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buffyfic-digest       Tuesday, January 19 1999       Volume 03 : Number 024



In this issue:

       BUFFYFIC: ADMIN:  List rules
       BUFFYFIC: ADMIN:  How to (un)s*bscribe
       BUFFYFIC: Can't Hide the Past (5a/?)
       BUFFYFIC: Best Intentions, (13/18)

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.

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

Date: Tue, 19 Jan 1999 11:02:48 -0500 (EST)
From: sah <[e-mail]>
Subject: BUFFYFIC: ADMIN:  List rules

Welcome!  This list is for fiction related to "Buffy The Vampire
Slayer," both the TV series and the movie.  To ensure that we all get
to enjoy as much fiction as possible, please adhere to the following
guidelines, and please save them for future reference.

1. Fiction should have Buffy characters in it and clearly be related
to Buffy.  Crossovers are great, and expected, but general
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use Buffy characters belong somewhere else.

2. Discussion of posted fiction is permitted onlist.  Please put
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Discussion that is not related directly to the fiction should go over
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No attached files of <any> kind-- if your mailer makes your fiction
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     **Mark the post as a "spoiler" in the subject header.
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This ensures that anyone who doesn't like knowing about an episode
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them a chance to see "spoiler" in the header.

Spoiler warnings are not necessary after the start of the episode's
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5.  This list is absolutely NOT for erotic fiction.  <Nothing> stronger
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If you have a question about something's suitability for posting, feel
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8. If a story is rated "R" for language/violence, indicate this in an
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9.  And last, but not least, the listowners reserve the right to deny
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PLEASE NOTE:  not following any or all of these rules will get you
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As noted above, posting sexually explicit material is the exception --
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Again, welcome!  If  you have any questions about these rules, please
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 &
sah ([e-mail])
Listowners, Buffy the Vampire Slayer Fiction List
[e-mail]

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

Date: Tue, 19 Jan 1999 11:03:01 -0500 (EST)
From: sah <[e-mail]>
Subject: BUFFYFIC: ADMIN:  How to (un)s*bscribe

Please SAVE this message-- it contains information on how to uns*bscribe.

TO UNS*BSCRIBE FROM ANY BUFFY LIST

send a message to [e-mail]

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

Date: Tue, 19 Jan 1999 17:52:25 EST
From: [e-mail]
Subject: BUFFYFIC: Can't Hide the Past (5a/?)

Title: Can't Hide the Past
Author: Anna Perez (Shadows)
E-mail: [e-mail]
Feedback: Please?
Rating: PG-13 to R
Disclaimer: Characters seen on the Idiot Box belong to Joss Whedon & the W=
B
Distribution: Just ask for permission
Summary: 15 years after my own season 3 finale, the characters of BtVS fin=
d
themselves thrown back together under unusual circumstances.
Note: The last episode that I have seen is "Amends". I will follow the sho=
w
from up to there, and then it's my playground.

*****

=09God, she love Jonah. She really did. It really was love at first sight =
. . .

=09She had run away from Sunnydale, again, just wanting to get away from
everything she had destroyed, from everyone she had failed. This time, ins=
tead
of relocating somewhere else in So Cal, Buffy took the train and wen to NY=
C,
where she got a job as a waitress in caf=E9 in the Village and did nights =
at a
community college she had long since forgotten the name of. Life was hard =
at
first, because of all he guilt she continually carried with her. But over =
the
course of a few months she thought less and less of the happenings in
Sunnydale as she settled into the routine of her brand-new life as Anne
Summers, once again.

=09She really loved working at that caf=E9. At first she hated it, because=
 it was
owned by some raunchy new breed of dickhead that she suspected was also a
pimp, because he kept hinting that she ought to worked for him in his "oth=
er
business," the one he held at night. Then, once he was arrested-narcotics
traffickers are the norm in NY, unfortunately-his young niece inherited th=
e
shabby place.

=09Helen-that was the niece's name-was a dear, sweetheart who cam from a n=
ot-so-
well-to-do part of Brooklyn with a charming accent. She had pretty orange =
red
hair and freckles that were actually flattering, and not the best body but=
 not
the worst. She had a boyfriend was had supported for 2 =BD years while he =
was
writing his novel, and just when Helen was going to dump him because she
thought he was putting her on, he got published and made millions off his
bestselling book. So this poor, dirty, smoky, gothic place was extremely b=
elow
her new self, but right at home for the Brooklyn Helen, and Helen never fo=
rgot
her Brooklyn self.

=09The place was quickly decomposing on itself, falling to bits and pieces
inside and out. Helen had fixed the shoddy construction in a wink, giving =
it a
fresh look while still keeping that coffehouse, starving-artists-chronical=
ly-
depressed-poets-come-here kind of place. She had redone the interior keepi=
ng
the same nostalgic look while making the place look permanently clean, and
advertised the place so that they got more customers. Since her boyfriend
spent the day writing his other novels and they were living just fine off =
his
last paycheck, Helen devoted all her time to the Green Leaf Caf=E9. She ho=
vered
over everyone's shoulders and becoming good friends with the help, includi=
ng
Anne.

=09In fact, Anne was Helen's mission. Helen would not leave Anne alone unt=
il she
managed to open up just the tiniest bit. Helen thought that Anne was a goo=
d
girl who had associated with the wrong people and just needed some good
influence. Helen thought Anne needed a guy.

=09Anne was behind the counter, wiping clean the marble blocks Helen had
installed to given the place some class, Helen had snuck up behind her. An=
ne,
startled, shrieked and jumped up, losing control of all her body parts. He=
r
hand, flying free, knocked over a full coffee mug-


=09****-and Anne watched as the dark brown liquid tipped over cup's mouth =
as it
clattered onto the counter. The mug crashed down and rolled away, covered =
into
the coffee. The rest of the drink spread around the counter, and write on =
top
of the papers it had landed on.

=09She hadn't noticed him in front of her. He was about her age, maybe a l=
ittle
older, as old as Angel had looked to her the first-no, stupid, don't think
about him or anything related to Buffy-time she saw him (who?). He looked =
like
he was in college, or should be in college, with dark black hair that
desperately needed to be combed, soft pale skin, oval face, and the most
intriguing set of dark green eyes, an unnatural color Anne had never seen
before. He looked down at his pages of ruined manuscript, and then looked =
up
at Anne. Anne had gulped and squeezed her eyes shut, afraid of whatever
screaming and shouting session would follow. For sure she might be fired.

=09"It's ok," he had soothed instead. Buffy had opened one eye and stared =
at him
disbelievingly, eyebrow arching. "What, don't look at me like I'm from Mar=
s or
something." He had smiled, and that made Anne give an attempt at a laugh.
"It's just a little coffee stain. It'll come out. Besides, the script wasn=
't
winning no Pulitzer anyhow."

=09"Script?" Anne asked, interested. "As in a script for a play, or a scri=
pt for
a movie?"

=09"Movie script," he had answered. "I've realized that Broadway is far to=
o
classy for me, so I might as well make my life as one of the many leeches =
in
the movie industry." He said this sadly, as though he regretted his choice=
 in
"careers."

=09"Oh, there are plenty of good people out there in Hollywood," Anne had
assured him, leaning her elbows comfortably on the marble counter. "No one
really comes to mind just now"-he cracked a smile-"but there are. And I'm
certain you're one of them."

=09"Thanks so much, you really don't know what it means to e to have you t=
alk to
me," he said, all smiles. He looked so debonair, yet homely and nice. "I w=
as
afraid I was going to use one of those horrible pickup lines, like 'Can I =
have
quarter? I promised I'd call my mother when I met the girl of my dreams' o=
r 'I
must have died and gone to heaven, because I'm seeing an angel before me'
or"-he mock-shuddered-"the dread 'Have we met before?' deal. You know, all=
 out
to get the girl."

=09Anne had laughed, and he took that as a good sign. "My name is Daniel,"=
 he
said, extending his hand. Anne had taken it, shaking it lightly and about =
to
burst out laughing at his awkward formality.

=09"And my name is . . ." Anne paused for a moment. Who did she want to be=
 in
front of Daniel? Did she want to be Anne and have a fresh start? Or did sh=
e
want to take on the horrible emotional baggage brought along by calling
herself Buffy. What to do . . .?

=09"My name is Buffy," she said hesitantly, her hand sliding out of his fi=
rm
handshake. "Buffy."

=09Daniel's brow wrinkled. "But you tag says Anne," he said, as though Buf=
fy had
jus had a memory lapse.

=09Buffy blushed and fingered her nametag, which read ANNE in big back let=
ters.
"Yeah, I know," she admitted. "Let's just say that I though I was Anne, bu=
t I
really am a person called Buffy."

=09"Oh, I get it," Daniel said, slapping his forehead with the palm of his=
 hand.
"You moved here from somewhere, got a new name, and decided you were gonna=
 get
a whole new start on life. But then you decided to be who you really were.=
"
Buffy was taken aback by his rudeness, but his following comments made sen=
se.
"You are much more of a man than I am, Buffy." He held out his hand, and B=
uffy
took it again, this time shaking it a bit more firmly. "I might as well . =
. .
my name is Jonah. It's very nice to meet you, Buffy,"

=09"Charmed," Buffy said, looking up into Jonah's green eyes. She smiled
dreamily. "Very, very charmed."****


=09Now Buffy had gathered the covers and comforter from the floor and drap=
ed
them motheringly over her sleeping husband. She then proceeded to slip in =
one
his side and cudle up next to his warm body. She felt his breath hot on he=
r
neck, and then his arm slid around her waist.

=09"Oh, you're *up*, you dick!" Buffy teased, jutting Jonah in his stomach=
. Gosh
he had gorgeous abs. Jonah just chuckled and drew her tighter.

=09"I just wanted to hold you," he said, nibbling on her ear and stroking =
her
hair. Buffy smiled and snuggled closer to her husband, sighing contently. =
She
and Jonah hadn't grown apart during their many years of marriage. They had
made sure that they were in love before they had tied the knot. She rememb=
ered
finding out that she was pregnant with Elisabeth Sarah so soon, but both s=
he
and Jonah had agreed that they would wait a bit longer to see if they real=
ly
loved each other, because they just didn't want to do "the right thing." T=
he
wanted to do "the right thing," but to do it with love. Thank God they had=
 had
love, and they were able to give Elisabeth Sarah love.

=09"I love you Jonah. I love you so much." She giggled as Jonah's tongue t=
ickled
her earlobe. "Christ, Jonah, I think I might've married you just for the s=
ex
alone."

=09"Is that a compliment or not?" Jonah teased back, his mouth moving down=
 the
contours of her neck. "I love you too," he uttered breathlessly, nibbling =
on
her flesh. "Too, too much for my own good, Buffy."

=09"What?" Buffy asked, finding something wrong with his tone of voice. Th=
e
nibbling of her flesh was turning into biting now, and it hurt. "Jonah!" S=
he
pushed his face away with her hand, and then she definitely knew something=
 was
wrong.

=09She looked at him in horror. His beautiful face had turned into a disgu=
sting,
demon, ugly-face vampire. At she froze with shock, he lunged towards her a=
nd
grabbed her arms, burying his face in her neck.

=09She screamed.


//**\\


=09After the announcement that they were heading towards the mansion, ever=
yone
in the van quieted down. The silence was suffocating and almost as loud as=
 the
conversation had been. Buffy knew that it had to deal with her, somehow, a=
nd
she was very uncomfortable. But what was she to do about it?

=09Everyone was in their own little world, and Buffy seemed to be off in h=
ers.
But was she was really doing was watching everyone else trying to guess th=
at
they were thinking.

=09Xander had on a pained expression. He probably thought that all this wa=
s his
fault, and it was just too strange for him today. He was also probably
thinking about this future coupling. No doubt that things between Xander a=
nd
Cordelia were not very good, although they seemed to have turned out just
fine.

=09She could make out Willow's outline from where she sat, the lamplight f=
rom
outside occasionally flicking across her worn features. She looked so old
there, probably thinking about her and Oz and the big empty gap between th=
em.
Probably going over and over in her head the conversation that she and Buf=
fy
had had the night before over the phone, talking about their totally messe=
d-up
relationships or lack thereof.

=09Buffy couldn't see Oz's face, but she was damn sure what was on *his* m=
ind.

=09F-Oz and F-Willow were a puzzle. They were in the same position as befo=
re,
but both of them had their heads hung low and staring blankly at some
nonexistent spot on the van's rug. They seemed detached a little, but deep=
 in
thought at the same time.

=09F-Xander was staring stonily in silence, his mouth set in one straight =
line,
occasionally making a "harumph" of disgust, and F-Cordelia had rested her =
head
on his shoulder. She seemed awfully tired-perhaps time-travel jet lag? Who
knew? Things were strange enough as they were, Buffy could just except mor=
e
weirdness.

=09Buffy finished her analyzing rounds just as Oz pulled to a stop. "Well,
here's the mansion," he said, putting the van in Park. He opened the drive=
r
side door. "Anybody coming?"

=09Xander came back from wherever he was and snapped to attention. Tiredly=
, he
opened the van doors and toppled outside. Yet more visitors from the futur=
e.
Yay.

=09The others followed him begrudgingly, and Buffy was beginning to suspec=
t that
things weren't all that great between her Future Self and the Future
Slayeretttes. {Oh God, can that be true? What could've happened . . . ?}

=09F-Xander was mumbling something to his wife (girlfriend? No, there were=
 the
wedding bands glinting in the darkness) and Buffy scooted closer and strai=
ned
to listen with her slayer senses. It was something about her, maybe it wou=
ld
provide a clue to the sudden silence in the van . . .

=09". . . oh please, like we really need to come after that spineless litt=
le
hussy. I say we leave her to fare for herself, and if she fares really, re=
ally
badly, then all the better to give me a happy . . ."

=09Buffy felt like stopping in her tracks, but she kept walking down the d=
irt
path. God, what had happened to make *Xander* call her a spineless little
hussy. Sure, they had had their past where things weren't all too good bet=
ween
them, but this was unexpected. She could never be less than a goddess in h=
is
eyes, and she had always coveted that position, as much as she hated it. S=
he
*liked* hid admiration, even if she didn't want to take it to another leve=
l.
She was twisted like that.

=09But something had happened, something *big* had happened make F-Xander =
think
her like that. A thousand possibilities ran through Buffy's mind. And also=
 a
warning Giles had hissed to her before they had left:

=09"Don't talk to any of them. Don't ask them any questions regarding even=
ts
that have yet to happen. Knowing about your future is a very dangerous thi=
ng,
and we do not want to tamper with it. Enough has been done."

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

Date: Tue, 19 Jan 1999 17:20:03 PST
From: "Andrea Newbery" <[e-mail]>
Subject: BUFFYFIC: Best Intentions, (13/18)

Title: Best Intentions
Author: Andrea
e-mail: [e-mail]
disclaimer: These characters are the property of Joss Whedon, Mutant
Enemy, the WB, etc. They are not mine.
spoilers: Everything up to the end of season two.
distribution: Sure, just let me know.
summary: Xander/Cordelia. This fic is set in the same timeline as
Christine's amazing story, 'The Wildest Times in the World' although
technically this story takes place before that one. If you haven't read
it, e-mail me and I'll send it to you.
Feedback: Please. Good, bad, anything.
Thanks to Christine, for writing the story that started this, and for
helping me when I got stuck and for thinking up the title. And there's
still more I could thank you for. :)


September 30, 2006

Cordelia wandered slowly through town, the late afternoon sun helping to
chase away the constant chill she felt. The sidewalks were almost
deserted as she headed towards Sunnydale High School. She ended up there
almost every day now, sitting in the bleachers and watching the
cheerleaders practice. The rhythm of the cheers helped her to block out
her thoughts for a little while.

Leaning back against the hard wood of the seat behind her she tilted her
face into the sun and closed her eyes as she waited for the practice to
begin. She felt the tears stinging her eyes as she thought of the things
her baby would never do, never be a cheerleader or a football player, or
a geek. One tear slipped down her cheek as she tried to push her
thoughts away, wondering if the pain would ever ease.

She heard a clomping as someone climbed the bleachers towards her.
Swallowing hard she pushed back all signs of the pain she felt. She was
here so often that the cheerleaders had found out who she was and had
started asking her for advice, first on cheering, but lately about boys
too. In her good moments she considered volunteering for the team,
putting her years of expertise as Miss. Popularity to good use, but she
never followed through. She couldn't seem to follow through on anything
these days, her dress shop sat empty and her apartment was still
cluttered with boxes that had never been unpacked when she decided not
to leave Sunnydale. Or rather, hadn't decided to leave Sunnydale.

Opening her eyes she smiled at the blonde-haired girl sitting next to
her, the smile faltering then fading away completely as she realized who
it was. She stared warily at the Slayer, dreading anything the other
girl would say. She wanted more than anything to get up and run away,
but she couldn't force herself to move.

"Cordelia." Buffy spoke softly, her usual confidence missing. "I'm sorry
I followed you, but you won't return my calls."

"I've been busy." Cordelia spoke casually, waving her hand dismmissively
in Buffy's direction.

Buffy looked at Cordelia, her eyes disbelieving, before she turned to
stare out at the practicing cheerleaders. When she spoke again her voice
was sad. "I'm sorry about the baby."

Cordelia stiffened, pain clutching at her stomach before she forced
herself to relax and not respond to Buffy's words. They sat quietly for
a while as the cheerleaders practiced and the afternoon faded away. They
waved good-bye to Cordelia as they headed for home and left her alone
with Buffy.

The Slayer finally turned to look at Cordelia with tears in her eyes.
"I'm sorry about what I did. About kissing Xander. It was wrong, and
mean and I'm so sorry for all the pain it caused you."

Cordelia nodded her head as Buffy spoke, a sad smile on her lips. "I
know." She whispered, not trusting her voice to speak any louder without
breaking. "It doesn't matter Buffy. I understand why you did it."

"Why didn't you say anything?" Buffy asked cautiously.

Cordelia answered her calmly, as if they weren't talking about one of
the worst times in her life. "I knew how sad you were, and how alone.  I
could see it in your eyes even when you pretended to be happy." She
shrugged her shoulders as she continued. "I wanted you to be happy. I
wanted Xander to be happy. When I saw you together that night, I thought
that you would be."

"He only loved you. He still does." Buffy said, her eyes pleading with
Cordelia.

"It doesn't matter Buffy." Cordelia said quickly, her heart screaming
out that she loved him too. Standing up, she turned to face Buffy,
wanting to cry and scream and beg Buffy to help her deal with the pain
she felt. Instead she turned away and started to climb down from the
bleachers, not knowing if she hoped Buffy would follow her or not.

She was back on the road before she heard Buffy's footsteps coming up
behind her. The Slayer placed her hand tentatively on Cordelia's arm as
she caught up with her. Cordelia stopped suddenly, looking down at the
hand until Buffy removed it, her face flushing.

"What do you want?" Cordelia spoke tiredly, her face empty as she waited
for Buffy to answer.

Swallowing nervously Buffy spoke. "I want...I want to make it up to you.
To help you through this. I want us to be friends again."

Cordelia stared at her, remembering how badly she had once wanted to be
friends with Buffy again, but now when it was offered to her she
couldn't imagine ever trusting her again. "Why?" She sad coldly,
surprised by the sudden rush of anger that ran threw her. "How am I
supposed to forget what happened? How easy it was for you to turn
against me? Her voice grew colder as she spoke, the walls coming up
quickly to protect her from the betrayal that still hurt. She considered
Buffy carefully before speaking again. "You know what's really funny?"
Not waiting for an answer she continued. "I made my big sacrifice,
prepared myself to give up Xander, and all of you, but I never really
thought it would happen. I never thought you would just let me leave. I
had this big scene all thought out, where you and Xander confessed and
begged for my forgiveness."

"I felt so guilty." Buffy whispered. "It was easier to believe..." Her
voice trailed off as she stared beseechingly at Cordelia.

"That I was a self-absorbed bitch." Cordelia finished for her, her voice
full of sorrow.

"Cordelia." Buffy pleaded with her. "We made a mistake."

Cordelia felt the tears rising in her throat and started walking again,
not wanting Buffy to see her tears. The Slayer kept pace with her
easily, walking silently beside her. Cordelia ignored her until they
turned down the street leading to her apartment. Desperate to be alone
before she started sobbing she spoke snippily to Buffy. "Heard from
Angel lately?" Feeling Buffy stiffen beside her, she immediately
regretted her words. Balling her hands into fists she struggled to keep
herself from looking at Buffy.

"I know this trick Cordy." Buffy spoke calmly, only the smallest tint of
hurt in her words. "I fell for it once, but I won't do it again."

Cordelia put her hands over her face as the tears broke free. Turning to
Buffy she spoke in a voice thick with emotion. "Do you know how much I
wish I could trust you? God, I want so badly to talk to you. You know
what real loss feels like, how hard it is to keep going. Everyday it
just feels worse, and I feel more alone. Every message from you or from
Xander breaks my heart." She stopped speaking suddenly, sinking down to
sit on the curb, her knees pulled tightly to her chest.

"Why can't you try Cordy?" Buffy asked as she sat down beside her. "You
spend time with Willow, talk to her."

"It's easier with her." Cordelia answered, her tears muffling her words.
"Maybe because she was with me when I found out about the baby. Maybe
because I was never as close to her as I was to you. But mostly because
Willow loved Xander when I first started dating him. She had more reason
than anyone to hate me, and she didn't. She put her own feelings aside
and became my friend." She paused, sniffing loudly. "Willow was always
Xander's friend first, but I considered you my best friend."

"I don't know how to make this up to you." Buffy spoke sadly. "But I'm
going to. Because you need me. I've watched you sitting on the bleachers
every day, I see you pulling away from reality. I know this. I've lived
this Cordelia. Please let me help you."

Cordelia stared at the pavement in front of her, realizing the truth in
Buffy's words, knowing that she needed something to change. "I feel
empty inside." She whispered softly.

"I know." Buffy said, putting her hand on top of Cordelia's.

"When I found out I was pregnant, I felt like the universe was smiling
at me." She turned to look at Buffy, tears streaming down her face. "I
had a part of Xander growing inside me. And suddenly nothing else
mattered. I wasn't lonely or afraid anymore."

Buffy squeezed her hand tightly. "I felt like that when I found Angel.
Suddenly my bleak life didn't look so bleak anymore."

"And you lost him like I lost my baby." Cordelia whispered.

"But I'm still here. And I can go on, and so can you Cordelia. I'll
never forget how much you helped me after Angel left. Let me help you
now." Buffy whispered.

"How?" Cordelia pleaded softly.

"You lean on me. On Willow and anyone else you have to. We're here for
you. You don't need to be alone anymore." Buffy replied softly.

Cordelia stiffened, a short bitter laugh escaping her lips. She turned
on Buffy, her face cold and angry. "Do you know how much I hate those
words? I hated them when Xander said them to you that night, and when he
said them to me on the night I lost the baby." She took a deep breath,
glaring at Buffy. "No one has anyone else. You should know this. No one
is always going to be there for you."

Buffy listened to her rant with a calm expression, waiting until
Cordelia's breathing had returned to normal before saying anything. "I'm
sorry I wasn't the friend I should have been. I should have had more
faith in you, we all should have. But you do have me now Cordelia. I am
here for you, and there is nothing that you could do to drive me away.
I'm going to be the friend I always should have been."

Cordelia sat quietly, all her anger draining away until only sadness
remained. "I want to tell you to go away. To make you suffer. I want to
scream and yell and cry and curse until I lose my voice." Cordelia
paused, her voice barely audible as she continued. "But even more than I
want that, I need you. I thought I could get through this on my own, but
I can't. I need friends, I need a shoulder to lean on."

"I've got two. And they're of the extra strength Slayer variety." Buffy
joked carefully before her face turned serious again. "I am your friend
Cordelia. I promise you that I'll never let you down again." With that
the Slayer stood up and offered Cordelia her hand, pulling the brunette
to her feet easily.  They stood silently for a minute, before Buffy
spoke, looking unsure about what to do next. "So."

"So." Cordelia almost smiled, "Do you want to get something to eat?"

"Sure." Buffy smiled in relief as they turned to walk back into town.
Neither of them said anything until they were settled in the restaurant.
Buffy shifted in her chair, her eyes unable to meet Cordelia's. She
fiddled with her water glass for a while, until she finally spoke, her
voice so low that Cordelia barely heard the words. "What about Xander?"

Cordelia sat back, looking around the restaurant to make sure he wasn't
there. When she saw no sign of him, she relaxed slightly, turning back
to Buffy she answered her, her tone full of regret. "I can't. Not yet."

"Do you still love him?" Buffy asked.

"Yes." Cordelia replied immediately, "Always. I just can't deal with him
now. I can't see how I could ever trust him again. He knew me better
than anyone, I thought he knew me better than I knew myself. I told him
things I never told another living soul and he still didn't have any
faith in me."

Buffy was silent for a moment, sipping her water slowly before she spoke
again. "Please don't close the door."

Cordelia half-smiled; knowing that every minute was bringing her closer
to forgiving Xander. "I'm not." She looked down at the table for a
minute before giving into her curiosity. "Is he doing okay?"

Buffy nodded. "He's sad. And worried about you."

"You can tell him I'm getting better." Cordelia offered.

"Done." Buffy answered. "Consider me your Slayer powered messenger."

"Right now I'd settle for some waiter served food." Cordelia bantered, a
real smile flitting across her face as she considered the menu, feeling
hungry for the first time in months.
******


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