Chapter Sixteen

          "This is completely ridiculous," Buffy ranted. "It's pointless and so, totally unneeded. You haven't found anything in weeks and there hasn't been an attack since, well, your commando guy went all Jekyll and Hyde the other day. So this is the new plan: no more cages, no more tests, no more of this. And that's final."

          Willow just looked at Buffy. The blonde Slayer stood with her arms crossed over he chest, tapping her foot. Laughing to herself Willow shook her head. "No."

          Buffy looked momentarily taken aback – she was used to getting her way. "What?"

          "It doesn't work that way anymore, Buffy. You're not in control here and I really don't give a shit what you think. You can whine and throw you're little tantrums until Hell freezes over but you won't get your way. Not with me."

          Huffing, Buffy said, "Fine, then I'll just let myself out." Attempting to push past the redheaded Commander didn't go as the pissed off Slayer had hoped. She took two steps before finding herself through back onto the floor with Willow pointing a tranquilizer gun at her chest. "Not this time, Buffy. You don't get to take control of this situation. I'm in command here and you'd do well to remember that. I'm not the mousy hacker I used to be and I won't cower away every time your brassed off. I've met worst things then a Slayer, Buff, and I've defeated them all. You're not so special. You never were." Lifting the gun away Willow stepped back and added as Buffy got to her feet, "If you attempt to flee my men have been ordered to take you down using whatever means necessary."

          Dropping down on her bed, resting her head in Dru's lap, Willow let out a breath. "Why do I even bother?"

          Running her finger's through her red locks Dru looked down at Willow. "What do you mean, love?"

          "I don't know," Willow sighed, looking up as the door opened.

          Hope peeked her head around the door, her curly red locks bouncing against her cheek. Sparkling honey-colored eyes met Willow's, a shy smile on the young Slayer's lips. "Can I join the party?"

          Holding out her arms Willow replied, "Of course, munchkin."

          Pushing the door closed Hope leapt on the bed, lying beside Willow and resting her head against her chest. "You know, I just realized something," Willow said.

          "What's that?" Dru asked.

          "I'm a total masochist."

          Hope laughed, covering her mouth quickly. Willow lifted a questioning eyebrow and Hope only laughed harder. "Willow, you're the Queen Masochist."

          Frowning, Willow sighed. "I know."

          "Oh, stop with the Frown Town," Hope chided. "Nobody likes a party pooper."

          "Do I even stand a chance?"

          Dru smiled. "Red, you're being cryptic."

          "Sorry," Willow said. "I mean, I keep trying to be Civil Willow or Buddy Willow but, but every time I gain an inch they do something that forces me to be Commander Willow and I take a huge leap backwards."

          "Don't expect them to treat you like a friend, Wills," Dru responded, "because you're not. You're a different person then who you were and what you are now doesn't fit with this pre-perceived ideal of who they think you should be. They're still living in the past, pet, and they're still expecting you to slip back into the role they think you should be. But you won't hop-to and let them tell you what to do anymore and they can't handle that."

          After a moment Willow said, "But they hate me."

          "Maybe," Dru responded. "But why does it matter? They're the ones that ran you out of town when you most needed them. They shut you out and they changed you. Stop trying to be accepted by people who will never accept you."

          "I hate when you're right," Willow smiled.

          "What are you talking about?" Dru returned the smile. "I'm always right."