Author: Onyxsundrops
Rating: PG-13 and up.
Disclaimer: I don't own any of the Buffy the Vampire Slayer characters, other characters are my own.

"This is how it works," Anya began as she regarded the group of twelve. "We are going to test our trust, while learning to synchronize ourselves with others." She received some empty looks from several people, prompting another group leader to speak up.

"I know that some of you are wondering how you could possibly be intoned with a person you've just met," Xander, a stocky young man, smiled reassuringly, "but give it a try. And who knows, some of you might even learn something new about yourselves."

Anya had estimated the number of attendees perfectly as she began randomly distributing the blindfolds. With her hands now empty, the blonde motioned for Xander to continue.

"Each person with a blindfold, find a partner. One blindfold per group," he looked around, watching as they moved about.

Both Willow and Tara were holding a dark piece of cloth and frowned at each other. The blonde shrugged sadly, catching something from the corner of her eye. Willow caught it too, watching as a dark-haired girl walked toward Tara.

Thinking quickly, the redhead dropped her blindfold and coolly kicked it across the floor. Dimly aware of her selfishness, Willow intercepted the stranger, cutting her off before she could speak.

"Hey, uh... oh! " The redhead feigned surprise, "He's looking for a partner." She pointed to a tall man who now held the abandoned blindfold. The brunette looked over her shoulder before frowning and turning a suspicious look toward the slim girl. When Willow held her gaze, her mouth tightened before she turned and stalked off.

Innocense with a hint of guilt danced in green eyes as Willow faced her blonde partner. Blushing, both girls' eyes drifted nervously around the room, briefly connecting off and on. Tara grinned secretly, sneaking another glance toward the redhead before focusing on the two instructors.

"Does everyone have a partner?" Anya asked, watching the group nod. When it was clear that she still had their attention, she held up two fingers: her index and middle fingers. "These two fingers are all you will need," she smiled as a few stifled laughs and snorts came from the group.

"Oh no, you really only need one finger for that," she waved her hand, dismissing the suggestive looks.

Xander cleared his throat, "We'll demonstrate what Anya means," he blushed, moving toward his co-worker. With his arm outstretched, he overlapped his fingers over Anya's, their skin touching gently.

"The blindfolded person will follow their partner exactly like this." Xander closed his eyes to substitute a blindfold. They moved around the room, first slowly than faster as Anya began leading him in circles. Because of months of several demonstrations, his fingers never lost contact, but it was clear that the young man was becoming dizzy. The blonde leader finally relented, allowing her friend to regain his bearings.

"If you lose your partner's hand, search until you find it or you will be lost," Anya said, watching Xander shake his head several times to rid himself of double images. "You have to trust in the person leading you," she smiled fondly at the dark-haired man before remembering something.

"Oh, and please stay away from any windows or stairwells," Anya cautioned. "A guy last year took a nasty header down the basements steps, and I can't stomach a repeat."

"Ready?" The coordinator smiled brightly, unaware of the fearful looks shared between partners.

"I-I'll go first," Tara swallowed nervously, gripping the blindfold in her hand.

"Are you sure?" Willow asked. The blonde nodded and Willow watched as blue eyes slowly disappeared. Several of the other groups had begun to move around the room in every direction.

Willow was amazed. How could Tara be so trusting of her? Especially since the redhead could obviously sense the nervous vibes coming from the blonde. She smiled to herself, simply taking in the sight before her. Green eyes wandered from the crown of golden tresses, as Tara tightened the cloth over her eyes, to a perfectly sloped nose and further down to curving lips.

Once her eyes were covered, Tara blindly reached out, panic creasing her forehead when she felt nothing. "W-Willow?" She whispered in uncertainty.

The hesitant sound of her name shook Willow from her appraisal. "Sorry," she flashed an apologetic smile, although Tara couldn't see it.

Soft hands brushed against Tara's wrist as Willow took her hand. Electric. One word described the feeling coursing through the blonde's fingers. It tingled until reaching further up her arm, sending a wave of new sensations through her body, and questions through her mind.

"Are you ready?" Willow asked. Tara smiled, nodding as they began to move.