Author: JustSkipIt
Rating: G
Disclaimer: Joss Whedon and Mutant Enemy own Willow and Tara and the Buffyverse.
Feedback: Please leave feedback on the Menorah Tales thread on the Kitten Board.
Flashbacks indented, thoughts italicized, dreams indented & italicized.

About a year later

"I'm telling you, that was probably the best game in the history of Sunnydale basketball. No, in the history of Sunnydale High School."

Willow and Tara smiled at each other. They'd heard this riff the entire ride over from the game and they knew it wasn't likely to end any time soon. And actually, Jimmy was right. It was quite a spectacular game.

"Why don't we talk about something else," Faith suggested, seeing the expression on Willow and Tara's faces.

Tara smiled at her friend's attempt but she also felt like Faith deserved to have some glory tonight. After all, the girl had pretty much single-handedly beaten Riverdale in the Regional finals tonight. Sunnydale had never won a championship of any kind, the mysterious disappearance of some swimmers a few years ago from a promising team seeming to cement the school's place as an easy mark for better teams. But Faith had not just held her team close; she had scored 47 points with 13 rebounds tonight to whip the defending state championship team by 11 points.

It was Willow's private argument that Faith should have quit basketball the year before, that not only did she now have better things to do with her energy but that it wasn't fair to the other players. But Tara and Faith said that Faith did enough to help people; she should be able to enjoy excelling at something that could actually help her in life. Mr. Giles, thankfully, stayed clear of the discussion as long as Faith didn't neglect her duties.

Willow looked sideways at Tara before offering, "I still don't understand how you made that shot to end the first half."

"Man, isn't that the truth?" Jimmy agreed. He looked down to see that his and Faith's cokes were both empty and offered to go get them each one, sliding from the booth but not before Faith grabbed him and kissed him deeply.

Faith slid back into the booth but continued watching Jimmy walking away. "Mmm." After admiring her boyfriend for a few seconds she returned her attention to both girls. "Thanks for coming out tonight."

"Of course," Willow said. "We're celebrating." Just as she spoke a car drove by, its occupants loudly honking and waving as if emphasizing her point.

"Yeah, but I know neither of you is exactly sports-girl."

"We are when it's our friend kicking butt," Tara offered. As she spoke, she moved her leg slightly closer to Willow's under the table. When their legs made contact, she felt the heat from the redhead's leg through her own skirt and smiled. For a moment she wished that Willow would take her hand under the table but the redhead rarely made such a bold move and Tara never felt like she could. As Willow and Faith visited, Tara snuck glances at Willow's profile. It was, in a word, adorable. Her lips stuck out just slightly as she pouted at something Faith said and her small nose always made Tara think of placing tiny kisses on the end of it. She quickly looked away and took a deep drink of her Sprite, grateful that the glass was mostly full of ice.

"Hail the conquering hero," Jimmy announced, "I hunted and gathered some Cokes."

"I missed you," Faith enthused before reaching under the table to ... well do something that Tara wasn't sure she really wanted or needed to know. Whatever it was, Jimmy turned a funny shade of red and put his arm around the brunette.

"Here. I saw that yours was running low." Frank set a Sprite down in front of Tara before pulling up a chair at the end of the booth.

"Um, th-thanks."

"How've you been, Tara?"

"G-good. I mean I guess." Tara glanced over at Willow to see the redhead intently studying the ice in her glass. Her energy seemed uneven, unsettled. "I've been studying a lot. We're taking the SATs next week." She patted Willow on the leg as if trying to include her in the conversation.

"Me too," Frank said, "maybe we can do some prep together? I need a 1200 to get into UCLA. Where do you think you'll go?"

Tara glanced across to see Jimmy and Faith smiling at the interchange and felt her irritation rising. It wasn't like there was anything wrong with Frank or even wrong with Jimmy and Faith wanting her to go out with him. It was just. Just. She didn't feel anything for him. When they'd gone to a movie, she had enjoyed the movie but it was just a movie. She missed the conversation, the running commentary movies usually contained. Ok, the movie doesn't contain any running commentary. That usually came from her companion. She looked again at Willow who was still staring intently into her Coke.

"I, um, ... c-can you excuse me?" Tara waited for Frank to move so that Willow could let her out and then said she'd be right back.

"Well, great game, Faith," Frank said before rejoining his friends.

"Why don't you be really rude, Red?"

Willow looked up suddenly from her drink. "What?"

"Frank's a nice guy. Every time he comes around, you look like he stole your puppy or something."

Willow looked back at her Coke before setting the glass on the table. "I just don't really think he's a good guy for Tara."

"Why not?"

Willow wondered how to answer Jimmy's question. It seemed so simple. Jimmy wasn't being confrontational or a jerk. Frank was his best friend and he couldn't imagine any girl not wanting to go out with him. What could Willow say? Because I don't think there is a good guy for Tara. Because of me? "I don't know." She looked up to see Tara standing next to her and smiled broadly before sliding against the wall. "You can sit on the outside, um, in case you want to talk to anyone."

Tara tilted her head slightly as she wondered what her friends had discussed while she was gone. As long as I'm close to you, that's all I need. How much longer would this go on? Willow had seemed so troubled by Frank's visit. Was it possible that ... Before she could say anything, they were interrupted again. "Faith, great game."

Faith quickly pulled her hand out of Jimmy's lap. "Thanks, Coach."

"Hi, Coach," Jimmy said with a high-pitched squeak.

"This is Teek Strider," Coach said indicating the very fit man standing next to him.

"Faith Lehane," Faith said shaking his hand and standing up.

"You had a great game, Faith. I'd be interested in talking to you about your plans sometime," he said while still pumping her hand up and down.

Faith glanced at her Coach before nodding. "I'd like that too, Sir."

"Why don't you kids enjoy your evening?" Coach said, smiling at both Willow and Tara before both men left.

"Who was that?" Willow asked, noting the excitement on both Faith and Jimmy's faces.

"Teek Strider, USC women's basketball coach."

"I thought the coaches couldn't recruit you yet," Tara said.

Faith snuggled closer to Jimmy as she explained. "They can't but he wasn't. He was just having dinner with his friend and they happened to run into us." While she was explaining, Jimmy waved over the waitress who explained that their bill had already been paid. "Cool, huh?"

The group left the diner and got to Jimmy's car, Willow and Tara sliding into the back seat. They endured what Tara felt was a much longer kiss between the young lovers than she really needed to witness before he started the car and drove them to the Rosenberg home. Willow and Tara quickly said their goodbyes and jumped from the car, looking anywhere but at each other as Faith took a much longer time to say goodbye.

Finally she emerged from the car looking quite invigorated. "Are we lighting the candles tonight?" She took two quick strides to catch up to the other girls and playfully put her arms around their shoulders. "I hope Mamacita and Pops doubled the gelt this year." She patted her stomach as if the two burgers, fries, and four cokes she had just had made no impression at all.

"I think they said something about tripling your chocolate in lieu of giving you any money," Willow teased as she slipped from under Faith's arm and ran toward the door.

Tara laughed as Faith playfully swatted behind Willow. Lowering her voice she changed the subject. "So you don't want to go out with Frank?"

Tara looked up to see Willow standing triumphantly on the front door step, clasping her hands together and raising them over her head, first on one side and then the other, to celebrate her unchallenged victory. The redhead looked absolutely adorable. There couldn't be another word for it. Could never be another word for it. "No," Tara whispered, her voice seeming to leave her.

Willow opened the front door as Faith and Tara reached her. She wondered what she had missed when she heard Faith say, "Well, I don't really get that. I mean Frank's a babe. If I wasn't with Jimbo, who knows?"

Sheila was coming down the stairs as the three girls got in. "Hi, girls. Great game, Faith."

"Thanks, Mrs. Rosenberg."

"Hi, Mrs. Rosenberg," Tara added quietly, waving to Ira as he walked out from his study.

The group repeated their annual tradition with the three menorahs although Tara noted the way that Willow carefully showed her how to light the candles, her hand maybe lingering a little too long on the blonde's. The girls thanked Willow's parents for their chocolate and money and headed upstairs, announcing their intent to watch a movie.

As soon as they entered Willow's room, Faith looked at the clock. "Shit. 10:30. G-man's going to kick my ass."

"Do you w-w-want company?" Tara offered as Willow excused herself to the bathroom.

Faith shook her head. "Naw. You two enjoy a video. I'm wicked pumped up from the game and the caffeine."

"Who's got caffeine?" Willow joked as she re-entered the room, turning her head to watch as Tara walked toward the bathroom.

"I'm too full of it," Faith said. She stood at the French doors thinking and then turned back toward her friend. "Hey," she tapped Willow on the forehead, "are you ok?"

"Yeah. Yeah. I mean fine. FineyMcFine."

Faith spied Tara emerging from the bathroom but continued her conversation with Willow. "You know that you only say you're FineyMcFine when you're totally not FineyMcFine, right?"

"Hey," Willow protested. "You're not supposed to be empathetic. You're supposed to be a tough girl." She stepped around the brunette and swung open the doors. "Go be tough and try to be quiet when you get in."

"Great," Faith said with a smile. "Maybe you'll talk to Tara because something is bothering you." She put one leg over the balcony railing. "Happy Hanukah!" She shouted as she dropped out of sight.

Tara pulled the door shut and stood against it for a minute watching Faith jog away from the house. "Be careful," she whispered. She was startled from her quiet thoughts by Willow's soft touch on her lower back.

"She'll be fine."

"What about you?"

Willow pulled her hand back slightly. "What about me?"

Tara watched the redhead's face in the dark glass. "Are you going to be ok?"

"FineyMc..." Willow took a breath. "I'm ok." She took a few steps across the room and reached into a desk drawer. "I got you a present. I hope that's ok. I mean Hanukah but still."

Tara turned from the window, taking in the hopefulness of Willow's expression. She held a small gift in both hands. It was wrapped in blue paper with stars and little menorahs on it and reminded the blonde of Willow's special pajamas. "Is it pajamas?"

Willow smiled cheekily. "They would be pretty small if it was."

Tara noticed the blush rising in Willow's cheeks. Maybe. Just maybe.

"I...um... h-have something for um you ... too? Something I want to give you."

"I'm sure whatever you have will be great and I didn't expect anything so ok," Willow offered. She had noticed the blush on Tara's face. Maybe she was worried that her present wouldn't be nice enough? Well, then it was Willow's job to let her know that she would love whatever Tara had for her.

Tara sat down on the side of Willow's bed and patted the space next to her. "So presents and I get to sit next to you?" Willow took the space right next to the blonde. "What a great deal." She hugged Tara before explaining, "Can you open yours first because I don't think I can wait and I hope you'll like it but if you don't you don't have to keep it and I can get you something else."

Tara placed one slim finger on Willow's lips to stop the babbling. Their faces were mere inches apart and she had to force herself to pull away. "I'll love it." She held out her hands and playfully closed her eyes.

Willow placed the wrapped package in Tara's hands, wondering if the blonde would understand her gift. Opening her eyes, Tara noted the sparkling color of Willow's looking back at her. She hesitated just a moment before tearing the wrapping paper. "Oh, Willow. It's so beautiful!" She looked down at the menorah in her hands and began studying it more intently. The craftsmanship of the piece was incredible. "Where did you find a Willow tree menorah?"

"I had it made," Willow explained proudly, leaning over to point out each of the nine candle holders and the way the fake branches wound out from the center of the menorah. "I though that ... this way... you know. You would be ... would have..." She trailed off, completely unsure how should possibly explain why she wanted the blonde to have the menorah.

Tara could feel the tears beginning to well up in her eyes. "It's s-so beautiful, Willow. Thank you." She impulsively wrapped her arms around the redhead who first returned the hug stiffly and then seemed to loosen up and return it. Once they had separated Tara looked down at the piece of art, running her fingertips over the branches. Now it was her turn. She knew Willow was waiting for her present. And it didn't seem like as great a plan as she had thought earlier. Or yesterday. Last week. The week before.

"Is mine in your backpack?" Willow's voice cut through Tara's worry. "Hey, are you ok? You're shaking. Did you not like the present because you don't have to keep it if you don't like it or if it makes you uncomfortable or something. And I'll love anything you want to give me and you don't even have to give me anything either." Willow barely paused for breath. "And is it because I was rude when Frank came over to say hi? Because I wasn't trying to be rude and he's a really nice guy and if you want to go out with him, you should definitely do it because I think you should do whatever makes you happy so you'll be happy and if Frank..."

Tara glanced sideways. She loved the sound of Willow's voice. In her life she'd never loved anything else like she loved that sound. But this wasn't the sound of speculation on why Sunnydale's mascot was a razorback but their uniforms were maroon. This was a train wreck babble. A disaster of turning blue and passing out from lack of oxygen babble. Of running over and through her words until they all became word soup. She set down the menorah and lifted one hand to rest her fingertips against Willow's lips. The babbling stopped immediately and Tara could have sworn that she felt the lightest of kisses against her skin.

"I want to give you something but I'm afraid." She couldn't believe she got that out with stuttering.

Willow's eyebrows shot up to near her widow's peak. "Afraid?"

"I just think ... I mean if you d-d-don't want..." Tara could feel her fear turning to terror in her chest. Could feel the heat of its growth into her stomach and legs. If she didn't do this now, she knew she ... She didn't know what would happen.

"I think I'm just going to..." Again her ability to say something without stuttering shocked the blonde into action. She slowly took her fingertips from Willow's lips where she was surprised to realize they had remained throughout her panic, shifting them slightly to the sides to touch Willow's cheek. Her other hand rose to mirror the first on Willow's other cheek so that she cupped the girl's small face in her hands. Seeing the look of confusion and something else she couldn't identify on Willow's face, Tara smiled, happy to see her smile returned. Slowly, she moved her face slightly closer, wondering if Willow would realize what was happening and pull away. Willow's eyes grew larger, almost cartoon-like, bulging from her face. Now! Tara bit down the fear threatening to overtake her and tilted her head to one side while leaning in and closing her eyes.

When her lips met Willow's Tara used hardly any pressure before she pulled back a few inches and opened her eyes. Her silent question--is this ok? Is this something you want?--was answered less silently.

Willow's lips curled up at the corners for just a moment. "Tell me we can do that again?"

Tara felt like jumping from the bed and running around the room doing backflips and handsprings. Not being very athletic, she settled for leaning in for another kiss, this time meeting Willow in the middle. The redhead returned Tara's gentle kiss as she raised her hand and put it on the back of Tara's head, winding her fingers in the girl's soft tresses. For seconds, minutes, maybe hours, they allowed their lips to move gently together in a flow of kisses that took their breath away.

Willow couldn't believe that Tara had kissed her, was kissing her. She didn't want to ever stop. Finally, after all these years of dreaming, her dream was coming true. She felt completely overwhelmed with the love she felt, pulling away only long enough to wrap her arms around Tara's back and pull her into a tight hug. Tears fell from her eyes as she whispered. "I've dreamed of this for so long. Oh, Tara, how I've dreamed of this." A terrible thought occurred to the redhead. "You're not going out with Frank now right? I mean this isn't just you, um, wondering? Experimenting?"

Tara smiled her half-smile and Willow felt relieved. She was looking at her with such a look of adoration. "No, sweetie. I'm not going out with anyone but you." She suddenly felt her old insecurity surfacing. "I m-m-mean if you w-w..."

"Oh, Tara, I want. I want more than you could possibly know."

Tara smiled again. "I think I know." Then they were kissing and moving together and neither knew any longer who was kissing who and where one kiss stopped and the next started. Someone poked her tongue out and licked the other girl's lips and it seemed like such a spectacular idea that they continued like that for even longer.

Much later, the two girls snuggled together on Willow's bed. Willow lay on her back with Tara against her chest. She was playing with the ends of Tara's hair and kissing the top of her head whenever she felt like they had been too many seconds apart. Tara felt as secure as she had ever felt with Willow's other arm around her. She was toying with the bottom of Willow's shirt as they snuggled. "I can't believe I'm going to h-have to move from this spot to get ready for bed."

"Mmm, not yet. No moving yet." Tara smiled against Willow's chest and felt the vibration of Willow's next words. "Can I ask you a question, Tara?"

Tara sat up at little to see her girlfriend's face. "Anything."

"When did you start feeling like this? I mean when did you want to um... you know?"

"When did I want to kiss you?" Willow blushed and nodded. "Do you remember about a month before my mom died-I took the day off school to spend with her?"

"You missed a history test."

"You would remember that," Tara teased. "I asked her about it. I mean I was pretty vague, like ‘what if I kind of like someone but I don't know if it's ok' and ‘what if I'm not like you always thought I would be?' stuff like that. But my mom was totally clear. She looked me in the eye and said that she could never be disappointed in me. Ever." Tara wiped her eyes with the back of her hand. "Then she asked if we were going to the movies that Friday. She actually said, ‘are you and Willow going to the movies this week?' I mean it was a-always the three of us but she asked about you. I think she wanted me to know that she knew it was you. That I liked. And that it was ok with her."

Willow hugged Tara tighter as the girl talked about her mother and how much that conversation had meant to her. "W-what about you?"

Willow smiled as she remembered. "I kind of can't remember not wanting this. I mean one day we were at a movie and it was a romantic comedy. Something with Hugh Grant and I remember it wasn't very good. And I was watching you. Watching you watching it. And he and whoever else was in the movie kissed and I just knew. Knew that I wanted to kiss you, that you were the only person I could imagine kissing, like ever."

Tara could think of no response more appropriate than kissing Willow again and yet again.