dropped the phone, straightening up just in time to catch it.


“Hello, Mr. Rosenberg. I, um…Willow’s still in Quantico.”


“I know, dear. I actually wanted to talk to you.”


“Oh,” Tara replied, taken aback slightly, “Okay.”


“I do appreciate the… peculiarity of this. I find it quite strange myself that I’m speaking to my future daughter-in-law for the first time.”


“It’s, um, nice to talk to you, sir,” Tara said, wondering what the phone call was about, “I’m looking forward to meeting you at the wedding. And I know Willow’s ecstatic about it.”


“It’s been far too long.”


Tara heard the mournful tone in the man’s voice and was unsure what to say. Fortunately, Ira composed himself and continued speaking.


“I forgot to ask, is this an okay time? I wasn’t sure of your schedule.”


“Oh, no, it’s fine,” Tara reassured, “I was just getting ready for work.”


“Good. Willow says you’re a social worker? That sounds like very rewarding work.”


“It is. I really enjoy it.”


“Good. Good,” Ira repeated, a small awkward silence following, “I actually called because I was thinking I might come to Boston a couple of days before the wedding. I know both of you lead very busy lives, but I thought it might be nice to see Willow…and you of course…I mean it was just a fleeting thought-”


“Oh, Mr. Rosenberg-”


“Ira, please. We’re going to be family.”


“Ira,” Tara said with a smile, “That would be wonderful. Willow would love it, so would I.”


“Great. Wonderful. The reason I called you directly, is that I was thinking of surprising Willow. But I wasn’t sure whether that was a good idea and seeing as I’m sure you know her better than anyone, I wondered what your opinion might be on that?”


Tara's smile widened and she nodded, before realising she was on the phone and Ira couldn't see her.


“Oh, I think surprising her is a great idea. When were you thinking of coming down?”


“Your wedding is on Tuesday the 24th, correct?”


“That’s right.”


“Perhaps the Friday beforehand? I can catch the afternoon flight and be there some time in the late evening.”


“Sounds great,” Tara said, her smile beaming, “You’re more than welcome to stay here. Will and I can take the sofa, it turns into a bed.”


“Oh no, I couldn’t impose. I’ll just find a hotel nearby.”


“I know Will would love it. And it’s certainly no imposition.”


“Well, if you’re sure. I insist I take the sofa though.”


Tara glanced at her watch and saw she’d have to leave soon, but knew she had to ask something first.


“Ira? Has there been any…change in your wife’s…attitude towards all of this?”


“I’m afraid not,” Ira said over the line with a sigh, “My wife and I lead…well, quite separate lives within our marriage. I mentioned your impending nuptials and she just ignored me for a moment before saying she had no idea what I was talking about, that we had no daughter.”


Tara sighed as well and shook her head.


“Please don’t tell that to Willow. She’s so happy to have you back, I just…”


“Don’t worry, my dear, I have no notion of it. All I want is to rebuild my relationship with my daughter.”


“That’s all she wants too.”


“Well, I am very much looking forward to meeting you, Tara. You sound like a wonderful girl. And I must admit, the traditionalist in me is very pleased you’re having a Jewish ceremony.”


“Oh yea?” Tara said with a chuckle, “How does that part of you feel about your only daughter marrying a woman?”


“I just want her happy,” Ira replied and Tara could hear the smile in his voice.


“Well, I’m meeting the rabbi later today, after work. He seems really nice.”


“Good. Well, I better let you get off to work. It was very nice talking to you, Tara. I look forward to seeing you soon.”


“You too, Ira. Um, bye?”


“Goodbye.”


Tara heard a click on the other end of the phone and hung up on her end as well, slightly bewildered by the conversation she’d just had, but pleased at the outcome of it. Glancing at her watch again, she let out a high pitched squeal when she saw the time and grabbed her purse, before running out the door.


***


“Tara Maclay?”


Tara dropped the leaflet in her hand at the sound of her name resounding against the walls of the eerily quiet synagogue she had just walked into. She turned slightly to see a man, a little shorter than her standing there with a smile on his face.


“Yes, I’m Tara Maclay. Rabbi Goldstein?”


“In the flesh,” the rabbi replied, extending his hand, “It’s nice to meet you in person.”


“You too,” Tara responded, shaking the rabbi’s hand firmly.


“Would you like to follow me into my office?”


“Sure.”


Tara followed as the rabbi walked down the aisle of the synagogue and turned into a small room, a desk and shelves of books set up inside. He gestured for her to sit and she complied, looking around the office as Rabbi Goldstein sat opposite her.


“So, you’re getting married.”


Tara relaxed into her seat and smiled at the rabbi.


“Yes, I’m getting married. Willow really wanted to be here too. I promise we’ll make an appointment to see you together as soon as she gets back.”


“I do like to know the couple as best I can before I marry them. I take it you don’t have a regular rabbi who you’d ask to perform the ceremony?”


“No,” Tara replied, blushing slightly, “I’m not Jewish. And Willow, um…”


“Doesn’t attend regular service?”


Tara nodded, still blushing.


“That’s quite alright,” Rabbi Goldstein replied with a small wave of his hand, “There’s room for any and all types of worship and belief. I’ve preformed many interfaith ceremonies in my time. The purpose of today’s meeting is to see exactly what you’d like in your ceremony.”


“Oh,” Tara responded, relieved, having expected some kind of chastisement, “That'd be great.”


The rabbi looked at Tara curiously for a moment, seeing she was relieved at his attitude towards the service.


“Not a good history with religion?”


Tara tensed up again, but shook her head.


“No. My father was a strict catholic and we didn’t really, um…get along. He was very set in his ways. But, um, I don’t really have a religion so we don’t need to incorporate anything there. And I have a list from Willow of the things she definitely wants.”


The rabbi decided not to press further and smiled at the blonde.


“Well, let’s start with that then.”


Tara produced a piece of paper from her purse and handed it across the desk to the rabbi, who read through it.


“Chuppah, of course…the ketubah…the breaking of the glass. No mention of the readings or prayers here, did you want to leave those out?”


“Yes, we were thinking a kind of secular thing,” Tara nodded, “Willow’s more into just keeping up her Jewish culture than the actual God stuff. Is that okay? I did a lot of research looking for a rabbi…it was hard enough finding one willing to do an interfaith marriage let alone a gay one…at this stage I think we’d be willing to settle if we had to do the blessings.”


“This is your wedding,” Rabbi Goldstein said with a wave of his hand, “You should never have to settle. I’m more than happy to include or not include whatever you want.”


“Wow,” Tara smiled, visibly exhaling, “You really are an awesome rabbi.”


“Thank you,” Rabbi Goldstein responded with a fond smile, “Now, are both sets of parents going to be present?”


“No. Um, just Willow’s Dad.”


“Right, of course," the rabbi replied, inwardly kicking himself for forgetting that Tara had just told him she wasn't in contact with her own father, “So will he be walking her down the aisle?”


Tara smiled and nodded her head.


“Definitely. She's really looking forward to it.”


The rabbi smiled back started writing down details on a piece of paper in front of him.


“And where is your wedding location? I remember you telling me on the phone but for the life of me I can’t remember.”


“The Public Gardens,” Tara replied, feeling excitement as she thought about it, “That works for the, um, Chuppah, right? Having it under an open sky?”


“Your research?” the rabbi questioned with a playful smile.


Tara nodded and bit her lip.


“I wanted to make sure I learned about her traditions as well. I mean, we celebrate Hanukkah and I light the Menorah and stuff but I wanted to learn the wedding things so I’d know what was going on.”


“Speaks of your love for her. Is there anything I can help clear up?”


“I think I’m okay…the Ketubah is the marriage contract right? We sign it and then it’s read out during the ceremony?”


“That’s right.”


“And the Chuppah’s the canopy…the stepping on the glass thing, I get that. And, uh, I think she wants to do the whole spinning chairs at the reception but only because, um, and I quote, ‘it’s fun to be all twirly’.”


The rabbi let out a deep laugh and took out a diary from a drawer in his desk.


“She certainly sounds very colourful.”


Tara smiled and nodded her head.


“Colourful is definitely a good way of putting it.”


The rabbi started flicking through his diary, smiling quietly.


“Can we organise a day before the wedding when I can meet you both together?”


“Of course,” Tara replied, nodding her head, “She’s back on the November 8th…”


“And your wedding is the 24th,” Rabbi Goldstein said, leafing through his diary.


“You just name the date and time and we’ll make ourselves available.”


“The 12th at 4.30pm?”


“Sounds perfect,” Tara replied, secretly relieved he hadn’t suggested the day right after Willow returned. She’d already taken it off work, pre-empting the ‘celebrations’ of her fiancée’s homecoming, “That’s the…Thursday?”


“Yes. Is that okay?”


“Definitely.”


The rabbi scribbled something in his diary before closing it and fixing the blonde with a winning smile.


“I truly can’t wait to preside over your nuptials, Tara. Nothing makes me happier than seeing two people in love commit to spend their lives together.”

[leonhart17]

Yay! I'm glad Willow's dad is coming early! And that really is an awesomely accommodating rabbi!

Love this!

[LonelyTara]

Aw, super-sweet update. I can't wait till Willow gets home!