...The Slayer was prepared to take the brunt of the man's anger with her chin up and her eyes unwavering. There were few people who possessed anger enough to make her so much as stumble -- especially when she understood that their feelings were natural. Necessary. And not directed at her -- not really. Needling him on the account would only make it worse.

So she turned on her heel and watched him carefully.

"Kidnapped," Buffy echoed. "At first I thought she was just off a-rambling 'cause, well...you don't need me to tell you what Jilly's like. But she'd gotten into the habit of telling me when she left. Every time. Just in case. So I'm thinking a little sojourn with our keepers is exactly what's up."

A deep breath. This was the lie she didn't want to give: "She will be back."

But what assurance did she have of that? Willow had just went home during a kidnapping.