Connections

by Kaz

Copyright © 2003

kardeb97@yahoo.com

Rating: NC-17
Disclaimer: I don't own anything. Except the plot. Joss owns the characters.
Distribution: Near Her Always /nha.magical-worlds.us/
The Mystic Muse /mysticmuse.net
Feedback: Yes please.
Spoilers: None.
Pairing: Willow/Wesley

Summary: Willow gets together with someone online.

Prologue:

Willow sighed as she sat at her computer, idly wondering what to do. A few clicks showed that she had no new mail since the last time she had checked. Glancing at her calendar showed that her homework for the next two weeks had all been completed and turned in. Willow had been ahead in all her classes since Oz left. After moping and being depressed for a month, she had turned to magic. And that had turned out to be such a disaster, she had promised not to do any type of magic for a few months. And now she had nothing else to do. Buffy was often out with Riley and Xander was with Anya. She knew that if she mentioned being lonely to her friends they'd invite her along but she didn't want to feel like the odd woman out.

"Goddess, I'm bored," she complained to no one. She looked around her dorm room, noting the fact that while her half of the room was immaculate, Buffy's was getting dusty. She smiled. "Yay! Something to do!" She said happily, grabbing the duster from its place under the sink.

Looking at it she grimaced. "What am I doing? I know I can be anal but this is ridiculous. I can definitely find something else to do other than dust!" She said out loud to herself. "I guess there're those chat rooms I saw awhile back when I was looking for Oz." In the wake of Oz's departure, she had cruised all the chatrooms she could find that had anything to do with lycanthropy in hopes of coming across her boyfriend. She had been unsuccessful but had found a few interesting places to hang out. Unfortunately, most were pretty crowded with people who had no idea what really went on after dark.

Shrugging, she returned to her computer and logged on. After entering the first room she had been barraged by a series of private messages asking about things she had no urge to discuss with anyone, let alone strangers. With a pained expression she quickly exited that chat and clicked on the link to another.

She stuck her tongue out at the computer screen when she was informed that the page she was requested was no longer valid. "Not valid? I'll show you valid," she grumbled as she deleted the page from her 'favorites' list.

It took trying two more links until she found one where she didn't feel totally out of place. Of course that could be because she was only person in the chat. That changed within a minute or so of her arrival. The computer 'dinged' to let her know that someone else had entered the room.

Willow furrowed her brow at the login name of the new person. "RDH? Wonder what that means," she mused out loud. "Oh well, at least it's someone to chat with."

Netgirl326: Hi!

RDH: Hello.

RDH: Sorry, I'm fairly new to computers. Can you tell me what we're supposed to do?

Willow sighed. 'This guy is a complete computer illiterate. Almost as bad as Giles!' She thought to herself.

Netgirl326: Just talk about anything. Though the topic of chatroom is 'Mythical Beings'.

RDH: Yes, the reason I'm here, in fact. I thought if I clicked on the word that I would be given information, not talk to someone.

Netgirl326: Oh. Well you can ask me. I'm pretty good with research and stuff. I mean, unless you'd rather just go.

RDH: No. No, I must admit I'm finding it rather enjoyable er… talking with someone on my computer.

Netgirl326: *smiles* So am I.

Netgirl326: So what mythical being are you researching? Is it for a school report or something?

RDH: No, it's for my business.

Netgirl326: Oh, what do you do?

RDH: Well, I was recently sacked from my job as a … tutor and am attempting to start up my own business.

Netgirl326: Oh, that's so cool! I've taught a little myself.

RDH: Really? Then I am speaking with a scholar?

Netgirl326: *blushes* Well, I wouldn't call myself a scholar yet. I don't think I'll ever be done learning.

RDH: I feel much the same way. There is always something I don't know when I need to know it.

Netgirl326: Exactly! I'm always researching this or that. And even though it gets boring sometimes, I still like learning all about the things I'm researching! Not everyone would see it as useful, but it is. Especially when you find that one important detail that no one else has come up with! Hello, bonus points for saving the world! Um, it feels like you've saved the world!

RDH: I agree! I've been in a few similar situations myself where knowledge in a particular area is crucial to my survival.

Netgirl326: Survival? You tutors sure have to be on yours toes, huh? But I guess if you don't know something and someone else does, they get the job, right?

RDH: Yes. That's exactly how it works.


Part 1

Three weeks later after the prologue …

Willow smiled as Buffy puttered around the room. She glanced at the clock and sighed. Every night for the past three weeks, she and RDH had met online around nine at night to talk for a few hours. Willow had come to look forward to these conversations. 'Heck, they're the highlight of my day,' she thought forlornly. She winced as she saw the numbers on the digital clock switch to 8:58. 'Come on, Buffy! Leave already,' she silently implored her roommate.

At that moment Buffy turned to her with a puzzled expression. 'Oh Goddess, did she hear me?' Willow asked herself, struggling to stay calm. 'No she couldn't have. Well, unless she has that whole mind reading thing again. But she'd tell me right? I know we haven't talked a lot lately but she'd tell me. Or Giles would. I hope.'

"Will, are you sure you're okay here by yourself? You haven't been out with us in weeks! We're worried about you," the blond said, sitting next to Willow on her bed, looking at her in concern.

"I'm fine, Buffy!" Willow assured her, her voice sounding unconvincing even to her own ears. She cleared her throat and smiled at her friend. "Great in fact! Yup, nothing wrong here."

Buffy's eyes narrowed. "You're on the verge of babbling. And you've got that 'I hope she doesn't find out my secret' look in your eye!"

"I have a look?" Willow asked momentarily distracted and caught completely off guard. She swallowed nervously and tried to smile.

Buffy nodded and pointed at Willow's expression. "Yup! And you're wearing it right now. So spill. What's the what? You haven't been out except for classes and research in weeks. And you're always back here by nine or so. I know you don't leave until morning so what's so fascinating in this room?"

Willow crossed her arms. "How do you know I don't leave the room?" She asked, an edge of annoyance in her voice. 'She's been checking up on me?' The redhead thought in anger. Then she softened slightly. 'Well, at least now I know she cares.'

Buffy had the grace to blush. "Well, I put a piece of tape across the door last night and it wasn't moved or anything. And you didn't mention it, so I'm guessing you're indoor girl."

Willow smiled, impressed with Buffy's resourcefulness. "Wow, nice deduction Buffy! Should I be worrying about my place as the brain of this outfit?"

Buffy shook her head. "No, and you're changing the subject. What's up?" Willow squirmed and didn't say anything. "Don't make me use my slayer powers to get you to talk!"

Willow raised an eyebrow. "And how would you do that? I know for a fact that you won't hurt me."

Buffy grinned and pounced, holding her friend down with one hand while the other tickled her ribs unmercifully. "Well, there's hurt and there's hurt! Now tell me, Will and I'll stop!"

Willow shrieked at the tickling. "Never! I'll never give up!" She declared while giggling and trying to fend off the slayer.

Buffy's grin widened. "That sounds like a challenge!" She said, beginning to laugh herself. An evil glint appeared in the slayer's eyes as she reached down and tickled right behind Willow's left knee.

"Buffy! No fair!" Willow cried, pulling her knees to her chest in a futile effort at making the tickling stop. She felt tears stream down her face as the odd sensations of tickling overwhelmed her. "Okay! Stop and I'll tell you!"

Buffy stopped immediately, a triumphant smile on her face. "Yay! Now tell me everything!"

Willow sighed and began to talk.


"So you've been talking to this guy for three weeks online?" Buffy asked incredulously.

Willow nodded. "He's really nice, Buffy! And he's so smart!" She said eagerly, hoping to convince her friend that RDH was a good guy.

"Do you even know his name?" Buffy asked. "Or what he looks like for that matter?"

Willow shook her head. "Nope. But we're both in southern California and we both know what goes bump in the night!"

Buffy's eyebrows shot up. "How does he know?" She said with a suspicious tone in her voice.

Willow shrugged. "Not sure. We were talking about mythical and mystical beings and I said something about how similar a centaur is to a Feroc demon, only less with the mucus. It just slipped out! But then he agreed and told me not to forget about the three different sexes," Willow sighed a small smile on her face. "We just click!"

Buffy swallowed, uncertain how to voice her opinions to her best friend. "What else do you know about him?"

"He's English! I could tell by the way he phrased his sentence and stuff so I asked. And we have a similar sense of humor- we both like Monty Python! Um, and he didn't know what 'lol' or 'ttyl' or 'brb' or anything meant. It took a little bit to explain about the whole slash me thing too."

Buffy's face went blank as the terms flew right over her head. "Slash me? 'Lol'? You lost me," she admitted.

Willow grinned. "It's how people say things in chat …" she began.

"Oh, okay," Buffy interrupted. She could feel the beginnings of a Willow lecture and while she had time to confront Willow about her odd behavior she did have a date with Riley tonight. "Um, so how do you know he's human?"

Willow stopped at this. "Well, I mean, he seems human," Willow said tentatively.

Buffy winced. "Moloch seemed human at first too right?" She asked before immediately regretting her choice of words. "I'm so sorry Will! That was so out of line."

Willow shrugged. "It's okay. I mean, it's the truth. But so far there haven't been any attempts to control me or anything. I did a protection spell on the computer a while ago so nothing can come through it without my permission."

"Oh, well that's good, I guess," Buffy admitted, surprised that Willow had thought of that eventuality. "Are you two ever going to exchange phone numbers or anything? Or meet?"

Willow shrugged. "Not sure. We've only been chatting for a few weeks so I'd like to get to know him a little better before I meet him."

"So you would want to meet him in say, a few years?" Buffy asked hopefully.

Willow smiled. "Not that long! Another few weeks I think. But it depends on how he feels too of course."

"Well at least you're not rushing into anything," Buffy said sarcastically. When Willow nodded enthusiastically, completely missing Buffy's sarcasm, the slayer rolled her eyes. "Are you sure this is a good idea? You're not trying to … this isn't a rebound thing is it?"

Willow's face saddened and she began to closely examine her nails. "No. It's been two months since Oz left and I've dealt with it. Okay, haven't dealt with the whole 'mad at him' thing or the 'if he comes back he's going to be very sorry' thing, but mostly dealt with. I still love him but I'm not in love with him. He's hurt me too much, you know?" She asked softly, looking up into Buffy's face.

The slayer gave Willow a sad smile. "I think I know a thing or two about that," she said softly. "So you're not going to do something crazy?"

Willow shook her head. "Nope, no craziness!" She promised.

"And if you want to meet him, you'll let me come along?" Buffy asked.

Willow looked at Buffy and saw Buffy's version of a resolve face firmly in place. The redhead sighed. "Okay, if we decide to meet, you can come along," she promised.

Buffy grinned. "Good!" She said, standing up. "I have a date with Riley. I was supposed to meet him ten minutes ago. And since you have your nightly date with RDH, I'll see you later!" The blond said grabbing her purse and heading for the door.

"Okay Buffy," Willow said, the eagerness in her voice betraying the fact that she was glad Buffy was leaving. "And thanks."

Buffy turned a quizzical e-xpression on her face. "For what?"

"Caring," Willow said.

Buffy smiled. "See you in the morning, Will. Say hi to Mystery Man for me," she said as she shut the door.


Part 2

Willow smiled as Buffy closed the door. Turning to her laptop, she quickly got online and logged into the chatroom she and RDH had agreed to meet in. Since they had discovered that no one ever seemed to be there, it was a convenient place for them to talk.

Willow's eyes lit up when she saw that RDH was already waiting. 'Yay!' She cheered silently to herself. She clicked on his name and began typing.

Netgirl326: Hey RDH! Sorry I'm late! My roommate was grilling me about you!

RDH: About me? Well, should I be flattered or worried?

Netgirl326: *giggles* Flattered I think. She wanted to make sure you weren't a demon or something!

RDH: Do you get many computer demons?

Netgirl326: *grins wryly* More than you'd think, actually! But that's a long story. So how're you?

RDH: Quite well, actually. I've been researching a particularly vicious demon for my employer. He was quite grateful that I found the necessary information! Of course, if I hadn't, he would probably be … um … dead.

Netgirl326: Well then, yay for you! I totally know that feeling. It's kinda nice, isn't it?

RDH: Indeed it is. A somewhat new experience for me, I must admit.

Netgirl326: What about your other job? It didn't involve saving the world or anything?

RDH: That job was left to someone with better qualifications than I.

Netgirl326: Oh. Have I upset you? I'm sorry if I was too nosy.

RDH: No, no! It's fine. It was the first job I've been fired from, however, and the experience was less than I had always imagined. It was the career my father had, and his mother before him. So I feel I've let my family down.

Netgirl326: Ah. I can relate. My parents are very disappointed I'm majoring in computer science and history. They were hoping for another psychologist in the family. Like I didn't get enough psychoanalysis when I was growing up! But that's okay, 'cause I turned out fine. Well, I mean I babble when I'm nervous, kinda like now and say things I shouldn't, but everybody does that, right?

RDH: *chuckles* Yes, everyone has a reaction they fall back on when they're uneasy. Why are you nervous now though?

Netgirl326: See? I told you I said things I shouldn't.

RDH: Oh, pardon me. I didn't mean to pry.

Netgirl326: No! No, it's fine. I just feel silly that's all.

RDH: Why would an intelligent, humorous, witty and charming woman like yourself feel silly?

Netgirl326: *blush* You're sweet. And 'cause this is the best part of my day. And I'm afraid I'll say something and you won't want to talk to me anymore.

RDH: You enjoy chatting with me then?

Netgirl326: Yup. A lot, in fact.

RDH: I enjoy chatting with you too. I look forward to it all day.

Netgirl326: So do I! I wasn't kidding when I said this was my favorite part of the day.

RDH: I hope I'm not being too forward, but please tell me a little bit about yourself. I'm quite interested in getting to the extraordinary woman I'm talking to.

Netgirl326: Well, on one condition: I get to know things about you too!

RDH: Deal! So, I know you attend university, but how old are you?

Netgirl326: I'm twenty. So am I older or younger than you?

RDH: You're younger, my dear. By eight years.

Netgirl326: Oh, so you're an experienced, older man! My mother warned me about you!

RDH: Did she really?

Netgirl326: Well, no. She wasn't around much. But it sounded good didn't it?

RDH: *laughs* It did indeed!


Three hours later …

Willow could feel her cheeks heat up once again. She wasn't quite sure how they got on the topic, but they had begun discussing internet sites they liked and disliked. She had teased him about not having any porn sites on his 'favorites' list. He had proceeded to tell her that he didn't need porn sites when he was speaking with such a beautiful, intelligent woman. Willow grinned. Of course, he had then apologized profusely for stepping out of bounds. It had taken twenty minutes for her to convince him that not only was she not offended, but she was very pleased. Things had proceeded from there, quickly becoming naughty. She was now sitting naked in front of her computer. She had worried, very briefly, about Buffy coming home, but since Buffy had stayed at Riley's every night this week, Willow figured she was safe.

RDH: What are you doing at this moment?

Netgirl326: I'm touching myself.

RDH: Can you feel my fingers touching you? Gently caressing your breasts and your legs?

Netgirl326: Yes! It feels so good!

RDH: Yes, it does, doesn't it?

Netgirl326: Oh Goddess! I'm so close. I'm going to …

Willow looked up in mortification as she heard the dorm room door open and Buffy walk in. She stared at her best friend as she tried to quickly gather her clothing before Buffy could see. 'Oh Goddess, oh Goddess.' She whispered to herself. 'Please make her not notice. I'll do anything you want- attending every sabbat and esbat for the next year if she just doesn't notice!'

"Will? You … oh my god!" Buffy shrieked, her hand covering her mouth as she took in the scene in front of her. Willow was scrambling to get into her clothes. One pant leg was being pulled on hurriedly while the other arm covered her breasts. Willow almost lost her balance and had to use the arm covering her chest to catch herself. Buffy glanced at the computer screen and back at Willow. "You … you … you were having cybersex!"

Willow's face turned a brilliant shade of crimson.


Part 3

Willow stared at Buffy, her face showing her horror at the situation. Gathering what little dignity she still had, Willow quickly finished getting dressed. "I was not!" She protested, attempting to fix her resolve face in place. She sighed when she realized it was useless.

Buffy snorted. "Uh huh. Will, I know cybersex when I see it! And trust me, I saw it!" The slayer teased, thoroughly enjoying Willow's torment. She crossed her arms and grinned smugly at her friend. "So, was he any good?"

Willow blushed even more. "Buffy! I can't believe you said that! I mean, that's absolutely none of your business! I don't ask about Riley, now do I?" Willow asked in shock. She swallowed and looked at her friend with a pleading look on her face. "You, you won't tell, right?

Buffy grinned, throwing her bag on the floor next to the bed. "What? That you were getting jiggy with Mystery Man? Who would I tell?"

Willow glared at the slayer. "Knowing you? Everyone," she muttered. She glanced down at the computer screen and saw that RDH was inquiring if she was alright. She leaned over and typed that she was fine, her roommate had come home and to hold on. She stood up again and faced Buffy who was looking at her with a raised eyebrow. "He was worried!"

Buffy grinned. "I bet he was," she said. Buffy began pacing, almost as if she was lecturing. "So, the question you should be asking yourself now is, what's Buffy's silence worth to me?"

Willow gaped in astonishment. "You're blackmailing me?" She asked, not sure she heard the slayer correctly.

Buffy nodded. "Yup. Wanna know the price for my silence?" She asked as she flopped onto her bed. Willow stuck her tongue out at Buffy. "Hey!" The slayer protested, giggling. "Careful with that thing! I don't know where it's been!"

Willow glared at her friend for a minute for sighing. "Fine, what's your price?" She asked grudgingly.

Buffy smiled. "Yay! You're giving in!"

Willow shook her head. "Not yet, I'm just asking what I'd need to do so my sex life isn't the latest news at the next research party," she corrected.

Buffy batted her eyelashes and smiled. "Two things or I'll talk!" She began only to be waved on by an impatient gesture from Willow. "One, details! And two, have a girls' night with me tomorrow."

Willow relaxed, relieved that Buffy's 'terms' weren't horrible. "Well, as for the details, there aren't any! You … you interrupted us before details could be had! And as for number two, that sounds great!"

Buffy grinned. "Yay! And since I want you to spill said details tomorrow, I'll let you get back to whatever you were doing with Mystery Man. I just came by to grab my toothbrush," the blond informed her roommate as she got up and grabbed her toiletry kit from the top of her dresser. She threw it into her bag and zipped it up. "See you later Will! And sorry about the whole interrupting thing."

"It's my fault. I'll put something on the door to let you know next time," Willow promised as she turned back to her computer.

"Next time? Well this is getting serious!" Buffy observed from the doorway.

Willow smiled. "It could be. But I think we need to meet first. But I do like him. A lot. He's funny and smart and very sweet."

Buffy smiled. "I'm glad, Will," she said as she shut the door.


RDH: You want to meet?

Netgirl326: Don't you think we should? Or at least talk on the phone or something? I mean, we've just almost had … cybersex. It feels weird being naughty with someone I don't really know.

RDH: Well, I suppose I do agree. What's your phone number at the dorm?


Willow waited nervously for the phone to ring. Her stomach was in knots. She anxiously wiped her damp palms on the legs of her jeans. He had said he'd call her within a half hour. There was fifteen minutes to go.

*RING*

Willow jumped about a foot off the bed at the loud sound. She glanced at the phone and swallowed. Her hand reached out and hesitated over the phone as it rang again. 'This was my idea, no chickening out!' She firmly told herself.

"H-hello?" She said softly.

"Hello, is Netgirl326 there please?" A cultured British voice asked.

Willow frowned. The voice almost sounded familiar. "Th-this is she. Is that you RDH?"

"It is indeed! Perhaps we should exchange first names, it is hardly appropriate that you refer to me as RDH while we're talking after all," RDH said.

Willow nodded, her brow furrowing as she tried to place the voice. "Um, that sounds good. Why don't you go first?" She suggested.

"Certainly! My name is Wesley," he began.

"Wesley?" Willow gasped almost shocked beyond words. "Wesley Wyndham-Pryce?"

"Um, do I know you?"

Willow groaned softly. "Wesley? It's Willow Rosenberg from Sunnydale!"

"Miss Rosenberg?" Wesley said, just as surprised as Willow. "Well, this is quite a shock."

"You're telling me! I mean, hello, you were uptight Watcher guy and RDH is cool, suave, sexy British guy!" Willow said quickly. She shut her eyes in mortification as her words finally processed. "And I so didn't mean to tell you that."

To her surprise, Wesley chuckled. "I don't mind, Miss Rosenberg. And I quite agree. I was an 'uptight Watcher guy' as you so quaintly put it. But as for your views on 'RDH', please feel free to compliment me any time you wish."

"Wesley, call me Willow. Please. I mean we did have … you know," Willow said, her cheeks becoming tinged with red. 'I was lusting after Wesley? I'm turning into Cordelia. Oh goddess. This is horrible! The next thing I know I'll be buying expensive shoes and I can't believe … no, wait, calm down, Rosenberg. It's not bad.' She consoled herself.

"Of course, of course," Wesley agreed.

Willow took a deep breath. 'Just because now I know Wesley is RDH doesn't change anything. He's still the sweet, funny, intelligent guy, now I can put a face to the name. In fact, it makes it better right? I mean, at least I know he's not crazy or anything!' She reasoned with herself, pleased that she wouldn't feel obligated to end things with R- Wesley just because she knew him. 'And the package is attractive too!' She thought to herself with a smile. "Hey Wesley? What's RDH stand for?"

"Well, you see, after I left Sunnydale …"


Epilogue

Willow grinned as she packed her bag. She had agreed to meet Wesley in Los Angeles for the weekend. Willow frowned. 'I hope Buffy doesn't mind putting off our girls night,' she thought to herself. 'But if she wants details then I have to have some time to actually make details!'

As she threw some skirts, tops and some fancy underwear in her bag, Buffy walked into the room, Riley right behind her. "Hey Will!" The slayer said happily.

"Hi Buffy!"

"Where ya going?" Buffy asked, seeing the open bag.

"Los Angeles. I'll be gone for the weekend," Willow informed her. She turned and looked at Buffy, a look of apology on her face. "You don't mind if our girls night gets postponed do you?"

Buffy shook her head. "I guess it's okay. But Los Angeles? Why're you going to LA?"

Willow grinned. "I'm meeting Mystery Man there! He called last night and invited me for the weekend, so we could get to know each other better!"

Buffy's jaw dropped. "But Willow! You promised I'd get to go with you so if he turned out to be a total creep I could take care of it for you!" The slayer protested. "And I can't go away this weekend! I think Giles said there's an apocalypse scheduled or something."

Willow grinned. "Ah, but you do know him!" She said.

Buffy's face became more flabbergasted. "Is it someone from Hemery? 'Cause honestly Will, those guys were kinda weird in high school."

"Nope, not from Hemery."

"Is it … is it Angel?" Buffy asked, trying to keep the hurt out of her voice.

Willow's eyes widened as she frantically shook her head. "Oh! No! I would never do that!" She promised, zipping up her bag and heading for the door.

Buffy sighed. "Then who Willow?"

Willow turned and grinned. "It's Wesley!" She said as she walked out the open door. As she strode down the hallway, she heard Buffy shriek behind her. "Wesley? Eww! I so don't want details!"

The End

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