Geek Love

[FoxInTheSnow]

i've been lurking on this board for quite some time, and i finally registered the other day. i wanted to say that this story is really great, i often wake up on saturday's and check right away to see if it's been updated yet. i also hope there's more to come.

[JustSkipIt]

Watty – it’s over? Well that seemed quick. I mean the resolution was certainly resolved but I guess I expected more angst. This is the kitten board after all. I’m glad that Tara came and particularly that both girls seemed to agree to meet in the middle – less lying, less being completely unwaveringly paranoid about lying.

This bit:

Tara was greeted by a room that was a mixture of a science fiction movie and a toy shop (at least to her mind).

Made me picture Chris’ room and then giggle (pictures of his room – get your mind out of the gutter).

And I like this because she’s finally being open and honest not only about who she is but about her feelings too:

"This is the type of person I am, Tara. If you find me lame and want nothing to do with me anymore, I won't blame you. I'm telling you this because I don't want to lie to you anymore. I did it once and it hurt both of us. I want us to be on good terms, may be acquaintances or good friends, but I'd rather it be more, you know?"

Which, hey, actually works as I think I’ve lobbied throughout.

Off topic:

"It's cute. I've never owned an action figure before. I didn't even have a Barbie."

Our friends got their 2 year old his own Nativity and he’s been using the dolls (do you call the characters in a Nativity dolls or is there a more respectful name?) as action figures: flying them around, having them rescue each other, jumping onto the roof of the stable, etc. Sounds quite adorable.

Anyway, all very cute and well ended. And I enjoyed ending the entire with the chat transcript. Thanks for this.

[Artemis]

This bit:

Tara was greeted by a room that was a mixture of a science fiction movie and a toy shop (at least to her mind).

Made me picture Chris’ room and then giggle (pictures of his room – get your mind out of the gutter).

Yeah, that made me picture my room too - except for the three laptops that is, I only have the one old desktop (really old - practically steam-powered). But the posters, the action figures, even the Barbies (though unless Willow's into customising hers too, I think mine are more well-armed), the whole deal. And that just underscores the whole sweetness of this fic - it's nice to see one of 'us' get the girl

And in such an adorable way, too - Willow revealed, and Tara saw, exactly the quality that started this all off, her basic bravery, regardless of how it's often hidden beneath a facade of insecurity. When push really comes to shove, Willow stands up, whether it's confronting a drunk guy twice her size or basically baring her soul to Tara, and lets the consequences take care of themselves.

There is going to be more, though, right? We'll see Tara introduced to Team Willow? Some wrap-up on Faith, and Donnie? Anya and Cordy? Tara blowing Willow's mind by turning up in a Mina costume? Not that the story is lacking anything crucial as is, but I'm just yearning for a kind of coda to it all.

[justin]

That was a great update. I like take charge Willow

It seems they were both worried the other wouldn't like the real them. Willow because of her geekiness and Tara because she saw her life as being shallow.

Like Candleshoe I was able to relate to the line about having more friends online than in real life

I have one small criticism. While I was reading the phone conversation between Willow and Tara I lost track of who was talking and had to backtrack and re-read it. That might just be me though.

Looking forward to seeing more. There is going to be more, right?

[watty]

Replies, then last chapter. Thank you to everyone who read the story and took the time to leave a comment.

*****

Alex

One thing that the two of them should have learned by now is that they shouldn't hide what they are. It's part of what makes them special and attractive. I'm not saying their future will be perfect, because no relationship is perfect, but honesty and communication is key. Willow giving Tara an action figure may be cheesy, but it's sweet in the way that signifies a start to sharing a life. Thanks for your constant support, Alex.

~~~~~

Dianneswillowtree

Yes we do have contact! And much more to come, though we'll have to stop peering into their lives at some point.

~~~~~

highlandlass25

It was a happy update, overdue after all the stresses and angst they've been through.

I thought the present got broken when Willow passed out?

Yes it did, and probably has been swept away when the street cleaners cleaned the area around the fountain the day after. Willow actually gave Tara one of the action figures from her own prized collection.

~~~~~

willohand

hey you, I'm glad you enjoyed the ride. There's a nice garden chair somewhere around here that you can sit on and catch your breath.

This was worth the madness.

thanks!

~~~~~

db

Yay for Willow and Tara kissing!

I second that Yay! I suppose giving Tara her treasured first edition action figure is really cheesy. Because it'll look so out of place in Tara's home. But it is sweet in a true love sort of way. Everyone has issues, that's so true. Tara's perceived issues isn't that serious in the grand scheme of things, but it's what she thinks in her mind isn't it?

@Willow-immersion day. It will be fun (oh my!). Re: Faith, Donnie and Anya ... um this is when I kinda regret finishing a story before posting it, sigh. Ooops, won't say any more now.

~~~~~

Ms Shoe

I think we all recognise ourselves here, because of the way our lives revolve around being online. Well, I may be projecting.

watty?
yes car?
do you want somewhere to stay next time you visit Chicago?
*wattysbrain is shutting up now and promises to buy more weirdly named chocolate products

Out-loud giggling that woke up the dogs...

I'm laughing at myself, because I've broken so many fanfic rules in this fic:

• the whole online group is really one big Mary Sue, coming to the rescue every time;
• real person fic -- I mean, the online group though fictional, is a thinly disguised version of my own friends, isn't?
• self-insertion -- not in a naughty way, but as far as I'm concerned only Debra has managed to successfully work herself into a fic

Anyway, thanks for reading!

~~~~~

writerfreak

Sorry that you can't kiss your woman, but is good too, no?

~~~~~

diamondforever

Yes, it's about time. Thanks.

~~~~~

The Rose24

They have to be honest in order to take the next step to their relationship, thanks.

~~~~~

witchlove

you were right about it being Tara, well done. We're coming to a close to this story now and there will be more W/T yes.

~~~~~

Auriam

Hiya! Thank you for reading, you're ever so nice my dear.

~~~~~

Vale

did I ever tell you that you're really very sweet? cos you are.

fuzzy, and warm, and all happy and giddy

isn't this all we want from life?

~~~~~

Sally

did they do it?

honestly I hadn't thought about it, because they're still at the early, innocent stage of getting together. Your inside sources is absolutely correct, this coming chapter is the last one. I probably will not tie up every single loose end, because it's only one chapter and I want to focus on what db says Willow-immersion day, as well as some W/T stuff.

what was the present Willow was going to give Tara that got broken when she fainted at the fountain, will Tara and Willow move in together with a U-Haul shortly,

heehee. The present got broken and some street cleaner has removed it now. As for U-haul? You'd be surprised because there may be a mention of that special company in the next chapter. Thanks so much for your comments throughout the story, uberqueen. *hugs*

~~~~~

JujuDeRoussie

Hi and very welcome! I'm so glad you're reading and thank you for your feedback.

~~~~~

FoxInTheSnow

Hello and first post! Welcome to the land of unlurking. Thank you for reading, there is one more chapter, I think you'll like it.

~~~~~

Debra

it’s over?

Yep, one more chapter which is more like a semi-epilogue anyway. It is a quick type of story, I've deliberately written it light in a not deep sort of way. They really needed to communicate and come clean otherwise there's zilch chance of moving on. I like how you described it as meeting in the middle because that's often what is needed in a relationship.

about Willow's room resembling Chris' room. His shelf full of action figures was on my mind at that time. I can imagine the care she takes of her collection can't we? Oh, and such a giggle-worthy story about your friends' son using the nativity dolls as action figures. Seems like they really are getting closer to heaven.

I enjoyed ending the entire with the chat transcript.

I feel like not enough people have commented on the chat content, partly because it is supposed to be background and support to Willow. I have to admit that the chat was by far the easiest to write, the characters are close to my heart and seem to jump off the page, it seems like one of our group chats!

~~~~~

Chris

I can just picture you reading the story and then looking up at your prized collection and feel an affinity with Willow's room because part of it is based on your shelf! Heehee. I think she takes pictures of them too. Okay, you don't have 3 laptops, but that's my contribution to her room -- I have 3 computers so it's easy to slot that image in.

that just underscores the whole sweetness of this fic - it's nice to see one of 'us' get the gir

*nods* Thank you! I think the fluff (okay not 100% fluff, there was angst) experiment worked out pretty well. And yes, geeks rule!

There is going to be more, though, right? We'll see Tara introduced to Team Willow? Some wrap-up on Faith, and Donnie? Anya and Cordy? Tara blowing Willow's mind by turning up in a Mina costume?

Some of that yes. But I want to leave a little to the readers' imagination too. I think you'll like the last chapter, thank you again for everything.

~~~~~

justin

It was good that they finally talked, because it was very much needed so that they could get together finally. Thanks for reading, here's the final chapter.

~~~~~
[br]

[watty]

Title: Geek Love
Author: watty
email: hiddenwatson@gmail.com
Distribution: please email me first
Rating: PG-13 to R
Disclaimers: BtVS characters and concepts belong to Mutant Enemy, Fox, The WB, UPN and others. Densha Otoko characters and concepts belong to Fuji Television, Toho Ltd and others.
Summary: Contemporary AU. Shy geek rescues and falls in love with perfect woman. No, does not compute.
Notes: this is based on the Japanese phenomenon, densha otoko ("train man"), which was supposed to be a true story and which begat a book, several manga series, a film, and a tv series. This is also my first attempt at fluff. Hee.
Notes 2: the IRC channel #geeklove actually exists on irc.blitzed.org, thanks to MistressWashi for setting it up for me.



Part 21

"Hey Chief! Where've you been? We needed you," her young friends spotted her and skipped toward her in glee.

"Hi guys! Sorry, I've been busy," Willow greeted them with a warm smile.

"We got stuck at the train station! We need to get on the train but we don't know which one," one of the boys complained.

"Let's see, I'm good at trains and train stations," Willow took over the console and quickly pressed a few buttons.

The boys then noticed the figure just behind Willow. "Who are you?"

Tara laughed. Kids were so direct. "I'm Willow's friend," she smiled. She could sense Willow's contented smile back, even though she seemed to be purely focused on the game. Tara couldn't help it, she placed her hand at Willow's back and slowly drew her hand up Willow's spine. She was pleased to feel Willow's uncontrolled shiver at her touch.

"Do you know how to play this game too?" the boys asked.

"No, I'm very bad at games. But Willow will show you, right?" she replied.

"Yes, Chief is the best!"

Willow finally whooped in triumph. "Look, first you need to get a timetable, then a ticket, then drop one of the magic potions at the shop run by the lady with the giant squid on her head. Then I think you need to go to the stationmaster's office and recite the stations on the Green Line. There's more and it's kinda complicated, do you want me to go over it in more detail?"

"We'll figure it out from here. Thanks Chief! And you look better without skateboards," they waved goodbye and ran to catch their school bus.

Willow watched them for half a second before turning to Tara. "Tara Maclay, what were you doing in the middle of the street?" she accused.

Tara smiled seductively. "I can't help it. And I'm going to do that all day today, see how long you can last," she said mischievously.

She was rewarded by a look of abject horror laced with unbridled yearning on Willow's face. "Wha--" she stammered.

Tara grabbed Willow's hands and skipped to the station. "Come on, genius, get me my computer," she felt sparkly. She didn't know how exactly 'sparkly' should feel, but it was the right word for the occasion.

*****

The computer shopping turned into more fun than Tara expected. Her prior experience of computer purchase, at a local electronics store, was utterly confusing as the store clerk kept throwing unknown terms at her as if in an attempt to show her how ignorant she was. This was completely different. In fact it was more an experience than a shopping event. She was stunned at the sheer number of machines on display, set up not by type of computer, but by how someone would use it. The home users section had modest setups that included laptops, printers and iPods. Willow showed Tara the cinema display, music mixer and impressive looking computer that a designer or composer would use. She was very impressed.

Willow let Tara try everything for herself, Tara knew that she was itching to play or to launch into a detailed description of everything, and her admiration for Willow's consideration grew.

"It's so different from my old PC. I always thought computers are hard to master, but I feel like I'm half an expert already," she said.

"That's the idea. Have you ever read or watched on TV how developers used to write programs by typing lines and lines of code? They still do that, but even now there are more graphical tools to help make their lives easier," Willow agreed.

"I feel like I want to buy everything here, I can't decide what to get. You're deciding for me," Tara told Willow.

"Me? You sure?" Willow's wide grin was a sure sign that she was teasing.

"Yep. So I can blame you if something goes wrong," Tara smirked. "There might be punishment too."

"Well, if you put it that way. Let me spend your money then," Willow grinned back. "But seriously, do you want a laptop or a desktop. You have to make that decision first."

"I'll have what you have," Tara said softly.

"You can't decide like that! How will you use it?" Willow was secretly pleased that Tara wanted to follow her, but the computer geek in her refused to believe that was a valid reason to choose a computer.

"Will, you're likely to be using it more often than me, so you may as well choose," Tara pointed out.

Willow thought for a second, and couldn't find any flaw in that logic. "Okay then. I know exactly what we should get," she said determinedly.

"You're so adorable when you're assertive like this." Tara looked around the store and, sure that no one was paying them undue attention, planted a kiss on Willow's cheek.

*****

Xander and Andrew were dancing. Their eyes were fixed on the screen in front of them which flashed a series of increasingly complex colored arrows that corresponded to the way their bodies and feet were moving over a 3x3 grid on a raised platform. They had acquired a posse of onlookers, who were riveted at the duo's perfectly synchronized movements against loud beating music. What awkwardness they usually projected was forgotten as they demonstrated their supremacy over complex steps and routines that Dance Dance Revolution SuperExtreme challenged them to.

"Okay, you promise me you won't laugh," Willow said solemnly as she led Tara into the video arcade.

Tara was a little overwhelmed at the lights and noise of the crowded place, and gripped Willow's hand tighter. "I won't laugh, why?"

Willow nodded at her two friends, still dancing in synch.

"What are they doing?" Tara asked.

"Dancing. It's a dance game. The arrows on the screen indicate where your feet should land on these pads. It gets more and more difficult. Those two are probably the best I've ever seen."

"They look like they're having fun," Tara observed. "Do you know them?"

"The blonde one who moves like he's a spastic robot is Andrew. The one in the white t-shirt is Xander."

"Oh, I get to meet your friends at last."

"Come on, let's try to get a ring-side view. They'll be there for a while."

It took Tara a while to follow what was going on, it seemed far too difficult for her. After a couple of songs Xander spotted Willow and waved at her. He nudged Andrew and they stopped after the next song, giving up their spots to two equally geeky boys who eagerly jumped on the machine to continue at the level that Xander and Andrew had achieved.

"Hey Will," Xander said slowly, as he saw who Willow was with. He was trying very hard not to stare at Tara.

"Hiya! Guys, meet Tara," Willow introduced.

"Pleased to meet you," Tara said politely.

Introductions were quickly made, although both Xander and Andrew both seemed far more shy than Willow had described them.

There was suddenly silence after the last "hello" between them. Andrew shuffled his feet on the floor and Xander's hands dug even deeper into his pockets.

Then Willow broke the ice. "Oooh, new machine. Do you like soft toys?" And with that she rushed to a toy crane machine that she had missed when she entered the arcade. Since Tara's hand was firmly ensconced in Willow's, she felt herself dragged along too.

Willow inserted a few coins into the slot and deftly manipulated the joystick that connected to the claw inside the glass cabinet. It dropped perfectly onto a large stuffed pig and picked it up. As the claw retracted and made its way back toward the chute opening, the pig wobbled a few times, it was in danger of being dropped by the loose claw.

"Come on, come on," Willow gritted her teeth and watched intently.

"Success on first try, that's even unusual for you, Willster," Xander said. He too was watching the progress of the claw intensely.

"Yes!" Willow whooped as the toy was finally released out of the cabinet and into her triumphant hands. She turned immediately to Tara and presented her with the prize. "For you," she said, turning shy all of a sudden.

Tara blushed as she accepted the gift.

"Wow, Will. You're ... wow," Andrew marveled. "Can you hang out with us more often, Tara?"

Xander poked him in the ribs. "She doesn't want to hang out with us," he whispered.

"Oh no! This is a lot of fun," Tara interjected. She wanted to kiss Willow, to thank her for the stuffed animal, but she knew that it would embarrass Willow too much. She settled for a bright smile and stepped closer so that she and Willow almost touched. "Thanks for the pig. Is there a special message, that you chose a pig over the other stuffed animals in there?"

"Nope. It was just the animal that was nearest and most likely to be grabbed," Willow replied with a straight face. She wanted to lean over to capture Tara's lips, and Tara swallowed at how open Willow's desire was.

"Hey, you two! This is the land of the geeks. PDAs are not allowed. It'll cost you fifteen thousand experience points if you kiss," Andrew interrupted.

"Experience points?" Tara asked, shaking herself out of her Willow-induced haze.

"Uh oh. Does not compute," Andrew muttered.

"That's it, Wells. See if I'll let you touch my first editions again," Willow huffed.

*****

They found themselves under a large oak tree at the park, watching the sunset.

"It's so beautiful. I keep reminding myself I need to keep my camera in my bag all the time," Tara sighed contentedly in appreciation of everything around her -- the tranquility, the smell of fresh grass, Willow's head in her lap. She stroked the fine red hair distractedly.

"I used to do that, but for a different reason. I figured if I saw a crime being committed I can whip my camera out and take a picture of the thieves to give to the police. It was the same sort of reason I used to pack a survival kit in my backpack, in case I got stranded at a desert island." Willow's eyes were closed as she enjoyed Tara's touch on her, she was almost sleepy with the attention.

"Willow, how much more dorky can you get?" Tara smiled affectionately.

"Well, who is the dorkiest person you know, apart from me?" Willow asked.

Tara paused stroking at Willow's hair as she thought.

"Hey, no need to stop that when you're thinking," Willow protested.

Tara laughed. But she did resume. "Dorkiest person. Olaf, Anya's ex. But he's more of a large fluffy teddy bear. He was obsessed with power tools and helmets though."

"Think about how dorky Olaf is, multiply it by the largest number you can think of, and that's me," Willow said. "And I'm proud of it."

"I can see why."

They lapsed into comfortable silence, watching as the sun made one final effort to bathe them in its bright orange light, before taking leave and allowing night to dominate for another few hours.

"Hey."

"Hmm?"

"I love you."

*****

[blockquote]
[11.25] Connecting ...
[11.25] Logging in ...
[11.25] *** Welcome to CGI:IRC 0.5.3 (2003/10/29)
[11.25] -chicken.cgiirc.blitzed.org- *** Looking up your hostname...
[11.25] -chicken.cgiirc.blitzed.org- *** Found your hostname, cached
[11.25] -chicken.cgiirc.blitzed.org- *** Checking Ident
[11.25] -chicken.cgiirc.blitzed.org- *** Got Ident response
[11.25] *** -
[11.25] *** - This is a CGI:IRC server connected to the Blitzed IRC Network
[11.25] *** hiddenred [www-data@n20407818022] has joined #geeklove
[11.25] *** mode/#geeklove [+nt] by ChanServ
[11.25] *** Topic is: love is in the air
[11.25] *** Topic set by wattysbrain [Sat Oct 20 09:33:05 2006]
[11.25] *** Channel created on Sun Oct 21 09:32:28 2006


hey Will, morning

*wattysbrain waves to Willow ... "I'm ebaying" ... distracted

I told you I'd get it for you, stubbornhead. Hi Willow!!!

hey Willow

hi Willow

hi everybody

I'm not stubborn, I just don't want you to go into all that trouble

what are they fighting about this time?

I've learnt not to ask

*** magictouch has joined channel #geeklove

hi

hi

hi

um guys, I want to introduce you to Tara (magictouch) ... she even has a dreamy username *sigh*

Hi. Nice to "meet" you.

hello Tara!

*harley gives Tara a warm hug

welcome to our little corner, Tara

hello!

can we do a roll-call please?

<-- Cam

<-- Sally

<-- Chris (hi Tara)

Carleen, or Car as most people call me

nice to meet you Tara

<--watty

sweetie, just type in the window

Oh. Should I introduce myself?

it's okay, everyone knows you

gang, it's Tara's first chat, don't scare her off. if you do, you'll have to deal with me

lol

lmao we're *so* scared

lol = laugh out loud, lmao = laugh my ... um

and she leans over to whisper in Tara's ear, while making an excuse to gently lick around it (sorry, me = crude today)

so Tara, what do you look like?

You're beautiful / You're beautiful, it's true ...... at this moment I'm loving James Blunt a lot (though yes, ewww)

lovesick!

um Willow tells me you all helped her with everything, like choosing restaurants and giving her encouragement. I want to thank all of you for being her friend.

awww, she's our friend too

yes, we'll do the same for anyone in this group

Will, you're the luckiest geek in the world right now

lol elvis. I think I am

congratulations

so why are you two here in chat when you can be smooching?

letting those lips take a break? (me = still crude)

lol i'm setting up Tara's macbook for her, she's on my wireless

so you convinced her to get an mb (or mbp?) finally?

mbp

watty, she didn't need to do a lot of convincing, I was impressed

does it mean we're gonna have another macgeek here?

*hiddenred glares at car "so?"

4 in this chat, we're doing well. I'm working on cyd next

you wish

you know, setting up macbooks are indeed important, but smooching is important too. so scoot!

we're not smooching! (at least that's what I'm saying)

anyway, we're off. we're um gonna go shopping for um rings today

*historygeek is speechless

already? cliché!!!!! u-haul syndrome!

lol no, not yet

yeah right

I think, take your time

what rings?

just something. I'll upload pics

We want to have a little memento. It's two months since we met on the train.

awwww

you did good, Will

well done

*uberqueen wipes tear

congratulations you two

ty, take care everyone

nice to meet all of you again

oh. before we go, here's something for all of us geeks. If I can find a love that is so incredible and amazing, so can you!




- snip -
[/blockquote]
*****

The End

[br]

[SithLordWiccan]

DIBS AGAIN!

ETA: What?! This story is OVER?! I don't want it to be over!

...

OK, over dramatics aside, I just wanted to say one last time how much I've enjoyed this story, watty. And like I said, I do plan to include this fic as part of the fics I plan to recommend to others. OK, I probably acted immature when I left certain feedback, but that's only because I've enjoyed the story so much. I mean, I usually read all fics that interest me, but none of them have anything that makes me relate to the characters, not even my own.

But there was something about this one that made me invest a lot in what was going on. I think I know what it was, and I'm sure that others will agree with me: Willow is a representation of every single one of the Kittens who post here. We've all been her at one time or another, too ashamed about our geeky sides to admit that we can get someone like Tara. And even when we do, we always have to keep that side of us apart because we're still ashamed that this person just wouldn't get us if they were to find out.

Me, personally, I've been in a long distance relationship with a older woman for about four years now. When we first met, I was kind of like Willow was here: spazzy, but in a cute way that makes me seem lovable to this one person. We started to talk, and before you knew it, we were actually sharing personal information about one another without hint of fear or shame. I guess that's why I've personally enjoyed this fic. Seeing Willow go through the trials she did to win Tara's heart was familiar to me, and I just wanted it to come out as well for them as it did for me.

Now, if I can actually get to commenting on this chapter, I just got to say how much I love it. Tara meeting Willow's gaming friends...Tara meeting Xander and Andrew...Tara being on the online group...(bet Chris loves that ) I couldn't have asked for a better ending.

I applaud you, watty. You're an inspiration to all of us Kitten writers. (Well, to me, anyway. Have you seen how angsty I've gotten in recent updates to my fics? I blame you for that. )

[stenen]

SECOND DIBS!

Honestly, this is one of the best fic I have ever read! ^ _ ^

[PancakesinBellies]

Awww...that's so precious. I've really enjoyed this story, thanks so much for sharing it with us. I felt as bewildered as Tara when I found out my fiance played DDR when we first started dating. The first time I went to an arcade with him and he showed me how it worked I was very confused. But I decided I loved him anyway, so... But no, I love how accepting Willow and Tara are of each other and find it very heart warming. Such a wonderful way to wrap up the story. *happy sigh*

[Candleshoe]

It's over ? But It's the best thing about my Saturdays!

I might have mentioned that I like this fic, watty, and it will be one that I re-read often, I think.

You do have something else in the pipeline, don't you?

[Auriam]

it's really over ?
I was really sweet i love it
thank you very very much it was wonderful ! !
you are the best !
Just THANK YOU
Aurélie

[db]

Aww. Watty-Pants.

A perfect ending for a really lovely story.

Thank you for sharing it with me.

I feel all warm and fuzzy.

xo

db

[Willowtree252]

Watty I am late with feed back cause I had to work to day but here I am!!!! I love the fact that Willow took her everywhere with her and she got to meet everyone and then on the computer to thank everyone she is so thoughtful and sweet I,m with everyone else when I say more, more, more, please

[diamondforever]

Awww, that was so sweet. I'm sad to see you end it, but as long as you have more *gives a meaningful glance* then I suppose I'm okay with that. ^^ Great job, that was a very nice ending to the fic.

[JujuDeRoussie]

Oh!! It's over!
It's a sweet end ^^
Thank you ^^

Julia

[witchlove]

thanks so much for the story it was great

[JustSkipIt]

Hey Watty,
Looks like I was premature in commenting on the end. Now we really have the end (or do we (Imagine me twisting my mustache bwah bwah bwah)). It looks like Tara is completely incorporated into Willow's life. I have to admit that I kind of expected them to run into Cordy and Tara to come out to her or perhaps Anya to have some change of heart regarding Willow's suitability for Tara but since it's "Geek Love" it makes sense to concentrate on Willow's life. The I love yous are very sweet.

Last night we were changing channels (there was really really nothing on (we don't have cable)) and some Christmas show had a scene with a dancing video game thing that must be the one Xander and Andrew were playing here. It looked kind of fun and you know I'm a big fan of fitness so at least it's exercisy.

Ok, gotta go. Great story.

[FineyMcFine]

watty, congratulations on another finished fic! I really enjoyed Geek Love and I'm glad it turned out well for Willow and Tara. Tara seems to have adjusted very well to Willow's life now that there are no more lies or barriers between them, which is very good. Rings, already?! These girls, I tellya.

I think I was also wondering whether we'd see Anya again, whether Tara would come out to Cordy, what the Faith connection was, and what the Donnie/Anya/Faith oddness was about as well. Are you planning a sequel?

Great fic, watty - quite heartwarming.

[binky]

watty, thanks very much for this story. It was enjoyable on so many levels, not the least of which is the regular updates. For months, I looked forward to a few minutes of good entertainiment with my Sunday morning cup of coffee and you never disappointed. Thank you. Now if you'll only be able to do something about the withdrawal I'll be going through, not having a steady dose of good fanfic to see me through the shakes.

You tried to downplay this story as a piece of fluff, but I say, fluff my ass!--figuratively speaking of course. GL had plenty of drama--one might even go as far as call it epic, or as epic as one can get nowadays, when the business world we live in is so impersonal yet more and more of our waking time is spent at the office. Finding, wooing, and winning the perfect girl *for you* (not necessarily the perfect girl, as both characters found) in the super-modern world we live in today can very well seem like a Herculean task. Up until they came to that realization, it seemed like a lot of their interaction only happened on the surface of things, very formalized. It was a very contemporary story that way. Maybe that's the influence of the source material?

Willow made for a very likeable hero. She made some awful gaffes during the course of your story but a number of times she showed uncanny courage, from confronting the drunk on the train, stalking down Tara's stalker, to opening up and showing her True Self to Tara at the end. To be honest, I was more often than not more annoyed with Tara than Willow, for having this idealized and unrealistic portrait of Willow as someone who always comes to her rescue, then being so unforgiving when Willow goofs up and disillusions her. That line about Tara feeling very femme around Willow sticks out in retrospect.

I enjoyed reading other readers' reactions, too. It's funny how many of us identify more with Geek Princess Willow and see Tara as this perfect woman to desire. Maybe it's the computer thing. You know, I never did get a clear sense about what Tara did for a living. And I'm still curious about the numerous roles Faith played in this fiction.

BTW, If Willow collecting action figures and reading comic books is a sign of her geekdom, what does it mean if you make your own? Never mind. Don't answer that.

binky

[willohand]

its over so soon? oh I want more. This was the first rollercoaster I actually got on and yeah it was something of a wild ride for a bit and I still love it. Yeah I was scared most of the damn time but I made it through. I love my willow in this fic. So cute. And what can you ever say about Tara? She is soo beautiful in spirit ya cant help but want to take her home with ya.

So watty whats next?

[Artemis]

Aww Okay, so there were some plot threads that were left to the imagination (Tara in Mina costume!), but that was a really satisfying wrap-up - from the running Willow-giving-gaming-advice scenes to Xander and Andrew to Tara finally meeting Team Willow, it hit the points that made this 'geek love'. I liked the inclusion of Dance Dance Revolution too - it's such a geeky thing, and yet it's oddly proud to be geek, dancing in public instead of hiding away in a room. It could be the signature game of Geek Love, in a way.

Xander and Andrew's instant wordlessness was very cute - not so long ago, that would've been Willow too. They got a bit of a banter going though, I'm sure in no time they'll all be hanging out with Tara like old friends. Maybe she'll introduce Xander to Anya... and Cordy to Andrew? Well, who knows, it might work out And they can all go Dance Dance Revolutioning together (except Anya would probably interpret the directions as instructions to do something with Xander you're not supposed to do in public).

Oh, and these lines:

"Hey."

"Hmm?"

"I love you."

I really liked how it could have been either way around, Tara to Willow or Willow to Tara. It was appropriate to finish with the chat session, but I felt that the 'end of the journey' moment was there, where they're just sharing something without any baggage from who they are in their own lives. Does that make sense? Anyway. Great story... and seeing as this one's over and done with, can we expect a new fic to be starting soon?

[umgaynow]

THE END?!?!?!?!?!?!?!??! SAY IT ISN'T SOOOOOOO!!!!
I LOOOOOOVVVVEEEE THIS STORY!!!!!!!!!!!

Sandi

[Willowtree252]

Hay watty I went to a place called Dave and Busters in Houston and thay had a dance game like you had in the story with xander and Andrew well this guy was on it and may I just say it was awsome to see it was just like the story !!!!!!

[watty]

Alex

Thank you, again. Your point that

Willow is a representation of every single one of the Kittens who post here. We've all been her at one time or another, too ashamed about our geeky sides to admit that we can get someone like Tara. And even when we do, we always have to keep that side of us apart because we're still ashamed that this person just wouldn't get us if they were to find out.

I guess it's not as extreme as being ashamed but, and this is speaking for myself, there's a feeling that family / friends outside this community won't quite 'get' this tiny obsession of ours.

Not many of us have been able to bridge the gap between real and geek life, which is why I'm glad that you liked the parts where Tara meets Andrew/Xander and of course the online group.

bet Chris loves that

I think he did.

~~~~~

stenen

Hi there and thank you very much!

~~~~~

highlandlass25

Thanks for your continued support, it has been great to see familiar names every week. Glad you enjoyed the story.

I've only tried DDR once and decided it was too hard for me. You should love your fiancé more because he plays such a kickass game.

~~~~~

Ms Shoe

It's over? But It's the best thing about my Saturdays!

Yeah, it felt weird not to be posting! I'm so glad you enjoyed the story. As for stories in the pipeline ... sigh I always have stories in the pipeline. But I've been reading some quality adventure/romance fiction lately and have been working on something.

~~~~~

Aurélie

Thank YOU, my dear.

~~~~~

db

Hey doodlebug-pants, thanks. I'm glad it gave you the warm and fuzzies.

~~~~~

Dianneswillowtree

Thank you! I'm so glad to have made some new friends in this thread, to see you pop in week after week gives this writer much needed (in db's words) warm and fuzzies. At the end, Willow has got to introduce Tara to her world, hasn't she?

~~~~~

diamondforever

Thanks again, for reading every week. I do have more, working on a couple of fics now.

~~~~~

JujuDeRoussie

Thanks!

~~~~~

witchlove

Thanks!

~~~~~

Debra

Yeah, this really is the end. So no matter how you twist your moustache it'll still be the end. No, I haven't neatly tied up the loose ends, like what's up with Donnie / Anya / Faith, or like you said Tara needs to come out to Cordy, and Anya needs to come onboard the Willow'n'Tara lovin' train. Chris pointed out that the "I love you" at the park is more of a journey's end and he's right. But I've ended with the online chat convo (and in the middle of the convo too) because I wanted to give the feeling that we're glimpsing into their lives. And they continue after we've left ... the loose ends may or may not get resolved straight away. Leaves room to come back later of course.

I was watching a program on my local food channel last night and they were comparing calories used up in various types of exercise. Apparently jogging = 3.8 kcal/min; swimming = 10 kcal/min; Dance Dance Revolution = 4 kcal/min. Of course, the dancing game is only for like 3-5 mins, but it was an interesting statistic.

~~~~~

Sally

Thank you! If not for your early encouragement and help, I don't think I would have gotten GL underway. I didn't think Tara would have any problems adjusting to the geek way of life because it's so endearing and everyone is so welcoming to her. I would have liked to see how Willow gets along with Anya and Cordy; and to resolve the Donnie / Anya / Faith conundrum, but alas the story didn't want me to cover that. I like to leave some for the readers' imagination. I'm not sure there is enough story to justify a sequel, but there is room to revisit as a short story one day? I dunno, I want to leave the options open. Thanks again.

~~~~~

binky

Hiya! I think the weekly posting schedule worked out well. Posting a completed fic takes away some spontaneity and room to edit, but I prefer it this way. Each to their own, I think.

Now if you'll only be able to do something about the withdrawal I'll be going through, not having a steady dose of good fanfic to see me through the shakes.

Working on another long fic. Don't want to commit to a date because that never works out, but rest assured I have recovered some of the motivation I lost earlier this year. GL really helped. For me, this story was kinda of fluffy in a light-hearted and slightly "perfect world" way; I think it worked for a lot of readers is how easily each one of us to identify with the geeky online version of Willow. She is by no means perfect, but that's her appeal ... her honesty and seemingly complete lack of ego.

I never did get a clear sense about what Tara did for a living

I would have liked to explore Tara's pov a bit more, and I was deliberately vague about her job, becaue this really was a Willow fic. In my mind Tara was a designer, or someone who worked in a creative office like a magazine. Not quite someone who is well off enough to not need to work, but defintely someone whose life doesn't revolve around work. Oh well, that's how the story wanted to be written.

Finding, wooing, and winning the perfect girl *for you* (not necessarily the perfect girl, as both characters found) in the super-modern world we live in today can very well seem like a Herculean task.

Wow. You said it a million times better than me. And so right. With everything we all have to juggle now, in the days of 24/7 communication and instant gratification, it's a wonder we can find the time to meet someone, get to know them, and perhaps fall in love.

If Willow collecting action figures and reading comic books is a sign of her geekdom, what does it mean if you make your own? Never mind. Don't answer that.

Too tempting not to put in my two cents. Supergeek of course!

~~~~~

willohand

oh I want more.

You know people who eat very spicy food? They hop around and grimace and their mouths are on fire and they declare that they won't eat it again. And then what happens next time? They go back. Heehee, you're like that. Go on the rollercoaster and ride on it either screaming your lungs out or eyes clenched closed, and line up after you get off.

What's next? I'm working on something. Oh boy you'll me because it's super duper angsty. Did I say GL is my attempt at fluff?

~~~~~

Chris

Yeah, I didn't neatly tie up the loose plot threads, and yeah there were a lot of them. Probably could have milked another 2 or 3 chapters of Willow meeting Anya and Cordy, Tara coming out to Cordy and Donnie / Anya / Faith sitch. Plus some hot gay lovin' since I've kinda implied that they're only at like second or at most third base. But I'm a fan of those 'barely there' endings in books and movies, like there's a whole slodge of story left but we're ending it now, the rest is left to the viewers' imagination. It's kinda of sophisticated that way.

Oh, and these lines:

"Hey."

"Hmm?"

"I love you."

I really liked how it could have been either way around, Tara to Willow or Willow to Tara.

That was intentional, and I have Car to thank for that. There was a passage in All You Can Eat that is like that, and the technique stuck in my mind. You're right, that was a journey's end place and nice to end there. Then again, I wanted to move on a bit, to show that their lives continue beyond the story and there's a lot of future, the ending really was a -snip- ... if I could do a ripped page effect I would have. Thanks for reading, commenting and your support!

can we expect a new fic to be starting soon?

I'm working on something, don't want to commit to a post date but the good news is I am working on it.

~~~~~

Sandi

awwww *hugs* We're at the end of this story, and Willow and Tara ride off into the sunset on their video game car. Thanks for reading.

~~~~~

Dianneswillowtree 2

I went to a place called Dave and Busters in Houston and thay had a dance game like you had in the story with xander and Andrew

You could imagine Xander and Andrew on the machine? Cool, right?

[br]

[willohand]

What can I say watty, I am a slave to specail brand of pain. O okay I admit it... Im a glutton for pain but I swear to you I will never in my real life get on one of those things. Have you seen the people controlling those things

So your next one is going to be full making me hurt? please dont but do at the same time.

[WillowRulez]

What a supercute story! While reading it I started watching Densha Otoko which I finished before the story ended but some things were still different so you kept surprising me! Loved the story. And good that you let WT kiss, unlike Hermes and Densha. Thanks for introducing me to this amazing show and even more for writing this incredible story! I wish they'd make this into a show.

[willohand]

wait this was your attempt at fluff oh god Im in serious trouble if this is your brand of fluff.

[ringwaldoeuvre]

So I don't think I have left any feedback for this story. I will try to compensate with dorkiness. Would it help if I said that this story seems like Anthony Michael Hall, Ally Sheedy and Scott Baio got together for a "Lord of the Rings" convention? Dude, no amount of watching "Some Kind of Wonderful" will top the giddyness that I felt while reading this story. And Lea Thompson? So hot!

You have seriously painted the picture of the geek that I really wish I could be. You know... the geek that receives the second season of "Golden Girls" on DVD for Christmas... the geek that decides to watch the entire series of "Freaks and Geeks" for her holiday... oh wait, that's me. Nevermind.

I have to give you props for good pacing, excellent dialogue, and giving geeks a good name. I'm going to go watch "Battlestar Galactica" now, and obsess about Starbuck. Wonderful story, Watson!

[witchlove]

God I loved this story

[bytrsuite]

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