Willow walked through the familiar office space as she moved towards Tara's office.
"Hey, Miranda," she greeted the brunette.
They had gotten to know each other since Willow had taken the initiative to meet Tara at her office after work instead of waiting in the lobby.
Miranda knew neither her boss nor Willow abused the fact that they worked so close to each other and respected that about them. She liked her boss, Tara never treated her like a subordinate, despite the fact that she was, and she liked the bubbly, often bouncy girl that was her girlfriend, so she made an effort to clue Willow in on the goings on and what kind of mood she could expect the blonde to be in.
"Hello, Willow," Miranda greeted back, turning her attention away from the computer screen to the redhead carrying two coffee cups, "How're you today?"
"Pretty good thanks, and you?"
"You know, Mondays and all. And we kind of had a crisis this morning, I'm not sure exactly what happened but something went down at the meeting this morning. Ms. Maclay already told me she's having lunch in her office today. I'm, um, sure she'd appreciate it being brought in by you instead of me," the brunette replied, pushing the wrapped sandwich, apple and bottled water towards the redhead.
"Thank you," Willow said, smiling gratefully and gathering up the items in her arms before indicating towards the door.
"You can go in," Miranda confirmed.
Willow went to the door and knocked. She heard a faint "come in" and opened the door.
Tara looked up and got an almost relieved smile on her face when she saw whom it was.
Willow walked over to the desk and put the food and coffees down.
"I come bearing nutritional goodness. Well, I have caffeine and carbs. And an apple, but you don't like apples so…"
Tara leapt up off of her seat and around to embrace the redhead tightly.
She loosened her hold slightly and brought her lips to Willows, kissing her calmly for a few moments, getting as much comfort as she could.
She pulled back completely and turned to sit back down at her desk, closing her laptop as she did so.
"Um, Tara, I mean, not that I didn't like it, 'cause you know I love it, but-"
"I got blinds. See?" Tara said, pointing at her windows and the new shutters they had on them, "And we're both on lunch. And, I, uh, kind of needed that."
"Rough day?" Willow asked, sitting on one of the other chairs.
"Yeah. A bunch of faked résumés were just found out. Lied about credentials and stuff. So everyone's breathing down my neck. I'm probably gonna be late home tonight," Tara said apologetically and taking the coffee that was offered to her.
"That's okay. I'll get take-out and save you some. I have to finish the dishes from last night, anyway. I still say you cheated. Distracting me with those lips of yours."
"You had the whole morning off and you didn't get the dishes done?" Tara asked, quirking an eyebrow.
"Yea, well, see, I had to do, um, I was busy with…"
"You only got up an hour ago didn't you?" Tara asked playfully, reaching for her sandwich, "Wanna share?"
"I got a muffin when I got the coffees… but I'll take the apple!" Willow replied, picking it up and taking a bite, "and, I will have you know that it was an hour and a half. I needed time to dry my hair."
Tara smiled at her quirky girlfriend.
"I was almost late this morning 'cause I couldn't stop looking at you sleep," she admitted shyly.
"Really?" Willow asked surprised, "We, uh, slept together before we actually, um, slept together… and I'm pretty sure my laziness in the morning has been an ever-present feature of our relationship."
"Maybe so. But you were extra cute this morning. Your hair was all tousled and you had a little bit of drool right here," Tara said, leaning over and rubbing her thumb over the bottom of Willow's lips.
Willow blushed and took another bite of her apple.
"I do not drool," she said adamantly.
"Oh you do, my love. Plus, you, um, managed to drag the blanket right off of yourself…"
Willow feigned shocked and threw the now-finished apple core in the trash.
"And you, being the ever dutiful girlfriend covered me right back up so I didn't catch cold, right? Since you wouldn't let me put on pyjama's last night…"
"Yep. Right after I copped a feel."
Willow didn't have time to react as Tara's phone chose that moment to start ringing loudly. The redhead took her cue to leave and stood up. Tara smiled apologetically.
"I'm sorry, sweetie. I'll see you at home. And thank you so much for stopping by. Highlight of my day."
"Love you," Willow said as she went through the door as Tara picked up the phone.
"Tara Maclay, Human Resources."
Tara put her new key in the door for the first time and opened it.
"Honey, I'm home."
"In here," she heard and walked into the living room to see Willow sitting on the sofa, watching Grey's Anatomy.
She dropped her bag and sat down beside her. Willow instantly wrapped her arm around the blonde's shoulders.
"There's Chinese in the fridge."
"Thank you. But I'm too tired to eat."
"You wanna talk about it?"
"Nope. I wanna relax with my girl."
"Buffy called today," Willow said as she curled the ends of Tara's hair in her fingers.
"Oh yeah?"
"She's coming down this weekend with Angel. I know we invited Anya over for Saturday night, do you think it's cool if they join us as well? Callie is so hot."
"Um, yeah, of course. I prefer Addison."
"I read some fanfiction online where those two get together."
"You still read fanfiction? I thought you said you only did it in high school…"
"Oh! That's what I meant… in high school."
"This show wasn't on when you were in high school…"
"Wanna make out?" Willow said, desperate to change the subject.
"I do owe you a feel after my wandering hands this morning…"
Willow noted the playful tone in Tara's voice but saw the tiredness in her eyes.
"How about I give you a foot rub instead?"
Tara smiled gratefully.
"You sure?"
Willow grabbed Tara's feet and swung them onto her lap in response.
"Lie back."
Tara complied and felt her shoes and socks being removed. Willow started a rubbing motion on the soles of Tara's feet and gently massaged upwards.
"Mmmmmhhhh Willowhands."
"I took a reflexology class in college."
"You really are an over-achiever, aren't you?" Tara said teasingly.
"Well if you're complaining, maybe I should just stop," Willow replied in challenge.
"Don't you dare," Tara muttered, loudly enough for the redhead to hear.
Willow continued her attention on Tara's feet for a few minutes as they both watched the television in silence.
"I was gonna make salmon for everyone on Saturday. And eggplant for you of course. Is that okay?"
"Sounds great. I'll make desert. Hey, I've never made you my speciality." Tara said as she closed her eyes.
"Which is?"
"Well now it's gonna be a surprise. But I promise, you'll love it."
"Tara! I don't do well with waiting! Please tell me?" Willow said as she pouted.
"Nope. And I can hear you pouting. We discussed its unfair use…"
"Okay fine. But you owe me."
Tara opened her eyes and propped herself up on her elbows.
"What do you want?"
Willow looked across the sofa and right into Tara's eyes.
"Nothing," she said softly, "I've got everything I ever wanted right here."
Tara adjusted herself so she was sitting beside the redhead. She cupped her cheek and leaned in to kiss her girlfriend.
"What was that for?" Willow asked as they pulled away.
"I need a reason?" Tara asked, stroking the smaller girl's cheek.
"Never."
They looked at each other for a few long moments before Tara broke the silence.
"I have to finish some work."
Willow nodded.
"I'm so sorry. I know I'm home super late and now I have to go again. I promise this doesn't happen often."
"Hey, it's okay. Remember who you're talking to?"
"You haven't stayed late at work since we started dating…"
"Well I've had other things to occupy my time…" Willow replied, placing her hand on Tara's thigh and spreading her fingers. She gave a small squeeze.
Tara put her hand on top of Willows, stilling her movements.
"Don't tempt me sweetie. Our department have to review every single résumé for the entire company and interview the people who even seem slightly suspect."
"There's over 10,000 people employed there!"
"Don't remind me. And remember I told you about those people who don't exactly like me?"
"I still say you let me set Buffy on them."
"Well they're trying to use this as ammunition to have me fired."
"Now I'm insisting you let me set Buffy on them. Is your job safe?"
"I have a good record and the 'boss men' like me. This kind of event is completely unprecedented."
Willow noticed Tara's voice begin to break a little and pulled her into a tight hug.
"You are the best, most beautiful, completely non-stuffy manager I have ever met. If anyone can handle this, you can. Okay? And I'll be right here."
Tara wiped at the tears that didn't get a chance to escape and buried her head in Willow's shoulder, inhaling her scent.
"I love you," she said, pulling back.
"I love you too. Now get that managerial ass upstairs and start working. I'll bring you up some tea."
"Thank you," Tara said, standing up and leaving the room.
After a moment, Willow stood up as well and made her way into the kitchen.
She put the kettle on and made the tea, a small amount of milk and no sugar, like she knew her girlfriend liked, and carried it up the stairs and into the study where Tara was looking intently at her laptop.
She silently placed the tea down, dropped a kiss on top of the blonde's head and left the room, going into their bedroom.
It was there, three hours later, that Tara went in, stripped down to just her underwear and crawled in beside the sleeping redhead, the stress and worries of her day dissolving instantly as she felt the warm body beside her wrap their arms around her waist and she was lulled her into a deep, peaceful sleep.