A Single Touch: The Party
by Fairfax
Buffy dug deep and sped up as she crossed the bridge. She loved the freedom that running gave her, even through the crowds that thronged Waterloo Bridge. Running was her refuge, she could lose herself in the comforting rhythm her footfalls sounded out on the pavement thinking things over with no interruptions, and no other requirements other than that of placing one foot in front of the other until she reached home.

She felt great. Having Willow here was wonderful especially now she and Giles had patched up their differences so much so that she’d gone with him that day for a tour of the museum. The three of them had had coffee that morning, caught up in one of those moods where everything seems funny. When he and Willow went to leave Giles had kissed her then framed her face with his hands, staring at her intently.

‘Giles, what?’

‘Just reminding myself how fortunate I am.’

‘So am I.’

She threw her arms around his neck and they held each other close before parting.

Buffy smiled to herself as she pounded along the sunny Embankment. They loved each other, everything was going to be alright. Another runner drew level with her, Buffy glanced across at her, realising that she knew her.

‘Vix. Good to see ya!’ Buffy called out good naturedly, high on the endorphins running produced.

‘Hello, Buffy. Thought…it… was…you.’

Buffy was slyly pleased to note that the tall girl was panting hard whilst she was barely breathing faster than normal. Score one for Slayer fitness.

‘How’s it going?’

‘Days like…today. Make it …harder…to leave. I love…London.’

‘You’re leaving? Too bad. Giles didn’t say anything.’

‘No…I don’t expect that…he did.’

The sheer mass of people meant that they couldn’t run side by side for long. Dodging around a group of tourists Vix appeared at Buffy’s shoulder again.

‘Hey Vix, we’re having a party tomorrow. You should show. Let us say goodbye to you properly.’

‘Thanks, Buffy. I…might…just do that.’

Then with some satisfaction Buffy increased the pace and left Vix far behind her.

********************

‘Buff, you wouldn’t be having this party to show off would you?’

Willow and Buffy were chopping fruit, in preparation for the event ahead.

‘No,’ Buffy smiled coyly. ‘What would I have to show off? Apart from the fact that my best friend is the most famous computer designer on the planet…’

Giles wandered in and poured himself some wine.

‘…and that I’m married to the most handsome guy in London.’

‘London? I recall when it was the world. Soon I’ll be demoted to the most handsome man in this street.’

‘Not until Jaldev moves out,’ she whispered to Willow. ‘Six-pack you just want to pour hot fudge on and…’

‘And do try to remember that I am stood right here. When exactly were you admiring our neighbour’s midriff?’

Willow giggled as Giles stood behind Buffy, wrapping his arms around her. She reached up and fed him a piece of apple.

‘Why are you doing this anyway? I thought it was a casual, ‘bring some food and drink’ occasion.’

‘It is, but we still have to provide a little something.’

Giles cast his eyes around the kitchen that was full of shopping bags and unopened packets.

‘A little something?’ he repeated.

‘Giles, chill. It’ll be worth it.’

Giving Buffy a final squeeze, Giles went to leave then turned.

‘Oh yes, Nicholas and Ruth send their apologies, but the others said they’d drop by.’

‘So will Vix.’

‘What?’

Buffy noticed Willow and Giles exchanging looks of horror.

‘What’s wrong? What did I do?’

Giles flashed her a weak smile, seemingly suddenly sad.

‘Nothing, Buffy. You didn’t do anything at all.’

Then he walked away.

*********************

Giles sat on the same step where he had so recently reconciled with Willow and ran a hand through his hair. The house and garden were full of people, laughing, drinking, enjoying another beautiful day and having a great time. Giles watched Alice run around with some of her friends, idly wondering where Buffy had got to. He could see where Vix was, that was all that mattered. Between them he and Willow had ensured that Vix never went near Buffy, keeping her diverted whenever she got close.

‘Giles, can I have some more cake?’

Alice appeared in front him.

‘How much have you had?’

‘Only a piece.’

‘Is that so?’

She hung her head.

‘Do you really want to lie to me?’

He wasn‘t being serious, but she still kept her head down and moved closer.

‘Alice?’

‘Zita says that my top is pants.’

Giles repeated the phrase to himself soundlessly.

‘Your top is pants? Oh I get it and she is wrong.’

‘She said you’d say that, she says you’re sad.’

‘Sad as in rubbish I take it?’

Alice nodded as she sat next to him, leaning against his arm which he then moved to put around her. Poor Alice, being seven was so complicated; she seemed to have a new best friend every couple of weeks, and there was no limit to the amount of petty sniping that she and her gang engaged in.

As Giles whispered soothing words to her, he wondered again where Buffy was. Out of choice Alice would always go to her mother for comfort first, that she had gone to him meant she couldn’t find her. Giles looked around, realising that he could no longer see Vix either and his heart sank. Once Alice felt happier, he sent her on her way then, fighting a rising sense of inevitable fear, went to look for his wife.

********************

‘Vix! God, you made me jump.’

‘Sorry just queuing.’

Buffy stepped away from the bathroom door, a little surprised that Vix had known their bedroom was ensuite. Perhaps she had given her a tour sometime.

‘You have a beautiful home.’

‘Thank you. Well, really you should talk to Giles - it was his long before it was mine.’

‘I’m sure you’ve added a lot to it. Rupert doesn’t strike me as a man with a flair for interior design.’

They laughed. Buffy looked at the open bathroom door, but Vix seemed in no hurry to step through it, she was staring at Buffy with a blank look on her face. Buffy recognised that expression from Giles, he looked the same way when he was trying to work something out.

‘I like Rupert. He’s a nice man.’

‘Yeah, he certainly is.’

‘Sexy as hell too,’ said Vix in a leering possessive tone that Buffy didn’t like.

‘Okay Vix - I’m going now.’

Vix put her arm out against the wall blocking Buffy’s way.

‘Shame about the scar though…’

She gestured a line down and across the left-hand side of her abdomen.

‘…and the tattoo, not to my taste. Clearly Rupert’s had a few adventures.’

‘How do you…?’

‘Oh come on, Buffy. How do you think?’

She stalked off, calling over her shoulder.

‘Thank you for a lovely party, I’ll see myself out.’

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