Sorry I've been absent. I know it's been over a month (close to two)...life has gotten in the way. *sigh*

1. I had another bloody nose issue. It was short-lived and I didn't have to spend any time at the ER or have it packed like last time. Thank goodness! But it was scary...as I've STILL not paid off my last bout with nose bleeds. *sob*

2. There was the husband-like person's eye issue. Somehow he scratched his cornea and I had to play taxi between urgent care, the ER, and doctors' appointments. He was in so much pain and nothing seemed to help much. We saw like five doctors and the last one put a membrane over his eyes, then covered it with a hard lens to protect it while it healed. That seemed to do the trick, but he couldn't see much out of his left eye for about two weeks. Sort of makes it hard to work. It might be okay now though, so... *crosses fingers*

3. We've also been told by our landlord that he's selling the house we're renting, so we have to move. Finding a rental that takes three big (ish) dogs is NOT fun or easy. We're not sure if we want to rent again, because this could happen again...or...sell our house in California and buy one up here in Washington. Or move back home (California). I do NOT want to move "home" as I now see here as home! He doesn't yet! The idea of having to move again so soon is terrifying! Moving sucks!

4. My boss informed me that he's sold one of his stores (he had two), so there might be changes happening at work. This is a new job, so I'm not sure what that means. The boss has said not to worry...that the new owners "need" me (all of us), but I'm not so sure. I'm the least trained...last in, first out...you know? The only saving grace is that I work in both of his stores, so at least I'll have that.

Anyway, I wanted to apologize for not posting story. As you know I have chapters on hand, but I've just not felt up to posting.

Chapter Fifty-six
"Mission Impossible"

When the coast was clear and Buffy was making her way down the second floor hallway, Tom frowned. He could hear her humming some song he'd never heard before—'Dundedun dun dun dun dundedun dun dun dun dundedun dun dun dun dundedun dun dun dun deDON Do do do'—and wondered if she wanted to get caught. At the end of the hall, she made a show of pausing, then peeked around the corner, then glanced back at him and flashed him a thumbs up sign—which, despite the fact that she was making unnecessary noise and jeopardizing being caught, was extremely entertaining to watch as she skulked down the hallway. It made him smile—and shake his head at her ridiculousness.

Giving him one last smile, she crossed to the stairway—and then she disappeared.

That was when he closed the door to his room and started in the opposite direction—to start his much dreaded chores.

When he'd completed his bathroom clean-up—which went much faster due to the possession and use of one of Buffy's wands—he took his time showering. In the shower he couldn't get his mind off Buffy—lying beside him all night—and found himself in need of a cold shower!

Quickly, and with much frustration, Tom hurried through the rest of his regular routine—ignoring his amorous feelings—then dried off and dressed. He wanted to hurry out.

~oOo~

Downstairs, Buffy had just pulled open the front door and was about to walk out when someone behind her spoke.

"What are you doing here?"

Making a face and groaning in her head, Buffy pushed the door closed and turned around. It was that dreadful Billy Stubbs boy.

"Oh hey, Willy," she greeted cheerfully—causing the boy's brow to raise irritably.

"It's Billy."

Buffy nodded. "Right. Oops," she said, attempting to look innocent, even though she'd done it on purpose. "Anyway, I was just...you know, coming to see Tom. Obviously right? I mean, I'm not friends with anyone else here."

Billy glared at her. He didn't like Tom and therefore, by extension, he didn't like that anyone was friends with him—especially this extremely pretty girl. "Riddle missed breakfast. He might be sick. You should probably go home," he said tersely.

"Naw. I'll wait," she said as she walked over to the waiting bench and sat down. "I'm sure he's fine. Maybe you could go tell him that I'm here."

Billy's glare turned into a frown. "Why are you friends with Riddle? He isn't very nice."

Buffy snorted. "You're not either," she countered.

"I'm not as bad," he said, joining her on the bench.

Raising a brow, Buffy slid slightly away from the boy. "You're not very nice to Tom."

Billy shrugged. "He isn't nice to me either. Or to any of us."

He paused and Buffy waited. He looked like he wanted to say more to her—to tell her something.

"He killed my rabbit," he blurted. "I don't know how he did it, but I know it was him. Mrs Cole thinks he did it too. I heard her talking to that teacher of his."

Buffy stared at the boy for a moment, then she shrugged. "Prove it!" she challenged.

Billy narrowed his eyes. "You don't care?"

Buffy shrugged. "I haven't heard Tom's side of this story and...the Tom I'm friends with isn't the same one you know, so..."

Billy shook his head. "It isn't as if he would tell you the truth if you were to ask him. He lied to Mrs Cole."

I think you're wrong. I think he would tell me," said Buffy. "Tom's told me stuff about living here."

"You should ask him about it," Billy pushed. "You might find out that your friend isn't a good person."

Buffy smirked. "I'm not a perfect person either," she said. "Of which, Tom is aware. He also knows a lot about me."

"I'll bet he does!" Billy said leeringly.

Buffy narrowed her eyes. "Excuse me."

"Well, you spend far too much time alone with Riddle. And he's not a decent person. I would imagine that he's been...corrupting you. Getting you to do things you shouldn't...if you get my meaning."

Buffy's eyes widened. "I resent what you're implying, you jerk!" she said angrily—then curbed her scowl and smiled prettily at the mean boy—even though she wanted to hit him. "Could you just...go get Tom for me? Please?" she said next, attempting to pour on the charm.

Standing abruptly, Billy shook his head. "I don't know where Riddle is at the moment, so...I'm sorry, but no!" he sneered. "And I have chores to do. Not all of us can go out everyday and have fun." With that, he turned and walked away.

"Humph! I guess I'm not so charming after all," Buffy grumbled—thinking she probably should have called him a jerk if she wanted him to do something for her.

Since Billy was gone, Buffy got up and left as well.

~oOo~

After finishing the bathrooms, Tom went and found Mrs Cole. She was in her office, which was exactly where he thought she'd be. The door was open, but he tapped on it lightly anyway—to gain her attention—then stepped into the room.

Looking up from whatever she'd been focused on reading—it looked like the Evening Standard—she frowned at his interruption.

"Tom," she greeted, putting her paper down.

"I've finished the bathrooms on my floor."

"Already?"

He nodded. "Yes. They weren't very dirty, but I've managed to make them shine." And he had. Everything looked brand new. He couldn't wait to see the look on her face when she inspected them. She would think he was a miracle worker. "Would you like to take a look at them?"

She blinked. "Not really, but I will later."

"Would you like me to clean some more?" he offered. No one ever offered to do more chores, so he wasn't surprised when she gave him a funny look. Her eyes narrowed suspiciously.

"That's...quite kind of you, Tom, but it isn't necessary," she said. "We'll save some chores for the others to do."

Tom nodded. He'd hoped she would say that. "I'd like to go see Buffy again today, if that would be all right," he said politely.

Mrs Cole sighed, then nodded. "Yes, Tom. You may leave for the day," she said—then added, "Again."

"Thank you," said Tom. It never hurt to show Mrs Cole respect—even if he didn't think she deserved it.

"She was here, by the way."

Tom's eyes widened. "Buffy was here?" he asked, surprised—and worried that she'd been caught sneaking out. But then, Mrs Cole wouldn't be so nice to him if Buffy had been caught.

Mrs Cole nodded. "Billy said she'd come looking for you. She's gone now."

Tom frowned. That was strange. He wondered what had happened. How Buffy had been seen by Stubbs. And why had she'd left if she'd already been seen?

"Hmm. If there's nothing else, I would like to go," he said.

Mrs Cole shook her head. "That will be all, Tom. You may leave," she said. "See you this evening."

That was his cue to depart. "Goodbye," he said with a nod—then quickly left.

~oOo~

Outside, Tom walked down the stairs and went through the gate. Once he'd closed it, he sighed and looked around. Buffy was sitting on the curb on the other side of the street. When she saw him, she smiled and stood up and started walking toward him.

"That was fast," she said when she reached him.

"You weren't caught?"

She shook her head. "No. Well, sort of. I was just opening the door to leave when that Billy guy walked into the room...so I pretended like I was just closing the door and turned around. Such a lovely fellow," she said. "He implied that we've been doing the dirty. Can you believe that?"

Smirking, Tom took her hand and pulled her down the street. "Well, he isn't wrong. I mean, we haven't... But last night..."

Buffy turned her head and looked up at him, smiling. "Yeah," she said, blushing a bit—then she cleared her throat. "He also told me you killed his rabbit."

At those words, Tom pulled his hand from hers and turned his head away.

"You don't have to tell me if you did it or not," Buffy quickly continued. "I just...wanted you to know what Billy told me."

Tom sighed. "I've told you I've given them reasons not to like me," he hissed.

Buffy nodded. "I know," she said quietly—then reached out and grabbed his arm, forcing him to face her. "I've killed things too, Tom. I'm so not judging you."

He shook his head. "It's not the same. What you do..." He stopped talking.

Shrugging, Buffy took his hand again, then turned and started walking down the street again, pulling him with her. "Maybe not. Let's just say...I've killed and you've killed...and consider this topic closed."

Glancing down at her, he said, "Really?"

She nodded. "Yes," she said decisively. She didn't want to get into a discussion about all the horrible things that Angel had done, but if she could get beyond what she knew abouthim, then a rabbit was nothing.

He sighed—and didn't say anything else about it.

~oOo~

Everyday, for the next two weeks, Buffy showed up at Wools first thing in the morningand went there in the evenings to see Tom back. He didn't like it—because that meant that she was out traveling alone twice a day—but she insisted. She told him that she wanted to make her presence known—that she wanted Mrs Cole and everyone at Wools to know that she wasn't going away!

And she wasn't!

Plus, seeing him back there each evening, gave her a chance to go back through the city alone—to perhaps to get in a decent quota of vampire killage on her way home.

"Good morning, Mrs Cole," she called out each day when she saw the orphanage matron.

Mrs Cole always gave her an annoyed look, then greeted her with, "Here again, are you?"

Buffy would nod and follow the woman into her office even though there had been no invitation. "Yep! Can't stay away."

Every morning Mrs Cole hmm'd at her words as she circled her desk and sat down, then looked up at the girl and scrutinized her outfit. Some days it was outrageous, but today it was a simple white blouse and a conservative skirt.

"I see you've decided to wear...something more appropriate," the older woman commented.

Buffy hmm'd. "Oh yeah. This is part of my school uniform," she said, glancing down at what she was wearing. "I thought I should start getting used to it. Tomorrow I might try putting on the tie." She grimaced—then huffed a bit. "It's a bit...blah, but..." She shrugged.

Mrs Cole pursed her lips. "It looks nice."

"Thanks!" Buffy chirped as she sat down in the chair in front of Mrs Cole's desk, then reached into the bag she was carrying. "I stopped at my friend's family's bakery and got you this!" She pulled out a Giles Bakery bag and placed it of the desk, then pushed it toward the woman.

Mrs Cole stared at the bag. She recognized it. Buffy brought her a treat nearly everyday now. Suspicious of the girl's motives, Mrs Cole slowly reached out and picked up the bag and looked in it. It contained one of her favorites.

"Thank you, Miss Summers," she said, wondering how the girl managed to find the time or money to buy her cakes.

Buffy smiled. "Oh hey, I brought you these too," she said as she pulled out two separate newspapers: the Daily Mail and The Illustrated London News. "I know those aren't your usual papers, but when I stopped to look at them...well, they looked interesting."

Mrs Cole picked up The Illustrated London News and opened it. Normally, she only got one paper a week, so this was a treat—to go with her treats!

Setting the paper down on her desk, she looked at Buffy again and nodded her thanks. Clearly the girl wanted something, but she wasn't actually asking for anything. She just showed up each day—approximately thirty minutes prior to the time Tom was allowed to leave the orphanage—and made herself comfortable in Mrs Cole's office.

Mrs Cole wanted to scold her for making herself at home, but despite her not being invited to stay, she had to admit—if only to herself—that Buffy Summers was an interesting girl.

And the evenings weren't much different. She arrived with Tom—they were never late—and the two of them sat together on the bench at the front entrance. Mrs Cole wanted to shoo her away. She still did not think it appropriate that the aunts she lived with allowed her to go out gallivanting all over war-torn London with an orphan boy, but getting rid of Buffy Summers was much easier said than done, she'd learned.

It was usually an hour passed Tom's curfew that Mrs Cole would show up and give them a look—which told them that it was time to call it a night. Taking Buffy's hand, Tom would stand up and pull her to her feet, then give her a chaste kiss on the cheek and walk her to the door.

From not very far away, Mrs Cole would watch them. She told herself that these two needed a chaperone, but the bottom line was that she was curious about their connection. She'd always thought Tom Riddle an odd boy. He'd been a strange baby who never cried and over the years she'd found him to be rather frightening. She couldn't quite pinpoint why. He'd never been caught doing anything wrong, but she had her suspicions that he was responsible for the more disturbing incidents at Wools.

And then the girl had shown up and Tom Riddle was almost like a different person.

At the door, Tom pulled Buffy into his arms and held her, her head against his chest. It made Mrs Cole uncomfortable. It was not appropriate at all—and yet she said nothing. Instead, she just waited. They never took too long. Never long enough that she was forced to intervene.

When the front door finally closed behind Buffy, Tom would lock it and turn around, giving Mrs Cole a simple nod of his head as he passed her on his way up to his room.

It would soon be time for Tom Riddle to return to his boarding school—and Buffy Summers with him—and that time couldn't come soon enough for Mrs Cole.

~oOo~

Sorry this was short. I didn't realize/remember that it was sooo short.

Please review...it gives me a reason to keep writing! Thank you!

Oh! Just FYI...the next chapter is titled, "Platform Nine and Three-Quarters." *grin*