|
|
Audrey opened the door before her and walked into the garden. In it stood 3 people. Two women and a man.
"Hello Kendra. Angel. Jenny." Audrey greeted them.
<Um, how do I know them?>
Angel stepped forward.
"You have to take care of her Audrey,"
"You've got a tough job ahead of you. She's been through a lot and suffers so much." Said Jenny solemnly.
"You're good for her. In helpn' you she heals herself." Was the statement given by Kendra.
"I know she is hurt, but what can I do?" Audrey cried.
"Be her friend." Advised Angel, "Let her know that no one blames her and that she is loved. She's so innocent and fragile."
"I'll try, but I still don't see how I'm going to be able to help."
Leaving her implied question unanswered, they all replied in unison, "Go, she needs you now."
Audrey woke up with a start. It had been a dream. <But the message was real.>
From next door, she could hear Buffy tossing and turning. A whimpered "Angel" was all that it took to get Audrey out of bed and into Buffy's room."
"I'm sorry." Buffy mumbled in her sleep.
"Buffy. Wake up, wake up. You're having a nightmare." Audrey gently shook Buffy's trembling body.
"Angel!" Buffy cried before shooting upright. She shook her head to clear it before she saw Audrey. "Audrey! Oh! He blames me. I tried to say I was sorry but he said I wouldn't have done it if I had loved him. But I did. I still do.": Buffy threw her arms around Audrey and wept softly into her shoulder.
"Buffy, he knows that. He doesn't blame you. He knows you love him and that you had to save the world. If anything, he is proud of your strength. Don't ever doubt that." She said fiercely.
"But how do you know?" came the startlingly childlike plea for reassurance.
"What else could he think? He loves you."
"Really?"
"Yes" replied Audrey firmly. "Hey, how 'bout we go downstairs and talk over a cup of hot chocolate or something."
Buffy smiled. "That'd be nice."
A few days later, a letter came…for Buffy. Curious, she opened the thick envelope. Five letters spilled out onto the bed. Her curiosity burning brighter, she picked up the closest letter.
Buffy,
Audrey and Alfred said you were probably ready to receive letters so here's mine. I really miss you. Between Alfred, Audrey, Whisler, and Alana from the Watchers Council (no, they don't have a t-shirt. Darn, that would've been cool),
Buffy grinned.
and the rest of us, we figured out what happened that morning. I just wanted to let you know that I'm sorry. I thought I was doing the right thing when I tried that curse again.
Well, we're all fine. Giles is fine, you saved him, as well as the world. I won't make this long. I just wanted to let you know that I will always be your friend and I will always be here for you.
Love,
Willow
Eyes brimming with tears, Buffy picked up the next letter. To her surprise, she saw it was from Oz.
Buffy,
Hey there! We really miss you. Who else is there to slam me up against walls. By the way, I'm still not sure what I'm supposed to try 8-) Come back soon!
Here For You,
Oz
Next was from Cordelia.
Buffy,
I miss you, as crazy as that sounds. Who else can I insult without fear of a decent comeback. Seriously, I look up to you, Well, not your hair, or your cloths, and oh, lets not even get into the makeup. But, I'm off the point now aren't I ? Bottom line is that I'll always be here for you. That's what friends are for. Even at the Bronze.
Cordy
<Sweet, if tactless.>
Buffy,
Buff! NC? You do go to the extremes. Do you hate me that much? Just kidding? Really, I miss you. I want our trio to be a trio again. How can Willow and I be Slayerettes without a Slayer handy? Plus, it's boring without you.
There's something I gotta tell you. Oh man, this is hard. Um, when I met up with you on the road to the old mansion…I knew Willow was going to try the curse again. I was supposed to tell you. I thought I was doing the right thing, but maybe if I had told you, things would have turned out better. I'm sorry.
Xander
Buffy starred in shock at the piece of paper before her. She then dropped it like it was a snake. She hissed in anger. <He did it because he was jealous. He didn’t want Angel to come back. He's always hated Angel. He--> She took a deep breath <Whoa girl. Things might have turned out better, but they might have turned out worse. Its over now and anger won't change anything.> <Still, he should have told me,> the evil part of her mind spoke before Buffy firmly pushed it down and picked up the final letter.
Dear Buffy,
I don't really know what to say. Condolences are in order to be sure; but I don't believe I could convey to you how deeply sorry I truly am. Or how much you are missed. You are missing so many practice sessions I don't even know what I am going to do with you. I won't take up much of you time. As always, you have my respect and my love, for you are my daughter at heart.
Giles
P.S. Call your mother, She is frantic. We tried to reassure her but she is wracked with guilt.
Buffy slowly let the last page fall. She crossed over to the desk and pulled out some paper.
She began to write.