Title - Mocha Dreams
Author - Morr
E-mail - Morwen@sbcglobal.net
Rating - PG
Pairing - B/G
Disclaimers - They so don't belong to me.
Though I'd treat them better than Joss did if
they were. ;-)
Spoilers - BtVS: References to season finale.
AtS: Set after the episode 'The Girl in
Question' and goes off into my own little
world after that.
Summary - A tragedy brings Buffy from her
idyllic life in Rome to Bath and to her
Watcher.
Notes - This was a b-day prezzie for Sis that
I never got around to posting. Her only
requirements were that I not kill Giles or
Buffy and that I give it a happy ending.
Demanding isn't she?
***Oh, and there is a major character death
and ya know, angst. I tried, Savvy. ;-)
Many thanks to - Rari and Gail for the
fabulous, if rather extensive, editing. <bg>
Buffy toyed with her wineglass, watching the activity around her grow, as evening turned to night. People were filling the square, unwinding after a long day of work. Even though the night was just beginning, it would be time to head home soon. Buffy had an early day tomorrow. She had to smile at the thought that this was now home. She still found it hard to believe she was living in Rome. All she was supposed to do was round up Slayers and be on her way. Buffy never expected that she and Dawn would fall in love with the Eternal City. It hadn't taken long for them to decide to make Rome a permanent relocation.
Buffy smiled again. Permanent indeed. Dawn was studying International Studies and Art History at the American University of Rome, living on campus, and loving every minute of it. Buffy was training Slayers and taking a few courses at the university as well. She had a lovely flat on Via dei Capperalli in the heart of the Roman historical centre, not three blocks from where she was currently sitting. She loved the cobblestone streets and architecture, the feeling of history all around her. It was a feeling of completeness and comfort she'd never felt in California. As if her inner Slayer had come home to its roots.
Another remarkable change in her life was sitting next to her. She glanced at her companion and smiled. Mario Sciessere, a communications major at the university, which was where she'd met him. His olive skin and dark exotic features had attracted her immediately. And when he smiled at her, she was lost. For the past three months, the two had managed to spend every free minute together and those didn't seem like enough. To be sure he wasn't her first romance since her arrival in Rome, but she was more comfortable with him than she'd been with anyone else.
A loud cymbal crash brought her attention back to the square. The nightlife of the Campo dei Fiori was in full swing now. She smirked, knowing she'd be here again in the morning, only this time, to hit the food market that filled the square in the daylight hours.
Mario's rich baritone voice interrupted her thoughts. "Il soldo per suo ha pensato, caro mio?"
Buffy laughed and leaned into his embrace before scolding him, softly, "Mario, how many times do I have to tell you - English. All I know is you asked me something about a penny."
He kissed her cheek and repeated, in flawless English. "I was offering a penny for your thoughts. But I would be willing to pay at least a lire for such a prize."
Buffy scrunched her nose. "Nah, I take euros only. That's all I can convert in my head to dollars."
Mario grinned, shaking his head. "Americans."
Buffy pulled back and smacked him on the chest. "Hey, I resent that." Her eyes narrowed. "Wait, was I or wasn't I insulted?"
He answered with a kiss to her cheek, and skillfully redirected the conversation. "Do you miss America?"
Buffy shrugged and reached for her wine. "Sometimes. I mean, I'm a California girl and this is about as far away from that as you can get." She took a sip before continuing. "All my friends are like, scattered now. And the town I lived in sort of - exploded, like I told you before. Willow went to work with a cov- um, a sort of power company in Bath - in England, and Xander is working in London with another friend. Or at least, that's where they all are now. They kinda moved around a bit after we all left, Dawn and me, too, at first." She waved her hand absently. "Anyway, once they left, Dawn and me were kinda homeless, ya know?" Her eyes clouded as she remembered those last days and those who died helping her. But as always when her mind wandered, her final thoughts were of her Watcher. No matter where she was or what she was thinking, thoughts of him were so close to the surface she could almost reach out and touch his face. She had the strongest urge to call him, for no other reason than to hear his voice.
The young man nodded, and sensing a change in her mood asked, "But none of them are here. What makes this home?"
Buffy shrugged, evading the question. She couldn't tell him that as the Slayer she felt a deep connection to the past here. That her Slayer roots called to her here, that she was stronger here. She hated that she couldn't share one of the most important parts of her life with him. The worst of it was, she didn't want to tell him. He was safer not knowing. It saddened her to realize that all too soon she'd have to tell Mario good-bye. She shook her head, knowing she'd miss the idea of him more than the reality of him.
"Buffy?"
She was saved from answering when a couple dancing nearby spun wildly into their bistro table. Buffy's glass jolted, spilling her wine on her shirt before she could catch the glass. Buffy glared at the oblivious couple already gyrating down the square. "Dammit, that'll teach me to wear white when drinking red wine." She wiped at it disgustedly.
He offered her several napkins, noticing the time as he did so. "It's getting late, Buffy. I have my internship with the ambassador tomorrow and I think you need to change." He leaned in and whispered, "I could help you with that part, caro mio."
Buffy rolled her eyes and gave him a peck on the cheek. "Why, Signore Sciessere, so far all you've offered me is a penny and a lire," she paused to pick up her jacket from the back of the chair before grinning wickedly, "and I may be easy but I'm not cheap." She tossed her hair and strode off in the direction of home, leaving an amused Mario to scramble to catch up with her.
~~~~~~~~~~
The Slayer twirled the stake before placing it back in her pant pocket. She snorted, wiping disgustedly at her shirt. "There's nothing like vamp dust caked into drying wine to really give a girl that fresh as a daisy feeling." Buffy plucked at her ruined shirt. "Clothing allowance. This is a must. I don't care what Giles says."
Mario had seen her to her door but she'd never even opened it, and as soon as he was out of sight, she'd gone off in the opposite direction. Her senses had tingled and away she'd gone hunting her prey, the last of which, was now all over her totally ruined shirt. Refusing to ruin anymore of her outfit, she made her way back home.
The offending shirt came off and was tossed on the floor the instant she walked in the door. She flicked on the lights as she walked down the hall to the bathroom intent on a hot shower. She was halfway there when the phone rang stopping her in her tracks, a scowl on her face. "Someone better be dead," she muttered, snatching the phone. "This better be important."
"Great way to make a person feel loved, Buff," quipped the familiar voice.
Buffy wrinkled her nose. "Sorry, Xand, it's been a long day and I reek of vamp dust and red wine."
"Wow, Buff, is that some new style there?" His voice sounded strained.
Her eyes narrowed in response. "Very funny. I have a date with the shower, so whatcha need?"
Silence.
"Hey, Xand? You still there?" She sank down in the chair, her legs no longer wanting to support her. "What is it?"
His tone solemn, he replied, "You have to come, Buffy. And bring Dawn. She'll want to be here, too."
She shook her head, eyes shut tight. "W-why? Why, Xander?"
He let out a long hitched breath. "Buffy - it's Willow. She - she's -"
Buffy dropped her head to the table. She could hear him crying and it terrified her. Her knuckles were white as she clutched the phone. "She's what, Xander?" Hysteria was overwhelming her when she heard another voice.
She heard shuffling on the other end and then her Watcher's sad voice filtered through. "Buffy, I've already made arrangements for both you and Dawn. Your tickets will be couriered to you." He paused. "Buffy, I'm so sorry. I regret having to bring you such news this way. But there is never a good way, is there?"
Tears leaked through her tightly clamped eyelids.
"Willow is gone, Buffy."
~~~~~~~~~~
Giles stood to her right holding out his hand to her, which she took, grateful for the support. She also hoped the contact would help him, too. Buffy knew he was hurting. His face was drawn, filled with shadows. He and Willow had become close since their first time in England together after Willow tried to destroy the world.
She could hear Dawn sniffling next to her. Xander and Dawn had latched onto each other almost as soon as Buffy and her sister had arrived. And for that Buffy was grateful. She could feel little beyond her own grief and couldn't deal with her sister's needs right now. Little room was left in her awareness beyond the rosewood coffin decorated with a large spray of pink and white roses. Her best friend, her sounding board. Her cohort for all things mocha, countless talks and tears and dangers; was dead. Her arms wrapped around Giles' arm tight enough to bruise, yet his only response was to pull her closer.
Willow had returned to the coven when things with Kennedy didn't work out. She'd been content with them and had even found a new love, Carol. Buffy's eyes flitted around until she saw the raven-haired witch standing on the other side of the coffin, running her hand along the polished edge. Andrew was standing next to her, his arm around her waist. Buffy sniffled, seeing everyone that meant so much to Willow here.
Amanda, the coven leader walked around to the front of the room, drawing all eyes to her. "Friends, we meet here to say our final farewells to one of our own. Soon her parents will arrive, as will others who knew nothing of our beautiful Willow's true soul." She lifted her arms. "Goddess, we beseech you, guide our sister home to you that she may continue to beautify the world in your name." She stepped up to the open coffin and touched it. "Dear sister, we were honored to have shared our lives and ours home with you. Our circle will be much dimmer without your shining light. Travel well, sister." She pressed a kiss to Willow's forehead and swept from the room.
One by one the witches paid their respects to Willow until none were left but Dawn, Xander, Giles and Buffy. Buffy wrapped herself around Giles, not wanting to move, not wanting to say good-bye. Giles simply held her, brushing a soft kiss to her forehead. He understood.
Xander disentangled Dawn and trudged up the coffin. He pulled a garish plastic ring out of his pocket and gently placed it under her pale hand. Tearfully, quietly. "You're still my hero, Willow. Ever since we were six and you found that ring in a box of Cracker Jacks." He pressed his fingers to his lips briefly before placing the kiss warmed digits on her cold cheek. "I love you, Will." Hot tears dampened his cheek and he quickly wiped them away with his sleeve. He cleared his throat and turned to the others not knowing what to say or do anymore.
The whole situation became too much for Dawn, and with a small cry, she ran out of the room. Xander watched her go and saw Andrew and Carol go after her. Before Buffy could move, Xander reassured her. "Carol and Andrew have her, Buff. Don't worry."
She nodded, relieved. "I'll see you later, okay, Xander?"
He walked over and gave her a peck on the cheek. "Yeah, okay." He gave Giles a concerned glance. "Giles, you doing okay?"
The Watcher smiled sadly, "Quite as well as can be expected. Thank you, Xander. You should get some rest if you can now. You have had rather a long few days. Sleep would be good for you."
Xander shrugged. "If I can." He gave one last look at the coffin and walked out of the room.
Giles pulled Buffy over to the settee and drew her down with him. Long held-back tears flowed freely as the Slayer finally cried for Willow. Giles stroked her arms, her hair, all the while making soothing sounds and comments. In no way trying to stem the tide of tears knowing this catharsis was needed by the trembling bundle in his arms.
How long they stayed that way, Buffy didn't know. The next she knew, Giles was pulling her from him, looking at her tenderly. "Buffy, we should go. Willow's parents will be here soon. I think it would be best to be gone before that ordeal."
Buffy wiped her damp cheeks, nodding. "Yeah, I would really hate to have to tell them just what the hell I think of them." Her eyes hardened. "Willow hasn't even heard from them really since our first year of college. All they did was send money, cards and visit for ten minutes once a month."
Giles nodded tersely. "Not ideal parents. I find it unfortunate that it seems to be the lot for all of you. You and Dawn at least had one caring parent. Willow and Xander were not so fortunate."
Buffy nodded slowly. "Yeah. Poor Xand. Willow was his family long before I came along. They'd been friend since like kindergarten." She focused on the doorway Xander had gone through. "He'll be so alone now," she said softly to herself.
An insistent finger tilted her chin until she met his gaze. "Buffy, do not take this on yourself. They believed in what we were doing and wanted to make a difference. And they did, she did. She died fighting to protect innocent lives. Xander is as strong willed and determined as Willow was. Yes, Xander has lost something dear to him, as have we all, but he is a resilient individual. He'll come through this as he always has," the corner of Giles' mouth curled up, "with a stumble, a laugh and many, many fond memories that he will cherish for the rest of his life."
Buffy smiled at him gratefully. "How do you do that, Giles? Make me feel okay when I feel like something scraped out of the bottom of a barrel?"
Giles laughed, his eyes crinkling in delight. "You have a most creative command of the English language. But I thank you for the sentiment - I think."
She scrunched her nose in response and got to her feet, pulling her Watcher with her. "Yeah, yeah, yeah, I know. Now let's go before I'm forced to stake the Rosenbergs when they get here."
Her eyes blurred as she turned back to the rosewood casket. Not releasing Giles' hand, she crossed the few steps separating her from it. She ran her free hand across the cold, smooth surface, not able to touch the pale figure lying within. All she could think was how her red hair was even brighter next to her pale skin. "I love you, Willow," she whispered, "thank you for walking into my life that day." Giles' hand closed over hers, warm against the wood. "I'll never forget you; never."
Giles released her hand and cupped her cheek. "Are you ready to go?"
She nodded and he pulled her close to his side, drawing her out of the room, leaving the room empty.
~~~~~~~~~~
"Dawn, you don't have to go back so soon." Buffy flopped down on her sister's bed and refolded the shirt the young woman had hastily thrown in the suitcase. Both she and Dawn had been staying with Giles since they'd arrived in Bath and it didn't take long for both Summers to feel at home in the cottage.
Dawn rolled her eyes at her sister's mothering. "Yes, I do, Buffy. I'm taking that summer course in runes and hieroglyphs with Andrew. He promised to help me. You know I have to know this stuff if I want to be a Watcher."
Buffy nodded absently, amazed by her sister's determination to want to work with things she used to call 'icky'. As she reached for yet another shirt to properly fold, Dawn grabbed her hands and sat down next to her. "What about you? When are you coming home?"
Buffy shrugged, wanting to avoid the upcoming conversation. "I dunno. Giles has things for me to do here, so I'll hang out for a bit."
Dawn gave her a penetrating look and Buffy shifted uncomfortably. "B-besides, Xander's still so depressed about Willow. I want to be here for him."
Her sister shook her head. "You can't keep doing this, Sis. It's been six weeks. You called Mario, what five or six times? And every time he calls here, you give him the brush-off. And," she added significantly, "you haven't mentioned any of this to him or anything about him to Giles or Xander."
Buffy's eyes narrowed. "And just what is that supposed to mean?"
The younger woman shrugged her shoulders as she stood, turning to pull the rest of the shirts out of the drawer. "It means just that. They don't know about him. And I'll bet you only told Mario about Xander, not Giles. Because if you did that, then you have to explain how, and why, and on and on and on." She dumped the shirts in the suitcase and reached into the next drawer. "I totally get that you can't share the Slayer stuff, but you gotta tell him the score."
Buffy sat unmoving, shocked at her sister's insight. "What score do ya think I need to tell him?" She blustered, and pulled the messy clothing onto her lap to fold, trying to cover her reaction.
It didn't work. Dawn smirked at her and pulled the clothing back from her sister, tossing it in the suitcase and placing it out of her sister's reach. "Nuh uh. I've seen you." She sat down again, giving her sister a sideways glance. "Do you love him or not?"
Buffy's eyes widened and she shot up. "Dawn! Are you nuts? I mean, sure, Mario is -"
She was silenced when Dawn pulled her back down next to her. "Not Mario. Giles."
The Slayer was beginning to wonder when she'd left Kansas and how the hell to get back there without the damn ruby slippers. "Okay, Munchkin. You're right. It's way past time for you to go."
The younger Summers wasn't deterred, repeating, "I've seen you with him. At first I thought it was because of Willow, ya know, communal grief. We've all missed her so much." Her voice caught. "But Xander's noticed it, too." At Buffy's horrified look, Dawn added hastily. "You have to decide what you're doing, Buffy. It's not fair of you to hold him close if all it is, is grief." She took a deep breath and blurted out: "And if it's not, it's not fair to keep Mario in the dark about what's happening."
Buffy's eyes flashed. "You've no idea what you're talking about. In love with Giles? Are you serious? I have a job, no a career, a boyfriend, a life! And all of that's in Rome." Buffy flew off the bed, her hands clenched tightly as she glared at her sister. "What do you know about it?" She turned away at the sad look in Dawn's eyes. "She was my best friend, Dawn! I-I miss her. A-and Giles is - Giles understands that. He misses her, too. But he has to do the stoic act and -" She stopped, her protestations sounding false, even to her ears. She fled the room and was down the hall and out the back door in a matter of minutes. Her heart was hammering in her chest. It couldn't be, it just couldn't be. Dawn was imagining things and probably telling Xander her outrageous summations.
She fumed as she kept walking, heedless of her direction, turning it over and over in her mind. Giles' warm embraces, his quiet strength, his presence at all times. She wanted for nothing emotionally. Her heart was healing, her grief more manageable and she owed that to her Watcher. His quiet devotion to her caused her to seek his company out more and more, until she was taking up almost all of his free time.
Buffy stopped short. All his free time. He spent all his time with her. From the moment he came home until the moment he went to bed, he was with her, talking to her, cooking for her, catering to her every wish. The more he gave, the more she took. "Oh, God." She flopped down on the grassy slope groaning in frustration. How could she have done that? And done nothing for him? How? She'd not given a thought past that one day as to how he was taking Willow's death. And worse, she had latched on to him like a lifeline. She would touch him constantly; holding his hands, laying her head on his chest. "Oh no." She covered her face with her hands. Touching him the way a lover would. Letting him hold her the way Mario would. Wanting him the way -
She shook her head violently. "Uh uh, no-no-no-no-no. Where was the damn tornado? I mean, how the hell else did I end up in Oz?"
"Perhaps you followed the wrong Yellowbrick Road," came the acerbic reply from Giles that almost made her jump out of her skin.
She turned quickly to see him standing behind her, smirking. "You scared the hell out of me, Giles! No sneaking up on the Slayer." And in a mature display, stuck out her tongue at him.
Giles laughed as he sat down in the grass next to her. "A thousand apologies. Though I must confess to no small amount of curiosity as to why you are questioning your current location."
She rolled her eyes. "It's not important, just something Dawn and me were chatting about." She rushed on before he could question her further. "So, back from work already? Is the Council still running smoothly?"
He knew what she was doing and digested that slowly, his gaze never wavering from hers. Miraculously, he let it go. "Yes. I had a rather short day today. We had a special summit and tied things up earlier than anticipated."
Buffy nodded, relieved beyond belief. "That's a good thing."
"Yes, it is." He pinched the bridge of his nose. "Buffy, I wanted to know, that is, I was wondering, what your plans are?"
She sighed, shutting her eyes briefly. Twice in one day. "I don't really have any." She looked at him worriedly. "Um, unless the welcome has been overstayed. We have kind of invaded you."
Her Watcher smiled warmly. "You are always welcome here, Buffy. Never doubt that. No, I was merely wondering if you were going back to Rome with Dawn."
Buffy laced her fingers together, flicking her nails. "Um, no. I wanted to stay for a while. Xander's - well -" she trailed off. There was no way she could say that twice. Xander wasn't the reason and she knew it. Yes, he missed Willow but he was coping. He didn't need her to stay. "I'm staying, for now."
Giles let out a relieved breath. "Good. I have become rather accustomed to your presence again." He toyed with the silver cufflink adorning his left cuff. "I would miss you," he said softly.
Her heart clenched at the softly spoken admission. She found herself moving without conscience thought or reason. Her hand on his cheek, guiding him to her, his lips touching hers, warming her as the kiss deepened. She drew up on her knees and his arms wrapped around her pulling her close. Their lips parted and he brushed a soft kiss to her hair. "I will be here for you, Buffy. As ever. But I don't think this is what you want, is it?"
She was trembling and he ran his hands across her back and down her arms, soothing her. She thought she was gonna be sick. He was right and wrong. Buffy did want this, with him, but not his way. Not without telling him the truth, not while she was still so confused. She couldn't use him this way, the way she always had, and reluctantly, pulled out of his embrace.
Before she could explain, a familiar voice cut through the silence. "Buffy?"
Her heart froze and she turned to see Mario standing next to another man that she recognized as one of the many messengers for the Council. Without thought, she jumped up, pulling completely away from Giles, backing away from both of them.
*Fuck*.
With one action she'd hurt both of them. "Ah, Mario, I didn't know you were coming."
His head cocked to the side, giving Giles a contemplative once over as the other man stood up. "So I see." His diplomatic background rescued him quickly and he walked forward, hand extended. "Mario Sciessere."
Buffy watched, too ashamed to speak and too stunned to move, as Giles and gave Mario a measured look in return and gripped his hand firmly.
"Rupert Giles."
Mario released Giles' hand and walked over to Buffy, taking her hand in his and kissing her cheek. "I am sorry to interrupt but I was sent with the ambassador to London and thought I would surprise you." He gave Buffy a sad smile, and whispered. "Seems the surprise was on me."
Buffy swallowed hard. "I'm sorry. I can explain -" she stopped suddenly realizing how bad that sounded. "No, wait, I'm doing this all wrong. See, Giles is -" she cut off again, her eyes searching out her Watcher. Only he was no where to be found. "I should just wear a condemned sign on my forehead."
Mario put fingers to her chin, guiding her attention back to him. "Tell me about him."
Buffy squeezed her eyes tightly. "I don't know how," she whispered.
He pulled her gently to the ground and held her close. "Say what's in your heart."
Buffy clutched him to her desperately. "I don't want to hurt you and I don't want to hurt him. She buried her face in his chest and mumbled, "I never wanted to hurt you. Never, never wanted to hurt you."
He shook his head. "I know that, caro mio."
The Slayer blinked back tears. "It's what I do though. Hurt people. Especially him." She took a deep shuddering breath. "See, there's something about me you don't know." Buffy took his hand and pulled him down as she sat. She never let go of his hand as she told him everything.
~~~~~~~~~~
The sun was sinking past the horizon by the time she'd told him of her calling, her life, and her mistakes. She looked out over the darkening horizon, drained of everything.
Mario considered her. "And you told none of them about me?"
Buffy tilted her head, eyes narrowed in thought. "You amaze me. I tell you that all those things that go 'bump in the night' are real, and that hey, the checking for monsters under the bed when you're a kid is a really good idea, and that I, ya know, fight them, and all you want to ask is whether or not I told anyone about you?"
He cocked an eyebrow. "I think it's the only part I can grasp."
Buffy snorted. "I hear ya."
Softly. "Why, Buffy?"
She shook her head, ashamed. "I wanted something of my own. Something - away from what passes for my reality." Her eyes pleaded with him. "It was like living another life. I needed that."
He smiled sadly, whispering, "I was your escape."
Grey eyes widened. "That's sure a polite way to say I was a selfish ho who was using you."
Mario snorted. "Well, I am to be a diplomat by trade. I need all the practice I can obtain."
She let out a groan and flopped back on the grass. "Tell me what to do, Mario."
He lay down next to her, ran gentle fingers down her cheek before nudging her to face him. "And what if I tell you to come back with me? Or perhaps I should play the martyr and tell you I set you free, go to your Englishman? Would you do as I say?"
Her eyes grew bright. "I don't know."
He kissed her tenderly. "Ah, but you do. I see it in your eyes, caro. It was not love for either of us. Not yet. Perhaps one day it would have been, who can say. Now we will never know."
She pulled back from him sharply. "Mario? I-"
He put two fingers to her lips, silencing her. "You have a beautiful spirit, Buffy, but I always knew a part of you was - missing. I understand why you could not share this with me. It doesn't make it any easier, but I do understand." He indicated the cottage at the bottom of the hill with a tilt of his head. "Does he?"
Buffy's brows scrunched. "He does - what? Understand? He's been part of it."
He shook his head. "No. Does he understand why you didn't share your life with him?"
The Slayer's eyes narrowed in further confusion. "Mario, I just told you -" She stopped as she finally understood what he was asking her. "No," she said softly, "I don't think he does. I never, ya know, deliberately didn't tell him about you or you about him, I - it was like - like - like mochas or ice cream."
He laughed. "I have prided myself on being able to follow your thought processes but what the hell does that mean?"
She smirked. "Mochas or ice cream." She closed her eyes as she remembered fun afternoons with Willow and mochas. Just a couple of teenage girls spending hours talking and comparing men to foods. Ice cream was a close second but mochas won every time. Their dream man would be just like that: tall, hot, sweet, and delicious.
Giles was her mocha. Tears rose in her throat and she whispered. "Mochas." She looked at Mario sadly. "I want mochas, Mario, not ice cream."
It took several minutes before comprehension flooded his features. He dropped his head and sighed. "I'm ice cream, aren't I?" He raised his eyes to hers.
She nodded and pressed a kiss to his forehead before qualifying. "Yeah, but really rich ice cream."
He grinned and pulled away, standing quickly. "Then I shall trouble you no more." He gave her a tight hug when she stood and turned away, making his way back toward town and out of her life.
She felt strangely at ease as she watched him leave. Knowing, somehow that he'd be okay and so would she. Buffy turned toward the cottage, toward home, knowing that she and Giles had many things to discuss, lots of air to clear but she had no doubt that they would. She loved him and he loved her and together they would make new dreams. She ran all the way down the hill.
The End