Doing the patrolling thing. Gotta love it.

Or not.

I mean, what's so great about being out until all hours of the night, wandering around trying to find something that wants you dead? You'd think the safest option would be to cower inside and never come out unless surrounded by four SWAT teams and covered by sharpshooters.

Then again, I've got Buffy. And that's even better.

We're wandering around Sunnydale at the moment, but instead of hunting, Buffy's mostly doing crowd control. Not really what's in her job description, but since we have no idea what we should be looking for… well, this is something Buffy can do so she doesn't feel so helpless.

I'm not even really concentrating, and my thoughts drift to a few hours ago. I had no idea anything could be that… intense. I don't know if it was just being with Buffy, but I have this suspicion that not being about to speak sort of enhanced the experience. All day I had felt Buffy and I becoming more… I don't know how to describe it. It's like we were able to communicate what we felt better without words getting in the way, and when it came to something as intimate as sex… it was just amazing. I don't know how else to describe it. There are no words - and I think that's the point.

I think I may be exaggerating the experience in my own mind, but I think that when you really love the person you're with, it takes things to a new level. I don't have much basis for comparison, and I know Buffy doesn't either, but I just can't see how being with someone you're not emotionally connected to could be anywhere in the same league. Oz was special, and I loved him, but Buffy… she's… once again, there aren't words in the human vocabulary that could explain what she means to me and how she makes me feel. She's Buffy, and I think that's the only thing I can say.

We had fallen asleep after we made love, or at least, I had. I'm not sure about Buffy. When I woke just before sundown, she was holding me to her and looking at me with the most intense glow in her eyes. It wouldn't surprise me if she hadn't slept at all.

The funny thing was, I kind of expected a bit of awkwardness. Not that I'm uncomfortable with our relationship or anything, but we are both girls, and neither one of us had ever done something like that before. It was new for both of us, and it's understandable to be a bit uncomfortable with big changes in your life.

The funny thing was though, I didn't sense any awkwardness. None. Not a thing. Of course, we couldn't get ourselves tangled up with words, so I suppose that's actually a blessing. All we could do was communicate how we felt, and that's better done without speaking.

Thinking about the bright smile she gave me when I woke up, I'm fairly certain that she really didn't sleep. I think she might have been afraid that she would wake up and find me gone. That's been her only experience so far, and it's not a nice one. Angel was gone and then tried to kill her, although not without tearing up her heart first, and Parker promised he'd call and then shot her down. I'm surprised Buffy even allowed herself to be with me, since I'd be closer to the Angel situation than Parker. Not that I'd go evil on her or anything, but I think in the back of her mind she'd have this subconscious fear that making love with me would cause something terribly bad to happen.

Like there's any way in hell I'd let it.

I'm not letting Buffy go. Angel did, Parker did. Well, they were idiots. Buffy's the most amazing person, and she doesn't even know how special she is, which is even more endearing. And I don't mean special like Slayer special. I mean her as a person, and I don't think she's ever realised that.

I mean to show her every single day for the rest of my life.

If she'll let me.

There's my insecurity rearing its head again, but I just can't help it. I daze out a bit, and my mind wanders to how special Buffy is, and then I wonder what it is she could possibly see in me. She's amazing, and I'm just… me. I've got so many faults it's probably endangering the country that I live in California.

Now, I know Buffy has her faults as well, but I think it's a sign that I'm hopelessly in love that I don't care and I love every single one of them because they make up who she is.

Walking through town, looking at the way society is breaking down, I pray that Buffy and I never reach a point like that. With the things we, and especially Buffy, deal with every day, we can’t afford to succumb to hopelessness. I thought living on the Hellmouth bred people stronger than this, but I guess I was wrong. People here aren’t strong, they’re just very good at selective blindness.

It’s so annoying.

Granted, sometimes it makes Buffy’s job easier, but sometimes it’s a downright pain. Every time Buffy gets caught doing something that probably just saved the world, she gets in trouble. Not so much now that her mom is in on it, but the police still have it in for her. It’s not fair, but since when was that ever a valid complaint?

Buffy’s doing her best to calm people down, and when that doesn’t work, she simply separates them and makes it clear that unless they leave, they’re in for a world of pain.

Did you know she can do that with just a look? It’s absolutely fascinating to watch.

Up ahead there’s two guys who look like they’re about to try and remove each other’s heads. Buffy sighs inaudibly beside me, and quickens her step. I speed up with her, but before we’re even halfway across the distance, Riley suddenly shows up and separates them himself.

Riley? What the hell? How come he’s so in control? He should be just as freaked as the rest of Sunnydale. That’s not fair. What’s his deal anyway? He’s taking Buffy’s job.

Okay, so maybe I’m still a bit against Riley. He’s got it bad for my girl, so I don’t think you can blame me for not wanting him with fifty feet of her.

Buffy evidently doesn’t notice my unease, and continues toward Riley, twisting the arm of one of the fighters as she passes, making him drop the pipe he’d just picked up for a weapon. Buffy doesn’t even look as the man collapses in pain, and I guess I don’t have much sympathy for him either.

For some reason I hang back a bit as Buffy stops before Riley, who finally notices her from where he’s been trying to calm down the other fighter. A smile crosses his face before concern settles there, and he asks her if she’s okay. I don’t think he’s noticed me. Buffy nods her answer, and they somehow manage to have an awkward silence before Riley motions that he has to go. Buffy just shrugs, and has just turned back toward me when Riley grabs her and spins her around.

And kisses her.

Hey! Off limits!

Buffy apparently feels the same way, and pushes Riley off when he’s barely had a chance to make contact. He backs off a little, looking confused, and Buffy slaps him hard on the chest with the heel of her hand. He gives her this look, like he’s asking what the slap was for, and Buffy just stares at him like he’s lost his mind.

Hey, Riley! Get it through your head. Buffy doesn’t like you. Deal with it. And don’t go kissing my girl.

I think my territorial jealousy takes about fifty points off my IQ. Buffy good, Riley BAD!

I’m losing my mind.

Buffy takes the few steps needed to put her by my side, and Riley stares for a minute before shaking his head angrily and stalking off. Buffy puts her hand on my arm and turns me to face her, and I can see the apology in her eyes. I shake my head and smile, indicating that she did nothing wrong, and has no need to apologise. I’m not mad at Buffy. I’m pissed as all hell at Riley, but I’m not mad at Buffy.

Buffy smiles gratefully, and leans in to kiss me a quick kiss, and it isn’t until she pulls away that I realise that I don’t give a damn that she just kissed me in public. I don’t care what the rest of the world thinks about our relationship. If they have a problem with it they can take it up with Buffy, and after that I don’t think they’ll be so judgemental.

At least not if they want to keep all their body parts.

Ewww. Mental image. I’m definitely devolving here. I shouldn’t be having these weird thoughts of my girlfriend beating up anyone who looks at us funny. Just because she could… well, that’s no reason to get all aggressive like. I’m starting to scare me.

Nah, I’m over it. I mean, if it’s a choice between being more aggressive because I have Buffy, and losing Buffy because I let some jerk move in on her, then I’m all for the first option. Go Neanderthalism!

And now I’m making up words.

That can’t be a good sign.

Buffy and I start heading back toward the dorms, apparently we both decided that after seeing Riley, we’ve had enough for one night. I don’t think there’s really much we can do anyway. I mean, crowd control is all well and good, but as soon as Buffy leaves the fights probably just break out again. I think it’s kind of useless attempting to control it.

I just wish that our society were stronger. We should be able to withstand disaster and continue to function normally during something like this. Just because something finally happened in this town that the people can’t selectively ignore, suddenly everyone’s either afraid to leave their houses or out committing random acts of vandalism. I find that it’s really depressing that our entire structure of society just collapses at the slightest touch.

Well, okay, so maybe that wasn’t really fair. I guess the entire town losing their voices is a bit more than a ‘slight touch’, but I still feel I have a point. We’re so proud of ourselves as a country, we should be stronger in the face of adversity, even if we don’t really know what’s happening. Especially in Sunnydale. I would have thought that this town would breed stronger people, but it seems that almost everyone manages to just ignore the Hellmouth and the trouble it causes.

I think the only thing I can really say to sum up society’s reaction to this is "People are weird."

And don’t you forget it.

-------------

Buffy wakes me up the next morning with by gently shaking me on the shoulder, and it's only the grim expression on her face that stops my wordless complaint that there are better ways to wake me up.

Giving me a shaky smile, Buffy hands me a newspaper and climbs into bed with me. Her arms wrap around me and pull me close as I read the headline. "Brutal Slaying", is the main one, and further down there's another. "Fifteen Year Old Stabbed, Heart Missing."

Oh. Ewww. Oh god. Bad. This is very, very bad.

Buffy's arms tighten around me, and I'm incredibly grateful for the comfort that brings. I read over the rest of the front page, and from the descriptions of the murders (which I could have lived without) they both appear connected. Buffy reaches around me and taps the bottom corner, where there's a small column that announces a third murder. There's a note that says the story is continued on another page, but I don't want to read it.

I twist in Buffy's arms to she can see my face. 'Giles?' I ask silently. She nods, and gives me one last squeeze before we climb out of bed. While I'm dressing, Buffy runs out of the room for a minute, and I'm pretty much ready to leave by the time she returns. I look at her to ask her where she went, but she just smiles at me and pulls a paper bag out from behind her back.

She looks at the floor for a second, and it's adorable how shy she looks in that moment. When she looks up at me again, her smile is still in place, and she mouths 'breakfast for you.'

Aww. That's so sweet.

I don't bother saying thankyou, but I think she gets the message anyway when I virtually jump at her and start kissing her. Her arms wrap around my waist, and we stay that way for a while before she pushes me gently down onto my bed. I don't actually remember crossing the room, but right now, I don't care.

Buffy lowers herself down onto me, her eyes locked on mine. I don't want to break the connection that forms, so I wait for Buffy to make a move. Eventually she does, and she dips her head just a little until she finds my lips. I close my eyes as her tongue glides out to part my lips, and her hands start to roam over my body as the kiss deepens.

I feel the buttons on my shirt being undone, and the thought briefly crosses my mind that I really shouldn't have bothered to get dressed. But the electric touch of Buffy's cool hands against my overheated skin is enough to banish any further thought, even from my mind.

My own hands start to work at Buffy's clothing, and before long her shirt is off and she's somehow managed to divest herself of her own pants while helping me with mine. She moves slowly back up my body until her lips once again find mine, and the touch of our bare skin is almost too much for me to handle. Considering what Buffy can to do me with just a look, this is… well…

Buffy abandons my lips for the time being, and nips at my neck while her fingers work at the clasp of my bra. I barely notice as she slides it off and drops it to the floor, her hands now driving me to distraction. She moves up my body a little to nip at my ear, and I can feel her warm breath there as I hear-

A loud banging noise.

What the?

Buffy lets out a silent groan and collapses on top of me, her face buried in my neck. Not that I don't like the feeling I get from the full body contact, but what the hell was that noise?

The fog over my mind clears as it comes again, and I suddenly feel very stupid. Right. Someone's at the door. That noise was someone knocking.

Nice deduction, Willow.

Can't they just go away? We're in the middle of something here.

But the knocking becomes me insistent, and Buffy lifts her head to look at me, a silent apology in her eyes. I shake my head, telling her that it isn't necessary, and give her a quick kiss before we both get off the bed and get dressed. When we're ready, Buffy opens the door.

Oh. Giles. He always did have the worst timing.

He nods 'good morning' to us both, then motions to a pile of books and papers that he's carrying under one arm. He jerks his head at us, telling us to follow, and Buffy and I just look at each other and shrug. I guess Giles found something. Which is good, considering the murders last night. But still…

He couldn't have found it in, say, another hour?

--------

I have no idea why I'm sitting in our psych classroom. Giles just led us here, and we found Xander and Anya already seated and waiting expectantly. Anya has popcorn.

How very strange.

I waved hello and grabbed a seat. Buffy did the same, after tossing Xander the message board she brought with her. I have mine too, it's currently tucked down beside me on the chair.

Giles is setting something up out the front, I think he's fiddling with Walsh's projector. What the hell does he need that for? What's he done, made us a slide show?

He finally figures out what he's doing, and he flips on the power and presses a button on the stereo. Music fills the air, and beside me I can see Buffy raise her eyebrows.

Geez, Giles. Melodramatic much?

He puts up the first overhead, and I can't help the smirk that forms on my face when it's backwards. He watches us, waiting for us to read it, and I point at the screen in an attempt to tell him it's backwards. He finally catches on, and turns it around the right way.

There's not much on it, just the words 'Who are the Gentlemen?'. Giles changes it after a minute, and the new one reads 'What do they want?'

Ooh. I know that one. Me, over here. I point at my chest, and Buffy smiles, nodding her agreement. Xander looks a bit confused though, and holds his hands in front of him like he's cupping breasts he doesn't have. 'Boobies?' he mouths, and I can't help but roll my eyes. Giles puts up anther slide, this one with pictures of hearts all over it. I point at it, and Xander nods in comprehension.

I love the guy, but seriously, he's got a one track mind.

'They come to a town…'

And we have pictures. Heh, they're so cute.

'They steal all the voices, so no one can scream…'

Oh. So that's it. Bad Gentlemen.

Okay, that sounded weird.

'Then…'

Ah. More pictures. And these ones… not so cute. They're still very cartoonish, but now they're less Smurfs and more Itchy and Scratchy.

I think Giles needs therapy.

Xander starts clicking to get everyone's attention, and Giles stops the show for a minute. After finishing writing something, Xander holds it up and shows it around. 'How do we kill them?' is the question.

Movement next to me makes my attention turn to Buffy, and I don't even want to know what she's doing. I know what it looks like she's suggesting, but, eww… She getting looks from everyone else in the room too, and I reach out my hand and slap her on the arm.

She looks at me as if to ask 'What?' and I just shake my head. She stares at me for a moment before her eyes go wide, and she slaps me back lightly before reaching into her bag and pulling out a stake and repeating her earlier motion.

Oh. That makes sense. Stab them. Violence. Good. That's what I thought she meant.

Giles puts up another slide that informs us that no sword can kill them, but a princess screamed once and they all died.

Where does he get this stuff?

I get an idea and start rummaging through my bag as Buffy leans across me and snags my message board. She starts writing something, but I've found what I'm looking for, and I hold it up for Giles to see. He shakes his head at my CD (not even commenting on my brilliant performance of dying Gentlemen) and puts up another slide.

'Only a real human voice.'

Yeah, well you've got an answer for everything, don't you?

Buffy clicks for attention, and holds up the board. 'How do I get my voice back?' is written in Buffy's small handwriting, and Giles shrugs.

Hah! Don't have an answer now, do ya?

---------

I hate this part.

Buffy's out patrolling, and I'm stuck in our dorm room attempting to find anything on the net that will help Buffy get her voice back. So far, it's been hours, and still nothing. I found the fairy tale that Giles found the Gentlemen in, but that didn't tell me squat. I'll tell you one thing though, fairytales are just plain viscous. Especially when they have illustrations.

In colour.

I mean talk about eww…

It's weird some of the things I found, though. Did you know that almost all fairytales have been changed so small children don't get traumatised? Take 'The Little Mermaid' for example. Before Disney found it, Arial didn't get the Prince, he married the evil chick instead, and Arial was turned into foam. The actual story is really sad, I almost cried. I probably would have, if I hadn't already been partially desensitised by the way the dwarfs sold everything they owned to buy Snow White a coffin.

As interesting as it is, I don't think anything I've found is of any use, and I've pretty much given up hope of finding a way for Buffy to get her voice back. I think I'll give it one more try, but I need a break for a little while.

A loud thumping down the hall causes me to open my eyes, and it's the crick in my neck I feel as I move my head that informs me that I must have fallen asleep at my desk. The thumping noise comes again, and it sounds like someone's knocking on all the doors in the hallway. The noise seems almost unnatural in the silence of the night, but something's going on out there. And since I'm the only one here, I guess I should probably check it out.

I open my door, and not seeing anyone right away, I turn my head just in time to see someone slam into me. We both land on the ground, and I notice with some surprise that it's that shy girl from the wicca group. It takes me a moment to get over my confusion, but when I collect myself a little I can clearly see the terror in her eyes. Looking down the hall at the way she came, I gasp silently in shock at the creatures chasing her.

I recognise the Gentlemen from Giles' pictures and my own research, but nowhere did it say they floated. Oh, man, that's just way creepy. And I don't even want to go into the monkey guys in straitjackets.

The girl grasps my arm and pulls me up, and it's only when I try and put weight on my right foot that I notice I must have damaged my ankle. Limping on my other foot we both race for the stairwell, with the girl supporting some of my weight.

Well, at least she's helping me after injuring me. I think I'm really lucky she didn't take off and leave me there. There's no way I'd have been able to move this fast on my own.

We make it down the stairs, but those mental hospital rejects are right behind us. Seeing the door to the laundry room I steer us towards it, but as soon as we get inside I collapse, the pain in my ankle too much for me. Blondie locks the door, and quickly crouches down beside me. She's staring at me a little too intensely for my comfort, but I let it slide for the moment. My concentration is elsewhere, anyway.

Narrowing my eyes, I focus everything I can on the food machine, willing it to move. There was no way that lock was going to hold. The machine wobbles, but I can't make it do more than that.

Come on, damn it! I refuse to be found tomorrow morning and have my autopsy read "Mauled by wild dogs".

Gathering all the force I can from my surroundings I throw it all at the food machine. Still all it does is wobble, and I have nothing more than this. Argh! Come on, you damn piece of…

My head snaps sideways to stare at Blondie when she grabs my hand. My first instinct is to pull away, and my second to offer comfort, and I'm about to follow my second instinct when power rushes through me. Not questioning my good fortune, I channel it and direct it to where I need it to go. With almost no resistance, the food machine slides along the floor and slams solidly into the door. I stare at it for a second, an unbelievable high rushing through me, before I come down enough for realisation to set in.

Oh, wow.

That was…

Wow.

I don't think I've ever felt something so…

Wow.

I'm breathing hard as I turn my attention to Blondie, and it's easy to see she felt that too. That power, all that energy, it was all from her.

I've so got me a new spellcasting buddy.

She's still gripping my hand, and I pull away when I realise almost guiltily that I'm holding hers just as tight. Something flashes through her eyes when I break the contact, but I'm too busy concentrating on Buffy to care right now. I know it shouldn't matter, but for some reason I feel guilty for touching the girl. Just because I'm with Buffy now doesn't mean I can't hold hands with other people. I always had physical contact with Buffy when I was dating Oz. I've done nothing wrong here.

Still, I don't take her hand again.

I open my mouth to ask her her name, before I remember we can't talk. I close it again, feeling slightly stupid, when something rushes into my mouth and settles almost uncomfortably in my throat. I try to cough, and I'm so surprised when I can hear it that I almost jump. Clearing my throat, the sound seems almost unnatural.

"I… uh… I guess we've got our voices back," I say lamely.

Blondie nods, her eyes dropping to the floor as her shyness kicks in. I think it's kind of rude I keep calling her Blondie, so I ask her what her name is, hoping that she doesn't remember that I've probably heard it before. I think someone in the wicca group said it, but I kind of forgot.

"Tara," she says softly.

"Thanks for your help with the door, Tara," I say, completely at a loss.

When she doesn't say anything, I decide that I don't want to be stuck in the laundry all night, and since we can talk again, it's probably safe to go out. I stand up and limp to the door, anxious to find Buffy. If I can just get back up to our room, she should be there soon.