Part 2: All is in Order
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...ding, dong...
"Don't move babe, I got it."
"Thanks, sweetie," Buffy said, and ducked her head out of the kitchen to give Spike a kiss when he passed by to open the door.
He had been packing Alex's clothes and toys in boxes, to join the rest of the boxes already containing the things that Buffy had bought during the year and the odd months she was living at Giles'.
...ding, dong...
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After the battle in Sunnydale, the Scoobs along with the others had driven aimlessly in a school bus. They did not know where to go, or what to do. But after phoning Angel, they had gotten a sense of direction by taking him up on his offer.
"Hey, it's me... No, I'm okay... We made it... Yeah, we won. I'll tell you about it later... No, I'm at a pay phone...The hospital...No, nothing like that, just a quick fix... Yeah. We're sorta just cruising in a bus... What...? I don't know...You sure...? Okay, I'll ask them... You too...Bye... Angel…? Thanks," was how Buffy's side of the conversation went.
It was decided that they would go for a visit. Then, after a night or two they would help the newly arisen slayers back to their families. Even Kennedy had decided she would leave, she and Willow had decided to break it off and just remain as friends. The break up was unspoken, but rather, expected.
Buffy would later learn that Willow secretly knew that it would happen all along. Willow had confessed to Buffy, while they were sharing one of the many rooms Angel had let them stay in, that Tara was the only girl for her.
"It's weird, you know?" Willow said, sitting Indian style on one of the double beds and leaned back against the headboard. She fidgeted with the towel that was wrapped around her damp hair.
"Yeah, I think I know what you mean," Buffy replied. She was lying down on the same bed, but on her stomach. Her legs were bent at the knees so that her feet were in the air, and she alternately moved her legs back and forth so that her calves would swish every now and then. She shrugged her terry robed clad shoulders and continued, "I kind of had the feeling too. Not just because Kennedy was...well Kennedy, but maybe because with Tara... well... she was Tara."
"Exactly." Willow's eyes grew round, and giggled.
Buffy giggled with her. "You know Will, I miss this."
"Me too... hey, are you thinking what I'm thinking?"
"Yeah, I'm thinking what you're thinking. I'll grab the phone."
"205, right?"
"Think so."
"Hello, Xander?"
The night in L.A. allowed everybody to unwind, and relax, till they had to part the next day. Giles had mapped out, and planned everything so that all the new slayers were able to go back to their respective homes, either that, or find a place for them that they would find comfortable. As each person parted, sullen goodbyes were made along with the promise that each would be contacted again, once everything was sorted. Faith and Robin also decided it was time for them to leave; they had worked out an understanding, and decided to tour the world together for a bit.
"Listen B, I don't mean to sound mushy and shit, but hell we've saved the fucking world, so I'll say it with no shame-"
"Faith-"
"No B, I gotta say it."
Buffy nodded.
"Things have been rocky between you and me. But I'll never forget it. I don't want to forget it."
"I wont forget it either. And-"
Buffy was cut off with an unexpected hug. "Thanks B."
"Thanks, Faith."
"Ready?"
Faith pulled away at the sound of Robin's voice.
"As I'll ever be," she called back, still looking at Buffy, she squeezed her shoulder briefly before she joined Robin.
By nightfall, only the Scoobies, plus a scoobie in training; Andrew, had remained. After little discussion, they had all loved the idea of visiting England, and jumped at Giles' offer to stay with him for a while.
It was upon their arrival, that Buffy had learned her new condition.
"Oh, Buffy, are you okay?"
"Yeah 'm fine. Well as fine as one can be after throwing up, geez it must be my millionth time since-"
"Do you think it's because of when you got stabbed? I mean, it happened on the bus- Buffy you didn't even get checked when we went to the hospital."
"There is something I need to tell you." Buffy turned to look at a plastic object sitting on the sink's countertop.
Willow followed Buffy's gaze and saw it. "No way."