A/N: I know, it's been a while (insert proper excuse here), but hopefully some of you are still interested. I've gone back and revised previous chapters, but nothing really affected the main plot, just minor details.
Thanks so much to DGtek-CrazyaboutAngel, paige, funkydevil206, and Moonjava for their thoughts!
Disclaimer: Why, yes, I do own Buffy. That's why I'm broke and the show's canceled … All belongs to Joss and ME, people. Chapter titles are courtesy of Evanescence lyrics.
Rating: PG-13. Swearing, angst, violence, previously minor child abuse. You have been warned …
Pairings: B/S eventually. W/T Others uncertain
Distribution: Yeah, sure, take it. Tell me first, though.
Reviews: DEFINITELY! Reviewers are the best!
Previously: Buffy returns to Sunnydale for her father's funeral, and has gotten in touch with some old friends in the meantime …
Well, she had found something good about driving a minivan: it could hold lots and lots of shopping bags. And while Sunnydale was not exactly well-known for its great malls, the two girls had somehow managed to gain enough merchandise to clog the entire backside of the van.
"Whew," Willow said collapsing onto the seat in the coffee shop. "I forgot how tiring shopping could be."
"Yeah," Buffy giggled, "but there's nothing better than a little retail therapy."
"True." Willow gave her own smile in return. "I think we might have cleared out a couple stores, though."
The two shared another grin before turning to other matters.
"So," Willow began after she slowly sipped her drink, "you never told me exactly why you were back in town."
Buffy mock-pouted, and said jokingly, "Can't a girl just wanna come back to her hometown and see her friends again?"
"Yeah, 'course, but …" Willow trailed off and raised her eyebrow expectantly.
The blonde noted another subtle change in her friend that she had been seeing ever since they got together last night. The old Willow might have blushed and stammered, embarrassed for accusing her friend of something, but not now. Boy, had she missed a lot in five years …
"'K … I meant to talk to you about it sooner or later, anyways," Buffy bit her lip nervously. "Um … Hank died. I'm here for his funeral. Apparently, Ahn thought it would be a good idea to show 'caring' for my deceased, albeit estranged, father. So, I wondered – even though I would completely get it if you don't – if you could, maybe, go with me? To the funeral, I mean – even though we'll probably be the only two people there besides the priest."
All that new information seemed so entirely disconnected from their topic of discussion and was delivered in something of a rush, all Willow did was sit there and blinked owlishly for a few moments. Finally, her mind seized upon the one thing that stood out to her most. "What's an 'Ahn'?"
Buffy glanced at her friend questioningly before answering, "Um … Anya, the friend and manager I told you about, remember?"
The redhead nodded, and the pair lapsed back into silence.
Finally, Buffy grew antsy and prodded her still shock-frozen friend. "Um, Willow? You gonna say anything about some of that other stuff I just told you?"
That was enough to shake the girl out of her drifting thoughts. "What? Oh! Yeah, 'course I'll go with you, Buff, and the gang probably would, too, if you asked. But – gosh – I didn't even know Hank was out of jail ..."
That comment suddenly reminded Buffy of something she had meant to ask. "Will, you never told me what happened after I left town. C'mon. It's your turn to share."
Now looking as if she was recovering somewhat from the shock, Willow was willing to give her side in hopes of making things clearer.
"Well, after you left, Dawn and I found out that one of your neighbors call the police about a domestic disturbance. When we went back to your house later that night, we saw a couple cops leading Hank out of the house. We were going to turn back and leave, but he saw Dawn and lunged at her, trying to hit her and calling her names.
"After that, there was a whole mess with social services and a court case. Hank was sent to jail for child abuse, and we found out that your mom had named Mr. Giles the legal guardian of you and Dawn, but well, you were gone, so it was just Dawn."
Buffy felt a renewed wave of guilt wash over her. God, no wonder Dawnie hates me. I promised, and then I wasn't there for her.
Willow must have seen her look because she reached out a comforting hand. "Oh, Buffy, you couldn't have known. You did what you thought was right."
She refused to let Willow dismiss her mistakes. "But it wasn't right, was it?"
Her friend smiled comfortingly. "Then maybe this is your chance to fix it."
oOoOo
The day had turned out to be both physically and emotionally exhausting, and Buffy was now back at home, finishing sorting through her luggage.
"Hey, Wills, I was wondering if - "
Buffy suddenly interrupted herself as she saw – instead of Willow – there was a different girl hovering in the doorway in the room. "You're not Willow."
The lovely, gentle-looking blonde looked up and shook her head. "N-no. I-I'm Tara. I l-live here, too. You m-must be Buffy. I-it's n-nice to meet you."
With timid smile, she tentatively offered her hand. Buffy returned the grin and shook hands. Something about the other young woman seeming soothing, and Buffy liked her immediately.
"It's nice to meet you, Tara. I hope you don't mind me staying here."
"No, of c-course not. Willow's t-told me so much about you." Tara seemed to gain confidence as she relaxed in light of Buffy's friendliness.
The two heard footsteps on the stairs, and Willow's red head appeared. "Buffy, ready to go bronzing? Dawn and Spike are waiting."
She glanced up, and she broke into a happy smile when she saw the other blonde.
"Hey, Tara! You're back!" Willow hugged the blonde. "How was your trip?"
Tara also grinned. "G-good."
Willow suddenly remembered Buffy. "Oh! Sorry. Buffy, this is Tara, my girlfriend. Tara, Buffy."
"We just me – wait, girlfriend?"
Willow suddenly looked guilty as both blondes stared at her questioningly. "Whoops. I forgot to tell you didn't I?"
She took a deep breath. "Buffy, I'm gay."
"Oh." A beat. "OK."
The redhead was surprised. "What? You're OK with this?"
"Well," Buffy explained, "I can't control what you do, and as long as you're happy, I'm good." Living in LA had left Buffy more open to different relationships, and she meant it when she said that all she wanted was Willow's happiness.
"Oh, speaking of which," Buffy turned towards Tara, and said – although her smile somewhat ruined the effect – with mock-sternness, "if you hurt my best friend, I'll be forced to hunt you down and do something horrible to you."
Willow cut in. "Oh! Well, you don't have to worry about that. Tara's the sweetest."
The two linked hands, and Willow smiled proudly as her girlfriend blushed, then proceeded to tell Buffy more about her. "Tara runs an art gallery in town, so she's sometimes off on buying trips."
The three girls began a new conversation as they walked downstairs to dinner.
"A gallery? Wow, that sounds hard."
"N-not really. I-I love art, s-so it's more fun t-than work." Tara ducked her head shyly.
"That's …"
The girls continued to talk and laugh as they joined Dawn and Spike and headed out the door.
oOoOo
"Hey, Wills, Tara, Dawnie, Bleach-head," Xander greeted the groups of friends as the arrived at the Bronze.
"Hey, Xander!" The girls chorused while Spike greeted him with, "Hey, Whelp."
"Who's this?" The brunette glanced curiously at Buffy.
"Hi, Xander," she said, smiling.
His eyes widen in recognition. "Buffy!"
Buffy shared a glance and grin with Willow. The redhead answered for her. "Yup!"
Buffy suddenly found herself engulfed in a hug, not unlike that day in the Espresso Pump with Willow. "Breathe, Xander."
He pulled back. "Sorry," he said sheepishly, "But it's so great to see you! What happened? Where have you been? And, most importantly, did you make any cute girlfriends you could introduce?"
The three friends sat down, starting to make up for 5 years worth of catching up …
oOoOo
Meanwhile, Spike, Tara and Dawn had wandered over to the bar to get drinks for the group.
The youngest glowered fiercely at the laughing trio.
"God, how can they just accept her like that! They don't even have proof that she's who she says she is!" Dawn complained.
"Dawnie, why would someone want to pretend to be Buffy?" Tara asked logically. "She's still Willow and Xander's best friend. Aren't you the least bit glad that she's back, too?"
"Nuh-uh!" Dawn denied with a firm shake of her head.
"Y'know, Bit," Spike said as he returned with a tray of drinks, "you should give Big Sis a chance. Talk to 'er."
"Nope, I know Willow or Buffy wanted you to convince us to 'make up,' and I can tell you right now, Mister, I'm going to stay unconvinced!" She glared unwaveringly.
Spike remained unfazed, although still slightly concerned for her. "Doesn't matter if anyone put me up to it, Platelet. It's still true. Buffy's been right depressed 'bout you being mad at her."
"You're still sisters, Dawnie," Tara reminded gently. "Give her a chance."
"She left me all alone." Now, she sounded more like a lost little girl than angry teen.
"Now she's tryin' ta make up for it."
Dawn still looked uncertain, so Spike decided not to push.
"C'mon, Bit." He held out his hand. "You promised me a dance."
Dawn smiled shakily. Spike handed the tray of drinks to Tara with a silent thanks, and the two walked off onto the dance floor.
In another corner of the room, Tara could see the three life long friends dance (although Xander looked more as if he was having a spaz attack) and laugh happily, entirely at ease with one another.
The blonde smiled, thinking, They still had a ways to go, but they're getting there.
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