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Chapter 11



Summer gave away to fall and the air was crisp as Buffy and Willow walked toward the dorm rooms. Both girls were laden with boxes and they were both talking excitedly as the school year was about to get underway. Buffy had begged for what seemed like an eternity before her mother finally gave in. She was now a campus girl.


"Oh, and we should get one of those groovy lava lamps," Willow practically squealed.



Buffy laughed, sharing in her friend's excitement as they made their way up the steps of their building. Students were everywhere and the mingling crowd only added to her excitement. She finally felt like an adult. She was eighteen, living on her own and was free to come and go as she pleased.



"So, any news from the front lines?"



"Not much," Buffy smiled. "William's letters are getting scarce."



"Well, things are heating up over there," Willow told her.





~*~*~*~*~*~*~





William carried his weary body across the makeshift base and longed for the sweet oblivion that was sleep; only there could he get a release from this place. Six more men from his unit had been carried out of the heavy foliage they had spent days trudging though. All six lifeless. All six sent home to be buried by their loved ones.



He had stood, watching the scene as it played out before him and he was paralyzed to do anything. The screaming he heard had sent a chill up his spine and had scarred him forever. The blood that stained the ground and his hands would forever be a reminder to him. He'd never be able to wash it off.



As he rounded the corner, the loud yelling he heard caused him to stop, a move that only made the impact harder. It felt as if a truck hit him and as he and Angel rolled across the dirt William's entire body felt like it disintegrated into dust.



"You son of a bitch!" Angel growled as he swung full force, catching William in the chin with his fist.



William barely even had time to process what was happening before the onslaught of painful blows rained down on him. He felt dizzy and the icky blackness of unconsciousness called him. A voice that sounded otherworldly rang through him and opening his eyes, he saw Thomas.



A hard, cruel smile graced his friend's face and he could see Thomas yelling at him. The words escaped him but the look on his face was all he needed. Pushing with everything in him, William managed to roll Angel off him and stand on wobbly legs as both men eyed the other.



"How can you even stand to look at yourself in the mirror?" Angel asked viciously.



"The same as you," William replied before spitting a mouthful of blood to the ground.



"You stood there and did nothing," Angel hissed. "What kind of monster are you?"



"And what the hell was I suppose to do?" William yelled back. "Half his skull was scattered to the wind by the time I got to him!" William watched as Angel's eyes glistened over and filled with tears. He had no idea that the death of one of Angel's "followers" would affect him so much. As he saw the rage building on Angel's face, William knew today was the day. Today was the day he proved himself.



It seemed like the world slowed and played before him in slow motion as Angel yelled and ran toward him. All the nights spent with Thomas came rushing back to him and without much thought; William stepped forward and threw his arm out. The blow impacted hard and the look on Angel's face when he realized he had been hit was almost comical.



Thomas watched as Angel staggered slightly before he straightened and rushed forward. The small crowd that had initially gathered grew by the minute and Thomas couldn't help but smile as William took Angel on with no fear. All the nights of training had been worth it. All the days of pep talks had worked. William now had what he needed to stand up for himself and not back down from Angel. As the two men fought, Thomas stood back and smiled with pride. If nothing came from this war, he was sure his being here proved a purpose. He had made a friend and had given William something he didn't have before. Confidence in himself to make a difference.




~*~*~*~*~*~*~




September 15, 1970



Hi William,



Guess what? I'm a campus girl! Mom finally agreed to let me live on campus. Willow and I are lucky enough to be sharing a room. It's like a slumber party all day long. I still don't have all my stuff moved in yet, but I'm afraid if I bring anything else, I won't be able to find my bed.



Mom seems pretty lonely. I try to go by and see her every few days now. I feel bad for leaving her but at the same time, overjoyed at being out on my own. She hasn't been over here yet though. I'm not real sure if she will. She's still in denial, I think.



We were invited to a party. And before you get the wrong idea, it's not that kind of a party. It's actually a party/protest. There are groups here on campus protesting the war and they try to get everyone they can involved. We haven't decided if we're going to go yet though, but it might be interesting.



So, how are you? I received your last letter. Thank Thomas for the pictures, especially the beach picture! I think I'm blushing just thinking about it. You've.changed. And I'm so glad you can't see my face right now! I know it's red. I can feel it.



Willow says Hi. She's sitting here grinning at me confirming the red face. I swear I feel so juvenile some times. But, the picture was.nice. Not sure you'll be getting one of me in my swimsuit, though. I know all you guys share your pictures. I don't think I'd be able to sleep at night knowing someone else saw my skinny legs!



Well, I guess I'll cut this off now. I have tons of homework. I'll write again tomorrow.



I love you,

Buffy






~*~*~*~*~*~*~


Three weeks had passed since the run in with Angel and William was still on cloud nine. No one had let him forget about it. Everyday, someone reminded him of it. Although both of them had been punished for their brawl, it was worth it. Angel still ran his mouth every chance he got, but his friends didn't seem as eager to step into it like they had before.



As he sat and wrote Buffy another letter, William poured every ounce of his soul into it.



September 22, 1970



Hey luv,



Have I told you lately how much I love you? Well, I do. More than life itself. You're like the sun to a dying earth. I miss you every second of the day. I still dream of you. I wake up every morning longing for you. To touch you. To see you smiling.



I've been thinking about what I'll do when I finally get out of here. I don't really have any kind of skills and I can't really offer you anything, but I can't imagine my life without you in it. There are so many things I want to give you. So many things I want for us. I just wish we didn't have to wait so long for them.



We're heading out again, Buffy. I'm not sure where, but it looks like I may not get to write to you as often as I have been. Don't worry though. Everything's going to be fine. Thomas and I haven't survived this long to get put down now. Bad joke. Sorry. I just don't want you to worry if you don't hear from me for a while, okay? Just know that I love you and that I'm thinking of you. No matter where I am. I'll always love you.



Forever,

William







Chapter 12








“Buffy, come on!” Willow yelled as she grabbed her jacket and ran to the door.



“Okay,” Buffy replied, smiling as she wrote “I love you” on her latest letter before laying her pen down and darting for the door.



The two girls ran across campus, dodging students as they made their way to the east campus. They could already hear the shouts from the people already gathered there and when both girls saw the size of the crowd, pleased smiles lit up both their faces.



“Rosenberg, glad you could make it,” Faith grinned as she looked down from the makeshift stage she was standing on before nodding her head at Buffy. Willow and Buffy had met Faith at a party and were instantly drawn to her. She was loud and brash and spoke her mind. It didn’t take long before both girls knew that Faith could get anything done. And she did.



She held campus protest weekly and viciously cursed the military for what they were doing in Vietnam. She got the campus involved, and every Friday a host of students would parade around campus shouting out their distaste at what was happening. It didn’t take Buffy long to get in on the action either. She had a vested interest in what was happening. She had yet to actually speak up in the crowd that always gathered, but she wore her badge proudly.



William’s face was known to many. Friends who spent hours with Faith making signs and posters had made it for her. With no more than a simple smile, they had given her the small badge with his picture printed on it and she had almost cried. Willow had apologized for taking the picture without asking, but Buffy had thanked her. Everyone at the protest could see. They could see her soldier and knew he was there. The man who left for war with only one person knowing he existed had a following of dozens, all praying for his return.






~*~*~*~*~*~*~





It was quiet except for the crunching of leaves and branches under their feet and William cursed the darkness that surrounded them. Traveling at night was worse than moving about in broad daylight. At least during the day, you could see what was in front of you, or behind you for that matter.



Days had been spent like this traipsing about in the thick jungle of foliage with no sound other than their harsh breaths and quiet stalking. The occasional animal would send alarms off in everyone and William was surprised no one had been spooked enough to fire their weapon.



Fatigue had settled in on everyone and the short ten minute breaks they would get from their journey was spent in quiet contemplation of their situation while William would pray endlessly for this to be over. Countless weeks had been spent out in the middle of nowhere with nothing more than the clothes on his back and a single, worn picture of Buffy in his pocket.



It was hard to see her in the dim light of the moon as it peeked through the thick canopy of trees, but he had memorized her face. He knew every line her face held and every brightly colored shimmer her hair made as the sun reflected off it, but it wasn’t enough. He longed to hear from her. He needed to tell her what was happening to him.



As the troop leader gave the signal, William reluctantly stood, slipping his photo of Buffy back into his pocket before looking to his left at Thomas. He smiled as he saw his friend slip his own picture away and the endless crunching of limbs began again. With a weary sigh, William followed the others, hoping the nightmare would soon be over.







~*~*~*~*~*~*~




Buffy was frozen in fear. She stared out at the crowd of people who stood there looking at her and she felt ready to cry. How did she get here? What did they want from her?



“Go ahead Buffy, just tell them,” Faith smiled from beside her. “They won’t bite you.”



Buffy looked over at Faith with wide eyes and drew in a shaky breath. If she ever made it through the next few minutes, she’d kill the girl. Plain and simple. Looking back out over the crowd, she smiled nervously before she cleared her throat and stepped up to the microphone. “Um, Hi,” she squeaked out as the crowd began yelling and cheering. “I’m Buffy. Um, Buffy Summers.” Buffy smiled as her name was shouted and she looked off the stage to Willow, who was currently doing some sort of dance as she jumped and cheered for her. A wide smile split her lips at her friend’s enthusiasm before she turned her attention back to the crowd.



“Um, Faith thought I should tell you about William,” she began, her voice breaking and cracking as she nervously spoke. “ He’s…,” What was he? Her boyfriend? Her friend? “I met William over at the diner the day he came through town on his way to L.A. He’s over there now. In Vietnam. I’m not sure where though. I haven’t heard from him in almost two months now,” she smiled sadly. “His last letter said he wouldn’t get to write home much, but it still worries me. I’m proud of him for what he’s accomplished but I’m ready for him to come back. I was ready the day he left.”



Willow watched in awe as Buffy began to tell the crowd about her soldier and a new admiration blossomed in her for her best friend. The once squeaky voice cleared and tears trickled down her smiling face as she talked about him. It was like watching some historical event take place. Quiet, shy Buffy had come into her own. She was a voice. A voice for a man thousands of miles away. One that would be coming home soon. This no one doubted.







~*~*~*~*~*~*~




It came out of nowhere and no one was prepared for it. Bright flashes of light lit up the night sky and as the first scream was heard, William lifted his gun and hit the ground.



Shots were fired from every direction and the brightly colored flashes from their weapons looked like the Fourth of July as they discharged and sent an arsenal of killing bullets into the surrounding area. No one could tell where the enemy was and it sounded as if they were surrounded.



It was disorienting and confusing and the chaos seemed to escalate as the screams got louder. Men were falling. His troop was falling around him and he couldn’t see them. He couldn’t see anything except for the flashes of gunfire.



He heard his name and looked to his left, seeing Thomas stand before he followed. They ran blindly into the night, following the sounds of their troop to cover. The thick foliage did little good as bullets ripped the leaves from the trees beside their heads and William thought his heart would beat clean out of his chest. His blood was pumping furiously in his veins and his head throbbed as the adrenaline rush from the attack sent his mind into a maze of thoughts. The tug on his arm and the voice of his friend kept him alert and they once again ran.






~*~*~*~*~*~*~





Willow shouted and clapped furiously as Buffy exited the stage and Faith’s booming voice sent the crowd into a frenzy. It was the most exciting thing she thought she had witnessed in longer than she could remember. “You looked like you were made for that,” Willow almost screamed as Buffy finally joined her.



Buffy laughed before shaking her head. “I don’t think so. I’m surprised I didn’t pass out!”



“You did fantastic! William will be so proud of you.”



“You think so?” Buffy asked, her smile almost blinding them both.



“Are you kidding?” Willow asked, smiling. “That was amazing. You need to tell him what you just did. If you don’t, I will.”



Buffy’s smile seemed to disappear slightly before she sighed lightly. “Not sure what good it’ll do,” she told her sadly. “I’m not even sure he’s getting my letters anymore.”



“Well, he said it’d be hard for him to write. I’m sure he’s still getting your letters though.”



“Maybe,” Buffy said softly. “I just wish I knew what was going on. Where he is and why he hasn’t written?”



“I know,” Willow said, taking her hand and pulling her away from the cheering crowd. “I’m sure you’ll hear from him soon.”



Buffy looked at her friend’s smiling face and couldn’t help but give one in return. With a determined smile, she nodded her head in affirmation. “You’re right. No reason to go doubting things now. He’s coming home. I can feel it.”






~*~*~*~*~*~*~





The sun had just peeked up over the trees and as the dim light began to travel over the area, the destruction of the early morning attack could be seen. Bodies littered the ground and the cries and moans of the wounded were the only sounds to be heard. William leaned back against a tree, his gun lying across his lap and he took long cleansing breaths as he tried to push the images away.



Sounds of the surf crashing against the shore replaced the desperate cries for help and the bright smile of his love erased out the horrible sight of blood and lost limbs of his troop. Never had he seen anything so terrible. There were so many gone. So many to have to bring back. So many who would go with half of his body left behind.



As William reached up and wiped angrily at the tears that managed to escape his eyes, he wanted nothing more than to lie down and give up. He was tired. Tired of trying to survive only to see another friend lose the battle. He was ready to go home.



As Thomas’ soft voice called out his name, William opened his eyes and looked over at him. He looked as haggard as he felt. His eyes were bloodshot and worry was etched across his face. A simple smile was what he offered him and William didn’t have words for what it meant to him. He returned it, although the gesture never reached his eyes before he heard the soft click of a weapon.



His head shot up and before he had time to react, the blast of the weapon broke the silence around them. It took only a second to lift his gun and as his weapon discharged, he felt his last bit of hope die.



He watched as the young man’s body slumped to the ground and he looked into the cold dead eyes that stared back at him. He had killed before, but not at close range. He never had to look into the face of someone whose life he had just ended. As the harsh ragged breaths returned, William’s tears fell uncontrollably.



“William.”



William looked over, almost forgetting where he was in the events that had just transpired and his heart skipped a beat. His breath was taken from him and without thought, he stood, throwing his weapon to the side before he ran.



“William, I can’t see anything,” Thomas chocked out, grabbing uselessly at air.



William threw himself to the ground, grabbing Thomas and pulling him up to him before he sobbed shamelessly. The blood that poured from the side of his friends head spilled out onto the ground and no amount of pressure stopped it. As Thomas clung to his sleeve and babbled endlessly, William was powerless to do anything.



“Take care of her,” Thomas wheezed. “Tell her how much I loved her.”



“You can do it yourself,” William demanded, watching as Thomas’ eyes clouded over and stared up into nothing. “You hear me? You can tell her yourself.”



“Won’t happen,” Thomas smiled. “You tell my Katie…”



William waited; his breath coming in short pants before he shook Thomas hard. “Don’t you dare leave me here!” He screamed with wide eyes, shaking the hulk of a man in his arms. “You can’t do this!”



William didn’t know how long he had sat there crying as he held Thomas’ lifeless body before the sounds of movement was heard. He never looked up, but he knew. He knew his time had come. He was jerked from the ground, watching as Thomas’ body hit the dirt that lay beneath him and his body went numb as he was dragged away.





He looked up into the face of the enemy, holding his head high and clenching his jaw as he heard the clicking of their weapons being readied. He wouldn’t die here. He couldn’t. Not without her. As he closed his eyes, her face once again clouded all his thoughts. The sweet smile she held for him caused his lips to curve into a soft smile and her name fell from his lips before everything went black.





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