Best I Ever Had II: Secrets
Two months later...........
Buffy was starting to panic that she was not going to find the perfect
gift for Xander's birthday. Buffy had only two days left before the gang threw him a surprise party. Willow, Buffy, and Angel had come up with the ideal since the three of them knew that his parents wouldn't do anything eventful for him.
Buffy had spent all day at the mall looking at anything that would be
considered manly for her best friend and nothing seem to scream out to her. She wanted this gift to be the best. It wasn't everyday that you turn seventeen. Buffy knew that this would be his last birthday before he moved out of his parent’s house. Xander had vowed when a few years back that the day he legally turn eighteen he was moving out of that hell hole he called a home.
Buffy had hoped that his family would wake up before it was too late. How ever it did not appear to have happen since she had been away and she starting to agree with Xander about his family's lack of love.
"Hey Buffy." Harmony called out to Buffy.
"Harmony." Buffy answered with a polite smile.
"What are you doing?" Harmony asks with a curious sparkle in her eye.
"I'm shopping for a birthday present for Xander. What are you doing?"
Buffy ask.
"Oh yeah, it is his birthday soon. Oh, I was just shopping for a new
winter wardrobe. I was bored." Harmony admitted.
"Oh." Buffy replied.
"So what are you getting him?" Harmony looked down at Buffy's empty
hands.
"I don't know. I have looked at everything possible but nothing screams
Xander to me." Buffy admitted.
"That sucks. I hate when I can't find the right gift." Harmony sighed.
"So, where is your fearless leader?" Buffy looked around for Cordelia
Chase.
Buffy knew that wherever Cordelia was then one of her groupies were
usually close by.
"I don't know. Her maid said that she left the house rather early this
morning." Harmony shrugged her shoulders.
"I didn't think she woke up until after noon." Buffy replied dryly.
"Exactly! I'm wondering if she is seeing someone new?" Harmony replied.
"Why would you think that?" Buffy ask with a frown.
"Well, she never goes anywhere without telling me. It's her way of
bragging about what is going on in her life. This is like the third time that I have went to her house and no one seems to know where she is. It's just not Cordy like." Harmony explained.
"Maybe she just forgot to inform you." Buffy opted.
"Nah, she is doing something that she doesn't want anyone to know about. Trust me." Harmony answered with a wicked smile.
"Well, I hope you solve the mystery." Buffy chuckled as she started to
walk away from the ditsy blonde.
"You know Buffy, she really took the news of you and Angel too well."
Harmony called out.
Buffy stopped in her tracks and turn around.
"What do you mean?" Buffy ask.
"Cordy, use to tell me that Angel was the most perfect guy in the world. Too perfect. It drove her crazy how sweet and noble he could be. I just thought it was strange that she didn't make you suffer for going out with her ex boyfriend. Don't you. I mean, come on you and Cordelia were once friends. She's not the type to let anyone have anything that either belongs to her or used too." Harmony explained with a weak smile.
"Are you warning me?" Buffy ask with an angry glare.
"No, I'm just saying, I just thought it was weird. That's all." Harmony
gulped hard.
"Bye Harmony." Buffy snapped as she turn on her heels and walked away as fast as her feet would take her.
Buffy's heart raced at the thought of Cordelia trying to compete with her for Angel's affections. Buffy adored the noble and sweet side of Angel. How ever, she had never truly dug into Angel's relationship with Cordelia. She had never asked him how far the relationship had gone? She had never felt the need to do either. Now she was wondering if Harmony knew exactly what Cordelia was doing on those three secret days?
Buffy went straight to the phone when she got home. She dialed Angel's
number and got his answering machine. Buffy exhaled deeply and told herself to stay calm. There was no reason to believe that Angel was with Cordelia at this precise moment. Even if he was she told herself, he was not doing anything that would jeopardize their relationship. Angel loved her. Not Cordelia. She had nothing to worry about.
Buffy pick up her purse and left the house. Buffy had to find Willow and fast. Buffy knew that Willow would help her stay calm. She just had to find Willow, she kept telling herself as her stomach twisted in knots.
Chapter Two
Xander kissed her harder than he meant too. It was just driving him crazy how they had to hide their relationship.
"Xander!" Cordelia yelp as she pulled away from his embrace.
"Sorry. I guess I got carried away." Xander apologized.
"You think." Cordelia snapped as she placed Chap Stick on her swollen
lips.
"Why are you here?" Xander ask with a hint of anger in his voice.
"I think that part is obvious." Cordelia replied sarcastically as she
button up her blouse.
"I'm serious. Why are you having sex with me?" Xander started buttoning
his shirt as well.
"XANDER! I thought we agreed to not say it out loud." Cordelia rolled her eyes.
"It's true though. You know as well as I do that even if the lights are
off and the covers are over us the entire time, we are having sex." Xander pointed out as he jumps out of the bed and pulled up his pants.
"What do you want from me?" Cordelia ask as she turns her head away.
"Why are you having sex with me? You could have had sex with any guy you wanted but your doing it with me." Xander ran his hands through his messy hair.
"You know, your right. Maybe I should pick someone else." Cordelia sighed heavily as she turn her back toward him and pick up her pants to pull on.
"That is not what I want. I just...Im...confused, Cordelia. It is getting so damn hard to see you outside of this damn room and not kiss you." Xander began to explain as he walked around the bed.
"You cannot touch me in public. I mean it!" Cordelia hissed.
"Then why are we doing this? I mean, seriously! I hate this. I hate the
way I feel when we leave this room. It's so ... disgusting." Xander cried with a heart wrenching expression on his face.
"I'm disgusting?" Cordelia's eyes popped wide open.
"NO, your not, we are. Together like this." Xander threw his arms up.
"Xander, lets be honest here. You are a nobody at school and I'm a big
somebody. If I admit to having sex with you then I could loose everything. That wouldn't be fair to me." Cordelia replied with a firm smile.
"Fine. I see. So I’m good enough to be your sex buddy but I'm not good
enough to be even considered a friend in public. This is wrong. I can't keep doing this. I'm sorry. I just can't." Xander headed toward the door.
"Xander wait." Cordelia called out as she bit down on her lower lip.
"What?" Xander refused to turn around and look at her. He knew that he
would agree to anything she asked of him if he stared into her beautiful brown eyes.
"I do like you. I like what we do when we are alone. It's like no one or nothing exists outside of this room. Just two people enjoying each other. I'm sorry if that bothers you. I'm not ready for anything more yet." Cordelia pleaded.
"I understand. I am though." Xander answered as he forced himself to shut the door and keep walking away from her.
Cordelia felt the warm tears stinging the back of her eyes. She refused
to cry. She cared for Xander more than she allowed him to see. She also felt the craving to touch him whenever they were near. Yet she knew it would be impossible to keep her popular status if it was revealed that she was sleeping or even cared about a guy like Xander. Cordelia knew that one day she would loose him; she had just hoped that when that time arrived she wouldn't feel anything for him. The truth was, she was crazy about him. When they were alone he made her feel beautiful and alive. He never judged her or expected anything from her. Xander actually liked her for who she was.
Cordelia feared she might never meet another guy like Xander. Cordelia
picked up her purse and the hotel room key. Walking out of the room she held her head high as she reminded herself that she was Cordelia Chase. A beautiful, popular and rich girl. She didn't need anything else or anyone else for that matter.
Chapter 3
Angel and Gunn were trying to fix Gunn's old truck when Xander walked up.
"Hey Xand man!" Gunn smiled up at his friend.
"Hey, still don't have this thing working." Xander frown.
"The boy is a genius." Gunn chuckled.
"Where have you been? I thought you said to meet you here at nine?" Angel wiped the grease off his hands.
"Sorry, had something else to do first." Xander answered with a nervous
smile.
"Cool, so do you want to work out with me or not?" Angel sensed that
Xander was upset about something.
"Nah, I think I will just stay here and help Gunn." Xander leans over to look at the engine.
"I’m gone then. If Buffy comes looking for me tell her I will be back
soon." Angel called out as he started jogging toward the park.
Angel didn't care that the weather was getting cooler he still worked out no matter what. Xander often called him a postal work. Rain, snow, or hail Angel will be found working out no matter what was Xander's saying for their friend.
Angel had just jogged two miles when he saw someone he knew. Although
Angel knew it would be smart to keep jogging he found himself slowing down.
"Hey!" Angel smiled brightly at the brunette.
"Hey you!" Cordelia exclaimed as she drop her shopping bag and threw her arms around him.
"What was that for?" Angel frowns up at her.
"I have missed you." Cordelia replied with a strain smile.
"Sure you have. So, you look great." Angel noticed she wasn't wearing
simple clothes for once.
"Thanks. I’m slumming it today." Cordelia sighed.
"You look great slumming." Angel teased her.
"I see you still work out daily." Cordelia looked at the muscular arms
and gulp hard.
"Yep." Angel answered.
"So, are you guys throwing Xander a party for his birthday?" Cordelia ask casually.
"Yeah, but it's a surprise. So don't tell him." Angel warns her.
"Why would I tell him?" Cordelia exclaimed.
"Sorry. I meant just don't say anything to anyone about it." Angel
noticed she seem nervous.
"Like I would. Who would care about a party for Xander?" Cordelia rolled her eyes sarcastically.
"Okay. Got to run." Angel hated when she acted so superior.
"Bye." Cordelia pick up her bag and headed to her car.
Angel couldn't help but wonder what was going on in her head. As he ran a few miles it hit him that she had not ask or said anything about his new relationship with Buffy. Although, he was relieved on the one hand, on the other he wondered if she was seeing someone?
Not that he needed her approval to date other girls he just knew it was
not like her not to add her input on it. Angel thought about the way she was dressed and then the slight black rings under her eyes. Had she been crying? Angel told him self-not to worry about his ex-girlfriend but to concentrate on the wonderful one he had.
Yet as he finished up his jog he decided to call Cordelia and check on
her. Although they were not a couple they were friends. Friends help other friends. At least that is what he told himself as he ran into the house and dialed Cordelia's number.
Chapter 4
Buffy had just arrived home when she heard the phone ringing.
"Hello." Buffy answered.
Nothing. Buffy wondered if it was some sort of prank caller.
"Hello! Hellllooo!" Buffy shouted into the phone.
Still nothing. Buffy slam the phone down and headed upstairs to her room.
Buffy went to her closet and pulled a cute outfit for her date with Angel and then turn on her shower water. She had just started undressing when the phone rang again.
"Hello." Buffy said with a happy tone.
"Hey you." Willow replied.
"Hey did you just try and call me about a minute ago?" Buffy ask as she pulled off her jeans.
"No, I just now called you. Why?" Willow giggled.
"Someone called and just breathe on the phone." Buffy explained.
"Wow, you have a breather." Willow teased.
"That's not funny. Those things spook me." Buffy shivered.
"At least he wasn't asking you stupid questions." Willow said.
"Yeah, well I would rather have him ask if my fridge was running than saying nothing at all. That is creepy." Buffy walked into the bathroom and check the temperature of her water.
"Are you about to take a shower?" Willow asks.
"Yeah, I have a date with Angel tonight." Buffy replied with a silly smile plastered on her face.
"You two go out every night!" Willow sighed.
"What you and Oz don't spend time together every day?" Buffy ask.
"Well, we talk every day but we are not glued to one another." Willow answered enviously.
"Sounds like you need to be a tab more aggressive." Buffy challenged her.
"I hate being pushy. I would rather be submissive than the dominant one." Willow pointed out.
"What ever makes you happy." Buffy looks for the shoes to match her dress.
"Well, I guess I will let you take a shower. Call me later." Willow hung up the phone.
Buffy set the phone down on the bed and raced into the shower. Once finish with her shower she jump out and proceeded to putting her dress on when she spotted something out of place.
She knew she had put her dress on her bed with her shoes next to it. Yet her shoes were not there. They were sitting in the chair by the window. Buffy gulped hard. Had someone been in the house? Was she loosing her mind?
Buffy's heart raced as the phone began to ring.
"Hello." Buffy’s voice was shaky.
"Hello." A male voice answered.
"Who is this?" Buffy ask.
"Who do you want it to be?" The male replied.
"What is going on?" Buffy's tone turn angry.
"What do you mean?" The voice answered with a raspy laugh.
"Who are you?" Buffy demanded.
"I liked those shoes but I think the black ones will go better with your dress." The mystery voice informed her.
Buffy dropped the phone. Who ever it was on the other side of this phone had been in her room while she was taking a shower.
"Hello? Are you still there?" The voice called out.
Buffy stared down at the phone. Buffy’s hands trembled nervously. Bending down she pick up the phone and click the off button and then raced to her door and lock it. She dialed Angel's number. The phone rang a few times before she got an answer.
"Hello." Angel answered as he clicks over.
"Angel! Oh God get over here fast. Someone was in the house! They might be still here." Buffy began to scream hysterically.
"What is going on?" Angel asks with fear in his own voice.
"Someone just called me and they let me know they had moved my shoes. They were in my room. Please help me." Buffy began to cry as she slid down in the corner of her room staring at her locked bedroom door.
"I’m on my way." Angel hung up the phone and ran out of his house and down a few houses until he got to her house.
Angel opens the front door and raced up the stairs to Buffy's room.
"Buffy it's me. Let me in." Angel called out as he heard the lock released.
Buffy threw her arms around Angel who held her tightly.
Buffy's towel slip slightly exposing her naked body.
"What happen." Angel ask as he kissed her forehead.
"I got home....and the phone was ringing I answered it. NO one spoke. So I hung it up. Willow called me and I told her about it and as we talked I picked out my clothes for tonight. I sat my shoes next to my dress. I got in the shower. When I got out I noticed my shoes were sitting in that chair." Buffy pointed toward the chair by the window.
"Then the phone rang and this guy wouldn't tell me who he was but he mention that he thought I should wear a different pair of shoes with my dress." Buffy began to cry uncontrollably as she clung to Angel tightly.
"It will be okay. Calm down, baby." Angel’s eyes search around the room for any other signs of a break in.
"I’m so scared. I'm all alone this weekend. My mother is out of town with a girlfriend. I don't wont to stay here alone." Buffy explained as she sobbed.
"Shh...Don’t worry. I will stay with you." Angel offered.
"My Mom would have a cow if you stayed here with me." Buffy reminded him.
"Then Willow can stay too." Angel suggested.
"Okay." Buffy agreed to the arrangement as she felt herself starting to relax.
"You need to get dressed." Angel tried not to stare at the breast that was exposed to his view. Angel knew now was not the right time to want to caress his girlfriends breast.
"OH!" Buffy blushed scarlet red as she pulled her towel up.
"I will stay right here. Go." Angel pointed to the bathroom while he sat on her bed.
Buffy didn't argue. She was too relieved that he got there so quickly.
Angel stared at the window. Angel suspected who ever had got inside of the house came that way. Angel walked to the window and looked out. Angel wondered if they knew this mystery person? Angel would kill anyone who tried to hurt his girl. Angel sat back down on the bed and hoped that this was a one-time event for this prankster. If not then he would have to break the guy in half if he kept bothering Buffy.
A few minutes later Buffy step out fully dressed.
"Thank you Angel." Buffy lean down and gave him a soft kiss that lead into a passionate embrace.
"Thank you." Angel smiled as he rolled her over onto her back and began to tenderly kiss her back.
Chapter 5
Buffy was still a bit shaken up about the weird episode at her house
earlier that evening. She was slightly relieved that Angel and Willow would be staying at her house. She just hoped that she wasn't putting them in danger too.
"This is a great band." Angel shouted over the loud music.
"Yeah," Buffy nodded her head as she shook her hips with the rhythm of
the music.
Buffy knew that Angel was trying to keep her mind off of the horrible
event but a small smart of her wished that he would act a bit more concerned.
"I love you." Angel mouthed the words as he stared deep into her eyes.
Buffy felt her stomach do instant flip-flops with the sexy glance he gave her.
"I love you too." Buffy mouthed the words back.
Willow and Oz sat at the booth close to the dance floor.
"They seem happy and all." Oz commented as he held Willows hand.
"Yeah, I'm sure they are both trying to pretend nothing happen. It's
creepy." Willow shivered.
"Are you sure it is a smart ideal to go back to the house. I mean,
shouldn't Buffy have called the police?" Oz suggested.
"If it happens again I'm sure she will." Willow replied.
"I just don't like the thought of you being in that house." Oz explained as he kissed the back of her hand.
"Well, you could come over and protect me." Willow's eyes sparkled.
"Yeah, I'm sure Mrs. Summer would love to walk into that scenario." Oz
chuckled.
"She isn't due home until Monday." Willow answered as she licked her
parch lips.
"Willow," Oz shivered from desire as he imagines spending a night with the girl of his dreams. Oz knew that it would put them both in a rather sticky situation. He loved Willow but they were not ready to go to the next level with their relationship. He wasn't going to ruin this by acting on his hormonal needs.
"What?" Willow batted her eyes.
"Lets go dance." Oz jump out of the booth pulling her with him.
Both couples danced the evening away. All four of them having more on
their minds that having a good time. Yet none of them wanted to talk about it.
-------------------------
William had walked into the club with his date. William was pleased that he had been able to persuade the college freshman to join him here tonight until he spotted Buffy. William debated on whether to try and make Buffy jealous or uncomfortable. Then his date got an unexpected phone call and explained that she had to go meet her girlfriend who just got dumped. William wasn't sure if he was relieved or upset about the intrusion.
After the cute blond departed he took a seat in the back of the room and watch the couple dancing the night away. William wondered if Buffy had ever told Angel about them? William smiled wickedly when he imagine the boy wonder's face if he told him what he had done with his little Barbie. William knew in his heart he couldn't do that to Buffy. Although she used him she was still a friend. William knew that she cared deeply about him but she couldn't show it. If she showed it then she might expose a side of her that she had hidden from everyone who cared about her.
Still, William couldn't help but wonder what life might have been like
with her had she not left town. How far would their relationship had gone? William knew this game was fruitless to play but every time he saw her he couldn't help but resist the urge to walk up and kiss her the way he once did. The way that made her moans into his mouth. William shook those mad thoughts out of his head and headed out of the club before he did something that might hurt him more than her.
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Chapter 6
"How about we all sleep down here." Willow suggested as she looked around the spacious living room.
"It would look better if your mother should arrive home early." Angel
agreed.
"Okay. Angel will you go upstairs with me so I can get us some blankets?" Buffy ask.
"No problem." Angel smiled gently as he held her hand.
Oz and Willow watch them walk away.
"Here take this." Oz handed her his cell phone.
"Why are you giving me this?" Willow frown at him.
"Just in case." Oz replied with a worried smile.
"You are so sweet." Willow kissed him on the cheek.
"You are beautiful." Oz pushed a loose piece of hair from her face.
"Can you stay for a little longer?" Willow pleaded.
"No, I have to get home before my mother calls the cops." Oz answered
with a warm smile.
"Okay." Willow understood.
"Bye." Oz leaned down and kissed her gently before letting himself out.
"Hey where is Oz?" Buffy ask as they came down the stairs.
"He had to go home." Willow answered.
"Oh, wish he could have stayed too." Buffy knew it would have been more
fun for Willow had her boyfriend stayed as well.
"Me too." Willow agreed as she took some of the blankets from Buffy's
arms.
"We can pull out the couch. It makes into a bed." Buffy thought out loud.
"I will sleep on the floor next to you two." Angel offered as he came
down with a handful of blankets and pillows.
"Oh isn't he so gallant and sweet." Buffy smiled proudly at her
boyfriend.
"That he is. Our hero." Willow pretended to swoon.
"I could leave." Angel teased them.
"NO!" Both girls yelled in union.
"I was just kidding." Angel chuckled at their horrified expressions.
"Come on help me with this." Buffy called out as she tried to pull out
the bed.
Once they had the bed set and a nice comfy pallet for Angel made they
walked the house together to make sure everything was locked and shut
tightly.
"Okay, lets head to bed. I'm tired." Willow yawned.
Willow and Buffy climbed into the bed while Angel got situated in the
floor next to them. With a few seconds Willow began to snore.
"Haha." Buffy giggled at the sound coming from Willow.
"I always thought she would be a snorer." Angel chuckled.
"I've told her that but she never believed me. Now I have you as a
witness." Buffy smiled.
"How are you doing?" Angel asks.
"Fine. I'm still a bit shaken up." Buffy admitted as she chewed on her
lip.
"I’m here don't worry. Go to sleep." Angel reach up and took her hand in his.
"Thank you Angel. I'm glad your here." Buffy relaxed as the warmth of his hand over hers helped her eased into a peaceful sleep.
All three of them had fallen asleep when they were woken up by the sound of a phone ringing. Buffy stumbled out of the bed to grab the phone.
"Hello." Buffy grumbled still half asleep.
"He can't spend the night with you every night." The scary voice said.
"What?" Buffy's eyes popped wide open.
"You heard me. Nightie night." The voice crackled with laughter.
Buffy heard the person click the phone.
"What's wrong?" Angel looked up at the clock showing it was only four in the morning.
"Buffy." Willow called out as she tried to force her eyes open.
"It. It..." Buffy stuttered as she dropped the phone.
"Who was it?" Angel jump up and put his arms around her.
"It was the creepy guy again. He...knew...you. Were.... here." Buffy
began to sob into his chest.
"That's it. You’re calling the police in the morning!" Willow demanded.
"I have to agree with Willow." Angel kissed the top of her head as she
clung tightly to him.
"Come on let’s get back in bed." Angel climbed up in the bed allowing her
to stay in his arms while they all tried to go back to sleep. None of them slept well. All three of them were wondering who was stalking her and how did this person know Angel was there?
Chapter 7
Angel woke up before the girls and serve them breakfast in bed.
"Good morning ladies." Angel announced as he sat the trays on their laps.
"What is this for?" Willow asks with a cranky frown.
"This is for being such good sports last night. I know you both were
freak out." Angel answered with a sweet smile as he sat across from them.
"Oh and you weren't!" Buffy ask as she push back a loose piece of hair.
"Well, a little." Angel shrugged his shoulders.
"So, after breakfast we will go to the police station." Angel informed
them.
"I know my mother is going to be furious about this." Buffy sighed as she played with her bowl of cereal.
"Why?" Willow asks.
"I don't know. It will somehow be my fault that this is happening." Buffy frowned at the bowl in her lap.
"Honey, this is not your fault." Angel reach out and stroked her cheek.
"I know. I guess." Buffy sighed heavily as she push her tray away.
"Come on lets get dressed we will feel better." Willow pushed the blanket off of her and headed up to the shower.
"Buffy, this is probably somebody playing a gag on us. Don't get too
upset about it yet." Angel leans over and kissed her softly.
"Thank you." Buffy smiled into his eyes.
"Go change clothes." Angel pushes her off the pull out bed.
Buffy giggled as she raced up the stairs. Angel started fixing the couch back when the phone rang.
Angel was about to pick it up when he remembered that her mother might be calling. He wasn't sure if he should be the one to answer it. After four rings the answering machine started.
"This is Joyce and Buffy and we are not home. Leave a message." The
machine stated with the voice of Buffy.
"I hope you slept well last night. I thought of you all night." Click.
Angel gulped hard as he jump up and grab the tape out of the machine and put it in his pocket.
"Okay we are ready." Willow and Buffy announced happily as they stood
waiting for him.
"What's wrong? Who was that?" Buffy ask as she saw the fear in Angels
eyes.
"Oh! That was a wrong number." Angel lied.
"Oh!" Buffy pick up her purse and started toward the front door.
"Let's go." She called out to the others.
Angel followed the girls out of the house after he made sure all the
doors were lock. Angel wondered how he was going to give the tape to the officer without Buffy seeing him. He was starting to suspect that this was not a gag after all. Someone out there was truly after the love of his life. Angel felt anger boiling up from the pit of his stomach. He would kill the jerk who was terrorizing her if he found him before the cops did.
Chapter 8
"You know you want too." William teased the sexy blonde in his bed.
"I know I do but you know as well as I that you’re not thinking about me." The blonde pouted seductively.
"Why do you say that?" William asks with a confused frown.
"I know you still think of her. I know that if she was to leave him you
would jump right into her bed." She answered with a sarcastic tone.
William was still confused how the ditty blonde had discovered his
darkest and saddest secret. When she first confronted him with it he had played stupid but once she gave him times and places of where he and the other woman had met he started to feel fear. How did this simple-minded girl know so much about his past? How did she know how his heart felt about a girl that didn't care the least for him?
"Your wrong. Done that. Don't want it anymore. I just want you love."
William lean down and kiss her neck.
"Why do you want me?" She pushes him back.
"Because...your..sexy, dirty....and not anything like everyone thinks."
William answered as honest as he could.
"You like it when good girls act bad behind their friends back, don't
you." She stated rather than ask.
"What is with all the bloody questions? Do you want to fuck or what?"
William cried out in despair.
"Why do you have to be so crass?" The young girl demanded with her fists balled up by her side.
"Because you love it baby." William began to crawl up the bed, pouncing
her like a panther.
"You are soooo right!!" The young girl squealed as she reaches out and
pulled William closer to her.
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After they left the police station Angel dropped the girls off at
Willow's house before returning to the police station to sneak the tape to the officer. He felt slightly guilty for hiding the evidence from Buffy but he knew her nerves could not take much more. The officer on the case understood why Angel had hid it and agreed that this jerk was starting to grow bolder with each step.
Angel was heading back to Willow's when he noticed Cordelia's car parked outside of Xander's house. Angel knew that Cordelia was not his problem anymore but he couldn't help but wonder why she was at Xander's? Those two hated and loathed one another. Why would they even be in the same room without a gun pointed to their heads?
Angel could not resist and pulled in the driveway.
Angel walked up to the door and knocked. It took a few knocks before
someone answered.
"What?" Xander shouted as he threw the door open. His hair was messed up and his shirt was wide open.
"Angel!" Xander shouted rather loudly.
"Hey, I was just wondering how you were doing? I haven't seen you in
lately." Angel lied.
"I'm doing fine." Xander gulped hard as he tried to button up his shirt.
"I was wondering if I could come in and grab a drink with you." Angel asks with an innocent smile.
Xander suspected that Angel was here for more than a casual visit. '
"Sure, come on in Angel." Xander raised his voice slightly.
Angel frowns at him as they step inside the living area.
"So what would you like to drink?" Xander played the polite host.
"Bottle water would be great." Angel answered.
"Coming up." Xander raced out of the room and toward the kitchen.
Angel waited patiently as Xander return with the water and an anxious
face.
"So, how are you and Buffy doing?" Xander ask.
"Doing great. Except someone is stalking her." Angel replied.
"REALLY?" Xander was surprised to hear this bit of news.
"Yep, some jerk is calling her and watching her every move. It is
starting to creep her out. We went to the police station and file a report." Angel said.
"Damn, I hope they find the jerk. Creepy." Xander shivered.
"Yeah, me too. So, I guess I will be heading out." Angel stood up and
headed toward the door.
"It was great." Xander called out to him.
"Yeah, it was. Tell me, is Cordelia here?" Angel couldn't resist asking.
"What?" Xander ask sarcastically.
"I saw her car out there. I was just curious if she was here." Angel asks with a sweet smile.
"NO! You know how I can't stand her." Xander answered defensively.
"True. Anyway, see ya tomorrow." Angel left the house and got back in his car.
A few seconds after he drove out of the driveway, Cordelia slip out of
Xander's room.
"That was close." Cordelia sighed heavily.
"Yeah, too close." Xander agreed.
"Why are we hiding it from him, again, remind me?" Xander ask with a hurt expression.
"Because, no one can know. It won't work for us if everyone knows. People will be judging us. Plus, it is more fun this way." Cordelia answered honestly.
"Oh yeah, we don't want to ruin your precious reputation." Xander rolled his eyes.
"What ever! I’m not going to debate the issue with you." Cordelia strolled over to his side and pulled his shirt back open rubbing her hands up and down his hairless chest.
"Let's finish what we were doing before your folks get home." Cordelia
whispered into his ears as she kissed his cheek.
"Lets." Xander moaned as he followed her back to his room.
Chapter 9
Willow and Angel kept Buffy's mind off of the stalker by forcing her to
play board games with them all day until her mother called to let her know she had arrived home early. It was after she hung up with her mother that they saw her tense up.
"What's wrong?" Angel asks.
"My Mom is home." Buffy replied with a weak smile.
"I can take you home and we can explain to her what is going on." Angel
offered.
"NO! I don't want to bother her with this until we know more." Buffy
pleaded.
"Shh..it's okay. I won't say anything until you ask me." Angel reach out and pulled her into his warm arms.
Buffy sighed as she felt his heart beat and the warmth of his body wrap
around her own.
"Thank you." Buffy tilted her head back so she could look into his eyes.
Angel leaned down and kissed her gently.
"I gather then we don't want to discuss this with the others." Willow asks them as the two shared a tender moment.
"Yeah, I think for now it would be best not to say anything. Who knows it could be someone we go to school with?" Angel advised them.
"Ewww...I can't stand the thought of sitting next to someone and not
knowing if they are the one who is driving me mad." Buffy shivered slightly.
"Trust me, no one is going to hurt you. I will hurt them before they even get a chance to get close to you." Angel warn her.
Buffy grinned at his show of protectiveness. It was one of his great
qualities.
"Well, come on. I guess we should get you home. I can help you finish up your homework. I'm sure you haven't touch it." Angel chuckled.
"You know me too well." Buffy rolled her eyes playfully.
"Well, just leave me then!" Willow teased them.
"I’m sure Oz will be over the second we shut the door." Buffy smiled
knowingly at her best friend.
"What ever." Willow laughed.
Angel and Buffy grab their things and headed to the Summer house.
A few minutes after they arrived Joyce walk into the living room.
"Buffy, I almost forgot to give you a message." Joyce looks at the memo
pad in her hands.
Buffy gulped hard as she waited patiently for her mother to give her the message.
"Some guy called and he said he would call you back later. He didn't
leave his name. Isn't that odd?" Joyce wrinkled her nose as she looked at them both.
"Not really. Buffy, is a beautiful young lady. I'm sure it was some guy
who has a crush on her and doesn't want her to know his true identity." Angel joked.
"Well, he had a creepy voice who ever he was." Joyce shrugged her
shoulders.
"Thanks Mom." Buffy swallowed even harder.
"Your welcome." Joyce smiled at her before leaving the room.
"Buffy, calm down. It could have been anyone." Angel pick her hand up and squeeze it tightly.
"Yeah, except we know it wasn't." Buffy felt the pit of her stomach
knotting up.
"I tell you what, when you go to bed tonight, leave your window unlock. I will sneak in and sleep by your bed. Just make sure you set your alarm early enough that I can sneak back out before your mother gets up." Angel offered.
"You would do that for me?" Buffy gasped.
"I would do anything for you." Angel vowed as he lean over and kissed her on the lips.
"I love you." Buffy replied.
"I love you too." Angel answered as he kissed her one more time before
forcing them both to return to her homework.
Chapter 10
Buffy was going crazy. It had been over a week since she received the
last creepy phone call and she was still having nightmares. Angel thought it was a good sign that whoever had been playing with her head had got wind of the fact that the cops were looking for them. Buffy couldn't explain it but she feared that they were just waiting for the right moment to start up again.
"Buffy, have you seen Xander?" Willow frowned as she search around
the crowd for their missing friend.
"Not since we arrived. I think he was hitting on some freshman." Buffy
shrugged her shoulders.
"He has been acting awful strange lately. I'm worried about him. He has
no clue that we are throwing him a surprise party tomorrow does he?" Willow chewed on her lip as she contemplated on whether she should warn Xander or not.
"I doubt it. He probably thinks we have all forgot about it." Buffy
chuckled as she sipped on her drink.
"I hate that." Willow looked sadly toward the rowdy crowd.
"Hey, it was your idea not to let him know about it. I think you said we were throwing him a SURPRISE party. That sort of goes with the not knowing thing." Buffy smiled.
"Haha! Real cute." Willow laughed.
"So when are you and Oz leaving this thing?" Buffy hated the crowded
parties that they were required to at least show up for.
"He plans on stealing me away at eight." Willow admitted.
"Lucky for you he is not playing at this gig." Buffy replied.
"I don't know. It could use some better music." Willow answered.
"Buffy, you got to come and see this." Angel came rushing through the
crowd toward the girls.
"What now?" Buffy laughed as she allowed Angel to drag her through the
room to the back yard.
Out side of the two-story house she saw what he was so giddy about. It
was an Olympic size pool.
"Wow its huge." Buffy smiled at him.
"I knew the Campbell’s had money but damn!" Angels eyes grew large with
envy.
"Someday I will have one of these." Angel vowed as he took Buffy's hand
in his and threw them both into the pool. Both were fully dressed. Buffy pushed herself up for air.
"Angel! I'm soaking wet." Buffy gasped at the surprise leap into the
pool.
"That's the point." Angel grinned evilly as he pulled her next to him.
Buffy shivered but it was from more than the cool night air.
Angel tenderly kissed her mouth as she wrapped her legs around his waist. Angel began to growl as he pushed his manhood as close as possible between her legs. Both were so engrossed in making out than neither heard the party starting to slip out into the back yard.
They heard splashing and screaming and looked up to see crowds of people cheering them on as others jump in.
"I guess the private moment has ended." Angel moaned as he pulled Buffy
out of the pool. He didn't want to take the chance that one of these guys were drunk and ended up hurting them.
"Oh well. I can't wait to get home. I mean, I can't wait for my mother to ask why we are both soaking wet." Buffy giggled as she stood on her tip toes and planted a few small kisses on his lips before returning back to the party.
Buffy woke up to sounds of Angel snoring next to her. Buffy glanced at
the clock. They had only less than five minutes before her mother would be up. Not wanting to chance that this would be the one morning her mother would actually check to see if she was up, she nudged Angel.
"uh....five more minutes." Angel moaned as he snuggled closer to her.
"Angel...darling...wake up....my Mom will be up in five minutes." Buffy
whispered in his ear as she softly kiss it.
"uh...." Angel's body tingles as he stirred from a heavy sleep.
"Angel...wake up." Buffy whispered. She hated to make him leave her bed.
Strangely, she liked the way his body had felt next to hers. That and the fact that he gave out plenty of heat to keep her warm.
"Oh." Angel’s eyes pop open as he look around the room. It took him a
minute to remember he was not in his own bed and that he had not dreamed of sleeping with Buffy. He was actually in her bed lying next to her.
"Good morning." Buffy smiled.
"Good morning." Angel replied as his hand reach out to stroke her cheek.
Both just lay there staring into each other’s eyes. Sparks flew between
them. Both felt the strange comfort of waking up together. It felt so natural and so wonderful.
"I love you." Buffy heard herself saying seconds before Angels lips
surrounded her own.
His arms wrapped around her, pulling her closer to him. She felt his hard member pressed up against her leg. Her heart began to flutter uncontrollably as she felt the pit of her stomach knot up with anticipation.
Angel released her and took long hard breaths.
"Are you okay?" Buffy ask with a shy glance up at him.
"I will be." Angel gulped.
"What happen to you sleeping on the floor?" Buffy giggled.
"Well, for one it was awfully cold and two you were having a bad dream
and so I got up here to comfort you and fell asleep. Your not mad are you?" Angel asks with a worried smile.
"No, not at all. It was nice waking up next to you." Buffy was the first to say it out loud.
"I thought so too." Angel agreed as he began to kiss her passionately.
Buffy knew that he continue kissing her like this, in her bed, that
things might go a bit further than either had planned. Not that she didn't want to be even more intimate with him; it was the timing that sucks.
"You have to go." Buffy pulled away.
Angel looked at her sadly.
"I don't want you too but like I said my Mom will be up soon." Buffy
explained.
"Yeah, I better go before my mother happens to notice that I'm not in my bed." Angel answered as he pulled back the covers.
Angel started to get out of the bed when he remembered that another
member of his body was wide wake as well and standing at full salute.
"Uh...can..I mean...could you turn around?" Angel asks with embarrassment.
Buffy frowns up at him as she tried to understand why he wouldn't want her to see him in just his boxers? Then she caught a peek at what he was trying to hide. Buffy bit down on her lip from laughing as she turn over and stared at the wall.
Angel found his clothes.
"Okay. Sorry, I was...well...it happens and I have a hard time getting it to go down." Angel tried to explain delicately as possible.
"I understand. It is okay. I felt it." Buffy answered as she sat up in
the bed.
"What?" Angel's eyes shot open wide as he stared at her in total
disbelief.
"I mean, I didn't reach out to touch it. I meant I felt it next to my
leg." Buffy explain while her cheeks turn solid red.
"Oh. Sorry." Angel chuckled with the awkwardness that passed between
them.
"It's okay. It's natural." Buffy answered honestly.
"I"m glad you feel that way." Angel sighed.
"So, I guess I will see you in an hour." Angel glanced at his watch.
"Sounds like a plan to me." Buffy agreed as she went to slip out of the
bed.
Buffy forgot about the loose pajama top as she lean down for her slippers it fell open. Angel gasped loudly. Buffy glance up at him and then back down at what he was staring at. Her breasts were totally exposed to his sight. Buffy's hand instantly went to push the top back up.
"I’m so sorry." Buffy bit down hard on her tongue.
"I'm not." Angel answered with a wicked smile.
"Angel!" Buffy swatted at him playfully.
"What? You know I am a guy right. I do have needs." Angel teased her.
"Yeah, well, I could tease you back." Buffy warned him.
Angel called a truce as he pulled her in his arms and kissed her softly
before climbing out of the window.
Buffy pulled out an outfit of her closet and sat on her bed, thinking of what had just happen between them. Buffy couldn't resist the urge to laugh. She couldn't stop the laughter that bubble up in her.
Joyce walks into her daughter's room wondering if she was awake?
"Are you awake?" Joyce asks.
"OH! Yes." Buffy laughed even harder at the bewildered look on her
mother's face.
"What has you laughing so early in the morning?" Joyce asks with a
confused smile.
"Oh...nothing....I just had this ....funny dream." Buffy half lied.
"Well, I'm glad your having nice dreams again." Joyce smiled.
"Me too." Buffy agreed.
"How are things going between you and Angel now that I have your
attention." Joyce asks as she sat next to Buffy.
"They are great. He is a great guy. I am so lucky to have him. I can't
think of any other guy I would ever want to be with." Buffy answered with a soft glow to her cheek.
"That sounds ...well...sweet. Take things slow. I can tell him that he
cares deeply for you but life has away of throwing obstacles in a couples way that even love can't save them from." Joyce warns her.
Buffy understood that her mother was trying to warn her how life could
take the precious act of love and destroy it before you knew it. Buffy wasn't about to let anything or anyone take what she had just found away from her without a battle. She was just starting to find a happiness that she had sought for years.
"Okay." Buffy nodded her head.
"Now, how about some waffles and coffee?" Joyce offered.
"Sounds wonderful." Buffy agreed.
Joyce left her to get ready dressed as she prepared her daughter
breakfast.
Buffy felt on top of the world as she jumps in the shower. She didn't care if the whole world could hear her singing.
-----------------------
Chapter 11
William sat at his desk on the opposite side of the room where he could
watch Buffy without her noticing. William hated the way he found himself acting like a stalker where she was concern. He just couldn't resist seeing her face whenever possible. He also couldn't stop himself from remembering the way she had felt up against him when they use to make out. He would always find himself growing upset once the visions ended. He knew that she would never want him that way or any other way again. It hurt him. In fact, it tore him in half. He wasn't sure what to do about her anymore.
In the beginning he wanted to hurt her as much as she had hurt him. Then as time went by he became content with just knowing that she was here in Sunnydale, and then he was able to at least see her even if it was from a far. How ever now he was starting to consider the possibility that he might be insane.
He watches as Angel reach out and held Buffy’s hand in his. He hated
watching the two of them as they shared a conversation between just the two of them. He wondered how far the two had gone. He knew it was none of his business and perhaps better if he didn't know but he still found himself wondering. Why couldn't he get passed her? It wasn't like they had sex. Almost but not quite. Why did he feel like screaming whenever she was so close and yet so far from him?
The bell rang letting them know school was over for the day. He continues to sit quietly by himself as he watch her still holding Angel’s hand as they left the room. He noticed that she hadn't even been aware that he was even in the same room as them. How could she be so cold? How had she gotten past him so easy? Then he reminded himself she never cared about him. She had used him. Those were her exact words.
"William, are you okay?" The teacher asks as she glances up to see that one of her students had stayed behind.
"Yeah, guess I was just lost in my own thoughts." He replied as he got
out of the chair and left the room.
William headed out to the parking lot when he felt a hand reach out and
pull him back.
"Hey!" He roared until a pair of lips assaulted his own.
Looking down at the blonde that held him he had nearly forgotten about
his date for later that day.
"I was afraid you had forgotten all about me." She purred.
"That is impossible." He moaned as her hand slip down to stroke him over his jeans.
"I know." She giggled as she stroked harder.
"We will get caught." He warns her as he looked from his right and left
down the hallway.
"True. Lets meet at the usual place." She demanded as she walked off with a wicked smile on her face.
William shook his head at the young girls brazen behavior. Why couldn't
Buffy react that way with him? Why couldn't he have Buffy the way he was having this hot little number? Then he remembered, Angel. Angel was the reason that Buffy was not his anymore. Simple and true fact. Angel was the reason he was left with trying to find someone who remotely looks like Buffy. Yet even this young girl could not even come close to making him feel the way Buffy had. William moaned under his breath as he left the school and headed to the room where a young lady waited for him. He just wished that someday the woman he wanted to be in that room would be there.
Chapter 12
Buffy and Angel were starting to feel the ache that most teenage couples did the longer they were together. Buffy had knew that one day she would give up her virginity and she had hoped it would be to a guy as a nice as Angel. Now, she thought to herself it might just be him. Each morning they woke up together, the more she long for him to make love to her before they fell asleep. She was even having dreams of them making love. She would wake up all sweaty and the covers all twisted. Angel thought she was having nightmares but it was far from the truth.
“How did you on your algebra test?” Angel asks as bites into his apple.
“Well, it would appear that I made a B. I can’t believe it. I made something higher than a C.” Buffy looked at him with tremendous pride in her eyes. He smiled at how a B would make her so happy. While most kids he knew would have been this psyche on an A the way she was with a B. She had earned it though. She worked hard for that grade.
“Did I hear that Buffy made a B?” Xander walks up holding a tray full of food to feed an army.
“What’s with all the food?” Buffy asks curiously.
“I started working out at the gym. I’m trying to get some muscles.” Xander admitted as he began to dig into his food.
“I can understand why you might want muscles but it your not careful you will get a gut instead.” Angel warned him as he laughed inwardly at this new physical change that Xander was striving for.
“I know.” Xander answered with a mouthful of roast beef.
“Hey Buffy.” Cordelia calls out with a sweet wave of her arm as she passes by the small table.
“Hey Cordelia.” Buffy waves back but she wears a flabbergasted look.
Angel watches as Xander doesn’t even look up at the brunette that has constantly threw barbs at for as long as he could remember.
“What is everyone doing about the Homecoming game?” Xander asks still putting more food into his mouth.
“What do you mean?” Buffy looks at them curiously.
“After Homecoming someone throws a party. Even if we loose. Usually a senior throws the party.” Angel explained the tradition.
“Oh. So which senior will throw this years bash?” Buffy asks as she leans over and throws away her empty yogurt cup.
“I haven’t heard yet. I figure Owen will.” Angel admits.
“Really, I thought so too but then again there is Zachary who is after all the Captain of the football team this year.” Xander stated as he began to gulp down a bottle of water.
“Let me know if you get invited so I can come as your guest.” Xander looks at Angel with puppy eyes.
“You know I will.” Angel laughs at him.
“Well, I think I’m finish here.” Xander look at the empty tray before him.
“Damn, you ate that fast.” Buffy cries out in disbelief.
“Lunch is only forty-five minutes.” Xander reminded her with a wink as he headed to the cafeteria to dump his tray and put it up.
“Where are the others?” Buffy wondered as she looked around for the rest of the gang.
“If I know Gunn and Fred they are stuck in some chemistry lab where she is working on her project. Willow and Oz are in the band room where Oz is working on a new song for the band.” Angel answered.
“Wow, you really know them well.” Buffy smiles gently as she leans over and kisses him.
Remembering they were on school campus they ended the kiss earlier than either wanted too.
“My mother is becoming suspicious about where I am at night.” Angel decided to tell her straight out.
“Uh?” Buffy’s smile froze.
“Yeah, she said something about she has never known me to make up my bed before dawn.” Angel explains with a nervous scowl.
“Then maybe tonight you should sleep in your own room.” Buffy suggested apprehensively.
“Are you sure you are ready for that?” Angel asks with concern.
“NO but I don’t want us to get caught and our parents give us the whole sex lecture.” Buffy confesses with a crooked smile.
“That would be scary.” Angel agreed as he laughed at the image of their parents sitting them both down together.
“Exactly. Besides nothing has happen in some time.” Buffy reminded him.
“Yeah, but …your right.” Angel was about to explain that the lack of calls or other events had ceased when he began to spend the night at her place. He stopped himself because he didn’t want her to freak out about it.
“What?” Buffy looks at him with a nervous stare.
“I will miss you.” Angel said instead which wasn’t a lie.
“I’m sure you will manage. You did all the years before this.” Buffy reminds him as she kisses him on the cheek.
“Woman, I’m going to take you off into those woods over there one of these days and ravish you if you keep this up.” Angel warns her with a passionate glare in his eyes.
“Is this a challenge or a offer?” Buffy asks with equal passion in her eyes.
The Bell rang saving them both from saying anything else.
“Save by the bell.” Buffy giggled.
Angel picks up her books while she got her purse and together they walk in to the school hand in hand.
Unbeknownst to them someone had watched them through the entire lunch. Someone was making plans for the next move of their plan to separate the new pretty couple. It was not fair that someone could just walk in and take everything that should have been theirs.
Chapter 13:
Friday night came and the gang was excited about Xander’s surprise birthday party. Willow had offered her house for the party since her parents out of town again. They had blown up balloons and streamers were attached all over the living room and kitchen. They had each brought food and drinks for the party. Buffy was thrilled that her mother had agreed to let her sleep over at Willows. Buffy was sure that she had forgotten that the Rosenberg’s were not in town.
Angel had agreed to pick up Xander that evening to bring him to the party. The rest of them set up the place and started the music.
“Oz, how did you get this stuff?” Buffy frowns at the bottles of whiskey and the case of beer in the fridge.
“I have connections.” He replied simply as he pop open a can of beer and strolled out of the kitchen.
Buffy was shock. It was not like any of them to really drink. Not just because of the legal fact that they were under age, it just never appealed to them before. She decided not to be a party pooper but just control what she drank for the evening. Reily had arrived with his date, which was a shocker to all of them. Cordelia Chase.
“If I faint…” Willow warns Buffy as they stood beside one another when Cordelia made her arrival.
“I’ll shout timber.” Buffy joked.
“Why is he with her? I thought he hated her?” Fred walks up behind them.
“I know. Oh well. Hate I guess can turn to passion.” Willow thought out loud and then put on a fake smile as she entered the living room where the guest began to stroll in.
“Reily glad you could come.” Willow played the perfect hostess part.
Buffy glanced back at the beer and thought maybe it wouldn’t hurt to have one or two of them in order to keep her senses around Cordelia tonight.
“Where is Angel?” Gunn asks as he looks at his watch.
“I don’t know. He said he was going to pick up Xander at exactly seven o’clock.” Buffy shrugs her shoulder.
“Hey be quiet I think they just pulled up.” Reily called out to everyone who quickly got quiet and waited for them to enter the house.
“Seriously why do we have to stop at Willow’s if we are going to the movies? Does she have tickets here I don’t know about?” Xander was asking with a grump voice until every one jump up and shouted surprise.
Xander gasps for air. He could not believe they were doing this for him. He looked around the room at all the familiar faces and was moved by what they had done.
“Happy Birthday Xander.” Willow hugs him first.
“Hey B-day.” Gunn gave him a half manly hug.
Everyone came up to him. Then at last he was faced to face with Cordelia. Xander was definitely confused how any of his friends had invited her to his party. Then he saw Reily in the corner talking to Angel and it hit him hard.
“So you came with Reily.” Xander growls low.
“It was the only way I could come with out anyone knowing.” Cordelia reminded him.
“Yeah, because you couldn’t come as my date.” Xander bit down on his lip as his heartache at the thought of Reily taking Cordelia home and trying to kiss her.
“Don’t I get points for making it here at all?” Cordelia looks at him with a painful smile.
“True.” Xander agrees as he hugs her before anyone notices how long he or she has been talking to one another.
“Xander come here.” Willow shouts excited as she leads him to the kitchen where she shows him the cake she bought for him. He thanks her and kisses her on the cheek. He then notices the liquor on the counter and opens a bottle of Jack Daniel and pours himself a glass.
“Just so you know it taste better with coke.” Oz warns him as he comes back for another beer.
“When did you become such an expert?” Xander frowns.
“I’m in a band.” Oz states as if that explains everything.
“OH Okay.” Xander chuckles as he sips on the horrible tasting liquid.
“We got you presents too. You have to open them before everyone gets drunk.” Buffy looks around the room to see a few people already starting to drink including the birthday boy him self.
“You guys did enough you didn’t have to get me gifts.” Xander sighs heavily.
“We love you.” Buffy reminds him as she kisses him on the cheek.
Cordelia spies the affection between Buffy and Xander and feels an urge to scratch Buffy’s eyes out suddenly. Instead she goes to kitchen pretending to fix her self another drink.
“Hey Cordy we are opening presents. Would you like to join us?” Xander offers with a evil smile on his face.
“Sure.” Cordy agrees as she walks to the kitchen table and Xander opens up his gifts.
The gifts were all perfect for him. He wanted to cry at how great and loving his friends was when his own family had not even acknowledged his birthday at all. It made him feel even guiltier about the secret affair he was having with Cordelia the one girl that each of them hated for their own reasons. He decided that after tonight he would break off the affair and start dating girls who were available to be seen in the public eye with him.
With in an hour everyone was beginning to feel a good buzz from the drinks they had made for themselves. Buffy had taken the keys of all drinkers away from them. Which meant that only Cordy and Reily would be leaving the house. Which made Buffy relieved. Although things had not work out between her and Reily due to the fact that she was in love with Angel she kept picking up a strange vibe when ever he was near her. She wondered if he had truly not been as upset as he said he wasn’t when she broke it off? Then there was Cordy. He knew how much Cordy drove him and Angel crazy and he brought her with him. That right there proves he was trying to get even in a small way. Anyway she didn’t allow either one of them to ruin her night but she was going to talk to Angel about it later to see what he thought of the situation.
Chapter 14:
By midnight everyone was dancing and acting silly. Buffy was starting to relax when she felt someone come up behind her and ask if she would like to dance. When she turn around she saw it was Reily and not Angel.
“Sure.” Buffy gulps. She didn’t want to be rude to him. They were suppose to be friends and Angel had danced with Willow and Fred earlier.
She kept distance between them as they danced.
“I guess your wondering why I brought Cordelia.” He stated.
“It did cross my mind.” Buffy admits as she glances around nervously looking for her boyfriend.
“I didn’t bring her to annoy you. I swear.” Reily looks deep into her eyes.
Buffy feels that strange knotty sensation in the pit of her stomach as he looks at her.
“Why did you bring her then?” Buffy asks.
“She ask if she could come with me. I’m not sure why but it was important to her to be here tonight.” Reily answered honestly.
“Why are you telling me this?” Buffy asks with a confused frown.
“I just thought I would warn you in case she is trying to make trouble for you and Angel.” Reily explained.
“If you were really worried about that then you wouldn’t have brought her.” Buffy pointed out with a weak smile.
“I didn’t look at it that way. I was just glad to have a date. I didn’t want to be the only single person here.” Reily confessed.
Buffy believed him. She wasn’t sure why but she did.
“It’s okay she has been pretty tame.” Buffy admits.
“I fear it’s the beer she had. Luckily I’m staying sober or we would have to spend the night here too.” Reily lick his dry lips as he watches her face.
“Yeah, that would suck.” Buffy agrees with a nervous smile.
The song ended luckily and Buffy made her way to Angel as fast as her feet could get her there. She did not like how she had felt with Reily. It was a scary feeling. It felt like when she experiences the calls from the mystery guy. She shivered slightly at the memory of his sound.
Buffy finally finds Angel at the kitchen table doing shots against Gunn.
She was not happy at how much alcohol he had consumed tonight. As a athlete he knew better but she wasn’t about to start acting like his mother by reminding him of this fact.
“I can’t believe how much they have drunk.” Cordelia exclaims as she stands next to Buffy.
“Me either.” Buffy agrees with a frown.
“Don’t worry I have seen Angel drink like this before and he act pretty normal.” Cordelia assured her.
Buffy was suddenly pissed off. Cordelia knew something about Angel she did not and the way Cordelia was trying to be a friend was annoying as hell. Was she here to try and break them up? If not then who was she here for? Then as she turn to walk away she saw Xander staring at Cordelia across the room with eyes full of emotions. Buffy couldn’t tell if he was angry or in love with Cordelia? Buffy’s heart froze. Was it possible that Cordelia and Xander was an item behind their back? Both Angel and Willow had mention how he disappeared at times and no one knew where he was and Harmony had mention the same thing about Cordelia. She hoped it was the alcohol in her blood that was making her believe this horror tale.
“Please say it isn’t so.” She whispered to her self as she left the room in search of Willow.
She was starting to give up hope on finding Willow when she heard a sound coming from the porch. She stepped out on the porch to find it was empty.
“Okay I know I heard something.” She says out loud to the empty air.
“You did.” The voice says.
Buffy’s scream is frozen in her chest as she covers her mouth with her hands at the sudden sound of a voice in the darkness.
“Chill, I didn’t mean to scare the shit out of you.” William laughed nervously as he saw the genuine look of terror on her face.
“What…are …you …doing…here?” Buffy said slowly as she felt her heart slowly starting to pace at normal pace.
“I was walking by when I saw all the cars here. I had to piss. So I pissed over there and was heading home.” William explained.
Buffy suddenly remembered that William lived around the corner from Willow.
“Oh.” Buffy frowns at him.
“Eww. You pee on her mother’s flowers.” Buffy rolled her eyes in disgust.
“They won’t die.” William rolls his eyes back.
“Sounds like you guys are having fun in there.” William glance at the lit up house.
“Yeah, Xander’s birthday party.” Buffy answered with a small smile.
“Cool. Glad you still have friends you can share things with.” William stated as he kick some loose dirt on the ground.
“What are you trying to say?” Buffy asks with a sudden angry glare.
“Just saying it must be nice to have friends Buffy. You and I were once that too.” William reminds her with a heavy sigh.
“We were bad news the two of us. We were a big mistake. I was rebellious and horny as hell. I’m sorry if I hurt you but you got something out of it while it was going on.” Buffy states firmly.
“Yeah and so did you. Except I wasn’t the one wanting to hide it from everyone. You made me feel like some kind of dirty secret.” William snaps at her.
“Well, you were. I wasn’t supposed to be dating at all and definitely not trouble like you were back then.” Buffy glared.
“Am I trouble now?” William asks boldly.
“You are if you tell everyone what happen between us.” Buffy says with a warning in her eyes.
“"I have no desire to tell EVERYONE what we shared." William taunted her.
"I mean William. If you cared anything at all about me as you claimed too then you will let our past go and move on with our future. I am happy and you can be too. Please just let it go." Buffy pleaded with him.
"Let what go?" Angel asks as he steps outside just in time to hear Buffy pleading with William to let something go. Ever since Buffy had moved back home he kept finding this guy around her. What was going on between them? Were they friends once? Why was it that Angel felt that there was something that Buffy didn't want him to know when it came to William?
"Nothing Angel." Buffy laughed nervously.
"William, I'm going to ask you this one time only. What is the deal between you and Buffy?" Angel glares angrily at William.
Buffy knows that Angel had been drinking and if a fight were to be started he would surely loose in his state of mind at the moment.
"We are old friends. Nothing more." William answered sadly.
"Since we did you two become friends?" Angel looked between them.
"When Buffy's parents were going through the divorce, you know the year she got into some trouble and her dad sent her to boarding school. I was her friend during that time. I knew what it was like to endure parents fighting with one another." William answered half honest with the boy.
"It's true." Buffy confirmed as she looked at Angel with a pair of painful eyes.
"Why didn't you just say that then? Why do you two act as if something much more deeper is going on between you?" Angel demands not sure he if believes all of their story.
"Because I was being rather a snob. I didn't think you guys would accept William as a friend of mine and our friendship had started at a time that I had pushed you guys away." Buffy stated with a guilty expression.
Angel heard what they both said and he believed them but his gut instincts warn him there was still more to this story but he would let it go for now.
"You need to come inside." Angel ordered her.
"Bye William." Buffy smiled weakly at him as she follows Angel inside.
William stares at the closed door and feels anger boil up in the pit of his stomach. He so badly wanted to tell Angel that it was William she had first come to when her world was upside down. It was him who kissed her madly until the world made sense. He had her before any one else had. Yet watching the fear in her eyes had made him weak once again. Although he hated how she had hurt him he didn't hate her enough to ruin her friendships or her life.
Chapter 15
Buffy and Angel had passed out in Willow's parent's spare room. Buffy was relieved in away that Angel had been drunk. She didn't want their first time in Willow's house. When she woke up she thought she heard voices coming from down stairs. It sounded like two people who were trying to whisper as they argued. Buffy slipped out of the room and headed down stairs to make sure Willow was okay.
When she drew close to the kitchen she halted in her steps when she heard Cordelia's voice.
"I didn't sleep with him. He passed out on the floor." Cordelia hissed to Xander.
"Why did you come? Do you know how excruciating it was last night not to pull you in my arms and kiss you?" Xander asks her with a hoarse voice.
"You know that can't happen." Cordelia sighed as she looked around the messy kitchen.
"Can't or you just won't. Cordelia you are like fire and ice. One minute your all over me begging me to fuck your brains out and then the next minute your saying Oh but we can't tell anyone?" Xander cried out frustrated.
"I know. Maybe your right. Maybe we should just stop this right now." Cordelia sighed as she looked down at her new shoes instead of looking him in the eyes.
"I know this started out as a silly drunken mistake while you were dating Angel but we continue the affair way after you broke up with Angel. Cordelia you have not had one steady boyfriend since Angel. To me that speaks volumes. You want me so damn bad but your pride is preventing this. Well, I haven enough pride to let you go. I will not hide a girlfriend from my friends anymore." Xander says coldly as he force him self to stay strong and not to allow her pouty lips or dark satin eyes to break his guard down.
"Are you sure?" Cordelia looks at him as she bats her eyelashes.
"I am. I love you. I love myself too." Xander takes a step back from her.
"Xander…. Good luck." Cordelia gulps the words she wanted to say as she opens the back kitchen door and leaves quietly.
Buffy stands by the wall with her heart racing with the secret she just accidentally discovered. What should she do with it? Should she confront Xander that she knew? Maybe give him a shoulder to lean on? Then the image of Xander and Cordelia having sex made her blood curdle. Shaking the ugly image out of her head she then suddenly realized that Xander mention something about them sleeping together while she was dating Angel and after their relationship ended? Did Angel know about them? Should she tell him?
It was in the past so it shouldn't bother him with it. Then what if he did get pissed off at Xander for cheating with his ex-girlfriend? How would she feel about that? Then she considered her own secrets and decided to stay silent on the matter. It was not her place to open this closet. She let out a fake cough as she enter the kitchen and started to prepare coffee for the gang for when they woke up.
"OH hey Xander. I didn't think anyone was up." Buffy lied as she smiled tenderly at him.
"Yeah, well I think you and I were the only two who didn't get totally crash last night." Xander sighed as he looked at the wreck they had made of the kitchen.
"Thank God the Rosenberg's aren't expected home for another two days." Buffy agreed as she started picking up empty beer cans and paper plates from the counter.
"Did you enjoy your party?" Buffy asks hoping to make casual conversation with him.
"Yes I did. Thank you so much." Xander smiles warmly at her.
"Good. I hope you liked all of your gifts too." Buffy smiled at him.
"I did. You guys are better to me than my own folks." Xander looked like he was about to cry.
Buffy sat down next to him and rubbed his back as she laid her head on his shoulder.
"Are you okay?" Buffy asks with concern.
"I will be. I guess I'm just lonely. Know any cute girls you could set me up with?" Xander asks.
"Actually, there was a new girl who moved here. She looks cute and sweet. Her name is Anya and she is two of my classes. Maybe I can invite her on a double date with you and me and Angel." Buffy offered.
"Sounds wonderful." Xander force the tears that threaten to spill from his eyes to stay in his eye sockets as he lean over and kissed the top of Buffy's head.
"I would do anything to help make you happy." Buffy stated with sinceretiy as she got up and prepared them both a nice warm fresh cup of coffee.
"I guess we could clean up after a cup." Xander suggested.
"Sounds like a plan to me." Buffy agrees as she sits back by him silently as they share a cup of coffee together.
Chapter 16:
Buffy and Angel had just got to her house when she saw her mother sitting on the porch with a frighten look on her face.
"What is wrong Mom?" Buffy asks as they walk up to her.
Both Buffy and Angel prayed silently she didn't know about the party at Willow's and the fact that they had spent the night together.
"Something scary happen last night and I'm still a bit shaken up about it." Joyce explained as her hands trembled.
"What?" Both ask in union.
"I was watching a movie last night and I thought I heard a sound coming from your room. Knowing you spent the night with Willow I wondered what the sound was. So I went up to the room and as I was looking around to see if someone was in your room I got hit over the head. When I woke up about a hour later your window was wide open and I called the police who took my statement. We couldn't see anything significant taken from your room. The police suspect that someone was looking for you." Joyce looks at Buffy with pure fear in her eyes.
"For ME?" Buffy cries out confused.
"Yes, they told me that you had already came down to the police station about some strange calls." Joyce looks disappointed at Buffy for not telling her about this earlier.
"I'm sorry Mom. I wasn't sure if it was just crank calls or not." Buffy explains as she sits by her mother and pulls her into a tight warm embrace.
"Why didn't you call me last night? I would have come straight over here." Buffy asks.
"I didn't want to ruin your fun. Besides they check all the locks and didn't expect the intruder to come back again. At least not last night but that doesn't mean they won't try again. I don't like any of this. Why would anyone want to hurt you?" Joyce looks at Buffy with confusion.
"I don't know Mom. I honestly don't." Buffy swears.
"Did they say if they had any suspects yet?" Angel interrupts their conversation.
"No, except they said the tape you gave them did prove that who ever is calling is using some device to block their real voice which means the person could be a man or woman." Joyce answers with a weak smile.
"What do you want to do?" Buffy asks her Mom.
"I want us to stay in a Hotel for a short time until they can find this horrible person." Joyce answered bluntly.
"Fine. We can do that." Buffy agrees.
"Good lets go upstairs and check your room to see what is missing or not." Joyce suggested as Buffy and Angel followed her in the house and up to Buffy's invaded room.
TBC!!!
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