Buffy And Cordelia

"Season 5"

Disclaimer: I don't own it!

AN: Sorry about the late update. Finals are here so it might be awhile before the next update so please just be patient. The conversation between Dawn and Buffy at the end is the one from the episode...it was the better Buffy/Dawn converstation so i couldn't change it...enjoy.

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Chapter 17: Forever

Someplace in Sunnydale

Buffy and Dawn had decided to go by themselves when they bought their mother's coffin. Buffy didn't know why but she really didn't want anyone else picking out the coffin that her mother was going to spend her undead life in. She felt as if she at least owed her mother that much…after all the times she helped up with the slaying and stuff.

Cordelia really wanted to be with Buffy in these horrible moments but Buffy told her no, she said that she needed her space and time to deal. So, as a result, Cordelia and the gang took over slaying so Buffy could spend more time with her sister…even Spike helped out. Buffy guessed that Faith had a lot to do with that.

Faith. What is up with her lately? Buffy asked herself as she looked through the coffins. She has been acting all weird and clingy around me lately…I think Cordelia is starting to get jealous, not that she would have any reason to be, I mean Faith has Spike and I have her.

Buffy walked up to a black coffin opened and looked inside. She really didn't know what she was looking for, but she pretended that she knew what she was doing. "What about this one?" Buffy asked Dawn as she sister came up behind her. "You think mom would have liked it?" Buffy asked.

"Yeah…sure…whatever," Dawn said.

Buffy shook her head. "We'll take this one," Buffy told the man that they were buying the coffin from. Buffy walked to the door and started walking out, but she stopped walking when she realized that Dawn was not following her. Buffy turned around and looked at her sister staring at the coffin they picked out. "You coming?" Buffy asked. "Dawn?" she asked when Dawn didn't respond.

"What if mom doesn't like it?" Dawn asked Buffy. "I mean she is going to be in it forever…what if she hates it?" Dawn asked as tears began to roll down her face.

Buffy didn't say anything she just walked over to her sister and took her into a hug. There really wasn't anything she could say, they were both sad and they wanted everything to be perfect. As Buffy held her sister she had to fight back the tears. You have to be strong…Dawn needs you to be strong. Buffy said to herself as she pushed back the tears that threatened to fall.

Summers house

The gang had come over to Buffy house later that night, after they got home from their coffin shopping. They wanted to help the funeral arrangements. So Buffy decided to make a dinner, or at least try to. Well it didn't work to well so Giles ended up making something quick when he arrived.

They where all sitting at the table after they where done eating, none of them saying anything just enjoying the silence. That was when Buffy got up and started to clear the table like her mother usually did. "Let me help you," Cordelia said as she grabbed some plates and followed Buffy into the kitchen.

Just as Buffy was about to walk back into the dinning room Cordelia grabbed her arm and pulled her toward the door. "What are you doing?" Buffy asked as Cordelia dragged her outside.

"We need to talk," Cordelia said as she closed the door behind her.

"I don't have time for this," Buffy said as she hung her head to hide tears and tried to go back into the house. But Cordelia wouldn't let her, they needed to talk and she wanted Buffy to start. "Cordelia will you just let go inside and finish what I was doing?" Buffy asked looking up at her girlfriend. But when Cordelia didn't say anything she continued. "What did you want to talk about?" Buffy asked giving up.

"About you shutting me out," Cordelia said, as she looked her girlfriend directly in the eyes.

"I am not shutting you out," Buffy lied, knowing that she was but the truth is she didn't know why she was. Cordelia just looked at her. "I'm not!" Buffy said. Cordelia turned and walked over to sit on the bench and to her surprise Buffy followed. "Why do you think I am shutting you out?" Buffy asked in a softer tone. But when Cordelia didn't answer Buffy pulled her chin so she was looking into her eyes. "Tell me…I want to make things better."

"Your going to think I', stupid," Cordelia said.

"And when don't I think that?" Buffy said with a playful smile. But Cordelia just gave her a stern look. "Right, not the time for jokes." Buffy paused. "I wont think your stupid or anything else…just tell me."

"It's just that every time I try to talk you push me away. You haven't been back to the apartment or work. You get lost in the arrangements for the funeral." Cordelia paused. "I don't mean to sound selfish when I say this but…I miss you. You have been spending more time with Faith than you have with me since your mom died…"

"Don't go there," Buffy said in a calm tine that even surprised herself.

"Why not! We are both avoiding the Faith subject…it is bond to come up sooner or later so why not sooner." Cordelia said standing up. "I'm not blind Buffy, I can see the way she looks at you, she doesn't love Spike…she loves y…" Buffy's lips on hers cut off Cordelia. When Buffy pulled back Cordelia looked at her through teary eyes. "I am just scared I am going to lose you," Cordelia said as she leaned her forehead against Buffy's.

"There is no one else in the world for me. Not Faith, not Willow, no one but you." Buffy said as she placed a soft kiss on her forehead. "I love you so much that it hurts when you're not around. And it scares me because the only other person I felt that way about was Angel and look how that turned out." Tears were now running down her face too. "I didn't mean to push you away but I needed to be there for Dawn…I am all she has left," Buffy finished.

Just then the back door opened and Xander popped his head out. "Buffy your dad is on the phone," he said.

"Okay I'll be right there," Buffy said looking at the door and then back at Cordelia. "I love you," she said as she walked back into the house leaving Cordelia standing there to think about things.

"Funny how life turns out isn't it?" a voice said from the shadows. "I remember when you couldn't stand to be in the same room with her," the voice said.

Cordelia was startled by the voice at first but then she relaxed when she figured out who it was. "What do you want Spike?" she asked. "Faith is inside," she said as she headed inside. But before she could get in the door Spike cut her off. "What?"

"I heard what you said…'bout Faith." He said as he stepped closer, which in turn made Cordelia step back. "I am not blind either…I see the looks too. But I guess I didn't want to believe them, that is until I found out that I am not the only one that sees them." He said. Then he handed the flowers to Cordelia. "This are for Buffy, tell her that I am sorry for her lost," Spike said as he walked back into the shadows. Cordelia turned and walked into the house.

Summers house (next morning)

Today was the day that Buffy had been dreading for the past week. Today was the funeral. Buffy got out of bed slowly so she would disturb Cordelia who still lay asleep next to her. She walked into the bathroom only to find it occupied by Riley. He looked at her with sympatric eyes when she entered.

I don't want to know. Buffy said as she looked at Riley who only had his shirt on. "Morning Buffy," Riley said. Buffy just looked up and smiled at him. "Dawn asked me to ask you if it was okay that she comes back to my place after the funeral," he said. Buffy suddenly looked at him funny. "No…no, it's not what you think." He said as he realized how that come out. "She just needs someplace to go…I think Willow and Tara are coming too and then I was going to take her to their dorm and she was going to spend the night there." He said quickly.

Buffy looked at herself in the mirror, "I don't care." She said as she started to get ready for the day. Just then she looked at him. "Well?"

"Well…what?" he asked confused.

"Are you going to leave so I can take a shower?" she asked.

"Oh yeah…sorry," he said as he backed out of the bathroom.

Cemetery

They where all there…all but Spike for obvious reasons. Faith and Cordelia each stood by her side and Buffy felt the need to hold Cordelia's and a little tighter. Riley stood by Dawn. Xander stood by Anya and Giles stood by himself just looking over the group of kids he always thought of his own.

There where no word spoken after the priest finished what he was saying and was lower Joyce into the ground. Dawn turned into Riley and cried and instead of her holding Cordelia's hand tighter Cordeila gave their joined hands a squeeze.

After Joyce was in the group the group started to leave and soon the only ones left where Cordelia, Buffy, Dawn and Riley. Riley came up behind Buffy and put his hand on her shoulder, "We're going to head out now, he said. Buffy smiled which signaled that she was okay with it…with all of it not just them leaving.

Just the, after Riley and Dawn walked away, Cordelia came up behind Buffy and put her arms around her waist. "It's going to be okay you know," Cordelia said into her ear.

"Yeah I know," Buffy said turning in her arms. "Why don't you go back home…I am waiting for someone," Buffy said. Cordelia nodded knowing whom she was waiting for. Cordelia gave her a soft kiss and then walked away. "Love you!" Buffy called out and she heard Cordelia say it right back. Then she turned and started at the hole in the ground that now held her mother.

As day slowly turned to night she couldn't help but wonder if it all was really going to better or if it was just gonna get worse. As Buffy got deeper and deeper into thought she felt a hand slip into hers and she smiled knowing whom it was. It was Angel, he was always with her, and he always would be. Angel slowly took Buffy in his arms and led her over to a tombstone where they sat together, just like they did so many years ago when she had been his. But know she belonged to someone else.

Granted that someone is someone he never thought she would ever be with…and just because she was a girl. But the girl just happened to be Cordelia Chase, the girl Buffy hated in High School. Those two could not stand to be around each other let alone be sleeping with each other. But he got used to it just like everyone else did…and he couldn't be happier because Buffy was finally happy and she deserved it.

He just held her because he knew that was what she needed right now, and was going to give her anything…he would do anything for her. Even though she was with someone new she would always be the one he loved, no one and nothing was ever going to change that.

"Angel?" Buffy's voice broke him from his deep thoughts…he almost forgot he was still sitting here with her. "Is it ever going to get better?" she asked.

"I don't know Buffy…I don't know, but just for you I will stay as long as you need." He said as he held her a little tighter.

"How about forever?" Buffy asked with half seriousness.

"Forever sounds good," he said going along with her joke. After all something the only way to help someone heel after they lose someone is to joke about things from the past. And Angel couldn't help but remember the time they fought over their relationship…he was going to live forever while she got old and died.

Willow and Tara's dorm room

Riley and Dawn were standing in the hallway right outside Willow and Tara's dorm room. He had promised Buffy that Dawn would be staying with Willow and he really didn't want to make her mad. And as much as he had to fight with Dawn to get her here it would all be worth it when he could still walk in the morning. Because if he didn't face the wrath of the slayer he could count on one from Queen C.

"Riley…please, I really don't want to stay here…I want to stay with you," he whined as she held his hand waiting for him to knock on the door because she sure as hell wasn't going to. Nothing against Willow and Tara she just wanted to be with her boyfriend right now.

"No…I already promised Buffy that you would be staying here. And I know that you can handle Cordelia and Buffy but I for one can't," he said with a smile. Just then he brought his hand up and knocked on the door.

"Riley?" Willow said as she opened the door. "What are you doing here?" she asked as she looked back and forth between the two people at her door.

"I promised Buffy that I would bring Dawn over here…because she wanted to stay here with you guys," he said as he and Dawn walked through the door. "That is if you don't mind of course," he added.

"Oh no! I don't mind, actually I would love to have Dawnie spend the night," Willow said. And just then Tara came walking over to her. "Danw is going to stau with us okay?" Willow told her girlfriend.

"Sure," Tara said as she took Dawn stuff and brought it further into the room.

"Rileyyyy…" Dawn whined.

He smiled and he leaned down and gave her a kiss. "I will be back to pick you up in the morning," he said as he pulled her into a hug. "I would love to stay with you Dawn but I value my life," he said with a smile. "Bye," he said as he walked out the door and down the hallway that had become so familiar to him when he dated Buffy but now he felt so lost and he didn't know why.

"So Dawnie…what do you want to do?" Willow asked as she sat on her bed and Dawn sat beside her.

"Actually I was thinking about something," Dawn said. And Willow nodded her head, which indicated that she should continue. "I was think since you guys are so into magic and stuff that you might know if there was a spell for…" she paused. "For well raising the dead, or bring someone back from the dead," Dawn finished.

Willow had a shocked expression on her face she had not expected that. Tara came up behind Willow hearing the whole conversation and shuck her head 'no'. "We can't do that," Tara stated simply.

"Can't or wont?" Dawn asked not believe they couldn't do that.

"Wont," Willow said from behind her girlfriend.

"You see Dawn, witches a long time ago made a pack," Tara said. "And we are not meant to break it," she said with a hint of sympathy in her voice. "I'm sorry," she said.

Dawn didn't say anything she just laid down on the bed that Tara had made out for her on the floor and turned her back to them. I can't believe they wont do this for me…I mean I lost my mother; don't they understand how much I want her back? Dawn asked her self as she kept her back to the two witches. It was going to be a long night for all parties involved.

Spike's crypt

Faith sat up in the bed that she know shared with Spike. For some reason she couldn't get Buffy off her mind and how much she wanted to help her. And not juts because of her mom dieing but because it would help bring them closer together…and maybe even give her shot with the older slayer. That is if Queen C doesn't get in the way of her plan. Faith looked down at Spike lying next her…poor guy. They slayer he is in love with is with another girl and his slayer substitute is in love with his slayer.

Wait did I just admit that I am in love with Buffy…yeah I guess I did, wicked.

Summers house

When Buffy walked into the house all the lights where off and the house was lit by candlelight. And when she looked at the floor she saw that there where rose peddles on the floor. What the hell is going on? Buffy asked herself as she looked around and saw no one, yet there was music playing in the background.

Just then Cordelia emerged from the kitchen where one of Buffy's oversized t-shirts, that she got to liking when she was with Riley. Cordelia walk slowly toward Buffy with one hand behind her back, Buffy could only wonder what was behind her back.

"Hey baby," Cordelia said in a seductive voice when she was in arms length of Buffy. "How's Angel?" she asked.

"Not bad…Cordy, baby, what's going on?" Buffy asked as she indicated the rest of the house.

"It's time to release your stress," Cordelia said as she pulled a flower out from behind her back. "And to show you how much I love you…because I don't think it's clear enough," she said.

"Cordy you do know that's not why I'm with you right…it's not just about sex." Buffy said with seriousness.

"I know," Cordelia said as she brought Buffy close for a kiss. "I know," she whispered again and soon they where both lost in each other.

Glory's apartment

Glory was standing in the middle of her room waiting for her minion to show up and tell her the good news that he got from her evil twin Ben. Just then Glory heard a thump and turned to see her minion standing hunched over by the doorway. "Oh God what happened?" he asked with fake sympathy.

"Ben…" the minion chocked out. "He s-said the key w-was a-an inn-nocent-t." he said knowing that Glory really didn't care about his well being.

"Well this changed everything." Glory said moving away from his bleeding body. "Hey! Don't sit on the couch I just had it dry cleaned!" she yelled and he backed away from the couch.

Willow and Tara's dorm room

When Willow woke up that morning Tara was already gone and Dawn was sitting up waiting for Riley to arrive and pick her up. Willow gave Dawn a sad look as she walked out of the dorm and headed to the bathroom. But right before she left she gave her hand a little wave and a nook moved off the shelve and she turned back and smiled at Dawn as she watched the teenager pick it up and start looking through it.

Cemetery

Dawn had gathered all the elements from the magic box that she needed but she was missing one last one. Just as she was about to get up and go find the last thing she needed she heard footsteps behind her. And when she turned around Spike was standing there looking down at her.

"What do you think your doing lil bit?" he asked.

"N-nothing," she said and she wanted to slap herself for stuttering.

Spike peered over her shoulder and looked at the book she was reading out off. He knew that book, it's a book for witch to raise the dead but the word in witchville is that witch no longer raise the dead…having something to do with a pack made long ago even before he was a vampire.

"Here let me guess," he paused as if he was thinking about something. "You are trying to bring your mother back from the dead because you miss her so. And Willow and Tara wont help you because they don't want to break the ancient pack made many, many years ago." He paused again. "So how did I do?" he asked.

"Not bad," Dawn said with a smile. "Your not going to tell Buffy are you?" she asked suddenly worried.

"No…I am going to help," he said. "There is just one little problem." He stated.

"And what's that?" Dawn asked.

"An ghora demon…you need it's egg," Spike said as he helped Dawn to her feet. "Now come on lil bit I want to get this over with before big sis finds out and drive a stake through my chest," he paused. "She never hears of this understood?" Dawn nodded as they continued to walk toward the sewers.

Summers House

Buffy was awakened by the sound of the phone ringing. She looked over at Cordelia who mumbled something and then rolled over so that she was looking at the other wall. Buffy groaned and got out of bed and went to answer the phone. I am going to kill whoever it is on this phone. Buffy thought to herself as she answered the phone.

"Buffy?" Buffy heard Willow's voice ask.

"What is It Wll…I was kinda busy," Buffy said thankful that she didn't all an hour earlier.

"Um…sorry, but we kinda have a problem," Willow said.

Willow put Buffy on speaker and let both her and Tara explain the situation with Dawn over the phone. Buffy was no liking what she was hearing…why would Dawn even want to do something like that. Their mother wouldn't even be coming back like her normal self…she would be something entirely different and Buffy didn't really think Dawn understood that.

Who is helping her with this? Riley? No he would be way smarter than that. Faith? No she isn't that stupid either…Spike. "Okay Willow I am going to go out and find them…and see if I can get to them before they do something stupid." She said.

"Them?" Tara and Willow asked.

"Spike," Buffy said right before she hung up the phone. After Buffy hung up the phone she ran back up stairs to see if Cordelia was still asleep and when she saw that she was Buffy decided to just leave a note telling her where she went and what the hell was going on. She out the note on her side of the bed and then leaned over and gave Cordelia a kiss on the forehead. Cordelia moaned and leaned toward the contact…but didn't wake.

Buffy walked back down the stairs and out the house in search of her sister and a vampire who was getting on her last nerve.

Riley's apartment

Dawn knocked on Riley's door and when he opened she jumped into his arms. Riley caught her and hugged her back but he put her back on the floor a little confused. Just then he realized that Spike was standing outside with a bag of magic stuff.

"Not that I am not happy to see you…but why are you here?" he asked. He looked at Dawn and then at Spike. "You can come in," he said and the vampire entered the apartment.

"We have a plan to bring my mom back," Dawn, said excitedly. "And we need a place to do it so I thought why not my caring boyfriends apartment," Dawn said as she grabbed Riley around the waist.

Riley stepped away and looked back and forth and finally his gaze landed on Spike. "Buffy is going to kill you," he said. And then he looked back at Dawn. "I can't baby…what's done is done." He said as he opened the door for her to leave. "I'm sorry but you are going to have to find somewhere else."

Dawn nodded and then walked out of the apartment followed by Spike as the headed back to her house hoping that Buffy and Cordelia weren't there. Since Faith has been staying with Spike, Buffy and Cordelia have been staying at the house…they take turns…next month is Faith and Spike's turn to watch over lil Dawnie.

Summers House

Luckily for her both Cordelia and Buffy where gone. Cordelia's note said that she was out looking for her…obviously they weren't looking hard enough because here she was…right in this very house that she called home. Dawn guessed the Willow called and told Buffy what was going on so she thought she better hurry.

She lit the candles around the bowl that held the demon's egg and had a picture of her mother in front of his. She began to chant in some unknown language and as she was finishing up she heard the door open and close downstairs. Buffy's home.

Dawn quickly finished the incantation as she heard her sister coming up the stairs and toward her bedroom. Just as she was finishing she heard her sister's voice behind her. "Dawn…what have you done?"

"She's coming," Dawn, said as she stood up and ran downstairs to wait for her mother. In her left hand she had her mom's picture ready to rip it if something went wrong or even if she changed her mind but she was hoping she wouldn't have to rip it. Just behind her she heard Buffy coming down the stairs and she knew that she was in a hell of a lot of trouble, no matter how it all turned out.

"Dawn you have to stop this…what's coming back is not mom," Buffy tried to rationalize with her sister.

"I have to do this…"

"Why?" Buffy asked confused.

"Because I not like you Buffy," Buffy confusion grew as she looked at her sister. "I don't have anyone."

"You have me and Riley…" she paused. "Dawn you have a lot of people."

"No, I don't. You won't even look at me. It's so obvious you don't want me around." Dawn said as she started to cry. She hadn't prepared for this conversation. She was just hoping that she could bring her mother back and Buffy would never have to know about it.

" That's not true." Buffy said not understanding why here sister felt this way.

"Yes it is. Mom ... died, and it's like you don't even care." That was a little low Dawn…even for you. Dawn thought to herself as she realized what it was that she had just said to her sister.

"Of course I care. How can you even think that?" Buffy was crying now as she looked at her sister angrily. They had never talked about how the felt or anything, they just always assumed the worst of each other. But it looks like it Is all coming out now…which can be either a bad thing or a good thing.

"How can I not? You haven't even cried. You've just been running around like it's been some big chore or something. Cleaning up after Mom's mess." Buffy raises her hand and slaps Dawn across the face. And as soon as she did she regretted it.

"Oh God Dawn…I'm sorry." Buffy said as she looked at her sister's hurt expression. "Dawn ... I've been ... working. I've been busy, because I have to…" Buffy said as she began to cry even harder.

"No! You've been avoiding me."

"I'm not! ... I have to do these things, 'cause ... 'cause when I stop, then she's really gone." Buffy broke down into tears just as she heard something at the front door. Dawn looked out the window and what she saw scared her to death. The sight of her mother was so horrify that she had to find the picture and rip It before Buffy got a chance to see her mother like that. "Mommy?" Buffy asked as she moved toward the door. Dawn looked hurriedly for the picture. "Mom?" Dawn heard her sister say again. Just then she found the picture.

I gonna miss you mom. Dawn thought to herself as she took one last look at Buffy and ripped the picture in half as soon as Buffy opened the door. When Buffy opened the door there stood Cordelia getting ready to open the door. Buffy looked at her girlfriend with tears coming down her face. But instead of going into Cordelia's arms Buffy turned and walked over to Dawn to give her a big hug. "Dawnie…I'm so scared," she said in her sister's ear.

"It's okay Buffy," Dawn said as tears started down her face again.

Meanwhile Cordelia closed the door and watched the sister huddled in the middle of the floor.

AN: I hope it was worth the wait! Since eason 5 is drawing to the end...what do you think about season 6...should i continue or give it up?