FIC: Learning to live pt 10

["jend1205" <jend2002@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Author: Jen D
Disclaimer: I don't own just like it.
Rating: G-R and all points between mostly language and violence
Pairing: Willow/other - Willow/ Buffy eventually
Spoilers: Season 6 maybe others somewhere down the road
Summery: Giles brings someone in to help after everything happens in 
season 6. Sorry I suck at this part.
Author notes: I have never written anything before this, so please 
tell me what you think


 
Willow and Sara walked in to the kitchen to find the gang just 
finishing up breakfast. "Good morning, everyone, I see you all
made 
it up", Sara laughed, " I hope you guys slept well".
"Sara, we need to talk about your choice in music", Giles
said taking 
another sip of his tea.
"I'm sorry Rupert, next time I will make it something more
age 
appropriate for you", Sara told Giles, " ok I need to talk to 
everyone for just a minute before you all take off. I was thinking 
this morning and I think it might be good if you all stayed here 
while I am working with Willow. There is plenty of room and I think 
it will be good for Willow to have her family close to her". Everyone 
nodded their heads in agreement and Sara kept going, "Second order of 
business has to do with you Buffy. I was wondering if you would come 
work at the club. I was thinking maybe you could handle the security 
aspect. You would be in charge of hiring and training of the bouncers 
and such. It would be very flexible and give you plenty of time to 
train and patrol. I would feel better having you there to look after 
things. I only have one condition though. I want you to go back to 
school. 
" Sara, I uh?I don't know what to say but I tried to get
back in but 
they refused my application", Buffy said.
Sara walked over and grabbed the phone book. She picked up the phone 
and dialed," Yes, Mike Thompson, please. Dr. Sara Stevens here.
Hello 
Mike, it's Sara Stevens..Oh I'm fine. How's the wife and
kids. Good 
she's fine too, I'm glad I caught you on a Saturday, I need a favor. 
I have an employee who was enrolled there and had to drop out because 
her mom passed away unexpectedly. She had a younger sister to take 
care of. She reapplied but was denied. I want her back in, Mike. Yeah 
Mike, Buffy Summers, I want her enrolled under the Stevens 
scholarship. Ok, ok you twisted my arm, who is the speaker this year? 
Really, great count me in. Yeah call Gail on Monday at 555-6923 and 
tell her where to send the check to and I will send Buffy in on 
Monday at 10am. Thanks Mike see you then". Sara hung up the phone
and 
turned to Buffy, " Buffy, you have an appointment at the
admission 
office on Monday to pick your classes and to fill the paperwork out 
for the scholarship, it will take care of all your books and tuition."
Buffy was stunned silent for a minute at the changes that had 
happened to her life overnight, a new job and being able to go back 
to school for free at that, " Sara, I don't know what to say,
thank 
you, thank you". 
"Giles, did you hear that I get to go back to school", Buffy
bounced 
over and gave Giles a big hug and then ran over and hugged Sara. 
Willow chuckled at the look of discomfort on Sara.
"Well I um?" Sara said trying to regain her composure after
noticing 
the pleased look Willow was giving her, " I happen to think that
an 
education is very important thing and you deserve a break. If the 
council had its head out of its ass it would have helped you get it 
together. After your meeting on Monday, meet Gail at the club and she 
will get things going there for you. Ok next thing, Jen this is more 
for you then anyone else. I was thinking that maybe we might settle 
down here for a while. If you don't mind, I think we have a good 
reason to stick around," or someone Sara thought and couldn't
help 
but look at Willow. 
"Mom, I so want to stay", Jen said and ran and hugged her
mom. 
" Ok then it sounds like a plan then, we'll need to get you
enrolled 
in school soon", Sara hugged her daughter back.
Xander cleared his throat and spoke up, " Um guys I have an 
announcement to make, Anya and I had a long talk last night and we 
decided to give it another shot".
" We have a lot to work out but I still love him and want to be
with 
him", Anya confirmed.
"Congratulations guys", Willow said hugging Xander and then
Anya.
"Way to go", Buffy hugged them next.
"Wow I knew you guys should be together", Dawn beamed.
"Well then I guess congratulations are in order", Giles
awkwardly 
hugged Xander and Anya. 
" I would say that a celebration is in order", Sara said,
" I think 
we should all meet up tonight at the club and party". 
"Mom, can Dawn and I come", Jen asked and flashed her mom her
puppy 
dog eyes.
"Well if it is ok with Buffy then I don't see why not",
Sara never 
could resist the puppy eyes.
"Buffy, please can I go, please". 
"Yeah, I think it would be ok, seeing how I am head of security
now", 
Buffy told her sister.
"Alright", both Jen and Dawn yelled together. 

Jen pulled Dawn to the side, " did you notice that my mom and
your 
surrogate mom are checking each other out".
Dawn was about to argue when she stopped and looked at Willow sitting 
with Buffy at the bar that looked out in to the backyard. Dawn 
noticed how much better Willow was looking today. She seemed less 
pale and distraught. `Almost like the old Willow', Dawn
thought. She 
saw Willow look at Sara and blush. She looked at Sara who was sitting 
at the table talking to Giles and saw her steal a look at the red 
headed witch. Dawn started to get mad at Willow but stopped and 
thought for a minute. She had loved Tara and would always remember 
her. Willow and Tara had been the ones to take care of her when Buffy 
had died. Dawn knew Willow was young and deserved to be happy 
again, " yeah I think they are."
Jen noticed the flashes of emotion on Dawn's face, " hey are you
ok 
with this."
"Yeah, it's just hard. I loved Tara and miss her a lot".
"Dawn, I think I would have liked her then", Jen said and
gave Dawn a 
minute to reflect, " You want to go get ready for the mall?"
"Lets go", Dawn grabbed Jen's hand and they took off for
Jen's room.

"Sara, I can't thank you enough for everything you have done
for the 
kids", Giles told Sara.
"So does this make me one of the grown ups."
"Yes I believe it does. Since Joyce died, they have needed a
mother 
figure in their lives. Someone with a little age on them", Giles
said 
avoiding a playful slap Sara threw at him.
" Rupert Giles, I am not that much older then them."
"Yes I suppose so, how about older sister then".
"I can live with that, I think, you are trying your best to send
me 
to the old folks home", Sara laughed, and "Giles I have
missed you".
" As have I".

"So Buffy, how does it feel to be college bound again",
Willow asked 
her best friend.
" I can't believe she just called them up and said let her in
and 
they did", Buffy said, " hey Will, maybe we can take a class 
together".
"Buffy, I have been thinking about taking this quarter off and 
getting my head together and stuff".
"Are you sure about this, Will"?
"Yeah I am, I have changed so much, I just don't know who I
am right 
now. I might not even go back. I could get a job without the degree 
tomorrow. There are just a lot of memories there, Buffy".
"You know I love you and will support you in whatever you decide, 
right".
"I know and thank you, I don't know what I would do without
you", 
Willow said and stole a look at Sara.
"You like her don't you", Buffy asked watching Willow
look at Sara.
"Yeah Buff, I think I could, with time".
"Tara would want you to move on, Will".
"I know she told me too" , Willow said watching the confusion on 
Buffy's face, " just trust me, I don't really want to
explain right 
now".
"Will, all I want is for you to be happy", Buffy was trying
to keep 
the regret off her face. She did truly want Willow to be happy. Even 
if it was with someone else. 


"Ok folks, Gail will be here about 4 to take you all to your
houses 
to get your stuff, so till then there are suits in the pool house for 
those who would like to use the pool or hot tub or there are videos 
out the ass in the rec room. So make yourself at home", Sara told
the 
crew in her kitchen.
"Pool", Buffy squeaked, "hot tub, Sara I still want to
know if you 
will adopt me".
"Ummm, ok I must have missed something. Buffy before you throw 
yourself in to the pool can I talk to you for a minute" Sara
asked.
"Sure keep the slayer away from the pool", Buffy teased.

Buffy followed Sara to her office and sat in a chair in front of the 
desk.
"So Buffy, do you plan on telling Willow that you love her",
Sara 
asked.
"You really don't beat around the bush. No I don't plan
on telling 
Willow anything"
"Why"
"Sara I have no idea what I feel for her. I love her, she is my
best 
friend and has been there for me. No matter what I do she is there to 
support me. Am I in love with her, I don't know? It wouldn't
be fair 
for me to ask her to put her life on hold so I can figure it out. 
Please don't say anything to her about this", Buffy pleaded.
"Buffy, anything you say in this office stays here."
"Thank you, I couldn't have any kind of relationship with
anyone 
right now, anyway. I have Dawn, patrol, and now a new job and school. 
I just want her to be happy," Buffy said, "you are aware that
she 
likes you and would like to get to know you better, right".
"Well, we have a lot of things to work on", Sara said vaguely.
"Just don't hurt her", Buffy told Sara.
"I would never do that, Buffy", Sara replied, " I think
there is a 
pool calling you, Slayer".
"Whoo hoo", Buffy screamed and headed for the door, "
thanks again 
for everything".
"Go", Sara laughed.