 |
|
Chapter Fifteen
“You really don’t have to do this,” Buffy said as she patrolled the cemetery with Logan the next night. “It’s not like I have anything better to do, darlin’. ‘Sides, you needed the ride.” “Normally I just have ‘Ro or Rogue drop me off and then I call and have them pick me back up when I’m done.” “Like I said, I didn’t have anything else better to do tonight.” Not to mention, he had made a lot plans to make sure they’d be alone so they could talk. While she hadn’t exactly been avoiding him, she was making sure that she wasn’t left alone in the same room with him. He had talked to Buffy’s normal rides to have them tell Buffy they were too busy to bring her into town to patrol. Logan was surprised when she suddenly stopped and sat down on a large tombstone. “What’s wrong?” “New grave,” she said, gesturing with her stake. “There’s a new vampire about to wake up.” “Oh,” he said as he sat down beside her on the tombstone. She tensed slightly but then relaxed. “Do you do this a lot when you patrol?” “What? Sit and wait next to new graves?” She asked. “Yeah.” “Depends on if I feel a vampire in there or not. Some people do just die of natural causes you know, even on a hellmouth.” “Is this why you always patrol the cemeteries first? So you can make sure you catch all of the new vamps?” “I try, but I obviously don’t get them all,” she answered with a sigh. “Sometimes I wonder if what I do is enough. It seems that with every vamp I kill, there are twenty more to take its place.” “You’ll get ‘em all one day,” he said encouragingly. “I still wonder though.” They lapsed into an uneasy silence. Despite Logan’s declaration to Wesley the night before about not letting her back away from this, he didn’t quite know how to proceed. Knowing how to deal with women was never really one of his stronger points. “Buffy,” he began. When she turned to look at him, he continued. “About yesterday...” A growl interrupted him and they turned to see that the vamp had risen. “Duty calls,” she said as she hopped off the tombstone and approached the vampire. She easily ducked under its swing and then staked it. Turning to look at Logan, she said, “Moving on.” Then she continued her walk through the cemetery. Logan got up and followed her. “Buffy, we need to talk about yesterday.” “What about yesterday?” She asked, getting a strange sense of deja vu. He sighed. “We kissed.” Buffy rolled her eyes and muttered, “What is it about guys wanting to talk about kissing in the middle of cemeteries?” She stopped and said loudly enough for him to hear, “It was a mistake, Logan. One that won’t happen again.” “But what if I want it to happen again?” He countered. “That’s not an option,” she said as she started walking again. Logan grabbed her arm to stop her and turned her around to face him. “It is too an option, Buffy. And you know it. You can’t deny you enjoyed it as much as I did.” “Not denying it. Who said I was denying it?” She protested as she wrenched her arm away. “I’m just saying it’s not going to happen again.” “Buffy, you can’t keep hiding, that will only make things worse.” “What the hell do you know...Oomph!” She cried as she was knocked to the ground. “See what happens when people patrol with me?” Buffy yelled as she shoved the thing that had tackled her off. “I get distracted.” She stood up to face a demon that could tower over Logan’s six feet. It’s brown and green skin was mottled so that it blended into its surroundings. The thing’s back was covered with huge bony spikes. “Well are you just a pretty one,” Buffy muttered under her breath before kicking it firmly in the head. Buffy could sense Logan about to make a move to help. “Don’t even think about it, Wolvie. I’ve got this under control,” she said as she dropped to avoid its swinging leg. She kicked her own foot out and connected with its knee, causing it to fall to the ground in pain. The slayer nimbly hopped up and snapped its neck. She looked around. “Damn, forgot my bag.” “What’s in your bag?” “My sword so I can cut it’s head off so I’m sure its dead.” “Maybe I’m helpful after all,” he said as his claws slid out from between his knuckles. He then proceeded to cut the thing’s head off. “Thanks,” she bit out. “Think nothing of it, darlin’,” he said with a smug smile on his face. Something registered on her senses and she looked to see two of the same type of demon running away. “Oh no you don’t,” Buffy said as she took off after them. Not wanting to leave her alone, Logan took off after her. But they were both pulled up short when the air around the demons seemed to blur and they disappeared. “Well... That’s never happened before,” Buffy said. She went back to the dead demon. “What are you doing?” He asked. “I want to get a better look at this one. I’ve never seen his kind before. If I can look them up and figure out what they’re after, I have a better chance of finding them.” As she studied the demon, she noticed it was holding something in its hand. She pulled it out and it was a copper amulet with strange markings on it. “Must have been what it was after,” she said. “Let’s get back to the mansion.” Then she headed back to where they had parked. He couldn’t seem to pry her attention away from the amulet on the way back to the motorcycle and he eventually gave up. She climbed on behind him and Logan had to suppress a shiver of delight as she wrapped her arms around his waist. He cursed himself for thinking that bringing the bike that night would have been a good idea. Logan had hoped that their close proximity would have caused some sort of reaction out of her. Unfortunately, her mind didn’t seem to notice. When they arrived at the mansion, she was off the bike and inside before he had even turned the motor off. He sighed. He knew that there was no way he was going to make her talk tonight. He’d just have to find a way to corner her tomorrow. ********** The next afternoon, Buffy headed to the room that they had placed all of Giles demon books. She clutched the amulet in her hand, knowing that whatever she was going to find, it just wasn’t going to be good. She had been a slayer and lived on a hellmouth for too long to know that demons looking for amulets were never a good sign. She was surprised, however, when she walked into the library to find Bobby and Rogue sitting at a table pouring over books. “Rogue, did you happen to find the book chronicling the hellmouths?” Came Wesley’s cultured British voice as he stepped out from behind a large bookcase. “So they’re studying the hellmouth?” Buffy asked in an accusing tone. “Ah, Buffy. I wasn’t aware that you were in here,” he said slowly, freezing in place. “Wesley, what did I say about involving others? I didn’t want anyone else to get involved, especially not the students!” “Buffy, it’s not what you think,” Wesley began. “Oh, so the fact that they’re sitting in a demon library looking for a book talking about hellmouths is no reason for me not to think that you’re training them?” “Ok, maybe it’s a little bit like what you think. But I didn’t approach them, Buffy, they came to me.” “Right. Like they would even know where to start.” “It’s true, Buffy,” Rogue said, interrupting them. “Bobby and I overheard your conversation a coupla’ weeks ago. We just wanted to help.” Buffy turned her fierce eyes to Rogue. “And you! How could you hide this from me? I thought we were friends Rogue!” Bobby jumped to his feet. “Don’t yell at her. It was my idea to go and talk to Wesley in the first place.” “No, Bobby. It’s ok,” Rogue said. “It was my idea to talk to Wesley. Bobby was just as enthusiastic about the idea as I was. We didn’t want you to have to fight this alone.” “Don’t you understand?” Buffy asked, not noticing Logan entering the room. “I’m the slayer. The Chosen One. Notice the word one, I’m suppose to be alone!” “But it doesn’t have to be that way, darlin’,” Logan said from behind her. “And you!” Buffy roared as she whirled to face him. “I don’t even want to talk to you!” She turned back to Wesley. “Get these kids out of here, Wesley. I don’t want to catch them in here again.” Then she stormed out the door. “Well.... I think she took that rather well,” Wesley said. “How can you say that?” Rogue asked, tears in her eyes. “She didn’t break any of the furniture.” “I’ll talk to her,” Logan said. “Now may not be the best time,” Wesley warned the mutant. “I think it is,” Logan said as he turned and went out the door. *********** Logan easily followed her scent, even though he already had a good idea of where she was headed. It wasn’t dark yet, so he figured she was taking out her frustrations in either the danger room or workout room. He found her beating the hell out of a punching bag in the workout room. “What the hell do you think you were doing yelling at Bobby and Rogue like that?” He bellowed. “I believe I have every right to be angry at people who betrayed me.” “Who betrayed you?” “Wesley... Bobby... Rogue...” She said, emphasizing each name with a punch. “Going around acting like there’s nothing wrong. Yet, they’ve been sneaking around behind my back, learning about demons.” “The only reason why Wesley was teaching them was because they delivered him an ultimatum. Either he taught them, or they’d find someone else who would.” Buffy stopped her assault on the punching bag. “So you knew about this?” She asked in an injured tone. “I just found out two nights ago, because Wesley told me.” “Oh! He told you, but not me!” “The only reason he told me was because I told him I wanted to find a way to help you.” “I don’t need help!” Logan smirked. “See that’s where you’re wrong, darlin’. I think you do.” “I’m not your darlin’ so stop calling me that! And I don’t need any help. Not from you. Not from Wesley, or Bobby, or Rogue, or even Fred. I didn’t ask for any.” “You don’t have to ask, Buffy,” Logan said softly. “We’re your friends and we care about you. We want to help you ‘cause that’s what friends do - help each other without being asked. “Yeah, well helping me will get you killed. That’s what happened to my last group of friends.” “You can’t blame yourself for them wanting to fight beside you.” “But if they hadn’t met me, they’d still be alive,” she said sullenly as she pushed her hair out of her face. “You don’t know that. You lived on a hellmouth, they could’ve been killed by any one of the vampires or demons. Wesley told me that they didn’t have a clue until you saved them one day.” “Whatever,” Buffy mumbled, looking at her hands, instead of him. “Why can’t you just accept the fact that we care about you and want to help?” Logan asked. “You can care all you want, but don’t expect me to care back.” “But I think you already do. Why else would you still be here?” She lifted her head with an incredulous look. “Duh, hellmouth! Slayer! Hence my stayness.” “That’s not what I mean. Why are you still at the mansion?” “Uh, job. Ring any bells?” “One you didn’t have to accept,” Logan pointed out. “I think on some level you wanted to stay. I think you wanted to stay and get close to us because you’re tired of living without someone to care for.” “That’s bullshit!” “Is it really? You claim you don’t want us to help, and you claim you don’t want us to care, yet you stick around and help us learn about your world and how to fight it,” he said as he moved in close. “I didn’t teach you to fight it! I taught you how to protect yourself, there’s a difference,” Buffy retorted as she unconsciously backed away. “Just because you lost the man you loved...” “How did you know that?” She asked in a low, menacing tone. “I told you, I talked to Wesley.” “He had no right.” “He’s worried about you Buffy, we all are. Just because you lost Spike doesn’t mean you have to stop caring.” “I have to,” Buffy said in a choked voice. “Why?” He asked, stepping towards her until they were almost touching. This time she didn’t back away. “Because if I start caring, I risk losing the people I care about. I can’t do it again.” She sank to the floor and seemed to be lost. “I loved Spike so much, but I never got a chance to tell him. ‘Cause I was afraid that the moment he knew how much I cared then he would leave me. But he left me anyway. He swore he would never leave me, but he did.” “Darlin’, it’s not like he wanted to leave you,” Logan said as he crouched down in front of her. “I’ve only known you a month and I don’t wanna leave you. Hell, I didn’t want to leave you after the first night.” Tears started rolling down her face. “But not wanting to and actually leaving are two different things. It’s so hard to trust anybody because once I find someone to trust they usually find a way to break it.” Logan pulled her into his arms. “You’ve got to start living again, darlin’. ’Cause if you don’t, you’ll forget why you’re fighting to save everybody. When that happens, the world is doomed.” “But what if I can’t?” She asked through her tears. “You got plenty of people here willin’ to help ya.” ********** It was several hours later when Buffy’s even breathing told Logan that she had finally fallen asleep. She had spent the time crying and talking to him. He figured the professor had told everyone to stay away since they had never been interrupted. He easily picked her up and carried Buffy to her room. Logan laid her gently on her bed and removed her shoes. After he covered her up, he turned to leave. But a hand on his wrist stopped him. “Please stay,” she pleaded softly. “Are you sure?” He asked. “Yes.” Logan removed his shoes and belt and climbed in beside her. She immediately snuggled up to his chest and fell back asleep. He wrapped his own arms around her and closed his eyes. Burying his nose in her hair, he fell asleep with her soothing scent filling his senses. Previous Part Looking For Tomorrow Menu Next Part |
