Chapter One :

Disclaimer: I don't own anything Btvs, or Ats for that matter. They belong to Joss Whedon &co, so, please don't sue. I barely have enough money to pay my rent, anyway…

Author: BlackbAngeL

Distribution: Ask first, just so I know where it goes!

Rating: PG-13, I guess.

Summary: AU - Nothing too fancy, or complicated. This is, basically, a romance story about a pianist and a singer who just happen to be Buffy and Angel, only, in a different universe where curses and evil storywriters and producers don't exist.

They say music is what feelings sound like… Well, guess what, they're right.

Note: This is just the first chapter of the fic I'm working on. I said I wouldn't post it yet, but I couldn't wait… Maybe I'll change a thing or two, but it has already been rewritten countless times, so, I think it's ready. I just wanted to know what people thought. It's not beta'd though, so, any mistake is mine. I have no patience whatsoever.

And, okay, I know I'm just evil, because I really SHOULD be writing for WOAS or BH. I left my readers hanging, and I know how annoying this is. But I really needed to get this story out of my chest… It wouldn't stop obsessing me until I had it written. And that's only the first one, because I have half a dozen stories waiting to be told. Sorry.

o o o o o o o

Music washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life… - Berthold Auerbach

New York, October 2004

A thin ray of light on the horizon announced the imminent beginning of a new day. Lighter shades of blue slowly invaded the dark indigo firmament, marking the end of another long and eventful night in the Big Apple. During those few hours, in each and every district, people had been murdered, women had been raped; couples had made love, and hearts had been broken; but as the sun started to rise, all those tiny events and details slowly faded into the light, blurry memories of fleeting moments and faces nobody cared to notice, to be forgotten until it would happen all over again.

At this hour of the morning, even New York, the city that never sleeps, was kind of quiet. As quiet as it could possibly be, anyway… Birds were just starting to chirp, cats were coming back home with their night's latest prey…

And some people were actually sleeping.

Despite that barely noticeable lightening of the dark blue sky, the room was still plunged in the darkness, its blissful silence only disturbed by the deep and heavy breathing of its only inhabitant.

That is, until the electronic sound of a shrilling voice rang up from the wooden nightstand.

"… iful day in New York, but don't get your hopes up, the storm is still coming our way. Fellow New Yorkers, hang on to your umbrellas, because this is gonna be one hell of a sw…"

Buffy Summers' hand shot up from where it had been resting under her pillow to turn off her radio clock. Releasing a groan, she pulled the sheets down her body, stretching, and trying not to give into the temptation to catch a few more Z's before starting her day.

Regretfully and with a tired yawn, she sat up on the edge of her bed, hissing as her feet touched the cold floor. Darting her eyes around the room to locate her socks, and not seeing them anywhere, she sighed as she realised that she would have to go bare feet to the bathroom.

'Well done, Buffy…'

She took a deep breath, and bravely stood up… before starting to run. In a matter of seconds, she had the heat turned on, and a hot shower running. She shed the Boston University sweater she used as pyjamas, and almost jumped in the bathtub to place herself directly under the pouring water.

Without even opening her eyes, she stretched her left arm towards the edge of sink to turn on the horrid pink and red radio, with heart-shaped buttons, that was sitting there – something, a year or so earlier, her roommate, for some insane reason she still couldn't decipher, had insisted they just 'needed' to have. Only a few moments later, she was completely awake, and singing along Shania Twain that Man, she felt like a woman.

Nothing quite like a hot shower to wipe the last remnants of sleep out of one's body.

After spending more time than should have under the blissfully hot jet, she reluctantly left the warmth of the bathtub to get ready to face another day.

A large, fluffy brown towel wrapped around her lithe body, Buffy stared at herself in the mirror as she ran a comb through her still wet blond locks. She grimaced as she came across one nasty knot, and wondered for the millionth time why she still hadn't had her hair cut. Sure, she liked her hair long and shiny, and brushing her back as she walked, but boy, it was a pain to take care of. Conditioners, lotions, highlights every now and then… But even as she complained to herself, she knew that every time she so much as attempted to set a foot in a hair dresser's shop, she chickened out and walked away as fast as she possibly could without looking like she had the devil on her tail.

Her work done, she sighed, put the comb down, and rested her hands on the edge of the sink, scrutinizing her own reflection.

Hazel eyes, with a touch a light green, stared back at her, looking older than the twenty three years they had seen. She eyed the thin, almost faded scar on the right side of her forehead, a souvenir from the three years she had spent in Boston… The only physical souvenir she bore, thankfully. All the other scars were emotional; more painful, but at least, easier to hide.

She shook her head as memories of those long forgotten days tried to crawl their way back into her thoughts. She shouldn't think about this, she had a new life now, happy enough, and better than anything she could have had, had she stayed there like she'd been asked to. And almost forced to.

Boston was her past, just like Sunnydale and Los Angeles were. She had graduated from high school in California, and thanks to her rather good grades, followed her friend Willow to the other side of the country to go to college in Massachusetts, something which had seemed like a good idea at the time. Her mother had been thrilled, she herself had been beyond excited… But as it turned out, it wasn't exactly the best decision she'd ever made. Possibly even the worst.

Willow had graduated from law school, but during the three years she'd spent there, Buffy had only sunk lower and lower, dropping out of college after a year and… well, doing things she shouldn't have done.

When she'd finally had enough, she had left everything behind her and had moved to New York in the hopes of one day fulfilling her dreams, as silly as they might be…

Ever since she'd been a little kid, she'd wanted to act, and sing… What better place than Broadway to do both? Or at least, that's what she had thought.

Because now, two years later, she was nowhere near realizing that dream. Sure, she worked on Broadway; but somehow, waitress at a coffee shop wasn't exactly what she'd had in mind when she'd come here.

She finally snapped out of her thoughts as she realized that she still had to get dressed, and grabbed her toothbrush.

This was gonna be another long, long day.

o o

When she finally managed to choose what outfit to wear for the day, Buffy left her room clad in tight, but not vulgar, low-cut jeans and a long sleeved white sweater. Satisfied with her choice, she felt ready to face the world… Or so she tried to convince herself.

The sun was barely rising, she realized when she passed the living room's window. Why she insisted on waking up that early was beyond her. Today was her day off, but she still got out of bed at the crack of dawn. Some habits really died hard…

She headed for the kitchen, expecting to see Cordelia in her usual comatose morning state, slumped on a chair with a steaming cup of coffee in her hands, since she hadn't been in her room… But of Cordy there was no sign, to her surprise, except a note pinned to a paper bag which, to the blonde's delight, contained an apple and cinnamon muffin. She smiled broadly at her friend's (rare) thoughtfulness, thinking that she probably had something to ask, and poured herself a cup of coffee. She settled on the kitchen counter to read what her best friend had written to her in her loopy handwriting.

Buff,

Surprise!! It's what, 6:30 at least, and I'm already gone… Actually, I left at 5:30, while you were still snoring your youth away. Who woulda thought, uh?

I have an early shift today, and I had something to do before work – I'll explain everything at lunch, and don't you forget lunch this time, or I'll never forgive you, so, meet me at Bernie's at 1.

Could you please pick up my dress at the dry cleaner? You know, the burgundy one, cuz I won't have the time to go today. The ticket's in my drawer. Thanx, you're the best.

Remember tonight's our night out, so, you'll have to dress up; thought Caritas followed by a wild night of fun at the Seven might be a good idea, you game?

See you later, hugs,

C.

Buffy smiled as she tucked the note away. Dress at the dry cleaner, well, that explained the muffin… she shook her head, she really knew her friend too well.

'Don't you forget lunch this time'

Buffy shook her head as she thought about the last and only time it had happened. She had had too much on her mind, and Cordy had ended up waiting for her for a whole hour. It had happened months ago, but her stubborn friend would never let her live it down.

She finished her coffee, and placed her cup in the sink before heading for Cordelia's room to fish the dry cleaner ticket into her drawer, put on her coat and scarf, and finally left the apartment. It was too early for any shop to be open, but she wanted to take a long walk before starting her day.

o o o o o o o

"God, is the sky falling or something?"

Buffy almost jumped out of her skin when her friend's voice cut through her peaceful thoughts. She had been staring at the street outside, watching people run for shelter under the pouring rain, and wondering what on earth had happened to make he weather change that fast. She was sitting on a dark red seat inside of the small and warm restaurant they had lunch in once a week, Bernie's. As usual, she had chosen the table next to the window.

And she'd been so engrossed in her musings that she hadn't noticed Cordelia's rather noisy entrance in the room.

When she finally turned her face towards her friend's, and took in her appearance in the dim light, she had to stifle a laugh. Cordy's usual perfect make-up and perfect hair were all messed up, probably because of the rain, and she looked really, mightily pissed off.

Though she managed to hold back her giggles, the amused look on her face didn't escape the brunette, who narrowed her eyes. "Go ahead, laugh it up, Blondie…"

Buffy finally chuckled. "Sorry, Cor, but you…well, to be perfectly honest, you look like you've just taken a dive in the ocean."

"I know!" her friend cried "Can you believe that weather? I mean, I know it's fall and all, but if this goes on for a few more hours, we're gonna have to start thinking of building an ark!!"

The blonde smiled. "Yeah, and we'll gather the animals together by pair…"

"Including mosquitoes?" Cordy asked, playing along.

Buffy's features scrunched in pretend wonder. "Nah, I guess we should leave them to their fate…"

"And Mrs Jenkins?"

This time, Buffy let out a full laugh. Mrs Jenkins was their rather imposing neighbour, not exactly of the nice and socializing variety. She still hadn't discovered that wonderful thing that was deodorant, and thought dresses with big horrible flowers were the latest trend. "The jury's still out" she finally replied with a falsely serious look.

Cordelia finally calmed down, and let out a smile. "Well, I guess our evening out will have to be delayed" she said, waving a hand towards the window to point at the heavy clouds "There's no way I'm setting a foot out of the apartment at night with this weather."

Buffy eagerly nodded. "I say we should rent a movie, buy popcorn, and have a girlie movie night."

"And I shall listen to thy wisdom… Thelma and Louise?"

"Love actually?"

Cordelia thought for a second, before giving her response "Both."

The blonde clapped her hands. "We have a deal!"

As Bernie himself came out of his kitchen to take his "two favourite girls'" order, the two young women in question were chatting happily about their day, exchanging the latest gossip.

They ordered their usual hamburger with vegetables, exchanging pleasantries with the chef, who happened to be their former employer. They had both met at that restaurant, when Buffy had been hired a few days after arriving in New York. The two friends had resigned after a few months, when the opportunity of a job closer to their home had presented itself, but the middle aged friendly man had told them that they were welcome to come have lunch whenever they wanted.

Those particular few months had been hard times, for both Buffy and Cordelia. Buffy had just been coming from Boston, with nothing but her dreams, a few dollars in her wallet and a bruise on her face, stitches on her forehead and in her heart… Cordy had been working for two, since her roommate had fled without warning and had left her with a full rent to pay by herself, which she could not afford.

Though the two girls were really different, they had hit it off almost immediately. Buffy had moved in with Cordy, and both had worked hard to get out of the hole they had seemed to be stuck in for all this time.

Now, after two years, they were living comfortably enough.

When Buffy had left Boston, she'd never thought that she would meet friends so quickly… and yet.

Cordelia was… strange, to say the least, and sometimes a little bitchy and self-centered, but she had a heart of gold, once you knew her. She had moved to New York after her father lost his fortune, how exactly no one really knew. She'd needed some adjustments, and from what Buffy had understood, her first two years hadn't been exactly great. She had been raised in a wealthy family… A spoiled princess in every sense of the word. Real life had been a pain to get used to.

But now, Cordelia had made a life for herself. For a while, she had entertained the idea of becoming an actress as well, but as the months went by she had finally realised that she just wasn't made for it. She had made some money with her good looks though… A few modelling gigs here and there, she was a beauty and she knew it, so, she'd tried to put that gift of nature to good use. With her tall and feminine form, her long brown hair, dazzling smile, and exotic face, it hadn't been that hard for her. But eventually, she'd realized that then again, she may be beautiful, she wasn't charismatic enough for a career in that world.

So, just like Buffy, she was still stuck at square one. But, just like Buffy, she had a dream… and a not so far-fetched one.

"So, enough with the mystery now…" the blonde started, looking her friend in the eye "Where were you this morning while I was, and I quote, 'snoring my youth away'?"

Buffy frowned slightly as a flash of something she thought was fear appeared in Cordy's brown eyes, but she shrugged the odd feeling out when the look disappeared of her friend's face, quickly replaced by a mischievous glint . "I'm sure you'd like to know…"

"Oh, don't even think about it, you're gonna tell me! That must be something, for you to get out of bed that early… I didn't even know you were able to actually surface before the sun rose."

"Nu-uh, it's a surprise…" the brunette replied, while bringing a glass of water to her mouth.

Buffy crossed her arms, and glared at her friend. "You wrote on the note that you would tell me…"

"Oh, did I?"

"And I did, pick up your dress at the dry cleaner, which by the way cost me ten bucks, so, you better tell me…"

Cordelia gave her a falsely exasperated look. "Okay, okay… Gee, impatient much?" she said, rolling her eyes "And I'll pay you back for the dress…"

Buffy just waved her hand "Nevermind… and I get the feeling that you were just trying to aggravate me, because you were gonna tell me all along."

Her friend sighed. "You know me too well…" she told her, a hand on her heart.

There was a beat.

And another.

Until Buffy finally couldn't stand it anymore "Well? Spill already!"

Cordelia's lips finally twisted into a devilish smile. "Ok then…" She cleared her throat "Remember Caritas, right?"

Buffy frowned. "Of course I do" she uttered, thinking her friend was going insane. Caritas was the club they'd been going to at least once a week for the past year or so. It was small, but fairly known… There were no DJ's there, no bands, just a piano and a few musicians.

Cordelia nodded. "Of course you do… then, remember Darla Matthews and Hamilton?"

"Cordy, could you get to the point?" The blonde cried, letting out an exasperated sigh.

"Answer first"

Buffy groaned "Yes, I remember them, the infamous team, she sings, he plays piano like a god, and we drool at their talent. They've been working at Caritas for like, ever."

Her friend smiled again, before theatrically announcing "Well… they're not working there anymore!!" And she stared at the blonde, waiting for a reaction.

But a reaction she didn't get. Buffy's eyebrows just shot up, and for a spell, she didn't say a word, just staring at her friend. "So?" she finally said slowly "That was the big surprise?"

Seeing that her friend hadn't yet realised the implications of the little bombshell she had just dropped, Cordelia sighed. "No, you dummy, the big surprise is, since the two of them left to see if the grass was greener in Atlanta, Miles Lornan is short of two employees… Well, apparently, he found his pianist, but he's still looking for a singer. I think that's your cue, Buff."

When her brain finally processed what the brunette had just said, Buffy felt her heart skip a beat. She still didn't see why that would have made her friend get up that early, but she pushed the thought aside. This could be her chance, an occasion to show what she could do… An occasion to fulfil her dream, to do what she'd come here to do in the first place. But then, something else crawled its way into her thoughts… Fear, and resignation. Was she still able to do this? Was she good enough? Did she really want to, after all? She knew there were probably dozens of girls like her in that city, thousands even… Why would she be better than them? That dream was just of the kind that never comes true, a distant wish, something she could run after her whole life but never reach… Maybe it was…

"Before you chicken out and decide you can't do this, you should know that I already signed you up for the auditions, a few hours ago."

Buffy's train of thought immediately came to a halt, and she stared at her best friend across the table. She what? The blonde opened and closed her mouth a few times, trying to decide if she should hug the brunette or strangle her. Both were kind of appealing… She was starting to understand why her roommate had been so secretive. She briefly wondered why she had had to do this that early in the morning, but a whirlwind of questions and thoughts pushed those musings away.

Cordelia just grinned at the bewildered expression on her friend's face. "When you're famous, remember it will be thanks to me."

The enthusiasm finally rubbed off on Buffy, and she smiled despite her fears. "Well… okay then, I guess I can… try. When…"

But before she could ask the question, her friend interrupted her. "Tomorrow at 8."

There was a beat.

"WHAT??"

A few heads in the restaurant shot up at the shrilling sound, and Buffy immediately quieted down. "Tomorrow? Are you insane, I'll never be ready tomorrow, I have to practice, and, and…" she was shaking her head, and looked like she was going to burst.

Cordelia sighed, again. She seemed to be doing a lot of that today. "Relax, you'll be ready, and you practice enough, believe me, I can barely get some rest you're singing so loud all the time…"

Buffy buried her face in her hands, and took a few deep breaths. Despite her earlier doubts, a little voice somewhere at the back of her head whispered to her that maybe she could do this after all. Now, she just had to work up the nerve to sing on stage.

She raised her head, and looked at her friend in the eyes. "Thank you", she finally told her, feeling the beginning of excitement creep up her heart.

Cordy just gave her a killer smile "You're very welcome!"

Right this moment, the waitress came back to bring them their food. They thanked her, and started to eat, chatting animatedly about what Buffy was going to wear, and sing… Until a thought suddenly struck the blonde.

"Think the pianist is cute, this time?" she asked, a mischievous smile tugging at her lips.

Cordelia just gave her a falsely shocked look. "Why, Miss Summers, you would abandon your vows of chastity if that was the case?"

"Very funny" her friend replied "I just mean it wouldn't hurt if the guy was easy on the eyes…"

"Yeah, sure" the brunette snorted, rolling her eyes. "And why would it have to be a guy, after all? Maybe it's a gal…"

Buffy groaned. "Don't spoil my fun…"

TBC

o o o o o o o

So? What do you think?