Author: Closetromantic19 aka Katie
Rating: PG-13 to R
Disclaimer: Don't own them.
Notes: Thoughts in italics.
Lyrics are from the song "Burning Bridges" by Jason Mraz.

"What happened to the hottie?" Faith appeared in the doorway of Willow's corner office.

A head of red hair popped up behind a large stack of papers, "Jesus you scared me...I didn't hear you come in."

Faith eased herself into one of the plush leather chairs opposite Willow's desk. "That's me, mousy little Faith." She quirked an eyebrow at Willow. "I practically fade into the scenery."

"Can I help you with something then, Faith?" Willow snuck a quick glance at the smirking brunette and fiddled with a nearby paperweight.

"Yeah, where's the hottie?" Faith baited yet again.

"The who now?" Willow feigned indifference. Faith wasn't buying it.

"Oh, shy blonde girl, about yea high," Faith motioned, "completely soaked despite the total lack of humidity in the air today...dead sexy?" She looked challengingly at Willow.

Willow hazarded a wary glance at Faith. "If you're talking about the woman who interviewed for the Personal Assistant position..."

"I think you know exactly who I'm talking about, Red." But Willow continued as if she hadn't heard.

"She left about ten minutes ago." At this the redhead frowned.

Faith gaped openly at Willow. "And you just let her go?!"

"I didn't let her do anything." Faith gave her a disbelieving stare. "And yes, I did." She slumped down into her chair, defeated.

Faith shook her head and turned to leave. "Can I just say, Rosenberg, that for a brain...you can be a complete and total fuckwit?"

"And what was I supposed to do, Faith," Willow asked hopelessly, "Ask her to marry me?"

"Nope," Faith grinned, "You just look like you could've used the work out." The door shut just in time to absorb the impact of a rubber kitten-shaped pencil sharpener.

Faith inched the door open wide enough to be heard again. "Plus, she seemed kinda into you."

Tara shouldered her way through the rapidly closing elevator doors and slumped down against the wall. The gentle opening chords of an unfamiliar song began to play as she began to descend the twenty two floors back to Riley, back to her car, back to her everyday life.

♪I know exactly how you feel
you were this close to closing deals now
when everything fell from out your hands
you were forced to decide on other plans now
you figured it best to just ignore it
otherwise you're only living for it yea
and if anyone ever wondered why you did it
you'd swear they'd never know you sold your soul to the
burning, burning, burning bridges♪

Is that what I'm doing, Tara wondered, burning bridges? Am I reading the signs wrong? Am I making a huge mistake?

She stepped out onto the first floor, and glanced toward the security desk. Riley was already moving towards her, a sad smile on his face. "Didn't get it, huh? Come on, let me buy you a drink..."

Meanwhile somewhere on the 22nd floor Willow was listening to the same song.

♪ You know exactly what I want so
I don't have to be so damn upfront
no matter the moment we decide to make our minds up
I know a man who may need a new assignment
to hand in his heart and take his last vacation
attempting to spoil imagination
if anyone ever wonders where he went
I wouldn't say that he spent his time driving over
burning, burning, burning bridges♪

Tara shook her head, "I don't think that's such a great idea, Riley." Riley nodded contritely.

"Well, maybe some other time then, here let me give you my number," the broad-shouldered man handed her a small slip of paper.

Willow stared numbly at the chair where Tara had sat, it seemed only moments ago. She could still feel the blonde in her office.

♪burning, burning which is
nothing more than a longing for being uninvolved
uninvolved
uninvolved
uninvolved♪

Maybe Faith was right, she thought, maybe I shouldn't have let her go. Maybe I should have gone after her.

Tara shuffled dismally along the sidewalk and to her car. She fumbled with her keys and opened the door.

♪ oh, desire can cause heart attacks ♪

Willow barreled down the stairwell and out into the lobby, looking to Riley for any indication as to where Tara had gone. He merely shook his head.

♪ oh, desire can cause heart attacks ♪

Tara adjusted the sideview mirrors and put her messenger bag down in the passenger seat. She took one last glance in her rearview before beginning to pull away from the curb.

♪ oh, desire can cause heart attacks ♪

Willow bounded down the sidewalk, knocking on car windows, glancing around helplessly for any sign of the blonde. She found none.

♪oh, desire, it won't bring you back♪