Willow's POV

"Hello." I started politely as soon as the door opened.

"Hello." the woman behind the door seemed sweet enough, if not a little startled by my American accent. "Can I 'elp ya?"

"I heard that you take boarders." I started, looking to her hopefully. "I-" I glanced down to my stomach. Four months along, I was still pretty small to be having twins. That discovery had put a little strain on my plan but I was sure I could get by as long as I found a place soon and stopped with the ridiculous hotel fees. If I could get a job, I'd have money to spare. I didn't really need one for maybe a year or so, but better safe than sorry.

The woman followed my gaze to my stomach. "Oh, dear. Please...come in." she said hurriedly, pulling me into the cozy sitting room. "Do you need anything? Something to eat or drink?"

I laughed a little. "I wasn't trying to get pity. I just thought you may be...unwilling to take me because I'm single and soon to be a mother. Some people I've happened upon were rather...repulsed by that."

The older lady shook her head frantically. "No. Dear, that doesn't bother me at all. It's just that I'd stopped renting out the room. I'm getting old, ya see and I'm not meant to last much longer."

Tears flooded my eyes almost involuntarily. Just the resignation and complete acceptance on her face was the saddest thing I'd seen in a while. "You-you're dying?"

She smiled sadly. "Don't you get all worked up o'er me, dearie."

The tears came then. "Well..uh, Miss..."

"Kavanagh. But you just call me Mickey."

"Mickey?"

"It's Micah, really. But my mother was something of a wild spirit and I hated having a boy's name."

I nodded, thinking that was a very pretty name myself. "Well, Micah, if you would take me in, I wouldn't need you to tend to me. I could cook and even clean for the both of us."

"There's no discussion 'bout me puttin' ya up, dearie. But you don't need ta be doin' me work."

"I want to!" I exclaimed before taking a deep breath to calm myself. "I'm starting at the University soon and I need a place nearby. When I'm not in classes, I'd be happy to help you."

"Well, then you're staying for free." she decided.

"No. I can p-"

"For free. Or no deal." she said sternly, eyeing me. "I don't need the money, dear."

I nodded with a small smile. "Okay. For free, then."

Xander's POV

"What's going on, Buff?" I said jovially as she opened the front door.

If I was expecting a hug and 'welcome back' I was dissappointed. "What do you mean 'what's going on?' Xander!" Buffy screeched, pulling me into her house.

"Jeez, glad you missed me." I muttered. I shrugged to myself, resolving to go to Willow's house as soon as I could get away from crazy Buffy. Will would want to see me.

"Where is she?"

"Who?"

"WILLOW!" Buffy hissed.

I stepped back. "What? How would I know?"

"Have you talked to her?" she asked. "Called her at all over the summer?"

I felt my heart dropping. "No. But-"

"She's gone, Xander!" Buffy yelled, sobs wracking her suddenly. "I went to L.A. to spend Abandoning-you-doesn't-mean-I-don't-love-you time with Hank and I came back last week and she's gone. Mom and Dawn said she hadn't called at all when I asked because I was surprised she didn't call me there. I went to her house and it's up for sale! I called her parents' emergency numbers she gave me and Shiela said she ran off. She wasn't even freaked out! She said it was a phase! Willow doesn't have abandon-your-friend phases."

I swallowed the lump in my throat. "So...she's missing? Maybe...dead?"

Buffy shook her head. "She is gone. As in, left. Her room was mostly empty and her parents said that they found their car dumped at LAX. She took a plane somewhere!"

I shook my head in confusion. "No. Willow wouldn't-"

"What? Willow wouldn't what?"

I buried my face in my hands. "We never found out what was wrong."

"HUH?"

"Before graduation." I bit out, irritated at her empty-headedness. "She was being evasive about something. I told you she was planning something. This was it."

"You really think so?"

"Yeah."

"But Willow wouldn't just leave. She'd at least let us know she wasn't dead." Buffy cried.

I nodded. "Yeah. I better get home and find my note. You too."

"I don't have one. I've checked everywhere already."

I shrugged. "Your email?"

"I never use that." Buffy said, her face implying I was an idiot and her hands on her hips.

"Buffy...Willow is computer gal. Check your email."

Buffy's POV

Turns out Xander knew what he was talking about. After deleting all the spam in my box, I had a few ads and one actual letter. Sent from Willow on June 10, 1999.

Dear Buffy,

I'm safe. Sorry I had to leave but know that you'll always be one of my best friends. Don't look for me but if you ever need help, email me.

Love, Willow

Two lousy lines? Two lines! Ugh! Standing up quickly, I punched the wall and grabbed my phone. Xander answered on the second ring with a dispassionate, "Yeah?"

"You got one too."

"Yeah."

"What's it say?"

Silence.

"Was it only two lines?"

"No. Why?"

"What does it say Xander?"

He sighed. "Dear Xander, I'm safe. Sorry I had to leave and I'm sorry that I didn't say goodbye to your face, but I knew if I tried, I wouldn't be able to go. Just so you know, you'll always be my bestest bud, Xander. And if you ever need me. For Scooby computer stuff or bestfriend stuff, I'm still here. Love, Willow." There was a long pause. "It's so short."

"Longer than mine." I said bitterly.

"Are you gonna write?"

I scoffed. "No. She left. Left us alone without a goodbye. I can't e-"

"See. Maybe that's why you only got two lines. 'Cause you're such a great friend." The line went dead.