TITLE: Over her (9/?)
PART: Loneliness
AUTHOR: Gabriele Schulz
EMAIL: gabi@gschulz.de
RATING: PG (might go up)
DISTRIBUTION: Everyone who has my general permission. Others please ask first.
SPOILERS: Up to Selfless
FEEDBACK: Love it. Especially if you like the story ;-)
SUMMARY: On Buffy's 25th birthday Giles visits Sunnydale, finally over her. Or so he thinks.
COUPLES: Buffy/Giles, Willow/Anya, Dawn/OC (male), mention of Wesley/Faith, Cordelia/Angel
DISCLAIMER: The characters are the property of Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy, Sandollar Productions, Kuzui Enterprises, 20th Century Fox Television, the WB Television Network, and whoever else may have a hold on them. I do not mean to infringe upon any copyrights.
DATE: 11/24/02
--------------------------
When Dawn came home she was greeted by the sight of her sister carrying down a box that was so large that she couldn't actually see if it was her sister.
"Buffy?"
"Oh, hey Dawn. You're here for lunch today?"
"Unless that's my stuff you're getting rid of, yeah."
Buffy set down the huge box on the living room table.
"What?"
"Is this your not so subtle way of telling me to move out?" Dawn gestured towards the box.
Buffy frowned puzzled, then got it. "No, of course not! That's Willow's stuff from her old room. I'm cleaning up."
"Ah. Okay." Dawn took a peek into the box. "So did you guys have a fight?"
"No, why would we?"
Buffy went back upstairs. Dawn followed her.
"Well, then what's with the sudden cleaning attack?"
"I just thought it might be time to transform the guest room into an actual guest room, where guests can put their things in the cupboard and all."
"Yeah, all right, but that never was a problem for the last, what, 2 and a half years. It's not like we have all that many guests anyway."
Buffy re-entered the room, which was a mess with papers, books, some magical items and clothes lying on the floor or in half-filled boxes. She knelt at the cupboard to remove the last things, while Dawn sat down on the bed.
"We did last week."
"Yes, and Giles is about the only guest we have that actually stays here overnight and soon he'll move back here so he won't be a guest anymore either."
"But he will stay here when he comes back. And I thought it would be nice if he could leave some clothes here, when he comes over from LA for the weekend. Or maybe he will stay here permanently. And I really wouldn't wan-"
"Giles is moving in with us?!"
"I did not say that. He's not yet sure where he will live. Why do you sound so shocked anyway? I thought you were happy that he's coming back. And it's not as if you are here all that often anymore."
Buffy pulled out a box from the cupboard. It was filled with pictures of Willow's parents. Buffy wasn't surprised to find them here. They hadn't even seen their grand-daughter. Although they wouldn't call Harris that. They would call her the child of 'that woman'. Xander's parents didn't even know of the existence of Harris, so despite having three parents all in all, she would grow up with no grandparents at all. At least she had a non-biological family that would stick with her and her parents no matter what.
She nearly didn't hear Dawn when she quietly spoke again.
"You're lonely."
Buffy looked up.
"I'm what?"
"You're lonely."
"I'm not. I have you, my friends, my enemies, a household, a job, a calling. I hardly have time for all of that. Nothing left for loneliness."
"Buffy."
"Dawn, I'm fine."
"You should go out again."
"Yes, because having a boyfriend worked so great in the past."
"So you'll just sit at home alone sulking for the rest of your life? That's it?"
"I'm *not* sulking! And I didn't say I will never have a boyfriend again. If I meet someone, fine, if not I'll be okay, too. I don't need a man in my life."
"No, but you do need a life."
"I have a life."
"Yes. You slay, you go to work, you do Harris-sitting. Life is more than not being dead."
"Dawn. I really appreciate your worry, but I'm fine."
"Really? It doesn't matter to you that Willow and Anya are occupied with their shop and baby and life and hardly have time for you anymore. You don't care about me spending most of my time in college or with Jack. And you sure don't miss Xander dropp-"
"Dawn!"
"I'm sorry. We all miss him. I'm not saying that you should go out and pick up guys in bars."
"Then what are you saying?"
"I'm saying that you need to meet people. It has been 4 months since you broke up with Mike. Have you gone on a single date since then? Or not even date, just gone out? And no, nothing related to slaying or where Harris came along."
"Would a drinking binge with Spike count?"
"No, and when did you do that?"
"Just after I broke up with Mike. Found Spike at Xander's grave after patrol. We talked, we cried, we got drunk."
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"Spike asked me not to. So please don't tell him I told you."
"He really misses Xander, huh?"
"He lived with him for three years. That's the longest relationship he had since Drusilla. Even if it wasn't a real relationship."
"They cared about each other and were there for each other. That's as real as a relationship gets. That's what you need."
"It's not easy to find new friends."
"I know. That's why you need to get out. The only people you meet are the students who are too young and illegal, none of the teachers are your type and the only other people in your life are undead and soon-to-be dust."
"And your suggestion would be?"
"Shopping!"
"Huh?"
"Everyone has to eat. Wanna meet singles? Go into the supermarket and check out the aisle for microwave food. You'll meet a guy in no time. Saturdays are best."
"Have you tried this?"
"Ehm. Maybe. That was before Jack."
"Did it work?"
"There were some cute guys."
"And I'm sure they're just lining up to pick up girls that stand there waiting to find a guy."
"Probably not, but if you go there were often, maybe a guy will recognize you and talk to you. Or you could drop something and when he helps you pick it up, sparks fly and things can develop from there."
"Go there often? This isn't by any chance a scheme to get out of your shopping chores?"
"Well, it would be stupid for *both* of us to go."
"All right, Dawn. I re-"
"I'll do any of your chores instead."
"Anything I choose?"
"Anything."
"Bathroom."
"Okay."
"That includes the toilet downstairs."
"Okay."
"You really *are* serious, huh?"
"Buffy, I want you to be happy. And I want you to have someone around, when I move out. And before you ask, no I'm not planning to move in with Jack. At least not now. But I'm not gonna be here forever."
"You're talking as if you plan on moving to another planet."
"I'm not, but you know how it is. Willow said nothing would change when she moves in with Anya. But things *have* changed. They change all the time. Giles is gonna come back, but we don't know for how long."
"It'll be at least for half a year."
"You really hope he's moving in, don't you?"
"I miss him. He understands me better than anyone. And you are right. I do feel a bit lonely sometimes."
"Admitting it is the first step."
"Well, we'll see how your plan works. And I certainly won't be missing cleaning the toilets. You know, if you have anywhere else you want me to go, I'd love to get out of laundry, too."
"Very funny. You just go shopping and wait for someone to invite you. And don't you dare say no or I'll..."
"You'll what?"
"Ask Jack about any singles he knows and set up blind dates for you."
"Yeah right. And I'll actually go to any of them."
"You won't have to if we invite them here."
Buffy glared at her sister.
"Don't you dare. But since you are so hell-bent on 'helping' me, maybe you could put some of this into the boxes. I told Willow she could pick it up this afternoon when she brings Harris over."
Dawn got up from the bed and started putting clothes into one of the boxes.
"It's weird to pack someone else's underwear."
"Then take the other stuff. And try imagining we'd do this with Anya's things. Now *that* would be weird."
Dawn laughed. Then suddenly she stopped.
"If Giles moves in, does that mean you'll wash his underwear, too?"
Buffy just stared at her for a second then threw some herbs in her face.
Dawn grinned and they continued packing Willow's things away.
A/N:
cyberwulf: Thanks for the reviews :) Buffy can have kids. She is just frustrated and probably jealous because she has been in five long-term relationships but never even lived with a guy and Faith's first serious relationship results in a possible family after less than half a year. And Xander just keeps coming up. Maybe it's because he's my favorite character. I cannot ignore him, even if he's dead.
Coming up next (I think): Giles returns. Dawn cooks.
PART: Loneliness
AUTHOR: Gabriele Schulz
EMAIL: gabi@gschulz.de
RATING: PG (might go up)
DISTRIBUTION: Everyone who has my general permission. Others please ask first.
SPOILERS: Up to Selfless
FEEDBACK: Love it. Especially if you like the story ;-)
SUMMARY: On Buffy's 25th birthday Giles visits Sunnydale, finally over her. Or so he thinks.
COUPLES: Buffy/Giles, Willow/Anya, Dawn/OC (male), mention of Wesley/Faith, Cordelia/Angel
DISCLAIMER: The characters are the property of Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy, Sandollar Productions, Kuzui Enterprises, 20th Century Fox Television, the WB Television Network, and whoever else may have a hold on them. I do not mean to infringe upon any copyrights.
DATE: 11/24/02
--------------------------
When Dawn came home she was greeted by the sight of her sister carrying down a box that was so large that she couldn't actually see if it was her sister.
"Buffy?"
"Oh, hey Dawn. You're here for lunch today?"
"Unless that's my stuff you're getting rid of, yeah."
Buffy set down the huge box on the living room table.
"What?"
"Is this your not so subtle way of telling me to move out?" Dawn gestured towards the box.
Buffy frowned puzzled, then got it. "No, of course not! That's Willow's stuff from her old room. I'm cleaning up."
"Ah. Okay." Dawn took a peek into the box. "So did you guys have a fight?"
"No, why would we?"
Buffy went back upstairs. Dawn followed her.
"Well, then what's with the sudden cleaning attack?"
"I just thought it might be time to transform the guest room into an actual guest room, where guests can put their things in the cupboard and all."
"Yeah, all right, but that never was a problem for the last, what, 2 and a half years. It's not like we have all that many guests anyway."
Buffy re-entered the room, which was a mess with papers, books, some magical items and clothes lying on the floor or in half-filled boxes. She knelt at the cupboard to remove the last things, while Dawn sat down on the bed.
"We did last week."
"Yes, and Giles is about the only guest we have that actually stays here overnight and soon he'll move back here so he won't be a guest anymore either."
"But he will stay here when he comes back. And I thought it would be nice if he could leave some clothes here, when he comes over from LA for the weekend. Or maybe he will stay here permanently. And I really wouldn't wan-"
"Giles is moving in with us?!"
"I did not say that. He's not yet sure where he will live. Why do you sound so shocked anyway? I thought you were happy that he's coming back. And it's not as if you are here all that often anymore."
Buffy pulled out a box from the cupboard. It was filled with pictures of Willow's parents. Buffy wasn't surprised to find them here. They hadn't even seen their grand-daughter. Although they wouldn't call Harris that. They would call her the child of 'that woman'. Xander's parents didn't even know of the existence of Harris, so despite having three parents all in all, she would grow up with no grandparents at all. At least she had a non-biological family that would stick with her and her parents no matter what.
She nearly didn't hear Dawn when she quietly spoke again.
"You're lonely."
Buffy looked up.
"I'm what?"
"You're lonely."
"I'm not. I have you, my friends, my enemies, a household, a job, a calling. I hardly have time for all of that. Nothing left for loneliness."
"Buffy."
"Dawn, I'm fine."
"You should go out again."
"Yes, because having a boyfriend worked so great in the past."
"So you'll just sit at home alone sulking for the rest of your life? That's it?"
"I'm *not* sulking! And I didn't say I will never have a boyfriend again. If I meet someone, fine, if not I'll be okay, too. I don't need a man in my life."
"No, but you do need a life."
"I have a life."
"Yes. You slay, you go to work, you do Harris-sitting. Life is more than not being dead."
"Dawn. I really appreciate your worry, but I'm fine."
"Really? It doesn't matter to you that Willow and Anya are occupied with their shop and baby and life and hardly have time for you anymore. You don't care about me spending most of my time in college or with Jack. And you sure don't miss Xander dropp-"
"Dawn!"
"I'm sorry. We all miss him. I'm not saying that you should go out and pick up guys in bars."
"Then what are you saying?"
"I'm saying that you need to meet people. It has been 4 months since you broke up with Mike. Have you gone on a single date since then? Or not even date, just gone out? And no, nothing related to slaying or where Harris came along."
"Would a drinking binge with Spike count?"
"No, and when did you do that?"
"Just after I broke up with Mike. Found Spike at Xander's grave after patrol. We talked, we cried, we got drunk."
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"Spike asked me not to. So please don't tell him I told you."
"He really misses Xander, huh?"
"He lived with him for three years. That's the longest relationship he had since Drusilla. Even if it wasn't a real relationship."
"They cared about each other and were there for each other. That's as real as a relationship gets. That's what you need."
"It's not easy to find new friends."
"I know. That's why you need to get out. The only people you meet are the students who are too young and illegal, none of the teachers are your type and the only other people in your life are undead and soon-to-be dust."
"And your suggestion would be?"
"Shopping!"
"Huh?"
"Everyone has to eat. Wanna meet singles? Go into the supermarket and check out the aisle for microwave food. You'll meet a guy in no time. Saturdays are best."
"Have you tried this?"
"Ehm. Maybe. That was before Jack."
"Did it work?"
"There were some cute guys."
"And I'm sure they're just lining up to pick up girls that stand there waiting to find a guy."
"Probably not, but if you go there were often, maybe a guy will recognize you and talk to you. Or you could drop something and when he helps you pick it up, sparks fly and things can develop from there."
"Go there often? This isn't by any chance a scheme to get out of your shopping chores?"
"Well, it would be stupid for *both* of us to go."
"All right, Dawn. I re-"
"I'll do any of your chores instead."
"Anything I choose?"
"Anything."
"Bathroom."
"Okay."
"That includes the toilet downstairs."
"Okay."
"You really *are* serious, huh?"
"Buffy, I want you to be happy. And I want you to have someone around, when I move out. And before you ask, no I'm not planning to move in with Jack. At least not now. But I'm not gonna be here forever."
"You're talking as if you plan on moving to another planet."
"I'm not, but you know how it is. Willow said nothing would change when she moves in with Anya. But things *have* changed. They change all the time. Giles is gonna come back, but we don't know for how long."
"It'll be at least for half a year."
"You really hope he's moving in, don't you?"
"I miss him. He understands me better than anyone. And you are right. I do feel a bit lonely sometimes."
"Admitting it is the first step."
"Well, we'll see how your plan works. And I certainly won't be missing cleaning the toilets. You know, if you have anywhere else you want me to go, I'd love to get out of laundry, too."
"Very funny. You just go shopping and wait for someone to invite you. And don't you dare say no or I'll..."
"You'll what?"
"Ask Jack about any singles he knows and set up blind dates for you."
"Yeah right. And I'll actually go to any of them."
"You won't have to if we invite them here."
Buffy glared at her sister.
"Don't you dare. But since you are so hell-bent on 'helping' me, maybe you could put some of this into the boxes. I told Willow she could pick it up this afternoon when she brings Harris over."
Dawn got up from the bed and started putting clothes into one of the boxes.
"It's weird to pack someone else's underwear."
"Then take the other stuff. And try imagining we'd do this with Anya's things. Now *that* would be weird."
Dawn laughed. Then suddenly she stopped.
"If Giles moves in, does that mean you'll wash his underwear, too?"
Buffy just stared at her for a second then threw some herbs in her face.
Dawn grinned and they continued packing Willow's things away.
A/N:
cyberwulf: Thanks for the reviews :) Buffy can have kids. She is just frustrated and probably jealous because she has been in five long-term relationships but never even lived with a guy and Faith's first serious relationship results in a possible family after less than half a year. And Xander just keeps coming up. Maybe it's because he's my favorite character. I cannot ignore him, even if he's dead.
Coming up next (I think): Giles returns. Dawn cooks.