A/N: So here we are. The third chapter. Yeah. So awesome. So in case you're one of those people that likes to open a story to the most recent chapter and just read from there, here's what happened: you didn't review. Go read the chapters and review like a normal person.

Nice Normal Semi-Holiday

Chapter Three

Dawn, Riley, and Buffy entered the costume shop, following Buffy's orders to "look around, but if an English guy comes up to you and tries to sell you something, run the frick away." The only difference was that Buffy's word choice wasn't as PG.

Riley wandered around the store, aware that Buffy was watching him closely to ensure that he picked a proper costume. It was ridiculous, though - it wasn't as though he didn't know what kinds of costumes people actually wore. He could go the simple route and just do the zombie thing, or he could be creative and dress up as Ken, Barbie's boyfriend. On the other hand, if he were to go as the latter, it would only be funny if Buffy went as Barbie and Dawn as Stacy.

A blonde woman approached him, smiling. "Hi, my name is Darla; can I help you?" (A/N: We're going to pretend that Darla had already been to L.A. by this point and that Angel knew she was there. I guess this is somewhere back when she was... I don't know. Human, I guess.)

"Um... yeah, actually. My girlfriend is making me buy a Halloween costume and, frankly, I have no idea what to get and she keeps looking at me like an idiot since I don't know. Did that sentence make sense?"

"Yes, it did, actually. Anyway, we have a personality test you can take that can determine what kind of costume you should get. It's only ten questions; it'll probably take you about five minutes." Darla handed him a sheet of paper and a pen. "I'll be right back; I need to check and see if we have something in stock in the back room."

Once Darla left, Riley looked at the paper he was holding.

What is your current job?

A) Unemployed

B) Fast-food worker

C) Homemaker

D) Military

E) Other

Riley decided that the closest answer would be "Military," so he circled it. Next question.

When did you last brush your teeth?

A) Yesterday

B) This morning

C) After I ate my last meal

D) Right before I came here

E) I can't remember

Riley went through all of the questions and it told him that he should dress as either a Mad Scientist or a zombie. Go figure.

Darla flounced back over. "So, you finished?" she asked with a smile.

"Yeah, I finished, but I'm not sure I like my results... "

"Riley!" Buffy exclaimed, speedwalking over. "What is taking so long? We've been in this store for ten minutes and I haven't even seen you look at any costumes - oh. Um."

"This is your girlfriend?" Darla asked. "Buffy? No wonder you've been having issues finding a costume. You have to find something that doesn't look terrible against her pasty complexion."

"Me? Pasty complexion? Look at you. Four hundred years and you still haven't heard of a spray tan?"

"Two hundred of which I was with - "

"You shut up."

"Angel!"

Riley turned to Buffy. "Okay, what's going on here? Who is this woman?"

"You haven't told him?" Darla asked, a smirk growing on her face.

"I so have! I mean, pretty much. Why would I talk about you?"

"Because I'm a major issue."

"Don't flatter yourself, Dar. If Angel wanted to be with you, he would be. You were in Sunnydale. I was, too. He picked me. Deal. With. It."

"If you really knew Angel, you would know that he gets bored quickly. He dumped you. He'll come crawling back to me soon enough."

"No he won't. I mean, get a new look and he will, maybe. You've been doing the creepy Catholic schoolgirl thing for four years now, Darla. It didn't work the first time you did it and it doesn't work now. Ditch the look and you'll look... almost decent."

Darla gave Buffy a sarcastic look. "And you already look great, I guess, right? Holier-than-thou Buffy. How did Angel - or this kid, for that matter - ever put up with you? You're so... immature."

"OKAY!" Riley almost yelled. The store didn't get quiet like they do in the movies, but Buffy and Darla shut up. "I don't know what's going on. I'm not sure if I want to know what's going on. All I know is that I can into this store to buy a costume, and I am going to buy one."

"Just a sec, Ri." Buffy turned back to Darla. "Why are you here?"

"Assassin. Duh. Haven't you heard?" When Buffy shook her head no, Darla continued. "Sunnydale is the immunity spot, but only for... well, there's only four days left in Sunnydale. Anyway, you'll probably have a lot of vamps and demons coming here to crash for awhile."

"You're playing Assassin."

"Yeah. It's not like I have anything else to do."

"Do you know who else is in the game?" Buffy asked.

"Vampire sisters by the names of Margaret and Diana. They're cool; we've hung out a few times since it started. But I already had a partner; otherwise I probably would've just joined their group."

"Who's your partner?"

"Angel."

"No he's not. I don't believe you."

"Believe what you want, sweetie, but Angel's with me on this. He should be here for... oh, there he is!"

Sure enough, standing in the doorway was Angel.