Good-Bye
by GylzGirl
DISCLAIMER: Joss owns all, I'm just a poor ficcer with schlub on my shoe.
RATED: PG-13
TYPE: Angst? You're soaking in it!
******
The Watcher lay a lone lily across the tombstone and sat atop the grave. "I never expected to be here, not really. Well maybe once, but honestly, not ever since then. I keep replaying it over and over again, trying to see what I could have done to prevent it. Funnily enough, I think the hardest thing for me to accept is there was nothing I could have done. I wanted so badly to have something solid to blame, to hate, even if it was only myself, but really all I can blame is fate, and that seems so hollow. I did not fail you. You did not falter. We did everything right, yet, you're gone."
"The others are stunned. They've been walking about in a daze from the shock of it all. I'm so angry most of the time I don't know what to do with myself. I've been of little help to them I'm afraid. Willow's been playing mother hen to us all, coming by to check on me, supporting the others when they break down. I don't think she's eaten or slept since."
"I...I called Angel in Los Angeles. I know. I haven't spoken to him since... I was polite, I promise. He acknowledged the news, I heard him repeat my words into the room and then the unmistakable sound of Cordelia crying, then he hung up."
"The new Slayer has been called. She's 13, from London. The council wants to send her to Sunnydale, to me. They say the Hellmouth is still too active to go unguarded and with my experience I am the best man for the job. Truth be told, I almost threw up when I heard that. Oh I'll do my duty. I know you would want me to help this poor girl. You were *my* Slayer though. I couldn't have prayed for better."
"Oh God Buffy, how am I going to do this? How will I even begin? I thought nothing would ever be as hard as losing Jenny, how wrong I was. I'm sorry. Forgive an old man's tears. I'm being selfish I know. You finally have been able to lay this terrible burden down and I should be happy for you. But, I'm not. You were so full of life, everything about you, your eyes, your smile, and your laugh. I know how much you wanted to live and you should have gotten that chance. Every time I close my eyes, all I can see is your face on that night so long ago, eyes brimming with tears, "I don't wanna die." It cuts at my heart now as when you first spoke it."
"We were beyond Watcher and Slayer, beyond Father and Daughter, beyond friends. Things will never be right without you."
The Watcher stood with his back to the grave and removed his glasses. When he turned around, he appraised the freshly risen vampire that stood hissing at him. Before the fledgling demon could get its bearings, the Watcher rammed a stake through its chest with as much force as he could muster. It blinked at him twice, disbelieving. "I'm sorry Buffy," was the last thing it heard before disintegrating.
"Giles?" Willow approached, concern etched in her wan features.
"It's done. She's at peace. They'll never hurt her again." He half-turned back to the grave. "Good-bye." He slipped his arm around Willow's shoulders and they walked away.
by GylzGirl
DISCLAIMER: Joss owns all, I'm just a poor ficcer with schlub on my shoe.
RATED: PG-13
TYPE: Angst? You're soaking in it!
******
The Watcher lay a lone lily across the tombstone and sat atop the grave. "I never expected to be here, not really. Well maybe once, but honestly, not ever since then. I keep replaying it over and over again, trying to see what I could have done to prevent it. Funnily enough, I think the hardest thing for me to accept is there was nothing I could have done. I wanted so badly to have something solid to blame, to hate, even if it was only myself, but really all I can blame is fate, and that seems so hollow. I did not fail you. You did not falter. We did everything right, yet, you're gone."
"The others are stunned. They've been walking about in a daze from the shock of it all. I'm so angry most of the time I don't know what to do with myself. I've been of little help to them I'm afraid. Willow's been playing mother hen to us all, coming by to check on me, supporting the others when they break down. I don't think she's eaten or slept since."
"I...I called Angel in Los Angeles. I know. I haven't spoken to him since... I was polite, I promise. He acknowledged the news, I heard him repeat my words into the room and then the unmistakable sound of Cordelia crying, then he hung up."
"The new Slayer has been called. She's 13, from London. The council wants to send her to Sunnydale, to me. They say the Hellmouth is still too active to go unguarded and with my experience I am the best man for the job. Truth be told, I almost threw up when I heard that. Oh I'll do my duty. I know you would want me to help this poor girl. You were *my* Slayer though. I couldn't have prayed for better."
"Oh God Buffy, how am I going to do this? How will I even begin? I thought nothing would ever be as hard as losing Jenny, how wrong I was. I'm sorry. Forgive an old man's tears. I'm being selfish I know. You finally have been able to lay this terrible burden down and I should be happy for you. But, I'm not. You were so full of life, everything about you, your eyes, your smile, and your laugh. I know how much you wanted to live and you should have gotten that chance. Every time I close my eyes, all I can see is your face on that night so long ago, eyes brimming with tears, "I don't wanna die." It cuts at my heart now as when you first spoke it."
"We were beyond Watcher and Slayer, beyond Father and Daughter, beyond friends. Things will never be right without you."
The Watcher stood with his back to the grave and removed his glasses. When he turned around, he appraised the freshly risen vampire that stood hissing at him. Before the fledgling demon could get its bearings, the Watcher rammed a stake through its chest with as much force as he could muster. It blinked at him twice, disbelieving. "I'm sorry Buffy," was the last thing it heard before disintegrating.
"Giles?" Willow approached, concern etched in her wan features.
"It's done. She's at peace. They'll never hurt her again." He half-turned back to the grave. "Good-bye." He slipped his arm around Willow's shoulders and they walked away.