FF: Right In Front of You; Part 8/?

["Callistosdarkside" <callistosdarkside@xxxxxxxx>]

Here's number 8. I know there hasn't been much W/T, so I got one word for
ya. Flashback. Which kinda means that Buffy's a little left out in this
one, but no worries, she'll be back in the next chapter.

-CDS

. Title: Right In Front of You; Part 8/?
. Author: Callisto's Dark Side
. Email: callistosdarkside@xxxxxxxx
. Feedback: The more I get, the faster I write.
. Distribution: Wherever. Just email me.
. Spoilers: All of Season 5, but events take place before some events in
Tough Love.
. Rating: R
. Pairing: W/T & B/W
. Disclaimer: All characters from Buffy the Vampire Slayer belong to the
almighty Joss Whedon and Company, and are only being borrowed for the fun
and enjoyment of us, the super fans.
. Summary: Willow/Tara fic in which the two love birds must manage to deal
with the consequences of a spell that threatens to tear them apart forever.


Chapter 8

"Thank you for the dinner Leanna," Tara said, finishing off her last
spoonful of soup.

"Yes, thank you," Dawn said with soup dripping down her chin.

"You're welcome," Leanna answered, taking Tara's plate, bowl and eating
utensils.

Glory had long finished her supper and was sleeping on the rug floor by the
fireplace.

Anna had just finished and ran over to the sleeping Blonde with a small
freshly-washed Tarak bone in hand. The little girl played with the former
Hell God's hair. It was blonde like her own, and that was rare in these
parts. The six-year-old child ran her hands through the blonde locks and
found just the right amount of hair to tie the bone with.

After finishing with the hair ornament, Anna sat back admiring her
handy-work. A few seconds later she ran into a dark room and appeared with
a giant pillow and a small blanket. Anna dragged the blanket with her right
hand while she held the pillow over her left shoulder.

The young girl delicately placed the pillow under Glory's head and covered
her torso with the blanket. She then laid down next to the slumbering Hell
God, back towards Glory, and brought the covers over her tiny body,
relishing in the warmth of the toasty fireplace.

Meanwhile, Dawn watched with fascination.

"Is it just me?" Dawn turned to Tara, "Or does Anna like Psycho better than
me?"

"Oddly enough, it's not you," Tara smiled, "I see it too."

Leanna turned around from washing the dishes, "Why is that so bad?"

Tara and Dawn looked at each other.

"You wanna field this or should I?" Dawn asked.

"Go ahead," Tara replied, sitting back in her chair.

"Well, for one thing, she's crazy, then there's the whole mean and trying to
hurt you thing."

"She's dangerous?"

"Oh, no, not anymore. We took care of that."

"If you don't like her then why do travel with her?"

"If it were my choice I wouldn't, but she's kinda our responsibility," Dawn
answered.

"Actually," Tara interrupted, "She's my responsibility."

"What are you talking about?" Dawn questioned.

"I brought her here, remember?"

"Yeah, but I'm the." Dawn trailed off, almost revealing her true nature.
"Never mind."

Leanna stared at the two with a dish and washcloth in hand before speaking
up, "What did you mean when you said you brought her here?"

Tara looked at the table for a few seconds before looking up, "You see, when
we were in the far east, Glory was somewhat of a troublemaker."

Dawn furrowed her brow at Tara, knowing that it was the understatement of
the century.

"And I decided that taking Glory on a trip would be a good thing for
everyone," Tara smiled.

"I see," Leanna finished wiping the dish clean, "And I suppose it's worked?
She doesn't hurt people anymore?"

"Yup, so far the only person's she's hurt is herself. She kinda stumbled
upon a fire, that's why she's all ashy."

"Oh, so that's why she looks like that."

******

"Leanna?" Tara asked, sipping her drink on the couch around the fireplace.

"Yes?" The fellow Brunette answered, sipping her own drink.

"I was wondering if you have any books that Dawn and I could look at while
we're here?"

"Of course," Leanna beamed, "I have plenty of books, mostly children's
books, but I have a fair number of classics. I'll get them right now."
Leanna hurried out of the room.

Tara and Dawn exchanged looks as Leanna left.

Four minutes later, Leanna came back with an armful of books. She plopped
them down next to Tara and Dawn on the couch.

"Sorry I took so long, but I couldn't decide on which ones to bring."

"That's okay, I'm sure whatever you brought is fine," Tara said.

"Wow," Dawn picked up the closest book, "The Huntress of Mynai," Dawn read
the title out loud and turned to see the first page.

Tara picked up a book and read the title out loud as well, "The Sorceress of
Septar. This looks interesting," Tara turned the page.

"Oh yes, that's my favorite," Leanna said, fidgeting nervously as Tara and
Dawn read through the first few pages of their respective books.

Although Tara doubted the book contained any spells at all, she figured it
would be useful in gauging the type of spells this world contained.

******

"Ahhhh," Anya yelped as she walked into Buffy's house carrying a box full of
her clothes, " Bunny!" The Ex-Demon ran back outside.

"Relax," Willow said, picking up her cat, "It's just Miss Kitty Fantastico."

"Oh, cat," Anya said, stepping back into the house, "They eat bunnies,
right?"

"Yeah," Willow gave Miss Kitty a nosy, "She's a bunny hunter."

"Good, because I wouldn't want any of those vermin hanging around here while
I'm staying."

Buffy walked unsteadily through the open door with a box under each arm and
walked into the living room, dumping both boxes on the couch.

"Umm." Anya waved her hand at Buffy, "Why are you putting my stuff on the
couch?"

Buffy turned and let out a puff of air, "Cuz that's where you're sleeping."


******

Willow stood, staring at the picture of her and Tara on their dresser. They
were in the park and Tara had surprised her with a picnic. She had been
told they were going bird-watching with Willow's camera, only she found a
picnic basket already set out under a tree with an agitated Anya guarding
it. Anya asked for the twenty Tara promised and then she was off.

After a long picnic of feeding each other crackers and other such goodies,
Tara had asked a passer-by if she could take a picture of them. The lady
obliged, but almost dropped the camera when the two kissed, pressing the
button at the exact same time.

Now the crooked picture of their kiss stood on the dresser. Willow turned
her head slightly to adjust for the crookedness. Looking at the picture,
Willow could almost feel the afternoon breeze on her skin, the taste of
peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, and Tara's tender touch.

"Tara?" Willow said, enfolded in Tara's arms, sitting on their picnic
blanket.

"Yes Honey," Tara replied, placing a small kiss on her lover's neck.

"Thank you, although not for almost breaking my camera."

"Hey, it's not my fault that everyone always assumes we're sisters," Tara
nibbled on an earlobe.

"True, but you knew she didn't know and that's why you kissed me at that
exact moment."

"You know me so well Watson," Tara teased.

"How come I always have to be Watson?"

"Because everyone knows that Watson invented the Watt," Tara giggled,
rubbing Willow's tummy.

"What?"

"That's right Honey."

"Huh?"

Tara giggled again.

"Well, anyway," Willow said, shaking off her confusion, "You just love
shocking people don't you? Like the time you grabbed my butt in public."

"Hey, there was something clinging there, remember?"

"Yeah, then why'd you have to hold on for five seconds?"

"Cuz it felt nice."

Willow blushed.

"And besides, the only reason I kissed you when that woman was taking our
photo, was because you had your 'Kiss-Me' face on."

"Did not."

"Did too."

"I don't know why I'm even arguing, cuz I know nothing of this 'Kiss-Me'
face you allude to."

"Oh?"

"Yup. Nothing."

"Then why do you have it on now?"

"Do not."

"Do too."

"Not."

"Too," Tara said, before closing her lips on Willow's.

"Mmm" The Redhead murmured under the Brunette's kiss.

"See," Tara said after pulling away, "I wouldn't have kissed you if you
didn't have it on."

"And what exactly does this face look like?"

"Well, just look in the mirror any time you want and there it is."

Willow stood in front of her mirror and wondered what it was that made Tara
want to kiss her all the time. She made her smiley face, her pouty face,
and finally her infamous resolve face.

"Whatcha doing?" Buffy asked as she popped into the reflection and saw
Willow challenging her image to who knows what."

Willow turned to look at her friend, "Do I have 'Kiss-Me' face?"

"A Wha." The Slayer slurred.

To be continued.