Chapter Five: Riley's Return

The coming of November brought about an exciting, new development in the Summers' household. All the girls were still missing the beloved Giles, but they managed to get on without him. Dawn had more or less taken over his 'job' of research, usually with the Wicca's assistance and Buffy faithfully continued her duty of slaying, no matter how worn out she became.

As much as Buffy tried to fill her time thinking only on the necessaries in her life, mainly patrolling and taking care of her little sister, she couldn't forget the brief mention of a desire for a boyfriend. Her last solid relationship had ended almost a year ago. She hadn't actually had too many serious relationships in her twenty years; actually she had only had two that could be considered serious.

The most recent of these was with Riley Finn, the handsome assistant for one of her college professors. Their relationship had been very serious. She would even say it went to the point of love. Definitely love. She and Riley had been together for only a few months, but they had shared more then love. They shared the secret of her life as a slayer, something that few people had the privilege of knowing, apart from her closest friends of course. His likewise secret life working for the government in the division of demons made him understanding and even helpful in her patrolling. She had missed him a lot since he had been gone, but lately he seemed all she was able to think about.

"Buffy's what's wrong?" Dawn was accompanying her sister for a change on her nightly patrol. When Buffy was unusually quiet for so long, Dawn was worried.

Buffy snapped out of her memories. "Huh? Oh, sorry Dawn," she turned to her sister apologetically. "I was just thinking about...well, my mind was somewhere else." She tried to smile reassuringly.

"Are you sure?" Dawn had an annoying habit of being able to read her sister's mind like a child's picture book. "Buffy, you haven't seemed like yourself lately."

"Why does everyone keep saying that? I'm fine!" Buffy sighed in exasperation. "I'm just tired."

"Maybe we should go home, you know just skip patrol tonight." Dawn suggested.

"Oh and let a fresh group of bloodsucking fiends run wild about the town? No thanks," Buffy continued leading the familiar path towards the cemetery and Dawn followed with no more mention of her sister's weariness. It would only upset her, and frankly, Dawn thought Buffy was scary when she was mad.

After that night, Buffy made her best attempts to keep her spirits high, no matter how forced the buoyancy was, whenever she was around her friends. However, no one believed her act. Her close friends and her sister still felt that something was weighing hard on the slayer's mind, and everyone was worried for her wellbeing.

The first Friday in November left Buffy alone on patrol. Dawn had a date with Colin (Buffy was starting to believe that they might become a couple very soon if their weekly dates continued), and Tara and Willow had asked for some alone time at the house which Buffy gave them kindly. Usually when those three were busy, Buffy would call Xander Harris, her second best friend besides Willow, but tonight he also had plans. He had agreed to work at the Magic Shop with his ex-fiancée, Anya. The only other person, well sort of person, she would patrol with would be Spike, and she just wasn't that desperate.

Oh, woe is me, Buffy whined to herself dramatically and sullenly. Everyone has a life except for me! God, my life is so pathetic. Sure she was out every night risking her life to save a million strangers, but that didn't really measure up on the scale of life. Normal jobs, money, dates...those were the things that mattered in the world today! Not being the 'Chosen One' to fight against the world of evil! No one cared about that sort of thing.

She was so lost in her self-disparaging thoughts that she hadn't noticed someone else's silent presence join her in the cemetery. Finally though, the newcomer spoke.

"What happened to all your incredible 'slayer' sense?" His voice was deep and familiar. It was a voice that Buffy had played over and over in her mind so many times since she had last heard it. Now she turned around slowly, barely daring to hope...

"Riley?"

He stood at the edge of the cemetery, dressed in his usual preppy garb of black slacks and a sophisticated sweater. He looked the same as he did when he left almost a year ago, except perhaps a little older or more mature.

"Hey," He grinned and she realized how much she had missed that relaxed half-smile.

"What are you...why are you here?" She had yet to move from the ground her feet seemed suddenly riveted in. He also was strangely stationary. Both were obviously overwhelmed by seeing each other again after so long.

"Well," Riley finally broke the stillness and began walking slowly towards his ex. "I'm back."

Buffy tried to smile, but her lips were dry with surprise and her smile froze in formation. "Obviously," Her voice was as low as a whisper. She seemed hopeful yet doubtful and afraid to let down her built up apprehension about his return. "Why are you here?" She asked again.

"Vacation," He shrugged with a quick grin.

"Who would come to Sunnydale for vacation? Oh I know, it's our hotels with the view of our very own Hellmouth!" She let her inhibitions down a little and let out a smile.

"Well, I wanted to see..." He stopped, not sure if he should continue.

"Yes?"

"You," He finished his thoughts and her smile grew.

"Really, you aren't just saying that as a form of bribery to get me to help you bring down some big evil?" Buffy paused for a second.

"Would it work?" Riley laughed slightly.

"Very possibly," Buffy laughed too.

"No, not this time," He came closer to her still and soon they were only a couple feet apart. "I'm not here on business. I'm just here to see you."

"Well, it's about time!" She took a step closer until they were within arm's distance.

"Yea, I thought so," He shrugged. Their conversation was nothing more than meaningless words trying to fill the awkward void that would surely arise if they were to stop talking long enough to think of something significant to say. But it was enough. "How is everyone? Dawn and Willow, Xander?"

"They're good," Buffy nodded. "They'd like to see you, especially Dawn. She's missed you."

"Yea, I'd like to see them too."

They were both quiet for a minute. Riley couldn't stop staring at Buffy, but Buffy's eyes were focused anywhere except her ex-boyfriend's face. Their silence was interrupted by the sudden attack of a vampire which Buffy quickly and skillfully dusted while Riley watched. When she finished she returned to Riley with a satisfied smile.

"So, do you have somewhere to stay?" Buffy brushed the few remaining specks of vampire dust off of her jeans.

"Well, do you know of any good hotels?"

"Actually no, but I do know of a really cute bed and breakfast a couple of blocks from here!" Buffy grinned. Riley seemed to believe her for a minute. "Riley, I'm kidding. Stay with us!"

"Are you sure?" Riley smiled but wanted to be certain that he wasn't forcing Buffy into offering by her sense of obligation.

"Of course I'm sure," Buffy took a quick survey of the cemetery and then started leading the way down the street towards her house, only one block away. "I'll move into Dawn's room and you can have...mine."

"If you're sure," Riley followed close to her side. They didn't speak for the rest of the walk but as soon as Buffy opened the door and called out "we're here", they were greeted appropriately by the rest of the household.

Willow and Tara were on the couch in the living room in an adorable cuddle while watching TV. As soon as Buffy made her announcement, Willow untwined herself from Tara's arms and came out to the entryway to meet them.

"Spike, Dawnie wanted to talk to you..." her words ceased when she realized that the 'we' that Buffy had mentioned did not include her usual patrolling partner. "Riley," Willow's eyes grew wide but other than that, no expression was noticeable.

"Hey, Willow," He hesitated and then stuck out his hand, not sure how he should greet her. "How've you been?"

"Fine," Willow shrugged and shook his hand with the same hesitation that he had. "Tara," She stuck her head back into the living room and beckoned to her girlfriend. "Come and see who's here."

Tara timidly joined the others who were still grouped about the door. "R-Riley," Her expression showed the surprise that Willow's face had missed. "You're b-back."

He didn't have a chance to reply because at that moment they were interrupted by a thrilled squeal. "Oh my God! Riley!" Dawn came flying down the staircase, trying hard not to trip in her slippered feet. "You're back!" She leapt from the second to last stair and almost landed in Riley's arms. "Oh I knew you would come back!"

"Hey Dawn," Riley picked up the child-like teenager in a huge hug. "Did you miss me?"

"Not really," Dawn shrugged as he set her back on the ground, then with a slow grin she nodded. "You didn't even say goodbye!"

"I know, I'm sorry about that kiddo," Riley hung his head apologetically. "Forgive me?"

"I guess," Dawn nodded and hooked her arm in his. "How long are you staying?"

Buffy looked at Riley suddenly as if she hadn't even thought to ask that question. She waited for his answer anxiously.

Riley glanced at Buffy before answering, "I'm not sure yet."

No one questioned again. They were all so glad to see him returned that they didn't want to think about him leaving again. He was back now and that was what mattered to his friends, and to Buffy.