By: Jaide
Discalimer: I don't own any Buffy characters, but the idea and any other characters, like Ms. Holland, are mine.
Buffy and the gang were studying up on the local demons in the library. Willow had the computer, Xander and Buffy scanned some books, and Giles was lost in the stacks.
"So is this demon guy big news?" Xander asked, bored after 5 minutes.
"Normal," Buffy answered, closing her book. "Well, normal in an unormal sense, because we are talking about demons, which are not considered normal, I think. Are demons normal?"
Willow looked up from her computer. "For us, they are. Giles said it's like a possession thing. You know, those things that possess?"
"I can live without one of those," Buffy muttered. Just then, the library doors burst open.
It was Principal Flutie. "Good day everyone. Is Mr. Giles here?" he asked, a little too cheerily.
Giles stepped out from the stacks and towards the stairs. "Why, yes. I'm here."
"Good. I have a matter to discuss with you," the principal said, gesturing towards Giles' office. The two men stepped inside and closed the door.
"That did not look good," Xander commented.
"I know. I wonder what they're talking about," Buffy added.
Willow, "I hope is doesn't involve detention."
A few minutes later, they came out. Giles looked a little....well, he was hiding a smile, that's what the teenagers could tell.
"Umm, students, Principal Flutie has been telling me about the high death rates around the school, and you 3 plus a few others always seem to be, uh, around," Buffy cut him off.
"You don't think we did any murders, do you? Because I know I didn't kill anyone."
Principal Flutie held up a hand, "Not to worry, young lady, we don't think any were caused by students. I'm meerly concerned about your menatl health."
"Mental health?" Willow gulped.
Xnder stood up. "We're not crazy!"
"No, Xander, Principal Flutie has demanded you take crisis counseling tonight, at 8 PM. I have to admit, I agree," Giles said, trying his hardest not to grin.
Buffy's eyes widened. "Counseling? Again? But I'm, we're, perfectly fine!"
"Miss Summers, like I told you before, you can't bottle up those emotions. IIt has to come out, you'll feel much better when this is through."
"But," Willow started.
"This is stupid!" Xander finished.
"Mr. Harris, it is a perfectly good idea for a great reason. No more arguing, you start today," Principal Flutie said, and walked out of the room.
"Giles!" three angry students shouted at once.
Angel walked quietly to the Sunnydale High Library. He had some information he wanted to give Giles on the latest demon. Of course, the main reason was to see Buffy. This slayer had a startling affect on him, he knew that. She was beautiful, strong, and a pain in the ass. But Angel liked her. Allot.
He quickened his pace when he reached the steps, pulling open the building door and walking down the hallway. The school was silent. He was careful when he passed an office with light coming from behind the door. Finally, he made it to the library. No one noticed when he walked in.
"Giles! This is soooooo unfair!" Buffy exclaimed.
Xander, "You can't do this to us."
Willow spoke up, "It's wrong! Very wrong!"
"I'll cry all night!" Buffy added, burying her head in her hands.
"It's for your own good! I agree with Principal Flutie. Even if you do fight demons all the time, I really think some of the death id getting to you."
"But counseling??" Xander practically yelled.
Giles noticed the dark figure standing by the check out desk. "Oh, Angel. Hello."
"Hi," Angel replied a bit confused.
"I suppose you're going to make him see the counselor, too!" Buffy wailed.
"It's only fair," Xander said. Willow nodded.
Principal Flutie had walked in without them knowing.
"That's an excellent idea!" Angel turned around, confused. He still didn't know what was going on. Principal Flutie wasted no time in filling him in.
Angel was dumbfounded. "You want me to go to therapy?" he almost yelled. "No way."
"I think it's only fitting. I've seen you around the crime scenes also, Mr....." Principal Flutie said.
"His name's Angel," Buffy offered. "And let me add I think that's a great idea Principal Flutie. The more the merrier. And I think Mr. Giles should come, too. After spending countless hours locked up in a musty old library full of books on death and demons...." she trailed off, grinning.
"That's the spirit, Buffy!" Principal Flutie cheered.
"But, uh..." Giles started.
"Now now, Mr. Giles," Xander interupted. "You know it's true!"
Angel and Giles both glared at Buffy. Willow was grinning. If sh had to suffer, than let everyone else, also.
"I'd like to welcome everyone to our first session," the therapist, Ms. Holland greeted. Buffy sat on a small sofa, and to her delightment, Angel sat beside her. Close. Xander also took her other side, closer. This brought on a jealous glare from Angel, which Buffy missed. Giles took an armchair, and Willow seated herself on a pillow on the floor. Cordelia was also present, and so was Owen. They shared another sofa.
"Yeah, yeah, let's get this over with," Xander stated.
"Mr. Harris, this is a serious matter," Ms. Holland told him, sternly.
"Yeah!" Cordelia started, looking mortified. "I mean, those dead people were....dead. That could happen to me! Omigod! No more shopping, or dating. What are we going to do???" she asked frantically. Buffy, Willow, Giles, Xander, Angel, Owen, and even Ms. Holland rolled their eyes.
"I want to know how this makes you all feel. When it's your turn, state a feeling," Ms. Holland said, making notes in her notebook.
"Owen?"
"Well, I felt, excited, you know? I've read about death, allot. My favorite poet is Emily Dickinson, but nothing really prepares you for it. It was awesome," he said, sitting up and grasping his hands.
"Intereseting thoughts, Cordelia?"
Cordelia knew the spotlight was on her, so she made it look good. She dabbed her eyes with a tissue. "I felt ::sniff:: really miserable! I mean, they didn't even cancel school for a memorial or something! I really needed a day to sho...uh, grieve!"
"Okay, Mr. Giles?"
"I think it's very sad that the young lives were wasted..."
"Oh, but if they're still alive, our lives can go to waste..." Buffy grumbled under her breath so low so only Angel caught it. He pretended stretch a bit, and moved even closer.
Giles continued. "My feelings are a bit mixed at the moment, between sadness and anger."
"Very good. Willow?"
Willow squirmed, she hated being the center of attention. "Well, those people, they're my friends. I see them everyday, and then to find them dead? There is no emotion or feeling to describe it. It goes beyond sadness, anger, and grief. It feels horrible. And we can't change it or help them. No way to bring them back. They're gone!"
Everyone was silent. Even Cordelia felt the loss. Willow blushed furiously.
Ms. Holland nodded. "Um, Xander?"
"Boredom," he answered quickly.
"When you saw your friends dead, you felt boredom?" the therapist queried.
"No, I felt bad then, now I feel bored," he said exasperated.
Ms. Holland shook her head. "Buffy, How did you feel?"
"Well, I felt sad, and sorry for them, but hey. You gotta take the good with the bad."
"And Angel?"
He sighed. "It's a loss, but I've seen it before. I don't need therapy," he stated clearly.
Ms. Holland took a few notes. "Well, I've made a decision."
Everyone looked up at her. "Giles and Owen seem to be handling this well. You two may go," they quickly left. "Cordelia, Willow? I want to see you two 1 more time, ok? We'll make an appointment later."
Soon, only Buffy, Angel and Xander were left. "You three, seem to be in denial. I want to meet with you once a week for two months."
"What?" they shouted all at once.
"It's for you own good."
Buffy groaned and leaned onto Angel, burying her face in his shoulder.
Despite the bad situation, Angel's body shivered inwardly with delight at her touch.
"Hey, Buff, you ok?" Xander asked with mild interest, jealous over her preferance of Angel.
"Just shoot me," Came Buffy's stiffled reply.