AN Thanks PhoenixJay27 and Charmed Lassie for checking out this latest dribble of mine. I really appreciate you guys taking the time to read this. Just wanted to let everyone know that this will cover the next two eps since Tara hardly had any role in them. That just means it can be more of my thinking. (Scary, I know.) Hope you enjoy.
Willow wandered around the party. At first, it had seemed like such a good idea. Especially to help out Buffy. Her friend seemed distant since everything happened with the Gentlemen. Maybe something had happened with Riley. But her best friend was not talking to her.
Like you're talking to her. I mean, you've got this new friend, or at least you hope that you've got this new friend. And why aren't you into the sharing? She's a witch. And that's of the good. And she has those nice blue eyes and that soft looking blond hair.
The redhead shook her head. I'm fixating on physical things? That's different. I don't do that with Buffy. She sighed heavily. The party was kinda boring, really. And there wasn't anyone there that she recognized. Or was there.
She spotted a familiar jock that she had tutored back at Sunnydale High. Principal Snyder had forced the two to work together. And if my evil double hadn't come along, I would have been stuck doing his and my homework. Sometimes I am so grateful that Snyde man was eaten by the mayor.
Willow made her way over to Percy. And his slutty, Faith lookalike date. The conversation didn't go well and it wasn't long before his slutty girl friend was whisking him away. That left Willow all by herself. And again, her thoughts returned to somewhere that brought her some measure of comfort.
I can see those blue eyes. They seem to see the real me. But who is the real me? I mean, I had been dating a guitarist. And than, all alone. And starting to get a little more powerful with the whole witchcraft thing. But I still have a long ways to go. After all, look what happened when I did that spell a short time ago. Now that was fun.
Her thoughts were interrupted by Percy's voice. "Who, Rosenberg? She's just some nerd I knew back in high school."
Nerd? He thinks I'm a nerd? She looked around herself. Of course that's what people would think of her. Look at the way that she was dressed. And the way she talked and the way she acted. I am a big nerd. And why would a wonderful girl like Tara ever want to be friends with me. I'm the biggest nerd around.
****
The scoobies had long ago figured out the whole apocalypse thing. And prevented it just in time as usual. Spike had tried to get Willow and Xander to go out and fight the big bads. But the redhead had a better idea. One that was definitely more appealing.
Tentatively, the redhead knocked on the door. She wasn't even sure if it was Tara's or not. School directory says that this is her room. But what if she changed and they hadn't had time to update? What if I'm knocking on a stranger's door. And what if it is her door. What the heck am I doing here and so late. I should have called first.
The door opened slowly. The blond which looked at her, a little bit of a surprise on her face. "W-Willow?" But there was also a little hint of a smile playing at the corners of her mouth.
"Hey!" Willow could feel herself getting excited. Relax. You are just here as a friend. A friend that wants to possibly do a spell or something. There's nothing wrong with that. Except for the lateness. You idiot! How could you not think about the lateness. "Sorry to bother you so late. I probably should have called first. I just thought that if you weren't busy, we could maybe do something. A spell." She looked at the blond and quickly added, "But you've probably got other plans. It was stupid of me to think that you'd be here and just want to do what I want at the drop of the hat. I'm sorry. I'll just go now." Real smooth. Now she'll think you are some crazy insane person or something. Which would explain why you are here in the first place at such a late hour.
The redhead slowly turned to go. But she was stopped by a gentle touch on her shoulder. "W-Willow. You don't have to go." For some reason, her cheeks reddened slightly. "I-I'm glad you came. I've been wanting to talk to you."
Willow turned around quickly. Tara gestured for her to come in and Willow did so. She wants to talk to me? About what? And why? And get a grip. She's just a friend. Why am I getting so nervous and excited. We're friends, right? "What did you want to talk about? 'Cause you can talk to me about anything." She frowned. "That may sound weird seeing that we've only know each other a couple days. But it's true. You can tell me anything that you want to."
Tara smiled shyly. "Well, i-it's just the spells thing. I was hoping that we could maybe, get together and do a spell. M-maybe look up some together. It's been a while since I've had anyone to do that with."
She was thinking about spells? And doing research together? Why is that so disappointing to me? Why? I've always wanted another witch around to help me learn and do stuff. Willow forced a smile onto her face. "Great!" She looked around the darkened dorm room. "I know it's late, but want some pizza? We could look up some spells tonight. I've been looking forward to our pizza date." Another bout of blushing made it onto Willow's cheeks.
"I-I want to, but I can't tonight." Tara looked really sad. "But let me give you my number." The blond walked over to her dresser and took out a notebook. She quickly scribbled on it. "This way you can call. And we can just talk."
"I'd like that." Willow took the slip of paper. There was still enough room, so she tore off the bottom part and quickly jotted down her own number and handed it to Tara. "It works both ways, you know. Anytime you want or need someone to talk to, I'll be there for you."
The two smiled at each other. Willow slowly made her way to the door. "Thanks." The redhead turned around to look at the blond. "I don't have any friends. It's nice to k-know that I have one now."
Willow smiled. "I'm definitely your friend." But the witch's heart sank as she said those words and shut the door. Why am I so sad? I got to see her. We talked. Not about much. No spells. Got her number. Why am all of a sudden beyond depressed? Slowly she walked back to her own dorm room.
****
A lot had happened since the whole Tara incident a couple nights before. The incident being that they talked and nothing more. The things that had happened were finding out that Riley is one of the commandos. And that Professor Walsh is more than just a professor. And now, Spike seemed to have a new mission. It was all too weird.
For Willow, even with all those things happening, her mind went back to a certain blond. Like they ever leave her. She's a good friend. Nothing more. Even though you've only talked to her a few times. And she is just so darn beautiful and breathtaking and where did that come from?
Willow stared at her reflection in the mirror. She had been about to pick up the phone and call the blond. She wanted to get together with her. She had come across this neat little spell. It would test to see how in sync that the two witches really are. Not that she really needed a test. The two seemed to go hand in hand together.
The redhead sighed heavily. Why is it so hard for me to just call or talk to her? She is the nicest girl in the world. And one of the shyest as well. And she said that she'd be willing to do a spell almost anytime. What are you so worried about, Rosenberg?
Finally, she found her resolve. And she grabbed the phone. Dialing from memory, it didn't take long for the blond to answer. Willow swallowed hard. Her throat felt suddenly dry. "Hey, Tara! It's me, Willow. I was wondering if you'd want to get together tonight. I found a spell that the two of us could try. It should be pretty cool."
"I'm free tonight." There seemed to be an instant happiness in the other woman's voice. "I-I was just thinking about calling you and seeing if you wanted to come over."
"Really! Wow!" Willow felt herself blushing. "You know what they say, great minds think alike." Stupid. Stupid! Can't think of something better to say than that? You are so unoriginal, Rosenberg. "Do you feel like pizza tonight? I could pick one up on my way over. But you've probably already eaten, so no big deal. We can just do the spell and the talking thing."
"Pizza would be n-nice." She could hear the blond swallow hard. "I'll see you in a couple hours?"
"I'll be there." Willow smiled to herself. "And I'll be bringing the cheesy goodness with me."
****
The few hours had seemed to drag by. It had been like a nightmare to Willow. She kept wondering if someone else had done a spell and stopped time. Or at least was making it move really, really slow.
Finally, she was in the room with Tara. They had already eaten the pizza. They really hadn't talked much. In fact, the redhead had kept finding herself staring at the blond. She is just so mesmerizing. And there it was again. That word. That feeling. What is going on with me?
The two were preparing for a spell. The one that she had found. It involved a rose and the two of them working as one to float and than pluck the petals off. It would be very pretty.
Both girls joined hands. Willow closed her eyes to concentrate. But something else was going on in her mind. There was an electric current flowing between the two witches. I wonder if Tara can feel that? Concentrate. If you don't, the spell will never work and than Tara will never want to do another spell with you again. And that would not be good. No alone time with the other woman would nearly kill me.
Finally, Willow got her thoughts in place. And there was the rose floating. Slowly, and reluctantly, both women withdrew their hands from the other's grip. The redhead tried to keep her focus on the floating rose. It would take her mind off from the feeling she was having. The withdrawal of Tara's touch.
The rose started flying around the room wildly. It almost took out both witches. Finally, it landed with the flower part having been burnt off and still smoking.
"Well, the petals are off." Tara offered tentatively.
Willow looked at her. She could see the fear in her eyes as well as the fear that she herself felt. That was some powerful and dark magick that someone pulled. It really blocked us. But what are they doing? And it just had to interrupt my alone time with Tara. I now have to tell Buffy what is going on.
****
Willow and her best friend were sitting having breakfast together. It was really rather amusing. Buffy was being silly. And that was all due to the fact that Buffy was happy with her new boyfriend. And the redhead was happy for her. And somewhat jealous at the same time.
"Someone doing the dark magicks?" Buffy asked.
Willow quickly explained what had happened. But why did I just say I was alone when I was with a wonderful girl. Why am I hiding this new friendship with Tara? Am I embarrassed for some reason? Why would I be embarrassed of me and Tara?
And that's when it hit her. Kinda like a ton of bricks. Tara is special. She's beyond special. I think that we are connected somehow. And not just by the magicks. We are supposed to be friends. And maybe even more. There is a connections. She closed her eyes for a moment. One that should never be broken.