From: "A.M. Glass" <glasswrks@xxxxxxxxx>
Title: "Sudden Heart Ache"
Author: Angela
E-Mail: glasswrks@xxxxxxxxx
Copyright: March 7, 2000
Rating: 'R'
Disclaimer: Joss Whedon, Fox, Mutant Enemy all have
something to do with "Buffy, The Vampire Slayer" and
all the characters contained herein. The story is
sole
property of the author, me. No copyright
infringement
is intended or inferred.
Distribution: Strange Brew, Emilie& Bill and whoever
thinks that this is good enough to want on their
site.
Author's Note: Hello, I bet you didn't think you'd
'hear' from me so soon. But, the muse hit me while I
was on the bus heading for home. I just finished
this
and I knew that I had to get it up ASAP. So& here
you
have it. This makes number eight, phew. Once again,
let's hear it for Microsoft Word '97 spell check.
PREVIOUSLY:
Taking a deep breath, Tara closed her eyes and let
her
mind bring up the words she meant deep in her heart.
"I wait with all my heart and soul for the one I
long
to know. The one who looks behind the mask to
uncover
the person underneath. The one who will strip away
the
negativity and allow me to see the beauty I have
hidden. I wait with all my heart and soul."
"Oh& Tara, that's beautiful," Willow said, moving
to
look into her eyes. "Thank you."
"Thank you Willow," Tara replied, taking Willow's
hand and kissing it.
***
Across Campus
'She's with Tara again,' Buffy told herself. The
empty room was the only evidence she needed to
realize
something else. 'I'm going to lose her.'
***
'I wonder if she knows what she does to me? How
empty
I was, without realizing it& not until she came
along,' Buffy thought to herself as she waited for
Willow to come back to the dorm room they shared.
She
had fallen asleep last night waiting for her to
return
from Tara's and even though she had never seen any
other 'love bites'; not that she had been keeping
tabs
about that sort of thing. It wasn't concrete proof
that Tara and Willow *hadn't* been physical with
each
other. And as before, she hoped it wasn't the case.
It was then that she had decided it was time to show
Willow *how* much she cared.
The notes& they were *only* notes. She hadn't said
anything to the budding witch since the morning she
had finally allowed herself to say the things she
had
kept hidden. Even from herself.
The last thing she wanted was to make Willow feel
trapped. But tonight, tonight would be different.
She quickly glanced at the door as it opened.
"Hiya Will," she said, her whole demeanor changing
when the other girl entered the room.
"Oh& hi. I& I didn't know you were here," she
replied
as she closed the door and walked over to her side
of
the room.
"Yeah, Giles said I could stay in tonight."
"Really?" Willow asked as she put her books and bag
down on her bed.
"Yeah, he said," Buffy cleared her throat and
pushed
imaginary glasses up her nose. "Ah& Buffy, you've
done
quite enough the last few days Stay in& or& or go
out.
Have fun. Of course you'll want to double your
patrol
tomorrow night," Buffy ended before laughing.
"That sounds like him," Willow agreed.
"So& I was wondering& do you want to go to the
movies& or something?"
Willow looked at Buffy curiously.
"Are you asking me out?"
"I& I guess you could say that," Buffy replied as
all
of her previous determination decided to fly out the
window.
Willow crossed her arms together.
"So, are you or aren't you?"
Buffy walked over towards Willow and took her hand
in
hers.
"Will& Willow, would you like to go out with me& on
a
date?"
"Do you mean it? The whole nine yards? By the way,
what does that mean anyway? I mean& I've heard it
before& but I never&"
"Will?"
"Hmm?"
"Does that mean yes?"
Willow chewed on her bottom lip for a few seconds
which seemed to last an eternity for Buffy.
"Yes."
"Really?"
"Yup."
"OH& that's great. I'll& I'll pick you up around
seven-thirty. I'll& thanks," Buffy gushed as she
quickly hugged Willow and before she could say
another
word, she rushed out of the room.
Willow stood by and waited, slowly the door cracked
open.
"Um& hi."
"Is it seven-thirty already?"
"I guess I got carried away?" Buffy said as she
re-entered the room, her face crimson with
embarrassment.
"I guess," Willow replied smiling.
***
Buffy had no idea what the movie was about, nor did
she care. Her thoughts were elsewhere, everything
focused on her hand, and the fact she was holding
Willow's.
But that wasn't really true, she realized there was
a
thought that had kept her company.
'We've done this before. Why is it different?'
"Buffy?"
"Hmm?"
"It's time to go& the movies' over."
"Oh& yeah, all right," she answered, she didn't
want
to let go, but knew she had to.