Chapter 36 -The Importance of Dreams
Buffy had closed her bedroom door, and crawled across the semi soft mattress, and collapsed. Her worn body simply was too tired to move once she flopped. Thoughts raced in her mind, when had her life become so complicated? She longed for the simpler times of back when Giles, Xander, and Willow use to hang out in the library fighting the big bad. Now the man she loved was back with his first love, (not that he technically dumped her) but he was all over Rachel and how many times did he tell Buffy 'I don't feel for you what I feel for Rachel' even got angry when she asked him about her and that was even before she appeared apparently back from the dead. .
She wasn't throwing off any sparks on her spidey meter. (Which in reality would make things easier if she did) he simply didn't feel the same way he did for her that he did for Rachel. He never would, he simply had accepted that he was a father and was trying to be noble by sticking with her.
This lead to thoughts had he ever loved her, was the feelings he said he felt only because she was being pumped with drugs by Doctor Feel Good at the Manticore base. Was she someone to just fill the void, since Rachel had only died merely months before she found out she was pregnant or at least the best estimate would be, from the Intel she got from Max. What was the best solution; was it was best to avoid him and at least save her the dignity of an embarrassing break up?
She knew from the moment their eyes met, and the kiss just sealed it, he had the woman he loved. She was merely a cheap substitute. Her mind was just too overwhelmed to deal, she would just to go to sleep and worry in the morning.
The exhaustion of her emotions and pregnancy finally started to take over as she drifted. Her final thoughts before entering the dream world 'were at least the powers that be seemed to grant her some compassion and send one of her best friends back to her.'
Buffy's eyes fluttered, her body sinking deeper into the deep sleep of dreams and premonitions.
Dream…
Buffy was back at her house in Sunnydale and walking toward the front door. 'Baaaa'. She glanced toward the sound. That sounded really animal, She quirked an eyebrow toward the bushes in front of the porch; that was a new one. Usually it was moans with gasps and 'Oh baby' coming from the bushes but never a bleat. Wonder how you made someone bleat? Tongue piercing? Maybe?
She glanced to her left and spotted an ornate marble stature Angel in the middle of the fountain. When did her mom buy that? Regardless they shouldn't be doing naughty things so close to people's houses. She peeped over the side of the bushes with one eye closed.
What she saw was the most darling little lamb caught in the thorny bushes on the far side of the house. She rushed over and knelt next to it. 'Oh poor little guy,' her dream voice taking on a cutesy lilting reserved for small children and animals. 'You shouldn't be out here by yourself. It's not safe.'
The lamb stared up at her with soft brown eyes begging for help. 'I'll have you free in one second.' She promised as she pulled its spongy wool away from the thorns. Once done, she patted the lamb on the head. The lamb's lips curved up almost as if it was smiling at her. Buffy returned the smile until she saw the row of blood dripping fangs. Its mouth opened wider-the top of its head snapped back revealing another new head underneath- a wolf. The wolf locked its eyes on Buffy snarling and shook its body like a dog after a bath flinging bits of lamb on the grassy knoll.
Her eyes grew big and she backed up, "Whoa-that's not something you can put on an Easter card." She backed up two more steps; the large Black Wolf advanced its fur standing up in a thick ridge between its shoulder blades, its tail curled low.
"Crap-no waggles, "Buffy is your friend-she saved you from the nasty bush." The Wolf opened its mouth and leapt for her throat…
Buffy shook awake, her body covered in sweat and the low humming of the fan in her small bedroom as it blew small waves of air…