And You Know It's No Fun
by DawnBTVS
Chapter 13
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Giles has joined up with Lilly and Phillip, helping them haul Joyce to the airport. I heard that they would be transporting her to England shortly, most likely locking her up in The Council's building where they could keep an eye on her. I'm on the couch, just holding Buffy's body to mine. She isn't sleeping, attested by the fact that her eyes are wide open. The TV screen is playing a movie that I've forgotten the title too already. I've been too focused on Buffy. I pull the blanket up around us to snuggle us closer. I hear the soft sigh of content feeling from Buffy. I smile, kissing her just below the ear. She shivers slightly.
"I love you," I whisper into her ear. She rests her head on my shoulder again. I could be like this forever.
"I'm sorry," Buffy mumbles into my shoulder.
"Shhh...you're with me, now. Nothing can hurt us," I whisper again. She lifts her head, hazel eyes staring at me with love and trust. I smile at her.
"They're coming back this week," Buffy says quietly. I nod my head in affirmation. Cordelia and Xander. I close my eyes, trying to shake off the event. I open my eyes to Buffy looking at me with a bit of concern.
"Just a brief...you know. They can't harm us though. You'll protect me this time just like you did when I was in the hospital," I say. Buffy nods her head but I can see that she doesn't really believe me.
"I didn't protect," Buffy whispers, pulling from my embrace. The blanket falls off us to rest on the couch now. Buffy rises to her feet, walking over to the window, and gazing out at the black night. I stare at her, slightly annoyed at the loss of contact, then annoyed at myself for being so insensitive. I get to my feet and walk up behind her but I keep my hands to myself lest I scare her off.
"I'm recovering, Buffy. You did what you could after the fact and from what Larry told me, before the fact too. You just missed the middle but I'll survive. So will you," I comment. She doesn't turn to face me though and I frown at her back. Come on, Buffy.
"It was so dark when I saw you. Just a long stream painted on the floor. You wanted to save it for me. It's lost and..." Buffy trails off, finally turning to look at me with anguish on her face. Tears are brimming but not spilling. I want to hug her but stay where I am, conflicted as to how to comfort her.
"You can't blame yourself anymore, Buffy. I won't let you, okay? I want to focus on the future now," I say. Buffy swallows and nods her head. She stares at me, her eyes filled with pain. I can feel my lips trembling, just wishing I could go back through time, and erase everything that happened.
"They'll return. All bandaged maybe with anger in their hearts and swarms of friends looking for payback," Buffy whispers. I can see she's already imagining the scenes in her head. A quick flash of a repeat of what happened to me, happening to Buffy flashes in my head. I grit my teeth and grab her arm. She looks down at my hand in surprise.
"I won't let them hurt you, Buffy. If I have to go to jail for murdering everybody who dares look at you the wrong way, I will," I growl at her. She looks at me with a small bit of amazement. She reaches a hand out, stroking my cheek.
"Protector," she whispers, taking a step forward. I nod my head, staring into her eyes. I kiss her forehead.
"Always," I confirm. She rests her head on my shoulder as I embrace her tight. Her arms are wrapped around my waist like that of a small child.
~~~BTVS~~~
"Drusilla lied," I remark, lifting my head off Willow's shoulder but keeping my arms around her waist. I want her to know that Drusilla lied. She lied and Mommy lied but Willow....lied but she loves too. I want Willow to feel my love completely but she lost it and I can't show her the key to the door. I can't be strong anymore. I'm a beaten shell who can't protect.
"She'll die and we can move on," Willow replies. I nod my head but I'm still conflicted. Drusilla knows me but she knows Willow too. I look at Willow, trying to figure out what to say. She can see my confliction though.
"What will happen to Mommy?" I ask, just staring at Willow's eyes. My eyes travel to her lips, wanting to kiss, but fearing that I don't have permission for such a quick task.
"The Council will likely place her in a confined room where they can keep watch," Willow responds. I don't make any acknowledging gesture. I want to see Faith.
"Is there a way to get Faith here?" I ask. Willow looks at me, slightly confused. I can see her trying to recall who or what Faith is. She knows who she is now though as she glances back at me.
"I'll talk to Giles and see what we can do but I can't promise anything," Willow responds. I give her a small smile in response, grateful that she could do such an action. I want this family to grow and as much as I like Willow and Giles, I do miss Faith greatly. I'm sure Willow would like Faith. Giles, would take a while to adjust probably.
"You'd like her. She's spunky," I say. Willow smiles and I can't help but smile back. She leads me back to the couch, again pulling me down against her shoulder. I rest my head on her shoulder, just taking in the flashing colors on the television screen to distract me from the real life situations.
~~~BTVS~~~
I purposefully ignore the snickers and glances from the people idling away in the hallway as Buffy and I move towards my locker. Buffy's been quiet all day. Xander and Cordelia are returning today and neither of us have any idea how they'll act towards us. I'm on the defensive thought, stuffing my pockets with a couple pens, and a slightly illegal steak knife. Better to slice them then have Buffy...given that treatment. We pull up to my locker as I effortlessly do the combination and pull the door open. I pull back in disgust at the red liquid soaking all my books. Buffy sniffs, and leans forward next to my ear.
"Strawberry jam," Buffy whispers. I nod my head, scowling at the mess. I let out a low growl as I grab the two books I need and shove them into my backpack. I'll grab some paper towels later and clean the muck off. Buffy will be my side this time. No more breaking us up.
"Willow Rosenberg, a moment please," commands Principal Flutie. I glance back at Buffy, a feeling of worry suddenly washing over me. Buffy tightens her grip on my hand as I turn my attention back to him. He has a look of impatience.
"Can Buffy come?" I ask. I'm sure he knows about the fact that Cordelia and Xander are returning today. They likely could already be in the building, which causes me to grip Buffy's hand tighter. I'm thinking we'll break each other's hands at this rate.
"I'm sorry, Willow. It's your presence only that I'm requesting," Principal Flutie replies. I glance back at Buffy, severely pissed, and scared to leave her alone. She lets go of my hand, instantly wrapping her arms around her waist.
"Just go to the library and wait there for Giles, okay. If anybody tries to stop you, just hit them," I tell her. Principal Flutie clears his throat and gives me a hard look as I glance at him. "What? You're the one who let them rape me," I snarl, earning a blanched look. Probably thinks I'd sue the school. He pushes me in the back slightly to get me moving. I watch Buffy until I turn the corner, not happy at all with this.
~~~BTVS~~~
I look around uneasily and hoist my backpack higher onto my shoulder. Okay, everything will be just fine, Buffy. Wish I could believe myself. I close the locker door and begin to shuffle towards the direction of the library, head staring directly ahead. I can see the glances from the corners of my eyes and I almost pull the stake out of my front jeans pocket. I reach the library doors in what feels like forever before quickly ducking inside. I rise, as I take in the library, somewhat empty, with the sun shining through the windows on the upper level. I dump my bag by the counter.
"Giles?" I call out but I don't get a response. I lean myself against the counter, annoyed with Giles that he didn't show. I glance up as I catch movement out of the corner of my eye. I tense myself into a fighting position. From behind the stacks come Xander and Cordelia, both wearing angry looks. Xander doesn't have any bandages but his face is still slightly bruised beneath his left cheek and he has a small laceration above his right eye. Cordelia looks about the same but then again, I almost choked her. My hand still has a faint imprint on her neck. She looks a little flushed too but I ignore that. Instead, I focus on the group of twenty kids behind them. I swallow nervously but get myself into fighting position anyway. If they're going to try and rape me, I'll kill them.
"Ever since you came here, Buffy, things have really sucked on our end. You should've kept your nose out of our business," Cordelia says. I don't say anything, just wanting them to fight me already. I hope whatever Flutie is saying to Willow takes a long time because I don't want her here in harms away.
"We enjoyed taunting Willow and generally fucking her life up. She asked for it and then you came. We never took it past taunting, Buffy. You were the one who really had to exacerbate everything," Xander says. I shake my head and growl at him. It's not true and he's a liar. He hurt Willow. They hurt Willow.
"You want to do me the favor? Take your best shot," I snarl. The rush of ten guys is exactly what I wanted as I glance back at the open weapons cage. I catch sight of Giles' slumped body by the filing cabinet. I growl softly, pulling my stake out as the first guy converges on me.
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Author's Note: I didn't forget this story, don't worry. Just juggling the two stories as well as college life.