In the Space of a Journey
Chapter One
Sunnydale High School
(Almost Two Months Later)
"Hey, Buffy! Wait up!"
The shout from behind caused Buffy Summers to turn around to see who was calling her. However, she recognized the voice before she located her former boyfriend, Alexander "Xander" Harris's loping form. He caught up with her quickly and gave her his familiar lopsided grin.
"Hi, Xander," Buffy greeted him with a small smile. "What's up?"
"We're free! For a whole week!" Xander yelled in excitement, swinging his backpack back and forth and then tossing it up in the air in a display of exuberance. "Spring Break here we come!"
"Oh, please! Some people just don't know that dramatic displays of emotion are *so* out!" a beautiful brunette said from across the hall. The comment had been ostensibly directed at the group of tittering girls clustered around her locker, but Cordelia Chase had definitely intended for Buffy and Xander to overhear it. Xander silently put his backpack back on the right way, and toned down his enthusiasm.
Buffy glared at the snob queen and said loudly to Xander, "Gee, *some* people must not have gotten the memo that unaffected excitement is much more acceptable than fake boredom and 'look at me, look at me' attitudes."
Just before they rounded the corner, they heard Cordelia's indignant gasp and Buffy and Xander looked at each other and burst into uncontrollable giggles.
"So," Buffy said when they'd calmed down, "you're on your way to the library for Giles's 'what to pack for England in the springtime' lecture, too?"
"Of course," Xander agreed, grinning. "I wouldn't miss it! It's supposed to be the end-all, be-all of travel prep courses offered at Sunnydale High. I'm just afraid I don't have enough tweed to pass the on-the-spot inspection test."
Buffy gazed into Xander's chocolate brown eyes and felt herself melting. For a second she felt just the way she had the first time she'd ever seen him -- hopelessly and completely in love.
"Oh, look," Xander said, softly touching her arm as they passed by the door to the basement, "my favorite place in the whole school."
She gazed at the door with longing, remembering the many, steamy make-out sessions they'd had on the basement stairs. But thoughts of kissing Xander always brought her mind back to the image of him laying, barely decent (though admittedly under the influence of the evil sorcerer Nathan's magic spell), on top of Sonya behind a tombstone in the graveyard. Every time that scene popped into her head, Buffy felt the rend in her heart tearing again. (You'd think I'd be over it by now) she thought angrily. (It's not like I haven't tried, but it just hurts so much!) The touch of Xander's fingers on her arm went from pleasant to painful in a flash, and she jerked her arm away as she blinked the tears from her eyes.
"Yeah, well," she said hoarsely, "as far as I'm concerned it's just a dank, dark basement."
Xander looked at her, hurt shining from his eyes. "Buffy, please! Can't you forgive me yet? I swear, if I'd had any control over myself none of that ever would have happened. I'm not the type to cheat, and I'm definitely not the type to attempt rape."
Buffy sniffled once before finally mastering her tears and pushing them back inside. "I forgave you a long time ago, Xander, but I just can't forget what happened. It's not like I haven't tried! I try every single day! All I want is for us to go back to the way we were before the whole Nathan thing, but every time I try, I remember seeing you and her, and the pain tears me up. If the pain is still this bad, I don't even want to think about what it would be like if it happened again."
"It won't happen again, I swear!" Xander cried. "I love you, and I've been trying to make it up to you, but you won't let me in!"
"I don't know how to get past this," Buffy admitted. "I try and I try but it doesn't get any better." She sighed deeply and then began to say, "This isn't fair to you. Maybe we should..."
"No!" Xander said, cutting her off before she could finish. "I will *not* accept that!" And it was true. Xander knew that Buffy still loved him. He could see it written all over her face. It was up to him to find the magic key that would make things right between them again. And right now, the first step was getting her mind off the painful subject so they could try again another day.
"So," he said, giving in to his own morbid curiosity, "Amy told me that Larry the jock asked you to the Spring Fling. He's staking his claim a bit early, isn't he? The dance isn't until after break."
"Well, technically we could date other people," Buffy rushed to say.
Xander held his hands out wide. "Of course," he agreed reluctantly, (but I didn't think you really would.) Aloud he finished the thought with, "But I didn't think the skirt-chaser type would appeal to you."
Buffy looked at him for a minute, silently, while Xander thought the worst, and then she said, "I told him no." Relief buoyed Xander's soul as she added, "You're right. He's not my type." His heart lifted even more when she added, "Technically, we can date other people, and maybe eventually we will if we don't get this worked out, who knows? But right now, I'm not looking for a new relationship. I've got enough problems."
"We'll work it out, I know it," Xander said just as they reached the library.
"I sure hope so," Buffy replied softly, and then they went inside.
Several people were already there, waiting. Giles stood in front of the circulation desk with packets of paper in his hands. He gave them a slight glare for their tardiness. Sonya sat on one side of the reading table. Oz was next to her, a few feet away from the table so there would be room for his cast. Jenny Calander and her witch-trainee Amy Madison sat at roughly the middle of the table. And there were two surprise guests -- Joyce Summers sitting on Jenny's other side and Angel sitting at the head of the table.
As he scanned the room, Xander's gaze accidentally found Sonya's. She was staring at him sadly. Not wanting to think about all the pain just looking at her brought to his mind, Xander quickly averted his eyes and took the seat farthest from her, next to Angel.
Looking at the vampire quizzically, he asked, "How'd you get here?"
"Sewers," the souled vampire replied as if it should be expected.
"They connect to the school?" Xander couldn't remember Angel being at the school in the daytime before.
"In Sunnydale they connect almost everywhere."
Xander had to laugh at that. And he watched as Buffy slid into the seat next to her mother.
"Why did you come?" Buffy whispered to Joyce.
Joyce looked around the room, and saw that everyone wanted to know the answer to that question. She took a deep breath and announced, "I'm coming with you to England."
"Er... what?" Giles asked, startled.
Buffy gaped at her mother. "Why?"
"Because I am your mother," Joyce answered. "I may be new to this whole mother-of-a-Slayer thing, but from what I understand, this tribunal and this Council have some say over your life, Buffy, and I am NOT about to let you face that alone."
"Oh, Mom! You are so... so..." Buffy started.
"Interfering? Meddlesome? Annoying?" Joyce supplied.
"No," Buffy said, "wonderful!" She gave her mother a big hug.
"Ms. Summers," Giles began.
"Joyce," Joyce corrected him. She'd had angry feelings for him for awhile after the way he'd treated Buffy during the whole evil sorcerer debacle, but Joyce decided he had paid for his unintentional sins. Now if she could just get him to loosen up a little, she might actually enjoy spending time with him.
"Er... Joyce," Giles tried awkwardly, "there are not enough plane tickets. We only have six."
"I'm giving her my ticket." All eyes swiveled to Amy, who blushed. Amy had wanted the chance to return to Europe, and she'd begged to be included on the mission. She shrugged. "I decided that Joyce should be able to be with Buffy, and it would probably be better if I were here to help Ms. Calander and to keep up with my magic training."
Joyce smiled at Amy. She hadn't asked the girl to do this, but when Amy had made the offer the day before, Joyce had accepted it. Joyce had a soft spot in her heart for the poor, motherless girl. But then Joyce had a soft spot in her heart for all of them.
"Thank you," Buffy mouthed to Amy. Amy smiled in return.
"Right," Giles said, trying to regain control of the meeting. "Let's just review. Those currently going to England include ... Joyce, Buffy, Sonya, Xander, Oz and myself. Those staying in Sunnydale to watch over the Hellmouth and control the vampire population include Ms. Calander, Amy and Angel. Are there any more changes I should know about?"
The librarian's obvious discomfiture at having the plans changed at the last minute showed in his every stilted word, drawing a few quickly smothered giggles from around the room.
When things were quiet again, Giles continued talking, giving Sonya the packets to pass out. There were packets in navy blue folders for the trip takers and packets in maroon folders for those staying behind.
"For the travelers, I've enclosed a recommended packing list, complete with anticipated weather and weight limits. Also in the folders are your plane tickets and the flight information. We will be meeting here tomorrow morning to drive to LAX, but in case of emergencies you should all be informed. In all the packets are lists of our itinerary and pertinent phone numbers of hotels and of the Watcher's Council. Any questions?"
Everyone shook their heads.
"I think you covered all the angles," Xander piped up. "We're question free."
Sparing the boy a glance, Giles said, "You're dismissed, but, travelers, please make sure you are all here by 9 a.m. sharp tomorrow morning. We cannot be late for the plane."
Most of the group started to move. Buffy stayed seated, flipping absently through her packet, but she was thinking about the letter Giles had gotten from the Council. She and Sonya had accidentally found it while Giles was in the hospital. Buffy knew he was in trouble with his superiors, and she worried about what would happen at this tribunal. She wasn't even sure what a tribunal was -- something about justice being served. But what was justice? Him being replaced for lying to save Sonya's life? Buffy would be the first to admit that sometimes she had problems with her Watcher, but all in all, he had never steered her wrong when he wasn't under an evil spell. She sighed. Worrying was getting her nowhere. She stood up, and jumped when a cold hand touched her arm.
"Angel," she said, glancing up at the tall, handsome, sad-eyed vampire. "Did you need something?"
"I wanted to give you this." He thrust a black leather carry-on into her hand.
She tried to give it back. "I already have a carry-on. It's pink. My dad gave it to me when I was in junior high. It has sentimental value."
"This one is specially designed so you can carry weapons in it," Angel said bluntly. "Stakes, knives, even a gun. There's a shielded compartment in the bottom that the X-rays can't see and the metal detectors won't detect. Just in case you need them on the plane or in the airport. You never know."
Surprised, Buffy said, "Thank you. That was really nice of you."
"For you, it's necessary."
Before Buffy could puzzle out what he meant by that -- if niceness was necessary for her, weapons were necessary for her, or what? -- Angel moved away to discuss patrolling strategies with Jenny and Amy.
The blonde Slayer looked around the room. Xander was watching her. She looked away from him quickly -- not wanting to deal with that situation any more right now. Sonya and Oz were talking quietly. (Good) Buffy thought with a nod.
"Ready to go home and pack, honey?" Joyce came over and asked.
Buffy nodded. "Yeah."
"Hey, Buff!" Amy called before they got out the door. "Pick you up at seven for a bon voyage party at The Cellar?"
"Sure!" Buffy agreed. "See you then."
"Don't forget that you have to patrol once more tonight as well," Giles cautioned.
"I know, I know," Buffy replied. "It's in my mental schedule." Then she linked arms with her mother and walked out to the parking lot.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Sunnydale oozed with evil, and she could feel it. From the back of the taxi, the girl watched people walking around with no clue of the danger that surrounded them. But she knew, and she would protect them from it.
Of course, the girl knew it was too bright right now for the most obvious forms of evil to rear their ugly heads, but when they came out to play tonight, she would be ready.
"Miss, do ya wanna go someplace specific, or do ya just want me to keep driving around?" The cab driver looked back at her questioningly.
"Circle downtown once more, and then take me back to the motel," the girl ordered crisply, tucking a strand of mahogany-hued hair behind a well-shaped ear. She could feel the guy's eyes on her neck. She arched her back, seemingly an innocent stretch, but inside she gloried in the man's bulging eye sockets. If he was a vampire, she would have snapped his neck right where he sat -- but horny human men could be fun, and useful.
The girl leaned forward and stared at the driver through the wires that separated the front and back seats. "So, baby, what do you charge, anyway?"
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The catalyst to the end of the gathering in the library was Joyce and Buffy leaving. After that, Amy, Jenny and Angel left, too. Sonya waited until Giles and Oz were talking, and then intercepted Xander before he could make it out the door.
"Harris!" she called, catching up to him by the door that connected the library to the outside.
"What, Sonya?"
His flat tone, and then fact that he didn't call her 'Parker' (using last names was part of friendly banter between them, or it used to be) illustrated to Sonya once again that her relationship with her former best friend was still nowhere near normal.
"I just thought maybe we could talk," Sonya said, feeling her muscles tense. "We could grab a bite at Sal's?"
Xander shook his head. "No, thanks."
"But couldn't we...?" she started.
"Not yet," Xander said. He started to go, but turned back. "I'm sorry, Sonya, but I just can't yet."
"When will you be able to?" she asked bitterly.
He shrugged. "I don't know. When it doesn't hurt so much."
"It's because of Buffy," Sonya said matter-of-factly. "She can't forgive you, so you can't forgive me, is that it?"
Xander looked guilty. "That's part of it," he admitted. "But the other part is that I have to prove to Buffy that I love her. That means that I have to be all about Buffy right now. I can't do anything that would have her suspect, even for the briefest minute, that you and I were betraying her again."
"I miss you," Sonya said. When his expression shifted negatively, she hastened to add, "Not *that* way. I can say, once and for all, that I am over you, Xander. That night in your room... well, let's just say it put romance between us out of my head for good. But I miss our friendship. I want that back."
Xander sighed. "Maybe someday, Sonya. I hope so anyway." And with that he left.
Sadly, Sonya turned and walked back into the library proper to find Giles and Oz waiting for her. Obviously, they had seen her strike out, again. Giles squeezed her on the shoulder comfortingly, but it was Oz who spoke.
"Want to get out of here?" he asked.
"Yeah," Sonya replied. They walked slowly to the door -- Oz was less speedy than normal because of his crutches -- and she called over her shoulder, "See you at home, Giles."
They walked/hobbled out to the van. Sonya gave Oz a hand up, and then hopped into the driver's side.
"How are you feeling?" Sonya asked, giving her companion a side-long glance as she pulled the van out of the parking lot.
"Curb."
"Huh?" Sonya looked puzzled, and then the van thumped down over the curb and onto the street. "Oh... curb. Sorry."
"S'OK," Oz replied. "Shelia can take it. And your driving is improving."
"Under you and Giles's great tutelage, I assure you," Sonya said primly, then she grinned at him. "You named your van SHELIA?"
"She bespoke it to me," Oz explained.
"Uh...huh." Sonya kept her eyes on the road, trying to stifle a giggle. "So, where am I taking you?"
"Dinner?" Oz looked at her hopefully.
"Oh, I don't know," Sonya teased, "I was thinking about going home and starting my "to read" list from English class..." But she couldn't keep a straight face for long. When the chuckles subsided, she said. "Sounds great. Where?"
"I know a great little taquaria down on 7th."
"Cool."
Chapter One
Sunnydale High School
(Almost Two Months Later)
"Hey, Buffy! Wait up!"
The shout from behind caused Buffy Summers to turn around to see who was calling her. However, she recognized the voice before she located her former boyfriend, Alexander "Xander" Harris's loping form. He caught up with her quickly and gave her his familiar lopsided grin.
"Hi, Xander," Buffy greeted him with a small smile. "What's up?"
"We're free! For a whole week!" Xander yelled in excitement, swinging his backpack back and forth and then tossing it up in the air in a display of exuberance. "Spring Break here we come!"
"Oh, please! Some people just don't know that dramatic displays of emotion are *so* out!" a beautiful brunette said from across the hall. The comment had been ostensibly directed at the group of tittering girls clustered around her locker, but Cordelia Chase had definitely intended for Buffy and Xander to overhear it. Xander silently put his backpack back on the right way, and toned down his enthusiasm.
Buffy glared at the snob queen and said loudly to Xander, "Gee, *some* people must not have gotten the memo that unaffected excitement is much more acceptable than fake boredom and 'look at me, look at me' attitudes."
Just before they rounded the corner, they heard Cordelia's indignant gasp and Buffy and Xander looked at each other and burst into uncontrollable giggles.
"So," Buffy said when they'd calmed down, "you're on your way to the library for Giles's 'what to pack for England in the springtime' lecture, too?"
"Of course," Xander agreed, grinning. "I wouldn't miss it! It's supposed to be the end-all, be-all of travel prep courses offered at Sunnydale High. I'm just afraid I don't have enough tweed to pass the on-the-spot inspection test."
Buffy gazed into Xander's chocolate brown eyes and felt herself melting. For a second she felt just the way she had the first time she'd ever seen him -- hopelessly and completely in love.
"Oh, look," Xander said, softly touching her arm as they passed by the door to the basement, "my favorite place in the whole school."
She gazed at the door with longing, remembering the many, steamy make-out sessions they'd had on the basement stairs. But thoughts of kissing Xander always brought her mind back to the image of him laying, barely decent (though admittedly under the influence of the evil sorcerer Nathan's magic spell), on top of Sonya behind a tombstone in the graveyard. Every time that scene popped into her head, Buffy felt the rend in her heart tearing again. (You'd think I'd be over it by now) she thought angrily. (It's not like I haven't tried, but it just hurts so much!) The touch of Xander's fingers on her arm went from pleasant to painful in a flash, and she jerked her arm away as she blinked the tears from her eyes.
"Yeah, well," she said hoarsely, "as far as I'm concerned it's just a dank, dark basement."
Xander looked at her, hurt shining from his eyes. "Buffy, please! Can't you forgive me yet? I swear, if I'd had any control over myself none of that ever would have happened. I'm not the type to cheat, and I'm definitely not the type to attempt rape."
Buffy sniffled once before finally mastering her tears and pushing them back inside. "I forgave you a long time ago, Xander, but I just can't forget what happened. It's not like I haven't tried! I try every single day! All I want is for us to go back to the way we were before the whole Nathan thing, but every time I try, I remember seeing you and her, and the pain tears me up. If the pain is still this bad, I don't even want to think about what it would be like if it happened again."
"It won't happen again, I swear!" Xander cried. "I love you, and I've been trying to make it up to you, but you won't let me in!"
"I don't know how to get past this," Buffy admitted. "I try and I try but it doesn't get any better." She sighed deeply and then began to say, "This isn't fair to you. Maybe we should..."
"No!" Xander said, cutting her off before she could finish. "I will *not* accept that!" And it was true. Xander knew that Buffy still loved him. He could see it written all over her face. It was up to him to find the magic key that would make things right between them again. And right now, the first step was getting her mind off the painful subject so they could try again another day.
"So," he said, giving in to his own morbid curiosity, "Amy told me that Larry the jock asked you to the Spring Fling. He's staking his claim a bit early, isn't he? The dance isn't until after break."
"Well, technically we could date other people," Buffy rushed to say.
Xander held his hands out wide. "Of course," he agreed reluctantly, (but I didn't think you really would.) Aloud he finished the thought with, "But I didn't think the skirt-chaser type would appeal to you."
Buffy looked at him for a minute, silently, while Xander thought the worst, and then she said, "I told him no." Relief buoyed Xander's soul as she added, "You're right. He's not my type." His heart lifted even more when she added, "Technically, we can date other people, and maybe eventually we will if we don't get this worked out, who knows? But right now, I'm not looking for a new relationship. I've got enough problems."
"We'll work it out, I know it," Xander said just as they reached the library.
"I sure hope so," Buffy replied softly, and then they went inside.
Several people were already there, waiting. Giles stood in front of the circulation desk with packets of paper in his hands. He gave them a slight glare for their tardiness. Sonya sat on one side of the reading table. Oz was next to her, a few feet away from the table so there would be room for his cast. Jenny Calander and her witch-trainee Amy Madison sat at roughly the middle of the table. And there were two surprise guests -- Joyce Summers sitting on Jenny's other side and Angel sitting at the head of the table.
As he scanned the room, Xander's gaze accidentally found Sonya's. She was staring at him sadly. Not wanting to think about all the pain just looking at her brought to his mind, Xander quickly averted his eyes and took the seat farthest from her, next to Angel.
Looking at the vampire quizzically, he asked, "How'd you get here?"
"Sewers," the souled vampire replied as if it should be expected.
"They connect to the school?" Xander couldn't remember Angel being at the school in the daytime before.
"In Sunnydale they connect almost everywhere."
Xander had to laugh at that. And he watched as Buffy slid into the seat next to her mother.
"Why did you come?" Buffy whispered to Joyce.
Joyce looked around the room, and saw that everyone wanted to know the answer to that question. She took a deep breath and announced, "I'm coming with you to England."
"Er... what?" Giles asked, startled.
Buffy gaped at her mother. "Why?"
"Because I am your mother," Joyce answered. "I may be new to this whole mother-of-a-Slayer thing, but from what I understand, this tribunal and this Council have some say over your life, Buffy, and I am NOT about to let you face that alone."
"Oh, Mom! You are so... so..." Buffy started.
"Interfering? Meddlesome? Annoying?" Joyce supplied.
"No," Buffy said, "wonderful!" She gave her mother a big hug.
"Ms. Summers," Giles began.
"Joyce," Joyce corrected him. She'd had angry feelings for him for awhile after the way he'd treated Buffy during the whole evil sorcerer debacle, but Joyce decided he had paid for his unintentional sins. Now if she could just get him to loosen up a little, she might actually enjoy spending time with him.
"Er... Joyce," Giles tried awkwardly, "there are not enough plane tickets. We only have six."
"I'm giving her my ticket." All eyes swiveled to Amy, who blushed. Amy had wanted the chance to return to Europe, and she'd begged to be included on the mission. She shrugged. "I decided that Joyce should be able to be with Buffy, and it would probably be better if I were here to help Ms. Calander and to keep up with my magic training."
Joyce smiled at Amy. She hadn't asked the girl to do this, but when Amy had made the offer the day before, Joyce had accepted it. Joyce had a soft spot in her heart for the poor, motherless girl. But then Joyce had a soft spot in her heart for all of them.
"Thank you," Buffy mouthed to Amy. Amy smiled in return.
"Right," Giles said, trying to regain control of the meeting. "Let's just review. Those currently going to England include ... Joyce, Buffy, Sonya, Xander, Oz and myself. Those staying in Sunnydale to watch over the Hellmouth and control the vampire population include Ms. Calander, Amy and Angel. Are there any more changes I should know about?"
The librarian's obvious discomfiture at having the plans changed at the last minute showed in his every stilted word, drawing a few quickly smothered giggles from around the room.
When things were quiet again, Giles continued talking, giving Sonya the packets to pass out. There were packets in navy blue folders for the trip takers and packets in maroon folders for those staying behind.
"For the travelers, I've enclosed a recommended packing list, complete with anticipated weather and weight limits. Also in the folders are your plane tickets and the flight information. We will be meeting here tomorrow morning to drive to LAX, but in case of emergencies you should all be informed. In all the packets are lists of our itinerary and pertinent phone numbers of hotels and of the Watcher's Council. Any questions?"
Everyone shook their heads.
"I think you covered all the angles," Xander piped up. "We're question free."
Sparing the boy a glance, Giles said, "You're dismissed, but, travelers, please make sure you are all here by 9 a.m. sharp tomorrow morning. We cannot be late for the plane."
Most of the group started to move. Buffy stayed seated, flipping absently through her packet, but she was thinking about the letter Giles had gotten from the Council. She and Sonya had accidentally found it while Giles was in the hospital. Buffy knew he was in trouble with his superiors, and she worried about what would happen at this tribunal. She wasn't even sure what a tribunal was -- something about justice being served. But what was justice? Him being replaced for lying to save Sonya's life? Buffy would be the first to admit that sometimes she had problems with her Watcher, but all in all, he had never steered her wrong when he wasn't under an evil spell. She sighed. Worrying was getting her nowhere. She stood up, and jumped when a cold hand touched her arm.
"Angel," she said, glancing up at the tall, handsome, sad-eyed vampire. "Did you need something?"
"I wanted to give you this." He thrust a black leather carry-on into her hand.
She tried to give it back. "I already have a carry-on. It's pink. My dad gave it to me when I was in junior high. It has sentimental value."
"This one is specially designed so you can carry weapons in it," Angel said bluntly. "Stakes, knives, even a gun. There's a shielded compartment in the bottom that the X-rays can't see and the metal detectors won't detect. Just in case you need them on the plane or in the airport. You never know."
Surprised, Buffy said, "Thank you. That was really nice of you."
"For you, it's necessary."
Before Buffy could puzzle out what he meant by that -- if niceness was necessary for her, weapons were necessary for her, or what? -- Angel moved away to discuss patrolling strategies with Jenny and Amy.
The blonde Slayer looked around the room. Xander was watching her. She looked away from him quickly -- not wanting to deal with that situation any more right now. Sonya and Oz were talking quietly. (Good) Buffy thought with a nod.
"Ready to go home and pack, honey?" Joyce came over and asked.
Buffy nodded. "Yeah."
"Hey, Buff!" Amy called before they got out the door. "Pick you up at seven for a bon voyage party at The Cellar?"
"Sure!" Buffy agreed. "See you then."
"Don't forget that you have to patrol once more tonight as well," Giles cautioned.
"I know, I know," Buffy replied. "It's in my mental schedule." Then she linked arms with her mother and walked out to the parking lot.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Sunnydale oozed with evil, and she could feel it. From the back of the taxi, the girl watched people walking around with no clue of the danger that surrounded them. But she knew, and she would protect them from it.
Of course, the girl knew it was too bright right now for the most obvious forms of evil to rear their ugly heads, but when they came out to play tonight, she would be ready.
"Miss, do ya wanna go someplace specific, or do ya just want me to keep driving around?" The cab driver looked back at her questioningly.
"Circle downtown once more, and then take me back to the motel," the girl ordered crisply, tucking a strand of mahogany-hued hair behind a well-shaped ear. She could feel the guy's eyes on her neck. She arched her back, seemingly an innocent stretch, but inside she gloried in the man's bulging eye sockets. If he was a vampire, she would have snapped his neck right where he sat -- but horny human men could be fun, and useful.
The girl leaned forward and stared at the driver through the wires that separated the front and back seats. "So, baby, what do you charge, anyway?"
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The catalyst to the end of the gathering in the library was Joyce and Buffy leaving. After that, Amy, Jenny and Angel left, too. Sonya waited until Giles and Oz were talking, and then intercepted Xander before he could make it out the door.
"Harris!" she called, catching up to him by the door that connected the library to the outside.
"What, Sonya?"
His flat tone, and then fact that he didn't call her 'Parker' (using last names was part of friendly banter between them, or it used to be) illustrated to Sonya once again that her relationship with her former best friend was still nowhere near normal.
"I just thought maybe we could talk," Sonya said, feeling her muscles tense. "We could grab a bite at Sal's?"
Xander shook his head. "No, thanks."
"But couldn't we...?" she started.
"Not yet," Xander said. He started to go, but turned back. "I'm sorry, Sonya, but I just can't yet."
"When will you be able to?" she asked bitterly.
He shrugged. "I don't know. When it doesn't hurt so much."
"It's because of Buffy," Sonya said matter-of-factly. "She can't forgive you, so you can't forgive me, is that it?"
Xander looked guilty. "That's part of it," he admitted. "But the other part is that I have to prove to Buffy that I love her. That means that I have to be all about Buffy right now. I can't do anything that would have her suspect, even for the briefest minute, that you and I were betraying her again."
"I miss you," Sonya said. When his expression shifted negatively, she hastened to add, "Not *that* way. I can say, once and for all, that I am over you, Xander. That night in your room... well, let's just say it put romance between us out of my head for good. But I miss our friendship. I want that back."
Xander sighed. "Maybe someday, Sonya. I hope so anyway." And with that he left.
Sadly, Sonya turned and walked back into the library proper to find Giles and Oz waiting for her. Obviously, they had seen her strike out, again. Giles squeezed her on the shoulder comfortingly, but it was Oz who spoke.
"Want to get out of here?" he asked.
"Yeah," Sonya replied. They walked slowly to the door -- Oz was less speedy than normal because of his crutches -- and she called over her shoulder, "See you at home, Giles."
They walked/hobbled out to the van. Sonya gave Oz a hand up, and then hopped into the driver's side.
"How are you feeling?" Sonya asked, giving her companion a side-long glance as she pulled the van out of the parking lot.
"Curb."
"Huh?" Sonya looked puzzled, and then the van thumped down over the curb and onto the street. "Oh... curb. Sorry."
"S'OK," Oz replied. "Shelia can take it. And your driving is improving."
"Under you and Giles's great tutelage, I assure you," Sonya said primly, then she grinned at him. "You named your van SHELIA?"
"She bespoke it to me," Oz explained.
"Uh...huh." Sonya kept her eyes on the road, trying to stifle a giggle. "So, where am I taking you?"
"Dinner?" Oz looked at her hopefully.
"Oh, I don't know," Sonya teased, "I was thinking about going home and starting my "to read" list from English class..." But she couldn't keep a straight face for long. When the chuckles subsided, she said. "Sounds great. Where?"
"I know a great little taquaria down on 7th."
"Cool."