Aftermath: Part Three
by Callista
Part Three

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SOMEWHERE IN SUNNYDALE
2151 HOURS

Mulder put down the box of books he was carrying and wiped his brow. He picked up the box again, and transported it to the nighttable next to his bed. The small apartment he had rented was sparsely furnished and lit by a single bulb in the lamp beside his bed. He had brought nothing with him. It would all arrive tomorrow with Scully. Scully. He smiled as he remembered the expression on her face when he had told her what he was planning to do. She had been firmly convinced he was mad when he had told her about his plan to stage his suicide. Only after he had listed his many valid reasons to leave the Bureau and have everyone think he was dead, did he get her support. Now he could go about his investigations any way he wished, with almost no chance of having government spies breathing down his neck and watching his every move.


* * *
The last of the dust settled to the ground at Buffy's feet. Buffy put her hands on her hips and glared at the spot where the vampire had once stood. She glanced quickly around her, then, seeing noone, she bent down and retrieved her stake from the pile of dust it was resting in. Buffy heard the rustle of cloth on cloth behind her, and pivoted around, stake in hand and ready to be thrust into the heart of a demon. She was caught slightly off-guard when the person turned out to be just Xander.

"Xander," she called out. "What are you doing out here? Get inside where it's safe."

He looked at her calmly, then advanced towards her, brushing against her side as he whispered softly in her ear, "I can take care of myself." He continued walking on, fading into the shadows and fog of the night. Buffy stared after him, mystified. That was so un-Xander like, she thought to herself. She blinked twice, then shrugged off the remark.

Buffy picked her way around boxes and old garbage to the side entrance of the Bronze. She glanced behind her once, checking for any last danger, and walked strait into Angel, who had been waiting for her to return. She let out a high-pitched yelp, then blushed slightly in embarrassment at Angel, who was chuckling softly. She poked him lightly with her index finger, then looked over her shoulder. Her mouth opened in surprise, and she blinked repeatedly, making sure what she saw was real. She pinched herself, wincing slightly at the pain it brought her. She looked up at Angel, seeking confirmation of what she saw, and saw him looking down at her in concern, frowning slightly. She motioned for him to turn around, and his eyes opened wide as he saw. For there, on the dance floor, was Willow. Dancing. With... Owen? Buffy moved closer for a better look. No, not Owen, but someone who slightly resembled him. Buffy grinned to herself. Willow was finally moving on. Good for her. She could use some fun. The slow song that Willow and the guy were dancing to ended, and Buffy rushed over to Willow, who was grinning like the Cheshire Cat. Buffy grabbed her wrist, and pulled her to a nearby table.

"Okay girl, spill. Where did you find that guy?" Buffy asked, her eyes sparkling.

Willow, giddy with joy responded; "His name is Hank, and he works with the Carnival that's coming to town. He saw me sitting with Cordelia and the others, and asked me to dance. Oh Buffy, he's so nice... and you should have seen the look on Cordelia's face when he asked me to dance instead of her." Buffy glanced over to where Cordelia was sitting, glaring icebolts at Hank's back. Buffy could almost see the steam coming out of her ears. She turned back to Willow in time to hear her say, "... and he invited me out to look at the Carnival preparations tomorrow night." Willow beamed at Buffy, who returned the smile. Buffy motioned Angel forward, and he timidly wrapped an arm around her waist. Buffy flashed him a dazzling smile, and the three of them walked out of the Bronze.


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