FivebyFive89 – Here's hoping you get a break sometime soon!

ClauIloveDimitriBelikov – She really did, but she can start to recover now. Sorry it took so long for you to get into the board, some people seem to be getting more strife than others about accessing it…it's frustrating me too, hoping we can work it out soon.

sorry it's late, tech troubles!

Tara slipped her flat shoes over her feet and stood off the hospital bed, grateful to leave the uncomfortable gown behind.

The doctor had seen fit to discharge her when the migraine hadn't resurfaced, and Willow had collected the sleeping pills to get her through the next few days. Tara didn't think she'd need them, but she would take them to stop Willow from worrying.

Willow was delighted Tara was coming home and that she wouldn't have to fight her corner to stay another night, but was also wary that her girlfriend really understood that she had to rest. She was folding the blanket at the end of the bed and watching to make sure Tara was steady on her feet.

"I still think you should put this over you going home."

Tara looked over her shoulder.

"That's called stealing. And it's summer."

Willow patted the folded blanket with a sigh.

"It's kind of scratchy anyway."

"I'm okay now," Tara replied, checking the buttons on her blouse, "Though these work clothes make me feel like I'm doing a walk of shame."

"The doctor said you could still be vulnerable to the migraine returning," Willow replied with a sternly affectionate tone, "So we're taking it easy and that's non-negotiable."

Argument would have been futile, and Tara had gotten enough of a wake-up call to realise she needed to take it easy. She also needed to have someone to make it non-negotiable and was appreciating Willow being a hard-ass, albeit a gentle one.

"You ready?" Willow asked, coming up behind Tara and putting a hand on her shoulder.

Tara nodded.

"Did you ask the desk to call a cab? This place is off the public transport lines."

"Yeah, I figured that out the hard way," Willow replied with a roll of her eyes, "I asked Becky to swing by on her lunch break."

"She didn't have to do that," Tara said, confused, "It's out of her way. I don't want to bother her. Why can't we get a cab?"

"Payday isn't until tomorrow," Willow explained sheepishly, "She, um, brought me in last night too."

Tara hadn't been paying much attention to their finances, other than bumping up her hours when she anticipated perhaps paying for Abigail's medical testing herself.

"That was really nice of her," she replied, touched, "I'll be getting a good bit of overtime pay. We'll get her something nice."

Willow grinned.

"She would probably appreciate a six pack…man or beer variety. The beer will probably be easier to obtain."

Tara smiled too and leaned her head in on Willow's shoulder.

They left the room together, thankful to leave it behind and signed the discharge papers. When everything was in order, they went to wait outside, where Becky pulled up minutes later. She rolled down the window to wave to them.

"How's everyone doing?"

Tara crawled into the back seat and into the corner.

"I'm fine now, Becky. Just a migraine."

"'Just'," Willow muttered under her breath as she sat into the passenger side and secured her own seatbelt, "She's okay, Beck, just needs to rest."

Tara rested her head on the window and closed her eyes, still lethargic from the sedative.

What felt like moments later to her, she felt a bump and opened her eyes to see Becky pulling up on the curb outside their building.

She sat up, blinked and rubbed her eyes.

"Oh. We're home."

She stepped out of the car and smiled softly at Becky.

"Thank you so much. We owe you one."

Becky reached out through the window and put her hand in Tara's.

"I'm really glad you're okay."

They shared a smiled and Becky squeezed Tara's palm before releasing her. Willow came around from the passenger side and put an arm around Tara's waist.

"Thank you Becky!"

Becky waved and drove off again while Willow guided Tara into the building.

She fussed over Tara as they walked into the apartment, bringing her over to the couch and fluffing her cushions behind her.

Tara appreciated it, but stopped her by putting a hand on her wrist.

"Willow, I just had a migraine, not a baby."

Willow stepped back, but with her hands on her hips.

"I think you should be in bed."

"I don't need to be in bed. I'm perfectly fine on the couch," Tara insisted, but knew a resolve face when she saw one, "Okay, okay. I'll get into bed. But just for today."

She stood back up and was pretty much marched into the bedroom. Willow got on her knees to help take Tara's shoes off, then got her a pair of cool pyjama shorts and a tank top to change in to.

She stood up and wiped the sweat from brow with her forearm.

"I need to get the fan on in here."

She lugged it in from where it was beside the couch and set it in the corner of the bedroom on the oscillating setting so the room would stay cool. She then went to unplug the TV and lug it in.

Tara was putting her old clothes in the hamper and winced seeing Willow bend to get the television up on the dresser.

"You'll hurt your–"

It clanged into place and Willow wiped her hands off each other with a smile.

"All done. Now you'll be comfortable. Lie down please."

"Yes, mistress," Tara replied with a grin, actually able to relax for the first time in a long time as her body moulded into the mattress, "Lie with me?"

Willow plugged the TV into the wall, left the remote on Tara's nightstand and got into bed beside her, above the covers. She kicked off her shoes and fluffed Tara's pillows there too.

Tara let her but brought her attention back by playing with the ends of her hair. Willow settled in and Tara moved her hand down to brush her fingers against Willow's arm.

"Haven't had much time alone," she said, lifting her gaze to Willow's eyes, "We should talk about that."

She took her hand back so as not to seem like she was manipulating Willow's emotions with affection.

"You were pretty upset with me."

"It doesn't matter," Willow replied, though some hurt flashed in her eyes.

Tara shook her head.

"Yeah, it does. I wasn't treating you very well. I was moody and dismissive and neglectful."

"You had stuff going on," Willow replied with a one shoulder shrug, "I get it."

"It's not an excuse," Tara said and slipped her hand into Willow's, "I'm sorry. I'll be more aware in the future. Can you forgive me?"

Willow nodded and leaned in to press a tender kiss against Tara's lips. She held Tara's cheek and brushed their noses together, treating her gently so as not to disturb her recuperation. She was not-so-secretly delighted about all the time off, both for them to have some time together and so she could really make sure her girlfriend was nursed to full health.

"Did you have a good talk with Alice earlier? It was nice of her to come and organise everything for you."

Tara nodded, eyes fluttering closed.

"Much needed."

Willow was relieved.

"I know whatever was going on must have been really rough."

"It was…" Tara replied, exhaling a shaky breath, "But it got resolved today. At least…a big part of it."

"That's a relief, I'm sure," Willow comforted.

"You have no idea," Tara replied, pausing for a few moments before meeting Willow's eye, "There was a girl. A teenager. And…she was being abused by her stepfather. Sexually."

"That's awful," Willow said, eyes creasing.

Tara closed her eyes, shielding their pain.

"There were…complications and we were fighting in court and–" she stopped to catch her breath and avoid the tears, "It was just really hard."

She sniffled and buried her face into Willow's chest.

"I'm sorry, it's just been so difficult for her. It's not over but at least she can try to start recovering now. She's in a good home and I just wish…she just deserves some peace."

"She's gonna get it," Willow said softly, rubbing Tara's back, "'Cause of you. You did good, baby. You did good."

Tara didn't sob, but she did sniffle and dropped some tears onto Willow's shirt.

"I'm sorry."

"Don't be sorry," Willow replied, stroking Tara's hair and nuzzling her nose into her girlfriend's parting, "I'm glad you're able to talk to me. I felt so helpless, I knew you were in a bad place but I didn't know what I could do to help you."

She closed her arms around Tara and kissed her cheeks.

"Then we kinda had this wedge and you were stressed and I was mad and the wedge got bigger…" she explained with a sigh, "Anyway, I hate how things went but I'm glad we're back on the right path. We'll both take a break from worrying about work and lack-of-work stuff, how does that sound?"

Tara cuddled into Willow, face in her neck.

"That sounds good…" she whispered.

She hadn't had or allowed herself the opportunity to be so close to Willow in what, at that moment, felt like months. She inhaled softly and felt an enjoyable tingle start in her stomach and dip lower.

"Almost as good as you smell."

Willow felt butterflies flutter in her belly and she indulged in them for a few moments before gently pushing her girlfriend away.

"Tara…" she said, voice pained at having to resist, "You're just out of hospital."

Tara was suddenly quite filled with all the longing she had missed in the past few weeks.

"I feel good," she replied, offering up her sultry sideways smile, "But we could feel better…together."

Willow felt her resolve crumbling and had to really set her jaw to resist.

"You know I want to. But you have to rest. The doctor said so."

Tara tickled Willow's eat with her breath.

"I asked the doctor, she said it was okay…"

"You did?" Willow asked hopefully, then frowned, "No you didn't. You would have been too embarrassed. You knew the doctor, you're friends."

"Not Meg, the doctor who discharged me," Tara explained, then relented, "Okay, I didn't ask, but she was talking to me about triggers and treatments. She said sex can help. She really did say that."

Tara brushed her fingers against Willow's exposed collarbone.

"I know you know all about those endorphins…"

Willow did know the chemistry of sex, but also knew they were throwing caution to the wind a little bit. However, she wasn't exactly thinking with her head anymore. Tara's heaving cleavage in the tank top had put that option to bed quite a while ago.

Tara saw a flush rising on Willow's cheeks and could see the almost imperceptible squeezing of her thighs together.

"Would I lie to you to get you into bed?" she prompted, then gave a short nod and backed off when Willow didn't reply, "If you're not feeling it, it's okay. We'll watch a movie."

"Wait," Willow said quickly.

Her reasoning had flown out the window and her body would never forgive her if she gave up the opportunity. She pulled Tara back by the sleeve.

"You promise you feel up to it?"

Tara grinned.

"I'm not asking you to install a sex swing."

"Good, because I wouldn't know how!" Willow replied with a giggle.

Tara loved the way Willow's face lit up when she giggled and her skin tightened watching her girlfriend's tongue poke out between her teeth. She scooted back towards Willow and traced her jaw with her finger. Her finger travelled under Willow's chin and lifted it; bringing her in to plant their lips together.

Willow felt the last of her nerves melt away as Tara's lips tenderly touched hers.

Tara cupped Willow's cheek and opened her mouth to deepen the kiss. Willow moaned as Tara's tongue slid against hers and she reached behind to pull her girlfriend's tank top from her shorts.

Tara's hand slid down Willow's shoulder and rubbed her upper arm, then she kissed along the shoulder blade into the neck. As her lips pressed against the soft skin, her hands snaked between them and she began to unbutton her girlfriend's shirt.

Willow shrugged the shirt off her outer shoulder and freed her arm. She moved onto her back and yanked the other arm free, tossing her shirt somewhere off to the side. Her hand slid under Tara's tight tank; the material hugging her and making the curve of her bra-less breasts cling and swell, teasing Willow with their sight. She kissed Tara again and made herself hold back enough not to just throw her down and take her.

They'd spent so long bumbling around each other with little communication or contact and Willow was feeling everything she'd missed. She was trying to tame her spiralling arousal; still with some concern for 'taking it easy' for Tara's sake.

Her clit was already throbbing, so deeply that she could literally feel the blood rushing away from her head and down further.

Tara noticed Willow's lips slowed down, so she broke the kiss but kept their faces close and touching.

"Are you okay?" she whispered, hands moving to back of Willow's neck to massage her there.

Willow shuddered as Tara's fingertips tickled the short hairs on the nape of her neck. Her eyes opened and upon locking with Tara's, they darkened with lust. Her nails scraped Tara's abdomen, who exhaled a shaky moan and tugged Willow back down by the back of her neck to kiss her.

Tara pushed her straps down on her tank top and then pushed the material right down past her hips to avoid the parting of their lips by lifting it over her head.

Willow saw Tara's breasts bounce into view out of the corner of her eye and quickly reached behind herself to snap her own bra off. Tara pulled the straps down Willow's arms and off her, causing the bra to fall onto her stomach. She flicked it away and ran her hands up Willow's stomach to cup her breasts.

Willow moved to try and do the same but there were too many hands in the one place, so Tara graciously gave up her hold and reached down to pop Willow's pants button and unzip her.

Willow shuffled her hips to help get them off and sat back when they were at her knees to twist them the rest of the way. While there, she gathered the tank and shorts around Tara's hips and stripped them off as well.

She rubbed Tara's shins, slowly making her way up her girlfriend's knees and thighs. She kissed below Tara's bellybutton as her hands moved up and trailed her lips to Tara's breasts and up into her neck.

Her palm rolled over Tara's nipple as her lips teased the spot under her girlfriend's ear.

"Still feeling all of the good?"

Tara felt her nipple hardening with the same tingle that was prickling between her legs.

"All of the great," she breathed.

She felt a smile against her skin and turned her head towards Willow. Her palm curved around Willow's cheek and fingers splayed so she could hold her face for a long kiss.

Willow laid down on her back and pulled Tara on top of her, very gently. Their thighs rubbed and stomachs skimmed and breasts rolled into each other, making each moan into the other's mouth.

Tara trailed her fingertips down Willow's side and cupped a hand under her rear. She squeezed there, then dragged her hand between Willow's legs and pulled a finger up between her lips. She twirled that finger around and up to press against Willow's clit.

Willow's hips jerked and her mouth left Tara's for a moment to take in a deep breath before retaking her girlfriend's lip. She inhaled deeply the heat passing between them.

Tara felt her belly flop as the breath was pulled from her and pressed her body right into Willow, interlocking with her everywhere she could. A second finger rolled over Willow's clit and then both fingers slid down to enter her.

Willow's hands had been on Tara's butt and her nails proceeded to rake up her girlfriend's spine as she felt those long fingers fill her.

"Shit," she breathed, but Tara just moaned in her ear.

Willow hadn't meant to be so aggressive but Tara seemed to be enjoying it, and she had to trust her girlfriend would say stop if she needed to.

Tara felt Willow's legs fall open and used the space to slide her thumb up and add more clitoral friction. She felt Willow's moans vibrating against her lips, making her hips squirm with the gush of arousal it produced.

Willow felt Tara's pussy rub up against her thigh and loved how wet she was. She rolled them on their sides and her hand made a quest between Tara's legs to play with her clit.

"Oh," Tara said with a raspy undertone, twisting and thrusting her hips towards Willow's, "Ahh, oh, mmm…"

"Mmm," Willow returned, her muscles inside squeezing Tara as she started to come.

It all happened too fast for her to stop, her body wracking it out with her lips paused on Tara's.

Tara didn't mind waiting and just leisurely brushed her lips against Willow's until she recovered.

Willow's eyes settled on Tara and she sluggishly moved herself on top of her.

"Am I too heavy?" she asked in a whisper.

"You've never been too heavy," Tara replied in the same soft, sweet tone.

She smiled and kissed Willow again, who lifted Tara's leg over her hip. She ran her fingers through Tara's mound and between her lips, making sure she was plenty aroused before gently entering her.

Tara exhaled a slow breath, her hands moving behind Willow's head to cup it and bring them forehead-to-forehead. Their eyes were locked and giving her all the intensity she needed and craved, boring into her from Willow's electric green eyes.

She opened her mouth on Willow's lips, kissing her deeply and all but devouring her.

Willow used her other hand to guide Tara's arms above her head, where she pinned her by the wrists. She returned the kiss just as passionately, letting herself be unrestrained.

When Tara broke away to breathe, Willow needed more in her mouth, so she moved it down to Tara's chest, kissing and licking her breasts and nipples wherever her lips landed. She released Tara's wrists to have her palm follow.

She loved the coarse feeling of Tara's areola pebbling against her lips and the erotic scrape of her teeth against the straining nipple.

Tara's head lolled back against the pillows as her hips and chest lifted into Willow, craving more of her touch. The scratch of Willow's teeth made her clench hotly and pull Willow deeper inside.

She was already close and could feel that expanding heat escaping through her pores. She lifted Willow's mouth from her nipple and brought her up, yearning for more of her kiss. She couldn't get enough.

Willow could feel Tara's need in her lips and the desperate clutching on her back. She curled her fingers inside and used all the weight in her hips to thrust, without putting any extra weight on Tara.

"Yeah…yeah…mmm…"

Tara's hands slid up Willow's back and around to hold her face again. With her fingers splayed on Willow's cheeks and lips catching a last breath, she came hard, with her eyelids fluttering.

Their eyes were locked again and Tara managed to stay focused without their gaze breaking. She blinked a few times as the rush tapered off and she pressed her lips up against Willow's again, breathing her first breath through Willow's mouth.

Willow gently eased Tara's leg down and slowly pulled out, continuing to rub her lips up and down.

Tara's hands dropped, finger by finger as her body relaxed into the bed.

"I love you," she whispered between a kiss.

"I love you too," Willow whispered back.

She continued to kiss Tara, softly nipping at her lips, then at her throat before shuffling off to let their sweaty bodies' breath.

Tara reached out to grasp Willow's wrist.

"Don't go too far."

Willow turned onto her stomach and crossed her arms under her head.

"I'm not," she reassured, kissing Tara's shoulder, "Your colour is a lot better…you were so pale."

Tara grinned as her toes curled, ankles turning inwards before they released again.

"Well I certainly feel a lot better," she said and gently twirled some of Willow's hair around her finger, "And closer to you…"

Willow dropped her chin against Tara's shoulder and kissed the blade again.

"It sucks when we're out of sync."

Tara brushed her fingers against Willow's cheek with remorse. She placed her palm flat while her fingertips tickled the curve of Willow's ear.

"Wanna watch something together?" she suggested, hoping to extend their quality time.

Willow grinned.

"You've lucked out, you have a resident Daytime TV expert in your midst," she said as she rolled onto her back to grab the remote, "I normally watch Ellen around now. You know, solidarity and all."

Tara offered a fistbump, which Willow returned. She flicked through the channels until it was on the right one and secured the sheet loosely over them.

They cuddled as they watched the talk show, just savouring being together.

"We should get a TV in here all the time," Willow commented after a while.

Tara turned her head towards Willow and shook it.

"No way. It ruins romances. Your phone is bad enough," she said with a serious but still slightly teasing grin, "It does have an appeal though. Bed cuddles are nice."

Willow wrapped her arms tight around Tara and rolled over on top. She pressed her lips against Tara's, a soft brushing together and a nose nuzzle for emphasis.

"All cuddles are nice."

Tara brought her hands up to hold Willow's face, fingertips grazing her cheeks.

"I missed you," she whispered, only audible because of their proximity.

Willow inhaled one of Tara's breaths and let its warmth fill her.

"I missed you too."

Tara pulled Willow's face down again for a tender, gratifying smooch. Willow curled herself around Tara's side and started to trace her collarbone.

Tara found herself doing something similar on Willow's hip.

"How have you been doing?"

"Same old Willow," Willow answered with a slightly self-deprecating smile, "Kinda been putting an intermission on the job search. The constant rejection was bringing me down."

Tara smiled sympathetically.

"Love you," she said with a reassuring kiss to Willow's cheek, "What else is going on?"

Willow thought for a moment.

"I've been kicking Brian's ass at Xbox. That's a games console, by the way."

"I bet you have," Tara replied encouragingly, "What else?"

Willow couldn't think of anything thrilling off the top of her head.

"I mastered the quesadilla."

"Wow, I can't wait to try it," Tara said with genuine enthusiasm, smiling for a moment before it faltered, "I've really been shutting you out. It stops now and I'm really sorry."

Willow's gaze lifted to Tara's, who kept it.

"And I'm sorry I scared you."

Willow's eyes clouded.

"It was scarier than the allergic reaction. I almost set the place on fire because I forgot I was cooking and then…"

"What?" Tara asked softly.

Willow dropped her gaze again.

"I was frazzled and I didn't think to remember to say you were my sister. The nurse got all huffy and tried to get me kicked out."

Tara's eyebrows shot up and then she moved her hand up to rub Willow's arm.

"Honey…I'm so sorry."

Willow shrugged one shoulder.

"It's no big deal. Your nice doctor friend stuck up for me. I would've handcuffed myself to you if I'd had to."

"You shouldn't have had to," Tara replied, shaking her head, "I love you for fighting for me."

Willow looked up again.

"I'd go down kicking and screaming if I had to. I wasn't about to let go of your hand."

They leaned in and met each other half way for yet another kiss.

"I'll try not to scare you again," Tara promised as they parted.

"Take care of yourself," Willow insisted.

Tara nodded.

"Yes. I promise."

"And I'll be taking care of you too," Willow vowed, "I will make you something delicious and nutritious. Wait, I might actually have something in my repertoire; my Bubbe's matzo ball soup. I helped her sometimes when I was a kid."

"Sounds yummy," Tara replied, feeling a pang of hunger at the thought.

Willow sat up and swung her legs over the bed.

"You rest and stay tuned for Judge Judy. Now there's a ball buster."

"How long are you going to imprison me?" Tara asked dramatically.

Willow leaned over for a last kiss before standing.

"It's called loving you, doofus. Suck it up."

"I love you too," Tara answered, shifting her hips and feeling a different pang as she watched Willow's nude body move around the room.

Willow found a Kermit the frog t-shirt to put on with some sweats.

"And hopefully you won't be in bed for long – if my Bubbe was right, this soup has healing properties to rival the biggest pharmacy."

Tara lifted an eyebrow.

"Something tells me not to argue with an old Jewish grandmother or her equally stubborn Jewish granddaughter."

Willow grinned over her shoulder.

"Good call," Willow replied, tying the strings on her sweats, "Now I shall go fill you with my goodness."

Tara smirked.

"Is that not what you just did?"

"Of the nutritious kind," Willow clarified while fighting a blush, "I better not see you out of bed…"

"Yes, ma'am," Tara answered diligently.

She rested her head back on the pillow and closed her eyes, smiling.

Being sick was never fun, but being taken care of was a novelty she'd never get tired of.

Especially if it involved staying in bed with Willow.