Title: A Whisper of You
Author: Mike McD
Summary: A very quick Halloween fic. Imagine that certain clothes from the future end up in Ethan's shop. Last story in the follow on from 'Extra Flamey', 'Around the Curves', 'In the Land of the Blind', and 'Jack Lives Here'.
Distribution: Anywhere, just let me know.
Disclaimer: I do not own Buffy the Vampire Slayer nor do I own any other characters. This is a work of fiction written for fun and enjoyment.
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The school yard was bright and bustling with life as Buffy watched it all from the balcony.
Halloween was little more than half forgotten memories buried under the afterglow of Christmas for most.
But not her or her friends.
Buffy's Slayer sharp eyesight was hardly needed to pick out Willow and Xander as they walked hand in hand in the sunlight. The smiles of her friends made the day seem just that much brighter.
There had been a time after Halloween that the three of them had despaired of ever knowing smiles and happiness as the dark clouds of the future weighed heavily on their minds.
/No fate but what you make./
Buffy nodded imperceptibly at the words. Six simple words from a big name Hollywood blockbuster had saved them from their memories.
Rather than drown in the darkness of their memories, they used them to forge new paths. Paths away from the darkness and towards a hopefully brighter future.
Xander must have said something to Willow because she playfully swatted Xander's arm and Xander in turn hammed it up; grabbing his arm as if Willow's blow had smashed it with great force. His mock pain was forgotten as Willow stood on her tippy toes and kissed him. The smile this brought out in Xander was the brightest of all.
/I told you that you two would be good together./ Buffy thought.
/Yeah, yeah, I know you did./ Came the reply.
Willow and Xander had found happiness together and Buffy had finally found peace and contentment.
They worried about Buffy sometimes. Giles and the others would notice that Buffy would retreat into her own little world every now and then. They worried about her spending hours on end alone.
/You'll never be alone, Buff. I'll always be with you./
In her minds eye Buffy could see the one eyed Scooby reach out and touch her heart.
/Always have and always will./ She acknowledged the presence of the future Xander's mind that now shared her own. She heard him smirk.
/Especially in the shower./
Buffy laughed out loud and started her way down the stairs to join her friends.