*A/N: I know it's been awhile, my computer broke down and my computer guy Chris, I discovered - not that good with computers.
Chapter 9 - Glow Like Me
Buffy backed away, pushing Spike’s arms away from her. He looked a bit puzzled, his arms still reaching out only to fall to his sides after seeing her expression.
“I-I’m really sorry about that…”Buffy couldn’t believe herself, talk about relapse. It was so not good. She laughed a little, trying to sooth over the incident. “I should be going…” She paused in the doorframe, looking over her shoulder. “It’s great to have you back, William. I always hoped…and Andrew kept saying…It’s good to have you back.”
“Buffy...”
She smiled back at him, “It’s okay, Spike. Really.”
Spike nodded and when she left he made no effort in following her.
Buffy sighed as she staggered off through the corridors. This time she didn’t meet anyone she recognised, only a younger dark skinned lawyer - looking rather like a younger copy of Wood - that looked at her a bit oddly, but other than that; nothing. Relief flooded through her body and it felt like - cliché or no cliché - that she could finally breathe again. She rounded the corner where she’d bumped into Spike with ease and smiled to herself as she saw the elevator.
The pessimist inside of her kept saying that she shouldn’t feel completely safe until she was outside.
Buffy heaved another relieved sigh as she didn’t see Harmony sitting behind her desk right besides the elevators. Maybe she was going to get out of here for real. The heels of her shoes clicked against the wooden floor as she strode as fast as her size petite legs could carry her, pressed the button and stepped into the elevator to the right.
That was when she heard someone call out her name. At first she thought she was only imagining it, but when she heard it a second time she was sure. ‘Too late’ Buffy thought ‘Already pressed the button, now it’s bye bye evil law firm and hello Italian pasta and -’
“Buffy?”
She looked up only to gaze into Angel’s brown eyes.
Then the doors closed.
Just great. How many Starbucks were there? A hundred? Two hundred? Buffy had lost count. She’d walked in and out of at least six without any sign of Lizzie anywhere. It was like she evaporated into thin air. Buffy tried to call her cell once more but it beeped busy. The Slayer rubbed her eyes and glanced at her watch. They really had to get going or they were going to miss their flight.
Another green Starbucks sign caught Buffy’s eye. One more try then she would just leave, Elizabeth Matthews or no Elizabeth Matthews.
Buffy walked passed the large window and caught a flash of amber hair. Liz.
Liz seemed completely oblivious to the fact that they were in a rush as she sat in one of the couches in what seemed like a deep conversation. She smiled between talking and what Buffy could make out, it was probably a guy on the other end of the line. Well, if Liz hadn’t done a Willow and taken the other road. Thinking of Willow, Buffy missed her more then she let one, not having her best friend in the same town. Now, Willow was of in Brazil, of all places. With Kennedy of all people. Kennedy who hated Buffy’s guts. Life was in no way fair.
And Xander? She honestly didn’t know. Last person who’d talked to him was Giles, who had some sort of magic power to keep track of them all the time. After all, he was the father they never had. Speaking of fathers, Buffy felt a sting of quilt form in her stomach. She was in L.A, where her real father - not to mention his little secretary Charlotte, who was just about 10 years older than Buffy - and his two new kids lived. She’d never met them.
Buffy went up to Liz quietly, not wanting to interrupt her call.
“Yeah, almost got him, I think. She’s still there though, I might succeed in -” Liz jumped when she saw Buffy standing next to her with her eyebrows raised.
“Buffy!”
Without another word, Lizzie shut her phone off and a false smile graced her lips. “So, everything taken care of?”
Buffy shrugged, “More or less. Now, get your butt off the couch, or we’ll miss our plane.”
Liz frowned and got up, facing Buffy.
“Who were you talking to?”
“Jackie.”
“Right, your sister. Now let’s get moving.”
Angel couldn’t believe he missed her. She was really gone this time and her visit hadn’t brought anything but pain. Just as Spike had told him over and over again during the years when they had been…friends?….whatever, let’s just say speaking terms; love is a bitch.
In time for Angel’s planned brooding session, Spike walked in, hands in his pockets and for once he looked serious. And brooding.
The blond vampire didn’t say anything but positioning him on the leather couch.
Angel stared at him for a few seconds. “Okay, Spike. What?”
Spike looked like he was about to say something,, his jaw twitching before he suddenly shook his head, “Why do you care, you Poof?”
“I care because I’m the one who has to put up with your mood swings. Now spit it out, get it off your chest…the whole procedure.”
“I ran into Buffy… We had a talk. I brood.” Spike shook his head, “I’m turning into you.”
“Oh.” Angel decided to ignore that last part.
Spike suspiciously eyed his sire before a grin curved his lips. “She didn’t say goodbye to you, did she?” He laughed, “Who would have know? I actually feel good again.”
“I thought she’d left hours ago…”
Spike smirked but kept quiet.
“Then I caught her in the elevator…”
Spike continued smiling.
Angel threw his stapler at him, just missing Spike shoulder.
Buffy tried to focus her eyes on the road ahead, the sunset was close. She could feel it in her bones. It was like she had reversed vampire sense. Much like vampires could sense when the sun was about to rise, she sensed it when it was about to set. Ah, the glory of Slayerdom. Buffy sighed as she made a left turn.
The sign ahead of them read ‘You’re now leaving L.A. Hope to see you soon.’
Buffy glanced at Liz’s direction, but the other slayer was staring out the window on the passengers side. Obviously not in a talkative mode.
She focused on the road again. Then suddenly, a tingly feeling swept through her body. She tried to shake it off but it spread like a fire.
Liz turned towards her, her jaw dropping.
“Buffy!?”
“Wh-What?”
“You’re…glowing!”
Buffy looked in the mirror. Liz hadn’t been kidding, her skin was radiant in a not-so-subtle red glow that - holy crap! She felt like she was being pulled backwards and the seat made a squeaking sound.
“Buffy, stop the car! STOP IT!”
Buffy couldn’t hold on to the wheel, her fingers grasping for control of it. Her foot was also being pulled against her seat and she didn’t have the strength to put it back on the break. Liz grabbed the wheel and managed to stop it from crashing into the sign. It stopped with a buzz on the side of the road, cars speeding past them and angry drivers giving them the finger. Not that neither one of the slayers noticed. They were too busy looking at Buffy, whose skin was glowing more and more radiant until…
“Liz, wh-what the hell is happening!? Look at my hand!”
Buffy’s hands were becoming transparent, invisible. The reality hit Buffy like a hammer to the head. She was disappearing.
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