Boris Yeltsin - Thanks for reading!
bluepaintbox - Damn chirping phones is right! Timing is everything, and Buffy has horrible timing. I haven't fully figured out Celia's role just yet…but she is definitely a problem for Tara.
Feedback: Please, it helps me grow as a writer and storyteller.
Chapter 11 - Truths and Caring
Tara felt tears well up in her eyes as Celia exited her cottage. She was beyond mad at the woman. She was in shock that Celia would say that stuff to her and that she would think so little of Tara.
"She thinks I am too stupid to tell what is going on. She thinks I need to be looked after and protected from myself. Bullshit. She claims to care, but she doesn't. She can't truly care and speak to me that way. She is just like my brother and my father," thought Tara.
Tara knew what she had to do. She quickly packed an overnight bag and after using the sensory spell that she and Willow had been learning to make sure Celia wouldn't see her. Tara left out the back of her cottage. She ran into the woods and until she found the footpath that she took daily. She followed the path until she arrived at the door she had left not that long ago. She knocked on the door and hoped that Willow would let her stay and not be mad at her.
"Tara?" said Willow, opening the door and seeing the blonde standing before her with tears waiting to spill.
"C-can I s-stay here t-tonight?" Tara asked.
"Of course," said Willow, stepping back and allowing Tara entrance. "Give me just a minute."
Tara heard Willow tell someone on the phone that she would talk to them in a few days.
"I d-didn't m-mean t-to interrupt…" started Tara before Willow pulled her into a tight embrace.
"You didn't. It was just Buffy. Now, what has you so upset?" asked Willow. She had used the sensory spell until Tara had made it inside the Coven but then withdrawn it thinking that the blonde was safe.
"I..I don't know where to start," Tara admitted.
Willow led Tara back to her room. She placed Tara's bag on the chair in the corner before leading her over to the bed. They took their shoes off and the two women lay down on the bed. Willow wrapped her arms around Tara and pulled her close. Tara melted into the redheads' touch and allowed Willow to hold their bodies close together.
"Now, what happened?" asked Willow.
"I guess I should start by telling you I'm gay," Tara said, expecting Willow to react by pushing her away or yelling at her. When the redhead just squeezed her tighter. "There is a Sister, Sister Celia whom I have known for a long time. She has had a crush on me for a while now. Right before I met you Celia kissed me. I didn't want it, I have never led her on, but she kissed me."
Willow let out a shallow growl before pressing her lips to the top of Tara's head as reassurance.
"I have only spoken to her once since then. Well, until tonight that is."
"What happened?" Willow asked softly.
Tara proceeded to tell Willow about the conversation she had with Celia and the threat she had made about following her. Tara told Willow how uncomfortable she had been when Celia had taken her hand.
"I'm so sorry you had to deal with that. I'm glad that you felt comfortable enough to come back here."
"I d-didn't know w-where else to g-go," said Tara. "I honestly was a-afraid that y-you would t-throw me out w-when you either heard I was g-gay or heard w-what had g-gone on with Celia t-tonight."
"I promise you that you will never have to worry about me not being there for you," said Willow. "As for the being gay. That doesn't change the amazing person that you are, Tara."
Tara pulled back so that she could look Willow in the eyes. When she did she saw nothing but honesty and truth in her eyes and words.
Willow tilted Tara's head up a little more before leaning forward and brushing their lips together so softly that it was as if they had barely touched. Both of their breaths caught at the feel of the other's lips. Willow leaned in and did this again only this time their lips touched more. Tara let out a soft groan at the loss of contact. Tara leaned up and pressed their lips together tightly. Both girls moaned into the kiss.
"I-I'm s-sorry," Tara said.
"I'm not," said Willow, holding Tara in her arms and feeling her relax into the embrace.
Willow woke up before Tara. She watched the blonde sleeping while her mind drifted back to replay the previous night. After a while, Willow slipped out of bed and went to make coffee. As she was finishing the coffee Willow looked up to see Tara entering the room.
"Morning," Willow said, smiling and setting a cup of coffee in front of Tara.
"M-morning," Tara replied giving Willow a small smile. "Willow, about last night…"
"Tara, I don't regret anything about last night except that you got hurt. I also don't want you to think that I took advantage of your situation. I would never do something like that. I care about you a lot and I know we just met and I know that I have never been attracted to a woman before nor have I kiss one. It just feels so right with you and I just don't want you to think that I am like Celia. I don't ever want to be that type of pers…" babbled Willow until she felt Tara's lips pressed against her own.
"I don't regret what happened between us last night either. I know you aren't like Celia. I care a lot about you, too. You were my first real kiss with a woman too. I don't count what happened with Celia as a real kiss," Tara said, hoping to calm both of their nerves.
Willow smiled and placed her hands on Tara's waist before pulling the blonde close and kissing her again. Tara wrapped her arms around Willow's neck and cautiously deepened the kiss by sucking on the redheads lower lip. When the two women parted they were both flush and breathing heavy.
"I...er...wow," Willow stammered, unable to come up with any better words.
"Uh huh," said Tara.
After staring at one another again, Willow glanced at the clock and saw they had to start getting ready or Morrigan was going to arrive and that could be awkward.
Tara showered first and dressed for the day while Willow prepared some toast for her to have for breakfast. While Tara ate Willow showered and got dressed. The two had just finished when Morrigan arrived.
