Aftermath and College
by Bwriter
chapter eight
[reviews]
Chapter eight
The Bronze wasn't too crowded when they arrived. Buffy looked around for the gang and found them sitting at two tables they had pulled together.
"There they are."
Buffy led the three men over to the tables and introduced them to the gang and Faith.
"So, this is the other Slayer then."
Jonny's eyes raked over Faith's body.
Faith, who was used to that sort of thing, just sent him a smile. Tom, however whacked him over the head.
"Eyes back in the sockets."
Jonny rubbed the back of his head and shot a glare at Buffy when she giggled.
Once everyone was seated, a waiter came over and took their orders from them.
Everyone was amazed by the amount of food Buffy ordered. The only one that came close to matching her was Faith.
"Hungry?"
The question came from Kim.
Buffy briefly looked at her before turning her attention back to her empty place setting.
"Little bit."
Willow nudged Kim in the side while Buffy fiddled with her napkin.
She thought she had gotten over this, people staring at her when she ordered a meal. Sure, she ate a lot, but Slayer's needed the energy.
Tom caught one of her hands in his and stopped her from ripping the napkin to shreds.
He let go once she sent him a small smile.
Willow looked over to see Anya whispering something in Xander's ear that had him blushing.
Buffy noticed it too. Seemed Xander had his hands full with that one.
Something was bugging Buffy. Okay, so Xander and Cordy broke up, she hoped anyway considering his relationship with Anya, but where was Cordy? Surely they were all still friends.
"Hey guys? Where's Cordy?"
Xander's eyes widened before flicking over to Willow, seeing a matching expression on her face.
Anya looked at Xander, a scowl on her face.
"His ex, is no longer around. She moved to L.A over a year and a half ago I'm told."
Buffy turned confused eyes to Xander.
"Why, did her parents move or something?"
Xander squirmed in his seat.
"Not exactly. She moved to live with her cousin, he owns a model agency."
Buffy noticed that Xander really didn't want to give any details, but at the same time she was curious.
"Why did you two break up? You never told me in your letters."
"I cheated on her."
Buffy's eyes widened. Cordy and Xander had seemed so right together and she couldn't imagine him cheating on her.
"Who with?"
"Me."
Buffy whipped around to face Willow, her jaw hanging open.
She did the calculations in her head and didn't like the answers she was getting.
"Didn't take long did it?"
Willow flinched and stood up.
"Newsflash! Its none of your business anymore. I need a drink." Willow marched over to the bar, and after few seconds Kim followed her.
Buffy turned to look at Xander before standing up.
"Outside. Now."
Tom, Mike and Jonny stood up.
"Alone guys. I'm okay."
Seeing their disbelieving looks she tried again.
"Really, I just want to talk to him."
Turning back to Xander she noticed he hadn't moved.
"Xand, come on. Please."
Xander stood up, kissed Anya on the cheek and followed Buffy outside.
He had just got out when Buffy pinned him to the wall.
"When did it start?"
Xander's eyes widened at the implications in that question.
"It's not what you think. Willow was depressed over you leaving and I jokingly suggested getting drunk. She called 'round to mine about a hour later with a bottle of Jack Daniels. We were both drunk. It was an accident. We were kissing when Cordy walked in."
Buffy knew he was telling her the truth. Xander had never lied to her before.
She let go of him and stepped back.
"Did you two-"
"No."
"Sorry about that."
Xander rubbed at his throat.
"It's okay. We cool?"
Buffy walked over to give him a hug, thankful when he returned it.
They were about to go back in when the door opened and Willow marched out.
"Buffy this had nothing to do with you. You left me remember? Who I date or sleep with now is my business."
Buffy indicated with her head for Xander to head back in and focused fully on Willow.
"I'm sorry about the way I reacted. It was shock, I never expected to hear that."
Willow calmed down a little.
"Why, because it was Xander?"
Buffy shook her head sadly before heading away in the opposite direction of the Bronze.
"No. Because it was you."
Buffy walked a little away before turning back to face Willow.
"I know I told you to move on, but I guess I always held out hope that you wouldn't. Unfair huh? Don't worry though. I get the message loud and clear."
She walked away, leaving Willow standing there.
Willow went back into the club and sat down.
Tom looked over her shoulder, waiting for Buffy to come back.
"Don't bother straining yourself, she's gone."
Tom stared at Willow like he misunderstood.
"Gone? Gone where?"
Willow shrugged.
"She went for a walk. Maybe she'll go patrol."
Tom's wide eyes met Jonny's and Mike's matching ones.
"Call Giles, tell him, I don't know, tell him something and get him here."
"T, if she patrols now..."
Jonny let his sentence trail off, Tom knew what he meant.
"She won't. She's smarter than that."
Willow was starting to worry.
"What's going on?"
tbc