Cause and Effect (10/10)

Author- Midnight Faith

Spoilers- various for season 2, up to and including 'Dead End.'

Distribution- FF.net, AOH and Neurotica. Anyone else ask :)

Pairing- Lilah/Lindsey

Rating- R

Summary- Lilah must face her future

Disclaimer- I am the kid, but it's Joss' candy store

Notes- Sequel to 'Owing.'

Gunn came back into his apartment, glad to see Lilah's sobs had lessened, at least in part. He placed Lilah's box of possessions on the floor at her feet.

"Is that it?" She looked up at him tearfully. Beside her, Cordy put her arm around Lilah's shoulders in sympathy.

"Lilah… your apartment got burnt down," she reminded gently.

"I know. I called Linwood. He's gonna get me another apartment built. Nearly the same but not…" She trailed off, tearing up again before collecting herself and continuing. "It's gonna take three months. So could I stay here?" she asked Gunn. "Only for tonight. I'll find a hotel tomorrow, I promise."

"No, no hotel," Cordy said, shaking her head. "I don't think it's a good idea."

"Why not?" Lilah asked, confused.

"Because… well, look at you," Cordy said, gesturing to Lilah's shaking hands and bitten nails.

"I'm alright."

"No. You're staying with one of us," Cordy told her firmly.

"You can stay for as long as you need." Gunn offered. "I'll make up the sofa. It'll be OK."

"I can pay you rent," Lilah said. "Wolfram and Hart should start paying me more again." She bit her lower lip.

"And if you get really sick of each other you can come and stay with me." Cordy told Lilah brightly. "It'll be fun. We can rent 'Bridget Jones,' oh, and 'Top Gun'." Then she added seriously, "You and Lindsey will work it out."

Lilah shook her head. "I don't think we can."

"Why? If you love each other…"

"That's the thing," Lilah choked out. "He told me he didn't love me. That he never had."

"Whoa," Gunn said, coming to sit down the other side of Lilah. "Harsh."

"You honestly think he meant that?" Cordy asked skeptically. Did you say it back?"

"Yes. I said a lot of things I didn't mean."

"There you go," Gunn cut in gently. "I'm sure if you didn't mean it neither did he. You should see him, Lilah. He's a total wreck, he won't talk to anyone."

"You should try and work things out," Cordy advised. "Just give it a few days."

"He made his choice. He has to live with it."

"But can you?" Gunn asked.

"I don't know if I'm strong enough," Lilah admitted.

"You've lived without him before, you can again. If it's meant to be you'll work it out." Cordy reassured.

After a few minutes of silence Lilah asked Gunn, "Couldn't you get Tigger?"

"Cat hisses and tries to bite anyone that gets within ten yards of her."

"I guess it's best she stays with Lindsey. He'll take care of her. I mean he was the one who wanted her in the first place."

"You have to work it out; you have to talk to him," Cordy said positively.

"The cat would bring back too many memories anyway."

Cordy and Gunn had both run out of words to say. The three of them sat there, not moving, not speaking, until long after the sun had set.