• Title - Forever isn't long enough
• Author name – Shane L
• Email Address - .uk or lupton66 email or pm me any time
• Rating - PG-13 to be safe(minor swearwords), will be NC-17 eventually :)
• Disclaimer - Disclaimer - AU, minor spoilers (dialogue etc.) smut (eventually if i can stop blushing long enough to write it) lots of W/T goodness
• Feedback- always. it will help me become a better writer.
• Summary- Tara meets willow in a park one day , join them as they fall in love and fight college deadlines not demons. Pairing W/T (possible B/F i havnt decided yet) *no hellmouth* (my first attempt at a fic so all feedback / criticism is greatly appreciated.)
• Notes- a big thanks to laragh, mysticrain, vampryegurl73, boris yeltsin and all that read my story :)
CHAPTER 4
The first thing Tara hear heard when she awoke the next morning was the shrill buzz of her alarm clock, and dd outside her room howling in tune with it.
Seeing it was 7 am, Tara knocked off the annoying sound and got out of bed. She opened the door to let dd in who immediately jumped up onto the bed.
"Who needs an alarm clock when I have you honey," Tara said with a yawn and petting her fluffy friend.
"What do you want for breakfast," Faith asked through the door.
"Brew some coffee, I'll make myself some cereal after I get dressed," Tara replied her, voice gruff from sleep.
"Ok I'll get dd some breakfast then," Faith said on her way to the kitchen.
Tara opened the door, "go and fill up your tummy," she said to dd and went to the bathroom to have a shower.
After quickly showering Tara went back to her room and dried her hair then got dressed. Her ensemble consisted of a pale purple tie-dye effect blouse and a pair of blue jeans, with a tiny sliver of Tara tummy showing.
She inspected herself in her full-length mirror and went to the kitchen.
"How do I l-look," Tara questioned nervously.
Tara bent down to pet dd, then went to the counter to pour some coffee.
Faith smiled, "you look like you," Faith said around a mouth full of lucky charms.
"I'll take that as a compliment " Tara said.
"Hey sis, if this girl doesn't accept you as you are, Then she ain't worth it," Faith said looking at her sister.
"Thanks Faithy," Tara said. With a smile she asked. "When did you become so wise."
Tara got herself a bowl of lucky charms and leant up against the counter next to Faith.
"Hey what are ya tryin' to say. I'm full of wisdom. All wisdomous and shit, " Faith mumbled the last bit.
Tara did a double take, "that's not even a word."
"Yeah it is. I just made it up. Us wisdomous girls can do that ya know," Faith said with a wink.
Tara just laughed, "Ok faith, you're right wisdomous is a great word."
"I know," Faith said checking the time on her phone. "It's ten to eight you better get going."
"Oh y-yeah you're r-right," Tara said putting her empty bowl in the sink.
"Are you bringing dd to the field at lunch ?" Faith asked walking out of the kitchen.
"Yeah" Tara replied. "Come on dd time to go and see Willow." Tara said to the dog, who immediately ran to the door . Then shouted to Faith. "I'll see you later, have fun today Faithy."
"Later sis," faith shouted from her bedroom.
With that a very excited dd and a very nervous Tara were out of the door.
Willow woke up to the sound of her alarm buzzing, getting out of bed she went over to switch the light on.
"buffy still sleepy, what time is it ?" buffy grumbled.
"A little after 7 " Willow said surprisingly chirpy.
"Are you even human Wills" Buffy said with her eyes still closed.
"Shush, I'll make us some coffee, " Willow said rolling her eyes.
"Thanks Wills," Buffy said nuzzling her pillow.
Willow knocked on the coffee maker. then went to the small toilet in their dorm room. when she was done the coffee was about ready she poured two cups added the milk and sugar. and took one over to Buffy.
"Buffy's wakin' up there's Foldgers in her cup" Willow sang holding the cup under Buffy's nose and moving it away as Buffy raised.
When she was sat up she took the cup and sang, "The best part about wakin' up is Folgers in your cup."
"Darn tootin'," willow replied.
"Although we've never tried Foldgers have we" Buffy said with a laugh.
"No, I just like the jingle." Willow replied with a little giggle.
"Me too," Buffy said getting up and going to the toilet.
"What do you want for breakfast Buff," Willow asked as Buffy walked out of the toilet.
"I'll have some special K" Buffy said opening the small cupboard they keep their crockery in and collecting two dishes and spoons.
"Special K for you," Willow said handing Buffy the box, "and Trix for me."
"Silly wabbit Trix are for kids," Buffy said with a big grin.
"Very funny," Willow said around a mouth full of cereal.
"Are you excited for today Wills" Buffy asked
"Yeah I am " Willow said smiling "What time have you gotta be at the field ?" Willow asked
"Quarter to nine," Buffy replied finishing her cereal
"Cool, I better get ready" Willow said noticing the time.
After eating their cereal Buffy and Willow took out their clothes for the day and got dressed. willow chose a blue zip up cardigan with flowers on it , a yellow t shirt with a smiling sun on it and a pair of blue jeans.
"See ya Buff, good luck today." Willow said moving toward the door.
"Later Wills, have fun with Tara," Buffy said with a smile.
Tara arrived at the campus entrance and saw Willow standing there. dd saw Willow as well and started barking to get her attention.
"Tara hey," Willow said walking toward the shy blonde.
"H-Hi W-Willow, h-how are y-you t-today ?" Tara said.
"I'm good thanks," Willow said kneeling in front of dd and shaking her paw. Willow stood back and asked Tara, "How are you ?"
"I'm good too, " Tara said.
"So, where are we going," Willow said clearly excited
"Oh w-well i just w-walk her around the c-campus for about half an hour," Tara said.
"Sounds good to me, lets go," Willow said.
The girls began talking while walking, "So tell me about your parents," Willow asked.
"Ok, I have two m-moms, one is a t-teacher at the high school I w-went too and the other works for the F.B.I." Tara said with a smile.
"Wow, what was it like being raised by lesbian parents," Willow asked curious.
"I'm not really sure, I have nothing too c-compare it to," Then added with a smile "g-go and ask your m-mother was a v-vicious circle though."
Willow laughed at Tara's joke "That was really funny, cos ya know you had two mothers, so you would be going from one to the other over and over again " she babbled still giggling.
"T-thanks, some kids used to m-make f-fun of it," Tara said
"Having two moms you mean ? " Willow asked already hating anyone that ever made fun of Tara
Tara nodded then whispered, "that and other things."
"You mean your stutter," Willow asked laying a hand on Tara's shoulder.
"Yeah" Tara said
"Well they were idiots, I think its cute." Willow said.
Tara smiled, "Thanks, my mom says it adds to my charm."
"She was right," willow said instantly.
Tara smiled, "so what about your p-parents ?" she asked.
"My dad is a lawyer and my mom runs an art gallery with Buffy's mom"
"Cool." Tara said. "W-What kind of art do they display" she asked.
"Mostly paintings, they are going to open up a gallery in Boston," Willow said.
"That's awesome, will they be m-moving here," Tara questioned.
"Yeah, sometime next month I think." Willow said.
"Will you miss S-Sunnydale ?" Tara asked.
"Nah I prefer Boston " willow said smiling.
Tara smiled at this "Boston is pretty c-cool." After checking the time Tara said "I better take her home."
"So what are you doing for lunch," Willow asked.
"I'll be going home to pick up dd then t-taking her to the f-football field I usually h-have my l-lunch there while faith takes her for a run," Tara said.
"Hey, Buffy is trying out for the team today, is Faith on the team too." Willow asked.
"Yeah she is the starting Quarterback " Tara said the pride evident in her voice.
"Ball thrower, right?" Willow clarified.
"Yeah" Tara said amused.
"Buffy is a ball catcher" Willow said.
"Tight end or wide receiver," Tara asked with a grin.
"Receiver" Willow said then asked Tara, "You understand football?"
"Yeah I pretty much grew up with it," Tara said. "I'll teach you sometime," she offered.
"Yeah me being all sportso gal would surprise Buffy." Willow said with a big grin.
"Great." Tara said."
After arriving at the campus entrance they both agreed to meet at the same place at lunch time.
Tara got back to her apartment and dropped of dd. after filling her water bowl she was on her way out the door with her back pack slung on her shoulder.
"See you later dd" Tara yelled receiving a happy bark in reply. With that she was out the door and on the way to her art class.
Faith arrived at the practice field and walked over to her teammates
There was a chorus of "hey faiths" then a mans voice shouted.
"Maclay my office, now !"
"Be right there coach !" Faith shouted back. Then addressed her teammates, "I'll see ya in a few." With that she headed toward the building.
Faith arrived at the door, on which was a plaque that read coach with a post it note with a capital B written on it stuck next to the plaque.
Faith knocked on the door and waited.
"Come in Faith," The coach shouted.
Faith walked in and saw her coach sat at his desk and a blonde girl sat in front of him.
"Hiya coach," Faith said. Then turned to the blonde, " you the new girl."
"Faith Maclay meet Buffy Summers" coach said.
"Good to meet ya," Faith said.
"Good to meet you too," Buffy replied with a smile.
-Hey she's kinda cute- Faith thought.
"Ok" coach B said clapping his hands together. "Buffy you go and introduce yourself to the team. Faith stay behind for a minute would you."
"Ok coach thanks," Buffy said.
After Buffy had left Faith looked at coach B and said, "What's up coach"
"Just wanted to make sure everything is ok, you were missed at practice yesterday " coach B said allowing a rare smile.
"I'm fine coach, I'm never eatin' a gas station taco again." Faith said with a smirk.
Coach B laughed at that," One other thing Charlie is leaving us at the end of this season."
"What why?" Faith sounded shocked and a bit upset.
Charlie was Faith's quarterback coach and the teams offensive co-ordinator.
"Health reasons, his doctor has given him the all-clear to stay for this year, provided he has regular check-ups."
"Mom will be upset about that," Faith said with a sigh.
"Yeah, they had a great relationship when she played, I'm offering her his job," coach B said.
"That would be awesome coach, but she still works for the FBI."
"I know but I'll ask her first and see what she says."
"Alright coach, I better get changed, see ya out there."
"What I told you about Charlie doesn't leave the room."
"Got ya coach, see ya," faith said.
With that Faith got up and went to get changed an headed out onto the field.
When she arrived on the field she saw everyone was ready to begin.
"Maclay nice of you to join us, " coach said.
"Ya know me coach, I always like to be fashionably late" Faith said with a laugh.
"Take summers and run some drills" coach said getting straight to business.
"C'mon B," faith said also getting into business mode.
"Cool" Buffy said raring to go.
"We have one rule around here B" faith said looking Buffy in the eye.
"What is it"
"Do your job" Faith said
Buffy simply nodded
"Good. Lets get to it" Faith said with a wink.
The time rolled around to quarter to twelve and Faith heard coach B blow the whistle to indicate it was time to get changed
"Time to get changed Ladies, and good work today," coach shouted and went back to his office.
"You did good today B," Faith said.
"Thanks F, " buffy said Laughing.
"No problem, Lets go and get changed."
After getting changed Buffy and Faith walked out onto the field and saw three visitors sat on the bleachers two of which were locked in conversation.
"Hey Tara" Willow said walking up to the blonde.
"Hi W-Willow" Tara replied shyly
"Where is dd ?" Willow not seeing her new fluffy friend
"We're g-going to pick h-her up now" Tara said with a smile
"Cool."
Minutes later tara and Willow arrived at the apartment. Tara let herself in.
"C-Come on in W-Willow," Tara said.
"Thanks Tara."
Walking into the Living room Tara said, "m-make yourself at h-home."
"This place is really nice," Willow said sitting on the sofa
"Thanks, we like it, " Tara said grabbing dd's leash.
"You like a good scratch don't you dd " Willow said scratching dd's tummy
This made Tara giggle "R-Ready to go ?" she questioned.
"Yeah, come on dd" Willow said getting up.
"W-Would you l-like to w-walk her, " Tara said offering Willow the leash
"Sure" Willow said taking the leash and clipping it to the hoop in dd's collar.
The pair walked out of the apartment and headed toward the campus.
"Careful, she tends to p-pull a b-bit," Tara warned.
dd was pulling all the way, and stopped various times to mark her territory.
"Wow she really likes to mark her territory, doesn't she," Willow said with a giggle.
"Oh y-yeah, all this is h-hers you k-know," Tara said with a wink, then immediately blushed.
Willow smiled, slowly but surely Tara was coming out of her shell.
In no time at all Tara and Willow made it to the field and sat on the bleachers closest to the changing rooms.
"H-Hey W-Willow? " At Willow's nod Tara continued "What is y-your second n-name."
"Rosenberg, yours ?"
"Maclay."
both girls shared a smile, every time they spoke the got to know each other a little better, which made them both happy.
"Damn check out red, Tara has good taste." Faith said
"Wait what ?" Buffy asked confused.
"That girl my sis is talkin' to is cute," Faith said not understanding Buffy's confusion.
"Tara is your sister," Buffy asked looking at Faith like she had grown three heads.
Meanwhile, Willow and Tara had become aware of the presence and stopped their conversation.
"Are you two gonna come and join us or not," Willow shouted.
Faith began walking over to the pair while Buffy stood still, somewhat confused. "C'mon already B " she shouted back to Buffy.
"Hiya red nice to meet ya," Faith said holding her hand out to Willow.
Deciding she kinda liked the new nickname, Willow said, Nice to meet you too faith" Taking the offered hand and giving it a shake.
By this point Buffy had walked over to the other three, "I got it, this is Tara" she deduced pointing at the girl that was in fact Tara.
"Uh buff..." willow tried.
"Not now wills, detective Buffy is on the case, now where was I. " Ah yes, this is Tara, who is Faith's sister and Willow made a new friend called Tara therefore, I conclude that Faith's sister Tara and Willows friend Tara are the same person." Buffy finished by holding her hand up in a fist with her index finger pointing up.
"How do you do it Holmes," Willow fake swooned.
"You're a weird chick B," Faith said highly amused.
"Hi B-Buffy I'm T-Tara, and as y-you c-cleverly d-deduced, I am F-F-Faith's s-sister and W-Willows f-friend." Tara stuttered out with a smile.
"Oh I like you, you don't make fun of me." Buffy said fake pouting.
"N-Nice to m-meet you B-Buffy." Tara said shyly smiling.
"Nice to meet you too Tara," Buffy said smiling at the shy girl.
dd started barking, jealous of all the attention she was not getting.
"Oh s-sorry honey, I d-didn't mean for you to f-feel left out" Tara said stroking dd.
"Awww she is gorgeous" Buffy said kneeling down in front of dd. "What is her name" she asked Tara.
"dd" Tara replied with pride.
"Cute name, What does it stand for." buffy said.
"Good luck with that one detective B, even I don't know that. I think that is a secret T will take to her grave," Faith said.
"It is" Tara said.
Everyone was silent for a second until Faith said "Come on dd lets go For a run," Then looked at Tara " I packed you a lunch, it's in my bag."
"Thanks Faith." Tara said, then took something out of her own bag, "here is her ball," she said handing it to Faith.
Tara took the box out of Faiths bag, in which was a baguette about six inches long, a packet of potato chips, a small raspberry yogurt and an apple.
"B you comin' " Faith shouted
Buffy looked at Tara and Willow, not wanting to be rude to Tara but also wanting to give Willow some private time with Tara.
"Go, she isn't the most patient person" Tara said with a smile taking a bit of her sandwich.
"Enjoy your lunch ladies " Buffy said with a small curtsey, then ran towards Faith.
Willow and Tara ate their lunch, Willow had picked up something from the cafeteria on her way to meet Tara, while watching dd, Buffy and Faith run around on the field.
"How was you class this morning," Willow asked Tara.
"It was good thanks, I had art," Tara said with a small blush remembering what she had drawn.
"Ooo what did you draw" Willow asked sounding quite eager
"Oh erm just a b-bowl of f-fruit " Tara tried to bluff.
"Aww c'mon show me show me, please please please," Willow said getting more excited.
"O-Ok b-but p-please d-don't l-laugh," Tara said getting really nervous
Willow laid a comforting hand on Tara's and looked her in the eye, "never," she promised.
Tara smiled and took her sketch pad out of her bag, after finding the right page she handed it to Willow and said, "t-this is w-what I d-drew t-today."
Willow was in awe, the picture Tara had drawn was of her and dd which she remembered from the day before.
"The s-subject we were g-given was f-friendship. do you l-like it ?" Tara said sounding hopeful.
"I love it, do you really see me like this," Willow almost whispered.
"yes, I t-think you are b-beautiful, " Tara said bowing her head and allowing her hair to cover her face.
"Letmetakeyououtfordinneronfriday, " Willow blurted out all at once.
Un-sure if she had heard correctly Tara looked up, "w-what was that," Tara said her hair still covering her face.
Willow reached over and tucked Tara's hair behind her ears and said." let me take you out for dinner on Friday."
"Like a date ?" Tara questioned.
"No, not like a date..." Tara's face fell, "an actual date" Willow said.
Tara smiled, "you mean ? "
"I mean, okay ?" Willow said now holding Tara's hand.
"Oh yes," Tara said nodding.
"Wonderful," Willow replied with a big smile.
"So What a we talking about," Faith asked sitting down.
Buffy followed suit and sat down to.
"We're going on a date on Friday," Willow said visibly bouncing.
Faith and Buffy smiled," that's awesome," they both said almost at the same time.
Willow checked the time and said, "I better get back to class."
"Me to," Tara agreed.
Willow and Tara got their stuff and after saying their goodbyes walked away hand in hand.
"Come on dd, lets get you a drink," Faith said after Willow and Tara had left
Buffy Followed "I hope I didn't upset Tara when I asked about her name," she said pointing at dd.
"Don't worry B you didn't, Tara named her when we first got her and has never told anyone what it means," Faith said filling a bowl with some water.
"It's kinda sweet really, her little secret." Buffy said with smile.
"Yeah it is." Faith said with a chuckle.
A little while later Buffy and Faith were throwing a football while dd was having a lie down.
"Maclay, Summers. My office" Coach said.
dd heard this and ran towards coach B "Hey dd" he said crouching down to pet the dog.
"C'mon B" Faith said walking toward coach B's office
"What is his name," Buffy asked
"Bill, but call him coach or coach B, he prefers it," Faith said with a grin.
"Ok," Buffy said.
Arriving at the coach B's office, Faith knocked and waited.
"Come in," she heard through the door.
"What's up coach," Faith said sitting down.
"Summers could you wait outside for five," Bill said.
"No problem coach," Buffy said leaving the office.
"What did you make of summers," Bill asked.
"She is pretty good coach, got good hands,"
"What do you recommend?" Bill asked.
"Include her in the full team practises for the rest of the week and if she is consistent, start her on Sunday," Faith said
"Are you sure," Bill asked.
"C'mon you know me, I'm a scary judge of talent," Faith said sounding cocky.
Bill smirked at this "Yeah you are. So was your mother, and just as modest."
"Thanks coach," Faith said with a laugh.
"Your welcome, now send summers in and go and see Charlie, he wants to see you," Bill said.
Faith left the office and Buffy went in. Faith went to see Charlie out on the field.
Buffy went into the office and sat down, before she could say anything bill started talking.
"Ok summers, on Maclay's recommendation I'm going to include you in the full team practice for the rest of the week, impress me and I'll start you on Sunday."
"Wow thanks coach I won't let you down." Buffy said with a beaming smile.
"Good, you will have you play book when you leave this afternoon. now go and get changed and get back out onto the field."
With that Buffy got up and walked out and headed to the changing room, smiling all the way.
When Faith got out on to the field and saw the team on the field running drills and Charlie sat on the bench reading through a playbook and petting dd.
"Hey Charlie, Coach B said you wanted to see me,"
"Yes Faith I'm making some changes to the game plan and wanted your opinion." Charlie said.
"What ? me really ?" Faith questioned slightly stunned.
"Yeah, now come on kid I haven't got all day"
"Ok cool " Faith said sitting down.
"Thanks Faith," Buffy shouted when she got out on the field.
The rest of the day passed rather quickly for everyone, the four girls spent the evening around Tara and Faith's apartment
Tara and Willow spent the time getting to know each other better, While Buffy and Faith went through the playbook and mostly talking about football.
Just before going to bed both Tara and Willow sent good night texts and went to sleep with thought of what the future might hold.