| Author’s Note: You know, I didn’t think I’d be getting Jossed on the Buffy stories now that the show’s over, but that damned Andrew. So here’s the deal: Andrew is what we call an unreliable witness. When Spike asked where everyone was, Andrew told him where they were *at the moment,* putting his own idealized spin on everything. It doesn’t make sense to split the group up on a permanent or semi-permanent basis and send them to countries where they are unfamiliar with the language and/or customs. Plus, how would they support themselves? So, for the purposes of this story, they generally reside at Giles’s family home, seen in the episode “Lessons,” and only travel when their particular skills are needed. Faith, Robin, Andrew, and the first wave of Slayers from Sunnydale (Rona, et al.) do the bulk of the field work, training, and Slayer distribution, with Giles and Buffy taking an oversight/advisory role. Introduction: This story follows an imaginary storyline I created for Oz over the years following Buffy S4. In short, Oz went to Europe, began performing as a werewolf with a traveling circus, and met and courted a Greek acrobat named Bema. The previous stories are Boy on a String, In Days Beyond Recall, Strength, Shadow Gypsies, and Make the Season Bright. Don’t worry if you haven’t read those, though. This story really focuses on Willow and Xander (though not together.) Disclaimer: Characters and situations based on “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” are the property of Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy, and Evil Fox. v v v v v v v v v v v v Giles was only half-listening as the phone rang and Buffy ran to answer it. “Hello? …Oh, my God! Oz! How are you? …No, she didn’t, but we haven’t talked to her in a few days… Oh.” There was a lengthy silence, then, “Wow. That’s great. I’m really, really happy for you.” There was another pause. “Let me get Giles for you.” Giles rose and took the phone. “Hello?” “Giles, it’s Oz,” came the voice from the past. “I have some questions, and I figured you would be the person to ask…” Oz explained, briefly, in his usual way, how he had been spending the previous few years, traveling with a circus through Europe. Now, he had proposed to a fellow performer, but they had questions about his werewolf nature. Was she in danger? Would the children, if any, be affected? Giles promised to find out what he could, and took the number where Oz could be reached. “I can’t believe it,” Buffy said when Giles had hung up the phone. “I mean, Oz! Getting married!” “Well, we haven’t seen him in several years,” Giles said. “A lot can happen.” “I know,” Buffy said. “I just always thought…” “What?” “It’s stupid,” Buffy said. “But I could never picture him getting over Willow.” “She got over him,” Giles pointed out. “Oz said he saw Willow this past Christmas,” Buffy said. “She never said anything.” She gave a knowing smile. “So maybe not.” v v v v v v v v v v v v Giles decided that rather than tear his library apart looking for information, he would simply place a call to some friends who were werewolf experts, and a few hours later he was on the phone to Oz. “Thanks for getting back to me,” Oz said. “What did you find?” “According to a friend of mine, your, um, fiancée should be perfectly fine,” Giles said. “I assume you’ve taken the proper precautions and…” “Birth control?” “Not bitten her, I was going to say,” Giles said, grateful he wasn’t actually having this conversation face-to-face. “Oh. No. No biting,” Oz replied, and Giles fancied he heard similar relief in the boy’s voice. Giles cleared his throat. “As far as any children are concerned, the literature is a bit less… specific. It appears that it’s far less likely to be passed along through the father, but still possible. There’s somewhat questionable advice suggesting the parents avoid conception during the full moon, or with the administration of various spells or potions, but nothing definitive. It appears there is always the possibility the child will be born a werewolf.” “Bema won’t like that,” Oz said quietly. “My friend did have some encouraging information, though,” Giles said. “Apparently werewolf children raised with a werewolf parent, or parents, as the case may be, have a much easier time controlling their transformation, it seems.” “So what I’ve learned to do will come naturally to them?” Oz said. “So his studies would suggest, yes.” Oz could hear Giles polishing his glasses. “Is this the information you were looking for?” “Yeah. Now we discuss what we do now that we know.” Neither said anything for a moment as they each absorbed the import of this statement. “So, what are you doing February 14th?” Oz asked at last. “Think you all might like to visit Crete?” v v v v v v v v v v v v “So, are you going?” Buffy asked when Giles related the conversation to her later. “I’m very seriously considering it,” Giles said, staring out at the gray landscape beyond the study windows. “And his invitation was open to us all. A Mediterranean holiday would be welcome this time of year. I’ve never been to Crete, but I hear it’s a lovely spot. Beaches for you, ancient ruins for me…” “It does sound fabulous,” Buffy said. “But I don’t know. I want to get Willow’s reaction. The ‘ex-boyfriend gets married’ scenario can be traumatic.” “Mmm, yes,” Giles agreed. “Still, Oz did want to include us at his wedding.” “You should go,” Buffy said. “Even if Willow needs support, I can handle it. Plus, I’m not sure I want to go flying off anywhere. I’m kind of enjoying the hibernating thing.” “Don’t jump to conclusions just yet,” Giles said. “Willow may be perfectly fine with all of this.” “Sure,” Buffy said. “And the totally unexpected running into Oz 6000 miles and three years from the last time she saw him just happened to slip her mind for two months because she’s perfectly fine.” Giles turned back to the window. “She comes home tomorrow,” he said. “Just talk to her.” “I will.” v v v v v v v v v v v v Buffy rapped her knuckles against the doorjamb of Willow’s room. “Welcome back,” she said when the witch looked up. “How did it go?” “Pretty well,” Willow said. “She speaks English, which is a plus. How did things go here?” “Good,” Buffy said. “We got a phone call yesterday. From Oz.” Willow’s hands froze above her suitcase, and she slowly turned and sat on the bed. “Oh,” she said. “He told us about Venice,” Buffy said. Willow nodded slowly. “He also told us he’s getting married,” Buffy said. “In two weeks. In Crete.” “Oh. That’s nice,” Willow said. “And he invited all of us,” Buffy went on. Willow seemed to come out of her trance. “Hey, that’s fantastic,” she said with forced cheerfulness. “That’ll be fun.” “Are you okay with this?” Buffy asked. “Of course. I’m fine,” Willow said. “Oz and I haven’t been together in ages and anyway, gay now! He was just…” She whirled one hand in the air, searching for a word. “I don’t know. I was confused then,” she finished lamely. Buffy sat down next to her friend and took her hand. “I know it isn’t like that,” she said. “I know how I felt when I found out Riley was married. I mean, we were so over, and we were wrong for each other and knew it. But when he showed up with what’s-her-face, I just thought, that could have been me. I could have been married and deliriously happy… I wouldn’t have been. I know that. But I just couldn’t help feeling…” “Yeah,” Willow said in a small voice. They were silent for a moment, then Buffy said, “Giles is going to the wedding. He’s going to tell Dawn and Xander about it at dinner tomorrow night, but I wanted to let you know first.” “Thanks,” Willow said. “I don’t think I’ll go, but you and Giles have a good time.” “I don’t think I’m going, either,” Buffy said. Willow made a little sympathetic noise. “No, but you, and Giles…” “It’s fine,” Buffy said reassuringly. “We’ll do the traditional ex-boyfriend wedding day thing. A big vid-fest. Tomb Raider for you, Pirates of the Caribbean for me. Lots of take-out curry, with ice cream for dessert.” Willow smiled gratefully. “Thanks,” she said. v v v v v v v v v v v v “Wow, Oz! No kidding!” Xander exclaimed when Giles broke the news at their now-habitual Sunday-night dinner. He glanced over at Willow, who gave him an almost imperceptible nod. “That’s great!” he said. “I’m glad for him.” “He’s also extended an invitation to all of us to join him for the ceremony,” Giles said. “It’s to take place in the Greek islands two weeks from yesterday.” “Alright,” Dawn exclaimed. “A vacation!” She turned to Buffy, who lowered her eyes. “I’m staying home this time,” Buffy said. “But you guys go.” Dawn turned back to Giles, but seeing no surprise or disappointment on his face, she relaxed. “Maybe I will go,” she said. “I’ll have to think about it.” Xander, who had watched all the cross-table glancing carefully, tucked into more chicken. “Well, I’m going,” he said. “It’ll be nice to catch up. What’s the weather like in Greece?” “This time of year? Mid-sixties. Sunny,” Giles said. “Sounds great,” Xander said. “Where can I get shorts this time of year?” v v v v v v v v v v v v Dawn went back and forth trying to decide whether to attend the wedding for three or four days, then finally settled on staying in England. That settled, Giles and Xander made arrangements to fly to Greece, while Buffy and Dawn arranged for a weekend to distract Willow from what was going on several hundred miles south. Kennedy, who arrived from a training session for the wave of Slayers called with the destruction of Sunnydale late Sunday night, dealt with the entire situation by pointedly not dealing. Buffy had to almost admire the way she treated Giles’s upcoming departure as just another of the trips that had become commonplace since leaving California the summer previous. But she did take extra care with Willow, bringing her things without being asked, and coaxing her into the bedroom early and keeping her in late. The day before the wedding, Giles took Buffy aside for a moment before the cab arrived. “Are you going to be okay here?” he asked. “Yeah,” Buffy reassured him. “Lots of girl things planned. Actually, you and Xander are probably better off getting as far away as you can.” “You have the number of the hotel if you need anything?” Buffy smiled. “I’ll be fine,” she said. “And I can’t tell you how great it is knowing that calling you if I need anything won’t involve anything more life-threatening than finding out where the fuse-box is.” “It’s in the basement by the washing machine,” Giles said. “And I mean it. Call.” “I promise,” Buffy said. “Be sure to give my best to Oz.” “Giles! Taxi!” Xander called from the hall, and the two men exchanged their goodbyes and left. The four women watched them go. When the taillights of the cab faded, Dawn said, “I’ll call the take-out place. Who wants what?” “I’m not hungry,” Willow said quietly, and Kennedy put an arm around her shoulders. “I’m putting on ‘Johnny English,’” Buffy said. “Join me in the den, if you want.” v v v v v v v v v v v v Once separate from Willow and her unpredictable feelings on the matter, Xander had a raft of questions for Giles about Oz’s situation and the girl he was to marry. At first, Giles thought the boy was just making small talk, which was annoying since Giles knew few of the answers, but by the time they were in the air over the continent, Giles had realized just what a romantic the boy was. The discussion turned to the questions Oz had asked about any future children, and Xander got a faraway look. “What a girl she must be,” he said. “To know what he is, and yet consider having his children anyway. That’s what frightened me the most with Anya, that I couldn’t get over her demon-ness.” They changed planes in Athens, and took a smaller plane to the island of Crete. They stepped out into a day so gloriously clear and bright, it was almost as though England were a distant planet. They checked into their lodgings, a coral-colored villa that faced the sea. Xander busied himself unpacking while Giles called Oz to let him know they had arrived. Oz immediately invited them to dine with his future in-laws and a number of the circus families who had also come for the wedding, and Giles was happy to accept. v v v v v v v v v v v v Buffy had to admit that Willow was giving it her best, trying to enjoy the ‘girls weekend.’ She cheered on the girl soccer player as she followed her dream, laughed at the antics of the cartoon fish and turtles, and teared up a little over Tobey Maguire and his horse, but she was clearly distracted. So before they got involved in the zombie plague that wiped out England, Buffy suggested they all take a break and walk down to the pub for some meat pies. Out in the clear, cold air, their feet crunching on the gravel alongside the lane, Buffy asked, “Do you want to talk about it?” They walked in silence for a minute or two, Buffy watching Willow, Kennedy glaring at Buffy, Dawn looking off at the countryside and Willow staring straight ahead. “I don’t know how I feel,” Willow said. “I mean, as much as I want to deny it, I did love him. He was my first real love.” Kennedy made a noise that sounded undeniably like a growl, and Willow backpedaled. “That’s how it is sometimes,” she said. “You buy into what society accepts.” Kennedy took Willow’s hand. “It’s hard,” she said. “Accepting a lesbian identity. And sometimes it’s easier for women to play along.” “Right,” Willow said, but she and Buffy exchanged a look when Kennedy turned to observe an oncoming car that seemed to say it wasn’t nearly so cut-and-dried. v v v v v v v v v v v v Giles and Xander walked up the stone drive to the home of Oz’s fiancée’s family. It was an old house, surrounded by wild gardens. Long tables had been set up on the lawn, and lights strung between them. The dinner was already in progress, and as the two men approached, they could see spot some of the circus folk in their flamboyant costumes, doing tricks for the amusement of the family. Two boys with guitars were singing romantic songs, while nearby another boy juggled dinner rolls. A bearded lady fanned her face with a fan of peacock feathers, laughing with a boy who looked to be covered in scales, like a reptile. An old woman talked with three teens in the close-fitting tights of trapeze artists, and they seemed to hang on her every word. From somewhere in the crowd, Oz came forward to greet them, shaking their hands with a heartfelt, “hey.” He drew forward a girl with black hair and eyes, slender and shorter than he by two inches. “This is Bema,” he said, smiling. “And these are my friends Giles and Xander, from Sunnydale.” Bema held out one hand. “I feel I know you already,” she said. “Oz has told me of all your adventures. How brave you both are.” Xander blushed, and Giles looked embarrassed. “I am pleased to meet you at last,” she said. “Come on,” Oz said. “Bema’s mother just served dinner.” v v v v v v v v v v v v Willow glanced to where Kennedy and Dawn were playing darts, and, confident the game would go on for awhile, turned back to Buffy. “I wasn’t completely honest a little while ago,” she said. “No kidding,” Buffy said. “I was wondering if I’d have to beat it out of you.” Willow smiled weakly. “I just don’t know how to explain it,” she said. “I loved Oz. Up until Veruca, I thought we’d always be together. I would be the one asking Giles about werewolf babies.” “I know,” Buffy said. “Oz is a good man.” “When I was with him…” Willow paused, appearing to gather her thoughts. “I never thought about being with women. I only wanted him. I never thought, ‘wow, this is great, but if only Oz were a girl.’ If anyone had asked, I’d have said I was completely hetero.” Willow took a deep breath, and a sip of her beer. Buffy waited, knowing she’d continue in her own time. “Then, he left, and I met Tara,” Willow went on after a moment. “And when we fell in love, I loved her as totally as I loved Oz. She was everything to me, and I wanted to be with her forever. And, again, I wasn’t thinking, ‘something’s missing,’ or that I wanted boys anymore. It was all about Tara. I was completely lesbian.” Willow fell silent again, and turned to look at Kennedy. When Buffy could no longer take the suspense, she asked, “And now?” “I don’t know,” Willow said, and left it at that. v v v v v v v v v v v v “Are these people all performers?” Xander asked when they’d eaten. “No,” Oz said. “We decided not to have a circus wedding. Bema’s father comes from an old circus family, but her mother’s family are still mostly fishermen. This will just be a family wedding. A few more of the performers will come in for the wedding, but only our close friends are here now.” “How do you like performing?” Giles asked, taking a sip of ouzo. Oz allowed himself a small smile. “I love it,” he said. “It’s like when I played with the band. It’s such a rush, having the audience with you.” He shook his head, amused. “Of course, now I’m scaring the hell out of them, but it’s still satisfying. But what about you? Willow told me some of it, but how are you handling the changes?” Giles leaned back. “I have to be honest,” he said, “I jumped at the chance to get away like this after working so hard with all of these… girls. Finding them, revealing their destinies, training them, assigning them. I’m starting to understand why the Council found it necessary to employ so many Watchers. They’ve all so much energy, you’ve no idea. I’ve been exhausted.” Oz and Xander both looked decidedly unsympathetic at Giles’s plight. “Still… it’s been nice to be back in England,” Giles said. “And everyone is working together so well. As much as I hate the idea of reforming some sort of oversight organization for the Slayers, I think it will become necessary before too long.” “If anyone can make sure it doesn’t become another Council, it’s you, Giles,” Xander said. “Thank you,” Giles said. “But I wonder sometimes, myself.” The men grew silent and looked across the lawn to where Bema and her brothers and sisters had set up their see-saw and were catapulting one another through the air. Oz smiled fondly at his bride-to-be. “You’re a lucky man,” Xander said quietly. “Thanks,” Oz said, not turning his head. v v v v v v v v v v v v Dawn fell asleep curled into a leather armchair halfway through “Maid in Manhattan,” which was ironic, considering she had wanted to rent it in the first place. Buffy considered taking it out in favor of a real comedy, “Underworld,” but when Willow and Kennedy quietly withdrew to the library, she took herself into Giles’s study to get some email correspondence with Faith, Robin, Andrew and the other “field agents” done. The pale winter sunset filtered into the library, which always smelt of dust despite Giles’s concerted efforts at neatness. Kennedy led Willow to the ancient couch and pressed her down into the cushions, kissing a delicate line along her jaw and down her throat. “I love you, baby,” she whispered huskily, and Willow arched up to her lover’s touch. v v v v v v v v v v v v The church, though not small, was completely packed for the wedding the following morning. Giles and Xander slid into a pew near the back, and studied the various guests. Many were clearly performers, as they had worn their spangled and elaborate costumes. Oz had told them the night before that this was likely, as, in many cases, the satin and sequin confections were the best clothes the traveling players owned. Oz stood at the front, in white tie and tails. Beside him was Niklos, Bema’s brother, Nox, another friend, and Brandon Carling, the son of the circus’s owner. Bema entered from the vestibule and was escorted up the aisle by her father. She wore a plain, flowing gown, and a veil trimmed in embroidered flowers. Her face shown with happiness, and at the altar she shyly took Oz’s hand. The priest nodded to them both, and opened his prayer book. He raised one hand and began. The ceremony was, of course, entirely in Greek, but it seemed to be the usual one. Xander found himself thinking of Anya, not surprisingly. There was still a hole in his soul where she had been, and Xander wondered if he would ever love anyone again. But Giles was thinking of all the children who had come under his mentorship over the years. Though he had resisted taking a parental role, had been advised against it for most of his career, circumstance had placed him there again and again. Now, he was watching as one of his children married, sitting beside another who had grown into a fine young man, and proudly guiding the women who traveled the world to train and lead humanity’s best defense against the creatures of darkness. The priest concluded the ceremony, and gently, almost shyly, Oz kissed his bride. The pews erupted with applause and cheers, and Oz and Bema exited in a shower of rice. They returned to the villa to find the surrounding grounds crowded with vans and trailers, most painted with murals advertising Circus Internationale, The Parliament of Wonders, and the various acts therein. A large group of musicians played as the bride and groom and all of their extended family danced through the grass, vast amounts of food were served, and Giles and Xander worked through the crowd, meeting travelers from all over Europe. Finally, as the sun began to set, the strings of lights were lit, and the well fed guests took their seats around the tables. Bema and Oz were set on a platform so all could see them, and the presentation of gifts began. Many of the gifts were handmade, and most were eminently practical for a nomadic lifestyle. The Carlings gave them a storage trunk that doubled as a bench. They received linens and kitchenware, cloth and trim for costumes, soft leather boots, a kerosene stove, and candles for their lamps. Niklos and his “husband,” Eligio, gave an assortment of chains and shackles. “for certain occasions,” they said, laughing. Giles presented the couple with three tomes on the lore of werewolves, with a caveat that he might have to call for consultation in the future. Both readily agreed. Then it was Xander’s turn, and they unwrapped the white and silver tissue paper to reveal a large, elaborately-carved wooden spoon. There were interlaced knots, hearts, a horseshoe, and the head of a wolf, all intricately detailed. “It’s a Welsh token of love,” Xander explained. “A cabinet maker I met this past fall taught me to do them. “You made this?” Oz asked, surprised. “It’s really amazing, man.” “Yes,” Bema said. “It is beautiful.” v v v v v v v v v v v v Kennedy ran her fingers through Willow’s hair, kissing her gently, as both women drifted into a sated doze. “I Love you,” Kennedy whispered again. “I want you to be my wife.” Willow was instantly awake. “What?” “We’ll go to Belgium,” Kennedy sighed. “I’ll marry you, Willow, and you’ll marry me.” Willow said nothing, and after a few moments she realized Kennedy had fallen asleep. There was no sleep for Willow, though. She could only lie still, holding her dreaming lover. She thought about Xander, her oldest friend, suddenly sympathetic of his conflicted emotions during his own engagement. v v v v v v v v v v v v When the gift-giving was over, and the dancing began again, a large, black-haired man drew Xander aside. He introduced himself as Luca Hearne, a horseman with the circus. “You are a carpenter?” he asked. “Where do you work?” “I was a carpenter in America,” Xander explained. “I can’t really work here legally yet, so I haven’t done any construction.” “Would you be willing to do some work on my caravan?” the gypsy asked. “Under the table, of course. Come. I’ll show you.” Luca explained that some of his family’s caravans were over a century old, and though they’d been kept in repair and refitted to be pulled by trucks, many of the decorative details had not been kept up when they suffered wear over the years. Xander examined the carved gingerbreading, carved wheel spokes, and window and door frames that had been inexpertly mended or simply left in pieces, and his hands ached to put the little caravan to rights. “I can do it,” he said. “As soon as I make arrangements in England. Where do you head next?” v v v v v v v v v v v v When Kennedy awoke, she was alone, so she rose and padded into the kitchen where Buffy and Dawn were eating ice cream. “Where’s Willow?” she asked. “She went out to the garden shed,” Dawn said. “Something about needing some herbs that were drying out there.” “Thanks,” Kennedy said, stepping into her Wellies and pulling on her coat. She found Willow at the potting bench, sorting and stacking pots and jars. “Hey,” she said. “Hi,” Willow said. “Did I dream that proposal, or did I actually bring it up?” Kennedy asked. “Because I was sort of half-asleep…” “No, you did,” Willow said. “Thank God,” Kennedy said. “Because I don’t think I could work up the courage again.” She say down beside Willow and took the jars from her hands. “So then?” Willow sighed, staring at the dirt-packed floor. “Kennedy,” she began, then hesitated, took a deep breath, and began again. “You know I love you, don’t you?” Kennedy nodded, and Willow could see she was too nervous to trust her voice. “I loved Oz, too,” Willow went on. “And I loved Tara. I don’t know if I would have stayed with either of them forever, you know, if Oz hadn’t been a werewolf or if Tara hadn’t…” She took another deep breath. “I think I would have, but it never came to that. I’m telling you this so you won’t think it’s because you weren’t Oz, or because you weren’t Tara.” Kennedy shook her head, tears starting in her eyes. “Don’t,” she said, so quietly that no sound escaped. Willow could feel the sting of tears in her own eyes, but kept talking. “I don’t think I feel about you the way a person should feel about someone she’s going to spend the rest of her life with. I don’t know, maybe this is how I should feel, but I’m not sure.” Willow looked up, her heart breaking at the look on her girlfriend’s face. “I do know this,” Willow said. “I can’t make that commitment until I know for sure.” She took Kennedy’s hand. “I’m sorry,” she said. “Are you telling me to go?” Kennedy said, her voice breaking. “You don’t have to,” Willow said. “I don’t want you to go, but I can’t ask you to stay. Even if our relationship ends, there’s still a place for you here.” “That’s it then?” Kennedy said. “That’s all you have for me? ‘A place?’” Willow lowered her eyes. “I’m sorry,” she repeated. Kennedy pulled away from Willow’s hold, and returned to the house alone. v v v v v v v v v v v v Giles and Xander lingered long after the party was over, catching up and learning all they could about Oz’s new life. By the time they left to return to the hotel, Xander had made arrangements to meet up with the circus at the beginning of March, and do building and repair until they headed out in the spring. Giles suggested they stop by the hotel bar for a drink, and Xander was so astonished by the suggestion he could only nod. “I’m very proud of you, Xander,” Giles said when they’d been served. “I know I don’t tell any of you that often enough, but I was thinking perhaps I should.” Xander’s earlier astonishment paled beside this new revelation, and he froze, waiting for Giles to continue, and yet not wanting the moment to end. “In some ways we’re very much alike,” Giles said musingly. “Without a birthright or supernatural powers, we have both taken the Slayer’s mission as our own. But even I was born to it, cultivated to be a Watcher from a young age. You were nearly grown when thrust into the thick of it. Other men, lesser men, would have walked away.” Giles took a sip of his drink, and Xander did, too, hoping to steady himself. “You’ve grown into a fine man,” Giles said. “I only hope you are aware of that yourself.” “I… thank you,” Xander said, his voice hushed. “So, off to Venice, then,” Giles said, abruptly changing the subject. “Are you looking forward to getting back to the carpentry work?” “Uh… yes, I am,” Xander said. “I miss working with my hands.” v v v v v v v v v v v v Willow stayed in the shed until driven inside by the cold. She found Buffy and Dawn most of the way through their final film of the evening and dazedly joined them, watching in silence. “I don’t like that flute girl,” she said after a few minutes. “She’s so vulgar.” “Kennedy’s upstairs,” Buffy said. “Did she tell you?” Willow asked. “Sort of,” Dawn said. “We got the gist,” Buffy said. They sat in silence for a few more minutes. “Is she packing?” Willow asked, her voice small. “She didn’t say,” Buffy said, her tone filled with sympathy. “I guess it doesn’t matter,” Willow said. “If she isn’t, she will be soon.” “There’s still time,” Buffy said. “I know sometimes when you say it out loud, it clears your head, and you realize what you said wasn’t how you really feel. When Riley left…” “No, it’s not that,” Willow said. “I did mean what I said. I just wish I hadn’t had to say it. I didn’t want to hurt Kennedy, but…” “I know,” Buffy said. “It’s up to her, now.” v v v v v v v v v v v v Giles and Xander entered the cottage’s front hall and dropped their bags. That is, Xander dropped his while Giles put his carefully down. The house smelled of stale popcorn and curry and wine, and throw pillows and lap blankets were strewn around the den. There was no sound of anyone in the house. Giles had just begun a cursory examination of the downstairs when the front door opened and Buffy and Dawn came in carrying bags of groceries. “Welcome back,” Buffy said. “We were just re-stocking the larder.” “So I see,” Giles said. “I trust your weekend was… uneventful.” Buffy and Dawn exchanged looks. “Well, not really,” Buffy admitted. “Willow and Kennedy broke up,” Dawn blurted. “Oh, no,” Xander said. “Where’s Willow?” “She called the coven,” Buffy said. “Some kind of transitional, letting-go, breakup cleansing or whatever. Something with burning herbs and neck massage, she said.” “Is she okay?” Xander said. “As okay as she can be,” Buffy said. “I’m glad the coven was here to help her re-direct the negative energy.” “It was getting kind of… humid,” Dawn said. “What about Kennedy?” Giles asked. “Gone,” Buffy said. “Called Faith and left on the train this morning.” “Poor Wills,” Xander said. “Yes, it’s a pity,” Giles said. “Still… hardly a surprise.” The others nodded in agreement, and slowly moved into the kitchen. Buffy and Dawn unpacked the groceries and Buffy began directing the preparation of the meal, every so often referencing printouts from easycooking.com. “So how was the wedding?” Dawn asked. “Was Bema nice?” “Very nice,” Giles said. “Rather quiet, like Oz. An acrobatics performer.” “Pretty, too,” Xander said. “Black hair. We took pictures.” “I can’t believe he’s with a circus,” Buffy said. “We met a number of the performers,” Giles said. “They do seem very fond of him.” He glanced over at Xander, who took the in. “I’m actually doing some work for them next month,” he said casually. “They’re wintering near Venice, need some carpentry work done.” ”Xander, that’s great!” Buffy said. “Can I go, too?” Dawn asked. “No,” Buffy said. “But Xander will be there…” “No.” “We can’t at least discuss it?” “Maybe later,” Buffy said. “Like when you’re forty.” They heard the front door open and close, and a pale, exhausted-looking Willow stepped into the kitchen doorway. “Hey,” she said. Xander opened his arms to her and she stepped into the circle of them. He folded her into an embrace and she pressed her cheek to his chest, her eyes squeezed tightly shut. “Oh. Wills,” he said quietly. “I’m so sorry.” And her tears began to fall. Return to Stand-Alone Menu Return to Main Menu |
| Two Hearts by Kuzibah |
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