As far as I can see
by wicked
As far as I can see
[reviews]
As far as I can see
(Scotts Season 7 Challenge)
Wicked5by5
Disclaimer...characters belong to Joss Whedon and Mutant Enemy
Yet ANOTHER spin on Buffy being kicked out of her house.
Buffy is severely injured, to the point of being in a coma, as a direct result of being removed from the house (the first evil sends ubervamps/bringers to attack her, this does not take place near the house though, and the others do not know, save for Willow who senses something's wrong).
As Buffy clings to life, Willow, racked by guilt, finds her unconcious and beaten form and, instead of taking her back to the house (because Will isn't sure they'd help Buffy at that point ANYWAYS), holes up in an abandoned house, managing to procure some first aid equipment from the local hospital.
She cares for Buffy, slowly realizing just how deep her feelings run.
Meanwhile the others, without Buffy' decisive leadership, are beginning to fracture at the seams. The potentials do not listen to Faith, instead opting to follow Kennedy, who gets a lot of them killed in the process when they search for Willow.
Giles, realizing their grave mistake, manages to rally the remaining potentials and sets out to find Willow and hopefully Buffy.
Must Have:
-An appearance by "First Evil" Tara
-Buffy eventually recovering
-Willow admitting her feelings to Buffy
-Buffy hugging Willow
-A garden gnome
-The last scene of the fic must contain the Now Leaving Sunnydale sign
-Willow crying
- A decently happy ending
Optional:
-Spike singing
-Kennedy accidentally staking Xander
-A phone call
-Mr. Gordo
-Comfort Food
-A cryptic message
-A prophecy
-A lot of money
-A puppy
-Dawn/Kennedy
-Quentin Travers (yes, I know he's dead)
-A vampire baby
-Dark Willow
-Vampire Willow
-Vampire Giles (or Ripper)
-Vampire Buffy
Buffy walked down the deserted street amazed that it was so empty. Things had not been right here for a while and the clueless people of Sunnydale had finally got a clue and abandoned the host of the hell mouth. Wiping a tear away Buffy thought back to what had happened moments ago. It hurt that Faith and the others had rejected her but Dawn and Willows betrayal stung the Slayer to the very core. There was an ache deep inside of her soul that hadn't been there before. Sensing something strange Buffy headed down a deserted alley only to find herself face to face with Caleb. Wanting to unleash some of the turmoil that was bothering her, the Slayer lunged forward enjoying the feel of a cheekbone cracking under her fist. Following quickly with a kick to the preachers' ribs and a backhand to the nose. She wasn't even breathing hard and Caleb was bleeding hard. It was clear the Slayer had the upper hand until a voice echoed in the darkness.
"How does it feel to be abandoned, Buffy? She chose you over me so many times it is nice to know that you have a clue how I felt." Feeling all color drain from her face, she turned to see Tara standing under a streetlight with her hands tucked into a long, black overcoat. No matter how hurtful the words, Buffy felt relief at seeing Tara standing before her. The Slayer rushed forward prepared to hug the blonde witch. Seconds later Buffy was flying through the air as the First flung a ball of energy into the Slayers chest. As Buffy stood and staggered forward, she felt arms grab her quickly and then fists were landing random punches and kicks all over her. Breathing was difficult and moving was almost impossible. Trying one last time to defend herself against a booted foot the Slayer curled up into a ball and received a kick to the face that sent her into unconsciousness instantly.
Willow was talking to Dawnie when she felt something digging into her senses. They had been discussing how wrong it seemed for Buffy to be out on the streets when she had been the one to save them so many times before. Something was wrong and the Wiccan needed to know what it was because. Walking down the block she didn't sense anything except for uncomfortable for being out after dark with no stake, especially now that the First was on the move. After going several miles Willow was about to chalk her uneasiness up to paranoia but then she sensed Buffys presence. Walking down the alley her breath caught when she saw a figure lying lifeless in a puddle of blood. It was Buffy, even without seeing her, Willow knew.
"Oh god, what did we do?" Rushing forward into the darkness the redhead feel to her knees and pulled Buffy over. Although it was hard to see in the darkness it was obvious that Buffy had lost a tremendous amount of blood. With trembling hands she reached out to search for a pulse. It was the hardest thing for her to do because there was a deep sense of forbearing that there wouldn't be one. With her heart pounding she placed her fingers along the blondes slender neck. Breathing a huge sigh of relief, Willow felt a slight thready pulse underneath her fingers.
"Buff...Buffy?" Her voice seemed loud in the darkness of the alley and the redhead really feared that someone, more like something would hear. It would be so much easier if those beautiful hazel eyes would just open and look at her, it would be ok. She would be ok if Buffy would wake up and tell her it would be ok. After several minutes of a one sided conversation and excruciating heartbreak it was obvious Buffy was not waking up.
"Buff..Buffy..come on." There was a huge lump in her throat and for the first time since Buffy had died, a feeling of helplessness overwhelmed the Wiccan. It hurt to breathe as she looked at her Slayer laying lifeless before her. Had they not sent her out it wouldn't have happened. "Oh god Buffy you have to be ok...please...I know that we were wrong...and that....Buffy?" A false illusion of hope made it seem like the lifeless body had moved but it wasn't real and the blonde had yet to respond to the voice of the redhead that had ruled her life for so long. Everything the Slayer had done was for Willow and she had betrayed that.
After what seemed like hours Willow knew she had to do something, she had to be Buffys protector and if they went home it wouldn't be pretty. Considering every house in Sunnydale almost was empty she struggled to lift the Slayer out of the bloody puddle that lied beneath her.
Twenty minutes later Willow had broke into an abandoned house not far from Buffys'. Laying her down on a bed she fought the tears that were threatening to overwhelm her. If the Wiccan gave in now, there was a fear the tears wouldn't stop. So much had gone wrong since Buffy had been brought back, but it would be ok...it had to be."
"I need bandages Buffy. Can you hear me? There is so much I need to tell you still...can you wake up? Please? I ....I am so sorry..." damn, the first tear fell and more followed quickly behind. How do people handle this kind of situation? I have to be strong. The redhead made sure the Slayer was tucked into the blankets and then ventured out into the darkness again. She had to get supplies for Buffy, if...god, here she was thinking about if Buffy didn't wake up.
After what seemed like an eternity Willow stumbled back in the house and immediately dropped that bags she carried. Buffy still had not moved and she kissed her forehead. "We need to wash you up, we need help you know that?" Brushing back a strand of hair she kissed the pale forehead of the slayer making sure not to touch the deep gash. "I need you to wake up, Buffy. There is not anybody at the hospitals and I cant go home, not after...they won't support you and I was wrong to give in to what they wanted...I am so sorry." Nothing, no response from Buffy at all and despair weighed heavy on the redheads soul. Going back into the front room she gathered the bags of medical supplies and headed back into the bedroom.
"We need to clean you up, Buffy. I don't mind if you don't but I am not guessing you will protest to much." Pulling the Slayers shirt over her head the Wiccan stared in amazement at the six pack abs. "Pants are next and if you decide to wake up please don't use Slayer strength because I have memories of a pillow fight where you about knocked me senseless. I am just trying to take care of you like you have always done for us."
Fighting tears again...dammit. Lifting the Slayer up out of the bed the redhead crumpled under the weight. "You need to go on a diet, girlfriend." "I should have run the water first." This thought occurs as she stumbles into the bathroom barely supporting the weight of Buffy. Days pass with no change in Buffy and Willow is getting close to wits end. Wondering if it is possible that she was doing something wrong and maybe making things worse.
"Buffy, I need you to wake up. Everything isn't right without you here and I know you are there. I am so sorry for what I did to you, you didn't deserve it and..." The days of hopelessness catch up and she lays down beside Buffy wrapping her tight. "I love you Buffy...not just that damn best friend crap but head over heals in love with you." Burying her face in the blondes hair the redhead cries for dreams she fears will never come true. Suddenly a hand wraps around the red head goddesses main "Took you long enough." It is a harsh whisper in the darkness but it is enough for the redhead lying in the Slayers arms.
"Buffy...Oh god...Buffy!" Kisses are planted all over the blonde. "I am so sorry for everything I did to you and it was all my fault and I am so sorry for everything I love you and in case you didn't know it ilove you."
The Slayer grinned feeling something deep inside that she had not felt since Angel. "I think I got that, Wills. What the hell happened and where is everyone?" Buffy watched as Willow hung her head "Wills?"
"Do you remember what happened last week?"
The blondes eyes opened wide "That was last week...God Wills I have to get up." All movements were halted by a slender hand pressing down lightly on the blondes chest.
"You cant get up, Buffy." Taking in her surroundings, questioning hazel eyes met green ones "Why aren't we at home?"
"I couldn't trust then to take care of you Buffy. Before I left I knew something had happened but we were fighting...I knew I was wrong."
TBC