Author: Justified
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimers: I don't own any BTVS characters...(but if I did, season six and onwards would have undergone some serious reconstructions. )
Note: Italics are thoughts

Willow was pulled out of her sleep that morning by a burst of sunlight that came in through a large worn gap in the curtains. Refusing to give in, she kept her eyes closed and pulled the covers high over her head. No waking up. What was the point? It's not like she had anything to look forward to. Moving from Sunnydale was the worst decision her parents had ever made and Willow wasn't going to make it easy for them.

"No Mum! I don't wanna get up yet. No school today!" Willow mumbled, her eyes still firmly shut and the covers high over her head. She wasn't quite awake yet and her current circumstances hadn't properly sunken in. She was pulled into reality by a sudden movement beside her. Turning around to inspect its source Willow came face to face with Tara. The blonde was also just beginning to open her beautiful blue eyes.

Following her first instinct, Willow quickly snapped her eyelids shut and pretended to be asleep, giving no thought to the fact that she had just been making plenty of noise and moving around. Yet with her eyes closed, a realization quickly became apparent to her. She wasn't at home or even in her own bed. She was still lying on that strange straw bed next to a girl she hardly knew, god knows how many years in the past. The whole time travel thing wasn't just some weird dream her mind had concocted. Damn. Her head had begun to spin with thoughts and she unconsciously opened her eyes in an attempt to steady herself. Not a good idea.

Willow's gaze was instantly met by Tara's surprisingly attentive stare. The girl's clear blue eyes rested heavily on her features as if they had quite comfortably been there for at least a few minutes. A little embarrassed, Willow looked away, her cheeks turning a light shade of pink. Tara watched her, slightly confused at why the girl was acting so odd. Shaking her head at her own pathetic behaviour, Willow smiled and turned back "Uh, morning." She whispered huskily.

Tara turned her face fully towards Willow. "Morning." Her lips curved into a smile before fading into a small frown. Tara's eyes were now directed toward the light shining in from her window. "What's wrong?" Willow observed quietly. Tara's eyes snapped back to her guest. "Oh, I was just thinking that I should have gotten up earlier. There is so much work to be done and I would rather get to it early. Before the sun becomes too ruthless..." Willow looked over her shoulder at the window. "Why, what time is it?" She inquired but as she turned back to Tara, she only found an empty bed. "Time to get up." Tara called cheerfully behind her, walking out of the room. Willow smiled and lifted herself from the bed. She removed the borrowed nightgown and replaced it with her clothes from yesterday. She was just about to walk out of Tara's bedroom door when the blonde came bustling in. She was now fully dressed and carrying two wooden bowls.

"Breakfast?" She grinned at Willow before passing her a bowl and sitting back down on the bed with her own. "Thanks." Willow beamed at her, her stomach jumping a little at how beautiful Tara looked in her day clothes- Her clear blue eyes, set off by the trimming in her dress, radiated warmth, her bright smile shone happily and with every movement; her long honey blonde hair flicked gently around her shoulders. Willow sat for a moment, entranced with the very sight of the girl before reprimanding her own wandering thoughts.

Willow finally looked down at the contents of her bowl. It appeared to be porridge of some sort. She used the small wooden spoon to prod it and mix it until finally she lifted the spoon warily to her mouth. Expecting the worst, she was completely surprised to find that the mixture tasted of oats, fruit and sugar. She looked curiously at Tara for a few seconds then asked inquisitively "What is this?" Tara lifted a spoonful in the air and laughed.

"It's my own secret recipe. Do you like it?"

"Yeah. It's sweet." Willow giggled.

"And so are you for saying so." Tara glanced at her with mysterious eyes. Willow saw a hint of something in her gaze that she couldn't quite place.

"Tara..." Willow looked at the girl. Tara continued to eat and urged Willow to do the same by nodding at her. "Can I ask you something?" At this Tara put her spoon in her bowl and looked at Willow intently.

"Yes, you may"

Willow hesitated. Do I ask her what I'm dying to know? Or just leave it. Oh god oh god oh god. "Um, are you, um, have you ever, do you like..." Damn! I can't do this!

"I didn't disturb you last night did I?" Willow covered, relenting to her own nerves.

Tara cocked her head to one side as though she was very deep in thought. Finally she looked at Willow full in the eye. "I don't think that that was your real question... but I don't mind. You will ask me in due time whatever it is you wanted to know." She laughed, music to Willows ears. "And no, you did not disturb me last night, it was nice to have you there."

"Oh, um, ok" Willow stuttered turning pink, Tara had seen straight through her.