FF: The thank you for not beating me up Songfic

["The Fool" <honouredfool@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Title: The Thank you for not beating me severely Songfic.

Disclaimer: All BtVS characters are the property of Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy Productions, and Warner Brothers et. alia. The lyrics for You Can Sleep While I Drive are copyrighted to Melissa Etheridge. My use of these properties is strictly not for profit so please don't sue me. 
Feedback: Yes please.

Authour's Notes: This is fic is the result of many people telling me that I should be nicer to Buffy and Willow after what I did to them in the "I hate my stupid job" fic. Thank you all for not having a contract taken out on me. :) Thanks also to D.R. Garcia and Napster who inadvertently provided me with this song while I was looking for "Sleep." Anyway, on with the show.


Early Spring 2004.

"Ladies and Gentleman, The UC Sunnydale class of '04!"

"Buffy we did it! We're College graduates now!"

"And we didn't have to blow up the school, ending my streak at two."

"Come on, let's go find Xander." The two friends rushed out of the crowd of celebrating graduates to find their friend. Picking their way through a sea of friends, relatives, graduates, professors and freeloaders the girls both found themselves wishing they were much taller.

"Damn it! How are we supposed to find anyone in this mess of people?" Buffy exclaimed. "It was more organized at the Ascension!" Just then a familiar voice rang through the crowd.

"Buffy! Willow!" Willow turned to Buffy with a shocked look on her face.

"Is that?"

"Cordelia!" Buffy yelled across the throng, "Hi! When did you get here? Where's Faith?"

"We got in this morning around 11. We went straight to your house but your mom and Giles said that you had already left for the ceremony prep so we just hung at her old apartment for a while and sucked face." Willow looked from Buffy to Cordelia and back to Buffy. Cordelia burst out laughing. "You never told her did you?"

"Told me what?" Willow asked, looking at Buffy. 
"Remember a couple of months ago when I went up to LA to help Angel with that big problem?"

"Yeah. You said that it was a serious threat to his life and the lives of everyone in LA. It was right after Faith got out so I thought, you know," Willow blushed and continued sheepishly, "she was still evil." At this remark Cordelia frowned.

"She's not evil Willow."

"I know that now. Buffy told me." She turned to Buffy again. "But apparently you forgot to tell me something else." She accused the Slayer.

"Yeah, well the problem Angel was having was that Cordelia and Faith would not stop fighting and it was driving him nuts. He called me and said that if I didn't come down and help he was going to start killing people, soul or no soul." Buffy paused to catch her breath. "So I went down there to see what I could do to help. It only took me like two days to see what the problem was. God, it was so obvious I couldn't believe they were all missing it."

"But you were gone for almost two weeks."

"That's how long it took me to convince the two idiots that all their fighting was a cover for their repressed mutual desire."

"Uh-oh, someone's a psych major." Cordelia quipped up.

"Finally," Buffy exaggerated, "they were able to see the rightness of my college educated insights and threw themselves at each other with wild abandon. Angel was incredibly grateful and then I came home." Buffy concluded her narrative with a smug smile.

"Oh. That's neat." Willow managed to get out.

"Neat!" Cordelia almost shouted. "The best thing to happen to me since I left this rotten little suburb of Hell and all you can say is "Neat!" Luckily for her Willow was spared further assault by the arrival of their other friends and very proud parents. 
"Buffy! Willow!" Shelia Rosenberg called out, "We've been looking all over for you."

"Luckily we heard the shrill sound of Cordelia's voice and were able to follow it to you." Xander grinned at his former girlfriend. Unfortunately this diverted his attention from a certain dark-haired slayer, "Oof." The air went flying out of his lungs with the help of one very quick elbow.

"You keep talking ill of my girl and we're going to have serious problems Harris."

"Alright, geez, I was only making fun of her. I'll have you know I was doing that well before you came along missy."

"Yeah, well you're not doing it anymore." Faith wrapped her arm around Cordelia's waist. From her position of extreme safety Cordelia petulantly stuck her tongue out in Xander's direction. "Babe, if you keep provoking him I'm just going to let him play." Faith warned.

"Fine." Finally Buffy had had enough.

"Guys. Hello? College grads over here." Buffy didn't really mind not being the centre of attention, as she so often was in their rarefied little group but this was Willow's graduation and damn it people were going to absolutely fawn over her today.

"So Will, how does it feel to be a college grad?" Xander asked. "Do you have a burning desire to rush out and get a real job, buy a house and lose all your free time?" Willow smiled at her friend.

"You're just jealous. I already have a good job thank you. I eat evil for breakfast."

"Do you get a dental plan with that?" Mr. Rosenberg deadpanned.

"No and your life insurance premiums are just insane." Willow continued the joke. Everyone shared a chuckle. Can we go eat now? I for one am famished. I was so nervous this morning I forgot to eat breakfast."

As the group headed off, Willow, Mr. Rosenberg and Cordelia leading the way Buffy stood for a few minutes watching her best friend, wondering at the transformation that had occurred in her since that first day they had met what seemed like a lifetime ago. She was so different now, confident, outgoing?beautiful.

"So, you ever going to tell her?" Xander asked from behind her. Buffy jumped.

"Tell who what?" She asked him.

"Oh puh-lease." Faith grunted. "You look at her the same way I look at Cordy, the same way your mom looks at Giles. If you loved her any harder your heart would crawl right off your sleeve and smack you in the head."

"It's that obvious huh?"

"To everyone but her I think." Xander replied. "She loves you too though. I don't know if she knows it but she does."

"No she doesn't. She's still in love with Tara." Buffy inwardly shuddered to remember how distraught Willow had been when the blonde Wiccan had run off with that worthless Druidess from France. Gaul my ass. Buffy thought bitterly. Willow had been crushed. Even now when she came up in conversation Willow would get a far off look in her eye.

"No she isn't Tara's been relegated to painful memory now." Xander continued his argument as the three walked in the same general direction as their party had. "You may have all this fancy book learning now, and know all kinds of big words--"

"Xander stop being an idiot, you graduate in the fall so stop trying to pretend to be an ignorant hick." Buffy snapped at him. She wanted to move this conversation along before they caught up with Willow.

"Geez B, chill." Faith admonished her.

"Anyway, as I was saying, you may be all in tune with the human psyche now but if there's one thing I'm an expert on it's Willow. You could say I'm a Willowologist. The world's first probably."

"What about all those years in--" This time it was Xander's turn to be snippy.

"That was before I had completed my degree. Like I was saying though," he continued in a voice that was really starting to sound like the Rupert Giles lecture voice, "You should see her when you go on patrol. Pacing up and down, looking up at the clock every two minutes, jumping at the smallest noises, rambling. Hell one night you were twenty minutes late coming home and she called Giles five times to see if you had stopped off there. That's once every four minutes in case you didn't know. Now you're telling me that that's not the behaviour of some one who loves you?"

"As a friend, she loves me as a friend." Buffy protested, not quite believing what she was hearing, not wanting to get her hopes up.

"B, I love you as a friend too, Xander loves you as a friend, but I can guaran-damn-tee that neither of us would ever call Giles once every four minutes in the dead of night if you were twenty minutes late coming back from a patrol." 
"My point exactly." Xander nodded his head as if to say "Case closed."

Maybe they're right. Buffy thought to herself. Maybe she does love me. The conversation had ended just in time, as the three caught up to their very extended "family" who had all stopped to wait for them.

"Come on let's go guys I'm starving" Willow whined.

"Well we can't have that." Xander replied. "There's only one solution to this problem?Quick to the Xandermobile!" With that he dashed off towards his car.

"God, he's still such a dork sometimes." Cordelia sighed, "it's kind of charming."

"Hey!" Faith cried out.

"Not as charming as you though babe."

"That's what I thought." Faith pouted.

"Girlfriends," Cordelia sighed, "can be such a pain." The remaining friends, which was basically everyone but Xander all laughed.

"Where are we going to go to celebrate?" Giles asked. Everyone instinctively turned to Buffy.

"Let Willow pick. It's her special day today."

"Thanks Buff. How about," she paused pretending to think. "IHOP?" Willow giggled at the look everyone gave her. "Just kidding, channeled Xander for a second there. What about that new place, Terra Incognito? I heard it's supposed to be really good."

"We'll go there then." Cordelia threw in her vote and the rest nodded in agreement.

"Good call Wills." Buffy smiled as reached out to take her friend's arm, "Come on we'll all go with Xander in the much vaunted but yet to be ridden in Xandermobile." She pulled Willow along as Faith and Cordelia quickly followed. "Parents," she shouted over her shoulder, "follow along and keep an eye out for falling car parts!"

"Where to ladies?" Xander asked as the girls piled into his car.

"That new place Terra Incognito." Buffy answered from the back.

"Good choice Buff."

"Actually it wasn't mine, it was Willow's" She felt Willow squeeze her hand. She also noticed that thus far her friend had made no effort to take her hand back after Buffy had impulsively taken it in her own and plopped them on her leg. Good sign, she thought to herself.

Dinner was very good and a good time was had by all, especially Giles who serenaded his new wife with a beautiful rendition of "Sittin' on the Dock of the Bay." Accompanied by, of all people, Buffy, who had recently learned how to play the guitar.

They ended up making so much noise that one stuffed shirt was heard to remark "There's certainly nothing incognito about that group."

Like all good things though, the celebration eventually came to an end and the various groups began to go their separate ways. Again Buffy found herself standing alone with Faith and Xander. The both looked at her smugly as she looked down at the ground and mumbled something under her breath.

"What was that B, didn't quite hear you there." If there was one thing Faith really liked to do it was gloat at Buffy.

"I said, I think you were right."

"Us, right?" Xander feigned surprise, "but wait wouldn't that make you?" he paused dramatically, "wrong?" There was more mumbling. "Pardon?"

"Yes. You were right I was wrong, blah, blah, blah." If there was one thing Buffy hated it was being wrong. Especially when Faith or Xander were involved.

"So what are you going to do about it B?" Faith gnawed at her fingernails. As much as she hated to admit it she really liked to watch a romance develop.

"Actually I have a plan but involves you two and Cordy doing me a couple of really big favours." 
"Fire away B."


The next night there was a pretty big crowd at the Bronze and finding a place to sit was verging on impossible. Except for on corner where four very burly young men stood watching over a couch and a scattering of chairs that no, and they meant no one, was allowed to sit in except for a select group of six or seven people. The way these four saw it, Summers had saved their asses more than once when they had been to drunk or too stupid to stay out of trouble in this godforsaken town so the least they could do was make sure her and her friends always had a place to sit.

"Hey Summers, how's it goin? Kick ass and take names tonight?" The biggest greeted Buffy and her friends as they came over. "Hey Buffy's friends."

"Every night boys, you know that. You don't have to do this every night you know. You're becoming very unpopular with the other patrons." Buffy grinned at the four men. 
"Tell you what Summers," one of the others answered, "when one of these pansy asses have saved our lives at least seven times then we'll watch these seats for them, but until then you're IT." Buffy sighed.

"If you insist. Thanks guys." She sat down on the couch and pulled Willow down beside her. "Hey Buck, has it ever occurred to you guys that if you drank a little less and acted a little smarter than maybe I wouldn't have to rescue you all the time?"

"Summers, we play football. There are basically three things we're good at. Hurting people, drinking beer and being stupid."

"See you later boys."

"Bye Summers." They responded in chorus, turning and following Buck out the door.

"Men, they are such idiots sometimes." Willow groaned as she watched them leave.

"I'd say they're idiots all the time Willow." Cordelia said looking right at Xander as she spoke.

"Sticks and stones." Was all he replied. By now he had learned better then to pick a fight with Cordy when Faith was around.

"Hey," Willow interjected, hoping to head off further attacks, "isn't tonight open-mike night?"

"Yeah. Tonight's Buffy's public debut." Faith answered, thankful that willow had precluded yet another Xander-beating at her hands. Willow whirled to face Buffy.

"You're playing tonight? Why didn't you tell me? Where's your guitar? What are you going to play? Oh this is so cool."

"Willow, stop, breathe. I wanted it to be a surprise, my guitar is in the back." Just then the manager came over. "Hey Buffy, you want to go on first?"

"Yeah, that'd be great Jonathan." She stood up and smoothed her top out and nervously ran her fingers through her hair. "Wish me luck." Willow reached up and gave her a little peck on the cheek.

"You'll do great." 

Buffy walked out on to the stage and sat down in front of the solitary microphone. "Hey, everyone. This is the first time I've been on stage to sing so don't throw anything at me."

"Yeah Summers!" Buck yelled from the back from the bar.

"Thanks Buck. Anyway here goes. This song is a cover of "You Can Sleep While I Drive" by Melissa Etheridge. This one's for you Wills." 

Come on baby let's get out of this town

I got a full tank of gas with the top rolled down

There's a chill in my bones

I don't want to be left alone

So baby you can sleep while I drive


The crowd went dead quite as Buffy sang in a low, almost mournful key. Even at the bar people had stopped ordering, the bar tenders had stopped serving. Everyone just sat and listened.


I'll pack my bag and load up my guitar

In my pocket I'll carry my harp

I got some money I saved

Enough to get underway

And baby you can sleep while I drive


One person though was paying particular attention to the Slayer's words though. Willow sat perfectly still drinking in the sound of Buffy's voice. She had heard her sing before but it she never sounded like this. The red-haired witch told herself.


We'll go thorough Tucson up to Santa Fe

And Barbara in Nashville says we're welcome to stay

I'll buy you glasses in Texas a hat from New Orleans

And in the morning you can tell me your dreams


I'll tell you my dreams when you tell me yours even though I already know what they are. We have the same dreams Buffy.


You know I've seen it before

This mist that covers your eyes

You've been looking for something

That's not in your life

My intentions are true

Won't you take me with you

And baby you can sleep while I drive


It's here now though. All it needs is a little push in the right direction. Will you stand by me? They said they would. They didn't though. They lied to me.


Oh is it other arms you want to hold you 
the stranger

But lover you're free

Can't you get that with me


If only I could?


Come on baby let's get out of this town

I got a full tank of gas with the top rolled down

If you won't take me with you

I'll go before night is through

And baby you can sleep while I drive


"What'd you say Wills? The cars right outside." Tears shone in Willow's eyes as she stood up and nodded her head, as she ran towards the stage, as she crashed into Buffy's arms.

"Yes. Yes. Yes." Together they turned and ran off the stage and out the stage door towards Xander's car. Cheers followed them out the door. 
"Xander gave it to me. For as long as we need it." Buffy explained as they clambered into the front seats. "Faith and Cordelia are going to stay here. Faith's going to watch the Hellmouth for me. We're free for a while."

"I love you Buffy."

"I love you too Wills." Xander's car tore out of the alleyway.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++


Visit Beautiful Tucson, Arizona.


Dear Faith, Xander and Cordy, 
Look we're in Tuscon! There doesn't appear to be much here so we're going to go to Santa Fe. Wills wants to see the Opera House their. Tell our parents we love them.

B. and W.

PS. Thanks.

B.


++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Las Vegas, Nevada.

We're in Vegas now. We got married by an Elvis impersonator last night. Xander tell my mom and take a picture as soon as you tell her. I want to see it when we get back.

B. and W.


"They did what?!" 
"Say cheese Mrs. S."

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

And baby you can sleep while I drive



The Fool, honouredfool@xxxxxxxxxxxxx

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Faith: You can't trust guys.

Buffy: You can trust some guys. Really, I've read about them.

--Revelations--