Title: Things Have Changed 55/100

Author: Polgara

Rating: PG

TtH Prompt: #85 Watcher

Fandom/Theme: Buffy/Stargate SG-1

Wordcount: 693

Disclaimer: I own none of the characters featured here. They belong to their respective creators and production companies.

Distribution: My site – Worlds of Possibilities, Wormhole Crossing, and TtH.

Spoilers: Takes place in season nine of SG-1, so definitely new characters and situations. Plus anything before is fair game. Everything of Buffy is fair game.

A/N: This was written for the tth100. Hopefully, all of these entries will be loosely linked together.

Series: Buffygate

Summary: Buffy receives a visit from an old friend.

Things Have Changed

Buffy smiled softly as she slowly came awake. Yesterday had been her first day without any symptoms of sarcophagus withdrawal. Dr. Lam had promised her that if she slept through the night she'd be released to go home in the morning and that was a pleasant thought. She had been in the infirmary for over a week as her body was nursed back to health. She could even tell that the cruciamentum drug was wearing off as she felt strength flowing through her limbs again.

She heard a slight noise next to her and she figured it was one of her teammates. They had all taken turns staying with her while she recovered, although Cameron seemed to be by her side the most. So when she opened her eyes she was surprised to see Giles sitting there instead.

It wasn't the fact that he had made it into the facility that had surprised her. When she had signed up for the SGC, she had made sure that all of her friends had clearance in case a problem arose that the military couldn't handle.

"I thought there was trouble brewing in Cleveland," Buffy said, sitting up in her bed.

"There was, but we handled it," he replied.

"Oh… Who came with you?"

"It's just me."

"Where's Dawn?" Buffy asked, slightly panicked.

"She stayed in Cleveland to finish making arrangements for the funeral," he explained.

"Funeral?" She asked softly. She was worried that one of her friends had finally run out of luck.

"Joanna."

Buffy vaguely remembered a sturdy sixteen year old with mousy brown hair. "I'm sorry," she said. She hated that even now with all the slayers in the world that they wouldn't all make it like she had. It was her fault that so many girls would die young.

She could see the lines of strain and worry on Giles' haggard face. Something glinted in his eye and she braced herself for the tirade she knew was coming.

"Buffy, you need to cease this foolishness and come back home."

"I am home, Giles. That's the part you don't understand. These people need me."

"And what about your responsibility as the slayer?" Giles countered.

"I am carrying out my duties as a slayer. Slayers were created to protect the Earth and I'm doing just that. Granted, I'm not fighting demons, but the Ori are just as vicious, if not more," she said stubbornly.

"The girls need your leadership."

"No, they don't. They have you, Dawn, the Scoobies, and Faith. I'm just a figurehead back there. You're no longer my watcher, Giles. You stopped being my watcher when you started advocating the death of my sister and friends. I belong here and nothing you can say can change that."

"What about Dawn? Doesn't she deserve to have you there?"

She glared at him. It was a dirty move to bring Dawn into the argument and he knew it. "Dawn made her choice. She was ready to step out from under my shadow and I'm willing to let her do it." Buffy sighed. "Giles, I wasn't cut out to be a mother, especially not to my sister. It's just not in the slayer's makeup. We're too independent.

"I may not trust you in all areas, but I trust you to raise her correctly. She has a lot to learn from you. Hopefully not the killing of friends and family, but still a lot."

Giles removed his glasses and pinched the bridge of his nose. "So you're staying?"

"I'm staying."

"Will you at least attend the funeral?" He asked, placing his glasses back on his nose. "It's in two days."

"I'll be there. Joanna, at least, deserves that."

He nodded and walked out of the infirmary.

Buffy sagged into her pillows. So much for it being a good day.