My Salvation
by Bwriter
Part four
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Part four
(AN: Buffy/Xander friendship in this part )
Buffy had debated with Giles about whether or not she should go to school that Monday. She knew that some bruises were visible above her neck line and as much as she didn't want people staring or asking what had happened, she just wanted to get her life back to some form of normalcy.
Walking into the building and noticing the curious stares she was about to duck into an empty classroom until homeroom started when she felt a hand on her shoulder.
Jumping in fright she turned to face none other than Xander Harris, aka Willow's friend.
"Xander, hey what's up?" She was looking at him kinda strangely cause he never spoke to her before much less stopped her in the corridor to talk.
"Will asked me to make sure you were okay if I saw you before she did today. So me and my manly pride are here to protect." He finished giving Buffy a friendly smile.
Buffy's face dropped. She didn't think Willow would have told anyone. She didn't want anyone to know about what had happened. Not yet.
"S...she t...told you huh?" Praying to God he said no Buffy waited for Xander to answer her.
"Told me what? Hey are you okay? You look kinda pale."
She never told. Thank god.
"Yeah. No actually I'm feeling kinda sick think I'll go sit down." While it was true she did feel queasy, Buffy couldn't tell Xander the reason she wanted to sit was because with her ribs still hurting it made walking painful. Moving into the classroom she took a seat and was surprised when Xander sat down beside her. Off her questioning look he answered her unspoken question.
"To me you really don't look fine. Do you need anything? Water, a hankie, anything?"
Buffy smiled thinking that this guy was sweet. She was about to answer when out of the corner of her eye she saw a man standing by the door.
Turning her head to see who was there she knocked over her seat in shock while trying to scramble out of it at seeing her father standing there. She started slowly backing away even as he came forward.
"Y...you c...cant be here." Buffy was beyond scared. He was here in her school and Giles was nowhere around.
"But I am. Do you know how angry I've been? Get your shit together and let's go. Get lost boy." The last was snarled at Xander.
Xander. Buffy had forgotten he was there. She looked over at him silently praying he didn't leave her with his person she used to call daddy as a child.
Xander looked from Hank, who was pretty intimidating, over to Buffy who looked so small and scared that he would leave. Making his decision he walked over to her and pushed her behind him before turning to face the unknown man, who he suspected of being her father, standing before him.
"No I'm not gonna leave. Cause see she doesn't really look like she wants to be alone with you now does she?" Not really expecting an answer he went on.
"The school has security now. One move from you and I start screaming. And believe me I can scream pretty loudly when given the chance."
Hank looked to Buffy before issuing a threat and walking out.
"I will get you back baby. Don't for a second doubt that."
Then he was gone and the next thing Buffy was aware of were two arms wrapped round her. Xander had seen her about to hit the floor and had caught her just in time.
"Come on, let's get you outta here, class is starting soon." He began leading her out of the building and over to the old oak tree that sat near the cafeteria.
Sitting down on the bench in front of it Buffy wrapped her arms around her middle and stared at the teenagers rushing off to class.
Xander looked to the girl beside him and just knew what had happened. Her father had hurt her. Badly.
His parents weren't model citizens and when his dad was drunk, Xander stayed out of his way because he knew what would happen if he didn't. Looking over at Buffy he just knew that somehow she hadn't gotten away in time.
Wrapping an arm around her shaking shoulders he began talking to her and telling her about his childhood when his dad would thump him so hard he was lucky to still have teeth. He had never told this to anyone besides Oz. The two bonded over tales of frightened children hiding and hoping their fathers wouldn't find them.
The day passed all to quickly for Buffy. When school was over she met Willow at the entrance as they had pre-arranged at lunch.
"Hey Will do you mind taking a detour from Giles place? I wanna go to the police station first."
Willow looked over to her passenger and smiled before nodding.
"Whatever you want." Catching Xander's eye in the rear view mirror she smiled and drove in the direction of the local police station.
Buffy hadn't been able to get rid of Xander all day. Not that she minded, though having him stand outside the girls locker room while she peed was a bit much.
"Buffy? Xander, me, Oz, Cordy and Devon are going to the Bronze tonight. You wanna come?"
Buffy looked over at willow and was about to turn down her offer when Xander cut in.
"Come on Buff, ya gotta go, if only to laugh at my dancing style." That got him a laugh for which he was happy.
"How can I resist an offer like that? Okay count me in but only if Giles says it's okay.
Willow smiled happy that she would get to spend another night with Buffy by her side. Suddenly an idea occurred to her.
"Oh hey we could have a slumber party! You guys could all stay over at mine. It'll be so cool."
"Count me in." Xander answered almost immediately, Buffy was more hesitant.
"But what about Oz, Cordy and Devon. They might not want me there. We're not exactly friends."
"Don't worry about those guys, you'll get on great with Oz and Dev. Cordy will just have to live with it. Your part of the group now." Willow smiled at Buffy who smiled back.
"Then I'm in. Again only it Giles says yes though."
Looking out the window she noticed that they had pulled up in front of the police station.
"Here goes nothing." She was opening the door when Xander stopped her.
"You want us to come in?" Smiling over at him she shook her head. It was something she had to do alone.
"We'll wait here then." This came from Willow. Buffy looked at her two new friends and with a last grateful smile walked into the police station.
Walking up to the front desk she waited to be seen.
"Miss can I help you?" Buffy turned towards the voice and answered.
"I would like to talk to someone please."
"Okay could I take a few details off you first?" Seeing her nod he went on. "I'm officer Finn. Could I take your name?"
"Buffy Summers"
"Right. Well what is the nature of the talk?" Seeing her frown her elaborated. "Are you reporting a crime or..." He trailed off noticing her bruises for the first time when she moved a piece of hair away from her face.
"Wait right here and I'll see if a room is free."
He came back a few moments later and showed her into a small room where another officer was sitting. This time female.
"I'm officer Burkle. Officer Finn and myself will both be present to listen to whatever it is you have to tell us is that okay with you?"
Buffy nodded her head and took a seat.
"Would you like to tell us why you're here?"
Buffy looked up from where she was studying the tiles on the floor and took a deep breath before starting. She told them everything. She had to stutter through some parts but she got it all out in the open.
When she was finished she waited to see what they would do and say.
"Miss Summer's, we will put out a wanted notice on your father and have him brought in then we'll take it from there." Officer Burkle looked towards the young girl sitting across from her with her head down and tears roaming down her face.
"You did the right thing coming to us."
"I know. I hate him so much. I just want to see him go to jail for what he did. He was my dad you know? He was supposed to protect me from stuff like this, not be the cause of it." Buffy raised her head and the two police officers looked away from the misery they could see in the girl's eyes.
"You'll need to see a doctor to get your injuries checked out. You really should have gone when your uncle asked you to. We'll drive you there if you like."
"No it's fine, my two friends are waiting outside for me. Thank you for everything." Buffy stood up to leave but not before turning to ask one last thing.
"Will you let me know when you get him? I wanna know when that bastard is behind bars."
The officers smiled, replied yes and Buffy left. Walking out into the sunshine to meet her two friends, she began to heal just a little.