Huh?
Part IV
Pairings: Primarily Buffy and Faith, but that doesn't preclude other stuff.
Summary: A story set post " Chosen ". Really rather defies summarization, but it's about the Chosen Two, Buffy and Faith. Do we ever really know someone else until we know ourselves?
Timeline/ Spoilers: Set post Season 7, so it will probably include references from the prior 7 seasons. Hope you've seen them by now( all out on DVD).
Rating: R
Legal stuff : You betcha. The characters belong to Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy and Fox. I'm just borrowing them. Trust me, I'm not making anything on writing this.
Disclaimer: Sex, drugs and rock and roll? Not good for you…ok, well except maybe the last. Everything is fair game, so if something offends you, sorry. I'm not perfect, and I'm not PC. If you don't like the idea of women being in love with each other, this is NOT the story for you. Also, not the story for you if you're birth date is after 1986. Oh, and if you're heavily religious? This story probably won't appeal to you either. Ooops.
-1-
Willow groans quietly and awakes. Her eyes feel gummy, and she has a foul taste in her mouth. Squinting, she looks around.
Mmmm… Where am I? Still dark. When's Kenny getting back? Did she go to another party. Willow sits up, and as the cobwebs clear in her brain, she realizes she's not in Brazil anymore. Damn, that's right. In Paris. With Buffy. She looks over, and notices Buffy's side of the bed is empty. Huh? She puts a hand on the mattress. It's cold. Hasn't been to bed. What time is it? She looks around and notices the alarm clock. Midnight? Where is she? Not patrolling. She doesn't do that anymore. Least that's what she told me. Willow swings her legs over the side of the bed, and gets up. She hears a noise in the next room. What? Is she sleeping in there? I thought we had this settled. I better go get her before she wakes up with a sore back and a sore mood. Willow slips on a robe and slippers, and pads over to the doorway. She opens the door quietly, and notices the front room is dark. Only the moonlight coming through the French windows illuminate the scene. She looks over at the settee, and sees Buffy sitting on it. She's hunched over a little, and seems to be rocking.
Willow is about to walk over when she hears a sob escape from Buffy. She's crying. Poor baby! She notices Buffy has her hand in her mouth, as if to suppress any noise. She stands there a moment, quietly watching her. The rocking is actually shaking. She's trying to be quiet. That's why she's in here. She doesn't want me to know she's crying! Willow feels her heart go out to her. All her instincts, all she feels for Buffy, want her to go over and hold her, soothe her and try to comfort her. But she also respect's Buffy's privacy. It's hard, but she quietly slips back into the bedroom. She feels her own tears well up, thinking about her crying. She's been acting so brave, pretending what happened doesn't matter to her anymore. But it does, it still does. I just wish I could do something to help. Yeah, like what, Will? You're so good at dealing with broken hearts. Nearly destroying the world when your heart broke. Yeah.
She hears some sounds from the sitting room, and realizes that Buffy is probably going to be coming into the bedroom soon. Not wanting to confront her, not when she's so upset, Willow quickly slides back into bed, and pulls up the covers. She pretends to be sleeping.
She hears the door open, and footsteps softly cross the bedroom floor. The bathroom door opens and closes, and she squints through lowered eyelids, and sees the bathroom light come on. She hears the water running.
Buffy is in the bathroom for a long time. When she exits, Willow sees through her lidded gaze that Buffy has changed into her nightwear. She feels her slip into bed, and start to settle in. Willow grunts, pretending to half wake up.
" Hey, " she says softly.
" Sorry, Will. Had to pee. Didn't mean to disturb you."
" 'S ok. Just getting home?"
" Are you nuts? It's midnight. You've just been sleeping like the dead."
She's lying. She's been out and lying about it. Why?
" Yeah, I guess, " Willow agrees, avoiding direct confrontation for now.
Buffy turns towards Willow." Hey, sorry about today. Didn't mean to run your feet off. Wasn't thinking too good, I guess. I was just so happy to see you and all…"
" Hey! It was fun, just… well, I guess jet lag caught up with me. But It was fun, really, " Willow reaches over and touches Buffy's cheek, " why the somber face? Is everything ok?"
" Huh? Oh, guess your jet lag just caught up with me too, " Buffy smiles, a little tightly, " I'm just feeling tired."
" You sure?" Willow probes, trying to find the reason for the tears. Though she feels she already knows the answer. Starts with F, I'm thinking. " If you need to talk about anything…"
Buffy smiles, genuinely this time. " Subtle isn't your strong suit, is it Will?" Buffy teases her. " I wasn't thinking about her, honest." Liar! " Like I said, just kinda tired. Be all bright eyed and well… let's hope no tails grow over night…"
" Buffy, really, you should…"
" Sleep, and so should you. If you think you were tired today, wait til I get done with you tomorrow, " Buffy cuts off the train of thought, " Night, Will." She rolls over, turning her back on Willow.
" Night, Buffy, " Willow says softly. She stares at Buffy for a moment. Why won't you let me in? Why won't you tell me what's going on? Please, Buff, I want to help.
They lay there quietly side by side for awhile. Willow listens to the sound of Buffy's breathing, trying to sleep. But her big brain is worrying overtime, trying to get a handle on why Buffy is so closed about this. Finally, she feels herself just starting to drop off when a hand gently touches her.
" Will, are you still awake?" Buffy asks quietly.
Willow murmurs something unintelligible, trying to claw her way back to consciousness.
" Never mind, sweetie, " Buffy says, and rolls back over. She snuggles deeper into the bed, and is soon softly snoring.
Willow lies staring at the ceiling, wide awake.
-2-
Faith stands by the window, staring out at the city at night. She holds her cigarette out the window to keep the room from smelling like smoke. Her face looks grim, her eyes tired.
She gave up sleeping awhile ago. Every time she shut her eyes, she saw that look in Buffy's eyes. A look of need, of want of desire. As if she could find the answers in Faith's eyes.
Shit, girl, don't even look at me for answers. What the hell do you want from me, anyway? I don't even know you. How am I supposed to figure out what you need? I don't even know what I need ! But one thing I do know, it's not you. Get it? It's really NOT YOU!
Faith wonders what made Buffy come into her club tonight. What does she want in a club like that, anyway? Ok, I know she didn't know it was cross- dressing, but she did know it wasn't exactly ' straight' either. Not her kind of place, come down to it. Thousands of clubs in Paris, and she's gotta choose that one! It's like she has some homing beacon implanted in that tiny brain of hers, and every time she gets within range, she's there, sticking her nose in my life. God, what did I ever do to deserve this, anyway? I went to prison, wasn't that enough? Do I have to pay and pay all my life? She makes me fucking crazy! Why won't she just go away?
Faith carefully crushes out the cigarette in the ashtray, then sets it back on the small table. She sits on the windowsill, watching the light traffic moving through the city. I've gotta think sometimes that there's something bigger behind this. That something keeps shoving her back into my life, usually at the worst times. I can't get it otherwise. How can it be that she just keeps coming back? Thing is, what's going to happen now that she's here? Is she staying in Paris? God, no, please! I love it here. Do I have to … shit, I hate this whole thing. I was just getting settled here. Things were starting to get good. Sure, not loving the job, but it's work, and when the permit comes through, I'll get something else. Everything seemed to be clicking. Is that over now? If she stays, man, I can't stay. I don't know what it is, but just knowing she's here will fuck me over, royal. Never mind she gets all moony eyed over " Remy".
She sees it again in her mind's eye. She sees Buffy walking to her. Looking at her, as if looking deep into her. She feels it, how it felt, watching as she tried to see her under the mask. How she seemed to see something; something she needed, or wanted to see. How she came up and put her hand on Faith's chest
" Somebody hurt you, pretty bad. I can tell. But I wouldn't do that. I wouldn't hurt you."
What was that about, huh? You think you can hurt me, B? Any worse than you already have? You'd never hurt me. That's a laugh. Ever since I've known you, Buffy, you've hurt me. And you just keep coming at me. You think you know me, don't you? You think you know what I feel, don't you? You don't know me at all, B. I fooled you. You don't have a clue who " Remy" is, do you? You don't know that, do you?
" Oh, I think I do." Buffy says quietly. " I really think I do."
You don't know shit, B. You thought I was some poor sap, thought I was bewitched by you. You thought you had me, just wiggle your fingers and here I come a pantin'. Well, you got it way wrong, B. I got you. For all your looking, for all your searching, you couldn't see me behind the mask, laughing at you. Making you the fool this time, B. You know nothing!
Faith remembers the rest. Buffy coming up to her, putting her hands on Faith's shoulders, and kissing her. A small kiss, not much more than friendly. She barely lingered and then it was done. She said goodnight, and walked away, and somehow again, she got Faith. She got her again, by not even trying. Faith can still feel her lips, can still taste them. She can't sleep, because she can't put that moment out of her mind!
STOP IT!
Faith, disgusted with the whole situation, and especially herself, throws herself on the bed. She stares up at the ceiling.
Not your mommy, B. Not my deal to protect you. You wanna be a dope, don't let ME stop you. Wanna play games, I'll play games. Done with this feeling sorry for you. You're not a baby, you're not a little girl. You're supposed to be an adult. If your too stupid, or too blind, or too whatever to look beyond the mask, that's YOUR fault. All bets are off. If you break your heart, it's not me gonna save you!
Not even gonna try!
-3 –
( Author's note. To prevent having to translate long passages into French, Bold text will be when characters are speaking in French. Thanks for your patience.)
" Buffy, are you absolutely sure about this?"
Willow looks at the entrance to Les Masquer with some uncertainty. It certainly isn't anything like The Bronze, or any of the clubs she's used to hanging out at. Willow tends to be rather conservative in her choice of social venue, preferring straight clubs and those gay clubs that weren't outrageous. This place, from the front at least, had a vibe of being somewhat outrageous. She looks back at Buffy with some puzzlement in her eyes.
" What?" Buffy protests, innocently, " I thought it might be fun. It looks like fun. I mean, look at the flyer. It advertises a place to take off the masks and be yourself. Isn't that a cool place to be? " she shrugs as if not understanding the subtext, " I mean, wouldn't be the kind of place that's open … you know, not all uptight about sexuality and all that stuff?"
Willow cocks her head, an odd expression on her face. " Buffy, what's the deal? I mean, it's not like I go cruising or anything… not in straight bars, anyway. My being gay? Really not an issue; I don't go around making a point of it, you know. I'm usually pretty comfortable no matter where I wind up. But…" she watches the patrons entering Les Masquer" … there's something weird about this place."
" Weird?" Buffy smiles, " What's weird? Aw, c'mon, Will. Where's your sense of adventure? I mean, how weird could it be, after Sunnydale? It's not like it's a demon bar, or anything…" she raises a brow, " … you think?"
" Of course not. But… oh, ok, what the heck. You're right I guess. I'm being silly, " Willow shrugs. She looks again at the line of Patrons waiting to get in, " but…" She leans in towards Buffy, whispering conspiratorially, " Some of the women in line? I don't think they're women!"
" Huh?"
" I mean, look at them, Buffy. The really outrageous makeup? The wigs? Oh, and look at their hands. I mean, c'mon, they could play basketball with those hands, some of them…"
" Meeeooow" Buffy chides Willow.
" What?"
" Being just a little catty, aren't we?"
" No, just pointing out the obvious…" Willow looks at her, her expression growing suspicious, " Buffy, why did you want to come here, again?"
" Why the third degree, Will?" Buffy says, getting a little uneasy, " I told you, I saw the flyer, thought it'd be fun. No big."
" 'K, " Willow says, but not letting her off the hook," just, I saw other flyers from other clubs closer to your place. Places that looked like it'd be fun to go to. Just wondering why here?"
" Willow, if you'd rather go somewhere else, just say so. We don't have to go here, you know."
Willow's mouth starts to work, wanting to get some answers from Buffy about last night, when she was crying on the settee in the front room. What was going on with her? Why she's been distracted all day? But she couldn't find a way to put it without making it seem she was grilling Buffy, and she didn't want Buffy to get all bent and then go home, and maybe sneak out later. Somehow she felt this club was involved, why else come here, especially?
And maybe, she was feeling a little hurt. I've been Buffy's best friend for … god, forever. Something's going on, I know it, but she's being all tight-lipped about it, and … why? Doesn't she think I'd get it? Or doesn't she trust me anymore? Is it something she's ashamed of? Why won't she talk to me?
All this passed through Willow's mind in a second.
" No, no point in going somewhere else now, Buffy. We're here, and almost at the front of the line," Willow looks at the entrance again, " So, this is the first time you've been here?"
" Yes, Will, first time. Like you." Buffy sounds a little annoyed. Or defensive? Willow thinks to herself.
Ah, geeze, why'd I say that? God, what if someone recognizes me? What do I say when Remy comes to the table… if he's on tonight? Damn!
" Uhhh, Will… I gotta tell you something, " Buffy starts to confess, but is interrupted by the hostess at the door.
" Good evening. Welcome to The Masks. We have live music tonight by The Chopped Frogs…
" Will, really, there's something I have to tell you…" Buff tries to get Willow's attention. She starts to pull her over to the side, away from the hostess. " … it's really important."
" Ah, non, Mlles. I really need to take the cover… AH! It's the joli blond from last night. Hello, again. And you brought a friend! Marvelous. She … my, she looks so pretty tonight, like yourself. You must tell me how you do it, yes?"
Buffy, realizing she's busted, feels the blush start to creep up her neck.
" Last night?" Willow queries, eyebrow raised. " She was here last night?" She addresses the hostess.
" Oh, yes. I remember her well. I thought then how natural she looks. So…well, you can see for yourself. You too, my dear. But, enough beauty talk, I do need to collect the cover charge from you. That'll be 10 Euros each, si vous plais!"
" Let's go, Will. Obviously the woman is crazy! I've never been here before in my life, " Buffy acts indignant," You are so wrong. I've never been here!" Buffy starts pulling on Willow's arm, trying to get her out the front door… where she can try to explain, or cover, or whatever she can get away with.
Willow shakes her off, looking at her with tight lips and a " who are you?" look. She walks to the hostess, pays the cover, and walks into the club. Buffy, realizing she has no choice, starts to follow . The hostess, six feet tall without heels, blocks her way.
" Sorry, cher, but I really need to take the cover from you, " She says, a little sorrowfully. " I didn't realize your friend didn't know you'd been here before. My apologies… but…" She shrugs.
Buffy looks at her, not intimidated at all by her size. Heck, she's taken out demons a foot taller and maybe 200 pounds heavier. But the point is to get in the club and go after Willow, not create a scene that would get her kicked out of the club. She hands over the cover, and walks in the club, looking around to see where Willow went.
She sees Willow standing by a table off the dance floor, talking to a server. When the server leaves, Willow starts to look around the room , taking in the atmosphere. There is a quizzical look on her face. Buffy has a sudden urge to run. Total mistake. Why did I bring her here? Why did I pretend I'd never been here? What the hell was I thinking… or was I even?
Willow's gaze comes to rest on Buffy, and her eyebrows go up, her mouth a tight little bow. The expression clearly says " Well, are you going to stand there all night? Don't make me come get you!" She crosses her arms over her chest.
Buffy, whipped, slinks over to the table. Like a little girl caught with her hand stuck in the cookie jar, she sits down, withering under Willow's gaze. Willow sits next to her.
Willow doesn't say anything . She just keeps gazing at Buffy, her mouth tightly closed.
Buffy tries to bluff it through, hoping that Willow will just let it go. But as the silence lengthens, she feels herself starting to get wiggly in the tummy, her butterflies turning into bats. Her fingers tap nervously on the table, and try as she might, she can't look Willow in the eyes. She focuses on the band, hoping Willow will just stop looking at her. Buffy glances at her out of the corner of her eye, and Willow is still looking at her, waiting. Buffy feels her throat get dry, wishing she had something to drink. Lots of something to drink. She glances over when Willow's drink arrives, gazing longingly at it. She turns away, feeling a little bead of sweat break out on her forehead.
" Ok, ok, I'm sorry!" Buffy breaks finally, not able to stand it any longer. " I was here before. Last night. I came because I saw the flyer when we were out, and I snagged it. I saw the part about being the real you, and I wanted something to find the real me. God, Will, it's been so … I've been so off these last months. I… I've tried to get over her, put her behind me, tried to convince myself it was a case of temporary insanity. But I just can't let her go. I … I didn't have anyone to talk to, you weren't here. You were in Brazil. I know I should've called, but after L.A. what I said to you, I couldn't … I was ashamed! God, then there was the sheet incident yesterday, I was so embarrassed. I … that happened when I dreamed about her… what I wanted … shit. I don't get this Will. Am I gay or something? I mean, what's going on with me? I didn't know, I don't know! So I came here, thinking it might be like… well, you know, a gay bar, or something. But I found out it was a cross dressers club. Ok, really embarrassed and confused now.
" But that's not the half of it. When I was here, I met someone, Remy. I don't … it was like I knew him already, ever get that feeling? Something about him just felt right, you know what I mean? He was charming and sweet and we danced and Goddammit if I didn't nearly wet my pants when he held me close! And, the weird thing is, while he seems so familiar, he's mysterious. He's hiding something I can tell it. I think it's some love he lost out on, something that really hurt him. I was feeling so sorry for him… and he looked so lost… and I kissed him… and I thought my heart was going to explode out of me! I can't remember feeling like that…except with Faith… and I … oh hell…" Buffy feel her eyes stinging; she bites her lip to hold back the tears.
" I got home, and I was on the settee, and I was thinking about Remy, and Faith kept popping into my mind, and I started crying; god I'm such a baby! But I was so confused. I didn't know what was going on. Here I'm carrying this torch for her, and then he walks in and sneaks right into my heart and now I don't know what to think or feel or what! All I knew was I had to come back here. With you, so I could get your opinion of him. But I didn't want you to know what I'd been doing … I'm so stupid! Dumb, dumb, god I'm a moron!" Buffy lays her head on the table, sighing and wishing she could just disappear.
Willow reaches out and strokes Buffy's hair. Her expression has changed to one of sympathy. Buffy had been acting off all day. She was distracted, and there were too many times when she seemed on the edge of saying something, only to bite her tongue and change the subject. Willow felt the vibe, wanted to broach the subject, but didn't dare. She was afraid Buffy would clam up or worse, lie. So she just waited, and waited… and nothing. Then Buffy pulled out the flyer for this club; Willow could see it wasn't Buffy's usual type of haunt. Or hers, for that matter. It didn't make sense, but she went along with the plan to ' check it out' . She felt there must be something going on. Now she knew.
" I'm sorry, " Buffy says, looking up at her, tears not shed brightening her eyes, " I should've told you."
" Yes, you should've, " Willow agrees, then softens it a little, " I mean, Buffy, I wish you would've. Don't you think I noticed? You were preoccupied all day. I was worried, thinking something bad had happened! I wanted to say something, but the vibe wasn't right. I didn't know what to think!"
" Something bad did happen, " Buffy mumbles.
" What? You mean, meeting someone else?" Willow takes Buffy's hand in hers. " Honey, that's not bad. I think it's good, don't you?"
Buffy looks at her, misery and confusion written all over her face.
" Buffy, honey, " Willow continues, " why so glum? This could be the start of something very nice for you. I mean, don't you think you deserve something nice?"
Buffy shrugs.
" Still punishing yourself, aren't you? Over the Faith thing?" Willow sighs, " Buffy, not going to say what you did was smart, or even right. I think you should've talked to her, told her how you felt. That would've been the adult thing to do."
" Yeah, like I'd ever do that!" Buffy grins lopsidedly.
" Still, crazy as it was, the idea was right. You were trying to express your feelings for her… in a rather bizzaro way, but … " Willow shakes her head and sighs at the remembrance of that night. " Uhhh… look what I'm saying is that you've got to stop punishing yourself over it, and move on now."
" I've tried, Will. I really have. I've tried to forget her, put her out of my heart, but it… I just can't. I just can't seem to get her out my head, my dreams anything!" She looks pained, " when I think about her, I still … I ache!"
" That's cuz you're not really dealing with what your feeling, Buffy. You're trying to tell yourself that what you felt wasn't real. But that's just not so. It was real, very real for you. You've got to acknowledge what you feel, look at it, accept it, and then let it go. " Willow squeezes her hand, " you know you have to let it go, right?"
" What if I don't want to let it go?" Buffy says quietly. " What if I can't?"
" Buffy, you've got to face reality. You and Faith? Just not going to happen. Ever"
" WILL!"
" Buffy… you said it yourself, more than once. She doesn't feel like that for you. And probably, never will. You've got to accept that, and try to move on. It hurts, I know, honey, but you got to!"
" Easy to say, Will, " Buffy says, a little bitterly, " I mean, who have you ever wanted that could resist your Willowy charms?"
Willow stares at her, an urge to slap her rising strong in her heart. God, Buffy, are you really that blind? You can't even see… moron! Willow doesn't say anything, but just stares at her.
Buffy senses Willow's sudden anger, and misinterprets it. " Sorry, Will. My bad. Strike that. Or, better, let me strike Kennedy, ok? I promise, the bruises won't show."
Willow almost has to laugh. How can you be so clueless and so utterly sweet at the same time? God, sometimes I want to slap you silly, then kiss all the boo-boos. WILLOW! Don't go there, there lies pain and more heartache. God, listen to you, lecturing Buffy on letting go. You're such a hypocrite!
" Buffy, " Willow says gently, " I'm just wanting you to be happy. I know your feelings for Faith aren't bogus, but honey, what good is it doing you pining away for her? I love you, you're my best friend. Eating yourself up like this isn't going to make it happen. Nothing probably will, not if you're right in your belief of her feelings. Buffy, I don't want to be cruel, but you've got to stop this, and let her go. Move on, and give this Remy a chance. Otherwise, you're just going to be unhappy."
Before Willow can duck or stop her, Buffy leans over and kisses her on the cheek. She puts an arm around Willow's shoulder, and smiles at her.
" No wonder I love you, Will. You're … god, best friend doesn't even cover it. " Buffy leans closer to her, her face barely inches from Willow's. " Why can't I find someone like you? Someone sweet and wonderful, who knows me like you do, who cares about me like you do?" For a moment, a brief moment their eyes lock.
" Good evening, Ladies. Are you having a good time? My name is Remy, and I would be happy to be of service to you tonight."
Willow and Buffy break apart, the moment broken. They look up at Faith, who is dressed differently tonight. Still wearing the bust binder and other ' accessories' she is wearing a black turtleneck sweater and dark, loose fitting trousers. She smiles at them.
Buffy seems to light up, as if a thousand candles were glowing from within her. Her smile is bright and full, and genuine.
Faith, seeing her light up, in a moment of epiphany , suddenly gets it. Gets it all. She feels if she's been struck by lightning.
She backs away, feeling her gut tighten up. Her nerves feel all jangle-y and edgy. For a brief moment, she loses her cool. She loses that native self confidence that carries her through any situation. Not knowing what to do, she freezes.
" Remy!" Buffy almost sighs, " Hi, remember me?"
Faith doesn't respond, can't respond, for a moment.
Oh, god. It's true. She loves me. That's… ok, that's just nuts! But… that means she loved me back in L.A. too? Because god, she looked the same way, I get that now. I didn't see it then… but I get it now. I thought Red was delusional… but… this is INSANE!
"Ah, yes, the joli blonde… Bouffy? Yes, I remember you," Faith recovers enough to keep up her act. " Hello, again. I see you have brought a friend with you?"
" Yes, my oldest and bestest friend, " Buffy smiles, " Remy this is Willow. Will, Remy". Buffy makes the introductions.
" Good evening, Remy, I'm very pleased to meet you. " Willow says in perfect French. She smiles up at Remy.
" Ah, how charming. You speak French! " Faith, scrambling to pull herself together, replies, " So, how are you enjoying Paris? Have you been here long?"
" I just arrived a couple of days ago. I love what I've seen so far, " Willow gives Remy the once over, starting to assess him. Her nose is twitching , something just doesn't seem right here. What is it? " So, Remy, tell me something about you. Is Paris your home? Were you born here?"
" Yes, I was" Remy/ Faith replies briefly, slightly distracted.
Gotta get out of here. Gotta think. This isn't good, and Red's grilling? Not helping!
" Hey, guys, remember me? The moron that can't speak French? Ummm… think we can switch to English for awhile?"
" Sorry, Buff, " Willow blushes a little.
" Ah, pardon, Bouffy. My manners, how rude!" Faith is looking for some way to escape. Her stomach is doing jumping jacks.
" Buffy."
" Eh, pardon?"
" My name is Buffy, Remy. Not Buffet" Buffy gently teases him.
" Ah, yes, Buffy. Sorry, ma cher. " Faith looks around. " Ah, can you excuse me ladies? I fear my boss seems to want me for something." Without waiting for a reply, Faith hurries off towards the bar.
Buffy watches 'him' leave, her eyes a little dreamy, a small smile on her lips.
Willow watches ' Remy ' leave, her face no where near as enraptured. Her brows are furrowed. Ok, what is it? Why doesn't 'he' seem to be genuine? What's bugging me?
" Well, what do you think?" Buffy asks breathlessly, turning to Willow.
" Ummm… not really much to think, yet, Buffy. I mean, I just met him. Don't know anything about him, do I?" Willow pauses. " Do you?"
" Huh?"
" I mean, you met him last night, right? Ok, I'm all with the Wuthering Heights romantic stuff enough to believe in love at first sight, and all. But what do you really know about him?" She sees Buffy's crushed little expression." I'm not saying he's not a good guy, but gosh, Buff. You've got that look… that lost- puppy- will –you- love me look. And I don't want you to get hurt, is all."
" I so do not!" Buffy protests. " Do I? " she thinks about it . " No, I don't! That's just silly!"
" Buffy, Will here. Know you better than anyone. You got that look."
" Oh, god, " Buffy blushes. She looks at Willow beseechingly. " Do you think he saw it?"
" Buffy, when you saw who it was? You light up like a searchlight, " Willow teases her, " he'd be blind not to see it."
" Oh god, " Buffy repeats, " I used to be so good at this." She mumbles the last to herself.
" When was that?" Willow hears her.
" Thanks, Will. Moral support, so glad my friends give it to me!" Buffy snaps. Then blushes. " Sorry, didn't mean that."
" Buffy, I'm just … look, Buffy, what do you know about Remy?"
" He's sweet, and charming, and I know he's had a broken heart, and I know I like what I feel in his arms, and that he's a gentleman, and has manners… unlike some at this table."
" What's his last name, Buffy?"
" What?"
" His last name? Where does he live? What does he do for fun? Where do his parents live? Or are they alive? Does he have any brothers or sisters?"
" What's with the 20 Questions, Will?"
" It's just you're getting all tied up so fast, Buffy, and I just want to know what you know about Remy."
" I know what I need to know, " Buffy says, defensively.
" Really?"
" Yeah, really!"
" Parker Abrams."
" HUH?"
" Parker Abrams. Remember him?"
" Yes! What does Parker Abrams have to do with anything?" Buffy feels irritated.
" I seem to remember a certain blonde slayer who got all hurt when Parker Abrams turned out to be a shit heel. Seems she thought he was just so… so. Know what I mean?"
" God, I was a freshman in college, confused and … geeze, Will, Remy's nothing like him!"
" Uh-huh, " Willow says, " Why am I getting this " fake" vibe off him, then?"
" WHAT?"
" Something about him just doesn't jive, Buff."
Buffy stares at Willow, then leans back, a little smirk on her face.
" What? " Willow is thrown a little by her expression.
" you're jealous!"
" What the hell? Where do you get that, Buffy?"
" Oh, c'mon. it's pretty obvious, Will. I mean, you just broke up with Kennedy…"
" Didn't break up. Taking a break. Difference, Buffy."
" Whatever! The point, you're having troubles with Kennedy, and now you don't like I'm finding someone. That's it, isn't it?"
" That's… I'm not even going to dignify that with a response!"
" Cuz you can't. Cuz it's true!"
" You… you're nuts, Buffy! I'm just watching your back. I don't want to see you get hurt… again!"
" What's that supposed to mean?"
" You know what I mean! Must I list the ways? Angel, Parker, Riley, Spike…"
" HEY!"
" … Faith!"
" Shut up!"
" Truth hurts, Buffy?"
" Truth? Want truth? What about you and oh… Xander?…"
" That was 10th grade, Buffy."
" Oz… twice!"
" Buffy!"
" and now, Kennedy. What's the deal with her, anyway? If you're so good at picking them, Will, why're you here, sitting in a club with me, and not in Brazil? Why is that, exactly?"
"I'm beginning to wonder about that myself, " Willow's voice grows cold. She stands. " Maybe I should just leave."
Buffy realizes that she crossed a line. Good, Buffy. Lose your last friend, why don't you?
" Willow… I'm sorry, really. I just… I want you to like him so much, because I'm liking him… don't you see? Please, don't leave…"
Willow doesn't sit. She stands looking down on Buffy.
" Maybe I'm thinking this was a mistake."
" Maybe you're right. We'll leave…"
" No, I mean me coming here. To Paris. Maybe I should go back to Brazil."
" Willow, please, don't leave! I need you here! I'm don't know what I'm doing here…"
" I couldn't agree more, Buffy. You don't!." Willow nods at Buffy. " You're going to rush headlong into something that you haven't figured out yet, and then when it breaks apart, and you're in tiny pieces, I'm going to have to Hoover up the mess."
" Willow, " Buffy looks stricken, near tears. " Why're you doing this?"
" Because, Buffy, someone has to . You won't do it yourself. You don't stop and think, you just plunge in, hoping it all comes out ok. It doesn't, Buffy, then you're friends are left with the fallout."
" What friends?" Buffy stands up, her face red. " Not seeing any here!"
" I'm your friend, Buffy. Only a good friend would tell you this. Someone who gives a damn."
" Uh-huh, right, " Buffy's voice gets dangerously low. " Got it. " She moves away, walking towards the bar.
" Where are you going?" Willow says, starting after her.
" Don't. Stay. I need something… Air, a drink, something. But not here… not with you. Stay here!" She turns, walking off.
Willow watches her go. She feels her neck flush, and in frustration kicks the chair, knocking it over. It skids across the floor a little. She goes to recover it. She stops suddenly when she sees who's bringing the chair back.
" What do you want?"
-4-
Faith puts the chair back at the table, then shrugs.
" Retrieving the chair, Mademoiselle. You seem to be angry at it."
Willow sits. She indicates Faith should sit. She does.
Willow purses her lips. " That's not what I mean, and you know it. What do you want with her?"
Faith has been off to the side, trying to figure out exactly that. What do I want with her? Her little epiphany has thrown her off her game. She thought she'd toy with Buffy a little, make her pay for years of misery she gave Faith. She never figured that there might be more to it; that Red had been telling her the truth at the guest house in L.A. She figured it was some game Buffy was playing with her head, again. Like always. The Gotcha! game they always played. Or seemed to play. Now she had to wonder. Seeing that look on her face made her realize this wasn't any game. She didn't know how she felt about what Buffy was feeling, but she knew she had to end this charade, now.
" Who do you mean, cher?" That didn't mean she couldn't mess with Willow's head, however.
" Stop it! You know who I mean."
" Ah, the joli blonde? What? I don't want anything with her!" Faith's gaze is piercing, " What's your interest?"
" WHAT? She's my best friend, " Willow is a little shaken, " I'm looking out for her."
" Ah hum, I see, " Faith smirks, " So, it's all friendship. Nothing more."
" NO!" Willow is flustered. Then angry. " Hey, this isn't about me, it's about you. What's your deal, anyway? Buffy is all gaga about you. You've been putting the full court press on her, at least that's what I get from her. So, what's up? What do you want from her?"
" I told you already, nothing. We danced a little, we laughed a little, and we flirted a little." Faith shrugs, " Men and women, they do that, it's nothing."
"It's not nothing! She doesn't think it's ' nothing'."
" I told her last night I don't … how you say? Date the clientele. It's my job to make you feel at the ease, you know?" Faith leans back, crossing her arms over her chest, " that's my job. To make you have the good time. There's nothing more to it than that." And that's why you're feeling sick right now, right, Faithy?
" Who the heck do you think you're fooling?" Willow glares at her.
Shit!
" I don't understand?" Faith bluffs. Shit, does she know?
" You're not French, any more than I am!" Willow confronts her.
Faith breathes a sigh of relief.
" What do you mean?" Faith acts indignant.
" You've got an accent, ' Remy', " Willow sneers, " I can hear it. You're not from Paris, that's for sure. Probably not France, even."
" So?" Faith shrugs dropping the accent," the patrons, they want their ' hosts' to be French, so I do French, you know? What's the big?"
" You're American!"
" No shit?"
" Hey, brain trust, if I'm not buying it, why do you think the others are?"
" Because they want to. If you haven't noticed, most of the people in here? Aren't French. They come to ogle and look at the ' funny Frenchmen' and maybe find out something about themselves, you know? It's a tourist trap, girl. The others? Regulars, and they like me, and don't mind. So, again, what's the deal?"
" The deal is that my friend is buying your act, hook , line and whatever. And I'm not gonna sit by and watch her get hurt, not by a sleaze like you!"
" She's a grown up. What're you? Her mommy?"
" No. I just watch out for my friends!"
" I think you are, or think you are, " Faith leans in to the table, pushing her masked face towards Willow. " Or maybe, you want to be something more?" She smirks at Willow's discomfort, " Well, here's the deal, Red. I was gonna tell her, the truth. Let her down easy, you know? Or whatever, but I wasn't going to let it go on. Not after…"
" What?"
Faith is looking over Willow's shoulder.
" She's coming. Chill !"
"We're not done here!"
" We are in English." Faith leans back in her chair. " Speak in French from now on, so she can't ' hear' "
Willow makes a face. " Fine."
Buffy walks up, clutching a drink. Her face looks as if she's been crying. She looks at Remy, then at Willow, and back again. Her lips tighten.
" What's going on?"
" Nothing, cher. You're friend and I? We were just having the chitchat, is that not so?"
" Right, Buff. We were just talking."
" Right, " Buffy's unconvinced. She sits in the empty chair. " So, Will, is he the axe murderer you thought he was?"
" Buffy!" Willow turns red to her roots.
" Axe murderer? Me? Non! I swear, I'm … oh, you're making the fun of me?"
" Not you, Remy, " Buffy gives Willow a pointed look. " Has she been giving you a hard time?"
" Hard time?" Faith knits her brows, as if puzzled. " Oh, you mean, is she giving me trouble? No, of course not. You're friend has been the perfect Angel." She turns to Willow, as if addressing her. " See? Covered for you, Red. Aren't you glad?"
Willow's smile freezes on her face. " You phony. I don't need your help"
Faith smiles broadly, " You're welcome!"
Buffy looks pained. " Hey, French challenged here. What're you saying? Speak English, please!"
" Ah, cher, it's just so nice to speak to an Americain with such command of my native tongue, " Faith grins at her. " And she wants to practice. So?"
" All he said was " isn't that so, and I said " that's right" Willow goes as if to explain. " Don't worry, not keeping secrets here!" Liar!
" Nice lie, Red. I almost believed you."
" Just shut up, ok?"
" So, what did you talk about while I was … away?" Buffy sips at her drink, looking over the rim at each, trying to suss out what's going on.
" About you, of course, cher. You're friend, she praises you to the sky. I think that's the right way to say it, anyway."
" Really?" Buffy looks at Willow, " Really?"
" Oh, yes. You friend, she thinks you're the … ummm… la femme fantastique!" She smiles at Willow, " You're friend is quite fond of you."
Buffy's face softens. She turns to Will, and puts an arm around her shoulder. " Will's the best, you know?" She leans in and whispers to Willow, " Hey, I'm sorry acted like a jerk before!"
" Me, too. I … just worry, is all, " Willow hugs Buffy back.
Faith smirks under her mask. Well, isn't this all candy and flowers?
" Smooth move, ' Remy', but you're not off the hook. When're you gonna tell her?"
" Tell her what, Red?"
" Stop calling me that!"
" What?"
" Red! I hate that nickname!"
" But, it's so YOU " Faith mocks her. " Of course, you've always been a little uptight haven't you, Red?"
" Guys?" Buffy whines a little, feeling left out.
" I was just complimenting your friend on her hair. It's so RED, so pretty, don't you agree?"
" Yes, it is " Buffy agrees, not getting it.
But Willow does, and her nose is twitching overtime. She looks at ' Remy' with her head cocked, as if trying to see ' him' from another angle.
" Oh, goddess. I was wondering what was bothering me. God, the walk should've tipped me. What the hell… you're not a guy! That's what the vibe was. Why I thought something wasn't right. You're a girl! "
" Good one, Sherlock. Wondering when you'd get it," Faith smirks at her, " Took you long enough. "
" You've got to tell her! Tell her now, or I will! " Willow frowns. Oh, god, if Buffy finds out about her sex now, it'll just … no, can't do it. Not now! " Wait, no, you can't. Don't tell her! "
" Which? Tell her? Don't tell her? Don't you think she deserves to know the truth? "
" It'll just hurt her. No, don't tell her! "
" And later? What then? If she finds out on her own… I mean, if things get a little hot and heavy… "
Buffy looks back and forth, smiling, feeling like she's watching a tennis match. Why're they speaking French? Can't they just say what they want in front of me? What's going on here, anyway?
" You said there wasn't going to be a later. That you were going to tell her everything!"
" Ah, no, I said no such thing. I said I would tell her the truth. Including…" She looks down at her lap, and grins." What she wants after that… well, that's her choice, isn't it?"
" You shit! You promised!" Willow is fighting hard not to reach over and slap ' Remy'. Like she'd feel it through the mask! She keeps smiling, trying not to let Buffy see her anger. In sugary tones, she continues, " Why're you doing this to her? What's your game? Why do you want to hurt her? She's really fragile right now… she fell in love with someone back in the states… " Willow stops dead. She looks at ' Remy' closer.
The lights come on, the door opens, and the bricks fall. Right on her head.
" You! YOU! It's YOU! " Despite herself, Willow loses her cool for a second. " Goddess! I should've seen it. Damn you! "
" Willow? What's wrong?" Buffy looks at her friend, who's gotten upset really quickly, " What is it?"
Willow almost tells her. Her anger is up, and she's not at all pleased with the game Faith is playing. She turns to Buffy, ready to spill it. Then she looks into her face, and sees that it's not going to fly. That Buffy will only wind up hurt again. No, won't do it. Won't hurt her. Won't let her get hurt, not again. Not by HER!
Buffy looks at ' Remy', sitting back in his chair, then at Willow, who's flushed and angry.
" Ok, I've had enough of this!'' Buffy growls, getting angry." You two have been like cats and dogs, all night. What's going on here? Why the game? Tell me, one of you!"
" Nothing, it's nothing!" Willow bites her lip.
" Cher, I think you're friend wishes to tell you something. Something personal. Maybe I should leave?" Faith starts to stand up, but Buffy puts a restraining hand on hers. " Cher?"
" Sit down!" Buffy almost barks. " No one's going anywhere until I say so. I want to know what's going on , and I want to know NOW! "
" Mon Dieu! So forceful! Well, well, " Faith looks over at Willow, who's glowering at her now, " Shall you say, cherie? Or shall I?"
Willow doesn't say anything. She just stares at her, seething.
" No? I guess I must then, " Faith hesitates. She looks at Buffy. I'm sorry, B. I really am. But better the truth than this… " Buffy, you wanted to remove my mask last night, remember?"
" It's ok, Remy. I realize. You … aren't ready … it's good ." Buffy is dying with curiosity, but won't force him.
" Ah, cher, it's time for the truth. I want you to see me, see the real me. Go ahead, remove it." Faith leans in so Buffy can pull off her mask.
" You're sure?" Buffy asks, " I can wait…"
" Do it!"
" It doesn't matter, you know that. I told you, I don't care… whatever… you get that, right?"
" Just do it!" Faith says, growing impatient for this farce to be over.
Buffy pulls off the mask.
Faith braces for the explosion. She closes her eyes tightly, hoping that Buffy won't throw a fit.
She waits. And waits. And waits.
Nothing happens. She opens her eyes, seeing a smiling Buffy staring at her.
What the hell is going on here?
" Buffy?" Faith queries, dropping the accent. " Are you ok?" She's just sitting there, goofy smile on her face. She's not even surprised! What the hell? Did she already know? Is this another one of her ' make Faith sweat' games? Why isn't she hollering? Why isn't she trying to hit me? WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH HER?
" Buffy? What's wrong with you? It's me, Faith? Why're you sitting there like a moron grinning at me?"
" Oh, no… not at all, " Buffy almost gushes. It's as if she didn't even hear her. " You're… you're so… cute!" Buffy leans closer, kissing her cheek, " I don't understand why you were so afraid, Remy. You're … handsome!"
" REMY! God, are you BLIND? It's ME, Faith! Get a clue, Blondie!" Faith almost shouts at her.
Faith is getting an awful, sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach. She looks over at Willow.
Willow is grinning like the Cheshire cat.
" What have you done?" Faith grabs up a glass, looking at her reflection. She sees herself staring back at her. " What's going on?"
" She's seeing what she wants to see," Willow smiles at Faith, " A rather handsome version of yourself. Nice, if I do say so myself "
" Nice try, Red. But it won't fly. I'll just tell her the truth. She'll just be pissed at you, too."
Willow shakes her head. " Sorry, she only hears what her heart desires. And right now, that isn't the truth."
Faith flushes. " You're evil ! How can you do this to her?"
Willow's lips tighten, and her eyes narrow. " I'm evil? You've got a lot of nerve! What about you? She came her last night, confused, wanting to find something about herself. Because of YOU. Because you hurt her so badly. She still dreams about you, did you know that? She still loves you; who knows why. Even when she thought she was falling for ' Remy', her heart was all confused, because YOU still are in her thoughts, haunting her. She came in here, and you played her. You played her, knowing you were going to tell her the truth, and hurt her again! Worse this time, because at least in L.A. , the hurt wasn't your doing. But this time? You're beyond loathsome! You wanted to hurt her again, didn't you? Rub her nose in it. Not gonna happen, Faith. Not while I can help it."
To Buffy, Willow and ' Remy ' are just chattering casually. She smiles, thinking it's great they're getting along so well now. Glad they worked that out! She can't take her eyes off ´Remy'. He looks so familiar. Why is that?
" This is helping her? Are you totally insane, Red?" Faith growls at her, " What about when the spell ends? You're just putting off the inevitable. Sooner or later, she'll have to face the truth. And it's going to be harder, because of this. Think she's going to thank you for it? Are you really that stupid?" She catches Willow's expression. " What? "
Willow smiles, and Faith feels a chill in her heart.
" This isn't a mere spell, Faith. I put a penance malediction curse on you. For Buffy, I cast a temporary glamour, until the hex kicked in. Look at the glass again, Faith."
Faith picks up the glass, looks at it, and almost drops it. She looks like a boy.
Somewhere, she knows, the gods are laughing.
" What have you done to me?"
" You still don't get it, do you Faith? I didn't ' do ' anything to you but put the hex on you. YOU chose your form. Obviously, you've got some issues to work out."
" Damn you, witch! Fix it, reverse it! Make me right again!"
She stands up, almost upsetting the table. She grabs Willow and hauls her to her feet.
Willow's eyes go wide, but she doesn't lose her smile.
" Even if I could ' fix ' you, Faith, I wouldn't. The only way you can break the spell is figure out what's in your heart. Hitting me won't help, you're stuck until you figure it out." Willow shrugs. " Wish I could say I'm sorry."
Faith wants to wipe the grin off Willow's face with her fist. Instead, she lets her drop back in her chair. Faith sits down. She notices Buffy is grinning at her like a fool.
" What's her problem? She's grinning like a monkey."
" She only sees what she wants to see. Right now, I suspect she thinks were chatting merrily away about the weather or something."
" Well, you really screwed up, if you think this'll help Buffy, Red. Frankly, I don't want to see her, or you, or any of the scoobies, again. You can go to hell, and take her with you! " She stands up, ready to leave. " You can both rot !"
" Then I hope you like the 'new' you, Remy," Willow chuckles. " Whatever's going on with you? Involves Buffy. You drop out of her life, well… I guess you'll peeing standing up from now on."
"What're you talking about? "Faith glares at her." This is an illusion. I'm still…"
" The change becomes reality, Faith. You'll be wearing jockey underwear, NOT FOR WOMEN, any time now. Welcome to the NewYou."
Faith is burning in rage. She looks at her hand, so large, so … hairy. She looks up at Willow.
" I hate you. "
" Wish I could care. Thing is , better figure out how you feel about her." Willow nods her head towards Buffy. " Or this is your life… literally."
Faith puts her head in her hands.
" Remy? Are you ok?" Buffy asks. The glamour is wearing off. She reaches out, putting a hand on her shoulder.
" Actually, cher, I'm feeling rather sick. I think… I need to go home. Do you mind?"
"Awww… poor baby. Can I help?" Buffy leans over to kiss her, but Faith puts up a hand.
" Cher, please. I might be…ummm… catching. I just need to rest some." She stands up. " Bon soir. it's certainly been an interesting evening." She catches Willow's expression. " Maybe another time?"
" And another place?" Buffy hands Faith the mask, " maybe not here, without the mask?"
"Maybe, " Faith sounds doubtful. She casts an eye at Willow. " That might be nice."
Buffy smiles brightly at him, then stands up. She puts her arms around Faith's neck.
" Cher? I told you, I might be catching!"
" Not a kiss, silly. Just want a hug." Buffy hugs her, laying her head on Faith's shoulder.
Faith holds her arms out, looking perplexed. Slowly she brings them around in a hug. Still looking confused.
" Bon soir, cher." Faith looks over at Willow, and her expression hardens. " I'll get you for this, Red. Count on it."
" You wish," Willow grins at her.
Faith nods at both of them, and turning on her heel, leaves.
Buffy sits down, in heaven. She sighs happily, and looks at Willow.
" Did I tell you? Was I right? Of course I was. He's…" She sighs.
" Yeah, maybe I was wrong, Buff. Maybe he's got potential, after all."
Willow smiles at her little joke.
-5-
Buffy and Willow come down the hallway to Buffy's flat.
Buffy is giggling like a schoolgirl. She's walking as if her feet aren't quite touching the ground. She's feeling happier than she's felt in a long time, and she doesn't want it to end.
Willow's smiling, trying to keep Buffy in her mood. But looking closely, you can see the strain.
She's beginning to wonder if she hasn't made a mistake.
Maybe I shouldn't have interfered. Maybe Faith was right, just let the chips fall as they will. But I couldn't stand seeing her broken again. But doing what I did to Faith? Will that really help? Maybe I'm trying to force something that shouldn't happen. Maybe I should learn to butt out.
They reach Buffy's door. Buffy is pulling out her key when a figure steps out of the shadows.
In an instant, Buffy's ' on'. She rushes toward the figure, blocking Willow to protect her. She pins the person to the wall.
" Ok, what do you want?" Buffy growls.
" Buffee?" A feminine voice calls out. A familiar voice, sometimes rather irritating, but familiar nonetheless.
" Dawn?" Buffy lets go, and turns the girl around.
Dawn looks at Buffy, her eyes wide. She recovers quickly.
" Nice to see you too, Buffy." Her expression grows serious. " Where've you been? I've been waiting here for hours. Been trying to reach you."
" What're you doing here, Dawnie? You're supposed to be in Rome."
" Can we go inside, please? Been waiting forever, really need to pee."
" Sure, sure, " Buffy says. She gets a sinking feeling in her tummy. She turns and opens the door, letting them in.
" Willow! You're here!" Dawn says, smiling. " When did you get here?"
" Couple of days ago, honey. Been staying with Buffy . She's been showing me Paris."
" Lucky you! I wanted to come, but uh-uh. I had school." Dawn pouts a little. She looks around. " maybe just as well. We'd be sleeping on top of each other. Could you have gotten a smaller place, Buffy? I mean, really. The Council's paying for it, you know."
" I'm sure you didn't come here to criticize my flat," Buffy says, giving Dawn a sidelong glance. " What's going on?"
" Where's the bathroom, Buffy?" Dawn stalls, " I do really need to pee."
Buffy waves vaguely towards the bedroom.
Dawn leaves, and Buffy sits by Willow on the settee. Her brow furrows, her good mood of moments before broken.
" It's probably nothing, Buffy. Probably got a bad grade, and is afraid to tell you. You really do ride her hard about school, you know."
" Only because she's smart, and can do great… when she's not cutting or being lazy."
" Buffy, c'mon. I'm sure she's doing her best."
" No, she's not. She acts like she's still in high school .Giles' is paying a lot for her to go there, because she wanted to go there. Fine, but don't mess around and nearly get kicked out."
" What? When did this happen?"
" Couple of months ago. She pulled some kind of prank, and it backfired, big time. She was this close…" Buffy holds up her thumb and forefinger, " … to getting kicked out. It took some fast talking to keep her butt in school."
" Buffy, I'm sure it's nothing like that. Don't go too hard on her."
" Why not? She's my sister, my responsibility. I'm going to give her hell if she's back in trouble at school again…"
" It's not about school, Buffy, " Dawn enters the room. Her expression is solemn.
" Dawn, what is it?" Buffy sees her expression, and her stomach starts to flop over. " What's wrong?"
She stands and goes over to Dawn. She puts a hand on Dawn's shoulder.
" Buffy, sit down, please." Dawn says softly, " please."
The stomach starts whirling faster.
" I'm fine Dawn. Just tell me. Whatever is , we can fix it."
" No, you really can't, Buffy, " Dawn looks sorrowful. " No one can."
" Dawn, you're scaring me! Tell me, now!"
Dawn turns around, putting her hands on Buffy's shoulders. Her grip is tight.
" Buffy, it's about Angel…"
" Angel?" Buffy's voice has an odd catch in it. " What about Angel?"
" Buffy… something's happened…"
" Dawn…what? What's this about? Tell me!"
" Buffy… Angel's dead." Her voice is almost a whisper.
For a moment, Buffy doesn't react. She stands stunned.
Then she feels funny, as if her muscles are all out of energy. The room starts to darken.
Before she knows what's happening, the lights go out for Buffy.
To be continued
