Anyway... onto the new fic. Title: Internet Connection
Rating: PG
Disclaimer: All characters belong to Joss Whedon.
Notes: Thank you baby for giving me this great idea. I love you, Tara.
Notes2: Okay, so this isn't looking so good, but hopefully the next update will be prettier and look nicer.
Sorry about that. Day One:
The room was quiet as usual, and relatively dark as well. The computer monitor cast a glow on the face of it's pretty user, a young woman with blonde hair and blue eyes. Tara stared listlessly at the screen, almost praying for something to do. She scanned across a list of messages posted on a board. She always checked out what today's topic was, but never put her own reply. She rarely made a reply to anything on the board. She just lurked around hoping to one day get the courage to do more. As she skimmed through each post one caught her eye. It was from slayerette1, her messages had peeked Tara's interest before. This one was asking a question about astrological signs, slayerette1 was unsure of what her sign meant, what traits were associated with it. Tara smiled knowing she had that information, but she didn't dare post onto the message board. What if someone read it and laughed? What if she sounded stupid when she typed the message? Closing the window, she scanned through more messages and more posts, but she couldn't get slayerette1's post out of her head. Going back to the message she clicked on the name and looked up slayerette1's profile. There really wasn't much information on it, just her e-mail, and that she was from Southern California. Again, Tara closed the window, and decided she would surf around the web a bit before she went to bed. She tried to concentrate on the web sites she was viewing, but something in her mind just wouldn't let that post go. Summoning up some courage she didn't even know she had, she went back to the board, and to slayerette1's post again. She found her e-mail, and decided to send the information to her. That way if anyone laughed at her, at least it was just that one person. Nervously she typed the e-mail, checking it and rechecking it for any mistakes that she might have made. Seeing none, she closed her eyes and hit send.
"Are you coming or what?" Buffy asked, standing next to her best friend's desk and tapping her foot impatiently. "I thought when I called you said you wanted to go on patrol with me tonight."
"I do," Willow said, scrolling down the screen. "I just wanted to check my post again to see if anyone answered me or not."
"I don't know why you spend so much time on that computer," Buffy said. Hearing in a bang in the other room, she looked at Willow. "Taylor's up," she smiled.
"Not again," Willow grumbled. "I just don't know why she doesn't like to sleep at night. I've had her in her room laying down for like an hour, and she won't stop getting out of bed to play with stuff."
"Maybe she isn't tired," Buffy said.
"Buffy she's four, and it's ten o'clock, she should be sleeping right now," Willow said. Turning toward her bedroom, Willow spoke loudly, "You better be in that bed when I come in there."
"Or what?" Buffy smiled.
"I don't know," Willow groaned, "nothing seems to work."
"So are we ready or what?" Buffy asked.
"Yeah I guess, just let me sign off," Willow said, then before doing so, she turned and looked at Xander on the sofa. "Are you sure you don't mind watching her while I'm gone?"
"No problem, she's in bed, right?" Xander said.
"Yes, but..."
"Will... I got it covered," Xander said, propping his feet on the coffee table.
"Okay."
"Come on, sign off, sign off," Buffy said impatiently. As Willow was going to do so, a message popped up in her mailbox.
"Oh, I got mail," she said excitedly. "Just let me check this before we go."
"Fine, but hurry up," Buffy said.
"Okay, okay, I will," Willow said opening the mail. She smiled brightly as she read the message, someone had emailed her with the information she wanted. She recognized the sn from a few posts that she had read.
"Okay... Are you ready?" Buffy asked.
"I just want to say thanks," Willow said. Thanks, Mariner for the answer to my question. I was beginning to think that nobody was going to help.
I guess I don't really fit my sign much at all. I hope you didn't go through any trouble to get that info. Thanks, again.Slayerette1 "Okay, I'm ready now," Willow said, moving back from the computer.
"Aren't you going to sign off?" Buffy asked.
"Nah, I'm just gonna leave my away message on," Willow said.
"Mommmmy," Taylor said coming into the living room.
"Go to bed," Willow said calmly.
"I just want to watch some TV," she whined.
"No, no more TV, it's way past bedtime."
"I'm hungry and thirsty," Taylor cried.
"Tomorrow morning you'll have breakfast, now go lay down, or you won't watch any TV at all tomorrow," Willow said, still not showing her frustration.
"Yes I will," she said.
"No, Taylor, you need to go to bed," Willow said pointing to her room.
"I'm not sleepy," she said.
"Come on, Will," Buffy said, "let Xander handle this."
"No... She told me she would be in bed," Xander said. "You know she doesn't listen to me."
"It's not personal, she doesn't listen to anyone," Willow said. "Taylor, go to bed now. You have school tomorrow, and you're gonna be tired if you don't go to sleep now."
"No I won't."
"Buffy, just go ahead without me," Willow frowned. It wasn't fair to leave Xander with her, when she was being so difficult. Plus, if she did, she wouldn't be in bed until she came home and then it would be too much to get her ready in the morning.
"Are you sure?" Buffy asked, knowing Willow was disappointed.
"Yeah, I'm sure," Willow said, "It's all good."
"Okay, I'll call you when I get back if you want," Buffy said, motioning for Xander to come with her.
"Yeah, thanks," Willow said still sounding disappointed.
"Bye Buffy, bye Xander," Taylor said jumping on the couch and laughing.
"Bye, be good, and listen to Mommy," Buffy said.
"Okay, go to bed," Willow said.
"But I'm just not tired," Taylor whined. Willow rolled her eyes knowing this was going to be a long night.
The noise on Tara's computer jolted her out of her boredom. She closed the site was scrolling through, and went to her mailbox. She knew it was junk mail, it was always junk mail, but still she got excited when she had some. Clicking on the mailbox she was surprised to see that it was from slayerette1. She smiled and opened the e-mail. Smiling again as she read it. She was unsure if she should reply or not. She wasn't really expecting to get anything back, and even though this wasn't more than a thank you really, there was something there, something that made her want to e-mail this person again. Clicking reply before she lost her nerve she began to type. It was no trouble at all really. I'm into that kind of thing, so I already had the information you were looking for. You say you don't really fit your sign, why is that? I'm just curious cause I fit mine pretty well. Thanks for the e-mail. Take care. Mariner
"Okay, Taylor, you need to lay down and go to bed now. I know you aren't tired, but your body needs the rest," Willow said.
"But I will miss you," she said hugging Willow.
"Lay down on the couch, I'll cover you up, and you can sleep here until I go to bed," Willow smiled down at her daughter.
"I love you, Mommy."
"I love you, too," Willow said covering her up, and then going back over to her computer. She wasn't sure what she would do online, but now that she was going to stay home, she was pretty bored. She loved being a Mom, but sometimes, it was just frustrating. Taylor never wanted to listen, and then there was the whole lack of adult conversation. Sure she had Buffy and Xander, but they didn't have kids, and they were always going out, and she couldn't always get her Mom and Dad to watch the baby for her. Sometimes she got so bored just sitting at home with Taylor. As she was starting to dwell on those thoughts, she got another e-mail. She opened her mailbox and it was from Mariner. She read the e-mail quickly, smiling to herself as she did. This was just what she needed, someone to talk to. Hey Mariner, glad to hear from you again.
I'm glad you didn't go through any trouble to get that information. I think I'm like the opposite of everything it said. There is always the exception to the rule, I guess I'm the exception. 
So what's your sign? That wasn't some cheesy pickup line either, I swear. You said you fit your sign, so I was the curious one this time. I hope I hear from you soon. Oh, feel free to ask me any questions. I don't mind answering them. slayerette1Tara sat at her computer staring at the mailbox. She had tried not to get her hopes up, not to think that she would get another response, but she couldn't help it. She wanted a response to that e-mail. She got pretty lonely most of the time, living by herself. She loved Seattle, and she loved her apartment, but she wanted something more. She wanted friends, and someone to come home to, instead of an empty apartment. She didn't really go out much, since she didn't know many people in there. There were a few people at work that she hung out with on occasion, but they weren't close enough that she would consider them friends. Looking down at the clock on the screen, she figured that too much time had passed and slayerette1 wasn't going to write back tonight, just as she was going to sign off, she got mail. She smiled brightly and then stopped herself. 'It might not even be from her,' Tara thought. Opening the mailbox, her smile returned. She excitedly read the e-mail, and got even more excited to see there was a question in it. A question meant that slayerette1 wanted a response, she still wanted to talk. Enthusiastically, Tara hit the reply button. Hi, slayerette1. My sign is Cancer. It pretty much says that I like home and family, and since I do, it's me.
You said you didn't mind questions, which is good, but if I ever ask anything you don't want to answer, you really don't have to, I won't be upset. That being said, where are from? I live in Seattle, it's really not as rainy as people say. Well, maybe it is. How old are you? Okay, so I think I might be getting a little nosey, so hope I hear from you again soon. Mariner.
"Come on, come on," Willow said impatiently watching her mailbox. She had asked Mariner a question, they had to answer her back. "Ohhh... What is taking so long?"
"Mommy, what are you doing?" Taylor asked peeking her head over the back of the couch to look at her Mommy.
"I'm on the computer," Willow said as patiently as she could. She wasn't feeling very patient at the moment.
"Can I go on the commuter?" Taylor asked.
"Not right now, baby, lay back down, or you'll have to go sleep in your bed," Willow said.
"Okay, Mommy, I'll lay down," Taylor said.
Willow smiled gratefully at her daughter's cooperation. It was a bit of a surprise, but a welcome one. 'Now you,' Willow thought, staring at her mailbox. 'It's time to get that little envelope in you.' Just as Willow thought that, the envelope appeared. 'I should have done that sooner,' Willow thought, opening the mailbox. She quickly opened the e-mail, almost jumping out of her chair with excitement when she saw that Mariner had asked her some questions. She smiled happily, hitting the reply button. Hey, Mariner. I didn't think you were getting too nosey.
I live in Southern California, and I'm 24 years old. You didn't mention your age. It's okay if you don't want to. You say you like family, me too, most of the time. I'm just kidding, I love my family. My parents are pretty cool most of the time, and I love my daughter. Oh... Yeah... I have a 4 year old daughter. Her name is Taylor. Do you have any children? And if I'm not being too nosey, are you married? I'm not, just a single mom. Write back soon. slayerette1 Hi slayerette1, I don't mind mentioning my age, I guess I just forgot too. I'm 24 too.
I really do love family. I don't have much here, well any, really. I moved away from home when I was 18. That's really cool that you have a daughter. I love kids. I don't have any and I'm not married, yet. I hope someday that I will be. I bet it's really tough being a single mom. It's good that your parents are cool cause maybe they help you with her, which would be good. I know that being a single parent can be really stressful. I'm not trying to change the subject or anything like that, but what kinds of things do you like, you know, movies, music, colors. Oh, and I feel kinda weird calling you slayerette1 all the time, so if you want to tell me your name, I'd really like that. Can't wait to hear from you. Tara. Hey, Tara, Yeah, it was getting pretty weird with the sn's all the time. So you're a girl, I wasn't sure cause your sn isn't clear, but since you're from Seattle I get it. Mariner, like the baseball team. Are you into sports? I am a little, but not too much. I know what sport teams are what, but I don't really follow any. It is kinda tough being a single mom, but I wouldn't trade having my little girl for anything. I love her. No problem about the subject change, it's totally okay. I'm not real good at picking favorite anything. I like all kinds of movies, funny ones, scary ones, romantic ones, all kinds. Pretty much the same with music, I like a little of everything. Color... That's an easy one... Red. I don't mind telling you my name, as I already said the sn's were kinda weird.
Oh... You asked me what things I liked, but you didn't tell me what things you like. So what movies, music and colors do you like? And just to throw in a new question do you have any pets? Oh and what about drinking and smoking, and drugs? Okay, that might have been a little too personal, but I drink occasionally when I go out with my friends, and I don't smoke, and I definitely don't do drugs. You don't have to answer that if you don't want to. Write back real soon. Willow Hi Willow, That's an usual name, but a very pretty one. Yes I am a girl. It's okay that you didn't realize that cause not too many people do. I'm not too into sports. I do watch them on television sometimes, but not too often. I know what teams are what too. Yeah, my name is because of the baseball team, but I don't really follow them, just kinda thought maybe people would get where I was from if I used it. I like all kinds of movies too, but not too big with the scary ones. I live by myself so scary movies are too much to watch alone. Yes, I am a big scaredy cat. If I have to pick a favorite kind of movie, it would be romantic comedy. I love to laugh, and I'm a pretty romantic girl. I like all types of music too. I listen to just about anything. Favorite color is easy for me too. My favorite color is blue. It has been since I was little. I guess I was a tomboy when I was little, and I liked lots of boy things. New questions are good. I do have a pet... I have a cat. She's a real cutie. I can send you pictures if you want? Do you have any pets? I don't drink or smoke, or do drugs. It's okay to ask that, cause I probably would have eventually. If you want you can add me to your friend's list and we can im sometime. Only if you want to though. Tara
Hey Tara, I like your name too, sorry I didn't say so before. I'm glad I'm not the only one who thought maybe you were a guy. I still feel bad about that though. I never watch scary movies by myself either. I always watch them with my two best friends. I don't really get scared from them, my imagination just goes into overdrive when I'm alone.
Romantic comedies are good. I like to watch those too. They make great date movies. So you're romantic? Romance is good. I wasn't so much of a tomboy, well maybe a little, cause my best friend was a boy, so we did lots of boy things when I was little, you know like race around, and get into trouble. I love cats, they are so cute. I'd love to see a picture of your kitty. I don't have any pets. I'd like to, but you gotta pay a deposit in the apartment I have and I just don't have the money for the deposit right now. When I get it saved I'd like to get something though. Taylor loves animals. I'm glad that you answered the question and you didn't think I was nosey or anything like that. I'll add you to my list, but you have to add me to yours too. Okay so more personal questions... Do you have a boyfriend? And what do you look like? Willow Mariner: Hi... Is this okay? Slayerette1: Yeah, it's totally okay.
Mariner: Okay... So do I have a boyfriend? No. How about you? Slayerette1: No, me either. Mariner: And what do I look like? I'm about 5'5", and I have long blonde hair, and blue eyes. You'll see me in the picture I'm sending you of Miss. Kitty. I'm the one holding her.
What do you look like? Slayerette1: I'm about 5'3", I have kinda shortish red hair, and green eyes. I can send you a picture of me if you like? Mariner: Yeah, I'd love to see a picture of you. Okay... I'm sending mine now. Slayerette1: Okay
I'll send mine now too. Mariner: Great. I'll brb. Slayerette1: Okay. Me too.
Tara rummaged quickly through her files looking for just the right picture of she and Miss. Kitty. It took a couple of minutes to find one that she thought was acceptable. Hurriedly she sent the picture to Willow, hoping that she hadn't taken too long.
Willow too was going through a similar process. Nothing seemed to be right. Most of them had been taken for fun when she was trying to entertain Taylor, or she just wanted to send some pics to her mom. Now she was stuck, without a decent picture of herself. She stood up and began to pace around the living room. 'What am I going to do?' Willow thought. 'She expects a picture of me, and I don't have a good one.'
"Mommy, why are you walking?" Taylor asked.
"I'm thinking, not walking," Willow said distractedly.
"Oh... I thought when you did that it was walking and you did thinking with your head."
"You do, but... I need a picture."
"I'll take a picture of you," Taylor smiled.
"No... Wait... Yes that's perfect. You take a picture of me, and then if it's bad it's okay cause a four year old took it, that's perfect. You're a genius," Willow said hugging her daughter.
Mariner: Okay, I'm back. Slayerette1: Me too... Sorry that took so long... I had to have my daughter take a picture of me. I hope it doesn't look too bad.
Mariner: I'm sure it doesn't.
I'm just waiting for it to come up now. My computer is slow. Slayerette1: Mine too, kinda. Well... I guess it's not too bad. I'm still waiting for yours too. Mariner: So what have you been up to tonight?
Slayerette1: I was going to go out with my friend, but then Taylor wouldn't lay down and go to bed, so I decided to just stay here and watch her.
Mariner:. Sorry, you couldn't go out Slayerette1: I'm not anymore, this is better.
So what are you up to tonight? Mariner: Nothing... I'm pretty boring.
Slayerette1: I don't think so, not yet anyway. Ohhh... Your picture is here. Mariner: Don't be too hard on me.
Yours is here too. Slayerette1: What do you mean? You're pretty.
Mariner: Thanks. You are too. Taylor is good with a camera.
Ummm... Is she still up? Slayerette1: Yeah... Please don't think I'm a bad mom... She just doesn't like to sleep at night.
Mariner: Yeah... Sometimes I'm that way too.
And I don't think you're a bad mom because your daughter doesn't want to sleep.
Slayerette1: Thanks.
So your kitty is very cute. What's his name? Mariner: Her name is Miss. Kitty Fantastico, but Miss. Kitty for short.
She's very lovey dovey. She's snuggling on my bed with me right now. Slayerette1: You're on your bed? Do you have a lap top?
Mariner: Yeah, I'm always on my bed when I'm online, and yeah I do have a lap top. It's a lot more comfy than sitting at a desk I think.
You're probably at a desk aren't you? Slayerette1: Yeah. I used to have a lap top, but I got the desk top cause the baby was always playing with my lap top and eventually she broke it. Mariner: Oh... That's too bad. I hope your lap top wasn't too new when it broke.
Slayerette1: No, it wasn't. It was pretty old actually.
Mariner: Oh good, well not good, but you know.
It's after midnight already? I have work tomorrow, do you? Slayerette1: Yeah, and I really do need to concentrate on getting Taylor to sleep. Usually if I go to bed, she does too. 
Will you be around tomorrow to chat with? Mariner: I get off work at 5.
Slayerette1:. Okay, I do too, and then I pick up Taylor from preschool. I'll be on around 6. I'll talk to you then Mariner: Okay, I'd like that. Goodnight and sweet dreams. Slayerette1: Goodnight to you too.
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~Spencer~
"You can't type what a lesbian is. We're anything and everything. The one thing in common is that we make love to other women. So give up trying to limit us." - Amanda Bearse -
Edited by: maudmac
at: 10/2/03 9:15 pm
more.
for some reason my mind kinda goes to it being like their metting on the kitten board...haha, i know its comptelaly different but it just reminds me of so many people meeting each other on it! lol, i know, silly silly me. but anyway, i'm really looking forward to an update! 
,
The concept is wonderful. 
I can't wait til they get int each others backgrounds. I'd like to find out how 
and 
wound up where they are. 
Well i had mor but my stupid coputer 
and I don't remember now. Can't wait to 
How's Tara? 
This fic looks great. I've only skimmed through it 
A very realistic mom/daughter relationship. I like Taylor, she seems like she's got a will of her own. I did that too, and I ran all over the place (a real challenge for my babysitters lol), getting into trouble 
