No Matter What
by Kevin
No Matter What
[reviews]
TITLE: No Matter What
AUTHOR: Kevin
DISCLAIMER: All original characters belong to Joss Whedon and Mutant Enemy. I own Joy and Anne.
SUMMARY: Buffy didn't return to Sunnydale after running away to LA.
DISTRIBUTION: I Kind of Love You.
Part 1
Buffy paused at the steps leading to a shabby run down house. Her right arm hung by her side with a gash in it, the jacket she had on was almost falling off because of the tears in it. The worst one was across her stomach which had gone in far enough to leave a gash which still seeped blood. She was feeling exhausted after running across more vampires in one night than she'd ever found in this small town. Usually it was only one or two a night. She sat down on the top step, giving in to the tiredness seeping through her. One thought was going round in her head.
'I CAN'T DO THIS ALONE ANYMORE'.
With a struggle Buffy pulled herself upright and limped to the door. Inserting the key she quietly entered the house that had been her home for the past 3 months. Leaning back against the door she let her senses roam the house smiling when she heard the quiet breathing in the bedroom upstairs. 'I can't do this alone any more, she needs more protection than I can give now'. With that thought she crept upstairs and slowly opened the door to peek in. The small figure in the bed was curled up facing away from the window, as if she didn't want to see what was out there in the darkness of the night. Quietly she closed the door and went to her own room. With a grimace of pain Buffy removed the torn clothing and made her way to bathroom to remove the blood and dirt of the night's battle. After taking a long hot shower she looked at the wounds on her arm and stomach. The one on her arm was already healing but would probably leave faint scarring, the one on her stomach though would need stitching if it was to heal without leaving a large scar. With a practise born of having to do it time after time Buffy sorted out what she would need and proceeded to stitch.
After cleaning up Buffy went back to her room and sat on the side of the bed. She shook her head trying to clear the one thought that refused to go away. 'I can't do this alone any more'. With a sigh she got up and climbed into bed looking at the clock on the side table. 2.30am, with any luck she would get about 4 hours sleep before the girl in the other room would sneak in and climb in beside her. Letting the tiredness wash over her Buffy closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep.
Sunlight was coming in through the partly closed curtains when Buffy opened her eyes. Not moving she let her senses come together. Slowly a smile formed as she felt the body next to hers move slightly as if sensing that Buffy was awake. Moving her head to the left she saw the blonde hair and peacefully sleeping face of the girl next to her. Looking the other way she saw that she'd been lucky this morning and got and extra hour in bed. As she lay there she thought how strange it was that this bundle of energy could be so quiet and stealthy when it was required.
Slipping gently out of bed Buffy put on a robe and quietly made her way down stairs. Her arm still ached a bit but the cut was gone leaving just a faint mark. The one on her stomach though was still an angry red but healing so that meant that the knife which had been used didn't have anything on it that would impair the process. Moving to the sink Buffy filled the coffee pot and put it on the stove to heat. She opened the fridge and pulled out the milk, taking a sniff she found it to be alright. Turning round, she retrieved bowls and cereal from the cupboard and proceeded to prepare breakfast. Pouring herself a large cup of coffee Buffy sat down at the small table that occupied one wall of the kitchen and started to eat. Not hearing any movement from upstairs her thoughts started to drift again. 'I can't do this alone any more'. In the clear light of morning she realised that this wasn't a new thought, subconsciously it had been there for sometime. She was tired of the constant moving from town to town, never staying in one place long enough to put down any form of roots. Living on the small amount of money she could earn doing waitressing or whatever came her way. Always trying to stay one step in front of anybody who might be looking for her. At this point her mind thought 'The Council', but she guessed the others would also have been looking, so far she had been lucky. She had kept up the slaying but not in a large enough quantity for word to get out that a slayer was in town which would only draw attention to herself.
Hearing footsteps above her she smiled and poured another bowl of cereal. Going to the fridge she got out the juice and poured a glass, placing it on the table along with the bowl in front of the other chair. The girl entered the kitchen, smiling when she saw Buffy sitting there. "Morning sweetie" said Buffy, "Did you sleep ok". The girl smiled again before replying "Yes". Leaving the girl to eat her breakfast Buffy went back upstairs to get dressed.
'Today I'm going to do it' thought Buffy. 'No more indecisions. It's time to go home'. Moving slowly round the bedroom she picked up the tattered clothing from last night's battle and placed them in a sack along with other clothes that had been slashed and torn in past battles. Moving to the closet, she pulled out two cases and started to pack what few clothes she still had. Once that was done Buffy moved on to the other bedroom and did the same thing there, only leaving out clothes for the girl to wear today. Going back down to the kitchen she saw that the girl had finished her breakfast and was just sitting there looking out into the yard. "Go and get dressed sweetie" said Buffy, "We're leaving". At this the other girl turned and gave Buffy a sad look. "No" said Buffy "This time it's a different kind of move. We're going home". Giving Buffy a puzzled look she said "Home". "Yes" replied Buffy, "Home".
Not fully understanding what Buffy meant she rose and went upstairs to get dressed. Buffy washed and dried the breakfast things and placed them back in the cupboard. At the same time she took out two Thermos flasks and filled one with the remaining coffee and the other with juice. Looking in the fridge she saw that there was only a couple of bits in there and they could be thrown out. Buffy moved to the sitting room and looked round, her eyes only stopping when they got to the only part of her past she'd allowed herself to keep. Two small photograph's, one of her Mother and sister Dawn and the other of the Scoobies with Willow standing proudly in front of the group. 'Not time for Willow thoughts yet' she thought as she picked them up and opened her case to place them safely inside. Going round the house she made sure that everything was switched off. Moving upstairs she picked up small duffle from her bedroom to pack the bits from the bathroom. Calling to the other girl she said "Take your pj's down with you". Hearing the girl move downstairs she looked round once more to make sure she had everything. Back downstairs Buffy put the girls pyjamas into the other case.
Picking up the cases Buffy went outside and placed them in the trunk of the small car. Turning round she signalled the other girl to come and get in. She went back to the door and making sure it was locked placed the key in it's hiding place. Buffy moved back to the car and climbing in she started it and slowly drove off the drive. Turning to the girl she said "We're going home Joy, 4 years is long enough".