Hit/Miss (aka Run-ins updated 8/7/05)

[watty]

I've been told I'm a number freak, so:

1. A hearty welcome back!
2. This is still a great fic.
3. Go Tara, for calling Willow. Thanks Jo and Cordy (I can't believe I just thanked Cordy.)
4. Just do it.
5. Who so rudely interrupted?
6. :hmm how long do we have to wait till they talk?
7. welcome back again.

[cooper]

So the swearing and noise is because Tara must be in like a coffee shop and the Bring Me to Life is the special ring for Tara if Willow has her # or Faith reprogrammed the phone again and they are both very close in proximity to each other right???

Anyway, its fun to see this story at the top again. Glad you are better after shoulder yuckiness

cooper

[eklipse]

Thanks all for the hearty welcome back. Now for some replies:

GayNow - WOOT WOOT!!

Aw, you missed it…thanks! That was good timing indeed. See, that just goes to show that we should all listen to the little voice in our heads more often (not ALL the time, of course, who knows what crazy ideas those voices can come up with sometimes. Like this one time…)

My mom makes me watch Emeril, we like to use his essence for spicing things up.

Me sneaky? I don’t know what you’re talking about. Guess you’ll just have to wait and see. And don’t worry; it won’t be another 4 months. I’ll even go so far as to say it probably won’t be another 4 days.

The Rose24 - Thanks

LesbianJedi87 - ROSE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hehe, I missed that. Short story: work kicked my ass, my hard drive crashed and I was using the ghettoest laptop in the world (very non-typing friendly) and my parents have designated me the official grocery/errands/pick-up/drop-off/something’s-wrong- with-something-in-the-house-can-you-fix-it person. Yes, it has been ages. I’m getting a breather now, my folks went out of town and we’re in the calm before the storm at work. More importantly how are you chica?

New name looks good

onlykaren - Hehe, I can’t believe it either. Tara’s state of mind is a fairly accurate reflection of what mine usually is in similar situations. Thanks so much, more soon.

beanie - Everyday should be Happy Snoopy-dance day! I’ll ask Chris to direct readers from TTLG to leave feedback here on pens.

LOL, yeah apparently she does have Willow’s digits. Let’s hope it works out better this time. Squeal away.

I’m just kinda making this up as I go along, so I really couldn’t tell you how many cliffs there are still coming our way. Serendipity? You know I still have to go, but apparently there’s always a long line. Really, I hadn’t thought of the similarity, hmmm…You’re welcome.

willohand - I’m sorry, are you complaining? ? well we’ll see where that gets you. Sorry, even I don’t know what goes on in my own head sometimes. Just hang in there okay? It’ll be better soon…

safuega - Could it be …addiction? Nah, thanks for hanging in there anyway. Yeah, I know, it could be misinterpreted hearing someone say babe or baby. My old roommate used to call me babe, people thought we were together. I had friends that used to call me sweetie or hon too, which took a little getting used to, but know it slips into my vocab as well.

At any rate, I’m glad you’re enjoying. Update, teaser, semantics…

Now if you scroll back to my other posts, you’ll probably see that I actually quite enjoy the begging, but you won’t have to beg too much, the next update is in the works.

Artemis - Thanks! Maybe…Perhaps, and yes definitely cute. I was trying for Meg Ryan in You’ve Got Mail, sitting on her bed after Tom Hanks tells her to go to the mattresses. Love that…

watson - I’m almost afraid to ask, but I will anyway, what is a number freak exactly? But what the hey:
1. Thanks!
2. Thanks again!
3. Hehe, well, somebody brought up Cordelia in an earlier post and I liked that idea so much I stored it away until I could figure out a proper use for her.
4. Nike.
5.Hmm, we’ll find out soon enough I think.

Not long, not long!

cooper - Actually Tara’s at work, as for the rest of it, Sure…why not? Just kidding, you’ll know soon enough. Thanks, but um, shoulder yuckiness? My head might be somewhere else, but I don’t remember that?

Anyways, that’s it for replies. Like I said before I should be posting the next update sooner rather than later. And in other good news, it should be longer than this last one. Later y’all!

[LesbianJedi87]

Hey this isnt an update! But thats Ok, I can totally wait! Just as long as it really IS sooner rather then later

Ive been doing very well, Im enjoying my summer abroad (which means im in nevada lol), Im driving, Im going to school at the end of the month, Im gonna be working, hey Im gonna start having me a life! YAY! Im glad that you have time to write again!! Very happy!

[Emms]

OMG! I am soooo glad to see this fic back in the active pile. I've missed this fic so much! But yay, it's back. And with a spiffy new title too (just in case you want my opinion...I really liked the old title best )

Wonderful update...a little on the short side...but I'll take whatever I can get from you.

more soon please?????

xoxo
Emms

[eklipse]

Title – Hit/Miss (formerly known as Run-ins)

Discliamers, etc. – The same as always…

Part 27

---

Willow wasted little time wondering why Xander’s ex-girlfriend was asking for her phone number, odd though it was. Instead she refocused her attention on the cables in front of her. She pulled a plastic tag out of her bag and wrote PRINTER in crisp letters on one side. On the other she wrote the model and serial number of said printer. Clenching her marker between her teeth, she attached the label to a cable and plugged it into the hub she had been in the process of installing. Just as she sat back to reach for another tag her phone blared out once more, sending her, once more, head first into the table above her.

She fished the phone out of her pocket all the while uttering profanities her mother had deluded herself into believing Willow still didn’t know. She silently considered whether she should change her ringtone or just chuck the phone at Faith’s head the next time she saw her prankster cousin.

Willow didn’t recognize the number on her Caller ID. Must be Cordelia.

“Hello?” She answered as she rubbed the growing lump on her forehead. After getting no response she tried again. “Hello?”

Still there was no response.

“Cordelia? Is that you?” Willow’s brow wrinkled. “Cordy? Aren’t we a little old for crank calls?”

“Fine. Whatever.” Willow gave an exasperated sigh. “I’m hanging up now.”

She hit END on her phone and shook her head. A few seconds later the phone rang again. Checking the Caller ID, Willow saw the same number. She considered not answering, but the techno-gadget geek inside her won out.

“Hello?” She spoke into the phone. Hearing only more silence Willow was about to hang up, but a voice on the line stopped her.

“W-Willow?”

---

Tara jumped out of her chair and spun around. Her eyes searched the room but found no one to go with the voice she heard. Slowly she walked around the conference table that separated her desk from that of the other gallery assistant and found the source of the noise, sort of. A pair of tennis shoes and a person’s back poked out from under the desk.

The person leaned back from under the table, rubbing the top of her red head as she spoke into a cell phone. Tara vaguely registered the voice coming from her phone, until she heard the words. “…hanging up now!”

Tara opened her mouth to speak, but before she could get any words out she heard the clicking sound of the call being dropped.

She stared, unbelieving, alternately at the phone in her hand and at the woman kneeling on the floor. It took her a moment, but finally she hit the send button on her phone to redial. Sure enough, the ringing on the line coincided with music blasting from under the table.

After the second “Hello,” Tara finally spoke.

“W-Willow?”

----

“W-Willow?”

Though she couldn’t place it, Willow could have sworn the voice was familiar. She knew it wasn’t Cordelia. Cordelia Chase never, ever stuttered. But she remembered one person who did. Couldn’t be… Willow shook her head and answered.

“Speaking. Can I help you?” Willow heard the other person take a deep breath before speaking.

“H-hi, Willow. This is T-Tara…f-from the airport? D-do you remember?”

Willow’s head snapped up. Tara!

“W-Willow?”

“Yes, Tara! Yes! Of course I remember!” calm down Willow! “I mean, um, yes, I do.” The redhead inhaled. “Hi.”

“Hi!”

For a minute the room was silent as both girls bit their lips.

“So, um, h-how are you?”

“Great! I mean, fine….Finey McFine!” Willow smacked her palm against her forehead. Finey McFine? Doofus! “How are you?”

“Good, I’m good.”


“Good, that’s good.”

“Um…Willow? Can I ask you a question?”

“Sure.”

“Willow, what are you doing here?”

“What?”

“What are you doing here, i-in the gallery?”

“What? The gallery? How?” it occurred to Willow then that Tara’s voice sounded incredibly clear, even for the best cell phone on the market. It was almost as though Tara…was in the same room.

Slowly Willow stood and turned around to find Tara standing not more then ten feet away from her, holding a cell phone to her ear.

The two girls stood stock still staring at each other until a slow lopsided grin spread across Tara’s face and Willow’s phone went crashing to the floor and shattering into several pieces.

------

Tara didn’t know what to think as she watched Willow stand and turn to face her. The whole thing was so bizarre, the way they kept running into each other. It wasn’t a bad thing, just…bizarre. After seeing Willow in New York and being unable to reach her (and yes, she had tried calling again,) Tara had been pleasantly nervous when Jo gave her the redhead’s number. But she hadn’t been prepared to find Willow sitting in the corner of her office. That thought gave Tara an interesting mental picture she shouldn’t be having about someone who may or may not still have a girlfriend. But before she caught herself she was already grinning.

That is, until Willow’s phone fell from her hands. She saw the phone falling but for some reason couldn’t get herself to move fast enough to stop it from crashing to the floor and shattering. Both she and Willow bent down to pick up the pieces, but somehow, she couldn’t tell you who for sure, one of them lost her balance, and they found themselves in a familiar position.

Tara raised herself on her elbows and let her eyes drift across Willow’s face, settling on the crease that had formed between the redhead’s eyebrows. Unable to hold back any longer, Tara’s shoulders began to shake until she finally burst into a fit of giggles.

“What? What’s so funny?” Willow asked, as she unconsciously lifted her hands to the blonde’s hips and gave them a slight squeeze.

For a moment Tara said nothing, shaking her head as she tried to calm her giggles. After a moment she looked down at the redhead laying underneath her, smiling once more before speaking.

“We have got to stop meeting like this.”

[willohand]

First let me say, complaining? Oh no,no,no.Not me, nope no complaining here.Having said that...this is just too cute and so worth the long wait. Oh shit this is the sweetest. Now Im going to have to continue to read and possibly wait as long as it takes for an update coz this fic is that good.

[Safuega]

This update was so sweet and so not frustrating. In fact, it was downright satisfying.

I really liked the image of Willow's sneakers sticking out of the table being the first thing that Tara sees. I don't know why, but I find the image endearing.

Yes, I am totally addicted to the story. And no, I am not used to begging, but I find that I've got no pride when it comes to your story. So, let the begging begin!

More soon, pretty pleeeeassseeeeee!

Does crying with the begging help? I hope it helps.

Safuega

[The Rose24]

What can I say? Finally!!!

I lost track. How long has it been since they have come face to face with each other?

[onlykaren]

Another update...yay! I just hope you came back for good this time! I really really love your story so, you know...I'm very glad that you decided to come back! Anyway, great update. I'd never guess that they were in the same place. I think, like Tara, I couldn't really believe when she saw Willow just a few feet away from her. But I loved that they finally ran into each other again...I didn't like one thing though. What's with the cliffhanger? I mean, you can't leave us there! Hehe... I just can't wait for more!

[watty]

I’m almost afraid to ask, but I will anyway, what is a number freak exactly?

I'm just obsessed with things number-y, like lists and word counts and having 468 (or is it 648?) personalities. I'm a little crazy, unless you didn't know. It's a thing.

But all 648 of my personalities unanimously agree, this is a fantastic update. Cos after so many near misses, they're at long last in the same room! What's there not to be happy about!

Now hopefully they have time to talk and get to know each other and they don't get interrupted, or are subjected to more misunderstandings. Please

[Emms]

*faints into a heap on the living-room floor.*

*recovers enough to say:* Dear lord, they're actually in the same room together!!!!!! Woooooo Hoooooo

*overcome by own excitement causes another fainting spell*


xoxo
Emms

[JustSkipIt]

Hey there,
Well, this fic falls into the category of fics I'm thrilled to see an update for and had forgotten existed. I guess I never even knew I missed it. Wonderful that you've got Willow and Tara in a room together and of course tangled together. Very well done. Can't wait for more.

[sadie]

OMG updates!!! YEY!

Bizarre run-ins, yes, but all of the good! It's their fate afterall Anyways, awesome to read an update, thanks much

[GayNow]

YAY! Kisses and gay love in the next update, right?????

So happy you updated...and that our girls are in the same room at the same time.

Can't wait for more!!!

Carleen

[VMarie]

Wooo! Yay for the "they're finally in the same room at the same time!'

And double yay for the "they actually realize they're both in the same room at the same time!"

[Artemis]

"We have got to stop meeting like this" - great line, set up by practically the whole story up to this point. I really felt Tara's giddy excitement, 'cause heck, I was rolling around laughing too at that. Nice job bringing them together, now kisses, right?

[NeTGiRL]

heya!!

cool update !! and..

“We have got to stop meeting like this.”

no no no no! they should continue meeting like that!! lol really... like all the time! let Tara fall on top of Willow every time they see each other and on with the gay lovin'!!
woo and hoo!!
can't wait for the next update

~Kirstin~

[YMKA]

Jessie!!!

Boy....am I glad that this fic is back!!!!!

and Damn it woman....Willow sees Tara....Tara sees Willow.... but they can't met....that's just ARG!!! and uinplug the phone!!??!?! I was screaming "NO!!!" When I read that....Very evil of you....

Phew I'm glad Cordy helped ....and Willow's ringing tone....gotta love it... go Faith!!!! And that was sooo sweet...now let them get all the "hits" come on...they had enough of the misses...poor souls....what like 3 years or so? I think it's enough to drive someone crazy.....lol

Okay....can't wait to read more...seriously! And glad that you are back!

M.

[Kaia]

I sooo love your fic
You always keep me at the edge of my seat.
At least they're talking now...I was about to chew my fingertips off (eww! lmao)
I can't wait to see what happens next, so HURRY UP!! Pretty please??
Thanks,

K.

[wimpy0729]

Oh, this is sooo good. Glad to see you back.

So they're in the same room (FINALLY!!!) and picturing Willow under a desk and banging her head just cracked me up. Then picturing the look on her face when she realizes Tara is standing there...RIGHT THERE. Oh, I heaved such a sigh of relief I think I scared my turtle.

Again, so happy to see you back with this wonderful story. Can't wait to see what's next!!

Wimpy

[GayNow]

Oh, I heaved such a sigh of relief I think I scared my turtle.

Is that coded naughty talk?


To remain on topic: Looking forward to the next update. This is such a fun story.

Carleen