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buffyfic-digest         Tuesday, May 26 1998         Volume 02 : Number 204



In this issue:

       BUFFYFIC: An Invitation to Dinner (1/1)
       BUFFYFIC: Best Intentions Part 5/12
       BUFFYFIC: Repercussions (1/10) by Andrea

See the end of the digest for information on (un)subscribing to the buffyfic
or buffyfic-digest mailing lists and on how to retrieve back issues.

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Date: Mon, 25 May 1998 20:35:53 -0700 (PDT)
From: "Jessica M." <[e-mail]>
Subject: BUFFYFIC: An Invitation to Dinner (1/1)

Title:  An Invitation to Dinner.
Author: Sati Rose
E-mail: [e-mail]
Distribution: my own sites, anyone else, please ask.
Feedback:  of course!  That's why I'm sending it here.
Content: some kissing, that's about it.  Oz/Willow.
Spoilers: Up to Phases
Summary: The Rossenbergs invite Oz to dinner.
Disclaimer:  Everything belongs to Joss, I own nothing.

An Invitation to Dinner.

Willow came barreling down the stairs with one shoe one, her white
blouse un-tucked from her blue skirt and her backpack barely on her
back.  She was going to be late for school, something totally alien to
her.  The reason for her being late: a dream filled with Oz, slow
music, and smooches, a reason that would not go kindly with Principle
Snyder.  No sir!

"I'm leaving Mom!" Willow called out as she began hoping around the
foyer, trying to get her other shoe on.

"Bye honey.  Have a nice day at school.  You'll be coming home for
dinner, right?" her mother asked as she came out of the kitchen and
into the foyer.  She took one look at her disheveled daughter who was
about to fall flat on her face and sighed.  She reached out towards
Willow, making sure she wouldn't fall.

Willow grabbed her mothers arm and nodded.  "Yeah, I'll be home."  She
smiled triumphantly as she finally got the stubborn shoe on.

"Great!" her mother exclaimed.  "Then why don't you invite that nice
boy over.  Oz, right?" Her mother smiled slyly as she turned to walk
back into the kitchen.

"Sure mom, whatever." Willow opened the door and was about ready to
walk out when the question hit her.  "Wait!  What?!"   Willow shrieked
as she turned back, looking at her mother.

Mrs. Rosenberg smiled and turned back towards Willow.  "You heard me
dear.  Your farther and I only got to meet him once, that time he took
you to the movies.  And dear, he's the first boy you went out with,
well, besides Xander, so naturally your farther and I want to get to
know him." Mrs. Rossenberg smiled sweetly at her daughter.

"Yeah, butàwellàIà. uhàheà" Willow stammered, trying to think of a
plausible excuse to give to postpone the event of dinner, with Oz, and
her parents.

"No buts.  Have him come over around 7 o'clock tonight.  Now run
along, you're going to be late!" Mrs. Rossenberg literally pushed
Willow out the door.

Willow stared at the door for a few seconds then turned and started
her walk to school.

***

"Ok, I'll just ask him.  How hard could it be? 'Oz, would you like to
have dinner with me and my parents?  That'll include an inquisition of
courseà'"

Willow sighed and looked around the quad, half-hopping to see Oz, and
half-hopping he wouldn't be there.  Sure enough, there he was, under
their favorite tree playing his guitar.

Willow stood there, enjoying the site of Oz.  He looked so cute.  He
was studying a piece of music, trying to get the right rhythm in his
head.  His hand ran through his hair, with was currently brown, as he
was trying to figure out how to play a chord.  Suddenly, he looked up
and spotted her.  His face lit up with a big smile and he waved her
over.  Willow walked over, a smile of her own playing on her face.

"Hey, how's it going?" She asked as she sat down next to him.

"Better, now that you're here."  Oz smiled and leaned over, gently
placing a kiss on her lips.

"Well, I'm glad I could make things better for you, kind sir."  She
laughed softly as she placed her head on his shoulder.

"You always make things better," Oz replied and he slipped his arm
around her.  "So, what are we doing tonight?  The Bronze?"

Willow stiffened slightly.  "Well, actually, my parents were
wonderingàifàyou'll comeàover for dinner tonight."  Willow quickly
spoke the last words, wanting to get it over with.

Oz looked down at her, trying to see her face, witch he couldn't since
she had swiftly averted it.  He shrugged his shoulders.  "Sure, why
not?  I mean, we might as well get it over with.  Unless, of course,
you don't want me to come."

"Oh no!  I want you to come.  It's justàwellàmy parents can be
somewhat questioning.  I mean, when I first brought Buffy over, my mom
literally had her whole life history in less then an hour!  Well,
except for the whole Slayer thingàbut wellàshe can be very nosy."
Willow sat up, looking at Oz.

"Well, if Buffy can keep the Slayer thing a secrete from your mom, I
think I can keep somethings a secrete too.  Especially the whole
werewolf thing."  He smiled jokingly, hopping to reassure her, and
himself.

Willow smiled brightly then leaned back against him, taking a hold of
one of his hands.  "I'm sure everything will be fine."  She said with
more confidence then she felt.

"It will be.  You'll see."  Oz kissed the top of her head and pulled
her in closer.

"Uh, Oz?"

"Yeah?"

"You mind taking off the nail polish?"

***

At precisely 7 o'clock that night Oz pulled up to the Rossenberg home
in his zebra striped van.  He had considered asking his mom for the
use of her station wagon, but he figured that would be kinda lying.
After all, his van was sort of a symbol for his personality, and if
Mr. and Mrs. Rossenberg didn't like itàwell, then he would cross that
bridge when he came to it.

He got out of his van, carrying a bouquet of flowers to present to
Willows mother.  He did a quick check of himself, making sure his shoe
laces where tied and he shirt was tucked in.  After taking a deep
breath, he rang the doorbell.

After a few seconds the door opened to revel a tall, red-haired,
middle-aged man.  The man looked like he just got disturbed and he
didn't like it.  Oz put on his brightest smile.  "Hello Mr.
Rossenberg, how are you this evening?"

"Hmph," was all Mr. Rossenberg replied.  He let Oz in then walked into
the den to go back and do whatever he was doing before he was
interrupted.

"Good start so far, Oz man," Oz muttered to himself.

Right then Mrs. Rossenberg came in and smiled at Oz.  "Hello Oz, how
are you this evening?"

"Fine ma'am.  Here, these are for you."  He handed her the bouquet
then did a quick search around the room for Willow.

"Why, how lovely!  Daises are my favorite.  Thank you Oz."  She took
the bouquet and buried her nose in them, like she could smell a
fragrance no one else can.

"You're welcome."  He replied as his eyes searched for Willow.  He did
not want to go through this alone.  He heard a noise from up above and
turned.  Willow came down the stairs, a smile on her face.

"Hi Oz," she said as she reached him.  "Sorry I couldn't answer the
door when you got her, I wan on the phone with Buffy."

"That's ok, your dad answered.  He looked sort of busy, though."

"Oh, Mike is always like that when he gets a new toy.  His daughter is
like that too, whenever she gets a new computer program."  Mrs.
Rossenberg replied.  "Well, dinners ready.  You two go set down, and
I'll go pull Mike away from his new telescope."  Mrs. Rossenberg
brushed passed Oz as she went to go collect her husband.

Oz took Willow's hand and walked towards the dinning room.  "So far,
so good."

***

The four of them sat, quietly eating their dinner.  The grandfather
clock could be heard as the four occupants of the meal sat
contemplating why they where there.  Finally, to break the silence,
Mrs. Rossenberg turned to Oz.  "So Oz, Willow tells us you are in a
band.  What do you play?"

"I play the guitar ma'am." Oz replied as he placed his glass of water
on the table.

"Oh?  How long have you been playing?"  Mr. Rossenberg asked, showing
the first sign of interest in anything besides his new telescope.

"For about five years now.  My uncle was the first one to teach me all
the chords and stuff.  Actually, my uncle was the first one to teach
me the value of music."

"That's great," Mr. Rossenberg nodded.  "Music can be very good in
life.  It teaches people to concentrate and to follow through on
things.  When I was younger, I used to play the guitar, and the piano,
the clarinet, the saxophoneàwell, let's just say music was a big part
of my life growing up."

"Really?  I always wanted to learn another instrument but I never got
around to it.   Do you still play?"

Mr. Rossenberg nodded.  "I thought Willow here how to play the piano.
Maybe tonight we can get her to play for us."  He winked at Oz.

"Dad, no way!  You promised!"  Willow shook her head, a blush creeping
up her neck.

"Don't worry Willow, you don't have to if you don't want to."  Mrs.
Rossenberg assured her daughter.  Oz grinned and took another drink of
water.

"Ok, but one of these days I'm going to get you to play for someone
besides me and your parents." Mr. Rossenberg looked sternly at his
daughter, then smiled.  "So Oz, what kind of music do you listen to?"

The conversation then turned to various musicians, and the different
kinds of music.  As Mrs. Rossenberg and Willow were clearing the
table, Oz and Mr. Rossenberg were discussing the different qualities
of electric and acoustic guitars.

"He's very nice dear," Mrs. Rossenberg commented as she placed the
plates in the dishwasher.

"You like him mom?"  Willow asked, leaning up against the sink.

"Oh yes, he's very charming.  The daisies were a nice touch.  And I
think your farther like's him too."  They both turned as they heard
laughter from the dinning room then grinned at each other.

"By the way, was that nail polish I saw on his hands?"

The end.

Well?  Bad?  Good?  Feedback, please.

_________________________________________________________
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------------------------------

Date: Tue, 26 May 1998 09:35:17 PDT
From: "Jennifer M." <[e-mail]>
Subject: BUFFYFIC: Best Intentions Part 5/12

TITLE: Best Intentions
AUTHOR: Jennifer M. ([e-mail])
SUMMARY: What would happen if Buffy's mom found her diary?
RATING: PG.
TIME PERIOD: Maybe past Becoming 1?  But, definitely not Becoming 2!
THANKYOUS:  Thanks Leslie S.!
FEEDBACK: Please!  Any constructive criticism would be greatly
appreciated.
DISTRIBUTION: Please ask.
DISCLAIMER: All characters are the property of Joss Whedon, et al.  The
idea is mine, though!

~~~
Best Intentions
Part 5
~~~

Nurse Collins had come and gone again from Buffy's room, where
she remained tied to the bed.  The woman would not tell her what
time it was, if it was night or day, if she was ever going to leave
this horrible place.

All she could think of was how her mother had betrayed her.
'I was going to tell her everything!  I was.  I just needed help
explaining it all!'  Her mind told her desperately.

'Sure you were.  You were going to try and find some way out of
this messà you weren't going to tell her the truth!  At least be
honest with yourself!'  Another part of her said harshly.

'No!  I was going to tell her!  OK, maybe not everythingà but, I
was going to tell her.  I just want to protect her.  Why can't she
understand that?'  She thought desperately.

'She will understand.  Giles will make her understand.  He has
to.  Calm downà Before they come back, and see you all
worked up again!'

"Now, I know why people go crazy!  They start talking to
themselvesà I have to get out of this place!"  She lay on the bed,
defeated, trying to figure out if it was still day, or if night had
fallen on Sunnydale.

~~

Xander stopped Willow by the circulation desk.  "Hey Will, what
do you think is going on?  I'm totally wigging."  Xander looked
anxious.  Willow had not seen him look this upset in a long time.

"I don't know Xander.  I really don't know.  I mean, obviously
Buffy's in some kind of troubleà"

"Gee, aren't you just the Master of the Obvious, Will."  She
gave him a hurt look.  He opened his mouth to apologize, but,
stopped when he heard Giles call them.

"Are you two coming back?" Giles called from the office.

The two looked at each other, not knowing what they were heading
into, or what to expect.

Joyce looked as if she had calmed down quite a bit.  Xander gave
her a mug with a tea-bag string hanging out.  She smiled weakly
at him.  He gave another one to Giles.  He then moved to join
Willow on the top of Giles' desk.

"OK you three obviously know something about what's going
on with Buffy, but, I really don't think you understand the level
it has escalated to.  She, well, I think she may be delusional.
I think she is living in a fantasy world and has not realized yet
how to pull herself out of it.  Maybe she doesn't know the
difference between reality and the made up world she has created."
She pulled Buffy's diary from her purse.  "Last night, when I
realized she had snuck out, again, I looked through her room
and found this."

Giles, Xander and Willow all knew immediately what it was in the
woman's hands, and knew what she had discovered.  They exchanged
worried looks.

"I have told Buffy not to write about her life in that diary.
That anyone could open the bloody book, take from it what they
will.  She should have learned that lesson from Ted," Giles practically
spat.  He was angry, but couldn't blame the girl.  "I guess she needed a
way to sort out her feelings," he said quietly.

"Mr. Giles, what are you saying?"  Joyce was clearly surprised at
the mention of her ex.

"The things that you read in her diary, those thoughts are
completely true.  She-she has made up nothing.  There is no way
you could possibly understand, relate to, or even agree with what
your daughter has done and still needs to do.  She could not tell
you what was going on with her.  She wanted to.  Many times
she came to me and begged me to let her tell you.  But, I-I, uh,
I told her that she could not."

Giles stopped, and looked at Joyce, trying to figure out what she
was thinking.  He ran his hands through his hair.

"Are you trying to tell me that you believe her when she says she
is a-a-a Vampire Slayer?  You don't think this is delusional
behavior?  And you're a teacher?"  Joyce almost yelled.  She
jumped up from the cot, and began to pace the small room.
"And you two, you are here, agreeing with him?"  Xander and
Willow joined Giles in nodding their heads yes, then looked down
at their hands.

"Mrs. Summers, you don't understand.  There are forces of evil
in Sunnydale.  Forces so incomprehensible that most people, even
when they come into contact with these forces, ignore them.  O-or,
simply forget them.  Buffy is the Chosen One.  She alone has been
chosen to fight the demons that rule the night.  Sunnydale is, uh,
what is called the Hell Mouth.  Vampires and other forces of
evil are naturally drawn hereà" Giles stopped again, unsure if
he was getting through to the woman.

Joyce's mouth dropped open, her eyes staring at Giles in shock.
How could he be siding with her delusional daughter?


______________________________________________________
Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com

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

Date: Tue, 26 May 1998 09:23:53 PDT
From: "Andrea Newbery" <[e-mail]>
Subject: BUFFYFIC: Repercussions (1/10) by Andrea

Title: Repercussions
Author: Andrea
e-mail: [e-mail]
Spoilers: Becoming part 2 and everything before it.
Summary: My, admittedly, pitiful attempt to deal with the events of B2.
Disclaimer: I don't own any of them. They all belong to Joss Whedon,
Mutant Enemy, the WB.... Please don't sue.
Feedback: Please, Please, Please! Good, Bad, whatever!


Sunnydale High School Library
August 18, 1998



" I heard from her. "

Shattering the silence with her words.  No one spoke. No one dared
disturb the hush that had fallen over the library three months ago.
Willow stood in front of them; Xander, Cordelia and Giles.  Oz stood
behind her, supporting her.  They all just stared, waiting for Willow to
continue. When she didn't Giles finally spoke.

"Where is she? Is she coming back?"

His voice was panicked yet hopeful. It had more emotion than anything he
had said since she left. Giles hadn't fared well since Buffy had
disappeared. Maybe he felt the guilt over their failure more than the
rest of them. They hadn't realized how high the price she paid was. Not
until it became too high for her to pay. Willow continued staring at
them, unable to voice the words. Not understanding how she could tell
them that it was worse than they had feared.

"It was postmarked from LA. A week ago."

Oz grabbed her shoulders, rubbing them, silently giving her strength.
She didn't want to tell them the rest. She wanted to find Buffy and take
her away, to hide until Buffy was Buffy again.

"Postmarked?" Xander questioned her, "She didn't tell you where she
was?"

Willow stood there, wanting to let them have these last moments of hope.
Even the worst times, when they had toyed with the idea that Buffy had
run away with Angel and hadn't cared enough to tell them. Even Xander
would have to admit that would have been better. Let them have one more
moment that they could believe she was healing somewhere and would
return stronger than before. It would be gone soon.  When she told them.
When she spoke.

"It only had one line. It just repeated over and over. Pages of it."

"What?" A chorus of voices, all surprised, questioning.

"I sent him to hell, that's all she wrote, I sent him to hell."

"Angel." Xander's voice still oozed hatred.

Willow turned to him, her voice clear and sure, " Get over it Xander.
Angel's gone. It took Buffy losing everything to do it. Including her
mind. Do you still hate him that much that you think it was worth the
price? "" She stopped, looked to Giles and slowly spoke, " Do you
understand the difference Giles, that Angel wasn't Angel?"

"I know Willow. I always knew, even when I couldn't see it past the hate
that clouded my heart. The Angel Buffy loved was as innocent as any of
us. I should have told her I understood.  She was so alone."
Giles collapsed into a chair and his eyes filled with tears. He
continued, " I knew the guilt was getting to heavy. I wanted her to
suffer though. For Jenny. And it wasn't her fault. It wasn't even
Angel's fault. I should have known killing Angel, even the demon Angel
was too much."

"What if the curse worked?" Cordelia joined the conversation for the
first time.

Willow turned to her, shocked, " She never would have killed him then.
Never."

"She didn't kill him." Giles spoke, sitting straighter in his chair,
"She sent him to hell. Oh, poor Buffy."

"Huh? Difference being?" Xander 's voice was still rimmed in hate.

"I should have thought of this, Buffy. I pray he wasn't restored. But it
would explain her ...um...well...breakdown." Giles stood and wandered
aimlessly around the library.

"Okay, not understanding. More?"

"The demon, Angel's blood to awaken the demon, Angel's blood to close
the vortex. Willow, if the spell worked after Angel removed the
sword..." Giles trailed off, not wanting to finish the thought.

Willow finished it for him, "Then she would have to sacrifice Angel to
save the world."

They all stood there for an eternity as the enormity of Buffy's loss
registered.

Giles spoke quietly, "I thought she may have been recovering from
killing him or even that she ran away with him but I never even imagined
that ..."

"She did both." Willow was sure of this, it was the only thing that made
sense. "I failed. I wasn't quick enough. I gave her Angel only to make
her kill him."

Giles grabbed Willow and staring into her face he said, "No. Never
Willow. You tried to save her from killing him. You tried to give her
back her love. Once the sword was pulled there was only one choice for
her. She had to save the world, no matter the cost to herself. And she
did it."

Willow started to cry, "But Giles, if I had been quicker he wouldn't
have pulled the sword."

"And if I hadn't been tricked Angel wouldn't have known how to wake the
demon." Giles dropped his head, "I failed her."

"Giles, you were being tortured, hypnotized. " Willow smiled sadly at
him, "In no way was this your fault. Giles, Xander told her I was
trying. She probably tried so hard to stall him. Trying to give me time.
If anyone failed her, failed Angel, it was me. She knew he was coming
back and as soon as he pulled the sword she knew it was too late."

"She didn't." Xander spoke quietly.

"She didn't what?" Giles questioned him.

"She didn't know. I didn't tell her. I told her Willow said to kick his
ass."

They all were quiet for a moment as the meaning of Xander's words sunk
in. Willow spoke first.

"What? How could you? "

"He was a demon. He deserved to die." Xander's tone was sharp. He didn't
regret what he had done...yet.

"And Buffy deserved to have to kill him? Xander you selfish bastard. You
stole her choice. " Willow's face was red and her eyes were filled with
malice, "You sentenced her to kill him. To kill the man she loves.  How
could you?  She would have tried to stall him, instead of attacking
straight out. Damn you Xander. You coward. Why didn't you tell us this
months ago.  We could have realized sooner that she might be in real
trouble. I will never forgive this Xander."

Oz grabbed Willow and hung on to her, soothing her in soft tones, "It
doesn't matter Willow. Xander doesn't matter now. We have to find Buffy.
We have to help her now."

Nodding Willow unfolded herself from Oz's arms. Walking over to stand in
front of Xander she stared at him, disappointment warring with hatred in
her eyes.

"She'll never forgive you Xander. You will never have her. I'm sorry
Cordelia, but he did it because he wants her for himself. Nothing more
noble than that. He was jealous of Angel and the love Buffy had for him.
He wasn't trying to help her, or do the right thing.  He wanted Angel
gone so his path to Buffy could be clear. Nothing more than that. You
risked her life. All our lives to make sure that Angel died. ISN'T THAT
RIGHT XANDER? "

"No...I...Willow." Xander tripped over his words, broken in the face of
Willow's rage. His devastation etched on his face. He realized now what
he had lost.

Willow ignored his words. She turned to Giles and spoke, "So. We go to
LA and get Buffy."

"Yes...um...right. Okay everyone go home and pack. I will make the
travel arrangements. We'll meet at my house in an hour."

"Not Xander." Willow spoke quietly. "We have to help Buffy deal with
Angel's death, she doesn't need to deal with his betrayal also."

With that she turned and left the library, Oz following her. They saw
her collapse with grief outside the door. Oz held her while she cried.
Then they left, Oz supporting her as she walked away.

Xander and Cordelia sat quietly. Cordelia's hand running over Xanders.
Giles spoke then, " Willow's right. You stay here. Not for Buffy, but
for Willow. "

Giles turned to leave the library. He hesitated at the door, then turned
back; "I understand what you did Xander. I have felt the temptation to
replace someone else's choice with what I believed to be right. It's a
risky choice and usually never ends well. I forgive you it. Willow will
also forgive you in time. Buffy may never. Do you understand that?"

Giles turned and walked away, wishing he could help him. Hopefully
Cordelia would stay with him. Buffy was more important now. He could
only pray that Willow, Oz and himself would be enough.

Xander crumpled after Giles left. His head fell to the desk and he
sobbed. Cordelia stood behind him, leaning over him. Her arms held him
as he cried.

Willow stopped outside the school. She thought of Buffy's mother and how
worried she was. They had finally convinced her that everything Buffy
had told her was true. Which would be okay if Buffy were around but made
it even worse now. Buffy's mother felt so guilty over failing her
daughter. Willow decided not to give her any false hope. Once they found
Buffy...then she would call her. Her mind made up she grabbed Oz's hand
and they headed to her house.
_______________

Feedback please. To: [e-mail]

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

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