Chapter 9
Doyle found Buffy sitting on one of the fresh graves in Restfield Cemetery. He sat down next to her and heard her heave a sigh.
“What?” she asked with no emotion in her voice.
“They’ll come around, lass.” he promised her. “Just give them time.”
“Time is something we don’t have a lot of, Doyle.” Buffy reminded him. “You said an apocalypse is coming. With Spike and Dru hell bent on destroying the Slayer, we don’t have enough time as it is. They’re going to kill everyone who’s a threat to them, which includes me. That didn’t mean to come out shallow, but I don’t want to die, Doyle.”
“I know you don’t. Neither did I.” Doyle told her. “It’s the one thing I miss…Humanity, feeling like you have a purpose. It’s the most unreal thing one can imagine.”
“I remember.” Buffy nodded. “I remember how peaceful it was, how free. And Angel took that from me.”
“You sound like you hate him for that.” Doyle remarked.
“A part of me will always hate him for that.” Buffy sighed. “He got me to fall in love with him, and then when I did it was too late. He drained me dry right in front of my watcher. I’ll never forget the look of horror on Giles’ face. A part of me will always wonder what happened to him, just like a part of me will always hate Angel for taking me away from my family. It’s a way of life, Doyle. You never truly miss something until it’s gone.”
“You’ll get through this, Buffy.” Doyle told her. “You’re strong, and a fighter. Angel’s a fool if he can’t see that.”
“He’s loyal to her.” Buffy said. “He always will be. He was always prone to Slayers, Doyle. Even when he was the Scourge. He’ll always be a loyalist to them no matter who it is.”
“So, what are you going to do?” Doyle asked her.
“I hadn’t really gotten that far yet.” Buffy sighed. “I think--I think I need to take off, lay low for a bit. I need time to think about what I’m gonna do. Got to have a plan for killing my ‘family’, right?”
“Yeah.” Doyle agreed. “Just promise that you’ll be back.”
“Of course, Doyle. I’ll be back.” she promised him. “Watch out for him for me, okay?”
“All right.” Doyle nodded.
“Goodbye, Doyle.” Buffy told him and left.
From a local crypt, Willow witnessed the whole conversation.
“It has begun.” she growled.
T.B.C.
This fic is going to be continued, but I'm going through some writer's block at the moment.