Chapter Fifteen
Author's Note: Thanks again for all of the reviews! I'm glad people are still interested in the story. I am working on chapter sixteen as we speak. Happy reading!
Lisa Anne
It was another extremely slow day at Sam Goody. Buffy was organizing the DVDs for the third time that day. She had only three hours left of her six- hour shift, she was half way there. She thought about after work. She was pretty busy. She was going over to Faith and Amy's for dinner, then she was watching Connor while Faith and Amy caught an early movie. After leaving Faith's she was going to meet Willow for some ice cream. Their trip for ice cream would last about twenty minutes. Then they would drive around the town just talking. Willow was tremendously nervous about leaving her safety net she called home and adventuring out into parts of the country she hadn't known. Buffy knew she would be listening to Willow's concerns that evening. "Hey, Buffy, how are you?" Angel asked her as he stood across form her. "I'm good. How's your summer going?" "It isn't bad. I can't wait to go back to New York though, so much more to do than just being around here. When do you leave for school?"
"In a week and a half. I can't wait." Angel smiled at her. "That's great. I was wondering if that new Dave Matthews CD came out yet?" Angel asked her. "I was going to get it as a gift for someone." Buffy nodded as they walked over to the new release end cap. She quickly thought about how she and Angel had seen Dave Matthews in concert many times together. She also thought that she had been to see Dave Matthews many times since. "Here it is. It's a great CD." Angel nodded as he took the CD from Buffy's hands. "Is it? That's great, I'm sure Kate will like this." "Kate? As in your ex-girlfriend?" He nodded again. "Yeah, we got back together in the middle of last semester. She's still on the East Coast; she lives out there. I thought I'd make her a little care package of just little things to sent her." Buffy smiled. That's how Angel was while they were dating. He was always thinking of her. It was in his heart to do so. "That's really nice." The small talk ended and Angel walked out of the store. Buffy was glad to talk to Angel. It killed almost a half- hour. She was about to skip over and talk to Jessica, one of her co-workers, when someone stopped her. "Excuse me miss, I was wondering if you could help me." Buffy walked over to the young blonde British man. She guessed that he wasn't more than twenty-two years old. She smiled. "Are you looking for something particular?" The blonde man returned her smile. "Yes, I am new to the town and well, I need some help." "How could I help you?" Buffy asked confused. "I don't know where anything is in this town and I sort of need a tour guide and was wondering if you could be the tour guide." Buffy thought to herself about how lame this man was. There had been many men who had come into her store and hit on here but this was probably the lamest attempt by them all. "Sorry, I don't go out with strangers." "Come on. Get to know me then I won't be a stranger." The blonde man said as he smiled and walked closer to her. Buffy forced a smile on her face. "I'm sorry, I have to get back to work." The blonde man grabbed Buffy's hand and stood closer to her. "Come on sweet, I'm sure you could show me a good time." Buffy grew serious and backed away from the man. "No, I can't. Now if you excuse me, I have to get back to work." She told him as she tried to walk away. "Come on then, just one date?" He as he remained less than an arm's length away from Buffy. "You just don't seem to get the hint, do you? I don't know you and more importantly, I don't want to get to know you. Now if you are not interested in buying something get out of the store." He laughed. "I like you, you have charisma, and you're charming and beautiful." "Thank you. Now is there anything I can help you with before you leave the store?" "I told you how you could help me. You could show me around this little town. I am looking for something particular." "I'm sorry. I can help you if you need something in the store but I can not and will not help you outside of this store." She said getting angry. "You like playing this hard to get thing, don't you?" He asked again with a smile. Buffy exhaled while she tried to stay calm. "Listen to me for the last time. I am not playing hard to get. I don't know you and I don't want to know you. What I would like you to do is to pay for something if you are going to buy it. Otherwise get out of the store before I call security. Is that understood?" The man chuckled in disgust. "You know, I am new here. I'm right off the plane. All I needed was a little help finding where I need to go and you have to go and act all bewitching and such." "I am sorry you can't find anything you are looking for. Maybe if you came in and asked for directions like a normal human being then you would be at your destination by now. Acting like a jerk and trying pathetically to hit on people is no way to ask for help. Now, please leave the store. Do not come back unless you intend on buying something." Buffy sternly told the man as he left the store. "What was that all about? B, you all right?" Faith asked. She had emerged from her office moments before. "Nothing, just some jerk trying to hit on me. He was obnoxious. I don't think I'll ever see him again." "All right, as long as nothing was wrong. Jessica came to get me from the back. She thought he was a robber or something." Faith said glad to see Buffy had complete control over the entire situation. "I'm fine, he's gone." "Good. Hey, your shift is over. Will you be ready to head out in a few?" Faith asked shifting the subject. Buffy nodded. She couldn't wait to play with Connor. He was so much to be around.
"All right, and have him in bed before eight, all right?" Faith said as she and Amy were leaving. Faith walked over to Connor and kissed him on his head. "Connor, be good for Buffy, all right?"
"Yep mommy, I promise." He smiled as he stood up and hugged Amy bye too.
The women said good bye again to the child and to Buffy and then left for the movie.
"What do you want to do?" Buffy asked him.
"Watch Rugrats." He said with a smile.
Buffy turned the video on. While Connor was watching the video, Buffy heard the dishwasher stop. She went into the kitchen and began to put the dishes away. Dinner at Faith's was becoming a weekly ritual. During the summer Faith had invited Buffy over to join her family for dinner. Buffy loved being over there. She loved being around Connor. He was so smart for a boy who had so many health problems as an infant. He was a little small for his age but he didn't let that bother him. He loved his preschool and would talk about it all the time with Buffy. He loved his teacher and liked all of his classmates. Buffy would often have a picture waiting for her at Faith's. Connor loved drawing and loved giving his pictures to Buffy.
Joyce had opened her heart to Faith, Amy and Connor. She had the three over for dinner often. At Christmas time the previous year, Buffy had explained Faith's tragic family circumstances. Joyce's heart broke. It wasn't fair that such a young woman had to go through so many heartbreaking obstacles. Eight months later Joyce considered them family. Both Joyce and Rupert told Faith if there was anything she needed to let them know, they would help her out.
By the time Buffy had put dinner away, Connor was fast asleep on the couch. She smiled. When she watched him he always begged her to let him stay up late. He never made it to his bedtime because he was always fast asleep before! She picked him up and carried him up the stairs and tucked him into bed.
"Nothing Will. I have heard absolutely nothing from him."
"I'm kind of worried about him. That's not like Xander at all." Willow said playing with what was left of her sundae. She and Buffy were talking about the lack of communication between them and Xander. He had been gone for almost three months and they had heard nothing from him. Buffy wasn't worried. She knew that he wasn't really good with the letter writing thing. Willow was convinced that something bad had happened to him.
"It's so like Xander! He is such a boy! And not writing is a boy thing to do. He probably has been so busy or he met a girl. He's fine. I should have asked Angel today."
Willow gave her friend an odd look. "I didn't think that you and Angel were so much with the talking."
Buffy rolled her eyes as she ate the cookie dough chunks out of her ice cream. "He came into work today to buy a CD for his girlfriend. We talked for a while but it was weird. Even after we broke up things were weird but they didn't feel as weird as they have been lately. It's been ever since-"
"You and Xander started dating? Well, since you knew you and Xander were dating? Buffy how did you think that was going to make him feel? From What Xander said he wanted to get back together with you and not only were you dating someone else, but you were dating his brother, hence the weirdness." Willow explained.
Buffy ate the last chunk of cookie dough. "I know but that was a while ago. Plus Xander and I aren't together any more. And you know what he was buying? A Dave Matthews' CD. He asked me for help to 'find it' when we have a huge display of the release."
"Well, maybe he didn't see it."
"Will, it's the first thing you see entering the store! At least it was more fun talking to him than the other stupid guy who came in."
"What stupid guy?'
Again, Buffy rolled her eyes. "This British guy comes in, he's probably a little older than us, and he was cute, but anyway, he comes in and silly me, I thought he was going to buy a CD or something. He was hitting on me and trying to pick me up! He couldn't take the hint. Then he said I was bewitching! He was so obnoxious!"
Willow smiled. "It could have been worse, he could have called you a bitch."
Buffy stopped and then began to laugh with Willow. They started out to her car. They sat down and fastened their seat belt.
"So you're leaving next week, uh?" Buffy asked Willow as she purposely drove beyond Buffy's street.
"Tuesday my plane leaves at noon. I'm so scared."
"Why?"
"Because I will know no one! I'm going to a city that I don't know with people I don't know. I know nothing about Boston, well, except the history, the tea party and such but I know nothing else about it. Are Bostonians even nice? Are they rude like New Yorkers?"
"New Yorkers aren't mean, at least Angel told me so. Will, you'll be fine."
"And my boyfriend will be on the other side of the country! He will be in a time zone three hours behind me. How am I going to live without Oz?" Willow whined as she spoke with Buffy.
Buffy felt bad for her friend. She knew Willow was nervous but she also knew that she was going to be great and do well in Boston.
"At least Oz is flying out with me. He's going to stay with me for a few days."
"Oh," was all Buffy managed to say. She was surprised because she and Oz were planning on moving into school at the same time and had picked the same orientation activities to do together. He hadn't talked to her about not going to orientation.
After driving around for almost an hour Willow pulled onto Buffy's street. "We'll do something together before you leave Will, I promise. Maybe dinner on Saturday?"
"We'll see, I don't know what my parents have planned for me. Buffy, who's car is that?"
Buffy looked at the blue car parked in the driveway. She didn't recognize it at all. "It's probably one of my parent's friends' car. All right Will, I'll talk to you later."
"Bye Buffy," Willow said as she leaned over and hugged her friend. "And remember if-"
"Yes, if Xander calls I will tell you. He's fine, so worrying about him!" Buffy said as she got out of the car. She waved good-bye to Willow as she drove away. She walked onto the porch and could hear laughter coming from inside. She opened the door and walked into her house. She could see everyone gathered in the dinning room. She saw Rupert and Joyce sitting next to each other on one side of the table. Dawn was sitting on the opposite side. Laughter filled the house.
"Sweetheart, your home. How was work?" Joyce asked.
Buffy hung up her purse and walked towards the table. She felt like she was in the twilight zone. Her family was happy and laughed a lot but that particular night seemed strange. "Work was good. Dinner was good. Whose car is that in the driveway?"
"We had a surprise visitor," Rupert began to explain. "William is the son of a really good friend of mine. I've seen him grow up and," Rupert smiled as he reflected on William growing up. "And now he's here. He's thinking about moving to California."
Buffy smiled. She knew anyone Rupert knew would have to be kind and a nice person. "That's great, where is he?"
"He's taking a shower. He had a long flight. Buffy, would it be all right if Dawn stayed in your room while William is here?" Joyce asked.
Buffy couldn't say no, even though she wanted to. Dawn wasn't talking to Buffy much these days. "Sure, that's no problem. How long is he staying?"
"It's up in the air right now, possibly a month. Here he comes now. William, there is someone in here whom I want you to meet." Rupert said as he saw the houseguest coming down the stairs.
Buffy turned to look at the man coming down the stairs. She was a little taken back at first. William looked just like the man who was harassing at work earlier that day.
The blonde man who was now at the bottom of the stairs was equally as shocked when he saw Buffy. He looked a little embarrassed.
"Uh, hi," William said a little shy.
Rupert stood up and walked between William and Buffy. "This is my daughter Buffy." He smiled proudly. "She is getting ready to go to college."
Buffy smiled. "It's nice to meet you William," she said shaking his hand.
"Right," William paused for a briefly second as he returned Buffy's smile. "It's a pleasure."
"Buffy, would you mind showing William around tomorrow?" Rupert asked. "Your mother and I would do it but we won't go anywhere that would interest him. We'd figure you'd know of places of interest."
Again, Buffy didn't really want to. She couldn't believe how small the world was and that the obnoxious jerk she saw earlier in the day was standing in the flesh in front of her, in her own home. "I'd love to."
William nodded. "Thank you," was all he managed to say, only he wasn't thanking her for acting as a tour guide. He was thanking her for not saying anything to Rupert about their run in earlier that evening.
"If you excuse me, it's be a long day, I think I am going to head to bed," Buffy told her family. "William we'll talk tomorrow about where you'd like to go. Good night."
Buffy climbed the stairs and went to her room. She undressed and put on her pajamas. She walked into the bathroom and washed her face and brushed her teeth. She opened the bathroom door and saw William outside of her bedroom.
"Hi," he said.
She exhaled and offered a quick smile. "Hi."
"I-I just wanted to let you know that I am sorry about earlier, you know, at the store."
"Yeah, I remember. It's all ri-"
"No it wasn't all right. I had no idea that we were Rupert's daughter. If I had known I would have never-"
"Listen, it's forgotten about. It never happened, all right?"
William nodded. "I wanted to thank you. You could have said something to Rupert but you didn't. Thank you."
Buffy could tell that he really meant his apology. "It's all right. Good night William."
William nodded as he turned and walked down the stairs. Buffy walked into her room. Dawn was lying on the bed. She was lying on the side of the bed, closest to the wall. She closed the door and walked into her room. Buffy was very quiet because she thought Dawn was asleep. Buffy walked into her room and sat on the chair at the vanity. She reached over her jewelry box and picked up her lotion. She was applying her lotion on her arms when she heard Dawn talk to her.
"Make sure your nice to William. He is really nice and I wouldn't want him to go away like Xander and Angel have."
Buffy was speechless. She didn't know what Dawn meant by these words. "Dawn, what is that supposed to mean?"
Dawn sat up and looked angrily into Buffy's eyes. "Buffy, you always screw things up with boys. I mean, first dad left us."
"Dawn that wasn't my fault."
Dawn ignored Buffy and continued. "Then you and Angle dated for a really long time and he left."
"Dawnie, he went to school. It really was for the best."
Ignoring her for a second time, Dawn continued. "And Xander. I loved him. He always treated me like I was a friend, not like I'm a little kid, and now he's gone too."
Buffy smiled. "Dawn, we broke up because we make better friends than we did boyfriend and girlfriend. We're still friends."
"If you're still friends then why hasn't he called or sent a postcard? Or email?'
Buffy couldn't answer her question. She knew that she and Xander were friends but she couldn't explain why things were the way they were with Xander. Buffy sat close to Dawn and wrapped her arm around her younger sister. "Dawn, I don't know why things happen the way it they do. I'm sorry that these things have made you upset, but it's not only me making these decisions. Angel was the one who broke up with me, and I didn't get a say in that. But if Angel and I hadn't have dated, then I wouldn't have dated Xander. Unlike Angel and I, Xander and I are friends and we value our friendship more than our romantic relationship. And I know for a fact that Xander cares about you. He brought the stuffed bear that you gave him for graduation with him when he left for his trip."
Dawn looked at Buffy as she rested her head on her shoulder. "He did?"
Buffy smiled as she shut off the light and laid down. "Yep. He has a soft spot for you in his heart."
"He does?"
Buffy laughed. "Yes, he does. He has always looked at you as a sister."
Dawn hugged Buffy and apologized for being so mean to her. Buffy told it was all right. Then they talked about William. Dawn said she had a little crush on him. Buffy smiled as her sister went on and on about their visitor.
Author's Note: Thanks again for all of the reviews! I'm glad people are still interested in the story. I am working on chapter sixteen as we speak. Happy reading!
Lisa Anne
It was another extremely slow day at Sam Goody. Buffy was organizing the DVDs for the third time that day. She had only three hours left of her six- hour shift, she was half way there. She thought about after work. She was pretty busy. She was going over to Faith and Amy's for dinner, then she was watching Connor while Faith and Amy caught an early movie. After leaving Faith's she was going to meet Willow for some ice cream. Their trip for ice cream would last about twenty minutes. Then they would drive around the town just talking. Willow was tremendously nervous about leaving her safety net she called home and adventuring out into parts of the country she hadn't known. Buffy knew she would be listening to Willow's concerns that evening. "Hey, Buffy, how are you?" Angel asked her as he stood across form her. "I'm good. How's your summer going?" "It isn't bad. I can't wait to go back to New York though, so much more to do than just being around here. When do you leave for school?"
"In a week and a half. I can't wait." Angel smiled at her. "That's great. I was wondering if that new Dave Matthews CD came out yet?" Angel asked her. "I was going to get it as a gift for someone." Buffy nodded as they walked over to the new release end cap. She quickly thought about how she and Angel had seen Dave Matthews in concert many times together. She also thought that she had been to see Dave Matthews many times since. "Here it is. It's a great CD." Angel nodded as he took the CD from Buffy's hands. "Is it? That's great, I'm sure Kate will like this." "Kate? As in your ex-girlfriend?" He nodded again. "Yeah, we got back together in the middle of last semester. She's still on the East Coast; she lives out there. I thought I'd make her a little care package of just little things to sent her." Buffy smiled. That's how Angel was while they were dating. He was always thinking of her. It was in his heart to do so. "That's really nice." The small talk ended and Angel walked out of the store. Buffy was glad to talk to Angel. It killed almost a half- hour. She was about to skip over and talk to Jessica, one of her co-workers, when someone stopped her. "Excuse me miss, I was wondering if you could help me." Buffy walked over to the young blonde British man. She guessed that he wasn't more than twenty-two years old. She smiled. "Are you looking for something particular?" The blonde man returned her smile. "Yes, I am new to the town and well, I need some help." "How could I help you?" Buffy asked confused. "I don't know where anything is in this town and I sort of need a tour guide and was wondering if you could be the tour guide." Buffy thought to herself about how lame this man was. There had been many men who had come into her store and hit on here but this was probably the lamest attempt by them all. "Sorry, I don't go out with strangers." "Come on. Get to know me then I won't be a stranger." The blonde man said as he smiled and walked closer to her. Buffy forced a smile on her face. "I'm sorry, I have to get back to work." The blonde man grabbed Buffy's hand and stood closer to her. "Come on sweet, I'm sure you could show me a good time." Buffy grew serious and backed away from the man. "No, I can't. Now if you excuse me, I have to get back to work." She told him as she tried to walk away. "Come on then, just one date?" He as he remained less than an arm's length away from Buffy. "You just don't seem to get the hint, do you? I don't know you and more importantly, I don't want to get to know you. Now if you are not interested in buying something get out of the store." He laughed. "I like you, you have charisma, and you're charming and beautiful." "Thank you. Now is there anything I can help you with before you leave the store?" "I told you how you could help me. You could show me around this little town. I am looking for something particular." "I'm sorry. I can help you if you need something in the store but I can not and will not help you outside of this store." She said getting angry. "You like playing this hard to get thing, don't you?" He asked again with a smile. Buffy exhaled while she tried to stay calm. "Listen to me for the last time. I am not playing hard to get. I don't know you and I don't want to know you. What I would like you to do is to pay for something if you are going to buy it. Otherwise get out of the store before I call security. Is that understood?" The man chuckled in disgust. "You know, I am new here. I'm right off the plane. All I needed was a little help finding where I need to go and you have to go and act all bewitching and such." "I am sorry you can't find anything you are looking for. Maybe if you came in and asked for directions like a normal human being then you would be at your destination by now. Acting like a jerk and trying pathetically to hit on people is no way to ask for help. Now, please leave the store. Do not come back unless you intend on buying something." Buffy sternly told the man as he left the store. "What was that all about? B, you all right?" Faith asked. She had emerged from her office moments before. "Nothing, just some jerk trying to hit on me. He was obnoxious. I don't think I'll ever see him again." "All right, as long as nothing was wrong. Jessica came to get me from the back. She thought he was a robber or something." Faith said glad to see Buffy had complete control over the entire situation. "I'm fine, he's gone." "Good. Hey, your shift is over. Will you be ready to head out in a few?" Faith asked shifting the subject. Buffy nodded. She couldn't wait to play with Connor. He was so much to be around.
"All right, and have him in bed before eight, all right?" Faith said as she and Amy were leaving. Faith walked over to Connor and kissed him on his head. "Connor, be good for Buffy, all right?"
"Yep mommy, I promise." He smiled as he stood up and hugged Amy bye too.
The women said good bye again to the child and to Buffy and then left for the movie.
"What do you want to do?" Buffy asked him.
"Watch Rugrats." He said with a smile.
Buffy turned the video on. While Connor was watching the video, Buffy heard the dishwasher stop. She went into the kitchen and began to put the dishes away. Dinner at Faith's was becoming a weekly ritual. During the summer Faith had invited Buffy over to join her family for dinner. Buffy loved being over there. She loved being around Connor. He was so smart for a boy who had so many health problems as an infant. He was a little small for his age but he didn't let that bother him. He loved his preschool and would talk about it all the time with Buffy. He loved his teacher and liked all of his classmates. Buffy would often have a picture waiting for her at Faith's. Connor loved drawing and loved giving his pictures to Buffy.
Joyce had opened her heart to Faith, Amy and Connor. She had the three over for dinner often. At Christmas time the previous year, Buffy had explained Faith's tragic family circumstances. Joyce's heart broke. It wasn't fair that such a young woman had to go through so many heartbreaking obstacles. Eight months later Joyce considered them family. Both Joyce and Rupert told Faith if there was anything she needed to let them know, they would help her out.
By the time Buffy had put dinner away, Connor was fast asleep on the couch. She smiled. When she watched him he always begged her to let him stay up late. He never made it to his bedtime because he was always fast asleep before! She picked him up and carried him up the stairs and tucked him into bed.
"Nothing Will. I have heard absolutely nothing from him."
"I'm kind of worried about him. That's not like Xander at all." Willow said playing with what was left of her sundae. She and Buffy were talking about the lack of communication between them and Xander. He had been gone for almost three months and they had heard nothing from him. Buffy wasn't worried. She knew that he wasn't really good with the letter writing thing. Willow was convinced that something bad had happened to him.
"It's so like Xander! He is such a boy! And not writing is a boy thing to do. He probably has been so busy or he met a girl. He's fine. I should have asked Angel today."
Willow gave her friend an odd look. "I didn't think that you and Angel were so much with the talking."
Buffy rolled her eyes as she ate the cookie dough chunks out of her ice cream. "He came into work today to buy a CD for his girlfriend. We talked for a while but it was weird. Even after we broke up things were weird but they didn't feel as weird as they have been lately. It's been ever since-"
"You and Xander started dating? Well, since you knew you and Xander were dating? Buffy how did you think that was going to make him feel? From What Xander said he wanted to get back together with you and not only were you dating someone else, but you were dating his brother, hence the weirdness." Willow explained.
Buffy ate the last chunk of cookie dough. "I know but that was a while ago. Plus Xander and I aren't together any more. And you know what he was buying? A Dave Matthews' CD. He asked me for help to 'find it' when we have a huge display of the release."
"Well, maybe he didn't see it."
"Will, it's the first thing you see entering the store! At least it was more fun talking to him than the other stupid guy who came in."
"What stupid guy?'
Again, Buffy rolled her eyes. "This British guy comes in, he's probably a little older than us, and he was cute, but anyway, he comes in and silly me, I thought he was going to buy a CD or something. He was hitting on me and trying to pick me up! He couldn't take the hint. Then he said I was bewitching! He was so obnoxious!"
Willow smiled. "It could have been worse, he could have called you a bitch."
Buffy stopped and then began to laugh with Willow. They started out to her car. They sat down and fastened their seat belt.
"So you're leaving next week, uh?" Buffy asked Willow as she purposely drove beyond Buffy's street.
"Tuesday my plane leaves at noon. I'm so scared."
"Why?"
"Because I will know no one! I'm going to a city that I don't know with people I don't know. I know nothing about Boston, well, except the history, the tea party and such but I know nothing else about it. Are Bostonians even nice? Are they rude like New Yorkers?"
"New Yorkers aren't mean, at least Angel told me so. Will, you'll be fine."
"And my boyfriend will be on the other side of the country! He will be in a time zone three hours behind me. How am I going to live without Oz?" Willow whined as she spoke with Buffy.
Buffy felt bad for her friend. She knew Willow was nervous but she also knew that she was going to be great and do well in Boston.
"At least Oz is flying out with me. He's going to stay with me for a few days."
"Oh," was all Buffy managed to say. She was surprised because she and Oz were planning on moving into school at the same time and had picked the same orientation activities to do together. He hadn't talked to her about not going to orientation.
After driving around for almost an hour Willow pulled onto Buffy's street. "We'll do something together before you leave Will, I promise. Maybe dinner on Saturday?"
"We'll see, I don't know what my parents have planned for me. Buffy, who's car is that?"
Buffy looked at the blue car parked in the driveway. She didn't recognize it at all. "It's probably one of my parent's friends' car. All right Will, I'll talk to you later."
"Bye Buffy," Willow said as she leaned over and hugged her friend. "And remember if-"
"Yes, if Xander calls I will tell you. He's fine, so worrying about him!" Buffy said as she got out of the car. She waved good-bye to Willow as she drove away. She walked onto the porch and could hear laughter coming from inside. She opened the door and walked into her house. She could see everyone gathered in the dinning room. She saw Rupert and Joyce sitting next to each other on one side of the table. Dawn was sitting on the opposite side. Laughter filled the house.
"Sweetheart, your home. How was work?" Joyce asked.
Buffy hung up her purse and walked towards the table. She felt like she was in the twilight zone. Her family was happy and laughed a lot but that particular night seemed strange. "Work was good. Dinner was good. Whose car is that in the driveway?"
"We had a surprise visitor," Rupert began to explain. "William is the son of a really good friend of mine. I've seen him grow up and," Rupert smiled as he reflected on William growing up. "And now he's here. He's thinking about moving to California."
Buffy smiled. She knew anyone Rupert knew would have to be kind and a nice person. "That's great, where is he?"
"He's taking a shower. He had a long flight. Buffy, would it be all right if Dawn stayed in your room while William is here?" Joyce asked.
Buffy couldn't say no, even though she wanted to. Dawn wasn't talking to Buffy much these days. "Sure, that's no problem. How long is he staying?"
"It's up in the air right now, possibly a month. Here he comes now. William, there is someone in here whom I want you to meet." Rupert said as he saw the houseguest coming down the stairs.
Buffy turned to look at the man coming down the stairs. She was a little taken back at first. William looked just like the man who was harassing at work earlier that day.
The blonde man who was now at the bottom of the stairs was equally as shocked when he saw Buffy. He looked a little embarrassed.
"Uh, hi," William said a little shy.
Rupert stood up and walked between William and Buffy. "This is my daughter Buffy." He smiled proudly. "She is getting ready to go to college."
Buffy smiled. "It's nice to meet you William," she said shaking his hand.
"Right," William paused for a briefly second as he returned Buffy's smile. "It's a pleasure."
"Buffy, would you mind showing William around tomorrow?" Rupert asked. "Your mother and I would do it but we won't go anywhere that would interest him. We'd figure you'd know of places of interest."
Again, Buffy didn't really want to. She couldn't believe how small the world was and that the obnoxious jerk she saw earlier in the day was standing in the flesh in front of her, in her own home. "I'd love to."
William nodded. "Thank you," was all he managed to say, only he wasn't thanking her for acting as a tour guide. He was thanking her for not saying anything to Rupert about their run in earlier that evening.
"If you excuse me, it's be a long day, I think I am going to head to bed," Buffy told her family. "William we'll talk tomorrow about where you'd like to go. Good night."
Buffy climbed the stairs and went to her room. She undressed and put on her pajamas. She walked into the bathroom and washed her face and brushed her teeth. She opened the bathroom door and saw William outside of her bedroom.
"Hi," he said.
She exhaled and offered a quick smile. "Hi."
"I-I just wanted to let you know that I am sorry about earlier, you know, at the store."
"Yeah, I remember. It's all ri-"
"No it wasn't all right. I had no idea that we were Rupert's daughter. If I had known I would have never-"
"Listen, it's forgotten about. It never happened, all right?"
William nodded. "I wanted to thank you. You could have said something to Rupert but you didn't. Thank you."
Buffy could tell that he really meant his apology. "It's all right. Good night William."
William nodded as he turned and walked down the stairs. Buffy walked into her room. Dawn was lying on the bed. She was lying on the side of the bed, closest to the wall. She closed the door and walked into her room. Buffy was very quiet because she thought Dawn was asleep. Buffy walked into her room and sat on the chair at the vanity. She reached over her jewelry box and picked up her lotion. She was applying her lotion on her arms when she heard Dawn talk to her.
"Make sure your nice to William. He is really nice and I wouldn't want him to go away like Xander and Angel have."
Buffy was speechless. She didn't know what Dawn meant by these words. "Dawn, what is that supposed to mean?"
Dawn sat up and looked angrily into Buffy's eyes. "Buffy, you always screw things up with boys. I mean, first dad left us."
"Dawn that wasn't my fault."
Dawn ignored Buffy and continued. "Then you and Angle dated for a really long time and he left."
"Dawnie, he went to school. It really was for the best."
Ignoring her for a second time, Dawn continued. "And Xander. I loved him. He always treated me like I was a friend, not like I'm a little kid, and now he's gone too."
Buffy smiled. "Dawn, we broke up because we make better friends than we did boyfriend and girlfriend. We're still friends."
"If you're still friends then why hasn't he called or sent a postcard? Or email?'
Buffy couldn't answer her question. She knew that she and Xander were friends but she couldn't explain why things were the way they were with Xander. Buffy sat close to Dawn and wrapped her arm around her younger sister. "Dawn, I don't know why things happen the way it they do. I'm sorry that these things have made you upset, but it's not only me making these decisions. Angel was the one who broke up with me, and I didn't get a say in that. But if Angel and I hadn't have dated, then I wouldn't have dated Xander. Unlike Angel and I, Xander and I are friends and we value our friendship more than our romantic relationship. And I know for a fact that Xander cares about you. He brought the stuffed bear that you gave him for graduation with him when he left for his trip."
Dawn looked at Buffy as she rested her head on her shoulder. "He did?"
Buffy smiled as she shut off the light and laid down. "Yep. He has a soft spot for you in his heart."
"He does?"
Buffy laughed. "Yes, he does. He has always looked at you as a sister."
Dawn hugged Buffy and apologized for being so mean to her. Buffy told it was all right. Then they talked about William. Dawn said she had a little crush on him. Buffy smiled as her sister went on and on about their visitor.