A/N: I'm uploading this as a separate fic because the whole thing looks
like it will be quite long. Seemed like too much to leave in one chunk. 700
chapters seems wrong somehow.
"The Pretty Things"
Anya lifted her head wearily and looked out the window. It was still dark but she could see the thin tendrils of light reaching out over the mountains. Almost morning. She yawned and snuggled her head back on Xander's sleepy chest. She watched the land crawl by as the bus made its way across the countryside. She was glad. Relieved even.
This would be a new life for both of them. Her and Xander, starting fresh. He'd get a job building things. Anya was debating going to back to school. She could get a piece of paper that qualified her to count money all day long. That sounded nice. Boring, but nice.
They'd traded their plane tickets for bus tickets that would get them out of Sunnydale well before morning. Hasty packing and quick goodbyes took place in a matter of hours. They'd send for the rest of their stuff later and Xander was working on convincing his parents to relocate as soon as possible. Hopefully not to Pittsburgh, though. Anya had seen just about enough of the Harris' for one lifetime.
She glanced up at Xander's face. He looked peaceful. He wasn't wearing that worried-nightmare look that had been so common lately. She was certain that things were going to finally work out. For the first time since she lost her powers, Anya was truly happy to be human.
***
Tara grabbed the last of the bags and headed for the boarding gate. The plane was scheduled to leave any minute. Willow was still working on the ticket situation but with a little luck they'd be in their seats and learning about emergency exits in a matter of minutes.
Tara felt a pang at the thought of leaving Sunnydale. So much good had come out of her stay here. She had friends. She had a home. She had a lover. For the first time in her life, she'd felt like she belonged and now they were leaving. Probably forever. Somewhere between the location and the memories, Tara felt that she'd made a place for herself in Sunnydale.
It didn't matter, though. The most important thing was on her way back right now. Waving a ticket folder and grinning. They would be together. Wherever they went, they would be together. Willow picked up her things and the two women entered the gate.
"Well, we're off. Goodbye Sunnydale." Willow smiled. Tara knew that it was only a matter of time before Willow realized how much of herself she was leaving behind. But for now, it was okay.
"Wave Goodbye to the Hellmouth" Tara chuckled and waved, amused.
"France had better watch out. We come bearing bad touristy outfits and cameras that weigh more than we do." They boarded the plane.
***
His return was well received. Olivia met him at the airport and drove him to her apartment. She seemed happy to see him. Relieved. Her last visit to Sunnydale had been more than a little traumatic. Giles was sure that she had been thoroughly scared off. In fact, she had been. But it was different now. There was no slayer, no Hellmouth. Just a lonely man who'd forgotten how to live without a mission.
In her arms, he began to remember.
***
"The Pretty Things"
Anya lifted her head wearily and looked out the window. It was still dark but she could see the thin tendrils of light reaching out over the mountains. Almost morning. She yawned and snuggled her head back on Xander's sleepy chest. She watched the land crawl by as the bus made its way across the countryside. She was glad. Relieved even.
This would be a new life for both of them. Her and Xander, starting fresh. He'd get a job building things. Anya was debating going to back to school. She could get a piece of paper that qualified her to count money all day long. That sounded nice. Boring, but nice.
They'd traded their plane tickets for bus tickets that would get them out of Sunnydale well before morning. Hasty packing and quick goodbyes took place in a matter of hours. They'd send for the rest of their stuff later and Xander was working on convincing his parents to relocate as soon as possible. Hopefully not to Pittsburgh, though. Anya had seen just about enough of the Harris' for one lifetime.
She glanced up at Xander's face. He looked peaceful. He wasn't wearing that worried-nightmare look that had been so common lately. She was certain that things were going to finally work out. For the first time since she lost her powers, Anya was truly happy to be human.
***
Tara grabbed the last of the bags and headed for the boarding gate. The plane was scheduled to leave any minute. Willow was still working on the ticket situation but with a little luck they'd be in their seats and learning about emergency exits in a matter of minutes.
Tara felt a pang at the thought of leaving Sunnydale. So much good had come out of her stay here. She had friends. She had a home. She had a lover. For the first time in her life, she'd felt like she belonged and now they were leaving. Probably forever. Somewhere between the location and the memories, Tara felt that she'd made a place for herself in Sunnydale.
It didn't matter, though. The most important thing was on her way back right now. Waving a ticket folder and grinning. They would be together. Wherever they went, they would be together. Willow picked up her things and the two women entered the gate.
"Well, we're off. Goodbye Sunnydale." Willow smiled. Tara knew that it was only a matter of time before Willow realized how much of herself she was leaving behind. But for now, it was okay.
"Wave Goodbye to the Hellmouth" Tara chuckled and waved, amused.
"France had better watch out. We come bearing bad touristy outfits and cameras that weigh more than we do." They boarded the plane.
***
His return was well received. Olivia met him at the airport and drove him to her apartment. She seemed happy to see him. Relieved. Her last visit to Sunnydale had been more than a little traumatic. Giles was sure that she had been thoroughly scared off. In fact, she had been. But it was different now. There was no slayer, no Hellmouth. Just a lonely man who'd forgotten how to live without a mission.
In her arms, he began to remember.
***