Fanfic - How I Met Your Mother (UPDATED: May 26, 2012)

[BuffyFan4ever]

I love geeky Willow. I too love math and logic. I'm an accounting major. My dream job would be working in a cubical making sure the books balance. I even do Sudoku puzzles for fun. (I feel like I'm in an MA meeting Mathaholics Anonymous).

Poor Tara. I hope she overcomes her fears soon.

Can't wait for the next update.

[zampsa19752001]

Yay for great update-y goodness... I truly truly hope that Tara very very soon learns that she can really trust Willow and tell her about her dark past so Willow can begin helping her get rid of her past...

[Laragh]

Math = love. I love the satisfaction of solving an equation, or even better, when I'm in accounting class and the books balance. I'm like:



I pretty much had an orgasm for the entire math portion of this chapter.

Aww, Tara. No! Tell her!! Don't shut her out!! Don't close the doors!! Ahhh!!



And now you're leaving us with this tension! I'm almost tempted to not say 'enjoy India'!!!!

....

...

But I'm not that spiteful.

Enjoy India!!

EDIT: Hehe, Bryan, we basically have the same first sentance just different wording!!

[indigokane]

EGADS!!!! it got educational!!

buuuuuuut, it was still so sweet and cute! very tender and emotional. loved every headach inducing second. (did i mention i'm allergic to complex math?)

hoping Tara realizes soon Will will love her all the more for being honest and sharing her pain.

your doing wonderful, keep it up.

tina

p.s. i'm gonna kick RL's butt and get 'Trust Me' transcribed this weekend!!!

[Finey_McFine]

OK, so...the first lie between them and right before the end of summer camp. Dun, dun, duuuuuuuuu! That was dramatic music btw, lol.

Willow held Tara’s gaze, strangely unafraid. Then she pulled down her pants, stepping out of them so that she wore only her underwear; a vulnerable figure yet still standing tall as she crossed the room to Tara who was sitting on their bed. Willow bent and kissed her lover gently and Tara’s hand slid up to brush the taut nipples and guide one into her mouth. Willow slid down, straddling Tara’s thigh and sliding her arms around the back of Tara’s neck.

I really loved all of this, setting the mood, etc. Perfect.

And then...

Then they heard it, a sharp cry that shattered their mood

Yeah and mine too! Thanks a lot Mouse!!! lol

Willow was very sweet cuddling Mouse and kudos to Veronica for taking care of her.

I really enjoyed Willow's geeky "math secrets," she's always been at her best when she's in nerd overdrive...adorable!

For someone else to know about it, to hold me a little bit when it’s hard. I . . . I want that more than anything. I could show her my hurt places and she would kiss them, every one of them, and I wouldn’t be alone any more.

This was heart breaking. Great job writing Tara's inner turmoil.

“N-nothing. I d-don’t h-have a secret.”

Willow looked confused at first, then leaned towards her to look more closely into Tara’s eyes. “But you said you wanted to tell me your secret.”

Tara flushed and looked away.

A moment later she found the courage to meet Willow’s eyes and saw the hurt in their emerald depths. She looked back helplessly as Willow ducked her head.

“You don’t have to tell me,” Willow said softly. “It’s okay.”

Tara nodded, relieved when Willow looked up at her again. But it wasn’t okay. Trust had been broken and they both felt it; a door had closed between them.

What sucks about this is that Willow in particular is so young and naive, because I'm not sure that she really gets it. She see's this as Tara not trusting her, when it's not really about that at all. It's about shame and about Tara protecting Willow from the deep, dark bad things in life. I get it, but I hope that Willow finds out soon, preferably from Tara. Because I can see this ending badly with lot's of jumping to conclusions.

Anyway, I hope you are have a FANTASTIC time on your trip!!! See ya in a couple weeks!!

[xlaurax1]

First of all, I loved Willow setting the mood, too bad they're sharing a cabin with a bunch of young girls. Geez, Mouse, could you have worse timing?

And Willow's secret was adorable!

“Is math a secret?”

That's exactly what I was thinking. But I get it. I'm a little familiar with the Divine Proportion, even though I don't know a whole lot about math. And it really quite amazing when you think about it. Really glad that Tara was able to understand and reassure Willow that she isn't stange for understanding and appreciating it.

Secondly...


Poor Tara.

But if I really love her, then how can I tell her? She’s so special, so full of joy and light. How can I put my darkness over that? How can I take away the light in her eyes and fill them up with, with what? Anger for me? Tears? Pity?

This just made my heart ache. I can understand that Willow would be upset that she just shared a secret part of herself only to have Tara lie to her and not share herself, but if she only knew what Tara was going through...

I just really hoping that Tara is able to tell Willow and make her understand before something bad happens.

Anyway, enjoy your trip, you lucky thing. Can't wait for more of this wonderful story.

Laura.

[Grimm]

Ariel,

That hurt..make it right soon ! The least you could have done is have Cordelia or the brainless wonder make an appearance so that I would have the opportunity to call them all kinds of bitches!!

[willowtaralover]

Wonderfully romantic start with Willow lighting the candle then letting Tara know that she wants to tell her all about herself and reassure her that she would never hurt Tara.

Then Willow bent slowly, red hair falling in a cascade of sunset hues Tara nodded, enchanted with Willow’s slender grace as Willow slid her top up and off in one flowing movement. Then she unfastened her bra and Tara’s gaze flowed against the rosy nipples and ivory curve of breast and Willow felt the tingling shock of Tara’s desire.

One word to describe this WOW. Major hotness here and beautiful descriptions of Willow.

They found Mouse, clutched in Veronica’s arms, her brown eyes round and startled.

Can these two get any cuter, seriously Ariel, you have to write a sequel story to this with Mouse and Veronica front and centre. I love the way that these two have bonded and not in any showy way. Mouse just seemed to like Veronica, despite the bed boxing incident and became friends with her. Say, I just had a thought Mouse isn’t being abused at home is she like Tara is cos that kinda stuff makes me go grr argh. I don’t like cute girls being abused, whatever their age, it’s just mean and nasty.

Willow whispered, “Thanks for taking care of her Veronica!”
Veronica shrank back into the shadows, but then emerged cautiously and cuddled close to the sleeping girl.

This is a nice moment as well, showing how Veronica seems hesitant to accept the praise given her, but she seems to have blossomed in the company of Mouse, and hopefully Devola too. I'd love to see more of these three working together, the previous time when Devola tried to get the canteen key was so much fun

“No, I mean it’s how I feel about math.”

Tara’s voice was gentle, “How do you feel about it?” “I love it,” Willow answered softly then she returned Tara’s embrace with all her strength. There was a long silence.

“Sweetie? Is there more you want to tell me? I’m l-listening.”

Willow released some of her pent up tension in a long slow breath. “I really love it. It has answers, you know, answers to questions people have asked for thousands of years.”


She raised her head to meet Tara’s eyes. “But it’s more than that. The more I study, the more I think it has the answers to everything!” She blushed, “Almost everything,” she amended.
“We say it’s roughly 3.14, but it’s an irrational constant, goes on forever but you multiply it by a diameter of a circle and you get the circumference of the circle. Okay, well you take Fibonacci numbers.

Tara nodded, loving the sparkling eagerness in Willow’s eyes.

“So each of these numbers have a relationship. Basically 5 multiplied by 1.618 is 8 and that relationship is the same through the whole series, which of course is infinite. But that relationship, that irrational constant is called Phi.” She laughed, “Kind of like a first cousin to Pi!”

Tara interrupted, “But Phi is a letter in the Greek alphabet!”

Willow flung her arms out, delighted with Tara’s interest, “It is! It is! “But that’s not all it is!”

Then Willow grabbed Tara’s hands in hers and kissed them quickly but fervently before racing on. “Mathematics is part of the universe. If, if we could find the equations, the relationships, if our brains could understand it then we could know the universe! Do you see it, Tara? Do you know what I mean?”

I love the way that Willow loves math, I think if I had Willow for my tutor in school I would probably have passed instead of flunking it.

Tara looked down, looking inside herself at her secret; at the darkness and the hiding and the hitting and the hurting. She wanted to share it, she yearned to be held and comforted, forgiven for whatever she had done to bring the anger on herself.

You’re going to go for some serious darkness here for Tara, I can see it coming and this really scares me.

But if I really love her, then how can I tell her? She’s so special, so full of joy and light. How can I put my darkness over that? How can I take away the light in her eyes and fill them up with, with what? Anger for me? Tears? Pity? Pity would be the worst. I was dumb to worry about money. That really doesn’t matter between us. But this, this purity. This heart-breakingly beautiful innocence of hers, how can I destroy that by telling her about my life? Tara let her daydream warm her one last time, then she answered her own question. I can’t tell her.

Oh Tara, of course you can tell Willow. She’ll love you no matter what don’t hide your pain let it out and allow Willow to heal you.

Oh goddess, this has got to be the most beautiful chapter in the entire story. It’s so delightful, lovely, wonderful, charming and other such descriptive words from the way that Willow starts on about maths and is easily able to get interested in it to Tara’s fears . This entire chapter has for me been the most emotional one and I loved it. Thank you for this Ariel, thank you so much

I’ve also been re-reading the last part of the previous chapter with the girls in Tara and Willow’s care deciding to save Tara from the magical enchantment she’s under and it just gave me the biggest smile. I just want to say thank you again for writing what currently has to be one of the best stories on the KB.

[Cyteach]

I've been incredibly slack and haven't commented on here in like forever... Please forgive me?!

I REALLY enjoyed the "I love math" section... Personally, I hate math, but that there made me want to love it... Unfortunately my poor brain isn't wired that way.

I'm really intrigued by the layers of conflict you have woven in here... We have the internal and the external, all waging war with each other and separately, causing a lovely flow to the plot action. Although I wish Tara would open up with Willow about her 'secret.'

Still very much loving the sweetness of two young women falling in love that permeates throughout each section.

Looking forward to more! (and wouldn't be opposed to some more Cordy-bashing

[BlondCavalier]

Hi Ariel,

Hope you enjoyed your trip to "Hindja"

"Are babbling and stuttering contagious?" "From kissing?"



The beginning of this chapter was SO romantic!! It's too bad Mouse picked such a bad time to interrupt them

You did such a beautiful, passionate job of describing Willow's love for math and physics. I know ZILCH about either subject normally but your explanations were even clear to me, so rock on



I really felt for Tara, thinking that she couldn't tell Willow her secret. It must be awful having to carry around what she has to carry around, and I hope she soon comes to trust Willow, because I know Willow definitely can be trusted.

Great, sensitive, writing, as always!!

[Ariel]

Maggie AKA Leonhart17:
Hail, Dibs-ter!!!
You’re right! Tara should tell Willow, but her issue is more complex than originally thought . . stay tuned.

Lol, they're both smarter than me! Math and me are not friends. In fact, not having to take so many math classes was one of the reasons I picked English as my major in college!

You’re not alone, girlfriend! Tina/indigokane, Rick, and BlondCavalier have similar thoughts! I’m not a math genius either, I can only dream . . .


BuffyFan4ever AKA Bryan:
Thanks for writing! Yeah, I love our brainy girls and their different talents. I also like balancing my personal books! Thanks for writing and glad to give some love to math geeks everywhere, although I had to rely on research!


Zampsa19752001:

I truly truly hope that Tara very very soon learns that she can really trust Willow and tell her about her dark past so Willow can begin helping her get rid of her past...

You’re right and she’s trying, but abusers encourage shame and secret-keeping in their victims and it’s not easy to break free . . .


Laragh:

I pretty much had an orgasm for the entire math portion of this chapter.

Compliments don’t get any better than this!!!

Aww, Tara. No! Tell her!! Don't shut her out!! Don't close the doors!! Ahhh!!

You’re with a crowd of other smart people who know you have to tell the secret to heal the pain – thanks for raising your voice!


indigokane AKA Tina:

EGADS!!!! it got educational!! buuuuuuut, it was still so sweet and cute! very tender and emotional. loved every headache inducing second. (did i mention i'm allergic to complex math?)

Thank you AND I’ve added to “Trouble” to my title, because it belongs AND to encourage your continued efforts!

hoping Tara realizes soon Will will love her all the more for being honest and sharing her pain.

There are two layers, the facts and Willow’s necessary loss of innocence when she hears them up close AND Tara’s feelings about it which she is ashamed of. Being a survivor, I know you’re right.


Shelby AKA Finey McFine:
Hey, thanks for the encouragement to post! Needed the kick in the butt!

I really loved all of this, setting the mood, etc. Perfect.

Then Mouse intrudes . .

Yeah and mine too! Thanks a lot Mouse!!! lol

Willow was very sweet cuddling Mouse and kudos to Veronica for taking care of her.

They are sweet, more to it than meets the eye, but nothing creepy! I promise!

I really enjoyed Willow's geeky "math secrets," she's always been at her best when she's in nerd overdrive...adorable!

<=You made me so happy!

This was heart breaking. Great job writing Tara's inner turmoil.

Thank you for responding to Tara’s ‘daydream’ of confiding in Willow.

What sucks about this is that Willow in particular is so young and naive, because I'm not sure that she really gets it. She see's this as Tara not trusting her, when it's not really about that at all. It's about shame and about Tara protecting Willow from the deep, dark bad things in life. I get it, but I hope that Willow finds out soon, preferably from Tara. Because I can see this ending badly with lot's of jumping to conclusions.

Dang it, McFine! Right again!


xlaurax1 AKA Laura:

First of all, I loved Willow setting the mood, too bad they're sharing a cabin with a bunch of young girls. Geez, Mouse, could you have worse timing?

As a parent, I assure you all children are equipped with bad timing. Now multiply that by 7! Laragh! Bryan! Help me solve this one! Lol!

”Is Math a secret?” That's exactly what I was thinking. But I get it. I'm a little familiar with the Divine Proportion, even though I don't know a whole lot about math. And it really quite amazing when you think about it. Really glad that Tara was able to understand and reassure Willow that she isn't stange for understanding and appreciating it.

Glad you can see the beauty in the Divine Proportion it IS amazing!

This just made my heart ache. I can understand that Willow would be upset that she just shared a secret part of herself only to have Tara lie to her and not share herself, but if she only knew what Tara was going through...

Watch her, Willow knows more than we give her credit for!


SMGOVAN:

That hurt..make it right soon! The least you could have done is have Cordelia or the brainless wonder make an appearance so that I would have the opportunity to call them all kinds of bitches!!

I hear and obey! Cordelia is getting an expensive dye job now, but her little friends are here to represent her sweet smile and winning ways! AND the game is coming up soon, witness Queen C at her best – PROMISE!!!


willowtaralover AKA Rick:

Tara looked down, looking inside herself at her secret; at the darkness and the hiding and the hitting and the hurting. She wanted to share it, she yearned to be held and comforted, forgiven for whatever she had done to bring the anger on herself.

You’re going to go for some serious darkness here for Tara, I can see it coming and this really scares me.

You’re an astute reader, Rick. I can’t get much past you. But let the KB rules sustain you! The KB is a special place for W/T love, never forget it! But also note Tara’s feelings, wanting to be “forgiven for whatever she had done to bring the anger on herself,” that belief that she somehow deserves the abuse is very common and very damaging.

Oh Tara, of course you can tell Willow. She’ll love you no matter what don’t hide your pain let it out and allow Willow to heal you.

You’re right. But Tara loves Willow’s innocence, revels in it, dreams of sharing it somehow and hates to end it; but if Willow is to be her lover, her partner, then Tara has to let her grow up but Tara’s other thought/fear is that Willow and she will part at the end of summer and never see each other again, so telling her may be a needless cruelty. At least that’s what this Tara thinks . . .


Cyteach:
Hey, thanks for posting and following the fic for so long!

I REALLY enjoyed the "I love math" section... Personally, I hate math, but that there made me want to love it

You are not alone! See posts from Maggie, indigokane, Rick, and BlondCavalier!

I'm really intrigued by the layers of conflict you have woven in here... We have the internal and the external, all waging war with each other and separately, causing a lovely flow to the plot action. Although I wish Tara would open up with Willow about her 'secret.'

A few more layers will be added. Stay tuned for softball. As to the noble sport of Cordy-bashing the softball game will show her at her radiant best and yes, she will try again to go after her girls. The best/worst is yet to come! *ominous music cue*


BlondCavalier:

"Are babbling and stuttering contagious?" "From kissing?"

Thanks for liking that bit of silliness!

You did such a beautiful, passionate job of describing Willow's love for math and physics. I know ZILCH about either subject normally but your explanations were even clear to me, so rock on.

Thank you!!! I was worried about that!!!

You’re right about trust issues, Tara needs to open up, but it’s hard . . .


[center]STORY TO FOLLOW (ALMOST) IMMEDIATELY AFTER![/center]

[Ariel]

Extra long post, back from India, feedback is golden and greatly loved – thanks for reading!


Title: How I Met Your Mother*
Author: Ariel
Email: blaziak@yahoo.com
Feedback: All feedback welcomed, specific input appreciated, harsh on me via PM
Rating: NC-17 for W/T light loving, ratings will change depending on content
Disclaimer: I don't own these characters, but I love to take them for a ride!
Summary: A/U before season 1, the summer after Willow's freshman year with a large dose of Queen Cordelia at her bitchy best and teen-aged angst.
Special Thanks: To GirlWonder23 for the legend of Tajar the Cougar from her camp
Special Thanks: To Kate BeMyDeputy for her critique and advice re-editing a previous post! Great help!

*no connection to the sit-com of the same name


Thoughts are in italics.

Willow looked confused at first, then leaned towards her to look more closely into Tara’s eyes. “But you said you wanted to tell me your secret.”


Tara flushed and looked away.


A moment later she found the courage to meet Willow’s eyes and saw the hurt in their emerald depths. She looked back helplessly as Willow ducked her head.


“You don’t have to tell me,” Willow said softly. “It’s okay.”


Tara nodded, relieved when Willow looked up at her again. But it wasn’t okay. Trust had been broken and they both felt it; a door had closed between them.

Part 30: Trust and Trouble


Willow stared at Tara, waiting for it to change, waiting for Tara to trust her and confide in her. Then the silence congealed around them both until Willow felt herself starting to panic.


“I’m going to – take a shower. I mean,” she rushed on, “You’re riding with Faith in the morning so I’ll be dealing with hygiene hell by myself so I can’t, you know, like usual, take a shower in the morning. And it’s still my period so I better do it now!” She was gathering her stuff as she spoke and hurried out the door, with her last words still lingering in the air.


Tara lay down, tense with misery. She gave me everything: her body and her love and her trust. And what did I give her? Nothing. Nothing but hurt feelings. And now she’s running off so she doesn’t have to cry in front of me, so her tears, her precious tears will fall down a drain instead of being here with me, where I’d kiss them away. She sighed. I don’t know what to do, what to say. All I know is that I can’t tell her; because if I did then I’d have to tell her the rest: how evil and hateful a person I really am and THEN she wouldn’t love me, couldn’t love me.


Tara turned away from the door, feeling a year passing between each of her troubled heartbeats. She wanted Willow’s embrace and forgiveness more than anything but she was determined not to make any further demands on someone she had hurt so badly.


Then, finally, Willow was outside and coming through the door. Tara is not really asleep. She’s faking it because she doesn’t even want to bother trying to talk to me. Fine! Then I don’t need to talk to her or sleep with her either! Willow felt a grim satisfaction knowing that sleeping apart would hurt Tara, no matter how much Tara was trying to pretend that she didn’t care. Willow grabbed her pillow quickly from their shared bed and put it on the cot, shut off the light and slid under her solitary covers. She lay on her back waiting for Tara to ask why she wasn’t sleeping with her, waiting for Tara to say that she missed her and wanted her back. It was a long wait. Willow had a knot in her throat that she swallowed, but it kept coming back. She rubbed her eyes furiously then snuffled.


“W-willow?” Tara held her breath, hoping for the sound of her lover’s voice.


Willow lay rigid and aching with misery in her cot. But if Tara doesn’t trust me then I don’t need to tell her that I’m crying! Then she heard a stifled gasp under Tara’s covers.


“Tara? Are you okay?”


Tara didn’t answer, but the gasping sound continued and Willow took the excuse to cross the formerly uncrossable chasm between their beds. Willow put her hand on the shaking lump of blanket and felt the tense muscles under her hand, even through the covers.


“Tara,” she asked uncertainly, “Are you crying?”


“N-no.” There was the sound of swallowing, of breath stilled and forced to silence, then a whisper. “I’m not crying.” Tara swallowed again, “It hurts more when you cry.”


Tara isn’t mad at me, she’s scared; scared to tell me her secret. She needs me. Willow sensed that forgiving candlelight was needed and she re-lit their little candle then sat down again on their bed.


“Oh, Tara. Baby.” Willow felt it again; that surging tenderness, that amazing strength and certainty. She uncovered Tara gently and guided the other girl partly onto her lap where Tara laid quivering and gasping, curled into a ball.


Willow wrapped her arms around Tara as tightly as she could and rocked the bigger girl in her arms. A moment later she began stroking Tara’s back and dropping soothing kisses into the dear crooked part of her hair. There was no hurry. Willow felt a deep stillness; there was enough time to hold Tara for as long as she needed to be held.


Slowly Tara relaxed in Willow’s arms and Willow kissed her on the top of her head again. “I love you, Tara.”


It began again, that horrible painful rasp of breathing. “I l-l-l-love,” Tara gulped, stuttered, tried again and couldn’t speak. Then she raised a shaking hand to form the ‘I love you’ sign Bettina had shown her before lunch and Willow opened Tara’s hand and laid kisses in her palm.


Willow pulled back the covers. “Come on, baby. It’s time for bed.”


She watched Tara lay on her back, still wide-eyed and wounded; and then Willow knew what she needed to do. Gently, with sure gestures she slid Tara’s track shorts down. Then she pulled off her pajama bottoms, keeping her underwear on as she laid herself carefully on top of Tara, thrusting one leg between Tara’s legs. As she squirmed to adjust her position, she gave an unexpected thrust with her thigh against Tara’s curls, and she felt the warm moist press of Tara’s center. Willow sighed, loving the soft heat against her thigh and deliberately thrust against Tara again, feeling the same hot kiss against her thigh and hearing Tara sigh in turn. Then Willow began a sliding rhythm, moving faster as Tara moaned softly and raised her hips to meet Willow’s thrusts. Willow felt Tara’s panting breaths against her face, followed by a hot gush from Tara’s core. Now, and Willow slid one hand down and thrust three fingers inside, feeling them clasped tight in Tara’s warm velvet folds while Tara’s pulse beat against her fingers. She continued the thrusting rhythm, using a thumb to circle Tara’s rosebud which was hot and full.


Tara jerked, gasping sharply at the rising tide of ecstasy. She reached down, fingers curving as clasped Willow’s firm, round hips and pulled Willow hard and tight against her, matching their frenzied rhythm. There was only the two of them: Tara’s aching need and Willow’s passion to reassure her in the only language which had never failed them.


Then Tara’s body went rigid, tension knotted then released in one surging tide of pleasure. Tara groaned deeply and began to cry stormily against Willow’s shoulder as the sound of feet began hitting the floor and running towards them.


Willow felt a blast of sheer panic freeze her inside out, then she slid off Tara, pulled on her pajama bottoms and ran to the door to make sure the children didn’t come in.


“What is it?” Kate asked anxiously from just outside the door.


Willow flushed. “A nightmare, Tara had a nightmare, that’s all.”


“But she’s crying,” Lisa said, “We can hear her!”


“I know, I know she is but I’m hugging her right here and she’s going to be fine. Now everyone, back to bed.”


Bettina couldn’t hear or lip read everything, but she knew that her beloved Tara was hurt. “Tara! Let me in! I’ll hug you, too!”


Willow looked at Tara, whose tear-stained face was white with terror.


“Kids, Tara loves you all and she’s going to be okay. She needs cuddles from me right now. Grown up cuddles, best friend cuddles. So go back to bed. Now, please.”


She could hear the girls milling uncertainly outside and whispered, “say something” to Tara.


She heard Tara draw a shaky breath, “I-I’m okay. D-don’t w-worry. W-willow is t-taking care of me. I l-love you but I n-need you to go back to bed now.


There were a few more questions, a few more murmurs of concern then the girls headed back to bed, still whispering amongst themselves.


Willow checked the chair under the door-knob, still breathing hard from her terror. “We can’t EVER do that again! I was petrified! I was sure they’d all come running in here!” She breathed a sigh of relief, then frowned. “I feel terrible lying to little kids like that!”


“You didn’t l-lie, Willow. I did have a nightmare.” Tara dropped her eyes, “I was scared that you didn’t l-love me any more.”


“Oh, Tara! Of course I love you. Okay, yeah, you hurt my feelings but it was because I thought that you didn’t trust me. Then I figured out that you were just scared.”

Willow saw Tara’s nod in the flickering light.


“Tara, I’m going to prove to you that you can trust me. But I’ll wait for you to tell me when you’re ready.” Willow’s eyes brightened, “Or we could play 20 questions on your secret!” She looked over at Tara and sighed, then smiled “Okay, I’ll wait till you’re ready.”


Tara nodded again and smiled back. “C-come to bed?” She raised the covers with a confident flourish but Willow could see that her hand was trembling.


“Sure I’m coming!” Willow blew out the candle then slid into bed and into Tara’s arms. Their kiss was intimate, deeper, and more tender than it had ever been before. Then it ended and they melted into each other’s arms and sighed into sleep.


[center]*************************************************[/center]


Tara woke up in the grey dawning to find herself in Willow’s arms, their long hair mingled on the pillow. She bent her neck and kissed her lover’s cheek very softly and saw Willow’s tiny smile. She swallowed, aching with love for the beautiful woman next to her. It was an effort to tear herself away, but she knew a ride would be good for her.


She arrived at the stable to find Faith already mounted, riding Arrow around the corral with Midnight saddled and waiting.


Faith grinned, “Mornin’ lover girl!”


Tara blushed. Does she know? Does it show somehow?


“Hey, T.! Wake up! It’ll be runny scrambled eggs time before we know it!”


Tara grinned back. She saw Faith’s wild black hair tossing free in the morning breeze and ducked into the stable, returning with two helmets hanging by their straps. She offered it gravely to Faith, but her blue eyes sparkled with mischief.


“Thanks, T. Almost forgot.” Faith rolled her eyes, but accepted the helmet and put it on before riding to the corral gate and opening it.


Tara swung up on Midnight and the two warmed up their horses by walking into the pearly gray mist coming in off the meadow.


“Where to, Faith? You know the l-land around here.”


Faith shot her a wicked glance, “Cougar Canyon, if you’re not too scared!”


Tara laughed in answer and they began cantering towards the soon-to-be rising sun. There wasn’t any need for words, just the breeze floating their hair, the sound of their horse’s hooves drumming across the meadow, and the sharp new smell of dew-laden grass. Then they swung right, heading up to scrub pine and low hills. Finally the horses came to a box canyon and labored up a path along one side. Then the path tapered into a narrow ledge that opened into a cave. Here Faith dismounted, Tara following and the two girls tied their mounts to a sturdy bush near the edge. Then Faith led them further into the cave, putting a finger to her mouth. “Cougar Canyon,” she whispered as they went back to discover a cache of bleached bones, obviously left from animals devoured long, long ago.


The two girls grinned at each other, enjoying the adventure and the earthy mysterious smell of the darkened cave. Tara bent down, grabbing a deer tooth and putting it in her pocket then she spotted another and handed it to Faith.


“So, T. This is where the legend of Tajar the Cougar began. See, this is his cave. He was hunted down, the very last of the cougars in this country and as he died he touched some sacred Indian thing and became a ghost.” Her voice dropped eerily, “And at night, you can hear that cougar scream as he prowls for revenge.”


Tara shivered delightedly and nodded her approval; the story was perfect. Then they heard the horses neighing outside and they felt an icy shock race through them. Then they grinned, embarrassed at their momentary fright, and headed outside.


The rattlesnake was a large one, obviously heading out of a small alcove to catch the morning sun when the horses spotted it. It coiled and rattled, although well out of range of the horses.


Tara and Faith’s eyes widened. The snake was between the mouth of the cave and the horses. They could ease past it, but risked frightening it and moving it closer to the horses which were tethered near the edge. They stared at each other, searching for a solution.


Tara gulped. “I’ve got boots, Faith. I’ll keep it busy l-looking at me while you slide around the side of the cave and untie the horses. Bring ‘em a few yards down the trail and I’ll c-come after.”


Faith nodded then waited while Tara found a two foot long leg bone, probably a deer’s, from the pile. Tara moved cautiously towards the rattler with the bone extended. She knew a rattler could only strike about a third of its length, but had no eagerness to test the theory fully. The snake eyed her and moved its head back, preparing to strike while Faith moved slowly and quietly past. An instant later it struck, Tara jumped back, and Faith was outside fumbling at the knots in the reins.


Tara kept her gaze riveted on the snake’s head as it pulled back, preparing for another strike. She threw the bone, the snake struck, and she raced around the side and down the trail. She stuck her foot in Midnight’s stirrup and swung herself up with a speed she didn’t believe was possible. It was all she could do to control her fear and maintain the slow single-file walk along the ledge.


When they reached the bottom they stared at each other and swung into a gallop, racing the sun as it flowed goldenly behind them, warming their backs then racing ahead to light the meadow into glowing life.


Finally they slowed to a walk and Faith broke the silence.


“I was gonna show you barrel racing, T. I thought it would be exciting.”


“'Exciting'!”


They stared at each other and started laughing hysterically, every now and then repeating the word ‘exciting’ to set themselves off again.


Then they swung into a rolling cantor and felt the crisp breeze singing against their faces.


It had been a good ride after all.


[center]*************************************************[/center]


Breakfast was the usual adventure. Mouse spilled her oatmeal, but Veronica took her right back to the kitchen and cleaned her up with a sponge provided by Faith.


Willow smiled at her lover. “How was the ride, Tara?”


Tara grinned. “It was fun. L-lots of fun.”


Then their kids were chattering away and they took the rare opportunity to relax and eat their food.


“Oh yeah,” Devola was saying, “My Mom makes me bring my dishes in and put them in the dishwasher and I have to turn it on, too!”


Debbie was sympathetic. “Wow! That’s tough!”


Towanda jumped in, “That’s nothing! My mom said, in the olden days when she was a kid, that they didn’t even have a dishwasher until she was nine years old!”


The kids gasped.


Towanda continued her triumph, “And they didn’t even have remotes when she was a kid. You had to get up and actually turn a knob to switch channels and they only had about twelve channels!”


That stunned them into silence as they contemplated a world without cable television.


[center]*************************************************[/center]


Then there were a few hugs and a parting. Tara and Willow headed for the stables while the kids turned towards seven-year-old crafts with Cordelia and her cabin.


Tizzie Stilton, Kelly Lebonski, and Billie Candelaria were waiting for them. Tizzie spoke first, “Hello, Losers. Ready for our game tomorrow?”


Towanda stepped forward, “That’s lame, Stilton. Get some new lines.”


Devola piped up, “Yeah.” She yawned elaborately, “Get a joke book out of the library!”


Kelly lumbered forward. “You’re a joke, stupid Dumola.”


Devola rolled her eyes, “That again, huh? Hey, Kelly! You’re famous, I saw your name on a book!”


Kelly looked curious in spite of herself. “What was it?”


Devola’s grin was wicked, “101 Elephant Jokes!”


Their cabin cracked up, except for Lisa and Kate who were off to the side.


Kelly cracked her knuckles slowly and raised her fists but Billie stepped in front of her to glare at Mouse. “Remember me, Rat? We have a bet. When you don’t get on base you pay me a dime. If you do, I pay you a dollar.”


Lisa stepped in. “Look, no bets. She’s a little kid.”


“Shut up, stupid! We weren’t talking to you, we were talking to the baby faced rat, make that the fatty faced chipmunk. Look at her cheeks!” She leaned forward to pinch Mouse’s cheeks, but Veronica stepped between them, her brown eyes blazing.


“Get away from her, Billie! I mean it!” Veronica cocked her fists, while Towanda and Bettina stood on either side of her and did the same.


“You won’t always be around, Veronica!”


Veronica felt fear for her little friend for the first time. “Look, I’ll take your bet if you promise not to hurt her. All of you. I’ll pay up but you can’t hit or chase her. Deal?”


The three exchanged glances and Tizzie stepped forward. “Deal. A dime every time she doesn’t make it on base and a dollar from us if she does.”


“And?” Veronica demanded.


“And we’ll leave her alone.”


“Okay, then.”


Mrs. Gidden came out. “Come along girls!” She chirped merrily, “It’s time to make your block print bandannas!”


The girls glared at each other then moved warily into the building.


[center]*************************************************[/center]


Tara and Willow walked hand in hand into the stable. Tara spoke up, “Okay, time to pet Dolly!”


They looked at each other and started snickering.


Willow looked at Tara. “’Pet Dolly’, hmm, that’s something we haven’t named yet!”


Tara looked back at her with a mixture of terror and amusement. She started backing away. “Oh no! You are NOT naming that! No, not ever! No way!”


Willow walked forward, grinning. “I think ‘Dolly’ is a nice name for it!”


Tara’s eyes went wide. “’Dolly’?” I can’t name my, uh, you know, after a horse!”


Willow protested, “But it’s a great name! I never liked playing with dollies before but now . . . “


Tara gasped. “No, no, no, no, no!”


“You’re right! It’s not fair to just stick you with a name like that!”


Tara breathed a sigh of relief.


Willow continued, “We’ll name it like we did with our breasts!”


“Willlllow!”


“Taaaaara! Be logical!”


Tara nodded. “There’s a time for logic,” she advanced slowly until she was directly in front of Willow, “And a time for tickling!” Suddenly she sprang towards Willow and the tickle fight was on as they circled, lunged, and did close quarter combat on the tickling front not to mention back and sides, too. Then their riders arrived and they broke apart red-faced and laughing but with the larger question still unresolved.

[Laragh]

Dibs!

No! They're hurting and I can't handle it!

I'm really glad Willow re-lit the candle of forgiveness. That she understood Tara's reluctance was coming from fear and not distrust.

That lovemaking was...evocative. As it was meant to be, I suppose. I could feel it though, feeling them both needing the physical connection to each other when the emotional was unfortunately strained.

Nice Faith/Tara interaction

Towanda jumped in, “That’s nothing! My mom said, in the olden days when she was a kid, that they didn’t even have a dishwasher until she was nine years old!”

We didn't have a dishwasher 'til we moved to the states (second time round) when I was about 11 and I remember I thought it was the coolest thing ever

Towanda continued her triumph, “And they didn’t even have remotes when she was a kid. You had to get up and actually turn a knob to switch channels and they only had about twelve channels!”

Only 12? I have 3

Devola rolled her eyes, “That again, huh? Hey, Kelly! You’re famous, I saw your name on a book!”


Kelly looked curious in spite of herself. “What was it?”


Devola’s grin was wicked, “101 Elephant Jokes!”

Omg I don't care how immature I am, that's the single funniest joke I've heard in quite a while.

Hehe. 'Dolly'. I agree, a fabulous name

Well, at least things are a bit better...but at least let them resolve the 'larger issue' soon?


?

[Grimm]

Redemption is yours! I am ecstatic that Willow lit the candle of forgiveness....The 3 fingered "Dolly" massage didnt hurt either . I loved how moroni-...erm, Veronica (sorry I hold grudges) stood up for mouse. She has come a veeeery long way. As for Cordelia's band of buggers... is it politically incorrect to call a bunch of 7 year olds bitches?? Because I'm very tempted.

[xlaurax1]

Thank you, thank you for making things ok again. Not 100%, obviously, but I hated how you left things, oh the suspence. I tell ya, if this were a book it would be a couldn't-put-it-downer.

I didn't have very high hopes after the beginning but after Willow had her realisation...

Tara isn’t mad at me, she’s scared; scared to tell me her secret. She needs me.

You were right, Willow deserves more credit than I gave her.

And poor Tara, her misery compounded by the fact that she's made Willow so upset. The two of them in their seperate beds crying nearly killed me. I'm soooo glad that Willow re-lit the candle.

I loved how Willow knew exxactly what Tara needed, not words but to physically reconnect, but waaay risky! Willow was right, no matter how much they want to, they really can't do that again with those girls in the next room. The way the girls reacted to Tara being upset was ardorable, though.

As always loved the interaction between Faith and Tara. It gave Tara a chance to relax after a very emotional night. Although the part with the snake freaked me out. Snakes in general, really. We only have three specied of snake here, but they're all venomous, so yeah.

Can't wait for more soon, and hope Tara gains the courage to share her secrets with Willow and let Willow look after her.

Laura.

[zampsa19752001]

Yay for great update-y goodness... I'm really glad that Willow figured it out that Tara is really scared to tell her secret. I loved how they reconnected... I liked Tara's & Faith's riding trip... "Dolly" really made me laugh... Big yay for Veronica defending her new best friend Mouse... I kinda hope that the Resistance with Faith's help make Team Poop-ular really Poop in their pants on the game day so that Team WillTara will have some chance in beating Smurf Mutt and her Team...

[Finey_McFine]

You're back...YAY!!!!


I'm soooooo relieved that things are ok again with our girls. Willow's angry reaction was expected. She's young and her first instinct was to internalized her feelings. But then she realized....

Tara isn’t mad at me, she’s scared; scared to tell me her secret. She needs me.

This I felt, was a huge moment for her, she figured out that is wasn't all about her...it was about Tara. Nicely done!!


Their lovemaking was sweet and tender. Sometimes you just need that physical connection to make all things better.


I enjoyed Tara and Faith's adventurous ride up to the canyon....especially their little run in with the snake. A daily occurrence for me:) Well, not of the venomous variety, just the snaky types.


The kids were awesome as always!!

My mom said, in the olden days when she was a kid, that they didn’t even have a dishwasher until she was nine years old!”

We always had a dishwasher when I was a kid. Funny thing though...it had my name on it. Ha ha!

I REALLY hate it when Mouse gets picked on! But...oh so happy to see Veronica stand up for her:) Boy has she grown!!

Willow looked at Tara. “’Pet Dolly’, hmm, that’s something we haven’t named yet!”

Tara looked back at her with a mixture of terror and amusement. She started backing away. “Oh no! You are NOT naming that! No, not ever! No way!”

Great update!! Anxiously awaiting the big game!!!

[indigokane]

wonderful as usual. nice to see Willow's growing emotional maturity. and the solidairity bewtween the girls of the cabin is great. they will triumph yet!!!

an honor to see Trouble make a title appearance, she'll be making a reappearance very soon, just gotta iron out some details.

it's going great, but really i can't wait for "The Revenge", dying to see how it goes!!!

keep it up!!!

tina

[leonhart17]

Damn not getting notifications!

Cute chapter! I'm glad the girls were there for each other even if Tara hasn't come clean yet... Can't wait to see how the softball game goes!

[BlondCavalier]

I'm so glad to hear, first of all, that Willow figured out that Tara just wasn't ready to tell her secret yet. Yaay! They're together again! And I loved their love scene! It was SOOOO hot! And I'm glad the kids didn't (quite) interrupt them them this time.

I really liked Tara and Faith's adventure at Cougar Canyon. Tara was so brave with the snake! That whole scene was great writing.

"101 Elephant Jokes" I love Devola! Seriously, though, could Cordy's team have been any bitchier about the baseball? I know our girls are struggling, but I hope they somehow get a few good hits in anyways! Please?

I got a kick about the kids talking about their mothers. They reminded me me of me with mine

I'm anxious to hear about how the debate about "Dolly" comes along! There are so many things you can have them do with the name (or not)....

This chapter was wonderful and I eagerly await the next one. Update soon!

[Ariel]

Laragh:
There is some hurting, but there is a lot more healing . . . see goodnight kiss after lovemaking!

I'm really glad Willow re-lit the candle of forgiveness. That she understood Tara's reluctance was coming from fear and not distrust.

That lovemaking was...evocative. As it was meant to be, I suppose. I could feel it though, feeling them both needing the physical connection to each other when the emotional was unfortunately strained.

Glad that resonated for you! A tough scene to write and experience!

Quote:
Devola rolled her eyes, “That again, huh? Hey, Kelly! You’re famous, I saw your name on a book!”


Kelly looked curious in spite of herself. “What was it?”


Devola’s grin was wicked, “101 Elephant Jokes!”


Omg I don't care how immature I am, that's the single funniest joke I've heard in quite a while.

Tee hee! Love to make you laugh, Big D rides again in this post!

Hehe. 'Dolly'. I agree, a fabulous name

You and BlondCavalier are the biggest ‘Dolly Advocates’ and yes, Tara is considering it but she has two conditions . . . more to be revealed later.


SMGOVAN:

Redemption is yours! I am ecstatic that Willow lit the candle of forgiveness....The 3 fingered "Dolly" massage didnt hurt either!

Your posts are occasionally naughty, ALWAYS entertaining! Glad to redeem myself! *whew!*

I loved how moroni-...erm, Veronica (sorry I hold grudges) stood up for mouse. She has come a veeeery long way.

She still has some struggles ahead, but she’s heading in the right direction!

As for Cordelia's band of buggers... is it politically incorrect to call a bunch of 7 year olds bitches?? Because I'm very tempted.

Who am I to interfere with your first amendment rights? Hey, if you haven’t called them yet, you will after THIS post!!!


Laura AKA xlaurax1:

I didn't have very high hopes after the beginning but after Willow had her realisation...
Quote:
Tara isn’t mad at me, she’s scared; scared to tell me her secret. She needs me.

You were right, Willow deserves more credit than I gave her.

Willow still wants to know, still feels some hurt, but she is trusting Tara to trust her someday.

And poor Tara, her misery compounded by the fact that she's made Willow so upset. The two of them in their separate beds crying nearly killed me. I'm soooo glad that Willow re-lit the candle.

I loved how Willow knew exactly what Tara needed, not words but to physically reconnect

It was a hard scene to write and feel, but glad it worked. Thank you!

Glad you liked the ride, sorry about shivers with the rattler! You and Shelby see the snake scene very differently, I’ll admit I’m more like you!

Zampsa19752001:

I'm really glad that Willow figured it out that Tara is really scared to tell her secret. I loved how they reconnected.

Willow is smart and has a loving heart, the two worked together!

Faith says, “Thanks Z!” Glad you liked the riding trip!

Glad you liked ‘Dolly’ – Tara is seriously considering it but has a price in mind . . .

Big yay for Veronica defending her new best friend Mouse

Veronica has a now – you, SMGOVAN and Shelby all saw that – thanks!

Finally your big, tall wish:

I kinda hope that the Resistance with Faith's help make Team Poop-ular really Poop in their pants on the game day so that Team WillTara will have some chance in beating Smurf Mutt and her Team.

Wow! You’re not shy! *whisper* Have you been talking to SMGOVAN or Rick? Okay, I hear you so . . . REMEMBER THIS POST – see how it goes. You may be surprised!


Shelby AKA Finey McFine:
Thanks so much for the welcome back! Funny though, I’ve been seeing pink elephants . . . and they’re dancing!!!

Willow's angry reaction was expected. She's young and her first instinct was to internalized her feelings. But then she realized....
Quote:
Tara isn’t mad at me, she’s scared; scared to tell me her secret. She needs me.
This I felt, was a huge moment for her, she figured out that is wasn't all about her...it was about Tara. Nicely done!!

They’re growing as lovers and as women. You’re right, BIG step for Willow!

Their lovemaking was sweet and tender. Sometimes you just need that physical connection to make all things better.

Yes and a loving touch is especially important to Tara, which Willow gave her.

We always had a dishwasher when I was a kid. Funny thing though...it had my name on it. Ha ha!

You lucky girl! But at least you HAVE one! I still don’t!

I enjoyed Tara and Faith's adventurous ride up to the canyon....especially their little run in with the snake. A daily occurrence for me:) Well, not of the venomous variety, just the snaky types.

You and Laura are on opposite sides of the snake question, but glad you both enjoyed the ride!


Maggie AKA Leonhart17:

Cute chapter! I'm glad the girls were there for each other even if Tara hasn't come clean yet... Can't wait to see how the softball game goes!

And it’s coming! But the set-up took a LOT longer than planned! Game soon-ish, promise! <=peace offering!


Tina AKA indigokane:

nice to see Willow's growing emotional maturity and the solidarity between the girls of the cabin is great. they will triumph yet!!!

LOVE that SPIRIT!!! Thanks for cheering them on, they’ll need it!

Glad your fic is coming along, thanks again for the use of your name. Please DON’T SUE ME when Devola goes crazy with it! Groveling now:


BlondCavalier:

I'm so glad to hear, first of all, that Willow figured out that Tara just wasn't ready to tell her secret yet. Yaay! They're together again! And I loved their love scene! It was SOOOO hot!

Boundaries, hard for two passionately in love people to handle! Especially one as curious as Willow. And thanks for the hot vote! :smile

Glad you liked Faith and Tara’s ride to snake city and Devola’s ripostes –stay tuned for more of Miss D!

Seriously, though, could Cordy's team have been any bitchier about the baseball? I know our girls are struggling, but I hope they somehow get a few good hits in anyways! Please?

I believe in the power of prayer, so at least a few good hits are coming but I can’t turn this team into sluggers! But Cordelia’s sterling qualities will count!

[center]STORY TO FOLLOW (ALMOST) IMMEDIATELY AFTER![/center]

[Ariel]

Laragh:
There is some hurting, but there is a lot more healing . . . see goodnight kiss after lovemaking!

I'm really glad Willow re-lit the candle of forgiveness. That she understood Tara's reluctance was coming from fear and not distrust.

That lovemaking was...evocative. As it was meant to be, I suppose. I could feel it though, feeling them both needing the physical connection to each other when the emotional was unfortunately strained.

Glad that resonated for you! A tough scene to write and experience!

Quote:
Devola rolled her eyes, “That again, huh? Hey, Kelly! You’re famous, I saw your name on a book!”


Kelly looked curious in spite of herself. “What was it?”


Devola’s grin was wicked, “101 Elephant Jokes!”


Omg I don't care how immature I am, that's the single funniest joke I've heard in quite a while.

Tee hee! Love to make you laugh, Big D rides again in this post!

Hehe. 'Dolly'. I agree, a fabulous name

You and BlondCavalier are the biggest ‘Dolly Advocates’ and yes, Tara is considering it but she has two conditions . . . more to be revealed later.


SMGOVAN:

Redemption is yours! I am ecstatic that Willow lit the candle of forgiveness....The 3 fingered "Dolly" massage didnt hurt either!

Your posts are occasionally naughty, ALWAYS entertaining! Glad to redeem myself! *whew!*

I loved how moroni-...erm, Veronica (sorry I hold grudges) stood up for mouse. She has come a veeeery long way.

She still has some struggles ahead, but she’s heading in the right direction!

As for Cordelia's band of buggers... is it politically incorrect to call a bunch of 7 year olds bitches?? Because I'm very tempted.

Who am I to interfere with your first amendment rights? Hey, if you haven’t called them yet, you will after THIS post!!!


Laura AKA xlaurax1:

I didn't have very high hopes after the beginning but after Willow had her realisation...
Quote:
Tara isn’t mad at me, she’s scared; scared to tell me her secret. She needs me.

You were right, Willow deserves more credit than I gave her.

Willow still wants to know, still feels some hurt, but she is trusting Tara to trust her someday.

And poor Tara, her misery compounded by the fact that she's made Willow so upset. The two of them in their separate beds crying nearly killed me. I'm soooo glad that Willow re-lit the candle.

I loved how Willow knew exactly what Tara needed, not words but to physically reconnect

It was a hard scene to write and feel, but glad it worked. Thank you!

Glad you liked the ride, sorry about shivers with the rattler! You and Shelby see the snake scene very differently, I’ll admit I’m more like you!

Zampsa19752001:

I'm really glad that Willow figured it out that Tara is really scared to tell her secret. I loved how they reconnected.

Willow is smart and has a loving heart, the two worked together!

Faith says, “Thanks Z!” Glad you liked the riding trip!

Glad you liked ‘Dolly’ – Tara is seriously considering it but has a price in mind . . .

Big yay for Veronica defending her new best friend Mouse

Veronica has a now – you, SMGOVAN and Shelby all saw that – thanks!

Finally your big, tall wish:

I kinda hope that the Resistance with Faith's help make Team Poop-ular really Poop in their pants on the game day so that Team WillTara will have some chance in beating Smurf Mutt and her Team.

Wow! You’re not shy! *whisper* Have you been talking to SMGOVAN or Rick? Okay, I hear you so . . . REMEMBER THIS POST – see how it goes. You may be surprised!


Shelby AKA Finey McFine:
Thanks so much for the welcome back! Funny though, I’ve been seeing pink elephants . . . and they’re dancing!!!

Willow's angry reaction was expected. She's young and her first instinct was to internalized her feelings. But then she realized....
Quote:
Tara isn’t mad at me, she’s scared; scared to tell me her secret. She needs me.
This I felt, was a huge moment for her, she figured out that is wasn't all about her...it was about Tara. Nicely done!!

They’re growing as lovers and as women. You’re right, BIG step for Willow!

Their lovemaking was sweet and tender. Sometimes you just need that physical connection to make all things better.

Yes and a loving touch is especially important to Tara, which Willow gave her.

We always had a dishwasher when I was a kid. Funny thing though...it had my name on it. Ha ha!

You lucky girl! But at least you HAVE one! I still don’t!

I enjoyed Tara and Faith's adventurous ride up to the canyon....especially their little run in with the snake. A daily occurrence for me:) Well, not of the venomous variety, just the snaky types.

You and Laura are on opposite sides of the snake question, but glad you both enjoyed the ride!


Maggie AKA Leonhart17:

Cute chapter! I'm glad the girls were there for each other even if Tara hasn't come clean yet... Can't wait to see how the softball game goes!

And it’s coming! But the set-up took a LOT longer than planned! Game soon-ish, promise! <=peace offering!


Tina AKA indigokane:

nice to see Willow's growing emotional maturity and the solidarity between the girls of the cabin is great. they will triumph yet!!!

LOVE that SPIRIT!!! Thanks for cheering them on, they’ll need it!

Glad your fic is coming along, thanks again for the use of your name. Please DON’T SUE ME when Devola goes crazy with it! Groveling now:


BlondCavalier:

I'm so glad to hear, first of all, that Willow figured out that Tara just wasn't ready to tell her secret yet. Yaay! They're together again! And I loved their love scene! It was SOOOO hot!

Boundaries, hard for two passionately in love people to handle! Especially one as curious as Willow. And thanks for the hot vote! :smile

Glad you liked Faith and Tara’s ride to snake city and Devola’s ripostes –stay tuned for more of Miss D!

Seriously, though, could Cordy's team have been any bitchier about the baseball? I know our girls are struggling, but I hope they somehow get a few good hits in anyways! Please?

I believe in the power of prayer, so at least a few good hits are coming but I can’t turn this team into sluggers! But Cordelia’s sterling qualities will count!

[center]STORY TO FOLLOW (ALMOST) IMMEDIATELY AFTER![/center]

[Ariel]

[center]Feedback is read, re-read and often used! Thanks for reading! [/center]



Title: How I Met Your Mother*
Author: Ariel
Email: blaziak@yahoo.com
Feedback: All feedback welcomed, specific input appreciated, harsh on me via PM
Rating: NC-17 for W/T light loving, ratings can change on various posts
Disclaimer: I don't own these characters, but I love to take them for a ride!
Summary: A/U before season 1, the summer after Willow's freshman year with a large dose of Queen Cordelia at her bitchy best and teen-aged angst.
Special Thanks: To Tina who graciously allowed her KB name to be used in this fic!


*no connection to the sit-com of the same name


Thoughts are in italics.



Part 31: Favors and Face-off


Carly met Willow and Tara on the porch, and then brushed her sleeve across the perspiration on her forehead. “Wow, it’s a hot one!”


Tara and Willow nodded agreement; both were flushed from the heat and happy at the idea of sitting down for lunch out of the sun.


Willow sighed, “I can’t believe our girls are playing softball this afternoon. I’m tired already and we still have two afternoon rides!”


Tara nodded agreement. “At l-least they cancelled the last ride so we could start the game at three.” Then she reached out and tucked a bit of Willow’s hair behind an ear. Willow giggled and Tara smiled back.


Carly smiled then looked past them towards her former camper who was several yards away. She waved to catch the girl’s eye. “Hey, Letty! How’s your elbow?”


The girl didn’t seem to notice her, but Tizzie Stilton and Billie Candelaria looked at Carly and tugged the girl quickly in the opposite direction towards Cordelia who approached from her cabin. Then they formed a small tense knot and seemed to be pointing Carly out to Cordelia.


“What’s that about?” Then Carly shrugged and turned towards the relative cool of the dining hall’s ceiling fans. Carly got in line with her girls. Then Willow and Tara cut in behind her to join their girls who were chattering about their turn boating on the lake.


A moment later Cordelia hurried towards them, smiling warmly. She had paid to have her hair re-dyed to its original color and her skin had been scrubbed and soaked until it held only the faintest of blue tinges. “Carly! There you are, I’ve been dying to talk with you!” She dropped her eyes, “I’m just desperate for a favor!”


Carly was understandably wary, “What is it, Cordelia?”


“My laundry! My parents called and said that they plan to visit me this evening and there’s nothing clean to put on except camp T-shirts!”


Carly’s jaw dropped. “You want me to do your laundry?”


“As a favor to a friend?” Cordelia pouted prettily and Carly backed away.


“As a friend?” Carly asked incredulously, “That’s the fastest ‘no’ I’ve ever had to give!”


Willow and Tara looked away, trying to conceal their grins.


“I’ll pay you!”


Carly stared at Cordelia. “Why me?”


“Because you live here,” Cordelia answered smoothly. “No one knows these machines like you do and no one can do a better job!”


Carly managed a small, tight smile. “Thanks. I’ve always dreamed of earning respect as a laundress. So that ‘no’ is alive and well. Find yourself another washerwoman, Cordelia!”


“I’ll give you twenty dollars!”


Carly was dumbstruck. “Twenty dollars for an hour and a half’s work?”


“Forty!”


Carly grinned and shrugged, “For forty bucks, I will be your friend.” She smiled and shook Cordelia’s hand, “I’ll start after lunch and have it done by 2:30 at the latest and I’ll even iron your blouses!”


Cordelia hesitated. “Well, I can’t. I mean, it’s not all gathered together and I have stuff to do. Come pick it up just before the game.”


“But I was planning to go to the game!”


“That’s the deal. Forty dollars just before three o’clock, take it or leave it.”


“Okay,” Carly grumbled. “I’ll be at your cabin just before three and I’ll make sure it’s done by this evening. But I want twenty up front.”


Cordelia was all smiles, “Great!” Then she stuffed a twenty dollar bill in Carly’s hand, spun on her heel and walked to the back of the line with her cabin.


Willow was frowning, “This is as wrong as a four sided triangle! Cordelia would never be that nice to any of us unless it’s a dire emergency or some kind of a set-up! What’s she up to?”


Carly shook her head, “No idea. But forty bucks is forty bucks and I need every penny I can get my hands on for college.” She moved further up the line to join Mary and the rest of their girls, leaving Willow deep in thought.


[center]*************************************************[/center]


Lunch went on as Devola continued enthusiastically describing their canoe adventures. “So then Betts gets in with Lisa and Kate and they get about two feet out and she tips over the whole canoe and all three of them fall in!”


Bettina blushed, but she was grinning and Lisa and Kate were smiling, too.


“So Betts gets up,” Devola continued, “And Mouse looks all scared and says, “’Were you drowned?” She took a gulp of milk and started cracking up.


Towanda and Debbie saw the signs and immediately swung their legs around and jumped off their bench while Willow and Tara covered their faces in a feeble attempt to shield themselves from the milk missile due to arrive.


Then Devola swallowed and everyone breathed a sigh of relief.


“What? What’s the matter?”


Connie rolled her eyes as Devola took another gulp of milk. “You! You’re the matter! You’re some kind of milk-spraying spit monster and we’re sick of getting blasted!”


Devola’s eyes bugged out. Her faced went red and her whole body started shaking with laughter.


Connie did her best to hide behind Mouse and Veronica who sat right next to Devola.


Then Veronica tugged Mouse under the table just before Devola’s laughter went nuclear and a mouthful of milk shot from her mouth. It was Connie who received the full force of the blast.


“’Milk spraying spit monster’!” Devola slumped against Lisa, helpless with laughter, “’Milk spraying spit monster’!” It took several minutes for her to regain control. Then she clapped Connie affectionately on the shoulder, “Con, that was brilliant! Hilarious! ‘Milk spraying spit monster’!” She continued giggling, but the danger was past and Veronica and Mouse re-emerged to sit on the bench again.


Meanwhile Connie sat frozen, feeling the milk dripping down her face and onto her chest, not even noticing the napkins Willow was attempting to hand her from across the table. “I’m going to kill you, Devola.” Her voice was oddly soft. “I am going to kill you if it’s the last thing I do!”


Devola leaned forward to grin at Connie. “Okay! But you will be matching wits with Indigo Kane, girl detective!”


Connie’s jaw dropped. “Inda who? What are you talking about?”


Devola decided to be patient. “Indigo Kane, girl detective, dummy!”


Tara shot her a warning glance.


“Okay, you’re not a dummy. Actually Indigo Kane is more like a secret agent.” She laughed diabolically, “You’ll be going up against a master of disguise and a deadly agent who will stop at nothing to complete her mission!”


Connie whined, “How did I get into this mess?”


Devola grinned, “Just lucky, I guess!” She gave Connie another affectionate slap on the shoulder, “Con, we’re gonna have so much fun together!”


“Aaaaah!” Connie snatched the napkins Willow has still holding out to her and started furiously mopping at her face and neck while Devola grinned with delight at the adventures to come.


Willow tried to smooth things over, “So how about the softball game today!”


Towanda smacked her fist into her palm, “We’ll kill ‘em!”


“Yeah!” Devola agreed, “The Reds are going to murd-a-late the Queens!”


Bettina grinned, “We’ll get ‘em!”


Kate was more cautious, “Maybe. We’ve gotten better. But they have really good batters.”


Towanda stared at Kate, “Whose side are you on?”


Lisa patted Kate on the shoulder then looked around the table, “Look, let’s just play. Let’s have fun and do our best and that’s it. It should be a game, not a war.”


Tara nodded her approval, “That’s right—“


Towanda cut her off, “Then tell THEM that! They met us outside crafts today and teased us like crazy.”


Debbie jumped in, “Called us losers all the time. Called Devola ‘Dumola’ and stuff.”


Bettina nodded angrily, “And they picked on Mouse, too!”


Willow frowned and met the little girl’s eyes. “Is that true, Mouse?”


Mouse nodded and scooted closer to Veronica, who put an arm around her.


Then Veronica looked anxiously at Willow. “But I took care of it. It’ll be okay.”


Towanda smacked her fist into her palm again. “And Betts and I backed her up!” She and Bettina grinned at each other.


Tara was worried. “This isn’t right. W-we should talk to them.”


Willow shook her head, “Talking to Cordelia is like walking into a whirling buzz saw.” She saw Tara’s concern and smiled. “So who wants to live forever? We’ll go talk to her.” They swung their legs over the bench and walked over to Cordelia’s table.


Willow decided it was up to her, since she had more experience in coping with the dangers of conversing with Cordelia. “Hi Cordelia. Hi Harmony.”


Cordelia, Harmony and most of the campers tensed up as soon as they saw her and Tara coming. Willow’s brow furrowed in confusion,
What are they afraid of?


Harmony smiled unpleasantly at her, “Come to forfeit the game?”


Tara flushed, “No. W-we came to talk to you about it. There’s something wrong.”


Cordelia stood up quickly, “Not here!” she hissed and pulled them over to an unoccupied corner. Then she recovered her usual poise and eyed them with amused contempt. “So?”


Tara swallowed. “W-we think the game is getting out of hand. It’s turning into a w-war instead of kids h-having fun like it should be.”


Willow nodded and slid her arm around Tara’s waist. “She’s right. Come on, Cordelia, let’s turn down the volume, okay?”


“’Turn down the volume’?” Cordelia rolled her eyes, “I’m turning up the volume to penetrate that clueless brain of yours, Willow! This is about a trophy and a championship and we’re about winning it.”


“The mean stuff h-hurts the kids. It shouldn’t all be about w-winning.”


She turned to Tara, “So w-w-what’s wrong with w-w-winning, Tara? Wait, I forgot. You’re too much of a loser to know anything about it!”


Tara flushed and dropped her eyes and Willow felt a surge of anger. “Cordelia! You’re completely wrong: absolutely, utterly wrong!”


Cordelia shot them a bored glance. “Welcome to the real world. People compete. There’s winners and losers and I like being a winner. So does my team. If you can’t handle that then forfeit.” She turned gracefully and walked back to her table.


Tara swallowed and took a deep, calming breath. “At least we tried.”


Willow slid her arm around her waist, “Yeah. We survived the buzz saw!”


Tara smiled at Willow and squeezed her around the waist as they started back. “Let’s eat. There’s some jiggle-y Jell-O with my name on it.”


“Mmmmm. Jiggles.”


“W-willow!”


Willow jerked her gaze up to meet Tara’s eyes and blushed at being caught looking. “What? I can like Jell-O, too, you know! There’s no law against liking Jell-O!”


Tara’s smile quirked up in spite of herself. “No there isn’t.” She sighed, wishing that she could kiss Willow’s pouting lips right then but settled for leaning in close and brushing that same wayward lock of hair back behind Willow’s ear.


Willow sighed into the caress, dropping her head. “Jiggles.” Then she jerked her head up, “Jell-O! Jell-O with jiggles. Jiggle-y Jell-O, that’s what I meant!”


Tara smiled then leaned closer, her full lips brushing against Willow’s ear as she whispered, “Outdoor games are cancelled because of the heat so the kids are staying here for indoor games. We could head to the stables early and” she straightened and shot Willow a wicked glance, “Talk about Jell-O if you want.”


“I want.” Then Willow grinned and bounced on the balls of her feet. “I love talking about Jell-O!”


Then they spoke to their kids about the schedule change, put them under Lawanna’s direction to help get out the game supplies and headed off to the stables.


[center]*************************************************[/center]


Then they were the there in the stable’s silence, the door bolted behind them.


They looked at each other and their gazes locked. They inhaled deeply and moved into each other’s arms, pressing their bodies together.


Then Tara brushed Willow’s hair off her forehead and blew a cooling breath, followed by small kisses that led down to her cheek.


Willow swallowed, then she slid around behind Tara and lifted the heavy curtain of golden hair. She blew softly on Tara’s neck while Tara shivered delightedly. Then Willow leaned in, tasting the salty goodness of Tara’s neck and trailing kisses up Tara’s jaw line until she was giving love nips to Tara’s left earlobe.


Tara sighed, relaxing against Willow and feeling the smaller girl’s nipples harden and press against her back. Then Willow’s arms slid around Tara’s waist and her hands slipped under Tara’s shirt and trailed up Tara’s belly to cup the full softness of her breasts.


“Mmmm. Willow.”


Willow began a rhythmic squeezing while brushing Tara’s nipples with her index fingers. Her voice was husky, “So we wanted to talk about Jell-O.”


Tara’s soft moan was a note of music. “I don’t want to talk about anything.” She turned gently and slid her hands up Willow’s shirt, sliding under the elastic of Willow’s bra and brushing the taut nipples with her thumbs while Willow trembled under her touch. She pushed Willow’s shirt up to her shoulders and dropped kisses on the tops of Willow’s breasts, before unhooking Willow’s bra to leave the pink and white softness open to the air. Then Tara traced a spiral with kisses, until she was breathing against Willow’s nipple.


Willow leaned forward, thrusting her nipple into Tara’s mouth while Tara suckled at the hard sweetness and grazed it very gently with her teeth. Willow stiffened and threw her head back, her body brought to full tingling life. She felt her knees start to buckle and decided that passing out at Tara’s feet would be fine.


As if sensing her lover’s weakness, Tara put her arms around Willow and walked them back to a hay bale where Tara sat and Willow straddled a firm thigh and wove her fingers through Tara’s hair while Tara continued making love to her breasts; then finished with a tender kiss on each nipple.


Tara sighed with pleasure and met Willow’s eyes. “I love ‘Milk’ and ‘Honey’.” Then blue eyes met green, “You’re beautiful, Willow. Y-you know that, don’t you?”


Willow blushed and scooted in closer so that she could drop her head on Tara’s shoulder. “If I do, it’s because of you, Tara.”


Tara smiled. “And you gave me tears. When I cried last night, it was because I w-was happy. H-happy that I could let it out and that you were there for me. I never understood crying for joy until I met you.”


They clung together.


Willow finally broke the silence. “Sometimes, I’m kind of sad. I mean not sad-sad like miserable but sad kind of melancholy.” She clutched Tara convulsively, “There’s not enough time for us. I want to be with you. I miss you. I want you.”


Tara nodded against her shoulder. “I miss you, too. I’ve never been happier in my life but I want a day with you: our day from the morning through the night.” Her voice broke, “Is that too much to ask?”


Willow didn’t respond. They both knew the answer, but Willow tightened their embrace and began a gentle rocking motion to try and comfort her lover. A moment passed and Willow’s internal clock prompted a look at her watch. “Ride time, Tara.”


Tara swallowed, then managed a smile as she met Willow’s eyes. “Sure baby, ‘ride time’, it’s okay. They’re counting on us.”


Willow slid backwards off Tara’s lap and extended a hand to Tara. Their hands met and they experienced that same tingling shock that they had felt the very first time their hands had touched. Then their eyes met and their smiles were tender.


[center]*************************************************[/center]



The time in the hot sun crawled to a close at last with the last group of girls actually requesting an early stop time. Willow and Tara worked with the girls to groom the horses and walked the group to the dining hall where the girls were allowed to stay and join in the last few games of the period.


Willow glanced at her watch and grinned. “Tara! We have ten minutes for a shower if we move it!”


Tara nodded and they found the energy to jog to their cabin, snatch their clothes and head for the showers.


Willow sighed, loving the cool feel of the water. She turned her back a little self-consciously to clean herself then stole a look at the water beading against Tara’s skin and sliding down in rivulets. A moment later, she glanced happily back over her shoulder and caught Tara looking at her ass.


“Taaaara!”


Tara blushed. “I w-was going to offer to w-wash your back.”


“Busted! Miss Jiggle-y Jell-O! You are soooo busted!” Willow threw her head back to laugh and choked on a mouthful of water.


A moment later Willow had recovered and they dried off, dressed, and headed for the dining hall to find their kids.


Meanwhile Cordelia’s Queens sidled past their rivals. Tizzie Stilton hissed, “Losers!” as she went by.


Billie was next. “You owe me money, Veronica! Bring it!”


Veronica’s face was hard. “I got it, Billie, so shut-up!”


“No, you’ll get it if you don’t pay up!” She stared at the Reds. “Take a good look at me now, ‘cause none of you losers is ever gonna make it to first base!”


Bettina had caught Billie’s insult and stepped in, “We don’t need to look at you!”


Towanda jumped in, “We’ll be blowing past so fast we won’t bother looking at you!”


“Besides,” Devola chimed in, “We don’t want to barf before the game!”


Kelly stepped past her and slammed into Devola. “Sorry, Dumola!”


Devola grinned back. “Hey, Kelly! Wanna lose 10 ugly pounds? Cut off your head!” She cracked up laughing and threw her arms around Debbie and Connie on the way out.


Tizzie turned back. “Cordelia hired a stretch limo for our victory celebration tonight. I know you losers didn’t make any plans for yours. Why? Because you’re losers!” She laughed, her arm around the girl Carly had waved to earlier. “Come on! You’re our number one slugger!”


A moment later Tara and Willow walked in to greet their girls. Tara smiled. “Ready to go?”


The girls shrugged off the previous confrontation and nodded.


“W-we have to help haul some equipment, so come back to the shed behind the kitchen.” They went back around and saw Hallie and Lawanda already hauling out gear. They arranged for Lisa, Debbie, Connie and Kate to each take a base while Willow and Tara swung the bat bag between them. Then Devola carried the camp binder with the rules for Willow, leaving Hallie and Lawanna to manage the rest.


Towanda hurried up to Willow and Tara, “Hey! Is that bat bag heavy?”


Willow nodded, amused to see Towanda puff out her chest with pride. “Then Bettina and I can take it for you! We’re the strongest in the whole cabin!”


“Only by smell,” Devola called out from the back but Towanda was determined to ignore her.


Bettina stepped up, eager to do a favor for Tara and the two new friends each grabbed a handle, lifted the bag a few inches off the ground and staggered proudly to the ball field.


The kids distributed the bases around the four corners of the infield, pulled out their gloves and mitts, and grabbed a few balls to start warming up.


Towanda grinned. “Come on, you guys! This is it!”


Tizzie Stilton sidled past and hissed, “Losers!”


Towanda wasn’t intimidated, “We’re here to win, Stilton!”


The Queens laughed in their huddle then took to the field to loosen up, too. A few minutes later Lawanna and Hallie arrived with the rest of the equipment, called everyone off the field, and began double checking measurements and straight lines as they ensured that the three bases and home plate were properly laid out.


Then Lawanna blew her whistle and called everyone together. “Second game for you guys, championship for Cordelia and Harmony’s cabin if you win.”


She was interrupted by loud cheers from the confident Queens and smiled at their enthusiasm.


“Positive attitude, good for you! Now if the Reds win—“


The Reds cheered even louder, determined to out-shout the Queens.


Lawanna grinned. “Lots of excitement out on the field today! Okay, so if the Reds win it becomes a tie and you’ll play a tie-breaker for the championship trophy. Basic rules of slow pitch softball apply with a few exceptions at camp for age 7:
• No infield fly rule. When a fly ball is hit in the infield, it is only an out if someone catches it.
• No third strike rule so if you strike out, that’s it.
• Each side has three outs or 15 minutes to bat, whichever comes first.
• You only play 5 innings at age seven, so a game lasts about two-and-a-half hours. Get on and off the field quickly.


I know some of you play in leagues, so this is different. Remember the difference. The other rules are the same for slow pitch.


Okay, sportsmanship and safety. Everyone bats with a helmet. No throwing the bats. You get a hit, drop the bat and run. A thrown bat can hurt somebody. Don’t interfere with the base runner. You can tag her out, but don’t block the path.


Finally, sportsmanship. No booing, name calling, cursing, or belittling other players.” She looked seriously at the two groups. “A game gets exciting, maybe you think Hallie and I made a mistake in one of our calls as umpire. But you don’t get to yell or have a tantrum over things. We get that you may have a flash of temper, but we’ll pull you out of the game if your behavior is wrong. Got it?”


Both groups nodded.


“Good. Counselors, give us your batting cards showing the names, positions, and batting order for your team.


Willow and Cordelia each handed Lawanna their batting cards.


The Reds
Lisa Alexander (1b)
Debbie Oppenheim(cf)
Kate Ritter (ss)
Devola Darcy(3b)
Towanda Torkelson(2b)
Veronica Chase (lf)
Elizabeth Lianne (rf)
Connie Ferguson(p)
Bettina Alighieri (c)

The Queens
Tizzie Stilton (p)
Billie Candelaria (1b)
Delise Kinnemukka (3b)
Maureen Morrison (rf)
Letty Ballard (ss)
Hannah Matsuishi (2b)
Tammy Pam Carter (lf)
Celia Thomas (cf)
Kelly Leblonski (c)



Lawanna looked them over. “So these are the names of all the girls who are playing today?” Both sets of counselors nodded. “Okay! Last time the Reds won the toss and chose to bat last so our camp tradition is to give the other team first choice.” She turned towards Cordelia. “Do the Queens want to bat first or last?


“Cordelia smiled, “Last.” She looked contemptuously at the Reds, “Although I’m sure it won’t matter!”


“Good! This is my third year as program leader for sports and both Hallie and I want to be professional athletes. So be honest, follow the rules, stay safe, and have fun! Now, one of our camp traditions is for you to line up your team so you’re side by side facing the other team and shake hands. So line up!”


Cordelia smiled and interrupted smoothly. “Before we do that, our girls made up a cheer for the Reds. Just a little joke to laugh at. She turned to her girls. Ready?”


The Queens breathed in and shouted,


“W-w-willow and T-t-Tara
And the team you call ‘The Reds’!
We’re gonna beat ya and scare ya
Till you wish that you were dead!”


Then the Queens exploded into cheering and clapping while Tara went white and the Reds strode forward to shout their answer to the challenge.


Willow felt a surge of fury and actually yanked Cordelia by the wrist and dragged her aside.


“Cordelia! You have no right to attack Tara and our team like this!”


“It’s just a cheer, Willow!”


“It’s an attack and a threat!”


Cordelia smiled. “Are you threatened by me? By my team? Are you scared that we’re going to beat you?”


“No!”


Her eyes narrowed and she moved in for the kill, “Afraid your tender little T-tara can’t take it?”


Willow glared, “NO!”


Then bet me! Here’s one hundred dollars that say you can’t win this game under any circumstances.” She waved the bill insultingly in Willow’s face.


Logic was gone, Willow stepped up to Cordelia and glared into the taller girl’s eyes. “It’s all my money for the month, but you’ve got a bet!”


Willow reached out to shake on it, but Cordelia eyed her outstretched hand with distaste. “No thank you. I try not to touch losers; it might be contagious!”


Lawanna called them back over and shook her head, “That’s not the kind of cheer I’m looking for Cordelia. You just flunked the attitude test, so turn it around!”


Cordelia smiled, just showing the tips of her teeth, “Of course.”


Lawanna and Hallie exchanged glances. Then Hallie took her position between first and second base and moved back about 10 feet while Lawanna donned a face mask. “Queens, take the field! Reds, stay safely out of the hitting zone and prepare to bat!”


Everyone was in place and there was a stillness on the field.


Lawanna looked more closely, too still for a seven year old softball game at camp! Then she shook off the thought, looked briefly at the Reds’ line-up card and focused.


“Play ball!”

[zampsa19752001]

Dibs-y goodness!

Yay for great update-y goodness... I hope Carly misplaces or shrinks Smurf Mutt's clothes in her laundry trip... Can't wait for Resistance strike on Smurf Mutt's team... I hope Finchmeister finds out that Smurf Mutt really flunked the attitude test and kicks her out...

[wayland]

Hi Ariel,

I liked the 'secrets' scene, it was believable and sad. I also liked the way you showed Willow's initial, childish, reaction and then the way she quickly abandoned it.

Nice writing!

[Laragh]

Hmm, color me suspicious. What is Cordelia up to?? A ploy to make sure Carly's not at the game??

I have a very bad feeling about this softball game. Shit's gonna go down.

I love their alone time together. How much their silence speaks volumes, it's really moving.

Man, these kids are harsh. I so do not miss being 7 lol.

Eek, I hope Willow doesn't have to give her money up to Cordelia. A preferable situation would be Cordelia losing it and Willow able to buy something pretty for Tara

Great update! Looking forward to the game!

[BeMyDeputy]

Ariel,
So, you know I've been reading this, despite my lack of feedbacking as of late, because I keep telling you I like it on IM.

But everyone else is in the dark, and might think I stopped reading.

And that's just not acceptable.

So, I have still been reading, and still been liking. I totally remember telling you very insightful things . . . none of which spring instantly to mind. But, you know me: if I haven't commented the hell out of a word document, I don't feel like Ive done a complete job on the feedback front.

Now, sadly I'm writing this from my iPod, which works great for reading but isn't the greatest for giving conked feedback. So, poke me on YIM and remind me to give you specifics for this update.

In the mean time, you'll have to settle for any advertising my recognized-by-some name by your story counts as.

[Grimm]

Ringers!! Cordelia has a team full of professional international midgets (little people)!! Pleeeease let one of the Reds accidently (ha) throw there bat and knock Cordelia's front teeth right out of her fucking mouth !!

[willowtaralover]

Sorry Ariel, I'm a little behind on feedbacks here so this is actually for chapter 30 but i'm reading 31 as you read this

Tara lay down, tense with misery. She gave me everything: her body and her love and her trust. And what did I give her? Nothing. Nothing but hurt feelings. And now she’s running off so she doesn’t have to cry in front of me, so her tears, her precious tears will fall down a drain instead of being here with me, where I’d kiss them away. She sighed. I don’t know what to do, what to say. All I know is that I can’t tell her; because if I did then I’d have to tell her the rest: how evil and hateful a person I really am and THEN she wouldn’t love me, couldn’t love me.

Just a couple of paragraphs in and already I’m upset and tearful. And who’s been conditioning Tara to think like that??? I seem to recall Tree telling Tara she had been treated in a similar manner so I’m guessing family.

Please tell me I’m wrong Ariel, but I have this awful suspicion that Tara’s family are going to be a bunch of unsavoury s***s who will put everybody’s nose’s out of joint at the show.

I’m glad that Willow isn’t small minded or bears a grudge and realises how much Tara truly loves and needs her when she hears Tara confesses she thought Willow didn’t love her anymore. Willow then comforts Tara and uses their love making as a form of reassurance and to let her know she is always there for her girl.

I love the way that all the girls are worried for Tara, especially Bettina, and they all want to hug and comfort her.

The adventure in the canyon was brilliant, a really cool scene with Tara fending off the rattler while Faith got the horses. I wonder how it would have been with the girls from the cabin.


Breakfast was the usual adventure. Mouse spilled her oatmeal, but Veronica took her right back to the kitchen and cleaned her up with a sponge provided by Faith.

Why do I get the feeling that Mouse just really dislikes oatmeal? Has anyone tried her with Lucky Charms or Fruit Loops?

“Oh yeah,” Devola was saying, “My Mom makes me bring my dishes in and put them in the dishwasher and I have to turn it on, too!”

Debbie was sympathetic. “Wow! That’s tough!”

Towanda jumped in, “That’s nothing! My mom said, in the olden days when she was a kid, that they didn’t even have a dishwasher until she was nine years old!”

The kids gasped.

Towanda continued her triumph, “And they didn’t even have remotes when she was a kid. You had to get up and actually turn a knob to switch channels and they only had about twelve channels!”

That stunned them into silence as they contemplated a world without cable television.

This is hilarious, I actually remember a time when we didn’t have a dishwasher, it was last night ;D

Kelly cracked her knuckles slowly and raised her fists but Billie stepped in front of her to glare at Mouse. “Remember me, Rat? We have a bet. When you don’t get on base you pay me a dime. If you do, I pay you a dollar.”

Lisa stepped in. “Look, no bets. She’s a little kid.”

“Shut up, stupid! We weren’t talking to you, we were talking to the baby faced rat, make that the fatty faced chipmunk. Look at her cheeks!” She leaned forward to pinch Mouse’s cheeks, but Veronica stepped between them, her brown eyes blazing.

“Get away from her, Billie! I mean it!” Veronica cocked her fists, while Towanda and Bettina stood on either side of her and did the same.

Oh Yeah, go Veronica ready to kick butt on Mouse’s behalf, I just hope Faith taught her how to use those fists otherwise she may get murderlated, to quote Devola.

So Willow wants to name Tara’s er…ahem…Dolly does she. Well I think Tara should have the same opportunity to name Willow’s…ahem. How about Trixie or Miss Kitty Fantastico, they sound like good names lol.

[willowtaralover]

Tara nodded agreement. “At l-least they cancelled the last ride so we could start the game at three.” Then she reached out and tucked a bit of Willow’s hair behind an ear. Willow giggled and Tara smiled back.

This is a nice little moment between the girls after the angst in the last chapter.

A moment later Cordelia hurried towards them, smiling warmly. She had paid to have her hair re-dyed to its original color and her skin had been scrubbed and soaked until it held only the faintest of blue tinges.

And presumably sandpapered too lol

“My laundry! My parents called and said that they plan to visit me this evening and there’s nothing clean to put on except camp T-shirts!”

Carly’s jaw dropped. “You want me to do your laundry?”

“I’ll pay you!”

Now why do I have the feeling this is some kind of conspiracy between SuperBitch, Cheese, Candelabra and Letty.
The episode with Devola, Connie and the milk was brilliant and ‘Milk Spraying Spit Monster’, such an inspired line and referencing Kittens in the story. Will someone make this into a TV series, pleeeeaaaaasssseeeeee.

Mouse nodded and scooted closer to Veronica, who put an arm around her.

Then Veronica looked anxiously at Willow. “But I took care of it. It’ll be okay.”

These two had better get a happy ending in this story, they’ve just become too darn cute. Can Willow and Tara adopt them? Plus Veronica has shown that she’s fallen a long way from Cordelia’s side of the Chase tree.

Tara sighed, relaxing against Willow and feeling the smaller girl’s nipples harden and press against her back. Then Willow’s arms slid around Tara’s waist and her hands slipped under Tara’s shirt and trailed up Tara’s belly to cup the full softness of her breasts.

I’m a little puzzled here, does this mean Tara has been going all morning without a bra? Cos that would mean her breasts would be hot and sweaty and excuse me, I need a cold shower.

Ok I'm back now 'smirk'

The scene in the barn is so beautiful and tender and a wonderful re-affirmation of their love. Then Willow confessing she doesn’t want to be separated from Tara even though they are both fully aware of what will happen at the end of summer camp. Her wish for there to be just a day that they could share between them, a Willow and Tara day. Surely Faith and Carly can help with this

Then there’s the hugging, Tara telling Willow that she’s beautiful, the loving hugs. Tara’s admittance of never having cried for joy before seems to be a foreshadowing of more badness to come before their happy ending but all in all this has got to be just the most beautiful moment in the chapter. This is how a romantic love scene should be done.

Billie was next. “You owe me money, Veronica! Bring it!”

Veronica’s face was hard. “I got it, Billie, so shut-up!”

Two thing’s here 1) Cordelia’s Queers haven’t won yet so they shouldn’t be asking for any winnings. 2) Where in the frilly is the Finchmeister? Is she even still around?

Lawanna grinned. Okay, so if the Reds win it becomes a tie and you’ll play a tie-breaker for the championship trophy.

I’m a dumb brit so does this mean that if the reds won this game would they then have to play Cordelia’s team again?

Then bet me! Here’s one hundred dollars that say you can’t win this game under any circumstances.” She waved the bill insultingly in Willow’s face.

Logic was gone, Willow stepped up to Cordelia and glared into the taller girl’s eyes. “It’s all my money for the month, but you’ve got a bet!”

Two words HOLY SHIT. Willow what are you thinking making a bet with a canine like Cordelia. The Reds had better win this match or I’m gonna be really upset and sulk for like ages. And Mouse has got to get to at least one base, though two would be better.