For several days after the battle with Darla no on heard anything from Renee. When she told me that it would be one of the toughest battles of my life she wasn't lying. I figured that she just needed time, she was in about as bad shape as I was, and I assumed that she needed to process everything. This was her first major battle and not even the ascension battle was this difficult. I know that even before the battle she had been acting strange, and even aloof at times. So as soon as I was able I went to her apartment. I used my key and let myself in and searched for her. The last place I looked was the room that she had given me. She told me once not too long after I started spending time there that it was my sanctuary and she would respect that (I think that it was her way of telling me that she never went in there.)
When I walked in there the first thing I noticed was the note that she had left me. It was written in her careful script that was not unlike my own. I sat on the edge of the bed and read the note.
Angel,
Please forgive me for leaving this way. I need some time. There are too many things flying around in my head for me to sort them all out. I do promise you that when I am ready and confusion free I will come back. Whistler will be there in a few days to be of assistance if he is able. He will also know how to contact me if I am needed. I am truly sorry for not being able to do this in person, but seeing how I failed you and nearly getting you ki8lled is too much.
Renee
I walked home that night to face question glances and then the arrival of Whistler. Since her note said that he would arrive in a few days I figured that she probably had a couple of days head start. I wish that I had gone to her sooner and tried to talk her out of leaving. She needed to know that whatever was causing all of her confusion I would do anything in my power to help her with.
I explained to everyone that Renee went on a trip and that I didn't know when she would return, in her absence Whistler was here to help. Whistler and I talked, it didn't really help me any to know that he had seen this coming. He couldn't tell me how to help her other than to just let her go. So that is what I did. We fought our battle and helped our helpless for almost three months without ever a word other than an assurance every now and again that she was fine. I knew that she made minimal contact with Whistler and she probably did that through her dreams so that we couldn't find her even if we wanted to.
I think that after that third month Whistler could tell that I was getting restless without her here. Almost like I wasn't sure that she would be okay if she stayed away. I was worried about her, and even though she promised she would come back I was being to have my doubts.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*