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Graham came out of class and was surprised to see Buffy coming toward him and really fast and not looking too happy. Graham suddenly felt like the ground was much more interesting and that if he didn't notice her or acknowledge her, she wouldn't bother him. Then again, why was that a bad thing? She could answer the questions he had about her.

But what if she found out about him? There were no exceptions in the initiative. You didn't give away your position. That qualified him for a dishonorable discharge.

"Who are you?" Buffy demanded, stepping in his path.

He stopped, his mouth hanging open.

"Umm," he held out his hand. "Graham."

Very stupid, he thought to himself. Buffy's eyes narrowed her eyes him and she had that look again. There was complete surprise. He let his hand drop to his side and smiled awkwardly.

"That day," she started, and tucked her hair behind her ear as they walked. "The day when that guy attacked me and you came to help."

"When you were fighting a vampire?" The words came out too quickly for him to stop them. They'd been lingering there for so long.

Buffy stopped. Her entire face went slack. He turned, his eyebrows pressing together as he watched her process it. She looked like she was going to lie and make up some sort of excuse. He'd had that look several times when he had to make up one for himself.

"So much for being undercover girl," she muttered. Her face pinched with guilt. "How did you find out?"

"I saw you one night while I was on my home. You were fighting this girl, her face changed." Graham shrugged. "I guess it's good that you're a Vampire Slayer. I heard her say that too."

Buffy's jaw dropped. He knew a lot and he was completely cool about it.

Graham couldn't deny that her flustered look was cute. He smiled.

"I haven't told anybody," he said. "I think I would be considered crazy."

Buffy laughed and nodded. Her blue eyes twinkled and it was interesting because he'd never seen that before.

"Uh, yeah, maybe." She licked her lips and turned away, but spun back to face him. "So you knew about Spike then."

"And the Gem of Amara…" Graham pressed his lips together guiltily.

"Oh," Buffy managed.

"I just overheard you. I'm sorry. I was trying to help," he said. "I'm going to go."

He hurried past her, but she hurried to catch up.

"You don't have to help," she said. "You could get killed."

Graham rolled his eyes. She had a strange way of saying thank you.

"I have to go," He said, coldly.

"I'm sorry," she said, quickly before he could get away. She placed a hand on his arm. "I really am thankful."

He nodded, stiffly. He looked down at her hands. They were so small, and yet they damaged demons and vamps? Incredible.

He walked her to class without her even noticing. It caused him to be tardy to his own, but he was okay with that. They didn't talk about very much about her being the Slayer. He was okay with that. He wanted to know more but didn't want to pressure her. He wondered how she did this every day. He came home with some decent bruises and she didn't have a mark. Even now that he was officially talking to her, she was still a mystery. He smiled to himself. He liked that a lot.

"Hey, Graham," Forrest said, calling the broad shouldered Junior's attention as he sat down with him and Riley.

"Huh?" Graham said, distractedly. He was smirking inwardly at seeing Buffy break the handle of the frozen yogurt machine and try to put it back on.

"What do you think of the blonde chick?" Forrest asked nodding in her direction.

Graham tossed a fry in his mouth, his eyebrows furrowing. He gave, what he hoped was just a passing glance to them, at Buffy.

"Matressable? N'est-ce pas? Riley's not down," Forrest quipped with a doggish smirk. "Doesn't like her."

"I don't dislike her," Riley said, defensively, looking up from his mild pile of papers. "She just-she just never feels like she's really there when you talk to her."

Graham poured some salt on his fries, not that it would make them taste any better, all the while thinking—of course she doesn't seem like she's there. If only you knew why.

"I like girls I can get a grip on," Riley continued.

"I bet you do," Forrest said, the innuendo not lost on any of them.

"Not that way," Riley chuckled.

Graham didn't laugh.

"Just a little less ready for takeoff all the time. There's definitely something off about her."

"Maybe she's Canadian," Graham commented randomly. It was lame, but it would take the heat off of Buffy, and Riley's sudden thought that she was anything but normal.

Forrest shook his head.

"Didn't she go with Parker Abrams," he asked.

Graham stuffed his face even more. Thinking about Parker still made him angry. But if there was food in his mouth he couldn't say anything.

"For about, what, 30 seconds?" Forrest wondered.

"Yeah," Riley said with distaste, "there's a sign of good taste."

Graham was in agreement with Riley on that one even though he knew that his commander had a thing for her. Knowing that made him squirm a little inside and he just sighed and looked back at Burry as she paid for her lunch.

Maybe it was the adventure that was in her or her ability to be charmingly awkward. Buffy was…Buffy. There wasn't exactly a word for someone as special, as unique, as her.

But in that moment, right then, Graham took a step back. He couldn't move forward with his own feelings. He'd give himself away, not to mention his best friend being into her so suddenly. There was just too much on the line. So, he took a step back, not that any of them would notice it.

"Okay, but you've got to admit she's a major league hottie," Forrest said, still trying to get a rise out of Riley.

"I'm not denying she's easy on the eyes," Riley confessed.

Not just that, Graham thought to himself.

"I'm just saying…would you really want to go out with her?" Riley said. His eyebrows furrowed with doubt.

That was the million dollar question. Graham already knew the answer.

"Hell yes!" Forrest said with disbelief, like the man was crazy. "I bet a lot of guys would like to get their hands on her."

Graham swallowed hard, his head lowered. He chanced a side glance at her. She smiled, friendly and briefly at him as she passed by. Neither Riley nor Forrest noticed.

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