Part 9.

Liam watched as Daryl Epps entered the small visitor's room. Rage was just under the surface. Daryl looked the man over who wanted to see him. He was curious about what he wanted.

Liam nodded, "Take a seat, I have a few questions to ask you."

Daryl sat down, "So go ahead and ask."

Liam folded his arms, "I know you raped two girls three years ago."

Daryl snarled, "They set me up."

Liam frowned, "Not from what I hear."

Daryl glared at him, "If you are gonna talk about them I am leaving."

Liam shook his head, "It's not about them it's about Buffy Summers."

Daryl's eyes twitched, "What about her?"

Liam gave a half smile, "So you remember her?"

Daryl gestured to his neck, "See this scar she damn near killed me with a little knife. Started yelling about vampires. Man she was whacked."

Liam nodded, "So I hear. But why did she pick you to stab. I understand there were several other football players standing around?"

Daryl shrugged, "Got me."

Liam nodded, "No I think that you did to her what you did to those other two girls. She is a tiny blonde like them."

Daryl glared at him, "Look she was just asking for it like they were. All little girls wanted me still would if I wasn't in here."

Liam chuckled, "Oh please give me a break. You are not all that great. Maybe in high school when you were the big jock you had girls chasing you. As for Buffy from what I hear you weren't her type."

Daryl snarled at Liam, "Go ask her."

Liam shook his head, "Wish I could but she has been in a mental hospital the last few years. In her delirium she has talked about you. Said some pretty interesting things."

Daryl smiled, "Mental hospital so that is where she ended up. Poor thing."

Liam went over to Daryl and got right in his face, "Come on tell me what you did to her it won't leave this room I promise."

Daryl laughed, "Sure why not. I found her crying near the restrooms. I offered to take her home. I did to mine. She screamed and begged me to let her go. She screamed as I took her. Such a little thing so sweet but not so innocent I am quite sure. She sobbed and kept begging for me to leave her alone."

Liam's eyes glowed with pure rage, "So you did rape her?"

Daryl laughed, "I guess if you want to call it that. I like them to beg me not hurt them it turns me on when they do."

Liam could not hold back. He balled up his fist and slammed it into Daryl's face breaking his nose. Liam stepped back, "Be thankful you are in here if you ever get out of here be very careful of where and what you do."

Daryl held his nose and stared at Liam, "Yeah what ever."

Liam banged on the door to be let out. Liam hurried out to his car. He stood there getting a grip on his feelings. He had wanted to rip Daryl Epps apart.

Taking a few deep breaths Liam got in his car and headed back home to Buffy.

*********

Part 10.

When Liam returned home he found Fred's friend Lorne sitting on the deck. He was reading through Buffy's files. Fred was siting near by answering any questions he asked.

Liam sighed, "Hello Lorne it's been a while since we last talked."

Lorne nodded, "I would say so. You don't mind my being here do you?"

Liam shook his head, "No. We may have had our differences in the past but I think you are the only one who can help us."

Fred sighed, "So Liam how was your trip?"

Liam sat down, "I had my suspicions confirmed. Daryl Epps did keep Buffy at his place and rape her."

Lorne shook his head, "That explains quite a bit about what went wrong."

Cordelia stepped outside, "Buffy is waking up."

Liam turned and hurried to Buffy's side. Buffy opened her eyes when she saw Liam she smiled.

Buffy: "I was so afraid Angel that you weren't coming back."

Liam smiled, "Sorry sweetheart I had an errand to run."

Lorne stepped into the room. Buffy stared at him. Liam glanced at Lorne then smiled at Buffy.

Liam: "It's ok he is a friend his name is Lorne."

Buffy nodded, "Ok."

Lorne went and sat in the chair next to the bed, "So Buffy how do you feel today?"

Buffy frowned, "Ok I guess. Confused at times."

Lorne took her hand, "Of course you do. Now I want you to do something for me. I want you to close your eyes and picture all your friends in Sunnydale. Don't talk to them just bring their images up."

Buffy gulped a little, "Are you a doctor? I don't like doctors."

Lorne shook his head, "No not a doctor."

Buffy sighed and closed her eyes. She did as he asked and let Angel, Willow, Xander, Dawn, Tara, Giles and Anya float around in her head. Lorne placed his hands on her temples and closed his eyes.

After a few minutes he opened his eyes and frowned. He glanced at Liam then at Buffy.

Lorne very softly, "Open your eyes Buffy."

Buffy blinked several times as she opened her eyes, "Is anything wrong?"

Lorne smiled, "No not really. Now be a good girl and stay here while I go talk to Angel."

Buffy nodded, "Is that what you want Angel?"

Liam smiled, "Yes Cordelia will be right here if you need anything."

Cordelia sat down in the chair vacated by Lorne. Liam gave Buffy's hand a squeeze before he left the room.

Lorne was out on the deck. Liam joined him, "So what did you see?"

Lorne sighed, "To Buffy those people are as real to her as we are to each other. I have never seen such detail with faces and objects. Already she is adding all of us to her world."

Liam leaned against the railing, "So what do we need to do to get her to leave her world?"

Lorne shrugged, "Convince her of the truth. We need to find out why she went over the edge and being raped was just the icing on the cake. I think even before that things happened that made her start losing touch with reality. What we need to do is put together all the facts in order. Make a list of everyone in her world and their equivalent here. Fred is already getting started."

Liam sighed, "Good. Kate is also looking into it. She is looking up Buffy's old school mates and seeing if she can get anything from them."

Lorne frowned, "Liam I have a very bad feeling also that someone has been keeping her from coming back. Someone close to her or has had access to her."

Liam stared at Lorne, "Oh so you think someone doesn't want her to get better?"

Lorne nodded, "Yes unfortunately I do."

Liam sighed, "Any clue as to who it might be?"

Lorne looked out at the ocean, "Whom ever Willow is in this world is the one I would bet on."

Liam frowned, "So find this Willow and we may have more clues as to what happened to Buffy?"

Lorne nodded, "Yes."

Liam sighed as he started back into the house, "I am going to go sit with her for a while. Give Cordelia a break."

Lorne smiled, "Sounds good. I am heading over to Fred's to give her a hand."

Liam watched as Lorne hurried down the stairs. Liam went back to Buffy. He smiled at Cordelia, "Go get some rest."

Cordelia stood up, "Sure. Give me a yell if you need anything."

Liam only shook his head response as he sat down on the bed next to Buffy.

She opened her eyes and smiled at him, "Hold me."

Liam stretched out next to Buffy and took her into his arms. Buffy sighed and curled up against Liam.

Liam kissed the top of her head, "Buffy I am so sorry I left you. I should have stayed."

Buffy only sighed as she closed her eyes and drifted back to sleep.

***********

Part 11.

The next day was over cast and chilly with a breeze coming in off the ocean. Buffy was restless. Liam let her pace around the house. They were the only ones home at the time. Buffy turned to Liam and frowned.

Buffy: "You're not Angel are you?"

Liam stared at her, "Maybe. Tell me who do you think I am?"

Buffy walked over to him and studied his face, "Liam."

Liam smiled and nodded, "Yes and where do you remember me from?"

Buffy nodded, "When I was a little girl you were my friend. You were more later."

Liam shrugged, "So you do remember me?"

Buffy sighed, "Yes. You left me."

Liam reached out and took her hand, "I did and I regret doing it now. I am so sorry."

Buffy's eyes filled with tears, "But you did and bad things happened to me."

Liam sighed, "I know."

Buffy started crying. Liam wrapped his arms around her. She leaned against him and cried.

After a little bit she finally got control of herself, "I need to lay down."

Liam nodded and led her to the bed room, "I will be here if you need me."

Buffy sighed as she laid down, "I know."

Liam sat and watched as she fell asleep. He knew it was progress that she now knew he wasn't Angel.

Later when Cordelia returned Liam told her what happened. Cordelia was putting away the groceries she had bought. Buffy let out a scream. Liam turned and hurried to her side.

Buffy was fighting the sheets trying to get out of bed. Liam went to her. She started fighting him.

Buffy: LEAVE ME ALONE!!!! I NEED TO GET AWAY!!!"

Fred heard the commotion as she was coming in from the deck. She rushed into the bedroom and took in the situation. She went into the bathroom and got a syringe ready with the sedative.

Going to the bedroom, "Liam hold her."

Liam nodded and watched as Fred managed to give Buffy the shot. After a few minutes Buffy calmed down and went to sleep.

Liam sighed, "Wonder what caused that?"

Fred shook her head, "How has she been today?"

Liam shrugged, "She was restless so I let her roam through the house. She recognized me as Liam and not Angel. She cried and went to bed."

Fred nodded, "She is letting go of her other world and it is frightening her."

Liam sighed, "Understandable. It's progress."

Fred shook her head, "Well tonight we need to gather and talk about all the information we have. Lorne is coming over and Charles has the night off."

Liam shrugged, "Good. Kate is coming by with what she has dug up."

Cordelia smiled, "Good maybe we can get to the bottom of what went wrong."

Liam glanced towards the bedroom and sighed. He had a feeling that tonight was going to be rough on all of them.

********

Part 12.

Buffy woke up long enough to eat a small dinner. She was quiet and wouldn't take her eyes off Liam. After she was done eating Fred gave her a little more of the sedative.

Soon everyone was there. Liam checked on Buffy making sure she was asleep. Gunn volunteered to sit and keep an eye on her while they talked.

Kate, Cordelia and Fred sat on the couch. Liam sat on stool near the counter top that separated the kitchen from the living room. Lorne sat in a chair facing everyone else.

Fred picked up her notes, "Let's go over what I have. Let's see Buffy first went into the mental clinic after she attacked Daryl Epps. She claimed he was a vampire. Liam has found out that Daryl raped Buffy and held her hostage for almost three days. Next she went in when she set fire to the school gym claiming that it was full of vampires. She was there for several months she did leave briefly for the summer. But just before school started she disappeared for a few days and was arrested for attacking some homeless people in a warehouse. Claimed they were vampires and they were trying to kill her friends. Back to the clinic where she has been ever since."

Lorne nodded, "Vampires represent the people who have hurt her. Who have caused her pain both physically and emotionally."

Cordelia frowned, "But why vampires?"

Kate spoke up, "At the time she was losing it she had a world lit teacher name Merrick. They were discussing horror in literature which of course includes vampires. From what Fred told me about the gym incident it happened a few days after Merrick dropped dead of a heart attack in class in front of his students. Buffy was in class that day. I talked to another teacher and she recalls that Buffy never missed that class."

Liam sighed, "So that would explain the vampires and other things of evil in her world."

Fred sighed, "She mentions Merrick as her first Watcher the one who trained her in fighting vampires. So that explains him."

Lorne nodded, "So we know that Liam is Angel, Cordelia is basically herself. Xander was a dog she adored. Merrick did exist as a favorite teacher and the shock of seeing him die was more than she could handle. Dawn is the child that her mother lost and I have a feeling she feels guilty for the miscarriage. So that leaves, Willow, Faith, and Spike. Who else Fred?"

Fred read through her notes, "Oh Faith is also real. She was a fellow inmate during some of Buffy's more lucid moment they visited with each other. Faith was there after killing her stepmother. She was very delusional. She fed off of Buffy's tales of vampires and werewolves. In fact she began to even make up her own stories about them. She got in a fight with an orderly and was taken to a more secure place."

Lorne folded his hands together, "So more and more people from this world are in hers. I still think that when we find Willow we will be able to learn more about what happened."

Liam sighed, "She is important in all of this. In Buffy's world she is her best friend. So who is she in this world?"

Fred nodded, "Now besides Daryl what else happened?"

Cordelia sighed, "Her Father may be one of the problems. She worshipped him but he ignored her. Also she told me once that when her Mother had the miscarriage she overheard her Dad on the phone telling someone that Buffy was crying like a big baby and that Joyce fell down the stairs trying to get to her. I think that she might feel some guilt over what happened."

Lorne nodded, "She was what five at the time? A very impressionable age."

Fred sighed, "Ok three reasons. Daryl, her favorite teacher's death and the miscarriage. Wonder what else?"

Liam took a deep breath, "Me. I may be one of the problems."

Everyone looked over at Liam. Cordelia frowned, "Why you? What did you do?"

Liam shrugged, "I loved her. That may sound odd but I did. And she loved me back. Things were great we both knew that despite how we felt that she was to young to be involved with me. So we were friends. She trusted me completely. I was her hero. To me she was so sweet and special."

Lorne nodded, "So you think your leaving was one of the problems?"

Liam shook his head, "Yes and the reason I left. God this is so hard to tell anyone. Cordelia remember when Mom went in the hospital about three months after Buffy's thirteenth birthday?"

Cordelia nodded, "Yeah Dad sent me to our Aunt's. Boy was I pissed."

Liam smiled slightly, "Yeah. A few days after you left one night I came home from the hospital leaving Dad there. Mom looked so bad it just got to me. When I got there I found Buffy in my bedroom crying. She told me that her Mom and Dad were fighting and that she saw her Dad slap her Mom. Buffy told me she ran over to her Dad and yelled at him. He pushed her away and yelled at her to get the hell away from him. So she fled the house and climbed in through my bedroom window."

Lorne shook his head, "Poor kid seeing something like that."

Liam sighed and nodded, "Yeah well let me finish. Then if you guys want to shoot me go ahead. I was upset over Mom and Buffy was upset over her folks. We were clinging to each other. Things got out of hand with comforting each other. We started kissing and it didn't stop there. I made love to Buffy. She was thirteen and I had just turned twenty-three."

Looks of shock were etched on everyone's faces. Lorne sighed and shook his head. Kate stood up and paced a little.

Cordelia sighed, "Liam I am at a loss as to what to say. I knew when I came back home that something was different. You seemed so distant and whenever Buffy was around you watched her more."

Liam sighed, "Yeah. The next morning when we woke up. We both sort of freaked. But also we were happy. We loved each other and even though we knew it was wrong it felt right. Then Mom died. The night of Mom's funeral Buffy crept into my bedroom window and spent the night. I needed her and she knew it. After that everytime I was around her I wanted to hold her and let everyone know. But that would have led to trouble. So I joined the army and fled. It was my way of staying away from Buffy."

Fred sighed, "And it hurt Buffy very much. That is why Angel became a bad guy in her world it was the only way she could cope. It was easier to hate you than it was to love you. But the love was still there and so had to make you good again. She hated it though and sent you out of her world for a while. Even then she sent you away again."

Kate shook her head, "Several of her friends from high school said she wore a necklace with a small angel pendant. She was always writing the word angel on her notebooks."

Liam smiled, "She called me her guardian angel. Said when I was around nothing bad would happen to her. That I chased the bad things away."

Lorne leaned forward, "And your leaving after what had happened between the two of you hurt her deeply."

"It was more than his leaving that hurt me."

Liam looked up. Buffy stood there, "Sorry woke up needed to pee. Charles is asleep. Don't get mad at him."

Liam stood up and went over to Buffy, "So you're here with us now?"

Buffy nodded, "Yeah sort of."

Fred frowned, "You said it was more than his leaving what else?"

Buffy looked down at her hands, "After he left I found out I was going to have a baby. Mom made me get rid of it. She said if I didn't she'd have Liam arrested."

Liam groaned softly and took Buffy in his arms, "Oh Buffy I am so sorry. I was an adult I should have acted like one."

Buffy starting to sob, "Liam I was thirteen and I could have said no. I wanted you to make love to me. I knew exactly what we were doing."

Liam looked down at her, "But still...."

Buffy raised her hand to his lips, "No buts."

Liam nodded, "Ok if you say so."

Buffy smiled slightly, "Right now what I need is help. Help to keep me here with you. I don't want to go back."

Liam smiled, "That is what this meeting is about. Care to join us?"

Buffy shrugged, "Sure who knows it might just help. I see that my Mom isn't here. Mom was always at the clinic seeing to my needs. Every time I woke up there she was. It's been kind of nice not having her hover over me. Is that bad?"

Lorne shook his head, "No it isn't."

Liam led Buffy over to a large arm chair, "Sit here."

Buffy smiled, "Only if you sit there too."

Liam smiled, "I remember you use to sit in my lap."

Liam sat down and got comfortable. Buffy grinned and sat down in Liam's lap she squirmed around until she too was comfortable.

**

Part 13.

Buffy sat and listened to everyone talking. She was trying to figure things out for herself. Like the fact that Willow was no where to be found. Which was odd sense Willow would show up even in this world..or did she?

Buffy's mind was racing with thoughts about Willow. Liam was holding her gently. Stroking her arm or hand every now and then. Buffy sighed she now knew the difference between Angel and Liam. She knew who Cordelia really was also. Buffy frowned as she looked around the room at everyone. Suddenly she sat up and stared at Fred, Charles who had joined them and Kate. Something was wrong here. Buffy kept looking around then she gasped.

Liam had noticed the way she was acting and heard the gasp, "Buffy what's wrong?"

Buffy shook her head, "How did I know who Fred, Charles and Kate were? I never met them. But they were in my other world. Especially Kate."

Lorne sat up, "Wait you knew who Kate was and even Fred and Charles?"

Buffy nodded, "Yes. Kate even looked familiar. But how?"

Everyone glanced around the room.

Liam frowned, "Someone must have known about all of us. Someone who has access to you and was able to feed you the information."

Cordelia folded her arms, "This is creepy. Who has been spying on us?"

Lorne stood and paced slightly, "Right. Also why? Buffy who is missing?"

Buffy shrugged, "Willow I can't find her anywhere. I have identified Angel as Liam, Cordelia as herself. I remember the dog Xander. Faith was in the clinic with me. I am beginning to get a grasp of reality here."

Lorne nodded, "That's good. But you will need therapy to help keep that grasp."

Buffy nodded, "I know."

Fred picked up her notes, "It says here you were lucid and ready to be released then you suddenly regressed. This happened several times. I am wondering what happened?"

Buffy frowned, "Not sure really."

Fred nodded as she read some more, "One time was when Faith nearly killed an orderly named Parker Abrams."

Buffy stiffened and began to shake. Liam wrapped his arms around her. he glanced up at Lorne.

Liam: "Buffy what about this Parker Abrams?"

Buffy's shaking increased. She began to take big gulps of air.

In a small trembling voice, "He touched me in wrong places. He did that to Faith and that is why she tried to kill him."

Buffy laid her head on Liam's shoulder and cried softly. Liam held her, stroking her hair gently.

Cordelia sighed, "That's sick and he got what he deserved from this Faith."

Lorne shook his head, "Buffy I don't want to upset you but were there any other times that men took advantage of you?"

Buffy shrugged, "No. Just Daryl and Parker."

Liam sighed, "Good."

Buffy curled up against Liam, "I want to go to bed."

Liam stood up, "Ok sweetheart."

Liam turned to the others, "We finish this tomorrow after she gets some more rest."

Lorne nodded in agreement, "That would be for the best for all of us. Night Buffy."

Buffy whispered, "Night."

Liam carried her to the bedroom. He laid her down on the bed. She scooted under the covers. She looked up at Liam and smiled slightly.

Buffy sighed, "Liam I never considered what we did as wrong. I am glad it happened it helps knowing that making love can be a good thing with the right person. Maybe someday when I get better you can show me again how good it can be."

Liam was startled at what she said, "Buffy I never stopped loving you."

Buffy nodded and smiled, "I think I can say the same thing."

Liam sat down in the chair near the bed. He watched as Buffy drifted off to sleep.

***********

Part 14.

The next day Joyce came over to check on Buffy. Liam and Buffy were sitting out on the deck enjoying the view and having lunch. Cordelia stepped out of the house.

With a frown Cordelia tapped Liam on the shoulder, "Joyce Summers is here?"

Liam glanced at Buffy, "Do you want to see your Mother?"

Buffy sighed and nodded, "Sure send her on out."

A few minutes later Joyce joined Liam and Buffy on the deck. She looked Buffy over and smiled.

Joyce sat down next to Buffy, "My you look wonderful today."

Buffy shrugged, "Hello Mom. Wonderful that I doubt very much. But I do feel better. Liam and his friends have been a big help."

Joyce turned to Liam, "Well, you were able to do in a few short days what none of us has been able to do in years. But how long will it last?"

Liam glanced over at Buffy, "Depends on several things but mostly it's all up to Buffy to stay healthy."

Lorne and Fred stepped onto the deck from the beach stairs. Lorne looked Joyce over as he went over to Liam.

Nodding Lorne smiled, "Well you must be Buffy's Mom."

Joyce frowned, "Well yes."

Liam stood up, "Joyce this is Lorne Hopkins he is a psychologist helping us and Buffy."

Joyce smiled and held out her hand, "I am pleased to meet you. Buffy seems to be doing quite well."

Lorne took her hand, "She is a sweet kid. I just want to help."

Lorne turned to Fred, "You know I just remembered something. I have to pick my own sweet Mother up in an hour so I had better hurry."

Fred frowned as Lorne hurried away. She shrugged and turned back to the others.

Buffy stood up, "Look I need to lay down. Still a little shaky." Buffy quickly left the deck. Liam watched her go before speaking, "She sleeps a lot but right now that is good."

Cordelia stood in the patio door way, "Liam that was Kate she needs you down at headquarters. That Martinez kid has been brought in finally."

Liam shook his head, "Better go. My Captain has been rather understanding so far but this is important."

Fred nodded, "Go we'll be here to take care of Buffy."

Liam hurried inside. He went into the bedroom where Buffy was laying down. Buffy glanced up when he stepped into the room.

Liam smiled, "I have to go in to work. I won't be gone long."

Buffy nodded, "That's ok. I'll be fine."

Liam went over and bent down he quickly gave Buffy a kiss on the forehead, "Just stay in bed and rest."

Buffy sighed, "Not a problem."

Liam hesitated before he turned and left. Buffy closed her eyes and willed herself to sleep.

******

Part 15.

Liam quietly let himself into his home. It was so quiet. Liam sensed something was wrong. Looking around her found Cordelia unconscious on the kitchen floor, a bump and gash on her forehead.

Liam rushed into Buffy's bedroom. He found her curled up sobbing silently. Eyes closed tight, clutching at the bed sheets. Liam went over and sat down next to her.

Liam frowning: "Buffy what's wrong? What happened to Cordelia?"

Buffy moaned and moved away from Liam, "You aren't real. You died she told me you died."

Liam grabbed Buffy and pulled her to him, "Buffy look at me. I am not dead. Buffy please who told you I was dead?"

Buffy slowly opened her eyes, "Liam you're Liam not Angel. Willow was here she told me Angel was dead. That he had abandoned me again. She confused me so much. I tried not to listen to her."

Liam sighed, "Sorry I left. But I thought you'd be safe with Cordelia and Fred here. Also your Mom was here. So how did Willow get to you?"

Buffy clung to him, "Fred left she got a phone call. Mom I don't know where she went. But I think she was with Willow or Willow was with her."

Liam nodded, "Look I need to go check on Cordelia."

Buffy nodded, "Ok."

Liam stood up and went to the kitchen. Buffy got out of bed and followed him. Cordelia was sitting up by now moaning. She looked up at Liam and frowned.

"What happened?"

Liam shrugged, "You tell me I came home and found you on the floor out cold."

Cordelia closed her eyes and sighed, "I was getting things out of the cupboard I heard a noise I turned around and that's all I can remember."

Liam nodded, "Was Joyce still here?"

Cordelia shook her head, "She had stepped out said she was going for a walk on the beach."

Buffy stood next to wall between the kitchen and hallway, "I didn't see her go. Willow came in my room and started talking to me. She confused me so much."

Cordelia frowned, "Willow was here?"

Liam sighed, "Joyce and Willow must be connected. Probably know each other. That would explain why Willow has had access to Buffy."

Buffy sighed, "I don't know who it would be. She has some close friends but I don't which of them would want to hurt me."

Liam was helping Cordelia up, "I think you need to go to the hospital."

Cordelia sighed, "Maybe but..."

Buffy smiled, "Go I will be ok. Look why don't I go over to Fred's?"

Liam smiled, "Good idea. Cordelia go out to the car while I take Buffy over there."

Cordelia picked up her purse, "I will meet you out at the car."

Liam smiled at Buffy, "This way."

At Fred's Liam knocked on the front door. Fred opened it up, "Liam...Buffy hey come on in."

Liam led Buffy into the house, "Fred look Willow got to Buffy after knocking Cordelia out. Cordelia is awake but I need to take to the hospital to be sure she is ok. So I brought Buffy over here. When we get back we need to talk."

Fred frowned, "Oh my. Buffy please come on in and sit down. Charles will be home soon. I am fixing dinner you can eat with us."

Buffy smiled, "Thanks. I just don't want to be any trouble."

Fred laughed, "Oh it's a joy to have you over."

Liam smiled, "See you'll be fine. Now later."

Buffy nodded, "Go take care of Cordelia."

Liam nodded and left the house. He found Cordelia waiting in the car for him.

*********

Part 16.

Liam helped Cordelia into the house. The doctor had told her to take it easy for a few days that she had a mild concussion. Liam made sure she was settled in before going over to Fred's to fetch Buffy.

Buffy was watching t.v. with Charles. Lorne was also there. Fred came out of the kitchen drying her hands on a dish towel. Liam knocked before entering the house.

Buffy looked up and smiled at him, "You're back. How's Cordelia?"

Liam smiled slightly, "She'll live. Has to take it easy for a few days. So you want to go back to my place or stay here?"

Buffy jumped up and ran over to him, "Your place."

Lorne glanced at Fred and Charles as he stood up, "I am coming along also I found out some very interesting information today."

Liam frowned, "Sure. Come on."

The three of them left for Liam's house next door. Shortly after they got there someone knocked on the door. Liam opened it and was surprised to see Hank Summers standing there.

Liam with a slight frown, "Come on in."

Hank stepped inside and looked around. Seeing Buffy standing there he smiled at her.

Hank, "Buffy you look great."

Buffy smiled, "Thanks Dad."

Liam was watching Hank, "So what brings you out this way?"

Hank sighed, "I am looking for Joyce. She said she was coming out here to visit Buffy. She hasn't come home since."

Liam glanced at the others, "She was here. I had an emergency at work and so left. When I came back she was gone. Cordelia was knocked out on the kitchen floor and Buffy was very upset and laying in bed. She said that Willow had been here."

Lorne spoke up, "Mr. Summers is there something wrong with your wife that you may have kept to yourself?"

Hank gave the strange man a startled look, "Why?"

Liam frowned, "Lorne here is a psychologist. He has a very unique way of reading people. When he touches them he can sense and even read what they are thinking. Something happened today didn't Lorne when you met Joyce?"

Lorne sighed and nodded, "I saw the mind of two people maybe more."

A throaty female voice spoke, "Damn I should have known better than to let her come out here. But she insisted. She loves that sorry excuse of a daughter."

Everyone turned to see Joyce standing at the patio door. Liam noticed the differences. She looked like Joyce, but the stance was different. The voice was deeper. And the eyes had a hard look to them.

Buffy slid to the floor whimpering, "Keep her away from me. She lies to me. She told me you were dead Liam but she called you Angel."

Lorne was watching Joyce very carefully, "Who are you? What do you have against Buffy?"

Joyce laughed, "You can call me Willow. Buffy does. But that is just the name I gave her to help confuse her. As for that sniveling little brat, just the fact she exists is enough for me to hate her. I didn't want her but Joyce did. She wanted a family."

Hank sighed, "Now you know what I know. That Joyce has a duel personality. She like Buffy was raped. It was her first year of collage right after we met. She got some help and we thought all was fine. We got married. On our wedding night is when I met the other woman. It seems that Joyce's way of dealing with sex is to go away and let this person take over. Also everytime something happened Joyce couldn't deal without popped her alter ego."

Joyce nodded, "She was raised by a strict Mother who believed in discipline. She was taught that sex was dirty and was only to create a child. When she was raped it proved to her that what her Mother told her about mean being beasts and demons was true."

Liam sighed, "So why did she get married?"

With a laugh Joyce answered, "Because it was what all good little girls do. They get married submit to their husbands and bring forth life."

Cordelia from the couch, "How did you know about us?"

Joyce smiled, "Oh I spied on Buffy all the time. Read her diaries. I knew when she gave herself to Liam both times. When she came to her Mother about being with child it was me she spoke to and it was me who made her get rid of it. She caused me to lose a baby so I wanted her to know what it felt like to lose something so precious."

Lorne frowned, "But you didn't want Buffy? Why this other baby?"

Joyce shrugged, "Because it was mine. It was made when I was in full control and it wasn't Hank's child. I couldn't stand it when he touched Joyce. So I would go out and find some good looking young man and have fun."

Buffy stood up. She went over to Joyce, "You're not my Mother. You are not my friend. You lied to me. You made me feel guilty for things I didn't have any control over. You made me get rid of Liam's baby. You hurt Cordelia today. Makes me wonder what else you have done?"

Buffy slapped her hard across the face, "I want you out of my life. Even if it means never seeing my Mother again I want you to leave me alone."

The slap sent Joyce to the floor. She was sobbing as she looked up. The other woman was gone you could tell by the devastated look in her eyes.

Joyce jumped up and looked around the room, "I am so sorry. I couldn't stop her. I never really knew what she was doing. I just knew when she had been in control. I would wake up in strange men's beds or some place unfamiliar. I am so sorry."

Joyce turned and fled from the house. Hank started after her. He stopped and turned to the others, "I had no idea she was causing trouble with Buffy. If I had known I swear I would never have let her anywhere near her."

With that he went after Joyce. Liam stood there a few seconds before going over to Buffy. She turned to him when he reached out and touched her shoulder.

Buffy looked up at him, "That felt good. I am in control. Willow is dead, I killed her here inside of my head."

Buffy started to cry then. Liam wrapped his arms around her. She clung to him as she sobbed.

********

Part 17.

Buffy and Liam sat curled up on the couch. Cordelia had gone to bed. Lorne was sitting across from Buffy and Liam.

Buffy sighed, "Lorne do you think that if I have kids they will end up crazy like my Mom and me?"

Lorne sat back, "Mental illness can be inherited. In your case it's hard to say. I did some digging today. Your Grandmother was a very strict person. Religious she had her own ideas about what was right and wrong. She got most of her ideas from her Father. I talked to your Aunt today. She was very willing to speak about things hoping it would help you. Your Grandmother's Mother died when she was four. Her Father was left to raise her, and two sons. He believed in discipline and prayer. There were rumors that he started molesting his daughter at an early age."

Liam shook his head, "From one generation to the next."

Buffy laid her head on Liam's shoulder, "I don't want to continue the madness."

Lorne smiled slightly, "Buffy you have the power within yourself to stop it. Have children and fill their lives with love and understanding. Share your feelings with Liam. I know he is the one you will be with. Let him help you. You and he will both know the signs if any of your children are in trouble. Don't be afraid to live. You have spent the last few years lost from this life. Step into the real world and have a life here."

Buffy sighed, "Thank you Lorne. You give me hope with your words. I know it won't be easy. That there will be times when things might get to hard but with Liam's help I will be able to get through them."

Lorne smiled, "It won't be easy. But truth be told life is hard for everyone."

Liam took Buffy's hand in his, "I promise to be here for you. Today I informed my Captain that I will need some time off. The last year or so I have not been very happy with my job. I became a cop after I got out of the army simply because I didn't know what else to do. Becoming a detective over a year ago was nice."

Buffy smiled, "Thank you Liam. Look don't blame yourself for the things that happened to me. Even if you had been around they might have happened. I was 13 and there was no way we could have acted like a couple in love without you getting into trouble. You're here with me now and that makes me happy."

Liam pulled Buffy into his arms, "Buffy can I kiss you?"

Buffy smiled, "Yes, I would like that."

Liam gently kissed Buffy. She felt a little frightened at first. But it felt so right. She relaxed and enjoyed the kiss.

Lorne sat back with a smile on his face. He knew that things were going to be rough on them but with love and understanding they would prevail

Buffy sat with her head on Liam's shoulder. She felt good about herself for once. Liam was holding her. He found it hard to believe he was with Buffy at last.

Tapping on the patio door made them all look up. Lorne went over and found Hank Summers standing there. Lorne opened the patio door. Hank stepped inside. He looked very upset.

Liam frowned, "What's wrong?"

Hank sighed, "Joyce, I chased after her. I briefly caught up with her. She was very upset. Kept saying that she was a threat to Buffy. We argued she shoved me and I fell backwards and lost my footing in the sand. By the time I got up she was ahead of me. I went after her. I am so sorry Buffy I couldn't catch her she managed to climb onto the cliffs. She jumped and fell to the ocean and rocks below. I called the Coast Guard on my cell phone. They just found her. She is gone."

Buffy sobbed softly, "When she was my Mom and not that other person she was so good to me. I will mourn for her."

Liam sighed, "I am sorry Hank."

Hank nodded, "Maybe she did the right thing. God how can I say that? I did love Joyce, it just wasn't enough. I think I will go home now. If you need to talk Buffy give me a call."

Buffy stood up and went over and hugged her Dad, "Will you be all right being home alone?"

Hank smiled, "Yes. You stay here with Liam this is where you belong. I have always liked him."

Buffy smiled a little, "Ok Daddy. But if you need me call. I love you."

Hank hugged Buffy, "Thanks. It's good to have you back. I love you too."

Hank turned to Liam, "Take care of my little girl. See you guys later. Oh I will let you know about funeral arrangements. Well, night."

Lorne walked Hank to the door, "Gotta be going also. Any of you need to talk give me a call."

Hank and Lorne left. Liam locked the door behind them. Buffy went over and let Liam take her into his arms and hold her.

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

Part 18.

Five years later:

Buffy watched as her daughter Tessa attempted to blow out her birthday candles. She was only two and so full of energy. Liam stood there laughing. He glanced over at Buffy and smiled.

They had married a little over a year after Joyce's death. The birth of Tessa to them was a blessing. Now Buffy was five month pregnant with baby number two.

Lorne stood with Cordelia. Romance had blossomed between the two of them. Everyone kept asking them when they were going to get married.

Randy Gunn three years old in a month was trying to show Tessa how to blow out the candles. Fred was laughing at her son. Charles was shaking his head at the antics of the two kids.

Hank was there he was trying to be a good Father and Grandfather. Buffy appreciated the fact that he was trying.

Kate who missed Liam as her partner had come to the party. She was standing with Cordelia and Lorne.

Kate in a whisper, "Did they ever figure out who everyone was in the other world?"

Cordelia smiled a little, "Yeah. The Watcher's Council we figure were the student doctors who came by. One of the doctors in charge of them was named Giles. Riley Finn was two of the student doctors she just combined them into one guy. Darla we think was Liam's high school girlfriend Darlene. Some of the others were probably nurses that took care of Buffy. Fellow inmates at the clinic also. There was one kid named Jonathan he was there for trying to kill himself. One of the security guards at the clinic was a tough blonde guy we think he was Spike. That's about it."

Kate sighed, "So she is ok?"

Cordelia nodded, "Yeah she is. I mean she still has nightmares and has bouts of crying also. She has a therapist who is real nice. She is helping out not only Buffy but also she helps Liam cope with things too."

Kate smiled, "That's good."

They fell quiet after that. Buffy cut the cake and Liam helped her serve it to their guests.

Buffy smiled as she looked around the room at everyone. She was happy in this world. She had friends who cared about her. She didn't have to fight demons any more. And best of all she got to have a life with Angel oh here though he was Liam. That was ok with her as long as she was with him she was happy. She would follow Angel anywhere he wanted her to. She was back in heaven and this time there was no one to pull her out again.

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