Author: JustSkipIt
Rating: NC-17
Feedback: Please leave feedback on the Survivor - Ash Island thread on the Kitten Board.
Disclaimer: I own none of these characters nor do I own Survivor. And believe it or not, I also don't own any small islands. On the other hand, this island is fictional so let's say I own it. I'm making no money from this fiction and intend no copyright infringement.
Disclaimer 2: Please observe that this post has two clearly delineated sections. While the first could be considered a rather sacred time, note that the second part happens clearly after sundown.

“Amen,” the congregation intoned. Slowly everyone stood to begin leaving the temple. Willow turned to her sister, kissing her on the cheek and wishing her a “Gut Yontiff” before repeating the blessing for her parents.

The family waited for the aisles to clear out before helping Ira to his feet and allowing him to start moving slowly toward the back of the sanctuary. While his convalescence was going well, he tired easily and needed to do significant work to regain his former level of health.

It seemed that in addition to enjoying the opportunity for celebration the Jewish New Year always afforded, they had quite a bit additional to be thankful for. Unlike recent years, Kelli and Willow had both found the opportunity to come home for the High Holidays. Willow, in fact, was staying through Yom Kippur. She needed to meet with some clients in Raleigh and Joan was feeding Gato so she would be there then entire ten days. Kelli’s fiancé would be joining them when she returned for Yom Kippur although he hadn’t been able to make it for Rosh Hashanah.

They were greeted by quite bright sunshine as they left the building. Willow and Kelli instantly reached for their sunglasses. “Why don’t I go get the car,” Kelli suggested. Willow volunteered to go with her sister.

Just as Kelli clicked the button to unlock the doors on Ira’s sedan, they heard a familiar voice: “Willow, Kelli, darlings.”

“Gut Yontiff, Ms. Stein,” Willow and Kelli both said warmly as they hugged their former Sunday School teacher.

“I’ve been hearing good things about both of you girls,” Ms. Stein commented.

“Thank you,” Kelli said.

“Your mother told me you’re engaged,” Ms. Stein said, “Mazel Tov.”

“Thank you,” Kelli said.

“And what about you, Willow-ski? Anyone special for you or are you still working so hard to move through school at lightning speed?”

Willow blushed a little at the use of her childhood nickname. “Yes, Ms. Stein,” Willow explained not sure how much detail she should go into, “I have been seeing someone for a few months.”

“Oh,” Ms. Stein said as if suddenly remembering a piece of juicy gossip, “aren’t you on that television show with the stranded people? Did you meet your young man there?”

Willow smiled as of course Ms. Stein wasn’t watching the show or she’d know that Willow wasn’t doing anything to meet any young men. “Yes and no, Ma’am,” Willow explained, “I did meet someone on the show but it’s not a young man. Her name is Tara and she’s another participant on the show.”

“Oh,” Ms. Stein said with realization, “I see. Well how wonderful for both of you.” She pointed across the lot to where Ira and Sheila were standing on the steps waiting for the car. “I see that your parents are waiting for you but please if you will be here for long, come visit me. I’d love to catch up with you.” She kissed both girls on the cheeks again wishing them a Happy New Year and asking them to pass her wishes for a healthy happy year on to their parents.

After helping Ira into the front seat Shelia and Willow took their places and Kelli pulled away from the temple. “I saw you visiting with Ms. Stein,” Shelia commented.

“She passed along her good wishes,” Kelli said.

“Of course,” Sheila said, “she asks about both of you frequently.”

“Not frequently enough, apparently,” Kelli said teasingly.

“I think I’ll go visit with her this week if she’s free,” Willow said.

“I’m sure she’ll enjoy that,” Sheila commented.

“Here we are,” Kelli announced as she pulled into the driveway.

Once inside, the girls joined their mother in the kitchen to serve dinner as Ira relaxed for a few minutes in his study. A few minutes later they all sat down together over their holiday meal. Ira led the table in the recitation of the Barukh over the wine and bread and then they began enjoying their meal, starting with apples dipped in honey to invite a sweet coming year.

Having already agreed that the family would not return to temple for the second afternoon of services, but would instead take the opportunity to relax, they were also settling into a much more relaxed atmosphere. “So Willow,” Ira said, “I was surprised near the end of last Thursday’s episode to see you kiss Tara.”

“Why were you surprised, Dad?” Willow asked. “You know that Tara and I are dating.”

“Oh,” Ira explained, “that didn’t surprise me. What surprised me was that the kiss was on screen. That they showed it.”

“Me too,” Kelli said, “I kind of expected them to just skip over the entire story.”

“Well they can’t do that,” Sheila added, “it would figure into everyone’s strategy if they think that Willow and Tara are united. It kind of interferes with Tara’s strategy-her Faith and Kendra alliance.”

Willow smiled at her family and started giggling. “What are you laughing about?” Kelli asked.

“I just never thought I’d be sitting at the High Holiday dinner listening to my family discussing Survivor,” Willow explained, “I mean this is a family that took family trips to the Smithsonian. When our friends were reading Seventeen and Tiger Beat, we were reading National Geographic and Scientific American.”

“No Seventeen or Tiger Beat,” Kelli teased, “now we know what happened with you. Didn’t you know that boy from Dawsons creek guy is just a babe.”

“I must have missed that issue,” Willow deadpanned.

“Back to Faith and Kendra and Tara,” Shelia said, “I’m really not trusting that Faith. I think she’s using everyone to win the money.”

“Mom,” Willow said with amusement in her voice, “everyone wants to win the money.”

“I think what your mother is saying,” Ira said, “is that Faith, Kendra, and Tara have an alliance for the entire game. Won’t the other two girls start to doubt Tara when they see the way you two girls are fooling around?”

“Dad!” Willow exclaimed.

“I don’t mean that type of fooling around,” Ira clarified, “I mean they all see how the two of you are acting. An alliance of two can be a very strong alliance you know.”

“Did you all go to Survivor show viewer training while I was gone or something?” Willow said with complete puzzlement.

“We watched the first four seasons when I was laid up,” Ira announced with something akin to pride.

“And I’ve been catching up on the highlights since you left for the Island,” Kelli added.

“I’m in the Twilight Zone,” Willow mused.

“How is Tara?” Ira said, hoping to change the subject to something slightly lighter.

“She’s well,” Willow answered, “she came to visit me last weekend and we saw Cirque du Solei.”

“She has a child, right?” Sheila asked.

“A six-year old daughter,” Willow explained. “Ariel was with her father last weekend.”

“So Tara and her ex-husband get along well?” Ira led.

“Oh, Kent’s a real mench and he and Tara get along very well,” Willow said. “But um... he’s not her ex-husband exactly.”

“Oh,” Sheila said scrunching her eyebrows up slightly. “Well that’s ok. I mean you say that he’s a good man. Have you met Ariel?”

“Oh yes,” Willow said excitedly, “she’s a really awesome kid. I mean 6-years old and reads and writes. Incredibly honest and articulate too.” Willow smiled at the memory. “Every week she gets on the phone to tell me what she thought about the episode and if she liked what I did that week.”

“Did she like what you did this week?” Kelli teased.

“Oh yeah,” Willow answered, “she was thrilled about it. She says, ‘I like you because you make my mommy smile and you act like a kid too.’”

“She’s got you pegged,” Sheila said.

“Do you...,” Ira started, “do you see this relationship going somewhere?”

“Worried I’ll be an old maid?” Willow teased.

“No, bubbeleh,” Ira said, “but I like seeing you this happy. I’ve never seen you as happy as you’ve been since you got home.”

“I am,” Willow smiled.

“When do you think we might have a chance to meet Tara?” Sheila asked.

“Well,” Willow said, “I was thinking that maybe she and Ariel could come to Kelli’s wedding if you don’t all meet them before that.”

“If we don’t meet...,” Kelli started. “Hey! You made the final four broadcast.”

“I can neither confirm nor deny that,” Willow said playfully.

“Anyway,” Kelli said, “I’m sure she’d like to see you in your turquoise bridesmaid dress.”

“Turquoise?” Willow repeated starting to turn a little that color.

“Just teasing,” Kelli said victoriously.

“Now about the wedding,” Sheila started. After the meal was finished the family retired to the living room, study, or porch to relax and enjoy their holiday. After sundown, Willow pulled out her laptop to do some work.

Her phone rang a little after 8:30. “Hi, baby,” she said quietly.

“Hi,” Tara said, “is it Gut Yontiff?”

“Close enough,” Willow laughed, “thank you. ‘L'shanah tovah’ would be correct also.”

“Has it been a good holiday?” Tara asked.

“Quite good,” Willow explained. “I think the year has really given us an appreciation for everything we have. Plus which this is the first year in quite a while that we’ve all been together for both days.”

“So your father is feeling well?”

“Quite,” Willow explained, “he’s taking it a little easier than I’ve ever seen but he’s getting around.”

“That’s wonderful,” Tara said. “I miss you,” she suddenly said.

“I miss you too, Love,” Willow told her. “Is everything ok?”

“Oh,” Tara explained, “everything’s fine. I just wish you were here with me. I’ve been thinking about you and how fortunate I am. I guess I’m r-reviewing the year too.”

“It’s been the most incredible year of my life,” Willow told her, “but it’s just the first of many years I wish to spend with you.”

“Sweet talker,” Tara gushed.

“How’s Ariel?” Willow asked.

“She’s wonderful,” Tara said, “she said to tell you happy New Year and she thinks it’s cool that your New Year starts when the s-school one does. She says that sounds easy to remember.”

“God,” Willow said, “that’s just so adorable.”

“Hey, baby,” Willow said, “do you think you’d like to be my date for Kelli’s wedding? Everyone is pretty eager to meet you and Ariel.”

“I’d love to,” Tara told her laughingly, “but didn’t you say that they may meet me earlier than that?”

Willow laughed back. “Actually I did.”

“You’re so wonderful,” Tara mused. “What are you doing tomorrow, baby?”

“Well,” Willow said, “I need to make some calls over the next few days; remember, I was telling you about the redemption thing? Also, Kelli and I ran into Ms. Stein after services today so I thought I’d go visit her.”

“Your Sunday School teacher?” Tara asked. “The woman who sat with you when your parents and Kelli were at your Grandmother’s funeral and who gave you the book about the internal combustion engine?”

Willow smiled at the memory. “Yes. Apparently she didn’t know that the book would affect me so,” she teased, “she asked about my young man.”

“Oh yeah, baby,” Tara teased back, “you’re so large with the butch.”

Willow giggled back. “Are you ready for bed?”

“Yep,” Tara said, “I’m in bed right now. Wishing you were here with me.”

"Really?" Willow said huskily, "what if I were there?"

"W-what?" Tara stuttered.

"If I were there," Willow repeated, "what would you be doing?" When she was greeted with silence she started on her own. "I'll tell you what I'd be doing. I know how you love it when I kiss your neck."

"Oh, I do," Tara agreed.

"You always make that incredible moaning sound when I start softly kissing your pulse point," Willow described in a whisper, "and when I suck it... Mmm. And your skin with that vanilla-Tara scent."

"I like your scent better," Tara whispered, "the way you get so wet... I love to feel your juices on my fingertips ... or my lips..." Hearing the redhead moan she asked, "Are you wet for me now, baby?"

"Oh yeah," Willow moaned as she ran her fingertips along her lips. "I'm running my fingertips along my lips and imagining how you feel right now."

"Mmm," Tara whimpered, "Wet, baby. .So wet for you. Oh God. And my clit is so swolen."

"Touch it for me," Willow told her lover as she did the same.

"Mmm, Oh ... baby... your touch... I need you inside," Tara gave a strangled groan.

"Oh yes," Willow breathed, "I'm inside you now... Two fingers... So soft. So wet. That's it, baby. Oh God...," she thrust inside of her own warm channel, her thumb flicking over her clit, imagining Tara's hand on her.

"That's it," Tara moaned, "a little... Oh God!" As she heard Tara's scream, Willow felt her own climax over taking her. She turned her face to the pillow quickly to muffle her own noises.

"Happy New Year," Willow muttered weakly as she caught her breath after a few minutes.

"Oh, God," Tara answered quietly, "that's for sure." She chuckled before whispering, "I can't believe what you do to me, Willow."

"I love you," Willow told her lover.

"Mmm," Tara agreed sleepily, "I love you too but now I'm all sleepy."

"Go to sleep, Love," Willow told her, "I'll talk to you tomorrow."

"Ok," Tara said, "Good luck with your call to Buffy."

"Thanks," Willow told her before hanging up the phone and setting her computer aside to sleep while thoughts of Tara were still fresh in her mind.