"dating" seems the simplest, most common place term. Even though it repeats immediately.

Or, shorten it to "preliminaries".

lengthen it to "the getting to know each other phase". I suppose it depends on the personality. Can they handle large awkward phrases? If they're kind of Data-like, shit like "acquaintance familiarization" (oh, how I make me larf) could-- no, that sucks.

Use "dating" first and replace the second one?

Amy, your second suggestion is brilliant. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Juliebird, just thinking of anyone other than Data saying "acquaintance familiarization" is a heck of a lot of fun. I'm going to have to work it into conversation just to see the looks on people's faces.

Hey, it's what I do. You're welcome!

Windsparrow, too kind. The second I saw Amy's suggestion I knew I had no hope of being a bad influence!

I rephrased Amy's idea a bit: "Is that really the nearest thing to dating we are going to do? Because we skipped a bunch of steps. It compressed about six months down to three minutes, and I think I need the hearts and flowers." So I'm only making off with the idea, not the words.

That's perfect!

I don't want to be a stuffy net nanny, but this is the thread for other people's fic, technically. "Buffista Fic 2: They Said It Couldn't Be Done." is for working on your own.

Oh, I forgot that. Sorry!

Sorry. How did I not notice that?

Man, I love FFN. I just had a story "favorited" by a Chrystel Malfoy-Potter. ::hearts::