New Fic: Internet Connection

[witchlove]

i really like this story. i really love that willow has a child. i really love stories when one does and yet willow or tara is still willing to be with the other. i know i would never not date someone because she was a single mom.

[SJ]

Great update!

[JustSkipIt]

What a huge thrill. This story isn't randomly being bumped but has been updated? That's awesome. And the flirting is totally cute. I can't wait until they talk on the phone.

[ceridwen]

Wow, such a cute and funny update.

Keep it coming

[wimpy0729]

Hey halfcamel/Mainer/Spencer/Tanya! This story is so cute. Glad I found it and you're continuing.

More soon please.

Wimpy

[taralicious]

Halfacamel aka Mainer,
Like a Phoenix rising from the ashes, you have brought forth this tale from the land of uncompleted stories to recapture the glory of this wonderful variation of their meeting.
I remember this story well as I used it as an example to posit a theory which I wrote a treatise on which states that no matter the variation of identity, circumstances will always adapt, shift, and change to allow Willow and Tara to find each other and discover, through what I refer to as the sparkage recognition factor, that their union is immutable and can not be denied even by cosmic forces.
"Internet Connection" could very well be the basis of this theory as a cyberspace meeting between Willow and Tara is unique as there aren't any non-verbal cues i.e, body language to analyze whether the other person is being truthful.
In the virtual anonymity of Internet message boards and chat rooms, where identity is a patchwork commodity of desire, insecurity, and borrowed traits resulting in a pick-and -mix fabrication of how people present themselves, Willow and Tara are, at first, only Willow and Tara to themselves, being first identified to each other by their screen names, themselves the chosen distillation of one's essence.
They both intuitively sense a connection with the other as their playful flirting prompts both of them to move inwardly in concentric circles to ever more personal one-on-one forms of communication, starting with the message board, then to e-mail, IM's, and at the end of this latest update, to the promise of a phone call.
By this update, they have grown so comfortably with each other that ther is no question that either is telling the truth as they have shared the most intimate details of their lives with each other and tease each other mercilessly about the enigmatic crush they both admit to.
Allowing themselves the luxury of hope and the exhilirating onrush of emotions which the possibility of friendship masking a strong undercurrent of sexual attraction and desire brings, both Willow and Tara bide their time during the day waiting for the moment when they can log on, elated when the other is there, anxious when they're not.
I myself anxiously await the first phone call as they will move forward yet again closer to the heart when they hear each other's voice for the first time.

[halfacamel]

Okay, time for another update. I hope I'm not spoiling you guys updating so close together, but I figure I'll do it while I still can. I hope you guys enjoy this.


Day 4

Tara paced nervously around her living room. She had actually left work early because she couldn't concentrate on anything. She told her boss she wasn't feeling well, which was kind of true. Ever since she spoke with Willow last night she couldn't get the conversation out of her head. She tried to tell herself not to get too worked up over it, but she had this feeling Willow's crush was on her, which worked out perfectly because Tara's crush was on Willow.
'No it doesn't work out perfectly,' Tara thought, ' even on the extremely off chance that Willow does reciprocate my feelings, she lives in Southern California. I know it's not like a million miles away and all, and it is the same coast and everything, but how would we date? When would we even get a chance a to meet? We both work full time, plus she has a daughter,' Tara thought continuing to wear a hole in her carpet, suddenly she paused and put her hand on her head. 'Oh my God, I have to call Willow in ten minutes. I can't do this. I mean, talking to Willow on the computer is so easy, Willow can't hear me, and if I was going to say something stupid I could always just erase it. I have plenty of time on the computer to be funny, and clever, and yes even flirtatious, but in seven minutes I'll be hearing Willow for the first time and she'll be hearing me. What if Willow is going to tell me she likes me, but then she hears me talk and realizes what a major dork I am and then she changes her mind and decides that she doesn't like me anymore.'
"Oh, Miss. Kitty, this is no good," Tara said flopping down on the sofa and putting her head between her knees, "I'm majorly crushing on someone I don't really know, or at least don't know very well, even though I feel like I've known her forever, but I haven't. I mean it's only been three days. Am I totally crazy? I'm sitting here stressing about whether or not Willow likes me the same way I like her, and I'm not even sure what way I like her yet. I mean I know there's this undeniable attraction, but I just... How could this happen? I mean, do normal, rational people fall head over heels in just three short days of conversation on the computer? Okay, three long days of conversation, I mean we've talked like seventeen hours already. Oh my God, I counted the hours," Tara said looking at her cat, who lay on her side lazily washing her front paw and completely ignoring her owner's panic. "I'm crazy. I am, I'm completely nuts, and what's more I want Willow to be completely nuts too so that she does feel something for me. I can't do this. There is no way I can do this, and it just keeps getting closer and closer to time. Why do you always go faster when I want you to slow down?" Tara said throwing a pillow at the offending wall clock, knocking it down and breaking it. "Damn," Tara said getting up to pick up the pieces. Just as she walked to her kitchen throwing away the last shards of glass, her alarm went off, it was six and she needed to call Willow now, or Willow might think she wasn't going to call.
"I can't do this, I can't do this," she said as she walked over to the phone, "you don't have a choice, Maclay, suck it up and go for it."

Willow quickly put the last of the dinner dishes into the dishwasher, and wiped down the countertops. 'Good enough,' she thought tossing the dirty dish rag through the door and into the hamper.
"How are you doing in there?" She called to Taylor who was supposed to be washing herself in the tub.
"Well... I'm wet," Taylor said.
"And so is the bathroom," Willow said coming around the corner, "this is why I still have to supervise you in the tub. I gave you a chance to be a big girl and do it yourself, and look what happened."
"But... but I can esplain it," Taylor said opening her big hazel eyes wide trying to be as cute as possible.
"Explain," Willow said closing the toilet lid and sitting down.
"I was tryin to be good and wash just like you said, but when I grabbed the soap it went slippy... slippy... slidy and splash into the water, and everytime I tried to grab it, it would just go fwoop, right into the tub splashing water everywhere."
"This little bar of soap," Willow said holding up the alleged offender, "made water splash all the way to the door?"
"Well, mommy, when it flied out of my hands I had to try and get it again so I could wash just like you said, and maybe when I had to chase it across the tub the water splashed out. You know if you had just gotten me body wash and a poofy like you have this never would have happened. So really, doesn't some of the responkabivity fall on you too."
"I don't even know how to respond to that," Willow said shaking her head.
"It's okay Mommy, we all make mistakes," Taylor said moving next to her mother and patting her on the back.
"Oh, please," Willow said smirking at her daughter. She stood up and grabbed her body wash and poofy, as Taylor called it. She put some soap on the poof and tossed it gently to Taylor. "No more splashing... just wash, and if you do a good job you can have some time to play in the water."
"Can I play with your quack quack ducky, and your scuba diving squad, and your submagreen boat?"
"If you're careful with them," Willow smiled. "It's almost six so I'm gonna go grab the phone and I'll be right back. I want to see washing going on when I return."
"Sure thing, little lady," Taylor said giggling, "Oh Mommy, Mommy, the phone's ringin."
"I know, I'll be right back," Willow said running out of the bathroom. Whoever it was she would have to get rid of them, she was waiting for Tara's call. Willow skidded around the corner and grabbed the phone from the stand. "Hello," Willow said a little breathlessly.
"Hi... is W-willow there?" Tara stammered. 'Oh great the very first sentence and I studder. Good job, Tara.'
"This is," Willow said heading back to the bathroom.
"Hi... ummm... it's Tara, from the c-computer."
"Hey, Tara... I thought you said you were from Seattle," Willow said smiling.
"What? Oh... I get it," Tara said, she too began to smile. "I thought maybe you'd take it easy on me tonight because this is our first phone call, but I can see you're gonna be as merciless as you always are."
"Me, merciless? Never," Willow giggled. "Just a little good natured teasing in case you were nervous."
"Yeah, cause teasing someone always makes them less nervous," Tara replied sarcastically, although truth be told she wasn't feeling nervous at all anymore.
"That's been my experience," Willow said, tossing some toys into the tub for Taylor and sitting back down on the toilet.'
"Did I just hear water?"
"Oh yeah, I'm in the bathroom."
"Do you need a minute?" Tara teased.
"Oh, no... No, no, no... Taylor is in the tub, I was giving her toys, I'm not on the toilet, well I am, but not like that, I'm sitting on the lid so I can keep an eye on Taylor while she's in the water."
"Now you sound nervous," Tara said. "I was just kidding, I didn't really think you'd, you know, while you were on the phone."
"Well, that's a relief," Willow said calming down. "Hey hold on a sec," Willow said pulling the phone away from her mouth. "Taylor Anne stop that splashing or it's out of the tub for you." Willow moved the phone back, "sorry Tara, I'm multi-tasking here, at least until eight when I try to get her to lay down."
"That's totally okay," Tara said. "I get it."
"Okay," Willow said smiling.
"Mommy... Mommy... MOMMY!"
"Can you hold on again?" Willow asked.
"Sure."
"What do you need, baby?" Willow asked impatiently.
"Who are you talking to?" Taylor asked.
"Tara."
"Tara from the commuter?"
"Yes that Tara," Willow said. "Anything else?"
"Can I say hi?"
"Not tonight."
"If you let me say hi, I'll put on my jammies and watch a movie in my room until bedtime," Taylor said knowing her mother wouldn't be able to say no to that deal.
"You're only going to say hi, right?"
"Yup, yup, yup," Taylor said climbing out of the tub and wrapping up in her ducky bathrobe.
"Tara... sorry that took so long," Willow said.
"It's okay, Willow, you don't need to apologize."
"Thanks, ummm... Taylor wants to say hi to you, is that okay?"
"Sure, I guess so," Tara said not knowing exactly what to say.
"Hi, Tara. My name is Taylor Anne Rosenberg and I'm four years old, and I live at 400 maple lane apartment 24 in Sunnydale, California with my Mommy. Do you member when I said hi to you on the commuter?"
"Yes."
"I member that too, cause Mommy said you told me good night. Sometimes I go on the commuter and play games on the Disney page. My Mommy likes to play those games too. But sometimes she plays games that she says I'm not old enough to play, and she talks about them with Buffy and Xander. Uncle Xander is always talking about games that he plays with Anya. Their games are just for grown ups too, and I'm not supposed to listen when they esplain them cause they say naughty words, like... Oh I have to run now cause my Mommy wants the phone back and she chasing me."
"Hi," Willow said successfully grabbing the phone from Taylor. "I'm sorry about that. I have no idea what games she was talking about, cause I don't play any games and stuff that would require naughty... and I don't know where she learned to just go on and on like that. I mean on occasion I might go into a little babblefest for a minute, but Taylor, she just can't seem to stop herself and she also makes up a lot of what she says, especially about naughty words, cause that just doesn't happen. She must have gotten that little chatterboxishness from her father's side of the family, and the... you know... imagination too."
"Must have," Tara giggled.
"Okay, so maybe she did get it from me," Willow said. "So changing the subject, how was your day?"
"It was okay," Tara replied not wanting to mention leaving work early. "How about you? How was your day?"
"Kinda boring. You know you've seen one urine sample you've seen em all," Willow said.
"I'll take your word for it."
"I'm quite a charmer there, talking about urine samples and losing control of my daughter for a minute. I'm sure I'm scaring you now," Willow said with a hint of humor even though she really felt it was true.
"Nah, it would take way more than that to scare me," Tara replied. "Now that being said you don't need to bring up any other samples you might see at work."
"Awww... are you sure, cause there was a really good one that came in today," Willow teased.
"Yeah, I... uhh... think I'll pass on that."
"Well if you're sure," Willow said laughing. "You know I seem to remember you telling me that you were going to sing to me. There was supposed to be a recording of a Mulan song waiting for me in my inbox and I've yet to receive anything."
"I didn't forget," Tara said. "I just haven't had time to record anything yet. Work has been sort of crazy this week and we've been talking every night, but definitely this weekend."
"Okay, I guess I can wait a little longer, especially since it's partly my fault you haven't had time. I'm not sorry though, cause I like talking to you every night," Willow said.
"I like it too," Tara said. "I mean talking to you."
"Speaking of that, the talking every night thing. I kinda made plans a couple weeks ago to go camping at the beach with Buffy and Xander this weekend. There's this whole crowd of people that gather there, and we go every summer, but I'll be back Sunday afternoon."
"Willow, it's okay that you have plans, I'm not upset."
"You're not?" Willow said sounding a little disappointed.
"Did you want me to be?" Tara asked confused.
"No, I didn't want you to be," Willow said. "it's just... well... I guess it kinda goes back to where we ended last night."
"Okay, I'm listening," Tara said, her heart begining to race.
"See the thing is... well it's... you see I .... this isn't going well," Willow said pacing around the apartment.
"It could be going better," Tara agreed, "since I still have no idea what you're talking about."
"I've never been really good at this kind of thing, I always spaz out and act like a total dork, kinda like I'm doing now."
"I don't think you're a dork," Tara said pacing around her own apartment.
"Really?"
"Really. You can tell me anything, I promise I won't get all weird or freak out or anything like that. I just want to be there for you, except that I'm here for you, but well.... you know what I mean."
"I do," Willow said laying down the couch. "Tara the thing is I like you. I know that sounds crazy because we've only just met, but in my defense they were three incredibly long conversations. This kind of thing has never happened to me before. I've never fallen so hard so fast before. I mean, I've even thought about cancelling my camping trip because I don't want to go two nights without talking to you, and now that I'm hearing your beautiful voice I don't think I'll make it through two nights without hearing it, and now I know I'm scaring you," Willow paused waiting for a response from Tara, but none came. "Say something please."
"I... I don't know what to say," Tara blurted out.
"Oh God, I know it, I freaked you out didn't I? I swear I'm not some crazy stalker person. I never..."
"Willow," Tara said interrupting Willow's rant. "You didn't freak me out, and I don't think you're a crazy stalker. This whole thing, this me and you thing it took me by surprise. I know how you feel cause I feel it too. I feel like the sun is shining on me all the time since I met you, or rather since I first talked to you. I'm not the type of person to just go crushing on people willy nilly, but I know I feel something for you."
"You really mean that?" Willow questioned hopefully.
"I do, but please don't go cancelling your plans for me, I'm not worth it. I want you to go and have fun with your friends. I'll still be here when you get back."
"You are SO worth it," Willow stated firmly, "but if you want me to go, I will. On one condition."
"Okay, what's the condition?" Tara asked.
"You give me your number so I can call you this weekend," Willow said.
"It's a deal but... it's just, I don't want you to feel like you have to call me," Tara said, "only call if you really want to."
"Oh, I know I'll want to, I already want to talk to you every second of every day," Willow said. "It's so strange really, how quickly this all happened. I mean, I'll just be chilling at home cooking dinner or something and I'll see something on tv or Taylor will do something silly and I think I need to tell Tara about that."
"I know what you mean, even though I'm still alone, I don't feel alone anymore. It's like I can't wait to get home from work now cause I know I'll get to talk to you," Tara said blushing even though Willow couldn't see her.
"You're blushing, aren't you?" Willow asked.
"How did you know that?"
"I am a crazy stalker. I'm looking through your window right now," Willow teased.
"You're looking through my window on the fifth floor?"
"Yeah, I can fly. I didn't mention that before?"
"No, you must have left that part out," Tara said laughing.
"That's a beautiful sound."
"What is?" Tara asked.
"You laughing," Willow said. "You're blushing again aren't you?"
"Maybe," Tara said coyly.
"Is that the kind of maybe that's spelled y-e-s?"
"Why, if I didn't know better I'd say you were flirting with me," Tara said, a broad grin on her face.
"And what if I am?" Willow asked.
Tara just stood there, grinning stupidly, speechless.
"Now I know you're blushing."
"Merciless," Tara said.
"But in a good way," Willow added, "right?"
"I plead the fifth."
"Well, now I know, let me just make a little mental note here so I won't forget, 'Tara likes to be teased mercilessly'," Willow said with a devilish grin. "Now that is something I definitely want to remember."
"I... I don't know what to say, again," Tara admitted. No one had ever flirted with her so openly before. Tara could almost believe that Willow was that attracted to her, that she wanted her as much as Tara wanted Willow.
"Have I gone too far?" Willow asked genuinely concerned.
"No, I'm... I'm just not used to it," Tara said.
"I find that very hard to believe. Someone as beautiful as you are must be used to getting this kind of attention all the time."
"Willow, you've only seen one picture," Tara said.
"Are you questioning my judgement?" Willow asked.
"No, your eyesight," Tara teased. "I'm not like you, I'm not stunning, I don't turn heads. I'm just Tara, plain, old, Tara."
"There is nothing plain about you, and if you can't see that you'll just have to trust me," Willow said. "I don't believe I'm stunning or a head turner, but I believe that you think I am, which I'm pretty sure makes me the luckiest woman in the world."
"You always know just what to say to make me feel special and to make me blush."
"I'm okay with having that gift," Willow said smiling. Now that everything was out in the open she was no longer nervous, she remembered she needed to go check on Taylor, she was being awfully quiet and that was never good.
"Everything okay?" Tara asked.
"Yeah, why?"
"You just got quiet all of sudden," Tara said.
"Oh, I'm just going to check on Taylor, she's being too quiet," Willow said. "Wow, she's asleep and it's only eleven."
"Only eleven?" Tara said quizzically.
"Yeah, she's usually up until after midnight," Willow said walking across Taylor's room, careful not to step on any toys. She turned off the tv and went to cover Taylor. "She's wet."
"Wet?"
"Yeah, she didn't put a pull up on after her bath, and she's soaked now, and so is her bed."
"Sorry," Tara said.
"It's okay, I'll just get her up in a minute, wipe her off, throw her in a pull up and put her in my bed," Willow said. "Can you tell I've done this before?"
"It seems like you may have done it once or twice," Tara said smiling, "I guess I should let you go so you can take care of Taylor."
"Yeah, I guess," Willow said dissappointed.
"Don't sound so sad, you'll talk to me tomorrow, and I'll send you an email tonight with my phone number, and maybe another picture of me so you have more to base your opinion on," Tara said wanting to leave Willow smiling.
"Now that's a great way to end a night, looking at pictures of you," Willow said.
"Maybe if you're lucky I'll show a little skin," Tara teased.
"Oh my...." Willow said, her mouth dropping and her eyes opening wide.
"Goodnight my sweet Willow."
"Yeah... night... good one... with dreams," Willow managed to stammer out before Tara hung up the phone.
She hurriedly took care of Taylor so she could wait for the email from Tara to arrive. When she signed on she found that the email was already there. She scribbled down Tara's number, and then eagerly opened the attachment. It was a picture of Tara in pajama pants and a tee shirt. On the picture there was an arrow pointing to Tara's arm and a caption that read, 'a little skin'.
"That's just evil," Willow said already trying to think of a way to get the beautiful blonde back.


*****I hope you enjoyed that... hopefully there will be another update at some point this week. *****

Tanya

[WolfNightwind]

DIBS!!!! loved it! ooohhh i like Tara's idea of 'a little skin' too funny. can't wait for an update!
~Bug

[ceridwen]

This fic just keeps getting better and better

[wimpy0729]

Oh, that was just adorable. Taylor was so cute trying to explain the water all over the bathroom, and then her rambling babble to Tara was hilarious.

Very well done on the phone call too. Loved the banter between them. It seemed to flow so naturally. Tara showing a little skin was so funny, and a perfect way to end this wonderful update.

Can't wait for more.


Wimpy

[ellisande]

This is very cute, I'm glad that you decided to continue it, especially after such a long absence.

More More More More More More
Please.
-Anne

[Emms]

well that was a wonderful update! Little Taylor is too cute for words

Willow and Tara were cute too and I'm sure Willow enjoyed that picture of Tara and her arm. *giggle*

can't wait for the next chapter.

xoxo
Emms

[JustSkipIt]

Well, they are progressing so nicely. I'm glad that they kind of find the way to be courageous together, confessing that they're interested and attracted. The flirting is very cute. I really hope they have cell phones so that neither of them has to pay a 5 hour long distance call. Wow. Very cute.

[taralicious]

Each woman has created a schematic frame of the other in their mind based solely on the items fed to them by the other; it is an ideal, it is an abstract, it is a rough sketch.
Hearing the other's voice for the first time marks the convergence of the virtual and physical worlds; the first tactile sensation to add depth and shading to the frame, bringing it slightly clearer into focus.
Aye, there is the rub for either one hears the other's voice and one instinctively knows that since the other person is a Seraph, so too would the other's voice be an aural representation of her angelic nature filtered and registered in the human brain as a melange of the most peaceful, uplifting, and life-affirming sounds knows to man i.e, birds in a meadow, wind rustling through tree branches, and water rippling and meandering down rivers and streams, all other sound muffled by the forest canopy.
Ideally, things should progress like that but life doesn't work that way.
In reality, once the framework of the other person comes into contact with a physical trait, the luminescence of the other's perceived angelic nature is rendered indiscernible to the eye, the human voice acting as a mirror reflecting and projecting all the myriad weaknesses and frailties of the psyche upon the frame.
Willow's stuttering, Willow's excited babbling and her multi-tasking with her daughter which leads to non-sequitur comments, the long awkward lulls and dead silence as well as the self-conscious reserve they each feel by having their perceived flaws betrayed by their voice to the other person.
Confidently they stand, phone in hand, recognizing yet not daring to believe that they have found the person who makes them whole.

[SJ]

This is a great fic,cute update.

[will/tarajunkie01]

This fic is wonderful!!!!!! Keep going please.

[halfacamel]

First of all I want to say thanks for all the great feedback you guys have left. I really, really, really appreciate it. Secondly, I want to apologize for not having an update ready yet. I've been pretty sick lately and I'm hoping to feel well enough tomorrow to work on the next update. Thanks in advance for all your patience. Update coming soon, hopefully.

Tanya

[sacinema]

Hi Tanya,

thanks for being back on this story. It's really sweet and I love the flirting on- and offline between those two. I know how hard it is when you've just fallen in love and are seperated with your loved one. Happened to me and my girlfriend when we first started dating. We had to go through 3 whole weeks without one another and a big ocean between us.

Hope you are getting better soon and love to read an update soon.

[Smiley]

Smiley wants More!!!
I love this, and i've experienced something kinda like this so itz like yay! cool!! haha
I want more!!! Cant wait!
But How much more till ?

[will/tarajunkie01]

I need an update or i might die. Just wondering, will there be soon? Please Please Please!!! Just to let you know I'm not too proud to beg.

[Willowtree252]

Ok how did I miss this Gem? I am so glad I pulled my head out of the sand. I can totaly relate to this story we meet people on here and they become part of our live's. In RL we close our self's to the people around us and they just can't get close to us. But on the internet we throw the door's wide open show our true self's not really worried about it I have made some of the best friend's in the world. you show this in your story I really love it I am so glad you are going to finish it. You are a wonderful writer.

[halfacamel]

I'm so sorry that this update took so long to write. I had no idea it would take me this long to start feeling better from my cold. It really helped to have such wonderful feedback being left. I'm glad that you guys are able to relate to the story, that's one of the main reasons I wanted to write it, because I think everyone can draw from their own experiences to understand what Willow and Tara are going through right now. There will be definate in the future, I really can't say when cause I'm more of a go with the flow kind of writer. I always know where I want the story to go, but how it gets there is as much a surprise to me as it is to the readers. So... here is the first half of the next... I guess day. Hopefully, I'll finish the rest of it today. Hope you guys like it.


Day 5a

Tara sat at her desk nervously tapping her foot. She hadn’t been able to concentrate or sit still all day. She had spent the majority of the day watching the clock and checking her messages. She had asked Willow to phone her when she got to the beach just so she would know that Willow had arrived safely, and here it was 3:00 in the afternoon and no word from Willow. Tara was getting more worried with every passing minute, and watching the clock change to 3:01 pushed her dangerously close to the edge of panic. She had anticipated hearing from Willow at least an hour ago. How long could it possibly take to get a beach when you live in Southern California.
“You got a hot date tonight or something?” Marie asked hopping up onto the corner of Tara’s desk.
“What?” Tara asked startled.
“I’m just saying, you’ve been fidgety all day and you’ve been checking your phone like every two seconds.”
“I don’t have a date,” Tara said blushing, “I’m waiting for a call from a friend.”
“A friend, eh?”
“Yes, a friend.”
“Well in that case, come out with me tonight? I’m going to this great club, it’s very exclusive, but I know the owner so we’re totally in,” Marie said practically begging Tara.
“I don’t know, the club scene, it’s… not really my thing,” Tara frowned, she really just wanted Marie to go away so she could check her messages again.
“Tara you’re twenty four years old, you’re blond, you’re beautiful, you need to learn to live a little. I don’t want to come over one day and find you talking to your cat.”
“I don’t talk to my cat,” Tara said defending herself, “at least I don’t talk to her and expect an answer.”’
“Pitiful,” Marie said chuckling. “So that’s it then, you’re coming with me whether you like it or not,” said Marie, jumping off the desk. “I’ll meet you at O’Hannan’s around nine, and we can get a bite to eat before we dance the night away.”
“But,” Tara interjected as Marie walked away.
“No, buts, I’ll see you at nine.”


Willow sat in the backseat of the SUV, her head resting on the window. They were already into hour three of their one hour drive. Xander’s refusal to stop and ask for directions had taken them an hour and a half out of their way. If Anya hadn’t grabbed the wheel forcing them off the road and into a gas station parking lot they’d probably still be driving the wrong way. Thankfully their destination was only minutes away now. Willow wasn’t sure she could handle anymore of Xander of Anya fighting over the radio dial, the temperature control, and pretty much everything else, and she knew if Buffy farted again she was liable to attack her. Willow pulled out her cell phone and decided to text Tara, hoping to enjoy at least the last portion of the ride. She typed, ‘I’m stuck in a car with a farter, rescue me J’ She thought that seemed pretty funny.
“What are you smiling about?” Buffy asked her friend.
“The message I just sent Tara,” Willow said.
“Your computer girl, right?” Buffy asked.
“Buffy she is not a ‘computer girl’, she is a real girl who I just happened to become acquainted with through the computer.”
“She’ll be a real girl when I meet her,” Buffy replied.
“Here see,” Willow said showing Buffy her phone’s screensaver. “This is Tara holding her cat.”
“She’s pretty,” Buffy said taking the phone from Willow, “and her cat is cute too.”
“She has way more going for her then that. For starters, she’s really sweet and kind, she even wants me to call her when we get to the beach just so she knows I got there safe, and she’s talked to Taylor, and get this, she bought her a Seattle tee-shirt. It was a surprise and there was this very sweet letter with it. If I put all my dreams of the perfect woman together, that woman would be Tara.
“Wow, those are some pretty strong feelings for someone you’ve only known for a week.”
“Maybe, but it doesn’t seem like a week. I feel like we’ve known each other our whole lives, but we just now found one another. She filled an empty space inside me I didn’t even know was there.”
“Whoa, slow down, Will. I hate to be the balloon burster, but you can’t get lost in this realationship. I know you think you know her, but until you actually meet her face to face, try to keep things mellow,” Buffy said as tactfully as possible.
“I know you’re only saying that because you love me and care about me,” Willow said taking her phone back from Buffy, “but I’m a big girl and I know what I’m doing and I know how I feel. I promise you this relationship and these feelings are real, so just trust me to do the right thing.”
“You got it,” Buffy said smiling, “you’re vibrating.”
“Yay,” Willow said quickly checking the message.
“Well… what’s it say?”
“It says, anytime, which would make sense if you knew what I wrote and then she’s asking why we’re so late.”
“That would be the man driving,” Buffy said.
“Hey the man driving is getting us there isn’t he,” Xander said defending himself from the front seat.
“Yeah, two hours late,” Anya commented.
“At least we’re getting there,” Willow said trying to diffuse the situation before it really got started. She let Tara know what happened and said she hoped that Tara hadn’t worried. Just as Willow was sending the message they pulled into the parking area.
“Ahhh… we’re finally here,” Buffy said getting out and stretching her body. “I’m all achey from sitting for so long.”
“I know just the thing to work out those kinks,” Xander said.
“Oh yeah, what?” Buffy asked.
“Carry all this heavy stuff down to the beach.”
“Very funny,” Buffy said loading up.
“So… what do you think ladies?” Xander asked as they approached the crowded beach, “ should we stick to the outside perimeter or go right in to the crazy fun zone?”
“For sanities sake let’s just stick to the edge,” Willow said heading for an open spot.
“How will I be able to tell if there are any cute guys from way back here,” Buffy whined.
“There’s this crazy new invention called legs, and you can actually use them to get closer to things,” Willow teased.
“Ha ha ha… but I want them to see my muscles when I’m putting up our tent,” Buffy pouted.
“I do not want to spend the weekend with a whining child, that is why Taylor is with my parents.”
“Really, Buff, just suck it up and move on,” Xander said sprawling tent parts on the ground in front of him.
“Don’t be all bitter just because you brought your girlfriend,” Buffy smirked.
“Bitter because we can have sex all weekend?” Anya said.
“I could do that too,” Buffy protested.
“Yeah, but then you’d kinda be a slut,” Willow said trying to copy what Xander was doing with his tent.
“Hey!”
“I’m just sayin,” Willow grinned.
“You’re supposed to defend me,” Buffy said.
“And if someone else called you a slut I totally would,” Willow said. “Oh… phone.”
“Yeah, yeah, yeah.”
Willow walked away from her friends and the noise they were now making as they argued over tent placement. She sat down and flipped open her phone checking Tara’s message. Willow frowned thinking about Tara worrying all afternoon. She knew Tara would be at work now, but she took the chance and called anyway.
“Hello,” Tara answered, even though strictly speaking she was supposed to answer her cell at work, but she thought it might be Willow.
“Hey, it’s me,” Willow said meekly. “I know you can’t really talk at work, but I wanted to tell you I’m really sorry for making you worry.”
“It’s okay, I’m just glad you’re okay,” Tara said smiling.
“I’m more okay now that I’m talking to you.”
“Boy you don’t waste any time making me blush do you?”
“Well, we’re short on time now with you being at work and all,” Willow said.
“Yeah, I’m hiding in my cubicle, not that my boss actually comes back here,” Tara said.
“I don’t want to get you in trouble, I just needed to tell you I was sorry. It made me all frowny to think of you worrying.”
“Well I’m not worried anymore and I’m all smiley.”
“Yay, me too,” Willow said. “Okay, I guess I should go cause no trouble for Tara. I’ll call you later though if that’s okay?”
“It’s more than okay, but call my cell cause my friend Marie is dragging me to some club tonight.”
“Ohhh… you’re going out,” Willow said.
“Yeah… is… is that okay?”
“Well… I mean yes… yes of course it’s okay,” Willow said. “just momentarily jealous that’s all.”
“She’s just a friend… a straight friend at that, and when I say dragging, I mean dragging, but I still want you to call me. I couldn’t go a whole night without hearing your voice.”
“Okay,” Willow smiled. “I’ll call you later then and you can tell me all about your night on the town, and I’ll tell you all about my day.”
“It’s a deal,” Tara said. “Willow?”
“Yeah?”
“I miss you,” Tara said trying not to cry.
“How can you miss me when I’m not really gone?”
“I don’t know, but I do,” Tara said.
“I miss you too,” Willow said. “Tara?”
“Yeah?”
“I think I’m in love with you.”
“Me too.”

[Willowtree252]

Ok I am really starting to think you can read my computer!!!! I am so into this story I love it. I wait on the edge of my seat for more I am glad you update so often it is wonderful and glad are coming soon

“I miss you,” Tara said trying not to cry.
“How can you miss me when I’m not really gone?”
“I don’t know, but I do,” Tara said.
“I miss you too,” Willow said. “Tara?”
“Yeah?”
“I think I’m in love with you.”
“Me too.”

this made me swoon and my heart melt goodness what a sweet story

[ceridwen]

Cute update.

Brings back good memories

[Smiley]

Whaaa?
NOOOOO!!!
It cant end just like that?!
Whaaa?
Smiley Wants mooore...
Please?

[SJ]

Great update!

[will/tarajunkie01]

YAY!!!!! This was an amazing update. I can't wait for more. You are a very talented writer by the way. You make the story come to life. Keeping updating please.

[BlackIndiaInk]

Interesting! You captured IM dialog well. Wow, the girls are moving along at a nice clip there. Wonder what the whole meeting thing is going to be like, assuming that you plan to do that. Social Work seems right up Tara's alley, though I could see how she would burn out quickly.

[will/tarajunkie01]

I'm very excited to see what you come up with for the next part! You are keeping me on the edge of my seat. UPDATE SOON PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE!!!

[taralicious]

Willow and Tara are far too adorable for words in this variation of their burgeoning union but I'll try to express my admiration nevertheless.
Having established the courtship ritual of nightly phone calls and text/instant messagy goodness at a moment's notice, they have both foresworn the seeking of any sort of social life which doesn't allow for time spent in virtual/voice contact with the other.
This doesn't mean that their traditionalist friends can't see beyond the veil which Willow and Tara have pierced aren't still well-intentionally trying to look after their best interests in a cult of mediocrity kind of way but all friends end up doing is delaying the inevitable.
Willow and Tara are larger than any obstacle that either human or cosmic entity can place before them.
When they finally meet, it will be a blessed day indeed.