Awkward

Buffy laughed so hard her eyes started watering and her lungs hurt.

Xander ducked his head and sighed, "That great, huh?"

Wiping at her eyes with her hands Buffy gave him her best no shit sherlock look.

Xander bobbed his head and held up his hands for peace, "Yeah... yeah, i get it. I... I thought I knew what I would say when I saw you again, Buff.... Had the speech all worked out but... well, here and now I can't remember half the crap I figured out."

Buffy just sat and stared at him.

"Well, this isnt awkward at all." Xander griped.

Buffy huffed in agreement.

"Shit, Buff, theres a shit ton of stuff I can say. Should say... but... I bet you know most of it already. You know we love you, you know we miss you, you know we want you to come home." Xander ran his hands thru his hair, "You might not know this one tho, the whole police looking for you because of what happened? Not happening anymore. That's been attributed to gang ****, finally. Kendra's **** isnt being pinned on you anymore."

Buffy laughed sourly.

"Yeah, those pesky gangs on pcp." Xander rolled his eyes. "The Sunnydale special."

"Look, Buff, school's started and things are different now and... and I don't know." Xander gestured at her, "I can see you've got a new life started here. And I guess you are... successful given... uh... how much certain things cost. Which is.... which is, uh, good! I'm glad you are doing well. Knew that you could."

Buffy cringed.

"I dont have the right to tell you to abandon your new life here. But I do need to tell you that everyone back home loves you and misses you."

Xander stiffled a grin, "Not including Snyder. He's happy you are gone." He snickered. "Boy, it sure would ruin his day if you came back."

Buffy snickered along with Xander.

"Look, Buff... uh, you wanna get breakfast? Or lunch? Brunch?" Xander asked. "I had a granola bar while driving down here at way too early in the A.M. and could really use something substantial to eat."

Buffy's stomach betrayed her and rumbled loudly.

Xander chuckled as he stood up and held out a hand to her, "What d'you say, Buff?"