(Untitled)

[stake_n_skank]

So I found myself making that slow and painful drive to Joyce's all over again. I kept my eyes on the road, unwilling to look at Giles. I had to stay focused if I was going to stay strong. That meant eyes on the road and not looking to, talking to, or thinking about Giles. Okay so that was impossible. He was in so much pain. And then this

Comments

[oh_dear]

"Yes, here we go." Yet, here I didn't go.I sat in the car, my hand scant seconds away from the door handle. I stared out of my unwashed window, at the house I'd come to know so well.

We were parked behind Joyces' car, she had to be home. Yet, I couldn't bring myself to go inside.

My eyes teared up unvoluntarily.

"I can't." Whispering filled the car. "I can't. Not yet. Just let me..."

[stake_n_skank]

I popped the car door open and got out. Before I shut the door I heard a whisper.

"I can't. Not yet. Just let me..."

God, I felt so bad for him. I couldn't imagine what he was going through. But this had to be done, and nothing was gunna make it easier on him. Not a few extra minutes, not anything. I slammed my car door and went over to the passenger side.

Pulling open Giles' door I said, "Come on Giles. You gotta do this." I dragged him out of the car.

[oh_dear]

I took a deep breath. I was being selfish. I may have thought of Buffy as my daughter, but she really is Joyce's daughter.

"You're right Faith, of course." I got out of the car, and looked at the distance from where I stood to the stoop and from there to the door.

It seemed insurmountable. "Let's go." I wished I'd brought something. Flowers.

Somethings.

[stake_n_skank]

I led Giles up the to the house and up on to the porch. He was still a mess. Maybe not his clothes, but his eyes, his face. He was a wreck and any idiot could see that.

I straightened myself up and knocked on the door.

[wil_rosenberg]

I wandered aimlessly through town. I knew I shouldn't be out after dark. Not after everything. I knew I should go home, be with my parents...parents. Joyce. Oh, goddess, does she even know yet? Does she know? Oh, goddess. I hurried over to Revello Drive without incident and made my way to the Summers' residence. I stumbled blindly to the porch, taking a moment. I knew I needed to compose myself. I sat on the front step for a moment, then looked to the driveway.

Giles' car was parked there. Giles still sat in the front seat, Faith was just getting out of the driver's seat. But I couldn't move. I wanted to be there when they broke the news to Joyce. I am was her daughter's best friend. But now?

Now Buffy's dead. Gone. And her mother doesn't know yet.

I stood and walked to the vehicle, slowly. I couldn't face Giles yet. So I went to Faith. I couldn't fall apart. I couldn't.

"Faith," I whispered.