Title: I Promise
Author: Laurel
Email: lovely_820@yahoo.com
Rating: PG
Summary: Willow's POV after "The Gift".
Disclaimer: Not mine, don't sue...

Can you hear me Buffy?

Sometimes I think you can.

When I'm laying in bed, snuggled tightly against Tara, I whisper to you. And I hope that maybe, one day, you'll whisper back.

It's been three weeks since we buried you.

So many people came to your funeral. I guess I forgot how much you touched their lives. Who would've thought that one girl could make such a difference?

We each took turns talking about you at the wake. Giles went first. He said how much he loved you and that he was sorry that he never got the chance to tell you.

He called you a hero.

And you are Buffy.

You were the most heroic person I've ever met. I miss you so much.

Xander stood frozen in place. He didn't get much sleep and he was so pale. The expression on his face...oh God Buffy... It was like he thought he was dreaming. He was trying so hard to wake up. I think we all were.

Anya cried the entire time she talked about you. For the second time since she became human, she lost someone close to her, and I don't think she realized how much she cared for you.

Dawn was so quiet. She was in a daze for a long time, but I took care of her Buffy. I made sure she ate and slept. And I made sure that she knew that there was always someone she could talk to.

I talked about you too. At first I didn't think I could go up there, in front of all of those people. My hands were trembling and my legs felt soft, like jelly. But I ignored it and I thought about one of our last conversations.

"You're the strongest person here Will."

I wasn't Buffy. I wasn't the strongest. You were.

You've sacrificed everything for us. For your family. You accepted the duties of being the Vampire Slayer, you fell in love with Angel and sent him to hell to save the world, you lost your mother, and saved your sister.

How can I compare with that?

I can't.

I could never have the courage to do the things you did. You were so much more than a protector Buffy. You were a daughter...a sister...a lover...and a friend...

I miss you.

You know...there were times when I tried to imagine you dead Buffy, just to see what it would be like without you. But I could never do it. I could never imagine life without you...and now you're really dead Buffy...and I can't breathe.

My heart hurts so much and I can't breathe.

You're dead.

And no matter how much we all love you, no matter how much we miss you, and no matter how much we wish, we can't bring you back.

You're gone Buffy.

You saved the world but you paid the price for it.

Its not fair.

Does the world even know that you're gone? Does it know that the most special person to ever walk this planet is buried six feet underground?

Its just not fair.

I visit you every day. Sometimes three or four times a day. I sit beside your grave and I tell you everything that's happened since you've died. There's even been a few times that I visit you at night and I'll see Spike there, whispering to your tombstone, crying, and hoping for the same thing I hope for.

An answer.

Sometimes he lets me hold him, lets me comfort him, and sometimes, he holds me. We talk about you a lot.

You were so special Buffy.

So beautiful.

We'll never forget you.

I promise.

The End