Pairing: Do I really have to answer that?

Angst Rating: I guess this is an "R" not quite NC-17 but maybe

Disclaimer: I in no way, shape or form own the characters from BtVS, they're owned by Joss Whedon/Mutant Enemy. All original characters are in no way connected to them except by me in this forum. No money is involved this is simply for my own pleasure.

Feedback: Always a delight

Author's Notes: You all know the drill at this point, there is no beta for this so any mistakes are all my own. If you catch something – you're all my second set of eyes so PM me with it and I'll fix it. Italics are used for emphasis. I tried a little something different this chapter, you'll have to let me know if it works. This is so low angst it could almost be the remedy for angst, so now our girls simply move forward, let the love-in begin. I have warm fuzzy blankies, hugs and hot chocolate for everyone.

YOU PICKED ME

Time.

The passage of time is such a finite thing in the grand scheme of a life. A second, a minute, an hour, a day… the only instances in which it really matters is when you have none of it left. The most common, of course – at the end of a long day; the most heartbreaking – at the end of a cherished love affair, and one of the most sacred – at the end of a life.

I don't include beginnings here, baby, because we've had so many that we've cherished. Much like the one before us now, but those are beginning stories, and they're for another time. Now is the time for memories, I remember things so clearly from then and I want to finish this for you.

I remember our "first" Christmas together like it was yesterday. I can't wait for our next – so many things are in store for us, aren't there? I love you, darling, more than I can ever put into words. Let me pick up where I left off, though…

Your tears had stopped, and I had gently moved us up on your bed so we could lie down. You rested your head on my chest, and we just held each other. Our kisses had been slow, soft and ever so sweet. Then again I always find your kisses to be sweet.

You whispered more stories about your mother and brother to me. You held tighter to me when you spoke of your father. Sharing what you remember of a distant and cold man, quiet and rigid with no love for anyone, even your mother. Memories of being in the sixth grade and running in from the bus with Donnie close on your heels playing tag, only to find a deathly still house. Your mother sitting quietly at the kitchen table staring into nothing with a "Dear Jane" letter held tightly in her hand.

Your father had just left a brief apology, saying he didn't want this life and he was sorry for all the pain he had caused. That letter along with the deed to the house, and a check were all he left behind. Later as you grew older you realized that there were very few pictures of him; it seems he was never around, not even when you and Donny were young. Those precious years when most parents get misty eyed over and proudly show pictures of missing teeth and birthdays, he was already a ghost. You told me how the smell of Aqua Velva™ after shave makes you gag because it's all you really remembered of your father anymore.

You finally grew quiet, and I kissed your forehead, holding you tight. We lay there for a long time in the quiet of your room sharing the space with your memories. After some time there was a soft knocking at the door, and we both sat up. I handed you a tissue from the box by your bed so you could blow your nose.

"Tante," Robby called through the door. "Are you and Willow hungry? It's lunchtime, and me and Aunt Buffy were gonna make some sandwiches."

You looked questioningly at me and I shrugged. "I could eat," I said softly.

"Sure, sweetie, we'll be right down," You called back through the door. "I must look like a nightmare," you said to me with a wry smile as you wiped at your eyes.

"Never," I said softly and took your hand in mine pressing kisses into your knuckles.

"You, Miss, may just be a bit biased," you said as you dropped a kiss on my cheek and got up to look in the mirror.

"I don't think so, and not that I want to see you in tears all of the time, because I don't, but you're even beautiful when you cry, Tara," I replied. "Not many women can pull that off. Me, I look like Bozo on a bender."

You smiled weakly, but that encouraged me to keep going. Try to lighten the mood a bit and chase away some of the ghosts that had joined us. "No, really, I could frighten little kids. My nose turns red and my eyes swell up and for some godforsaken reason my hair starts to do all these weird things. It's just not pretty. Even I don't want to look at me!"

That earned me an actual laugh, and I smiled back at you. "You doofus," you said.

"Ahh, but I'm your doofus," I replied smugly.

You pulled me up into a hug, and placed your head on my shoulder. "I wouldn't have you any other way."

We went downstairs and into the kitchen finding Buffy and Robby make cold turkey sandwiches from the leftovers. Robby was laying out bread while Buffy was carving up the cold meat and asking him what he wanted on his sandwich. They both turned around smiling as we entered, and simultaneously their faces fell.

"You've been crying," Robby squeaked in anger. "You made Tante cry, why did you make her cry, Willow?" He charged over at me and you caught him around the waist.

"Whoa there, my little knight," You said soothingly. "Willow didn't make me cry, we were just taking about some things that made me sad."

Robby looked up at me balefully. "Really?"

"Really," I said and bent down to look him in the eye. "I would never do that to her, buddy. Or to you or Buffy or Joyce either, okay?"

Robby looked you and then back at me, then nodded slowly.

"Although, you know that sometimes we hurt each other without meaning to right?" I asked calmly. "And that sometimes we make each other cry?"

"Yeah," Robby said softly. "Like this one time I accidentally knocked one of the big heads at the shop onto Aunt Buffy's foot and it made her cry."

"You didn't mean to that did you?" I asked.

"No!" he replied quickly shaking his head.

"See, that's kind of what I'm talking about, you didn't do it on purpose, but sometimes things will happen," I said softly and looked up at you over his head. "So I'll make a promise to you now, I won't ever make Tara cry on purpose… do we have a deal?"

Robby nodded again, stuck out his pinky and we pinky swore on it, I stood up with a smile. I looked at Buffy who had a sweet, goofy grin on her face; she winked at me and turned back around. I held my hand out to you and you crossed to me, slipping your arm around me easily. I stroked your cheek with a finger, tapping your nose playfully.

"He's my little knight in shining armor," you said softly.

"So I see," I smiled and ruffled Robby's hair. "It's sweet. He loves you very much."

With all the innate trust of the child that he was, Robby went back to Buffy to help with lunch. My word was good enough – and it's a promise I'd like to think I've managed to keep.

After lunch we finally made it back to my place. I made you some of my "special" hot chocolate, and I quickly took a shower. You were waiting for me, propped up in bed watching television. Your shoes were off and you had your long legs crossed at the ankles. During our cuddling, I had begun to notice you were all leg much to my delight. Curvy and soft in all the right places, beautiful blue doe eyes, a sensual mouth, and let's not forget those shapely legs.

I remember standing in the doorway watching you, looking at your profile as you laughed. How you tipped your head back slightly because it really amused you, and bounced slightly on the bed. The soft, warm glow of the bedside lamp made your hair shimmer the honey blonde I love so much.

You turned smiling to look at me, and held out your hand inviting me in next to you. We snuggled on the bed for hours aimlessly "watching" show after show. Really we were giggling and whispering to one another, continuing to talk about a myriad of different things. This started a habit that we have as of yet never grown tired of, and I hope we never will.

Before long the grey sky started to grow dark. It was still early, but the weak sun had done all it could, and the pale yellow faded as it began to snow again. I had wandered into the kitchen for a drink when I noticed the large, soft flakes falling.

You called home to let them know you were okay and would be staying so we didn't have to drive in the snow. I remember getting nervous because there we were… all alone… in my house. There would be no one else to worry about, and no accidental interruptions.

This left my mind racing as fast as my heart at all the possibilities. We'd know of each other for months but we'd only met a few days ago. A mad whirlwind of precious days, minutes and hours that had completely changed everything. What kind of leap was I willing to make if the opportunity presented itself?

I had never been good at casual physical relationships. It was all or nothing with me, and I hated the thought of being just a "casual" thing to you. After all we had said to one another, you didn't strike me as a "casual" girl either, so I just let that thought go.

We'd already blown past many relationship milestones. Things that normally take month to happen had just been – like this was always suppose to happen. We were there, step for step, mile for mile, hand in hand. It was simply understood in a way, and we both recognized it in ourselves and each other.

I took several deep breaths, and started to make us dinner. Whatever did or didn't happen would be just fine.

After dinner, we went back to my room for my cuddling and kisses. The television was really just background noise. The night wore on and eventually we both started to doze off. One of us most have hit something on the remote, because all of a sudden we were watching one of those overly dramatic Spanish soap operas – really loudly.

I slipped out of your arms, turning off the television as I went. I turned to look at you so I could suggest getting ready for bed. You are such a sensual creature. All you did was stretch, but it was how you did it and the look of extreme pleasure you got from the simple act. I mean, I knew you're sexy, and hot, sometimes even a bit of a tease but when I looked at you, half asleep and smiling whatever I had been about to say just evaporated from my mind.

Shaking my head to bring myself back to reality, I went over to my chest of drawers and pulled out two pairs of loose fitting shorts for us to sleep in, and after looking for t-shirts; I just had one for myself. "I uh," I started to stammer as I gazed into your eyes. "I don't think I have anything that will fit you, in the umm…" I made a gesture at my chest.

"What are you trying to say, Will?" You teased me by sitting up straight and pushing your chest out to emphasize the swell of your breasts.

"Uhh, let me," I starred for a moment; I could feel my mouth going dry. "Go get a t-shirt of Erik's for you to sleep in," I said as I tried to exit gracefully but somehow managed to trip over my own feet.

I came back with a grey Ramones t-shirt, and a pair of simple black pajama bottoms. "Here, I got these too in case you get…cold."

I dropped both articles of clothing, cocking my head to one side like a confused puppy and made a string of inarticulate vowel sounds. There you stood, in your panties with your arms crossed coyly over your chest and a shy smile. And let me tell you what a sight you were; if anyone could capture the phrase "Naughty Innocence", baby, it was you that night. You looked at me, dropping your arms away, not an ounce of shame in your eyes at my seeing you half dressed, and I think I actually started to drool.

"Nipples!" I squeaked. "Umm… hoo boy… yeah… uhh," I giggled nervously running my hand through my hair and trying to look anywhere but at you. "Man, is it me or is it hot in here? Maybe I should check the thermostat." I bent down to quickly scoop up the clothing, tossing them onto the bed so I could vanish down the hall. I'm sure if I had looked back there would have been one of those cartoon dust clouds in the doorway I was gone so fast.

I remember leaning against the wall in the bathroom where I had gone to hide, berating myself for acting like a teenage boy seeing his first pair of actual breasts. It's not like I had never seen a woman topless before, and it's not like you were throwing yourself at me. It was an accident – simple bad timing on my part, that was all, and I just needed to calm my overheated self down, I told myself logically.

But it was you standing half naked in front of me…

When I came shuffling back in all flushed still, you were just calmly waiting. You had gotten under the covers, and were lying on your side with your head propped up on your hand. I looked at the shorts and shirt I had left out for myself, mocking me as the lay there on the bed. I decided then I would stop thinking so much and just get ready for bed.

"Fair's fair," I mumbled and with a deep breath whipped off my shirt and then my bra. Without looking at you, I dropped my jeans and stepped out of them, bending to pick them up off the floor and tossing them aside. I looked up at you when I stood and reached for my shirt; you had sat up while I undressed in front of you. Your eyes were wide and your mouth forming a perfect "o". Your response made me smirk, and I couldn't help thinking "At least I'm not the only one".

I crawled in next to you and just watched for a moment. "Fair's fair," I said again. You leaned over and kissed me. I wrapped my arms around your shoulders pulling you on top of me. My hand slid into your hair and as I held you to me.

I felt your leg slip in between mine and I anchored you in place with my ankle as I moaned. "You feel so good, Tara."

"Baby, you're heaven," you breathed in my ear.

You ran you hand down my side, and under my shirt. Your fingers stroked the skin of my stomach, while mine wandered the lovely plains of your back. The dips and curves your shoulder blades made as you moved them, the velvety smooth skin so warm under the tips of my fingers.

I slid one hand down to cup your bottom, kneading the firm muscle and pushing us together more firmly. You nibbled down my throat, sucking leisurely and I urged the hand on my stomach up to my breast. You gently cupped my aroused nipple, and I could feel your head sag against my shoulder. You bit down on my shoulder, circling your hand before palming my hot flesh.

This made us both groan loudly. My hips seemed to have a life of their own, and we were grinding together fiercely. I pulled back for a moment and looked into your eyes. Something in the back of my mind clicked, "this is it" I thought, "am I ready?" I knew then without a doubt I wanted you more than I had ever wanted anything or anyone in my life.

You eased over to the side, and we both were panting. I rolled over with you so I was perched above you on my knees. I could see your pulse beating rapidly in your neck and I had to cover that spot with my mouth. To feel the rush of your blood and the beat of your heart against my tongue was beyond arousing. I knew I was going to leave a mark as I sucked at that bit of skin, but I didn't care and you didn't seem to mind either.

I didn't hesitate to put my hands on you, on your beautiful breasts. As I sucked at your throat I teased your nipples, pulling and pinching. Your hands were in my hair and you kept moaning "yes" over and over.

I couldn't stand it anymore I wanted to feel your skin against mine. I rose up on my knees, and slipped my shirt over my head. I looked down at you and nodded, your hands slipped to my waist easing up my ribcage until you firmly held both my breasts. My nipples were between your thumb and forefinger as you began to work me into a frenzy, there's no other way to put it.

I was moaning above you, when I started to paw at your shirt. I had gotten it up and over your head but since you had not let me go it was stuck at your forearms. I yanked at the shirt, and looked down at you. Your mouth kiss swollen, a dark bruise rising on your creamy flesh at your throat, your dusky nipples hard and proud. You looked so beautiful at that moment. I bent to take one of your nipples in my mouth, the silken feel against my tongue was almost too much for me and I started to shake.

You wrapped your arms and legs around me, holding me close. You stroked my hair as we caught our breath.

"I'm sorry," I whispered.

"For what?" you replied.

"Being a tease," I said as I pulled back to look you in the eye. "I don't mean to be, I just get a little overwhelmed. I don't want you to think that I don't want you either, because I do. God, I want you so much."

You took my hand and put it over your heart, and I could still feel it pounding. "Do you feel my heart, sweetie?" I nodded. "That's what you do to me." Then you slid my hand down, past the edges of the shorts, to your soaked panties. I audibly gulped. "Do you feel that?" I squeaked and nodded again. "That's what you do to me," you smiled.

"Are you ready for this? Do you want to do this, I mean?" I asked quietly. "I don't normally just jump into bed with every beautiful woman I meet."

"Willow, you know I don't take this lightly. We've spent the better part of the last four days taking about anything and everything, sleeping together, cuddling, crying, and laughing. You know I have too many other responsibilities in my life just jump into random women's beds, right?" You said and I nodded. "I've never met someone like you, where so many things just seemed to fall into place almost like magic. We don't have to decide the rest of our lives right this second, but I know I want to be with you. I want the rest of whatever to be ours."

"You picked me? Really?" I asked breathily.

You smirked and answered. "Well, why else would I let you keep your hand down my pants?"

"Eeep!" I started to pull my hand back, but stopped. I looked at you and lightly started to stroke you through the wet material. Your eyes darkened and your breathing hitched.

"Can we keep the light on?" I asked. "I want to see you while we make love."

You rolled your hips into my fingers. "Whatever you want, darling, whatever you need," you sighed. "Anything."

TBC…