-Chapter Twelve-
Crossroads
Buffy lay her uniform on her bed or rather her old bed. Amber sat on the bed awkwardly. Buffy also looked awkward and a little nervous. "Err... the rents been paid for the next three months," Buffy said looking down at the floor. "And Al said you can have my job. He's cool. In a repulsive sort of way."
"Thanks," Amber replied shiftily. "So, where are you going?"
"Home," Buffy replied leaning against the chest of draws. "I think it's time I went back. I'm needed there."
"Have you heard from Clark?" Amber asked nervously.
"No," Buffy replied. "Ill probably go and see him later and say goodbye."
There was a moment of silence between the two. Buffy bent down and threw her bag over her shoulder. She was ready. Ready to go home. "Thank you," said Amber said quickly and quietly as though words couldn't describe how she felt. Buffy gave a weak smile. "Err... I was just wondering if I could call my self... Anne."
Buffy smiled warmly. It was the first warm smile she had had since, she had left Sunnydale. It was nice to have one again. Buffy turned and opened the door walking out leaving her old life and returning to the life she had left behind.
Clark sat on the balcony of his apartment looking out at Metropolis. It had taken him little more than a second to fix the window the vampires had smashed. He stood up and looked around at his apartment. He was at a crossroad. He missed his parents. He missed Lana. He missed Chloe and Pete. But, how could he face them again.
There was a knock at the door. He turned and opened the doo to find Buffy stood there. He smiled weakly. So did she. "Hey," Clark mumbled. He turned and walked in. She followed him.
"I came to say goodbye," Buffy croaked awkwardly. "And to say thank you."
"Thank you?" Clark replied confused.
"Yeah, I mean," Buffy sighed, "I was in a really bad place and was lost. I just wanted to be left alone. I didn't want to be bothered by anyone. Or be the slayer anymore. But, then, you came along. And all of a sudden, I remembered something."
"What?" Clark asked still confused.
"The fire," Buffy replied, "the fire of being the slayer. Thank you, Clark."
Buffy leaned in and hugged Clark. He returned the hug. They parted. "So, you gong home?" Clark asked knowingly.
"Yeah, I think its time," Buffy replied, "you?"
"I spent two days in hell," Clark said grimly, "and all I could think of was my mom and dad and my friends."
"So that's a yes," Buffy quipped.
"I don't know," Clark said. "I mean, as much as I miss them. I just can't stop thinking of how ashamed they'll be of me."
"They're your parents. They could never be ashamed of you," Buffy said placing a hand on his shoulder. Clark nodded. "Here," Buffy fished into her pocket and pulled out the red Kryptonite ring. "I know you'll make the right decision."
Clark took it and held it in his hand, a feeling of longing to put it on filled him as he looked at the red stone. Buffy leaned in an kissed his cheek and walked to the door. "And if you do put it on," Buffy added. "I'll come back and kick your ass."
Clark chuckled weakly. She did to and then, she stepped out and walked out of the apartment leaving Clark at a crossroad.
Buffy sat at the bus station watching as the bus moved closer and closer. The doors hissed open as the driver opened the door. Buffy stepped up the steps. "Where to?" the driver grunted.
Buffy thought fro a moment. She was at a crossroad. Did she really want to go home and have all the disapproving looks from her mother, Giles and her friends?
Clark stood at the long dirt road. A large sign stood at the edge of the road saying: "Smallville 15 miles". He was at a crossroad. Could he go back? Could go back to the disappointed? Could he bring more pain in their lives?
"Sunnydale," Buffy replied handing over her bus ticket to the driver. He grunted and she walked away to her seat in the back. She was going home.
Clark stood in the middle of the road. He took the Red Kryptonite ring from his pocket. He looked at it, then at the sign. He couldn't do it. He couldn't watch as he brought more pain in their lives.
Clark took the ring in his hand slipped it through his finger. A red vein slithered across his arm. He breathed in with relief as a sudden sensation filled him. The sensation that he needed and craved. He had made his decision. He was free.