Okay, so who hard a hard time believing that Angel wouldn't even drag his ass to Sunnydale the second he found out that Buffy was alive? I did. So, being the loyal B/A shipper that I am, I'm writing something different. Keep in mind that I'm a little new to posting fanfic, so give me a chance before you condemn me, k? :)



Title: Again

Author: Lil Niems

Disclaimer: Joss Whedon owns everything and everyone in the Buffy universe. Let us all bow down to him.

Spoilers: Everything up to "Afterlife". No Tara leaving, Giles isn't back yet and no B/S. (I like them together, but I prefer B/A)

Distribution: Pretty much anyone, just ask.

Summery: Buffy copes with life after death. But a familiar face will soon show up to help her. (You all know who.)

Feedback: Tell me wether I'm an awesome writer *hint hint* or that I better not quit my day job.





Life used to scare me. I used to wake up every morning feeling more and more afraid. Afraid of dying. But, I don't feel that way anymore. Now, when I face death again, I'll know what peace will await me. And I won't be afraid.



I woke up to the smell of pancakes and the sound of laughter. I glanced at the clock and noted that it was only 7:30. I wondered why they were up so early on a Saturday. I threw my robe on and made my way downstairs. Tara, Willow and Dawn were all sitting around the table and the second they all saw me, their laughing stopped.

"Gee guys, don't act like a zombie just walked in." I said with a fake grin plastered on my face. I, for one, thought the comment was clever. They others faces all fell.

"Buffy..." Willow started. I knew what she was going to say: 'You're alive now. You're not a zombie. You're safe now. Blah, blah, blah.' So I stopped her.

"It's okay Willow. I just thought it would be funny, that's all. Guess I was wrong." The last part I muttered to myself. Willow and Dawn looked unconvinced. Tara, thankfully, changed the subject.

"So, what do you got planned for today, Buffy?" she asked, with a genuine smile on her face.

"I dunno, I thought that maybe I would lounge around and watch tv." Then I realised something.

"Ooh, did Ethan and Theresa finally get married?" I asked hopefully. I knew that 'Passions' was Dawn's favourite soap and hoped she would spawn into one of her famous speeches, in which she would explain why Passions was the best show on tv. A smile lit her face. 'Jackpot.'



"Well, they were gonna, but things got totally screwed up when...." I listened with a smile. But it was fake, and my face started to hurt after a while.



About five minutes into her 'speech', I silently crept out of the room and let my head and that stupid smile fall.

"I can't keep doing this." I said aloud.

"Can't keep doing what, luv?" I looked up to see Spike leaning against the basement doorway with a cigarette dangling from his lips.

'Great, just what I need.'