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

[willowtaralover]

I have to agree with Be My Deputy on this one. Why didn't Willoa and Tara take their clothes to Finchy. Even if they couldn't prove that it was Cordelia and/or Harmony the head honcho would still have to provide them with money to get some new work clothes with.

[Ariel]

Laragh:

I don't know whether to be or @ the prune juice comment...

Well, Finey wants to call Child Protective Services and Rick thinks it’s funny! I was heading more for the funny, but take your pick!

Tara/Bettina conversation on love was adorable!!!

Definitely means a lot coming from you, thanks!

Oh Cordelia, you cruel bitch. Poor Tara :( I hope Willow talks to her soon :( :(

Yeah, very busy few moments here, but they will be talking and there is a lot for them to work out. Also good news is a-coming!


Fuchsin:

Cordelia is a superbitch deluxe! I really hope someone is going to shave her head Or dye her hair green or something

Love “Superbitch Deluxe” and brilliant vengeance idea!!!! Definitely *Yoink*able! There will be a showdown, count on it! Thanks for writing!! And sorry, no umlaut!


Zampsa19752001:

Finchmeister's prune juice comment was kinda creepy

Finey is with you, Laragh is undecided and Rick calls it comedy!

Does V feel bad, it will be resolved . . .

I really liked Tara's talks with Bettina & Carly.

Thank you, I enjoyed “overhearing” them, too!

Can't wait for resistance's strike back...

Not long now!


Maggie AKA Leonhart17:

Boo Veronica being a spy!!! Cordelia being a bitch doesn't surprise anyone though :/

Right again, Maggie! Sad, but true!

And I hope Willow sets Tara straight soon about the stuff Finch-bitch said!

It will come, this section is a bit busy, but trust me – they will talk!

As to vengeance, kid style – not long to wait!!!


Wimpy:

Oh, ouch. That was just down right nasty what Cordelia did. And poor little Veronica again being used and lied to.

Veronica is becoming aware . . . slowly.

It breaks my heart to think Tara thinks she has nothing to give to Willow and will be holding her back. The "Maclay charity" comment sounds like something she's heard from her crappy dad her whole life.

Same here, it is pitiful that having a problem and not having money is such a big deal to some people. As to the “Macalay charity” comment – got it in one, girlfriend! Damn you’re good!!!

I really can't wait to see what the girls come up with for payback.

It’s commmmminnnnng. Not long to wait at all!


willowtaralover:

I Love the subtle way that you’re building the friendship between Veronica and Mouse, first Veronica strokes Mouse in the game played in the hut, then Veronica lets Mouse sleep with her when she has a nightmare, Mouse goes to bring Veronica to her part of the dinner queue after Cordelia rejects her and now Veronica is helping to feed Mouse.

Yes, however there is more to this than meets the eye and no, nothing evil! Stay tuned!

The scene where Finchy gives Willow a glass of prune juice is a great piece of comedy. You can just imagine the look on Willow’s face as the glass is placed before her.

See post from Shel for a contrarian viewpoint!

The conversation between Tara and Bettina is so sweet, showing all the insecurities that children of that young age have and the reassurance they constantly need. It also shows what a great parent Tara would be, possibly why she is usually written as the mother of hers and Willow’s children.

Don’t count Willow out as a parent, she is very good herself. Stay tuned . .

How low can Cordelia possibly get, using Veronica only when it suits her purposes and ignoring her the rest of the time. What a £$%$$%$$$££ing beeyatch.

Nothing to add, you said it all!

Connie chipped in, “Steal her make-up. She’d die but they wouldn’t call it murder.”

This line is hilarious, it really made me laugh out loud.

Thanks again! I feared I was the only one laughing again! Now there’s two of us!


Shel AKA Finey McFine:

Awww...this was very sweet! I love that they have someone that sort of taken them under their wings. Yay Carly! Great idea about the locks as well!!

Glad you liked Carly’s intervention, stay tuned for part II!

As to the prune-juice, somehow I sensed that you disapproved:

Ok, this made me cringe!! I almost don't know what to say about this except that Mistress Finch IS SYBIL'S MOTHER!!!!! I half excepted her to chop a head of lettuce and scream "ARMAGEDDON!!!" That was just all kinds of wrong. Someone should lock her ass in a box with a purple crayon...that's for sure. I seriously hope that she does NOT have kids of her own. Can you imagine??

Glad you like the sweet love through the day!

Uh, the Mistress really is an idiot. There is NO WAY you can tell a large group of kids that "pranks are ok" and not expect complete CHAOS! Talk about liability!! She basically opened the backdoor for Cordelia. See??? An abusive parent!!! Passive aggressive bitch.

About Veronica, it was a heart-breaker. But she is beginning, slowly to see the light . . .

What I truly hope is that Faith and Carly find out what happened and take more adult vengeance! Where is Anya and D'Hoffryn when you need them???

Awesome update...as always!! Anxiously awaiting lot's of VENGEANCE!!

*Yoink* moment, see if you can spot it! Thank you, Witty One!


SMGOVAN:[/b[

F.T.D.B. (The best sh!t ever!!!) is a huge piece of crap and Cordelia is a lower life form. I mean, she's not even human.

Got it in one – right again!

Cordy deserves to have her head shaved for this one.

See quote from [b]Fuchsin Great minds think alike!

Although I know she is being used, Moronica is back on the hit list!!

Mercy, mercy! She’s only 7!

Viva la Resistance!!!

Tribute to Zampsa19752001 and believe me you will see it soon !

As to kind words, you spoke the truth. Hope we can always honor it.


LonelyTara AKA Robin:

I was hoping, in a way, that the girls would figure out a way to fix the shirts, dying them with some tie-die stuff left over from a craft day or something...

*Yoink*<=Thank God I’m smarter than I look! Just got LonelyTara to help write the story for me! And she’s gooood!

Yessssss. Vengeance will soon be upon us!


vampyregurl:
Ah, “shit happens,” not to you, divine one, never to you! Welcome back!

It also seems to me if Tara had simply shown her the shirt, something could have been done as far as an advance.

Absolutely, totally right! Tara was upset and did not present her case well at all. You and Kate BeMyDeputy noted that.

but she basically said Tara wasn't good enough for Willow. Who is she to decide? . . . . I guess I'm feeling a bit sorry for Tara in all of this, since it seems that not just she and Willow are getting the short end of the stick, but here is yet another adult (since we know something is up with her family) taking a swing at her already somewhat fragile self esteem.

Very true. Tara is going through a very painful journey, but wisdom seldom comes easy.


KnightlyLove:

Hehe the kiddie calvary You've got these characters down pat. Very cute story

Buckle your seatbelts . . . we’re in for a bumpy flight! And thanks!


Love 2003:

Wondering when Tara will tell Willow about her family.

That chapter will come as “Secrets and Lies” stay tuned.

The little kids getting together to plan revenge is super cute; wondering what they will come up with.

You will see two out of three revenges and part of the third, more to follow! Thanks!


Kate AKA BeMyDeputy:
Mrs. Finch

Okay, I'm still trying to figure out her motivations, and the last two updates have me only more confused. I simply don't understand her at all. She reminds me of Miss Hannigan (from Annie, not anyone related to Alyson).

The whole conversation in the cabin with Willow is . . . disturbing. She should have used her office.

Absolutely correct, totally unprofessional in setting, info shared, and style of delivery. As to understanding her, it’s hard to second-guess the insane! The woman has issues!

On the liability piece, dead right on the alcohol. However she might be subject to a lawsuit from parents if she fails to properly protect, oversee, etc.

I don't understand why she didn't show Mrs. Finch the damaged shirts. I mean, yes, she's been . . . really evil, but the rules laid out for 'Silly Day' said property damage was off limits, and that sure was property damage. Whether or not they like Finch, she's still the authority figure.

You and vampyregurlgrabbed that one and you’re right. Tara was upset and presented her info very poorly. Finch probably would have given her money out of her own pocket if Tara had showed the shirt and explained the situation in more detail. The problem is Tara felt ashamed and didn’t want to answer questions about why the insult may have been given, etc.

Oh, I really hope Willow and Tara stop the girls from taking out their anger on Cordelia. At this rate, the kids will get in trouble, while Cordelia will come out just fine.

You and Shel are on the same page here, stay tuned . . .


Note: I went through some creepification at the idea of them getting walked in on or having kids overhear them so . . . through the magic of creative writing, they now have a small room. Basically the rectangle of the cabin has one end partitioned with a partion/wall and a door. The door between them and the main cabin does not lock (for emergency evacuation purposes) and opens into their ‘room’. The door going outside onto the porch is off their room so that kids can’t sneak out without going past them. The good news is that they can whisper and have private conversations but they still need to be extremely cautious. After so many close calls, they are playing it safe!


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

[Ariel]

Feedback is golden and often stolen! Your support and great ideas are hugely appreciated. Thank you!

Title: How I met your mother*
Author: Ariel
Email: blaziak@yahoo.com
Feedback: All feedback welcomed, specific input appreciated. PM to harsh on me!
Rating: PG-13 for violence
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.

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

Thoughts are in italics.

Kate took charge, “Well come on! Let’s hear them all.” So they huddled together and each girl told her idea.


Connie looked confused. “I think we have to vote or something.”


Devola was scornful. “’Plop’ that! Oh, hey! We need a new swear word for the day. Never mind!” Her grin was pure evil. “I say we do ‘em all!”


Her suggestion electrified the girls and they clustered together to plan their counter-attack.

Part 20: Vengeance and Victims


Lisa spoke, her brow furrowed in thought, “So I need to find Dee Hoffryn, I think she’s in 12’s with Mary and Carly.” She headed for the door, but Towanda caught her arm.


“Lisa,” Towanda gulped, “Just put it somewheres okay? Somewhere I don’t have to see it!” Others nodded fervent agreement.


“Okay,” then Lisa left.


Devola was next, “Operation Death by Dessert will now begin.” She began a sidling creep towards the door, twisting her hands and laughing manically as she left.


Connie shook her head admiringly, “She’s nuts, but you gotta admit she has great ideas!”


Then Towanda took charge and looked at the rest of the group, her eyes narrowing when she noticed Veronica. “You just stay right here Veronica, got it? Good! Because we don’t need any help from you!” She turned to Mouse, “Go sit with Willow and keep her busy.” Mouse nodded and headed out to the porch. Towanda turned back, “So rocks and sticker patrol, find some old bags or something and let’s go!”


Twenty minutes later found Lisa carefully carrying a pillowcase with its top closed by her fist while everyone else had bags of rocks and stickers. They all stood just outside Cordelia’s cabin, knowing they had to hurry before she came in for her afternoon beauty sleep.


Towanda looked around, “That dumb Devola! Late again!” She gestured and they huddled into a tight circle to whisper. “Lisa, stick your arm outside okay? I don’t want it waking up on me! I’m scared of snakes!” A few others nodded their agreement and Lisa thrust her arm outside the circle. “This is it! We’re gonna shove rocks and stickers in all her clothes, underwear too! And her bed and everything! Then Lisa will hide the snake and make her bed up tight so it can’t get out.” She looked at Lisa, “Don’t let it out until everyone one of us has left her cabin!”


Lisa grinned and nodded but then her face blanched as she stared at a furious Cordelia, striding out of her cabin and headed straight for them. Cordelia had a major case of bed-head and it was obvious she was just waking up and in a foul temper.


“What is it with you freaky little pervs?” She demanded, “Can’t a girl get her beauty rest without a band of sawed-off psychos plotting outside her porch!” She strode up to them, glaring furiously at them and they stepped back instinctively. She held her hand out to Towanda. “Give me that bag!” She looked inside. “Rocks? She reached inside and pulled out a burr, “And stickers?” Then she noticed Lisa’s pillowcase, Rocky the Blacksnake still asleep inside. “Give me that!” Lisa handed it over quickly with a smirk and the bag swung against Cordelia’s waist as she opened it to find four feet of frisky blacksnake slithering up the side of the pillowcase and over her wrist in his bid for freedom. Cordelia dropped the bag and screamed bloody murder as Rocky slithered between her feet. She began leaping as if gravity had gone out of style, still shrieking continuously while Rocky disappeared into some nearby bushes.


Lisa threw back her head and laughed and an instant later the rest of the girls joined in.


Suddenly Cordelia darted forward and got an iron grip on Lisa and Towanda’s forearms. “You’re coming with me, you little freaks! Let’s see what Willow and Tara have to say about this!” She began dragging them off to their cabin, keeping up a steady stream of complaints, invective, and threats. The rest of the girls followed, stunned by the sudden turn of events.


Meanwhile Devola showed up outside Cordelia’s cabin, bent nearly double under the weight of a half full garbage bag. “Oh, ‘plop’! I have to do everything around here!” Then she turned, sensing that she was not alone. “Oh, wow,” was all she could think of to say.


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


Tara stopped running, panting with exhaustion. She looked up. Light filtered through the trees in a moving mosaic of greens, yellows and browns. She breathed deeply, smelling the spicy tang of pine trees and rich loamy scent of the earth.


Suddenly she noticed Mr. Macready approaching. She felt shy and was about to hide behind a tree when he greeted her.


“Hey there, young lady! Pretty fine day if I do say so myself.” He grinned at her.


She took a quick look at his worn work clothes, weathered face, and warm smile and felt herself smile back.


He doffed a weather beaten fisherman’s hat in courtly style, then offered his hand. “Rick Macready, Carly’s dad. And I imagine that you must be Tara.”


She nodded, a little shy that he knew her already, but shook his hand. “H-how do y-you know—“


Carly has talked you up quite a bit to me, not that we get much time to talk when camp is going!” He gave her an inquiring glance, but his voice was gentle. “Anything wrong? You can talk if you’ve a mind to.”


“I – I,” Tara paused, “I’m n-not sure where t-to st-start.”


He noticed the writing on her shirt, “Kind of a lowdown thing to do, I’m thinkin’.”


Tara nodded, not trusting herself to speak.


“Didja tell Dorrie about it?”


“D-dorrie?”


“Doris Finch, the director.”


“I tried t-to tell her b-but she w-wouldn’t listen. I w-wanted an advance on m-my pay.”


“Didja show her the shirt? Explain it all to her?”


Tara shook her head.


“Well, that’s where the problem lies! Now Dorrie’s a bit muddle headed, too much prune juice I’m thinkin’. I mean, the lady has her quirks. But if you show her your shirt, I’m sure she’ll help you. Now, do you want to go by yourself or I can string along if you’ve got a mind for some company.”


Tara dropped her eyes shyly, then raised her face to his and smiled. “C-company w-would be nice.”


“Well fine, then. My cabin is on the way, just let me stop by and grab my work gloves. You wait on the porch. With all the work preparing the camp and Carly leaving me by my lonesome, the place isn’t fit for man nor beast!”


Tara stood on the porch of a very small cabin, scarcely bigger than the one she and Willow shared with the girls. She stared curiously through the open door and saw that the walls were whitewashed boards and decorated with antique photographs, dried flowers, pine cones and, “A mandolin,” Tara exclaimed.


“Do you play?”


“Oh yes!” Tara’s face clouded, “But my m-mandolin got b-broken.” She blushed, “There w-was an accident. It w-was an accident.”


She stared enraptured at the mandolin, not seeing the look of sadness and understanding cross Mr. Macready’s face. Then an instant later he lifted the mandolin off its hooks and handed it to Tara. “You go ahead, these lumpy fingers of mine can’t hardly put themselves to strumming nowadays.”


Tara’s eyes shone, but she stepped back. “N-no, I c-couldn’t t-take it.”


“Just a loan young lady, just a loan. An instrument gets sad if it isn’t makin’ music.”


Tara took the mandolin and caressed the wood lovingly. Her face was joyful. “Thank you!”


He waved her thanks aside and they started walking back towards camp.


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


Mouse sat happily on Willow’s lap with her legs over one side and her arms around Willow’s neck. She had a bunch of Willow’s hair in her hand and she was playing with it, fascinated by the color and the way the light ran up and down its coppery length.


“So Cordelia won’t let me tie-dye because she says I’m too little and I’ll fall into the dye barrels.”


Willow gave her little friend a squeeze, “How about I do it with you tomorrow? We’ll do it together, I’ll even get a shirt and—“ Suddenly she squeezed Mouse hard and started rocking her back and forth. “Mouse, you’re brilliant! That’s perfect! We’ll tie-dye our shirts! It’ll fix the bleach-y mess and it won’t cost Tara a penny!” She got up, still holding the little girl in her arms and began an impromptu whirling dance of joy until the demon of wrath, known as Cordelia came striding towards her, still dragging Towanda and Lisa.


Mouse took one look at Cordelia’s face then slid down, and hid behind Willow.


Willow’s voice rose in a confused squeak, “Cordelia?”


Cordelia’s voice was a sizzling hiss of fury, “As if you didn’t know, Rosenberg! Your little mission almost succeeded!”


Willow gaped at her in bewilderment.


Cordelia gestured at the girls behind her. “Stickers and rocks, I bet they were gonna put ‘em in my bed!”


“In your clothes, too,” Connie added helpfully.


“Even your underwear.” Debbie grinned. They all felt safer near their own cabin with Willow around.


Cordelia’s volume began rising. “But that’s not the worst! They stuck a snake in my face! Just about scared me to death! Well, they’re gonna get it and you’re gonna get it!”


Suddenly she stepped forward and grabbed Willow’s shirt, lifting the smaller girl up on tiptoes. Cordelia had the strength of fury and suddenly the fun was gone and the moment became scary and ugly.


“Put her down!” Carly shouted, sprinting across the patch of earth in front of their cabin.


Cordelia gave Willow a mighty shove that sent Willow flying back so that she tripped against the porch and landed on her butt. Then Cordelia whirled to face Carly.


Carly’s face was furious. “Don’t you ever touch her again! Or them! Or anyone else in this camp!”


Cordelia was past the point of sanity, she stepped closer. “Or what?”


Carly cocked her fists and the two girls stepped closer.


Carly’s voice was eager,“Go ahead, Cordy! You can take the first punch and I won’t even hit you back until after you take the second one.” She grinned, “Then you best believe I’m gonna to beat the living crap out of you!”


“Carly Ruth Macready!”


Carly grimaced, “Oh shit!” Her dad was running towards her with Tara by his side. She dropped her fists and Cordelia stepped brutally on the instep of her foot, making her wince and bend double.


“Sorry ‘bout that!” Cordelia waved, “Bye now,” then she sauntered away.


“Carly Ruth! What have I told you about fightin’!”


Carly rolled her eyes, “’It never solves anything’.”


“Right! Now I’ve got some heavy work ahead of me. So you either skedaddle to your campers or lend me a hand but there is no going after that brown-headed gal and that’s that!”


Carly looked at the girls, “I just came to bring Rocky back to Dee,” she looked around for Lisa. “Where is he?”


Lisa looked down, “He uh got away.”


Debbie giggled, “Gave Cordelia a heart attack! You shoulda heard her screaming!”


Carly grinned, then turned back to Lisa. “Well, you know the deal with Dee. One dollar to rent him and five to buy him. Since he’s lost, you owe her five dollars, so pay up when you can. She turned back to Debbie, “So Cordy really screamed, huh?”


Debbie bobbed her head enthusiastically, “Oh, yeah! And she jumped around like an acrobat and went crazy and danced and everything.”


The mental picture was too much and Carly bent double, laughing so hard she finally ended up sitting on the ground just as Lisa came out of the cabin with the money in her hand.


“Carly, here’s the five dollars.”


Carly wiped her streaming eyes, still shaking with laughter. “I changed my mind. Keep your money, kid, this round is on me!” Then she staggered to her feet, gave Lisa a big hug, and headed back to her cabin laughing all the way while her father walked alongside.


Willow turned to Tara and they hugged wordlessly, finding themselves surrounded by over-excited hugging girls.


Suddenly a dark haired blur sprinted past them with an empty garbage bag streaming out behind her and headed straight into their cabin. They followed Devola in but couldn’t find her until Mouse pointed to her, hiding under a bed.


Willow got down on her hands and knees, “Devola?”


“Sssssh!” Devola’s voice was a panicked whisper. “She’ll kill me if she ever finds out!”


“Finds out what?” Willow asked innocently. “You’ve been taking a nap in here for hours.”


Devola nodded eagerly and the other girls began to catch on and nod their agreement.


Tara spoke, “I th-think now is v-very good time for s-softball practice!”


Everyone agreed and those with gloves or mitts grabbed their equipment and they headed off to get the bats and balls, realizing that they wouldn’t have time for a full practice but eager to blow off steam.


Willow took care to lock their door carefully behind them.


A minute later the screaming began from the direction of Cordelia’s cabin but they were too far away to hear it.

[BeMyDeputy]

Dibs! Bbiab.

Well, I suppose this is the sort of thing that happens when you have a Silly Day.

Poor Rocky, though. All safe and sound asleep and then aah! Screaming Cordelia.

I'm guessing it's Veronica that Devola met in the woods.

Kate

[Laragh]

“So I need to find Dee Hoffryn

A pillowcase of rocks? Jesus are they going all caveman with their revenge? O.o

They have a snake!? Whoa...

Aww, Mr. Macready

Aww, I'm glad it was little Mouse that came up with the tie-dye idea!!!

Loved this chapter, very cute!

[zampsa19752001]

Yay for great update-y goodness... Good to see the Resistance striking back... I hope Bitch C soon realize that her presense is not welcome in the camp...

[leonhart17]

I can't blame Cordelia for freaking out about the snake - they scare me too! I'm glad Willow came up with the idea to tie die their clothes and fix them up! Hopefully they'll show them to FInch-bitch before they get rid of the evidence...

[KnightlyLove]

:( It's really too bad that Cordelia caught the kids... that would have been great! Now everybody's just gonna get busted. Ugh Cordie. You've got her character down pat
And music? yay! I love me some good music

[wimpy0729]

Well, I'm thinking I found another character I really like. Carly's dad seems very cool. Is he still going to go with Tara to see Finch?

Very curious who was at Cordy's cabin when Devola got there, and since she carried out her scheme with the trash...well, let's just say that makes me even curiouser.

Too bad the other girls got caught, but they still gave Cordy a good scare with the snake, so it's all good. Can't wait to see what else is in store for everybody.


Wimpy

[Finey_McFine]

Hey! Sorry I'm a little late on the fb.

Anyway...I was VERY sorry to see the girls get caught by Cordy, however, it was expected...afterall 7 yr olds aren't very stealthy. Well, except for our resident 007 Devola. I like this child immensely.

LOVE the snake!! Nothing better than slipping a harmless snake under someones covers. It's a little off subject, but I did that to my cousin once. *laughs maniacally* I think I was about 17 and he was 19. I believe he kissed my girlfriend. I was seriously pissed off, needless to say...he never tried those shenanigans EVER again! BTW...no animals were harmed...just his pride when he quite literally pissed his pants, lol!!

Dee Hoffryn

You are doing a wonderful job of showing the effects of bullying. I find that, through out this story, my heart breaks for W/T. They just can't seem to get a break. Until...Super Carly to the rescue!

Carly’s face was furious. “Don’t you ever touch her again!

Another GREAT chapter!! Anxiously awaiting the next!

[willowtaralover]

Loved the D(ee) Hoffryn line, a nice piece of wittiness that's easy to pick up on.

Towanda took charge and looked at the rest of the group, her eyes narrowing when she noticed Veronica. “You just stay right here Veronica, got it? Good! Because we don’t need any help from you!”

Aww, I do feel sorry for Veronica, Cordelia uses her as a pawn, the other girls hate her. The only people who are accepting of her and being on her side are Willow, Tara and Mouse. I hope Veronica is able to do something that proves her worth to the rest of the cabin otherwise she may attempt to run away and get herself hurt.

They all stood just outside Cordelia’s cabin, knowing they had to hurry before she came in for her afternoon beauty sleep.

This may sound a silly question having never been to an American summer camp, but if you have cabin full of active young girls how would Cordelia get beauty sleep in the middle of the afternoon.

I loved the ‘sawed off psychos’ line, really made me laugh.

She began leaping as if gravity had gone out of style, still shrieking continuously while Rocky disappeared into some nearby bushes.

Brilliant piece of comedy really well visualised.

"Oh yes!” Tara’s face clouded, “But my m-mandolin got b-broken.” She blushed, “There w-was an accident. It w-was an accident.”

Why do I have the feeling that the ‘accident’ happened at home, and that it was no accident.

I like the character you gave my name too, seems a warm and friendly guy.

The scene with Willow and Mouse was so cute and sweet.

I'd like to see similar scenes but with Mouse and Veronica as their friendship grows.

Suddenly she stepped forward and grabbed Willow’s shirt, lifting the smaller girl up on tiptoes. Cordelia had the strength of fury and suddenly the fun was gone and the moment became scary and ugly.

Nice way of showing that Cordelia isn’t just petty, mean and spiteful. She can be a really scary bully when she wants to. Still a fight between her and Carly would have been nice.

Whilst Cordy is busy terrorising everyone, where’s Harmony? Is she causing trouble elsewhere?

Nice way for the girls to get their revenge via Devola. I’m guessing that Veronica helped her, after Cordy ruined Tara and Willow’s work clothes.
Another really good chapter and the possibility that Veronica may work as an undercover spy for the girls, only she and Devola would know the truth, cos if the other girls started being nice to Veronica, Cordelia would get suspicious.

And I still think the prune juice at breakfast was funny.

[Nue]

hey Ariel, what´s up??

great chapter! I just love those girls, they´re so great and funny ^^ I love the way theu interact with each other...

but I feel so sorry for Veronica... she is just a kid and Cordelia is such a bitch...

now you got me curious about that arrangement between the Maclays and Ms. Finch...

great work o/

[Ariel]

Kate AKA BeMyDeputy:

Poor Rocky, though. All safe and sound asleep and then aah! Screaming Cordelia.

Thank you for being the one person to say a kind word for that nerve-shattered and harmless member of the reptile family! At least he’s free!

I'm guessing it's Veronica that Devola met in the woods.

This idea was so good, that it became *Yoink*-able! Stay tuned!

Witness nod to your masterpiece! Thanks for reading.


Laragh:

A pillowcase of rocks? Jesus are they going all caveman with their revenge? O.o

They have a snake!? Whoa...

Hey, vengeance isn’t pretty!!! Glad you liked Dee Hoffryn, perhaps she’ll appear again . . .

Aww, Mr. Macready

Glad you liked him. He is an amazing, level-headed, decent guy. We’ll see a bit more of him.

Glad you enjoyed Mouse’s tie-dye idea! Thanks for staying with this story so long!


Zampsa19752001:

Good to see the Resistance striking back...

You said it!!! And homework shall be the deciding voice . . A lovely lesson on the power of study!

Yes, Bitch C has had her eyes opened in one way, for sure! Thanks for reading!!!


Maggie AKA Leonhart17:

I can't blame Cordelia for freaking out about the snake - they scare me too!

Me and you both! I’d have been a hysterical wreck, too! You almost feel sorry for her – but not quite!!!

I'm glad Willow came up with the idea to tie die their clothes and fix them up! Hopefully they'll show them to Finch-bitch before they get rid of the evidence...

*Yoink* and thanks!!! Great idea!!!


KnightlyLove:

:( It's really too bad that Cordelia caught the kids... that would have been great! Now everybody's just gonna get busted. Ugh Cordie. You've got her character down pat

Many thanks, Knightly One, but wait – there is the power of homework to save the day! Stay tuned . . .

And music? yay! I love me some good music

Me, too! Stay tuned and please feel free to suggest any favorites!


Wimpy:

Well, I'm thinking I found another character I really like. Carly's dad seems very cool. Is he still going to go with Tara to see Finch?

I honestly don’t know. I’ll have to see what they tell me . . no kidding! I really don’t! Glad you like Mr. Macready, he is a warm, loving, decent guy and he’s even sane. Nice change from the Finchmeister, Bitch Finch, Finch the Dusty Bitch, etc.

Your curiosity will be satisfied. . as to who Devola met by Cordelia’s cabin.

Too bad the other girls got caught, but they still gave Cordy a good scare with the snake, so it's all good. Can't wait to see what else is in store for everybody.

Not long to wait and, once more, buckle your seat belt! You’re in for a wild ride!


Shel AKA Finey McFine:

Anyway...I was VERY sorry to see the girls get caught by Cordy, however, it was expected...afterall 7 yr olds aren't very stealthy. Well, except for our resident 007 Devola. I like this child immensely.

A refreshing change since most adults find her entirely too mouthy!!! Glad you approve!

LOVE the snake!! Nothing better than slipping a harmless snake under someones covers. It's a little off subject, but I did that to my cousin once. *laughs maniacally* I think I was about 17 and he was 19. I believe he kissed my girlfriend. I was seriously pissed off, needless to say...he never tried those shenanigans EVER again! BTW...no animals were harmed...just his pride when he quite literally pissed his pants, lol!!

This was so hilarious, I had to share it! The real D’Hoffryn has nothing on you, girlfriend! Lol

Super Carly to the rescue!

Glad you liked her intervention. She was looking forward to getting Cordelia fired by taking two or three punches in front of a crowd of witness and then mopping up the floor with our favorite brunette but parents! Always showing up at the wrong time!

Thanks for cheering me on and asking for more updates – you got it, Shel!!!


Rick AKA willowtaralover:

Towanda took charge and looked at the rest of the group, her eyes narrowing when she noticed Veronica. “You just stay right here Veronica, got it? Good! Because we don’t need any help from you!”

Aww, I do feel sorry for Veronica, Cordelia uses her as a pawn, the other girls hate her. The only people who are accepting of her and being on her side are Willow, Tara and Mouse. I hope Veronica is able to do something that proves her worth to the rest of the cabin otherwise she may attempt to run away and get herself hurt.

Veronica comes into her own here. Taking a couple of giant steps . . .

On the “afternoon beauty sleep” Saturday is a half day schedule with no regular activities (like crafts) after lunch so Cordy is shoving the girls off on Harmony.

She began leaping as if gravity had gone out of style, still shrieking continuously while Rocky disappeared into some nearby bushes.

Brilliant piece of comedy really well visualised.

Thank you!

Glad you approve of Rick Macready and thanks for giving permission to use your name!

The scene with Willow and Mouse was so cute and sweet.

I'd like to see similar scenes but with Mouse and Veronica as their friendship grows.

If it goes that way, you will!

Suddenly she stepped forward and grabbed Willow’s shirt, lifting the smaller girl up on tiptoes. Cordelia had the strength of fury and suddenly the fun was gone and the moment became scary and ugly.

Nice way of showing that Cordelia isn’t just petty, mean and spiteful. She can be a really scary bully when she wants to. Still a fight between her and Carly would have been nice.

I hated interrupting that fight, but didn’t want to get mired into another Finch scene!

Nice way for the girls to get their revenge via Devola. I’m guessing that Veronica helped her, after Cordy ruined Tara and Willow’s work clothes.

You and Kate BeMyDeputy gave me that *Yoink*-able moment! Thanks!!

Thinking about stealing your other idea about V being a double agent, will let you know!

And I still think the prune juice at breakfast was funny.

Okay, and Prune Juice returns to honor your view. However, watch out for Finey McFine whose views on prune juice are notoriously closed minded!!!


Nue:

I just love those girls, they´re so great and funny ^^ I love the way they interact with each other...

Thank you so much! Capturing their dialogue isn’t easy – they talk so fast!!!

but I feel so sorry for Veronica... she is just a kid and Cordelia is such a bitch...

Stay tuned for further developments, a page has been turned . . .

now you got me curious about that arrangement between the Macreadys and Ms. Finch...

GREAT CATCH!!! This arrangement will make a difference . . . way down the road!


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

[Ariel]

Feedback is golden. Lots of it used, this time. Thanks for reading and writing!!!


Title: How I met your mother*
Author: Ariel
Email: blaziak@yahoo.com
Feedback: All feedback welcomed, specific input appreciated. PM to harsh on me!
Rating: PG-13 for language
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.

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

Thoughts are in italics.


Part 21: Homework Conquers All


Willow looked around the softball field one last time, “I wonder where Hallie is?”


Tara shrugged, “We don’t have m-much time anyway, so let’s just go for it.”


The girls got their players running a lap and doing the stretches Hallie had showed them, then continued working on batting and fielding.


There was no noticeable improvement but the girls were enjoying themselves and there was more team spirit between them. When the dinner bell sounded, Willow and Tara exchanged grins and called the practice a success.


“Gather ‘round!” Everyone responded to Willow’s call and they huddled up. “Mouse got a great idea, to tie-dye some shirts. If everyone wants to tie-dye a shirt we can all play in tie-dye, kind of like a team uniform.”


The girls jumped up and down and immediately began arguing over color choices as they headed for the dining hall. Halfway there, they saw Hallie sprinting towards them.


“Hi Hallie, where were you?”


Hallie waved aside Willow’s question. “Cordelia, you won’t believe what happened to her! Emergency counselors’ meeting during dinner. Somebody got her and I mean got her! Watch out, okay! That girl’s out for blood! I swear, somebody’s gonna get fired! Just wanted to tell you.” She dashed off.


Tara and Willow looked at each other. Then Willow gulped, she had an idea. “Tara?”


“Yeah.”


“Take the girls to dinner, okay? I gotta handle this and do some homework.”


Tara stared at Willow as if she was crazy. “H-homework?”


Willow’s voice was grim. “Yep. It’s the only chance we have. Then I have to see Cordelia.”


Tara’s jaw clenched. “Then I’m going with you!”


Willow’s green eyes were wide with fear, but she lifted her chin stubbornly. “Can’t. That will just get her mad. It’s got to be me, poor pathetic nerdy Willow.”


“What if she hits you or pushes you?”


“Then we have to take that chance. This is the only way to shut her down once and for all on this.”


Tara shook her head. “I can’t let you go alone!”


The argued furiously in whispers until Willow was reduced to grabbing Tara’s hand and begging for the chance to set it right. Tara saw the tears threatening to fall in her lover’s eyes and couldn’t say no, but her face was troubled as they parted ways with Willow heading to their cabin and Tara taking their kids to the dining hall. In the midst of their discussion, no one noticed Veronica slipping off behind Willow and hiding outside their cabin while Willow turned on the light and worked inside. When she came out, Veronica followed her; careful to stay several yards back out of sight.


Willow strode the all too short path between their cabin and Cordelia’s cabin. Okay, Rosenberg. You’ve done the homework, you’ve got the grade but you have to convince her. Don’t be too mouthy and don’t be too weak. Walk the line, that’s it, balancing act. She gulped and swallowed, having a very real fear of getting punched and tasting her own blood. She tiptoed up to Cordelia’s porch, then straightened her shoulders and did her best imitation of a normal walk as she knocked on the cabin door.


“Who is it?” Cordelia’s voice, furious already.


Willow gulped again. “Me, Willow,” she squeaked, then tried deepening her voice, “uh, me Willow.”


“I heard you the first time! Come in here, it’ll be nice getting a chance to say this to your face.”


Willow entered the cabin. Cordelia was sitting on one of the chairs with a blanket over her legs.


“Came to gloat, Rosenberg?”


“No, Cordy. I came to talk.”


Cordelia’s laugh rippled between them, sounding somehow like a snarl. “Your little shits are going to get it and get it good! They scared me with a snake and confessed to planning to put rocks and stickers in my bed and this latest atrocity! Well, they’re going down and you and Tara with them.”


“What do you mean, Cordy?”


“’What do you mean, Cordy’?” Cordelia’s voice was venomous, “Are you telling me you really have no idea what I’m talking about?”


Willow took a deep breath. “Yes, that’s exactly what I’m telling you. We didn’t know about the rocks and the stickers until they said it in front of me. We had no hand in any of it and we didn’t know about any of it.”


“Right. And I’m supposed to believe that!”


Willow stepped closer into the light. “Look, Cordy. I’m a rotten liar and you know it. We’ve known each other almost all our lives.”


“Don’t remind me of that personal tragedy!”


“Okay, but you know that I can’t lie. I always get in trouble which is why I quit starting trouble a long time ago. This is why I’m the teacher’s pet and the whole honor roll deal. You know that’s true!”


Cordy stared at her narrowly, weighing her words. “Okay. But why should I not get you and Tara out of the way if I can?”


Willow was still innocent enough to be shocked. “You mean you would deliberately lie to get us fired.”


“Rrrrright.” Cordelia’s voice was a drawl. She was clearly savoring her victory. Then she noticed the binder under Willow’s arm. “What’s that?”


“Homework.” Willow glared back. “You forgot something else about me, Cordy. I always do my homework and I always study hard.” Willow flipped the book to a marked page. “’Grounds for dismissal of staff: 1) Fighting 2) use of drugs or alcohol 3) Improper language or conduct 4) Physical or emotional abuse of a camper or other staff member . . . “ She looked up at Cordy. “The list goes on, Cordy but how do you think it reads that you came dragging Towanda and Lisa back by their arms? That you scared them and threatened them?”


“They terrified me with that snake! They had it coming! Anyone would agree.”


“Okay, but how about you grabbing me by my shirt, pushing me back over the porch?” Willow turned, showing a bruise across the back of one of her calves. “I even have the bruise and that was witnessed by me, a cabin full of kids, and Carly. You also squared up to Carly and were about to hit her. THAT was seen by me, a cabin full of kids, Carly, Carly’s dad, and Tara. The witness list is getting kind of long here, Cordelia. On top of that, you and Harmony pulled that neat little trick with bleaching names onto Tara’s and my shirts which also violates the rules for prank day.”


Cordelia regained some of her confidence, “You can’t prove it!”


Willow frowned in concentration, “I only wonder how you knew to . . . Veronica,” she said softly. She saw Cordelia’s grin.


“Blood is thicker than water after all,” Cordelia smirked.


Willow jumped to her feet, face hot with fury. “That is sick, mean, crap! She’s a little kid, Cordelia. Let her stay with you or leave her alone but using her like you’re doing is tearing her apart!”


“I’ll deal with Veronica.”


“No you won’t! You’ll use her and hurt her but you won’t deal with her. You won’t help her, or listen to her, or spend time with her! I’m sick of trying to reason with you! You tell your story in there, Cordy and I’ll tell mine and we’ll line up our witnesses and see how it all shakes out!” Willow stood up, fury giving her strength, and slammed the door behind her.


Meanwhile a stunned Veronica stood silent around the corner of the cabin after hearing every word.


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


Willow stalked into the dining hall, grateful to find enough food left to fill her plate. She plopped down in the midst of a spirited debate.


“Murgatroyd,” insisted Devola.


“No,” said Towanda impatiently. “It takes too long!”


“Sheep,” Mouse suggested timidly but was ignored.


Mrs. Finch approached their table, bearing a glass of murky colored liquid.


“Prune juice!” Willow’s voice was a hiss of horror.


“Good.” Towanda’s voice was approving. “'Prune juice'.”


Heads nodded. Tomorrow’s swear word had been chosen.


Mrs. Finch beamed approvingly at the table, singling Willow out for a special smile. “Tara mentioned you were in the restroom, I trust the treatment has been proven effective?”


Willow grinned a sickly grin. “Almost a little uh too effective. I think I’d better cut back. Too much of a good thing and all.”


Mrs. Finch extended the glass anyway and Tara snatched it out of her hand and drained it in one long gulp. “Delicious,” she said bravely, feeling her body shudder, “Absolutely d-delicious!”

“Well, I can bring another glass—“


“NO!” Willow shouted, then blushed and lowered her voice. “I mean, no thank you, Mrs. Finch. I am absolutely, totally cured.”


Mrs. Finch seemed disappointed. “Feel free to ask if you need any more.” She paused for a moment, remembering another reason she had come over, “The emergency counselor meeting has been cancelled.” She left and the girls breathed a sigh of relief.


Tara drained a glass of water, trying to work the taste out of her mouth. “Th-that old idiot m-must think that you’re as irregular as a French verb!”


Willow started laughing, feeling all the tension of the day pouring out of her. Then she threw flashed Tara a flying ‘W’ and enjoyed watching the bigger girl blush. “Tara, that’s ‘W’ for we’ve won!”


Tara’s eyes lit up in comprehension. “You did it!”


Willow looked smug, “And I owe it all to the beauty of completed homework!”


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


There had been a little too much excitement that day and high spirits in the cabin rocketed beyond control. There was a tickle fight, a pillow fight, two games of blanket monster, and finally singing and stories.


The girls were fascinated with Tara’s mandolin and asked a dozen questions when she brought it out.


“I’d s-say it’s easier to p-pick up and hit basic chords on than a guitar but they each h-have their hard parts and easy parts.” She strummed a few chords, “S-sad song or happy?”


“Sad,” Devola said unexpectedly.


Tara bent her shining hair over the mandolin as if talking with the instrument and agreeing on the music they would create, then began singing in her high, pure voice:

“To the Queen of Hearts he’s the Ace of Sorrow
He’s here today and he’s gone tomorrow
Lovers are plenty, but sweethearts few
If my love leaves me, what shall I do?”


She made her way through the old ballad and ended. There was a pause, then a sigh from her audience.


“It’s funny,” Lisa said musingly. “It’s sad, but it makes you feel good, too.” She looked around the circle, “One more sad one okay, just one?”


There was a small murmur of disagreement but the majority was willing to be saddened once more. Then Tara raised her eyes and met Willow’s, feeling as if she could live and die inside the beauty of that emerald gaze. Her lips quirked in a playful smile, and she began to sing:

“Red is the color of my true love’s hair
Her lips are something wondrous fair
The noblest eyes, the bravest hands
I love the ground whereon she stands

I love my love and well she knows
I love the ground whereon she goes
And if my love should ever parted be
My life shall quickly fade away . . . “


The beautiful old ballad stilled to a close, the last silvery note suspended in the air and dimming to silence, when Tara looked up and saw the beautiful blush on her lover’s face.


“N-now I think it’s t-time to finish Pippi!” There was a loud chorus of agreement and Willow pulled herself from the spell of the song and took the book Mouse had brought her, sitting the little girl on her lap as she began to read.


Finally the chapters ended and a last run to the bathroom was completed, since they had stayed up later than usual. Finally the girls were in bed, but they wouldn’t go to sleep and their counselors waited in vain for them to be silent.


“Okay, Devola,” Towanda’s tone was commanding. “Tell us everything!”


Devola nodded and everyone brought their top blanket to sit in a pile under the window to take advantage of the patch of moonlight on the floor. “Okay, so I go into the kitchen. No one’s there so I’m looking for the pudding, okay, and I finally find it then Faith comes in.” The girls gasped in fear. “Yeah, I was scared too! So she goes, ‘what are you doing in here, kid?’ and I go, ‘looking for some pudding.’ Then she looks at me and she goes, ‘We don’t just hand that out for personal snacks ya know!’ So I thought I better get the ‘plop’ oh uh ‘prune juice’ outta there but I go, ‘It was for Cordelia.’ Then she goes, ‘For Cordelia?’ and I go, ‘Yeah I was gonna make her look poop-ular again by sticking pudding under her covers.’ Well, Faith starts laughing okay. And she goes, ‘So how many boxes you need, kid?’ And I go, ‘5 I guess,’ and she goes, ‘Take 20.’ And she mixes up the pudding then she goes to the laundry room and comes back with brown dye and adds a bunch of that, then she drags me to the store-room and grabs a gallon of glue and adds that and some glitter too and it’s all mixed in this garbage bag. So I’m hauling this bag that weighs 40 gazillion tons and I get to Cordelia’s cabin and she’s not there. So I stop to get my breath and then turn and Faith is right behind me and she goes, ‘I’ll help you. Hurry up.’ Then I look over and I see Veronica standing there, too. Well, Faith and I go in there and we took turns closing our eyes so we can both say we didn’t see who did it. Then Cordelia comes and Veronica starts talking to her and points back down the trail so we slipped out before she turned around and saw us. I don’t know exactly where they went but I was running flat out for our cabin.


Eight pairs of eyes looked at Veronica.


“Well, I ran back down the trail to our cabin, too, and just joined the group when everyone followed Devola in.” She glared defensively at the other girls, “And that’s all I’m saying so just shut up about it.”


Everyone looked back at Devola. “So in the serving line Faith sees me and she goes, ‘drop your plate.’ So I let her plop the food on and I drop my plate and she goes, ‘Help me clean up this mess you made!’ and she takes me back to the kitchen and says that Cordelia has brown goopy, glittery uck that’s stuck. Hey, that rhymes! That they’re having to peel it off her like a ‘bikini wax’ whatever that is! Any who, that’s about it and I’m glad I’m still alive!” She looked at Veronica, “Thanks for saving my life, okay.”


Veronica nodded, still uncomfortable, “I’m going to bed,” was all she said.


There was some final discussion, then everyone headed for bed as well, feeling that a very exciting day had come to a satisfactory conclusion.


Meanwhile Tara and Willow had been pressing drinking glasses stolen from the dining hall up against the door, drinking in every unbelievable word, and biting their own arms to keep from laughing. Finally they withdrew the glasses and stared at each other in amazement.


“Brown sticky pudding-glue,” Willow snorted.


“Gl-glitter!” Tara added, “Don’t forget the glitter!”


“Poop-ular!”


The bottled laughter shook them from the inside out and they each threw themselves face down on their pillows, biting down to stifle the sounds.


Tara threw a glance at the door, “Th-they’re unbelievable!”


Willow nodded, “Awe inspiring.”


Finally their laughter subsided and their eyes met, Tara spoke. “So were you, baby.”


Willow blushed with pleasure. “It was nothing.”


Tara’s gaze was steady and warm, “It was everything.” She leaned down to pull Willow into her arms but Willow danced them awkwardly to the door, pressing Tara against the door.


“See,” Willow explained excitedly, “They can’t walk in if you’re leaning against the door.”


Tara nodded, then gasped as Willow stood up on tiptoes to kiss and brush her ear with soft kisses. “Love you, Tara.” Then the breathy kisses continued until Willow stopped to nibble and graze at the pulse point on Tara’s neck.” Tara tangled her fingers in Willow’s red hair and returned the kiss passionately, taking sweet possession of her lover’s mouth with a plundering and sensuous tongue.


Willow felt her blood racing through her body, hot and singing as she kissed Tara back and leaned in closer, merging their bodies into one struggling love knot of desire. Suddenly Tara’s knees buckled a bit and she slid partway down, then caught herself. They looked at each other, stepped back, and took each other’s hand and walked to their bed.


They were careful. Agonizingly careful to keep their promises to each other. Even Tara’s groan was a whisper, “God, I wish y-you could ride! We could t-take off down some trail together.” She sighed.


“Tara, that’s it! I’ll learn how to ride!”


Tara’s jaw dropped. “You? But W-willow you won’t even c-curry a horse!”


Willow’s voice was smug, “I won’t actually learn how to ride, but there’s no reason I can’t have lessons.” She dropped a slow kiss on Tara’s lips, “Private lessons.”


Tara’s eyes shone with hope, “We’ll offer private lessons to a few kids who are h-having a r-really hard time!”


Willow smiled, “And I’ll be one of them!”


Tara returned Willow’s kiss, preventing further conversation, then she came up for air. “Let’s t-talk it over and announce it either Sunday or Monday!”


Willow traced a path down Tara’s cheek, forcing herself to stop at Tara’s neck, “Sunday, Tara, the sooner the better.” She felt Tara’s nod against the top of her head and they hugged each other exultantly before settling down to sleep sweetly in each other’s arms.

[Finey_McFine]

DIBS!!

Hi Ariel!

Awesome update...as always! I have to say...I love Willow giving all the credit for the tie-dying to sweet little Mouse. I'm guessing that Mouse reminds Willow of herself when she was little. Probably way she is so taken with her to begin with.

Willow was at her best in this chapter! Sweet, geeky, and super smart Willow standing up to the wicked bitch of the west, lol. She was no match for Willow's brain!

Mrs. Finch approached their table, bearing a glass of murky colored liquid.

Ahh, the return of the mistress of the prune! aka...Hattie Dorsett (Sybil's mother). ANYONE that obsessed with regularity, is clearly one sandwich shout of a picnic. Awww, brave Tara taking one for the team and drinking the prune juice to protect her Willow. I would imagine that in the glossary of medical terms, next to Irritable bowel syndrome, is a lovely picture of Mistress Finch, dressed in her finest S/M leather holding 'a glass of murky colored liquid', lol.

Th-that old idiot m-must think that you’re as irregular as a French verb!

Veronica...hmmm, me thinks she's starting to see the real Cordelia. Hooray!

Willow learning to ride = much in the way of hilarity! Can't wait!!!

Keep the fun a comin'!!!!

[leonhart17]

Ooh, that's a good idea too! 'Riding' lessons I'm glad that Willow confronted Cordelia - I just hope that she keeps her distance - and if she doesn't I hope that Veronica will stand up for herself against her cousin...

[love_2003]

Great updates. When Willow explained the homework she did to Cordelia I was cheering with joy. I think Veronica is starting to realize what kind of person her cousin really is. Looking forward to the private lessons.

[zampsa19752001]

Yay for great update-y goodness... Yay for Willow standing up to the Bitch C. I'm glad that Veronica heard what Willow & Bitch C said... Poop-ular Bitch C made me laugh... Can't wait for Willow's private "riding" lessons...

[Laragh]

“Don’t remind me of that personal tragedy!”

Haha. Mean, but so very Cordy.

So Willow to do that kind of 'homework'. Perfect!

Finch is starting to seriously creep me the fuck out with her prune juice.

“Th-that old idiot m-must think that you’re as irregular as a French verb!”

Heh heh heh. Loving the comedy in this chapter. I really needed a laugh.

Tara singing!! Much !!

at 'like a bikini wax'

Oh yea, Tara's gonna teach Willow how to 'ride' .

Can't wait!!

[wimpy0729]

I loved, LOVED Willow documenting everything on Cordelia, with witnesses even to back it up. That's the smart Willow we know and love. Cordelia must've run straight to Finch since she cancelled the meeting so fast. Excellent.

The tie-dye team jersey idea is spectacular. I probably had around 20 jerseys, but no tie-dyed. Damn, I'm so jealous now.

Loved Faith helping get Cordelia. And it looks like Veronica is finally seeing the light about her nasty cousin. It's a shame really, cause I know it hurts her, but at least she knows who the good guys are, and now she's helping them, so that is awesome.

And hooray for private riding lessons. Can't wait to see what happens there. More soon please.


Wimpy

[Grimm]

Dee Hofryn was freakin awesome! The dusty one (Finch) needs to lay off with the prune juice.. Maybe if she removed the stick from her ass she would be a bit more regular!! Veronica has been granted a stay of execution...for now!

[LonelyTara]

Sorry I missed an update--bad me! Both chapters were delightful. I love Carly's dad, he's great, and I'm excited that there are some details about them that will be important later. I think that Willow's triumph was great. I hope it wasn't short-lived, that Cordelia really is running scared.
More, please?

[BlondCavalier]

Hi Ariel, sorry I haven't posted in two chapters but I really enjoyed all of the ones I have just finished now! First of all, I loved them going to see "Dee Hoffryn" - that was so hilarious! And I loved the revenge on Cordelia with the pudding, etc. She totally deserves it esp. after what she did to W & T's shirts!!

Carly's dad is so nice - he's a wonderful presence in the story and I'm glad Tara has an adult to be so nice to her!

And speaking of adults, what the "prune juice" is wrong with Mrs. Finch, and why is she so interested in Willow's trips to the bathroom, huh?? If you ask me, she has a serious stick up her ass!

I loved how Willow did her homework to get back at Ms. Bitch Cordelia, that's just what she would have done, and I loved the scene of Tara feeding berries to Willow -that was so sweet!

If Willow is going to take "private riding lessons" with Tara (which I think is a great idea) then I think Mrs. Finch needs to take some riding lessons as well. We need to get her on a horse, so we can have one of the campers say "I can't tell the difference between Finch's face and the horse's butt" or something like that

Sorry this post was so long but I really like this story and can't help getting enthused! Keep up the updatey-goodness !!

[BeMyDeputy]

Hey there,

Witness nod to your masterpiece!

Aw, sucks.

I loved the throwback to "Teacher's Pet." Though, this is pre-season one . . . throw-forward? Reference! Yes, reference. One of my favorite season one episodes. With one of my favorite season one lines: "He's gonna die!"

[indigokane]

ariel, this is absolutely adorable!!! what on earth are they going to do at the end of camp though?!? keep up the good work!

[Ariel]

Shel AKA Finey McFine:

Willow was at her best in this chapter! Sweet, geeky, and super smart Willow standing up to the wicked bitch of the west, lol. She was no match for Willow's brain!

Couldn’t say it better myself. But here’s where you come into your glory . . .

Ahh, the return of the mistress of the prune! aka...Hattie Dorsett (Sybil's mother). ANYONE that obsessed with regularity, is clearly one sandwich shout of a picnic. Awww, brave Tara taking one for the team and drinking the prune juice to protect her Willow. I would imagine that in the glossary of medical terms, next to Irritable bowel syndrome, is a lovely picture of Mistress Finch, dressed in her finest S/M leather holding 'a glass of murky colored liquid', lol.

Deeply disturbing! Hitchcock has nothing on you, girl!!! Aaaaah!

Glad you appreciated, “Irregular as a French verb.” Obviously a member of the Intelligentsia along with the amazing Laragh

Willow learning to ride = much in the way of hilarity! Can't wait!!!

Just a soupcon of silly this time, but more to come – believe me!


Maggie AKA Leonhart17:

Ooh, that's a good idea too! 'Riding' lessons

The comedy barely begins, stay tuned.

I'm glad that Willow confronted Cordelia - I just hope that she keeps her distance - and if she doesn't I hope that Veronica will stand up for herself against her cousin...

Good thoughts on all counts! *Yoink* Stay tuned, and thanks for helping!


Love 2003:

When Willow explained the homework she did to Cordelia I was cheering with joy.

And that CHEERED me up all day! Thanks for reading!

Yeah, Veronica’s eyes are final being opened to the truth!

Looking forward to the private lessons.

And you’ve got plenty of friends thinking the same thing!


Zampsa18752001:

Yay for Willow standing up to the Bitch C.

Make that a double! Bitch C had it coming for sure!

Poop-ular Bitch C made me laugh...

We try to please! Glad you liked it!

As for your desire for riding lessons – I live to obey, Great One!


Laragh:
Glad I’m nailing Cordy’s speech, I have to keep reminding myself!

So Willow to do that kind of 'homework'. Perfect!

Appreciate that, always working to stay true to dialogue and character!

Finch is starting to seriously creep me the fuck out with her prune juice.

You are not alone! Finey, SMGOVAN, and BlondCavalier share your concerns! Finey is warped and the other two are violent. Why am I scared now!?

Tara singing!! Much !!

Yesss! Feel free to suggest any songs. I’m sticking to old ballads, but hey, open up my mind!

Finally, glad the comedy worked! You bring a lot of love to the board, enjoy a laugh on me!


Wimpy:

I loved, LOVED Willow documenting everything on Cordelia, with witnesses even to back it up. That's the smart Willow we know and love. Cordelia must've run straight to Finch since she cancelled the meeting so fast. Excellent.

I love that you don’t miss a trick! Right on! Yes, Cordy had to scramble to save her own butt there!

Also, Faith on revenge team, was a previous *Yoink* from several of you.

The tie-dye team jersey idea is spectacular. I probably had around 20 jerseys, but no tie-dyed. Damn, I'm so jealous now.

Here’s the funny: I just meant they tie-dye their own shirts, then I saw your post and I thought it’s *Yoink* time again! Thanks for the great idea!

And hooray for private riding lessons. Can't wait to see what happens there. More soon please.

Your wish is my command.


SMGOVAN:

Dee Hofryn was freakin awesome!

Thanks! Another *Yoink* from you brainiacs! Keep ‘em coming!

The dusty one (Finch) needs to lay off with the prune juice.. Maybe if she removed the stick from her ass she would be a bit more regular!!

Hey! Are you and BlondCavalier hanging out or something? Conspiracy . . .


Robin AKA LonelyTara:

I love Carly's dad, he's great, and I'm excited that there are some details about them that will be important later.

First WELCOME BACK!!! Yes, those details will come into play, definitely . .

Cordelia, like the venomous adolescent adder that she is, will strike back! But for now she has been subdued!


BlondCavalier:

And I loved the revenge on Cordelia with the pudding, etc. She totally deserves it esp. after what she did to W & T's shirts!!

Right on! She really had it coming, plus she got pushy and nasty, too!

And speaking of adults, what the "prune juice" is wrong with Mrs. Finch, and why is she so interested in Willow's trips to the bathroom, huh?? If you ask me, she has a serious stick up her ass!
You and SMGOVAN are on the same page here, scary thought!!!

I loved how Willow did her homework to get back at Ms. Bitch Cordelia, that's just what she would have done

Willow has it all: beauty and brains!

If Willow is going to take "private riding lessons" with Tara (which I think is a great idea) then I think Mrs. Finch needs to take some riding lessons as well. We need to get her on a horse, so we can have one of the campers say "I can't tell the difference between Finch's face and the horse's butt" or something like that

*Yoink*able – stay tuned! It’s only a matter of time . . .


Kate AKA BeMyDeputy:
Glad you liked the reference to QofH. Actually, that old ballad is just hauntingly lovely in my mind. Glad to use it!

I loved the throwback to "Teacher's Pet." Though, this is pre-season one . . . throw-forward? Reference! Yes, reference. One of my favorite season one episodes.

Very welcome! It’s a goody for me, too!


indigokane:

ariel, this is absolutely adorable!!! what on earth are they going to do at the end of camp though?!? keep up the good work!

Interesting/painful question! Hey, thanks for multitudinous generosity on research! Welcome to the KB, great seeing your poem and upcoming story!

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

[Ariel]

Feedback is golden and *Yoink*able ideas are often used! Thanks for reading and writing when you can!


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 sex, 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.
Credit: Last line of story from Amber Benson in the comic book “Willow and Tara: WannaBlessedBe”

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


Thoughts are in italics.


Part 22: Riding Lessons


Willow woke first, threw a glance behind her, and then felt safe risking a wake up kiss on Tara’s lips. Tara smiled and pulled her close for a quick hug. Suddenly their eyes met and they both said, “Riding Lessons” at exactly the same time and locked pinkies to make a wish that their idea would be wonderful.


Moments later Willow had dressed while Tara opted for an early morning shower, throwing on a robe and flip-flops and collecting the day’s outfit and her shirts for tie-dye. She helped do some quick hair-braiding, letting herself head out after most of the girls’ hair had been brushed and braided into submission.


Tara stepped into the shower, feeling the warmth ease yesterday’s hurts and aches as she sighed deeply and relaxed, then faced the chore of washing her long hair. Finally she finished scrubbing her scalp and simply stood, loving the feel of the warm water racing between her breasts and down her belly and thighs. She thought of the rivulets of water and the touch of Willow’s fingers against her heated flesh and shivered delightedly. A moment later she shut off the shower finally then bent to wring out her long hair.


Mrs. Finch was winding down the meeting and had obviously been waiting as she slid into her seat next to Willow with her hair wrapped up in a towel. “Well, Tara? Willow said you had an idea for a program improvement. Please explain.”


Tara turned her head slowly to meet Mrs. Finch’s eyes. “Uh about uh private riding l-lessons.” She saw Willow’s encouraging smile and sat up straighter, “We have a half day off Saturday and all day S-Sunday. Willow and I thought we c-could help a few kids that are h-having a hard time learning to ride. For today, we thought we’d start our tie-dye stuff soaking in the fixative, then do a couple hours of private lessons and come back for the actual tie-dying.” She smiled around the circle, “We want to do matching jerseys. Can we?”


Mrs. Finch considered then offered a rare smile, “I don’t see why not. We’re planning to replace one set of the smaller jerseys this summer. Tie-dye those. As for the private lessons,” she shot Willow a glance and pursed her lips disapprovingly, “You should put yourself at the head of that list, Willow! I have never seen someone involved in the riding program, who is so utterly terrified of horses!”


Willow hung her head, pretending to be embarrassed, but was actually doing her best to conceal her delight at being ordered to spend private time alone with Tara. Mrs. Finch, this is the best idea you've ever had!

Carly and Mary exchanged smiles and Carly spoke up, “We’ll mind your kids, I know our cabins have done stuff together so take the next two hours and try your private lessons. We can get ‘em started soaking their shirts and stuff since our cabin is doing tie-dye too.


Willow shot Mary and Carly a grateful glance while Jenilee removed a key from around her neck and handed it over with a small but genuine smile. “Good luck,” she said softly.


Willow closed her hand around the key. “Thanks, Jenilee.”


Mrs. Finch dismissed the meeting and Willow jerked Tara up by the hand, dying for every minute of private time they could have together. She saw Carly and Mary moving to intercept their kids, already and tried to tug Tara into a run.


“Tara, can we do just ten minutes real quick? I hate having this hanging over me, it’s like a final only scarier!”


Tara’s voice was gentle, “Remember when we talked about r-riding on the first day? You told me about being scared?”


Willow nodded.


“I told you it was a big fear, and it is, but that we could work on it together. So we’re going to start with using a curry comb, just for a few minutes to get you used to being near a horse. Okay?”


“Okay.” Willow’s voice cracked high and she moved closer, but her steps became progressively slower as Tara walked her to a small, bay colored mare. Then her knees locked entirely and she froze in place, about four feet from the horse.


Tara walked forward and gave the horse an affectionate pat and rub on the shoulder. “This is Dolly. She is a very grand old l-lady with a loving heart. She teaches all the scared beginners for me.” She looked back at Willow behind her. “Come closer, sweetie.”


Willow inched forward.


“Closer, Willow.”


Willow inched forward.


“I mean closer in a way that’s m-measurable with the naked eye.”


Willow took a deep breath and boldly stepped forward almost three inches, then her knees locked again.


Tara turned around and looked tenderly at Willow’s wild eyes and flaring nostrils and stepped forward to hold her.


“Willow? Do you know how to dance?”


“What?”


“You heard me.” Tara slid her arms around Willow, pulling her in even closer, and began humming. She and Willow began to sway together in a slow dance and Willow relaxed in Tara’s arms. Tara dropped a kiss on Willow’s forehead then turned her gently so that Willow was facing Dolly and had moved in closer. “We’re here.”


Willow opened her eyes. “You tricked me!”


“Let’s just curry comb her. Dolly loves attention. I’ll get the comb.”


“No!” Willow’s voice held an edge of panic. “Don’t leave me!”


Tara’s voice was firm. “I’ll never leave you.” She paused to think, “Okay, we’ll just pet her today. That’s all.”


Tara disentangled herself from Willow’s arms, but stayed right next to her and slid around behind Willow with her arms around Willow’s waist. “Okay, baby. Just get a little closer.”


Willow’s legs refused to move. “I think my Mom would say I need some positive re-enforcement here.”


Tara leaned closer, her head by Willow’s ear. “Okay,” she breathed softly.


Willow felt the warm breath sway the tendrils of hair across her ear and send shivers through her body. Her knees suddenly relaxed, and Tara pressed against her from behind and moved her a half step forward. “Hey! That’s no fair.”


Tara’s breath was still warm against her ear. “Sorry.” Her hand curved around Willow’s waist to slide up under her shirt and start rubbing her tummy. “You’ll have to register a c-complaint with the complaint department.”


“Uh hmm.” Willow swayed, feeling Tara’s nipples harden against her back. She herself swelling down there, like a flower blooming with nectar in its petals. She wanted to give the WAVE, but her fingers wouldn’t quite move in unison. There was a wall in front of her, a warm brown wall and Tara reached her arm past Willow to put a hand on it.


“Put your hand on top of mine, Willow.”


There was only Tara’s breath on her neck, Tara’s body warm behind her, Tara’s hand in front of her. She put her hand on top of Tara’s and was surprised to feel Tara’s hand moving in circles under hers.


Tara’s breath was still on her neck, playing her sensitive nerves like fingers on the strings of a harp. “Follow my hand, lover. Just b-beautiful slow circles.” Her voice was warm music. “That’s right. Just big, slow circles.” Willow felt her hand tingling on top of Tara’s hand, she drew big slow breaths and followed the circles over and over again.


“Good job, baby. That was perfect.” Tara walked her backwards to a horse free zone and Willow sagged against her, relieved to have it over. Then her body heated and she turned into Tara’s embrace and raised hungry lips up to be kissed.


They clung together for an instant, then laughed suddenly, remembering the key and the room and their precious time together.


They scrambled for the ladder, jostling playfully at its base for a moment, then Willow hurried up and Tara was right behind her.


Then Willow brought the key over her head and opened the door, holding it for Tara after she had stepped through. There it all was: a bit of dusty loft, an old mattress and paradise.


They flopped down together with giggles and Tara tugged comically at her boots while Willow interrupted the process by poking her in the side and watching her laugh.


Then the laughter stopped and their eyes met.


Tara felt the slow pounding of her heart and her skin hummed like a forgotten chord of music was echoing inside her.


Willow felt her breath leave her body. She was still, hushed, by the enormity of her feelings.


Then they knelt and faced each other and their hands came up, met and kissed palm to palm as they had done before on that day when everything had seemed so lost and broken.


Willow took Tara’s hand in hers and kissed it, remembering the time she had brushed Tara’s hair and her beloved had kissed the pulse point on her wrist. Willow’s voice was a breath, “Baby.”


Tara took tender possession of Willow’s hand and shared the memory as she laid a fluttering kiss on the inside of Willow’s wrist.


Willow knew that they needed a bridge, a path between so much longing and today’s fulfillment. Then her eyes sparkled at the idea and she raised her lips to Tara’s, “Truth or Dare?”


Tara swallowed. “Dare,” she answered softly.


Willow’s voice was soft with longing, “Kiss me somewhere you have wanted to kiss me but never done before.”


Tara moved closer, her hair swaying golden and dreamlike against Willow’s neck as she knelt behind Willow and set a circlet of kisses behind Willow’s ear at the tender place where her ear joined her head.


Then Tara’s shining blue eyes met Willow’s sparkling green eyes. “Truth or Dare?”


Willow regained some of her natural effervescence and their was an impish tilt to her lips as she raised her head to answer, “Truth.”


Tara considered. “Is there a secret about yourself that you’ve been afraid to tell me?”


Willow’s indrawn breath sounded sharp in the dim silence. Her answer was exhaled, “Yes.” Then her gaze intensified. “I want you to know me, Tara. I want you to know me better than anyone.”


Tara held Willow close, kneeling on the mattress with Willow pressed against her, her chin resting on Willow’s head. “I want that, too.”


Willow smiled shyly. “I know this sounds funny, but I have to gather some stuff to tell you my secret. I have to show it to you.” Then game-playing Willow emerged and said archly, “But I did answer your question, so my turn! Truth or Dare, Tara?”


“Dare.”


“Take my hands and put them where you want them to be.”


Tara reached out and took Willow’s pale, slender hands inside her own and lifted them to press tenderly on either side of her face.


Willow’s heart was on her fingertips. She loved Tara with her touch cherishing the slender grace of Tara’s neck arching into her caresses, tracing the line of her collarbone then reaching back to lift Tara’s shirt and fumble at the three hooks fastening Tara’s bra in the back. She blushed and finally freed the creamy softness of Tara’s breasts. She took them in her hands, feeling the nipples warm and harden against her touch. She raised them, burying her face in the warmth, savoring the rich scent of Tara’s essence and the moist warmth between them. She kissed lightly, then found the brown sweetness of the nipples and pushed Tara backwards and sprawled on top of her love to suckle and caress their sweetness with the silken press of her tongue.


Tara felt her body trembling at the sharp bliss of every tongue stroke against her sensitive nipples. She was riding waves of pleasure as she felt Willow kiss her way down her belly.


Tara moaned, her breath stirring the fiery glow at the top of Willow’s head. Then she removed the shirt that Willow had pushed up and felt the singing jolts of pleasure from Willow’s mouth.


She rolled Willow over, then cupped the soft curve of Willow’s breast, caressing its warmth in her hand before beginning a slow feasting on the pert pink nipples that welcomed her lips.


By then clothing had vanished and they lay against each other, feeling tummy kisses and nipple kisses, and loving how their skin seemed to cling to together.


Tara reached a wandering hand, gliding sensuously down the firm smoothness of Willow’s belly to caress the pale skin of Willow’s thighs.


Willow moaned, opening her thighs to release the swollen pressure and to welcome her lover’s entrance.


Tara’s hand was on Willow’s thigh, feeling the soft heat of the girl’s desire. She felt her fingers caress the damp, red curls and she looked at Willow’s face, reading the love flush and the craving for that sweet release. She placed a loving finger against the younger girl’s rosebud and began the pleasure dance she had learned before, reading her lover’s breathing and trembling, once more playing to the rhythm of her desire.


Willow felt the same racing, fiery sensations jolting through her body. But there was something more that she needed, wanted, had to have.


“Tara,” her voice had an edge of anguish from that unfulfilled need. “I want – you – inside - me.”


Tara’s breath caught. She slid a slender finger into Willow’s passage and was clasped in warm velvet. She Willow’s heartbeat beating around her finger while her thumb continued its circling dance against Willow’s rosebud.


Willow felt a fullness, a feeling of deep completion inside her body and her heart. They were joined now, a part of each other. Then Willow felt the surging, crashing ecstasy take possession of her and her eyes flew open at the last moment to stare into Tara’s eyes as she bucked and arched against her lover’s hand. Then, like before, she swayed to stillness and cuddled closer, tears shining on her cheeks.


Tara held her tenderly, kissing the tears away. She drew a ragged breath, dazed and touched by the pleasure of Willow’s sensuous release.


“Melting.” Willow smiled. They paused, then Willow turned, “Now you, Tara.”


Tara paused, then saw the longing in those irresistible emerald eyes. Still she hesitated.


“I want to, Tara. Let me.”


Tara smiled a little shyly, but laid herself by Willow’s side and felt Willow’s hand slide down with the warmth of sunlight and begin massaging the firm whiteness of her rider’s thighs. She twisted, sighing into Willow’s touch and feeling the pull and play of muscles singing under her skin.


“What do I do next?” Then, shyly, “Can I look at you?”


Tara felt a blush consume her entire body then she realized that Willow loved her and that she trusted Willow. She swallowed, “If you w-want to.”


Willow nodded and sat up and scooted down lower. Tara opened her legs and Willow placed a gentle finger in the dampness of her curls.


“Show me, Tara. Touch yourself.”


Tara reached down, found her pouting nub, and rubbed it free of its nest of curls.


Willow bent down to look closer, “Oh, it’s beautiful. Like a rose.” Willow sniffed and Tara thought she would just about die of embarrassment. “Kind of sweet, not candy sweet but musky sweet, nectar-y sweet.”


Tara swallowed again, then felt a very soft touch against her nub.


“Is that right?”


Tara nodded, “I m-mean yes. That feels really, really, nice. Just up and down. You can go a little harder. Mmmmm.”


Suddenly Tara felt herself clench.


Willow’s voice was warm and knowing. “That means you like it.”


“Oh yes.”


Tara’s own breath seemed to scorch her lungs, but Willow’s excited breath stirred her to near madness yet was flower petal soft on her naked flesh. She felt her skin tightening, the fevered surge beginning, the swirling ecstasy that seemed to start in her core and radiate out like an exploding star. Then Willow slid a finger inside her and she clasped her lover tight inside her, arching, crying out, and calling Willow’s name.


Willow stayed inside and lay down beside her.


Tara felt tears slide down her cheeks, she had never felt so deeply loved and cherished.


Willow’s voice was warm with love. “I did it right. I can tell.”


“You were perfect. My first time.”


“You were beautiful, Tara.”


“You’re beautiful, Willow.”


“We can both be beautiful,” Willow said decidedly and Tara smiled.


Then they tangled their legs together and dozed languorously, but Willow was not long for repose.


“Truth or Dare, Tara?”


Tara decided to take a chance. “Truth.”


“When did you fall in love with me?”


“Maybe when you held me the first time in the stable. I was scared about the program. I-I needed you so much.” She paused, thinking back. “But when you brushed my hair, that time and you called me, ‘baby.’ I kissed your wrist and I wanted to kiss you so bad.” She ducked her head shyly and Willow realized that Tara did that much less than she used to.


“Tara, don’t be mad, okay. But you hardly ever stuttered in the barn or here.”


Tara’s eyes were shining and she tightened their embrace. “My heart doesn’t stutter.”

[bouncer73]

wow I have missed a few updates due to work and wow what a way to catch up...great story...

loved the "poopular" word..I just about died and the visual of the pudiding..omg..too funny

[Laragh]

Part 22: Riding Lessons

That just promises an awesome chapter

Haha, Finchy says something good for once.

Trick dancing, I love it!! I'd be happy to be foiled into being near a large, scary animal if it meant I got to dance with Tara!

God I love the intense attraction between them. It's so much more than just teenage hormones.

Damn, I wish I could play Truth or Dare like that! Much better than being dared to go grind against a stranger!

What's Willow's secret??? Colour me intrigued!!

That was such a sweet love scene!! So beautifully poetic. And I've always loved that 'My heart doesn't stutter' line! Great use of it!

I think this was maybe my favourite chapter so far!!!

[leonhart17]

Aww that was sweet! I'm glad they got a chance to be alone and that Finch-bitch actually helped them out for once (even unknowingly)