The Ties That Bind

The Present


The scene flashed through Buffy’s mind when she saw the unmistakable figure standing on her porch.

“Mary Catherine!” Dawn exclaimed with a smile.

“ 'Ello luv.” Mary said, her face expressionless. Then she turned and nodded at the slayer. “Buffy. Where is he?”

“On his way here.” Buffy answered.

“Just tell him he needs to call the council, immediately.” Mary said.

“Tell him yourself.” Buffy said motioning down the street to where Anya and Giles had appeared. The girl raised an eyebrow but didn’t say anything.

When they were in hearing range she moved to the sidewalk. “Call the council, they’ve been trying to contact you. They need you, now.”

“What is it?” He asked and Buffy noticed he wouldn’t meet his daughter’s eyes. She wasn’t surprised; she’d nearly flinched when she met the coldness contained in the once cheerful orbs. It didn’t seem directed at anyone in particular but more to the world in general.

“Trouble. They need everyone working on it.”

“Then why did they send you? You’re one of the most competent people there.” Giles asked.

“Because they had to spare someone to come and since I know the area I was the only logical choice. What? You think I volunteered, I never wanted to see this bloody place again. There’s a flight out tomorrowningning. I left you a ticket under Buffy’s door, I’ll see you at the airport?” She asked and when he nodded she turned back to the slayer and her sister. “It was good seeing you both.” With those words she turned on her heel and walked to the car she had rented.

“What happened to her Giles?” Buffy asked.

“She’s so cold.” Dawn said.

“She’s been like this since she left here the last time. She just closed up. Travers went so far as to call me and asked what had happened. Did she say anything to you?”

Both girls shook their heads.

“Did she tell you anything at all when you got home?” Dawn asked.

“Not a word.” Giles said.

“She’s in pain. A broken heart.” Anya said.

“But she wasn’t seeing anyone. She told me she didn’t have time when she was in England.” Buffy said.

“I’m just telling you what I feel.” Anya stated. “I’m going to get going Xander and Willow will be here soon.”

“Thank you for your help, Anya.” Giles said.

“I’ll be around if you need me.” The demon said.

“Thanks.” Buffy said with a smile.

Anya nodded slightly then turned to make her way to her apartment.

“How are you feeling?” Dawn asked Giles.

“I’ll be alright. Let’s go inside, shall we?”

Once they were seated in the living room Giles’ thoughts turned back to Mary.

“Do you remember Mary acting strangely before she left?” The watcher asked.

“Yeah, she seemed a little down but no where near how she’s acting now. She did sort of leave out of nowhere though.” Buffy said.

“One day it was almost like she was ready to settle down here and the next she couldn’t wait to get away.” Dawn added.

“Well she said the council needed her.” Buffy said.

“But they didn’t. I called Travers the day she left to see if there was anything I could do for them but they said they hadn’t contacted her for anything important. I didn’t think anything of it at the time.”

“Do you think she met someone here?” Dawn asked.

“It would seem that way.”

“How have you two been getting along since you went back?” Buffy asked.

“Good, I suppose. We work well together but she won’t let me get any closer than that. I let her know if she needed to talk I was there but I didn’t want to pry. I don’t think I’ve earned that right yet.”

“You will.” Buffy said with a soft smile.

“If she’ll let me.” Giles said.

“There’s Willow and Xander.” Dawn said pointing out the window. A moment later the door open and the tired duo stumbled in. Willow’s hair and eyes had returned to their normal coloring and her faced was streaked with dirt and tears.

She looked up at Buffy, Dawn, and Giles then fell to her knees. “I’m so sorry. I’m so very sorry.” The girl sobbed.

Buffy moved forward and sat down next to Willow, enveloping the woman in a hug.

“It’s ok Will. Everything is going to be ok.” Buffy whispered clutching her best friend tightly.

“Can you ever forgive me?” Willow asked her eyes moving to each person in the room.

“Of course.” Buffy said and every one else nodded. “You should get some rest, Will. Dawn can you help her upstairs.” Buffy helped Willow to her feet then watched as Dawn led her up the steps.

“This was by the door.” Xander said handing Buffy the ticket Mary had left.

“Here.” Buffy said handing it to Giles. “She wrote down where she was staying.”

“Who?” Xander asked.

“It seems the council is having a crisis. They couldn’t get a hold of me so they sent Mary Catherine to find me.” Giles said.

“You remember Giles’ daughter, right?” Buffy asked.

“I remember.” Xander whispered shaking his head.


TBC