Author: Glendaofoz
Rating: PG-13 to NC-17.
Disclaimer: I do not own Willow and Tara or the rest of the BtVS gang that may appear in this story. Everything else comes from my imagination and from my own personal life experiences.

The next morning Tara, was so excited about her first day of working with Willow that she woke up extra early so that she could make sure that she wouldn't be late. Once dressed and ready, for the first time in almost a year, Tara sat down and read the paper. From front to back, Tara took in every word that the Sunnydale news had to offer. Then she decided to stop at the coffeeshop and get coffee for both Willow and Ashlen.

"Good Morning!" The beautiful brunette behind the counter at the coffeeshop said as Tara walked up to the counter.

"Morning." Tara said as she looked up at the woman and smiled.

"What can I get for you honey?"

"3 cafe mochas, two with extra whipped cream and chocolate please."

"Coming right up." She said as she just gave Tara a very sexy smile and started making the drinks.

Tara looked around while she waited for the drinks. A few minutes later, the lady placed the drinks on the counter, Tara paid her and then she headed off to work.

Tara walked in and handed the coffee to Ashlen and then headed back to Willow's office.

"Good morning, boss!" Tara said with a little laugh.

"You can stop that one right now!" Willow said still looking down at her computer.

"Here, I brought this for you." Tara said as she extended her arm out towards Willow with the mocha in hand.

"Wow. Thank you so much." Willow said as she grabbed it and took a sip. "But how..." Willow started to ask but was interrupted by Tara.

"I just had a feeling that this is what you liked."

"Well you are pretty good cause this is my favorite."

"Good." Tara said with a smile.

"And is this extra whipped cream and chocolate too?"

"Yeah!"

"This is amazing. Thanks Tara. I really needed this."

"So what is on the agenda for today?"

"Actually, we just got a call from Mr. McMillan and he wants us to come to his office tomorrow so that he can go over with us his ideas for a new ad campaign." Willow said as she got up from her desk and walked over to the filling cabinet.

"Ok. So where do you want me to work?" Tara asked looking around and not seeing an empty desk.

"Oh yeah about that. I called this morning and ordered you a new desk and everything else that you will need. The desk should be here tomorrow as well as your supplies. The computer is another story."

"What do you mean?"

"Well, I was thinking that after lunch, you and I could go over to the computer store and take a look around to see what you like." Willow said.

"Yeah that's fine with me."

"Good then I will treat you to lunch considering it is your first day and then we will go get you a computer." Willow said as she grabbed a file from the file cabinet and walked back over to her desk. "For now you can just work in here with me if you want."

'That sounds great to me. The closer to you the better.' Tara thought to herself as she smiled.

The rest of the day went good as well as did the next few weeks. A little hard for both of them but they were managing ok. The hardest part for Tara was the fact that she was working so close with Willow yet she couldn't let her know how she really felt. Little did she know that Willow was going through the same mind struggle.

From the outside, they both seemed to be doing ok with the arrangement. This was until the day before Christmas Eve. This was the last day of work before Tara was heading home to for the holidays. She went into work like every other day and continued on the project that she had almost finished the day before.

"Hey Willow!" Tara said as she walked into Willow's office at around 10:30.

"Yeah." Willow said not lifting her eyes from the computer screen.

"I wanted to show you what I did with the Foster file if you have some time."

"Yeah just give me a few minutes to finish up with this and then I am all yours." Willow said as she looked up at Tara and smiled at her.

"Ok just let me know when you're ready." Tara said as she went to go walk back to her desk.

"Wait, just sit down cause I shouldn't be more than a minute or so." Willow said as Tara stopped dead in her tracks and turned back around to face Willow.

Tara went and sat down in the chair across from Willow's desk and just watched her. 'Wow, she is so beautiful when she is thinking.' Tara thought to herself. Willow got a total concentration look on her face as she was looking back and forth from the file on her lap to the computer. Tara just bit her bottom lip in an attempt to stop herself from reaching over to Willow and just kissing her.

"Ok, all done. Now I am all yours." Willow said as she put the file on her desk and turned all her attention to Tara.

"So I made the changes that you asked for and I think that I finally got it the way the wanted." Tara said as she placed the prints on Willow's desk.

Willow looked down at them and was speechless. She just kept going from the prints to Tara, staring at them both trying to come up with the words that she wanted to show that she was so proud of what Tara had done. Finally, she spoke.

"Wow!" Willow said as she placed her hand on Tara's and smiled at her. "These are fantastic. I am so proud of the work that you have done in just the short few weeks that you have been here."

"Thanks Willow, that means a lot to me." Tara said as she put her hand over Willow's and started to make circles on the back of her hand with her thumb.

"Oh Tara." Willow said as she moved her free hand to Tara face, and trailed her fingertips down her cheek. She just stared at Tara trying to hold back the overwhelming feeling that she had inside her to just pull her into a kiss. Finally she couldn't take it anymore. Willow leaned stood up from her desk leaned forward and gave Tara a kiss. Realizing what she just did, Willow pulled away. "I am so sorry." Willow said as she turned away from Tara.

"Why are you sorry?" Tara said as she got up.

"Cause I had no right to do that."

"If that was how you felt then you had every right." Tara said as she walked over to Willow, placed her hands on Willow's waist and turned her around.

"I told you that I had to keep this a friendship but I am the one that just made it more." Willow said as she tried to look everywhere else but at Tara.

"Look at me." But there was no response. "Please, look at me Willow." Tara said trying to get Willow to stop the eye rooming. Finally Willow looked at Tara. "I understand that you have reservations about getting involved with me and I would never want to make you feel like you have to do something that you're not ready for but..." Tara stopped.

"But what?"

"I think that you are so amazing and I would be more than lucky to have you in my life but this is just too hard for me." Tara said.

"What is too hard for you?"

"I have never met anyone like you before. You have been so nice to me from the first time I met you and that is a rare thing for me. Without even knowing me really, you helped me and were there for me."

"Tara, I will always be here for you."

"I know and that is what makes this so hard."

"I don't understand."

"I am attracted to you and it is so hard to be around you and not be able to let you know how I feel."

"How you feel?" Willow asked already knowing the answer, or so she thought.

"I am falling in love with you." Tara said as she looked at Willow.

Willow didn't know what to say. 'I want to just scream that I love her too but I'm not ready. Or am I' Willow thought to herself as she just looked into Tara's bright blue eyes. Willow started to get scared cause it looked like Tara was about to cry.

"Tara!" Willow said trying to also stop herself from crying.

Tara then walked up to Willow, placed one hand on her waist and the other pulled her head toward her. Tara placed a very passionate kiss on Willow. This time, no one pulled away. They both continued to kiss each other. Tara's mouth opened and her tongue sought out Willow's, and it found it. Then, Tara pulled away and traced her fingers down Willow's face, to her jaw.

"I have tried to stop myself from having feelings for you but I can't. Everytime I look at you, all that I see is this kind, intelligent, loving and caring woman that I know would never hurt me."

"I will NEVER hurt you Willow."

"I know you won't and that is why I can't keep pushing you away."

"So what are you saying?" Tara asked.

"I am saying that I'm falling in love with you too." Willow said as a single tear fell down her cheek. Tara reached her hand up and whipped the tear away.

"If I have my way, that is the last tear that you will ever shed." Tara said as she pulled Willow in a hug.