Chapter Twenty-Eight
Author's Note: Thanks to Kari, Brianna and Tiney1981 for the reviews. Sorry it is taking me so long to update but I have been so busy trying to finish my school work before graduation in just 40 days (not that I am counting or anything). I really want to get this story finished so I can concentrate on a Xander story which I abandoned six months ago (chapter one is posted for those interested). Also, I have written another story which I have to type and post.
Anyway, enough of me babbling. On with the chapter! LA
PS- I don't anything that has to do with Brittney Spears, including the song mentioned in this chapter. I had a conversation with a friend and which is the inspiration for the conversation about the song.
PPS- I used a legal process in this chapter. I am going to be flat out honest, I now nothing about the law so I am kind of making up the legal stuff. If I am completely wrong, please be kind!
PPPS- (this is the last side note, I promise since it is almost 2am): This chapter is long. I was debating whether to make it two chapters but I didn't. As I said, it is almost 2am, I would have had to re-format and cut and past and really, it's too much work for write now. Also, I promised a certain reader that this would be posted before she woke up. Plus, this chapter will end everything with Riley. So the new chapter will be fresh.
Ok, end of notes, please really enjoy this chapter and feed back is awesome! Thanks guys!
"Three dollars and twelve cents is your change. Have a good night," Buffy smiled at a customer at Sam Goody. It was almost the end of the summer and Buffy couldn't wait to go back to school. Things were crazy that summer.
After Riley's death, Buffy felt relieved. She wasn't scared to do anything. She had reverted back to her care-free self. She felt bad for causing Riley's death but she didn't feel guilty. It was through the help of a psychologist that Buffy realized that she was in a horrible relationship and that if things continued down the same path, she would eventually be the one dead.
She was also stressed out. Riley's mother, who was angry and bitter that her only child was dead, wanted Buffy charged with murder. She wanted Buffy locked up for life. The judge threw out her case as soon as he received it. After reviewing the fact and talking with both the officers involved that evening as well as the doctors who examined and evaluated Buffy, he determined that Buffy did nothing wrong. The complete unfortunate circumstance was self-defense. That answer didn't make Maggie Finn happy. She then proceeded to fill a civil suit in which she charged Buffy with emotion distressed. That was still to be determined. Buffy's lawyer assured her it that hearing wouldn't be for more than six months.
Mrs. Finn also was calling and harassing the Giles'. She would leave messages for Buffy calling her a murderer or a killer. Mrs. Finn would say that Buffy just wanted attention and that Riley would never have done anything to harm another person, let alone rape them. Her calls were so frequent that the Giles' changed their phone number and were trying to charge her with harassment. Also, their lawyer believed with their complaints on record, it would be good evidence in favor of Buffy.
Buffy felt bad because Mrs. Finn had lost a child. She also felt badly for Riley. She figure there had to be something that had happened to Riley to make him the way he was.
Buffy was adjusting well that summer to having her persona back. It was just everyone else around her that had a hard time, her parents especially. They felt that if they had played a bigger part in Buffy's college life that maybe things wouldn't have gotten so out of hand. They felt that if they would have taken the time and gone to see Buffy more or if they made her come home things wouldn't have happened. It was hard enough for them to see her grow up and continue on to college, but they knew she had too. They wanted to give her the freedom of discovering who she wanted to become and make her own decisions. They felt that if they weren't as liberal and laid back she wouldn't have gotten hurt.
Dawn also felt guilty. She told Buffy that. She told Buffy if she had just gone to their parents and said Riley was weird and acted strange that day when she and William went to visit, maybe they would have seen something wrong too. Buffy assures Dawn that she would have just denied whatever anyone said to her, just like she had been. Buffy then told her that she appreciated her keeping that a secret. Dawn promised Buffy that if she ever told her anything like that again she wasn't going to keep it a secret.
Then there were her friends. Her friends were great and really supportive, too supportive. Xander, Oz, Angel and William all became her personal body guard. She didn't work often at night (mainly because Faith didn't want to leave her alone in the store, just incase something bad would happen to her) but when she did, some how one of the four men would "coincidently" at the mall and escort her to her car. Every one of her friends treated her like a porcelain doll. Buffy was getting a little annoyed with that but expected it. Other than being over protective, no one really knew how to act around her.
"So you're all right if I leave?" Faith asked with her coat in hand.
This was one of those nights that Buffy actually got to work by herself at night. It was Tuesday night and things were really slow.
"Yes Faith, I will be fine."
"Are you sure? I could just skip class for one night?" Faith offered. She had recently begun taking management classes at a community college.
"Go! Have fun doing all that math stuff. The store is going to close soon anyways."
"Fine, if you need anything-"
"I'll call you. Thanks mom, you can go now," she interrupted sarcastically.
"Fine, I'm out of here. Good night Buffy."
"Bye Faith. Have a good night." Buffy said as she watched her boss and friend leave. She was relieved that she would be alone for the night; well, at least until ten minutes before closing. Oz, Willow and Xander were meeting her to go out to dinner.
Buffy did as much as the closing duties she could because the store was dead. This made Buffy happy. It was a beautiful Tuesday evening outside. Everyone was outside enjoying the summer weather. She would be outside enjoying that weather too.
As expected, Willow and Xander arrived ten minutes before closing but without Oz.
"Hey Buff," Willow cheerfully greeted her friend.
"Hey Will, Xander. Where is Oz?" Buffy inquired.
"He has some practice tonight. You know he's going to be touring with-," Willow was interrupted by her friend.
"No Doubt and Blink 182, I know! Are you the proud girlfriend or what?" Buffy asked as she looked at Xander. "And how are you?"
Xander nodded before he answered. "Hungry, but good."
Both Willow and Buffy chuckled. "You are always hungry."
"I'm a growing boy-individual."
Still giggling, Buffy responded. "Say it, you're a man. You're getting gross and old."
"Yeah," Willow added. "You're really old, you're almost twenty! You're older than both of us!"
Xander crossed his arms and rolled his eyes. "You know, I'm not a boy, but not quite a man yet."
"If only Brittney Spears were a man," Buffy mumbled under her breath.
Pretending to be shocked, Xander put his hand over his mouth. "Buffy, how could you think such a thing? She is such a fine female specimen."
"She sings that song," Buffy said. Xander looked confused while Willow laughed because she knew what Buffy was trying to get at. Buffy began to sing, "I'm not a girl, not yet a woman," then she began to talk. "See, if she were a man, she could have sang I'm not a boy, not yet a man."
Xander began to imagine the image of a blonde and male Brittney Spears in his head. He shook his head, "That would never work."
"Why not?" Willow asked.
"Because that song is about girly emotions and feelings and guys never talk about feelings, don't you know that by now? Plus, she's too hot to ever try and envision her as a man," Xander explained with his own rationale.
Buffy took a deep breath before she continued. "As much as I would like to continue this conversation about male verses female emotions and feelings in songs, I have a store to close, do you guys mind waiting for me outside?"
Both Xander and Willow agreed and told Buffy they'd wait for her on the bench just outside the store. Buffy agreed to meet them out there. From there they would go out to dinner.
The three arrived at the outside café and had no wait. They sat down and ordered their meals and began to converse among themselves.
"When do you go back to Boston?" Buffy asked Willow sipping her water.
"August twenty-ninth. My plane leaves at six in the morning; it's going to be hell. When do you go back to school?
"September second. Anya is going back the first and Tara won't be back until the fourth. Registration is the fifth and classes start the seventh." Buffy explained.
"Angel goes back the twelfth." Xander butted in.
Buffy was confused. Angel had spent a lot of time with Buffy that summer just hanging out. She told him about what classes she was taking and her living arrangements and things that focused around school. Angel never once brought up going back to New York. "What are you talking about?"
"Angel's going back to NYU?" Willow also questioned.
"No, he's not going back to NYU. He-he" Xander hesitated. He figured Angel had told Buffy about his education plans. Xander just continued with his conversation. "He's transferring into UCLA."
"What?' Buffy asked, sounding as if she were in disbelief.
"Yeah," Xander answered, ignoring Buffy's tone. "He is dropping his major because, well, he decided he doesn't know what he wants to do with his life."
Before Buffy could add any comments, Willow jumped into the conversation and shifted it. "What about you Zan? Do you know what you want to do? You have to do something to contribute to society."
"What? You mean I can't stay at home and live off my mother any more? Shucks, I was getting good at that." He asked sarcastically. "I'm thinking about construction."
"You can go to school for that?" Buffy asked still thinking about Angel.
"Umm, no, well, maybe. I was thinking about doing construction. Just for no. I have absolutely no clue to what I want to be when I grow up."
"But Xander, remember you are all grown up." Buffy teased.
"Yeah, you're a man." Willow added with a smile.
"No," he answered back," "Remember the 'if Brittney Spears were a male' conversation we had? I'm not a boy and not yet a man."
Buffy rolled her eyes as Willow laughed. Their food came and all had begun to eat. In the middle of the silent dinner, Willow made an announcement.
"Guys, you know how Oz isn't here tonight?" Willow asked.
"Oh God Will, are you missing him all ready?" Xander asked jokingly.
"Of course she does Xander. They spend so much time together that they are joined at the hip.' Buffy added.
"Well, yeah, that," Willow said gaining back control of the conversation. "Well, we actually kind of broke up."
"What?" Xander and Buddy asked in unison.
"Yeah. We both decided it would be for the best. I mean, he's going to be touring all over the place and it was hard enough to have a long distance relationship with me being in Boston, but we both agreed that this would just make things harder."
"Will, I'm sorry. Are you all right?" Buffy sympathetically asked her friend.
"Yeah, I'm fine." Willow answered as if she hadn't really been affected by the decision. "We should have probably broken up along time ago. It was really coming."
The friends continued talking until they finished eating. They paid their bill and they left. Buffy drove alone in her car, at her request while Xander drove home with Willow.
She pulled into her drive way and got out of her car. She had walked into her house and went into the family room. She saw Dawn sitting in the room watching television. She could her mother and Rupert arguing upstairs.
"What's going up there?" Buffy posed sitting next to her sister.
"They are fighting." Dawn confirmed
"Why? They never fight." Buffy stated sounding concerned.
"I don't know. Someone called and then dad took the phone out of mom's hand and she was crying and then dad started swearing and said words that I have never even heard. Buffy, I'm in junior high; I hear lots of bad words. William went for a walk with me and we got back and they were still arguing and mom's crying. William had a date. He asked me if I wanted him to cancel, I said no and after much convincing he left about an hour ago. That was my evening, how was yours?" Dawn asked after explaining her night.
Buffy was silent for a few seconds. She was concerned. In all of the years that Rupert and her mother had known each other they had never argued. "Do you want to go outside, for a drive?"
"Why? We'll just come back and they will still be arguing."
Buffy nodded. "Dawn, I'm going to see why they are fighting. You stay here, I'll be back."
Dawn was hesitant about letting Buffy go upstairs. "No, what if they start yelling at you too? It'll be noisier. Buffy, I'm scared."
"I won't fight with them, I promise. I'll be back down."
Buffy went up the stairs. As she got closet to her parent's, it sounded as if they were just talking really loud and bitterly. In any case, they both were really angry.
"Hello?" Buffy knocked on the door. "Are you guys having a privet party or can I join in too?"
Buffy looked around the room and saw that both of her parents looked tired. Their eyes were all red. Their eyeballs were bloodshot.
"Hello Buffy," Rupert said as he took off his glasses and wiped them before putting them back on his eyes. "How was your evening?"
"It was great until I came home and Dawn said you guys have been psycho fighting. Can you please tell me what is going on?"
"Buffy, please sit down," Rupert said as Buffy took a seat next to her mother on her parent's bed. "Buffy, you know how Mrs. Finn was going to pursue the civil suit?"
"Yes."
"Well, it usually takes months, sometimes years to get everything in order to proceed with the court hearing and such."
"All right, then what's the problem?"
"Robin Wood called."
"Our lawyer?"
"Yes. He said that he was contacted by attorney Warren Meers from Boston. It seems that Mrs. Finn is going to be in town this week for a pre- trail."
Buffy was really shocked. Robin had told her not to expect any type of civil trail before six months. Robin had said the earliest time would be six months. It had been less than three months. "What? How?"
Joyce placed her arms on her daughter's shoulder as Rupert sat on the bed next to Buffy. "Apparently Mr. Finn has some connections out here. He travels out her frequently and knows a lot of judges. I guess on owed him a favor and so the trail is being moved up."
Buffy was distraught. She wasn't prepared to go through this right now. She was mentally ready to take this on in another three months, but not now; not during her summer vacation. "When do we have to meet with them?" She asked looking at the bed.
The room was filled with silence. Joyce and Rupert exchanged glances before they both look at Buffy, who is staring into space. "The day after tomorrow," Rupert whispered. "And Buffy, it could get messy."
"How so?' Buffy asked still in a daze.
Joyce's broken voice answered. "They want everything we own."
"What?" She gasped.
Rupert began to talk again. "Your mother and I have been arguing over whether or not meet them half way or sell the house or-"
"Sell the house?" Buffy screeched as she too began to cry.
"Yes." Joyce replied.
Shocked. She was completely shocked. Buffy just nodded as she stood up. "Good to know. I'm going to let Dawn know that you're all right. She was worried; I think she thought you guys were getting a divorce or something."
"Buffy," Joyce called out but it was too late, Buffy was all ready on her way Dawn the stairs to talk to Dawn.
"Buffy, Mrs. and Mr. Giles, hello," Their lawyer said extending his hand to everyone. Robin met the family in his office the morning before the pre-trail. They were strategizing what would and wouldn't be said later that afternoon during the trail. The Giles' family and Robin would be meeting with the Finn's and their lawyer.
After explaining some of their options, Robin looked at Buffy. "Buffy, some of this stuff may be hard for you. During this time you will be forced to go back and relive some of the things that have happened to you."
Buffy just nodded. She was angry at the Finns for bringing this up again. One judge had all ready thrown the case out earlier and Buffy couldn't understand why this judge was taking the case. "Can I ask you something so I can be clear and understand?"
"Of course you can." Robin assured her.
"The Finns are here to get money, right? I mean, that's the whole point of this, right?"
"Yes."
"But don't they both make a lot of money. I mean, he's a lawyer for some big east coast cooperation and his mother took on a full-time teaching position at Harvard University."
"That's right," Robin assured her as he checked his note.
"My mother works in an art gallery and my father is a guidance counselor in the Sunnydale public school system. We live very nicely and very comfortably but I am wondering what could we possibly have that they would have?"
Robin nodded, taking in Buffy's question. He waited a few seconds before he began his explanation. "Buffy, you are probably correct when you say that the Finns probably have a lot in terms of property and material possession. They no longer have a family. The only child they ever had is dead. He was a cruel man who took pleasure in abusing you on so many levels. After all was said and done, you went home to your family. You can always go home. The reality is their son will never walk through their doors again. They need to place their blame on someone or something. He died from a result of you defending yourself. The place they want to put that blame is on you. Now, I know as well as your parents and your friends that you were defending yourself. They don't see it that way. Buffy, please listen to this. I don't know their lawyer. I know nothing about him because he is from the east coast, but I beat chances are he will make you cry, you will try and convince you of events that probably didn't happen or he will try to convince you that his version of events are right. I need you to know this so you will be prepared. Do you understand?"
Buffy nodded as Robin continued to talk. She was tuning in and out of the conversation. There would be nothing that could prepare her for this battle.
Three hours into the hearing, Buffy stood up and left the room for a few minutes. Her heart was racing and her hands were sweaty. She hadn't spoken yet. She just had to leave the room. She couldn't stand Mr. and Mrs. Finn making Riley sound like a saint. She couldn't take that Mrs. Finn actually had no idea what kind of man her son really was.
"Buffy, sweet heart, are you all right?" Joyce asked her daughter.
"Yeah, I just had to take a breather for a minute. They aren't' making this any easier. Mrs. Finn just keeps on looking at me like I'm Satan or something." Buffy mumbled.
Joyce stood behind her daughter and pushed her hair out of her face. "I know, but we are almost over for today. I don't think you'll have to talk today if that makes you feel any better."
"Loads and loads," Buffy sarcastically commented.
"Come on; let's go back into the conference room."
Buffy grabbed her mom's hand and leaned on her side with her head resting on her mother's shoulders. They walked back into the conference room and sat down.
Mrs. Finn continued to speak for a few more minutes. Buffy had thought that was going to be the last testimony given that day. She was surprised when Robin said it was her turn.
Robin asked questions about Buffy's high school experience and her friends then her family. Slowly, he made his way into questioning her about college. He began asking her questions about the first time she met Riley, which she said was during the orientation tour she took in high school. By the time Robin was done questioning, Buffy felt sure of herself and felt ready for whatever Warren Meers was going to say.
"You've had a hard life, haven't you Buffy?" He asked.
Buffy shook her head. "No, I don't think so."
"Oh, so Rupert Giles is your birth father and you have always loved him and welcomed him into your life with open arms?"
"What does this have to do with Riley?'
"Well, I just wanted to cut you some slack; it's hard when you don't have both of your parents around."
Buffy was angry so she answered very rudely. "Not that it is any of your business, but Rupert Giles is the only father that I know and I am glad."
Warren Meers smiled sympathetically. "Buffy, I was feeling bad for you; I just wanted to tell you that and sometimes things are hard."
"Will you please just get on to asking questions that have to do with my relationship with Riley Finn?"
"You said Riley only beat you in his frat house, right?"
"Yes."
"When questioned, his frat brothers said this was the first time they had heard of anything like that went on in his house."
Before Buffy could answer, Robin spoke up with paper sin his hand. "Excuse me, I have in my hand the boy's statements and actually, they all said that there had been history of Riley hitting his girlfriends. In fact a Parker Abrams stated that the diseased had bragged on several occasions about hitting his girlfriends. This dates back to the beginning of Riley's sophomore year of college when he first moved into the house. Abrams also stated that both we and a Holden Webster were approached by Mr. Finn. Mr. Finn asked if either one of them would ask Ms. Giles on date so he would have a reason to show his anger when he hit her. Both me declined the offer."
"Let me see that," Warren Meers stood up as he examined the paper. His eye brows went up and down a lot while he read the statement. "Do you have any other pieces of evidence that I should know about?" Meers asked resentfully.
"Actually, I do." Robin went into his briefcase and retrieved a folder. He opened the folder and looked to make sure the contents where in it. He closed the folder and nodded his head. "Here you go. These are copies of the photos that the Sunnydale police station took the night that the final assault took place. Also included is the report that states Giles' are in the process of filing a law suit against the Finns for harassment. The dates and dialogue in the phone calls between the Giles' and Mrs. Finn, who placed the calls, are all listed in the report."
Meers looked a little surprised. He looked at his clients before looking back at the papers and then at Robin. "Can we break for twenty- minutes?"
Robin nodded. "Please, be my guess," he smiled.
Mr. and Mrs. Finn walked out of the conference room with their attorney. Warren Meers truly looked worried.
Rupert paced the room for the length of time that the Finns' and their attorney were absent from the room. Buffy sat with her head on the table. Joyce sat straight in her chair. Robin kept on telling them that things were going all right and looking very good for the Giles'. It didn't help, everyone was too nervous.
Finally, almost a half hour later, Mrs. and Mrs. Finn entered the room silent. Mrs. Finn looked as if she was crying. She walked into the room holding her husband's hand tightly. Mr. Finn had a look of defeat on his face. Warren was closely behind. He sat down and waited almost a full minute before speaking.
"My clients and I have reached an agreement. I believe that it in their best interest that they drop all charges. The Finns have also agreed to this. We are sorry this took up your time but are thankful it did not go to court. Wood, you are an excellent lawyer," Warren said smiling and shaking Wood's hands.
Rupert and Joyce sandwiched their daughter and gave her a hug. Tears fell freely from all of their faces. After they broke from the embrace, Wood came over to talk to them. He was leading them out of the room when Joyce put her arm around Buffy's shoulder.
"You can finally start to move on sweetheart. This part is all over."
Buffy nodded. Rupert pressed the button to the elevator as he was thanking and speaking to Robin. They were getting into the elevator when Mrs. Finn stopped them.
"Hi, I was wondering if I could-umm-have a few words with Buffy? Alone?"
Everyone stepped out of the elevator. Buffy looked at her parents. They didn't want their daughter alone with that woman. After all, she had pulled juvenile tactics such as the phone calls.
"We only have a few minutes. My sister is probably going crazy at home." Buffy spoke up.
"What I want to say will only take a few minutes," Mrs. Finn replayed.
"Please stay where we can see you," Rupert demanded. He wanted his daughter within his sight.
Mrs. Finn nodded and walked Buffy to the end of the hall and sat on the bench. She was silent until Buffy spoke.
"What do you want to talk to me about?"
Still silent, Mrs. Finn just stared at Buffy for a brief moment before finally speaking. "Honestly, I didn't believe you."
"That's refreshing to know," Buffy bitterly commented.
Ignoring the young woman's comment, she continued. "I really thought you were some one out to get Riley. His father and I both had no idea what he was doing out here, what he was capable of. Then your lawyer brought out those pictures and," tears filled her eyes. Buffy was surprised that she seemed understanding. Whispering, she continued. "He used to be a good boy. He loved church; he loved Boston, he loved singing and traveling to help out people in need. We-I didn't raise him to do those horrible things to you. I don't know why he did those things or what possessed him to do them." Mrs. Finn sadly laughed under breath. I'm his mother. I'm a psychology professor at one of the most prestigious educational institutions in the world; you think I would have known something about his behavior. Because I failed somewhere along the line, my son had major personal issues and tendencies for whatever reason and as a result, young women such as yourself were hurt."
Buffy heard every word of what Mrs. Finn had said. Both women were looking out of the window and focused on Main Street, right outside of the courthouse. It was almost six o'clock. People were rushing home from their hard day at their jobs. Buffy finally took her focus off of the window and one to the woman who was still peering out of it. Tears were flowing freely from her eyes. Buffy placed her hand on top of Mrs. Finn's and whispered.
"Mrs. Finn, I don't blame you for what Riley did. Riley was a grown adult. He was responsible for his own actions. He was definitely ill but, I'm sure you and Mr. Finn did the best you could have with him. He was the one who chose his path. He created his own destiny. I'm sorry that he didn't consider your feelings." Buffy paused for a moment before continuing. "I think Riley was a nice person with a huge heart. There were times where he was very sweet and kind to me, but most of the time he wasn't. He just had an anger management problem. He has no one else to blame other than himself really. I had offered to go with him to get help, but he chose not to. I'm sorry he didn't go. Maybe I would have been meeting you under different circumstances."
Mrs. Finn squeezed Buffy's hand as more tears fell from her eyes. Finally, she let go of Buffy's hand to wipe her eyes. "You are a very sweet girl. You are wise beyond your years. I'm sure that's because of this whole fiasco. One thing is for sure; your parents have done a wonderful job with you. They are very very lucky to have you as their daughter."
Buffy looked over at her parents. They were talking to Robin. Buffy's mother was actually laughing about something. That was the first time in three days she saw her mother showing another emotion besides sadness. Her step father was watching her and Mrs. Finn from the corner of his eye. She smiled. "Mrs. Finn, I think you have the last part wrong. I am very very lucky to have them as my parents."
Author's Note: Thanks to Kari, Brianna and Tiney1981 for the reviews. Sorry it is taking me so long to update but I have been so busy trying to finish my school work before graduation in just 40 days (not that I am counting or anything). I really want to get this story finished so I can concentrate on a Xander story which I abandoned six months ago (chapter one is posted for those interested). Also, I have written another story which I have to type and post.
Anyway, enough of me babbling. On with the chapter! LA
PS- I don't anything that has to do with Brittney Spears, including the song mentioned in this chapter. I had a conversation with a friend and which is the inspiration for the conversation about the song.
PPS- I used a legal process in this chapter. I am going to be flat out honest, I now nothing about the law so I am kind of making up the legal stuff. If I am completely wrong, please be kind!
PPPS- (this is the last side note, I promise since it is almost 2am): This chapter is long. I was debating whether to make it two chapters but I didn't. As I said, it is almost 2am, I would have had to re-format and cut and past and really, it's too much work for write now. Also, I promised a certain reader that this would be posted before she woke up. Plus, this chapter will end everything with Riley. So the new chapter will be fresh.
Ok, end of notes, please really enjoy this chapter and feed back is awesome! Thanks guys!
"Three dollars and twelve cents is your change. Have a good night," Buffy smiled at a customer at Sam Goody. It was almost the end of the summer and Buffy couldn't wait to go back to school. Things were crazy that summer.
After Riley's death, Buffy felt relieved. She wasn't scared to do anything. She had reverted back to her care-free self. She felt bad for causing Riley's death but she didn't feel guilty. It was through the help of a psychologist that Buffy realized that she was in a horrible relationship and that if things continued down the same path, she would eventually be the one dead.
She was also stressed out. Riley's mother, who was angry and bitter that her only child was dead, wanted Buffy charged with murder. She wanted Buffy locked up for life. The judge threw out her case as soon as he received it. After reviewing the fact and talking with both the officers involved that evening as well as the doctors who examined and evaluated Buffy, he determined that Buffy did nothing wrong. The complete unfortunate circumstance was self-defense. That answer didn't make Maggie Finn happy. She then proceeded to fill a civil suit in which she charged Buffy with emotion distressed. That was still to be determined. Buffy's lawyer assured her it that hearing wouldn't be for more than six months.
Mrs. Finn also was calling and harassing the Giles'. She would leave messages for Buffy calling her a murderer or a killer. Mrs. Finn would say that Buffy just wanted attention and that Riley would never have done anything to harm another person, let alone rape them. Her calls were so frequent that the Giles' changed their phone number and were trying to charge her with harassment. Also, their lawyer believed with their complaints on record, it would be good evidence in favor of Buffy.
Buffy felt bad because Mrs. Finn had lost a child. She also felt badly for Riley. She figure there had to be something that had happened to Riley to make him the way he was.
Buffy was adjusting well that summer to having her persona back. It was just everyone else around her that had a hard time, her parents especially. They felt that if they had played a bigger part in Buffy's college life that maybe things wouldn't have gotten so out of hand. They felt that if they would have taken the time and gone to see Buffy more or if they made her come home things wouldn't have happened. It was hard enough for them to see her grow up and continue on to college, but they knew she had too. They wanted to give her the freedom of discovering who she wanted to become and make her own decisions. They felt that if they weren't as liberal and laid back she wouldn't have gotten hurt.
Dawn also felt guilty. She told Buffy that. She told Buffy if she had just gone to their parents and said Riley was weird and acted strange that day when she and William went to visit, maybe they would have seen something wrong too. Buffy assures Dawn that she would have just denied whatever anyone said to her, just like she had been. Buffy then told her that she appreciated her keeping that a secret. Dawn promised Buffy that if she ever told her anything like that again she wasn't going to keep it a secret.
Then there were her friends. Her friends were great and really supportive, too supportive. Xander, Oz, Angel and William all became her personal body guard. She didn't work often at night (mainly because Faith didn't want to leave her alone in the store, just incase something bad would happen to her) but when she did, some how one of the four men would "coincidently" at the mall and escort her to her car. Every one of her friends treated her like a porcelain doll. Buffy was getting a little annoyed with that but expected it. Other than being over protective, no one really knew how to act around her.
"So you're all right if I leave?" Faith asked with her coat in hand.
This was one of those nights that Buffy actually got to work by herself at night. It was Tuesday night and things were really slow.
"Yes Faith, I will be fine."
"Are you sure? I could just skip class for one night?" Faith offered. She had recently begun taking management classes at a community college.
"Go! Have fun doing all that math stuff. The store is going to close soon anyways."
"Fine, if you need anything-"
"I'll call you. Thanks mom, you can go now," she interrupted sarcastically.
"Fine, I'm out of here. Good night Buffy."
"Bye Faith. Have a good night." Buffy said as she watched her boss and friend leave. She was relieved that she would be alone for the night; well, at least until ten minutes before closing. Oz, Willow and Xander were meeting her to go out to dinner.
Buffy did as much as the closing duties she could because the store was dead. This made Buffy happy. It was a beautiful Tuesday evening outside. Everyone was outside enjoying the summer weather. She would be outside enjoying that weather too.
As expected, Willow and Xander arrived ten minutes before closing but without Oz.
"Hey Buff," Willow cheerfully greeted her friend.
"Hey Will, Xander. Where is Oz?" Buffy inquired.
"He has some practice tonight. You know he's going to be touring with-," Willow was interrupted by her friend.
"No Doubt and Blink 182, I know! Are you the proud girlfriend or what?" Buffy asked as she looked at Xander. "And how are you?"
Xander nodded before he answered. "Hungry, but good."
Both Willow and Buffy chuckled. "You are always hungry."
"I'm a growing boy-individual."
Still giggling, Buffy responded. "Say it, you're a man. You're getting gross and old."
"Yeah," Willow added. "You're really old, you're almost twenty! You're older than both of us!"
Xander crossed his arms and rolled his eyes. "You know, I'm not a boy, but not quite a man yet."
"If only Brittney Spears were a man," Buffy mumbled under her breath.
Pretending to be shocked, Xander put his hand over his mouth. "Buffy, how could you think such a thing? She is such a fine female specimen."
"She sings that song," Buffy said. Xander looked confused while Willow laughed because she knew what Buffy was trying to get at. Buffy began to sing, "I'm not a girl, not yet a woman," then she began to talk. "See, if she were a man, she could have sang I'm not a boy, not yet a man."
Xander began to imagine the image of a blonde and male Brittney Spears in his head. He shook his head, "That would never work."
"Why not?" Willow asked.
"Because that song is about girly emotions and feelings and guys never talk about feelings, don't you know that by now? Plus, she's too hot to ever try and envision her as a man," Xander explained with his own rationale.
Buffy took a deep breath before she continued. "As much as I would like to continue this conversation about male verses female emotions and feelings in songs, I have a store to close, do you guys mind waiting for me outside?"
Both Xander and Willow agreed and told Buffy they'd wait for her on the bench just outside the store. Buffy agreed to meet them out there. From there they would go out to dinner.
The three arrived at the outside café and had no wait. They sat down and ordered their meals and began to converse among themselves.
"When do you go back to Boston?" Buffy asked Willow sipping her water.
"August twenty-ninth. My plane leaves at six in the morning; it's going to be hell. When do you go back to school?
"September second. Anya is going back the first and Tara won't be back until the fourth. Registration is the fifth and classes start the seventh." Buffy explained.
"Angel goes back the twelfth." Xander butted in.
Buffy was confused. Angel had spent a lot of time with Buffy that summer just hanging out. She told him about what classes she was taking and her living arrangements and things that focused around school. Angel never once brought up going back to New York. "What are you talking about?"
"Angel's going back to NYU?" Willow also questioned.
"No, he's not going back to NYU. He-he" Xander hesitated. He figured Angel had told Buffy about his education plans. Xander just continued with his conversation. "He's transferring into UCLA."
"What?' Buffy asked, sounding as if she were in disbelief.
"Yeah," Xander answered, ignoring Buffy's tone. "He is dropping his major because, well, he decided he doesn't know what he wants to do with his life."
Before Buffy could add any comments, Willow jumped into the conversation and shifted it. "What about you Zan? Do you know what you want to do? You have to do something to contribute to society."
"What? You mean I can't stay at home and live off my mother any more? Shucks, I was getting good at that." He asked sarcastically. "I'm thinking about construction."
"You can go to school for that?" Buffy asked still thinking about Angel.
"Umm, no, well, maybe. I was thinking about doing construction. Just for no. I have absolutely no clue to what I want to be when I grow up."
"But Xander, remember you are all grown up." Buffy teased.
"Yeah, you're a man." Willow added with a smile.
"No," he answered back," "Remember the 'if Brittney Spears were a male' conversation we had? I'm not a boy and not yet a man."
Buffy rolled her eyes as Willow laughed. Their food came and all had begun to eat. In the middle of the silent dinner, Willow made an announcement.
"Guys, you know how Oz isn't here tonight?" Willow asked.
"Oh God Will, are you missing him all ready?" Xander asked jokingly.
"Of course she does Xander. They spend so much time together that they are joined at the hip.' Buffy added.
"Well, yeah, that," Willow said gaining back control of the conversation. "Well, we actually kind of broke up."
"What?" Xander and Buddy asked in unison.
"Yeah. We both decided it would be for the best. I mean, he's going to be touring all over the place and it was hard enough to have a long distance relationship with me being in Boston, but we both agreed that this would just make things harder."
"Will, I'm sorry. Are you all right?" Buffy sympathetically asked her friend.
"Yeah, I'm fine." Willow answered as if she hadn't really been affected by the decision. "We should have probably broken up along time ago. It was really coming."
The friends continued talking until they finished eating. They paid their bill and they left. Buffy drove alone in her car, at her request while Xander drove home with Willow.
She pulled into her drive way and got out of her car. She had walked into her house and went into the family room. She saw Dawn sitting in the room watching television. She could her mother and Rupert arguing upstairs.
"What's going up there?" Buffy posed sitting next to her sister.
"They are fighting." Dawn confirmed
"Why? They never fight." Buffy stated sounding concerned.
"I don't know. Someone called and then dad took the phone out of mom's hand and she was crying and then dad started swearing and said words that I have never even heard. Buffy, I'm in junior high; I hear lots of bad words. William went for a walk with me and we got back and they were still arguing and mom's crying. William had a date. He asked me if I wanted him to cancel, I said no and after much convincing he left about an hour ago. That was my evening, how was yours?" Dawn asked after explaining her night.
Buffy was silent for a few seconds. She was concerned. In all of the years that Rupert and her mother had known each other they had never argued. "Do you want to go outside, for a drive?"
"Why? We'll just come back and they will still be arguing."
Buffy nodded. "Dawn, I'm going to see why they are fighting. You stay here, I'll be back."
Dawn was hesitant about letting Buffy go upstairs. "No, what if they start yelling at you too? It'll be noisier. Buffy, I'm scared."
"I won't fight with them, I promise. I'll be back down."
Buffy went up the stairs. As she got closet to her parent's, it sounded as if they were just talking really loud and bitterly. In any case, they both were really angry.
"Hello?" Buffy knocked on the door. "Are you guys having a privet party or can I join in too?"
Buffy looked around the room and saw that both of her parents looked tired. Their eyes were all red. Their eyeballs were bloodshot.
"Hello Buffy," Rupert said as he took off his glasses and wiped them before putting them back on his eyes. "How was your evening?"
"It was great until I came home and Dawn said you guys have been psycho fighting. Can you please tell me what is going on?"
"Buffy, please sit down," Rupert said as Buffy took a seat next to her mother on her parent's bed. "Buffy, you know how Mrs. Finn was going to pursue the civil suit?"
"Yes."
"Well, it usually takes months, sometimes years to get everything in order to proceed with the court hearing and such."
"All right, then what's the problem?"
"Robin Wood called."
"Our lawyer?"
"Yes. He said that he was contacted by attorney Warren Meers from Boston. It seems that Mrs. Finn is going to be in town this week for a pre- trail."
Buffy was really shocked. Robin had told her not to expect any type of civil trail before six months. Robin had said the earliest time would be six months. It had been less than three months. "What? How?"
Joyce placed her arms on her daughter's shoulder as Rupert sat on the bed next to Buffy. "Apparently Mr. Finn has some connections out here. He travels out her frequently and knows a lot of judges. I guess on owed him a favor and so the trail is being moved up."
Buffy was distraught. She wasn't prepared to go through this right now. She was mentally ready to take this on in another three months, but not now; not during her summer vacation. "When do we have to meet with them?" She asked looking at the bed.
The room was filled with silence. Joyce and Rupert exchanged glances before they both look at Buffy, who is staring into space. "The day after tomorrow," Rupert whispered. "And Buffy, it could get messy."
"How so?' Buffy asked still in a daze.
Joyce's broken voice answered. "They want everything we own."
"What?" She gasped.
Rupert began to talk again. "Your mother and I have been arguing over whether or not meet them half way or sell the house or-"
"Sell the house?" Buffy screeched as she too began to cry.
"Yes." Joyce replied.
Shocked. She was completely shocked. Buffy just nodded as she stood up. "Good to know. I'm going to let Dawn know that you're all right. She was worried; I think she thought you guys were getting a divorce or something."
"Buffy," Joyce called out but it was too late, Buffy was all ready on her way Dawn the stairs to talk to Dawn.
"Buffy, Mrs. and Mr. Giles, hello," Their lawyer said extending his hand to everyone. Robin met the family in his office the morning before the pre-trail. They were strategizing what would and wouldn't be said later that afternoon during the trail. The Giles' family and Robin would be meeting with the Finn's and their lawyer.
After explaining some of their options, Robin looked at Buffy. "Buffy, some of this stuff may be hard for you. During this time you will be forced to go back and relive some of the things that have happened to you."
Buffy just nodded. She was angry at the Finns for bringing this up again. One judge had all ready thrown the case out earlier and Buffy couldn't understand why this judge was taking the case. "Can I ask you something so I can be clear and understand?"
"Of course you can." Robin assured her.
"The Finns are here to get money, right? I mean, that's the whole point of this, right?"
"Yes."
"But don't they both make a lot of money. I mean, he's a lawyer for some big east coast cooperation and his mother took on a full-time teaching position at Harvard University."
"That's right," Robin assured her as he checked his note.
"My mother works in an art gallery and my father is a guidance counselor in the Sunnydale public school system. We live very nicely and very comfortably but I am wondering what could we possibly have that they would have?"
Robin nodded, taking in Buffy's question. He waited a few seconds before he began his explanation. "Buffy, you are probably correct when you say that the Finns probably have a lot in terms of property and material possession. They no longer have a family. The only child they ever had is dead. He was a cruel man who took pleasure in abusing you on so many levels. After all was said and done, you went home to your family. You can always go home. The reality is their son will never walk through their doors again. They need to place their blame on someone or something. He died from a result of you defending yourself. The place they want to put that blame is on you. Now, I know as well as your parents and your friends that you were defending yourself. They don't see it that way. Buffy, please listen to this. I don't know their lawyer. I know nothing about him because he is from the east coast, but I beat chances are he will make you cry, you will try and convince you of events that probably didn't happen or he will try to convince you that his version of events are right. I need you to know this so you will be prepared. Do you understand?"
Buffy nodded as Robin continued to talk. She was tuning in and out of the conversation. There would be nothing that could prepare her for this battle.
Three hours into the hearing, Buffy stood up and left the room for a few minutes. Her heart was racing and her hands were sweaty. She hadn't spoken yet. She just had to leave the room. She couldn't stand Mr. and Mrs. Finn making Riley sound like a saint. She couldn't take that Mrs. Finn actually had no idea what kind of man her son really was.
"Buffy, sweet heart, are you all right?" Joyce asked her daughter.
"Yeah, I just had to take a breather for a minute. They aren't' making this any easier. Mrs. Finn just keeps on looking at me like I'm Satan or something." Buffy mumbled.
Joyce stood behind her daughter and pushed her hair out of her face. "I know, but we are almost over for today. I don't think you'll have to talk today if that makes you feel any better."
"Loads and loads," Buffy sarcastically commented.
"Come on; let's go back into the conference room."
Buffy grabbed her mom's hand and leaned on her side with her head resting on her mother's shoulders. They walked back into the conference room and sat down.
Mrs. Finn continued to speak for a few more minutes. Buffy had thought that was going to be the last testimony given that day. She was surprised when Robin said it was her turn.
Robin asked questions about Buffy's high school experience and her friends then her family. Slowly, he made his way into questioning her about college. He began asking her questions about the first time she met Riley, which she said was during the orientation tour she took in high school. By the time Robin was done questioning, Buffy felt sure of herself and felt ready for whatever Warren Meers was going to say.
"You've had a hard life, haven't you Buffy?" He asked.
Buffy shook her head. "No, I don't think so."
"Oh, so Rupert Giles is your birth father and you have always loved him and welcomed him into your life with open arms?"
"What does this have to do with Riley?'
"Well, I just wanted to cut you some slack; it's hard when you don't have both of your parents around."
Buffy was angry so she answered very rudely. "Not that it is any of your business, but Rupert Giles is the only father that I know and I am glad."
Warren Meers smiled sympathetically. "Buffy, I was feeling bad for you; I just wanted to tell you that and sometimes things are hard."
"Will you please just get on to asking questions that have to do with my relationship with Riley Finn?"
"You said Riley only beat you in his frat house, right?"
"Yes."
"When questioned, his frat brothers said this was the first time they had heard of anything like that went on in his house."
Before Buffy could answer, Robin spoke up with paper sin his hand. "Excuse me, I have in my hand the boy's statements and actually, they all said that there had been history of Riley hitting his girlfriends. In fact a Parker Abrams stated that the diseased had bragged on several occasions about hitting his girlfriends. This dates back to the beginning of Riley's sophomore year of college when he first moved into the house. Abrams also stated that both we and a Holden Webster were approached by Mr. Finn. Mr. Finn asked if either one of them would ask Ms. Giles on date so he would have a reason to show his anger when he hit her. Both me declined the offer."
"Let me see that," Warren Meers stood up as he examined the paper. His eye brows went up and down a lot while he read the statement. "Do you have any other pieces of evidence that I should know about?" Meers asked resentfully.
"Actually, I do." Robin went into his briefcase and retrieved a folder. He opened the folder and looked to make sure the contents where in it. He closed the folder and nodded his head. "Here you go. These are copies of the photos that the Sunnydale police station took the night that the final assault took place. Also included is the report that states Giles' are in the process of filing a law suit against the Finns for harassment. The dates and dialogue in the phone calls between the Giles' and Mrs. Finn, who placed the calls, are all listed in the report."
Meers looked a little surprised. He looked at his clients before looking back at the papers and then at Robin. "Can we break for twenty- minutes?"
Robin nodded. "Please, be my guess," he smiled.
Mr. and Mrs. Finn walked out of the conference room with their attorney. Warren Meers truly looked worried.
Rupert paced the room for the length of time that the Finns' and their attorney were absent from the room. Buffy sat with her head on the table. Joyce sat straight in her chair. Robin kept on telling them that things were going all right and looking very good for the Giles'. It didn't help, everyone was too nervous.
Finally, almost a half hour later, Mrs. and Mrs. Finn entered the room silent. Mrs. Finn looked as if she was crying. She walked into the room holding her husband's hand tightly. Mr. Finn had a look of defeat on his face. Warren was closely behind. He sat down and waited almost a full minute before speaking.
"My clients and I have reached an agreement. I believe that it in their best interest that they drop all charges. The Finns have also agreed to this. We are sorry this took up your time but are thankful it did not go to court. Wood, you are an excellent lawyer," Warren said smiling and shaking Wood's hands.
Rupert and Joyce sandwiched their daughter and gave her a hug. Tears fell freely from all of their faces. After they broke from the embrace, Wood came over to talk to them. He was leading them out of the room when Joyce put her arm around Buffy's shoulder.
"You can finally start to move on sweetheart. This part is all over."
Buffy nodded. Rupert pressed the button to the elevator as he was thanking and speaking to Robin. They were getting into the elevator when Mrs. Finn stopped them.
"Hi, I was wondering if I could-umm-have a few words with Buffy? Alone?"
Everyone stepped out of the elevator. Buffy looked at her parents. They didn't want their daughter alone with that woman. After all, she had pulled juvenile tactics such as the phone calls.
"We only have a few minutes. My sister is probably going crazy at home." Buffy spoke up.
"What I want to say will only take a few minutes," Mrs. Finn replayed.
"Please stay where we can see you," Rupert demanded. He wanted his daughter within his sight.
Mrs. Finn nodded and walked Buffy to the end of the hall and sat on the bench. She was silent until Buffy spoke.
"What do you want to talk to me about?"
Still silent, Mrs. Finn just stared at Buffy for a brief moment before finally speaking. "Honestly, I didn't believe you."
"That's refreshing to know," Buffy bitterly commented.
Ignoring the young woman's comment, she continued. "I really thought you were some one out to get Riley. His father and I both had no idea what he was doing out here, what he was capable of. Then your lawyer brought out those pictures and," tears filled her eyes. Buffy was surprised that she seemed understanding. Whispering, she continued. "He used to be a good boy. He loved church; he loved Boston, he loved singing and traveling to help out people in need. We-I didn't raise him to do those horrible things to you. I don't know why he did those things or what possessed him to do them." Mrs. Finn sadly laughed under breath. I'm his mother. I'm a psychology professor at one of the most prestigious educational institutions in the world; you think I would have known something about his behavior. Because I failed somewhere along the line, my son had major personal issues and tendencies for whatever reason and as a result, young women such as yourself were hurt."
Buffy heard every word of what Mrs. Finn had said. Both women were looking out of the window and focused on Main Street, right outside of the courthouse. It was almost six o'clock. People were rushing home from their hard day at their jobs. Buffy finally took her focus off of the window and one to the woman who was still peering out of it. Tears were flowing freely from her eyes. Buffy placed her hand on top of Mrs. Finn's and whispered.
"Mrs. Finn, I don't blame you for what Riley did. Riley was a grown adult. He was responsible for his own actions. He was definitely ill but, I'm sure you and Mr. Finn did the best you could have with him. He was the one who chose his path. He created his own destiny. I'm sorry that he didn't consider your feelings." Buffy paused for a moment before continuing. "I think Riley was a nice person with a huge heart. There were times where he was very sweet and kind to me, but most of the time he wasn't. He just had an anger management problem. He has no one else to blame other than himself really. I had offered to go with him to get help, but he chose not to. I'm sorry he didn't go. Maybe I would have been meeting you under different circumstances."
Mrs. Finn squeezed Buffy's hand as more tears fell from her eyes. Finally, she let go of Buffy's hand to wipe her eyes. "You are a very sweet girl. You are wise beyond your years. I'm sure that's because of this whole fiasco. One thing is for sure; your parents have done a wonderful job with you. They are very very lucky to have you as their daughter."
Buffy looked over at her parents. They were talking to Robin. Buffy's mother was actually laughing about something. That was the first time in three days she saw her mother showing another emotion besides sadness. Her step father was watching her and Mrs. Finn from the corner of his eye. She smiled. "Mrs. Finn, I think you have the last part wrong. I am very very lucky to have them as my parents."