No Matter What
by Kevin
Part Eight
[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 8
Buffy slowly became aware of her surroundings. 'That must be the best sleep I've had in a long time.' she thought. She could feel the warmth from Joy who was curled up next to her. 'When did she creep in here? I must have been well out of it.' Looking over at the clock Buffy saw that it was too early to get up so she turned back and thought 'just another hour if sleeping beauty here will let me.' as she dozed off.
Buffy was suddenly wide-awake as she felt her ribs being poked. "Breakfast please Mommy." Joy said, grinning as she continued to poke. "Only if you stop with the poking young lady," she replied, laughing as she rolled away from her daughter. "You go and get cleaned up, don't forget the teeth, while I get your clothes out." Joy headed off to the bathroom while Buffy went to the dresser and found clothes for them both. When Joy came back, Buffy left her to get dressed while she went for her shower.
As she showered, Buffy let her thoughts wander. 'Gile's is gonna be making with loads of questions. Wanting all the details. I know he deserves to know what I've been doing but where I could get away with just giving Mom the major bits, he'll want the all the little bits n' pieces. An there's some stuff I just don't want to spill. Like how for the last four years even I've thought of them off n' on the big thoughts have all been about Willow. God, how am I gonna talk to her. Let her know how I've felt about just leaving her. I bet she's gonna be mad with me. What if she doesn't want to be friends anymore? Then there's Xander, will he ever understand? Dawnie seems to be okay with things but I bet she'll get round to giving me the third degree. Mom will probably want to know more as well. This new slayer, is she gonna think I'll just step right back into being the Chosen One. That's sure to cause a problem I don't need at the moment. I mean, she looked as if she was friendly enough with everyone. I wonder if she's had the help I did? And there's that girl that was behind the counter. She must know what's going on if Giles let her stay.'
Buffy was bought back to reality as she realized that the water had gone cold. She shook her head, 'To much to think about. That's bad.' Getting out of the shower, she dried herself off and got dressed. Back outside she found Joy watching cartoons. Looking at the clock she realized that she'd been gone nearly an hour. "Come on baby, let's eat," she said, getting jackets for them. Leaving the motel, Buffy decided to go to the Espresso Pump for breakfast, hoping that she wouldn't bump into any of the people she was trying to avoid at the moment. Talking wasn't something she wanted to do right now. Her luck held though. Finding a seat as far back as she could, she got Joy settled and went to get breakfast. Buffy made her way back to the table with mocha, orange juice and bagels. She settled herself into the booth and making sure that Joy could manage, started on her own breakfast. Then her luck ran out.
As she heard Willow order, she thought 'Please don't look round. God, I hope she doesn't see me. What if she comes over? What do I say? Can't just ignore her. Help here please. Now I'm babbling. Oh god.' Buffy shrank into her seat and put a finger up to silence Joy. Didn't work though. "Hi Buff." It was said quietly. Willow knew that Buffy would hear it. "Can I join you?" Buffy didn't look up. 'I can do this. I can do this.' Buffy's mind started running faster than she could keep up. She nodded and heard Willow pull out a chair and sit down. Still not daring to look she heard Willow say "Hello Joy, I'm Willow." Buffy sneaked a look. Willow had turned so she was looking at her daughter. Willow carried on talking to Joy, "I'm your Mom's best friend, girlfriend that is. Mommy has boyfriends as well but I'm the best girl." 'Still babbles a bit then.' thought Buffy. "Hello Willow," replied Joy. The tone Willow used gave her a bit of courage. It didn't sound as if it carried any malice or in anyway unfriendly. She raised her head and looked as Willow put out a hand to Joy, which she was surprised to see, Joy took and returned the handshake. 'That's different. She's usually shy of new people until she knows I trust them? Does she sense something in Willow?' Buffy had always had a feeling that her daughter could sense how people felt.
Before she could turn away, Willow turned and smiled at her. "Hi Will." Buffy mumbled quietly. Before she could say anything else Willow said, "I know this is hard for you so I'm not gonna start with the talk. I'll wait till your okay, though you know I want to know everything, and I mean everything." Buffy noticed how Willow put a bit of emphasis on the last bit. "Thanks Will. I promise when I'm ready you'll know." She said. "Right now I can cope with just covering the big picture, but finer bits are gonna take time." While she said this, her thoughts were entirely different. 'How do I ever tell her how I feel? How she makes me feel. She'll never want to talk to me again.' Buffy had thought that she would never love anybody in the way she had loved Angel. However, over the last four years Buffy had realized that the love she felt for Willow was much deeper than she ever felt for Angel.
Buffy was pulled from her daydream when she heard Joy say, "Is Mommy okay?" Looking at Joy and Willow, she saw that they were both looking at her with a frown. "Sorry guys, just got carried away a bit." She said. Willow said, "It's ok Buff. I was just saying that I thought I'd get to know this pretty young lady a bit better and I told your Mom that Faith and I would find somewhere to live as soon as possible." "No need for you to do that." Replied Buffy, "I already told her that I wouldn't see you guys move out on my account. I'm ok for the minute and as soon as I get a job I'll find Joy an me a place. Kinda used to living together now, just the two of us." Willow wondered why Joyce hadn't said anything to her about that. As she finished her coffee Willow said, "So, your gonna go an see Giles this morning. Best of luck with that. Say, can Joy stay with me. I don't have any classes today and I can look after her. I can stop by Gile's place later." When Buffy looked at her daughter, she saw she was smiling. "I don't know Will. She not normally this fast at taking to people. Promise me that if she starts to feel nervous you'll come straight to Gile's. And no asking her loads of stuff about me, ok, an don't leave her with anybody." Buffy replied. "I like Willow, please Mommy, pleeeaaassee Mommy." Joy said. "Okay baby, if you're sure" Buffy said, "Thanks Will. It'll make it easier to talk to Giles, but remember, straight back if she want me." "No prob. Buff. I'll look after her an I won't get her to embarrass you." Willow replied. Buffy finished her bagel and coffee. Getting up she said, Thanks again Will. and you young lady behave for Willow ok?" Joy sat there nodding her head.
As Buffy walked to the Magic Box, she tried to clear her mind of everything except the upcoming talk with Giles. Pushing open the door, Buffy entered the shop and looked round. There was one customer at the counter being served by Anya but no sign of Giles.
She walked further into the shop as the customer left. As she walked up to the counter to ask for Giles Anya said, "Giles isn't here, he said to tell you to go over to his house." "Uh, okay, he's still living in the same place then." Not getting any reply Buffy turned and left thinking 'Rude or what. I mean, he might have moved and I wouldn't know where he lived then would I?' Ten minutes later Buffy stood outside Gile's house. 'Come on, let's get this over with.' As she raised her hand to knock the door opened.