Disclaimer: Joss Whedon owns them.
Distribution: If you want it, take it.
Author? '²s notes: This is a response to a challenge put forth by Susannah on the WelcomeToHellmouth list. Hope your ex gets rabies and dies. This may not be exactly what you were hoping for, but I wrote it in few minutes, so it? '²s not all that fantabulous.For all you B/A ers, this isn't technically a B/A happy piece!!! it's not a pro B/r or B/A or B/anyone!!! It's what happens when Buffy loses the ability to love - or thinks she has.
Feedback: AS always, please!

Riley watched Buffy seriously as she paced back and forth across the room.

"Buffy, what is going on?´ He asked, noting that she was rather anxious.

She lifted her head and gazed at him, sorrow filling her eyes.

"This isn't working,´ She said, her voice low.

"What isn't working?? '´

"Us."

"What do you mean? It's working great!'´

On the surface. '´ She replied.

He just stared at her, unwilling to believe that this was happening.

"I love you. '´ He whispered after a moment.

"I don't.'´ She said, her face a mask. "I don't feel anything.'´ She turned her head. "Not like I used to. '´

"What? You're just gonna give up? '´ Riley asked.

"Riley... Everything's fuzzy now...everybody's gone'´

"Gone? Buffy! We're all still here!!! '´ He cried. "Willow, Xander, Giles!! We're all your friends! '´

She shook her head. "They're not the people they used to be. '´

"People change, Buffy. It's a fact of life. '´

"I don't want them to change!!!'´ She yelled."I don't want to change."'´

"So what? You want everything to stay the same?? '´

"I want everyone to trust me again. Trust me to make my own decisions, dammit!! '´

"I don't make your decisions, Buffy. '´ Riley said weakly.

"No. You don't. But everyone else does. '´

"So what? You're gonna become a hermit? Never seeing anybody? Never loving? '´

"I lost the ability to love when I lost the ability to trust, Riley. '´ She said sadly. "Nothing can mend a broken soul. '´

"So that's it? We're over? '´

She bit her lip and nodded.

"I guess I'll just have to accept that. '´ He murmured.

"You will. '´ She replied softly. "I'm not staying in Sunnydale.'´

"But...you're the Slayer! '´

"There'll be other slayers. '´ She said flatly. "Faith is dead...my fault"´

"I guess this is goodbye then. '´

"I guess it is.´ She stood and walked to the door. She opened it, and paused, looking back at him." The last thing I want to do is hurt you."´

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