⚠️ WARNING: Mention of assault, mention of violence + explanation of detailed violence. If any of this is sensitive you then you are welcome to skip. ⚠️

*

3rd Person's POV

At cheap hotel, the manager stands annoyed having a talk with Faith.

"The room's eighteen dollars a day. That's every day."

Faith sighs, "Yeah, I know. I'll get it to you by tomorrow, I swear."

Manager rubs his temple then sighs and shrugs, "It's not like I own the place."

Faith gives him a cheeky smile, "But I bet you will someday."

"Not if I listen to broads like you."

"Well you don't have to be dick about it."

The manager frowns confused looking at an another brunette who appears at the door and steps in.

"Roommates are extra."

"I'm just visiting."

The manager gives up and proceeds to walk out of the room, but stops short when the brunette holds out a $50.

"Hm looks like your fine for another 3 days."

Faith rolls her eyes and watches the manager leave before staring at Laney in awe. Laney reaches for the door to pull it shut as she raises a brow at Faith.

"So, what brings you to the poor side of town?"

"That's not funny."

Faith sighs, "Sorry I know. I'm just deflecting."

Laney frowns and walks over to the bed Faith was sitting on, "Why?"

Faith shrugs, "I'm supposed to be this super cool bad ass. Never scared of anything... anyone. Living life on the wild side."

"I think you're still bad ass. And everyone is afraid of something. And that's okay."

"How did you find me?"

"I followed you, duh."

Faith nods with a grin, "Wow my very own stalker."

Laney rolls her eyes, "What an honor."

"Well enough about me for now. How are you? It's been two days now and your inseparable boyfriend is not as inseparable as I thought."

Laney frowns and looks down at her hands as she wrings them together, "Oh that..."

Faith huffs, "Are you ignoring him? Lane you gotta stop this."

"Well I did!"

"And?"

"And I didn't like the outcome..."

"Okay explain..."

Laney sighs before getting comfortable, "I finally realized I needed to come to my senses and talk to him."

"Right."

"So I asked where he was. He said he was at the library studying. So me being me, I went to surprise him. And sit with him... But when I got there, a girl was sitting beside him... And she was really pretty. Gorgeous even. Had a pretty smile. Beautiful eyes."

"You have beautiful everything, Laney."

"Don't butter me up." Laney chuckles as a tear slides down her cheek, "I immediately assume the worst. Like I always do. And I left before he could see me. And I didn't text him back when he asked if I was coming to see him. And I haven't texted him back now for two days or even answered when he calls. He sounds worried on the voicemails but I can't bring myself to answer. Because I don't want to hear those words."

Faith frowns, "What words?"

"I'm breaking up with you."

"Why do you think he would say that? I don't think he would, Lane. The boy is smitten. He is crazy about you. Anyone can see it. He wouldn't even suggest a break. He will literally wait till the end of earth to be with you."

Laney shakes her head, "But the girl-"

"What about her?"

"She's gorgeous. And tall. And his age. He doesn't have to wait for her to get out of school. He can just walk around his own campus to see her. I'm sure there's no weird stares when he waits on her to get out of class because he's in college and she is also in college and not in high school."

"Colby is a freshman. Your relationship not bad. And I don't care if she looked like Queen Elizabeth. She's no you. You need to remember that. Own it. You're amazing in your own way. Don't let your head get you down. I'm sure you will still continue to be stubborn and not talk to him about this, but when you do then maybe you will see that this boy... he's yours until the end of time."

Laney sighs nodding.

"Taquito?" Faith grins holding up a plate of food.

Laney bursts out laughing and shakes her head, "Where did you even get those?"

Faith shrugs and stuffs one into her mouth.

Laney was glad to have another friend around who would make her smile. She was blessed with Cordy, Giles, Colby, and now Faith.

What could go wrong?

...

'Hey baby I know you've been feeling kind of down for the past few days. Just wanted to say I miss you. I love you. I know you can't say it back right now and that's okay. I just want you to hear me say it. Please call me back. Or text me even. It's been a week now and I feel like you're pushing me away because of something that happened before the summer. Talk to me. I'm here for you.'

Laney sighs as she listens to the voicemail over and over again. She remembers what Cordy, Faith, and Giles had been telling her.

'Colby will understand.'

'The boy is smitten. He is crazy about you.'

'If you keep pushing him away you will lose him. Communication is all you two have. Don't let this break your relationship.'

She couldn't. No she wouldn't let this ruin the best most genuine relationship she has ever had. She had to fight. And she had to tell him what happened.

Pulling out her phone, Laney's finger hovers above the green call button. She stares at his name on the screen but quickly closes the phone. Taking a deep breath in and huffs it out harshly.

"Okay... get it together. What's wrong with you?"

Opening the phone once more, she opens to her favorite picture of them. It was her wallpaper and his. Rolling her shoulders she pep talks herself as her finger once again hovers above the green call button. Just as she goes to push down, her own phone rings.

Jumping frightened, Laney holds her chest and answers.

"Yeah? Hello?"

"Laney! Thank god you answered."

"Uh yes?"

"Okay Colby isn't answering his phone. And Devin is freaking out. The band is supposed to play tonight but Devin just got sick in the bathroom. Oz is out with Willow. And Colby is no where to be found. Devin said can you please come sing solo for their spot?"

Laney sighs rubbing her temple, "I Um yeah sure Sam."

"Thanks you're the best. Hope you're doing better too. I know you took a break."

"Mhmm I'm good. Thanks for asking."

"No problem. I'll see you in a bit."

Laney nods unconsciously knowing he couldn't see her but still it being routine. She hangs up the phone and sighs looking at Colby's name once more. Shaking her head she gets up and changed before beginning her walk to the Bronze.

When she gets there she sees the parking lot completely full. Frowning she notices Colby's black car and freezes. Was he here? I thought Sam said he wasn't answering?

Shaking those thoughts from her mind, she quickly hurries into the bar and walks through the small crowd. It was a little more packed than usual. No wonder Devin was freaking out.

Walking backstage, Laney hears voices at the back bathrooms and frowns.

"Sorry I didn't have my phone on me. Winona asked me for a favor so I went to see her then came back to my phone being blown up."

"It's fine now we got the stage covered."

"Are you sure, Devin? You seem like you're dying."

"Oh it's not him," Sam replies, "I called Laney."

"What? Why did you do that? She's supposed to be taking a break."

"We needed her man. We can't back out of this spot tonight. It's packed. We need the attention."

Colby sighs rubbing his temple, "Yeah I guess... is she here?"

"Not yet. She said she was on the way."

"She doesn't have a car. You let her walk? This late at night?"

"I don't know what you want from me, man."

"Nothing. Never mind. I'm gonna go-"

Laney chooses this as her moment to make her presence known. But also it was just because many thoughts were running through her mind and she wanted to go on stage now.

However first she would have to pass him.

Colby turns around feeling her presence in the room. He looked at her with his usual stare of admiration but there was something else that was there. Deep in his eyes.

Maybe guilt.

Sam looks between the two feeling the awkward vibes and frowns. This was not like them. Usually they were so happy and relaxed and nonchalant. The tension between them felt uncomfy.

"I'm gonna set up your piano."

"Thanks."

Sam nods before hurrying out the room.

Laney takes a deep breath before looking away from Colby, "I thought you weren't coming."

"I had something I was doing. Left my phone in my room. You got my-"

"Messages? Yes... I um I-I just I don't know. I'm really lost right now."

Colby nods, "Yeah... um listen Laney if you need time that's fine. I-I um don't want to pressure you into a relationship if that's not what you want."

"W-what?" Laney frowns with heartbroken eyes.

"I um I just... Laney I don't know how to help you heal if you don't want to talk to me. I just figured... if it's what you want-"

"Why would I want that?" Laney starts to hyperventilate slightly as she feels the room close in.

'Because I don't want to hear those words.'

Faith frowns, 'What words?'

'I'm breaking up with you.'

'Why do you think he would say that? I don't think he would, Lane. The boy is smitten. He is crazy about you. Anyone can see it. He wouldn't even suggest a break. He will literally wait till the end of earth to be with you.'

"Laney it's been a tough few weeks for you. I get it. I really do. And as much as I love you. I can't bring myself to force you to love me."

"Y-you want a b-break?" Laney whispers to herself as she looks at the wall beside Colby.

He frowns sighing, "I think it's what we need right now."

Laney doesn't say anything. She takes a step back and falls to sit onto the couch behind her. Colby curses mentally as he watches her break down.

She sits staring blankly ahead, "You want to break up?"

"No. No Laney." Colby hurries over to her and kneels in front of her holding her face in the palm of his hand, "I didn't say that."

"Y-you keep calling me Laney..."

"What?" Colby looks at her confused.

"You always call me baby. Or Lane. You keep saying Laney."

"I-I'm sorry."

Laney's shoulders droop as she thinks about everything. He found someone else. That's it. Laney wouldn't open up and he found someone who could. Mentally and physically.

Colby stands up and rubs his face sniffing slightly as he looks away. He clears his throat while taking a step back towards the door.

"A-are you leaving?"

He looks at his watch while tussling his hair. He seemed nervous.

"Um I-I'll stay and listen to you. I mean i-if you want me to."

"Please..."

Colby nods, "Yeah. I will."

Laney watches as he nods to her before grabbing the door handle and walking out the room. Laney feels tears fall down her face but she felt so numb that she couldn't even cry with noise. Her eyes just flooded the tears like a waterfall but her heart hurt so bad that she couldn't even sob.

After getting herself together for a couple of minutes, she puts on some light makeup and does a couple of breathing exercises in the mirror. Taking one more minute, she then gets herself together and walks backstage and up on the front of the stage by her piano.

The spot light shone down on her and the instrument as the bar started to quiet down. It was that point at night where everyone was taking a break from the heavy dancing and wanted to hear a slow song.

Tapping the mic softly, Laney speaks into the silence of the room.

"Hey everyone. I'm a singer in Dingoes Ate My Baby, I know weird name. Um we have some band issues so tonight it's just me. I'm gonna sing a song I wrote yesterday. Hopefully you guys like it."

Laney begins playing the piano as she feels nothing but eyes on her. As she starts to sing she catches the stare of the one person who she wrote the song specifically for. She hoped he would understand a bit more after this. But she knew even then she would still have to talk to him. That was if he wanted to now.

I wanna be touched, be loved
I wanna heal, be hugged
It's just the two of us
Or that's what we swore

And if I've lost my charm
Apologies due, no harm
'Cause you've got ahold of my heart
And I know it's worn

Laney couldn't even look up. She felt his burning stare on her. She knew he was thinking about the words. And that's what she wanted. She tried to apologize in the lyrics and explain how she was feeling. And to ask if he wanted to break up... to please do it. And not leave her hanging.

So won't you please spare me indignity
And won't you please give me some decency
And won't you please call it if our time is through
'Cause I know that we fall apart when nothing's new
Nothing's new

I want to be close to you
But I don't know what to do
'Cause if we are near to through
It may make it worsе

And if I start to grieve
'Cause it feels you'rе 'bout to leave
Forgive me, I'm not naïve
I've been here before

Glancing up at Colby's awed stare, she couldn't help but see understanding in his gaze.

So won't you please spare me indignity
And won't you please give me some decency
And won't you please call it if our time is through
'Cause I know that we fall apart when nothing's new
Nothing's new

Nothing's new, nothing's new
Nothing's new, nothing's new
Nothing's new, nothing's new
Nothing's new, nothing's new

Colby feels his heart drop as he listens to the pain in her voice. He knew she was hiding something. But whatever it was must've been so terrible that she couldn't even process a way to talk to him. And he now went and screwed up by telling her he wanted a break. He couldn't stay and listen to her cry her heart out to him knowing it was his fault for her emotions in this song. He heard the lyrics. He wondered if there was anything else that could've caused those lyrics as well. Either way it hurt him to hear her this way. He felt at fault.

Nothing's new
Nothing's new
Nothing's new, nothing's new
Nothing's new

Laney watches as Colby pushes through the crowd and hurries out the door. A tear slides down her nose as she sings the last part with the most emotion she had even showed in the past few months.

Please spare me indignity
And won't you please give me some decency
And won't you please call it if our time is through
'Cause I know that we fall apart when nothing's new
Nothing's new

The two make eye contact one last time before Colby disappears out the bar. Laney sighs as looks down at her trembling hands.

...

Inside Sunnydale High School library, Giles gets up from his desk and comes out to the table in the main room.

"The council has approved our request. Faith is to stay here indefinitely," He walks around the table, "I'm to look after you both until a new Watcher is assigned."

Laney smiles softly then looks down at the ring Colby gave her. Cordy pats her back reassuringly as she sighs.

Buffy is sitting on the table and Willow is sitting in a chair.

"Good. She really came through in the end." She slides off of the table, "She had a lot to deal with, but she did it. She got it behind her."

"I'm glad to hear it." Giles looks over the papers as Buffy looks down at the table sadly and quietly for a long moment.

"Angel was cured."

Giles looks up at Buffy before glancing over at Laney who sits frozen and stares blankly at the wall, "I'm sorry?"

"When I killed him, Angel was cured." Buffy turns to Willow, "Your spell worked at the last minute, Will."

Willow looks up, taking it all in then frowns looking at Buffy knowingly.

"I was about to take him out, and, um... something went through him... and he was Angel again. He-he didn't remember anything that he'd done."

Laney clenches her fists together as Cordy rubs her arm and back repeating the words, 'Breathe' to her over and over again.

"He just held me. Um, but i-it was... it was too late, and I, I had to. So I, I told him that I loved him... and I kissed him... and I killed him."

She looks down at the table again for another long moment. The others stay silent.

"I don't know if that helps with your spell or not, Giles."

Giles nods , "Uh, yes, I, I believe it will."

Willow stares at Buffy sympathetically, "I'm sorry."

"It's okay." She gives them a little smile, "I've been holding on to that for so long. Felt good to get it out."

She pauses looking over at Laney who doesn't even give her the time of day, then smiles thinly, "I'll see you guys later."

She walks out of the library while looking down at the floor. Willow watches her friend go, contemplating the meaning of it all.

Giles eventually starts to go back to his office. As he walks around Willow she gets up from her chair.

"Giles, I know you don't like me playing with mystical forces, but I can really help with this binding spell."

Giles shakes his head, "There is no spell."

He starts toward his office again then looks towards Laney, "Only you and your inner sorrow."

Laney realizes that he'd made the whole spell issue up to get Buffy to talk and release her inner sorrows and fears and worries and pain.

Gasping to herself she bites her lip thinking before standing up and turning to Cordelia.

"Cordy can you give me a lift?"

Cordy lets out a relieved groan, "I've been waiting for you to say that for days now."

...

⚠️ WARNING: Mention of assault, mention of violence + explanation of detailed violence. If any of this is sensitive you then you are welcome to skip. ⚠️

Laney quickly makes her way through the small campus as she looks for the building that Colby was staying in. He was in a dorm this year but planned on getting his own place next year. Off topic but she wondered why she had never came to his dorm to see him. She always had the information but never went. She trusted him. Maybe that was why.

As she gets inside, she goes on the elevator up a flight and gets off to reveal a red haired girl standing in the hallway with her back to the wall as she stood looking around bored with books in her hand.

Laney slowly steps off the elevator and feels her heart drop as she walks closer and closer to the girl.

She was standing by Colby's door.

Laney clears her throat as the girl finally looks up.

Her magnificent blue eyes shone brightly as she smiles.

"Oh my god, hi you must be Laney!"

"Uh huh..."

"Sorry I'm not a creep or anything. But MacLeish talks about you all the time."

"He does?"

The girl nods laughing, "Yeah. I mean he asks for advice almost every other day. What did I do wrong? Do I give her space? Am I coming off too clingy? The boy is smitten."

There goes that word again.

"Obviously he hasn't taken any of my advice. He's locked himself in his dorm for the past two days. I'm bringing his homework."

Laney stares at the girl in awe and confusion.

Was she for real? Or was she a mean stealer?

"Sorry you probably don't even know my name."

"Not really..."

"That's okay! No boyfriend willingly talks about another girl. I totally get it. And please do not think there is anything going on between us. That's actually disturbing, disgusting, and I would rather hang myself upside down by my toes."

Laney smiles softly at the sarcasm, "Right... well why is that?"

"He's my step brother."

Laney's smile drops. She was an idiot.

"Huh?"

"Well ex step brother. My mom and his dad were married for a bit like five years ago. Then my mom passed away and I went to go live with my dad. So I haven't seen him since maybe Christmas about three years back. I saw him on campus last month and was in plain shock that we met again."

"Wow that's insane actually."

"Right... small world. Anyways I'm Winona!"

"Oh you're the-"

"The favor yes... he said he wasn't sure if you heard that or not. But he felt like pure and utter shit. Which is fair. He should. He's a dumbass for not listening to me. What girl wants to hear the words break?"

"That's what I was thinking..." Laney smiles softly once more.

Hm maybe she could like the girl. It was too soon to tell.

"Plus no worries, I don't swing that way."

Laney nods realizing she understood exactly what Winona meant. It made sense the girl hadn't taken her eyes off Laney the entire time and even her hand off her arm.

"Can you get off my girlfriend, Win?"

Laney jumps slightly feeling a chest against her back. She looks up and sees Colby smiling sadly down at her. Looking back at Winona, Laney bites her lip.

Winona rolls her eyes, "Here's your homework, brat. Thank me later. Talk to your girlfriend and make up now. Or I'll fight your ass."

"You wish."

Winona raises up a middle finger as she walks over to the elevator, "Be careful she's pretty, I might have to steal her away."

Colby frowns rolling his eyes before pulling Laney inside the room. Winona's laugh rings through the hallway until the dorm room door closes.

Laney stands in silence as she rests her back against the door taking in the room. It was cute small and quaint. Very boyish and organized. She sees a cute picture of the two of them at the beach framed on his nightstand and smiles.

Feeling eyes on her she can't help but peek over at Colby who was looking down at her intensely.

"You okay?"

"Y-yeah... y-yes..." Laney clears her throat, "I'm fine."

"What are you doing here?" Colby asks lowly.

Laney now realizes just how close to two were. She could feel his chest against hers. Their hearts beating rapidly together as they look one another in the eyes.

"I-I um... I came to talk."

The tension between the two was so intense that they had subconsciously moved even closer and their lips gently grazed one another's as their eyes began to flutter closed.

"To talk?"

"Mhmm..." Laney feels Colby add pressure to the kiss and right as she's about to kiss back, he pulls away harshly and takes two steps back.

"Sorry. I didn't mean to do that. I don't want to make you uncomfortable."

"I'm not... I wasn't..."

"No?"

Laney shakes her head, "No..."

Signing Laney grabs Colby's hand and leads him over to his bed. She pushes him to sit then takes a seat beside him. Holding his hand she takes a deep breath before letting go.

"I was r*ped..."

Colby goes still as he hears those words.

"By Daryl? The ex..."

He hoped. He prayed in that moment that this is what Laney meant.

"N-no..." She shakes her head as her voice and hands tremble. "By him-"

"Please... don't say his name."

Laney tears up as she hears Colby's voice crack slightly, "I can't... it's true..."

Colby's head drops in his hands. He felt his world come crashing down. It was his fault. None of this would've happened if he didn't leave. He left his girlfriend to fend for herself and the one person she trusted went bad. And not only went bad but did the one thing that caused her trauma in the first place.

"Laney I'm so sorry."

"Why are you sorry?"

Colby stands up and paces around for a second before grabbing his lamp off his desk and throwing it scores the room. He shouts angrily as Laney flinches hearing it shatter.

She quickly gets up and grabs his hand, "Stop it! It's fine-"

"It's not fine Laney! It's not! Fuck it's my fault. I should've protected you! I should've been there! I should've noticed when I came back. You don't want me to even touch you at first and I couldn't see it. I'm an idiot. I thought you wanted space. I even asked Winona. She said to keep trying. To keep showing up and letting you know I was there. And I stupidly tell you I want a break. I'm sorry. I'm so sor-"

Laney interrupts him with a firm kiss. She holds the back of his head pulling him down to her as his hands gingerly stay by his side. Sighing, Laney takes one of her hands and grabs his then places them on her hips. His hands tremble as he holds her gently. She pulls away from the kiss and frowns.

"I'm not going to break."

"You might... I can't Lane... you have been through so much and I'm just going to make it worse. I'm not helping. I'm hurting you-"

"Shut up Colby! Please. You are the reason I'm still breathing. You have no idea. You're my everything. And I wanted to be it for you. I felt like I was damaged and I couldn't heal. I didn't want you to have to deal with all my baggage and my nightmares. And my inability to have physical touch."

"Baby I love you. I'd wait for you till the end of time."

Well looks like Faith was right.

"I'd never want you to feel pressured into anything you didn't feel comfortable doing just because I might be ready. If you're not ready then I respect that. And now I know why you weren't. And I don't want to do anything knowing that you don't feel safe. Of course I want to show you what love really feels like. I want to give you the world, baby. I do. But I'll be fine waiting until you come to me. And you say you're ready."

Laney stands staring at him in awe. This man would be the end of her.

"I'm ready."

"W-what?" Colby glances down at her as she looks up at him in need.

"I-I love you, Colby MacLeish."

•
•
•

~ JUST FOR FUN ~

COLBY'S DORM ROOM

CUTE COUPLE WALLPAPER PICTURE

FRAMED PICTURE

SHE FINALLY SAID THOSE WORDSSSSSSSS!!!! Yall it's going down next chapter 😏😌 and I don't just mean between those two. A certain someone makes their presence known If you know you know.

How are we feeling so far?

New character unlocked! Now you won't be seeing her as much now but once next season starts when the gang is in college oh yeah she will be back! How do we feel about Winona? Did you guys hate her before you knew who she was?

Favorite character so far?

Least favorite?

I don't think there was any Xander in this chapter and I was happy about it lol sorry to this man.

I'm excited to continue on! Any future predictions?

Special requests...