AN Man, two months is way too long for an update. Sorry for those that waited patiently for this. Here's the next three eps all bundled together. Of course, the ever important 'New Moon Rising' wraps up this chapter. And man, this was a little harder then I thought it would be to write. Hope you enjoy.
It's not exactly what Willow had in mind. She had so wanted to take Tara out. Even just to The Bronze would have been nice. Just the two of them. They rarely did anything that was just the two of them. And she was still so busy with the scoobies. And she had yet to tell any of the about her girl. They only thought that they were friends.
But for some unfathomable reason, she sat next to her girl as they put up a display of Johnathan. It was like it was something that she was supposed to be doing. The talk was nice. Just of Tara's concern with Buffy after the whole body switch thing. But she wanted more. She wanted to tell her friends the whole story. Truth be told, I'm still scared. What if they won't accept me in a different kind of relationship.
A short time later, the redhead got her wish. They were dancing and having a good time at The Bronze. It was great. And yet, still no one suspected the more then friendship thing. Just being able to be with my girl is what it should be. We should not have to hide our real feelings though.
Once they returned to the table, Johnathan took the stage. Everyone was excited. And it seemed his wonderful song was just the key for Buffy and Riley. It was indeed a good day. The two young witches exchanged a knowing glance full of emotion.
Then, Johnathan whipped out his trumpet. It was really getting going when this women ran in. There's trouble if I ever saw it. Hrmp. Just as I was getting to have some fun with Tara. This sucks. But, a scooby has to be called to duty.
As it turned out, they didn't have to. Buffy, Willow, and Tara were walking along a path of the UC-Sunnydale campus. "No go."
"No go?" Willow was surprised. "Did you just say no go?"
"Yeah. Johnathan says it's not big. That he can handle it." Buffy shrugged. "So, it means no go."
"That's good." The redhead looked over at her girl as all three came to a stop.
"Well, this is my stop." Tara smiled shyly. "See you tomorrow Willow?"
"Of course." Smiling big. Something that had become so natural was the touch. Their hands meeting. I'd rather kiss her goodnight but with Buffy here, I have to settle for a little touchy feel of the hand. I want it all though.
And with that, she watched for a long moment as what was fast becoming her world walked away. It took Buffy's voice to bring her back to the present. And even then, all I can think about is her. I've so got it bad for a ceratin wicca.
""""""
My Goddess! She has to be all right. I can't believe that she got hurt. A knock on the door was the only reason that she would be leaving Tara's side anytime soon. "Buffy!"
"What happened?" Buffy came closer to the bed as she could see how badly that Tara was shaken up.
"She was attacked." Willow's voice was so worried. I should have been here for her. I should never have left her. "Someone found her in the janitor closet. She was there all night all by herself." Goddess I should have been there.
"Tara, what happened." There was great concern in the slayer's voice.
"Big. Attacked." The words barely were audible. "Symbol. Like a Greek letter only not."
Buffy quickly found a notebook and jotted down the symbol that she had seen at Johnathan's. "This it." Tara nodded her head. "Johnathan is hiding something."
Willow confused, just held Tara's hand. It was looking like scooby life was gonna tear her away from her world once again. We need more time. We should have more time. I should tell the others so that we can.
It all ended quickly. And with no one getting hurt. Just Tara with a few scratches and being scared. But it was worth it. Tara was now a real part of the scoobies.
""""""
The party at Lowell House had been a real eye opener for Willow. She knew it would not be long now before she could keep her feelings for Tara hidden. Even with the scoobies distracted by a lot of things. It had been a good night and a bad night for her. Cause for a split second, she had thought that her girl just might not want her. And that had pretty much crushed her.
But now, they were walking hand in hand on their way to a scooby meeting. It was nice. And it seemed that Tara wanted to talk. And talking was of the oh so good.
"So, are you allergic to cats?" Tara blushed a little as she said it. Like there was more behind it.
"Nope." Willow smiled. "I'm more of a dog person myself. But I'm not like death to all cats. Why?"
"Cause I was thinking of getting a cat." Tara again blushed a little. "I want my room to be Willow friendly."
"That'd be so cool. And I want that too." The redhead got excited. Definitely gotta be Willow friendly. "Can you have a cat in the dorm?"
"No." Tara laughed softly then got real serious. "This will be a sneaky cat."
"We can call her Trixie and make her go bonkers with catnip and string." And more reason to spend time with you my love.
"Or Miss Kitty Fantastico." She sounds excited as me. I hope she wants this too."So you're in?"
"Definitely." And why wouldn't I? Anything for you. I'd already do anything for you. My heart is yours.
""""""
The scooby meeting was just about the fact that Buffy was getting no action while Riley and The Initiative didn't have enough guys to handle all of the demons that they were bringing in. It was rather a pointless meeting. Which Anya was quick to point out. And that got Giles irritated. Before there could be one big time argument, the door opened. And there stood Oz.
What is he doing here? Willow looked from him to Tara. Oh Goddess! Tara. What am I going to do? I don't huh? Buffy just said something. But Tara. And Oz wants what? Huh? What is going on?
"Tonight, we can talk?" Oz's voice is pleading with her.
"Uh sure." Willow shook her head. Confusion abounding in it. "I guess."
"I'm gonna go." Tara smiles sadly. "You s-should be with your f-friends."
"But..." The redhead hears Buffy again. But nothing is making sense at the moment. For now someone's life is really been thrown for a loop and that's not good.
"""""
The moment of dread. Oz. He's there in front of her. "Want to come inside?"
"I'd rather you come outside." Oz's smile. "Got something I want to show you."
"This is all so weird." And that's not a big enough word to describe it. I don't know if I can handle this. I just want to be with Tara, that's all.
"Look up." Another Oz simple smile.
"Full moon! But how?" That's so great for him. I'm happy for him. I can't believe he found a cure. And she takes him into a hug. And then she feels his arms around her. So not right. Not what I wanted. Oh man. Gotta get out of this.
"So, talked to Xander. He says no new guy in your life."
"No, no new guy." But someone amazing. And someone I never want to hurt.
"Good. Cause now, I can be what you need me to be." Oz reaches out and takes her hand in his own.
Hehe. Uh, not what I want. I want Tara. I still love you Oz but I have such strong feelings for my girl. I just don't know. But talk. We can talk more. That's safe, right?
Inside the dorm room, light is now breaking over the pair that has talked all night long. All about Oz's travels and what he has to do to stay unwolfy. Whereas Willow has just been in good ole Sunnydale. Nothing major going on, at least none that she can admit to at the moment.
And then, breakfast. Or staying in. And his touch. On her hand. And no. Tara. Not his. Only hers. Why now. This can't be happening. Gotta go. Can't do this now. Too confused. No way. There's just so much to deal with.
""""""
Tara. Oz. Tara. Oz. Why did he have to come back right now? I was just starting to get so happy. I was even just about ready to tell the scoobies about me and tara being more then friends. Timing of this sure sucks beyond the telling of it.
"Hey Buffy." She looks confused. Wonder what's up. "You all right? You look a little stressed."
"I'm all right, it's just." Buffy shrugs. "Don't really want to talk about it. So, how did things go last night with Oz?"
"We talked all night long." And it felt like old times. But Tara. No way I can forget about her.
"That's great." Buffy looks confused. "But wasn't last night a wolf moon night?"
"Yep." Willow shrugs her shoulders. "But he didn't change." Her voice is no where near excited.
"I'm with the woowho, and you aren't." Buffy eyes her friend. "Something happen?"
"No. There's woo and there's who." Willow sighs heavily. "But there's also uh oh, and why now. It's complicated. Because of Tara."
"Why? Does Tara have a crush on Oz?" Buffy's eyes widen as it hits her. "No, Tara doesn't. I think that's great Will. Tara's a great girl Will."
"She is." A dreamy look comes across her face. Just the thought of her makes my heart sing. "I never meant for it to happen. But it did. And it's powerful. Completely different from what Oz and I had."
"Well, there you go Will." Buffy nervously plays around with something on the dresser. "I'm happy for you Will."
"Why do you keep saying my name like that?" Willow quickly sits up. Oh goddess, she's freaking. "Are you freaked?"
"Of course I'm not freaked Will..." Buffy cuts herself off. "I'm not freaked. I'm happy you finally told me. So, what are you going to do?"
"Not sure." Willow sighs heavily. "Just don't want anyone to get hurt, that's all."
"Someone is gonna get hurt." Buffy comes and sits by her best friend. "Just be honest."
""""""
Inside the dorm room that has become like a second home for the redhead is a meeting of two young potential lovers. But the hellos are awkward because of what Tara has seen. Thinking that the two former lovers have gotten back together. But things are still confusing and complicated.
"It's all right. I always knew that if he came back." There was no way that you would choose me. I knew that from the beginning. Always.
"We were just talking." Willow sighed. "But it was really intense, just talking."
"I just want you to know that whatever happens, we'll still be friends." Tara can't look her in the eye.
"That's not even a question." Willow's eyes tear up a little. "It's just that things were getting so good again. The spells. And a large part has to do with you." I want you but I don't know. I also still love Oz. What am I gonna do? "Part of me wants to know what to do, another part doesn't."
I have to do this. Only your happiness is what matters. "D-do what makes you h-happy." A shaky hand touches a tear streaked cheek. The two almost lovers fall into one another's arms. So much pain, so much confusion, and so much love on both their parts.
""""""
And more confusion adds to the party. Tara comes running into the library. "It's Oz. He wolfed out in front of me."
"During the day?" What in the Hecatae is happening? How is that possible. And Tara?
"Not sure, but it happened." Tara's eyes are so sad at this moment. The redhead wants to stay and make her feel better.
"Are you all right?" I have to know before I go. Don't want to. I just want to take her in my arms and never let her go. I need her in my arms.
"Yeah. I'm fine. But Oz. Go." Willow shakes her head and runs off. And there goes my last bit of hope for the two of us. Hopefully we'll at least stay friends.
""""""
Oz is safe, but they find out one very important thing. Willow is the one thing that seems to be able to trigger his wolfiness. So, it's time for sad goodbyes. I just wanted to be happy. I wish that it could have been different. But now, is not that time. I wish he wasn't getting hurt by this. I at least have Tara. Hopefully. But he has no one. I hate this. I hate hurting anyone. But I love Tara. And it's time to go and show her how much in fact. Gotta make it up to her.
""""""
Darkness abounds the city of Sunnydale. A lone redhead makes her way to a dorm room with a lit candle. Fears abound that the one inside that dorm will reject her. That she won't even want to be friends. That I've hurt her too deeply.
"Hey. No candles." Willow smiles brightly, though nerves are taking her over. "I got one. Extra flamey." As she enters, she hands the candle to the blond. "There's something I have to tell you. Something important."
"I u-understand. You h-have to be with the p-person you love." Even though my heart is breaking and shattering into a million pieces. You have to do what makes you happy.
"I am." Willow smiles. The look on her face is priceless.
"You mean?" Tara exhales. She's choosing me? I can't believe that she loves me.
"I mean." The redhead takes a step closer. "If that's OK."
"Oh yes." A big smile reaches the blond's face.
"I feel horrible for the way I treated you." A smile of evilness plays on the corner's of the redhead's mouth. "And I plan on making up to you right now."
"Now?" There is a hope in the blond's eyes. A nod from the redhead and the blond blows out the candle and the room fades to near black.
But there is more. Just the fact that first their lips will meet with passion. And then, both women will finally show the other the love that has been building up inside their hearts for so long. It will be a long night indeed. Full of magicks and love and fireworks. For two people that love one another so much and the first time is indeed an amazing thing.