Part Seven - The Gang
It was just another day at school. For most of the students, anyway. Willow, Oz and Xander were standing at Willow's locker, not saying much.
"Hi, guys. What's up?," asked Buffy, walking over to her friends.
"Same old," said Xander.
"Willow, you're not still upset about the hair thing, are you?," asked Buffy, noticing that Willow had tucked her hair up in a floppy hat. "It was a good idea at the time. We could color it back?," suggested Buffy.
"No, it's okay. Really. My own color will grow back in soon enough. And Oz kinda likes it!," said Willow, smiling at Oz.
"Yeah. It's more...mysterious," said Oz.
"Still don't remember much?," asked Buffy.
"No," said Willow, shaking her head. "And maybe that's for the best. I do remember this urge to hit Tucker over the head, though. Feel kinda bad about that."
"He was not letting you get to Sven."
"I know."
"Oz, you didn't let yourself get captured, knowing the moon was going to full, did you?," asked Buffy.
"No. It occurred to me, but I didn't know if I would harm Willow. Just bad karma, I guess.
"Well, it worked out. Didn't it?," asked Buffy, to no one in particular. No one answered.
"How's Angel?," asked Xander, changing the subject.
"Doing good. The ankle's better, just a sprain. But he's still bummed about the whole ‘did Lisa have a soul' thing."
"She had one. We know that," said Xander.
"Definitely. We just aren't sure if Angel was the reason. Or if it could happen again."
Just then a boy in a wheelchair turned the corner and as he did, dropped two books. It was Tucker. Before he could reach down to get it someone bent to and picked them up for him.
"Hey, you dropped these."
"Thanks, Kevin. I appreciate it."
"No problem, man."
"Wow," said Xander. "A member of the pack shows mercy. Again, wow."
"Hey," said Tucker, wheeling over to Buffy and her friends.
"Looks like you're getting the hang of that," said Xander.
"Getting there," said Tucker. No one knew what to say next. Buffy and Tucker started speaking at the same time.
"You go first," said Buffy.
"Okay. I came to say goodbye. I'll be heading down to San Diego tomorrow to spend time at my Uncle's. Can't really rehab on my own, so I'll finish school down there. Maybe things will be a little quieter there, too," said Tucker, forcing a smile.
"Sorry about the knee. Guess your running days are over," said Buffy, looking at his left leg. It was bound in a cast from ankle to upper thigh.
"Yeah, gotta learn how to walk again. Doctor isn't very optimistic, but I've surprised them before."
"You doing okay? Besides the leg, I mean," asked Buffy.
"Been better. Been worse. I'll deal. I just...I just didn't think someone could break your heart twice in one lifetime. Doesn't seem fair, does it?"
"No. It isn't. But she's at peace now," said Buffy, touching Tucker's shoulder.
"I know. And I'm sorry for all the trouble I put you guys through. Maybe if I hadn't come here..."
"Nonsense! This is Sunnydale. Just another average week here for us," said Xander. Tucker smiled.
"Good luck to all of you. Be careful."
Everyone murmured the same sentiments. Tucker looked at Buffy one last time and then wheeled away down the hall.
"If this doesn't call for chocolate, I don't know what does," said Willow.
"I'm buying," said Xander.
"Double fudge, at least! Maybe with chocolate syrup," said Buffy.
"I'm one step ahead of you," said Willow, pulling a white bag out of her locker. "I went to that Scandinavian bakery that's downtown last night. If I remember right, it's called Haselnuss torte. It's filled with chocolate and hazelnuts."
"When in Rome," commented Oz, seeing that Buffy didn't seem thrilled with the idea of anything Scandinavian.
"As long as it's chocolate," said Buffy, shrugging her shoulders.
They began walking towards the cafeteria. Buffy gave one last look behind her. Tucker was just turning the corner at the end of the hall. She fought off the urge to run back to him. She didn't know what she could say.
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