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[A/N: This is supposed to be a fun one for me and all of a sudden it sort of got serious. I guess I don’t write fluff all that well. *shrugs*. Oh well, I’m not going to lose any sleep over it. I lose sleep over a whole lot of other stuff. I’m trying really hard to work on both stories but I have to say, this is harder than I expected. Last night it felt like my arm was gonna fall off, so I didn’t do anything. Aren’t you happy I already had this typed up and was just waiting for title? Okay, maybe not. The title is from Alfred Lord Tennyson’s The Lady of Shalott and the quotes are as attributed. Disclaimers in full force and effect.]


Sixth. Through a mirror clear

Let us be grateful to the mirror for revealing to us our appearance only.
Samuel Butler, Erewhon

A pure hand needs no glove to cover it.
Nathaniel Hawthorne, The Scarlet Letter




The knot in her stomach wouldn’t ease, no amount of deep breathing or talking to herself was making it disappear. She’d been up half the night, stress and worry keeping her from sleep, increasing her uneasiness.

Once more she found herself staring at the front doors of Sunnydale High School, wishing she could skip most of the day going only to Stevenson’s English class. But Xander was standing behind her, a solid presence, his broad shoulders giving her some support. She’d been worried about what he would think of her and he’d totally surprised her by practically becoming her bodyguard. Monday he and Willow had walked her to her classes. Tuesday he’d walked her home and this morning he’d shown up at her house before school.

“C’mon Buffster. Time to face the music.” His voice was cheerfully grim and she wondered how come he was being supporto-guy.

The words slipped out before she could stop them. “Xan? How come you’re being okay with this?”

He sighed, looked down at his feet, then focused at some point over her head. Without looking at her all, he said, “my parents had to get married when my mom was sixteen.”

Oh shit. She hadn’t known that, but it explained a lot about Xander. Reaching out a hand to touch his arm, Buffy said simply, “thanks Xander. It means a lot to me.”

He blushed, shaking his head a bit, hiding how much her thanks meant. “Shouldn’t have to go through this alone. Riley’s an asshole.”

He stepped away from her then, breaking into a sad smile, “but I already knew that way before this. C’mon let’s go face the hordes.”

Part of her wanted to run and hide, but Buffy knew she couldn’t. Better just do this. “Thanks Xander. Really.”

Together they walked into the doors, like two warriors watching each other’s backs, girding for another tough day in hell.


**********************************************************************************


He hated these meetings, though he’d rarely had to conduct them with more than the student’s parents. Unfortunately, in this case, there were other factors involved.

His office was overcrowded at the moment. It wasn’t nearly big enough for all those present, but Rupert Giles was more than happy letting a fair number of the occupants stand. The Finn’s were all here; Mrs. Finn was sitting in one of the chairs, her husband behind her, with Riley at her right hand, and both men were standing at attention.

Occupying the other chair was Colonel Graham MacArthur, Dean of Students at West Point and next to him, also standing at attention was his adjunct, Major West.

None of the people facing him were anywhere near a good mood. Finn’s parents were none too pleased, while MacArthur’s was impassive.

Glancing down at the assorted paperwork on his desk, Giles let none of his emotions show. His distaste for the entire process was hard to conceal from his voice however.

In front of him, hidden beneath some other papers, was an affidavit from Buffy Summers, outlining the events of last week. It had been part of the order of protection the girl currently had on file against the teen in front of him and he’d need it to do what he was about to.

Clearing his throat, Giles finally spoke. “I am not going to repeat the reasons why we area all assembled this morning. I’m going to assume everyone is apprised of the situation.” He glanced up, taking in everyone’s agreement.

“Mr. Finn.” Giles looked steadily at the young man before him. “It has been decided, given the circumstances and your outburst and subsequent behavior last week that you will be removed from all your classes and placed in others.”

His parents began to protest, but Giles held up his hand indicating he was not finished. “The administration feels that in light of that incident and the order of protection that has been filed against you by Miss Summers this is a necessary step.”

“This kind of incident will not be tolerated on school grounds. You are not permitted to have any contact whatsoever with Miss Summers. Any violation will result in further suspension and possible criminal charges.” Letting that sink in, Giles waited a moment.

“Is this understood, Mr. Finn?”

Without much emotion, Riley stared straight ahead, then spoke clearly, “yes sir.”

Giles waited another moment, then said, “against my better judgment and at the request of Army officials, this incident is not going on your permanent record. However,” Giles stared into Riley’s face, his eyes glittering oddly, “should you be seen near Miss Summers or attempting to speak with her, it will become part of your record. And I personally will see to it that you be prosecuted.”

Riley’s mother started to speak, but her husband’s firm hand on her shoulder forestalled any further comment.

Handing Riley his new schedule and the old one, Giles instructed him to get the old one initialed by all his teachers before reporting to his new classes.

Unceremoniously ushering the crowd out the door, Giles fought the grimace of distaste.

Bloody bastard, never once inquired how the girl was.


************************************************************************************

Retired Brigadier General Kevin Finn stalked to the main doors of the school, jaw clenched and hands firmly at his side, his wife trailing behind him. He’d called in a lot of favors for his son, and he was less than pleased about having to do so and the reasons behind that.

Without a word to his wife, Finn nodded to the Major, holding back Colonel MacArthur. “Look Graham, I appreciate what you did for my boy. I’ll see about getting a release from the Summers girl. Shouldn’t be too hard.”

“Sir. I did what I could. It was still the Commandant’s decision. He would like your assurance that nothing else will go wrong.”

“You have my word Major. Riley will do as he’s told.” Loosening up a little bit, Finn spoke again, “give my regards to your father.”

“Will do sir.” Saluting his superior, Colonel Graham MacArthur pivoted on a heel and was gone in the next moment.

Sharing a long look with his wife, Finn said, “let's go Maggie. We have some things to discuss.”


**********************************************************************************

Despite having gone through this three times already today, Buffy still wasn’t prepared for the sight of Riley standing at the head of the classroom waiting for Mr. Stevenson to arrive.

The first time, in second period math, Buffy had nearly run from the class room, afraid he was going to talk to her, but he’d just gotten the signature and left without even looking at her.

Hey baby. . . how’s you right now? Sorry for the crazy heartbeat, but mommy’s way confused. Coz you know I thought I loved him but now so not so sure about that. I mean he hasn’t even tried to talk to me – what’s up with that? Guess he doesn’t love me. . or us. Sorry baby. Mommy’s so sorry.

Buffy was sitting at her desk, her chin resting on both hands, staring at nothing, purposely avoiding Riley’s tense form waiting by Will’s – Mr. Stevenson’s desk.

The bell rang and the noise slowly subsided, except for the annoying sound of Harmony’s voice, “and you know, how slutty is that? Sleeping with someone and not using protection? Its like saying, hello, I want to get pregnant. And really what did she expect? That he was going to say oh I love you lets get married. So not!”

“Miss Kendall?”

Harmony froze, the catty smirk that had been directed at Buffy quickly fading and she hesitated, afraid to turn around and face Mr. Stevenson.

Sneaking a glance at his face, Buffy shivered. His eyes were the lightest shade of blue she’d ever seen, icy hot and laser bright. There was a muscle ticking in his cheek, his jaw clenching and unclenching, his fists at his side.

When Harmony hesitated before turning around, Stevenson repeated himself. “Miss Kendall.”

Oh wow. I’m scared of him and he’s not even pissed off at me. Wow.

Riley, who was less than two feet away from the irate Englishman, took one look at him and stepped away.

Harmony turned around and foolishly made an attempt to placate him. “Hey Mr. Stevenson. You called?”

And then she made the colossal mistake of giggling. Whether it was nerves or not, it didn’t matter, because judging by the look on his face, Mr. Stevenson was about to unleash an apocalypse on the poor ditzy blond.

“What did I say not two days ago to this class?” He waited a beat and when Harmony either couldn’t or wouldn’t answer him, he called out, “Jonathan? What did I say?”

Clearly flustered, the super-geek blurted out word for word what Stevenson had said.

“Thank you Mr. Levinson.” Looking back at Harmony, Stevenson ground out, “five days Miss Kendall. After school. Here. Starting today. The next time will cost you this quarter’s grade. After that it will be the semester.”

Passing his eyes over every student looking at him, Will gritted his teeth. Part of him realized he was being irrational and quite possibly over-reacting, but Will nearly didn’t care. The poor girl needed someone to support her, especially since it was fairly obvious her boyfriend wasn’t doing it. He had no idea what kind of support she was getting at home and he made a mental note to find out.

Reining in his considerable temper, Will repeated his own personal mantra. “Gossip is for the small minded and petty. I’ve no tolerance for it and will not allow it in this room. Anymore outbursts from anyone, and the transgressors will find themselves joining Miss Kendall.

Holding out his hand silently to Riley for his paperwork, Will’s eyes swept over the class. “Am I understood?”

At the murmurs of yes, he bent down to initial Riley’s paper, Stevenson said to the teen in such a softly cold voice that the hair on Buffy’s neck stood up, “Finn. That goes for you as well. One word and I’ll have you suspended again.”

Riley stammered out a muffled “yes sir” and fled the classroom.

For some odd reason, Buffy didn’t fall asleep in his class that day.


So? Was it any good? Please let me know. Thanks!





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