Buffy and Cordelia

"Season 5"

Chapter 19: Tough Love

AN: I don't own it!

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UC Sunnydale

Cordelia had told Buffy that since her job gives her like no off days, which make you wonder who Buffy still has a job, that she should go and withdrawal herself from college. It wasn't that Cordelia didn't want Buffy to get a higher education; so to speak, she just wanted her to take some of the stress off her shoulders.

So Buffy did as he girlfriend said and headed over to the college administration building to file for her withdrawal. But on her way there she ran into one of her teacher who said that her needed to talk to her. So being the every so curious Buffy she went with her teacher to his office.

When Buffy entered his office he closed the door behind her, and with her slayer hearing she heard him lock the door behind her. This can't be good. She thought as he came walking around her so that he was now behind his desk looking her in the eye. This is really, really bad…why do I always have to listen to Cordelia? I could have just ignored her and just never came back to college. Eventually they would have got the hint and assumed that I dropped out.

"Ms. Summers…please take a seat," he said as he sat in his chair and folded his hands on top of his desk as he look at her.

Okay is it just me or is this guy really creepy? She asked herself as she slowly took a seat across from her professor. "So what did you need to talk to me about?" she asked as she looked at him with a weary eye.

"I heard that you where going to withdrawal from this college semester," he said and she nodded feeling some of the tension of the situation disappear. "If you are having trouble with the money…" he started but stopped. "You know there are ways to get money fast…you are a very pretty women Ms. Summers and…" she cut him off.

"Thank you Mr. Johnson but I think we are done here." She got up but then he reached out his hand to her arm and halted her. "It was never about money Mr. Johnson." She added pulling her hand away. Then he grabbed her shoulder, which he would never do again. The next thing he knew he was lying on his back looking up at her. "It was nice talking to you," she said with a smile as she turned and walked over to the door, unlocking it, and walking out with a satisfied smile on her face.

She walked down the halls of UC Sunnydale hopefully for the last time. Not that she didn't like it here it's just that she had so much on her plate. Taking care of Dawn, working, planning for a wedding…that last part brought a smile to her face; she was getting married. Cordelia was the last person Buffy expected to be getting married to back in high school. I was so into Angel that I really couldn't see anyone else.

Summers residence (later that day)

Their whole afternoon has been centered around one thing. And that was moving Buffy and Cordelia back into Buffy house. Since her mom is no longer around and Faith disappeared Buffy decided that it was best that she move back home. No one seemed to mind since they rarely spent time at the apartment away. Buffy even considered letting Anya and Xander move in as well…they where here all the time anyway.

But she decided against figuring that they wanted there own space where they could go hide and get away from the craziness that is their life. Buffy really didn't blame them…actually she was kinda happy for them.

On the plus side of moving back in with Dawn was that she could keep and better watch on her. Yesterday at work the school called her and said that she needed to come in to have a meeting with principal regarding Dawn. I didn't sound good so Buffy assumed that it wasn't going to be a social meeting.

So she decided to move back home to keep a watch over Dawn and Spike, who now resides in the basement of the Summers house. But the only problem that stood against he now was finding out where Dawn had disappeared. Riley was contacting all his old military friends to help him track her down. While she searches all the demony places to make sure no one took her as a yeah to hurt the slayer.

"You know Buff, sometimes I wonder why I put up with you girls and all your stuff," Xander said as he carried in yet another one of Buffy's boxes. "I mean what do you girls need with all this stuff anyway?" he asked. When he said that he received a glare from all the girls in the room, which was everyone, why did he have to be the only guy?

"We have all this stuff just to make guys like you ask question," Cordelia said as she walked into the room with nothing but a teddy bear. "And as you can see it worked," she said with a smirk as she passed him and went over to where Buffy was.

"See! You're the slayer Buffy…you should be able to carry more than just a lamp, and I happen to know that Cordy is stronger that she looks and can handle more than a teddy bear." He said as he placed the box on the bed.

"Xan, if I did all the work what would we need you for?" Buffy asked as she walked over to him. "Come we got a few more boxes and another lamp…this time I will let you carry the lamp up and I will handle the boxes," she said as she pulled on his arm and led him out of her room.

While Cordelia was unpacking one of the boxes Willow came over to her. "So is what Dawnie say true…are you an Buffy getting married?" she asked in the same excited voice Cordelia remembered from high school.

"She didn't tell you?" Cordelia asked and Willow shook her head no. "Well then I guess I will have to…yes it is true." Cordelia said. Willow started jumping up and down and Cordelia couldn't help but remember when Willow was part of the we hate Cordelia club. Just as Cordelia was going to go unpack another box Willow wrapped her arms around Cordelia and she had to use all her strength so they didn't fall.

Just as Willow let go of Cordelia Buffy came walking into the room. Cordelia went over to her and place a kiss on her forehead.

Sunnydale Hospital

Ben was walking through the hallway rather quickly because he was already over an hour late and he didn't want boss bass to catch him. As Ben was looking down at his watch he bumped into something or someone. And when he looked up he looked into the eyes of a very angry boss. He tried to come up with a reason to why he was so late but so far he wasn't having any luck. Well you can't actually tell your boss that you where a women not even an hour ago and just recently turned back into your normal self no can you?

"Ben…why are you here?" his boss asked him in a strange questioning voice.

"I work here," Ben said as he tried to get by.

"Not anymore you don't," he boss said as he put a hand on his shoulder to stop him. "Ben you haven't been to work in over a week. You didn't honestly think that you still had a job after not showing up or even calling did you?" he asked in a tone of voice that stated that it really wasn't a question; it was more of a statement.

"I can't believe this," Ben said as he looked at the man in front of him.

"Well believe it," he said. "Now I expect your locker to be cleaned out by noon today." His boos said as he continued on past him.

Ben walked down the hall and went into the locker room. "I can't believe they just fired me like that. I am the best intern they have." He paused as he threw more clothes in his duffel bag. "You know this is all your fault. If you would just let me live my life without interfering every chance you get." Just then Ben slammed his hand into the locker next to his. "Oh no…not now," he said to himself as he slowly turned into his other half…literally.

"Oh Benny you always blaming your troubles on me." Glory said as she looked around the locker room. "It's not my fault that when the God's planted me here they stuck me with you…I guess it is supposed to give me some human emotions or something." Glory said to herself as she picked up the duffel bag Ben was packing and walked out of the locker room.

Magic Shop

Giles was sitting at the table with Willow and Tara when Buffy came walking through the door. She looked at Giles with a hopeful eye but he looked away and shook his head. Then she turned to Willow and Tara and got the same result. "I need to hit something," Buffy said as she walked right past them and into the training room. Meanwhile Willow continued to look through one of the many books they had scattered around.

Buffy quickly changed into her training clothes, which basically consisted of a white tank top and some plants, wasn't nothing special. As she walked toward the punching bag she strapped on her gloves and tied back her hair. All the meanwhile growing increasingly angry with herself.

How the hell could I let this happen? I mean I'm the slayer these are things I am supposed to keep from happening. And you think the people around me would know better…but I guess not because she ran off without even telling anyone. And now we are all concentrating all of our energy on finding her instead of on how to stop Glory…who just happens to be a freaking God.

Buffy stopped short of the punching bag and grabbed her ring of the stool next to the punching bag. She put the ring on her necklace and slipped it over he neck. Then she readied herself for training.

Dawn of all people I expected to understand the whole no running away thing, especially since your sister just so happens to be the slayer. But no she ran away…I guess life was getting to hard for the little brat. There wasn't enough time for people to worry about her and to hang out with he because we are all too busy trying to stop a God from ended the world…oops our bad.

You know sometimes I just want to lock her away in her room so she wouldn't bug me anymore. Is that wrong to think? I know because I am the slayer I am supposed to help people but she just drives me up a wall and I don't know how much longer I can take.

Buffy was so absorbed in her thoughts that she didn't hear the door open and close. Riley walked over to her carefully so he wouldn't disturb her. If there was anything on this earth scarier that a demon trying to kill it is a startled slayer. As he neared her he saw that she was wearing a necklace while she trained…she usually wore no jewelry while training, it was one of her rules.

"Buffy?" he called to her and the next thing he knew he was flat one his back half way across the room. "I guess not startling was a bad idea…jeez Buffy paranoid much?" Riley said as he got to his feet.

"One of the many perks of being a slayer…" she said and then she paused. "Anything?" she asked in a sad worried mother tone that he didn't know she was capable of.

"My sources came up empty but they said they would keep looking at let us know," he said as he hung his head. "Sorry."

"You have nothing to be sorry for Riley…if anyone should be sorry it should be me, I have been shutting her out ever since mom died." Buffy said as she turned back to the punching bag.

"Buffy…" Riley started but was interrupted.

"Buffy!" Some one screamed from the main shop of the Magic Shop. Buffy went running out finding out that everyone was looking at her even the customers that did know who she was. "We found her," Cordelia said as she and Spike walked toward Buffy. "With you being her sister and all she learned how to cover her track…I guess we can no longer say that she doesn't pay attention." Cordelia said.

"Hey look who I found sneaking around out back," Xander said as he dragged in one of Glory's minions and then he looked up and saw the customers giving him an weird look. "Oh…we aren't closed yet?" he asked as he took the minion and tied him to a chair.

"Why are you here?" Buffy asked getting bored with the whole key thing. "I told Glory that I am not going to give her the freaking key so you guys might as well give up following me around," Buffy said and the minions eyes widened. Buffy let a smile come to her lips, "I'm the slayer did you honest think I wouldn't know when someone was following me?"

"No need to worry we already have the key," the minion said and Buffy turned to Spike and Cordelia and they shock their heads no. "The witch," he added as he looked at everyone.

"The witch?" Cordelia and Xander asked confused.

"Oh my God Tara…she is supposed to meet me at the fair…she must have went early," Willow said as she made her way to the door.

All the Scoobies and customers where now looking at the minion. "If anything happens to Tara I swear to God that you will not see the light of day ever again," Cordelia said as she took Buffy's arm and dragged her toward the corner. "Dawn is staying in an abandoned warehouse just outside of town…if I may suggest I think we should all hang out there and maybe without the key Glory can't open the portal and we can all live happily ever after." Cordelia suggested and off Buffy's look she continued. "But of course that isn't how the slayers life works," she said as she rolled her eyes. "Go get your sister," Cordelia said as she leaned in and gave Buffy and kiss on the forehead.

Buffy ran out the door grabbing Xander on the way out.

Fair

Tara was waiting for Willow on one of the many park benches. She was early so she didn't expect Willow to show for at lease another twenty minutes. Just then a hand slipped into hers and she smiled thinking it was Willow also arriving early.

But when she looked over she didn't see Willow or anyone else she knew. She saw the person that she had been having nightmares about ever since she came into her life…Glory. Glory was sitting there with a sick evil grin on her face and Tara knew what she was thinking.

God she thinks I am her key.

"I know what you are, they is no reason to be afraid. Because where you are going there will be no more pain, no more hurting over someone you love…no more darkness just light." Glory said as the grip on Tara's hand increased. "You will die, but for a good cause. You will be sending me back to where I should be, in turn destroying this world. But hey you wont be here anymore so who gives a crap right." Glory said as she grip Tara's hand so hard that blood started to come from the hands.

Should I tell her about Dawn? No I could never to that to Dawnie or Buffy. Because in the end it will all be worth it, the pain everything, just to know that Dawn got to live to see another day.

"Now it is time to taste what the key's sweet blood taste like," Glory said as she brought the bloody hands to her mouth and licked the blood. After she did so a she got a look of distaste on her face.

Oh this can't be good.

"You are not my key!" Glory said outraged.

"Tara!" Willow said as she ran toward her girlfriend. "Tara!"

But before either one of them could do anything Glory brought he hands up and stuck them in Tara's skull. Tara screamed out in pain and her sanity was sucked from her. Willow came running up to her right after Glory removed her hands and left. "Oh my God Tara," Willow said as she took Tara in her arms.

Summers house

Buffy had returned with Dawn a little over an hour ago and neither one of them where talking. Cordelia decided to stay and the Magic Box and help research…or maybe she just wanted to stay and annoy Giles, she seemed to be getting better at that.

Dawn was sitting at the table as Buffy busied herself with folding some dishtowels. The silence was starting to get to Buffy, why wasn't Dawn apologizing for running of like that; well that was anyone's guess.

"Dawn…do you even understand what you did?" Buffy asked as she looked at her sister. "I mean not just running away and putting your life in danger but the way you made me look to social services." Buffy explained.

"Of course it is always about you…poor Buffy." Dawn said as s he looked at her sister. "Never poor Dawn, the key that will end the world." At the sight of Buffy's widened eyes she continued. "Yeah I know what I am and I also know that I am not your sister." She said. "So I can do what I please."

"They will take you away from me!" Buffy shouted and she slammed her hand into the table almost breaking it. "They will take you away and I will never get to see you again. You may not be my sister but you are the only family I have left." Buffy said as she walked over to her and kneeled down in front of her. "Do you want that? Do you want to be taken away?" she asked.

"No."

"That what I thought." Buffy said as she went back to what she was doing. "We have to go to the hospital…Tara is hurt." Buffy said. And then they put down what they where doing and walked out of the house.

Sunnydale Hospital

Tara was sitting up in the hospital bed and Willow, Anya, Xander, and Giles where standing around her when Buffy and Dawn entered the room. Buffy went straight to Willow and brought her in her arms. She didn't say anything because there was nothing she could say. Buffy just held her best friend because that was all Willow needed. She didn't need false promises or stuff like that…she needed the truth.

Just then Tara gave a little laugh and Willow and Buffy looked over at her and saw that she was looking at them. Buffy didn't know what to do, Tara looked so innocent, she had no idea what happened to her, also she has no idea of the real danger she must face in order to survive. How could this happen to Willow, she is good, she never did anything bad all her life…and now this. They are punishing the wrong person. Buffy thought as she looked at Tara in Willow's arms. The wrong person…it should be me.

"I gotta go baby…I'll see you later," Willow said as she looked up and smiled at her friends before she walked out the door. It took Buffy a minute but she eventually followed her out. As she ran up to Willow Buffy grabbed her arm and turned her around. "You can't stop me Buffy…I am going to do this." Willow said.

"No your not," Buffy said as she looked Willow in the eye. "If you do this than what will it accomplish…I mean you'll be dead and Tara will be all alone," Buffy explained. "Do you want that?" Buffy asked and Willow hung her head. "Don't worry Will, everything will be okay…we can fix this, we always do." Buffy said as she brought Willow in for another hug.

"Buffy I have to go," Buffy let go and gave her friend a stern look. "It's okay…I changed my mind I am just gonna go home." Willow lied. Buffy moved out of the way and watched as she left the hospital.

Magic Shop

Willow walked straight through the Magic Box not caring because she knew everyone was at the hospital. She went straight for Giles' personal collection…ok so it was more like the more dangerous books where kept in the loft. They all knew but no one told Giles. She went straight up there knowing exactly what she was looking for. When she found an evil smile came across her face.

"It is time for you to pay," she said as she walked out of the Magic Box.

Cordelia's work

Buffy walked into Cordelia secretary's office's. She sat in the chair by Cordelia's door and waited until it was her turn. Why does life have to suck this much I mean can't anyone ever be happy? No of course no one in my life came be happy because I am the slayer and I am doomed a life of unhappiness. Maybe I should let Cordelia get out of it while she can…I mean it is only going to get harder.

"Ms. Chase is ready for you now Buffy," Risa, one of Cordelia secretaries said.

"Thanks," Buffy said as she walked into the office. Cordelia motioned for her to have a seat; she was still on the phone.

I am only going to drag her down with me. Look at the life she lives. She could be some big shot in L.A. or something but no she decided to stay her in Sunnydale just because I was here. Do I ruin the lives of every person I meet? Maybe I should let her go.

"Buffy…what are you doing here, is something wrong?" Cordelia asked worried.

Just then 3 doors down's "When I'm gone" came onto the radio and Buffy listened to the lyrics.

There's another world inside of me that you may never see.
There's secrets in this life that I can't hide.
Somewhere in this darkness there's a life that I can't find.
Maybe it's too far away or maybe I'm just blind, maybe I'm just blind.

Buffy continued to listen to the words and she heard Cordelia tell her that she had another phone call.

So hold me when I'm here right me when I'm wrong.
Hold me when I'm scared and love me when I'm gone.
Everything I am and everything in me
Wants to be the one you wanted me to be.
I'll never let you down even if I could.
I'd give up everything if only for your good.

All my life I have been waiting for some one that would stand by my side when things got ugly and all my life I have been disappointed thinking that it was something that I did that made them run away. Yet in reality they just couldn't handle the pressure of being with the slayer.

So hold me when I'm here right me when I'm wrong.
You can hold me when I'm scared but you won't always be there,
So love me when I'm gone, love me when I'm gone
When your education x-ray cannot see under my skin.
I won't tell you a damn thing that I could not tell my friends.

Maybe I finally found that someone that I am willing to die for. You know that kinda love where you put the one person in front of everything…even your own life. If I am ready to do that than I know how to stop Glory…I know what I must do to make sure Cordelia lives to see another day.

Now roaming through this darkness I'm alive but I'm alone.
Part of me is fighting this but part of me is gone.
So hold me when I'm here right me when I'm wrong.
Hold me when I'm scared and love me when I'm gone.

Everything I am and everything in me.
Wants to be the one you wanted me to be,
Ill never let you down even if I could.
I'd give up everything if only for your good.

If I am ready than that must mean that Willow is ready to risk everything for Tara…right?

So hold me when I'm here right me when I'm wrong
You can hold me when I'm scared, you won't always be there,
So love me when I'm gone.

So hold me when I'm here right me when I'm wrong.
Hold me when I'm scared and love me when I'm gone.
Everything I am and everything in me,
Wants to be the one you wanted me to be.

I'll never let you down even if I could.
I'd give up everything if only for your good.
So hold me when I'm here right me when I'm wrong.
You can hold me when I'm scared, you won't always be there.
So love me when I'm gone, love me when I'm gone.

Oh. My. God. That means that Willow isn't going to listen to me and she is going to go after Glory to avenge Tara because she thinks that is what Tara would have wanted. She going to lay done her life for a God, literally, because of the one she loves. Okay so me being the slayer and her best friend I so can't let that happen.

"Buffy are you okay?" Cordelia asked a little worried about her girlfriend.

"Yeah…I gotta go," Buffy said as she got up but before she walked out the door she looked back at Cordelia. "You now I would die for you right?" Buffy asked and Cordelia nodded. "I love you."

"I love you too," Cordelia said a little confused. And then the door shut behind Buffy and she literally ran out of her office. "Okay…weird much?"

Glory's apartment

When Buffy got there it was almost too late. Glory had Willow by the throat and was just about ready to plung a nasty look dagger into Willow's heart when Buffy caught her arm. Glory turned around and laughed at her, which didn't go over so well with Buffy.

She grabbed her arm and threw her back away from Willow and Willow fell to the floor as Buffy went after Glory. She kicked her in the midsection and sent her flying but only a few feet. The she punched and it looked like it had little affect.

Buffy sighed as she ran back over to Willow kicking the couch and hitting Glory sending her back into the wall. Buffy gabbed Willow just in time to see Glory throwing the couch out of her way. "Thicken!" Willow commanded and Glory was stopped dead in her tracks as Buffy and Willow ran for it.

When they made it outside and far enough away from Glory Buffy stopped Willow. "I know you told me not to Buffy, but I had to do it FOR Tara…" Willow started but was cut off.

"It's okay Will…I understand why you had to do it."

"You do?" Willow asked.

Buffy showed her the ring on her finger. "Yeah I do…now lets go home." Buffy said as they continued walking.

Willow and Tara's dorm room

They where sitting in the room talking about nothing special, and eating some sandwiches Buffy made, which was all she really knew how to make. Willow was feeding Tara because she couldn't do it herself and Buffy couldn't help but wonder if Cordelia would do that for her if something happened to her like it did Tara.

Willow looked at Buffy and smiled. "It's getting easy with each day," Willow said as if reading her thought. "I am not saying it isn't hard, because believe me it is, but now it is easier." Willow explained and she feed Tara another spoonful of Jell-O. "So where is Cordy?" Willow asked.

"Working, they are making her work more because of all the time she missed after my mom died." Buffy explained as she looked down at her hands and then over at Dawn. "Yet on the plus side Dawn and I get to spend some sister time together," she added.

Just than there was a loud crash and everyone turned to look where the noise had come from. Glory was standing in the whole she just made in the wall. "You thought you could hide from me."

"Oh looky," Tara said as she looked at Dawn. Everyone stood up and turned there attention to her…even Glory. "The light…it's so bright and pretty," Tara said as she touched Dawn's arm. "Oh you pretty green light…energy…I can feel it," Tara said with a little laugh as she went back to playing with her food.

Buffy looked at Glory who was eyeing Dawn with a evil look. Can't I get a moment of quiet around here?

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AN: I hope you like it. This is the first time I have ever used a song in one of my fics so I hope it turned out okay. By the way the song belongs to 3 doors down not me. I am going to try and get the next chapter up by Thursday because I am going on vacation but if I don't that it will by up as soon as I can get it up when I get back. Again I hope you like the chapter.