"So." Rupert Giles, in a state of mental thinking, circled the library slowly as he addressed the pretty girl who sat slouched in the wooden chair. "That makes four, no five, vampires that will arise tonight. That's quite a number." He whispered to himself. The car accident that had injured the five partying college students had turned devastatingly tragic when a flock of vampires had descended to feed on the easy prey. Of course the Sunnydale Police Department had said nothing of THAT to the newspapers, simply just another case of drunk driving, but thanks to Willow and her uh.. dreaded machine, Buffy Summers, and her Watcher were able to hack into the police files and find the information that they really didn't want to find. The result? Five freshly buried graves, from which five new, soulless vampires would arise, all in different parts of the cemetary. All of which provided the present dilemna. How in the world was Buffy, the Chosen Slayer, going to be in five places at once?
As if she was able to read the Watcher's mind, Buffy shrugged. "I guess I could ask Angel to help me." She mused, but made a face at the thought. Her and Angel were not exactly on the best of terms. Their relationship had some serious problems, mostly all stemming from the fact that she was a Vampire Slayer, and he was a Vampire, good soul or not. Lately most of their attempts to work things out had erupted in huge arguments that left both of them furious and tormented. The last thing she needed while trying to pick off five vampires at the same time was another fight with her vampire/boyfriend from hell.
"But, I'd rather not." Giles gave her an inquistitive look, but was wise enough not to ask any questions. Instead, he smiled wanly.
"Well, you do need help, Buffy. Not even YOU can deal with all of them." He said pointedly. Almost as if on cue, the library doors opened, and in walked Buffy's nearest and dearest, Willow Rosenberg, and Alexander "Xander" Harris.
"Man, you will not BELIEVE how boring this teacher can get." Xander said, shaking his head wanly as he set his totebag on the old wooden table and settled sloppily in a chair. "Like we actually CARE about who was at the Battle of Gettysburg. I mean, they're all dead, right? What do we care?"
Buffy exchanged a quick look with Giles. "I think the Calvary is here." she chirped.
Willow and Xander looked at each other in confusion. "Oh!" Willow said, excitement suddenly blooming on her face. "Is there a problem?"
"Uh-Oh." Xander's face was considerably less bright. "What now?"
"Watcha guys doing tonight?"
"You mean besides sleep?" Buffy and Willow looked at each other knowingly. Xander had been considerably cranky this week. The old Xander would have jumped to help the all powerful Buffy with her new problem. But then again, the old Xander hadn't been dumped unceremoniously by Cordelia Chase, just a week earlier, for seemingly no reason at all. Willow and Buffy felt sort of let down. They had really thought Cordy had cared about Xander.
"There's this problem that I'm having with being in more than one place at the same time." Buffy explained. "And that accident has left me with five vampies seeing the light all at once."
"Ooh! So like, we get to pull an all nighter!?" Willow asked, catching on quickly.
"Good thing tommorrow is Saturday." Xander muttered, for the time being void of any wit.
"Is Oz busy?" Buffy asked Willow, who thought for a moment.
"He has a gig, but I'm betting he could meet us there afterwards." Buffy nodded.
"Great, I'll give Cordelia a call-"
"No!" Willow and Buffy fell silent at Xander's outburst.
"Xander," Giles began gently.
"No! I don't want her going!" Xander's face was vivid with emotion.
"Xander, Like it or not, Cordelia is still our friend." Willow began firmly, surprising even herself when she realized the truth in her words.
"I think she relinquished that right when she dumped me!" Buffy was a bit surprised. Everytime Cordelia had been around them, Xander hadn't really acted all that affected by his seperation with her, in fact they fought more than ever, but his face right now was furious. Cordelia must have hurt him more than he wanted to admit.
"Xander if we had stopped being friends with you every time YOU did something stupid, you'd have been gone a loooong time ago," Buffy pointed out. "Besides, we need her." When Xander didn't say a word, she nodded. "Okay, say eightish?"
"Sounds good." Willow replied, after a long look at Xander. "What about Angel?"
"Uh no." Willow read enough in that reply to nod.
"Oh, right. Okay, Giles? You coming?"
"I'm afraid you're on your own tonight. I've got some research to do that can't wait. I'm sure the four of you can handle it." he said, smiling confidenlty in their direction.
"Hmph. It's all well and good until HE has to do some of the work." Xander muttered.
"So, let me get this straight." Buffy sighed and mentally prepared herself for the tirade that Cordelia Chase was about to go on. "You want me to skip the Bronze, skip cheerleading, and skip getting a good night's sleep for the football game tommorrow so I could go out with you guys, and spend the night in a yucky graveyard with my exboyfriend who hates me,to help you kill vampires?"
"That about sums it up." Buffy's voice was resigned.
There was a pause on the line, and finally Cordelia answered with a sigh. "Sure, what time?"
Buffy snorted on the coke she was drinking, and almost dropped the phone. "Really? You're coming?"
"Yes, Deaf Girl! Of course I am! What time?"
Not wanting to jinx her good fortune on finding the May Queen in such a good mood, Buffy refrained from any unfortunate comments. "Umm, eight, bring food."
"What am I, Chips Girl?" Cordelia sounded considerably put out.
"Well, I'm bringing all the weapons, Willow's bringing the coffee, Xander the music, so that leaves you the food."
At the mention of Xander's name, Cordelia was unexpectedly silent. "Does he. ever talk about me?" she suddenly blurted out, her voice filled with longing.
"What?"
"Nothing, never mind. Seven, right, see you there." The phone hung up with a click, and Buffy looked at the reciever with a look of confusion, but shrugged, and hung it up.
"Figures I'm the first one here." Buffy said in disgust as she thrust down her bag next to the fresh grave and decided to make camp. Despite the morbid circumstances that they were facing, Buffy couldn't help but feel a little giddy. A night with her buds, a vacation from the reclusive man that held her heart, a few stakes, nothing world threatening, it all seemed too good to be true. Kneeling down on the freshly dug earth, she began to sketch her gameplan with a stick. Xander could probably take care of himself, and Oz wasn't due until ten or so. So that meant that Cordelia and Willow had to pair off, at least until they narrowed the five margin down to three at least.
Suddenly the dirt exploded in her face, and Buffy jumped back, spitting mud out of her mouth as the first of the five burst out of it's hole.
"Gawd, you're ugly." Was Buffy's only comment before she set to work. This one was a football player, strong, big, and stupid, just like Buffy liked 'em. He moved slowly, not quite used to his vampireness yet, and Buffy was able to stake him quickly. She finished him off, and feeling particularly goofy that night, decided to let out a Xena yell. Her cry was triumphant and loud, and deciding to follow through with a dance, Buffy Sommers, the Chosen Slayer, let out a dorky jump, in circles. She was three quarters of the way done when she noticed Willow and Cordelia staring at her from the other side of the grave, their arms loaded with goodies, and their faces one of horrid amazement. Buffy froze, and flushed deeply, before gathering up her stakes.
"Hi guys!" She said nonchalantly, fervently hoping that they would play along, as nothing had happened.
No such luck. "Gee, Buff, no wonder Xander's so willing to come patrolling with you every night. I would too, if I could see that spazzy dance." Cordelia said dryly.
Willow just smiled. "Letting loose?" she asked.
Buffy blushed. "You saw nothing, get it?" she said menancingly.
"Saw what?" Xander appeared from behind the trees lugging a huge boombox and a bag full of CD's.
"Spaz dance." Cordelia remarked flippantly, her voice visibly harder as she averted her eyes and put the food down next to the grave.
Xander looked at Cordy for a moment. She was dressed very casual for the nights showdown. Her hair was up, and her eyes sparkled in the moonlight in a way that made him catch his breath. She was so beautiful. Xander felt his cheeks flush, and forced himself to look away.
"Buffy just knocked out Vamp number One." Willow informed him quickly, sensing the sudden tension in the air.
"Good, that leaves four for four of us! We can deal!" Xander said, considerably brighter.
"Uh.. I don't think so." The Slayerettes cast a look at Buffy.
"What do you mean, Buffy?" Willow asked.
"Let me put is this way, Xander can deal, I can deal, you and Cordy-"
"Can't." Finished Cordy.
"Right. But together, you can. Catch my drift?" After the cheerleader and the hacker reluctantly nodded, Buffy continued. "So, here's the gameplan. Xander takes Jackson Baker, that's over there," Buffy pointed to the other side of the cemetary. "Willow, you and Cordelia take Betsy Armstrong, over there," Buffy pointed to her far left. "And I'll take Derick Sanchez and Robert Smith, cause those two are relatively close together. We'll hang out, and once your vamp is up, and vanquished, you two split and join me and Xander, till Oz get's here. Got it?"
"Sir, yes Sir!" Xander was rewarded with his return of wit with a carton of Pringles thrown directly at his head. "Ow! Okay, okay! Oooh! Cheezums, my favorite!"
"Okay, then, I guess we should get moving," Willow whispered to Cordelia. When the tall brunette didn't answer, Willow looked up. Cordelia's eyes were on Xander, who was joking with Buffy. Her eyes were filled with a sadness, and a longing passion that made them sparkle as they focused on the young man. Willow stopped smiling when she realized what that look was. She had had it many times when she looked at Xander for those many years. It was love.
"Uh. Cordy?" Cordelia snapped out of her fixation, and looked at Willow quickly.
"Oh, right! Let's go." She went over to Buffy, pointedly ignoring Xander, and gathering enough stakes, crosses and holy water for her and Willow.
"Nice to see you too, Cordy." Xander said quietly.
Cordelia cast him an icy glare, and then turned to Buffy. "Okay, we'll see you!" she said quickly, averting her eyes and walking quickly toward Willow, who gazed at everyone with a confused smile.
Buffy and Xander stood in quiet silence as they walked away.
"I don't know what I ever saw in her." Xander said bitterly.
Buffy cast him a sympathetic smile. "Still into her, hey Xand?" she asked perceptively. Xander was going to shake his head, but in the end just shrugged.
"Kind of hard to fall for the Ice Queen, you know? Ahh, I just think I'm gonna stay away from love altogether." He stated as he picked up his belongings and began to follow Buffy to her gravesite.
"I'm with you! Maybe we could start some sort of lonely hearts club or something."
"Trouble in paradise?"
"You have no idea. Besides, Cordelia's not that bad, I mean she knew YOU were coming and she still came. That's says something for her character."
"Hmph. It says nothing. All's it says is that she finally realized that she has to do her part to save all of humanity."
They paused at a gravesite and gazed at it sadly. Buffy reached into her bag and pulled out a bunch of flowers and laid it on the grave.
"He doesn't say anything, but Giles still misses her." She said quietly looking at Jenny's gravesite.
"Well, he loved her Buff. In a way, I guess we all dug her too."
"I still feel so responsible, and Angel-" Buffy trailed off when she realized that she was getting sentimental. "I should have been able to stop it. I should have done something."
"You weren't ready. And you know that Jenny wouldn't blame you. Look, Buffy." Xander looked a little embarrassed. "Now may not be the time to tell you."
Buffy looked up at Xander's sudden surprise and a little dread. "Xander?"
"No, um, I want to though It's just since Cordy dumped me, I've been thinking that if I had acted differently, said something, things might have been different. But I never told her that she meant something to me, and and well, I can't change the past, but I can do something about now. And there's something I've been wanting to tell you for a long time."
Buffy felt her throat go dry, and she slowly began to shake her head. "Look, Xander"
"Buff, let me finish. Look, we've been friends only a couple of years, but but I know that well, I guess I'll never find a friend like you. I've shared things with you that I would tell anyone, not even Wil, or even Cordy, if we were still on speaking terms. I guess what I'm trying to say. I wouldn't trade this relationship, the way we are right now, for anything. Not for more, not for less. And I mean that." Buffy turned to him and smiled at his heartfelt confession.
"Me, too, Xand. You're a good guy, and Cordy knows it."
"Maybe she did both of us a favor. "
"Six months ago, I would have agreed Now? I don't think so." They arrived at the at the gravesite that signaled it was time to part ways. "You two need each other. And on that note, I'll leave you."
Xander gave her a half hearted smile and a hug. "Happy Hunting, Buff."
"Same goes for you, and Hey!" She called out menancingly as he walked away. "Be Careful!"
"Yes, ma'am!" He said with a smile before walking to his grave.
"If you wannabe my Lover, you gotta get with my friends, Make it last forever doo doo do -"
"Willow!" Cordelia stared at Willow in utter surprise and disgust. "Do you mind? I hate the Spice Girls! Not to mention that that song is so last year!"
Willow, who was in a particularly good mood that night, enough not to be affected by Cordelia's sullen mood, just smiled back. "What about Girl Power and all that?"
"With their fashion sense?" Willow pouted.
"Well unless you become more entertaining, I'm going to continue singing. You've been doing nothing but brooding over there on that grave and doing your nails, and that's boring. So If you wannabe-"
"Okay!" Cordelia got up quickly and placed a hand firmly over Willow's mouth. "Fine, I'll stop brooding. What do you want to do?" Willow shut her mouth happily and shrugged.
"Let's talk." She answered, putting her stake to the side of her and picking up the Holy water, staring at the vial. "Do you think anything will happen if we drink this?"
"Willow!" Cordelia grabbed it from her and handed her a Coke. "What's wrong with you?"
"I'm feeling kind of cool, that's all. I mean, we actually get to get physical today, we get to slay a vampire."
Cordelia raised a skeptical eyebrow. "You're enjoying this?"
"Compared to what we usually get stuck with? Yes."
"Well, I guess if you put things in THAT perspective, " Cordelia conceded. "At least I don't have to see Xander when I'm looking at you."
Willow stayed silent, and Cordelia suddenly sputtered. "Oh, wait, NO! I didn't mean it like that! I mean I did, but I didn't-"
"I get it, Cordy." Willow shook her head and sighed. "No insult intended. But as penance, you do have to answer one question for me. Truthfully."
Cordelia rolled her eyes and nodded. "Fine"
"Why did you break up with Xander if you're still in love with him?"
The question struck Cordelia by obvious surprise, and her head tilted up immediately , her face guarded. "What makes you think I'm in love with Xander?"
"You did. Well sort of, you emote love when you see him."
"Really ? I thought it came off more like disgust."
"Cordelia." Willow gave her a stern look.
"Look Will, not all of us can have the great relationship you and Oz have okay? Xander well the truth is that Xander doesn't care about me, and I finally realized, that I think I don't have to take it."
The speech became a rant, and Willow was surprised by the emotion in the usual stonecold May Queen's voice.
"You don't think he loves you too?" she asked in wonder.
"Xander is in love with Buffy, Willow, any nimrod can see that. I'm just there because he needs someone to make out with, and I deserve more."
Willow stayed silent. "And so you broke up with him, even though you still loved him"
"It doesn't matter if I love him, Willow, what's the point if he's never going to love me?"
Willow looked at Cordelia with a bittersweet smile. For once in her life, Willow had found the impossible. She had found that she had something in common with Cordelia Chase.
"You'd be surprised." Willow said knowingly. "It' took me years to figures that out."
"So? What did you do?" Cordelia asked.
"I moved on, like you. Burned my bridges, so to speak. But I don't think you should do that."
"Why not?"
"Because Xander does love you like that. He just doesn't know it. I mean, come on, Cordelia, you weren't exactly our best friend." Cordelia looked down. "A lot of what you did and said hurt us, hurt him."
"I know." Cordelia said, a little sadly. "And if I could take that back, I would."
Willow looked at her. "I know you would, but you can't, and it hurts to remember. There was a time when I hated you Cordelia, and Xander did too. Heck, we even had a club."
"You had a club?" Cordelia was horrified.
"Yeah, it was cool, but that's not the point." Willow continued hastily when she saw the look in Cordelia's face. "The point is that the idea of you being our friend is ridiculous sometimes, and it's hard to imagine. And the thought-"
"Of loving me is even more so." Cordelia said morosely. "I know, it's the same for me too. Okay, loving a dork like Xander isn't my dream either Willow."
"But you came to terms with it, in a way, I think it makes you a better person than him." Willow said with a smile.
"Yeah, well, you're a pal, too, Will." Willow smiled back. "Oh! Hey! Can I do your nails?"
Willow groaned.
"Hey! Even your boyfriend has nail polish!"
**********
"This is getting me nowhere." Buffy said with a sigh, tossing the Calculus book to the side of the grave and getting up, stretching quickly and efficiently. Willow's hours of excessive studying with Buffy had finally paid off, and Buffy was in the high grades area of school. In a sense, she regretted it, because AP classes tended to mean more homework, which she sorely hated. But her mother was absolutely delighted by her GPA, and not wanting to be more of a burden on her mother than she already was, Buffy buckled down and began to work. But tonight, her mind just wasn't on it.
"Come on, David. Hurry your undead butt up." She muttered at the mound of dirt. As much as she tried, Buffy still couldn't keep her mind off of Angel. What had ever happened to the blessed joy she once had in her heart whenever she has set eyes upon him? She sighed. She knew what had happened. Life had happened. To her, to Angel. And death had come. And with death, everything had changed. No matter how much Buffy tried to tell herself she didn't care, she knew that this relationship with Angel was doomed. There would always be that ominous foreboding warning in the back of her mind that he could never be truly happy, and if he ever was, another dear friend might die. And she couldn't even think of losing someone else to the demon that harbored under Angel's soul.
In an effort to keep her thoughts from getting too morbid, Buffy began to do a series of exercises, all while trying to keep a stake in one hand. Handsprings, and vaults came easily, but the more complex jumps needed serious concentration, she couldn't focus on anything else. And that's why she loved doing it.
She was so into her feat of strength, she was completely taken by surprise when Oz tapped her shoulder in an attempt to get her attention. She yelped and fell to the ground with a thump.
"Uh, Buffy?" Oz peered down at the fallen Slayer, who lay on the ground in a lump. "You okay?"
Buffy groaned after a minute, and got up suddenly. "God! What is it with you people!" she said, shaking the dust off her immaculatly neat black pants. "Next time could you at least holler a warning before you scare the day lights out of me!"
Oz's eyebrow rose, and he put down his guitar to face her. "I guess you're okay, then?" he asked calmly.
"Yes, I'm fine." Buffy replied, flustered, finally able to focus on him. "You're early."
"You noticed." Oz replied. "Cut out of practice early. Devon was an a famous man trip. It got annoying." He said casually. "So. Willow said something about killing some vampires?"
"Yeah. You get Robert Smith. I'll be over when this idiot rises. "
"Cool." Oz said. Buffy smiled at his blatant attitude and handed him the nesicary supplies that he would need. He juggled the stakes and crosses and attempted to pick up his guitar, and nodding his head comically at Buffy, proceeded to walk away to the gravesite about a hundred yards away. Buffy watched him go, and the turned to check back on her dead person, and bumped smack into Angel.
"AUGGHGGH!" she shrieked, holding her hand to her heart to keep it from going haywire on her. She focused on the man staring in concern at her, and recognizing him, sighed.
"That's it!" she cried out in the still air. "That is it! If one more person does not warn me before they come within ten feet of me, I will not be responsible for my actions."
"Buffy?" a hint of a chuckle came from Angel's voice as he looked down at his exhasperated girlfriend. "What's wrong with you?"
She looked at him, and sighed, blowing a wisp of hair out of her eyes before turning to face him. "Nothing. It's just been a little disapointment. I thought tonight was going to be relaxing.. What are you doing here?" she asked him suddenly.
"I was looking for you," he said, his eyes peering into her searchingly. "I wanted to talk."
"Talk? Angel," Buffy looked strained as the looked at the man thattore at her heartstrings. "Angel, now isn't a good time."
"Well, when is it a good time, Buffy? Huh? Everytime I want to talk to you, your either busy, or.. or.. doing something or washing you hair! That was a good one, by the way. So you tell me, when is it a good time?"
The accusations in the vampire's statement were acute, but Buffy couldn't get defensive. She knew it was true. She HAD been avoiding him.
"You're right." She said suddenly, her voice quieter and softer. "We do need to talk."
*****************
"Dam dooby do dam dam, comma comma dam dooby do dam dam, comma coma dam dooby do dam dam, breaking up is hard toooo do!"
The girls erupted in a chorus of giggles as they finished the song.
"Wow, Will, I never realized what a terrible singer you are." Cordelia said between laughs.
Willow snorted. "Me? Talk about the pot calling the kettle black!"
"What are you talking about? I can sing!"
"Yeah, right, can I refresh your memory?" Willow stood up, and planted her feet firmly in dirt and raised her head high. "THE GREATEST LOVE OF ALLLLLLLLL! IS EASY TO BELIEVE!!!!!! I'VE FOUND THE GREAT-"
"Okay!" Cordelia grabbed Willow by the hand and pulled her down next to her. "I get it!" They both looked at each other for a minute and suddenly burst into laughter again.
"Are we hyper?" Willow asked, the truth suddenly dawning on her.
"Well, we did drink a lot of Coke," admitted Cordelia. She burst into a hysterical giggle. "A little too much. Hey, wait a minute. Why are we here?"
Willow scrunched her face in an attempt to remember, and her face brightened with recognition. "Oh, the vampire." \
"Oh." They both looked down at the grave they were sitting on. "Oh! Eww!" Cordelia jumped up suddenly, and backed off the grave, Willow followed almost immediatly. "You didn't ruin your nails, did you?" Cordelia was stern as she inspected Willow's newly painted nails.
Willow sighed as she waited patiently for Cordelia to turn over one hand, then the other, blowing on the fingers repeatedly.
"Done?"
"Yeah." Cordelia looked at the fingers one last time, and let them go. "Be careful, okay? These took a long time."
Willow opened her mouth to retort, but her eyes focused on the grave, and her mouth widened to an OH. Cordelia looked to see what was causing that reaction, and shrieked.
Betsey Armstrong had risen.
The two girls screamed, and scrambled to get away from the tall undead cheerleader .
"The stakes! Get the stakes!" Willow screamed
"We didn't bring any steaks, this isn't a barbeque!" Cordelia yelled back, running to the other side of the grave.
"No! Wood! Pointy!"
"You get it! I'm busy!" Cordelia yelled back, running from the vampire that had taken to running after her.
"Kick her!" Willow said, running to the bag of holy water and stakes.
"Are you crazy! These shoes are new, and she's smelly and gross and-"
"Do it!"
Cordelia glared at Willow, but obeyed. She waited a minute, then executed a perfect cheerleader kick, directly in the oncoming vampire's stomach. The vampire went down, and Cordelia looked stunned.
"It worked! I kicked her!" she said triumphantly, until the vampire got up. Cordelia let out a ear piercing scream and ran to Willow, who had managed to get the stakes out of the bag. She thrust the stake into Cordelia's arms, and grabbed the vial of holy water from the ground, which until then, had remained forgotten. With a swift gesture, she flung it in the vampires face. The vampire screamed, and held her arms to her face. Cordelia used the oportunity to fumble with a stake and then with a horrified and disgusted look, plunged it into the vampires chest. Not enough force was used to embed the stake directly into the heart, so Willow grabbed a rock to hammer it in, muttering "Eww! Eww!" in the process. It worked, when the vampire erupted in a satisying blow of dust.
The hacker and the recently made head cheerleader looked at the area where the vampire had been staked in disbelief.
"Did we just slay a vampire? I mean, without Buffy?" Cordelia asked, breathing heavily.
"Umm, yeah." Willow said quietly. Suddenly it dawned on both of them what they had done, and they both smiled.
"Oh my God!" Cordelia said, grabbing Willow's hand, and jumping up and down with happiness.
"We slayed! We rock!" Willow said, following along. They danced around for a minute, and then stopped suddenly when they realized their sudden descent into dorkdom.
"We just did a spazz dance, didn't we?" Cordelia said, horror in her voice.
"Umm, yeah." Willow said. "I think we pulled a Buffy." Cordelia sighed, and bent down to pick up her belongings.
"So I guess that we have to separate now? Are you going to Xanders?"
"No, you are." Cordelia looked up, surprsise evident in her face.
"No, I'm not."
"Yes you are. Look, Cordelia. Go talk to him. Don't let him go just cause he's a prick sometimes."
"Will, don't get me wrong, okay? But I'd think that you are the last person that would want me to go patch things up with Xander."
If Willow was offended by Cordelia's bluntness, she didn't show it. "Maybe a few months ago. Not now. Now go, that's an order."
"Gawd, Willow, you're so bossy!"
"Payback for the Sears line, now go!"
"Alright,I'm going, I'm going!" Cordelia muttered, picking up her stuff and marching off in the direction of Xander's grave. Even as she walked into the darkness, Willow could hear her muttering inconsisitancies, like, " That's what I get for hanging out these guys. I'm doing spazz dances, I'm in love with a moron, I risk my life for a girl I couldn't stand a year ago, and the computer nerd has become one of my best friends. I'm up all night in a graveyar-" Willow stared after her, and smiled a little sadly.
"You just don't understand, Cordy. How life changes. How time changes what we have to do." She whispered softly. "Like right now. I have to let him go." With that, she got up and walked in the other direction.
"So, what? It's my clothes now? You don't like how I dress?" Angel asked incredulously, and Buffy sighed, rubbing her head.
"I didn't say that Angel, okay? Don't even go there."
"Yes, you did, you said-"
"Yeah, well I didn't mean it." Buffy regretted that statement from the moment she had said it. She was simply trying to get the point across that the shirt Angel was wearing was the same shirt he had on the night he had turned. It was an object that brought back painful memories of a time that she knew she would rather forget. With a tortured sigh she turned away from his haunting presence preferring the colder side of the grave which she was supposed to be guarding.
"Look, Angel" she began more quietly, her voice soft. "Let's forget about this. It's not getting us anywhere. All we're doing is hurting each other's feelings."
Angel stayed quiet as he sighed. "I know, Buff. Why isn't this working for us? Why is this so hard?"
Buffy bit her lip and shrugged. "I don't think we can forget, Angel. No matter how hard we try. The past is just too close too us."
"But Buffy. I love you." There they were again, those three little words that had always seem to make everything okay. So why didn't it work now? Why could she just force herself to forget about everything and everyone and run to the man she loved, who loved her?
"I've grown up, Angel." She whispered. Looking at him over the top of the mound of earth that seperated them from each other. "We both know what can happen. We both know why we can't do this."
Angel's face was one of anguish. Buffy knew that it wasn't his fault, the terrible things that happened to them was a result of ignorance and passion. He had gone to hell and back to be with her, and in a manner of speaking, so had she.
"Buffy.." Angel looked near tears, but he bit his lip and nodded, and suddenly Buffy Summers felt like bursting into tears. She knew what was happening, it was time to say goodbye.
"I'll always love you." He said quietly, before turning away to disapear into the night. Buffy felt something seize her heart and squeeze, and she let out an anquished sob.
"Angel!" She waited until the dark man stopped and turned, and letting the tears run freely, Buffy ran into his waiting arms. He kissed her firmly and then gently, and when he let her go, he wiped her tears away.
"Buffy?"
She looked at him through tearstained eyes. "I can't." she whispered. "I don't care, I don't care anymore. I just can't watch you go." He looked at her searchingly, and bent his head down to take her lips with his one more time.
"What a day for baseball it is, Rick. I can't believe this! The Cubs are only one strike away from the World Championship!." Xander stood on the grave as if it were a mound, cradling a makeshift baseball consisting of a small Pringles can in one hand, as he gazed into the darkness with a grim expression on his face. He continued his monologue, this time in a different voice. "I couldn't agree more, John! And it's all due to young Harris. I can't believe this kid! What a day. He comes out in the third, and hasn't allowed a hit since! This kid is incredible! One more strike and the Cubs have the title. The crowd is going wild." Xander cupped his hand to the side of his mouth and made a loud noise, imitating a roaring crowd. "Let's see if he can keep this up until the finish. He takes the sign, nods, and heres the pitch." Xander wound up and threw the Pringles can. "A fastball! A strike! The Cubs win! The Cubs win it! Wooohoooo!" Xander raised his hands in the air and jumped victorously. "Alexander Harris has saved the day!" More crowd noises.
Cordelia Chase couldn't decide whether she should have been amused or thoroughly frightened by what she was witnessing. A little boy playing makebelieve was bad enough, but a senior in high school Well, it IS Xander she thought about it for a moment, then sighed. It made sense. Besides, she thought, finally allowing herself a smile. He looked adorable jumping around making the V sign.
"You never told me you liked baseball." Xander jumped when he heard her voice, and whirled around. As he recognized her, he displayed a face that was a mixture of horrible embarressment and relief.
"Umm, well, I was in little league for a long time, but . Um I stopped."
Cordelia cocked her head as she looked at him, her face half hidden in darkness. "So how come you didn't play with the school team?"
"I did it because I liked it. In high school, the competition outweighed the fun. I would of been the Buffy of the baseball team."
There was an akward silence, then, "What position did you play?"
Xander raised a skeptical eyebrow. "What do you think? I was a pitcher. What are you doing here?" he finally asked.
Cordelia shrugged, and finally came into the moon light from the trees. The light illuminated her features, and Xander had to force himself to breath as he realized that her hair, now fallen loose, never had shined more beautifully in it's long waves . *Dammit*, he cursed himself. *Why am I suddenly realizing all of this right now!?* "Me and Will took care of the Betsey girl," Cordelia said, unaware of the inner turmoil she was causing her ex to go through. "Buffy told us to split up, so we did." She stifled a yawn. "It was kind of gross." They looked at each other for one long minute, then as Cordelia looked away, Xander shrugged.
"So, what brings you to me? You want to dump me all over again?"
Cordelia, refusing to take the bait, sighed and held out a Coke.
"Peace offering okay?" Xander looked at it for a moment, then back at her face, which was dead serious. After a minute, he reached out, and took it.
A smile came to Willow's face as she approached Oz, who was sitting on the grass, the guitar cradled in his arms, his face one of extreme concentration. She had originally been going to follow Buffy's instructions and join her, but the sight of her and Angel sucking face had stopped her from interupting and so she had headed in the other grave's direction. There she had found her werewolf boyfriend strumming on his guitar softly, muttering some notes under his breath.
"Busy?" she said with a smile. He looked up at her and smiled widely.
"Hey!" he said, rising up and kissing her softly before returning to the ground. "Have a seat." He padded the grass next to him "Plenty of room." She crossed her legs Indian style and watched him continue to strum.
"What are you doing?"
He blushed slightly. "I'm writing a song, well I'm kind of writing two different songs."
"What's the first one about?" Willow asked him.
"Well, us.. in a way.. all of us. Kind of a rock alternative song. I'm calling it, "The Scooby Gang." When Willow smiled, he grinned sheepishly. "I mean, we got a dog and everything."
"Oh, stop." Willow swatted him in the back of the head. "You are not a dog!"
"I am too! And uh.. Xander is Shaggy" Willow giggled.
"Who am I?"
"Velma." He quickly ducked another blow and continued hastily. "Velma was the babe of the show!" he defended his claim insistently. "And she was smart! She knew like, a billion languages!" Willow seemed appeased for the moment, but looked at him throught slit eyes.
"Who's Daphne?"
"Who else?"
"Cordelia!" They both burst out laughing. "Except nicer," Oz added.
"Freddy?"
"Angel the Ken Doll!"
"Then whose Buffy?"
"Buffy transcends cartoons! Besides, the only one left is the little dog. Buff is the Scrappster." Oz, said finally.
"She is NOT!"
"Well, you pick a character for her!" Willow just shrugged.
"Play it for me?"
Oz, blushed, and shook his head. "It's not done."
"Well, what's the other one?"
At this Oz grew redder. "It's sort of like a ballad." He said, after a moment's hesitation.
"Really? Wow, what's it called?"
"Umm The Love of My Life." He cast a shy glance at her, and coughed.
"Well, can you play it for me?"
Oz looked up at her, and after a minute, grinned. "I can."
He strummed a few notes, and began.
Oz's Song to Willow
To Understand
The Way I Feel
The Way She Captures My Heart
The Way She Talks
The Way She Walks
The Way She Breathes
Oh I Believe
This is Forever
Can This Be?
(Chorus) Here She Is
The One that I Adore
The One I've Been Waiting For
You Will See
The Love that She Commands
I'm Helpless Under Her Hand
No more waiting
It's all here now..
You'll see it's True
I'm out to Prove
The Love of My Life is You
End Chorus
How Can This Be
I Never Knew
I Can't Believe It's True
My Heart is Soaring
I'm Flying High
And You're There With Me!
Can This Be?
(Chorus)
Look Inside and You
Might Believe
Our Love was Meant To Be
Love Me the Way I
Think You Do
And Then I'll Show you
You'll See It's True
I'm Out To Prove
The Love of my Life is you
The Love of My Life is you
*author's note. Yes, I'm a dweeb, I actually wrote a song for Willow from Oz. You can get the chords and music at my web page.. end author's note*
He finished the song with a twang on the D chord, and looked up expectantly. Willow's face was one of raptorous appreciation.
"Uh.." he chuckled uncomfortably. "I ..uh.. would have called it "Willow" , but then it would have been too obvious."
"Oz, " Willow put a warm hand on his furry arm. "Did you write that for me?"
"Uh yeah." He finally said. "I guess I kind of figuered that if I wrote you how I feel maybe you wouldn't leave me." He trailed off and looked up at her seriously.
Willow's face was a mask of surprise. "Leave you? What are you talking about?"
Oz licked his lips and stared at the young woman that had taken his heart. He realized that he had to say something. It was either now, or never.
"Well, I guess what I'm trying to say is, that, now that Xander and Cordelia are no longer an couple, that maybe-"
"Oz!" Willow appeared visibly frusterated. "Why does every one thing suddenly think I want to jump Xander!"
"Because you love him." Oz said, matter of factly. Willow stared at him searchingly, and shrugged.
"Maybe," she said after a minute. But as she stared at Oz, her eyes began to shine. "But you're forgetting something, Oz."
"He's a prick?" he tried.
"No, you're forgetting that I love you. I mean, I guess in a way, I'm always going to love Xander, but I've grown up. I guess, I think that if I ever go back to being in love with him THAT way, it would be a step backwards for me. I mean, look at me! I've changed. I can hang out with Sunnydale High's head cheerleader and have a good time, and consider her a friend. And she looks up to me! I have a best friend who has the most important job in the world, but she comes to me for advice and strength. I've got another best friend, who besides being a prick," she cast a loving smile at Oz. "Can be a true heroe, and relies on me. I've got a wonderful boyfriend who loves me and treats me like I'm a queen. And I know, that I'm something special. Something in me nowadays tells me I deserve this. And when I was in love with Xander, I don't know, I don't think I knew that." She reached over and grabbed Oz's hand and pulled it into her lap. "Besides, there's something about Cordy and Xander that makes me think that they are the best possible pair for each other. Somehow they suit each other." Oz stared at her in quiet admiration.
"So, what your saying is, Quit worrying, you dumb butt??"
Willow let out a crystal clear laugh, and nodded. "I think that sums it up." Oz suddenly grinned and leaned over, kissing her gently. He released her and caressed her cheek lovingly.
"You're beautiful."
Willow smiled. "I know." They both laughed, and Willow watched in silent happiness as Oz picked up his guitar and began to strum.
"Go, Razorbacks, Go! Go, Razorbacks, Go!" Cordelia had to bite her lip to keep from laughing too hard at the sight of Xander standing straight, his eyes focused, each arm straight out at each side, clasping a branch to look like a pom pom. He was perfectly imitating a typical Sunnydale Cheerleader, complete with dopey smile and high pitched voice.
"Go, team!" Cordelia said, egging him on. Xander looked at her in a mock glare.
"No talking!" he said sternly, tossing his make believe hair for effect. " I'm trying to concentrate. You have no idea how hard it is to speak AND walk at the same time!"
"Hey!" Cordelia got up and walked up to him. "Cheerleading is hard, mister." She said, punching at his chest with a forefinger.
"Ha! I've been doing it for two minutes, and-"
"And nothing, little brain! I can point out at least four things that are wrong with you."
"Oh?"
"Oh." She confirmed. "First, you're back is not straight enough." She roughly patted his back. "Straighten up. Secondly, your arms are not directly at a right angle. Get them there." she grabbed pushed up his arms. "Thirdly, Prissy-"
"Prissy!" he reiterated.
"Hush." She ordered. "Thirdly, your feet are wrong, move them, and lastly," she gave him a grand smile. "You're smile must say, "I'm Happy, Let's Cheer," not, "I'm Dopey, Let's Boo." She reached up and touched his face gently. Both of their smiles disapeared, and they stared into each other's eyes hungrily for one long second. Quickly Cordelia broke contact,and stepped out and away. Xander sighed.
"Well, I can still do anything a cheerleader can." He said, deciding to let the moment go, for now.
"Really, Lame boy!" Cordelia said, reverting back to her old self. "In that case, let's see if you can do this!" She planted her feet firmly on the ground, and executed a perfect cartwheel, landing with a deep grin and a flourish.
Xander felt his stomach sink at his ex-girlfriend's feat, but swallowed manfully and feigned disinterest. "I can do that."
"I'll bet," Cordelia, said obviously not convinced. "Well?"
"Well, what?" he said defensively.
"I can wait." She motioned for him to begin. "Let's go, Spartan."
Xander smiled sheepishly, and prepared to kill himself in this feat. Quickly he braced himself, and pretended not to notice when Cordelia hid a smirk. A cartwheel couldn't be that hard, could it? He decided to go for it.
Go for it he did. He went right for the ground, and his face digging into the soil.
"Xander!" Cordelia rushed to his side, her face full of concern. She checked him quickly, and when she realized he was okay, started to laugh.
"Hey, it wasn't that funny." He protested, dusting his face off.
"Oh, yes it was, Mr. Agility." She started to laugh harder, falling down next to him in her laughter.
Xander just stared at her. "Well, I'm glad you're amused." He remarked.
"Me too." She nodded, continuing to laugh. Xander continued to watch her amuse herself at his expense, watching with a resigned expression.
"If you don't stop, I'll make you stop." He said, a warning emerging from his voice.
"Oh,yeah?" Cordelia looked at him with a grin. "And how are you going to do that?" Xander looked at her glistening eyes and glowing skin and decided that he would much rather show her.
Consequently, Cordelia was taken by complete and utter surprise when Xander pulled her to him and kissed her quickly and harshly. The kiss was full of passion, and it ended as quickly as it had begun. When their heads drifted apart, Xander licked his lips and stared at her silently, watching her expression closely.
Cordelia was no longer laughing, that was for sure. Her face was now completely serious, and her lips were slighting parted, because she was breathing in and out quickly. Her eyes met his, and a silent message passed between the two of them. Their heads drifted toward each other again, and their lips met again, this time softly. The gentle kiss continued, and Xander gently slid his arms around her waist, drawing her to him.
"No, wait." Suddenly Cordelia pulled away from him, and walked to the other side of the grave. "We can't do this."
"What?" Xander was shocked. "Why not?"
"Because, Xander." Cordelia sighed, crossing her arms about her, as if she was guarding herself from him. "I promised myself I wouldn't do this."
"Do what?" Xander was now thouroughly confused.
"This! This, lust. This physical thing that we do! It's not doing anything for us!"
"Is that what you think?" Xander got up and glared at her. "That this is all physical?"
She looked at him sadly, and if Xander didn't know better, her eyes looked like they were glistening. "Isn't it? Look," she continued when she saw him tense up. "I don't want to fight."
Xander was hurt beyond measure, but his wit stayed with him. "You started it."
"No I didn't."
"Yes, you did."
"No, I didn't."
"Yes, you did!"
"No, I didn't!" They were both shouting now.
"YES, you did!" Xander walked up to her. "Physical!"
"Why, not!" She stood her ground. "You've never given me any indication that you wanted more from me!"
"That's why you dumped me? What, I'm your boy toy now?"
"Oh, don't flatter yourself! Come on, Xander admit, you only went out with me, because I was the only girl available!"
"Excuse me? Unlike you, Missy, I have standards!"
"Oh, please! We're talking about a boy who'll flirt with anything in a skirt. I'd give anything to see you in action in Scotland!"
"I never flirted when I was with you!"
"No, except with Buffy!" The remark stunned him into silence.
"What? I never flirted with Buffy."
His incredulous look caused Cordelia to look at him with uncertainty, but her heart caused her to continue speaking.
"Really, Xander? Then look me in the eyes and tell me you're not in love with her and your weren't just using me. Look at me, and tell me!"
Xander looked at her seriously. "I wasn't using you, Cordelia."
"You weren't? Then why were you with me, Xander?" she pressed. "Why were you with me!?"
"BECAUSE I LOVE YOU!" The words that spitted out of his mouth took them both completley by surprise, and absolute silence followed them. Cordelia's face was unreadable. Xander inwardly groaned. He had vowed never to say those three words to Cordelia Chase, for the undeniable fear that her ice cold heart would never recipocrate those feelings. But he had said them, and now, he didn't regret them. Though he would have admittedly felt much better if he had any indication of what the object of his affection was feeling. He felt nervous, with his heart out in the open like that, so he began to do what he was best at: yammering.
"I mean, I think I do I guess I do I mean, you breaking up with me, made me realize that I uh.. well. I mean, I don't think this is lust. Lust is hot.. and ..well, I'm not saying you're not hot, you are but I mean, hot and I do feel a certain amount of lustbut it's somethings else-"
Xander was abrubtly cut off when Cordelia flung herself into his arms and gave him a long kiss.
When she raised her head to look at him, her eyes were misted over.
"Do you have any idea how long I've been waiting for you to say that, dork head?" she whispered softly.
Xander stared down at her in surprise, unconcsiously drawing her closer to him before he asked her softly, "Wait, I'm lost here. You wanted me to say that?"
"Well, it's only natural, lameboy." She remarked teasingly. "That if a person loves someone, they want them to feel the same way back."
Xander looked at her searchingly. "Wait a minute, the inner geek inside of me is forcing me to think you love me too."
She shrugged. "Call me a moron, I couldn't help it."
Xander suddenly smiled. "I see." He kissed her gently, then, as a thought lodged itself in his brain, raised his head. "Then why the hell did you break up with me!"
Cordelia looked stunned. "Xander!"
"Why?!"
"Ruin the moment, why don't you!"
"You could have simply asked me!"
"Oh, right, geekboy! Like you would have ever admitted it!"
"I did, before you did!"
"I did too!"
"When!"
"Does the word, "Fishboy" mean anything to you!"
"Oh, yeah, you professed your undying love to the pool! The only thing I seem to recall is you worrying about your social status!"
"Hey! I gave up a pretty penny to be with you!"
"What, like Harmony was that big of a sacrifice! Queen Ditz?"
Cordelia suddenly looked over his shoulder and stiffened.
"Xander-"
"And besides,you should have known that I loved you-"
"Xander-"
"And where the hell do you get off breaking up with me and not giving me any reasons-"
"Hey!" Cordelia grabbed his face between her hands, and twisted him around to face the grave.
Jackson Baker had risen.
Xander immediately shut his mouth and readied himself to face the vampire, unconsciously putting Cordelia safely behind him. She grabbed his arm viciously, which he sorely needed at that moment, and proceeded to scream an ear piercing scream into his ear.
Xander winced, but blocked it out quickly, running to tackle the football player as it ran toward him. They grappled, but the full back from the cross town high school proved to be more than a match for Xander, and he soon found himself wrestling on the ground.
"Get a stake!" he yelled to Cordelia, who until that moment, had been watching with her mouth wide open. She shook herself out of her daze, and ran to Xander's supplies, fishing for the wood. She fumbled with it, and tossed it to Xander, who had managed to get on top of the vampire. He raised the stake over his head, and suddenly felt a jolt of searing pain, as the beast kicked him in the jaw. Xander fell back and rolled over, oblivous to Cordelia's sudden cry of terror. He lay dazed for a moment, and the shook himself awake, managing a kick to the football playing vampire. It didn't faze him. He got on top of Xander and was reaching for his neck, when Xander saw him suddenly lurch back in pain. Cordelia stood above the two of them, her face calm and stony.
"I guess that kick really does work," she mused, before kicking the vampire again as it hissed at her. The vampire winced, and got up to go after her, but was felled by another kick, allowing Xander to scramble up. He stood in a dazed silence, as his girlfriend continued to kick the vampire in well timed cheerleader kicks that had pure power behind them. The demon finally was spent, laying on the ground, watching the cheerleading with a hatred that rivaled anything, Xander had seen. Harris stepped up behind his girlfriend, looking over her shoulder at the vampire.
"If there is one thing everyone knows around here in Sunnydale," Cordelia said angrily, pointing a stake at the vampire. "It's that NO ONE messes with my boyfriend but me!" And with that she plunged the stake into the vampires chest, blinking in disgust as he exploded in dust.
"Eww! Vampire dust is all over me!" she said, a horrified look on her face as she proceeded to dust herself off. Xander stared at her, his mouth wide open.
"When did you learn to do that?"
"Do what? "
"You showed me up, woman!"
She shrugged. "Not hard to do, neanderathal." She grinned, and gave his chin a gentle stroke with her index finger. "Don't worry, I won't tell."
Xander smiled, and pulled her to him. "Now, where were we?"
"Discussing the major amount of face washing I'm going to have to do tonight." Cordelia complained, pulling out her compact and studying her now smudged face. Xander grinned.
"I like it that way."
"You would, Dopey." They smiled at each other, and with that, they kissed one more time , gently, passionately.. and lovingly.
"Buffy?" Angel gently moved his girlfriend's figure from his chest and raised her face to meet his eyes.
"What?" She asked him, a little sleepily. "Oh, I fell asleep on the job, didn't I?"
"It's okay, he hasn't moved." The vampire told her, holding her firmly against him.
"Buff." He trailed off, and Buffy looked at him with concern.
"What's wrong?"
"Are you sure you're okay with this?" he asked her, gently sliding his finger across her cheek. Buffy sat, lost in the touch, for a moment, and then opened her eyes, looking at him sadly.
"I don't know." She said honestly. "Things used to be so much easier." She trailed off, and Angel noticed a look of sadness flickered in her eyes. "But I think I am.." she finished. "I think that I'm ready for this."
"Buffy, look, I don't want to carp on you about your age, but you're only eighteen. You've got a whole lifetime ahead of you."
"Angel, I may be a kid, but I've seen enough death, evil, heartbreak, and lies for a lifetime." She stayed quiet, reflecting on what she just said. "It makes me wonder whether I'll live past thirty." She looked at him. "And you'll live forever."
Angel shook his head. "Out of my two hundred years, Buff, how many of them do you think I've really lived? You, you've experienced the best and the worst out of life, the juicy parts of it. Me? The best years of my life have been the ones I've spent with you."
"And those have been some of the worst of mine." Angel looked at her sadly.
"I'm so sorry"
"Don't be.. it wasn't anyone's fault. It took me a long time to realize that. Ironic the way we each blamed ourselves, isn't it?"
"Buffy." Angel sat up and circled a hand on her waist. "Think about what you'll be giving up. You'll never be able to have a normal life-"
"You think my life is NORMAL?" she asked. Just then the grave next to them burst open and the couple jumped as the vampire rose out of his grave. Without so much as a flinch, Buffy took him by surprise, and staked him quickly and efficiently. She took Angel's hand and watched the dust settle.
"Normal will never be my life, Angel. I mean, werewolves, technopagans. Bitchy cheerleaders that's all everyday occurences. And you know what?" She turned to him.. "I don't want normal. Not if it means losing you."
Angel looked at her through eyes of love. He knew himself that as much as he loved Buffy, it would never be enough. Earlier he had been foolish enough to believe that if they loved each other enough, if they stayed together and loved each other, that would be enough to conquer everything that was stacked up against them, but it wasn't. Because he loved her more than that. And he knew that Buffy and all her friends, his friends, would always be in danger. Because inside of him, there was still a killer, a demon. He swallowed heavily, and forced himself to smile, leaning forward, and kissing her gently, he knew what he had to do now.
"Let's go find the others, okay?"
"Wow, how did he learn how to do that?" Cordelia looked duly impressed from under the crook of Xander's arm as she watched Oz juggle four stakes on top of the grave.
"Oz is as man of many talents, " responded Willow, her eyes dancing as she watched her concetrating boyfriend.
"Yeah, who says you can't teach an old dog new tricks?" Xander was rewarded for his comment by two hands swatting at him from either side of him, and a stake landing on top of his head from Oz.
"OW!" he yelped, and laid his head on Cordelia's lap, motioning for her to rub his head. "Will, can you control your pet?" he said, glaring at Oz as he sat down next to Willow. "Oh.. ooh, that feels good.." he began to smile as Cordelia began to run her fingers through his hair. She gave Willow and Oz an annoyed look, but kissed his forehead quickly and let him go. Xander wasn't through with his antics, however. He leaned forward and grabbed the guitar from Oz's lap, and settled it comfortably onto his.
"Now. What shall I play?" he asked, musing out loud. "Aha!" And strumming a few tone deaf chords that made even Cordelia's ears hurt, began a tuneless chant to the song "It's a Small World".
"It's a world of vampires
A world of fear
There is but one hope
that we all hold dear!
It's the Slayer that we trust
to kick some vampire butt
It's Buff's world after all!
It's Buffy that we all hang around!
It's Buffy that we can't do without!
It's Buffy that calls us Slayerettes!
It's Buff's world after all!"
By this time, Xander had the whole group cracking up with laughter. Oz grabbed the guitar,and began to strum the tune to the correct chords, leaving Xander to sing a little less painfully.
"Second Verse!" he called out.
"Well, there's Willow and Oz
he's the dog that she loves best!
And Cordelia admits
Spiffy Xander passed the test!
Rupert Giles wears tweed
and all he does is read!
It's Buff's World after all!"
Xander stood up, and waved his hands in the air.
"Everyone!" Despite the overwhelming feeling of dorkiness that passed through Cordelia and the others, they all began to sing together the chorus of the song, finally getting so loud in between singing and giggles, that they didn't notice when Angel and Buffy came walking up to them, watching with a strange expression on their faces. They finished the last chorus with a erution of giggles.
In the middle of a chuckle, Willow looked up and smiled. "Oh, hey!" The rest of the group looked up and smiled at them.
"Okay, you guys sounded really bad." Buffy said, sitting down and pulling Angel down with her.
"Hey, Buff! Have you heard yourself sing? You're not so hot at the art yourself." Xander defended.
"Alright, Xander how long did it take you to make that one up?" Cordelia asked, poking her boyfriend in the ribs. "A month? Two?"
Xander gasped, and feigned hurt. "You dare to question the great and powerful King of Wit, Alexander?"
"How about the lame and spazzy, king of Cretins?" Cordy suggested. Xander squinted at her, and began to tickle her viciously. Willow and Oz rolled their eyes in mutual resignation while Cordelia schreeched and squirmed to get away from the fingers. Finally, Xander stopped the torture and pulled her snugly to him.
"They've been like that all night." Willow explained to the other couple, who were watching the scene with uncertaintly.
"So" Buffy began, nodding her head. "I take it you to made out- I mean, up?" she corrected when Angel jostled her.
"Nah, we just made out." Xander said, ducking Cordelia's flying hand.
"And then we made up." He added hastily, patting her quickly on the shoulders to appease her.
"Humph." Cordelia said, slightly miffed.
"I take it Sleeping Beauty hasn't risen?" Angel asked, peering down at the grave.
"Nope." Willow answered, looking at her watch. "He better get here soon, I'm ready to fall asleep myself."
"And I've got a game." Cordelia added, groaning.
"Look, you guys, you can take off now." Buffy said. "I can handle one more."
Everyone shook their heads. "No way, Buffy." Xander said.
"Yeah, I mean, we're like, in." Oz added.
"In English," Willow explained. "We're your buds. We stay till the end."
Buffy looked at her circle of friends, each one watching her with a look of conviction. Seeing their faces, Buffy realized that she had true friends, from Willow to Xander, to Oz.. and even Cordelia, who was watching her with a half smile.
"You know, I've put you all in danger so many times," she began quietly.
"Me, too, " Angel said softly, too quiet to be heard, by anyone but Buffy, who cast a surprised glance at him.
"Hey, you've saved our butts, too, Buff!" Xander interupted, distracting Buffy. "Hell, I would have been a mackeral-"
"I would have been a prized skin on some dude's wall." Oz added.
"I would have been a demon." Angel put in.
"I would have been a loveslave with a slashed throat."
"I would have been a cut up, Frankenstien Bride, that would get sacrificed to the lizard guy." Cordelia finished. "But, we've saved your butts too." She added.
"Yeah, we got you off after Teddy came in."
"And after Kendra died."
"And we saved you from Ethan Rayne."
"Summed up," Cordelia burst in, casting a glare to her butting in colleagues. "You owe us, just as much as we owe you. Get it?"
Buffy smiled. "I get it."
"Well, maybe you owe us a little less." Cordelia continued, when her friends all gave her a glare. "Besides, if you hadn't been in picture, Xander would still be a lameboy."
"Cordelia would be a bitca," Xander said with a smile.
"I would still be a mouse."
"And I would be happily oblivious to it all!" Oz rang out, ducking as the girls threw their empty soda cans at him. They all laughed, until Buffy waved them to silence. They all looked down as they heard a scratching of wood under the grave. Quickly they all reached for a stake and stood in a circle over the grave.
Jackson Baker wasn't quite sure what was happening to him, but an overwhelming evil came over his heart, and he smiled, and then coughed. He was in the ground, he realized, and he needed to go up. So, with all his strength, he burst through the top of the grave. He jumped up with a triumphant growl and raised his head to take his first look of the world as a vampire. It wasn't pretty. He jumped when he saw that all around him, were people, looking at him with huge wooden stakes. Definetly not the welcoming committee. He looked left and right, and then did the only thing that made sense to him. He tried to go back down.
"Oh, no, you don't, vamp boy!" Buffy jumped down into the grave and pulled the vampire back up. He tried to run away, but was stopped immediately by Willow and Oz, who each held a cross to him. He hissed at them, and tried to run the other direction but was stopped there by Xander and Cordelia, who were also card carrying members of the cross convention. Angel grabbed him and gave him a good growl to scare him, and Buffy smirked. She gave him a good roundhouse that felled him quickly, and then staked him quickly.
"Boy," Xander began, to fill the silence that followed. "That was almost fun."
"Group work is always fun." Willow said with a smile.
"Speak for yourself. It's always one person doing the work and everyone else slacking off."
Cordelia said. They all looked at Buffy then, who just shrugged.
"Yeah, yeah, my sacred duty, whatever." She said.
"So I guess our All Night Graveyard Venture is over," Xander said, leaning down to pick up his things.
"Great, because I'm ready to take a nap." Oz said.
"Me too." Willow said, before yawning.
"Drive you home?" he asked her. She nodded.
"Cordy? Walk you home?" Xander asked, his hands in his pocket.
"I drove, amnesia boy, remember?" she said, but her mouth creased into a smile. "How about I drive you home?" He smiled wanly and held out one hand. She grinned, and took it in hers, squeezing it softly.
"So I guess we'll see you guys later?" Willow asked, looking at Angel and Buffy.
"Yeah, you will." Buffy said. The Slayerettes bid their goodbyes, and walked away. She watched her four friends leave chattering and laughing, and she faced Angel.
"Walk me home?" she asked, cocking her head slightly. Her boyfriend looked a little preoccupied, but he nodded and smiled.
"Sure." He said, before kissing her softly.
"Buffy!" Joyce Summers tapped on her daughter's doorway loudly. "Honey, get up! You're friends are here!" Buffy moaned and grumbled, before covering her head with a pillow.
"Idonwannagetup." She mumbled under the pillow.
"You're gonna be late for school." Joyce said, stepping into the doorway.
"It's a half day." Buffy said, not bothering to open her eyes. "I don't have to be there until one." Cordelia, dressed in her cheerleading uniform, and Willow, dressed in overalls, followed into the room.
"Buffy, come on." Willow said, smiling at her sleepy friend.
"Yeah, we're meeting the guys for a movie at the mall before we go to school, remember? And there's the cutest skirt I so need to get at this store, and Pierre is only holding it until twelve. So hurry your butt up!" Cordelia said, shaking Buffy, who laid buried under the covers.
"Idonwannago."
Joyce raised her hands up in resignation and looked at the girls before shrugging. "I'll leave you to convince her." She told the two girls, before she left.
"Hey, Buff! Come on, get your Slayer butt up!" Cordelia scolded, sitting on the bed nearest to the window. Willow smiled and headed toward her closet.
"I'll get some clothes for your to wear."
"You're choosing her clothes? Will, no offense but you're fashion sense-"
"Okay, I'm up!" Buffy finally said, opening one eye and tossing the covers aside. "Just shut up for a minute! It's too early to hear that from you two." She mumbled, stretching once quickly. Cordelia was going to retort, but her eyes caught something on the window sill and she got up.
"Uh, Buff? You got a note." She said, picking up the envelope, and handing it to the Slayer sitting crosslegged on the bed. Willow watched curiously from the open closet while Cordelia sat next to Buffy on the bed. They waited silently while Buffy studied it.
"It's from Angel." She said and quickly opened it. As she read it, her eyes widened, and she read it again. Her hand began to tremble, and suddenly she began to whimper. She dropped the note in her lap and raised her hands to her face as she began to cry.
"Buffy?" Cordelia looked worried, and she placed a hand on her shoulder, Buffy leaned toward her and sobbed. Cordelia let her cry in her arms, her eyes alarmed as she looked up at Willow. Willow came quickly from the other side of the room and picked up the note, scanning the contents quickly. What she read made her gasp.
Dear Buffy,
I have to go. I know you don't understand why, but what you said to me last night It really strikes home. You see, I love you so much. And I know that right now, when I'm around you, I'm only causing you pain, and that's all I'll cause you, until we can both forget the past. I'm leaving, going on a trek, finding some bad guys that need to be stopped. I don't know long I'll be gone. But I do know that I love you, I'll always love you, Buffy. Please don't hate me. We need to forget the past to have a future, and right now, the past is just too close. I'll be back. I promise. I don't know how long I'll be gone, but I'll be back, when I can't hurt you anymore. I love you Buffy.
Angel
"He's gone." Willow whispered. Cordelia's eyes widened as she looked at the hacker from above Buffy's head.
"Buffy?" They both looked at the girl, who had finally calmed down. Neither of them knew what to say.
She closed her eyes, as one lone tear dropped from her eyes. She wiped it away quickly as she looked at the cheerleader and the hacker who were each watching their unofficial leader with a concerned look.
"Are you okay?" Willow asked softly.
Buffy took a deep breath. "No I'm not," she began unsteadily. "But Angel's right. We can't be together right now. I knew that in my heart. I just didn't want to accept it."
"What are you doing to do?"
Buffy sniffed as she looked at her friends, and thought of Xander, and Oz, and Giles. Each one of them would willingly die for her. They all loved her, though Cordelia would never admit it. She smiled through her pain. And she loved all of them, though she would never admit it to Cordelia.
"I'll go on. And I'll wait. He'll come back, when we can't hurt each other anymore. And in the meantime " she suddenly grinned, even as a tear fell. "I've got you babe! I've got you babe!" Willow and Cordelia stared at her in horror.
"Is she actually singing?" Cordelia asked Willow. Willow stared at Buffy searchingly for a long time, and finally smiled back.
"Yeah, I think she is." She joined in Buffy's song. Cordelia did everything but gag as she put her hands over her ears and began to chant cheers loudly to drown out the noise.
"Come on, Cordy! Join in!" Buffy said, tossing a pillow at the Ice Queen's head.
"I got you babe!" Willow pushed Cordelia down and sang in her ear.
"I got you babe!"
"Stop it!" Cordelia shrieked, laughing even as the words came out. Buffy pulled her hands from her ears.
"I've got you babe!"
"You guys are losers! I mean it!" Cordelia giggled as she scrambled to get away from them.
"I've got you babe!"
"Sing with us, Cordy!" They grabbed her and pushed her down.
"Fine, if you two promise to shut up after one chorus, I'll sing with you okay?" They smiled and nodded, letting her go.
"I've got you babe!" They all began to laugh furiously as they collapsed on Buffy's bed. "I've got you babe!"
The sound drifted out onto the street, and on the corner, a dark car stood on the curve. The windows were darkly tinted, almost black. One window went down slowly, and peering warily out of it, was Angel, listening to chorus of female voices.
"I've got you to walk with me! I've got you to walk with me!" Giggles interuppted, and Angel unconsciously smiled.
"I've got you babe! Da DA! Da Da! Da Da! Da Da! I've got you babe!"
Angel looked up at the window and the laughing girls. "That's right, Buffy." He whispered. "You'll always have me." And with that, he closed the window. The car moved off in the direction to the fastest way out of town.
"I've got you babe!"
"Okay, I sang the dumb song!"
"The sun will come out, tommorrow! Betcha you're bottom dollar that tommorrow -"
"Buffy, no, not Annie!"
"There'll be sun!"
"Tommorrow! Tommorrow! I love ya! Tommorrow!"
"No, not you too, Willow!"
"You're only a day away!"
"You're all morons!"
"You love us that way, Cordy, shut up and sing."
"Tommorrow! Tommorrow! I love ya, tommorrow! You're only, a day awaaaaaaaayyyyyyyy!"