FicWad

The Bronze was quite hopping tonight. And it was all for the private birthday party of one Tara Maclay. All her friends were there. A few that weren't necessarily close friends of hers, but they still cared about her.
And the best thing was that her brother had managed to get that leave like he had promised. So, he was back now in Sunnydale for a whole week. But then, he'd be back off to the army. But at least they'd have this short time together. And he could get to know his other little sister in the process.
Oz's band was providing the music for the evening. They were back finally from their tour of LA. And yes, one Miss Vercua was the lead singer. And this meant that Faith was keeping her eyes on her. Although she knew her man could handle himself, she was still oh so willing to give the woman another black eye if she didn't stay backed off.
Giles had brought Dawn with him. Her mother was far too sick to come so it left him and his daughter with some bonding time. It was still in the awkward stages. Especially since her mother had been none too thrilled of how their meeting had come about. But it would have eventually. The sooner the better.
Tara watched all that was going on around her. Just such a short time ago and this never would have been possible. At the beginning of the school year, she was an outcast. No friends to speak of. And then, she met the wonderful woman that sat to her left. Even that had had a few not so good moments. And it was something to be sitting here with her now. But all had worked out in the end.
Something caught her eye. Donny was talking with Cordelia. That was an unusual pairing if she ever saw one. But they were just friends. But then, they never had been. So again with the very unusual pairing indeed.

"""
"So, you're back only for Tara's birthday?" Cordelia's eyes darted around the room. She could not see Doyle anywhere. But talking with Donny had been rather nice.
"Yeah." Donny still had on his military uniform. "I really don't have a whole lot of leave time. But I make the most of what I do get. How about you? How has your life been going? I don't hear much anymore."
Cordelia chuckled. "Not much happening as of late. Well, not with me anyways. Had to go away for a bit thanks to daddy dearest business. But other then that, same old same old."
"And you got a new guy." Cordelia turned to look at the military man. "Sorry. But I have heard that much. I think you and Doyle make a great couple."
The former queen C eyed Donny for a moment. She smiled a small smile. "You did have quite the crush on me back in middle school, didn't you?"
"Yeah." Donny took a sip from his soda. "But that was before you started going out with Angel, and pardon me for saying so, started acting like a real bitch."
Now Cordelia couldn't help but laugh. "That's all right. It's so true that I didn't treat people all that well. I'm lucky that most people have learned to forgive and forget. Well, not necessarily forget. But I'm part of a group that really cares for one another. And that's what's important."
Donny nodded his head in agreement. "I have to agree. I hate my father for a lot of things. But the biggest one is the fact that he drove me away. Especially when Tara needed me the most. If only I'd been able to be around when all this stuff went down. And now, I have another little sister to look out for. But I've got this army commitment. And no way of getting out of it."
A little bit of a sigh escaped Cordelia. She really looked at Donny like she was seeing him for the very first time. "You are so different from the person that I remember. You have changed so much. But then, as we've pointed out, so have I."
Donny shrugged. "I think we can all change. I think it's in the cards that we can make ourselves better. We start out with the basics and build from there. There is good in all of us. And there is bad. It's up to us to make the way we want to be come true. I started out with the bad. And I look back now on how I treated Tara and I cringe. So, I now focus on the good."
For some reason, Cordelia felt herself drawn to him. Something in the way he spoke. That there seemed to be a connection of some kind. "Before you go back, I'd like you to give me your address. I know you've got Tara and Anya, but I'd like to keep in touch with you."
"I'd really like that." Donny nodded his head. "I think I see who you've been missing out on all night." Doyle walked up. "I kept her warmed up. She's all yours." Without another word, Donny walked off into the crowd. Cordelia staring after him the whole time.

"""
A slow song played and Wesley and Fred were taking advantage of it. They held tight to each other as the music played on. They swayed to the rhythm of the song. Until Wesley felt a tap on his shoulder that is.
He turned to see his best friend. Or at least who was supposed to be his best friend. But something had been not right between them for a few weeks now. Something that was unspoken yet was oh so there.
"May I cut in." Gunn dipped his head down. "If the lady has no objections."
"Actually, no offense." Fred tightened her grip on her man. She had sensed lately that Gunn had wanted something more from her. Something that she was not willing to offer. "I'd rather keep dancing with my finace. We need all the practice for our reception. We are both rather clumsy."
"But of course." Gunn again dipped his head. "There is no harm in asking, especially when the lady is as beautiful as the one who stands before me." He turned to Wesley. "You take good care of her as I know that you will."
"Of course." Wesley and Fred watched him walk away. "I do wish that he had someone of his own." The young computer teacher smiled big. "Some of us seem to be luckier then others. That is all. So much luckier."
"I agree." Fred snuggled in closer to her guy. In his arms is where she belonged, always.
Gunn kept his eyes on the happy couple. Too long in fact for he ran into someone. He turned quickly to apologize. "I'm sorry man..." His breath was instantly taken away by the woman that stood before him. "I've never seen you around here. And trust me when I'd say I'd remember you."
The young woman chuckled. "Bad pickup lines never work on me, even when the men are very handsome." She looked him up and down. "But in your case I'm willing to make an exception. The name's Amy. I believe that yours is Gunn?"
"My reputation precedes me." Gunn smiled big. "So, would the beautiful young lady care to dance?"
"I'd be delighted." Amy put her arm in his. "But do not try to frisk me out on the dance floor. That may come later." Gunn raised an eyebrow as he took her in his arms. Definitely a different woman then he was used to."""

Darla sat at the bar. If truth be told, she had been avoiding Angel ever since she had been shot. But it wasn't really his fault that things had happened the way that they had. It wasn't his fault his father was who he was.
She sighed as she looked around. There were a lot of happy people there at the moment. She was clearly not one of them. Lately, the young woman had been depressed. And she could not tell exactly why that was.
Perhaps it was because she missed Angel. He had always seemed to be the one person in the world that seemed to understand her. That seemed to get what she was saying. Or was that all in her imagination.
"Is this seat taken?" Darla was startled by the familiar voice. Angel smiled sadly at her. "Or, if you'd still rather not talk to me I'd understand."
For the first time in weeks, the young woman genuinely smiled. "It's not taken. By all means." She watched as her former boyfriend sat himself down next to her. "I'm a little surprised to see you here. I mean, you aren't necessarily big friends with Tara or any of her friends."
Angel shrugged. "I've never been a good friend to anyone. Well, not the past few years I haven't. I became a user more then anything. But that has changed. And changed quite a bit."
"I know." Darla took his hand in her own. "I've been watching you over the past few weeks. At first, you were quite the angry man." Angel started to say something, but she gave his hand a squeeze to keep him silent. "But you've also worked through some things. And you aren't quite the jerk you had been becoming."
"Thanks." Angel chuckled softly. "I do deserve the title of jerk. The biggest in the world."
"Yeah you did." Darla reached up and kissed his cheek. Something was telling her this was right, that they so meant to be together. "But you are my jerk. And always will be. If you still want that, that is."
"Want it?" Angel swooped in and gave her quite the kiss. "Are you kidding me? It's all that I've been hoping would come out of this whole mess. That you and I could make it somehow."
"Well, then your hopes are coming true." The two young people just held each other tightly. It was wonderful indeed.

"""
Faith stood at the edge of the stage. It was her place. And even though she was only a freshman in high school, this is where she was gonna be from now one. In the front row supporting her boyfriend anywhere that he went.
Her parents of course did not like the idea. But who cares what those mindless people really thought anyways. It was her that counted. And Oz and her friends. They were what mattered to her now.
The band stopped playing and Oz made his way over to the edge of the stage. He leaned down and kissed her. He kept the kiss as he helped pull her onto the stage. He then put his arms around her and held her tight.
"Would you two get a room!" Both shot Devon a look as the drummer made his way off the stage. Veruca also gave them a look which they ignored.
"You were really hitting it." Faith felt so good in his arms. "I'm so glad that you had an excuse to come back to good ole Sunnydale. We've missed you around here."
"I know." Oz kissed the top of her head. "And I've got something to tell you. There's no need to go out on tour with me."
Faith sat up quickly. "Say what? You mean you don't want me going out with you. After all the fighting I had to do with the parental units. Oh, this is so not of the good."
Oz kissed her with a passion. "If you'll let me talk. Just that we got a permanent gig here at The Bronze. Maybe some tours, just not that many."
This made the young woman smile big. "No going out anymore?" Oz shook his head. "Coolness! I mean, hello! Loved the thought of traveling, but truth be told I would miss the friends and such. But I'd do anything for you."
"And you know I would." Oz again kissed her. "This way we get the best of both worlds."
"And I get you." Faith again kissed him. "Oh boy. I think we so need to celebrate tonight. And I know exactly how.""""

Buffy and Spike had already given Tara her presents. And they had hung out with their newest friend, Dawn Giles. She was an interesting young lady. One that would keep things hopping around here. And she was more then intrigued by the happenings as of late.
But that's not what was on either of the two young lovers minds at the moment. They had abandoned the party only half an hour ago. But that was long enough to make it to Buffy's house. And the two now sat on her bed together.
"And to think, I was almost stupid enough not to be here." Buffy put her hand on Spike's cheek. "Thanks for not giving up on me. Thanks for being here for me no matter what."
"Always, my love." Spike put his own hand on hers. "What's that old saying, when you find something good you better never ever let it go."
"Something like that." Buffy rolled over so that she was now laying on top of her boyfriend. "You know what? I do want to hold on to you. More then I have anything before in my life."
"Is that so?" Spike kissed her gently. "Well, you've got me and I'm not going anywhere. So, what is it that you want me to do my love? What is it we are doing here?"
Buffy smiled shyly. "I think I want to celebrate life. In one way that I never have before. The one way that I think you and I should be together."
Spike slowly sat up, keeping Buffy sitting on his lap. "You are talking about a big step my love." He kept his eyes on hers for the longest of times. "One that I of course want as well. But I don't want you doing anything that you aren't ready for."
"I'm the one that's making the move." Buffy wrapped her arm around his neck. "I'm the one that is saying that I want this more then anything. So, why aren't we?"
Spike sighed. "You've been through so much in the past few weeks. One that saw you so happy to the darkest place that you've ever been. And now, you seem to be happy again. I don't want you doing anything to put you back in that dark spot my love."
The petite blond didn't say anything else. She simply kissed Spike with a passion. One that they had never shared. One that said that they were done talking for the night. One that said that they would show each other how they truly felt.

"""
Xander could hear the giggling. Willow and Tara were about to embark on the dance floor. They were the best couple he had ever come across. Admittedly, they were even better then he and his Anya. But they weren't that bad either.
Ayna came up from behind him and covered his eyes with her hands. "Guess who?"
"That sexy chick on CSI I've been dying to meet?" Xander got a slap for his troubles. He looked up at his beauty with a smile on his face. "Oh wow! Even better. It's my real life beauty that I love so much."
"Very funny Harris." Anya sat down next to him. "So, my little sister is having one heck of a b-day. And I got to actually meet my big bro. This is turning out to be a good time. And I thought I'd lost you."
Xander shook his head. "Not a possibility. Well, there are no guarantees in life. But I love you and you love me and we seem to be able to work things out. So that's of the good. That's for sure. And I'm glad that you and your sibs are getting along."
"Well now." Anya chuckled softly. "You definitely have been hanging out with Willow a lot again. But that's a good thing I think."
"Very good thing." Xander took her hand and kissed it. "See, she's the one that's screwing up in the relationship department. Then, she tells me what she did wrong and how's she's fixing it. Works quite well that way."
Anya rolled her eyes. "Yeah. You've got the inside track on how to win a girl's heart by a girl. Well, now isn't that what I call being spoiled."
Xander shrugged. "Perhaps. But having you in my life, now that's what I call being spoiled." He pulled Anya close to him. "And I'll never forget that."
"Me either." They kissed for the longest time. Just thankful in the knowledge that they really could work through anything."""

Joyce sat next to Giles. On the other side of him was Dawn. The three had gotten along quite well all evening long. But Joyce could sense a sadness about the librarian. And she knew that was because he missed Jenny.
But she wasn't sorry herself that the other woman had failed to show. For months now, she had secretly had a crush on the librarian. No one knew this, not even her own daughter had an inkling of her feelings.
And she wasn't about to tell him. Not quite yet anyways. But she would one day. One day that hopefully would make them both happy. And having another daughter was an appealing thing. For Dawn was a wonderful girl.
"Can I dad?" Dawn was sitting with a look of pleading on her face. "I know it's getting late and mom wants me home, but puleez! I so haven't had this much fun in forever."
"Dawn darling, I really don't wish to go against your mother's wishes." Giles shifted in his chair uncomfortably.
"Yeah, but she would let me." Dawn's eyes got that doe look in them. So sad and so innocent. "It's not like tomorrow is a school day or anything. It's Sunday. I can sleep in and everything. Plus I have all of my homework done. So it's like totally no big deal."
Giles sighed heavily. "All right. I suppose another half an hour won't do you any harm. But that's it. Just half an hour longer and then I have to get you back to your mother."
"Cool!" Dawn kissed her father on the cheek. "You are like the greatest father of all times, you do know that right? Anyways, later. Be back on time I promise."
Giles watched her bounce away. "I really do have to learn to say no to the girl. I fear that she will become spoiled and know how to get her way with me."
Joyce laughed. "Don't worry. You aren't alone. All kids seem to be able to find the right buttons to push. But together we can be strong. Together we can face them and survive."
This made the librarian smile. "I'd like that. I'd like that quite a bit actually."
That made Joyce's heart do a little dance. Well, until a certain familiar figure made her way towards them. That's when her heart sank. She knew, just knew that Jenny was coming to beg for forgiveness. And the good man Giles was, he would give it to her in a heartbeat.
"Hey." Giles looked up at the sound of Jenny's voice. "Sorry I haven't been around." The librarian remained silent. "And I'm sorry that I'm just now coming to you. I wish that I could have just been all right with things. But you having a child is no big deal. We'll deal together, if you want me to."
That's when Dawn came flying up again. "Hey dad. You got any quarters on you?" She stopped in mid step. "Hey there. You're new. But then again, maybe not. I'm the newbie round these parts and all."
Jenny looked from Dawn to Giles. "This is your son?"
"Yes, well it seems that Beth neglected to tell me the correct sex of my child." Giles shrugged. "I was as surprised as you when Dawn here showed up a couple days ago. But it was quite a good surprise."
"I'll bet." Jenny eyed the teenager. "Dawn is it? Nice to meet you. I'm your father's..." She trailed off and looked at Giles. "Friend." She finished. "Nice to meet you."
"Nice to meet you." Dawn smiled big. "Sorry to greet and run but there are these girls that want to hit the arcade in back. Hence the need of the jingly stuff."
"Jingly stuff?" Giles looked confused for only a moment. "Ah yes. Those quarters. Here you are my dear."
"Thanks." Dawn waved at everyone. "I'll be back in a few. If not, come and get me. I do easily lose track of time." She looked at Jenny for a moment. "Again, nice to meet you." And with that, she was off.
"When were you going to tell me all of this?" Jenny glared at the librarian.
"You've really not been available." Giles stood up quickly. "Or have you forgotten that you were the one that stopped answering your phone." He turned his back on her. "I would like to dance. Care to?" Joyce looked at Jenny for a moment before nodding. "Wonderful." He turned back to Jenny. "Now if you'll excuse me, the night is still young."

"""
It had been a wonderful evening. Everyone had seemed to be getting along well with one another. And best of all for Tara, she and her girl had managed to makeup so that they could spend this special day together.
And now to end the evening, she was getting to dance in her arms. The song was so fitting for her. It was called 'I can't take my eyes off of you'. The two swayed to the nice slow beat of the song. Their hearts seeming to beat in rhythm.
"Good birthday?" Willow asked. Her smile was nearly blinding. It was clear how she felt about the evening.
"Best birthday." Tara nuzzled against her neck. They held each other, just loving the feel of being in one another's arms. "I'm so lucky that you came into my life. Every day is like this wonderful thing now."
"Everyday?" Willow held her tighter. "Even when I'm being rather not so understanding."
"You in my life, whether we're of the good or not, is the biggest miracle that has ever happened to me." Tara kissed the redhead's neck. "My life only keeps getting better because you are in it."
"I'm glad you think so." Willow began rubbing her hands up and down Tara's back. "Because I feel the same way. I had such high hopes for high school. That it could be different. Then I found that it was the same as before. Then, this miracle happened to me. You walked in and let me in. If you hadn't, I don't think I'd be the same person that I am today."
"So, we both got these huge gifts." Tara kissed Willow's earlobe gently. "I think someone really wants us to be together. We've shown that we can stand the tests of time I think already. Even though it's only been a short time."
"I think you are right." Willow moved so that she was looking into those sea of blue eyes of her girl. "And we can't take a second of that time for granted." Their lips met with a gusto. Inside their mouths was fireworks going off.
They pulled back when oxygen began to be an issue. Their eyes locked and huge smiles were on their faces. This was how it should always be. Them together. The outside world not even really existing.
Willow hated to break the moment, but she had one last gift to give her everything. She reached into her pocket and presented Tara with one last gift. "I saved the best for last."
"Willow, you shouldn't have." The blond took the package from the redhead. "You've done enough already."
"Never enough for you." Willow leaned in and kissed her gently on the cheek. "Just open it. I hope you like it."
Inside the package was a pin. Actually, it was two pins. There was a half a heart on each pin that made a whole one when put together. Written on it was 'together forever'.
Tara looked up, tears in her eyes. "To go along with your other wonderful gift. And that was your heart. Now we have one heart between us."
"Exactly." Willow brought her into a hug. "One heart to share forever."