Hers part 2. note this one is insanely long. so get something to drink now.
Return to Sunnydale Part 2
By David Anders
Daren and Buffy walked down the dark sidewalk in silence. "I’m really glad you decided to stay." Buffy said zipping her jacket up. "Yeah I miss Sunnydale and even though its on the Hellmouth its still a nice little town."
"Yeah, its kinda got that evil "little house on the prairie" or "Leave it to Beaver" vibe." Daren and Buffy laugh as they reach the sprawling graveyard. "So you still patrol here huh?" Buffy nods "Yeah, graveyard is kinda like the hotspot for the slayer to hang out and kill vampires. So Daren, where did you go after high school?" Buffy asks as she sits down on a tombstone. Daren takes a seat across from Buffy "well, I moved to LA after high school and went to college in Hollywood. " Daren adjusts his leather jacket "What happed to your parents?" Buffy asks resting her hands on the sides of the stone. "They Died when I was in the 8th grade so I lived with my grandma till I moved to LA."
"that’s so sad." Buffy says leaning back a little. "Yeah, I got over it though. Willow was there for me.' Daren shakes his head "never mind about my parents. Anyway I’ve been studying all kinds of magic since I had to drop out of college." Buffy’s face grows concerned "Why'd you drop out?" "My grandma die and she had paid for my tuition. So I had to drop out. Life’s a bitch. So what have you been doing since high school ended?" "Oh, went to Sunnydale university, met this great guy Parker, but he turned out to be an asshole. Then there was this other guy Riley who I thought was really great and he was bad...to.... God I really can’t win." Buffy half laughs as she says the last bit of her thought but the laugh is full of pain. Daren stands and walks over to Buffy and takes her hands. "You'll find a good guy someday." "Yeah......?"Buffy looks up at Daren and kisses him. They stand kissing for a moment then Daren backs away. "Buffy I...I’m.... Sor" buffy cuts Daren off with another tender but passionate kiss. "Well well well. I’m gone for a few days and your already riding a new horse." spike the tall platinum haired vampire says as he approaches Buffy and Daren with a cigarette hanging from his mouth. Daren breaks away from Buffy as spike stops and drops the cigarette. He watches Daren for a moment with mild amusement. "So buffy who's this wanker?" Daren steps up to spike "my name is Daren." Spike laughs and punches Daren sending him reeling. "Ooh big bad Daren’s gonna hurt Me." spike throws his head back and laughs. Buffy draws a stake and stands ready to fight spike "Get out of here spike." Buffy says with anger and hurt in her voice. "Alright, I’ll leave you and your little wanker friend alone. Silly slut." spike walks off laugh and mocking Daren. Once spike is out of sight Buffy goes over to Daren who is now on sitting on the grass. Daren spits blood out of his mouth "Damnit!" Buffy strokes Daren’s arm "Your lip is bleeding." Buffy takes a double meat palace napkin out of her pocket and wipes the blood off of Daren’s lip. "Thanks"daren says as he touches Buffy’s hand. Buffy and Daren kiss more tenderly than before to compensate for Daren’s busted lip. "Let’s go home." Buffy says as he helps Daren to his feet. As they walk out of the graveyard Daren slides his hand into Buffy’s. As Buffy and Daren reach Buffy’s house Buffy goes to the front door and unlocks it. Daren looks up at the top floor rooms and notices the lights are all off.
"I think everyone’s asleep,” Daren says as he closes the front door behind him. "Hey, Daren you can stay here if you want, until you find another apartment here I mean." Buffy says putting her jacket over a chair in the dinning room. "Thanks" Daren says as he wraps his arms around Buffy’s waist. "Where do I sleep?" "The couch if you want." Buffy says going toward the stairs. "There’s somewhere else’s I could sleep?" Daren says cocking his eyebrow. Buffy just smiles as she turns and walks up the stairs. Daren follows her up after turning the light in the dinning room off.
~~~ The Next Morning ~~~
The house is filled with the smell of fresh made pancakes as Tara wanders around the kitchen making breakfast.
She hums to her self as she flips the pancakes and checks the bacon. A groggy half dressed Buffy comes into the kitchen rubbing her eyes. "Morning Buffy. You look tired. Late night patrolling?" "Yeah Tara. Hey you’re making food. You didn’t have to do that." Tara nods her blonde hair bouncing with the movement of her head. "Yeah I know but I thought it would be nice seeing as I’m alive. Hey I noticed that Daren’s motorcycle is still out front." Buffy perks up immediately thinking of a way to cover her tracks. "And" Tara says with a devilish grin "I didn’t see any blankets on the couch this morning." Tara grins at Buffy. "Oh, yeah..." Buffy sits speech less scratching her head. "Don’t worry Buffy I won’t tell dawn or xander." "Thank you Tara. And don’t tell willow. It might be weird."
Tara turns around from the food. "Why?" Buffy puts her hand over her mouth "will didn’t tell you?" Tara stands for a minute thinking. "Oh yeah that she had been with Daren that’s right she said that last night when I asked her about how Daren knew her blood type. Its ok, that was the past. And the past is the past. I have to admit that if I was straight I would go after Daren to." Buffy giggles as willow comes into the kitchen wearing a nightshirt. "Morning Will" "Oh hi Buffy. Is Daren still here? Ooh Tara pancakes in interesting shapes!" Tara turns "I think Daren is still up stair..." Tara spins back around biting her lip and returns to work on breakfast. The kitchen is silent except for the sound of bacon cooking on the stove. "Buffy,"willow says with a look of concern "where is Daren?" Buffy looks away "Upstairs. Sleeping on my floor." willows face brightens with relief. "Oh, ok I'll go wake him." willow says as she dashes up the stairs. "Oh shit!" Buffy whimpers as she buries her face in her hands.
"He's not sleeping on the floor is he." Tara asks as she watches the fresh batch of bacon cook. "Mo." Buffy says through her hands. "Tsk tsk tsk. Is he at least dressed?" Buffy’s head shoots up. "SHIT!" Buffy cries as she dashes up the stairs. "Hey wake up sleepy head" willow says rocking Daren's sleeping body. "Uh, go way" Daren mumbles. "Get up you lazy bum or I’ll take those covers off you." as willow prepares to rip the covers off Daren’s naked body Buffy comes to the rescue just in time "Willow! It’s ok! I can get him up!" Buffy says taking willow hand off the sheets and comforter. "You know Buffy you didn’t have to lie to me. I understand theirs something between you two. I don’t care. Daren and I are still friends and were both adults and I can handle that he's moved on to other women, because so have I." Buffy smiles and hugs willow. "Go on. I’ll be down in a bit with Daren." willow nods and walks down the stairs. Buffy sits on the edge of the bed and rubs Daren’s arm. "Wake up lazy ass"
"I am up. That was rather amusing. And thanks for saving me, I didn’t want to scare willow." Buffy smiles "no problem. Come on get some clothes on and come have breakfast." Daren nods and slides out of bed and gets dressed as Buffy goes down to the kitchen. "Mmm who ever is cooking I could kiss you that smells so good." Daren says as he walks into the kitchen wearing his pants and no shirt. "That’s my job Daren" willow says as Daren wraps his arms around Buffy’s waist. Down the hall the doorbell rings. "I got it." Daren says as he walks toward the door. Giles and Anya stand on the porch as Daren opens the door. "Wow what a hunk" Anya says as she sees Daren. "Uh, May I ask is Buffy here?" Giles says in his usual calm British manner. "Oh yeah. Who are you?" Daren eyes Giles and Anya, as Anya looks Daren over with great interest. "Giles! Anya! Hi!" Buffy says as she appears from behind Daren. "Daren this is my watcher Giles and this is Anya, xander's girlfriend." Buffy nods, as Giles try’s to comprehend the sight of a half-dressed man in Buffy’s house and the delicious smell of pancakes coming from the kitchen. "Is willow here?" Giles asks "yeah she’s in the kitchen with Tara." Anya interrupts "With Tara!?" Buffy nods "come on I'll explain later." Buffy leads Giles into the kitchen as Anya stares smiling at Daren.
'Wow he's Hot.' Anya thinks going over Daren carefully 'great eyes, great hair, decent uperbody. Much better than xander.' "Anya did you say it was?" Daren asks trying to break the silence "Yes, wow you really are gorgeous."
Daren smiles as he motions for Anya to go into the kitchen. "So that’s the whole story Giles." Buffy says, as Giles now understands who the half-dressed man that Anya commented on is. "Amazing. He did what willow couldn’t. Absolutely amazing." Giles says as he cleans his glasses. Willow looks at Giles indignantly "Hey just because Daren brought back Tara doesn’t mean that I couldn’t. Its just that Osiris wouldn’t let me and and...."willow goes silent as she looks back over at Tara. "So Daren, are you staying here in Sunnydale?" Giles asks "Oh please stay!" Anya says with a gleam of mischief in her eye. Buffy looks at Anya slightly annoyed. "Down Anya down." "Breakfast!" Tara proclaims to the semi quite group. Dawn comes down the stairs and sees the group that has now migrated into the dinning room. "Hi Dawnie" willow says as she sets out the plates around the table.
"Oh hey dawn" Daren says helping willow with the plates. Dawn notices a large tattoo on Daren’s back.
"Hey what’s that?" dawn asks pointing at the tattoo on Daren’s back "oh that, that’s a design that willow made for me a few years ago." dawn nods as she ponders the reason that Daren is in her dinning room with out a shirt on. 'Wow he's kinda cute' dawn thinks. 'Oh shit I should put some real clothes on' dawn dashes up the stairs to her room to get dressed. "You know Daren it seems you have something over theses summers girls." willow teases
"I know. " Daren says as he finishes putting the plates on the table. After breakfast willow and Tara Giles Anya Buffy and dawn go down to the magic box to clean up the damage. "I’m gonna stay here and get hold of my friend so he can pack my shit and send it to me." Daren says as the scoobies leave the house. Daren, the 6'5 warlock was obviously a California person. His tanned skin showed that. His piercing green eyes could cut through a person and came in quite handy often times. His longish brown hair was always down and his left eyebrow was pierced with a small silver post and another slightly larger post was in his chin. Daren's tattoo is a Celtic design willow had drawn and given him for as a graduation present. His right upper forearm had a large black warrior band tattoo and his left wrist was warped with a leather wrist strap. The extra pair of clothes that Daren had brought with him consisted of his usual black boots, a baggy pair of black jeans and a tight black tank top. Daren wandered around Buffy’s house until he decided to call James, his roommate in La. the phone seemed to ring for hours before a very tired sounding James awnserd "What." "James, its me." James rolled over on his bed. "Oh hey Daren, how did that thing you went to do go?" "Fine. Did I wake you?" James sighs "No I was just getting up." Daren laughs "you know its past noon." "Nah shit? I was out late last night that’s all." "Out with Christie again?" James smiles on the other end of the phone "yeah. So why'd you call anyway?" "I need you to start packing my shit man, I’m moving back here to Sunnydale." James sits up in his bed "Are you serious?" "Yeah I thought you would enjoy having your house back." James sighed on the other end. "Yeah kinda but...you want me to ship it or u haul it?" "Uhaul it man. Listen I can pay the rest of the rent I owe you when you get here." "Yah yah yah. Don’t worry about the rent man. Listen how soon do you want your shit?" "Soon as possible." "Got it. Should have it out to you by...what’s today?" "Saturday." "Tuesday. What’s the address over there anyway?" the front door opens as Buffy walks in. "Listen James I’ll email you the address alright?" "Yeah fine. See you Tuesday man." James hangs the phone up and goes back to sleep.
"Hey buff." Daren leans down and kisses Buffy. "You found clothes,” Buffy says smirking. Daren nods "Yeah brought them with me." Buffy’s face becomes concerned as she reaches out to gently touch Daren’s swollen lip.
"Ah. Careful please." Daren says cringing as Buffy presses to hard on the lump. "Sorry." Buffy brushes her thumb across Daren’s smooth cheek. The two look deeply into each other’s eyes for a moment then Buffy speaks "you have the most beautiful eyes I’ve ever seen." Daren simply grins. "How’s the clean up at the magic box going?"
Buffy shakes her head "the damage is pretty bad. Giles says their going to save what they can and have the shop rebuilt." Daren nods. "Your sister has a crush on me I think." Daren says with a slight laugh "Yeah I know. She wasn’t to sure about you yesterday because she was all into the seeing Tara but she seems to really like you. She just wouldn’t stop raving about you while we cleaned up the magic box." Daren leans down and kisses Buffy tenderly. The gentle kiss becomes more passionate as the two work their way up the stairs. "Don’t you have to go back soon?" Daren asked sitting on Buffy’s bed. "After a bit." Buffy says as she closes the door.
~~~ At the Magic Box ~~~~
"So willow you know this fellow, Darek?" willow shakes her head "Daren Giles Daren. And yes I’ve know Daren almost as long as I’ve know xander." Giles nods 'Must remember his name is Daren not Darek.' "Daren is amazing isn’t he." dawn says smiling as she sifts through the debris "I think he’s a bit to old for you Dawnie." Tara says giving Dawnie the "mother knows best"look. "I-I know that b-but he's still cute." "And 23 dawn. Your sixteen why don’t you go after someone at your school?" willow asks as Giles eyes her seeming to approve of willows words.
"Well no guy's at my school look as good as Daren." "Dawns right, I’m sure he could turn you two straight if you gave him half a chance.” Anya said from the back of the store. Willow and Tara look at each other with looks of utter shock. "Uh, Anya I know that its comes naturally to you to speak your mind..." willow cuts Giles off "But theirs a time and place for everything." Anya shrugs her shoulders. "I guess, but I still think its true." Tara pipes up "I doubt very greatly that anyone could make me love anyone except my willow." willow smiles at Tara as dawn sits and daydreams about Daren. "All-alright lets stop and go get some lunch shall we?" Giles says wiping his forehead.
~~~~ Buffy's House ~~~
Daren walks out the front door pulling his tank top down the rest of the way. Buffy follows with her jacket and Daren’s helmet. "So where are we gonna go?" "Its up to you Buff." Buffy nods and turns back and goes into the house. She comes back with Daren’s leather jacket and a piece of paper that she proceeds to tack to the door.
"There. Now they know we went out.” Buffy bounces down the stairs and hands Daren his jacket. Daren takes the jacket and puts it on. “So do you have a helmet for me?” Buffy asks handing Daren his helmet. “Course.” Daren places the helmet on his head and mounts the bike. Daren hands Buffy his second helmet and she puts the helmet on after mounting.
“Ready to go?” Daren asks. “Lets go.” Buffy says through the helmet. Daren starts the bike and rev’s it up a few times before he takes off with Buffy’s arms linked around his waist. Buffy and Daren ride around the Sunnydale for a bit before Daren goes out onto the open high way and shows Buffy what his bike can really do.
~~~ Buffy’s House ~~~
Xander climbs the front steps of Buffy’s porch and pulls the note from the door. He looks over the note with mild interest. The note reads “Dear everybody, Daren said he would take me out on a ride on his bike. Back later. Love Buffy.” xander puts the note back on the door and walk’s off toward the magic box.
~~~ The Magic Box ~~~
After a long relaxing lunch break the Scoobies go back to the work of cleaning up the magic box. Giles looks at his watch. “Where on earth is Buffy?” willow shrugs “maybe she decided to spend sometime with Daren.” Tara nods in agreement “yeah if I was Buffy I would want to spend some time with Daren. You know if I was Buffy of course.” Tara nods and goes back to sifting through debris. Dawn sits on an unbroken stool behind what used to be the counter. ‘If I could go for a ride with Daren I would die.’ dawn is jolted from her daydream as Giles hands here a broom. “Come now Dawn, you had time to daydream now come and help us clean up.” Giles shakes his head and goes back to cleaning. “Oh Giles let her go home. She’s probably tired and she’s had long couple of days. Dawnie why don’t you go home.” Giles gives willow the ‘Why are you undermining my authority’ look as dawn nods and walks out. “Willow…never mind.” Giles says sighing.
~~~ The Open Road ~~~
Daren and Buffy sit on the side of the road looking out over a great field. “Its beautiful” Buffy says as she snuggles closer to Daren. “Just like you” Daren says as Buffy leans up and kisses him. “Hey,” Buffy says looking puzzled “What happened to the bump on your lip? It’s gone.” Daren nods. “I can heal quickly. Magic thing.” Buffy merely goes “Hmmm” ands gets closer to Daren. “ Buffy we need to get back to Sunnydale soon. Its almost sun down and I’m sure you need to patrol.” Daren hugs buffy a little tighter then stands. “Come on then.” he says as he helps Buffy up. The two lovers mount the motorcycle and begin the long ride back to Sunnydale.
~~~ Buffy’s House ~~~~
Dawn is lying down on the couch in the living room dreaming about Daren. Dawn and Daren are out on the road riding along a road that seems to never end and all around is beautiful scenery. An ocean that seems to stretch out forever on the right and rocky hills on the left. Dawn tightens her grip around Daren’s waist and leans her head against his back. the bike finally stops and Daren dismounts removing his helmet to show a glow on his skin and hair that is only present in dreams. Dawn dismounts and places her helmet on the bike. She takes Daren’s hand as they walk out into an open field. they lay in the field on the soft, soft grass and kiss passionately until a loud bang rings out in the still silence. suddenly dawn is covered with Daren’s blood as she wakes up screaming from her dream.
The sun has set and Spike walks into Buffy’s house. “Hello? Hello?” ‘wait Buffy hates me and so do the Scoobies. Why in the hell am I announcing my presence?’ spike shakes his head. “Oh hi spike.” Dawn says getting up from the couch. Spike’s evil little inner child dances an evil little jig. “Oh hello dawn, where is everyone?” dawn rub’s the late afternoon nap sleepiness from her eyes “Oh, Willow, Tara , Giles , and Anya are working at the Magic Box. They let me come home early.” Dawn finishes her sentence with a yawn. Spike rolls his eyes “Where’s Buffy and Daren?” Dawn strains her brain attempting to remember. “Oh, Daren to Buffy out for a ride on his Harley.” Spike could not believe the sick “Oh what a Hunk” look dawn had on her face when she told him where Buffy and Daren were. “Right, I’m off then.” Spike turns to leave but spins around vamped out and attacks dawn. Spike holds dawn’s defenseless body as he drinks. Spike finally drops dawn onto the couch and wipes the blood off of his lips. “Oh that was amazing. Mmm!” Spike looks over at the crumpled form of dawn and smirks. “that’ll teach Buffy.” The sound of a roaring motorcycle out side tells spike its time to get the hell out of the house as he hauls ass to the kitchen and out the back door. Buffy opens the front door and begins calling for dawn. “Dawn, come on were going out to diner with Daren. Dawn?” Buffy looks into the living room and rushes to dawns side. “oh god dawn.” Buffy says beginning to cry as she sees the bite marks in dawns neck. Buffy turns “Daren! Get in here quick!” Daren rushes into the house and over to Buffy. “What happened?” Daren asks looking at dawn’s throat. “S-sp-spi—ke….” Dawn barely whispers out before she passes out. Buffy stands “I’m going to kill him. I’m just going to kill him.” Buffy walks over to the big wooden chest resting against the wall and lifts the lid. She pulls a crossbow out. “I..I think I can help her Buffy.” Daren says kneeling close to dawn. “I need…..Shit.” Daren shakes his head thinking. “Where does willow keep her supplies?” Buffy looks around. “Oh up stairs in the main bedroom.” Daren nods and runs up the stairs. As Daren rummages through willow’s supplies he finds the herbs he needs and dashes down the stairs jumping the last five. Buffy stands at the front door waiting for Daren. “I’m going after him. If I don’t find him I’ll be back. Tell the others where I went.” Daren kisses Buffy for good luck. “I’ll do what I can here.” Daren wipes away a tear that runs down Buffy’s cheek. “Go on. I’ll do what can.” Buffy nods as she walks out the door.
~~~ Somewhere in Sunnydale ~~~
Spike runs through the graveyard and leaps over the high wall to reach his mausoleum home. Spike kicks the door open. Clem jumps as the door comes crashing in. “Spike, hey I didn’t know you were back in town. Where yea been?” the droopy skinned demon asked popping a cheese puff into his mouth. “Listen Clem, if that bitch Buffy shows up tell her you haven’t seen me and that you didn’t even know you I was back in town.” Spike turns to leave then turns back “And Clem, if you fuck this up I will tear your throat out.” Spike turns back around and walks out.
~~~~ Buffy’s House ~~~
Daren kneels before dawn’s body with his hand over the holes in her throat. He begins whispering a chant as his hand begins to glow. The bite marks begin to close slowly. Dawn stirs as the blood she lost is magically put back into her body. Daren takes his hand away as dawn’s eyes open. “Dawn, are you alright?” Daren asks leaning over dawn. Dawn reaches up wrapping her arms around Daren’s neck and kisses him. Daren pulls back looking at dawn. “Why don’t I take you upstairs and let you rest.” Dawn looks down ashamed. Daren picks her up and carries her up the to her room. Dawn climbs into her bed as Daren gets ready to leave the room “Wait, Daren..I….” Daren turns around “You won’t tell buffy will you?” Daren smiles and shakes his head. “No. it’ll be our little secret.” Daren leans down and kisses dawns forehead gently then walks down the stairs.
~~~ The Next Morning ~~~
The summer’s house is quite and still as all the residents are a sleep. All except Daren who is sitting out on the front porch drinking a cup of coffee. Xander comes walking up the front walk and sits next to Daren. “Hey man.” “Morning X, how’s it going?” xander nods. “Not bad. Listen Daren I know that you and Buffy have a thing…but just be good to her. Please. And I know we go way back, but if you hurt her…..” xander shakes his head.
Daren nods. “Its cool man. I really care about her and willow.” Xander looks at Daren confused. “What?” Daren nods. “Willow and I slept together that summer we went out.”
Daren goes back to his coffee. Xander’s face turns red. “You guys slept together, like in the same bed right….?” Daren shakes his head “No like we had sex man. I really loved her and she really loved me. Why are you acting so surprised?” Daren sips his coffee again. “She never told me. I can’t believe she didn’t tell me.” Xander shakes his head. “Christ X it wasn’t really your business to know.” Xander stands in anger “So you just come back here to Sunnydale and drop this bomb on me that you slept with my best friend and now your sleeping with Buffy! You….I…..Fuck!” xander storms off as the front door opens and Tara steps out wearing a t-shirt and shorts. Tara watches xander storming off and then sits next to Daren “What happened with xander?” Daren shrugs “He doesn’t like hearing the truth.” Tara looks around the quite Morning Street and then turns her attention back to Daren. “Listen Daren, do you want to go for coffee today?” Daren sets his cup down on the step in front of him. “sounds good Tara.” he stands and stretches. Daren’s choice in clothing this morning are similar to his clothes from the previous morning. “You really enjoy going around without your shirt on don’t you?” Tara asks with a smirk on her face.
Daren smiles. “Hey, why not.” Daren squats down and picks up his cup. Willow appears in the doorway looking at her lover and best friend. “What you guys doing out here?” she asks still half asleep Tara turns around looking up at willow who is dressed in similar clothes as her own. “Daren and I are going out for coffee today what are you gonna do?” willow scratches her head “not sure.” Willows face suddenly lights up “Oh! Buffy and I are going to have a girls day out.” Willow nods. Daren stands placing his coffee cup on the side of the porch wall. Tara slowly stands and the three go into the house.
~~~ Later at the Coffee Shop ~~~
Daren and Sit across from each other at one of the high tables talking and drinking coffee. “I know you’re an adult Daren, but I’m sure that all that caffeine isn’t good for you.” Daren nods “Probably not, but oh well. Anyway, what were you asking me?” Tara stops for a moment then remembers “Oh, the tattoo on your back, who designed it?” Daren smiles and laughs a bit. “Willow drew it for me as a design. It’s a friendship symbol. Basically it’s a really complicated version of the sign for infinity and both our names are woven into the design, and let me tell you this hurt worse than anything I have ever felt.” Tara nods “how long did it take? The tattoo I mean.” Daren runs his hand through his hair. “about five hours for just the outlining. And maybe six or seven more for the filling in. I couldn’t sleep on my back for close to a month. and the only way I could get around was to ride my bike. I have to admit that it was painful but it was a labor of love.” Daren takes a long drink form his coffee as Tara nods. “I know about you and willow and your relationship when you guys were in high school. All I want to know is why you broke up?” Daren try’s not to choke on his coffee as Tara speaks. He sets the cup down. “ I loved willow. I still love willow. Things just became different. Something changed. Maybe it was because she still had strong feelings for xander. I’m not sure.”
~~~ A little Café across town ~~~
“So what did you and Daren do yesterday. You were gone for some time.” Buffy eyes willow carefully as she chews the piece of lettuce in her mouth. “Will your might nosey. But I suppose I could tell you.” Buffy smirks as willow leans forward a little in her chair.
“Well when I came home we……never mind.” Buffy says noticing the slight look of sadness that crosses willows face. “we went for a ride around town. Then we drove down the highway and there was this beautiful field that we sat and just enjoyed the beauty of.”
Willow rolls her eyes “Come on Buffy, I’m not dawn. What really happened.” Buffy smirks.
“alright. We had some “Fun” while we were at my house then we went out to the field. We came back so I could patrol then we found dawn. It’s amazing what Daren can do he completely healed dawn and brought back Tara. And remember how bad his lip looked after spike punched him? It was healed when we were out in the field.” Buffy takes another bite of her salad. Willow smiles “Yeah I have to admit that I missed him while he was gone. You know that tattoo he has? I designed it for him and he told me in an email that he spent at least twelve hours to have it put on. He told me the pain was so bad that it was blinding sometimes.” Willow reaches out for her soda and takes a sip. “wow. You guys weren’t even going out anymore and he still went throughout twelve hours of torture for you. Its so sweet.” Willow nods. “You know Buffy you’re really luck to have Daren. He’s probably the best guy out there for you.” “you really think so will?” willow nods smiling
“I know so. He was the perfect guy for me. Well until I wasn’t into guys anymore.”
~~~ The Coffee Shop ~~~
“You’re one of the most amazing men I know Daren. What you did for me was amazing and what you did for Dawn…. And your story….I don’t know what to say.” Daren simply sits in silence. Daren and Tara leave the coffee shop in silence and both stay silent until they reach Buffy’s house.
~~~ Buffy’s House ~~~
Dawn sits in the living room talking to xander and confessing her crush and “accidental” kiss she stole the previous night. ‘I can’t believe this! He took willow from me, and then Buffy and now Dawn has a crush on him. What the hell! He’s not that great!’ the front door opens and Tara walks in followed by Daren. “Hi xander, Hey Dawnie.” Tara says as she walks into the living room. “Hey X, what’s going on.” Daren says closing the front door. “Can I speak to you out side Daren?” Daren nods and goes out to porch to wait for xander. “So Tara how was you day with Daren?” dawn asks with the most interest she’s ever shown anything. “Oh,” Tara says sitting next to dawn on the couch. “He told me all about his tattoo’s and” “what about his tattoo’s!?” Tara rolls her eyes. “well the one his back willow designed and it’s a symbol of their infinite friendship. And the one on his arm he designed for himself. He said that the tattoo on his back took twelve hours all together to ink and outline….” Tara is cut off by a loud crash on the front porch. Dawn opens the curtains enough to see Daren standing over Xander “Oh no! dawn cried as she jumps from the couch. “Wait Dawn!” Tara says as she follows dawn.
~~~ The Front Porch ~~~
“What X! What is your problem Huh? What happened, happened. Get a grip.” Xander stands and punches Daren in the jaw sending Daren falling backward down the stairs.
“My problem? You want to know my problem! My problem is guy’s like you! You come in and you just take what you want then leave. You took willow from me and now you take Buffy! But why should I be surprised by buffy, she sleeps with anything, living or dead.” Daren stands and spits blood out of his mouth. “Come on Xander. Lets go.” Xander jumps off the porch toward Daren. Daren dodges and nails Xander in the nose with a right hook. “Stop it both of you!” Tara cries while Daren sits on Xander’s chest getting ready to pound his face in. Tara grabs Daren off of xander and dawn helps xander off the ground. Both men’s faces are cut and bleeding. Tara steps out between Daren and Xander “Just stop!” Daren wipes the blood from his lip and smiles “X, I got to admit you some aim.” Dawn grabs xander around the waist to hold him back “Yeah I’ll show you aim!” Buffy and willow appear just in time as xander breaks away from dawn and charges Daren. Buffy grabs xander and throws him to the ground. “Siding with your boyfriend huh, fine. Its obvious that I’m not wanted here.” Xander spits blood out onto the lawn as he walks off toward his apartment. “Daren what the hell happened?” Buffy asks as Daren helps dawn off the ground. “Xander can’t handle that I’ve been there for you and willow when he wasn’t. He hates me.” Daren touches his split left eyebrow and checks his right to make sure the post is still in place. “He hates that I’ve done what he hasn’t. He loves you Buffy, he just cant accept that he will never be your lover.” Daren wipes his fist against his lip and brushes the dust off of his shirt.
~~~ Later ~~~
Buffy and Daren walk through the graveyard talking about the fist fight Daren and Xander had earlier in the afternoon. “Daren, I don’t know what to do. Xander is never acts like that. Are you sure it’s a good idea to move back here to Sunnydale?” Daren stops. “Buffy, I love you. And I want to be here with you but…I can take care of my self. If Xander wants another fight then I’m ready for him. But if its you who wants me gone then just tell me.” Buffy looks down then looks Daren in the eyes. “Daren, I love you too and I want you stay here in Sunnydale but……I don’t want you hurt. Spike doesn’t like you and will do anything to get to me. And now that Xander seems to hate you…I…..” Buffy begins crying. Daren wraps his arms around Buffy. Buffy slides her arms around Daren’s back as she pulls closer to her love. “Buffy!” Xander calls out as he crosses the graveyard. “You think this is over?” xander moves closer toward Daren and Buffy. “You know something Daren. I don’t like you. At all. I hate you in fact.” xander draws a 9mm from his side and shoots Daren. Daren hits the ground with a sickening “thud”.
Xander turns and runs out in panic out of the graveyard.
“Daren, can you hear me?” Buffy ask through the tears that are pouring down her face. She raises Daren’s head and holds her hand over the bullet wound in his chest. “Help! Anyone! Help Please!” Buffy lowers her head onto Daren’s chest. His shirt is wet with blood and tears. “Help! He’s been shot!” “Hey, Jesus what happened!” Clem the bumbling droopy skinned demon asks as he runs over to Buffy. “He’s…”Buffy completely breaks down. Clem looks around “Hang on.” Clem runs off toward spikes car. “Come on Buffy, I can take him to the hospital. Lets go.” Clem helps Buffy get into the backseat with Daren.
“Call the hospital Clem, let them know that were coming.” Buffy continues crying as Clem dials the hospital.
~~~ At the Hospital ~~~
Willow, Tara, Buffy and Dawn all sit in the waiting room crying waiting for the doctors to tell them of Daren’s condition. The doctor finally appears looking grave. “Ms. Summers?”
Buffy rises wiping her eyes. “H-how is he?” the doctor takes his glasses off. “He’ll survive. He could have been killed. Had the shooter been a better shot your friend would have died. He was saved by this.” The doctor shows Buffy the jagged remains of Daren’s good luck charm. “If he had not been wearing this he would have been killed. How is he related to you Miss. Summers?” “He’s my boyfriend.” The doctor nods. “He’s very lucky.” The doctor turns around and begins to head back to the ER when “Doctor, can we see him?” the doctor turns around. “Yes you may.” Buffy waves to the others and they follow Buffy and the doctor. As Buffy and the group reach Daren’s room the nurse turns to Buffy. “I’m sorry but only two of you can go in.” willow steps forward. “Dawn why don’t you and Tara go get something to drink.” Willow pats dawns shoulder. “Come on Dawnie.” Tara says as she steers dawn toward the soda machine.
~~~ Daren’s Room ~~~
Buffy and willow draw close to Daren’s bed. An I.V. drip runs out of Daren’s left arm.
“Daren?” willow whispers. Daren’s eyes slowly open. “Oh god Daren.” Willow begins crying again as she reaches out for Daren’s hand. “Wi…. Willow. I…I’m…all right. Than…. Thanks…t…. To….y…ou….” willow begins crying harder “Hey will its alright. Go on.” Buffy says leading willow out. Buffy goes back to Daren’s side and sits in the near by chair. Daren raises his hand and Buffy grasps it. “I love you Daren….” Buffy says crying again.
~~~ The Waiting Room ~~~
Tara is trying to comfort dawn. “You don’t understand Tara. Last night before spike attacked me, when I went home I laid down for a quick nap.” Tara wipes tears from dawn’s face. “I dreamed I was with Daren in a field. And he was shot. I saw him die in my dream.” Dawn buries her face in Tara’s shoulder. Willow sits down next to dawn and try’s to keep herself together. “What’s wrong willow?” Tara asks wiping a tear from her own eye. “He….he said I saved him…….” Willow then shows Tara the disfigured pendant that saved Daren. “That’s……..”Tara goes silent.
~~~ Daren’s Room ~~~
Buffy brushes Daren’s hair out of his face and kisses him on the forehead. “I have to go.” Daren simply nods. “I’ll be back tomorrow.” Buffy gets up and leaves.
TBC…
"Good god thats alot of shake, I I mean I know that this is our shake and movie day but..........good god thats a lot of shake!"
Tara Mclay
:Willow and 
!!!!!!!!!!!! 