Chapter Two: Home Sweet Home

Buffy tried to deal with her new surroundings. She took everything in. She lifted her hands and looked at her new limbs. Then Buffy turned her head and looked out the window of her room. Now there were two other people with Wesley. Buffy figured that those were her new parents. She wished she had more time without them to process everything. However, now it was time to face the music. The parents turned and faced the window. They saw her and ran inside.

"Maddie!" The mom yelled and hugged Buffy.

Buffy winced and hugged her back. It was the least she could do for her new mother.

"Jasmine, be careful." The father said.

Jasmine let go of her daughter and smiled at Buffy. Buffy weakly smiled back at her.

"I'm sorry Evan, I'm just so excited." Jasmine told the father.

"I know, but she just woke up." Evan reminded her. "She might not have her strength yet."

"I'm okay." Buffy told them and they both smiled.

She stretched her limbs to show the two of them that she had some strength. Jasmine and Evan continued to smile and Buffy could feel their happiness. She winced and put her limbs back down on the bed. Jasmine reached for Buffy and placed her hand on top of her head.

"We missed you." Jasmine said.

"I missed you too." Buffy mumbled.

Buffy tried to be their daughter. She was really trying, but there was only so much she could fake. She didn't love them. She barely knew them. How could she love them? Buffy wondered how she was going to get through this. She looked out the window and saw Wesley. She waved at him and he came into the room. Evan looked at Wesley and walked over to him.

"I still don't really know who you are." Evan whispered.

"I'm here to help." Wesley said. "Don't worry about the details now, just go be with your daughter."

Evan nodded and walked back over to Maddie's bed. Jasmine and Buffy talked a little. Buffy yawned and stretched. She was getting pretty tired. Evan put his hand on Jasmine's shoulder and said,

"We should let her get some more rest."

Jasmine frowned, but nodded. "We'll be right outside if you need anything."

Wesley walked out of the room as well. Jasmine and Evan spoke to him a little and tried to get acquainted with him. Buffy turned on her side and faced the wall of her room. She closed her eyes and fell asleep. She dreamt of Heaven and her mother. She was with her family. Why couldn't she stay there? Buffy wondered. Why was she back?

Buffy continued to sleep and her dreams changed. Some of them were scary and dark. Some of them were peaceful. She opened her eyes and realized it was the middle of the night. Buffy threw her covers off of her and got out of bed. She walked out of her room and noticed that Wesley was asleep in a chair that was against the wall.

Buffy sighed heavily and walked down the hallway. She wondered where her new parents were, but shrugged it off. She felt weak and returned back to her room. Thankfully, no one really noticed her or spoke to her while she was out and about. Buffy crawled back into bed and snuggled up to the covers. She closed her eyes and fell back asleep.

The next morning she found her new father in the chair asleep in her room. She wondered where the folks went while she was out and about in the middle of the night. Perhaps they went to the cafeteria. Buffy sat up in her bed and a nurse came into check on her. Evan woke up and stood by Buffy's bed. After the nurse was finished, Evan looked at his daughter.

"What?" Buffy asked him.

Evan blinked. "Are you sure you're okay?" He asked. "You seem different."

Buffy's eyes widened. He knows, she thought. He knows I'm not his daughter. Then Buffy shook her head and turned to him.

"I'm fine. I'm just a little sore from being in this bed so long." Buffy lied.

"I understand." Evan said. "The doctors said we can take you home soon."

"Oh." Buffy said, accidentally sounding disappointed.

"Wouldn't that be nice to go home?" Evan asked.

Buffy nodded. "Of course." she said and looked out the window. "Can I speak to Wesley?"

Evan blinked and then nodded. "I'll go get him."

Evan walked out of the room and woke up Wesley. Wesley stood up and walked into Buffy's room. Evan stayed outside so they could talk. Wesley stood by her bedside and asked,

"Yes?"

"Why are you here?" Buffy blurted out. She covered her mouth, surprised by herself. "I mean, I didn't mean to ask it like that. I'm just wondering what's happening to me."

"Don't worry," Wesley said. "I'm here to help. Do you feel different?"

Buffy nodded. "I do."

"That's why I'm here." Wesley said. "We're going to be fast friends, Maddie. I'm here to help and teach you. I'll get you back to your full strength, I promise."

Buffy smiled and felt safe around Wesley. Even though the last time she saw him was all bad news, he seemed different. He seemed to be more mature somehow. With all the new changes, it was nice to see someone familiar. Even if she didn't completely like him.

"We have a lot of work to do then." Buffy said.

Wesley nodded. "It'll take time to heal your wounds, but once that happens we can get started." He said. "I'll explain everything. For now, you're going home with your parents, but I'll be close by."

Buffy winced at the sound of that. She didn't want to leave with those people. She didn't know them. How could she live with someone she didn't know? Buffy sighed heavily and looked at Wesley.

"I…I can't go with them." Buffy said in a low voice.

Wesley raised his eyebrows. "Why not?" He asked. "They're your parents Maddie. Don't you remember?"

"It's not that." Buffy said. "I'm not…" She sighed again. "I'm not who they think I am."

"What do you mean?" Wesley asked, very confused.

"I'm not who you think I am either." Buffy said and looked down. "I don't know how to tell you this Wesley, but I'm…I'm Buffy Summers."

Wesley's eyes widened in disbelief. "What?!" He yelled. Then quickly quieted down. "How do you know that name?"

Buffy looked at him and repeated, "I'm Buffy Summers." She paused. "We defeated the Mayor together."

"It…It is you." Wesley said. "How did this happen?"

"That's what I'm trying to figure out." Buffy told him. "I don't know what happened. I mean, I know I died, but I have no idea how I got back here."

Wesley pulled the chair in the room and placed it next to Buffy. He sat down and cleared his throat. He pushed up his glasses. "I don't know what to say."

"I don't want to go with them." Buffy whispered. "I don't know how to tell them that their daughter is gone."

"We will figure it out, but for now…You have to go with them." Wesley said. "They're expecting to take you home."

Buffy sighed. "I know." She said, "I guess I just have to accept it."

Wesley nodded. "I'll be with you every step of the way."

"Don't tell Giles." Buffy requested. "I don't want him to see me this way."

"I understand." Wesley said. "I'll just explain that you're a Potential, which you are."

"Great." Buffy said. "I guess that's why you're here. You're here to train me, aren't you?"

"Yes." Wesley said. "Giles sent me." He paused. "We are locating Potentials all around the world."

"For what?" Buffy asked.

"The upcoming battle." Wesley told her.

"I guess I'm not done being The Slayer." Buffy said.

Evan walked into the room and the two of them got quiet. "Did I interrupt?" He asked them.

"No, not at all." Wesley replied. "We were just discussing some ways to help her heal faster, that's all."

"Oh you don't need to heal faster Maddie." Evan said. "Just take as long as you need. Your mom and I are here to help."

Buffy smiled and nodded. "Thanks Dad." She said and almost choked.

It was still strange for her to be back here. Especially with a new family. She had to get used to things. Wesley stepped out of the room. Evan looked at Buffy.

"You just need to get some more rest." Evan said. "We'll be right outside if you need us."

"Thanks." Buffy said.

Evan walked out of the room and Buffy scooted down on the bed. She needed to think things over. This was going to be hard. She had to get used to a new family. Buffy turned in her bed and fell asleep. A couple of hours later, Jasmine and Evan walked into the room. They woke up Buffy with some news.

"We can take you home tomorrow!" Jasmine said excitedly. "The tests all came back and there's nothing wrong with you. You are healthy!"

Buffy smiled weakly. "That's wonderful Mom!" She winced.

Jasmine noticed the wince and asked, "What's wrong?"

"Nothing, sorry." Buffy lied. "I'm glad to be going home. Wesley is a friend so I would like to welcome him into our home one night for dinner."

Evan nodded. "That sounds reasonable." He said and turned to Jasmine. "What do you think honey?"

"I think we can do that." Jasmine said.

Buffy yawned. "I think I need some more rest for now."

Jasmine and Evan nodded. "We'll be right outside. When you wake up tomorrow morning, we'll take you home, Maddie."

"Sounds good. I'm excited." Buffy lied.

Evan and Jasmine walked out of her room so she could get some rest. Buffy turned in her bed and sighed. It was going to be a long journey, but at least she had someone familiar by her side. The last time Buffy saw Wesley, they weren't on the best of terms. However, maybe now those wounds could be mended. Buffy fell asleep and the next morning, Evan and Jasmine took her home.

Buffy walked into the house and recognized the house from her dreams before she woke up. The house was almost the exact same one from her dreams. There were a few details here and there that were different, but the house was pretty much the same. Evan helped Buffy walk inside and escorted her to the couch. Buffy sat down and Jasmine sat down next to her.

"Welcome home Maddie."