Fw: Conversations 7

"Step aside ladies, leave this to the expert," Xander announced.

Buffy and Willow dutifully stepped to one side to let him examine the device. Giles ‘hmmph’ed and continued carefully tracing wires.

"This should be a piece of cake. I just have to pull one of these wires and press a button," the teenager continued.

"Great. So which wire are you gonna pull?" Buffy asked. "And when did you become an expert anyway?"

"Let’s just say that I’ve had my own adventures that you aren’t even aware of. They don’t call me Mr Adventure for nothing you know."

"Who?"

"Huh?"

"Who calls you Mr Adventure."

"Well, no one yet but I’m . . . look, can we get back to the original subject?"

"Ok. Which wire are you gonna pull?"

Xander looked at the pile of wires and gadgets. "It’s either this one . . . or this one. Eeny meeny miny mo . . ."

"Xander stop!" Willow spoke up for the first time since they had enteredthe underground cavern. "Be sure. I don’t want to go kaplooey because you eenyed when you should have meenyed!"

"I’ve seen this done. I know what I’m doing," Xander protested.

"Willow’s right," Buffy added. "I don’t want my gravestone to say ‘oops’ on it. Step away from the bomb."

"But-"

"Now!"

Willow looked at the scary mish-mash of wires, detonators and timers. "Why did the demons plant a bomb anyway? It doesn’t make sense. We’ve been fighting demons for four years and I’ve never seen them try anything so . . ."

"Normal?" Buffy suggested. "I don’t think this is a world ending attempt. I think it’s a Buffy-ending attempt as prelude to destroying the world. They probably didn’t expect you guys to come along as well. Which is a good thing because if you hadn’t I’d really be in trouble."

Now that Xander had been persuaded to the leave the bomb alone he was prowling the outer edges of the cavern they were in, trying to find a way out. "The good new," he told them, "is that no one else will be wandering down here any time soon. The bad news is that door is at least six inches thick. I doubt even Giles can pick the lock."

"Which is exactly why I’m trying to disarm the bomb before it goes off," Giles said testily. "So I would appreciate some peace and quiet. Thank you."

Willow and Buffy dutifully retreated away from the frustrated Watcher and sat down with their backs against the rock wall. After a moment Buffy said, "I’ll give them credit; locking us in a cave with a bomb is a new way to try and kill me."

"Buffy, we’re not going to die. Giles will disarm the bomb and then we’ll think of a way to get out of here."

"I know we’re not going to die. I’m just feeling a little wigged that the counter says four minutes until we blow up and Giles is still going ‘hmm’ at the big bomb."

"It’ll be ok," Willow tried to reassure her. She put an arm around her friend’s shoulder began to softly rub her upper arm in soothing patterns."Giles is Giles. He can do it."

Buffy tried to think of something besides how nice it was to be held like that and how pleasant the tingles were that spread out from Willow’s fingers. "You know, you’re right. We’ve been in much tougher situations and comeout alive. Do you remember Malcolm the robot?"

"Oo, what about the fish monsters?"

"Those zombies were pretty bad."

"Remember the time we got locked in the boiler room with the gas on?"

"Ye . . . uh, no." Buffy looked puzzled. "I think I’d remember something like that."

"Oh, sorry, you weren’t there. Angel rescued us. I think you were being tortured by Marnie that time."

"Ah, that would explain. I wonder what happened to her?"

"The FBI probably rehabilitated her and she’s now a productive member of society again."

"Will, you have been watching too many infomercials again."

They watched as the red numbers on the timer flicked from 2.00 to 1.59, 1.58, 1.57 . . .

"I wish he’d just hurry up," Buffy complained. "That clock is really freaking me out now."

"I’d say something comforting but I’ve run out," Willow said worriedly.

Buffy kept her eyes on the clock but slid an arm around her friend’s waist.

1.03 . . . 1.02 . . . 1.01 . . . 1.00 . . . 0.59 . . .

"Buffy-"

"Willow-"

They spoke together and blushed. Buffy gestured for the redhead to go onand she did not argue – the time was running dangerously low.

"Buffy, you’ve been my best friend for a long time. I wanted you to know, in case we die before I can tell you, that I-"

"Aha!" Giles shouted in triumph.

Both girls started and looked towards the Watcher, who was standing overthe assortment of wires and boxes on the table, proudly holding up a wire. The numbers of the timer had stopped at 0.24 and as they watched the lights on it flickered and died.

"I believe if I use a small amount of the explosive from this I can jury-rig something to open that door," the older man continued oblivious to the quickly masked disappointment on the girls’ faces.

"That’s, uh, great," Buffy. "What were you saying Will?"

"Oh, nothing important," Willow said, wondering what on earth she had been thinking of a minute ago.

You know full well what you were thinking a minute ago, she told herself angrily, and that is the best way to ruin a friendship there is. Not to mention the best way to complicate an already overcomplicated life. Think with your head, not your heart, she instructed herself.

What was I hoping she’d say? Buffy asked herself as she followed Giles’ directions. I’m not sure what I want so stop putting words into her mouth. She’s with Tara and I’m with Riley and that’s the end. Isn’t it?

To be continued...