A Justified Absence

It was morning, and Sunnydale heaved with anxious and excitable people. There had been a death - not just any old mysterious killing of nameless nobody - but a murder of one of the daughter of one of the richest and most powerful people in town. Cordelia Chase had a lot of admirers despite her consistently obnoxious attitude.

Which was why her murder remained a puzzle to all who heard about it. It hadn't even reached the press, yet everywhere from the country club to the High School knew the morbid tale off by heart. Or at least, bits of it.

Everyone except Buffy.

Buffy knew something was wrong just as she entered the school grounds. Students were far too animated for that time of morning, and some were even crying. As she looked curiously around her, she briefly wondered whether everyone knew about some impending doom that she didn't.

'Buffy', called a female voice. Buffy smiled genuinely when she saw Willow running towards her, but faltered when her friend didn't return the smile. Willow looked far from chirpy.

'Will, what's up? Why with the lack of happy?' she asked, feeling slightly nervous. Nearby, a cheerleader collapsed under a tree in sobs.

Willow grimaced. 'You haven't heard? Buff, it's terrible. Cordelia - she was killed last night'

It took a while for the words to sink in. 'Cordelia what? As in, Queen C Cordelia? Our Cordelia?'

Willow nodded, her eyes glistening. 'The town's in uproar about it. Someone went over her house last night and….and…'

Willow placed a hand over her mouth, looking impossible paler than usual.

'Does Giles have any idea what did it?' Buffy asked, her insides churning.

Her friend looked at her sadly. 'That's the thing, Buffy. Cordelia wasn't mutilated by some demon, or, or vampire. A person did it. The police are saying that it looks like she was stabbed, slit, and gutted with a knife. She was hanging by a tree when they found her'

'A person killed Cordelia?' Buffy asked incredulously.

'And this other guy was found slashed to pieces outside her house. Apparently a boyfriend, Riley Flyn, Finn or something.'

'Name isn't familiar'

'He probably wouldn't be. He's, I mean, was a student at UC Sunnydale'

'But she was dating Xander-'

'Look, Buff, I know Cordelia was never my favourite person, but I would never in the world have wished this upon her', Willow said, her eyes filling up with tears. 'Wh-what kind of monster would…'

She collapsed against Buffy, tears gushing. All Buffy could do was comfort her as her mind reeled.

Buffy stared across at the desk opposite. Only last week Cordelia had sat in her seat haughtily, ready to unleash her opinion on everything from Shakespeare to parking tickets. Her absence made a strong impression on the class, which seemed dead and dull without her.

The English teacher cleared her throat. 'Buffy Summers, could you please go to the Principal's office'

She flinched at the request, but knew she was in no position to object. She nodded with a small smile, and left the room.

As Buffy entered the office, she knew she was going to be in trouble. Principal Snyder sneered at her from behind his desk, whilst a male police officer observed her sternly, notepad in hand.

'Ms Summers?' the officer asked. She nodded, and sat when the he motioned to a chair.

'My name is Officer Randy Dwight, and I just want to ask you a few questions about your friend, Cordelia Chase', he continued. 'I've heard that the two of you had…problems…with each other, to say the least…'

Buffy shot Snyder a quick look, and caught him in the middle of a self-satisfied smile

Sat around a large shady tree on school grounds were Willow, Xander, Faith, Buffy and Oz. Typical of Sunnydale, the morning's initial shock had already died down, and many students had returned to their daily activities.

'I just felt like a criminal in that office', Buffy confided miserably. 'I mean, so what if Cordelia and I hated each other? It didn't mean I wanted to pull out her insides'

Xander flinched, and Buffy instantly regretted her choice of words. 'Oops, I didn't mean to put it that way-'

'No, its okay', her interrupted. 'I wish everyone would stop looking at me like I plan to throw myself from the rooftops. Cordy's dead, and I have to accept that, the sooner the better. It was only a matter of time, anyway'

'Xander!' cried Willow, shocked.

'Well, she was always getting herself into danger, forgetting she was living on a Hellmouth. It's her own fault.'

'You're just hurt', Buffy reasoned, feeling a shiver up her spine. 'Repression or whatever.'

'No', he smiled calmly. 'I'm going to miss Cordelia, but I never loved her. I was going to dump her this week anyway. I knew about the other guy for a long time. That guy Finn was welcome to her'.

There was an awkward silence. 'So', Oz said finally, 'what else did the police ask you?'

Buffy sighed. 'They told me they knew how hard it must be for me - especially after my Mom's last boyfriend turned out to be a freaky psycho killer - and they wanted me to know that I could come by the station anytime I wanted to talk'

'They think Ted's evil influence has rubbed off on you?' Willow guessed.

'I really dread to think what Snyder has been telling the police', Buffy confided.

'That you burnt down your last school's gymnasium', offered Willow

'That you run away for the summer', added Oz

'That you regularly beat guys up', said Faith

'That you were questioned over Ted and Kendra before', sighed Xander.

'I know, I know, things are not looking good', Buffy admitted. 'But they can't arrest without evidence, right? What was everyone else asked, anyway?'

'The officer was a little suspicious of me', Xander muttered. 'Just because I'm the boyfriend. I mean, I was supposed to go over last night, but…decided against it. Just don't tell the police that', he added worriedly.

'Aw Xander, you couldn't kill anyone', Faith drawled, arching an eyebrow. 'The cops'll see that straight off.'

'Still…' began Buffy, looking at Xander thoughtfully.

'Y'see, I'm not gonna be asked anything', Faith smiled smugly. 'Perks of not even going to this school'

'Then why are you here again?' Buffy asked, annoyed.

'Now, B, I just want to know what's happening around this hell hole. Part of being a good Slayer is knowing your sitch.'

Faith had a point, but Buffy felt irritation knowing that Faith wouldn't be harassed by numerous authority figures just because she kept a low public profile.

'They hardly asked me anything', Willow confided. 'I mean, how well I knew her, if she had many enemies, that sort of thing, but no stern glances or anything'.

'That's because they know you would never hurt anyone', Xander teased. 'Evil Willow could just never happen'

'Should I be offended that you see me as so undangerousy?' Willow smiled strangely, 'or relieved that no one's on to me?'

'It's always the quiet ones', Faith nodded in appreciation.

'They were pretty mean to Oz', Willow frowned.

Oz calmly bit into a grape. 'They asked if I did drugs'

'They WHAT?' Buffy gaped.

'Because he's in a band', Willow explained.

'I said no, but maybe Snyder could be of help', Oz shrugged. Everyone laughed.

Buffy broke into a wide smile, 'God, I wish I could have seen that little rodent's face…'

'Angel killed Cordelia', Xander said suddenly. The group fell silent.

'Excuse me?' Buffy asked, her temper rising.

'C'mon, Buff, it makes sense, and you know it. Angel is a sadistic, murderous THING. Some sick creep tortured Cordy to death, and tore her to pieces. Hello? Who do we know that recently enjoyed a big killing spree-'

'Shut up, Xander', Buffy warned.

'-And who came back from a lifetime worth of hell experiences? He's a monster, Buffy, and you know I'm right'

Buffy jumped to her feet, her face crumpled. She shot Xander one hurt, angry look before storming off.

'Buffy, wait!' Willow called, but Buffy ignored her, feeling hot tears stream down her cheeks. Angel would never do anything like that. She trusted him, treated him as a person. He'd gone through a bad patch, and some of the things he'd done were unforgivable. But he'd changed; he was willing to make amends. But she couldn't shake off the echo of Xander's accusations.

'He's a monster, Buffy, and you know I'm right'