Love's Flame
By Angela
Copyright: May 6th, 2000
Rating: PG
Disclaimer: The characters from "Buffy, The Vampire Slayer", well, they don't belong to me, they belong to Joss Whedon, et al. No copyright infringement is intended or inferred. This a non-profit piece of fan fiction, the story is the sole property of the author. I've used a few lines from the episode, "New Moon Rising".
SPOILERS: As stated above, this story has something to do with the episode "New Moon Rising", so, if for some reason you haven't seen the episode... or if you haven't read any of the countless spoilers that were out there, you may not want to read this... yet.
Author's Note: This piece of fiction takes place a day or so after the end of the NMR episode. It's funny, but I just realized something... Tara's never said the words. I think that's why I wrote this story. She hasn't said them yet. I'm only waiting for the episode when she does, so that I can watch that scene over and over again. Just like I've seen the "Extra-flamey candle" scene. I love the way Aly says that... "Extra-flamey," it kills me.
Distribution: All are welcome.
Feedback: Heck yes, I need it.
*****
Tara watched in silence as Willow walked over to her. Her mind was whirling with so many things she wanted to tell the other girl, but she had to wait. Wait until Willow spoke first.
"You know how I feel about you, don't you?" Willow asked. Tara nodded her head. "Will you tell me how you feel?"
"Oh... yes."
"Good," Willow replied, taking Tara's hand in hers and walking over to the bed, where they sat down next to each other. "So... tell me, please," she whispered, never letting Tara's hand go.
Tara looked into the face of the sweetest person she's ever known and smiled. "When... when I'm around you. I feel like I can do anything... be anything. You think I'm powerful... you make me that way. I'm... happy when we're together, it's funny, but I never knew someone could make you happy. Not really. All I want to do is be with you, surrounded in your warmth... your love. I know I haven't said this yet, and it's not because I didn't want to... or... or because I wasn't sure of how I felt. I just thought I should let you come to your own decision without any pressure from me." Tara watched as Willow smiled at her, making her smile in return. Raising her hand to touch Willow's face, she was in awe, lost in emotion that threatened to sweep her away, and knowing that she was more than willing to take the trip. "I... I love you Willow Rosenberg. I've never felt this strongly for anyone... never. It's sort of scary... but exciting at the same time. I wonder where we're going to go from here, what lies ahead of us... for your friends. I... I know how important they are to you... and I would never want to be the reason..."
"Tara wait. I love my friends all of them, Buffy, Xander, Giles... and even Anya to an extent. But, I'm not in love with them. You... Tara, you have my heart. You're the one I want to be with... I want to share everything with you. I love you," Willow told her, tears forming in her eyes.
Unable to resist any longer, Tara brought Willow into her arms and held on to her, rocking her gently. She felt Willow pulling away, and for a brief second, she felt a tug at her heart, thinking that perhaps Willow had suddenly changed her mind.
"Are you okay?" She heard Willow ask.
"Oh, fine.... you?"
"Perfect... Tara?"
"Yes."
"'I am.'"
It took a brief second before Tara realized what Willow was telling her, smiling with a warmth that came from her very soul, she replied, "'You mean?'"
"'I mean. Okay?'"
"'Oh... yes.'"
"'I'm going to make it up to you... starting right now.'"
"'Right now?'" she asked, a shy expression on her face, Willow nodded. "'Oh... okay,'" she finished, and instead of blowing out the candle; which had found a home on her night stand, they lit the flame of love.
The End.