The girl's head snapped up from her chemistry homework as the words floated across her computer screen. It was 6:30pm, half an hour before she had to be to work for the nightshift at the Crashdown Cafe. It was also not exactly prime chatting hour for this particular room. She never thought anyone else would show! Setting aside the heavy textbook, she tapped out a reply and hit SEND.

aria51: Hey there! I think we're all alone in here. *sigh* What u gotta chat about?

A quick moment passed, then a reply appeared.

sunnychick: Great! Another person! Guy problems.

The girl grinned, typed out a brief message, and hit SEND once more.

******

aria51: Is there another kind?

sunnychick: LOL! No, guess not. Same boat?

aria51: Oh yeah. What's up with you?

sunnychick: *sigh* I'm....Well, you see, I think I'm kinda...well....IN LOVE with this guy, but the relationship...It just couldn't ever work.

aria51: How do you know?

sunnychick: *tapping out reasons on fingers* I'm a day person, he's a night person. I'm a people person, he's more of a loner. I'm wrapped up with my work, he likes to suck...all the marrow out of life. We're just opposites in so many ways!

aria51: *with sympathy* SOMETHING must draw you to him. What is it?

sunnychick: He's so.....intense. He looks at me, and I feel my legs turn to jelly! He has the most amazing eyes! It's like a lifetime's worth of pain and experience are in those eyes.

aria51: *raising eyebrows* So he's an OLDER man?

sunnychick: *giggling* You could say that.

aria51: *winking* I say go for it! If you can be so affected by him despite all his differences, then there MUST be something there!

sunnychick: My friends would kill me! :)

aria51: WARNING: CLICHE APPROACHING! Follow your heart. ;)

sunnychick: *laughing* Maybe I will! Now, 'nuff about me. What about you? Trouble on the guy front?

aria51: Yep. *sigh* Lot like you, actually. Great guy. AMAZING eyes. Relationship just won't work.

sunnychick: To repeat your question, why not?

aria51: Well, he's kinda....spacey. I'm very much down-to-earth. And hanging out with him-- it feels...dangerous.

sunnychick: *puzzled* Why?

aria51: Can't really explain. It just does. But despite that feeling, I want to be with him more and more. Is that normal?

sunnychick: *thoughtful pause* I think you've just solved BOTH of our problems.

aria51: Say wha'?

sunnychick: *smiling* It IS normal. Just be CAREFUL. Don't rush into anything. My advice? A] Follow your heart ;) and B] Sometimes you have to walk on the edge of danger in order to make it safe.

aria51: *eyes wide* OHMYGOSH! That's an EPIPHANY!

sunnychick: *grinning* I try to be epiphinical as often as possible.

aria51: Thank you SO MUCH, sunnychick!

sunnychick: You too, aria51! I think we've both worked out some stuff here, don't you?

aria51: Big time! *glancing at watch* Uh-oh! Gotta dash! Work in fifteen minutes! Thanks so much again!

sunnychick: No problem! And back at ya! I'd better go, too. Work, work, work! I'm a busy little bee!

aria51: Bye!

sunnychick: By-ee!

******

Maria Deluca switched off her monitor and pushed back from her computer desk. She couldn't stop smiling. "Follow your heart," she murmured.

Still grinning like an idiot, she hurriedly switched into her Crashdown uniform. Aww, man! A glance at the clock told her it was now ten of seven. She'd have to rush to get to work at least SEMI on time.

It seemed to take her forever to get to her little red car and then out onto the open road towards the center of town-- now she'd DEFINITELY be late. But that couldn't dull her spirits. It was Friday. Michael Guerin ALWAYS came in on Fridays, for a hot dog and a Coke. Maria would be sure SHE got his table this time. And she wouldn't even make him ask for the Tabasco.

******

In the room she shared with Willow Rosenberg at UC Sunnydale, Buffy Summers sighed as she shut down her roommate's laptop. A quick glance out the window showed a full, silver moon in a star studded sky. Good slayage weather-- high visibility.

Standing quickly, she checked to be sure all ten stakes were secured within her skin tight jeans and sleeveless tank top. It always amazed her friends that she could hide so many instruments of death on her person without them showing. "Talent," she'd told them numerous times, "and a well honed ability to make lots of clothes fit in a tiny closet."

Locking the door behind her and starting down the hall, Buffy thought back on her conversation with aria51. "What a username!" she chuckled. I wonder if she's one of those people who believes the whole Roswell thing!

But the other girl's advice still echoed in Buffy's memory. Follow your heart. "I can do that," she said softly.

It was a full moon. He always looked best in a full moon-- it glinted on his platinum blonde hair.

With new determination, Buffy slipped out into the night, and prayed that tonight would be the night William the Bloody, better known as Spike, would choose to stir up some trouble.

The End

HAH! Gotcha! Betcha thought it was Liz chatting about Max, right? And if that didn't throw ya, I betcha thought Buffy was thinking about Angel, right? Well, much as I love BOTH of those couples, THESE two (Maria/Michael and Buffy/Spike) are my favorites. Heheheh.... Till next time!