Categories > TV > Buffy the Vampire Slayer > Ordinary Lives
Buffy still was in the hospital and still refusing visitors at this point. The only one that she let see her was her mother. And even their conversations were strained. In one way, the blond was blaming her mother for the situation that she found herself in. She knew it was stupid, but that was just the way that she was feeling at the moment.
And she really felt bad for shutting Spike out. They had been through a lot in their short relationship. It was something else, that was for sure. But she just could not bring herself to let him back in. Not yet.
So she lay there staring at the television. Some stupid teen show was on. It was around seven at night and she should be out doing something. Anything. But laying in this damn hospital bed.
Her anger was starting to get the better of her. She knew that she should stop. That she should let herself just cool off. But the anger was better then what she was feeling. And that was a total emptiness. Nothing ever would be the same for her.
There was a knock on her door. She sighed heavily. The nurses and doctors didn't even bother knocking, so she knew that it had to be one of her friends. People that she didn't want to deal with no matter how good their intentions were.
This person didn't wait for an invitation either. They just walked in after a few minutes. She looked up to the face that she literally hadn't seen in about ten years. She barely recognized him. But there he stood. Could a guilty conscience bring him here? Or was it more likely a payoff.
"Buffy, my girl." Hank Summers slowly made his way to the bed. "How are you feeling?"
"Get out! Now!" Buffy was reaching for the nurses call button. But Hank quickly took it out of her reach. "You son of a bitch. Just get the hell away from me!"
"Now, is that anyway to talk to your father." There was a twinkle in his eyes. Ones that looked so much like her own. But yet, she could see a darkness there as well.
"Since when have you been my father?" Buffy tried to grab for the nurses button only to be caused pain. She winced, her chest hurt where the bullet had entered.
"Listen, I'm here to make amends." Hank sat down on the edge of her bed. "I know that ten years is a lot to make up for."
"And what the hell about me almost dying?" Buffy held her chest. The pain was unreal, making it hard to think. "I know that you could never have thought I was there, but you almost cost me my life, you bastard."
Hank stood up, leaving the call button where she could reach it. "I knew you were there." Those words echoed throughout the blond's head. "I knew that you were seeing Spike and that you would be with him that morning. But that is the cost of doing business. At least, for me it is." He sighed. "I can see that we are different in our beliefs. I had thought that I could make up for the injuries. But you'll never let me."
Her voice could barely be heard, it was hardly even a whisper. "Get out." As soon as his back was turned to her, tears burst out. Her father had almost wished that she had died. Now there's a great father for you.
^^^^^^^
Giles sat at the little breakfast nook in his apartment. But he wasn't having breakfast. In fact, he wasn't eating at all. The answer had surprised him. Jenny had turned him down.
He had managed to keep everyone guessing. Guessing that he was not really in one of the darkest places he had ever been. It was very bad. So bad that he didn't not even want to think about it. His heart had been ripped out.
What was worse, she hadn't really given him a reason. She had just said that she couldn't. She couldn't make a commitment like that. That things in her past would come between them.
He had asked what had been between them. She had replied rather coldly that there had been a good time. Nothing more. That she was not the type to let her feelings get in the way. That a relationship was not what she had in mind.
So, he sat alone on a Friday night. His niece was out with her best friend. Tara was out with Anya. It just left him there all alone to suffer. And suffer he was. It was not a good time to be had for anyone.
Well, at least not for him. He could still not understand it all. So he sat and sipped his scotch. He knew that getting drunk would solve nothing. But it was better then the pain. And pain was all he could see in front of him.
That's when there was a knock on the door. He was more then a little tempted to just let the people keep on knocking. But it was not in his nature to let others suffer. No matter how much he was suffering himself.
So, he took a big gulp of the scotch. Partially to calm himself. Partially just to keep the ache dull that he still felt inside. He wrapped his bathrobe even tighter. It was all he really had worn the last few days.
Sighing heavily, he opened the door. The last person on earth he thought he would see standing there stood before him. And she still looked as radiant as ever. His heart caught for a moment before he could recover.
"And exactly what is it that you want, Miss Calendar." The coldness of his tone said volumes.
Jenny swallowed hard. "I deserve that. I know that I do. And sorry won't cut it. But there maybe something else I can do. If you'll let me in."
Giles raised an eyebrow. "And exactly what would that be?"
"Talk." Jenny let her self by as her answer seemed to stun the librarian for a moment. "We need to talk. It's about my past. And why I said what I said."
^^^^^^
The sun had long ago set in Sunnydale California. Two young teens that had been friends since they were only babies, were now walking down the street. One was using the crutches that helped support her while her legs regained their strength.
The other walked tall and proud. There were some looks from people, but he didn't care. She was his best friend and would be til the end. He may not be sure if Anya was his true love yet, but he was sure that he and the redhead would always be friends.
"So, that was an interesting movie." Willow looked around. Being on this particular street was a reminder. A reminder of the car accident that had taken so much from her. At yet, had brought her so much in her young life.
"Yeah." Xander could tell that she wasn't comfortable on this street. And who could blame her. It had happened just such short a time ago. "We'll have to remember not to rent that one when it comes out."
Willow laughed. It had been a long time since just she and Xander had spent time together. She loved Tara with all of her heart, but she would always want some alone time with her best friend. "A definite not." She sighed heavily. "So, what about you and Anya? What's up with you two? Haven't talked to you in forever about these things."
Xander shrugged. "We seem all right. It's just that she does get distant. And she disappears every now and then. But when she's here, it's just so wonderful."
"I know that feeling." There was a warm smile on her face now. "I feel the same about Tara. Well, accept for the distant and disappearing thing seeing that we share the same room and are pretty much together twenty four seven and I'll shut up now."
She trailed off because Xander was giving her the goofiest of looks. "Spending all your free time together. Doing what? Hmmm. I like the possibilities."
That's when Willow smacked his arm. "Xander, grow up. There is more to life then sex. We just are there for each other. And well, we do enjoy hot and heavy make out sessions, but I digress on that one." Her face turned a nice shade of red. "So, what next on our night together? I know, how bout ice cream."
"You know I always am up for double scoops." They began to head towards the ice cream place. It was just a little ways up the street. "I wonder what our better halves are up to."
"Probably seeing some stupid movie like we did." Willow stopped a moment. "Thank you."
"For what?" Xander eyed her, a question in his eyes.
"For being the best friend that I ever had." Willow took his hand and gave it a squeeze. "Not everyone would have stood by me through all of this. It's an awful lot to ask. You've stood by me when there were bigots after us. Through me getting hurt. Through Tara getting hurt. And you saved her. That's something I'll never ever be able to repay you for."
"No need, mi lady." Xander took her hand and gave it a kiss. "Just stay friends with me til the end and we'll call it even."
"That's deal." The two walked off. Content and happy and not knowing what was happening at that very moment.
^^^^^
The movie had been a rather dull one. Normally, it was something that Tara never would see. A documentary. Not that she didn't like to see how things were done or what people thought of things. But how many hours could someone watch about cheese.
"That was interesting." Anya smiled from ear to ear. "I just love cheese. And there are so many kinds. It's just so awesome to see how they are made."
Tara eyed her for a moment. She was careful when she chose her next words. "Yes, there are definitely a lot of cheeses in the world. More then I thought that there were."
"Isn't it wonderful?" Anya was happy. For the first time in her life, she was happy. She had a boyfriend that she loved. And she was spending time with her half sister. Only, Tara didn't know that the two of them were related.
"It's one of life's wonderments." Tara couldn't help but giggle. Anya was an interesting person. But there was also this connection she found that she couldn't explain. Perhaps it was just that their significant others were so close.
"You up for something else?" Anya suddenly remembered what her father had asked of her. Yet again, she had to do his dirty work. But why? She couldn't understand that. "Maybe some hot chocolate. My treat."
Tara pulled her sweater tighter around her. "It is getting a little chilly and hot chocolate sounds really good. With marshmallows of course. Willow's got me hooked on those."
"Yeah." Anya swallowed hard. She didn't want to do what she was about to. "Marshmallows are great. They make smores as well. It's so awesome."
"Again with the awesome." Tara chuckled. "You seem in high spirits tonight. I'm glad. It's been fun. It's like I'm getting to know you for the first time, it's great."
"Yeah, it is." Anya turned and steered the other girl into an alley. "This is a short cut. We'll be there in two shakes of a lamb's tail."
Tara smiled. This Anya was so different. Yet she seemed so nice. And she seemed to genuinely care about her. And that was something she valued. There weren't that many out there that she could count on for that.
She stopped as she realized that Anya had stopped walking. She turned around to see that Anya held something in her hand. "What's up? You lose something?"
Anya held the object out more, so that it was now in one of the street lights in the alley way. The light glistened off from the barrel of the gun. "I don't want to do this. But he's making me. I really like you. I wish things could be different."
Tara held up her hands. "W-what's going on? W-who's making you do this?"
"Our father." That's when she held the gun up straight in front of her. "I'm sorry, sister." The gunshot sound resonated throughout the night.
And she really felt bad for shutting Spike out. They had been through a lot in their short relationship. It was something else, that was for sure. But she just could not bring herself to let him back in. Not yet.
So she lay there staring at the television. Some stupid teen show was on. It was around seven at night and she should be out doing something. Anything. But laying in this damn hospital bed.
Her anger was starting to get the better of her. She knew that she should stop. That she should let herself just cool off. But the anger was better then what she was feeling. And that was a total emptiness. Nothing ever would be the same for her.
There was a knock on her door. She sighed heavily. The nurses and doctors didn't even bother knocking, so she knew that it had to be one of her friends. People that she didn't want to deal with no matter how good their intentions were.
This person didn't wait for an invitation either. They just walked in after a few minutes. She looked up to the face that she literally hadn't seen in about ten years. She barely recognized him. But there he stood. Could a guilty conscience bring him here? Or was it more likely a payoff.
"Buffy, my girl." Hank Summers slowly made his way to the bed. "How are you feeling?"
"Get out! Now!" Buffy was reaching for the nurses call button. But Hank quickly took it out of her reach. "You son of a bitch. Just get the hell away from me!"
"Now, is that anyway to talk to your father." There was a twinkle in his eyes. Ones that looked so much like her own. But yet, she could see a darkness there as well.
"Since when have you been my father?" Buffy tried to grab for the nurses button only to be caused pain. She winced, her chest hurt where the bullet had entered.
"Listen, I'm here to make amends." Hank sat down on the edge of her bed. "I know that ten years is a lot to make up for."
"And what the hell about me almost dying?" Buffy held her chest. The pain was unreal, making it hard to think. "I know that you could never have thought I was there, but you almost cost me my life, you bastard."
Hank stood up, leaving the call button where she could reach it. "I knew you were there." Those words echoed throughout the blond's head. "I knew that you were seeing Spike and that you would be with him that morning. But that is the cost of doing business. At least, for me it is." He sighed. "I can see that we are different in our beliefs. I had thought that I could make up for the injuries. But you'll never let me."
Her voice could barely be heard, it was hardly even a whisper. "Get out." As soon as his back was turned to her, tears burst out. Her father had almost wished that she had died. Now there's a great father for you.
^^^^^^^
Giles sat at the little breakfast nook in his apartment. But he wasn't having breakfast. In fact, he wasn't eating at all. The answer had surprised him. Jenny had turned him down.
He had managed to keep everyone guessing. Guessing that he was not really in one of the darkest places he had ever been. It was very bad. So bad that he didn't not even want to think about it. His heart had been ripped out.
What was worse, she hadn't really given him a reason. She had just said that she couldn't. She couldn't make a commitment like that. That things in her past would come between them.
He had asked what had been between them. She had replied rather coldly that there had been a good time. Nothing more. That she was not the type to let her feelings get in the way. That a relationship was not what she had in mind.
So, he sat alone on a Friday night. His niece was out with her best friend. Tara was out with Anya. It just left him there all alone to suffer. And suffer he was. It was not a good time to be had for anyone.
Well, at least not for him. He could still not understand it all. So he sat and sipped his scotch. He knew that getting drunk would solve nothing. But it was better then the pain. And pain was all he could see in front of him.
That's when there was a knock on the door. He was more then a little tempted to just let the people keep on knocking. But it was not in his nature to let others suffer. No matter how much he was suffering himself.
So, he took a big gulp of the scotch. Partially to calm himself. Partially just to keep the ache dull that he still felt inside. He wrapped his bathrobe even tighter. It was all he really had worn the last few days.
Sighing heavily, he opened the door. The last person on earth he thought he would see standing there stood before him. And she still looked as radiant as ever. His heart caught for a moment before he could recover.
"And exactly what is it that you want, Miss Calendar." The coldness of his tone said volumes.
Jenny swallowed hard. "I deserve that. I know that I do. And sorry won't cut it. But there maybe something else I can do. If you'll let me in."
Giles raised an eyebrow. "And exactly what would that be?"
"Talk." Jenny let her self by as her answer seemed to stun the librarian for a moment. "We need to talk. It's about my past. And why I said what I said."
^^^^^^
The sun had long ago set in Sunnydale California. Two young teens that had been friends since they were only babies, were now walking down the street. One was using the crutches that helped support her while her legs regained their strength.
The other walked tall and proud. There were some looks from people, but he didn't care. She was his best friend and would be til the end. He may not be sure if Anya was his true love yet, but he was sure that he and the redhead would always be friends.
"So, that was an interesting movie." Willow looked around. Being on this particular street was a reminder. A reminder of the car accident that had taken so much from her. At yet, had brought her so much in her young life.
"Yeah." Xander could tell that she wasn't comfortable on this street. And who could blame her. It had happened just such short a time ago. "We'll have to remember not to rent that one when it comes out."
Willow laughed. It had been a long time since just she and Xander had spent time together. She loved Tara with all of her heart, but she would always want some alone time with her best friend. "A definite not." She sighed heavily. "So, what about you and Anya? What's up with you two? Haven't talked to you in forever about these things."
Xander shrugged. "We seem all right. It's just that she does get distant. And she disappears every now and then. But when she's here, it's just so wonderful."
"I know that feeling." There was a warm smile on her face now. "I feel the same about Tara. Well, accept for the distant and disappearing thing seeing that we share the same room and are pretty much together twenty four seven and I'll shut up now."
She trailed off because Xander was giving her the goofiest of looks. "Spending all your free time together. Doing what? Hmmm. I like the possibilities."
That's when Willow smacked his arm. "Xander, grow up. There is more to life then sex. We just are there for each other. And well, we do enjoy hot and heavy make out sessions, but I digress on that one." Her face turned a nice shade of red. "So, what next on our night together? I know, how bout ice cream."
"You know I always am up for double scoops." They began to head towards the ice cream place. It was just a little ways up the street. "I wonder what our better halves are up to."
"Probably seeing some stupid movie like we did." Willow stopped a moment. "Thank you."
"For what?" Xander eyed her, a question in his eyes.
"For being the best friend that I ever had." Willow took his hand and gave it a squeeze. "Not everyone would have stood by me through all of this. It's an awful lot to ask. You've stood by me when there were bigots after us. Through me getting hurt. Through Tara getting hurt. And you saved her. That's something I'll never ever be able to repay you for."
"No need, mi lady." Xander took her hand and gave it a kiss. "Just stay friends with me til the end and we'll call it even."
"That's deal." The two walked off. Content and happy and not knowing what was happening at that very moment.
^^^^^
The movie had been a rather dull one. Normally, it was something that Tara never would see. A documentary. Not that she didn't like to see how things were done or what people thought of things. But how many hours could someone watch about cheese.
"That was interesting." Anya smiled from ear to ear. "I just love cheese. And there are so many kinds. It's just so awesome to see how they are made."
Tara eyed her for a moment. She was careful when she chose her next words. "Yes, there are definitely a lot of cheeses in the world. More then I thought that there were."
"Isn't it wonderful?" Anya was happy. For the first time in her life, she was happy. She had a boyfriend that she loved. And she was spending time with her half sister. Only, Tara didn't know that the two of them were related.
"It's one of life's wonderments." Tara couldn't help but giggle. Anya was an interesting person. But there was also this connection she found that she couldn't explain. Perhaps it was just that their significant others were so close.
"You up for something else?" Anya suddenly remembered what her father had asked of her. Yet again, she had to do his dirty work. But why? She couldn't understand that. "Maybe some hot chocolate. My treat."
Tara pulled her sweater tighter around her. "It is getting a little chilly and hot chocolate sounds really good. With marshmallows of course. Willow's got me hooked on those."
"Yeah." Anya swallowed hard. She didn't want to do what she was about to. "Marshmallows are great. They make smores as well. It's so awesome."
"Again with the awesome." Tara chuckled. "You seem in high spirits tonight. I'm glad. It's been fun. It's like I'm getting to know you for the first time, it's great."
"Yeah, it is." Anya turned and steered the other girl into an alley. "This is a short cut. We'll be there in two shakes of a lamb's tail."
Tara smiled. This Anya was so different. Yet she seemed so nice. And she seemed to genuinely care about her. And that was something she valued. There weren't that many out there that she could count on for that.
She stopped as she realized that Anya had stopped walking. She turned around to see that Anya held something in her hand. "What's up? You lose something?"
Anya held the object out more, so that it was now in one of the street lights in the alley way. The light glistened off from the barrel of the gun. "I don't want to do this. But he's making me. I really like you. I wish things could be different."
Tara held up her hands. "W-what's going on? W-who's making you do this?"
"Our father." That's when she held the gun up straight in front of her. "I'm sorry, sister." The gunshot sound resonated throughout the night.
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