Author's notes: It lives. 'nuff said.

Two Most Dreadful Words: Let's Talk

Buffy couldn't stop feeling claustrophobic and had to keep seeking out Jack over the briefing table. The heavy press of the mountain seemed palpable to her, the artificial lights were grating on her eyes and the air tasted lifeless. After asking incessantly she had been assured by everyone, but only Jack she had believed, that she and Dawn were free to leave anytime. At the same time it was heavily hinted, complete with appeals to her patriotism and sense of duty to her country, that a proper Q & A would be appreciated. Questions of course being asked by the military and answers provided by her.

Since then everyone had taken pains to get on her nerves. Buffy wouldn't be parted from Dawn, so the first stop after it had been established that they were indeed going inside the mountain, was the infirmary where a resolute doctor had taken care of Dawn, who was at least conscious by the time they had gotten there. Apparently being tasered or whatever by those blue lighting things, happened around here and wasn't considered too serious.

Buffy had flat out refused to be checked over by the doctor herself but was sure that Dawn had a few quarts of blood less now, all in the name of assuring national security of course.

Buffy and Dawn and Jack together with Daniel, Murray and someone named Harriman were just now grouped around a heavy wooden table, with Harriman taking notes of the proceedings. Sam was still off, making sure the Stargate was handled with proper care while being taken to its ususal position.

"So you say, that you didn't know about these guys planning to steal the Stargate." Jack's eyes were unreadable to her.

"No, I mean yes, I didn't know. All I knew was that someone was trying to do some kind of wacky ritual. Only at the last minute it became clear that that involved breaking into here."

"Why didn't you alert anyone to what was happening if you had the intel beforehand?"

"I told you, there wasn't enough time." Buffy was feeling washed out and weary to her bones. Jack's cautious attitude and the unnatural feel of the mountain were wearing her down.

"How did you know about the Stargate?" This was Daniel speaking up for the first time, his eyes intensely focused on her through his glasses.

"I didn't. I still don't." Buffy felt her weariness slowly shift to anger. Why was she required to answer all their questions when they wouldn't answer any? "Listen, I don't care what you think you have to know but let me tell you this:" and with this Buffy's eyes once more found Jack's across the table "when I first met you, I didn't know that you would be connected to this whole business. Then, I didn't even know that here would be any business."

Jack sat in his chair looking every inch the debriefing General, calm and collected. Tension seemed to hang thickly in the room. So many words that should be spoken weren't and many more that were shouldn't be that important.

The red phone ringing cut through the silence. Jack looked startled for a split second then picked up the handle: "Yeah, Mr President?"

"Yeah, right across from me actually."

There followed a lenghty pause of listening with Jack's expression becoming incredulous:"No way! I mean, are you serious, sir?"

Jack straightend up in response to the answer.

"Sure thing, sir."

"Not a problem, sir. Regards to the wife and kids, sir." But it was apparent that his partner at the other end had already hung up. Jack put the phone down with exaggerated care. That finished he leaned back and Buffy felt herself held in a scrutinizing gaze.

"You and your sister are free to leave at once. In fact, you are asked to. By the Man himself no less. Apparently your security clearance and mine clashes."

Buffy felt her anger fade to nothing and all was left was feeling dead tired and alone.

"Right." She got up, Dawn following her. Jack remained seated, only signaling a marine to accompany them. Buffy felt too stupid with weariness to do anything about the widening gap between them. Just before they left Jack's line of sight, she heard: "I'll see you later." It was a question and an absolute and nothing could have sounded more perfect to Buffy. She smiled and her heart felt a little lighter.

Dawn was quiet until they reached the outside. The marine Jack had dispatched to accompany them to their rental, politely took his leave and the two sister sat in the car for a moment.

"So." Dawn stretched it out a bit as if questioning.

Buffy gripped the steering wheel hard but as always not hard enough to do any damage. Always in control the Slayer must be. Buffy at least ground her teeth so it hurt.

i Here comes the tell all. /i

Dawn pushed her hair behind her ear. "I'd kill for some tacos."

Buffy released all her pent up breath in a laugh that was half tearfilled, gratefully threw the car into gear and got out of Dodge.

Jack was halfway through a six pack when the phone rang. For a minute he wanted to let the machine pick it up but then decided against it.

"Yep. I'm here."

"Is this General O'Neill speaking?" A pleasant voice with a cultured British accent was speaking.

"Yeah. Who's asking?" His voice sounded curt even to his ears.

"My name is Rupert Giles. I am an associate of Buffy's."

Jack sat down again heavily. He had wanted to anyway, really but hearing her name did something to his knees.

"Where is she?" Jack shut his mouth hastily after that entirely unplanned question just popped out when he had wanted to appear cool as a cucumber. After the aborted debriefing he hadn't been able to locate her or Dawn anywhere. Her appartement was as empty as before and his calls to her cell ended on her voice mail.

"That is not why I called." Giles sounded entirely too cool and unruffled to Jack. "I called you to tell you that apart from carrying a destiny older than man itself Buffy is also a young woman whom I hold as dear as a daughter. I have stopped to presume to advise her on her life, most days. But consider this: I have been there when before she has cared as deeply for someone as she seems to for you now. Do not betray her trust. And let me tell you she didn't betray yours. She is not capable of that."

Jack felt his hackles rising, who was this guy to butt in like this and tell him what to think. The evidence was there after all. "Mr Giles, I don't know you. Why should I believe you when I have a hard time to believe the woman I was falling for?"

"That seems to indicate a lack of trust in your own ability to judge people, General, rather than other people's trustworthiness." The silkenly delivered answer found its mark accurately. Jack was still digesting when Giles advised: "When you see Buffy again, ask her about Riley Finn and be prepared to listen. Good day."

And then Jack was listening to the dial tone.

Smart ass. How will I see Buffy again when I don't know where to find her

tbc