GILES

Giles watched as his slayer fell to her knees, and crouch into a little ball, sobs racking her tiny body, he watched helpless to do nothing, as she rocked back and forth. Her hands over her eyes as if, in a futile attempt to catch her tears.

"You.." Angelus had said. He wanted Buffy.

Why? Giles couldn't possibly fathom. Willow had turned away to silently weep into Xander shoulder. While the rest watched the once strong slayer crumble. Giles didn't know how long she lay crouched in the middle of the floor crying. But just as suddenly as it had started, it stopped.

The sudden silence was eerie. All eyes watched Buffy, but she seemed to have all but stopped breathing.

The Hyperion doors swung open once more, and Giles turned to see the 3 potentials stumble their way into the hotel. The last 2 unceremoniously bumped into each other as they realized their leader had stopped walking.

"You see Mr. Giles," Molly haltingly explained shooting worried looks to her fellow comrades. " We stayed in the car just like you told us to but ..."

" hehehehehe..." a voice chuckled and all eyes swung once more back to the figure on the center of the floor, her hair had fallen over hiding her face from view.

" hehehehehe HAHAHA" Buffy laughter grew louder, echoing across the large hotel. She lifted her head and shouted up at the ceiling. "What! You figured my life wasn't CRAPPY enough! You had to bring HIM back!"her voice fell to a hoarse whisper, " Cant you just give me one... just one break?" her shoulders slumped downwards.

"Has she gone mad?" Giles heard Vi whisper to him.

"Of course not" he replied, more so trying to convince himself than the girls. But his resolve grew weary, as Buffy's maniacal laughter started once more.

"But since when have you given me a Break!" she yelled, stumbling into a standing position. "SEVEN YEARS!" she pointed a accusing finger up at the sky. "SEVEN YEARS I've worked for you! And each year you've found a new way to SCREW ME OVER!"

" Buffy!" Giles pleaded, "Please stop!"

"Do you usually punish your warriors?" she continued as if he hadn't even spoken. "Cuz you must reeaally hate me if you've taken such care to FUCK UP EVERY ASPECT OF MY LIFE!"

She let her hand fall helplessly to her side. there were tears running down her cheeks, but she didn't bother to wipe them. "What is it ? Is it my hair? My attitude? Tell me what? WHAT DID I DO To Deserve... this!" she gestured to herself.

"Buffy please!" Giles tried again, "no-one is punishing you, all you need is– is some sleep and.."

"Sleep?" her head snapped in his direction so quickly for a moment he feared it might snap. " you mean where my lovely slayer visions let me dream about girls all over the world getting hunt down, one by one like ANIMALS?" Giles winced as the three potentials gasped, and visually stiffened. Buffy let out a little giggle. "And not only does it have surround-sound, but I get to witness it too! I get to stand there, and watch them try to run away -- out smart and some even Fight the Bringers. Even though I know there's no point in fighting back! " She lowered her voice," I get to see the blade go right through them and watch until the last light leaves they're eyes." She looked down at the ground. "and... and watch the blood pool around my feet... there's so much blood" she choked and raised her head to make eye contact with the three 'slayers in training'. "and, I can't do anything about it. I... I cant do anything to help them. Just like I can't do anything for you, because your all gunna die."

Shocked gasps erupted from every direction as Giles unconsciously pushed the girls behind him. As if sheltering them from...from his failure. "Buffy STOP!" he shouted.

"Or what Giles!" she retaliated, "What are they gunna do Giles?" she gestured to the ceiling once more. " Kill me, give me a brief taste of heaven then put me in HELL?" she was shouting again, "No, because they already did that to me!"

"What?" Giles breathed...hell?

"THIS IS HELL GILES!" she screamed, answering his unspoken question. " this--this place where I risk my life EVERY NIGHT trying to keep everyone safe. And work 2 JOBS every day, just to pay the bills. Where everyone that I have ever loved has left me, in one way or another. And, and now I have all these girls, " she nodded to the potentials, "these young girls, showing up at my doorstep because the first evil has decided that now would be the perfect time to start a war! These potential slayers that I have to keep alive... but how can I? how can I, when I'm dying inside?" she clutched her heart, "When I'm calling out...begging someone to help me. And no-one see's... No one cares..."

"Buffy," Giles whispered. His eyes, now brimming with tears found hers.

" I can't do this anymore Giles...I quit." she looked up angrily at the ceiling as Giles slowly approached. "Did you hear me! I SAID I QUIT, GO FUCK UP SOMEONE ELSE'S LIFE!"

Giles reached her in time to catch her from falling, " I Quit...Giles please let me quit." she sobbed against his shoulder, "please..."

Giles was helpless to do nothing but sink back down to the floor with his slayer. He could only hold her more tightly as his tears made slow tracks down his cheeks.