Days of Grace Chapter 9 part 2
***
Dawn didn't take too well to Buffy's announcement that she was flying back tomorrow...and that the youngest Summers was coming with her.
“I understand that you want to spend time with Tara. Really I do. But you can’t just go AWOL, Dawn. You have to let your teachers know. I don’t want them dropping you just because you’re suddenly a no-show for two weeks. Besides, didn’t you tell me you had an exam coming up?" Buffy asked.
"The world might end in two weeks and you want me to worry about dropping some subjects and an exam?" The girl was incredulous.
"The world's been on the brink a few times, and we managed to get through those and school," the Slayer pointed out. Suddenly, she grinned. "Want to put it to a vote? Let's ask Willow what she thinks of you blowing off your last year at university."
The senior was horrified. "That - that's so not fair!"
"I know." Buffy's grin faded as she regarded her sister seriously. "Trust me, I'd like nothing better than to stay here and catch up with Willow and get to know Tara again. But we have a job to do. It's not just school, Dawn. Next to Willow you're our main research gal. If Willow's right about how serious this whole business with the Hellmouth is, we're going to need you. I need you," she added quietly.
What could she say to that? Reluctantly, Dawn agreed to return home.
***
The rest of the day flew by. While Willow and Tara pored through the Council’s online library, Buffy and Dawn re-packed and made arrangements for the flight back.
“Don’t forget to put it on the Council’s tab,” Willow reminded the sisters when they regrouped for a late lunch. “This is Slayer business now.”
Then, taking Tara aside, she offered to take over the research so the witch could spend time with Dawn.
“Sweetie, are you sure? Your head...”
“Nothing an aspirin or a Tylenol couldn’t handle. Go on, Dawn misses you.”
“W-what about you?”
“Dawn and I are fine. We’ve had our important talk, and I promise we’ll have more later. I'm not going to let things slide again, Tara," Willow declared in a determined voice. "I'm going to be in her life from here on in."
"She'll like that," the blonde said happily, “she missed you so much.” The estrangement between the two had been one of the things that she’d worried about the most.
She found Dawn in her room, happily unloading what seemed like bag after bag of clothes onto the bed. "These were your errands?" The Wiccan stared in amusement at the growing pile. "Don't you think you overdid it?"
"Oh these aren’t for me. Well, maybe one or two or hmm...four things. But the rest are for you,” the girl announced gleefully.
“W-what? Dawn, I can’t -”
“Hey these are from Buffy, too," Dawn said defensively. “You can’t reject gifts from the both of us now, can you?”
"The two of you planned this?" Tara asked weakly.
"Sort of. Buffy gave me her card and told me to let loose first chance I got." The brunette grinned. "This way we figured you can surprise Willow. She'll know she didn't get you these things...specially this little item." She grabbed a small bag from the pile and handed it to Tara.
"What’s...?" Warmth flooded the witch's cheeks as she opened the bag and pulled out the contents. "Dawn!"
“What? You don’t like it?” the girl asked with wide-eyed innocence. She dropped the act when the blonde began to stammer incoherently. “I know Willow’s being...a shade less than her brilliant self, not to mention stubborn as anything. I just thought maybe you could persuade her.”
“Persuade her?” Tara repeated in disbelief. “Dawn, if I wear this when Willow comes to my room tonight, she’ll run out so fast she’ll be in another state by the time the sun comes up!”
“So lock the door,” Dawn shrugged, before the witch’s words sank in. “Waitaminit...Willow? In your room? Tonight?!” she repeated. “Oh that’s wonderful!” She hugged the blonde, ecstatic at the prospect of the reunion of her favorite pair.
Tara tried to disabuse her. “W-we’re just going to sleep.”
“Together? Even better.”
“No, no, not like that! Just s-sleeping.”
“Riiiight.”
“Really.”
“Whatever you say.”
Tara gave up. It was obvious that nothing was going to dislodge the smirk on Dawn’s face. “M-maybe you should take some of these back? I like them,” she assured the girl quickly, “but it seems like too much for -”
“No, it isn’t,” the brunette interrupted quickly, afraid of what she was about to say. Not thinking about that. Not tonight, or I’m never going to be able to get on that plane with Buffy. “How about we try some of these clothes on? I think I got your size right but you never know.”
“Not this,” Tara pronounced primly as she tucked the tiny article of non-clothing back into the bag. “This never sees the light of day.”
Dawn wisely hid her grin as she thought about the scorching glances the two witches had been throwing at each other since Tara’s return, specially when the other wasn’t looking. The light of day maybe, but the light of Willow? Oh if only I were a betting woman...
***
Then it was late, and it was time to go to bed.
A pajama-clad Willow gulped and knocked diffidently before she opened the door to Tara's room. Okay, be calm. It’s not like you haven’t done this before. It’s just a sleepover... She entered just in time to catch the blonde, who was seated cross-legged on the bed, stretching her arms over her head, her shirt going taut over bountiful curves and lifting just enough to show a band of skin...with the sexiest woman alive! Gods, did I say sleep?! “H-hey.”
“Oh hi. Sorry, all this hunching over a laptop...” Tara explained in embarrassment as she waved at the machine on her lap. Feeling a little guilty about letting the hacker do most of the work again, she’d rushed back to do some research after dinner.
“No, my bad. I was the one who walked in and interrupted. I get that way too sometimes, with the need to lift...stretch! I meant stretch!” Nice going, Rosenberg. Smooth. Willow wasn’t sure when she’d last felt this panicky. It was as if the years were falling away, and she was on the verge of turning twenty again. “Um, Tara? I know that we agreed on tonight, but if you want to spend it with Dawn that’s okay, too. Since she's leaving tomorrow, I mean.”
“Dawn’s already asleep." Tara tried to smile through the giant butterflies that began fluttering in her stomach as soon as she’d caught sight of the redhead standing there in front of her, close enough to touch. Goddess, this is really happening! She’s in my room. We’re going to spend the whole night together. Inwardly, she groaned. This is going to be torture. "Apparently going to the mall t-twice in one day fazes even the youngest Summers.”
A copper brow shot up. "Twice?"
"They passed by on the way from the airport because Buffy wanted to get a few things. Then Dawn went back after breakfast when she ran her 'errands.'"
"Trust the Summers sisters never to turn down an opportunity to indulge in retail therapy. A lesson which Dawn has learned well. Smart girl," Willow commented fondly.
"Yeah, she is." Tara got up. "I-I'm going to change, okay?" She gathered some clothes, picking out a modest silk nightgown-and-robe ensemble and studiously avoiding a certain bag that was tucked discreetly in a corner of the top drawer. Besides that has to go into the wash first...Her eyes widened as she realized where her thoughts were heading...with the rest of the new clothes!
She took a quick bath, careful not to get her hair wet. When she came back, Willow was already occupying the right side of the bed. She was lying front-first with her head propped up in one hand while the other tapped a few keys on the laptop. She had the cutest diligent expression on her face.
“I really think we’re on to something here. These last couple of references looks promising,” the hacker was saying, before she glanced at Tara and promptly lost all train of thought.
The thing about silk was it clung. To everything. Dips and curves swayed enticingly under the robe, bringing a wealth of memories. Of what it felt like to slide her hands over smooth cloth-covered skin, to feel that warmth, that shiver through a barrier that barely separated. Do you remember what it felt like to touch that...and that...there? Would Tara still moan if you ran the tip of your tongue...?
Willow's jaw went slack as the girl moved to untie her robe. She snapped her attention back to the laptop, shutting it down unceremoniously and practically shoving it off the bed. She was blushing furiously.
Just sleep, Tara reminded herself as she slid off her robe. Willow had made it clear that she wasn’t ready for anything else. “H-how do you want to do this?” she stammered.
The redhead looked at her curiously, detecting her apprehension. For some reason the fact that her former girlfriend was also nervous calmed her, gave her focus. Tonight isn’t about you, doofus. It's about Tara and giving her what she needs. The slim woman turned so that she was lying on her side. She patted the empty space in front of her. “Come here,” she invited softly.
The blonde felt the mattress give under her weight as she slowly complied. For a moment she lay there stiffly, wondering how on God’s green earth she was supposed to sleep with Willow so close and watching her like that.
“Turn on your side, sweetie? Like me.”
Tara did as the woman suggested, turning her back to the hacker and facing the far wall. She felt a blanket being drawn up over their legs and halfway up their sides.
“Comfy?” She felt Willow’s breath tickle her neck. Not trusting her voice, she nodded.
“I know this isn’t the usual way we slept, but I thought this might be better tonight.” One arm curved around her middle...and then, with a sweetness that made Tara want to cry, the redhead came close and spooned her, curling around the blonde with the warmth of her body.
“Is this okay?” Willow's voice sounded a little hoarse.
“I-it’s perfect.” Tara closed her eyes as her heart pounded. It was impossible not to feel the pert breasts pressed against her back, the hips that were so close to her own, but tonight wasn’t about those things. With her body, Willow was offering her comfort, safety...love.
I’m home. Whatever feelings Tara had about being out of place in this world vanished. Though the Summerland had held its own sweetness, in its own way this was incomparable. Afraid of ruining the moment, her right hand tried to find a place to rest that wouldn’t disturb the strong freckled arm draped around her middle.
Willow’s hand caught hers and intertwined their fingers firmly before bringing both hands back to wrap around Tara’s body, pressing lightly along her belly.
Then the perfect ending. The Wiccan felt a light kiss press against her hair. “Good night, Tara.”
Dawn didn't take too well to Buffy's announcement that she was flying back tomorrow...and that the youngest Summers was coming with her.
“I understand that you want to spend time with Tara. Really I do. But you can’t just go AWOL, Dawn. You have to let your teachers know. I don’t want them dropping you just because you’re suddenly a no-show for two weeks. Besides, didn’t you tell me you had an exam coming up?" Buffy asked.
"The world might end in two weeks and you want me to worry about dropping some subjects and an exam?" The girl was incredulous.
"The world's been on the brink a few times, and we managed to get through those and school," the Slayer pointed out. Suddenly, she grinned. "Want to put it to a vote? Let's ask Willow what she thinks of you blowing off your last year at university."
The senior was horrified. "That - that's so not fair!"
"I know." Buffy's grin faded as she regarded her sister seriously. "Trust me, I'd like nothing better than to stay here and catch up with Willow and get to know Tara again. But we have a job to do. It's not just school, Dawn. Next to Willow you're our main research gal. If Willow's right about how serious this whole business with the Hellmouth is, we're going to need you. I need you," she added quietly.
What could she say to that? Reluctantly, Dawn agreed to return home.
***
The rest of the day flew by. While Willow and Tara pored through the Council’s online library, Buffy and Dawn re-packed and made arrangements for the flight back.
“Don’t forget to put it on the Council’s tab,” Willow reminded the sisters when they regrouped for a late lunch. “This is Slayer business now.”
Then, taking Tara aside, she offered to take over the research so the witch could spend time with Dawn.
“Sweetie, are you sure? Your head...”
“Nothing an aspirin or a Tylenol couldn’t handle. Go on, Dawn misses you.”
“W-what about you?”
“Dawn and I are fine. We’ve had our important talk, and I promise we’ll have more later. I'm not going to let things slide again, Tara," Willow declared in a determined voice. "I'm going to be in her life from here on in."
"She'll like that," the blonde said happily, “she missed you so much.” The estrangement between the two had been one of the things that she’d worried about the most.
She found Dawn in her room, happily unloading what seemed like bag after bag of clothes onto the bed. "These were your errands?" The Wiccan stared in amusement at the growing pile. "Don't you think you overdid it?"
"Oh these aren’t for me. Well, maybe one or two or hmm...four things. But the rest are for you,” the girl announced gleefully.
“W-what? Dawn, I can’t -”
“Hey these are from Buffy, too," Dawn said defensively. “You can’t reject gifts from the both of us now, can you?”
"The two of you planned this?" Tara asked weakly.
"Sort of. Buffy gave me her card and told me to let loose first chance I got." The brunette grinned. "This way we figured you can surprise Willow. She'll know she didn't get you these things...specially this little item." She grabbed a small bag from the pile and handed it to Tara.
"What’s...?" Warmth flooded the witch's cheeks as she opened the bag and pulled out the contents. "Dawn!"
“What? You don’t like it?” the girl asked with wide-eyed innocence. She dropped the act when the blonde began to stammer incoherently. “I know Willow’s being...a shade less than her brilliant self, not to mention stubborn as anything. I just thought maybe you could persuade her.”
“Persuade her?” Tara repeated in disbelief. “Dawn, if I wear this when Willow comes to my room tonight, she’ll run out so fast she’ll be in another state by the time the sun comes up!”
“So lock the door,” Dawn shrugged, before the witch’s words sank in. “Waitaminit...Willow? In your room? Tonight?!” she repeated. “Oh that’s wonderful!” She hugged the blonde, ecstatic at the prospect of the reunion of her favorite pair.
Tara tried to disabuse her. “W-we’re just going to sleep.”
“Together? Even better.”
“No, no, not like that! Just s-sleeping.”
“Riiiight.”
“Really.”
“Whatever you say.”
Tara gave up. It was obvious that nothing was going to dislodge the smirk on Dawn’s face. “M-maybe you should take some of these back? I like them,” she assured the girl quickly, “but it seems like too much for -”
“No, it isn’t,” the brunette interrupted quickly, afraid of what she was about to say. Not thinking about that. Not tonight, or I’m never going to be able to get on that plane with Buffy. “How about we try some of these clothes on? I think I got your size right but you never know.”
“Not this,” Tara pronounced primly as she tucked the tiny article of non-clothing back into the bag. “This never sees the light of day.”
Dawn wisely hid her grin as she thought about the scorching glances the two witches had been throwing at each other since Tara’s return, specially when the other wasn’t looking. The light of day maybe, but the light of Willow? Oh if only I were a betting woman...
***
Then it was late, and it was time to go to bed.
A pajama-clad Willow gulped and knocked diffidently before she opened the door to Tara's room. Okay, be calm. It’s not like you haven’t done this before. It’s just a sleepover... She entered just in time to catch the blonde, who was seated cross-legged on the bed, stretching her arms over her head, her shirt going taut over bountiful curves and lifting just enough to show a band of skin...with the sexiest woman alive! Gods, did I say sleep?! “H-hey.”
“Oh hi. Sorry, all this hunching over a laptop...” Tara explained in embarrassment as she waved at the machine on her lap. Feeling a little guilty about letting the hacker do most of the work again, she’d rushed back to do some research after dinner.
“No, my bad. I was the one who walked in and interrupted. I get that way too sometimes, with the need to lift...stretch! I meant stretch!” Nice going, Rosenberg. Smooth. Willow wasn’t sure when she’d last felt this panicky. It was as if the years were falling away, and she was on the verge of turning twenty again. “Um, Tara? I know that we agreed on tonight, but if you want to spend it with Dawn that’s okay, too. Since she's leaving tomorrow, I mean.”
“Dawn’s already asleep." Tara tried to smile through the giant butterflies that began fluttering in her stomach as soon as she’d caught sight of the redhead standing there in front of her, close enough to touch. Goddess, this is really happening! She’s in my room. We’re going to spend the whole night together. Inwardly, she groaned. This is going to be torture. "Apparently going to the mall t-twice in one day fazes even the youngest Summers.”
A copper brow shot up. "Twice?"
"They passed by on the way from the airport because Buffy wanted to get a few things. Then Dawn went back after breakfast when she ran her 'errands.'"
"Trust the Summers sisters never to turn down an opportunity to indulge in retail therapy. A lesson which Dawn has learned well. Smart girl," Willow commented fondly.
"Yeah, she is." Tara got up. "I-I'm going to change, okay?" She gathered some clothes, picking out a modest silk nightgown-and-robe ensemble and studiously avoiding a certain bag that was tucked discreetly in a corner of the top drawer. Besides that has to go into the wash first...Her eyes widened as she realized where her thoughts were heading...with the rest of the new clothes!
She took a quick bath, careful not to get her hair wet. When she came back, Willow was already occupying the right side of the bed. She was lying front-first with her head propped up in one hand while the other tapped a few keys on the laptop. She had the cutest diligent expression on her face.
“I really think we’re on to something here. These last couple of references looks promising,” the hacker was saying, before she glanced at Tara and promptly lost all train of thought.
The thing about silk was it clung. To everything. Dips and curves swayed enticingly under the robe, bringing a wealth of memories. Of what it felt like to slide her hands over smooth cloth-covered skin, to feel that warmth, that shiver through a barrier that barely separated. Do you remember what it felt like to touch that...and that...there? Would Tara still moan if you ran the tip of your tongue...?
Willow's jaw went slack as the girl moved to untie her robe. She snapped her attention back to the laptop, shutting it down unceremoniously and practically shoving it off the bed. She was blushing furiously.
Just sleep, Tara reminded herself as she slid off her robe. Willow had made it clear that she wasn’t ready for anything else. “H-how do you want to do this?” she stammered.
The redhead looked at her curiously, detecting her apprehension. For some reason the fact that her former girlfriend was also nervous calmed her, gave her focus. Tonight isn’t about you, doofus. It's about Tara and giving her what she needs. The slim woman turned so that she was lying on her side. She patted the empty space in front of her. “Come here,” she invited softly.
The blonde felt the mattress give under her weight as she slowly complied. For a moment she lay there stiffly, wondering how on God’s green earth she was supposed to sleep with Willow so close and watching her like that.
“Turn on your side, sweetie? Like me.”
Tara did as the woman suggested, turning her back to the hacker and facing the far wall. She felt a blanket being drawn up over their legs and halfway up their sides.
“Comfy?” She felt Willow’s breath tickle her neck. Not trusting her voice, she nodded.
“I know this isn’t the usual way we slept, but I thought this might be better tonight.” One arm curved around her middle...and then, with a sweetness that made Tara want to cry, the redhead came close and spooned her, curling around the blonde with the warmth of her body.
“Is this okay?” Willow's voice sounded a little hoarse.
“I-it’s perfect.” Tara closed her eyes as her heart pounded. It was impossible not to feel the pert breasts pressed against her back, the hips that were so close to her own, but tonight wasn’t about those things. With her body, Willow was offering her comfort, safety...love.
I’m home. Whatever feelings Tara had about being out of place in this world vanished. Though the Summerland had held its own sweetness, in its own way this was incomparable. Afraid of ruining the moment, her right hand tried to find a place to rest that wouldn’t disturb the strong freckled arm draped around her middle.
Willow’s hand caught hers and intertwined their fingers firmly before bringing both hands back to wrap around Tara’s body, pressing lightly along her belly.
Then the perfect ending. The Wiccan felt a light kiss press against her hair. “Good night, Tara.”