DISCLAIMER: I own none of the BtVS characters, they all belong to Joss Whedon and a bunch of other people that I don't feel like naming right now.
DISTRIBUTION: Please ask first, but I will say yes!
CLASSIFICATION: B/A
RATING: PG
FEEDBACK: Yes please!
THINGS USED FROM CHALLENGE:
Mannequin
A Stolen Painting
Sarah McLachlan CD or song
Someone going to confession
Main character's impending parenthood
"A main character must permanently leave town."

She sat in the confessional, peering through the window in front of her, a feeling of apprehension building inside of her.

She wasn't a religious person, so sitting in a Catholic church in front of a Catholic priest was a new and somewhat strange experience for her.

Which was also why she didn't quite know what to say or how to say it.

Fortunately, the priest sensed her insecurity and was the first to break the silence. "You don't seem like the kind who goes to church very often. So what brings you here?"

She started, obviously now expecting such an accurate answer. "No, I'm not really a church-person. I just feel.. burdened, and someone told me that coming here was a good way to ease away the baggage."

He nodded. "Whoever told you that is obviously very well grounded. Now, what have you come to confess?"

Slouching back in her seat, she audibly sighed and stared at her hands, idly fiddled with a ring on her right hand. "Um.. I've never really done this before, but I just want to tell you my story so that there's someone else who knows."

His eyes, which were gentle and warm, contradicted with what he felt inside. He had seen many people - cheaters, liars, thieves, - but these were by far some of the worst. Although they left satisfied that they had shared their experience, in the end, it never usually helped them.

"Alright."

She took a deep breath, and began. "This whole story might sound cryptic or choppy, but please just listen. What I want to tell you first is that my daughter was with a man. His name was Angel. Much as I hated to admit it, they loved each other. Their relationship was almost... supernatural."

She chuckled at the irony of her words, evoking an inquisitive look from the priest. She continued. "I didn't like it. He was older than her, and couldn't offer her the things that a normal man would. So despite the fact that they loved each other very strongly, I went behind her back and spoke to Angel. Eventually, I convinced him that leaving Buffy was the best thing for her."

She heaved a sigh. "I was wrong. I could see it in her eyes. She was so heartbroken after he left. And things are just getting worse."

She paused. "Buffy's pregnant. I don't know how or why, but she is. We don't even know who the father is. And according to the doctors, it's about a month along."

"Thanksgiving." The priest suggested.

Joyce nodded her head in confirmation. "Yes. Buffy says that she didn't sleep with anybody at Thanksgiving.. but.."

"You don't trust her."

Her lips pursing, she slowly nodded. "I don't know why, but I somehow have the feeling that she went to see Angel at Thanksgiving."

"Why?"

"She was visiting her father in Los Angeles at that time, and that's where Angel's relocated. They would both know that sleeping together would be bad idea.. but maybe something has changed.. maybe she's not telling me everything. But this whole pregnancy thing surprised me - almost as much as me finding out that a Mona Lisa painting I had bought was stolen." Seeing the priest's curious look, she shook her head. "Long story, shouldn't have mentioned it. But anyway, Buffy was so distraught and confused after she found out. So I did the only thing I could think of. I called him."

"Angel."

"I figured that he would be able to help her through it. He loves her so much."

The priest nodded. "From how you've explained it, it seems like it."

Her eyes glistening with tears, she reached into her purse and pulled out a tiny slip of paper. "That's pretty much it. Except.. I'm leaving town. Forever. But I'm not telling Buffy just yet."

The priest looked startled. "Why?"

Her lips quirked into a tiny smile. "Because I know that Angel will want to stay here and help Buffy through her situation, and I also know that Buffy wants Angel to be here for her. But if I don't leave, they won't feel comfortable with each other. All her life, Buffy has made some decisions that were based around me and what my opinion is. And for the first time, I want her to make her own decision regarding Angel. I don't want to make it for her like I've done in the past. I just.. I want her to be happy. And she won't be if I'm here."

He shook his head. "I don't understand."

"If I stay, she will make a decision about Angel based upon me and what I think. But if I leave, I won't be here to interfere with her life anymore."

"You should tell her you're leaving."

"Oh, I will." She reassured. "I'll write her a letter when I've settled down."

"But what will you do?"

She shrugged. "I honestly don't know. Maybe I'll take up a job as a waitress, or putting clothes on the mannequins at a clothing store, or maybe even become what I've wanted to be ever since I went to Europe - a travel agent."

She paused momentarily, then slipped the piece of paper through the tiny slit under the window. "Please, do me a favor. Call her, bring her down here and tell her what I've told you."

Before he could respond, she continued. "I know this may seem like a big request, but please do this for me. I don't think I can tell her myself."

"Why not?" He questioned.

Her eyes and face reflected in raw pain and she looked down at her hands. "I'm too ashamed."

Although she couldn't see him, he nodded, slipping the paper with the phone number into his pocket. "I will." He promised.

She looked up and smiled, then stood. "I guess that's it then. Thank you."

Joyce then exited the confessional, walked briskly out of the church and hopped into her car, speeding away.

As the sound of Sarah McLachlan filled the air from Buffy's favorite radio station, she again began to question whether or not what she was doing was the right thing.

And as she turned onto the highway that would take her away from Sunnydale for the rest of her life, she didn't look back.

This was the way it had to be.

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