I'm
sitting in a rental car in front of Buffy's house in Cleveland. It's weird, but
IÕm actually nervous about going inside. I'm here to pack up my stuff, so I can
ship it all out to Smallville. It's also an opportunity to say goodbye to
everyone.
Clark
insisted on coming with me. I'm not entirely sure why. I think he's trying to
be supportive, which is kinda sweet, if a little annoying. After that
disastrous first dinner at the Kent farm last week, I really thought that this
whole marriage thing would end right then.
But
it didn't. Clark apologized, and we talked things through. Even Jonathan said
that he was sorry, though I'm pretty certain that Martha forced him to do it.
He didn't exactly look happy to be apologizing. I think having to do it just
made him more angry.
Chloe
and Lex also helped. They came over to talk to me. The look on Clark's face
when they arrived together was priceless. Clark looked positively gob smacked.
Personally, I think they make a cute couple, though they deny that they are
actually together. Clark seemed pretty desperate to believe that.
But
Chloe sat me down and talked to me about Clark. Apparently, he hurt her a lot
in the past. But the way she and Lex talked about him...you can really tell that
they think Clark is a nice guy. And I hope that they're right.
"You
ready to go in?" Clark asks.
I
nod. "Good as time as any. Are you sure you want to do this, Clark? I
mean, my friends are probably going to be more than a little hostile."
"I'll
be fine," Clark insisted. "I should be there. I am your husband after
all."
It
still seems weird to hear him say that. I still have trouble believing that
this is all real, that I'm really married to the young man seated beside me.
But he is. Because, apparently, I am incredibly stupid.
I
take a deep breath. "Let's go."
Clark
and I walk to the front door, and I find myself wondering whether or not I
should ring the bell. I'm just about to knock when the door suddenly opens and
I find my arms full of bouncy brunette.
"Willow!"
A
smile spreads across my face. "Hey, Dawnie. I'm glad to see you too."
I hug her tightly, before pulling away.
"Dawn,
this is Clark. Clark, Dawn Summers."
Dawn
looks Clark over, appraisingly, before turning to me, "God, Wills. He's
like my age."
Clark
looks embarrassed.
"He's
a little older than that, Dawn. He *is* 18, after all."
Dawn
just grins. "Well, it's nice to meet you Clark. Why don't you guys come on
in? Everybody's waiting."
Everybody.
That means that Giles is here. I knew that he would be. Of course he would be.
But I'm worried about seeing him. It'll be hard enough dealing with the others.
But I hate it when Giles is disappointed in me. He's going to look at me all
serious and British. I wonder how many times he's going to clean his glasses
tonight. I'm betting at least seven.
Clark
attempts to give me a reassuring smile as we follow Dawn into the living room.
It's weird, even though I only lived here a couple of months, Buffy's Cleveland
home feels like home to me. I guess it's just because this is where my family
is.
"Hey
everybody," I say as we enter the room. Xander, Giles and Buffy all face
us. None of them look too happy. But, finally, Xander's face breaks into a
small smile.
"Hey,
Wills!" He quickly comes over and pulls me into a tight hug. Being in
Xander's arms just feels so comforting. I wish I could stay like this forever.
I pull away from Xander, and suddenly fine myself in Giles' arms. It's like
being hugged by my father.
Well,
not by my father. My dad's not really into the whole 'showing affection' thing.
But Giles is like a father to me. He has been for years. Even when I was being
a psychotic little snot and threatening him, I still loved him. God, IÕm so
lucky he forgave me. But I guess that's what fathers do.
"Giles,"
I say when we break apart, "I want you to meet Clark Kent. My
husband."
"It's
nice to meet you, Mr. Giles. Willow has told me a lot about you."
Giles
doesn't react right away, so I clear my throat, and shoot him a glare. Finally,
he gives in and shakes Clark's hand.
"Mr.
Kent."
Clark
looks nervous, and I can't really blame him. "Please, call me Clark."
"Yes.
Of course. Clark. You are family now after all."
Oh
god.
I
was expecting uncomfortable, nervous Giles. This is getting dangerously close
to Ripper-Giles. That would be bad. Clark and I are finally becoming halfway
comfortable around each other. I don't need him to feel threatened by my
friends.
It's
interesting. I mean, Clark is an alien, and has super-strength, but he still
scares easily. Buffy had freaked him out when they met in Vegas. And although
Xander's punch didn't hurt him, I think Xan kind of frightens him too. Which is
weird, cause it's Xander. I love Xander. He's courageous as hell, and fiercely
loyal. But I didn't think a guy with super powers would be afraid of him.
Clark
looks so uncomfortable. He may be a bit off an ass, but I still feel sorry for
him. I know how weird I felt around his parents, and Clark has even more
strangers to deal with.
"Good
to have you back, Will." Buffy completely ignores Clark, which I guess is
better than trying to attack him. I donÕt want to see anyone get hurt, and I
certainly donÕt want to have to explain to everyone that Clark is an alien.
BuffyÕs
thinking is sometimes simplistic, and I think in her mind alien might equal
Ôevil demon that I must try to kill.Õ From what Clark told me, Buffy wouldnÕt
be able to really damage him, but IÕve learned never to underestimate a pissed
off Slayer.
ÒSo,
Willow. Are you changing your last name?Ó
Thank
goodness for Dawn. ItÕs nice to have the tension broken a little.
ÒNo.
IÕm keeping Rosenberg. Given our situation, I thought it was for the best.Ó
Dawn
smiles, ÒGood. Willow Kent sounds like crap anyway.Ó
ÒDawn!Ó
Buffy admonishes.
ÒSorry,Ó
Dawn says with a shrug.
I
try to look stern, but she does have a point. Kent goes fine with a name like
Clark. But with Willow it just sounds weird.
ÒIÕm
going to go make some tea,Ó Giles says.
ÒLet
me help you,Ó Clark volunteers.
Clark
has chosen a bad time to show heÕs a good guy.
ÒTh-thatÕs
quite unnecessary,Ó Giles says as he takes off his glasses and cleans them. IÕm
surprised itÕs taken him this long to do it.
ÒNo,
really.Ó
As
Clark follows Giles into the kitchen, I canÕt help but worry that this is a
really bad idea.
Next part: Clark and Giles have a friendly conversation.