TITLE : BUFFY'S TURN 3\?

AUTHOR: RICK

DISCLAIMER: All the Buffy characters belong to Josh Whedon and others.

ROMANTIC PAIRING: In the end B\X....until then a few assorted flings. X\Kate, X\C

SUMMARY: The path to B\X is rocky and filled with angst...nothing comes easy on a Hellmouth. In this part Buffy is very angry at Riley for not telling her Xander left. And our hero has a brief encounter with an old friend.

CHAPTER: 3- GREAT TIMING SLAYER

The first thing Cordelia notices about Xander is that he has matured, gotten a whole lot more serious about life in general. So has she. Nobody stays young for very long in this business. Get serious or get dead. The first thing Wesley notices is that Cordelia never quite got over her love for Xander. It is not hard to notice. Cordelia has an errand to run.

"Xander, you can come with me to collect a bill."

"Only if you promise not to cold cock me again?"

"Well, you don't have Willow in the car do you?"

Xander gets very serious. What he did to Cordelia was not one of his finer moments. His former closet partner sees the shift in his mood. She knows he never meant to hurt her.

"Look, Xander, you had your punishment. I feel better now."

Xander feels his jaw. "You've been working out haven't you?"

Xander continues to stare at Cordelia as she drives. She notices.

"What Xander? Why are you staring at me?"

"What about that kiss?"

"What about it?"

"What does it mean?"

"That depends?"

"On what?"

Cordelia decides she has made herself vulnerable enough for one day. She changes the subject.

"How is Buffy, Xander?"

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Buffy has never felt this bad. She cannot pinpoint the exact reason for the pain but her entire being is shaken. She mopes around for the next few days barely able to get out of bed. She can't help it. She is thinking about Xander. He must have heard about her problem by now. Why hasn't he come to see her?

She hasn't even seen Riley. He has tried to call but she hasn't been taking any calls at all. Willow comes to see her. Buffy has reluctantly agreed to attend a meeting at the magic shop.

"Buffy, what's the problem?"

"Willow, I can't explain it. I feel lost. I don't know what it is."

"Have you and Riley been having a bad time?"

Buffy lets out with a nervous laugh before answering.

"That's funny, Will. I...I haven't even seen Riley. I can't. I mean I just need to be alone to get over this. Willow, do you think Xander will be at the meeting?"

The redhead looks at Buffy funny. The Slayer asks again.

"I mean he usually makes me feel better."

"Buffy, I haven't seen Xander but, I'm sure he'll be there. He always is."

"Willow, do you think he...I mean do you think Xander still...likes me?"

"Buffy you are wigging me out here. Are you sure you and Riley are okay?"

"I don't even know, Will. I haven't even thought about him."

"But you have thought about Xander?"

"No...yes...well I guess I have."

"Buffy, are you in trouble?"

The Slayer doesn't answer as they approach the magic shop. Riley, Tara and Giles are there. Riley greets Buffy warmly. When she doesn't see Xander she questions Giles.

"Is Xander coming Giles?"

"I don't know, Buffy, I haven't seen him since that business with Anya."

She is obviously upset. "I thought he would be here by now."

Riley is put off by her enthusiasm about Xander. "Why are you so concerned about his whereabouts Buffy?"

Everybody looks at her curious for the answer. The Slayer is clearly embarrassed.

"Because he's part of the group. He's part of...me."

At the last part Buffy closes her eyes. Riley finally decides to tell her.

"Xander won't be here, Buffy."

"How do you know that?"

"Because he won't. He...left Sunnydale."

"What do you mean?"

Now everyone is puzzled. Willow inquires.

"What do you mean?"

"He came to my house to tell me he was leaving."

"Riley, why would he come to see you? You and he aren't exactly..."

Buffy finishes the thought.

"You hate each other. Why would he confide in you?"

Giles adds his two cents. He addresses the ex-commando.

"He asked you to make sure you took care of Buffy, didn't he?"

"Something like that."

Buffy is very upset. "You knew he was gone but you didn't say anything? You knew I..."

She doesn't finish but Riley gets it.

"I knew you what Buffy?"

"You knew he is my friend and I need him you bastard!"

The gang is shocked with her passion about this. Riley is pissed.

"Is that what this whole thing is about Buffy? Your whole feeling of dread and loss. Its about him...about Xander?"

She doesn't back down. "Look, Riley, you're not getting out of this. You knew he is important to us."

"Why don't you say it Buffy? Important to you! Say it!"

Buffy only sighs. Riley walks to the other side of the room. It is obvious that Riley is right.

Willow and Giles look at each other. They are both wondering if Buffy is going to get over this. Neither of them had any idea how much the Slayer needs Xander. It may be too late to do anything about it.

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