School Days

[Arwen276]

I love it!!!



Sooo IS TARA some sort of College student working in Sunny day High as a part time job?? That's what will make her question the age difference right?



umm can't wait for more!







~Arwen

Hear That Baby? You're My Always... Willow

[sam darls]

Aww that was so lovely Love sam xx

"Sometimes things happen between people that you don't really expect. And sometimes the things that are important are the ones that seem the weirdest or the most wrong. And those are the ones that change your life." - Jessie Sammler (Evan Rachel Wood)

[lipkandy]

so, I swing by the boards for a sec and there's a new fic by JustSkipIt!!!

I love it so far. Willow and Tara as young teachers who've mistaken each other for students...brilliant!! Your Willow and Tara are wonderful as always. There's a sweetness and depth to them in your writing that always makes me smile.



Thanks for a lovely start.



xomel

[Insanity]

I would guess for Faith, it sooo sounds like her.



More coming soon?



Insanity

"Nobody messes with my girl!"Tara, Bargaining

[Modjadji]

Nice one! Some questions answered, but more to go



It's cute (and hilarious) to watch Willow and Tara mirror each other's thoughts and actions. From wandering around trying to locate a classroom on the first day, to each mistaking the other for a student. The synchronicity is a nice touch.



I really liked Willow's interaction with her class in the previous update. Very young teachers can have a lot of trouble controlling a class, but she seems to be handling herself admirably. I liked the idea of allowing the class to ask you questions at the beginning of a new year. I think most of my teachers don't do it because they're too terrified of their students to let them get a word in edgeways



Thanks for two excellent updates!



cheers,

mo.



ETA: P.S. Just re-read and I think I have an idea who our mystery flatmate is. Certain parts of the note were a nifty clue if I'm right

No matter how short life may seem, it's still the longest thing you'll ever do.

Edited by: Modjadji at: 5/10/04 11:41 am

[justin]

I agree that the note writer sounds like Faith, especially her thing for just using the first letters of peoples names.



It seems that they both think that the other person is younger than they actually are. I wonder how they're going to find out the truth. Will Tara and Willow meet up when Faith (or whoever the mystery woman is) takes out to some of Sunnydales hotspots, or would that be too easy?



Looking forward to more

There's more than one way to do it. - The Perl mantra

[wimpy0729]

Hey Debra!



Loved the mirroring thoughts, and of course, she felt the sparkage. I think they're both like teaching prodigies, so can't wait until they figure that out. (But I could be wrong, am I wrong?)



Ah yes, the note...good clues. I think we've got that one figured out.



Oh, and yes please, let's ponder her lips...now that's yummy!



Can't wait for more!



Wimpy

[good2cats]

Hi Debra,
I was quite pleased to see another fic with the JSI brand.Great start I eagerly await your next installment.And could you supersize it.(I'm greedy and can't get enough)
I hope you and your family are doing well.Take care,Karen

[shuyaku]

I agree w/Insanity and Justin - I'm thinkin' Faith is the roommate. I definitely still believe Tara is a teacher of some sort - teaching assistant, intern, something...



I can hardly wait for W/T to meet up again



Great stuff,

-shuyaku

[pipsberg]

Debra,



I love this story and am so excited that you've got another fiction going!! More soon please!

-pipsberg



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

Michael Cunningham, The Hours

[mollyig]

An interesting AU you've set up here, with both feeling the instant attraction, but attempting to quell any interest in the other.

---

"Love is just like breathing when it's true" Indigo Girls

[JustSkipIt]

Excuse the very quick and general comments. I would like to get this little update posted before work.



Natti – I’m not sure how you got that she’s a teacher but I’m not denying it. Yes roomie, not hunny.



Yvonne – I’m glad you’re curious; that’s what I’m going for.



Romy – Everyone is making good guesses but I confirm nothing…



Modjadji – Yep, more to go. And yes, they are definitely on parrallel paths. I like the way you summarize it.



Yes, it is hard to teach when the students are close to your age or even the same age. When I began teaching college English, I was 20 and the students ranged from 18 to 40. Can be hard. Thanks.



Yep, many guesses on the “flatmate”. Speaking of flatmate, we have decided to begin cursing in British so that our child won’t learn American curse words and get in trouble. We know bloody, bugger, wanker, shag, and probably a few more. Suggestions gladly accepted.



Arwen – Good guesses.



sammi – Thanks.



lipkandy – I’m doing the excited dance that you commented on my fic. Thanks and good guesses.



Insanity – Good guesses.



justin – Good guesses.



wimpy – Definite sparkage. Good guesses.



Karen – Welcome Sorry, I don’t have any supersize installments on hand. But here’s a little one.



shuyaku – Good guesses.



pipsberg – Thanks.



mollyig – Thanks. And yes…





Title – School Days



Part 4 – Home Sweet Hellmouth



Author – JustSkipit - Debra



Spoilers – Geez! Even in Europe, the show has been off the air for a year. If you haven’t seen any given episode, you aren’t really trying. Nonetheless…



Yes, there are lot of spoilers.



Rating – Part 4 - PG



Disclaimer – Guess what… I don’t own W&T, Buffy or the rest of the BtVS crew. Any similarity to actual persons living or dead is purely coincidental and fortunate.



Thoughts in italics





After letting herself into the house, Willow went to the refrigerator to get a piece of fruit. Taking the apple with her, she went upstairs to find Dawn reading in her room.



“Homework already?” Willow asked. Dawn shook her head, holding up a worn copy of Fellowship of the Rings. “Oh,” Willow nodded, “how are the Hobbits doing?”



Dawn sneered, “The Hobbits are walking and walking and falling asleep and walking and walking…”



“It goes faster after they meet Strider,” Willow agreed.



“Are you going to the Magic Box or to patrol with Buffy?” Dawn asked.



Willow shook her head. “I don’t think so,” she answered, “I still need to finish unpacking and I should write a few more lesson plans.”



“You don’t have to babysit me you know,” Dawn pouted.



“I know that,” Willow agreed, “I really do have work to do.” Dawn shrugged as if she only believed Willow partially. “How about soup and sandwiches for dinner?” the redhead offered and saw Dawn’s nod before going across the hall into her room.



Willow began pulling books from a stack of boxes piled in the corner and carefully filling her bookcases. She tried to utilize an organizational system to make Giles proud, organizing by subject and author. Magical tomes filled two shelves, computer and mathematical theory books another two and fiction the rest of the space. By the time all the books were unpacked and organized she had worked up a good sweat and went to take a shower. One thing she didn’t miss about college was the large communal shower rooms. Even sharing with the Summers sisters didn’t compare to the dormitory experience.



On the way back from the bathroom, the redhead checked in with Dawn. “Hey Dawnie,” she called from the doorway after knocking on the door. “Are you hungry?” she asked, “I was thinking of taking a little nap before dinner.”



“No that’s fine,” the teenager agreed. As Willow was turning toward the door she heard Dawn’s voice. “Buffy said she’ll be late.”



“That’s ok,” Willow said.



“Hey Willow,” Dawn again called as the redhead was turning to leave.



“Yeah?”



“I’m glad you’re here.” The teenager blushed as she said it but Willow understood.



“I’m glad I’m here too,” she agreed.



As she lay on the bed a few minutes later she thought of just how true that statement was. Could it have been only three years ago that she had to make the decision about where to go to college? As Snyder had said, she had “a letter of acceptance from every college with a stamp.” As they had moved through their battle with the mayor, she wanted to stay and continue to fight evil. But she could remember everyone’s urging. Every Scooby, Joyce and Oz included, had agreed that she was the one person who could take advantage of her opportunities. If she finished college and possibly graduate school and wanted to return to the Hellmouth, then she could. Of course her parents were very supportive of her attending MIT so she had gone.



And then the unthinkable had happened.



Willow knew when she left that Buffy or Xander or Giles were in danger every day. A vampire or other demon could kill them any time but she knew that they were right; she had to leave and then she could choose to return when school was over.



But the unthinkable…



The interval between Joyce’s diagnosis and Buffy’s hysterical phone call to Willow seemed to be only days although it was a few months. Willow only saw Joyce at her Christmas break and then the woman was gone. Leaving school in the middle of the week for the funeral had meant two missed tests and an incomplete in one class but the redhead had quickly made up the remainder of her work. Enrolling in even more classes over the summer allowed her to complete her degree requirements in three years and here she was, a college graduate at 20 and having returned to the Hellmouth.

Oppose the Federal Marriage Amendment

[wimpy0729]

Hey Debra!!



So, Asher's going to be saying bugger and wanker, huh? He's going to have the other kids so confused! lol



And now we have more questions answered, slowly but surely. Gotta love Willow, always the overachiever!



Oh yeah, I was wondering if you guys are going to be making any cameos in this wonderful story. That was so cute how you two were always lurkin about.



Can't wait for more!



Wimpy

[mollyig]

Nice bit of backstory as to why Willow ended up back in Sunnydale. I had figured from one of the students mentioning "the gas explosion", that ghostly goings on still occurred in her hometown, so this chapter confirms the fact the Scoobs still patrol. I imagine that Willow would have felt guilty about leaving the gang and heading off to pastures new, so I'm sure that was a deciding factor in her return.

---

"Love is just like breathing when it's true" Indigo Girls

[Grimaldi]

enjoyed the last couple of updates



really curious as to who Tara's roomate is

I'm not stealing, I'm just taking things without paying for them. In what twisted dictionary is that stealing?
Welcome friends, how may I pervert you?

[Puff]

Bollocks is a great English curse word and suprisingly satisfying to say when you're in a bad mood. Loved the last 2 updates, I like all the student/teacher teasing hints we are getting for Tara. It's always fun to guess. And the backstory on why Willow went to MIT and returned to Sunnydale was good. I like your LOTR description as well Looking fiorward to reading more.

---

So, the day started and I knew my name and had my pants on. So far, so good. Yay.
Amber Benson

[littlecrazy80]

Now we know why Willow is back in Sunnydale. But when will she meet Tara again?



*lil´c*

"Okay, we’re here, we’re queer, let’s kick this shit into gear," Five by Five (Taras Shadow)



SweetAmber

[Modjadji]

I agree with Puff, bollocks is the quintessential British swearword. Also, watch Four Weddings and a Funeral. Full of tips on appropriate places to say 'bugger'.



I like how you've rewritten Willow's story in this fic. The whole "staying in Sunnydale to fight monsters and be useful" defense always felt just a leedle artificial when contrasted with "getting the hell out of Sunnydale to a place with no monsters which will train you to be a zillionaire". I know Willow's a selfless, wonderful person, but that's just silly.



Loving these bite size updates...just enough goodness to make a purr!



cheers,

mo

No matter how short life may seem, it's still the longest thing you'll ever do.

[sam darls]

Ooh, great update Debra..I loved it. Hope everything is good with your family. Love sam xx

"Sometimes things happen between people that you don't really expect. And sometimes the things that are important are the ones that seem the weirdest or the most wrong. And those are the ones that change your life." - Jessie Sammler (Evan Rachel Wood)

[veiled isis moon]

Enjoying the fic so far, they're so sweet and cute having naughty, lusty thoughts about each other, except now we know there not naughty thoughts (in the way of gettin arrested!), cos they're both adults and teachers at the same school, which can only lead to lots of accidental bumpings into one another and shy glances which leads to lots of happy kittens.



I totally got that Tara was a teacher by the way, not straight away but at the end of the first chapter it just popped into my head. Still loved the way you set it up, the not knowing whether either one of them were a teacher or student, curiosity got the kitten interested in the story and now hooked, i want more!



I liked how they both thought exactly the same thing about each other from their first meeting and couldn't help the lusty feelings, can't wait until they meet again and find out they're both teachers



I think the letter is from Faith, it sounds just like her; meeting some yummy people on her first day of work and the whole first letter thing. Who else can it be?



Michellex

Edited by: veiled isis moon at: 5/12/04 3:59 pm

[russ]

Good to have some background filled in regarding Willow's story. It makes perfect sense that she would leave Sunnydale for brighter educational opportunities, especially if urged by all her friends. Nice to see stories where she gets to reap the benefits of that intellect.



Of course, being you, you leave us with lots of new questions. How deeply did Willow get into magic in the intervening years? I see she has about the same number of magic books as math/computer science. Yet, I'm sure that accelerated degree program didn't allow for too much time to practice. Also, being away from the Hellmouth and the Scoobies, she wouldn't need it as much to fight evil, and hopefully wouldn't have fallen to the dark side in the same way.



How did Buffy & Co. deal with Adam and Glory without Willow's powers? She was crucial in both cases.



Then there's Tara's situation. Did she ever discover she's not a demon? Could she escape her family without Willow?



I'm pretty sure Faith is the roomie; how has her history differed?



I think this story is going to keep you busy for quite a while. Hope so, anyway.



Russ

[The Rose24]

Okay, the Willow saga continues to unfold. Thanks for answering some of the questions

Tara: My heart doesn't stutter.


Tara: Willow, I got so lost.

Willow: I found you. I will always find you.

[onyxsundrops]

Though Faith would seem like the obvious choice for Tara's flatmate, I'm going to be the oddball and say it's Anya. I mean, she wasn't mentioned in Willow's thoughts about the Scoobies getting hurt, and the 'yummy' comment seems more like her. Faith is more likely to say 'laid' but I really don't know, I'm just guessing.



Willow's choice to leave school for the funeral shows her devotion toward the Summers' family. I mean, sure most people would leave...but there are those types who just send a card and maybe some flowers. Dawn seems pretty normal, at least in her own little way, so that leads me to believe that everything is basically the same as far as personalities. So, anyway, thanks for the great update, looking forward to more.



Yvonne

[JustSkipIt]

Quick replies and then a short Scooby-centered update. I swear, more W & T coming up.



wimpy – That’s our plan: to have Asher cursing (if at all) in British so it won’t be so noticable. Of course my boss’s son (6 years old) got in trouble for saying “butt” rather than “bottom” at school so the definition of a swear word is pretty flexible and broad. Yep, great Willow. No, no cameos planned but your question made me smile.



mollyig – Wow, you’re a yummy face? I don’t remember that reference from the show… I agree that she felt guilty for leaving in the first place so it’s good that she was able to come back. And yes to strange happenings.



Grimaldi – Thanks. Will be answered in part 6 if I’m counting correctly.



Puff – Yes! I forgot to list Bullocks but we’ve been using for the last few days. We’ve been using it like you would “shit” or “crap:” “I can’t believe this stupid law; it’s Bullocks!” Thanks for the suggestion. More on Tara in the next two updates (after today). And that’s what I think of the first half of Fellowship of the Ring – took me 3 weeks to read and then read the other 2.5 books in 5 days. Thanks.



Romy – Soon…



Modjadji – Ohhh, we may have to watch it. I got Rachel Love Actually for Mother’s Day and we watched it the other day: lots of Bugger and some Shag. As far as Willow’s motivation, I liked it in terms of the show because it kept her there but yeah, didn’t exactly seem to stretch her intellectual potential. Of course, many people probably think that about teaching high school. I’m glad you like this approach.



sammi – Thanks. Everything is wonderful and they’re beautiful.



veiled isis moon – Welcome Yep, naughty and lusty both. Gonna get more so. Interesting that everyone has agreed that they are both teachers although I have neither confirmed nor denied any such conclusion. Glad you like the ideas of accidental bumpings and shy glances. I’m glad your curiosity is piqued. Good guesses about being teachers and Faith but still not confirming.



russ – You’re a Flaming O? I would have thought much higher than that. I agree about Willow leaving and returning although I’m not sure she’s going to reap the benefits of that intellect teaching computer science in Sunnydale.



More on magic later. More on everything later but you bring up good questions. Keep in mind that the entire history is history in a blender re: Tara and the roomie (Faith as you call her).



The Rose24 – Thanks and you’re welcome.



Yvonne – Ohh good guess about Anya and way to be different. Heck, I think Faith would be likely to say “fuck” but that’s just my thinking.



I don’t think that not leaving for the funeral would even be an option for most people, including Willow. Thanks.





Title – School Days



Part 5 – Kill Count



Author – JustSkipit - Debra



Spoilers – Geez! Even in Europe, the show has been off the air for a year. If you haven’t seen any given episode, you aren’t really trying. Nonetheless…



Yes, there are lot of spoilers.



Rating – Part 5 – PG-13



Disclaimer – Guess what… I don’t own W&T, Buffy or the rest of the BtVS crew. Any similarity to actual persons living or dead is purely coincidental and fortunate.



Thoughts in italics





“Try it again,” Giles suggested. As soon as he had, Buffy returned to her movements, fighting a predetermined fight against three punching bags. Seeing that she was doing well, Giles returned to the front of the Magic Box to ensure that he hadn’t missed anything.



Stopping in the doorway, he took off his glasses and began furiously cleaning them. Xander had apparently stopped by after work and found that he couldn’t resist kissing his girlfriend thoroughly. Anya didn’t seem to be resisting and fortunately there were no customers in the store. Loudly clearing his throat, Giles replaced his glasses on the bridge of his nose and entered the shop.



“Well,” Xander ad-libbed, “I didn’t see anything in your eye but you might want to use some eye drops or something.”



“Eye drops?” Anya questioned. She turned to Giles. “Isn’t he cute? He thinks you don’t know we were making out. As if anyone could miss that bulge…”



“Hey!” Xander shouted, “so I’m going to use those eye drops myself and then check on Buffy.” The carpenter picked up a magic book and carried it in front of himself to the bathroom.



“Any customers?” Giles asked Anya, praying for a complete change of topic from Xander’s pants.



“No,” Anya pouted, “and it’s disappointing too because no customers means no money.” Her gaze brightened: “I was hoping for more money today.”



“Well,” Giles answered glibly, “I’m sure that the people of Sunnydale are very sorry for failing to meet your expectations.”



“They should be,” Anya answered, “today has been below average by 8%.”



“Speaking of below average,” Buffy interrupted as she and Xander entered the room, “my kill count is way off for the last week or so.”



“Hmm,” Giles answered as he poured himself a cup of tea, glancing around at the others to offer before deciding that no one would want a cup. “Have you been losing fights?”



“I’m the slayer, remember,” Buffy answered smartly.



“Right, point taken,” Giles agreed. “Are neck ruptures up in town?”



“Well, Willow would be better than me at finding that type of thing out,” Anya answered, “but I don’t’ see any increase over the last week.”



“So why the decrease then?” Xander voiced.



The foursome shrugged their shoulders at each other before agreeing that they didn’t know. “Be on the lookout for anything strange,” Giles cautioned his slayer. “Oh yes,” he remembered as Buffy and Xander were starting to stand up, “have you taken Willow on a patrol yet?”



“Not yet,” Buffy explained, “she’s been really busy with school starting.”



Giles nodded. “It’s nice to have her back and I’m curious to see how her skills have improved or if she has worked on her magics at all while she was gone.”



Xander and Buffy looked at the dusk and stood from the table. “I’ll take her out this week sometime,” Buffy assured him. “And I can let you know how she does.”



Xander quickly kissed his girlfriend before returning to the subject of Willow. “It’s really great to have Will back isn’t it?”



Everyone nodded their agreement as Xander and Buffy headed out the door to patrol.

Edited by: JustSkipIt at: 5/14/04 3:19 pm

[mollyig]

Hmm, I'm curious as to why Buffy's kill count is down; although I do have a theory. Nice to see the gang specifically stating that they're glad Willow is back. This is how real friends behave. I thought it was funny that Anya had calculated that today has been below average by 8%, as this seems like a very Willow thing to do.

---

"Love is just like breathing when it's true" Indigo Girls

[veiled isis moon]

Anya is wicked i love her. She just says whatever she feels like saying, like Xander's 'bulge', infront of Giles no less!



Okay im curious now as to why there's been less bad guy activity, can't be good, gotta be some extra evil brewing i think.



Wonder if Willow's powers have improved, i'm guessing yes.



Michellex

Edited by: veiled isis moon at: 5/14/04 6:28 am

[sam darls]

Lovely update and I'm happy that everything is good. Love sam xx

"Sometimes things happen between people that you don't really expect. And sometimes the things that are important are the ones that seem the weirdest or the most wrong. And those are the ones that change your life." - Jessie Sammler (Evan Rachel Wood)

[Stroke of Luck]

Wow great updates

Quote:

---

I’m not sure how you got that she’s a teacher but I’m not denying it.

---

why do i think Tara is a teacher? well i wont call the classmates of my friend "little boys and girls" so i guessed she has to be a teacher, but maybe i am wrong, who knows...i have to wait a bit more for the answer, thats for sure. but i dont mind, as long as i get ur great updates i am FINE



CU

SoL/Natti

Even in death Baby, i´ll never leave u!

[littlecrazy80]

You´ve got me even more curious now. Please update asap.



*lil´c*

"Okay, we’re here, we’re queer, let’s kick this shit into gear," Five by Five (Taras Shadow)



SweetAmber

[onyxsundrops]

I think my mind's too jumbled with questions, so I'm going to postpone the guessing game and sit back and let the story happen.



Okay, well maybe just one question. It's clear that some parts are canon and others are new. So is Faith (if it is her) a slayer? Or is she just a normal girl? Thanks for the update.



Yvonne