Displaced (CH1)
By obi's girl
Summary: Just as the titles states; Buffy returns from the dead, with some doubts as to why and how? And she's not the only one that feels that way.
Buffy walked wearily down Main Street. She looked around, peering at everybody that passed her. She knew the place - Sunnydale, California, but even that didn't comfort her. She knew it was her home; she moved there just a year after her parents divorced, but to her it didn't seem right. No one recognized her. People simply walked by, ignoring her.
She nodded furiously, shutting the front of her jacket. It wasn't physically cold but it felt cold. The former Slayer continued down the street until she came a familiar block. She eyed the houses before pinpointing a group of apartments...
**
Buffy mused, knocking the door.
The lights went which was a relief but who would answer the door? She paced herself. The door opened. Same familiar face, gray hair - probably from years of worrying and aggravation she gave him. He squinted, partially awake. He rubbed his eyes, finally focusing. Buffy only smiled back. He eyed her from head to toe, unable to comprehend. He always dreamed one day, somehow, she would come back to him...but this. Tears started to form in his eyes, staring at her. Buffy frowned, crying herself looking at him.
"Giles.... I..." she began but before she could continue, he swept her up, hugging her.
He laughed, twirling her around until she motioned he let her down. Buffy smiled back at him, tears in her eyes as well. "God Buffy, I never imagined...never thought. You have no idea how happy I am to see you - it's been a long time."
Buffy smiled back, "I know, Giles. But I'm back...for good."
Her former Watcher smiled, walking to the couch and settling down. He was glad she was back but how and why? That's what scared him. It had been 10 years without having her at his side and to have her back after sometime without an explanation or reason, was odd.
Buffy wiped away her tears before settling down next to him on the couch. She smiled, taking his hands in hers and nodded, "Just take it as is, Giles. I wouldn't have it any other way."
"I wish I could...but..."
She leaned foreword, "But what? I'm here; I'm real."
Giles huffed, "But...how? You've dead for ten years, Buffy, and now you're suddenly back without explanation..."
"Giles, it doesn't matter. I'm back...now give me a hug." She smiled, extending her arms to him.
The Englishman only smiled, stood up and began to pace about. Buffy only frowned, sitting silently on the couch. She flipped her hair to her right shoulder and sighed, "I don't even know what you're worried about. What matters is that I'm back."
"I want to believe that...that you're back, but why? Buffy, there are so many unanswered questions." He paused, looking at her, "How can you not be worried about this? You were dead and now you're alive. Doesn't that make you question why or how?"
Buffy shrugged, standing up. "It doesn't bother me. It's not like I haven't been dead before. I have...twice before."
"Yes, but it wasn't for ten years."
She waved her hands, "Forget about it. I don't want to talk about this anymore." Buffy looked at him again and smiled, "How are you? How have you been doing?"
Giles smiled, "Hmm. You interested in my private life? That's never happened before. Obviously, you've forgotten our routine."
"Seriously, how are you?"
Giles looked down, "I love you." He mumbled, low enough she couldn't hear. Buffy bent her head down to force him to look at her. She smiled. He looked at her and breathed, nodding, "It's just after you were gone, my feelings for you, I came to a realization. I realized you meant more to me; so much more and now you're back, I can finally say what I've held back for years..." he peered up at her and gasped, "I love you."
"I love you too, Giles. You know that."
He nodded no, "No, I mean I love you. Buffy, I know we've been through some rough times but one thing has always remained constant.... I have always felt you were special and that...I respected and admired you but now, it's so much more. I love you."
"You love me." Buffy echoed, staring up at him, slightly releasing her hand from his. Giles turned to her, more seriously.
"Buffy?"
She only stood up, glancing at his clock and sighed, "It's late. I think maybe we should get some sleep." Buffy pursed her lips, eyeing the floor.
Giles stood up, going to the closet and grabbed some linen and a pillow. He came back, spread the blanket on the couch and set the pillow down, eyeing Buffy. She saw his gaze, stepped forward and kissed his cheek before settling down, falling to sleep. Giles smiled, kneeling and kissed her cheek in return and head up to the loft.
**
Dawn Summers gulped as she peered over at her alarm clock. 9:15 a.m. on a Saturday. She rolled her eyes, staring at her ceiling. The "Remembrance" yesterday...Frankly, she didn't want to go. It was too painful. Buffy died to save her; make Dawn live on... Giles assured her that she should be proud because what she did was a selfless act, but that didn't make her feel better. Buffy was her sister, her blood and for ten years, she's been gone. The last link to her family, last link to their mother was gone and remembering what she was, what she stood for was more than Dawn could bear. It killed her.
Now, she was truly alone.
**
"Hey Xander?" Anya asked, cuddling closer to her husband.
Before Buffy died, Xander proposed to her in the basement of the Magic Box. Initially, Xander didn't want to go through it because Buffy wasn't there but Giles assured him that Buffy was watching and was very happy for them. Now, married for 10 years, somehow it didn't feel right. Buffy was his first crush, best friend and hero and she wasn't even there to see them get married and live their lives together.
The Remembrance was helpful, but each time they went it just made the reality of what happened 10 years earlier harder and harder to deal with. Dawn came but before that she was probably debating whether to go or not - still in her nightclothes, sitting up in her bed crying.
"Yeah." He replied, staring at the ceiling.
Anya hesitated before continuing, clinging closer to him. "How do you think Dawn is doing? I mean, I know she came to remembrance...but how is she doing emotionally?"
He shrugged, "I don't know. Everybody hurts and deals with pain differently. Ya know, Dawn was her sister. Nothing gets closer than that."
She peered at him with her blue eyes, "But you think she's okay? She's dealing?"
Xander smiled, kissing her nose, "Yeah, she's dealing.... Just like we all are."
**
Giles walked quietly down from the loft, passing the couch and stopped. Buffy was curled up under the blanket he gave her, sleeping like an angel. She was an angel. Her golden hair was loosely flowing around her shoulders. He smiled before walking to the kitchen, pouring a cup of coffee.
She turned over, finally waking up. She rubbed her eyes, noticing a blur in the kitchen. "Giles?"
He peered up, grabbing another cup and pouring more coffee. Giles walked into the room, settling it down on the table while he sat on the reclining chair. Buffy picked up the mug, taking a couple sips, smiling thanks to him.
"So, when are you heading over to the Magic Box?" Buffy asked.
Giles shrugged, "It's Saturday. Anya can handle it." Then paused, studying her, "Why?"
Buffy only nodded innocently but Giles gave her a look and relented. "All right. It's just...I'm back. Well, because I am - I sort of have ta let everybody know I'm back. I can't stay here sheltered from my own friends and the world. Eventually, I will have to come out and deal."
He sat back in the chair, taking a sip and sighed, "Sadly, you're right...but Buffy, keep in mind, you've been dead for 10 years. And for you to sudennly come back without any given explanation is a bit...well..."
"Bizarre?"
"Quite." He smiled, then looked up at her, "How do you want to go about doing this?"
She shrugged, "Well, I figured you'd make an intro. Pave the way for my entrance and whatever questions they have, I'll answer them as astutely as possible." Buffy frowned, thinking over her words, "Of course, it's not really a realistic idea. It only sounded like it was in my head."
Giles laughed, "No, I think it's just a matter of presenting properly and adjusting to the idea that you're back." He paused, "Back. The Slaying."
Buffy nodded no furiously, "NO! Giles, you said it yourself. I'm dead...been dead for 10 years. I mean, do you think I had the chance to tone my body while I was in Heaven? No way. Slaying is out of the question. And patrol for that matter."
"I know but you've been dead before and you were able to readjust perfectly."
"Giles, I was dead for a brief 10 seconds - not 10 years!" Buffy shot back. "Besides, it's not like the Council's going to push me to continue Slaying. I don't work for them anymore and 'I'm dead'."
Giles shrugged, sipping his coffee, "Well, you can't keep it a secret forever. They will find out and when they do, they'll want to know why, how?"
Buffy drooped her shoulders, rolling her eyes, "What a time to come back from the dead. I think I have a break from everything until I realize life is still the same - one giant box with no escape."
The Englishman laughed, "Don't worry. There is probably all ready an active Slayer. It's been 10 years."
"And if there isn't, I'm screwed. 'Course, there's always hope I might die again and I'd be off the hook."
"Let's just keep hope alive." Giles replied.
**
Buffy's shoulders tensed as she stared at the Magic Box. Ten years. It seemed really hard to believe. When she was "up there" it seemed less than that. Two days, they said. Now, she had to readjust to being alive again after so long. Of course, she would never admit her true feelings. Her fears, her nightmares...
She nodded no, glancing at Giles. Giles saw her worry and placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. She smiled back at him as he stepped forward, entering the shop. He turned, glanced once at Buffy but she had disappeared.
**
Giles entered the shop as usual, walking behind the counter and opening shop. It wasn't until later Anya arrived from the back with a punctual smile on her face. "Ready to make money and accumulate more money, thus making a huge profit?" She piped.
Giles only rolled his eyes, getting a cup of coffee as Willow and Xander came in. Willow sat across from Giles as Anya bent over the counter to kiss Xander good morning.
Everyone was there...except Dawn. Dawn needed to be there. This was as much about her as it was about Buffy. Buffy said so herself, but still...He couldn't put off Buffy's "sudden" arrival for very long.
"Um, Anya, why don't you close up shop." Giles suggested.
Anya stared back at him as if he was some madman, then closed the register and walked over to the window, flipping over the sign.
Xander smiled casually, "So Giles, what's going on?"
He took a sip of his coffee then gestured to the table, only Willow and Xander just stood. Anya smiled at Xander as she joined the group.
"Um, what did you think of the Remembrance yesterday?"
Willow shrugged, fiddling, "It's the same every year. Nothing's changed. Has it?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.
He huffed, removing his glasses and as he was about to say something, someone entered the store. Giles walked away from the group, meeting the customer. "I thought you were going to wait." Giles whispered.
Buffy shrugged, eyeing her friends and frowned. "Where's Dawn?"
Giles put on his glasses again and shrugged, "I don't know. I didn't really ask. I thought the Remembrance would help, but it's done nothing to make the pain less for her, I'm sorry to say." He turned to the others and sighed, facing her again, "Are you sure you want to do this?"
Her blue eyes drifted from Giles to the gang and nodded, "I need to do this. I have to - they need me, Giles and I need them."
He nodded his understanding, gazing at Willow and Xander before looking at her completely. Buffy reached up, bracing his shoulder and smiled.
"Hey Giles, who is it?"
Buffy huffed, glancing at Giles from afar. He nodded her as she slowly removed herself from the shadows, unnoticed by the others. Giles smiled at Willow as he reached the table again. "Well, I - there's something I have to tell you ---."
"But showing is always better than telling." A voice stated from behind.
They all turned to the alien voice. They didn't recognize the voice at first, mainly because it had been so long since they heard it. Willow fumbled into a chair, staring as Xander nodded in disbelief, grasping Anya's hand. She walked forward, smiling at each of them, touching Xander's hand, grasping it with hers.
"You're alive." Willow gasped, staring at her friend.
Buffy smiled, "I don't know how or why, but I'm here. I'm alive - I'm real." She turned to Xander and smiled as he grabbed her into an immense hug. Buffy laughed, glancing at Willow.
"I still don't understand. It doesn't make any sense. How can you be alive?" Willow mused.
She shrugged, "Does it matter? I don't know; I don't care."
Willow nodded no, frowning, "Worry, Buffy. Worry allot."
"Worry? Worry about what? Does there always have to be a catch when something good happens?" Buffy questioned.
Will hesitated to answer. She wanted to believe everything was all right - they all wanted to believe. But doubt and too many questions unanswered - there had to be a reason.
Buffy nodded, "Look guys, I know I've been dead for ten years and maybe a bit out of the loop but I know we can make it work. I mean, it's not like I haven't been dead before; I have and it was 'Happily Ever After'; why should now be any different?"
Her eyes shifted from one friend to another. They couldn't answer her and she knew why. She knew it would be hard to accept; she still wasn't able to accept it herself. Buffy looked at Giles to back her up - Nothing. "Forget it. If you guys don't want to accept this, maybe it was a mistake I came back." She retorted, running out of the Music Box.
TBC
Summary: Just as the titles states; Buffy returns from the dead, with some doubts as to why and how? And she's not the only one that feels that way.
Buffy walked wearily down Main Street. She looked around, peering at everybody that passed her. She knew the place - Sunnydale, California, but even that didn't comfort her. She knew it was her home; she moved there just a year after her parents divorced, but to her it didn't seem right. No one recognized her. People simply walked by, ignoring her.
She nodded furiously, shutting the front of her jacket. It wasn't physically cold but it felt cold. The former Slayer continued down the street until she came a familiar block. She eyed the houses before pinpointing a group of apartments...
**
Buffy mused, knocking the door.
The lights went which was a relief but who would answer the door? She paced herself. The door opened. Same familiar face, gray hair - probably from years of worrying and aggravation she gave him. He squinted, partially awake. He rubbed his eyes, finally focusing. Buffy only smiled back. He eyed her from head to toe, unable to comprehend. He always dreamed one day, somehow, she would come back to him...but this. Tears started to form in his eyes, staring at her. Buffy frowned, crying herself looking at him.
"Giles.... I..." she began but before she could continue, he swept her up, hugging her.
He laughed, twirling her around until she motioned he let her down. Buffy smiled back at him, tears in her eyes as well. "God Buffy, I never imagined...never thought. You have no idea how happy I am to see you - it's been a long time."
Buffy smiled back, "I know, Giles. But I'm back...for good."
Her former Watcher smiled, walking to the couch and settling down. He was glad she was back but how and why? That's what scared him. It had been 10 years without having her at his side and to have her back after sometime without an explanation or reason, was odd.
Buffy wiped away her tears before settling down next to him on the couch. She smiled, taking his hands in hers and nodded, "Just take it as is, Giles. I wouldn't have it any other way."
"I wish I could...but..."
She leaned foreword, "But what? I'm here; I'm real."
Giles huffed, "But...how? You've dead for ten years, Buffy, and now you're suddenly back without explanation..."
"Giles, it doesn't matter. I'm back...now give me a hug." She smiled, extending her arms to him.
The Englishman only smiled, stood up and began to pace about. Buffy only frowned, sitting silently on the couch. She flipped her hair to her right shoulder and sighed, "I don't even know what you're worried about. What matters is that I'm back."
"I want to believe that...that you're back, but why? Buffy, there are so many unanswered questions." He paused, looking at her, "How can you not be worried about this? You were dead and now you're alive. Doesn't that make you question why or how?"
Buffy shrugged, standing up. "It doesn't bother me. It's not like I haven't been dead before. I have...twice before."
"Yes, but it wasn't for ten years."
She waved her hands, "Forget about it. I don't want to talk about this anymore." Buffy looked at him again and smiled, "How are you? How have you been doing?"
Giles smiled, "Hmm. You interested in my private life? That's never happened before. Obviously, you've forgotten our routine."
"Seriously, how are you?"
Giles looked down, "I love you." He mumbled, low enough she couldn't hear. Buffy bent her head down to force him to look at her. She smiled. He looked at her and breathed, nodding, "It's just after you were gone, my feelings for you, I came to a realization. I realized you meant more to me; so much more and now you're back, I can finally say what I've held back for years..." he peered up at her and gasped, "I love you."
"I love you too, Giles. You know that."
He nodded no, "No, I mean I love you. Buffy, I know we've been through some rough times but one thing has always remained constant.... I have always felt you were special and that...I respected and admired you but now, it's so much more. I love you."
"You love me." Buffy echoed, staring up at him, slightly releasing her hand from his. Giles turned to her, more seriously.
"Buffy?"
She only stood up, glancing at his clock and sighed, "It's late. I think maybe we should get some sleep." Buffy pursed her lips, eyeing the floor.
Giles stood up, going to the closet and grabbed some linen and a pillow. He came back, spread the blanket on the couch and set the pillow down, eyeing Buffy. She saw his gaze, stepped forward and kissed his cheek before settling down, falling to sleep. Giles smiled, kneeling and kissed her cheek in return and head up to the loft.
**
Dawn Summers gulped as she peered over at her alarm clock. 9:15 a.m. on a Saturday. She rolled her eyes, staring at her ceiling. The "Remembrance" yesterday...Frankly, she didn't want to go. It was too painful. Buffy died to save her; make Dawn live on... Giles assured her that she should be proud because what she did was a selfless act, but that didn't make her feel better. Buffy was her sister, her blood and for ten years, she's been gone. The last link to her family, last link to their mother was gone and remembering what she was, what she stood for was more than Dawn could bear. It killed her.
Now, she was truly alone.
**
"Hey Xander?" Anya asked, cuddling closer to her husband.
Before Buffy died, Xander proposed to her in the basement of the Magic Box. Initially, Xander didn't want to go through it because Buffy wasn't there but Giles assured him that Buffy was watching and was very happy for them. Now, married for 10 years, somehow it didn't feel right. Buffy was his first crush, best friend and hero and she wasn't even there to see them get married and live their lives together.
The Remembrance was helpful, but each time they went it just made the reality of what happened 10 years earlier harder and harder to deal with. Dawn came but before that she was probably debating whether to go or not - still in her nightclothes, sitting up in her bed crying.
"Yeah." He replied, staring at the ceiling.
Anya hesitated before continuing, clinging closer to him. "How do you think Dawn is doing? I mean, I know she came to remembrance...but how is she doing emotionally?"
He shrugged, "I don't know. Everybody hurts and deals with pain differently. Ya know, Dawn was her sister. Nothing gets closer than that."
She peered at him with her blue eyes, "But you think she's okay? She's dealing?"
Xander smiled, kissing her nose, "Yeah, she's dealing.... Just like we all are."
**
Giles walked quietly down from the loft, passing the couch and stopped. Buffy was curled up under the blanket he gave her, sleeping like an angel. She was an angel. Her golden hair was loosely flowing around her shoulders. He smiled before walking to the kitchen, pouring a cup of coffee.
She turned over, finally waking up. She rubbed her eyes, noticing a blur in the kitchen. "Giles?"
He peered up, grabbing another cup and pouring more coffee. Giles walked into the room, settling it down on the table while he sat on the reclining chair. Buffy picked up the mug, taking a couple sips, smiling thanks to him.
"So, when are you heading over to the Magic Box?" Buffy asked.
Giles shrugged, "It's Saturday. Anya can handle it." Then paused, studying her, "Why?"
Buffy only nodded innocently but Giles gave her a look and relented. "All right. It's just...I'm back. Well, because I am - I sort of have ta let everybody know I'm back. I can't stay here sheltered from my own friends and the world. Eventually, I will have to come out and deal."
He sat back in the chair, taking a sip and sighed, "Sadly, you're right...but Buffy, keep in mind, you've been dead for 10 years. And for you to sudennly come back without any given explanation is a bit...well..."
"Bizarre?"
"Quite." He smiled, then looked up at her, "How do you want to go about doing this?"
She shrugged, "Well, I figured you'd make an intro. Pave the way for my entrance and whatever questions they have, I'll answer them as astutely as possible." Buffy frowned, thinking over her words, "Of course, it's not really a realistic idea. It only sounded like it was in my head."
Giles laughed, "No, I think it's just a matter of presenting properly and adjusting to the idea that you're back." He paused, "Back. The Slaying."
Buffy nodded no furiously, "NO! Giles, you said it yourself. I'm dead...been dead for 10 years. I mean, do you think I had the chance to tone my body while I was in Heaven? No way. Slaying is out of the question. And patrol for that matter."
"I know but you've been dead before and you were able to readjust perfectly."
"Giles, I was dead for a brief 10 seconds - not 10 years!" Buffy shot back. "Besides, it's not like the Council's going to push me to continue Slaying. I don't work for them anymore and 'I'm dead'."
Giles shrugged, sipping his coffee, "Well, you can't keep it a secret forever. They will find out and when they do, they'll want to know why, how?"
Buffy drooped her shoulders, rolling her eyes, "What a time to come back from the dead. I think I have a break from everything until I realize life is still the same - one giant box with no escape."
The Englishman laughed, "Don't worry. There is probably all ready an active Slayer. It's been 10 years."
"And if there isn't, I'm screwed. 'Course, there's always hope I might die again and I'd be off the hook."
"Let's just keep hope alive." Giles replied.
**
Buffy's shoulders tensed as she stared at the Magic Box. Ten years. It seemed really hard to believe. When she was "up there" it seemed less than that. Two days, they said. Now, she had to readjust to being alive again after so long. Of course, she would never admit her true feelings. Her fears, her nightmares...
She nodded no, glancing at Giles. Giles saw her worry and placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. She smiled back at him as he stepped forward, entering the shop. He turned, glanced once at Buffy but she had disappeared.
**
Giles entered the shop as usual, walking behind the counter and opening shop. It wasn't until later Anya arrived from the back with a punctual smile on her face. "Ready to make money and accumulate more money, thus making a huge profit?" She piped.
Giles only rolled his eyes, getting a cup of coffee as Willow and Xander came in. Willow sat across from Giles as Anya bent over the counter to kiss Xander good morning.
Everyone was there...except Dawn. Dawn needed to be there. This was as much about her as it was about Buffy. Buffy said so herself, but still...He couldn't put off Buffy's "sudden" arrival for very long.
"Um, Anya, why don't you close up shop." Giles suggested.
Anya stared back at him as if he was some madman, then closed the register and walked over to the window, flipping over the sign.
Xander smiled casually, "So Giles, what's going on?"
He took a sip of his coffee then gestured to the table, only Willow and Xander just stood. Anya smiled at Xander as she joined the group.
"Um, what did you think of the Remembrance yesterday?"
Willow shrugged, fiddling, "It's the same every year. Nothing's changed. Has it?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.
He huffed, removing his glasses and as he was about to say something, someone entered the store. Giles walked away from the group, meeting the customer. "I thought you were going to wait." Giles whispered.
Buffy shrugged, eyeing her friends and frowned. "Where's Dawn?"
Giles put on his glasses again and shrugged, "I don't know. I didn't really ask. I thought the Remembrance would help, but it's done nothing to make the pain less for her, I'm sorry to say." He turned to the others and sighed, facing her again, "Are you sure you want to do this?"
Her blue eyes drifted from Giles to the gang and nodded, "I need to do this. I have to - they need me, Giles and I need them."
He nodded his understanding, gazing at Willow and Xander before looking at her completely. Buffy reached up, bracing his shoulder and smiled.
"Hey Giles, who is it?"
Buffy huffed, glancing at Giles from afar. He nodded her as she slowly removed herself from the shadows, unnoticed by the others. Giles smiled at Willow as he reached the table again. "Well, I - there's something I have to tell you ---."
"But showing is always better than telling." A voice stated from behind.
They all turned to the alien voice. They didn't recognize the voice at first, mainly because it had been so long since they heard it. Willow fumbled into a chair, staring as Xander nodded in disbelief, grasping Anya's hand. She walked forward, smiling at each of them, touching Xander's hand, grasping it with hers.
"You're alive." Willow gasped, staring at her friend.
Buffy smiled, "I don't know how or why, but I'm here. I'm alive - I'm real." She turned to Xander and smiled as he grabbed her into an immense hug. Buffy laughed, glancing at Willow.
"I still don't understand. It doesn't make any sense. How can you be alive?" Willow mused.
She shrugged, "Does it matter? I don't know; I don't care."
Willow nodded no, frowning, "Worry, Buffy. Worry allot."
"Worry? Worry about what? Does there always have to be a catch when something good happens?" Buffy questioned.
Will hesitated to answer. She wanted to believe everything was all right - they all wanted to believe. But doubt and too many questions unanswered - there had to be a reason.
Buffy nodded, "Look guys, I know I've been dead for ten years and maybe a bit out of the loop but I know we can make it work. I mean, it's not like I haven't been dead before; I have and it was 'Happily Ever After'; why should now be any different?"
Her eyes shifted from one friend to another. They couldn't answer her and she knew why. She knew it would be hard to accept; she still wasn't able to accept it herself. Buffy looked at Giles to back her up - Nothing. "Forget it. If you guys don't want to accept this, maybe it was a mistake I came back." She retorted, running out of the Music Box.
TBC
