Disclaimer: Joss Whedon, David Greenwalt, Mutant Enemy and 20th Century Fox owns the shows BTVS and Angel. Not me.
Summary: What if it has all been in Buffy's mind? Here is just what looks like another fic exploring that idea. I am going to also delve into what may have caused her start believing in vampires etc. To invent this world known as Sunnydale.
Spoilers: I would say just about everything seen so far.
Rating: PG 13 on up to at least R.
Pairing: A/B, Fr/Gu.
Distribution: It's mine so ask first. If you want this for a list archive fine.
Author's note: Feedback would be nice.

Part 1.

The young woman known as Buffy lay on her bed curled in a fetal position. Her mother and father sat at the foot of the bed frowns of worry etched on their faces. They almost had her back. But something pulled her back into the world she had created in her mind.

The doctor came in he went over to Buffy. He looked her over briefly. He turned to the Summers and sighed.

Doctor: "I need to talk to you in my office."

Hank and Joyce Summers followed the doctor to his office. He shut the door behind them.

Doctor frowning, "She is even deeper into her catatonic state. We need to transport her to a facility where she can be better taken care of. I fear this time she will not come out any time soon."

Hank Summers sighed, "Are you sure she can't be reached?"

The doctor sighed, "We can't seem to find a way to reach her. We have tried everything. Right now we have her on no drugs of any kind."

Joyce sobbed softly, "I was talking to her and she seemed fine then she said goodbye. She is my baby and I want her back I am not giving up not yet."

The phone of the doctor's desk beeped. He picked it up and listened a few moments. Frowning he stood up as he hung up the phone, "Something is going on with Buffy."

The doctor with Hank and Joyce hurried to Buffy's room. She was thrashing about and yelling. Loud screams erupted from her. She fought against the orderlies as they tried to restrain her.

Buffy stopped and stared at the ceiling then screamed, "ANGEL DON"T LEAVE ME!!!! DON"T DIE!!!!."

Buffy went quiet. Tears flowed down her cheeks. Softly she whispered the name Angel over and over. Finally falling silent once again.

{{Buffy's mind:

Buffy with the rest of the Sunnydale gang along with Angel and his L.A. were fighting a huge hoard of demons. Angel and his crew had tracked the demons to Sunnydale.

There the demons met up with more of their clan. They were trying to open the hellmouth. Buffy and Angel with their friends were trying to stop it from happening.

Unfortunately Buffy and Angel and friends were out numbered. Willow was almost drained of her magic. Xander lay to one side not dead but badly injured. Spike was no where to be seen. Dawn huddled against Xander. She had blood running down her face.

Wesley and Gunn were fighting back to back. Both with swords taking out as many demons as they could. Both had open wounds that was dripping blood. Cordelia had a flame thrower and was almost out of gas. Fred was using some invention of hers and lobbing balls of fire.

A final push by the demons and Angel was surrounded. Buffy watched in horror as they converged on him. She tried to fight her way to him. But she too was quickly surrounded.

Buffy heard Angel cry out she managed to look up as he turned to dust. She cried out "ANGEL DON"T LEAVE ME!! DON"T DIE!!!!."

Buffy grew silent as Angel's ashes floated down on and around her. She cried silent tears. }}}}}

Buffy curled up even tighter. Silent sobs racking her body.

The doctor sighed, "This Angel in her mind has died. Tell me something was there ever an Angel in her life?"

Hank and Joyce shrugged. Hank sighed, "I don't know. Tyler was just one of the boys at school if there was anyone else I am unaware of it."

Joyce frowned, "Why are you asking?"

The doctor shrugged, "If there was and you could locate him. She might respond to him."

Joyce nodded, "I have her room just as she left it. I have never moved a thing except to clean, dust and vacuum. I guess now I will see if I can find anything."

The doctor glanced at Buffy, "I suggest you do it today."

Joyce and Hank gave Buffy a quick glance before leaving her room with the doctor.

....********

Part 2.

Joyce entered Buffy's bedroom. She wanted to sit on the bed and have a good cry. But she knew that wouldn't help. Where to look was the question. Hank was leaving the search to her. So typical of him.

Joyce dropped down to the floor and started pulling things out from under the bed. Sneakers, socks, a broken tennis racket(so that's where it has been?). Magazines, an old Barbie doll with most of the hair missing. Shirts, pants, a bra(hot pink lace my god what was she doing with this?). Sighing Joyce got up. Nothing there useful.

Next the closet. A nice walk in with a light. Racks of clothes hung on either side. Joyce shook her head and thought, should have gotten rid of these. They are now outdated. Shoes scattered everywhere. Blankets were on the top shelf. More clothes just thrown around. A box full of broken earrings and other pieces of jewelry. Another box full of barrettes and other things for the hair. A couple of photo albums with pictures of her friends and family.

Joyce sighed as she stepped out of the closet. Nothing in there. She looked around the room. The old armoire that had been passed down so far through four generations stood in one corner.

Joyce opened the creaky old doors. She laughed more clothes. But she noted mostly the fancy dresses Buffy had so insisted she needed. Glancing up Joyce saw the corner of another box. Carefully she brought it down.

She smiled she remembered this old cookie tin. It had come full of cookies one Christmas. It was rather large and the cookies had been sugar, ginger bread and shortbread. Buffy had asked for the tin when it was empty. Joyce had given it to her.

Joyce sat on the bed and opened it up. Inside was envelopes with pictures. Taking the pictures out Joyce gasped. They were all of one person. A young man with dark hair and eyes. Joyce frowned she recognized him it was Liam Hayes. His family had lived next door to them for several years. If she remembered he had a younger sister named Cordelia that was around Buffy's age.

Joyce recalled the two girls playing together. Also Liam was there taking care of his younger sister since his Mother was in the hospital so much. Going through the pictures Joyce kept shaking her head. It was obvious that Buffy had a huge crush on him. Even as a little girl. One picture of him in a Tux taken for his prom had written on the back {I bet he will look even more handsome on our wedding day}. Several of the pictures had my guardian angel written on the back.

Joyce picked up one picture and gasped. It was taken on Buffy's thirteenth birthday. Buffy was actually sitting on Liam's knees. His hands holding her waist. They were both smiling huge smiles. Another taken at the same time showed Liam kissing Buffy's cheek right next to the corner of her mouth. Buffy had her hand on his cheek and had such a happy look on her face.

Joyce found another picture of Liam in a military uniform and written on the back "He left me how am I going to survive without my guardian angel?"

Joyce put the pictures back in the tin. She stood up and went out to find Hank. She had found Angel she just knew it.

..........********

Part 3.

Hank Summers walked into the police department. He looked around feeling a little lost. An officer approached him.

"May I help you?"

Hank nodded, "Yes I am looking for Liam Hayes."

The officer smiled, "Detective Hayes is in is he expecting you?"

Hank shook his head, "No but I need to talk to him about my daughter."

The officer nodded, "Give me your name and I'll see if he will see you."

Hank gave the officer his name. He stood and watched as the officer made a call. The officer hung up and smiled at Hank.

"He said he'll be right down."

A few minutes later Hank watched as a tall man with dark brown hair and even darker brown eyes approached him. Hank stood there nervously wonder what to say to explain why he was there.

"Hi I am Liam Hayes. I recognized your name. Your daughter is Buffy right?"

Hank sighed, "Yes. I am glad to hear that you remembered her."

Liam smiled, "So what is wrong with her is she missing or in trouble?"

Hank glanced around the room, "Could we talk in private?"

Liam frowned, "Sure this way."

Liam led Hank into a small office and shut the door, "Go ahead and have a seat."

Hank sat down in one of the uncomfortable plastic chairs that were in the room. Liam smiled and sat in one of the others.

Liam: "So why are you here?"

Hank took a deep breath before speaking, "Buffy is in a mental hospital. Has been since she was 15. She has retreated into a world of her own making."

Liam frowned, "I am sad to hear that. I really cared about her she was very special to me."

Hank nodded, "That is why I am here. In her world she had a man she called Angel. She was very much in love with him and he her. It seems that recently that there is a chance that this Angel died in her world. The doctor is worried that this might prove fatal to her. He asked if there was any chance of an Angel in her real life. Joyce searched her room and found a box with nothing but pictures of you with references to you being her guardian angel."

Liam stood up and paced the small room, "So you think I might just be this Angel of her world?"

Hank sighed, "The doctor thinks it's possible."

Liam nodded, "He wants me to come visit her to see if I can reach her."

Hank nodded, "Yes. Last year we thought she was coming out of it. She was the most lucid she had been in years then suddenly she was gone again. Then a few weeks ago we thought she was again coming back but she went back. She was catatonic until the other day. She started screaming for Angel then went quiet after asking him not to die. Since then she is so deep in her world if we didn't see her chest rising we would think she was dead."

Liam sighed, "I will go see Buffy. I am off duty in an hour but I can get away a little early."

Hank stood up and smiled, "Thank you. I don't know if it will do any good but we can at least try. She is in Wilkins Sanitarium on Revello Drive."

Liam frowned, "I know where it's at. I will meet you there in about an hour."

Hank sighed, "Good I will give Joyce a call."

Liam led Hank to the front door. Liam watched as Hank Summers got in his car and drove away. He turned and hurried into the office he shared with his partner.

Liam sat down at his desk, "I need all the information I can find on a Buffy Anne Summers around 1996 she would have been 14 then."

His partner looked up, "Why?"

Liam shook his head, "Need to know."

Thirty minutes later Liam was reading through the only thing he could find. Buffy Summers attacked and almost killed a Daryl Epps football star of Hemery High School. Then she set fire and burned down the schools gym a few months later. Not much but to Liam it didn't sound like the Buffy he knew. Something must have happened to her. But what? He was going to find out.

..............................................................

Part 4.

Liam parked in front of the sanitarium. He spotted Hank Summers standing with a woman he remembered was Joyce Summers. He got out of the car and went over to them. Joyce watched as he approached. She knew he was their last hope of ever getting Buffy back.

Liam stopped in front of them, "Hello Mrs. Summers. I guess I am ready to see Buffy."

Hank nodded, "The doctor is expecting us."

Liam followed Hank and Joyce into the clinic. He hated places like this. They reminded him of his stepmother. A doctor greeted them.

"I am pleased that you have taken the time to come."

Liam nodded, "I am here for Buffy."

The doctor led them into Buffy's room. Liam felt his chest tighten at the sight of the tiny young woman curled up on the bed. Eyes open and staring. But it was his Buffy. She hadn't changed that much.

Slowly Liam went over to the bed. He sat down next to Buffy and took her hand in his. So small and fragile. He was holding back tears. He wondered if instead of running away if he had stayed if she would be here.

Liam took a breath, "Buffy can you understand me? Do you know who I am?"

Buffy's hand twitched. Her brow furrowed slightly. She seemed to be focusing on his face. Her eyes went wide.

Buffy in a whisper, "Angel you didn't die."

She went quiet after that. But she clung to his hand with an iron grip. Liam sat and sighed. She did react to him.

Liam took a deep breath, "Buffy sweetheart come back to me. I need you to speak to me."

Buffy shook her head a little, "Angel I saw you turn to dust."

Liam frowned, "Dust? What do you mean?"

Buffy stared at him, "Dust, vampires turn to dust and you did right before my eyes."

Liam turned to Hank and Joyce, "Vampires?"

Hank sighed, "In her world she is a vampire slayer and she kills vampires and other demons or evil things."

Liam nodded, "Oh, I see."

Liam turned back to Buffy, "Buffy take a real good look at me. Now focus and tell me who am I really?"

Buffy groaned and began to move about, "Angel....Please Angel don't leave me again."

Liam sighed, "Shh shh it's ok I am right here I am not going anywhere."

Buffy smiled and closed her eyes. She seemed to relax a little. Liam sat and held her hand. The doctor turned to the Summers.

"He is what she needed but she still has a long way to go to be anywhere near who she was before all this started."

Liam watched Buffy closely without turning he spoke, "She doesn't like it here. She doesn't feel safe. I think she should be moved to some place where she will feel safer."

The doctor frowned, "Another clinic? We are the best one around."

Liam shook his head, "No not a clinic. I have a house on the beach I want to take her there."

The doctor sighed, "She requires a great deal of care around the clock."

Liam nodded, "I would imagine so. But that won't be a problem. My neighbor is a registered nurse and at the moment isn't working. Her husband is a fellow officer. They are friends of mine."

The doctor shook his head, "I am not sure if that would be such a good idea to move her to unfamiliar surroundings."

Joyce spoke up, "But you said the other day that you were planning on moving her some place that could take better care of her."

Liam looked up, "Then it's settled she is going home with me."

The doctor looked at the Summers, "Fine but once she is out of here we will not be responsible for anything that happens to her."

Hank looked at Buffy and Liam then Joyce, "I trust Liam he can take her out of here if he wants I will sign the papers."

Two hours later Liam gently picked Buffy up in his arms, "Buffy I am taking you home with me where you belong."

Buffy responded by curling up against him. Liam's neighbors, Fred and Charles Gunn had come to help Liam with Buffy. Liam's sister Cordelia was at his place getting the spare bedroom ready.

.......********

Part 5.

Liam carried Buffy into his home. It was a modest three bedroom, two bathroom house he had inherited from his Grandmother. It had a lovely view of the ocean from the living room and the master bedroom that took up the second floor.

Liam carried Buffy into the small spare bedroom off the kitchen. The bed was ready for her. He laid her down gently and pulled the covers up. Buffy appeared to be asleep.

Fred stood in the door, "The doctor gave me a mild sedative to give her if she becomes unruly."

Liam nodded, "I honestly don't think we will need it."

Fred shrugged, "But still don't hesitate to give it to her if she needs it."

Liam sighed, "I won't forget. We need to find out what happened to her. Something made her retreat like this. Fred you know a few doctors who specialize in cases like Buffy's don't you?"

Fred nodded, "I do but I wonder if my friend Lorne could be of more help?"

Liam frowned, "You mean that psychic?"

Fred giggled, "He is more than that he is also a psychologist."

Liam sighed, "Talk to him see if he would be willing to help."

Cordelia came into the room and looked down at Buffy, "She was so sweet when she was a little girl. No matter how mean I was to her she'd just smile and tell me "Oh Cordelia don't be that way" it does make you wonder what happened."

Liam sat down on the bed, "We will find out. I think once we do we can help her out of this world she has created."

Fred nodded, "Her doctor gave me her files. He said he legally wasn't suppose to but he felt we needed to know all we could about her treatment and her reactions. Things she said and done. I'll go through them tonight since Charles will be on duty."

Liam looked up, "Thanks Fred."

Cordelia sighed, "Need anything Liam I'll be here."

Liam nodded, "Good. We can't leave her alone until she realizes she is safe. If she was to wake up she might panic and run."

Fred nodded, "You are right. For now we must be very careful while dealing with her."

Liam sighed, "Her Mother will be here in the morning with a few of her things."

Cordelia smiled, "Mrs. Summers was so nice to me. It will be nice seeing her again."

Buffy could hear the voices around her. She could hear Angel and two women speaking. She was confused. She didn't know where she was. It wasn't Sunnydale anymore she was certain of that. But if Angel was there she knew she would be safe. She couldn't find Willow or Xander anywhere. But she felt as if it didn't matter. That they were safe wherever they were.

Buffy turned over and sighed softly. Liam noticed and took her hand. She smiled softly.

"Angel." She whispered softly.

Liam leaned over and kissed her brow, "Yes baby it's me. I am here you have nothing to fear."

Buffy sighed and snuggled down into the bed. She knew it was different from what she had been sleeping on. It was softer and smelled better, like flowers. Also it wasn't so itchy.

.....********

Part 6.

Fred sat and read through the files the doctor had given her. She was sitting in a chair watching over Buffy so that Liam could get some rest. She had to force to go to bed. Every now and then Fred would write something down.

Cordelia came in the room. She smiled at Fred, "So has anything happened?"

Fred shook her head, "Not really she just turned over a few times. From what I have been reading this is progress she rarely moves would stay in the same position for hours if they didn't move her themselves."

Cordelia leaned against the dresser, "It was about three months after Buffy turned thirteen that we moved. Liam was 22 and had decided suddenly to go in the army. Our Mother had just died from cancer. Father wanted to be closer to his sister. I was also thirteen and he figured she could look after me. Buffy cried so hard the day we were leaving. Liam was home from boot camp and she was clinging to him. I can remember that so well."

Fred sighed, "It was soon after she turned 14 that she began to act strange. She was freshman in high school and her first boyfriend and two of her friends had been killed in a car crash. It happened after a dance they had all gone to together."

Cordelia frowned, "So maybe Buffy got her head banged up in the crash?"

Fred shook her head, "Buffy wasn't in the car. Just Tyler, two other girls and Tyler's Father, he was the one driving."

Cordelia frowned, "So where was Buffy?"

Fred shrugged, "It doesn't say."

Cordelia nodded, "Make a note that we need to ask Mrs. Summers where Buffy was at when the car accident happened."

Fred nodded, "I am making a list of all the names Buffy has mentioned over the last few years. I am thinking that if she had Liam as Angel and get this she does have a Cordelia but not as Angel's sister. Then who else did she take with her into her world."

Cordelia shook her head, "Might be a clue in the names as to what happened."

Fred chewed on her pen, "I think so."

Fred yawned then. Cordelia smiled, "Look get some rest. I had a nap so am good."

Fred nodded, "I will go lay down on the couch. Call me if you need anything."

Cordelia nodded, "Will do."

Fred left the room. Cordelia went and sat down next to Buffy. She took Buffy's hand in hers. She smiled and thought a manicure is what she needs.

Quickly Cordelia rushed into her room and grabbed her manicure set. Going back into Buffy's room she sat down on the bed.

Slowly she began to work on Buffy's nails, "Buffy it's Cordelia. We use to be friends. I would really like to be your friend again. Liam is so worried about you."

Buffy sighed in her sleep. She flexed her fingers a little. Cordelia was here. She could feel the nail file as it was gently brushed against her nails. Buffy opened her eyes and stared at Cordelia.

Cordelia noticed and smiled, "See how nice your hands are looking. Hey what color would you like on your nails? I have a nice soft pink that is too light for me but would look great on you."

Buffy smiled at Cordelia, "Pink is ok."

Cordelia grinned, "Ok pink it shall be."

Buffy sighed and closed her eyes. She liked the way it felt to have her nails worked on. She felt safe for some reason with this Cordelia.

Cordelia finished she smiled as she looked Buffy's hands over, "Much better."

Liam entered the room, "Hey what's going on?"

Cordelia looked up, "I did her nails and she spoke to me a little."

Liam went over to the bed as Cordelia stood up, "Nice color. Buffy your nails look very pretty. I bet you are hungry would you like something to eat?"

Buffy's eyes flew open, "Angel, yes hungry."

Cordelia sighed, "Would soup be ok I can fix that?"

Buffy's eyes never left Liam she nodded, "Chicken noodle."

Cordelia smiled, "Ok chicken noodle soup it is."

Cordelia quickly left the room. Liam sat down next to Buffy. She smiled at him. She was half in her own world and half in the real world. At the moment he was Angel, alive and well. Not a pile of dust. That was all that mattered to her. She was with Angel.

.......********

Part 7.

Liam let Joyce Summers in the next morning. He took the suitcase she was carrying. Joyce smiled at him as she looked around the living room.

Joyce: "This place is beautiful."

Liam smiled, "Thanks. My grandmother left it to me."

Joyce nodded, "So how is Buffy?"

Liam shrugged a little, "She actually talked to Cordelia and she ate some chicken noodle soup. But she is still on her world. She calls me Angel and for now I will let her."

Joyce nodded, "Of course so can I see her?"

Liam pointed towards the bedroom, "She is in there. Fred is with her."

Joyce stepped into the room. The curtains were open letting in bright sunshine. Buffy lay there relaxed and sleeping. Fred glanced up from her reading and smiled.

Fred: "She was mumbling in her sleep just now. Couldn't make out what she was saying though."

Joyce sighed, "She does that."

Fred nodded, "I was just reading more of her case. I have made some notes about certain things. Liam and I want to ask you a few questions, but not in here. She hears everything and when I mentioned a few names she moaned and thrashed about."

Cordelia stepped into the room, "Hi Mrs. Summers. Liam is waiting for you and Fred out on the deck."

Joyce looked Cordelia over, "My what a pretty woman you have turned out to be. You were so skinny and had braces the last time I saw you."

Cordelia rolled her eyes, "Thank goodness I outgrew that stage."

Joyce nodded, "Yes. So Fred let's go have this talk."

Joyce followed Fred out to the deck. The view was spectacular. The deep blue Pacific ocean was laid out before them. Liam turned from looking out at the ocean.

Liam: "Please have a seat. Would you want any coffee or something else?"

Joyce shook her head as she sat down, "Not right now. Thank you."

Liam sat down across from Joyce. Fred sat on a chair just to the side of the two of them.

Joyce smiled, "Lovely view."

Liam nodded, "Yes. Once Buffy is more alert I plan on bringing her out here."

Joyce sighed, "Good. So what is it you want to know?"

Liam sat back, "Buffy had some friends die in a car accident after a dance where was Buffy?"

Joyce shook her head, "Ah yes. We don't know."

Liam frowned, "You don't know?"

Joyce sat back and folded her arms, "Buffy went to the dance with Tyler even though they had more or less broken up. His Dad drove them along with two other couples in his van to the dance. At some point during the dance Buffy disappeared. The accident happened shortly after the two dates for the other girls had been dropped off. One of the boys told us that Buffy and Tyler got in a huge fight and that she took off in tears for the restroom. She never came back. They assumed she got a ride home and so left without her."

Liam sighed, "So where was Buffy?"

Joyce shrugged, "She was missing for three days. We got a call from the police that the body of a young blonde girl had been found. So Hank and I went down to see if it was Buffy. We were gone for about two hours when we got home she was there. Buffy was in her bedroom. She was very quiet had a few bruises but otherwise seemed to be fine. She refused to tell us where she had been or what had happened. Refused to go the doctors said she was fine."

Fred shook her head, "She was 14 and she was missing for three days and you just accepted her story? My folks would have given me the third degree and then some."

Joyce closed her eyes, "Looking back I know we should have been more insistent. But my own Mother was so strict and I always swore I wouldn't be like her. As for Hank until Buffy started acting up he ignored her most of the time."

Liam nodded, "I remember there were several times Buffy was in tears because of her Father."

Joyce sighed, "I think that he blames her for the baby I lost when she was five. It wasn't her fault that I fell down those stairs. Yes, she was downstairs crying and I was trying to hurry to her but I should have been more careful. It turns out she was hurt. A bee had stung her and she was scared and hurting."

Fred looked up, "A baby did you have names picked out?"

Joyce frowned, "Let's see my yes we did now come to think of it. Donald for a boy and Dawn for a girl."

Fred raised her eyebrows, "Dawn. You do know she is calling her sister Dawn in her other world?"

Joyce gave a startled look, "You're right I don't know why I didn't remember that before."

Liam shrugged, "Stress and it has been a while."

Fred nodded, "Yes. Now let's go over some of the other names in her world. Let's see Willow Rosenberg is there anyone who comes to mind?"

Joyce frowned, "Not really. The doctor had us do this once before and it didn't trigger anything."

Liam sighed, "We need to try though."

Fred shook her head in agreement, "Ok Xander Harris or Rupert Giles."

Cordelia stepped out on the deck, "Buffy is awake and calling for Angel."

Liam stood up and hurried inside. Cordelia watched him as he went past her.

Cordelia turned back to Joyce and Fred, "Did you say Xander?"

Fred nodded, "Yeah why?"

Cordelia laughed slightly, "I had a dog named Xander. He was this huge mutt that was real goofy. Buffy adored him. He would do anything for Buffy."

Fred shook her head, "The Xander in her world is a big goofy guy who would do anything for her."

Cordelia sighed, "So she turned a dog into a guy in her world?"

Fred giggled, "Yeah and guess what you dated him."

Cordelia looked at Fred with disbelief, "Oh my god. That is too much."

Inside the house Liam went into the bedroom where Buffy was, "Hey sweetheart you wanted me?"

Buffy looked up and frowned, "Angel, sunlight."

Liam glanced around, "It's ok the sun in here won't hurt me."

Buffy nodded, "Ok. I am hungry and I was wondering where you were."

Liam smiled, "I was just outside is all. So hungry? I will fix you something. Hey would you like to take a shower and put some clean clothes on?"

Buffy looked down at herself, "I do feel stinky."

Liam smiled, "Good. Come with me I will show the bathroom."

Buffy got out of bed on shaky legs. She took Liam's hand. Liam led her across the hall to the bathroom.

Liam smiled, "You can use Cordelia's shampoo and other things she won't mind."

Buffy nodded, "Ok."

She was looking around confused. Liam noticed and sighed, "Let me get Cordelia she will help you."

Buffy smiled, "Thanks. I will stay right here I promise."

Liam nodded and hurried out to get Cordelia, "She is awake and wants to take a shower she is confused though and wants your help."

Joyce stood up, "Let me."

Liam shook his head, "No she is still in her world and there you are dead. It might shock her to see you. So why don't you and Fred go over to her place and talk."

Joyce frowned, "But she's my little girl."

Fred stood up, "No she isn't and Liam is right."

Cordelia had gotten up while they talked and hurried into the house to help Buffy.

Joyce sighed, "Ok I will do as you ask."

Fred smiled, "We will use the stairs to the beach."

Joyce follow Fred as she went down the stairs. Liam turned and went into the house. In the kitchen Liam started fixing Buffy something to eat.

********

Part 8.

Buffy sat at the dining table slowly eating the scrambled eggs and toast that Liam had made her. She was still drifting between the two world's. Gunn walked in he was looking for Liam. Buffy stopped eating and stared at him.

Cordelia took Buffy's hand, "It's ok he is a friend of Angel's he won't hurt you."

Buffy nodded and swallowed the food she was chewing. Liam came down the stairs he spotted Gunn and frowned. Gunn looked at him and nodded towards the deck. Liam gave him a look of understanding.

Liam went over to Buffy, "Now don't be afraid but I am going outside. Remember I told you that where we are the sun cannot hurt me."

Buffy nodded, "Yes Angel I remember. Will you be gone long?"

Liam smiled, "No sweetheart I won't. Now you do as Cordelia asks ok?"

Buffy smiled, "Ok."

Liam followed Gunn outside, "Come on let's walk along the beach that way she can't hear us."

Down on the beach Gunn sighed, "I did some digging last night. Slow night so decided why not. I got hold of someone who was able to get me Buffy's juvenile files. She tried to kill that football jock Daryl Epps. Well, guess what he is in prison for raping two 16 year old girls three years ago."

Liam glanced up towards his place, "Good Lord. Buffy went missing for three days when she was 14 he was a senior at her high school then."

Gunn nodded, "Yep and those two girls he raped were both small and blonde. He kidnapped them and held them for several days. One got away and went for help."

Liam shook his head, "If he kidnapped and raped Buffy it would explain why she went over the edge."

Gunn nodded, "You got that."

Liam sighed, "I would like to talk to this guy is it possible?"

Gunn grinned, "Figured you would so made the arrangements. Tomorrow morning I'll take you to where he is being held."

Liam smiled a little, "Thanks. I had better get back. She is awake but she is still in her world."

Gunn nodded, "Gathered that. Oh I met Mrs. Summers I think some of Buffy's problems come from her folks. Found out that they filed for divorce about the time Buffy went over the edge and when she did they canceled the divorce. It's a marriage in name only I bet."

Liam shrugged, "Not surprised from some of the things I remember about them. Hank was distant, hardly ever home. Joyce was either fawning over Buffy or ignoring her."

Gunn sighed, "Sometimes it makes me happy that I never really knew my folks."

Liam shook his head, "Yeah. My Dad was ok just worried all the time. And Mom being sick so much it was up to me to watch over Cordelia. Then my step mother what a trip she was."

Gunn nodded, "Yeah well better get back. I'll drop by later. Am going to track down a few things for Fred."

Liam nodded, "Later."

Liam hurried up the stairs. He found Buffy sitting on the sofa staring out at the ocean. He went and sat down next to her. She smiled and curled up against him and closed her eyes. Liam put his arms around her.

********

Go to Part 9