FIC: The Road to Recovery (9/?)

[~~Kimber <kacoe@xxxxxxx>]

Title: The Road to Recovery (9/?)
Author: Kimber (kacoe@xxxxxxx)
Disclaimer: All BTVS characters belong to Joss Whedon and Mutant Enemy.
Summary: Part 2 in The Road series.
Spoilers: Everything is fair game.
Distribution: Pat Kelly, Rodrigo, Gary Thompson, Syrenslure and Serendipity. Anyone
else, e-mail me please.
Author's Notes: The more feedback I get the more fic I write. . .nuff said. Thoughts are
enclosed in < >
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“See? I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again. . .That would NEVER happen.”

”I hope not. Otherwise, we’d be hunting down a big ugly Mayor-Snake for the rest of our
lives.” Xander and Buffy spent most of the afternoon in front of the TV. The worldwide
cartoons versus real life debate had been going on for about an hour. “All I said was
that some of that stuff could happen. . .not that it was possible to get blown up with
acme TNT and still be walking around. . .a little barbequed, but walking none the less.”

The phone rang and Buffy picked it up. “Willow? . . oh, hi. . no, we’ll find something
later. Okay, bye.” She turned back to Xander and frowned. “Mom wanted to know if we
wanted to come down for lunch.”

”Oh.” He sat back again and sighed. “Think she’ll call?”

“I don’t know. I hope so. If not we’re on the next flight outta here.”

”Buffy. We have no money. It would probably be more effective if we swam.”

The phone rang again and Buffy picked it up. “Mom I said we’d eat later and we’re waiting
for a phone call.”

“Grumpy, grumpy. And here I thought things would change while I was gone.”

”Will!” She turned to Xander and bounced up and down on the couch. “It’s Willow!
Willow, how are you are you okay and why haven’t you retuned my calls are they treating
you alright how’s Giles?”

She laughed. “Slow down, Buffy. I’m fine. I was on assignment in Wales. Boring
Watchery stuff you don’t want to hear about. The Council is treating me fine and Giles
is, well, he’s Giles.”

“I know. Books in the morning, tea at noon and. . .”

”Scones after dinner. Giles never changes. So how are things in Sunnydale? Any
interesting creepies to report?”

“Nothing out of the ordinary. . .but I don’t want to talk about Slayer stuff. I want to
talk about you. Where have you been? Has Giles been giving you my messages?”

“I’ve been busy. Giles tells me when you call, I just have so much to do, so much to
learn.”

”Too busy for your friends?” It came out harsher than she’d planned. “Will, I. . .”

”Do you think it isn’t hard for me to be away from you?”

“Will, no, look I’m sorry. . .”

She sighed. “I am too.”

“God, this isn’t what I planned on happening.”

“What did you plan on then?” Her voice was level.

Buffy whispered to Xander. “Stake me, please.” He placed a reassuring hand on her
shoulder and she turned back to the phone. “I just miss you, Will.”

”I miss you guys too. You have to know how hard this is for me. . .being away from you.”
She paused. “and Xander.”

“I know. Will you come visit soon?”

Willow expected the question but didn’t know how much it would affect her when she
actually heard the words. “Buffy, I. . .”

”I know, you’re really busy.” She sighed. “Here, I’ll let you talk to Xander.”

”No, Buffy. . .wait!”

”Wills? Is this my favorite redhead of all time?” He tried the chipper approach.

“Xander, I’m your only redhead. . . unless Anya has dyed her hair. How are you?”

“Okay, trying to keep busy. Anya’s not around anymore. . .she left about three months
ago.”

”Xander, I’m sorry. . .I didn’t know.”

”No, I guess you wouldn’t. I mean you’re so busy and everything with Watcher stuff and
your studies. . . how’s the magic?” He knew he was treading into unsafe waters and tried
to change the subject before he wound up in Buffy’s shoes.

“Good. I have a mentor now. I’m already at the intermediate level. Xander, you have to
know that I miss you guys.”

“I know. And I know what you’re doing is important. . .for your future. I just miss
Bronzing with you and going for ice cream and, someone check my temperature, but I even
miss the all night research parties.”

She laughed. “So do I.”

Silence.

“Let me give you back to Buffy.”

”Is she there?”

“No. She went into the bedroom for a sec. Why?”

“Is she okay, Xander? She doesn’t sound, I don’t know, Buffyish.”

”She misses you, Will. We both do.” He said quietly.

“Can you put her on?”

“Sure. You’d better call again soon though. I want to hear about any action you’ve had.”

”I will, Xand.”

”Hang on.” He paused a moment. “I love you Will.”

Before she could respond, she heard him put the phone down. <Same old, Xander.>

“Hello?” A meek little un-Slayer-like voice came across the line.

“Buffy. I miss you, so much. I know how hard this is for you because it is for me to.
Please, let’s not fight.”

”Oh, Will. This is so hard. . .I didn’t think it would be so. . .” She cleared her
throat to keep it from cracking. “hard.”

Willow felt a warm arm come across her shoulders. She smiled over at Cordelia and
whispered a thanks. “I know. . .and I’ll come for a visit soon. I won’t promise you when,
but I will.”

”Really?” There was a little hope in her voice.

Willow noticed it. “Yes, really. I miss you and I think the Council owes me some time
off for how hard I’ve been working lately.”

“That would be amazing, Will. We could go to the Espresso Pump, only decaf for you
though, then we could rent some movies and have a pajama party then. . .”

”Hey! I haven’t even asked yet. Don’t make any plans until I get the okay.” She laughed
a little. “I have to get going. There’s a meeting and I can’t be late.”

”Okay. . .call again soon?”

“I will, Buffy. Take care of yourself.”

”You too Will.”

“Bye.” She hung up the phone.

“I love you.” Buffy said into an empty receiver.

--------------

Willow sighed and slumped over to snuggle next to Cordelia on the couch. “That was so not
fun.”

”That bad?”

Well, all things considered. . .she’s not bleeding or missing any limbs, Xander was
surprisingly level headed. . . I wonder if he’s been hit with any blunt objects lately?”

Cordelia laughed. “So Sunnydale is just as we left it.”

Willow nodded. “Mmm. I should go, you know.”

”Do you really think that’s a good idea?”

She shrugged. “It wouldn’t hurt. I do miss them and I hated playing human dodge ball
when we were there.”

”If that’s what you want.” Cordelia got up from the couch and went to the kitchen.

Willow frowned at being left alone and headed off after her. “Cordy?”

“Are you hungry? I’m starved.” She opened the fridge and poked around. “There’s nothing
in here. Feel like pizza?” She looked up innocently.

Willow crossed her arms and narrowed her eyes. “You don’t want me to go.”

She stood up. “I didn’t say that.”

“You didn’t not say it either.”

She shrugged, reached on top of the fridge and grabbed a menu. “So pizza or Chinese?”

Willow walked over and took the menu from her. “Why don’t you want me to go?” She put
her resolve face on.

“I do want you to, and I know you miss them, I just. . .”She walked a pace away and hugged
herself. “I guess I’ve gotten used to having you around, that’s all.”

Willow stepped behind her and pulled her close. “Could you be a little more specific?”
Willow smiled into her hair before placing a kiss on her neck.

Cordelia leaned into her arms and felt slender arms encircle her waist. “I’ll miss you.”
She whispered.

“There now, was that so hard?” She kissed her ear. “I’ll miss you too. . .but you’ve had
me here for six months and I haven’t seen them in almost 2 years.”

“I know, Red.” She turned around to face her. “I know.”

Willow smiled. “I won’t be gone long. Maybe just Friday until Sunday night.”

Cordelia put her head down and nodded. “Okay.”

Willow caught her chin in her hand. “Cordy, we know this isn’t forever. I have to go
back to England soon, not now but soon. This was the last think I expected when I got
here, but it’s nice. Let’s just enjoy it while we can. Okay?” Not giving her any choice,
Willow leaned in and kissed her gently. She pulled back a little when she felt something
wet touch her cheek. “Cordy.” She sighed.

“I know, I know. . .who’d have guessed Cordelia Chase would be crying over a computer
geek. . .but I am. You’re the best thing that’s happened to me in a long time, Red, and
I’ll be sad to let you go.” She sniffled and kissed her lightly. “But I know you have a
life in England and I know you have best friends that miss you. So I’ll be brave.”

Willow smiled and took her by the hand. She began to walk towards the bedroom. “You
know, I don’t have to leave until next weekend.” She stopped and gave her a shy smile.
“We could make the most of our time before I have to go. Couldn’t we?”

Cordelia caught her drift. “Willow Rosenberg, I never would have guessed.”

“Guessed what?”

Cordelia took the lead and pulled her into the bedroom. “That you, of all people, would
be a nymphomaniac!”

Willow laughed as she pulled her in for a kiss. “It’s always the quiet ones you have to
watch out for you know.” She shut the door firmly with her foot.


*****Later in the evening.*****

Cordelia was lighting a fire in the living room when she heard footsteps behind her.
“What are you doing up?” She said without turning around.

“I’m more of a night person.”

She turned. “Angel!”

“I used the spare key. I hope it’s okay. I just wanted to drop this off to you. I won’t
be in the office until tomorrow afternoon and you need to drop them at the notary in the
morning before work. They’ll be expecting you.”

Cordelia eyed the bedroom door nervously. “Uh. . .ok” She took the papers and hustled
him towards the door. “Thanks. . .I’ll drop them off before I go in. Night!” She smiled.

He gave her a curious look. “Cordelia, you have company, don’t you?”

“Um, no. Why do you ask?”

“Your shoving me out the door.” He made a move to go towards the living room, but she
stepped in front of him. He turned quickly and peered down the hall at the bedroom. He
noticed a red mane of hair poking out from under the covers.

“It’s not what you think.”

He shook his head. “I don’t think I want to think about what’s going on.”

”Angel it’s. . .complicated.”

”I don’t want to know.” He sighed and gave her a sad look. “Just. . .just take care of
each other.”

She nodded and he walked out the door.

“Is someone here?” Willow called from the bedroom.

“No. . .I was checking the mailbox. Angel left me some paperwork. That’s all.” She
leaned against the front door and looked up. “Ugh, why me?” She whispered.

--------------

The rest of the week flew by. There were six births and five bus loads between Monday and
Friday – a new record. Willow left the office early to attend another therapy session
then headed back to Cordelia’s to pack. She finished with about a half hour to spare.

Cordelia walked in the front door. “Willow? You still here?”

“I’m here.” She called from the kitchen. “I just called a cab.”

”No way. I’ll drive you.”

She walked out into the living room. “No. It’s alright, Cordy. I’d rather say goodbye
to you here.”

”You’re only going for the weekend you know.”

Willow looked down at her feet, embarrassed. “I know. That’s what I keep telling
myself.”

She laughed a little. “Welcome to my shoes. So, how do they fit?”

Willow smiled and hugged her. “Too well.” She sniffled. “It’s only a weekend. I’ll be
back on Sunday night.”

”I’ll pick you up.”

Willow nodded. A car horn sounded outside. “That’ll be for me.”

Cordelia gave her one last squeeze and pulled back. “Have a good trip. Call me if you
get a chance.”

Willow leaned in and kissed her. “I will. I promise.” She whispered. She grabbed her
backpack – Angel had thankfully bought her a new one after the incident with Xander – and
headed out the door.

Cordelia watched her get in the car and drive off. They waved to each other until the car
was out of site, then she went back inside for some hot chocolate Dennis made her and a
good cry.