Chapter 20

I grinned when I woke the next morning, Will was still there, snoring softly. I extricated myself from him and made my way to the kitchen. I saw Tara there, making some food. I looked curiously thinking she should still be at the beach then I looked at the clock which read, 12:30.

"Hey."

"Afternoon." She grinned, not even trying to hid her smile. "So..."

I rolled my eyes, "What?"

"Will's car is still here and I didn't see him on the couch. Was that his hand you were holding last night after a little game of tag was it?" She still had a stupid grin plastered on her face, which I was really starting to dislike.

I blushed, once again rolling my eyes. "Are you going to group Thursday?"

"Ooo, nice subject change." Tara laughed. "Yeah, Willow showed huh?"

"Yeah, big fun talk," I replied sarcasm dripping off my voice. "She wants to know." I shook my head.

"She is your friend, even if she hasn't been acting like it lately."

"I know, I haven't been all that friend like either, but I don't understand why she feels the need to know."

"Probably part of who she is, I had friends thinking they knew what should be done with me after I got out of home, but they didn't. I still told them. Some people have this need to be a protector. To help you heal. Only they don't know what will. But they try, and sometimes that's what you have to let them do until they realize that you are the one who has to heal the scars in your own way. They have to face the fact that, even though they couldn't protect you from what happened, you changing because of it. They have to adjust themselves to the fact that you're different, and things are not going to back to the way they were, simply because they want it to."

"Geez, you too. I swear I got my ass kicked on this psych paper." We both shared a laugh.

"You did fine."

"Thanks. Willow and I will be joining you at group Thursday."

"So...Will's upstairs huh?" She grinned.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Willow joined us for group, she was a little surprised and kinda annoyed to see Tara there, until I told her why Tara was there.

"Her father abused her?"

"Yeah, that's what group is, we all talk, we've all been abused, well, most of us, a few people who are close to the abusee's come as well." I explained.

Willow nodded her head, but didn't say anything.

I shared a little in group and talked about what I had been doing since the last time I was there. I watched Willow's face for most of the night. There were several emotions that played across her face the entire night, shock, pity, revulsion at the abuse. I knew she'd have a reaction like this, and that's why I'd felt that she shouldn't have come, I knew she shouldn't have been exposed, but she refused to take no for an answer.

After group she remained silent. I walked back to the dorm with her, she was in a state of shock. "Willow, you going to be okay?"

"Could I talk to you?" She asked shyly, entering her room and sitting on her bed.

"That's what this was about wasn't it?" I rolled my eyes and entered the room also.

"Is that what happened to you?" She asked tears shining in her eyes.

"Yes, he took me that day at lunch, drugged me and I woke up being raped. He did this to me off and on for over a week."

"Buffy, I'm sorry." She started crying, she had that look in her eyes, that look of pity that most people looked at me with when they had found out.

"Willow," I began pacing, not really feeling like comforting her right now. "First off, I don't want your pity. It happened, I am okay with that, I have realized it can't be changed and there is no quick fix. You have to realize I'm not the same person anymore, and as soon as you accept that, our friendship will get better. Second, I'm sorry too, I could have been a little less blunt about laying it on you. Third, you asked to come, this is what goes through my head sometimes. I have more insecurities now than I did before, but I'm also stronger in other things."

"You are so much braver than I am, I don't think I could do what you've done." She whispered.

"No, you could have, you would. I just hope you never have to." I sat back down. "The thing is, he is free, and I hate that. He'll be free unless he screws up."

"What about the assault, when he attacked you in the quad."

"He has a rich father, he gets community service. I have to go, I work tomorrow, you going to be okay?"

"Yeah, I'll be fine. Be careful okay?" She half smiled.

"I always am." I walked out of the dorms and made my way through the quad. I was passing the library when I got the same sensation of someone watching me and following me. I walked through the same path I had always walked and arms wrapped around me, something covered my mouth and nose and before it could take effect, I simply thrust my head back, away from the cloth, connecting with my attacker's nose. I tried running, not even looking back, when the arms once again grabbed me. "I don't think so." It was the voice that entered my nightmares. "You broke my nose the last time, I think you just rebroke it." He was holding a knife to my throat.

"What do you want?" I asked, hoping my voice sounded less scared than I actually was.

"You and I never did get to finish what we started. I thought I'd ask if you wanted to join me back at my place."

"Asking me at knife point isn't very fair is it?"

"Well it is for me, keeps my wounds to a minimum." His breath on my neck was like acid. He released me for a few moments, I knew that was the only chance I'd get to run, and that's exactly what I did. He caught me quickly though, but he didn't have the knife pressed to my neck right away and I used the opportunity to my advantage. I turned and prepared to hit him, but he was ready and thrust the knife into my side. I screamed in pain, but knew that if I stopped trying to get away, he would take me back to be his plaything in a heartbeat.

I kneed him as best I could and he doubled over for a moment, but not long enough for me to get away. I fought him at every turn and he cut me with the knife in a few other places. I was losing a lot of blood, but I couldn't stop, he would kill me if I did, and I wasn't ready to die- not anymore. I got the knife out of his hands and threw it away. I started running and he caught me again, this time tackling me to the ground. He was above me, hitting me, and I just struggled against him, making my way towards the knife. I reached it and used it on him, stabbing him in the stomach. I was surprised to have him slump against me, unconscious after only one stab wound. I pushed him off of me.

I laid there, bleeding, no energy to move. I could feel unconsciousness creeping up on me and I didn't want to move because of the pain. The adrenaline had worn off and I just laid there. A few feet away, my attacker and tormentor lay bleeding as well. I hoped I wasn't going to die here because of him.

 


tbc...

 

 

 

Chapter 21:

I woke up. I was very disoriented. I had thought that was it, lying in that street, I thought I was going to die. I was in massive pain, but pain was good it meant that you were alive, because you could feel that pain. I had trouble moving, even opening my eyes was difficult. I heard a quiet voice beside my head, it was foggy and I couldn't tell who it was. "Don't try and move, just rest. You lost a lot of blood, but you're going to be okay, once you rest." I passed out again after hearing the words.

I woke again. I didn't know how long I was out, it felt like nothing. My body still ached and I was so very tired. I was conscious, but it took too much effort to open my eyes. I lay there in a state of darkness, not moving or saying anything, my first goal was to see before letting them know I was awake. I finally managed the strength to pry my eyelids open. I shut them immediately wincing at the harsh fluorescent hospital lights. Someone must have been sitting with me in the room as the lights dimmed shortly after my reaction.

"Wh-" I coughed, trying to clear my dry, raspy throat. "Who's there?" It came out as more of a croak than a question. The room was darker, I couldn’t see who was with me in the room. Their approach didn't help much either as my vision was blurred.

"Shhh, rest." It was mom. She sat in the chair beside the bed, soothingly stroking my hair away form my face. I allowed my mother's touch to calm me. "Rest Buffy. They said you need to conserve your energy. Sleep. We'll be here when you're awake again.'

I nodded allowing her to lull me into a trance-like state of half-consciousness. I lay in the bed knowing different people were trafficking the room. Not sure of who all was there. I swore to seeing Parker, and I wasn't sure if he had actually been there or not.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I woke the next time when the nurse was checking my vitals. "I'll get the doctor, she wanted to speak with you." The nurse hurried out of the room to retrieve the doctor.

I waited patiently, hoping that it would be Dr. Anderson again. I smiled slightly, it hurt though, so it wasn't so much a smile as it was a grimace. I knew my lip was swollen, so was my jaw. I nodded instead to acknowledge her presence. She entered and closed the door behind her. "I'm glad you're awake," she said pulling a stool up beside the bed.

"I was awake before, but they kept telling me to sleep. I kind of wish they had just let me wake up." I rubbed my eye, as I could only see fully out of one, the other was swollen shut as well, I seemed to be becoming aware of all the little wounds and bruises as I regained more coherence. "So, what's up?"

"Other than the fact that you seem to have a guardian angel," she shrugged. We both laughed at the little joke for it lightened the mood of the room. I clutched my ribs, the short laugh jarring another wound. "Okay, let's talk about this then. You actually only had the one stab wound, he hit your spleen, however the damage was minimal, we were able to repair it without having to remove it. You were in surgery for a while, we stitched all the cuts that needed to be closed. You lost quite a bit of blood, but we replaced it, and you should make a full recovery. The other wounds are just mainly bruises from the fight, as well as two broken ribs. That's why laughing was hard."

I nodded. "So, all in all, be damn glad I have that guardian angel?" I asked.

Dr. Anderson smiled at the fact that I could joke a bit about this. "Yes, very glad, if you had lost too much more blood, you'd definitely be in much worse shape."

"Who is this guardian angel that I owe my life to this time?" I inquired before shifting slightly trying to find a comfortable position that eased my breathing.

“Will, he was doing his rounds of the campus grounds and he found both of you.”

"How long was I unconscious?" I asked, lying down, as it was the best way to ease the pain that breathing and talking were causing.

"About four days." She replied. "I kicked the entourage out a day ago, they are prohibited to only be on the premises until the afternoon, at the earliest, three, and they can only stay for at the most an hour. The constant presence was getting on the nurses' nerves. Tara pops in most evenings when she works, and Will has come around. They still have full rights, but the others were restricted. We needed you to wake up, and like you said, they kept telling you to sleep."

I nodded, "What about Parker?" I was nearly asleep once more due to the painkillers.

"We'll talk about him later all right." She promised as she left the room.

I nodded once more, already drifting off to sleep.

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I woke again and knew I was alone in the room for once. I sighed, but resolved not to do that again. I lay there, staring at nothing really, just following the cracks in the ceiling. I was thinking back on all that had happened. I knew that I would have another scar because of Parker, but I didn't care at the moment because I was still alive. I smiled inwardly because to do so on the outside, it would have split the cut on my lip. I lay there and realised that I had to know what happened to Parker. I buzzed the nurse, and tried to get out of bed on my own.

"Hey, where do you think you're going?" Tara walked into the room, and moved to help me back into the bed.

"Just need to know what happened to him." I replied.

"I see." Tara nodded. "That why you buzzed?"

I nodded. "Can you tell me?"

"Can we talk about why you are here?" She asked.

"What do you mean?"

"Well, you have been in here three times because you keep getting attacked in the same place by the same person. I would think that after the last time you would have chosen to walk a different route home, one that is perhaps better lit, more public, I don't know."

"It's the fastest way, I was tired, and I wanted to get home." I replied.

"That right?" Will stood in the doorway, leaning on the frame.

"I have a few other patients to cheek on. I'll be back to see you before I"m off." Tara left, passing Will on the way out. I noticed a shared look between the two and resolved to ask about it later.

"So why are you walking alone that late at night then? If that's the fastest way, you bloody well could have called me, I was at work, that's my job."

"I can take care of myself. I'm not some helpless child." I replied.

"I know you aren't, I never said you were. Buffy, he was out, the second time he attacked you he got off, what made you think he wouldn't try to hurt you again? I know it was worse this time, I saw the bloody cloth, he tried to take you again."

I remained silent, not wanting to get into this now with him. I knew I had made a mistake, but I wanted to get my life back, I thought I had, and I was tired of living in fear of that bastard. I told Will as much.

"Yeah, and you don't is that it, instead of being cautious, that late at night you decide to go home alone the exact same circumstances surrounding the last attack. Just tell me why?"

"I did. I told you. I'm sick of being cautious and scared. I don't want to live my life like that."

"Yeah, I get that, but why would you take that kind of risk?"

"Why does this bother you so much?" I asked. "I want to live my life, not in fear, but as normal as possible. Thanks for saving me yet again, I'm sorry if what I do bothers you but I can't have people walking on eggshells. I saw a look of pity in Willow's eyes yesterday. It bothered me, I hate having people look at me like that. Parker has problems. If he really wanted to hurt me, or take me again, I don't think that having another person around would have stopped him."

"Maybe, maybe not. But at least you wouldn't be sitting in this hospital bed again."

"Why does it matter to you so much?" I demanded.

"You're my friend, why wouldn't you risking your life bother me?"

"Will, I was walking home. It's not my fault he attacked me. Why the hell are you acting like this?"

"Think about it, all right. I'll see you later." He walked out of the room.

I was more than confused. Tara came back, she said the police wanted to take my statement. I told them what I remembered. After they left, I was once again left alone to figure out why Will was acting the way he was.

Chapter 22:

I was sitting in my hospital room looking out the window. I was staring off into space. I didn't hear the door open, or the person enter the room. I only noticed when the chair was pulled in front of my own.

"I'm sorry." Will stated sitting in the chair. "I didn't mean to imply that I thought any of this was your fault, because I know it's not. I'm just worried that you would risk it."

"And I told you, I'm not a helpless child." I replied, returning my gaze out the window.

"I know you're not." He too stared out into the darkness. I had pretended to sleep while Willow, Xander, and my mother were there. I didn't want to see the pity. I didn't particularly care to see the anger on Will's face however either. Tara and I had talked after her shift ended. We ate dinner, discussing my behavior and my need to prove that I could take care of myself . She understood, I felt she might be the only one who would understand that I continued to pursue this need to take care of myself.

“You know, but do you understand it?” I asked turning back to face him. "You have to understand that I'm your friend too. I wouldn't want you to risk your life unnecessarily either. I'm not intentionally risking my life though. I am just trying to get on with it. I realized that I was in denial before. I accepted what happened and I'm trying to return to some semblance of normalcy. I used to walk around after dark without fear. I can't let him control that. He did for long enough after the rape and abduction. I still don't know what happened to him and that thought is bothering me. I let him lead my thoughts, and I hate it. Even though you think I've been reckless, he's always on the back of my mind. It's not something I'm ever going to be able to forget."

Will nodded and continued to stare out into the night. "Buffy, I care about you. I want to be there to protect you. I want to be the guy in your life that walks you home while holding your hand. I want to...."

I watched him speak, he wouldn't look at me, just kept staring out the window. "You want to hold my hand?" I asked taking his hand in mine.

He smiled and finally met my eyes. "Yeah, I want to hold your hand. I want to go out with you, but you keep being attacked. You have to recover, and I know it's not your fault. It's just that I have to wait for you to get better before I can do anything. I think I kind of fell for you."

"What?" I asked, not believing him. "How?" I shook my head. "How could you fall for something that's broken?"

"That's just it, you're really not broken. You aren't who you were before, that's true, but who's to say that who you are now is so bad?" He brought my hand to his lips and placed a short kiss on my knuckles. "I've seen you hurt to such a degree that it could end someone's life emotionally, yet here you are, leading a good life. You have a job, friends, you're working on school, you're beautiful, and you can take care of yourself. I get that, I respect that, I'm proud of that. All I'm saying is you can lean on others, and would it be so bad to lean on me?"

"No it wouldn't, but what if I'm not ready for all that?" I asked. I did like him, I was just not at all ready for anything that he was. He and I had a different idea right now about what a couple should do.

"I'm glad you're honest." He replied and stood up from his chair. Will kneeled down in front of my chair and once again kissed my hand. "I like you Buffy. I'll wait." He shrugged, stood and left the room.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I woke up each day I was in the hospital with a flower and a card sitting on the table beside my bed. Will would come see me if he could after work, if I was asleep he wouldn't bother me, but he would leave me a note to say he had stopped by. All the nurses were making fun of me, all kissy-faced when they came into the room to check my vitals. Tara was the worst because she knew him.

I was released a week and a half later. My mom took me home and when I entered the house, I found a note and a flower on my bedside table. Will was nothing if not persistent.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I was sitting home when I got a call from Anya. She had found out that I had been attacked again. Everything that had been happening with recovering had sidetracked talking with her. I still didn't know what had happened to him, I think they were trying to hide it from me, because whenever I had asked, the avoided the answer.

"I'll come over, be there in a half-hour." Anya hung up and showed up on the doorstep exactly a half-hour later.

I made her some coffee, and we sat in the living room to discuss everything.

"Before we start discussing anything, could you just explain what happened to the bastard after I stabbed him?"

"No one told you?" She asked in utter disbelief.

"No," I shook my head.

"Argh, freaking moronic police officers. He was nearly fine." She spoke with such disdain. "He had a minor stab wound to his side, it didn't puncture anything, just made him bleed pretty much. He lost some blood, and passed out because he was drunk. He walked out of the hospital the day after. He stopped by your room, so glad Tara was there, made him leave. That girl is quiet, but damn, threaten her friends and wow, watch out." Anya just kept talking. I kinda tuned her out after hearing that Parker was fine. I didn't want to have killed him or anything, but would a little pain and hospital time have been too much to ask.

"I've already lain charges on him. His ass is so totally going down this time, nothing is going to stop it." Anya seemed very passionate about getting Parker behind bars, almost more so than me.

"Good," I nodded. "He should go to jail."

"Well yeah, I have a feeling they'll fight this as much as possible. You will have to testify, and...”

"I will, I'll do whatever I have to, to stop him from doing this again. If it takes time, I really don't give a damn, as long as he ends up behind bars."

"I'm glad to hear it." Anya's smile was a little creepy, she seemed too happy that I was willing to go for the vengeance this time.

We discussed the trial and what I would have to expect further. She stayed until she forgot and had to leave to meet up with her fiancee.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Fred, hey, I was wondering if you were free to come over and talk a while?"

"Sure, is there a reason this needs to be a house call?" She questioned willing to make the trip anyway.

"Parker attacked me again. I kind of can't drive, I'd get Tara to bring me but she's working."

"No, that's fine, I said I was available. Give me an hour and I'll be there." We hung up and I waited for her arrival.

 


tbc...

 

Chapter 23:


Fred arrived about an hour after I called. "Can I get you anything?" I asked her.

"Coffee if you have it is fine." She replied following me to the kitchen.

I poured her a cup and one for myself. We each took a seat at the island in the kitchen.

"So what is it that you wanted to talk about?" She asked sipping from her mug. "Besides Parker attacking you again? Which I want to know about."

"I took Willow to group, she wanted to know. I dropped her off at her dorm room, and was headed home. He tried to take me again, but I fought him, he stabbed me and I stabbed him, we both lost consciousness, Will found us, and I was in the hospital. I was just walking home." I explained, as if I had to justify it to her.

"Hey, I'm all for being independent, taking care of yourself." Fred assured me, as if she had read my mind. "That's not just it, is it though?"

"Will and I fought afterward. He said some stuff about knowing I was in danger because of the repeated attacks."

"You aren't in any more danger than the rest of us. Parker has problems. Be glad you knew how to fight back, it could be a hell of a lot worse I'm sure."

I nodded, "Yeah, I'm lucky. Is it bad to want to be happy?"

"What?" Fred asked confusion written clearly on her face.

"Will said some stuff about wanting to protect me. He said he has feelings for me."

"Okay, so what does that have to do with you thinking happiness is bad?" She asked.

"Every time I think I've reached a good place, a safe place, Parker comes back. So happy equals Parker attack equals bad. I've come to the conclusion that happy equals bad."

"It doesn't. Happiness is whatever you decide it is. Parker has nothing to do with it. You can't let him haunt you and keep you from achieving that happiness that you're looking for." She reassured me. "Now, what do you think of Will's feelings for you?"

"I don't know." I shook my head. "I think that I might like him, but I think about any other relationship I've had, and all the guys wanted by the third date was sex."

"And you aren't ready for a relationship to go that quickly." Fred inferred, making it a statement rather than a question.

"I don't think I ever will be ready for any relationship to go that fast again." I bit my lip. "He's been there for me since it happened, he saw what happened. I don't understand how he can like me."

"Buffy, you are a very strong person. You may not think that you're beautiful, but you are, inside and out. Will sees that. He has seen you go from a completely broken young woman, to a strong, self-aware, capable woman. You may not be ready, and that's fine. No one ever said sex by the third date was a rule, not everyone follows it. Will seems like he would respect anything you decide."

"Have you met him?" I asked wondering how she could know someone so well from just another person's descriptions.

"Yes. He has spoken to me. About his own things, which I won't discuss, just as I would never tell him anything you said to me. All I know is he is a very determined young man."

"Thanks." I nodded.

"Is there anything else you wanted to talk about?" Fred inquired, tilting her head in a way that said she knew there was something else.

"I don't know how to act around him now, he said what he said, and now I'm not sure what I should do."

"Who said you have to change?" Fred furrowed her brows. "If a guy expects you to change who you are, he isn't worth your time. Buffy, you can do what you want, you're a grown woman. If you like him too, lay down some rules, you're in charge."

"Thanks Fred," I smiled, shoving my hair behind my ear. "Thanks for coming over, I needed that."

"Anytime." She smiled as I walked her to the door. "And Buffy, go for it, he's cute!"

I laughed as I shut the door after her.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


A week passed in my home recovery. I had gotten a few notes and little gifts from Will, trying to convince me to go out with him. He always seemed to leave them when I was asleep, or otherwise occupied. Tara would bring them to me after and smirk at me the rest of the day. I had decided after my talk with Fred that I wanted to give him a shot. I just wasn't exactly ready for what it all meant.

I smiled when I heard his voice in the kitchen, thinking I was asleep. I made my way to the kitchen, Tara was talking with him, well, it was more like she was laughing at him. He was trying to cook. Whatever he was making seemed pretty involved. Tara noticed me first and walked past me stifling her laughter with her hand, or at least trying to stifle it.

"Just tell him you'll go on a date with him. Stop the insanity, please." She burst out laughing, walking out the door on her way to work. I stayed in the doorway just watching him putter around the kitchen. Fred was right, he was cute.

"Penny for you thoughts love?" He asked, walking into my line of vision, disturbing my internal monologue.

I blushed, ducking my head. I lifted my head up once again, meeting his eyes. "Just thinking about something Fred said."

"Oh yeah, what'd she say?" He asked, returning to the dinner he was preparing.

"Nothing that is important for you." I lied. "What are doing?" I changed the subject to get it away from me.

"Well, with the injury and all, I figured that I could bring the fancy Italian restaurant to you. I'm making Lasagna, it won't be ready for a while. That is if you'll allow me to take you out?" He ducked his head shyly.

"If you're making it, isn't that technically staying in?" I asked.

"Details, love." He waved his hand in the air dismissively.

"Well, since you have already started cooking, I guess I could allow it." I nodded.

"Yeah," he grinned at me. "Great, I just gotta finish it up and pop it in the oven." He went back to his creation and I watched him laughing at the numerous curses he added to the cooking process.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


The food was delicious. If nothing else, Will can definitely cook. We talked throughout the meal, discussing our childhoods, the cartoons we watched, the toys we remembered. It was a fun night, and he didn't even bring up the whole date thing. We were still up talking when Tara came home at three.

"There's still some lasagna in the fridge if you're hungry." I told her, as I left Will for a moment to refill my glass of water.

"Still here huh?" Tara smirked at me.

"We're talking." I replied, blushing, trying to keep my voice down.

"Okay, you do know it's three o'clock in the morning right?" She asked.

"Yes, I do." I left her to make her food. I returned to the living room to find Will getting ready to go. "Leaving?"

"Yeah, I should let you get some rest, want you back to kicking some ass a fast as we can right." He smiled at me. "I had fun to night love. We should do it again?" He asked rather than stated, trying to get my permission.

"I'd like that." I nodded. "I had fun tonight too."

"I'll be off then." Will headed to the door. He opened it and turned to me. "Goodnight Buffy." He took my hand and kissed my knuckles. He left, closing the door behind him.

I smiled, scrunching my nose up as I had a slight tendency to do. I leaned against the door after locking it. Tara walked into the room.

"So we should be expecting flowers and love notes starting tomorrow until he has the nerve to actually ask you out?" She grinned eating her dinner. "That boy certainly can cook."



Chapter 24:


My recovery progressed and I had talked to Will about what it was he had wanted. After our dinner, Will had been sending me notes and flowers nearly every other day just as Tara had predicted. She thought it was cute. I liked it, but didn't know if I was ready for what he expected even though he promised to go slow. I also explained I wasn't ready for anything like that and he needed to lay off the little love notes, at least for a while. He agreed, and though it seemed I had hurt him he didn't try to distance himself from me. He remained my friend.

We continued hanging out with our group of friends for what was left of the summer vacation. I enjoyed the break from everything. I spent some time with Willow and Xander, trying to reach some sort of similarity to our past relationship. Willow tried so hard to make things the same though.

Everybody was at the beach the week before school was supposed to start once more. We had rented a beach house which Tara, myself, Will, and the rest of the gang were staying at for the week.

I was up early, as I was nearly every morning. Most everyone else was using this week to party, I was just enjoying being away from Sunnydale and just having fun there, not caring about anything. Anya was working on the case, Parker was going to get it, the only problem was when, his father's lawyers were dragging out every continuance they could.

I went out onto the beach; no one was really there yet, it being way too early for the morning rush to begin. I let my clothing fall to the sand; I stood there in the early sun, wearing a bikini that showed all my physical scars. I hadn't worn one like this since before the abduction, I wouldn't wear one like this unless I was alone here. The sun felt amazing on my skin. I walked to the edge of the water and kept going. I dove into the surf as the waves were crashing against my legs. I surfaced and took in the sight of the sun rising above the water. I stayed there treading water until the sun had completely entered the sky. I swam toward the shore, to conceal my skin once again as the first of the tourists made their way onto the beach.

I re-clothed myself and began walking along the shore, letting the sea lap at my feet. I returned to the house as it was waking up, well, those that weren't hung over anyway.

Tara was sitting watching the morning news and eating her breakfast. "Hey, where were you?"

"Just went for a walk." I replied, heading to my room to shower the salt water off and get dressed for the day.

After getting dressed, I went down to the kitchen for breakfast. Tara had left a note saying she was running into town to get the meat and alcohol for the barbecue for that night. I was making breakfast when Will entered the room. Just like the few other mornings I had seen him he was very childlike in his appearance.

"You know, you're kind of cute all sleepy." I smiled at his look of surprise.

"What? Oh, hey love, what do you got there?" He asked.

I knew he had heard me but he was choosing to ignore it. I mentally shrugged it off and offered him a waffle.

"You sure? Don't want to be stealing your food now."

"Nah, take it, I'm making more." I smiled.

"You're up awfully early, love; very perky too."

"Yeah, well, been up a while, enjoying the morning. Took a swim, went for a walk."

"Oh, so you go by yourself for that, but when I asked you yesterday you refused?" He asked jokingly.

"Will, you do realize that when you asked to take a walk it was after midnight."

"So?" He shrugged. I rolled my eyes. We ate the remainder of the waffles while exchanging small talk. Registration had been the day we left, giving us about a week before we started classes.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


The day was spent the same as most days, everybody would go and spend the day on the beach, sunbathing, swimming, just hanging out. The night was much the same as well. We were once again having a barbecue, but we were keeping it closer to the house, using the back porch.

I was cooking instead of really joining the festivities. My personality had been quite subdued since I had been attacked. I preferred to be around people that I knew if I had to be around them at all. I did know everyone we had rented the house with, I just didn't want to be around everyone who was drinking.

Tara joined me at the side of the house where the grill was located. The deck wrapped all the way around the house.

"Hiding are you?" She asked sitting in one of the chairs around the grill.

"No, just cooking," I replied, turning the steaks and burgers over.

"Really, and you just had to be the one to do the cooking? Buffy, someone else can do this, go enjoy yourself." Tara pushed.

"Tara, I'm fine, just wanted a little quiet." I shook my head.

"Fine," she huffed. "I'm coming back in a half-hour and if you're still on your own here, I'll.." She trailed off, not sure what to threaten.

"You'll what Tara?"

"I don't know yet, but I have thirty minutes to think about it, don't I?" She turned and left me to return to the backyard.

"Wow, what a trashing you just got." Will came up beside me.

"Yeah, beware of Tara." I laughed.

"Hey, she's dangerous, love. You shouldn't be so flip."

"I'll keep that in mind." I nodded, sitting for a minute to let the food cook.

"So, you seem very interested in cooking this meat. Eaten any of it yet?"

"Not yet. It isn't done." I replied, returning to the grill.

"Well, when it is and you've eaten will you join me for a walk?"

"Wow, not even midnight and you're asking to go for a walk."

"Bloody hell, it was gorgeous last night, the moon and the beach. I just wanted some company that wasn't drunk, or puking because they had already been too drunk."

"I guess I could join you, but I'm in the mood for some of this partying. If you really want to go for a walk, you could get up in the morning with me."

"Oh, sure." He rolled his eyes.

"You don't want to join me for some dancing tonight? You'd rather just go for a walk on the beach?" I asked looking over to him.

"Fine, I'll join you for dancing instead." He grinned.

The evening was fun, we talked and danced and just enjoyed spending the evening like we had for most of the summer.

I woke the next morning, changed into my bikini and put on Capri jeans and a sweater. I headed to Will's room, which was just across the hall.

I knocked before entering. "Will, ready?" I asked after opening the door slightly and poking my head inside.

"Just a second, love." He replied, pulling on his own jacket, on top of a white shirt.

We left the house and the sun was just beginning to rise. The walk led us further away from the house. I stopped at the water's edge. Will had stayed farther onto the sand.

"What're you doing, love?"

"Going for a swim." I replied, taking my sweater and Capri pants off. I stood in the rising sun a moment, taking it in. I waited a beat and ran into the surf, diving into the water as I had done the day before.

Will watched me a moment, before joining me in this playtime. I rose from the depths to watch the sunrise. I turned after a while and saw Will looking at me. "What?" I asked him.

"You." He smiled before changing the subject. "This is amazing, the sun on the water. The changes in the environment around us just from the time changing from night to day."

"It is beautiful." I nodded.

We stayed in the water, following the same routine as I had the day before. Treading water while watching the day emerge. I began swimming toward the shore with Will following me.

We reached the beach as the tourists started arriving. I redressed with Will watching me. I left the sweater slightly open as the air was warming with the sun.

"You hide." Will stated, watching me.

"I dislike the questions they would raise." I told him as I zipped the sweater. "I may be able to show my body on my own, or to those I have to, but I'm uncomfortable with others."

"Why? It's part of you, perhaps one you would rather choose to ignore, but it is a factor in shaping you."

"I know." I nodded, beginning to walk down the beach. "I'm well aware of the fact that I was changed because of what he did to me. I just don't like to have to answer the question repeatedly, to people who just can't help but ask the disfigured girl what happened. The looks on their faces after knowing the truth, they're full of pity. I don't like that."

"What do you see when I look at you?" He asked me, surprising me when he turned me to face him.

I stood there just looking at him. I didn't answer instead shaking my head and simply taking his hand before continuing down the beach.

"Are you going to answer?" He inquired.

"Not yet." I looked down as we continued walking. We made it back to the beach house and made our way upstairs to our bedrooms. I stopped him before we went our separate ways.

"When you look at me I see you looking at me. You saw what he did to me. You saw his handiwork an hour after his last go. I saw your face then, it held such fear and when I looked back at you, and you saw I was conscious your face held relief. Every time you look at me there is still that relief that I'm alive. There is more than that though too. Some of the emotions I can't put a name to, and I don't want to try. I never see pity though, not directed at anyone. I'm grateful for that. I wish others could see me like that. They don't so I hide the truth before they can ask about the brands Parker left me with. I like that I don't have to hide from you and just being friends with you is great. Tara is also one of the few that doesn't hold that look of pity. I'm glad I have a few people who can look passed that in my life."

"When I look at you, I don't see someone who is disfigured in any way. I see someone who is strong and beautiful and very shy. I also see that there is a closet confident woman inside of you who wants to get back out. I think you can be both and I see that sometimes. You don't let too many others see that and I'm grateful that I'm one of the people who does get to see the real you." He smiled lifting my chin so I would look him in the eye.

I nodded. "I'm glad you see all that. You help bring it out in me again and I thank you."

"Good. You're welcome." He smirked, clearly proud of himself.

"Don't let it go to your head." I rolled my eyes. "I want to know how slow you'd be willing to take that step with me?"

"What step is it that you're talking about, love?" He asked slightly confused, but also hopeful.

"I like you, Will." I raised myself up slightly to reach his lips. I gave him a very chaste kiss and turned toward my room. I opened the door and before closing it behind me I gave him a bit of advice. "Think about it."



Chapter 25:


We returned to Sunnydale the Saturday before school started so we had time to get readjusted before it began. The semester started out well. Either Tara or Will were in most of my classes with me.

It was about a week into school when the looks started. The trial was in the early stages and it was now public knowledge about what Parker had done to me. I had hoped it could be kept quiet but this being Sunnydale, word spread on the small campus. There were some looks of pity, others of disgust. I ignored most of them for as long as I could. Some of the year’s previous friends ignored me now that they knew what had happened. Many people wouldn't look at me at all. I wished I could just be one of them again. An invisible, nameless student. Someone who didn't have this huge thing out there, know by everyone.

I went to the trial as much as I could without it interfering with school. I hated the fact that Parker was out on bail. Tara and Will were hovering like I would break at any moment. I was annoyed but glad that I had the constant reminder that not everyone didn't care.

I hid again, not from my friends, just from anyone I didn't absolutely have to interact with. I wished that I could fade back into the background, but I also had a feeling that if I didn't do this, take responsibility for getting rid of Parker, he would do this again, to me or someone else. I knew about the list of complaints about him with Campus Security, and I had a feeling I wasn't the first person he raped, but probably the first person he abducted and repeatedly tried to get back.

Will was allowing me to set the pace of our 'relationship', if you could call it that. He wasn't forcing anything. He left everything up to me. I enjoyed being in charge, but I wouldn't have minded a little more initiative on his part.

Tara and I were working one night when a trauma came in. It was a girl who had been attacked. I saw a mark on her much like one of the brands that Parker had scarred me with. I stayed out of the way and waited until the doctors were finished. When Tara returned to the desk, I spoke with her. I waited around after my shift had ended to speak with the police the girl had asked for.

"I need to talk to you."

"Buffy, we can't talk about an open case."

"I'm not asking you to Wesley." I replied following him outside. "I just noticed something that was on her when the paramedics brought her in."

"What was that?" he asked.

"The cuts on her upper arms and calves." I replied. "I have them too. Not the cuts, but the scars from the cuts. The only difference is that mine got infected because he didn't let them heal. Parker branded me with them, elsewhere on my body. The exact same marks."

"You're sure they're the same. You got a good enough look at them?" He took out a pad and wrote it down.

"They're the same Wesley. I'm sure of it. I... I'll show you the marks on my body, or take pictures if need be. I didn't need a close look to know they're identical."

"I'll need to see them with my own eyes." He replied. "Right now though, go home get some rest. Do you need an escort?"

"No actually, I just have to call Will."

"I'll be in touch to see the marks." Wesley nodded goodbye.

I nodded and returned to the desk to call Will.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


"Did you have a good night at work?" Will asked as he walked me home.

"Yeah, it was busy so it went by quickly." I shrugged. "A girl came in close to the end of my shift. She had the same cuts on her body. Not in the same places, but I'm positive they're the same markings. I think he did it to someone else." I looked away. I had a feeling that it was partially my fault for not taking a greater role in the initial trial. I felt responsible for the girl, yet at the same time knew I shouldn't.

"You think Parker took another girl?"

"I think Parker may have attacked another girl, but I'm not sure if he abducted her. The cuts looked new, not like the infection he caused in me."

"So you think he may get to jail through her?"

"Only if she goes ahead with the charges. She doesn't have to, the only reason she was in the hospital was because she got dumped and someone found her. Not sure if she even will tell them, it's her choice."

Will remained quiet as I spoke. I needed to keep talking about this, releasing my feelings on the subject. I hoped she would pursue charges, but not all girls wanted to draw the attention to themselves. I understood that, not sure that I had been ready for what I had instigated. All the same, I didn't regret it.

We reached the house and sat on the porch swing. "Can we talk about something else?" I asked him as he put his arm across the back of the seat, allowing me to cuddle against his side.

"Sure, love, whatever you want."

"Why do you do that?" I asked immediately sitting up so I could face him.

"Do what pet?"

"Completely acquiesce to whatever I say. I'm not going to break if you have thoughts of your own that you want to express, or even actions you want to take." I ducked my head, wanting to hide while at the same time needing for him to know I was serious.

"Hey,” he put his finger under my chin and forced my face up so that our eyes met. "Whatever you have to say, go ahead." I could see the confusion marring his features. He had no idea what I was about to say, and I could see the edges of fear in his eyes.

"I know you agreed to let me take the lead, and I'm glad. I wouldn't really feel comfortable otherwise." I began, nervously twitching my leg causing the swing to move. "I just think that maybe if you wanted to say, make out, I wouldn't necessarily stop you." I shook off his hand and curled back into his side, so I didn't have to face him. I didn't want to see his rejection, because I was sure that he wouldn't do this, afraid I was going to stop him if he started.

"Is that your not so subtle way of saying you want to make out?" Will asked smiling beside me. He placed a kiss on the top of my head and took my hand giving it a reassuring squeeze.

"I guess so." I nodded. I didn't move, still afraid he wouldn't agree. I believed he wouldn't take any sort of first steps only relying on me to tell him if it was all right by taking the first step myself.

I felt him push me up, so I was sitting upright. He manipulated my head once again to make me look him in the eye. "Buffy, I do want to make out with you. I have since before we even went out on our first date. I just didn't know how fast I could go, or how much you would let me get away with. Just for the record, anytime you want to make out, just tell me." He grinned before pulling me back to him and initiating a kiss. It was different than all of the other kisses we had shared. He had his arms around me, which wasn't the difference. It was the passion he infused in the kiss. I could feel how much he truly wanted me and that he was fighting it all the time. This was the first kiss that had the passion licking at the surface; hitting all my nerves and making me want more, even if I wasn't ready.

I didn't want to pull away, but I needed to breathe and so did he. Will was panting almost as much as I was, I didn't think I had ever been kissed with that kind of emotion. I knew that Will was an amazing kisser, but I had no idea it could be that good. I leaned in once more and kissed him again. He began the same type of kiss once more, deepening it more and pulling me into his lap. When I felt his hardness press against me I got a little nervous and decided that it might be good to stop. I climbed off his lap blushing with him as we both knew the reason that I had to stop it. I was comfortable, but not that comfortable yet.

"That was okay love?" He asked, getting that shyness back into his voice.

I nodded, still dazed and not able to find my voice.

He took my hand and we sat there for a moment before I had regained myself enough to slide into the crook of his arm to cuddle a while more before we said goodnight. "You're okay right?"

"Yeah." I nodded. "Just not ready for that." I smiled biting my lip.

"Sorry, 's just hard to keep my body under control when I'm around you."

I blushed again. "That's not a bad thing."

"Oh?" He asked leaning over and turning me to face him.

"Not a bad thing." I shook my head. "Just have to make sure you'll understand if 'no' comes up."

"I've never ignored that word." He promised. "I'm not going to start now."

"Good, so if you were to want to make out, you could ask too." I bit my lip hoping he understood that I was ready to give him a little control. I didn't want it all, yet he knew that I had to be comfortable.

"I'll keep that in mind love." He grinned and kissed me once more. It was the beginnings of one of the more passionate kisses, but he stopped. I liked that fact, he was ready to take a small lead, and yet keep going slowly.

"It's getting late." I huffed, a little annoyed that we had to say goodnight. It was nice here sitting in his arms.

"I suppose it is." He agreed. I felt his head nod against my own. "Will I see you tomorrow?"

"Seeing as we have classes together I would have to say yeah." I grinned as he growled, not liking my attempt at humour.

"That's not what I meant. I was thinking more along the lines of a date?" He asked as he pulled me up from my seat and led me towards the door.

"Hmm, make me dinner?" I pouted that he wasn't going to play along with my joke.

"I don't know how anyone could not find you irresistible. I'll make you dinner, love. Have the ingredients ready and I'll cook." He kissed me once more before walking down the porch and facing me as I went into the house.

I closed and locked the door, opening the curtains to watch him walk away. I smiled and turned to find myself not alone in the living room. Tara had still been at the hospital when I left. Parker was sitting on the couch making himself comfortable.




Chapter 26


I didn't even have time to process this before my instincts took over. I had to get away. Parker was bad, bad things happened when he was around. I immediately turned to the door, fumbling with the lock, for some reason I couldn't get the door opened. His voice broke the haze and I tried to ignore it and concentrate on the door until I heard a gun cock.

"You have caused me so much trouble little girl." He had the gun pressed against me. In that moment, I felt detached from my body. I was floating away, watching the scene, when he turned my body to face him, I was slammed back and forced into a reaction.

"What are you going to do to me now?" I asked, my jaw clenched. I was afraid. I didn't know anyone who wouldn't be with a gun pointed to his or her head. I wasn't showing him this fear though. I would not give him the satisfaction.

"Well, I haven't decided yet. Seems like it’s all up to me really. Hmm, now what could we possibly do?" He walked behind me and the gun was now pressed into my back. He pushed me forward so his back was now against the door, and I was away from that escape route. I felt the bile rise in my throat as he cupped my ass with his free hand. I didn't risk moving at the moment, not knowing what state he was in, or if he'd actually shoot to kill me.

"Go to hell." I knew it wasn't a smart move to bait my attacker, but I had to do something to distract him. Tara would be home soon and I had to wait it out, hopefully still alive.

He spun me to face him and pushed me onto the floor. Parker remained standing over me. "Not smart." He chastised me as he would a child. "I may just decide to kill you and you think telling me to go to hell is going to help you stay alive? Sorry, but not." He grinned as though he just had a prize given to him.

I felt my stomach clench again. I knew that the vomit would be coming soon, I just hoped it was after I was away from him. Out of the corner of my eye I saw a shadow move across the window by the door. I didn't know if it was Tara or not. I hoped it was, and that it wasn't. She may not be enough to distract him and he'd end up with two hostages, but I wanted this torment to end. I refused to draw attention to it and again focused on Parker, even if my eyes never met his. I tried to stand, but he wouldn't allow it.

"I think you should stay on the ground." He leered.

I clenched my jaw and stayed seated. Nothing was happening at the door and I knew it must have just been that damned cat from next door. I hadn't minded it so much, it had the run of the neighbourhood. The moment it had gotten my hopes up however, I hated it.

I watched as Parker slowly undid his pants. "We're going to have some fun before I decide what to do with you. Use your hand, don't want you biting me." He laughed.

His guard was down and in that second I grabbed his engorged cock and held it in a grip that was surprising him greatly. He squeaked as I grasped harder and he cried out in pain. I stood and tried to get the gun away from him. The problem was one of my hands were occupied, his were both free. I managed to get the gun out of his hands, but not before he moved passed the pain and had hit me a few times as well. I ran as soon as I kicked the gun away, seeing it had gone under the shelf unit, I felt safe that he wouldn't be able to get it.

I ran toward the back door, struggling with the lock. Something else was keeping the door closed. I felt him come up behind me. Dashing off before he could reach me however, I ran up the stairs, not the most intelligent thing to have done, but I knew the layout of the house better than he did.

The stairwell in the kitchen was only one way upstairs, there was a door to a room over the garage that had a private entrance. I lurched forward and the door opened. I ran toward that other door. It wouldn't open. I threw my body against it and it still wouldn't budge. I kept trying, not allowing myself to give up. I was caught again in the room though. Parker was there and he had obviously returned to his previous weapon of choice. He held the butcher knife from the kitchen in his hand.

"Gonna pay for what you did downstairs." Parker sing-songed. I rushed him and narrowly avoided the knife he held at me. I tackled him to the ground, kneed him in his already damaged privates. As I stood, I stepped on his chest, hard. I heard a crack and knew at least one rib was broken before I continued running. I knew for some reason, pain didn't really stop Parker too much. I tripped a few times trying to get down the stair, but caught myself before I would have fallen all the way down.

"Damn, think you may have punctured my lung. Funny how you forgot to take the knife when you ran off. Thanks for that." He yelled as he descended the stairs.

I heard his foot steps echoing closer to the living room. I ran to find the gun. I ran to the shelf I had seen it go under and tried to grab it, but the shelf was too low to the ground. I used a stick to push it out and I scrambled to get it. I faced Parker as he saw the gun slide across the floor. He got to it first and it went off. I was forced to the side as it only nicked my arm. I was in so much pain. Worse than anything I thought. I ran at him. Once he had grabbed the gun he had dropped the knife. I tackled him once more to the ground and we fought back and forth. The gun was pointed at both of us as we each tried to get it for ourselves. I realized that neither of us would let go.

The gun fired and the house was once again silent.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Tara arrived home after a very hectic shift at the hospital. As she drove around the corner, turning onto her street, she was greeted with ambulances and police cars blocking most of the way, people were gathered and the scene was hectic. Tara couldn't even get to her house. She stopped and left the vehicle.

As Tara saw a stretcher being taken out of her house she began running as fear gripped her. She tired to get passed the police, only for them to have to restrain her.

"That's my house, my roommate was at home." Tara screeched.

"Let her through Jerry, she's a nurse the hospital." Wesley ordered.

Tara ran toward the house only to be stopped once more by Wesley.

"Even I won't let you in there. They are headed to the hospital, not sure what's going to happen." Wesley replied. "I'll take you if you want."

"What happened?" Tara asked as the tears stared.

"We're not sure." Wesley shook his head. "There was a lot of blood, not sure who all of it belonged to."

"Who was here?"

"Buffy and Parker." Wesley replied.

"No," she gasped. "Take me to the hospital now." Tara demanded.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Come on pick up." Tara muttered into the phone as she paced behind the nurses’ station. She had already called Buffy's mom and now she dreaded making this call.

" 'Lo?" A sleepy voice answered.

"Will, it's Tara, you need to come to the hospital."

"What is it? Is Buffy all right?"

"Just get here as soon as you can."

"Tara, tell me."

"I don't know, they won't let me know. Just get here." Tara hung up the phone and sat in the chair before sobs took her over.

 


tbc...

 

Chapter 27


It was eerie, Tara had never been in the hospital waiting room while it was fairly quiet, she was now though. It was strange being on this side of it too. She didn't like, not at all. Joyce had arrived with Dawn in tow shortly after she had gotten off the phone with Will. Joyce hadn't been allowed anywhere but the waiting room either. The women were sitting there not talking. Joyce had asked Tara what happened as soon as she arrived, unfortunately Tara couldn't tell her anything.

Willow and Xander arrived shortly after Joyce, she explained they had driven her. Tara may not have been pleased, but she didn't show any outward sign. She knew Buffy was trying to work out her feelings toward them, but Tara was still a little unsure of them. And how they tried to control what Buffy did after they had returned.

Tara wasn't close to anyone that was sitting in the waiting room with her, she had met Joyce a few times, Dawn also, but she really felt out of place until Will got there. He immediately headed toward her, not noticing anyone else, as she was the one who contacted him. "What's going on pet?" He looked more haggard than anyone of them did. Tara knew Will had walked Buffy home and must feel responsible in some way.

"Still don't know."

"Did you ride in the ambulance with her?" He asked slightly hopeful that Tara had at least seen her after whatever had happened.

"No, I got a ride from Wesley they had already taken her and Parker." Tara explained to him. He was the first to ask these questions and she was glad that someone thought to.

Will nodded and sat next to her. "You didn't see it did you? The scene I mean?"

"No, I got home to sirens and cars and a crowd around the house. Wesley let me passed the crowd, but he wouldn't let me anywhere else."

"That's probably a good thing. They'll have the house fixed up in no time, and I'm sure Buffy'll be back there and I'll make you both dinner like I was supposed to tonight."

"I'm not sure we'll want to go back there." Tara replied.

"You haven't tried using the 'I work here, tell me what's going on' have you?" He asked hopefully.

"Yeah, I just got off work, so they won't let me back there, and I'm involved, being Buffy's roommate and friend. I get to sit out here and be one of you this time." She laughed a bitter laugh. Tara didn't know what else to do. This was worrying her so much that they hadn't heard anything yet. Will pulled the girl into his arms and she let the tears fall once more.

"They're bastards love, Buffy's strong though, she'll get through." Will whispered, needing for Tara to believe it but also trying to get himself to as well. He really had no idea what may have happened after he left. As soon as Tara had called, he had a horrible feeling and when she told him to get to the hospital, he knew he should have stayed. Waited to make sure she got up to her room. His happiness after the date had quickly turned to a hole in his stomach, which felt like people ripped out his guts.

"You wouldn't have been able to do anything he probably would have killed you then moved on to whatever he did to Buffy." Tara whispered knowing he was blaming himself.

"You don't know that, no one does and I will have to deal with that." He huffed, not arguing but also not agreeing with her.

"Just don't brood okay." Tara giggled slightly when he growled. They got a look from the others, but didn't notice. When he and Buffy had not been speaking to him after she hit him, Tara had joked that he was brooding. Will did not appreciate that description of his emotional state. She'd never let him live it down.

"I don't brood." He whispered back. Will saw Wesley out of the corner of his eye down the hall at the coffee machine and excused himself. He wanted to talk to the police officer.

"You know I can't discuss open cases." Wesley stated before Will even reached for a cup to get himself some coffee.

"I'm not asking you to am I." He replied as he filled a cup and took a drink. "This coffee is shit."

"You get used to it." Wesley stated.

"Did Buffy at least have a pulse when you got there?" Will asked, a pleading note to his tone.

"I don't know, I didn't see her or Parker. I was called when one of the officers that responded recognized something to do with another case. I arrived as they were taking them both to the ambulances."

"It was ambulances so they had to have been alive right?"

"I really can't say." Wesley looked truly sorry not to be able to answer the questions Will was asking. The police officer wanted to help him, but he didn't know himself what was happening to Buffy.

"She told me about the girl with the marks. Did you see Buffy's?"

"No, she was going to show me after I confirmed the girl wanted to press charges, which she decided to tonight after I had spoken with Buffy. Would you be able to recognize the marks?"

"It's not something I could forget, I saw them an hour after he had reopened them on Buffy's body." Will replied.

"Come with me." Wesley led Will into the woman's room.

"Andrea, its Wesley. How are you feeling?"

"Better, but I'm still sore. Who's that?" She asked indicating Will.

"This is Will, he has seen similar marks to the ones you have on someone else. I asked him to take a look to identify if they are indeed the same. Only if that's okay though?"

Andrea nodded and pulled the blanket up her legs, and pushed the sleeves of the hospital gown up. They had been bandaged, and cleaned. A nurse came in to show them the marks. Will took a look and nodded at Wesley before leaving the room to wait in the hall. A short while later Wesley re-emerged and questioned Will.

"Exactly the same. Not in the same places on her body, but exactly the same marks." Will stated. His face held disgust at what Parker had been able to do. He didn't feel anyone should be able to do that to another human being.

"Thank you Will. I'm going to call and get the charges put in place and hopefully if he's alive he'll be spending the rest of his life in prison." Wesley left to make a phone call.

Will remained in the hall when he saw a gurney being moved from one room to another. His curiosity got the better of him and he headed off in the direction of the moving bed. He stood outside the room and waited until the nurses and doctors left before going in. He picked up a chart that was on the end of the bed. He read what it contained. Collapsing into a chair, Will didn't know what to feel over this development.

Tara walked into the room. She had finally been told what was happening and allowed back to see. Tara was surprised Will was in the room when she got there. "Hey, what are you doing back here?"

"Curiosity, saw something and knew I had to know." Will explained. "If that makes sense?"

Tara nodded, "yeah, it kind of does. I see you read what's going on."

"Yeah, Parker's in a bloody coma. I'm not sure I should be happy about this or not. It means when he wakes up he'll hopefully go to jail about that other girl and for this. But fuck I wanted him to be dead." Will stood and began pacing. "Do you know anything else? About Buffy?" He pleaded.

"The doctor is talking to her mom right now. Come with me okay. We'll go for a walk." Tara suggested as she led Will out of the room. She knew he would be tempted to finish Parker off and had immediately gone looking for him after she had found out what their status was. A police officer showed up just as they were leaving in order to keep watch. Will allowed Tara to take him out of the room. He was in a trance, he had no idea what was going on with Buffy. It looked to the outside world as though Tara was leading a zombie around behind her. Tara knew however that Will was simply in shock. They came to stand in front of an elevator. Will knew this would lead to Buffy and at that moment, he wasn't sure he wanted to find out. He didn't want to know if she was dead, he liked the limbo for the moment.

 


tbc...