TITLE: Racing The Rain
AUTHOR: Finey_McFine
RATING: R (Language)
DISCLAIMER: Willow, Tara and any other BtVS characters, as well as some random dialog, belong to Mutant Enemy. ALL other original characters belong to me! This includes: Willow’s siblings and teammates, plus Tara’s friends and co-workers. Mention of any ‘real’ people in this fic is brief and pure fantasy.
SUMMARY: Totally AU! Set in LA with lots of W/T fluff and some angst, but no Hellmouthyness; just good old regular day-to-day drama. Willow is attending college on an athletic scholarship and Tara is Hollywood royalty. They meet and fall in love, of course, but will they be able to survive the pitfalls of a public romance? Well, you’ll just have to read and find out!
FEEDBACK: Yes! Any glaring issues…please send me a PM!
AUTHOR’S NOTE: Hi Everyone and Happy Tuesday! First, I would like to thank you all for the condolences regarding my Mom’s passing. She was very sick and in a lot of pain, although her death was sudden, it wasn’t totally unexpected and we are relieved that she is finally at peace. Secondly, thanks for the get-well wishes! One day I had allergies and the next pneumonia…yee haw! On the bright side, I’m home now and on the mend. With that said, I hope that ya’ll can find it in your hearts to give me a pass on answering feedback. I fear that if I don’t just post this chapter, it my never get done. Lastly, a big special THANKS to Ariel for a quick proof and catching my word repetition, repetition. It was very SWEET of her to lend me a hand at the last minute. 
Chapter 59:Home Sweet HomeWillow plopped down into the seat holding her hands across her stomach just as Tara was hanging up the inflight phone.
“Did you get hold of Cyndi?” The redhead asked.
Tara scowled, “No, she must not be back yet; probably flying just like us. I did manage to talk to someone at the car company and they’re gonna send a few extra people to help us out.” Tara sighed, “I really need to find another assistant.”
“Umm,” Willow moaned.
“Hey, are you ok? You’ve been to the restroom three times and you look a little…pale.”
“Yeah, I’m ok. I just…” Willow leaned closer and whispered into Tara’s ear, “I got my period and my tummy hurts.”
“Ohhh baby, what can I do?” Tara’s eyes were full of love and concern as Willow simply shrugged her shoulders. “I think I have some aspirin…” Tara’s voice trailed off as she leaned forward and began to rummage through her purse.
Willow shook her head and whispered again, “It’ll make me bleed worse, plus I already took some ibuprofen about thirty minutes ago; hopefully it kicks in soon.”
“Alright, just lay back and try to relax, I’ll order you some hot tea and maybe it’ll help a little.”
“Ok Tare,” Willow pushed her seat back into a reclining position and tried to get comfortable while Tara summoned the flight attendant.
Tara prepared the tea for Willow the way she liked it, extra sweet and carefully handed over the hot cup. Willow smiled, “Mhmm, thanks baby, this really hits the spot,” She smiled tenderly at her girlfriend, “So, how bad do you think it’ll be in LA?”
“Well, not good. It’s all over Twitter and…people in Houston sure like to tweet.”
“A regular flock of song birds!” Willow mused.
Tara smiled only slightly and looked at Willow with mournful eyes, “I’m s-sorry Will. I’m sorry that we can’t go anywhere without being stalked and mobbed. This life it’s…sometimes I just feel like walking away, leaving everything behind and moving into a shack in the forest or something.”
“Well, as long as you take me with you…” Willow added quietly.
Tara chuckled and took Willow’s free hand in hers, placing a kiss on top, “I’ll never leave you sweetie,” She said sincerely.
“Tara,” Willow said seriously and trying to ignore her cramping stomach, “Why do you stay? I mean, why do you do it?”
“Act?” Tara clarified, receiving a nod from Willow. “Well, aside for it being the
only thing I’ve ever done, I…I really love it. The um, the acting I mean, not the, you know, getting mobbed part. It’s an incredible feeling Will, to be able to take the words that someone else has written and give them life, substance…it’s amazing. I get to transform into someone else, put my own spin on the character. It’s exhilarating and challenging, plus it doesn’t ever get boring.” Willow watched Tara in wonder as her eyes twinkled and lit up when she talked about her passion for her profession. “I never did it to be famous, that’s the goal of a lot of people, but it never was for me. I started young because it was fun and it still is; in fact, it’s probably the only reason I do stay. When I was little I did a lot of commercials and a few movies, I didn’t even know what I was doing. All I knew was that, I got to go somewhere and have fun all day; I got to run around and play dress up. Then when I started school, my Mom pulled me out of acting professionally, but I got involved with the school drama club and the first time I went on stage and got applauded…I knew it was what I wanted to for the rest of my life. I mean, to have people clapping and cheering for
me, it was such a rush and it still is.” Tara ducked her head, slightly embarrassed, “Wow, that sounded completely narcissistic, didn’t it?”
Willow shook her head, “No, actually it didn’t. It just sounded like someone who loves what she does.”
“I’d imagine that you probably feel the same way, when you hit a homerun or make an impossible play or even when you hear the audience chanting for you to do a backflip,” Tara winked and half smiled at Willow.
Willow nodded agreement, “I should put a patent on that flip before someone else steals it,” smiling and returning Tara’s wink, “You’re right though, it is a total rush when you get it right, plus, you have to admit, winning medals and awards...not too shabby either.”
Tara laughed, “Well, you’re right about that. I don’t worry about getting nominated, in fact I don’t even get upset if I’m not, but when I am,” Tara leaned into and whispered to Willow, “Secretly, I
really want to win; just to be able to say to myself, even for a brief moment that,
I’m the best.”
“Thank you,” Willow said honestly.
“For what? Admitting that I’m full of myself?” Tara chuckled.
“No silly, for sharing that with me. I love talking to you and learning new things; what makes you tick, so to speak.”
“W-What happens when you know everything there is to know?” Tara said shyly and dipped her head.
Willow reached up and ran her fingers through Tara’s hair, “Well, I suspect by then we’ll be all old and gray and we’ll have forgotten almost everything, so when you tell me something, it’ll be new all over again.” She said with a sly smile.
Tara snorted, Willow always had a way of touching her heart, “And what makes you think I’ll ever be gray?”
Willow began to laugh, then groaned and clutched her stomach. “Ugh, damn it.”
“Oh Sweetie, I wish I could rub your tummy and make it feel better.”
Willow pouted, “Me too,” She said in a child like voice that completely melted Tara’s heart.
“Awww, try to get some rest. We’ll be home soon.”
Willow nodded as she leaned her seat back, closed her eyes and snuggled up to Tara.
**************************************
An hour and a half later, they were trudging through LAX on their way to baggage claim. Willow was still feeling under the weather, but she was doing a pretty good job of hiding it. She in no way wanted to embarrass Tara, so she bucked up and put on her best game face. A few fans recognized Tara, but they were pretty much left alone until they reached baggage claim. Willow and Tara were standing side by side holding hands as they rode down the escalator and right into a sea of Paparazzi.
“Hoooly shit,” Willow mumbled, tightening her grip on Tara’s hand as she scanned the crowd counting at least thirty photographers and reporters; maybe more.
They clambered around the bottom of the escalator, shouting and calling to Tara and Willow; leaving very little room for the girls to exit. Tara and Willow moved forward slowly, trying their best to navigate the mob of Paparazzi without physically pushing anyone. Luckily, airport security and several men in black suits, from the car company, met them fairly quickly. The men surrounded them and escorted them to the luggage belt, where they helped to retrieve their bags before whisking them away in the waiting Lincoln Town Car.
Once in the car, Willow collapsed into Tara; She laid across the backseat with her head in Tara’s lap, pulling her knees up and clutching her aching stomach once again. Tara’s face was etched with concern as she ran her fingers lightly through Willow’s hair and gently rubbed her back. She’d never seen Willow like this before and she was starting to get worried. As the car pulled up in front of Tara’s house, Willow practically leapt out before the car even had a chance to stop completely and rushed inside; making a beeline straight for the bathroom. Tara assisted the driver with the luggage before making her way in to check on Willow.
Tara frowned when she found her girlfriend on the bathroom floor, slumped over the toilet and vomiting; while simultaneously trying to push a very excited Ralphie out of the away.
“Ralphie, stop it! Come here!” She shouted, pulling the little dog’s attention from the redhead as she ushered him out and closed the bathroom door.
A moment later, Tara was on her knees next to Willow wiping her face with a wet cloth and holding her hair. “Sweetie, are y-you ok? Do I need to call a doctor?”
Willow shook her head, “No, I’m ok. These cramps are just making me really nauseous, but um, I feel a little better now; I need to lie down.” Willow groaned suddenly and slumped to her right; attempting to lie down on the bathroom floor.
Tara caught Willow as she stared to go down, “Will, come on sweetie, we need to get you cleaned up, then into bed and after that I’ll get you the heating pad for your tummy.”
Tara spent the next ten minutes helping Willow get cleaned up and then carefully led her wobbly girlfriend to the bedroom and sat her down on the edge of the bed. Willow was already undressed down to her underwear, so Tara divested her of her shirt and bra, replacing it with a tank top and laid her down in the bed. Willow immediately curled into a ball; wrapping her arms around her tummy and moaning. Tara covered Willow with the comforter and left to find the heating pad. She returned a few minutes later with the warming device, plugged it in and wrapped it around Willow’s stomach. She sat for a while next to her girlfriend, rubbing her back until she was sure that Willow was asleep.
Tara wiped several strands of sweaty hair from Willow’s cheek before she leaned in and gently pressed a kiss near her ear, “Love you baby,” She whispered before quietly exiting the room.
As soon as Tara was out the door Ralphie was bouncing at her feet; he seemed no worse for wear after being unceremoniously booted from the room earlier. Tara squatted down to pick up her beloved pooch, but she didn’t make it very far as he anticipated her move and leapt into her arms.
“Awww, how’s my little guy? Did you miss me? Yes baby, I missed you too! And so did your other Mommy, but she’s not feeling good, so you’ll have to wait and see her later.” Tara paused and reflected on her words as she sat down on the couch with Ralphie in her lap, stroking his head lightly. “Hmm well, I’m pretty sure she loves you as much as I do. Plus, I like to think of myself as Mommy number two to a certain kitty as well.” No sooner had the words left Tara’s lips when she heard mewing that was headed in her direction. Looking up, she saw Miss Kitty sauntering across the top of the couch. “Hi Miss Kitty!” Tara said as she reached up to scratch the top of Miss Kitty’s head. Miss Kitty nuzzled Tara’s hand and moved closer to nuzzle her face as well. This of course didn’t sit well with a certain jealous dog that decided to stand in Tara’s lap, with his feet on her chest and playfully growl and nip at Miss Kitty. Not in the mood for his antics, the agitated feline hissed and slapped at his face with her claws out; causing a loud yelp from Ralphie.
“Hey! Hey! Is this what you two did the entire time we were gone? Now both of you can get down.” She said as she sat Ralphie on the floor and did the same to Miss Kitty. As soon as both were together, hijinks ensued as Miss Kitty rolled on her back and playfully slapped at Ralphie who in turn reached a paw forward and made soft growling sounds as the two continued to amuse each other. Tara smiled and ruffed the top of Ralphie’s head as she jumped up from the couch and walked the short distance to the kitchen pantry. She rummaged through the shelves and frowned when she was unable to find what she was looking for. Ralphie was again at Tara’s feet, wagging his tail and looking up hopefully.
“Here you go boo-boo,” Tara said as she dropped a rawhide chew in Ralphie’s mouth. The happy pooch trotted off and jumped on his pillow to gnaw on his tasty treat. “Mama has to go out for a bit, so I need you to take care of Mommy for me, ok?” Tara smiled as she grabbed her keys and purse and headed out the door.
****************************
Less than an hour later Tara returned, after having successfully navigated through the Paparazzi, with several grocery bags in tow. She deposited the bags on the kitchen counter and cracked open the bedroom door to find that Willow was just as she had left her; out cold and snoring softly. Not wanting to wake her girlfriend, Tara eased the door closed and returned to the kitchen. After putting away her groceries, Tara grabbed a basket off the kitchen island and made herself comfortable on the living room couch as she began the tedious task of sorting through the mail.
Willow turned over in bed and instinctively reached for her girlfriend, but was met with air instead. She groaned as she sat up and stretched her arms over her head. Willow was hot and a little sweaty as she peeled back the covers; removing the heating pad and shutting the device off. Her brain was still slightly foggy and she felt weak as she tossed her legs over the side of the bed and attempted to stand. Her legs were a little wobbly as she padded towards the bathroom to brush her teeth and wash her face. A few minutes later she made her way out to the living room where she found Tara diligently sorting through her mail.
Tara heard the familiar creak of the bedroom door and looked up to see the most adorable sight she’d ever seen. Willow was standing in the doorway looking completely disheveled with a horrible case of bedhead, but to Tara she was beautiful. Tara sat up and placed the mail in her lap on to the coffee table; clearing the spot for Willow and opening her arms to welcome the redhead into her lap.
“Hey sweetie, how are you feeling?” Tara asked with concern as Willow pulled her knees up and curled into her chest, moaning softly. Tara ran her hands over Willow’s back, pulling her even tighter. Several minutes passed in silence until Tara heard a soft sniffle coming from her girlfriend. “Hey, are you crying?” Tara asked and was met with a slight nodding motion from Willow.
Willow sniffled again, “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to disappoint you.”
“What?” Tara asked completely stumped by Willow’s explanation until she realized what the redhead was getting at as she remembered a previous conversation where they had talked about having a ‘naked’ end to the weekend. “Oh baby, no…absolutely no disappointment here.”
“But…but we had plans and then you had to deal with, you know, and-”
“Willow, I love you, you’re my girl and when you need me, it’s my job to care for you. Besides, in a few days or so the situation will probably be reversed.”
Willow snuggled deeper and pressed a kiss to Tara’s neck, “Thank you, I love you too.”
“Will, is this normal for you?” Tara asked as she continued to gently massage Willow’s back.
“Not all time, but it does happen every so often. I think it was because I went riding this morning…kinda shook everything up, ya know.”
“Have you told your doctor?”
“Yeah, she ran a bunch of tests and said that everything is fine; just to take it easy when it gets bad. The um, the barfing, well…that was a first. I think I must have gotten air sick and then the ride home in the back seat…”
“Ohhh baby, I’m sorry.”
“It’s not your fault Tare, it’s just how my body decided to react. Plus, I’m sure everything that I’ve eaten the last week didn’t help matters. I kinda feel like eating nothing but salad for a month.” Willow laughed lightly.
“I know what you mean, I hope I can fit into wardrobe next week.” Tara added as Willow started to push up out of her lap. “Hey, where are you going?”
“Oh, I’m just thirsty. I think I got a little dehydrated.”
“You stay here and rest, I’ll get it.”
“But Tara-” Willow started but was silenced with a long slender finger pressing against her lips. She finally acquiesced, kissing the finger and allowing Tara to get her a drink.
Tara returned a few minutes later with a bottle of tropical Gatorade™ and a package of saltine crackers. Willow looked at Tara with a questioning glance, “I went to the store while you were sleeping.”
“Awww, that was so sweet, thank you baby.” Willow said leaning in and kissing her girlfriend. She took several sips of the Gatorade™ and began to munch on one of the crackers.
“I um, I got you a little present too.”
Willow’s head popped up and her eyes glistened, “Really?” She exclaimed grinning, as her tongue slipped out between her teeth.
Tara snickered, “You are too much and extremely irresistible when you do that.”
“Do what?”
“Poke your tongue out between your teeth when you grin,” Tara said with a half smile causing the redhead to blush, “You did that the first day we met and I remember thinking it was the cutest thing I’d ever seen.”
“And I adore that sultry half smile, you know…the one that only I get to see.”
“Ummm,” Tara moaned when she felt Willow’s fruity red lips pressed firmly against hers, “you taste salty and sweet…feeling better?”
“Much, so um…what about that present?”
“Incorrigible,” Tara gave Willow a couple quick pecks on her lips before heading into the kitchen. She retrieved a large shopping bag and brought it back to Willow. “It’s not that big of a deal, I just saw it and thought you might like it.”
Willow sat up on the edge of the couch as Tara handed her the bag. “Tare! Thank you baby. You’re the best!” Willow exclaimed as she pulled the large box containing an iced tea maker out of the bag. “So, we’re already at that point in our relationship where we’re giving each other household appliances?” She quipped with a wry grin.
Tara snorted with laughter, “Oh God, I hope not! I just noticed that you drank a lot of it when y-you were home and I thought that um, maybe…y-you’d like to have one here; at m-my house here, I mean...”
Tara nervous babble was adorable and Willow loved every second of it. “Thank you, we can enjoy it together,” Setting the box on the floor, Willow cupped Tara’s cheeks and pulled her in for a quick kiss. “Mmhmm, you’re the best.”
Tara giggled, “It’s a kitchen appliance Will.”
“Yes, but it’s the thought that counts and you just scored
a lot of thought points.”
Tara rolled her eyes, “You’re just easy to please.”
“Easy being the operative word when it comes to you,” Willow winked and shot Tara a seductive grin.
“Hey, no teasing! Especially since, you’re…you know.” Tara said as she pointed a slender finger towards Willow’s lap and twirled it in a circle.
“Ok, ok…so, where’s Pam anyway? I kinda expected her to be here when we got back.”
“Oh ummm…” Tara mumbled as she shuffled through the stack of letters on the coffee table, finally producing a folded piece of paper and handing it to Willow.
Willow scanned the note and smirked, “She took off early so we could have some alone time? Damn, too bad I’m
ridin’ the cotton pony.”
Tara’s mouth fell open as she looked at Willow with what could only be described as a combination of shock, horror and general amusement. “Seriously?”
“What?” Willow asked with as innocent a face as she could muster. How about,
“Surfing the crimson tide? Any better? No?”
Tara sat staring and shaking her head until she couldn’t take it any longer and burst into a fit of giggles as she and Willow fell back on the couch. When the laughter finally subsided, they settled in to spend the last day of their vacation snuggled together; sharing whispers of love, gentle caresses and many soft kisses.
by zampsa19752001 » Tue Feb 14, 2012 3:23 pm 
Although their age difference might make a little issue 
Tara plans to hang onto Willow now you just to get them married off. Where are those wedding bells when we need them.
I'm resurfacing again from real life craziness to say I'm still here and still enjoying this fic very much!
So, as I patiently wait, I thought I’d post a chapter. Enjoy! 
I know I pay attention to celebrities' personal lives less than most people, but this is not normal, right? Is it even legal? Even if she doesn't feel she needs security, I hope she got the guy name to report to the campus.
me too.