New Girl in Town: Part Twelve
by Byn
After she finished her rounds, Buffy sat in the Bronze, absently stirring her soda. The ice cubes rattled against the glass in tinkling counterpoint to the music in the background. The band up on stage, a quartet from Vermont called 'Chad,' – apparently on their way back from LA after cutting a new disc -- played one of their newer songs, a brooding piece entitled "You." Couples were swaying on the dance floor. Buffy tried hard not to watch. The chorus insinuated itself into her consciousness as the music flowed and ebbed like waves on a beach at night.

...I wish I could find a reason


To hate you, to spite you
Tirade you and degrade you

Angel. She couldn’t fight the loneliness that remained since that night; it flowed over her, and sharpened the ache that welled up from the void within her. Even when Angelus had been there, harrying her every move, he had at least been. . . there.

Deny you, defy you
and even capsize you

Willow had given her hope that he could be reclaimed, his soul restored. It had almost worked. Almost. Except, the timing was way, way off. Willow had succeeded, but only after Angelus had opened the portal to hell through Acathla. Only his blood could seal the void, and she had to send the man she loved away forever in order to save the world.

To make you and then break you
All the while I captivate you
But the only reason I can find....

Guilt washed over her. Buffy almost wished Willow hadn't been able to pull it off. She remembered something Angel said once. Hate was so much cleaner. He was right, she thought bitterly. And yet. . . .

is I miss you

The song ended, the band took a break, and she shook her head to clear it, having reached her threshold for wallowing in self-pity. There was a problem more important than her own. Giles and Eliza. Spike had hinted at a deeper, darker, hidden purpose which Eliza had, that she was not what she seemed. But was he telling the truth? Or was it just a ploy to create dissension among them? On the other hand, why would he lie? Circle back to the first question. And on to the next: should she tell Giles about it?

No. Giles had protected her these last few years, or tried to. It was time she paid him the same favor back. She would take this matter in hand on her own. She would talk to Eliza first. . . and then she'd see.


This story archived at: The Slayer\'s Fanfic Archive
The Slayer\\\\\\\\'s FanFic Archive - http://www.slayerfanfic.com/viewstory.php?sid=5950