Feedback is golden and *YOINK-able* ideas are often used! Thanks for reading and feedback! 
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 (probably more like PG-13, but better safe than sorry!) for W/T light love, 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 Sonya and Zampsa for their lovely insults to Harmony and to Rick for the name “Dogdelia.” So glad I get to use these – they appear NEXT post!
Special Thanks: AstronSoul, Lexi, Rick, and Wimpy for suggesting that Faith is trying to pit Harmony and Cordelia against each other – brilliant idea which I’m using! A taste in this post but it pays off in the big game!
Author’s Note: Wow, this has taken forever! Partly because my show opened last weekend (7 day workweeks for the past month) and partly because this game has developed a life of its own! So I have this post and I will post again on Monday, so there will be two posts in two and a half weeks, which isn’t too far off! Thanks for your patience and for your GREAT IDEAS many of which appear in this post and in the next!
*no connection to the sit-com of the same name
Thoughts are in italics.Part 48: Pre-game Show Cordy looked up just in time to see Harmony reach into her jewelry box and snag her gold posts with the amethyst center, “What do you think you’re doing?”
Harmony turned, “Borrowing some earrings, you’ve already put yours on so no biggie, right?”
“Grabby much? Ask first!”
Harmony offered a catty smile, “PMS getting you down? Take two of my Midol, maybe they’ll help.”
Cordelia took a deep breath. “Okay, we do borrow each other’s earrings, but handing my yearbook off to Faith without even telling me broke the Cordy Code of Conduct.”
“I was just proving my reputation, that I’m popular, too!”
“To Faith? Harmony, that girl is some trailer park serial killer in training! You and I don’t have to prove anything to someone like her. Besides, she probably put sleaze germs all over my year book! In two weeks I’ll be drinking cheap beer and buying clothes at K-Mart!” She shuddered.
Harmony was not to be mollified, “She didn’t do anything to your stupid yearbook! And I have the right to prove that I’m popular, too!”
“Harmony, I have put this message on endless play so listen up and grab a clue: This had nothing to do with anyone’s reputation. It was some scam by that greasy haired skank to split us up! Why can’t you get that?”
Harmony’s temper flared, “I’m not just some nobody, Cordelia, some dummy you can kick around!”
Cordelia continued casually brushing her hair, but her smile was dangerous. “Really? I didn’t see
your name on the Honor Roll.”
Harmony fired back. “Well I saw yours, right UNDER Willow Rosenberg’s!”
The two locked eyes in an angry glare and continued dressing in silence.
*************************************************
Tara woke up to the sight of Willow’s green eyes blinking sleepily at her from a few inches away and leaned in for a kiss.
Willow returned the kiss then sighed happily, “Tara-kisses, my favorite flavor.”
“Mmmm. Glad you like them.”
Willow leaned in to nuzzle Tara’s neck, “I like! I like! And I’ll have Tara-neck for dessert.”
Tara grinned, “And I wanted something sweet, too. Some—“
Willow covered Tara’s mouth, “’Milk’ and ‘Honey’. I know what Tare-bears like."
Tara did her Yogi Bear imitation, “And that’s not all, Boob-boob—“
Willow was eager to correct the apparent error in the little bear’s name, “It’s Boo-boo!”
Tara leaned her forehead against Willow’s and slid a hand up Willow’s pajama top, “Not when I’ve got Willow-boobs on the brain!”
Willow giggled, “You’re a breast gal.”
Tara grinned. “I’m also an ear gal,” then she nipped and kissed Willow’s ear until Willow wriggled from the chills rippling up her back, “And a neck gal,” then Willow felt a hot velvet tongue and several more love nips travel down her neck. Then Tara stopped suddenly and propped herself up on an elbow to ask, “Why did you give me the hickey on my neck?”
Willow blushed. “I don’t know. I felt all growl-y sexy. I wanted to mark you, tell everyone you’re mine. You’re not mad, are you?”
Tara felt a warm trickle against her thigh at the idea of being claimed as Willow’s lover. She swallowed, “Um, not
mad exactly.” Her eyes became heavy lidded and wore the ‘blue flame’ look Willow had learned to recognize and Willow felt her own breath hitch. Then she slid her hand under Tara’s tank top to feel her lover’s nipples hardening under her touch. Willow sighed, “Chocolate kisses.”
Tara sighed in return, her hand busy with Willow’s nipples, “Mmmm. Raspberries, ripe juicy raspberries.” Then lips followed hands and Willow’s breasts were thoroughly ravished. Then Tara’s head came up, her eyes alight with need and longing. “Mine!” Then her hungry mouth was on Willow’s neck and Willow felt the sharp nip of teeth while she pulled Tara even closer against her.
A few moments later they heard footsteps in the kids’ room and resigned themselves to waking up but giggled when they saw that Willow had a matching love mark on side of her neck.
*************************************************
Mrs. Finch materialized behind Willow and Tara while they stood in line and looked critically at Willow’s neck. “Another spider bite, eh?”
Willow blushed and nodded.
Mrs. Finch slapped a can of insecticide into her hand. “Then take this! It’s guaranteed to stop spiders.” She glared meaningfully into Willow’s eyes, “next time you see a spider, spray this right in its face!”
Willow gulped and nodded, but when Mrs. Finch left, she and Tara looked at each other and started laughing so hard they could barely stand.
Cordelia bumped them from behind. “Will you two snickering idiots please move along. I’m waiting.”
Willow bowed, still laughing, “Yes your High Cordy-ness, we hear and obey!” Then she moved down the line, still laughing, and slid her arm around Tara as they walked to their half empty table. “Where is everybody?”
Mouse spoke up, “Devola says the prune juice is murdelating her and she had to go the bathroom and some other girls did, too.” Mouse thought it over, “Me, too.” She looked at Veronica who smiled, “It’s okay Mouse, I’ll go with you.” They slid off the bench, leaving Connie, Kate, Lisa, and Debbie behind.
*************************************************
Tizzie, Kelly and Billie were staked out in front of the bathrooms, obviously waiting for a few Reds to show up.
Tizzie led off, greeting Towanda, Bettina, and Devola with her usual friendly style, “This is it, losers. You can’t hide behind the rulebook this time!”
Towanda stood up straight, “And you guys have to play instead of cheat!”
Billie pushed past her two friends to face off with Towanda, “That’s crap and you know it! We beat you the first game, 17 to 3 without cheating and we would’ve beat you the second game, too!”
Devola made an airy gesture, “We’ll never know since you guys were too dumb to play without cheating!”
Kelly rushed forward and shoved Devola hard in the chest and Devola staggered back into Bettina who just managed to put up her hands and steady her.
Veronica ran up with Mouse following, “Are you okay, Dev?”
“Yeah.” Devola grinned, but her eyes were angry. “I was just going to compliment Kelly on being famous. She was the star of a movie.”
Kelly gaped with astonishment, curious in spite of herself, “What did I do in the movie?”
Devola’s grin widened, “Climbed the Empire State Building, you dumb ape! You were ‘King Kong’!”
Towanda and Devola bent double laughing, but Veronica stayed upright and was ready when Kelly tensed and leaned forward, preparing to charge. Veronica’s voice was flat, without a trace of fear, “Don’t do it, Kelly, or I’ll stuff you down the toilet, again!”
Kelly hesitated and flushed red with anger when her friends stared at her and a fresh burst of laughter came from Devola, Towanda, and Bettina.
Tizzie shifted the attack. “That reminds me, we have a deal with your little Mouse-baby. If she gets on base she gets a dollar, she doesn’t and you give us a dime.”
Billie approached Mouse but Veronica stepped between them while Towanda and Bettina moved in on either side of her.
Veronica’s eyes were hard and her fists her up, “I’ll take the bet but anything you have to say to Mouse, you can say to me!”
Billie’s voice was slow and soft, “She’s never gonna make it onto my base. She’s a crybaby stupid little brat which is why she hangs around with YOU! Everyone hates you, Veronica! You don’t have any friends and you never will!”
For an instant, Veronica’s shoulders slumped, then a little hand grabbed hers and Mouse’s piping voice could be heard loud and clear. “I’M Veronica’s best friend and you’re all mean girls and I’m gonna get on base, so there!” Then the little girl stamped her foot and tugged at Veronica’s hand. “Come on, Veronica! They’re bad girls and we don’t have to talk to them!”
Tizzie followed up, sensing her advantage. “We have a great celebration planned,” she said maliciously. “Cordelia rented a limo for us and we already got permission to ride around and go out to dinner and everything! Bet your stupid counselors don’t have anything planned because they know you’re going to LOSE!”
Towanda stepped closer, “That’s what you think! OUR celebration is top secret because we’re doing something that no one’s ever done before at camp!”
Devola backed her up, “And we’re gonna break about a million rules!”
Tizzie’s voice was so soft that they all leaned forward, “But you’ll never go because you’re gonna lose.” Then she flashed them a triumphant smile, grabbed her two friends by the arm and sauntered off in the direction of the dining hall.
Mouse was jumping up and down, her anger forgotten. “Are we really having a party? Really! Really! Really?”
Devola and Towanda’s eyes met and they both shrugged helplessly before Towanda turned to Mouse. “Sure we are.” Then she shrugged again and they all headed for the dining hall.
Mouse ran straight to Willow and Tara in line and got right to the point. “Tell us about our party! Tell us about our party!”
Tara and Willow exchanged glances.
Mouse began tugging on Willow’s hand. “After we win the game!”
Willow’s eyes widened, “Oh, THAT party!” She looked over at Tara who leaped in, determined not to disappoint their kids, “Um, that party is secret! We h-have a lot of um, a lot of—“
“Special plans!” Willow cut in, “and we’re going to see Faith right now to make sure it’s all set up!” Then she grabbed Tara’s wrist and began dragging her in the direction of the kitchen.
Towanda looked at Devola and Devola looked back at Towanda. “Towanda, you don’t think that they were telling us a—“
Towanda stood up straight, “Hey, this is Willow and Tara! They aren’t lying and we’re gonna have a GREAT party!” She leaned in to look Devola square in the eyes, “AFTER we win. Are you practicing all the catching drills and batting drills we gave you?”
Devola glared, “You ought to know! Half the time you’re yelling at me about how to do ‘em!”
“Okay, just checking, but we gotta win!”
Devola nodded agreement, then felt a shove from Connie and heard a chorus of angry voices telling her to move down the line.
Meanwhile Tara and Willow found Faith in the kitchen loading more scrambled eggs into a serving pan. Faith blew a wisp of hair off her forehead and was not in a good mood, “Now what? I’m busy!”
“Um, about the party for the kids after we win the game—“
Faith shrugged, “We’ll win it or we won’t and—“
Willow panicked and made a small squeaking sound then turned to Tara. “Tara, do the kid watching okay? Dangerous to leave them alone too long.”
Tara nodded and left. Willow spun back to stare at Faith. “What do you mean, ‘We’ll win it or we won’t’?”
Faith shrugged again. “It’s not a sure thing, nothing ever is.”
“I bet two hundred dollars and you bet a hundred! How could you bet if you weren’t all sure-gal?”
Faith straightened and Willow found herself taking an instinctive step backwards. “Look, Red. Queen B—“
“Queen C,” Willow corrected, “Her license plate says—“
Faith cut her off, “I call her Queen B for bitch, Red.” Faith thought it over, “Or maybe Queen C for cunt. Yeah, that’d work.” She smirked at Willow’s shocked expression then got serious. “Look, she was hammering you and I stepped in. End of story.”
“But you bet a hundred dollars!”
“Money comes and goes, I can deal. But didja see the look on her face?” Faith grinned, “Having me lay down that bet rocked her, shook her and THAT might help us win.”
Willow put a hand to her forehead and moaned, “Two hundred dollars.”
“It’s only money, Red.”
“But do we at least have a chance?”
“Hard to say. They had that fancy coach, but I got some ideas, too.” She sighed, “But we can’t win with four pretty much guaranteed strike outs. I’ve got to turn that around today. Game is tomorrow.” Faith nodded at the tray of scrambled eggs, “Now grab this tray and I’ll get the sausages!”
Willow walked out with Faith and realized that they hadn’t even discussed ideas for a party.
*************************************************
The weather was hot, and doing the morning’s three rides was an extra ordeal. When Tara slid off Midnight after the third ride Willow handed her a cool glass of water and Tara drank it gratefully before walking into Willow’s arms, content to lay her head on Willow’s shoulder.
During lunch, Faith outlined a series of small group practices designed to provide a lot of one-on-one coaching and said that Jennilee had offered to ride with Tara for the final two rides of the day to give her the time to coach.
Tara gratefully accepted the help and learned that Jennilee had been riding since the age of four. It wasn’t her passion, but Jennilee was entirely competent and good with the kids.
Tara breathed a sigh of relief while Willow mucked out stalls and recited the rules of slow pitch softball over and over to herself.
*************************************************
Faith lifted her hair up to cool her sweating neck as she called to the members of her special batting practice. “Okay, guys! Grab the gear and head back!” She motioned to Towanda and Lisa and they came closer. “So what do you think?”
Towanda shook her head, clearly frustrated. “Debbie got about one hit every hundred times. Devola is kind of coming along, Bettina is getting a little bit better, but the game is tomorrow!” She sighed, “And Mouse. She tried as hard as she could, but she never even came close to hitting the ball!”
Lisa agreed. “Some kids her age can hit. I could, but she’s never played before and she’s just not good at it.”
Towanda nodded, “At first I thought it was on me, I could barely pitch to her, but then—
Faith interrupted, “Say that again, kid!”
Towanda looked confused. “Uh, I said I thought it was my fault but—“
“Never mind!” Faith was exultant, “Things just got a LOT better!” Then she pulled the two girls closer. “We’ve done what we can for Debbie, she’s a good kid and we’ll remind her to settle down and watch the ball, same for Dev. But I have a plan B for Bettina.” She chuckled, then got back to business, “So you guys grab the gear. Just leave me the bats and home plate.”
Towanda’s face wrinkled in confusion. “Don’t you need some balls, too?”
“Nope. Got a special one all ready to go. But I’ll take one more, just in case. Now take off!” She gave them each a friendly slap on the back and watched them go with the rest of the team. Then she walked over to Bettina and fished an odd, lumpy ball out of her backpack that was shiny with clear tape and had what looked like black patches stuck onto it. “Betts, I made this just for you.”
Bettina stared closely at the ball and a wide grin spread across her face, as she turned it over in her hand. Then she gave it back to Faith, ran and grabbed a bat then stepped into the batter’s box. “Let’s go!” was all she said.
Faith grinned her dangerous grin and pumped her fist in the air in triumph. “Batter up!”
*************************************************
After dinner Willow had brought the entire group back to the cabin, Mouse running ahead and bouncing up and down with excitement when they arrived. “Wait! Wait for me and Willow! We did it! We made the banner thing!”
Willow smiled at her little admirer and gave her a quick hug, “Mrs. Gidden gave us a sheet cut in half and sewn together for the banner and Mr. Macready had some dowels lying around so we can actually raise it up and carry it when we march in.” She smiled affectionately at Mouse, “but Mouse did all the painting herself.”
Towanda was impressed, “Wow! Show us!” The others nodded agreement.
Mouse bobbed her head eagerly then she and Willow raced around the corner of their cabin where they had stashed the banner. A moment later, they marched out together, raising their banner high and grinning proudly. It was a childishly drawn circle with dots for eyes and a smiling mouth and two triangles meant for ears and whiskers on its face.
Kate smiled, “That’s really cute, Mouse. I like it.”
Lisa nodded, “Yeah. Me, too.”
Devola, on the other hand, was horror-stricken. “What is it?” She demanded hoarsely, “Never mind! I know. It’s a CAT! I can’t believe it! A CAT! What’s so terrifying about a cat?”
Mouse stamped her foot, “It’s NOT a cat,” she said indignantly, “It’s a kitten! It’s for our army when we march.”
“A kitten.” Devola said, clearly dazed by the magnitude of the catastrophe. “Whoever heard of a kitten army? That is the DUMBEST thing I ever heard in my life! A kitten army!” She repeated then subsided into crazed mumbling.
There was a moment of awkward silence.
“I like it!” Veronica said suddenly and patted Mouse’s shoulder.
Kate stepped closer to Mouse, “I still think it’s cute.”
Towanda hesitated, “I do, too. I mean it is kind of cute, but it’s not really scary and we wanted to march in all strong and—“
“No!” Lisa had a flash of inspiration, “This is a perfect! It’s a psych!” She looked around the group, seeing their confusion, and rushed to explain. “Let’s not try to be strong and scary! Let’s psych ‘em out. We walk up together all cute looking with our Kitten Army and they think it’ll be easy to beat us.”
Towanda nodded, picturing it. “Yeah. They laugh at us. They let their guard down.
Devola’s eyes suddenly lit up, “THEN we destroy them!”
Everyone huddled together and grinned.
Devola continued, “So we need to look weaker, like we don’t have a chance.”
Kate giggled, “Let’s skip in holding hands.”
Connie laughed, “And swinging them!”
Devola looked at Mouse, “And have Mouse in the very front, leading us!”
Mouse’s eyes went wide, “I can go first? I can be the head marcher?” Everyone agreed and Mouse began jumping up and down and clapping her hands so hard that her palms tingled and her face turned red with excitement.
Towanda took charge, “Have Willow and Tara hold the banners and—“
Mouse interrupted, “I want Willow to hold my hand!”
Willow knelt down and gave Mouse a hug, then grinned up at the rest of the group. “The marching team of Lianne and Rosenberg is ready to lead the parade!”
Tara smiled, warmed by the sight of their hug, “Then Faith and I can march in the back and hold up the banner.”
There were nods all around.
“Wait!” Towanda interrupted “What about our song, marching in? I liked it.”
Lisa thought it over, “Start it slow and soft then when we stop marching we do it louder and it ends up really loud.”
Devola nodded, “Yeahhhhh. Psych ‘em out, then finish so that they aren’t sure. Throw ‘em off balance.” She nodded, “I like it!” She paused, “’The Kitten Army’,” she said in an awed voice. Then she giggled, “Those stupid Queens’ll never know what hit ‘em!”
*************************************************
After good-night tooth brushes, Towanda had insisted on marching the rest of the team back in formation but allowed Willow and Tara to linger behind in the bathroom.
Tara leaned over, pushing a last bit of toothpaste over the sink drain to make sure it washed down, then she felt a funny sensation and looked up to see Willow’s eager face reflected in the mirror, eyes firmly directed breast-ward.
Tara cleared her throat, “It’s strange, I think I’ve become psychic.”
Willow decided to play it casual, “Oh?”
“Uh huh. ESBP. Extra-Sensory Boob Perception. When someone,” she smiled, “Well, a certain red-headed someone, looks at my boobs I get a funny feeling.”
Willow blushed, but attempted to maintain a tone of scientific detachment, “Describe the sensation.”
Tara turned and leaned back against the sink, her voice coy. “Um, sometimes I get sort of tingly,” she glanced quickly around them then touched her nipples, “right here.”
Willow swallowed. “That’s very,” Tara’s finger continued its hypnotic circling of her nipple, “interesting!” Willow squeaked.
Tara nodded seriously, “But there’s more, doctor.” She stepped closer and looked intently into Willow’s eyes, “I
can call you doctor?”
Willow felt her breath catch, “Call me anything! Uh I mean what other symptoms have you experienced?”
“Um, sometimes I get a kind of fluttery feeling in my tummy.”
Willow maintained her professional façade, “Does it cause you pain?”
Tara looked intently into Willow’s eyes and suddenly dropped all pretenses. “No,” she answered softly, “It feels really good, special.” Then she closed the gap between them and dropped her head on Willow’s shoulder. “I’m so in love with you, Willow.”
Willow’s arms slid around Tara and pulled her even closer. “Me, too. I love you, Tara. My Tara.”
Tara gulped, “Don’t make me cry. I don’t want the girls to be upset.”
Willow’s breath was warm against her ear, a tender whisper. “I’ll try not to, but you are ‘My Tara’.”
It took an extra moment of holding, an offer of toilet paper to dab at wet cheeks, and a gentle face washing but finally Tara was ready to head back to their cabin and pass through the gaze of their nine curious kids who were talking strategy about the game tomorrow.
Willow took charge, “So Coach Faith says that athletes need their rest and assistant coaches Willow and Tara agree. So into bed right now!”
Then the two counselors made their rounds, giving each little girl a good night pat on the shoulder, a hug or a kiss depending on what each child seemed to need.
Then they were alone, changed into night clothes and climbing into bed together.
Willow spoke up, “I know what I need.”
Tara’s arms pulled her close and Willow pillowed her head against the soft place just below Tara’s shoulder. “What do you need?”
Willow burrowed in even closer and dropped a loving kiss on Tara’s cheek, “Just you, baby, just you.”
Tara’s voice was the barest whisper, “Willow, my Willow,” was all she said.
see Allie’s post for further instruction (I’m taking notes! 
)
Also glad the ending worked . . . thank you. 
Hey, PM me some links to your stuff, okay? Thanks for your feedback! 
I feel special) 
And THANKS!!! 
Angry, much? Okay, you’ll never make a diplomat but you’re all with the W/T and that makes you a winner!!! Rock on, my brother! 
Very cute!