The Fallen Slayer {1}

A Broken Promise

Alexia Branson.

It had taken Buffy two days of research to find out Lexi's full name. The girl had been good at covering her tracks.

While it would have been easier to ask Giles, Buffy found herself unable to let anyone else get involved with her plan.

She wanted to do this for Stefan...and for Lexi. So for once she willingly did all the research herself, hence why it had taken so long.

But she had done it. 

Feeling a gust of wind approach her from behind, Buffy turned around, completely blocking her surprise from Stefan's eye line.

Stefan tried to smile at her, but he was still obviously struggling so he came out as more of a grimace "Hey."

Buffy smiled weakly at him, she hated seeing him in pain "Hey." She repeated the sentiment "So...did you join the brother-killing club?"

Probably for the first time since Damon had killed Lexi, Stefan let out a small chuckle "Unfortunately not. I was close...missed the heart."

"Did you make it hurt?" She couldn't help but ask.

Damon deserved all the pain after what he had done to his baby brother's best friend.

Seriously, what kind of older brother tortured their little brother like this?

"Big time." He admitted before frowning in confusion as he glanced around the wooded area "Why did you ask me to meet you here?"
It was a beautiful area just outside of Mystic Falls. Filled with beautiful fresh-grown Lillies and silk cotton trees. The whole area felt so filled with life.

Instead of answering Buffy stepped forward and took Stefan's hand, entangling their fingers together as she finally moved beside him.

Officially revealing the whole reason she had texted him to come.

Positioned carefully in a field of lilies was a headstone, with a fresh bouquet of tulips rested against the head.

Alexia 'Lexi' Branson

1680 - 2009

An Epic Friend For All Eternity

Stefan let out a small sob at the sight of the hand-carved tombstone. 

Given the sketch of Lexi that Buffy had clearly drawn and printed on the stone plus her handwriting along with the carving of Lexi's real name, Stefan felt ready to fall into the abyss.

This was the kindest thing someone had ever done for him.

Yet still...it made the fact that his best friend was dead all the more real.

As he stared at the gravestone she had made for Lexi, Stefan couldn't stop the tears from rolling down his face. He just couldn't understand.

Buffy had only spoken to Lexi twice, why would she go through all of this effort?

"Why would you do this?"

Buffy just squeezed his hand tighter as they both stared at the headstone "You deserve somewhere you can go to talk to her. And she deserves to be remembered as the epic person she was."

Stefan inhaled tightly and found himself squeezing her hand back in gratitude. Given that the Sherriffs department had disposed of Lexi's body, he hadn't had the chance to even bury her.

Now, somehow the girl he loved had found a way for him to still have a funeral for her in a way. A place filled with beauty and life that Lexi would have adored.

Lilies and Tulips had always been her favorite.

Flowers that represented living.

It was perfect.

"Thank you." He whispered softly.

Buffy just smiled and slowly untangled their fingers, stepping back to give him his space. She wanted him to have a final moment with his best friend.

To say goodbye.

"I will be back here. Take as long as you need."


Buffy spent 20 minutes watching as Stefan crouched in front of the headstone, speaking quietly to himself as he said his goodbyes.

Finally, feeling a small piece of peace settling in his chest, Stefan moved to sit beside Buffy on the blanket she had set up.

Before he could say a word she handed him a blood bag. Spotting his skeptical look she smiled softly "It's pig's blood. I talked to the local butcher in Richmond."

No way in hell was she going to risk talking to the butcher in Mystic Falls.

Again, Stefan found himself amazed "Thank you."

Buffy waved him off before also handing him a turkey sandwich, some brownies, and a bottle of water. The mixture would wipe away the scent of blood from his lips.

As he took a sip of blood and Buffy bit into her own ham and cheese sandwich, Stefan now feeling slightly lighter after being able to say a proper goodbye, decided to dive into why he hadn't killed his brother.

"I wanted to kill him..." He whispered as he took another sip of blood before reaching for his sandwich "But then I realized I was missing something."