FIC: These Roads We Travel (3)

["Kimber" <feralspirit@xxxxxxxx>]

TITLE: These Roads We Travel 
AUTHOR: Kimber (kimbertvs@xxxxxxxxx)
DISCLAIMER: All BTVS characters belong to Joss Whedon and Mutant Enemy.  
SUMMARY: The long awaited next story in "The Road Series".  
SPOILERS: Everything is fair game.
DISTRIBUTION: The usual suspects. Anyone else, e-mail me please.
AUTHOR'S NOTES: This comes because I've had so many great responses to theseries and many people begging for another. Be careful what you wish for.

{{{Indicates Flashbacks}}}

-----------

"Daddy?" Lisa stood in her living room with a very nervous Laurel at her side. "You around?"

"Up here, princess!" Came the disembodied reply from the second floor. "I'll be down in a minute!"

"Maybe this wasn't such a hot idea." Laurel said as she inched towards thefront door.

Lisa grabbed her arm. "Oh no you don't. It's only my dad. . .you nailed me with Faith and Buffy at the same time. Payback sucks, doesn't it?" She grinned.

"Oh, and, um. . .*princess*? Paybacks do suck, just you wait." Laurel winked at her.

Before Lisa could respond, her father came down the stairs carrying a largebox. "How about a hand, princess? You're old man isn't as young as he used to be."

Lisa went to him and helped him set the box down in the living room. "Don't hand me that old man stuff, J. You've got a long time to go before retirement and preparation H." She smirked at him.

"Well, what do we have here? You didn't tell me you brought company with you. And here we are bantering back and forth. You're friend must think we're nuts." He put his hand out to Laurel. "Hi, I'm Lisa's father, Jason, but you can call me J if you'd like. My daughter seems to like it enough."He glanced at her and winked.

Laurel smiled. "Nice to meet you, J. I'm Laurel Rosenberg."

"Laurel, huh? *The* Laurel Rosenberg I've heard so much about? It's nice to see that Lisa finally decided to bring you home for a proper introduction."

"Daddy!" Lisa blushed.

"What?" He looked at her innocently before kneeling down and opening the box. "I was beginning to think you made her up, Li. I was sure someone that wonderful couldn't possibly exist. . .especially in an *interesting* townlike Sunnydale."

Lisa shook her head and blushed again.

"So you've heard about me?" Laurel smiled. She had a feeling she was going to get along with Lisa's father very well. She knelt down next to him and helped empty the contents of the box. "So what else has she said? Did she tell you about my little walking on water trick? Personally, I think that's her favorite." She grinned up at Lisa.

"Walking on water? Hmm, let me see. . .no, no, I don't recall that, but I do seem to remember her saying something about having a great set of. . "

"Daddy!!!" Lisa turned pale.

". . .eyes. Great big green ones in fact." He leaned closer to Laurel andexamined her face. "Yup, I'd have to agree with her on that one." He nodded.

Laurel didn't know what to make of the exchange so she simply nodded and smiled.

"I can't believe you." Lisa pouted. "Can't you ever behave yourself around my friends?"

"Who me?" He looked up at her innocently. "I'm just being playful, princess. I thought you liked having a hip dad?"

"Yeah, right." She rolled her eyes. "Don't let him fool you, Lau-Lau. Hecan be a geezery old man when he wants to be." She finally turned her attention to the box they were unpacking. "God, what are you doing with that old thing?"

"Your Aunt needs it." He smiled. "I'm gonna be an uncle! She's due in February."

"That's great! I'll have to give her a call later on when I get back."

"Yes, well. . .I have to get my infant fix from someplace." He winked at her. "God knows you're not gonna deliver anytime soon."

"Daddy!!" Lisa blushed even deeper than before. She didn't think it was possible.

Jason laughed when he saw the expression on Laurel's face. "Don't worry, Green Eyes, it's no secret to me that my daughter is 'differently orientated'. We had a talk about it a long time ago." He smiled at Lisa affectionately. "Like mother like daughter I suppose." He shrugged and looked sad for a moment, but then suddenly he was back to smiling. "What do you say I make us some iced tea?"

"We're not staying long. I just came by to grab some extra clothes and to have you and Laurel meet."

"Jenna will be home in about an hour. It would be nice if you stuck aroundlong enough so that she can remind herself what you look like."

Lisa rolled her eyes. "Okay, fine." She took Laurel's hand and headed to the stairs. "We'll be down in a while. Save the iced tea for when Jenna gets here." She turned to him. "Love you, daddy."

He smiled. "Love you too kiddo. Be good." He winked at Laurel.

-----------

Anya's eyes went wide. "You!"

Willow smiled despite being caught in Xander's library by the ex-vengance demon. "And you." She nodded.

"You're dead."

"Am not! I'm just. . .broken." She smirked. "And it's nice to see you too."

"Have you told Buffy? You must have been quite uncomfortable. Especially since she and Faith are. . ."

"Stop!" Willow put her hand up in the air. "Too much information. I'm well aware of the 'Buffy and Faith situation' thank you very much." She rolled her eyes. "And how did you know about that anyway?"

"Xander told me. He said he thought you'd have a cow over it but. . ." She shrugged. "The reference was lost on me I guess. I thought humans couldonly give birth to other humans. Unless of course that has to do with youbeing immortal and all."

Willow couldn't help but chuckle. Anya would never change, and for that she was strangely grateful. Anya approached her and put her hand through Willow's body. She did this several times until Willow backed away giggling. "Cut it out! That tickles!"

"Sorry. How come you're transparent? Haven't you figured out how to fix that yet?"

"That's what I'm trying to do now. Xander, being the lovable but lazy oaf that he is, hasn't put all of his books away yet. So I sort of don't have any real place to start looking."

"What about. . .?" Anya's eyes went wide and she stomped her foot. "Hey! That's why he was asking me about the Powers That Be and all of that temporal fold stuff!" She crossed her arms and pouted. "How long has he been keeping you from me?"

Willow grinned sheepishly. "Uh, yeah, that's why." She thought for a moment. "Not long. Only a few days or, um, maybe a week or so. But, Anya, you have to promise me that you won't tell anyone in Sunnydale that I'm here.I don't want to give them false hope about me coming back, seeing how I don't know if that's actually possible yet."

"Fine. I promise." She turned and grabbed a few books and began putting them on the shelf. "It's probably for the best that you not come back anyway. It would really put a cramp in Buffy and Faith's relationship."

"Anya!" Willow rolled her eyes. "Look, I'm not mad about that. Buffy canmake her own decisions. Who am I to say that she can't move on? Especially since she thinks I'm dead. I'd never begrudge her moving on and lovingsomeone else, even if it is Faith."

Anya thought for a moment. "So if you are able to go back, what then? Aren't you just going to ruin what they have now by doing that? Faith never struck me as one that shares very well with others."

Willow sat at the table and absorbed the little revelation Anya just made. What would happen if she was able to go back? Buffy would be happy, but the longer she was away, the harder it would be for Buffy and Faith to end what they started. And who was to say that Buffy would be willing to end itanyway? Who ever said that Buffy would definitely take Willow back? Someone was going to get hurt either way. . .there was no way around it. Unless. . .she never went back at all.  

Willow sighed at all the information suddenly swimming around her head. "Oh, God, I think I need to sit down."

"You're already sitting." Xander said from the doorway.

"Good for me." She commented before folding her arms on the desk and burying her head there.

A book went sailing across the room and nailed Xander right in the forehead. "Ouch!! Anya, what was *that* for?"

She stalked up to him. "You need to ask?" She gestured to Willow. "Why didn't you tell me she wasn't dead?"

"Anya, honey. . ." He took her hand gently and walked her over to the table so they could join Willow. "Willow asked me not to. At least not until we figured out how permanent her condition is. We just didn't want to get anyone's hopes up, that's all."

"Oh, Xander. . .all you had to do was tell me what was going on and I couldhave helped with this mess right from the beginning. Going though musty old books is *such* a waste of time."

He regarded her curiously. "And how could you possibly do anything that I can't? I have all the resources of the living and the dead available to meand still we've come up with nothing."

"I can get you an audience with The Powers." She said smugly. "They owe me a few favors."

"What?" Willow looked up at her. "How can The Powers That Be possibly oweyou?"

"It's a long story. They weren't always omnipotent beings you know. They were human once."  

Xander shook his head and smiled.

"What?" Anya looked at him, annoyed.

"Nothing." He leaned over and kissed her. "I just love you, that's all. And I'll never doubt you or keep anything from you again."

"Well good." She smiled.

"Okay, so when do we do this?" Willow asked. "But wait. Maybe it's not such a good idea. I mean, Buffy. . .she's happy. . .right? I mean. . .argh!. . .I don't know. Maybe we need to rethink this whole plan." She got upand walked over to the window. "Maybe it's not such a good idea I go back."

"Will." Xander walked up behind her. "What are you saying?"

"Maybe I'm here for a reason. Maybe Buffy and Faith. . .maybe they're better off without me around." She shrugged.

"Five minutes with Anya and you're questioning your whole existence."

"Hey!" Anya yelled from behind them.

"No offense, hun." He smiled at her and turned back to Willow. "Look, Will. We have a shot here at getting you circulated in the world again. . a really good shot. Tell me you wouldn't do anything to hold Laurel again."

She turned to face him. "That's not fair, Xander."

"It is. You have to think about her too you know. Think about how much you love her and miss her. How you always said you'd do anything for her to make her happy. She's your life, Will."

Willow closed her eyes and thought about her daughter from the moment she was just an idea in Willow's and Buffy's hearts, to when she was born, to the first time she heard Laurel say 'mommy'. Every cut, bruise and bad dreamWillow either kissed away or did a spell for. Xander was right. Laurel was everything.

"Will." Xander whispered. "Open your eyes."

She slowly opened her eyes and wiped the tears away she hadn't been aware of shedding. "I love her more than my life. More than anything, Xander. You know that."

He smiled. "I know." He reached out and touched her shoulder. She startled a bit from the sudden 'solid' feeling of it and her eyes went wide with surprise. "And that's what just brought you back together."  

As soon as she realized what he was saying, she leapt into his arms and gave him a crushing hug. "Oh my god!" A million thoughts entered her mind. Getting back to Laurel, finding Buffy. . .making love to Buffy as many times as they could before passing out. She blushed as she followed that thought then suddenly found herself fall through Xander and to the ground.

He looked down at her and chuckled. "You have to concentrate, Will. Otherwise you just go all fuzzy again."

She shook her head and tried to clear her thoughts. "How did you find out?"

He shrugged. "I went to an old friend and asked. I don't know why I didn't do it in the first place." He smiled down at her. "Your dismount could use a little work though."

Willow smirked. "Gee, thanks." She got up off the ground and dusted herself off.

"So what now?" Anya asked.

"I don't know. I can imagine that having an audience with The Powers isn'tany kind of a picnic so for now, I think I should research my other options."

"Will. . ." Xander hedged.

"Don't." She shook her head. "I need to think about this, Xander. There are a lot of ramifications involved. Last time I went off without thinkingI wound up in a million little pieces."

He put his hands up in defeat. "Okay, okay. Just. . .don't think about ittoo long. I could use another hug like that very soon."

She smiled and nodded, then back to shelving the books.

---------

Buffy and Faith stood in Faiths apartment in L.A. Even though most of her time was spent in Sunnydale, she just didn't have the heart to give it up. It was the first place she was able to call home in the time that she was working for Angel and Cordy.  

Buffy had never been there before, so she was wandering around looking at all the knick knacks Faith had scattered around. There were pictures of thegang at various stages of their friendship, a picture of Angel and Cordelia of all people, together on a rooftop and one lone wallet size baby picture in a frame. Buffy picked it up and studied the child for a few moments. The edges of the picture were dog eared and Buffy could imagine that it had seen better days. The child was wrapped in a pink blanket and staring out at her with haunting eyes - eyes that Buffy could swear she'd seen before.

"What cha doin?" Faith came up behind her.

"Who's this?" Buffy handed the framed picture to Faith.

"It's ah. . .no one really. Some kid I saved when I was working for Angel." She shrugged. "The parents sent me a picture, so I kept it."

Buffy nodded in understanding. "Cool place." She looked around. "Very Faith-like."

"You think?" The Dark Slayer smiled.

She nodded. "Yeah. So. . .why are we here?"

"I just thought a change of scenery would be nice. Plus you've never been here before so. . ." She shrugged.

"Well, it was a great idea." Buffy smiled and put her arms around the taller woman's shoulders. "No kids, no vamps, no Giles. . .what ever shall we do?"

"Buffy," Faith removed Buffy's arms from around her and looked at her seriously.

"Uh, oh. You never call me that."

"Yeah, I know. Look, I. . ." Faith walked away from her a few paces. Shejust couldn't think when the blonde slayer was that close. "I don't know if this is such a hot idea. I mean, what will Laurel think? And Red, she's the love of your life and all. I just don't feel right about it. I've tried but," She shrugged. "I don't know. I'm sorry."

Buffy was crestfallen. "Faith, I need you."

The Dark Slayer shook her head. "No you don't, B. I'm not good for you, for anyone."

"God, do you hear yourself!" Buffy stalked up to her, angrily. "Don't pull that 'woe is me' shit, cause it's not gonna work. Not anymore. You are good, Faith. You've atoned for all the crap in the past twice over. And if you don't believe me just ask Laurel. She loves you just the way you areand believe me, that's one perceptive kid we have there."

"You. You have there. She's not mine, B."

"She may as well be, Faith. Yours and mine and Willow's. Willow never stopped Laurel from loving you or seeing you. The three of us raised her. You have to know that."

Faith shook her head. "No, you raised her. You and Willow, I was just there for the ride. I'm no good at the momming thing anyway, trust me on *that* one."

"What the hell do you think you've been doing this past year? You've helped me raise her, Faith. You've been there for her the way a parent is. Don't you see that?" Buffy turned the Dark Slayer around to face her. Tears rolled down her cheeks, and it took her by surprise. She reached up and wiped them away. "What's this about?" He tone was more calm now, more gentle. "I mean, really. I know it's not about Laurel, and it's not about Willow because we climbed that mountain already, so what is it Faith? Tell me what's wrong. Why are you doing this?"

Faith stepped away from her and walked over to where the pictures of the gang were. She began re-arranging them for no particular reason. . .just forsomething to do so she wouldn't have to answer Buffy or face her. She wasafraid, more afraid than she could ever remember being. One false move, one well placed touch or kind word, and everything would come spilling out with no stop in sight. That just couldn't happen. Not to Faith anyway. Faith was strong and brave and lived on the edge of danger. . .she wasn't some little wuss who cried over every little thing that went wrong, or things she couldn't even begin to fix or make up for.

Buffy stepped up behind her and wrapped her arms around Faith's waist. "What ever it is, you can tell me. I won't judge you or turn you away. I swear."

Faith shook her head. "I can't." She choked out. She took a deep breath and turned to face Buffy. "God, look at me. This isn't what I brought youhere for. I wanted to stop in and grab a change of clothes and show you the place."

Buffy smiled. "It's okay. I'm glad you did it. Bring me here I mean."

Faith nodded and wiped away the last of her tears. "Okay, so we should head back. Laurel and Lisa are doing that movie thing tonight, but I thoughtwe'd take them out for iced cream before they settle in. Sound good?"

"Sounds like a fine plan to me. Let's go." Buffy grabbed her jacket and followed Faith to the door. She turned her around and kissed her firmly. "And don't think you just weaseled your way out of this discussion with promises of chocolaty goodness. We talk later. Got it?"

Faith sighed, but nodded in agreement.

--------

Giles fumbled for the phone. "Hello?"

"Mr. Giles, sir, this is Quin Spencer from the council in England."

"Yes, I know who you are. What's the problem now?"

"We have some news, sir. Our research teams have come across a prophesy involving your Slayer." He paused a moment. "I'm afraid it's not good news."

"Let me guess. The world is to come to an end is it? And the Slayer is todie?" Giles rolled his eyes.

"Yes, that's it sir. How did you know.?" The young watcher couldn't hold back his surprise.

"How old are you, boy?"

"I-I'm twenty two sir. A novice for two years."

Giles shook his head. The least the council could do was to put someone experienced on the phone. "Well let me tell you something Mr. Spencer, I've had three Slayers in my charge and none of them have died yet from a prophesy. Well, one of them did, but it was only for a moment. Now, unless you have other pressing business to discuss with me, I would really like to get back to work if you don't mind."

The man cleared his throat. "Yes, well, there is the matter of the Slayer being assigned a Watcher. You have been retired for some years now and thecouncil would like to. . ."

"Mr. Spencer, do you know anything at all about the active Slayer?" Giles was beginning to lose his patience.

"Well, yes of course. Small in stature, about 5'4", red hair, green eyes, birthplace Sunnydale Memorial Hospital, birth mother is Willow Rosenberg a witch, father is unknown. She is sixteen years of age, excels at her lessons in secondary school. . .

"Her name, sir. Do you know her name?"

"The Chosen One of course."

Giles rolled his eyes. "Her birth name you ninny! Do you know the name bywhich her friends and family call her?"

"I'm afraid I don't, sir." The novice watcher was at a loss for words. "But I do know that she is Slayer number one thousand two." He offered meekly.

"Her name is Laurel Summer Rosenberg you pillock! And for your informationshe happens to be my granddaughter. I do not need a Watcher here for supervision because I have two other Slayers, one of which is her other mother,here to guide her. I'd suggest you do your research before contacting me again. Oh, and she is Slayer number one thousand ten you moron. There have been nine others before her in the past sixteen years." He slammed the phone down.

------

"You told her?"

"No. Not really. I just. . .coached her a bit."

"I see."

"You told me not to tell her and I didn't. I know she has to find out for herself, but I couldn't stand to see her give up."

"It's alright. You didn't break any rules and I'm not mad." She smiled. "Leave it to you to find a back door."

He grinned. "Yeah, well, things should move a bit faster now. Don't you think?"

She nodded. "Yes, they should. Though she's not going to be happy about her destiny. She's going to fight it all the way until the last possible second." She chuckled a little and shook her head. "Though it wouldn't be Willow if she didn't do that. Now would it?"

"No. It definitely wouldn't." His expression grew serious. "If she findsout. . ."

"She'll be mad, but. . .these things can't be avoided. You know that. You're first allegiance is to your station. You accepted that and all the responsibility that came with it when you became the Shadowman." She placed her hand on his. "Don't worry. It'll all fall into place soon."

"I just hope you're right."

--------

"We've been waitin for ya." Faith said to Laurel and Lisa as they walked through the door. "Buff and I wanted to take you guys for iced cream beforeyou start your movie fest. You game?"

Lisa looked nervously at Laurel for some indication. Her face was unreadable.

"Sure." Laurel shrugged. She looked over at Lisa. "That good with you?"

"Uh, sure." She nodded and sighed in relief.

Laurel looked around Giles' apartment suspiciously. She could feel that something wasn't right, but she wasn't sure what.

"What's wrong, Lau-Lau?" Lisa looked at her.

"I don't know. Something's. . .weird. My Slayer sense is doing double time." Instinctively, she put Lisa behind her out of harms way.

Lisa rolled her eyes. "Laurel. What exactly do you think is gonna jump outand attack us in your grandfather's home with three Slayers here? Get a grip, will ya."

Laurel tried to look at her menacingly, but it came off as an amused smirk. "Oh, I'll get a grip alright." She wiggled her eyebrows. "Any suggestions where to start?"

Lisa's eyes went wide when she saw Faith's jaw drop.  

"Laurel?!" Faith said, surprised.

Buffy walked back into the room from the bathroom. "Hey. . .I thought I heard you two come in. Iced cream? Chocolate? What are we waiting for? Let's go." She headed toward the door. Laurel and Lisa made a hasty exit and Faith followed shaking her head.

Giles sat passively at his desk watching the exchange. He wasn't surprisedat the development between Lisa and Laurel. He knew it was coming for quite some time. There were more pressing matters to attend to right now other than his granddaughter's love life. He turned his attention back to the desk. In front of him, was the eighth volume of the Garzian texts. He took his glasses off and rubbed the bridge of his nose. "Are you sure?"

> > From upstairs, a figure descended. "I'm sure."

"There's no room for mistakes with this."

The figure, a man, reached the landing and stood before him. "There's no mistake. I never would have come if. . ."

Giles raised his hand and stopped him mid sentence. "I know." He rose from his chair and closed the book. He turned around and regarded the man before him. "What now?"

He shrugged. "It's a waiting game. The prophesy is clear, Giles. It's all going to fall into place, we just don't know when."

"Bloody wonderful." Giles sighed. He looked up suddenly embarrassed. "I'm sorry. It just such a. . .well, it's a paradox, really if you think about it." He tried to smile despite the news. "While one person gains what they most want in the world, one person loses what they love the most. And the world will be safe forever."

"I know. Believe me, that's all I've thought about." He glanced towards the window and sighed. "It's dark. I should go before they get back. Theydon't need to see me yet." He nodded his head solemnly and without another word, slipped out the door.

---------

She couldn't stand it anymore. It was pure torture. No, it was worse thantorture - she was almost positive of that fact. She'd never faced a demonso disgusting or a vampire so tough - she was able to take them all down. But this, this was different. She wasn't sure if she was gonna make it, wasn't sure how much longer she could hold out. She was sure to snap any second now. Any seco---

"Laurel!" Lisa waved her hand in front of her friends face.

Laurel snapped her head up. "Wha?" The four of them were sitting in the local iced cream parlor. Faith sat next to Laurel and across from them were Buffy and Lisa. Three sets of eyes regarded the young Slayer curiously. "What?" She asked again.

"You're staring off into space like someone put a spell on you or something. What's up?"

Laurel shrugged. "Nothing really, I'm kinda beat is all, and we still haveto go on patrol after this." She slumped back in her seat.

"We can cover it." Buffy looked over at Faith.

"We can?" Faith's eyebrows shot up in curiosity.

"Yeah. Why not? It'll be like old times. What was it you used to say? 'We're the chosen two, girlfriend'." Buffy smiled.

"It's covered." Laurel looked over at her mother.

"It's not a problem, Laurel, really. I was hoping to---"

"It's covered." Laurel said a little more evenly. She got up and turned her gaze to Lisa. "Come on. Shouldn't take long then we'll go back to Papa's." Lisa rose without a word. Laurel began to walk out but turned back to them. "I know. I don't want to talk about it right now but, I know."

Buffy looked at her, confused. "Laurel, what are you. . .?" A look of realization crossed her face. "Oh."

"Laurel, wait." Faith stood and walked towards her.

"Stop right there." She put her hand up. "You may have been a Slayer longer than I have but you're old and I can kick your ass."

"Laurel!" Lisa looked at her in shock.

"Come on." Laurel took Lisa's hand and pulled her out of the iced cream shop.

Faith watched them walk off then turned around to look at Buffy.

"Don't say it." Buffy shook her head.

"I told you this was a bad idea."  

"I told you not to say it."

"Doesn't make it any less true, B." Faith said sadly.

Buffy whispered. "I know."

--------

"I beg of you, please listen." She looked around. "Where ever you are." She muttered.

Willow stood in a white marble chamber. It was spacious and windows lined the walls from floor to ceiling. Through the windows was the great expanseof space and nothing but space. Millions of stars twinkled in the inky blackness. She stood in the chamber of The Powers That Be.

"It is you who does not understand, little one." A mist swirled around Willow and gathered into solidity. Before Willow stood a young woman. Her hair was the color of gold and she wore a cream colored tunic with a gold rope wrapped around her slender waist. Her eyes were dark blue and it was as if the tide rose and fell in them. She was by no means petite or fragile. She smiled at Willow and wove her hands in front of them both. Out of thin air, an intricate network of threads appeared. It stretched from the floor through the ceiling with no end in sight. "I am Aisa, more commonly known as Lachesis. I am the measurer of threads and am responsible for allotting each being it's portion in life."

Another mist swirled around and out from Lachesis and another woman appeared. She was middle aged, with light brown hair streaked with gray. She wore the same tunic as Lachesis, only it was light brown and didn't cling to her body. She could be described as Rubinesque and full figured yet just asattractive as the young Lachesis. Her eyes were dark gold and it was as if they were ever changing from gold to dark brown and back again. She smiled warmly at Willow. "I am Moira or Clotho if you please. I spin the thread of life which I gather from the abyss."  

Lachesis gestured to the window and a thin strand of gold thread came through it and across the room. The end of the thread hovered just above Willow's eye level. "That is the beginning. Now, chose where the thread is to end."

Willow looked at the woman in shock. "I can't. I have no right to decide when someone's life will end. I'm no one really, I came here as a last resort, to see if you could help me get back to my family. I---"

Clotho put her hand up to silence her. "Chose, child. Choose carefully. Concentrate."

Willow gulped and took a deep breath. She looked intently at the thread and images began to form in her mind. Female, two parents, middle class, intelligent, well spoken. She realized that the thread was speaking to her, telling her about it's life. She walked along the length of it and saw portions of this soon-to-be persons' life. When she reached a point where she thought the female would have been able to look back and say she had a goodlife, she chose. "Here." Carefully she pointed to part of the thread where it was to be cut.

Another mist swirled out of both woman and took form. This time, it was a much older woman. Her hair was all gray and she was hunched over slightly.She wore a tunic of black with a gold rope around her waist. Her eyes were as black as night and there was no sign of movement in them - physicallyor even emotionally. In her hand, she held a golden pair of cutting shears. "I am Daimon, or Atropos. The 'lady of the shears' and it is my duty to sever the thread of life at the appointed time." She walked slowly over to Willow and handed her the shears. "I now give this responsibility to you."

Willow thought about protesting, but knew it wouldn't do her and good. Shecarefully cut the thread where she'd chosen. The end of it retracted backout the window, and the single thread hung in the air before her. She handed the shears back to Atropos.

"Put your hands out, child." Lachesis said.

Willow obeyed and the thread floated slowly down to her hands.

In your hands, you hold one woman's thread of life." She pointed to the network of threads. "Choose a beginning."

Willow was in awe. She looked down at the thread in her hands with reverence, then back up to the network. How was she to decide where this person'sbeginnings would be? Who was she to decide at all? She shook her head. "I. . .I can't. I have no right."

"I'm giving you the right. For now." Lachesis gestured to the network again. "Look carefully and choose."

Willow stepped up to the web and began to concentrate on it. She began to understand where each thread began and each ended. Some began in isolation, without any other threads near them, and ended where you could barely distinguish the thread from the hundreds of others that surrounded it. Othersbegan with threads surrounding them, yet ended alone. She took a few moments and pointed to a cluster of threads in the center. "There."

"Very well then." Lachesis smiled at her. The thread lifted up from Willows hands and settled into the cluster she'd chosen. It snaked it's way through the other threads to where it was indistinguishable.

Clotho and Atropos melted away into the mist they first appeared as and gathered around Lachesis. The mist seemed to disappear into her. Lachesis walked around the network and studied it. After a few moments, she turned toWillow and smiled once again. "You've chosen wisely, little one. The woman is to live a good life. She will grow and flourish in a wonderful two parent home, never wanting, never deprived. She will live to be twenty."

Willow was smiling, but when she heard the age she gasped. "Twenty? That's so young! I thought you said I chose wisely? I thought I gave her a good life?"

"You did chose a good life for her." Lachesis stopped in front of the network and pointed to a cluster of threads. "Here. She was on her way to meet her fiancé in London. The plane was hijacked and because the two governments could not concur on a solution, all of the passengers were executed." Lachesis turned to Willow. "You see, no matter how well any being planstheir life and future, most if not all of them fail to factor in one important thing."

Willow looked at her and understood. She nodded and smiled sadly. "The path and fate of others."

Lachesis nodded. "No matter how well you plan, you cannot plan *through* other people's lives. You must plan with them."

"But that's impossible. How are you supposed to know what every other person you come in contact with is planning? How can you know what's the rightand wrong thing to do? How can you control it. . .any of it?"

"You can't, Willow. *You* can't control it or manipulate it or even changeit into anything other than what it was always meant to be. Something that was always meant to be no matter how badly you didn't want it to happen."

Willow's eyes fell to the floor. She understood finally the lesson the Powers were trying to teach her. She took matters into her own hands and tried to change fate, tried to tempt it. Regardless of what happened to her, fate kept plowing forward towards the end of the thread that was chosen, measured, cut carefully, and placed among the others. Nothing could change that. Not even Willow. "I understand." She whispered.

Lachesis approached her and placed her hand on Willow's shoulder. "Your daughter's fate has been sealed since even before you were old enough to daydream about holding her in your arms. She is the Chosen one. The one girl in all the world who will bring peace to the earth. Her fate, her thread of life is destined for this and nothing can or will change that."

"And what about me? What's to become of me and my life? Or even my current state." Willow looked up at Lachesis with pleading eyes.

"You've tempted the fates, little one. That deed has not gone unpunished."Lachesis saw Willow flinch, but continued on. "As I have said, we are all destined to be something. Significant or not, we all have a purpose. You must figure out what your purpose is now. Have you not looked upon yourcurrent state as a blessing instead of a curse? Haven't you thought aboutwhat it means to be who and what you are? There is reasoning behind everything, little one. In order to see the reasoning, sometimes one must thinkoutside the box so to speak."

Willow smiled. "Little one." She whispered.

Lachesis looked at her curiously and waited for her to continue.

Willow's eyes went wide. "Little one. That's what Angel calls me. His little one. I noticed you say it before but it didn't click at first." She looked up at Lachesis who smiled knowingly. "Angel. This has to do with the prophesy. He's a part of it. Why didn't I see it before?"

"Welcome," Lachesis gestured around the room. "To outside the box."

---------

He was talking to himself. He *never* talked to himself. That was something crazy people did. . .or old people. Well, he was old in a technical sort of way.  

"Oh, great. Since when did I get blessed with Willow's babble tendency?" He shook his head.

"Stop worrying and stop pacing. You're gonna wear a hole in the floor and I just had it waxed."

Angel turned around and smiled. "Sorry, Cor."

"You'd think you never faced a prophesy before. God! It's not like you didn't know this was coming."

"I didn't think it would be so soon. I mean, I'm ready for it, so ready, but I'm afraid they aren't. Especially Laurel."

Cordelia looked up from her desk. "How do you know what she is and isn't ready for? You haven't even met her yet." Angel shrugged and shoved his hands in his pockets. "You didn't?" He shrugged again. "God! What is it with you and the stalker thing? Haven't you learned your lesson by now?"

"Cordy, I have to keep my eye on her. I need to know how she is, how she moves, the way she operates. We're supposed to do this thing together and Buffy and Giles forbidding me from seeing her isn't gonna give us an edge." He moved over to the window. The sun was just setting. He knew it without even having to look. . .but it was still a habit of his. The powers he had began to heighten over the years. His senses were stronger now and morefinely tuned to his surroundings.

"Angel. Are you afraid?" 

He nodded and continued to stare out the window.

"You've never really been afraid going into a battle. Should I be worried?"

He turned to her. "Battle?" Angel shook his head. "I'm not scared of thebattle." He turned back to the window and placed his hand on the glass right where his reflection would have been. "I was talking about becoming human."

------

"Laurel. . ."

"No." The young Slayer spun around and drove her stake home into the newlyrisen vamp. He'd barely even had the chance to dust himself off and Laurel was on top of him. This was definitely not a night to mess with the Slayer.

Laurel walked over to the headstone Lisa was perched on and gave her a look. *The Look*

Lisa put her hands in front of her face and cowered in fear. "God no! Anything but that! I can't take it. . .I'm gonna die! Die I tell you, right on the spot!" She slumped forward and fell at Laurel's feet.

Laurel crossed her arms in front of her and smirked at the girl on the ground. "Okay, Drama Queen. Are you quite done now?"

Lisa rolled over on her back, put her hands behind her head, and smiled. "Umm, yeah. I think so. How about you? Are you done being pigheaded and stubborn? Cause I'll tell ya, if I wanted that then I'd be with a guy."

"Hey!" Laurel looked down, shocked. "I can't believe you said that!"

Lisa sat up and leaned back against the headstone. She motioned for Laurelto join her. "Laurel, seriously, I think you need to give it a chance. Imean, it's not like it's a shock at this point. You knew. You've known for a while now."

Laurel shook her head. "Look, I really don't wanna talk about this right now, but if we have to, can we save it for after patrol? I still have two more places to cover. Why don't you head back to Papa's and I'll meet you there in about an hour?"

Lisa shrugged. "Okay, but you promise we'll talk?"

"Promise."

----------

"What are we gonna do, Faith?"

Faith shrugged, then they both looked over to where the retired watcher wassitting. Giles could tell they were both looking at him but chose to ignore them and continue reading his paper. "Don't look at me. It's your mess, not mine."

"Thanks, G-man. Could always count on you." Faith said sarcastically.

"I'm serious, Faith. You both chose to keep this from her and now you haveto deal with the ramnifications. You should have just told her in the first place and allowed her to get used to the idea. It's not as if she doesn't know your past history."

"That's Giles' way of saying 'I told you so', only more British." Buffy made a face.

Giles looked up at them. "Yes, quite. Now if you don't mind, I have a prophesy to research."

Lisa opened the door and walked into Giles' living room. Buffy shot out ofthe chair and went over to her. "Where's Laurel? Is she okay? Did she freak? Does she hate us? Come on, no holding out."

Lisa blinked at the barrage of questions the blonde had rattled off. "Now I know where she gets it from." She commented before walking over to the couch and sitting down next to Giles. She put her head on his shoulder and looked up at him with concern. "How are you, Papa?"

Giles smiled affectionately at the girl. "I'm just fine."

"Take your pills?"

"Yes." He nodded.

"And the exercises? Did you do them this morning?"

He put his hand on hers. "Yes, Lisa. I've been doing everything I'm supposed to. Now if you wouldn't mind, you really should answer Buffy before she turns a few more shades of red than she already has."

Lisa looked over to where Buffy and Faith were sitting. They both had matching 'unamused' expressions. "Sorry. Ummm. . .patrol, as well as can be expected, kind of, and no." Lisa softened a little when she saw the hurt expression on Buffy's face. "Look, she just needs some time right now. I'm sure everything will be fine."

--------

Laurel moved through the graveyard quietly. Her eyes and ears were open and she expanded her Slayer senses to encompass as much ground as she could cover. She noticed that it had become easier each time she reached out. Suddenly, she came to a stop near a mausoleum and smirked. "Oh, come on. You can do better than that."

A figure stepped out from behind a tree, but still remained in the shadows."Slayer. I thought you'd never come."

Laurel pulled her 'special' stake out of her jacket. "Yeah, yeah. This is a lovely chat we're having. Can we please fight?"

The vampire was momentarily confused but recovered quickly and put his 'game face' on. He attacked with all the swiftness and ease of a master vampire - having honed his skills over the years, he knew enough to try and wear her down over time.

Laurel was immediately put on the defensive. <Damn him!> She blocked eachjab with relative ease and countered the blows each chance she had. He attempted a long cross-hook which gave her enough time to duck and jab him inthe abdomen a few times.

He backed off and they both began to circle each other. "Bitch." He spat out, obviously favoring his right side.

"You kiss your mother with that mouth?" She smiled at him. "Tsk, tsk."

He grinned. "In a manner of speaking, yes. She tasted divine sliding downmy throat."

Laurel stopped in her tracks and, of all things, began to giggle uncontrollably.

The vampire was not amused. He leaned back against the mausoleum and crossed his arms in front of him waiting for her to be done.

"I'm sorry," She managed out between giggles. "But, 'she tasted divine'? Couldn't you be a tad bit more original?"

"You know, I work long and hard on being intimidating, and what do you do? You stand there and mock me." He smirked. "I'm hurt, really."

Laurel collected herself and walked over to him. "Yeah well, I'll let you in on a secret." She moved in closer to him and whispered. "Work a littleharder next time."

"Oh, that's it, kid. You're goin down!" He grabbed her and they both fellto the ground. Being much larger, he quickly gained the advantage and saton top of her, pinning her arms at her sides with her legs. "Now, what amI gonna do with you?" He saw her open her mouth to respond, but stopped her by putting his hand over her mouth. "Don't even *think* about answeringthat question, young lady."

Seconds ticked by, then minutes. . .then the torture began.  

He started to tickle her without mercy. "That'll teach you to mouth off tome."

"Oh, god no," She gasped in between breaths. "I can't take it! Stop! Stop!" She finally freed one of her hands, grabbed him and sent him flying over her head, landing with a thud.

"Ouch." He rubbed his shoulder, which took most of the fall. 

She flipped up and dusted herself off. "I told you *never* to do that." She put her hand out to help him up. "But do you listen? Nooooooo, you have to test the limits."

He took the hand offered him and stood up. "Yeah, well. . ." he shrugged."Not bad, kid. You're getting a lot better at finding me."

She smiled up at him. "Yeah? I thought I was pretty stealthy."

He laughed and put his arm around her shoulder and they began walking. "Don't get all cocky on me now. I said better, not the best."

They reached the entrance of the cemetery and stopped. "Here's where I getoff. Gotta head back to Giles'" She reached up and gave him a hug and a kiss on the cheek. "I'll see you soon?"

"Yes." He smiled and kissed her forehead lightly. "And always when you least expect to."

She stayed with her arms around his waist for a while, then begrudgingly pulled away. Smiled up at him one last time, she began to walk away but stopped and turned back around. "Hey, Angel?"

"Yeah?"

"Thanks. For this I mean. I know it's not what you're supposed to be doing and. . ."

"Your mom would have my head for it?" He nodded and smiled. "I know. Andyou're welcome. Now go."

"Bye." She waved and walked off.

--------

Laurel snuck into Giles' apartment. She was out training with Angel much longer than she expected to be. Without making too much noise, she crept into the room she was sharing with Lisa and put her pajama's on. She slippedunder the covers and settled in.

"Nice of you to join me, Lau-Lau."

"Hey, I didn't think you'd still be up. I tried to be quiet."  

"I always wait up for you. You know that."

"I guess." Laurel whispered.

"They're worried about you."

"I know."

Lisa put her hand on the Slayer's shoulder. "What's going on with you? You've been distant for a while now."

Laurel sighed. "I don't know. I'm just. . .going through some stuff."

"I know." Lisa nuzzled Laurel's neck. "Let me help." She kissed her cheek. "Please? I can make it all go away. At least for a little while."

Laurel pushed her away. "No. . .just stop. Okay?" She got up, walked outof the bedroom and closed the door. She leaned up against it and closed her eyes. <God, what am I doing?>

--------

{{Mamma looked from me to Uncle Xander. He did that cute little innocent face he's so good at and I knew she'd cave just as soon as I shifted into 'resolve face'.

"Fine. But not another word about it. Straight to bed with you."

I smiled and hugged her. "Okay. Not another word. I love you mamma." I kissed her cheek and took off inside. I knew when to quit and besides, tonight I had to patrol.  

Yeah, yeah, I know. . .I'm not the Slayer. Not yet anyway. It's gonna happen soon. I know it. I've been doing some research in Papa's library and going through some of Mom's old papers I liberated from her room. I'm *so*the research girl. Always have been really.  

So here I am on patrol and there he is. . .in the shadows as usual. I toldhim I'd go solo tonight but. . .does he listen to me? No, of course not.

"What are you doing here?" I ask in annoyance.

"What are you doing here?"  

"I'm patrolling parrot boy, what's it look like? Cause it's sure not a manicure and face mask session." I smirk.

"Laurel, I worry about you. If you want to patrol, fine, but I'm gonna dogyou the whole way. You don't have the abilities yet, or the strength or. . ."

I drop quickly and do a simple leg sweep. He lands flat on his back. "Or the speed? Is that what you were gonna say, Angel, cause, it doesn't seem like a problem to me."

He looks up at me with all the annoyance he can muster up without actually cracking a smile. "Yeah, well."

I put my hand out and help him up. We stare each other down for a bit then we both break into smiles. I'm glad because arguing with Angel isn't something I'm in the mood for tonight. I start to walk off then turn back to him. "Coming? You may have forever but I sure don't." He smirks at me and catches up.

It's a quick patrol and we dust a gang of four or five in no time. I got gashed across the arm but it'll be gone by morning so I don't have to worry about Buff goin all 'momish' on me. I'm sittin next to Angel and I look over at him. "So, tell me what it's like."

He gives me his best confused look. "What's what like?"

"Being a vamp and dusting your own kind. Being a vamp in general and having to live for so long. I read about you in the watcher diaries you know. When Papa wasn't looking of course."

"Of course." He nodded and smiled.

"You were mean."

He looks off in the distance for a bit then, "Yeah, I was." He says flatly. "But that was a long time ago. I'm atoning for everything I've done." He looks over at me all serious. "Don't forget that, Laurel. Do somethingand it may not have an immediate effect, but it will always catch up to you. Good or bad."

I roll my eyes. "Thanks for the lesson, teach but," I roll over and straddle his legs so I'm facing him in his lap. "I think I get enough lessons like that from Papa, school, Buff and Faith." He's unreadable, a total mask. So I put my arms around his shoulders and smile. "The lesson's I'm looking to learn, you can't find in any book or get from your family members."

He arches his eyebrows. "You've been hanging out with Faith way too much. You know that?" He grabs me under my arms and lifts me off his lap with ease. He rises and puts his hand out to help me up.

"I don't need to hang out with Faith to be bold." I cross my arms in frontof me. "I can do it just fine on my own." I look up at him and he's got that disbelieving look on his face. I know what he's thinking. 'She's just a kid.' I can almost hear him say it. So I kiss him, hard and fast but he pushes me away.

"Laurel, we've talked about this." He wipes his mouth and tries to composehimself but the effect the kiss had on him isn't lost. "It's impossible."

"Why? Cause you were with Buff? Cause you're a vampire? Or maybe it's because I'm sixteen. Well, I'm an old sixteen you know."

"I know, Laurel." He paused a moment. "We just can't. It's not right. You read the diaries, you know the consequences we face, you know what I was like then and what I am now."

"Again? Oh, so you've dated me before, is that it?"

"Lau, don't do this." He really looked upset. "Even without all of that. I love Cordy, you know that."

"Angel. . ." I reached for him and fell into a hug. A great big vampire hug. Man I have it bad for this guy, but if all he's gonna give me is friendship then I guess that's what I'll take. "I'm sorry, I just. . .I don't know. You must think I'm a stupid kid."

He looks at me seriously again. "No, you're not stupid and you're definitely not a kid." He strokes my cheek. "I can't. Do you understand that?"

I nod. "Look, I gotta go. We're goin to the cemetary tomorrow and Papa's gonna be there."

"Buffy finally broke, huh?" He smiled.

"Yeah, she couldn't resist my resolve face." I walked up to him and kissedhim softly on the cheek. "Night, Angel." I whispered and headed home.}}

----------

Laurel sat at Giles' desk and continued to read through the papers and books she'd scattered there about an hour ago. It was no use, and she knew it the minute she tried to sit down and concentrate. There was too much goingon in her mind. Having feelings for Angel, being in whatever she was in with Lisa, trying to get mom back, worrying about Buffy and Faith's relationship, Papa taking care of himself, the fullfilment of the prophesy. . .everything was making her head spin, and it had been for weeks.

She got up and went to the kitchen to poke around the fridge. <One thing at a time, kiddo.> She decided to have a glass of milk and an apple. As she closed the door, she startled a bit at the sight of Lisa standing there. "Hey. I didn't hear you."

"I noticed." She smirked.

They stood there and stared at each other for a few moments; not sure whatto say. Finally, Laurel broke the silence. "I don't want to shut you out." She whispered. "But I have."

Lisa nodded. "Yeah."

"I'm just. . .not used to this, ya know? The whole sharing circle thing was never my deal." She motioned for Lisa to follow her into the livingroom.

"That surprises me."

Laurel nodded. "Yeah, it should. Concidering that you're the one I'm comfortable with. I mean, you know me. . .the real me. Not who my friends think I am, or my mom, or Papa. . .even Faith doesn't get me sometimes, but you. . ." She shrugged.

"It's scary."

"Yeah."

Lisa picked up a book and thumbed through it. "What are you up to, Laurel?And I don't mean just now, I mean for a while. You sneak out at all hours. I'm pretty sure your mom doesn't know that you've been partoling so much and don't think *I* haven't noticed your recent fondness of musty old books. So what gives?"

"I haven't been patroling as much as. . .training." She shrugged. "I'll tell you but. . .you have to promise never to bring it up with anyone. Ever." She waited for Lisa to nod. "Okay, well, I've been training. With Angel."

It took a moment or two for what she said to sink in, then finally bells went off in Lisa's head. Big, clanging 'can't-be-ignored-if-you-were-deaf' bells. "Oh my god!!!"

Laurel quickly clamped her hand over Lisa's mouth. "Shhh! Papa's right upstairs. Are you crazy?"

"Er ohh az E?"

"What?" She removed her hand.

"I said, are you crazy? Angel? Your mom's old vampire boyfriend? The one that went all grr cause he got one moment of happiness? The one that. . ."

"Yes. Geez, relax. . .you know, that's the reaction I'd expect from my mom, not you."

"Laurel, what am I supposed to say? I just don't get you sometimes."

"It has to do with the prophesy. I've been researching it on my own, with Angel and Cordy's help and it all points to the same answer no matter how you look at it. Angel and I are meant to fight, what ever we're gonna fight, together. End of story. How can we rely on each other when Buff doesn't even let me see him? I remember seeing him once when I was six but my momsscooted me upstairs. I don't remember what was said but, I do remember there was a lot of hushed yelling. You know the kind. When adults don't want you to know they're fighting."

"Yeah, I know." Lisa thought for a few moments. "That's not all there is.Is it?"

Laurel shook her head. "No." She got up and walked to the window.

Lisa walked up behind Laurel after a few moments and put her head on her shoulder. "Lau, what is it? What's got you all tied up in knots?"

Laurel sighed, then turned to Lisa. "Mom's not dead. . .and I know how to get her back."

----------

I love her.

Well, I think I do. No, wait. What am I saying? Of course I do. From the minute we met it just worked. It was right and good and real and. . .refreshing. That's what she is, and what she does to me. Refreshes me. 

Remember when you were younger and your mom, or dad, would pull your favorite blanket or sweater out of the dryer and give it back to you? Remember putting it right up to your face and just inhaling until you felt like yourlungs would explode with that scent? It was refreshing.

I can't pinpoint when she started to mean to me what she does now. It was gradual, a sort of learning process. Or, relearning if you look at it fromoutside the box.

The realist part of me says that I've been graced with a wonderful gift of sorts. Someone is now in my life that makes me feel the way I never thought I would feel. . .and there can only be goodness there.

The fantastical part of me says that we've met again after a long time apart. We've gone through a million small and big changes, lost ourselves, lost each other, lost our lives at some point, but . . .our souls? Never. Two individual souls finding each other in a sea of others. Never happen. You know why? Because I don't have a soul. . I have half of one. And she'sgot the other half and I just know with every fiber of my being that she'sthe one. How crazy is that?

Not so crazy I tell you. Not at all. I know it like I know I'm gonna takeanother breath, or blink; know it the way I know there's blood pumping through my veins and that my heart is beating. It's just there like it's always been there from before I was even born. Me, her. . .two parts of a whole. It's just fact.

God, I gravitate to her like. . .like she's my magnetic north. I can't explain it and I don't think I'd ever want to. To explain it would be to havefound the secret to it and some things are better off just being. Ya know? To explain it, I think, would be to make it smaller. Even maybe tarnishit a little. No, how it happened isn't important. It's important that ithappened at all.

I've lost a lot, and I've gained a lot too. As far as most lives go, I've had a decent one so far but not too great. I know it's only just beginning. I know what ever is going on now may be big now, but, when it all works out and we can finally start our lives together it'll be well worth the wait.

I know what you're thinking. How can someone my age be *so* sure? I'll tell you. I know it in the sadness of her voice when we have to part becausethere's sadness in mine too. I know it in the way she looks at me, and even when she doesn't. I know it in the way she says my name with such satisfaction. . .just because it's my name she says and for no other reason at all. I feel it in every nerve ending I have, and some I didn't even know existed, when I hear her smile. And most importantly, I can feel it even when she may say nothing at all.  

Sounds like a fairytale, doesn't it? I never really believed in fairytalesmyself to tell you the truth. I thought it was some grand bunch of stories adults made up to make kids get sleepy. No, this isn't a fairytale. It isn't made up. I know it because I'm here. . .I feel it and know it and I'm living it right now.

We've got some problems right now. Well, at least I think we do. We're not communicating too well. She's got this stuff going on, and I'm not a part of it. Yeah, I'm a little hurt, but what ever it is, I'm sure she'll tell me in time. She may not even be able to put into words what she's feeling right now and that's okay. That doesn't mean I still don't worry. Ahh, what's a girl to do? Nothing I suppose.  

That's the hardest part sometimes. The waiting and worrying. The more I worry, the more insecure I get and there's just. . .badness there. Well, that and being away from her. That's the killer. And it's not just the distance in miles either. Sometimes it feels like there's a distance in heartbeats; a missed beat or something. I don't know how to explain it really. I'm pretty much grasping at straws here. Can you tell?

So she's out now, on patrol, and I feel. . .really scared. Like, we're on the brink of something; on the fence so to speak. I don't like it only because it could go either way. What ever this weirdness is between us, it could bring us together or totally tear us apart.

Who knows. Maybe right now just isn't our time and we're trying to force it. . .make it be our time because we've discovered something so precious and new and amazing in each other that we didn't want to let it go. Or maybeit is our time and everything else in our lives is getting in the way and we're letting it. There's really no way to tell unless we just hang on andride out the storm.

That's the plan really. Ride out the storm until the sun decides to come out again. If I lose her. . god, even the thought gives me chills. I mean,what if it actually happened? What if this is too hard for her and she decides that walking away is the best for both of us?

Well, then I guess I'd have to accept it. What other choice would I have? If letting this go will make her life even remotely easier then I'd just let her walk away. That's how much I love her. I love her enough to let her go. I know there's a lesson in there somewhere and believe me, the ironyof it isn't lost. The best thing that's ever happened to me has the potential to hurt me in the worst way possible. If that's not love then I don'tknow what is.

She'll be back soon. She'll be tired and worn out and there may be a few scars there that weren't before. All I want, all I've ever wanted since I was gifted with her in my life, is for her to be safe and happy and just. . content. I don't think that's too much to ask for really. Do you?

-------

Laurel closed the lid of the laptop and sighed. She looked over to the bedwhere Lisa was still fast asleep. It wasn't even nine in the morning yet;she wouldn't be up for at least two hours or so. She was grateful for that because it gave her time to think. Think about what she read, and the fact that she probably shouldn't have read it in the first place.  

She crept out of the bedroom and padded to the kitchen in search of food. She stopped short when she saw Faith and Buffy sitting on the couch talkingquietly. "Hey."

Buffy turned around, surprised. "Laurel? What are you doing up so early?"

"I usually get up around now. Well, out of bed anyway. Damn Slayer senseshave me up at the crack of dawn lately. What are you guys doing here?"

"Laurel, we need to talk." Faith looked at her seriously.

"Yeah? About what?"

"Laurel. Not funny." Buffy motioned for her to sit between them on the couch.  

She walked over and sat in Giles' recliner.

"Laurel, I'm sorry we didn't tell you but we just didn't know how. We've been so worried about how you would react that we didn't even think about letting you react. Or letting you know. We're sorry."

"Know what? What exactly is going on between you and Faith?"

"You sure don't beat around the bush, do you?" Buffy smirked. "Faith and I. . .It's not that complicated really, but it is."

"Riddle me this, riddle me that." Laurel remarked and rolled her eyes. "Can't you just be straight with me?" She looked between them then at Buffy."Do you love her?"

"Yes." Buffy didn't even hesitate. "But not the way I love Willow. I love Faith as the person who's gotten me through this past year and helped me deal with Willow's death, helped me with you, helped me see how pig headed I was being about Giles. I love Faith in a way that goes past any kind of definition. She's been there for me, Laurel, and she's been there for you.Ever since Faith and I met, we've needed each other. We even needed to hate each other for a while." Buffy looked over to Faith and took her hand.

"Are you in love?"

"No." Faith answered. "It's different, Laurel. So much more different than anything we've ever had with anyone else. Much more different for me because I really hurt your mom when we were younger. I hated her and her friends and I tried to hurt them, even Willow. But no matter what I did, Buffy still had that soft spot for me and didn't give up." Faith smiled at her. "I need her in my life, always have. I guess it's a Slayer thing." Sheshrugged. "The kissing, it's a comfort. . .a bonus of sorts." Faith stood up and knelt in front of Laurel. "I miss your mom too, kid. But Buff and I, we need each other. Not in the way your mom and her did but it's still in an important way."

Laurel sat in silence and tried to process everything they said. Buffy andFaith weren't in love. Buffy still loved Willow. They had a need for each other's company that they tried to explain to her but, she knew they fellshort because it was so unique to them it was difficult to explain. She knew the feeling.

"Laurel?" Buffy brought her out of her silent musings. She got up and knelt down in front of her daughter and took both of her hands, squeezing them gently. "I love you, so much. More than I ever thought was possible because I thought that when Will and I were together, that was the greatest loveof all. But I was proven wrong when you came into our lives." Buffy paused to gain some of her composure and try and get the rattle out of her voice. "If this bothers you so much," She looked to Faith, who nodded in agreement. "Then it ends now. Faith and I will go back to being just friends and it'll never be brought up again." Buffy leaned down and kissed Laurelshands, then got up and stood in front of her. "We came here to tell you that. You don't have to talk about it now. When you're ready you know where we are." She smiled, then she and Faith walked out the door.



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