Title: I Don't Love You

TV Show: Buffy the Vampire Slayer

Author: Beloved Slayer

Rating: T

Summary: Angel is preparing to walk down the aisle. Buffy has realized her feelings for him. Will she be able to confess her love before he takes his vows to someone she's not remotely fond of? All human.

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Chapter One

She paced relentlessly back and forth, hands clawing through her disheveled hair as she attempted to smooth her ivory dress that was clinging to her like a second skin, accentuating her curves.

Her cheeks flushed, she took a quick glance upon the full length mirror that was adorned with white roses, casting a questionable, confused expression that mirrored her stern, yet uncertain pout.

I can do this. I can do this. No need to panic Buffy. Everything's gonna be fine. Her mind was laced with useless drivel as an attempt to discourage and mask the true intention of her endless fretting, her heels leaving traces of scathed marks on the polished Italian marble floor.

"I can do this. There's still time to tell him," Buffy asserted herself, smoothing her hair, tucking a strand behind her ear, suppressing anxiety that was threatening to spill to the surface. She left another trail on the polished floor, inhaling the scent of vanilla and lavender potpourri that wafted in the air, trying to relax her frayed nerves.

"Time to tell him what?" Came a scowled voice that inadvertently belonged to the bride, whom Buffy detested with every fiber of her being. The soon-to-be Mrs. Darla Connors arrived in the women's restroom with a grace that beamed confidence, looking as elegant as ever in a white Vera Wang dress that was attached to a ten-foot train, both pieces embroidered with thousands of small crystals that sent rainbows under the soft light of the crystal chandelier.

"Oh, it's nothing. Not like it's any of your business," Buffy scoffed, polishing and flickering her manicured nails in an expression that resembled casualty. "It is, if you're talking about the man that I'm about to marry in a few minutes," Darla rebuffed, her face creasing into a venomous frown. "You know you can't have him Buffy. I know how you feel about him, but you're too late now. He's all mine after today. You won't be able to stop us, and soon we'll be on the honeymoon, making babies, which you will never have if your life depended on it."

Darla released a short bark, tugging at her tresses before turning around to exit the women's bathroom. Buffy remained behind in utter silence, a tear pooling in the corner of her eye, hands clenching into fists, her beating heart both tense and defiant to deny the unbearable fact that Darla was right in her evaluation. Then a voice announced that the ceremony was about to begin soon.

"Everyone, please be seated. We only have thirty minutes before the ceremony is to commence."

Oh no, maybe I'm too late, Buffy mentally shouted, shuffling to gather her things together before making a dash exit out of the bathroom, scurrying outside to the front archway entrance of the Gothic church that stood before her, stopping in her tracks.

"Buffy, where have you been? Angel's about to get married!" appeared the worried voice of her best friend, Willow, who was dressed in a tourmaline off the shoulder chiffon dress, heels clacking noisily on the stone pavement. "Just cleaning myself up, Will. Ugh, I so do not want to do this. I don't wanna see him get married to her. He deserves better, but his stubbornness doesn't let him see that. Any way we can just ditch the ceremony and go home?" Buffy resigned with a note of sadness in her voice, turning her head in order to avoid Willow's sympathetic gaze.

Willow stood in her tracks. "You know we can't, Buffy. We're here to support him, no matter what. Are you scared?" Buffy reluctantly nodded. "Yeah, pretty much. I love him, and he doesn't even know how I feel. It's probably too late now to confess. I tried to tell him earlier, but right away he made an assumption that I was jealous of his fiancée, and that my feelings for him are only 'cause I have a tiny crush on him, nothing more, or so he says. I couldn't even get a word out to defend myself! Can you believe that crap? Him accusing me of being jealous of Darla? Yeah, I don't think so buddy. More than ever, my gut says not to trust her. I've been having that feeling for most of the time they were engaged, and it's saying that she's only after him for his money. I tried telling him this a few times, but since then he totally denied it, so I hadn't mentioned it since. I don't know, maybe he's afraid that I was telling the truth. But I guess it's no use now. I know she'll end up hurting him eventually, and I can't do a damn thing about it. He thinks he's in love with her. What can I do about it?"

"Probably nothing, but Buffy, maybe it's not too late. There's still twenty minutes left to tell Angel how you feel. If you don't tell him now, who knows if you'll get another chance."

"I know. I'm just scared, is all. What if he rejects my confession in front of all the guests and family?" Buffy dabbed her eyes with a spare tissue from her clutch.

"Buffy, c'mon, you're a strong woman. If you don't take a risk for love, then what do you take it for?" Willow assured, pulling her friend into a small hug in comfort. "You're right, Will. I have to risk it. Otherwise, I'll live with the guilt of not telling Angel my feelings for the rest of my life… probably," Buffy queried, returning the embrace.

"Darn tootin' right I am. You know it. I think deep down, he knows that he loves you Buffy. He's just afraid of taking a chance because admitting it might disappoint his family. You know how snobby and uptight they are with their values. They want only the best for him, even if that person might not be the right woman for him. Like Darla. Can't stand her myself. She's a bitcha."

At Willow's admission, Buffy let out a laugh that resembled a snort. "A bitch? Have you been stealing Xander's oddball vocabulary again Will?"

"I guess I have," Willow smiled sheepishly. She reached for Buffy's calloused hand. "C'mon, we better hurry if you want to lay it all out. Or the bitch bride from Hell will steal him away."

Buffy nodded, allowing Willow to take the lead as they ventured through many rose vineyards that were situated between the church and the newly constructed banquet hall, heading towards a clearing that was surrounded by white picket chairs and tables, Oriental vases filled with yellow daisies and roses, and various other decorations that were strewn about.

Immediately, Buffy's eyes were drawn to the tall figure that was dressed in an Armani suit, body hunched over a buffet table. Angel. "He's right there. Why don't you go talk to him?" Willow questioned, eyes on his protruding back. "Will, I don't think I can. What if he won't listen?" Buffy's knees were buckling underneath her weight, but she managed to hold her balance in spite of it.

"Buffy, he's not the only one who's stubborn. So are you. You can do it. Go up to him and tell him what's in your heart. I believe in you. Cheesy, I know, but still."

"Thanks Will. I can do this. Here goes." Buffy smoothed her dress one last time, wishing that she could quell her nervousness, but knew it was no use. Leaving Willow behind, she trotted quietly towards the buffet table, careful as to not enter Angel's line of vision.

She inhaled her lungs, mouth gaping to form the words that she needed to express. "Angel, I need to talk to you."

Angel spun around, chocolate brown eyes locking with hers. "Buffy, is something wrong?" His face lined with worry. "I……no, nothing's wrong. I just wanted to tell you something. There's something I need to confess and I'm too damn scared to admit it." Angel's eyebrow was raised, curious. "It's okay, there's nothing to be scared about."

Buffy lowered her eyes, avoiding Angel's prodding gaze. She muttered, " I'm in love with you." She hoped that he hadn't heard her words. She tilted her head, realizing that he had, his eyes in disbelief. "In love with me? Buffy, you can't be serious. I'm getting married in a few minutes, and you're just now telling me this?" His words took on a hardened edge. "Why didn't you tell me before?"

Buffy let out a sigh of exasperation. "Because I couldn't! I tried telling you before, but you didn't listen. You kept accusing me of being jealous of Darla, which is so far from the truth mister." Her face turned a bright crimson, arms folding, tears of humiliation and anger spilling. She was admittedly stunned at Angel's blunt reaction.

"I'm sorry, Buffy, but the only one I'm in love with is Darla. I don't feel the same way for you. She's the one I want to spend my life with." Angel's voice softened, but was tinged with what appeared to be regret, and determination.

Neither of them speaking another word, Angel left a baffled Buffy to mend her now broken heart.

A/N: I had originally decided to write this little ficlet as a one shot, but now decided to split it into two parts, so there's one more chapter left. I'll probably write it in Angel's POV for the first half of the next chapter.