Cameron,



Calling this praise in from a boring and tedious L.A. buisness trip... LOVE the update! I am so relieved and happy that they talked AND Tara agreed to a movie AND Willow is not a spy. Seems to me there may yet be angst ahead though...? I love your story. I especially loved the introduction of Cordy, Harmony and Amy. I can just imagine the catty Cordy and Harmony and the sly, sneaky Amy. That look she has always creeped me out! Please write more as soon as you can!







PS - I would never interpret your comments as a plea for me to update the Rosenberg Institute. I know you would not go that low!! Seriously though, my private time has been held hostage by my evil parental units visiting from NZ, their new home. The guest room has the computer in it and they go to sleep really, really early. I've even tried writing at work but I can't do it...trying to write sex while your boss is feet away is just wrong somehow. Cheers!

-pipsberg



"We live our lives, do whatever we do, and then we sleep - it's as simple and ordinary as that."

Michael Cunningham, The Hours

Yikes, that isn't a stenographer's pool - with all those scary women around, it's more like an aquarium with piranhas in! Poor Tara, still it's all for the cause, right?



Willow's bravery in confronting Tara is somewhat uncharacteristic until we take into consideration the fact that her feelings for Tara are probably what are prompting her to be so committed to resolving the situation with Tara.



The books Tara found are interesting. She now is totally convinced of Willow's innocence. Will Riley et al be, though?



Thanks so much for the update. I'm going to be away for over a week, and I expect lots of new chapters when I get back, okay?

---

True, Riley's one-dimensional... but come on, he's Riley - he should take his one dimension and be grateful for it



Now, this is an interesting revelation, and throws a new light on a lot of things. Willow's reluctance to explain her whereabouts and so forth may well just be reluctance to be regarded as an occult-believing nutcase. But something in that doesn't sit right with me... and when Giles called her in a previous chapter, she said she had 'nothing new to report'. New what? Books she'd found in the library? What if she's doing more than just helping Giles with historical research into the occult - what if it's for real?



That raises the question: is it just a coincidence that Willow was suspected of the Venona breach, and Tara was assigned to check into her? Or is Travers secretly interested in more than codebreaking?



I loved the typing pool scenes Something about Amy made me wary though, I don't trust people who eavesdrop without wanting to look like it.

Chris Cook

Through the Looking-glass

A Willow and Tara for every world.

Whoa! Kick ass update. That scene was hot!! Even though I wanted to read more, it's good that Tara put the breaks on. Darn her responsible nature!! I can't wait for more.

-pipsberg



"We live our lives, do whatever we do, and then we sleep - it's as simple and ordinary as that."

Michael Cunningham, The Hours

Whoa! that got a little nuts... man almost smut... poo... thats okay i'll live..



-reds



my banana dances for smut

Tara in a wet shirt, Tara in a wet shirt. Tara in. A. Wet. Shirt. “Of course.”-Willow From Remember to Breath By Yellow Crayon



Now that just sucks- me

Hiya Kittens!Feedback first, then Chapter Fourteen.I'd like to say that I'm continually amazed at the number of views, and I’d like to give my heartfelt thanks to everyone for reading.





shuyaku:

Quote:I think it will be harder on Tara to come clean than for Willow
You’re absolutely right, but neither will be happening just yet.





amazonaa:
Thanks Brittney!Glad you liked it.I think I mentioned before that I patterned this Willow on the spazzy high school version, except that she's clearly pretty at ease with her budding lesbianism.



ladydameon:
If you're referring to where Willow was going after lunch with Tara, then she was guilted into going to class.Also, Tara is not a witch--no supernatural or magically inclined beings of any kind here.



pipsberg:
Thanks for the praise, Pips!Yes there will be a heaping serving of angst, a side of smoochies, and a smattering of action before all is done.


Visiting relatives--my condolences.Now that we actually have a guest room, I'm terrified that actual guests are going to want to use it.




I see what you mean about writing sex at work, but the knowledge that there will be sex is enough for me to continue waiting patiently.



mollyig:
Yikes, piranha tank!*jumps bravely into water to pull Tara out, accepts grateful hug*


You're right that Willow's feelings for Tara are driving her to act, but I think she could always pe pretty proactive when motivated.



Artemis:
LOL about your summation of Riley--he was dubbed Captain Cardboard for a reason, wasn't he?



Quote:she said she had 'nothing new to report'
Actually, she didn't use the word 'report.'Not that it necessarily means anything, but then again, the ENTIRE story could hinge on that one conversation.









Title: Secrets and Spies
Author: Tarawhipped (Cameron)
Email: tarawhipped@hotmail.com
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: All characters are property of Joss Whedon/Mutant Enemy
Feedback: Yes please!
Distribution: Sure, just tell me where so I can visit!
Chapter notes: Thoughts in
italics







Chapter Fourteen: Various Interruptus





Tara felt an enormous weight lifted off her shoulders as she packed up Willow’s books and locked them back in the drawer.The doubts that had plagued her over the past day now vanquished, she was determined to bring the investigation to a swift conclusion.With no damning evidence in the house, and the association with Rupert Giles apparently scholarly in nature, Tara was sure that Travers and Finn would shut down the surveillance.



Willow will be cleared, and then—,
Tara’s buoyant mood deflated in an instant.
And then I’ll be moving back to my drab, lonely apartment, and I’ll have to tell her who I am…and…and then she’ll never speak to me again.



The agent knew she was jumping to conclusions, but very little in her past had led her to place trust in optimism.This time she desperately wanted to believe it would work out, but her pessimistic nature worked against her.The strength of her feelings toward Willow—after knowing the woman less than a week—continued to amaze her.She knew she could never simply walk away from Willow, but that didn’t mean that Willow wouldn’t walk away from her.



She’d have every right to,
Tara told herself.
She may be keeping secrets too, and God only knows what her reasons are, but lying about what subjects you’re studying in school just does not compare to what I’ve been doing.She knows my real name, and that’s pretty much it.Okay, gotta stop wallowing here and go report.This isn’t about me, it’s about clearing Willow’s name.









When Tara arrived at her building, she found it practically deserted.Unable to find Finn, she walked down the hall to Travers’ office.Miss Summers looked up from her magazine and stopped smacking her gum as Tara approached.


“He’s not in,” she stated, not waiting for the question.


Tara frowned in irritation.


“Do you know when he’ll be back?”


“Couple days at least—he had to fly to London for some big meeting or something.”


“Just great.Where’s Agent Finn?”


“He’s gone too,” she pouted.“Washington D.C.”


“Um…Buffy, right?Did he say when he’d be back?”Upon receiving a jealous glare, she quickly added, “I-it’s about a case, it’s important.”


“Tomorrow morning—he just had to meet a guy about another guy.”


Tara mumbled thank you and left.It was just after 4 pm, and not knowing when Willow would be home, the agent decided to pay a visit to a friend.








“So they’ve both gone off for meetings about who knows what, and I have to learn about it from Travers’ secretary?!Can you believe this?!Never mind that I just turned up some pretty important information and who am I supposed to report it too, huh?!Buffy?!This is such…
bullshit
, Sue!”


The brunette quirked an eyebrow at her irate friend, who continued to pace around the living room.


“Whoa, settle down there sailor—you want a cigarette and a shot of whiskey to go with that mouth?”Her attempt at humor rewarded with a stern glance, Sue held up her hands in surrender.


“Hey, I’m on your side.I agree it’s inconvenient but, so what?So you have to wait one day—I don’t see why you’re getting so worked up about it, Tare.”


The agent moved to sit next to her friend, leaning her head on the other woman’s shoulder and letting out a long sigh.


“I just want it to be over…but...but I’m terrified of what’s going to happen when it is,” she confessed.


“Oh right, I know this one—this is the one where everything goes to hell and you just accept it because it’s what you think you deserve.”


Tara stiffened and moved to stand up, but was restrained by a strong hand on her arm.


“
That’s
what’s bullshit, Tare.You have a job to do, and if it wasn’t you, someone else would be doing it—someone who wouldn’t care about her, and who might not do it as well.If she can’t understand that, then you make her understand.And if she means that much to you, you fight to keep her.Life’s dealt you a couple of bad hands, kiddo, but they won’t all be, and you deserve as much happiness as anyone I know.You just gotta stop dropping out of the race before it’s even started, or you’re never gonna win.”


Tara had sat motionless throughout her friend’s speech, but when she felt the blonde’s body relax, Sue knew she had gotten her point across.


“So, do you have any more metaphors to throw at me, or are we done here?”


“Go ahead and mock me,” the brunette replied dramatically.


“I believe I just did,” Tara laughed.


“You’re such a pain in the ass, Maclay,” Sue retorted, kissing the top of Tara’s head and lightly shoving her shoulder.“Now get the hell out of my house, I have a date to get ready for.”



Yeah, me too,
thought Tara with a smile, as she departed the house in a much improved mood.








Willow had been home when she arrived, and after a quick bite to eat, they headed to the Sunnydale Cinema for the early showing of Alfred Hitchcock’s ‘Shadow of a Doubt.’Reminding her of the radio incident, Tara playfully insisted that Willow would just get scared.The redhead protested, claiming that it was the storm that had caused her reaction that night.Several hours and one extremely large sundae from the ice cream parlor later, the women returned home.


“I just don’t know why you think you like suspense so much—you hardly even saw any of the film.”


“I did so,” Willow replied in a small voice.


“But you had your face buried in my neck the whole t—,” realization dawned on Tara and she abruptly turned to face the redhead, who stood rocking on her feet and whistling, hands folded behind her back, eyes directed at the ceiling.


“Why Miss Rosenberg!You weren’t scared at all!You were trying to get fresh with me!”


Tara’s attempts to maintain a stern expression were foiled by the wide grin plastered on the redhead’s face, and soon both girls were giggling hysterically.After a moment, Willow clutched her stomach.


“Oh…ow…I think I…ow…maybe ate too much…oh…ice cream,” she managed to get out through her laughter.


“You think?” Tara asked through her own tears.“You ate an entire Sundae Ship, Will!Those are made for two people, and I only had maybe two bites.”


“Okay…ow…so, not my best idea…oh, ow…this hurts.”


“Are you going to be sick?” Tara asked, her mirth suddenly replaced by concern.


“Ughh…no?…I think I just need to lie down.”


With Tara’s support, Willow shuffled to her bedroom, where the blonde ordered her to lie on her back.


“I know something that might help…if you want me to try.”


As Willow nodded, Tara moved to sit on the edge of the bed, curling one leg in front of her.She tugged the prone woman’s blouse free of her skirt and began to undo the lowest few buttons.Willow watched Tara’s face intently.The blonde’s gaze remained focused on the redhead’s stomach, now covered only by a thin chemise.Tara placed her palm flat against the smooth surface and began to move her hand clockwise in wide circles.Willow’s eyes drifted closed under the soothing pressure.


“This okay?” Tara whispered.


“Mmmm,” was all Willow could manage.After several minutes she opened her eyes, sighing at the sight of Tara gazing back at her, an unmistakable look on her face.Willow stilled the hand on her stomach and stood up.Never breaking eye contact, she silently finished unbuttoning her blouse and shrugged it off of her shoulders, letting it drop to the floor.Reaching behind her back she lowered the zipper on her skirt, allowed it too to fall, and stepped out of it.Blue eyes dropped to the clothing pooled on the floor, then slowly drifted upward to meet sparkling green.Willow resumed her pose on the bed, clad only in her slip and chemise, which she pulled up until it reached just to the underside of her breasts.Taking the blonde’s hand in her own, she gently placed it back on her now bare stomach.Tara resumed the circling motion while Willow let her own hand rest on the blonde’s knee.


The sensation of touching Willow's naked skin sent tingles shooting up Tara’s arm from her fingertips to her shoulder.As blue eyes searched green, another stronger reaction coursed through her body, pulsing down from her heart to her stomach and finally settling between her legs.Her breath hitched and her cheeks blushed as she realized the extent of her arousal.


Tara felt Willow’s hand slide up her knee to her thigh, where it gently massaged the taut muscle.Without conscious thought, the blonde ceased her hand’s circling and began caressing up the redhead’s side.When her thumb brushed the side of a breast, both women released a soft moan.


Willow was sitting up in an instant, holding Tara’s face in her hands and kissing her hungrily.Tongues slipped past compliant lips as mouths opened to each other’s need.Tara snaked one hand around the redhead’s neck as the other kneaded a small firm breast.Willow’s hands dropped from Tara’s face to the front of her blouse, where they began working frantically at the top button.


Sometime around the third button, Tara realized what was happening.With every ounce of willpower she had, she took Willow’s hands in her own, and pulled away from the redhead’s enticing lips.


“Willow, w-we have to stop…it’s t-too soon.”


“But…ehh…we…I…oh…really?” she sputtered, the disappointment evident in her voice.


“I’m s-sorry…I shouldn’t have let it…it’s just…I just can’t—not yet,” Tara said quietly, avoiding the redhead’s eyes.
Not til I can be honest with you,
she added to herself.


Willow lifted the blonde’s chin up and smiled at her warmly.


“It’s okay, Tara.You’re right.It’s not like we planned—I mean, you were just trying to make my tummy all better—which it is, by the way—and then it all of a sudden it’s like, whoa!…and then with the kissing and the touching and the moaning and—”


“This really isn’t helping sweetie.”


“Oh, right…sorry.Would, would you at least…you know…like to…uh, stay here…with me?” Willow asked in a small, hopeful voice.Her forehead creased as Tara shook her head no.


“You’re too tempting,” Tara explained with a sexy half-smile.“I think it would be, um safer tonight if I go to my room.I’ll see you in the morning, okay?”


The redhead attempted to sway the blonde with pouting, but was forced to settle for a lingering goodnight kiss.As the door closed, Willow lay back in the bed, thoughts of Tara swimming through her head.



Okay Rosenberg, tomorrow you’re going to tell her the truth.



Tara leaned against the other side of the door, trying to steady her heartbeat as images of Willow flashed through her brain.



Okay Maclay, tomorrow you’re going to tell her the truth.








TBC in Chapter Fifteen











What should I be but just what I am?
- Edna St.Vincent MillayEdited by: tarawhipped at: 9/4/04 6:18 pm

Truth be told.





More soon, please.





brittney







"Arn't you going to tell to 'break a leg'?"

"Break 'em both." Amber Benson as Cheyenne in The Crush

Okay, yes, she said they had nothing new (I was just going from memory). So she could just be helping Giles out with historical research into the occult. *Or* she could be part of a top-secret Allied magic project... see, this is why my suspicions are unreliable, I *always* see threats to the safety of the entire planet. On the up side, I guess I'd be prepared. On the down side, I guess I have to admit that it's more likely that there *aren't* giant robots behind it all...



Well, tomorrow should be interesting. Both Willow and Tara have been keeping secrets, though I sense Tara's more upset by it - which is understandable I guess, she showed up under false pretenses after all, while Willow has only lied about her witchcrafty studies, and otherwise been quite open. So I'm wondering, how will they each react? How upset will Will be to find out that Tara's been keeping a 'big' secret? How will Tara react to finding out Willow's - will it upset her, or will she find hope that Willow will understand her reasons better, due to having been in a similar situation?



And will they be in time to stop the Third Reich from creating dark-magic-powered super-soldiers?



(Sorry... force of habit... )



And on top of all of this... so who *is* the Rose?

Chris Cook

Through the Looking-glass

A Willow and Tara for every world.

Awwwww, bless them. They want each other so much, but they both don't want to be holding back information, they want to tell the truth. I wounder what Willow's hiding? I'm all curious!

Okay, just catching this UD, and boy am I glad I did. This was very nice...with the tummy rubs and the kissing and moaning, and...oh my. How can they stop like that?



Can't wait for more!



Wimpy

"There was plenty of magic." ~ Tara

As determined as Tara was to try to make it up to Willow for the deceit, I think she really needed that talk with Sue to convince her that she had to approach it in a positive way. For someone who has obviously been hurt so much in the past, it would have been easy for her to convince herself that it was futile to hope.



I liked the ending of this chapter, with both girls committed to being utterly truthful with the other.

---

Howdy Kittens!Sorry for the delay in updating, but I’m getting over a nasty case of creative slump.Luckily, as it turns out, my internet went out on Friday, leaving me with no other fics to distract me all weekend, and I was forced to work on my own.So Chapter Fifteen is here, and the rough draft of 16 is almost done.But first, here’s responses to the lovely feedback you so generously gave me.



pipsberg:
Thank you, Pips!Yeah, Tara and her damn morals.The breaks will fail at some point, though (just not yet)





WickedReds:
I’m glad you’ll live, Reds.I’m fairly certain that ‘almost smut’ is not life-threatening.



amazonaa:
Truth is on the way, Brittney.Well, in part, but not in the next chapter.Sorry.



Artemis:
Tara definitely has more to fear, at least in her own mind. Since she believes she knows Willow’s secret (note the clever attempt to make you wonder if there’s more than one), she’s able to prepare herself for the revelation.Willow does not have that luxury, so her response is more uncertain.


As for your other theories, Chris…oh what the hell…Riley
IS
actually a giant KGB robot from outer space…with multiple personality disorder…in fact, he’s both the Brit AND the Rose…yeah, that’s it!Okay, THE END.





veiled isis moon:
Both are at the point where they trust each other and want to be honest, but if it were that easy…come on, I gotta throw at least one more barrier in their way!



wimpy0729:
Thanks Wimpy!How can they stop like that, you ask?Simple.They are just sock puppets in my evil sock puppet theater to drive Kittens insane! Muwahaha!Seriously, I’m just not ready to write full-on smut.But it’ll happen.



mollyig:
Yeah, I kinda realized I painted Tara into a corner of negativity and really just needed some way to jerk her out of it.So I plunked Sue back in for an encore—I’m glad you like the scene.




Thank you to everyone reading.







Title: Secrets and Spies
Author: Tarawhipped (Cameron)
Email: tarawhipped@hotmail.com
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: All characters are property of Joss Whedon/Mutant Enemy
Feedback: Yes please!
Distribution: Sure, just tell me where so I can visit!
Chapter notes: Thoughts in
italics







Chapter Fifteen: The Connection





“Don’t sit under the apple tree with anyone else but me, anyone else but me, anyone else but me…”


Tara woke to the sound of Willow singing in the shower.The blonde stretched luxuriously and absent-mindedly touched her fingertips to her lips, a smile spreading across her face as she thought about the previous evening.Happily listening to Willow’s warbling, Tara laughed and pulled on her robe when the chorus degenerated into a rousing strain of la-la-las.



Someone’s in a good mood.And none of the Andrews Sisters need to worry about being replaced.



The blonde ambled into the kitchen and set about making coffee and breakfast.She had just finished mixing a bowl of pancake batter when Willow emerged from the bathroom in the same short robe that had so flustered the agent a few days before.Expecting the redhead to dress before eating, Tara was pleasantly surprised when sure hands encircled her waist and pulled her back into a close embrace.Through the thin layers of material she could feel pert breasts pressing into her back and slightly damp skin soaking through her nightclothes.One of Willow’s hands moved to pull the blonde’s hair back, exposing a long expanse of neck that the redhead began placing gentle kisses on.Tara set the bowl down with shaky hands, closing her eyes as her body responded to the sensations.After a few moments she let out a stifled gasp, and could feel Willow smile into her neck.


“Mmmm…good morning,” the redhead whispered, her voice low and sultry.Tara turned in her arms and was met with a decidedly smug expression and dancing green eyes.


“Morning, sweetie.You look awfully pleased with yourself,” the blonde teased with a grin.“I take it you slept well?”


“Mm-hmm,” Willow replied as she leaned in to continue her attention on Tara’s neck, delighting in the blonde’s reactions as her lips brushed over the soft skin.“I had…mmm…such a nice dream…and I woke up feeling…sooo satisfied…but then I…came in here…and now I’m…mmmm all…hungry again.”


It took all Tara’s restraint not to tear off Willow’s robe and make love to her right then and there.Whether it was the teasing words, or the huskiness of her voice, or the way their bodies fit together so perfectly, Tara couldn’t be sure.She only knew that in just a few short minutes the redhead had brought her to a state of arousal that was quickly cutting off her ability to think clearly.When Willow abruptly stepped away, the blonde’s addled brain silently cried out at the loss of contact.


“So I guess I should let you finish making breakfast.Ooh!Pancakes!”


Tara’s brow furrowed and her eyes passed dumbly from the bowl on the counter to Willow, who stood pouring coffee and smiling sweetly.The look of innocence on the redhead’s face contrasted sharply with her pose as she leaned one arm on the counter and gazed at her housemate.Tara sensed that the other woman was fully aware that her stance caused the robe to part slightly, providing the blonde with a tantalizing view of the inner curve of Willow’s breasts.



Vixen,
Tara thought, as she turned to pour batter into the pan.
Well, Miss Rosenberg, two can play that game.



“This’ll be a few minutes—why don’t you go and get dressed while I set the table.”


“Oh, that’s okay, I can change after we eat.I’d rather stay and…give you a hand?”


Tara bit her lip to stifle a giggle at the innuendo.Turning her head, she regarded Willow seriously.


“Sweetie, I don’t want you catching a cold, and you don’t want to be late for school.I’ve got everything under control here—you go ahead.”


Tara nearly laughed again at the disgruntled look on Willow’s face as she finally relented and disappeared into her room.Breakfast was spent discussing the news and their day’s plans.Shy glances from previous occasions were replaced with lingering looks.When the time came for Willow to leave for class, Tara slipped an arm around the redhead’s waist and walked her to the door.Before it could be opened, the blonde pulled her close, moving her free hand to the back of Willow’s head as she crushed their mouths together in a smoldering kiss.Tara sucked the redhead’s bottom lip between her own, running the tip of her tongue over the trapped flesh.When she felt Willow’s body begin to sag, Tara stepped back to look with amusement at the sight of the other woman wobbling slightly, mouth hanging open and eyes glazed.



Gotcha,
she congratulated herself.


“Have a good day, sweetie,” she said sincerely.“Oh, and Willow?Since you seem so…famished today, maybe we can see about satisfying your, um, appetite this evening.”


Not bothering to suppress her grin this time, Tara gently nudged Willow out the door and onto the porch, where the redhead stood for a long moment, jaw slack and eyes widening.






An hour later, when Tara walked into her office, she was relieved to see Riley back and working at his desk.As he finished a phone call, she waited at the door, letting her mind wander to thoughts of Willow.She felt a remarkable lack of apprehension at how quickly their relationship was progressing.With other women, Tara had always put up a wall, physically and emotionally.The one or two actual dates she had gone on—at Sue’s insistence—had been painfully awkward.The agent shook her head at the memory of the most recent, an aircraft riveter actually named Rosie who had, when her advances were spurned, openly questioned Tara’s lesbianism.With Willow, however, she had at last found what was missing: the spark that told her ‘this is the one.’She’d begun to doubt its existence until it had been ignited by the redhead.Knowing that the other woman felt the same gave Tara the courage to face any consequences of her necessary deceit.And she had no doubt that Willow wanted her too—her behavior that morning proved it.Her own boldness astonished her, yet she had no misgivings, so long as they could somehow get beyond the circumstances of their introduction.


“MACLAY,” Riley barked, breaking the blonde’s train of thought.“Are you just going to stand in my doorway daydreaming or are you here for a reason?”


Tara felt herself begin to blush, but refused to drop her eyes, determined to appear confident in front of her boss.She moved to the chairs across from Finn’s desk, but remained standing.


“Sir, I’ve completed my search of Wil—Miss Rosenberg’s house, and turned up no evidence of her involvement in any espionage.The drawer I told you about only contained some books and notes on paganism and witchcraft—apparently she’s been studying under the tutelage of Mr. Giles.Considering the circumstances I believe that there is nothing to indicate that she is the Rose, and I would recommend discontinuing the surveillance.Sir,” she added in conclusion, somewhat irritated that Finn had not stopped looking at the papers in front of him throughout her report.


“Have a seat, Agent Maclay.”


Tara complied as Riley reached for a file, which he tossed across the desk at her.She hesitantly opened it as Riley began reciting.


“Rupert Giles—British citizen, currently a visiting professor of anthropology at University of California, Sunnydale, 46 years old, never married, no children, no criminal record, no known subversive associations, enlisted in the Royal Navy in 1914, served with distinction in the Great War, injured in 1916, honorably discharged, after which he studied at Oxford under Henry Wyndham-Pryce.You recognize the name?”


Riley paused to glance at Tara, whose face was tensed with concentration as an uneasy feeling gripped the pit of her stomach.She nodded stiffly and Finn continued.


“Well, then you know that Wyndham-Pryce is the hotshot classical linguist who helped put together the team that cracked the German ENIGMA code.He recruited a number of his more promising students, past and present, including one Rupert Giles.Mr. Giles didn’t stay with the program, but he was involved long enough to attend a joint U.S.-British cryptanalyst conference in Washington D.C. last November, where we have witness testimony that he met a Miss Willow Rosenberg.Then, surprise surprise, two months ago, they both relocate to Sunnydale, California.Now maybe they’re just a couple of wackos studying the occult together, but why does that seem like too much of a coincidence to me?”


Before Tara could answer—luckily, she thought, as she had none—Buffy ducked her head into the office to deliver a telegram from Commander Travers.Riley read it in silence, then looked up with a self-satisfied smile.


“Well, looks like we have our chance to nail them.”


Tara shifted uncomfortably at Finn’s words.
Has she been playing me for a fool all along?
she thought, but just as quickly squelched the idea.


“Another transmission between the Brit and the Rose has been intercepted.They’ve arranged a meeting to hand over information.”


“With all due respect, sir, Wi—Miss Rosenberg and Mr. Giles seem to meet regularly already.If they are in fact our suspects, why would they need to arrange a specific meeting in code?”


Finn frowned as he seemed to consider the agent’s words, then shrugged noncommittally.


“Maybe, but why do Commie spies do anything?In any event, we’ll find out their real identities on Friday night, one way or another.Until then, you’re going to stay where you are—understood?”


“Yes sir,” Tara mumbled.
Okay, two more days. Two more days of hiding the truth and not touching her—well not too much, anyway.This stinks.



As she reached the door she turned back to Finn.


“Sir?Where’s the meeting taking place?”


“USO dance at the Sunnydale Lodge.If Rosenberg and Giles don’t show, then I guess they’re off the hook.”







TBC in Chapter Sixteen











What should I be but just what I am?
- Edna St.Vincent Millay

Cameron,



Great update! The flirting is HOT and I love sexually aggressive Willow. She's really opening up. Of course, I am cringing for the angst which I see looming up ahead. I can't wait for more Tara/Willow action. I love this!!

-pipsberg



Please visit my Breast Cancer 3-Day donation page HERE to help me fight cancer!



"We live our lives, do whatever we do, and then we sleep - it's as simple and ordinary as that."

Michael Cunningham, The Hours

I feel it too. The angst. Everything is going to come crashing down... I just know it. But until then, I very much enjoy the cuteness between W/T. Wonderful update, thanks.



Yvonne

dum, dum, dumm! I guess we're finally gonna know whether Willow is a naughty girl or whether the secret agents have it wrong.



I loved the flirting during the morning, that was so funny! Both of them trying to out do each other, gotta say, i think Tara won that one hands down!



.......and poor Tara having to keep her hands to herself for another two whole days, apart from the ocassional kiss that will probably lead to the losing of clothing! Oh well.

Flirting in the morning what a way to start a day... Mmm i wonder is willow our naughty spy??? Lets just hope she's not that would suck big time.. great update.. even thought there wasn't any smut... ur dream smut was excellent... write real smut... ur good at it..



-reds



my banana dances for smut

Tara in a wet shirt, Tara in a wet shirt. Tara in. A. Wet. Shirt. “Of course.”-Willow From Remember to Breath By Yellow Crayon



Now that just sucks- me

Oh crap!



Not more waiting! After that night before, and then the morning flirting, and that...um...yummy robe. Okay, I know what I want for breakfast--two sassy eggs...sunny side up!



Please, please let stupid Finn be wrong.



Uggghh...two more agonizing days.



Hurry please. I don't think I can take much more.



Wimpy

Okay, I take the hint - no more giant robot talk



Why do I get the feeling that Willow is going to want to go to the USO dance for some reason or other? And just when Tara was looking forward to coming clean with Willow, she'll a) have to restrain herself again, no doubt confusing Willow, and b) be second-guessing herself all the way, leading to erratic behaviour, no doubt confusing Willow more. And confused Willow will probably confuse Tara more, and it'll all get twisted up in knots... sigh. Darn Riley.



Still - and let's hope Tara remembers it - her argument to Riley that Willow and Giles can meet any time is a pretty good point, and Riley's counter-argument isn't exactly convincing. I hope, between her logic and her instincts, Tara doesn't end up burying herself in suspicions once more.



Looking forwadr to more

Chris Cook

Through the Looking-glass

A Willow and Tara for every world.

Even in the face of Riley's conviction that Willow is the Rose, Tara still trusts in Willow's innocence. Lovely, that.

---

This is a great story



It looks like Willow could be in the clear soon, except I have the horrible feeling that either she or Giles will be at that dance. I also have a suspicion that the message may have been a hoax, perhaps in order implicate Willow.



Someone was following Tara, following Willow. Now it might have been someone working for Riley checking up on Tara but it could also have been the real Rose. Now if the Rose knew that Willow was under suspicion and that she and Giles were going to meet at that dance she might have sent that message so that they would get caught. Though whatever happens I have faith Tara will sort it out.



Looking forward to more

"VOOM"?!? Mate, this bird wouldn't "voom" if you put four million volts through it! 'E's bleedin' demised! - The Parrot Sketch

Oh no. Is Tara going to try and keep Willow from going to the dance thing or whatever? No thats not right.





Update soon, please.





brittney







"I live in the in the goddamn desert. Where would I learn to swim?" My friend Chelsea.

This is by far my favorite story on the Pens - at the moment. I usually don't go for the uber settings. I usually skim the smut stuff too. YES, I don't always read it - depends on my mood and how creative the scene plays out....Yet there was something that caught my attention....Anywho, so Willow is studying the occult with Giles instead of engineering at UCSD? And wouldn't it be UCS? Or do they already have a UCS? But don't the already have a UCSD? LOL



Will Tara go talk to Giles first? Or would she just go straight for the kill and grill Willow? Tara's out for clearing Willow, right? Especially with all these "she's the one" feelings.

ladydameon

----------------

Goddess of Violence

Cameron,



Great update! I had a feeling that Willow's secret wasn't really a secret afterall. I really love Willow's exuberance towards Tara. It's adorable. I can't wait for the girl on girl action because your chemistry is amazing. My only complaint - the update was too short!! I want MORE! Please update soon.



Lovin' it!

-pipsberg



Please visit my Breast Cancer 3-Day donation page HERE to help me fight cancer!



"We live our lives, do whatever we do, and then we sleep - it's as simple and ordinary as that."

Michael Cunningham, The Hours

*radio spokesman voiceover*Hello Kittens, and welcome to Secrets and Spies!In our next installment…the anxiously awaited conversation between Willow and Tara actually happens!Hear for yourselves Willow’s dramatic revelation!Thrill at the ominous foreshadowing!Be confused by the shockingly anticlimactic outcome of Willow’s secret laid bare!All this and more, coming up right after this feedback for Chapter 15…*end voiceover*



pipsberg:
Thanks Pips!I’m flirting my way up to smut—the positive reinforcement is helping.I’m glad you like aggressive Willow—it was more for the story than anything—I had to do it that way, coz Tara has to be the voice of restraint (even tho she’d like to cut loose).As for angst, there will be some, but most of it is now past (I think).



onyxsundrops:
Jeez Yvonne, you’re as bad as pipsberg!What have I
ever
done to make y’all think there’s going to be boatloads of angst?Where’s the trust, where’s the love? *sniffle*I’m hurt, really.





veiled isis moon:
The truth will be coming out over the next few chapters (there’s only four or five more after this one).Glad you liked the flirtage—I thought it was a draw myself (cause really, doesn’t everyone win when there’s W/T flirting?), but Tara got the last shot in.



WickedReds:
I write smut well?!My mom will be so proud! Thanks Reds!There will be more before all is over.In fact, I think Chapter 17 will have a heaping serving of it.



wimpy0729:
Wimpy, sweetie, you need to settle down.It’s gonna be okay…just have your sassy eggs and think of Willow in the short robe (or out of it—your choice).



Artemis:

Quote:why do I get the feeling that Willow is going to want to go to the USO dance
Probably because she is.I guess it happened so long ago I should have done a ‘previously on…’ but Willow agreed to go to the dance with Anya because she felt guilty for not spending time with her.I’m building up to the finale, so there will be less of the doubts and questioning and more of the action from here on out.



mollyig:
Yeah, well, everyone knows Riley’s a putz.I cringed just typing the word ‘Commie,’ but decided it was so what he would say.Tara is all about the trust now.



justin:
Thanks you, justin!Willow will be at the dance for sure, because she made plans with Anya.As for the rest of your suspicions and theories….not sayin’ nothin.’But yes, Tara will sort it out (of course!).



amazonaa:

Quote:Is Tara going to try and keep Willow from going to the dance?
I don’t think I’m giving anything away if I say yes, but maybe not for the obvious reason.



ladydameon:
I don’t even know what to say except thank you, I’m honored.This is the first piece of fiction (of any kind) that I’ve written in about five years, and the response has been so amazing.I’m naturally inclined to self-doubt, so your (and everyone else’s) support means a great deal to me.Now I’m getting weepy.As for the school, I avoid that entire issue by writing it in full the first time, then never referring to it by name again!







Title: Secrets and Spies
Author: Tarawhipped (Cameron)
Email: tarawhipped@hotmail.com
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: All characters are property of Joss Whedon/Mutant Enemy
Feedback: Yes please!
Distribution: Sure, just tell me where so I can visit!
Chapter notes: Thoughts in
italics







Chapter Sixteen:Willow Comes Clean





Once she’d made it off of the porch, Willow practically floated through the day.She skipped to her classes whistling happy tunes and beamed at everyone she met.She was the perfect picture of a young woman in love.She marveled at the glorious fall day as she bought a coffee and settled into an outdoor seat at the school café.Caught up in identifying frolicking woodland creatures in the large fluffy clouds, she did not notice Giles’ arrival until his insistent throat clearing roused her from her reverie.


“Giles!Hi!Isn’t it a beautiful day?”


“Actually, it’s quite cold for this time of year, and those clouds look rather ominous.And I would appreciate it if you’d call me Professor Giles when we’re on campus.I don’t believe that a modicum of respect would be too much to ask for.”


Willow squinted at her mentor and laughed.


“Sorry
Professor
grumpy pants.But
I
still think it’s a lovely day, so stop raining on my parade.”


“You’re uncharacteristically cheerful this afternoon, Willow.Did you finally speak to your parents?”


“Um…er…not so much,” Willow stammered, avoiding the Englishman’s disapproving glare.“I am going to tell Tara though—tonight!”


“Who?”


“My, uh, housemate.Giles, she’s so amazing—she’s sweet and funny and smart and she kinda looks like Veronica Lake, only prettier—”


“Yes, that’s all well and good, Willow, but don’t you think you should let your
parents
know your plans?You will be registering for the spring semester soon, and they’re bound to find out then.”


“I know, and I will Giles—I promise.”


“Excellent.So I’ll see you at 2:30?”


Willow’s face went blank for an instant, then she slapped herself on the forehead.


“Books!I left them at home!”


“Really Willow, that’s not like you at all.”


“I know, I’m sorry.I was just a little…err… distracted this morning. Oh! Why don’t you come over to my place and we can work there?”


“Very well,” he replied with a sigh, “2:30—sharp.”






At 4:30 Tara trudged up the steps to Willow’s house.Her brief meeting with Riley had turned into an all day strategizing session with the entire department in preparation for Friday night.Riley shone in the role of tactical commander, decisively placing each of his agents like pieces on a chessboard.Two men were assigned to watch each of the four exterior doors at the Sunnydale Lodge; half a dozen more would be inside, undercover as servicemen; the rest of the unit—save two—would establish a perimeter around the Lodge, waiting for Finn’s signal to sweep in.Graham had been assigned surveillance duty on Giles, and would continue to tail the Professor, while Tara would stick with Willow.


The team was set to rendezvous on Friday afternoon at 3:00 pm.Since Graham and Tara would not be able to leave their suspects, they went through an additional debriefing.As she prepared to leave, Tara was called back into Riley’s office.


“You wanted to see me sir?”


“I understand you declined a firearm when you began this assignment, Maclay.”


“Yes s-sir.I don’t feel comfortable with them, and I didn’t think it would be necessary.”


Finn looked at Tara as if she’d insisted she didn’t intend to breathe anymore.


“Yeah, well, this is a team operation now, and I won’t have any member of my team going in unprepared.”


Riley pulled a cloth bag out of his desk drawer and laid it on the surface in front of her, next to a small box.The smell of oil reached Tara’s nostrils, and she cringed.


“You
do
know how to shoot, don’t you Agent Maclay?”


“Yes sir, I did receive my certificate of marksmanship,” she replied with just a hint of sarcasm.


“Good,” Finn stated, not noticing the other agent’s tone as he sat down and turned his attention to other matters.“We’re done here.”


Tara didn’t respond as she reluctantly picked up the gun and box of shells, placed them carefully in her purse, and exited the office.






Now, standing outside Willow’s house Tara shifted her shoulder uncomfortably under the unfamiliar weight of the weapon.The idea of bringing it into the house unnerved her.It was the ultimate proof of her official position, and their relationship to one another.She was the law, Willow the suspected criminal, and if it came down to it, Tara would be expected to use it without hesitation, even against—



That’s never going to happen,
Tara thought, shaking the image out of her head.Making a quick decision, she hurried to her car, placed the revolver in the glove box, locked everything up tight, and headed into the house.


“Tara!You’re home!”


In her exhaustion, the blonde had walked right past the dining room, where books and papers were strewn all over the table.She smiled at the redhead, then peered past her to the familiar figure seated at the table.


“I want you to meet someone.Tara, this Mr. Giles; Giles, this is Tara Maclay.”


“N-nice to meet you Mr. Giles,” the agent said, hoping the man wouldn’t recognize her.Even as the thought formed in her mind, she could see he was studying her face intently.


“Yes, nice to—I’m sorry, but haven’t we met before, Miss Maclay?You look awfully familiar.”


“No sir, I don’t think so,” she replied, ducking her head slightly.


“Hmm. Yes, well, my mistake.Willow, I believe we’ve done enough for today.I’ll see you tomorrow?”


“Sure,” the redhead responded, eager to be alone with Tara.The moment Giles was out the door, Willow threw herself into the blonde’s arms in a tight hug.


“God, I missed you so much.”


Before Tara could reply, the redhead’s lips were on hers, smothering her words.Just as suddenly as the kiss began it ended, and Willow took a step back while maintaining her hold on the blonde’s hands.


“Tara, I have to tell you some things, but I thought we could have dinner first, cause it may take a while…and it’s nothing bad…but I want to be totally honest with you—not that I’ve been lying…well, maybe a little…it’s just, I haven’t really told anyone…but it’s important to me that you know…because I—I trust you, and I don’t want there to be any secrets between us.”


Tara felt her heart leap into her throat.Her excitement at Willow’s decision to tell her what was going on was palpable, but tempered by the knowledge that she could not yet reply in kind.The two raced through dinner, both anxious for the forthcoming conversation.After washing the last of the dishes, Willow again took Tara’s hands and led her to the table.


“Do you know what this is,” the redhead asked rhetorically, sweeping a hand in the direction of the books.“This is my future, Tara.I’m changing my major—I haven’t wanted to be an engineer for a while, but it wasn’t til I met Professor Giles that I realized what I did want.I’m gonna be an anthropologist!”


“That’s wonderful, sweetie, but…why all the secrecy?”


Willow led them into the living room, where they sat facing each other on the couch.


“I know it seems silly, but you’d have to know my parents.When I first went to college I think they assumed that I was just going in order to snag a husband.Hey!No laughing!Anyway, when they realized that wasn’t the case, they became adamant that I study something practical.Soon it was all they ever said about me—how their daughter was going to be the ‘greatest woman engineer ever.’It’s like it became my whole identity to them.And I was good at it, but it never felt right—kinda like dating boys,” she added with a devilish grin.


“Oh, so you were good at dating boys,” Tara smirked in return, raising an eyebrow.


“What?NO!Not good—bad, very bad!And not boys…boy…just the one…and now…well…now I only wanna date you,” she added in a whisper.


The blonde took in the sight of Willow: head slightly bowed, searching green eyes full of hope.Tara slid across the couch and leaned towards the other girl, kissing her softly; lips delicately tracing the outline of the redhead’s mouth before continuing across her cheek, up her jaw, and finally to her ear.


“I want that too, Willow.”


The redhead’s arms came up around Tara’s back and held her in place as she continued talking.The blonde rested her head on Willow’s shoulder and sighed contentedly.


“I realized that I didn’t want to know how
things
work, I want to know how
people
work.You know… how beliefs are created, how they pass from one group to another, why they change.Giles introduced me to all this amazing information about pagan cultures, and how they were affected by the institutionalization of religion.Did you know that many of the people charged with witchcraft in the Middle Ages were what we would now classify as midwives?Just because they didn’t bow down to the big men in the village, they were persecuted horribly.And there’s so much more.But I’ve been spending a lot of time helping Giles do research for a book he’s writing—not being in class like I told you.I’m sorry I lied.”


Tara smiled and turned her head a fraction to place a quick peck on Willow’s neck.


“S’okay sweetie.I get it—doing something new can be scary.”


“It is.I only hope my parents will understand.”


“Bu you don’t think they will?”


“They still think I go to Temple regularly.If they knew—especially with everything going on in Europe—I think they’d assume I’m worshipping Satan or something.”


“Hmm…I can see why’d you’d be nervous, but aren’t you selling them a little short?You’re studying a subject, not rushing off to join a coven of witches, or calling on the powers of darkness to wreak unholy vengeance—you’re not, are you?”


The redhead rolled her eyes and poked Tara in the side, causing the blonde to giggle and squirm, much to Willow’s delight.


“I mean, if it’s that important to you then you just have to be honest, and hope they’ll understand why you’re doing it, and also why you couldn’t tell them.And if they really care about you, they’ll accept it, and still love you.”The agent paused as her own words echoed in her head.


“You really are wonderful Tara, you know that?”


Tara lifted her head to look into green eyes, glistening with unshed tears.


“Sweetie?Are you alright?”


Willow nodded emphatically as the blonde reached up to caress a soft cheek.


“Just happy.Oh!Wait here—I’ll be right back.”


The redhead extracted herself from the couch and went into her bedroom, reappearing several minutes later with a handful of snapshots.


“These are some friends of mine,” she began as she handed Tara the stack.Over the next several hours, Willow recounted numerous stories of Xander, Anya, and Oz, inadvertently settling the blonde’s unspoken concerns towards the latter.When the last photo had been remarked on, Willow stood to put them away, then paused and held her hand out to Tara.


“Come to bed?” she softly asked.“I know we can’t—I just want to wake up with you, if that’s okay.”


Tara made no verbal response—none was needed.She simply took the offered hand and followed, her heart happy and her mind at rest.







TBC in Chapter Seventeen












What should I be but just what I am?
- Edna St.Vincent MillayEdited by: tarawhipped at: 9/16/04 11:43 am

Okay...in my mind the title could bring up some very interesting visuals of again the robe (coming off of course), skin, showering, suds and well, that form of cleansing.



But hey, I like your version too. Really, great update. Willow let her know the truth, not totally anticlimactic. Ooh, but can there be something climactic soon? Just wondering.



Okay, more of your goodness soon please. I know you have lots more in store for us!



Wimpy

An anthropologist? Okay, I admit when I read that I was like, "Wha?" But it makes perfect sense, as do her reasons for keeping it a secret. Although, locking the books up in her desk seems quite extreme, it is perfectly Willow.



I hope Willow's reactions to Tara's secrets aren't too bad. She definitely has more cause to be upset, although they both lied, so... At least we know that W & T end up together and happy (Pens law and all )



Two great, quick updates in a row. Can we go three for three?

-shuyaku

Oh God, Willow—you’re giving me the gift of Karen Carpenter. Just when I think I grasp the full extent of your love." - Tara

"Why do birds suddenly appear? It’s because, you are queer…" - Willow (Gods Served and Abandoned by AntigoneUnbound)

Oh boy... them in bed togther... Smut i say smut... other then that nice update...



-reds



my banana dances for smut

Tara in a wet shirt, Tara in a wet shirt. Tara in. A. Wet. Shirt. “Of course.”-Willow From Remember to Breath By Yellow Crayon



Now that just sucks- me

Oh, wonderful update. Bedroom, kissing, and... a weapon. I wonder how Tara's going to get around that one, better yet how Willow will react. Although I'm sure it'll work out.



Yvonne



P.S., sorry I hurt your feelings, but c'mon "secrets and spies" you're just waiting for it to hit the fan.

Edited by: onyxsundrops at: 9/16/04 4:25 pm

Oh yes, I remember Willow's promise to Anya now - no 'previously on Secrets and Spies' required, it would have popped right back into my mind as soon as Willow mentioned it. And it adds a little extra difficulty - Willow made a promise to Anya, and it means a lot to her, so she won't give the dance up just on a whim. And Tara can't necessarily explain why she'd prefer her not to go...



What worries me now is that, in the last chapter, Riley seemed a little too enamoured of the easy explanation, that it's Willow and Giles they should be keeping an eye on. Sure he's a good tactical guy, but he could use some imagination (story of his life, I guess). If their intercepted information is correct then the *real* spies are going to be at the dance too, and real spies don't like counter-spies - like Tara - one bit. And with Riley and his people probably fixated on our two clandestine anthropologists, things could get dangerous real fast.



Looking forward to more

Chris Cook

Through the Looking-glass

A Willow and Tara for every world.

Willow's chirpiness was so cute, and Giles' reaction to it was quite amusing. How Tara managed to rein in her compulsion to tell all her secrets is beyond me. In the face of the gushing confession by Willow I would have crumpled and told all. Willow is so excited about her future, and Tara's part in it.



Thanks for the update.

---