Noise on the porch

[slayermommy]

"Buffy?" I called, standing. "Did you forget your key?" She did that sometimes. Although that would be pretty stupid, since I'd been out of town. Still, it happens. I flipped off the television, and headed for the door

Comments

[stake_n_skank]

My strength died when Joyce opened the door. I had been trying to be strong for Giles and for Willow now too.. but Joyce was just too much. It's one thing to lose a friend or your Slayer, but it's totally different to lose a daughter.

I couldn't hold my head high anymore. I looked down to the ground.

"No...Buffy can't....don't you dare tell me I've lost my daughter!"

I took a deep breath and waited for someone, anyone to speak up. When no one did, not even Wesley, I decided I had to. I knew it shouldn't come from me, but what else was there to do?

I shook my head. "Sorry Joyce.." I trailed off. I couldn't finish. Hell, I didn't even know how she died! I knew Joyce would ask.

[slayermommy]

I looked at Faith, and the tears started to run, though I stepped aside, and let them in.

"I...no...you told me she died once before. Maybe this is like that. I just can't accept that she is dead." I looked at them all, from face to face.

[oh_dear]

I stepped in the threshold, and looked at her. Joyce. And knew it was worse than I ever felt before. This wasn't just my slayer. Or even, with all the paternal feelings I had, my daughter.

It was her daughter.

"Joyce, I..." I put my arms out, to comfort her, but she pushed me away.

"Don't you dare, Rupert. She isn't dead."

"Joyce, she is. The council they..." I stopped. No one told me how she died. I looked at Wes and Faith. They didn't know either.

"Willow...do you know what happened?" I tried to keep my voice steady, watcher calm, but it was hard. Tears fell on my glasses, but I kept my self up, and ready to catch Joyce if or when it was needed.

[wil_rosenberg]

Oh, oh, goddess. He couldn't...The Watchers' Council - they hadn't told him? Faith didn't know? I could barely explain how Xander and I knew, just that...oh, goddess, where was Xander? Had he run off to - no, I couldn't think on that now. Joyce.

"J-Joyce, can we...please? I..." My voice broke. I can't be the one to let Giles know...but I the longer I wait to say anything. "Please, let's just sit down, let me explain what happened. Please."