Author: ophelia11
Rating: PG-13 for pottymouths and innuendo. Strong chance for naughtiness later on.
Disclaimer: The story is mine. The characters are not. :(
Feedback: Pretty please? Please leave feedback on the Impulse thread on the Kitten Board.

Have no fear for givin' in
Have no fear for givin' over
You better know that in the end
It's better to say too much
Than to never say what you need to say again
- 'Say', John Mayer

Tara sat on her couch with a determined look on her face. For the last twelve minutes she fixated on the blue and yellow umbrella propped against the frame of her front door. It's a perfectly logical reason to call someone. It's not like I'm a klepto. I need to return a borrowed item.

When she arrived home the week before she diligently called Willow. At the time, she expected a quick 'Yes I got home safely', but they ended up talking for another thirty minutes. Now it was difficult to recall exactly what was said. Not because she wasn't paying attention, but because they talked about nothing. That in itself felt good.

Since that call she was swept up in work responsibilities, friendship obligations, and basic living requirements like sleep. In between those times, she was close to calling her new friend. Close. Her subconscious made clucking chicken sounds in her mind. Great. Now I mock myself. It wasn't that she didn't want to talk to Willow. In fact, that was all she thought about. She just couldn't decide how to approach the conversation.

Fifteen minutes.

She glared down at the cell phone in her hand. Carried by a wave of confidence, her finger navigated through the list of contacts until Willow's name was highlighted on the screen. One deep breath and she pressed 'send'. Silence. The mocking in her mind began to take shape. One ring. A flamboyant chicken that matched her own height stood at the ready, preparing to cluck if she dared to hang up. Two rings. Her imagination strayed further. She imagined it as her subconscious shadow, following her like Harvey the rabbit. Three rings.

"Hello?" a voice cut through on the other end. So caught up with her ridiculous images, Tara did not immediately respond. "Hello?"

Blushing, "Um...hi...Willow. It's um...it's Tara." That was great. What are you? Twelve?

Those words were enough to change Willow's entire tone. "Oh, hey!" she returned with enthusiasm.

"I thought you might be worried about your umbrella." As soon as the words were spoken Tara closed her eyes and shook her head in disbelief.

If Willow found the comment lame, she didn't let on. "I've practically been on the edge of my seat with concern. You know that police don't take reports on stolen umbrellas?"

"I don't think you can claim stolen property when you lend it out."

"Just a technicality, my friend." Willow was in the kitchen when the phone rang so she made her way back to the couch with a full coffee cup in hand. "I um...I was starting to think I scared you off."

"Not at all. Just...You ever have one of those weeks where you don't seem to get a minute to yourself?" Her heart thumped rapidly in her chest, but she felt herself slowly begin to relax. She leaned back in to the couch and smiled.

"Definitely. By the end of the week I pretty much wanna tear my hair out." She set the mug down on the table in front of the couch and then walked around it to sit.

"Exactly." Feeling more relaxed, "So how was your week?"

"Eh," Willow offered noncommittally. "Low on the excitement scale." A few seconds passed. "So why did you call? Not that you can't call 'cause hello...I gave you my number. Just...is this a social call or...well I'm not sure what it would be otherwise and I'm gonna shut up now." Laughter filled her ears, but she knew immediately it held no malice or judgment.

"I thought I got wound up," she teased. Deciding it was now or never, "It's my day off and I thought maybe if you weren't busy you'd like to grab a cup of coffee or something?"

You want to spend your day off with me? The idea caught Willow off guard, "I..."

Sensing a forthcoming rejection, Tara took a deep breath. "No. It's cool. I know it's last minute. Should've planned better..." Disappointment tasted bitter on her tongue and she chastised herself for the weakness.

"No...I...there were conflicting thoughts firing and the sorting process didn't go so well." Willow blushed, feeling foolish for her inept social skills. "You don't mind coffee?"

Tara frowned at first, confused by the question. "What do you mean?"

"Well you work in a coffee shop. I love the idea of spending the day around coffee, but I'm not so sure I'd feel the same after serving it all day long." She scrunched her nose in disgust at the idea of giving away the sacred beverage.

"Ah. Honestly, I don't drink much so getting a cup is a bit of a luxury. Especially from another establishment. Not that our coffee is bad. It's really good, but I normal don't hang out where I work." She paused and heard Willow's giggle at the other end.

"Barely known me a week and look at that ramble." She now looked at her own mug with contempt and pushed it to the far side of the table. "I was just thinking about a cuppa Joe."

"Yeah?" Tara kept her voice even, but made no effort to control the smile spreading across her face.

Deciding to take her chances, Willow pushed on. "Might this coffee come with a muffin? Or maybe a walk?"

"Maybe," she replied coyly. "I could swing by and pick you up? Say...an hour?"

Willow nodded in agreement before she remembered Tara couldn't see through the phone. "That sounds good."

Relieved, "I'll see you then."

"See ya." After hanging up the phone Willow took a deep breath. Her excitement over a conversation with Tara led her to agree on a social outing without the usual 'what if' considerations. Under normal circumstances she would quickly invent an excuse and de-invite herself. However, she was surprised to find that making a rash decision felt good. This time I'll try something different. Something new.

The next hour allowed considerable time to shower, dress, and fret. Willow's ride down the elevator seemed longer than usual and she caught herself pacing within the small space. A final ding announced her arrival on the ground floor and gave her enough time to face forward and avoid the unusual looks people often gave her in the lobby.

Only a moment's hesitation passed before she stepped out and on to the marbled floors. She walked slowly to the front door and realized there were no awaiting cars along the curb. Turning back, she noticed the day guard watching her from the security desk.

"Afternoon, Miss Rosenberg." He nodded his head kindly in greeting. He was a middle-aged man with short gray hair poking out behind his ears and beneath his hat. His belly was only just contained by the company supplied patent leather belt. The sign of a good life spent with a wife that loved making pot roast almost as much as she loved him.

The smile came easily to Willow, "Hi Steve." Her eyes twinkled as she walked closer to the desk. His eyes were bright and several laugh lines extended from the corners. It was the pair of rosy cheeks she loved most. They made her think of Santa Claus. "How many times have I asked you to call me Willow?"

Grinning in return, "I reckon as many times as I've told you that just isn't acceptable."

Unlike others in the building, Willow knew his warmth was genuine and idly wondered how the owners managed to find him. Residents generally remained aloof, ignoring all around them. In turn, the guards carried themselves with vague indifference. "Well you just tell those stuffy bosses of yours I said 'thhppppt'."

Steve had a jolly laugh that further fed in to the Santa image. "You're a spunky one."

"Darn tootin'," she said with authority.

"Did you need a cab, ma'am?"

She shook her head. "Nope. Just waiting on my ride." She held her position, but slowly began rocking on to the balls of her feet and then backwards on her heels.

He nodded. "Good for you. Nice to see you getting out more."

Willow smiled lightly, avoiding a deeper discussion. "How are things going with you?"

Steve paused to consider the question. "Things are good. Valerie's been cooking up a storm all winter so my waistline is looking forward to spring." They shared a brief chuckle. "Company's hiring a new guard. Should start some time in the next week or two I think."

The redhead frowned. "You're not going anywhere, are you?"

"Nah. Not the most exciting post, but people like you make the days more enjoyable. Gives Val a good night's sleep too." His eyes moved over her shoulder where another resident was walking in. The man gave no attention to the two at the desk and when he entered the elevator, Steve's attention returned to Willow.

"I always forget you used to be a cop. I like you better here too." Returning her attention to an earlier comment, "So why the new guard? Has there been trouble?" Her brow furrowed. There haven't been any notices in our mail.

"Nah. I think they just want to put some younger bodies on the job."

"I'd rather have you any day of the week. Seems like the kids are only here until they can land something better." She shook her head with disgust.

"'Afraid you're in the minority these days." He looked wistful for a moment, but quickly smiled to cover. Glancing outside, he gestured toward the doors, "Looks like you're ride's here."

Green eyes followed his gaze and Tara was indeed parked just outside. "Sure is." Her heart beat faster and for a moment she stood frozen.

He noticed the slight change and reached out to pat her hand gently. "Go on now. Don't wanna keep your friend waiting."

Willow turned to face him and found the kind eyes calming. She slowly nodded and returned his smile. "See ya later."

Outside, Tara sat with her car in park and began fumbling through her bag for her cell phone. She watched the door as she started to dial and was surprised to see Willow emerge. Returning the phone to the bag, she couldn't contain the pleased grin spreading across her face.

Willow pulled the door open and chuckled when she looked down. Her umbrella was snugly fastened behind the seatbelt. "You goof." She leaned in and released it before taking its place on the seat.

"It's safe return was at the top of my priorities," she teased. Now that Willow was sitting next to her she took time to enjoy it. "I hope you weren't waiting long?"

"Nope. Just chatting with Steve. I didn't want you to have to worry about coming in after me." She fastened the belt and looked up to find Tara's attentive eyes. Red eyebrows rose expectantly and she was surprised when the other woman flushed and looked away.

That was only a little awkward. Tara shifted in her seat, unsure what to say. She couldn't understand what possessed her to stare so openly at Willow and she briefly wondered if her actions would bring a premature end to their afternoon.

Willow sensed Tara's discomfort and sought to alleviate it. "Did you have a place in mind for coffee or are we going to drive around and hope for the best?"

The blonde felt a wave of relief and forced a smile back on her face before looking back at Willow. "There's a place not too far from here. McLaren's?"

"Oh, I've been there!" Willow replied enthusiastically. "They do have good coffee. I used to stop for a cup and walk down to the park a block down."

Grinning, "Me too. I've lost hours sitting on a bench by that little pond watching the ducks."

"I've supplied many a loaf a bread to those ducks." Smiling, "What are you waiting for?" she chuckled.

Tara smirked and shifted the car out of park. A comfortable silence fell over them while she merged in to traffic. Satisfied that any residual awkwardness dissipated, she decided to initiate a new conversation. "You uh...mentioned Steve? Is he a boyfriend?"

"His wife would definitely be pissed." The image that came to mind caused a giggle to bubble up. Realizing the action might seem rude, she looked toward Tara. "Sorry. It's just...," another chuckle escaped before she was able to explain. "He's one of the security guards that works in the building."

"Oh," Tara said, unsure how that made the situation so funny.

Willow noticed her confused tone. "I'm sorry. It's not you, I promise. Steve is a very nice man, but he's also married, in his fifties, and hums Johnny Cash when he thinks no one's noticing."

"Ah," she chuckled. "So no sparks?"

"Nope. No sparks." Willow grinned and her eyes drifted back to the road. Going for coffee felt much better than she expected and her feet danced happily along the floorboards.

Tara couldn't help noticing Willow's behavior and smiled to herself. "You okay over there?"

Willow froze, realizing she was caught. "Me? Oh, yeah fine. Mmm hmm." She kept her eyes straight ahead but strained to see Tara to her left. The blonde was smirking and she found that being the cause of that reaction made her feel good.

"Good to hear." When Tara noticed Willow remained motionless, she nodded toward her. "Go on and resume your dancing. It was cute."

The comment surprised her, but she found her feet bouncing once more. They started slowly and continued until they were wiggling wildly to their own beat. "I'm happy."

Tara slowed for a red light and turned. "Me too."

Nodding, "Good." She waited a few seconds, "But I mean it. Like I'm really happy and all excited for the coffee and...I guess it's been awhile since I felt this good and so..." gesturing toward her feet, "they kinda got involved."

There was certainly more hidden behind Willow's statement, but Tara decided to accept it as it was. "I'm glad for you then." Turning back to the road, "I'm sure there's more where this one came from."

Her feet settled down and Willow looked across the seat. "You don't think it's goofy?"

"Willow? If it's between a person with happy feet or stodgy feet, I'll pick the happy feat every time."

This answer satisfied her and she returned to dancing and sightseeing out the window.

The women stepped out from the coffee shop with two large to-go cups. Willow also carried a plain brown bag in her other hand. They headed off toward the park and she raised the cup to her mouth. "Ow, ow, ow!"

Becoming accustomed to Willow's occasional drama, Tara glanced over casually. "You really ought to wait until that cools."

"But it's coffee. It shouldn't be cold," Willow protested indignantly.

Clearly humored, "Mmm hmm. I think you're just too impatient to wait five minutes until we get to the park."

"Hmph," Willow scoffed. She started to take another drink to spite Tara, but realized she'd only harm herself. Unwilling to give her the satisfaction of being right, she decided to change the subject instead. "So how did you end up in the city?"

Tara recognized what Willow was doing, but let it go. Shrugging, "I'm not sure exactly. Mostly I think we wanted something different." She knew the vague answer would never appease the redhead so she quietly considered how best to explain. "I guess you could say I came from a less than happy home life. My mom was great, don't get me wrong. My dad was very...righteous. He wasn't a church-going man, but still thought pretty much everything was a sin. Mom was the exact opposite. Fun and full of life. She managed to make things beautiful in spite of him."

"It's good that you had her."

"Yeah," she quietly agreed. "It seemed like he was always angry or yelling about something. I never understood how they ended up married, but I guess those kinds of questions don't matter much now."

They paused at the corner to check traffic and walked briskly across the street. At the next corner they waited for a turning car before shuffling across. Now they were at the edge of the park and without speaking, headed toward the bench near the pond. Willow was hesitant to speak, afraid Tara would close up, though another part wondered if the blonde needed gentle encouragement. "Where's he now?"

Tara shook her head. "Not sure. I imagine he's still living in that same old farmhouse. We don't exactly speak so for all I know, he's dead." She winced at the chill of her own words. Turning to Willow, "That's terrible isn't it?"

"I don't know your father at all." Her brow furrowed. "Even though I don't know you that well...yet anyway," she grinned and was pleased when Tara did the same, "what I've seen so far is a kind and caring person. I know from my own life that sometimes there are people or situations that you're just better off avoiding."

Content with Willow's answer, Tara continued. "After high school my mom finally had enough of it all. I...Sometimes I wonder if she somehow knew back then she was getting sick. That she didn't want to leave me alone with him?" Shaking her head, "Back then I was too damn scared of everything to do anything so I probably would've stayed."

They reached the bench and Willow waited for Tara to sit before claiming the spot next to her. "My friend Xander believes that things happen for a reason. Even the crappy stuff. His dad kinda sounds like your dad. Sometimes I'd get so angry growing up, but Xander said it was like letting them poison you."

"Makes sense." Tara pulled the plastic lid off her cup and watched the trails of steam rise and disappear in to the pale blue skies. She breathed deeply, enjoying the crisp smell of coffee mixing with the pre-Spring air.

"Yeah." Her face tightened briefly, "I still have trouble finding the meaning in everything, but it's a good reminder just the same." As quickly as the darkness rolled in, it was soon gone leaving Willow feeling lighter. "I think whatever forces came together to get you out of that house, you're in a good place now."

She brought the coffee to her mouth and savored the first taste. The liquid heat swirled in her mouth and warmed her chest. "I think so too. The last years I had with my mom were some of the best." Feeling the emotions swell, she took a deep breath to contain them. "I wouldn't trade that for anything." For a few minutes she was lost in her memories and Willow sat quietly next to her enjoying the companionable silence. "She started a savings account for me when I was just a baby." Shaking her head, "My dad didn't know anything about it. By the time we made our escape there was a sizable amount of money in there."

"Sounds like she always had a plan for you." Willow smiled and glanced toward her.

"I never really thought of it like that, but maybe you're right." She paused with her coffee and allowed her thoughts to adjust and settle. "What about you? Are you close with your parents?"

Willow stared off across the pond. A scattering of flowers stood off from the edge with buds just beginning to peak. They swayed gently in the breeze. "I love this time of year. Everything is new again."

Tara allowed a beat before responding. "So that's a 'no' on the parents subject." Nodding, "Got it."

"Sorry. Family can be a dirty word sometimes. My childhood was very sterile. No pretense. No emotion. Kinda felt like a business transaction most of the time." The words were said matter-of-factly, but her face told another story.

"I'm sorry," Tara answered simply.

"No big deal. I lived with my grandmother for a few years which was cool. I think my parents liked it because it was less like they were abandoning me. It was nice for me because I didn't have to tiptoe around the house. She was really neat. Even tried teaching me to cook before declaring me a lost hope."

"She sounds wonderful. How long did you live there?"

Willow sat back and counted up the time in her head. "Hmm...about six years I guess? I moved there when I was twelve and stayed until graduation. She passed away my freshman year of college." Her mind delivered her back to that time and she basked in the warmth of those memories. "It's funny. Until she died we didn't really have to deal with each other. I think it was a wake-up for my dad and he sorta changed after that. It was like suddenly he wanted a daughter, but he didn't pretend that our past wasn't there."

Tara continued to sit quietly, alternating glances between the passing strangers and Willow's face. She offered the occasional gesture for encouragement and absorbed each detail that was shared.

"Sometimes he'd drop by school unannounced for ice cream or a sporting event." Laughing, "I don't think either of us liked sports, but neither of us said a word."

"How come?" She traced the edge of her cup with a fingernail.

"Looking back, I don't know. I think we both needed something to hold on to and admitting that we didn't like sports would be admitting that we were practically strangers to one another. It was fun, though. And we did perform an intensive study of the best sporting event snack foods."

"He sounds pretty great." Though her words were truthful, she couldn't help the pang of jealousy considering her own paternal relationship.

"He was. My mom never understood it and never pretended to do so. She'd call him juvenile and tell me to stop encouraging him, but it was kinda fun because we'd both just ignore her. That made her even angrier than whatever we were doing at the time. I think she also resented that I related to him in a way she couldn't...or wouldn't."

"Is it still that way?"

"Not exactly. After he died we gave up the formality of socializing at all. She's still alive, but I only know that much because my best friend Buffy still lives in the same town."

"Sucks, doesn't it? Being mistreated and still left feeling guilty about it." They both stared out in front of them, lost in their own sorrow.

Willow set her cup down and picked up the brown bag. She pulled out an oversized blueberry scone, tucked inside a wax paper wrap. Carefully breaking it in half, she offered one part to Tara who smiled before accepting it. "After everything? It kind taught me that family is what you make it to be. I couldn't ask for better friends in my life."

"The family you choose," Tara commented.

"Yep." She broke off one corner of the scone and ate it carefully. "Buffy? She moved to Sunnydale...that's my hometown...some time in high school. I used to go home to visit Xander and he introduced us. When we figured out we were going to the same college we decided to be roommates. Best friends ever since."

Tara enjoyed this side of Willow and was grateful to have more pleasant things to discuss. "I don't really have a best friend. Not that I don't have friends... I think the last 'best' one was probably some time in junior high. I always had some trouble making 'girl' friends."

"I know exactly what you mean. I was never gonna be prom queen and I didn't care about fashion and stuff so it was like I just didn't fit in. Xander and I grew up together and we were inseparable. It always seemed easier to just play with the boys. Which also doesn't help you in the girl department."

Chuckling, "No. It doesn't. So tell me more about your friends." She dipped one end of her scone into the coffee and drew it slowly into her mouth before crushing it with her tongue.

Willow blinked several times, still engrossed in the scene that just took place. "Uh." She struggled to remember what Tara asked before blurting out, "Buffy. We were talking about Buffy. "

"Yeah?" Tara gave her an odd look.

"Sorry. I kinda spaced out. Our first year it was all parties and fun times, but she had to grow up faster than the rest of us. Halfway through our sophomore year her mom died and she moved back in to the family house to take care of her little sister Dawn." Willow's eyes clouded over as she thought back to those times.

Tara felt the breath leave her body as Willow recounted the story. "Was it...was it sudden?"

"Yeah. She was coming home from work one night and some guy ran a stop sign. After all this time I still find it hard to believe sometimes. It took some creativity on my part, but I was able to get a refund on my housing money for the rest of the year and then I was able to move in and help out."

"You're a good friend."

"Nah. It's not like I could do that much. Buffy dropped out for awhile until we could figure out money. Her mom's boyfriend was really sweet and looked out for them a lot. The house was pretty much paid for after her parents' divorce, but it was determining living expenses and extras. Took about a year, but Buffy was able to enroll in the community college which was cheaper than university and gave her time to look after Dawn."

"I can't imagine what that must've been like. After my mom died I was useless to everyone around me."

"If ever there's a time when it's okay to be useless, that's it. It was hard at first, but our family kinda grew from it. Xander would come by to fix things and after awhile just moved in to the basement. He figured it was better to pay rent at Buffy's than at his parents. Eventually Giles started dating again, but he never stopped his involvement with Buffy and Dawn. He was kind of a dad to all of us."

"That sounds nice."

"I think you would've liked it. Coulda moved in right along with us and our wacky household. Buffy ended up studying landscaping. She doesn't have her own company yet, but I think she'd be really good. Every time I bring it up she says she's too young to worry about a business when these are her best skin and hair years." Smirking, "She can be a little vain."

"Does Dawn still live with her?" Tara finished the last of the snack and brushed the remaining crumbs away.

"She goes to school out here now. Which makes me feel entirely too old." Willow shook her head. "She's smart and beautiful and almost as tall as Xander. Buffy and I agreed if we weren't family, we'd kill her."

Chuckling, "Why should her schooling make you feel old?"

"Hello? Practically raised that child. I am far too young to have a child in college," she huffed.

Tara burst out laughing. "Sometimes you're just silly."

That statement seemed to please Willow and she joined in. "You want silly? Meet Xander. He's the silliest person I've ever met, but he's great. We'd sit around eating dinner and Giles would inevitably shift into lecture drone. I'd look up and Xander would have the goofiest face and I'd start laughing. Well, of course, Giles would stop, Xander's face would be completely impassive, and then I'd get a talking to about maturity."

This caused Tara to howl, "I can just picture you all protesting and indignant."

Nostrils flared and Willow grumbled in disbelief. "Sure laugh. I was a victim. Me. Victim."

"Uh huh," she reached over and patted Willow's knee. "Definitely. Terrible. Atrocity."

"Hmmm. I get no sympathy from you. You wait though. One day you'll fall prey to one of his pranks and then I'll have the last laugh." She finished off her coffee and turned back to Tara. "So you don't have a Xander?"

She smiled, "No. No Xander. I do have a Matt, a Jake, and a Danny. They sometimes have Xander-like qualities. Matt...he's the one that works at the restaurant. He sounds the most like your friend. He's kinda like my little brother, but he hates it when I say that. I think he had a crush on me once and I just never saw him that way. We always have a good time together...kinda my movie buddy."

"Sometimes friends make for good lovers..." she suggested, though she couldn't figure out why she was trying to talk Tara in to a relationship.

Tara allowed herself an indulgent smile before shaking her head. "I don't think so. Not about the friends part, just him. He's a great guy, but he doesn't really own his life."

"Come again?"

"His family is really...not close exactly...tight? I'm not sure how to describe it. They own Dragon Palace and he's expected to take over one day." Tara folded her right foot under her left knee and turned so she was fully facing Willow. Her arm propped up against the back of the bench and she rested her head against it.

Willow kept her legs forward, but twisted her upper so she, too, could lean her head against her arm. "Wow. Does he want to do that?"

"I'm not sure. He plays everything so cool and casual. Makes it hard to figure out what he's really thinking. On top of that he's supposed to bring home the perfect Asian girl so I wouldn't fit the bill anyway. Seriously don't want to either."

The redhead wrinkled her nose in distaste. "That does not sound fun at all. I thought my mother would admit herself to the hospital when I announced I was going to UC Sunnydale. That is a whole new level of expectation."

Tara quirked an eyebrow. "Where did she want you to go?"

Rolling her eyes, "Oh, let's see. Harvard? MIT? The Citadel?"

Eyes widened, "The Citadel?"

"Okay maybe that was a little bit of an exaggeration," she held out her finger and thumb an inch apart, "but she was all about elite." Willow raised her right hand with pinky outstretched as if she were preparing for high tea. "So Matt's got the next fifty years mapped out for him?"

"Sounds that way. Maybe he's taking it all in stride, but if it were me I'd be spiraling toward a serious rebellion, breakdown thing one of these days."

Willow's head bobbed in agreement. "It's definitely a lot of responsibility to carry around."

"Uh huh. Now Danny's the guy that can't manage to hold down a job for more than a few months at a time. If it were a whole 'rage against the machine' thing then maybe I'd get it. He'll disappear for six months and then one day he shows up and tells you he was working on a fishing boat or trying out for American Idol or something else completely ridiculous."

Willow was amused by Tara's description, "He really tried out for American Idol?"

"Who knows? I wouldn't put it past him though. The strange thing about him? At a party he'll be in the center of a group laughing and carrying on, but after he's gone you realize he's never shared a really personal thing about himself. I've known the guy almost four years and I couldn't tell you where he's living half the time."

A young couple walked past with lips locked and hands groping each other's bodies. Willow leaned her head to one side and studied them until they were out of sight. "Now how do you think they manage to stay upright without running in to something?"

Giggling, "Beats me. Stuff like that makes me glad I'm single."

Interest peaked, Willow turned back. "No special someone either?"

It was their first discussion of relationships and Tara found herself oddly excited by the conversation. "Nope. There have been a few average anybodies, but no special ones." Frowning, "I don't have very good relationship radar so I've opted for single-hood for awhile."

Willow gave her a sympathetic smile. "Don't worry. You're not alone there. I pined after Xander forever and he barely noticed me. Oz was nice but always distracted. After that I'd fall for the hot, self-indulgent, commitment phobic, emotionally dead person every time."

Blue eyes twinkled as Tara grinned. "Yep. That sounds about right."

The air now carried a slight chill as the sun shifted behind some clouds. Willow's eyes scanned the area and found it emptying out quickly. "Where'd all the people go?"

Tara finally looked around and noticed the park was nearly deserted. "It is getting a little colder. Would you like to go get a bite to eat?"

She closed her eyes in frustration. "I'd love to, but I can't tonight. Another time?" She hated lying to her new friend, but thought it was safer than the truth.

Tara barely covered the disappointment with a polite smile and nod. "Absolutely." She pushed herself up from the bench and leaned over to retrieve her empty cup.

Willow noticed the mood shift and her stomach rumbled unhappily. Trash in hand, she stood up next to Tara and struggled with how to shift the mood back to what it was a few minutes earlier. "C'mon," she said and nervously slipped her arm around one of Tara's. It was difficult to make it seem casual and she could only hope she succeeded.

The move caught Tara by surprise, but she quickly adjusted her position to accommodate Willow's body. Smiling again, "And we're off."

For the first few minutes Willow was quiet, far too anxious to walk arm in arm and carry on light conversation. It wasn't until they reached the edge of the park that she came up with something to say. "How's Jake and the family? Sydney is better now right?"

Tara was relieved that Willow started a new conversation. Her mind went blank the moment they touched and now only provided a random collection of non-sensical words. "They're good. Ever since they connected with the new pediatrician Sydney is like a different child. I don't remember what it was called, but it had something to do with a hyper-sensitivity to UV rays. As long as she's covered up when they go outside she seems much better. Still an adjustment, but she's not crying all the time...thanks to you apparently."

Willow blushed and shook her head. "I'm glad things are good, but I can't take the credit."

"Mmm," she disagreed, "so you weren't the mysterious benefactor that gave them a doctor to call and the money to cover the visit and anything else they needed?"

Still uncomfortable with the attention she shrugged. "Money is one of the few things I can offer to help. It's not like I magically chose the right pediatrician. I just gave him my doctor and hoped like hell she'd have a good referral." They passed by an alley that Willow didn't remember on the earlier walk. She couldn't help but glance down, finding nothing in the shadows.

Tara noticed Willow's attention drift and squeezed her arm. "You okay? You seem a little skittish."

Willow turned to face forward, "Hmm? Oh Fine. It's probably the coffee. Plus I don't get out that much. Over stimulation." Over stimulation?

Her expression was skeptical, but she said nothing. Returning to their original topic. "I still think you had a lot to do with it, but say what you will." Her steps became shorter as they got closer to the car. "Looks like we're here."

"Yep," she regretfully let go of Tara. It was then she noticed they were both still carrying their trash. She reached for Tara's cup and their fingers brushed lightly in the exchange.

Tara's eyes followed Willow closely when she turned and walked toward the garbage can. Blinking several times, she shifted her attention back to the car and unlocked the passenger door. Do I open the door? Is that a guy thing? I unlocked it so shouldn't I just go ahead and open it? Why am I even worried about this? When she turned back, Willow was only inches away and she jumped in surprise. The amused glint in those green eyes told her she was busted. "Sorry. I was having a ridiculous debate in my head about whether or not to open the door."

Giggling, "And what did you decide?"

Shaking her head at herself, she reached behind and pulled the handle. "Here."

Willow grinned back at her and stepped in. When she was seated, she looked up. "That was quite chivalrous of you."

"Shut up." She stuck out her tongue and closed Willow in to the car. While walking to the other side, her mind was racing again. This is definitely the start of something.