These characters don't belong to me, and I make no profit from this story.
Hard to Swallow
Jenny rubbed her eyes, trying to forget the limp figure on the bed, and the painkillers on the floor.
Buffy held Willow close, both crying.
"I'm so sorry, girls," Jenny said, stomach hollow. She peered into the face of the corpse, memorising the features. She told him, "They'll miss you."
Rupert moved closer to her. "I know. But they have each other."
"Yes," she said, voice soft.
He shrugged, uneasy. "I couldn't -- I couldn't be without you."
Jenny took his hand, then leaned down to kiss the forehead of the shell that used to contain him. They walked off together.
