Chapter 3

 

            A Few Hours Later

 

 

            Xander knocked on the door of the Summers’ house and entered.  “Hello?”  He called out, concerned.  He stepped into the living room. Willow was sitting on the couch next to Dawn.  Buffy sat in one of the armchairs.

 

            “Hey, Xander.”  Willow’s voice was soft.  “Giles in making tea, once he’s done, and Anya shows up we’ll start.”

 

            “What’s this meeting about anyway?”  Xander asked.

 

            “Willow and Dawn aren’t saying.”  Buffy complained.

 

            “I want to tell everyone at once,” Willow said.

 

            Just then the door opened again, and Anya entered followed by Spike.

 

            “What’s Fangless doing here?” Xander asked.

 

            Willow rolled her eyes at him.  “I asked Spike to come, Xan.  He’s my friend, well sort of, and I want him to be here. It concerns all of you.”

 

            Spike grinned when he over heard the two. “Yeah, I’m here for Red’s company, not yours geek-boy.”  He snagged a seat on the couch beside Dawn.  “So you ever going tell us what’s going on?”

 

            “I believe we’re all here now.” Giles said as he entered with a tray of tea, which he set on the coffee table. 

 

            Willow looked around at all her friends, wondering how she was going to do this.  She felt someone squeeze her hand, and she looked to see Dawn smiling reassuringly at her.  She took a deep breath and began.

           

            “A few hours ago Josh Lyman showed up looking me.”  Seeing the blank expression on their faces, she explained, “He works at the White House. He’s the Deputy Chief of Staff, actually.  Anyway, he…. Well, he offered me a job.”

 

There was stunned silence for a moment.

 

            “You, were offered a job at the, uh, at the White House?” Giles stuttered.

 

            Dawn nodded happily. “Isn’t it cool?  They want her to be a speechwriter.  Josh gave her an interview right here. Apparently they somehow got some of the articles she’s written, and were really impressed.  He offered her the job right on the spot. It was really cool.”

 

            Spike grinned, “That’s right impressive, that is.  So does this mean you’ll be leaving good old Sunnyhell?”

 

            “Well, that’s actually why I wanted to talk to all of you. I mean, this job offer is amazing, but….” She trailed off.

 

            Xander spoke up. “Hey, Willow. I’d hate to see you leave. You’ve been my best bud since forever. But there is no way in hell I’d stand in the way of an opportunity like this.”

 

            “Yeah,” Buffy agreed. “I mean, god, we’d all miss you terribly. But this is the White House. It’s your dream job.”

 

            “Besides, the Hellmouth has been rather quiet lately. If there was ever some huge emergency, you could fly back to help us.” Giles looked at Willow. He couldn’t believe that she was so grown up.  The woman who sat before him now bore little resemblance to the girl who had first walked into his library years ago.  He was proud of her.  He was proud of all of them.

 

            “Do you really think I should take it?” Willow asked.

 

            “Of course you should. Why would you turn down an opportunity to make money?”  Anya asked.

 

            Willow rolled her eyes. “It isn’t a whole lot of money, but that’s not the point.  I’d be working at the White House. This could be the start of a really good career.  I’d be working on speeches for the president, and I’d be making some pretty valuable connections to people in Washington.  But I don’t know if I can leave. Sunnydale has been my home for years. And besides, what am I going to do without you guys?”

 

            Xander walked over and gave her a hug. “Hey, like G-man said, they have airplanes.  They also have phones.  I promise to call everyday and tell you stupid jokes.”

 

            Willow smiled gratefully, “I guess I’m going to do it.  I should call Mr. Lyman and tell him.  He wanted an answer as soon as possible.” Willow took out the business card he had given her and stood up, walking into the kitchen. She entered the number into the phone, and waited anxiously.

 

            “Josh Lyman,” the voice on the other end of the line answered.

 

            “Mr. Lyman, this is Willow Rosenberg.  I’m sorry to call so late, but you said you’d be awake for a while.”

 

            “It’s not problem, Willow.  What can I do for you?”

 

            “Well, I’ve made up my mind.  I’d be honored to work at the White House.  I’ll take the job.”

 

TBC