Dawn noticed the mail in Buffy's hand and grabbed it from her. She looked through the evelopes, trying to spot 'University of California in Sunnydale' on one of the return addresses. It was no where to be found. She turned, disapointed.
Buffy saw her disapointment. "Don't worry. You'll get in." Buffy reassured. "I did!" she joked.
Dawn shrugged. "Here." she said and returned the mail to her sister.
"Anything interesting?"
"Eh, not really." Dawn replied and headed upstairs, taking Olivia with her.
Buffy went through the envelopes, one by one.
"Water, electric, blah, blah, blah..." she said to her self, bored with the same old mail. Suddenly, a plain white envelope with no return address caught her eye.
"Ooh. What's this?" she said all cheery.
The name on the envelope read 'Buffy Summers', instead of 'Elizabeth Ann Summers'. This indicated that whoever sent it to her knew her, or of her. She wripped open the seal and took out a handwritten letter.
Buffy,
My name is Sam. I'm sure Riley has told you about me. I wasn't sure if I should even bother you, but you were a part of Riley's life and you deserve to know. It wouldn't be fair of me to keep this from you.
Riley was killed on assignment in Costa Rica. I imagine that it is just as hard for you to read as it was for me to write it. I want you to know that he died trying to save innocents. Maybe it will help comfort you as it did me. A service will be held in Sunnydale with all his friends and family. I hope that you will show your respect and come. He would want you there. I also feel he would want his daughter there. I know it is a lot to ask, but I would love to see her.
Please consider all I have said.
Special Agent Samantha Finn
Buffy traced the letters F-I-N-N. A tear rolled down her cheek. Although she and Riley had been over for a long time, she still felt something for him; she still cared. And he had cared enough to leave that night, 3 years ago. She felt a sense of guilt when she thought about that night.
Buffy called Xander and Anya, Willow and Tara, and Giles. She didn't give away anything on the phone, which left their minds to travel at what could be so important for Buffy to call a meeting.
After each of her friends arrived, she sat them down in the family room; a room which was known to hold such meetings that involved the breaking of news. The group put the venue and Buffy's facial expression together and knew what she had to say wasn't good.
Buffy sat down on the sofa next to Dawn, who was there for moral support. Spike and Olivia weren't in the vacinity. When Buffy told Dawn and Spike, she also thought it best to keep Olivia out of it for now. She and Spike both agreed to tell her in private.
"I got a letter from Riley's wife today." she started. "Um," she paused, "Riley's gone." Her voice wavered a little.
Willow scrunched her forehead. "You mean gone as in-" She couldn't say it.
Buffy finished the sentence for her. "Dead." Buffy looked down. Dawn put an arm around her sister.
"I'm terribly sorry, Buffy." Giles comforted.
Willow stared at her blankly. She was devastated, Buffy could tell, and so could Tara. Tara leaned closer toward Willow.
"Oh, God." Xander said horrified. Anya tried to comfort her husband. "It's just...he was our friend and now he's gone...forever, you know? And Olivia...he'll never..." Xander stopped. He didn't want to make Buffy feel any more guilty.
Buffy raised her head to continue. "She wants to see Livvie."
"What?" Willow was finally able to say.
"Riley's wife wants to see Riley's daughter, whose mother just so happens to be Riley's first love?" Xander asked, making it sound even more confusing.
"Sam thinks it might help her deal with Riley's, um, death." Buffy added.
"Well, that's all good for her, but Olivia has no idea." Xander pointed out.
"Me and Spike are gonna tell her everything tonight, alone. I think it's the right thing to do." Buffy explained.
"Yes. I agree." Giles approved without reason.
They all shared a silent moment, each one trying to deal with what had just been told to them.
Finally Tara spoke up. "Riley's gone and we all cared about him. So, we should pay our respects and move on with our lives." Tara finished as their meeting came to an end.
Where are all my reviewers? I haven't gotten a lot lately. Anyways, please review!