The Song Remembers When
Chapter Forty-Five
RATING: PG-13
COUPLING: Buffy/Riley Willow/Graham
SUMMARY: A/U - Riley has left Buffy, and this is 10 years into the
future.
DISCLAIMER: All BtVS characters belong to the wonderfully talented
mind of Joss Whedon. However Karin does own Riley's daughters and Sam the
nanny, Nicole and Steve Bishop.
FEEDBACK: Pretty, pretty please! We really hate to beg, but will.
SPOILERS: All of Season 5, and our own little universe.
AUTHOR'S NOTES: 1) Thank you Amy who is Beta'ing this for us.
2) To all the wonderful authors out there who inspire us, thank you for challenging us everyday. Thank everyone who finds the time to send us feedback!
Graham was standing outside Evan’s room as Riley came around the corner. For some reason unknown to him, Riley almost seemed to be floating. It was as if he’d suddenly found a sliver lining in all this, or maybe he’d finally cracked under the strain.
“You okay?” Graham asked cautiously, wondering if the Psych ward here carried adult sized straightjackets.
“Sure. I mean considering everything that’s happening I don’t feel suicidal. Why?” Riley said simply.
“You seem to be smiling.” Graham shrugged, maybe he was the one needing help.
“I am.” Riley’s grin got even bigger.
“And why would that be? Your daughter has been kidnapped, your son will die if he doesn’t get the marrow, Buffy has moved out of the house, Willow’s stalker is still out there and our New Orleans mission has just hit a major glitch. So what’s worth the smile?” He demanded.
“It stopped snowing.” Riley shrugged. “Hell, Gray, I don’t know why I’m smiling, I just figured it was better than walking around growling at people like I’ve been. Plus, Evan doesn’t need to see me so manic.”
“You’re nuts you know that?” Gray shook his head.
“Yeah I’m teetering on the edge between sanity. I’m gonna go sit with Ev, wanna join me?” He said, placing a hand on the door.
“Nah, I just poked my head in to see how he’s doing.” Graham said, shoving his hands in his pocket.
“Anything new from the FBI in the last 20 minutes or so?” Riley said to the door. He needed to keep the smile on his face… he needed to for Evan. He couldn’t have Evan realizing they were running out of time. Good lord, he hoped they still had time.
“Nothing, they’re still checking every truck rental place from Mexico to the Canadian border, but nothing.”
“If there’s anything…”
“I’ll let you know immediately. I’m gonna go check on Willow. She’s still being guarded in the waiting room. I think it’s time we give poor Parker a raise, the crap he’s had to put up with today.” Graham laughed, thinking of his feisty girlfriend.
“Is she speaking to you yet?”
“Just the occasional grunt. She’s mad I have a bodyguard on her, but can you blame me? I’d prefer she waited back at Casa Finn, but there’s no way she’s gonna do that.” Graham sighed, redheads were so stubborn!
“Give her a hug for me…that’s if she’ll let you near her.” Riley teased, before disappearing into Evan’s room.
Taking a deep breath, Graham pushed off the wall and headed back down the hall toward Willow. Nodding at Parker, he entered the room to see Willow flaked out on the couch, a script in her lap, but her eyes closed. Neither was really good at waiting, but what choice did they have? Until they heard some news, there was nothing either of them could do but wait around, and be supportive friends. Graham didn’t like the inactivity; he was the action guy, the head of the investigation, the guy who barked out orders, the undeniable leader. But not this time, they were all just a little too emotionally involved to think clearly. That’s why he opted to stay in the background and let the FBI run the investigation- wait until he was needed, and it was killing him.
Graham leaned back in his chair and started to drift off to sleep. This was also something he’d learn to do from past experience, not from his time spent with the military but when he was in college. If you got bored you slept, even if you were in class.
*Good thing Rye always took good notes, I would’ve flunked without him.*
He was just slipping into a dream, the one where he and Willow were skinny-dipping in Riley’s pool.
*Hmmm, she’s so easy to slide into when she’s wet.*
Graham’s head snapped up when he heard his cell phone ring loudly. He was dazed by the loud noise and momentarily at a loss as to where he was.
"Miller." He almost shouted into the phone.
"Graham, its Rebecca." The voice on the other end of the line said. She knew by the startled way Graham had answered the phone, that he must’ve been grabbing a catnap. Normally Rebecca would’ve laughed and teased him about it, but this wasn’t the time for that.
"Becca, hi." He answered, as he rubbed the sleep from his eyes.
"We just got a call from the police lab about that little Christmas present that Willow got."
Graham sat up straight and looked over at Willow who was now also awake, thumbing through a six-month-old issue of "People Magazine". When had she woken up? She’d been asleep when he sat down. Or maybe the question should have been, how long had he been asleep?
He stood up and walked several feet away so that Willow wouldn’t overhear the conversation. "Yeah, what did they find out?" He asked.
"Forensics’ did confirm with L.A. that it was the dagger used in the attack in Willow’s bedroom."
"And?" Graham closed his eyes and sighed, knowing there was more coming from the way Rebecca had taken a deep breath. In all their years working together not only had he learned to count on Rebecca in difficult situations, but also they’d learned to reach each other. She would have made a wonderful addition in his personal life, if a) his heart hadn’t belonged to a particular little redhead, and b) she wasn’t a married mother of two.
"And the blood on it wasn’t human, its pig’s blood, just like the blood found at her home.”
There was a pause on Rebecca’s side of the line. Graham knew there was something else, something that she wasn’t sure how to tell him.
"Becca, what is it?" Graham asked, unconsciously starting to pace. He could hear her take a deep breath before answering.
"They discovered where the tombstone had been mailed from." Rebecca looked down at the report that was handed to her, just minutes before she called him.
Graham stopped his pacing and he looked again over to his girlfriend. Willow was still reading her magazine or at least he hoped she was still reading the magazine.
"Where?" He demanded.
"Here in Boston. It was dropped off at UPS’s central office the day before they delivered it to the house."
"Does anyone remember who dropped it off?" Graham reached for his holster, just to make sure the gun in the back of his pants was still there.
"No, that’s the problem." She answered. "That was one of the heaviest days for shipping. There were over 500 people there that day, trying to ship out packages. It would’ve been impossible for anyone to remember who brought that package in."
“Is there a video?” Graham said, thinking out loud.
“I already thought of that….”
“And?” Graham interrupted.
“I made arrangements with the Boston police to send someone over to pick it up. They’re gonna have it broken down into individual screen caps so Willow can see if she can identify anyone.”
“Good work, Becca.” Graham exhaled.
“Figured you’d all be too busy dealing with Jordy’s kidnapping and all to worry about the video. Any word on that or Evan?”
“Nothing, we‘re still hoping the FBI will find a trace of her and the kidnappers.”
“Um…do you want me to send over a few other agents to do surveillance at the hospital? I mean if this guy’s in Boston, he may know about Jordan’s kidnapping and Willow being at the hospital.”
"So the stalker is in town." Graham said, his brain quickly moved into overdrive and his pacing quickened in response.
"Yeah, he is and there’s no telling how long he’s been here." She answered, “ I’ve contacted all unassigned agents in the Boston office and they’re combing everything they can think of for possible leads. Some are checking arrivals from L.A. who came in during the last three weeks. I have agents assigned to all the transportation networks, Jones is checking "Greyhound", Rivers "Amtrack" and Conner, Brown, and Davidson are checking all the airlines."
"Becca, I don’t know what I’d do without you." Graham said. *Note to self, send Becca and John out on the town, my compliments.*
"Becca, have the number of agents at Riley’s doubled. I want them patrolling the grounds around the clock and they’re to carry tazers, not guns, got it? With the kids and Rye’s guests around I don’t want someone accidentally getting shot."
"I’m on it."
"Also, anytime one of the cars leaves the house, I want back up. No car is to leave unescorted, understand?"
"Got it."
"Good and with any luck, we’ll catch this bastard before he strikes again." Graham said, pausing momentarily in his pacing.
"Gray?"
"Yeah?" He answered.
"Stop your pacing before you wear a hole in the floor, okay?" Rebecca said, trying to make the moment a little lighter.
"Okay, stopped. I’ve stopped pacing." He answered, still pacing.
"No, you haven’t." She could hear his footsteps as he stepped from the carpet to the concrete floor and back again.
"Bye, Becca."
"Bye, Gray."
Graham snapped his cell phone shut. The bastard was in town. He probably had been watching their every move, just waiting for the perfect moment to strike.
*Hell he could be watching the hospital right this moment.*
Graham looked around at the faces of the staff members and visitors walking into and out of the room. Any one of them could be Willow’s crazed stalker. Graham quickly looked over and saw a young man walk up to Willow. Someone he’d never seen before. Graham, with horror, saw the man start to reach into the pocket of his jacket. Graham was going to spring into action and jump the young man.
Graham was going to shout his warning to Willow, but he was too late. Almost in slow motion, Graham watched as the man reached into his pocket, all the while talking to Willow, and pull out a pen and piece of paper.
"Why of course I’d be happy to give your little girl an autograph." Willow said sweetly. "And her name?"
"Sarah, Miss Rosenburg. You don’t know how much this’ll mean to her, you’re one of her most favorite movie stars." The man gushed.
Willow smiled and wrote a short message on the paper and signed it. Handing it back to the young beaming father, she said. "You tell Sarah especially for me, that I would like to meet her, okay?"
"Thank you Miss Rosenburg, I will. Thank you." He answered turning to go, a very happy man.
Graham made the decision. Willow could no longer put her life into danger like she has been.
Walking back over and sitting in a chair opposite Willow’s, Graham started making his demands. Graham took her hands into his so as to direct her attention to him. "Will, honey, I think it would be better if you didn’t come to the hospital after today."
"Why?" She asked confused.
"Because, there’s no real need. All we do is sit around waiting for news and you could do that at home." He explained.
"But I promised Buffy that I’d be here for her." She explained.
"Do you see her? Is she asking for you? Sweetheart, Buffy left with Lindsey to go to dinner. It would be better if you were at home, if she needs you she can talk to you there. I’ll set up a phone for her."
"Graham I think I should..."
"No!" He insisted. "You shouldn’t be here Willow, it’s too dangerous."
Willow’s eyes flew open. "Why would you say that, Gray?"
"Because...because you’re exposed to the public here." He tried to explain without sounding like he was pleading with her.
"I’m always exposed to the public, that’s one of the risks of being a movie star. I *have* no privacy, my life’s open for everyone to see." She said, standing up to walk away from him.
Graham quickly followed her and grabbed her arm, turning her to face him, "And that’s why I want you safe at home, away from prying eyes, away from people who could hurt you, away..."
"No, Gray, I’m not going to become a recluse just because you don’t like people looking at me. I would never have figured you for a jealous man." She said, pulling her arm out of his hand.
“I’m not jealous!” Graham demanded. How could she honestly think he was the jealous type? Okay, totally overprotective, but never jealous.
"I’m not leaving and I’m not going to become a recluse just because you want me to. Do you hear me? I promised Buffy I’d be here for her and I’m going stay here for her. And that’s it! No argument, it’s over. Got it?" She answered, turning away from him and walking purposefully away.
Graham could only watch her storm out of sight, with Parker hot on her heels. Sighing, Gray dropped into the chair. He could’ve told her the reason why he didn’t want her there, but he’d seen her panic enough. Graham just had to get his resolve together and try to shield her without her knowledge.
Willow stormed down the hall with Agent Parker close behind her. Stopping suddenly, she turned to glare at him.
“What do you want?” She demanded, her hands resting on her hips.
“Nothing. ma’am, I’m just doing my job.” He blinked in shock at her temper. This was America’s sweetheart glaring at him, not in a million years had he imagined she’d have a temper.
“Then can you do it else where?”
“I’m sorry. Ms. Rosenberg…”
“Willow! My name is Willow.” She snapped, but then realizing that she sounded like some Hollywood diva, she smiled as she finished in her normal voice.
“Willow, according to Graham, Riley said I’m to accompany you everywhere, regardless of your objections.” Parker said, looking her straight in the in the eye.
“This is Riley’s doing and not Graham’s?” Willow asked, slightly taken back by the younger man’s confession.
“Well Graham wants you safe too, but it was Riley’s orders wanting me to be your body guard.”
“Oh… and here I was thinking it was Graham. Look uh…”
“Agent Parker.”
“Agent Parker, I need a little space right now. So if you’re gonna be following me, at least let me buy you a coffee in the cafeteria.”
“Sure.” The younger man returned her smile.
“And can you sit like two tables over so I can pretend to be by my self for a bit?” She asked stepping into the elevator with the tall man by her side.
“I’ll see what I can do.” He nodded.
The elevator ride was brutal because all she really wanted was to be alone. She needed time to process everything that had been happening the last few days. Aside from all the stuff with Jordan and Evan, she was dealing with Buffy and Riley fighting, trying to keep the respective grandparents calm…and now Graham was all freaked out being the jealous overprotective boyfriend.
Getting off the elevator, she looked at Parker one last time before entering the large, brightly lit cafeteria.
“Two tables.” She reminded him.
“We’ll see.” The man smiled, allowing Willow to enter before him.
Willow walked into the cafeteria still very upset with Graham for making demands on her and ordering her to stay at the house. It was so unlike him to try something like this!
"Who gave him the God damn right to tell me what to do? Nobody gives Willow Rosenburg orders, *nobody*." She fumed, picking up a cup and saucer and walking over to the coffee dispenser. Looking over her shoulder, her shadow was two steps behind her. It was times like this that she needed something to occupy her hands and mind. She thought drinking a cup of coffee was just the thing, it was safe…well it would be if Graham didn’t follow her and she felt compelled to throw the hot liquid at him.
She momentarily visualized the cup being hurled at him and it bouncing off the top of his head. Willow couldn’t help but grin and start to laugh, drawing stares from the few people whom occupied various tables. She sat down at a nearby vacant table and proceeded to pick up the cup and blow on the liquid, trying to cool it down a little.
"Anyone sitting here?" She heard a familiar voice coming from her left. Willow looked up and saw Kevin standing there, also holding a cup in his hand.
Willow smiled up at him and waved her hand toward the empty seat. "Please, be my guest."
Kevin pulled out the chair and sat down. He wondered why she was sitting there alone. "So where’s Tall, Dark and Silent, I thought you two were attached at the hip?"
"He and I sort of had a disagreement, but I do have my own personal shadow.” Willow answered, looking over at Parker to give him a little wave.
Kevin cocked an eyebrow. "Do you want to talk about it or would you rather tell me it’s none of my business?"
Willow sat her cup down and crossed her hands in front of her. "No, I don’t mind."
"What happened?" He asked, taking a sip of his coffee and then setting his cup down.
"Well, Graham started getting upset with me for no particular reason. I mean, I didn’t *do* anything wrong that I know of. I was just sitting in a chair and signing an autograph." Willow explained, as if Kevin wouldn’t understand what it was like being in the public eye.
"It’s something that I’m expected to do, its part of my job, and if he can’t understand that...if he’s jealous of my fame or my fans..."
Kevin placed his hand over hers. "Willow, I don’t think that’s it. Gray isn’t that petty. If he’s jealous, it would be aimed at someone specific, like Russell Crowe."
Willow smiled at his reference to her ex. "Yes, I’ve seen a little of that come out."
Kevin quickly figured Graham must have let the green-eyed monster slip out on an occasion. "What did he say to you?"
"He thought I shouldn’t come to the hospital." She answered, shrugging her shoulders.
"What? And tell me what you said when he told you that?" Kevin asked with curiosity.
‘I told him that I wanted to be here for Buffy’s sake, in case she wanted someone to lean on or talk to." She went on to add. "Kevin, Graham knew all along that I wanted to be here for Evan’s transplant."
Kevin nodded; he could understand that. "And what did he tell you?"
Willow thought for a moment. "That so far Buffy hadn’t needed me, so why stay here? He told me, if Buffy wanted to talk to me she could call me at home, and that I was wasting my time sitting around the hospital and doing nothing."
Kevin took another sip of coffee and noticed that his had started to get cold. He looked down at her cup and noticed it was empty.
"Can I get you another cup?" He asked, standing up and holding his own.
Willow nodded and handed it to him. "Yes, thank you."
Kevin walked over to the coffee dispenser and filled both cups. Coming back, they continued.
"What was Gray doing before he confronted you?" He asked.
Willow thought a moment. She remembered his cell phone had rung while he dozed in the chair. She didn’t say anything to Graham because it would’ve embarrassed him, but she thought it was cute how his head lulled back against the chair and he started to snore like a buzz saw. Some of the hospital staff started to laugh when they looked over and saw him.
"He got a telephone call, I remember. It was Rebecca. I don’t think he wanted to bore me with it, so he got up and walked a few feet away so he could talk."
Kevin listened while she continued on with her story. There was more to this than just Graham being upset with her about meeting and greeting fans.
"Do you remember if he was pacing?" Kevin asked, picturing Graham’s actions.
"Graham always paces." Willow answered.
Kevin shook his head. "No, Will, I’ve known Gray for 15 years, and I’ve gotten good at reading him. He only paces when there’s a reason for it. It’s a way for him to relieve stress."
She leaned in and looked him straight in the eye. "Do you think that phone call had something to do with his sudden demands?"
"I can’t swear to it, Will, but it *could* have something to do with it. Graham doesn’t just start making demands out of left field for no apparent reason."
Willow lifted her coffee cup and took another sip.
"So what do you suggest I do?" Willow asked, now curious as to her boyfriend’s actions.
Kevin patted her on the hand and reassured her. "I’d cut him a little slack if I were you, Will. Everyone’s tense and Gray’s feeling pretty useless right now. I’m sure he’ll let you know soon enough what’s really bothering him." After a moment, Kevin chuckled. "Either that, or enjoy him trying to make up for getting you mad."
Willow got a dreamy look on her face just picturing the two of them in their room and Graham trying to plead for her forgiveness. "Yeah, making up could be something good."
Kevin laughed out loud, knowing where her mind was heading.
Willow stood up and thanked him for being a good listener.
"Hey, no problem. Any time one of the most beautiful movie stars in Hollywood asks for my advice, I consider it an honor." He said, standing up in response to her rising.
She asked if he was going back to the waiting room and he answered ‘no’. He told her he needed to call the ‘Old Man’.
“Yo, Parker, we’re movin’ out!” Willow called to her bodyguard, but she’d failed to notice the man was now standing directly behind her.
Willow walked out of the cafeteria very impressed. It wasn’t often she got personal advice from a person who gave personal advice to the President of the United States.
Kevin watched Willow and Parker walk away. As soon as they were out of sight, he pulled out his cell phone and punched in a telephone number. After two rings, he heard the voice he wanted to hear.
"Miller."
"Graham, its Kevin. You have 30 seconds to get your butt down to the cafeteria. I want to know what Becca told you."
"Is Willow there?" Graham asked.
"No, she and her shadow just left." He answered.
Kevin could hear Graham sigh with relief. "Good, I need someone to talk to...we have a situation, Kevin."
"What?" Kevin asked, sitting down and leaning back in his chair to help him stretch out his tall frame.
"Will’s stalker is in town."
"Shit! Have you told Rye?" Kevin asked, again sitting bolt upright. This was all his younger brother needed to cause his full plate to overflow.
"No, only you." He answered.
"Good, we’ll keep it that way for a while. Come on down here and tell me exactly what you’ve heard."
"I’ll be right there." Graham said, before hanging up.
Kevin shut off his cell phone and slipped it into his pocket. Now was the time for another RAGE consultant to go into action. Getting up, he moved back to the coffee bar and poured two fresh coffees, then paid for them. By the time he was sitting back down, Graham came through the double doors. Spotting Graham, Kevin waved him over.
"Gray, I'm here for you, so start talking." Kevin said, sliding a cup of coffee in front of Graham.
"It's like I told you, the stalker's here in town. All evidence points to it."
"Are you sure?"
"Kev, take my word for it, I'm sure." Graham sighed wearily. At the moment all he wanted to do was crawl into bed with Willow tucked safely into his arms, and pull the blanket up over both of them.
"She was really upset." Kevin said, watching the snow fall onto the patio outside.
"I flipped." Graham sighed dropping his head into his hands.
"Not a good thing to do, if you're trying *not* to upset her." Kevin said, turning back to look at Graham.
"I know, I know." Came Graham’s muffled reply.
"She's a smart one." Kevin surmised.
"Very, Kevin, I want to spare her any further...shit, I don't know what I'm trying to do, except keep her safe. I don't want anything happening to her, she's just reentered my life and all." Graham said dropping one hand into his lap, and the other through his short-cropped hair.
*Man, I miss my long hair when it comes to running my fingers through it!*
"Well, maybe you should talk to her."
"And upset her?" Graham sounded almost appalled by Kevin’s suggestion.
"Tell her about the risk she's facing and all being here. She may decide on her own it's better if she left." Kevin volunteered.
"This is Willow we‘re talking about here, she's super friend."
Kevin thought a moment. Gray was right- Willow was being the super friend. Then what could they do? Kevin started to laugh to himself, he had the perfect idea.
Graham saw Kevin's eyes light up. He knew that look- all the Finn brothers had it when they had a bright idea going.
"What?" Graham asked, looking curious.
"I got the perfect solution man. Willow will have a couple of body guards with her every time she steps out of the house." He answered grinning.
Graham shook his head. "There's no way she'd agree to that, you’ve seen her with Parker!"
Kevin picked up a salt shaker and looked at it in a distracted manner. " She doesn't have to know they're there with her. They'll be invisible."
Graham scoffed. "And how do you plan on doing that?"
Kevin put down the salt shaker and looked Graham in the eye. "I'll ask Chris to summon some spirits. I'll guarantee you they'll never leave Willow's side and they can protect her completely. Trust me on this, Gray, I've seen it done first hand and it works. Just think about it, who better to search out an area without being detected. If the stalker is nearby, they'll know about it and they'll keep Willow away."
Graham thought about it for a moment and then smiled. "Could work...it could actually work."
Kevin smiled knowingly back at his young friend. "Why do you think I never worry about the safety of my own family?"
Graham looked back at Kevin in astonishment. "You mean...that's how..."
"Uh, huh! Guardian angel overload." Kevin said.
"Shit!"
"Like I said, it works." Kevin smiled.
“I’m still not sure…” Graham said, looking around and wondering if he could sense Kevin’s guardians.
“Look, let’s head upstairs and you can ask Chris yourself. I swear it’s harmless and she’ll never know. I promise, scouts honor.” Kevin said holding up his hand and making the symbol.
“You weren’t a scout.” Graham grumbled.
“Nah, in Huxley it was the 4H Club, but same difference.” Kevin said, slapping Graham on the shoulder as they headed to the elevator.
Finding Chris in the solarium off the children’s ward, the men started explaining their concerns regarding Willow’s stalkers. Chris listened intently and then explained to Graham in simple terms what she would be doing. He looked at her a little skeptically, but he knew he could trust Chris and Kevin with Willow’s safety.
"So Chris, this will be short term, right?" Graham asked, suddenly feeling a little creeped out at having spirits following them constantly.
"Jess and Jenny will be temporary, don't worry, Casanova." Chris smiled knowingly at him.
"I don't mean cause of that!" Graham cracked when he noticed Kevin and Chris's smiles.
"It's I just feel like I'm going behind her back is all...." He shrugged his shoulders.
"You're protecting her." Chris said, her smile now gone.
"I know that, but can you imagine how angry she'll be if she finds out what we're doing. She may never forgive me for going behind her back, honesty is so important to her." Graham said, looking from Chris to Kevin.
"Sometimes we hide things from the people we love because it's for their own good. How do you think Dad would react if he knew?" Kevin offered as a simple explanation.
"Do you have one on all of us?" Graham asked, looking around the room.
"Only when I know you need it." Chris smiled at her surrogate little brother.
"I can take care of myself." He pouted
"Oh, and you trying to cut your hand off..."
"That was an accident."
"Yeah, the one day I told yours he could have the day off and *look* what happened." Chris smirked.
"You think you're so funny." Graham grumbled, as he watched Chris and Kevin laugh good natured at his expense.
"Usually." Chris giggled.
"Seriously, Gray, I can have a spirit protect you at all times, if you want." Chris said, raising an eyebrow. "Of course, you have to remember if I do, that means he's going to be at your side no matter *what* you're doing."
Blushing, Graham answered. "Ah, no thanks. I think I'll pass on the offer."
Kevin slapped him on the shoulder and laughed. "I thought so, that's why ours is stationed outside the house."
<>
Willow returned from the cafeteria with her shadow Parker close by her side. Though she’d just spent the last part of an hour grumbling about him, Parker was a decent enough guy and easy to talk to when she gave him a chance. He really didn’t seem that impressed with who she was, only that she had snagged Graham Miller off the market. As Parker had put it, with Graham off the market, it left more women in Boston for the other single guys.
“So you enjoy working for RAGE?” Willow asked.
“Best job I’ve had. Graham and Riley treat us like family, and honestly, Willow, it beats the army.” Parker replied seriously.
“So, I assume from the nature of this assignment and that you were hand picked, you know the real nature of RAGE?” Willow asked, hoping she wasn’t opening a huge can of worms if this young man had no idea.
“Yeah, I know. I was part of the revamped Initiative.” Parker nodded.
“Revamped is a bad pun, Mr. Parker.” Riley said, suddenly appearing in the doorway.
“Riley…I’m…I‘d better go.” Parker stammered, looking at his boss and former commanding officer.
“So ‘kay, Parker.” Riley slapped the young man on the shoulder as he flew past him.
“Still leaving ‘em shaking in their boots, huh?” Willow laughed.
“Nah, that’s Gray’s job, with me they don’t even have the nerve to shake.” He said, slumping gratefully into the couch next to Willow.
“You look like hell.” She said, taking his hand in hers, “When did you last sleep?”
“It’s overrated.” He sighed, rubbing his eyes.
“We need to talk, you.” She said, pointing a finger at him.
“Really, Wills, I’d don’t think I can stand fighting with you, too.” Riley said, looking at her finger in the middle of his chest.
“If you’re not careful you’re gonna lose her.” Willow said, looking at his tired, defeated face.
“Maybe its’ better that way.” He said, burying his face in his hands.
“How dare you say that! This is Buffy, the love of your life you’re talking about!” Willow practically shouted at him.
“Wills, please, not now.” He groaned.
“Why? Tell me why it’s for the best.” She demanded, smacking him in the head.
“Ouch! Because I can’t trust her.” He answered, as his head snapped up when Willow’s hand connected with his it.
“Honestly, Riley, you need some sense knocked into you!” Willow said, rubbing her hand she’d hit him with. Riley had a hard head.
“For Pete’s sake Willow, look what she did!” He said, rubbing his own head.
“And *what* did Buffy do that was so bad?” Willow asked.
"Buffy kept my son from me with McDonald's help, Willow." Riley whined.
"She's been using my daughters and me. The only reason she even cared about Jordan's disappearance was because she needed her to save Evan. How could I be so stupid to fall for all this? She said she loved me but I bet right now Lindsey and she are sitting somewhere laughing at what a big fool I am."
"Riley Finn!" Willow said, crossing her arms across her chest. "That's not true and you know it. You seem to forget I've been with Buffy through this whole thing, so I should know what is going on here."
Counting on her fingers, Willow proceeded to remind Riley the facts about the situation.
"One, Buffy never wanted to keep Evan from you. She tried the day he was born and she promised Evan a long time ago he'd get to meet you. Buffy has *never* reneged on a promise to him."
"Two, you think she's been using you and the girls? Don't you think you'd have done the same thing to her if the situations were reversed? She's trying every option to save her son's life and that includes looking to you and your daughters for help."
"Three, you think Buffy only cares about Jordan's disappearance because of Evan? Riley, you *know* better than to think that. Buffy loves those little girls. Without a word of a lie she fell in love with them the minute she met each one of them. And why? Cause they are yours. Do you honestly think she'd jeopardize a life of a child to justify her own actions?"
"Four, I guarantee you if Buffy is with Lindsey and laughing at you, I will personally turn her into a frog." She said, pressing her finger into his chest.
Riley started to chuckle lightly. Yes, he was angry but visualizing Willow wearing a black dress, pointed hat, and stirring a kettle while chanting a spell was just too funny.
"Bullfrog?"
"Cane Toad." She answered. "They’re bigger and more disgusting."
"Willow there's just so much going through my mind right now that I can't seem to sort out the reality of the situation from the crap." He sighed, as her hands slipped around his back to hug him.
"Riley, I realize that you’re trying to deal with everything, but if you can only remember one thing, remember, that Buffy loves *you*. I'd swear on Graham’s life." She said hugging him tighter as she felt him shiver.
"Now none of this over rated crappy answer, when was the last time you've slept?" Willow said, leaning back in his embrace so she could see his tired face.
"Christmas."
"Well then, I'm gonna see if we can find a place for you to crash for a couple hours...."
"No, Willow, I can't sleep! Whenever I close my eyes I see her, and she's so scared. No, I can't sleep. I can't stand seeing her this way." Riley said, grabbing Willow's arm before she had a chance to leave the room.
When Willow looked at him, she saw the pain settle over his expression.
"Riley, what do you mean you see Jordan?" Willow asked, guiding him to the chair.
"I see her, and she's calling me to save her, and I can't reach her." Riley said, dropping his head onto to her shoulder, and he felt Willow's hand soothe his hair.
"Where is she, Riley?"
"I can't really make it out, but I see mountains." He answered, pulling his head up so he could look at Willow, "You think I'm in contact with her?"
"Yes, I do." Willow smiled, placing a hand on his cheek.
"Then my seeing her means she’s still alive!" Riley exclaimed. "But if she’s still alive how can we find her? The FBI hasn’t found a tangible lead yet."
Willow shook her head in exasperation. In some ways, Riley still saw things in black and white even when faced with things that were not so clear.
"Riley, quit thinking inside the box. You can see Jordan and feel her, but you don’t have the power to locate her. We need someone whose power is stronger than yours is. Someone who has more focus. Someone..."
"Hey, guys!" Cordelia said cheerfully, and then crying out, fell to the floor holding her head in pain.
Angel and Wesley, who were just steps behind her, lifted her up and held her tightly.
"Daddy, Daddy!" Cordy screamed.
"Jordy!" Riley yelled. "That’s her! That’s her voice!"
"I want my daddy!...No, you can’t make me go!...You’re a liar, my daddy *does* want me! Daddy!...Daddy!” And Cordelia began to cry uncontrollably in Jordan’s voice, calling for her daddy to save her.
"Cordy, baby!" Angel said, rocking her. "Come honey, you can do it. Try to concentrate. Where is she? Where’s Jordan?"
Between her sobs, Cordelia muttered. "Chalet...Vermont...Lake... Champlain...sign...says..."
Everyone was waiting, could she do it? Could Cordelia focus enough to pinpoint the location? She kept thrashing her head back and forth the pain was excruciating.
"...sign says…Welcome to Colchester."
The story continues in chapter 46
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