Chapter 9-We've only just begun …

Jessica returned ten minutes later to hand Dean a slip of paper with all the details and asked him to call Buffy and arrange the date. After partaking of a huge breakfast of all Dean's favorite foods, hours later he pulled into his parking lot looking up at his apartment. On one hand he wanted to call Buffy, but it was a little too soon and he didn't want to appear desperate. He folded the paper carefully into his jacket pocket, pulling back out of the lot a few minutes later and heading to his favorite bar.

Dean felt like, on one hand, he had the keys to the city, but on the other hand, this wasn't like a real date. This was the first time he'd let a chick set him up with someone, well, not just someone -'Buffy'. The one woman he wanted for himself. Would this be the only chance he had to prove to her that he was a guy worth knowing? Would she even consider him something more once he dazzled her and how did you dazzle a woman like her? The direct approach was out of the question. Not to mention, he turned into an idiot when she was around. He couldn't think straight. He could barely get a thought processed without practically growing a pair of ovaries.

He had wanted to call her the very next day, but that was out of the question. She would have thought he was desperate and didn't have a life. He had a life. Hell, if he hadn't been so preoccupied with thoughts of her all week, he would've been banging a girl that very day, but his libido had been finicky. He just wasn't in the mood for a random bang. Dean blew out a long breath to stave off the bombardment of nerves blistering through his system. He was flabbergasted about just how much one girl could launch an array of emotions with a simple phone call. As he thought back, he never actually bothered calling girls since he just baited and hooked one while out at a bar. After a second long breath, he punched in Buffy's home number. He kept breathing as the line rang a few times.

On the third ring, he heard a sweet tone answer, "Hello?"

Dean sucked in a breath and answered. "Buffy, hey, it's Dean, I was just calling to say...uh, 'hey' and to find out what time I'm supposed to rescue you from your horrible faculty party?" Did that sound ridiculous? He held his breath as she giggled softly.

"Hi, yeah, thanks so much for doing this. I know you're busy and stuff, so I really appreciate it. Anyway, um, the party starts at seven, so you could swing by here around seven-thirtiesh?"

Dean chuckled in surprise. "Oh, like to be fashionably late, huh? That doesn't seem very professional of you."

"Well, I'd hate to be the first one to arrive and look like I have nothing better to do than show up to this mandatory shindig." Buffy let out a long giggle to which Dean found himself joining in. Her laugh was amazingly infectious. "Anyhoo, did Jess tell ya where I live?"

"Uh, no she must have forgotten to mention it in between squeals."

Buffy giggled. "OH god, she must think I'm really pathetic. Big sis can't find a decent date, huh?"

Dean jotted down the address and listed the main cross streets.

"If you get lost, just call," she said.

"Okay, will do. So, I'll see you around seven thirty ISH."

"Great, I'm actually looking forward to this thing now that you're going with me."

Dean felt his mouth breaking into a silly smile. "Yeah, uh, I'm happy to do this. A nice girl like you should have a stress free night."

"Awww Dean, you are a sweetie pie, you better watch out or I might do something crazy with you," she cracked.

Buffy burst into giggles for a minute. Dean forced out a laugh with hers. "Yeah, yeah, watch out for me..."

"Well, I won't keep you any longer. Again, thanks for doing this. I know that Jess had to pull your arm even though she insisted it wasn't HER idea. Anyway, I'll see you Saturday."

"Yeah, see you then." Dean hung up and felt numb with a strange sensation. As he walked into his kitchen, he paused when something struck him. Did he just bounce like a kid in a toy store?

XXXXXXXXXX

Normally, his weeks drug on, but for some reason this week, he barely noticed the time. He had been in bed early – alone - which was a first for him, but he wasn't bothered. Several of the regulars at his favorite bar, Brandy's, had hit on him, but he barely noticed. He just wasn't in the mood. Not only was he actually in a good mood, there was a lightheartedness that Dean hadn't felt since as far back as he could remember. Every time he thought about Buffy his heart (the muscle he barely noticed) skipped a beat.

He had followed the directions and only once, out of his newfound nervousness, took a turn down a wrong street. When he pulled into the driveway of the craftsman split-level at 1630 Revello Drive, he opened his door slowly and before he got close to the door, the porch light switched on. When the girl in question opened the door and looked out, he was met with the most gorgeous sight he had yet to behold. Dean was having problems... he found he couldn't breathe. His breath had already exploded out of him when she opened the door looking like that.

She was wearing a backless, simple black dress, but on her, it accentuated every feature he had stared at one time or another. Like the shapely legs that he had followed for two days straight when helping with the house project. He had to reach up to his lips to make sure the drool wasn't obvious. Her breasts moved slightly as she drew back from the door to let him in and he found himself thinking 'no bra.' But what caught his attention like no other were the loose waves in her hair that looked like a halo surrounding her in the dim hallway light.

Eventually he managed to find his voice and turned back towards her." So you ready to go?"

"Yeah, just let me grab my purse and I'm good."

They walked side-by-side to his car and he opened the door for her, closing it after she slid inside. He whistled as he walked round the front and got in himself. Trying to behave himself while she was looking like that was going to be a true thing of work.

The car ride consisted of small talk and all too soon, they arrived at the massive structure. He whistled, noticing the lavish building, "Are you sure this place is a school?"

"Yeah, it's a private school…"

Dean opened her door, with a lavish bow and gently extended his hand to Buffy, who immediately clasped it in her own. They walked to the building arm-in-arm. Dean felt so nervous…wait? He couldn't believe it –he, Dean Winchester, was nervous. Huh? Looked like he finally knew what all those wimps at work had been talking about when they talked about how they met the women that were in their lives. He had never considered that he would be feeling like this. Hell, he never would've believed it on a bet. But here he was, nervous, but actually looking forward to a date that he knew was not going to end in sex and he was actually kind of looking forward to just spending time with someone.

They walked slowly arm-in-arm to the front door, and Buffy took a deep breath, "Well guess it's time to get this over with. You ready?"

"Born ready, princess." Dean gave Buffy a wide grin and a wink, but held back for a moment, "Okay so who should I play? The hot Swedish male model who doesn't speak a word of English, standing by your side smiling and going 'spreken'...or the hot but demure, 'aw shucks' church boy, or...?" Dean stood, changing his look by the squinting of his eyes and drawing his mouth in a pout.

Buffy laughed loudly, wrinkling her nose, "How 'bout we just go with 'date' and play it by ear?"

Dean opened the door wide for her, holding back the bashful smile threatening to take over his face. She was so amazing and she didn't even know it.

They stepped into the main hallway which was adorned with banners and balloons announcing various clubs that were opening up soon. Of course, there was the odd smell of gym socks and Bengay permeating the air coming from the large wooden double doors. Dean smirked, damn did that smell bring back memories - the cheerleaders, the bleachers, and the many times he found himself in the principal's office.

A group of people stood adjacent to the door and he felt himself being led over by a tiny hand and stood stoically while Buffy introduced him to a small group of people.

XXXXXXXXXX

Dean stood waiting for Buffy at the restroom doors when an older woman with large, owl-like glasses and a perfect denture smile, gave him an obvious wink. Not wanting to be rude, he returned her greeting with a wide smile. She had introduced herself as the librarian, when Buffy had introduced him to the group when they first came in. He remembered briefly that she stood beside an older man with a thick British accent. No offense to the man, but the accent reminded him of Spike, the collision specialist at the shop. There was also a lanky man, named Andrew Wells, that was the drama instructor and his wife, who he was surprised by, because at first glance he really thought the man was gay, but apparently only high strung. Yes, now he remembered the lady, her name had been 'Bolt' or something to that effect.

Mrs. Holtz, the aging librarian, reached down and before Dean could react, she had patted him on the bum and remarked, "Look at the nice firm bunky you have."

His shocked expression met hers, then she winked at him from behind her huge Coke bottle glasses, again causing him to shuffle a little ways away until he spotted Buffy and walked away (backwards) to escape the clutches of the older woman.

XXXXXXXXXX

Since the incident outside of the restrooms, Dean had tried to dodge the elderly librarian because of her love for assaulting his tushie. Still, she had managed to corner him twice, telling him he reminded her of her 'Harold' when he was young.

Taking a deep breath, Dean smiled, drumming his fingers on the bar while he waited patiently for his drink. When he felt a smooth touch on his leg, he turned, only to catch Ms. Holtz's wrinkled hands pinching and gripping his thigh seductively. Looking around for an escape, he spotted Buffy and he noticed he was surrounded by Buffy's colleagues. Not wanting to cause a scene, Dean gripped Ms. Holtz's hand lightly, removing it from his thigh and gracefully removed himself from the scene.

When he returned, it was to catch the tail end of some overdone brunette brandishing some huge diamond in Buffy's face.

"Can you believe it? I told him I would only accept a Jartel from Cartier's." She brought the diamond close to her face and sighed dramatically, "You're still single, aren't you Buffy?" She waved the diamond in the track lighting, making sure Buffy caught its shine in her eyes, "Shame really, but I guess some people are just destined to be a millionaire's wife and people like you are destined to be old ladies with fifty cats stuck in a dilapidated house with piles of newspaper."

Buffy smiled dejectedly, "That's nice Cordy. Can always count on you to bring up my ego."

Cordy smiled cruelly, "Hey, you're welcome. So, where's your date?"

Buffy smiled brightly at Dean and hooked her arm in his, "This is my handsome and amazing date Dean, not too shabby for a future hag like me, huh?"

Buffy gave Dean a dazzling smile, catching him off guard while an obviously caught off guard Cordelia looked on. Buffy beamed back at Cordelia who rolled her eyes with a snort.

XXXXXXXXXX

After finally escaping the droning sound of the harpy that apparently was making Buffy miserable, Dean had looked up to her with a silent quizzical look. Looping his arm with hers, they made their way over to a table that had a paper nameplate on it and Buffy picked it up nodding to Dean. She started by explaining the situation that he had walked into the middle of, "Sorry about that…she likes to take every opportunity to make me feel useless and it was nice for a change to have a handsome guy to throw back in her face."

Dean raised an eyebrow in curiosity, "Oh? Well, happy to loan my handsome mug out anytime. I sense a little history between you two."

"That's the understatement of the year." Buffy turned to face Dean, "I went to school with her, and she always liked to make me feel like I never measured up to her." Buffy sighed wistfully, "I guess I should tell you the whole story since you've put up with Mrs. Holtz pinching your bum all night."

Dean cracked a smile and chuckled. "Oh, right, yeah I think you owe me a whole boatload of stories for having to suffer through that. I'm still trying to fan off the smell of Bengay from my pants."

Buffy laughed lightly, "Fair enough…Cordelia Chase is engaged to the 'Angelus O'Connor'." Off Dean's shrug, Buffy continued, "He's the school's benefactor among other things…Anyhow, we dated for a while and I was of the understanding that it was exclusive…His idea of 'exclusive' is a whole different thing, but this was back when Dawn had really bad sticky fingers and it was in the paper, and Angelus said because of the bad publicity we should keep our relationship on the down low. He invited me to a party two weeks later…It was his engagement party where he publicly announced how he had been seeing Cordelia for over six months and was marrying her…" Buffy looked down with a light flush to her cheeks, "When I tried to exit the party gracefully, he asked me to keep seeing him as his mistress of all things!"

Dean absorbed her humble expression and let out a breath. "So, you were just a side dish that he was sneaking away with, huh? Wow, what a prick."

"Apparently since I didn't come from money the way Cordelia did, I was not equal to what he wanted in a wife."

Dean drew an amused smile. "Of course not, you're a sweet, caring, non-materialistic girl who doesn't need to boost her confidence and low self-esteem by bringing down others."

"You keep saying things like that and I might forget that this is just a family obligation on your part… Thanks again for coming with me and letting me borrow your handsomeness. If you want to cut out early so your night's not a complete waste, I understand."

Dean waved a hand dismissively. "Will you stop with this obligation stuff? It's not like I'm taking out my fifth cousin twice removed who has a big, fat hairy mole and talks incessantly about her awesome hamster doing tricks. This thing ain't half bad. I mean, the food is somewhat decent, the bar is fully stocked, and I've got the company of a great girl like you. So, seriously, I'm not wasting a night out. I'm enjoying myself and you are welcome to borrow my handsomeness any time you want."

Buffy outright laughed, "Well, I had a guinea pig named Fluffy when I was younger. Does that count?"

Dean cocked an eyebrow in amusement. "A pig named Fluffy? Huh, did it have feathers or something?"

Buffy snorted. "No, what do you want? I was a kid, I thought it was cute." After she giggled for what seemed like an hour, she sighed with a pleasant smile. "Gosh, you really lifted me out of my temporary drama queen moment, so thank you again."

XXXXXXXXXX

Angelus had noticed Buffy enter the moment he spotted her with someone. He had watched her most of the evening. He was mildly curious about who would dare to be seen with her. Her reputation as a prude had long ago reached anyone who may be interested in being seen with her (He had personally seen to that). He saw his opportunity when Buffy had wandered over to the refreshment table to chat with Mr. Tuttle. He walked over casually and cleared his throat, immediately holding out his hand to be shaken, "Angelus O'Connor."

Dean absorbed the cocky smirk, shining brighter than the North Star, and swallowed his first impulsive response - which began with 'f' and ended in 'you'. He forced a civil smile and simply nodded, "Dean Winchester."

Angelus raised an eyebrow at the refusal to shake his hand, but wasn't deterred in the slightest. He continued, "You're here with Miss Summers." It was more a statement than a question; he glanced back at the table where she was animatedly talking with one of the teachers, "How do you know Buffy?"

Dean gauged O'Connor's widening smile of arrogance. How his eyes seemed to look down at him like he was some meek little mouse, crawling around the toes of His Majesty. How the blatant superiority in his tone seemed to command a room. Dean swallowed his extreme distaste for this dude and simply shrugged. He knew a fishing line when he came across one and no way was he going to give this Grade A Douche Bag a bite. "I know her... through... people."

Angelus gave a condescending smile, "I see…So, have you known her long?"

Dean bit back his humorous smile when he saw Angelus tick slightly with irritation at his vague response. He was going to poke the statue until it cracked and fissured. Dean cocked his head and answered. "Longer than most."

Angel smirked with a snort, "Hope you have better luck than me getting Miss Frigid to open up those dimpled knees to you."

Dean remained cool and collected, even though he could feel the beads of aggravation gathering at the muscles of his hand and urging him to form a fist. He cocked his head again and drew a small, amused smile. "I don't need luck. You, on the other hand, are going to need a big box of tissue when you realize what a sorry sack you are, having lost a REAL woman while you held onto a silly, self-absorbed trophy. And then, you'll need a box of chocolates when you realize that you don't deserve one." Dean boldly clapped Angel on the shoulder and wandered away.

XXXXXXXXXX

Buffy had looked up to notice that Angelus had cornered her date over by the table and immediately excused herself. She walked over to Dean, pulling him to the side after he had escaped the claws of her ex. "Is everything okay? What did he want?"

Dean just shrugged casually, no way was he going to give the ass the satisfaction of upsetting Buffy, so he rang out comically, "Oh he introduced himself and then wanted to get to know me, but I played hard-to-get, because he didn't even offer to buy me a drink."

Exaggerating a frown, "I'm not a shameless slut. I have a LITTLE self respect."

Buffy laughed, "I can't leave you alone for a minute …my poor defenseless date having to fend off men and women alike."

"I know, it's so awful being objectified," he moaned with an exaggerated pout. "Is it so much to ask for someone to just want to get to know me because they think I'm a nice person? Why does everyone just want to get in my pants?" He sniffed with sad eyes.

"Well, I like you…I think you're a wonderful guy…" Buffy smiled while trying to hold back her giggle.

He exaggerated a suspicious frown. "Oh, I've heard that line before too... you're just dangling a little bait and when I finally bite you'll say, 'Gee Dean for a Cheese Puff will you do a little wiggle with that wonderful ass for me?'" He shook his head. "It just breaks my heart that no one ever means it." He sniffed for more dramatic value.

Buffy grabbed Dean's hands in her own, "Hey, I promise to never ask you to dance for a Cheese Puff." She beamed at Dean with a wink, "What can I do to show you I like you and not just for your attributes? Steak dinner? A sleepover? What if I asked you to marry me and make me an honest woman? Would that make you feel better?"

Dean marveled a bit at the sparkle of her eyes when she shined a smile at him. He was temporarily left speechless by her humorous 'proposal'. Something rumbled through his heart as his mind lingered over the past few weeks he had spent in her company. After a brief minute, he burst out of his thoughts and exaggerated a sad look. "Don't tease me, I can't take it."

"I promise, not teasing ." Buffy grinned deeply at Dean with a sparkle in her smile and eyes, "If that's what it takes to make you happy, then consider it done. I don't know the etiquette, so we might have to get someone to guide me and also since I asked, do I need to provide the ring?"

Dean opened his mouth to toss out another of his colorful responses, but heard no words passing through it. His mind blanked again and all he could do was merely chuckle in awkwardness. "Uh, wow, this is moving kind of fast for me. I mean, I don't even know if we have anything in common."

"Gee, I see how it is. You get the girl to propose, then change your mind."

"I just said it was moving kind of fast, maybe we can have a very, very long engagement," he cracked.

"Anything to make my guy happy…and I promise to not objectify you at any time. Anything else I need to promise to make you happy?" Buffy beamed with a Cheshire grin.

Dean sucked in a breath, feeling snaps in his brain again. He wondered if it was possible to suffer flash amnesia and then figured it was just the magic sparkle of this girl before him.

As a slow ballad began to play, Buffy widened her smile. "Oh my gosh, I haven't heard this song since my PROM!" Buffy eyed the dance floor. "Would you...want to dance with me?" Buffy shined a silly smile at Dean.

"Well, normally this kind of music makes me clear a room in under a blink, BUT...how can I turn down such a sweet smile like that? So, sure."

Buffy smiled as Dean took her hand and guided her to the dance floor. Dean glided effortlessly across the floor with Buffy laying her head against his chest, an almost serene smile on her lips; "Don't look now but Mrs. Holtz is giving you the eye."

Dean glanced at the old lady grinning from ear to ear. He groaned softly as he glanced at Buffy. "Oh god, well, since I so graciously loaned myself out to you for the night, you should show your appreciation by keeping old lady fingers away from the vicinity of my butt. Don't be afraid to play a little defensive tackle if you have to."

Buffy gave Dean a warm smile, "Since you put it that way and from the way the Cordelia is seething from across the room…It's the least I can do to protect your virtue."

"Great, so we're in agreement, we'll look out for each other."

Buffy laid her head back against his chest, "and I promise to not tell Sam that you're secretly a cougar hound."

Dean looked down at her eyes. "What? What do you mean by that?"

Buffy giggled, "You gave her that smile, and she didn't stand a chance. You had to know a helpless old lady couldn't resist your charms."

"What smile? I was just smiling to smile. Can't a guy just smile without being viciously groped? Geez!" He exaggerated a mope and shook his head.

Buffy continued to giggle, "I'm sorry, you're just a helpless victim in all this. You can't help but you ooze charm and appeal…to women young and old alike." Buffy tried to stifle the giggles, "So, what can I do to help Mr. Winchester discourage Mrs. Holtzs' advances?"

"Just hold me tight and don't let go. I feel so... violated!" Dean exaggerated a look of agony and sniffed, "I'm not a piece of meat. I'm a human being! I have feelings!"

Buffy hiccupped, holding back her laughter; "I'm protecting your honor by marrying you. What more can a girl do?"

Dean absorbed her sweet smile and chuckled. "Yeah, right you are… So, this helps."

"So… how do we seal this deal? With a handshake or a kiss?"

"Well, since I'm a gentleman, I'll let you do what you feel is appropriate."

"I'd offer a kiss, but I don't want to make you feel cheapened by it…"

Dean cocked his head. "Well, a kiss is just a kiss, unless you're expecting me to put out and not call me the next day. Then I really will feel cheap… and with not even a single Cheese Puff to comfort me."

Buffy laughed heartily, "I would never besmirch your reputation or ask you to put out."

The dance had long since ended and Buffy just sat at the large round table with her handsome date, who most of the females were admiring from afar. Even Cordelia, who had been the bane of Buffy's existence all through high school and beyond, was obviously interested in Buffy's date, as shown by her obvious perusal. While everyone clapped as they handed out an award that Buffy barely paid attention to, she leaned over to Dean, "Thank you for everything tonight. You made this night bearable." Buffy leaned over touching Dean's hand lightly and reached over and placed a small brush of her lips against Dean's, pulling back with a smile.

Dean shined his mass surprise at Buffy. "Uh, what was that for?"

"Just for being incredibly sweet this entire night…"

Dean sucked in a breath as the sparkle in her eyes flared brilliantly. "Oh," he said.

Buffy widened her smile as she casually glanced at the stage. He stared at her for a long moment until she turned her eyes on him. She drew a curious expression as he soaked her in a little longer before he drifted toward her mouth and planted a soft kiss there.

Buffy's eyes had closed briefly and when she opened them, it was to see the most intense gaze that she had ever seen in her life, finding her voice after a second she raised a manicured eyebrow, "What was that for?" She beamed a blush and smiled Dean's way.

"For being so sweet and amazing company, and protecting me from little old ladies," he answered with a smile.

Buffy laughed softly, "You are very welcome, anytime you need protection, Dean Winchester, just call me. I would be honored to protect your virtue." Buffy continued to beam at Dean with a contagious smile. This guy's lips were as soft as butter and she had to remind herself that this was her brother-in-law's brother for a minute. She had to remind herself this was family. But that, in no way, stopped the warm gaze that stayed on Dean as her deep emerald eyes locked with his.

Dean felt his heartbeat hammering in his throat as he basked in the glow of her eyes, which were regarding him with an affection he wasn't accustomed to seeing from most of the women he met. Then again, Buffy Summers was unlike any girl he had ever met. She was sweet and caring and amazing and...Sam's sister-in-law. He let out a breath to try and calm his raging heartbeat and wondered if there really was anything wrong with dishing on this girl, who was family only by marriage, and hey, was she really even 'family'? Not in the traditional sense. She didn't share his blood ties, so as far as he was concerned, it wasn't a crime to have the hots for someone who happened to be the sister of his brother's wife. Was it?

Buffy subconsciously whetted her lips, her gaze never leaving Dean's, "How it is you're single is beyond me?"

Before Dean could even contemplate answering, interruption came in the form of a groan from Buffy and she rolled her eyes, seeing the two people she would rather not have to deal with again tonight, "Oh great, Angel and Cordy are headed this way."

Dean shifted his sights to see Angel and his arm candy a few feet away. She was dawdling over a sparkly diamond necklace; chatting about how proud of it she was, like it was her damn child or something. When he heard the murmurs of chatter that spawned after each 'gracious' visit, he equaled Buffy's groan. "Geez, the King and Queen are out among the village folk."

He glanced back at Buffy and saw the inquisitive flare in her eyes. "Say, maybe we should just be, you know, too distracted to pay our respects?" As he tried to gauge her expression, he added, "But only if you don't think that's being disrespectful."

Buffy beamed a cavalier smile, "Whatever you have in mind, count me in. I don't think saving me from having to deal with their grand ship would be considered disrespectful." The mischievous glint in Dean's eyes was reflected in Buffy's.

"Oh, I don't know… How about I show you a little more thanks for being such a sweet gal?" he asked with a teasing smile.

"Really?" Buffy questioned, "How could I possibly say no? Consider me ready and willing to accept your thanks, just make sure it lasts long enough to prevent any lingering they may have in mind …" Buffy winked with a smile.

Dean felt his hand cupping over hers as he absorbed the twinkle in her eyes. "I'll do my best," he said as he dipped his mouth toward hers, losing himself for a time in the warmth of her smile.

Buffy tilted to her head to the side when his lips descended, feeling the momentary warmth they had started. At first, she was being almost robotic in response to the kiss, but her lips quickly turned more soft as her eyes closed and she felt a tingling begin in her toes as Dean's full lips continued to press harder against hers.

Dean felt his self-composure wavering fast as the kiss lingered on. Such a small action in his mind always drifted into more, transitioned into some heavy petting and then finished off with an assortment of 'this way, that way and every way'. His mind raced with the familiar male thoughts that sprung from first contact. He impulsively slipped a hand behind her head, gripping a few strands of her hair, absorbing the silky feel. He felt his blood raging hot in his lower half, while his heart raced like a wild horse released from captivity.

As the kiss drifted on for another minute, Dean was startled by the dramatic shift of thoughts in his mind. No more did he see a bevy of late night Skin-a-Max movie images, but rather, he flashed on scenes of Buffy opening up his apartment door with a loving smile, cuddling up to him in bed as the morning made an appearance, of holding her hand as they strolled through the park, of her hazel eyes glistening with moisture as he pulled up her veil...

Hearing an incessant clearing of the throat, Dean gently pulled away from Buffy as a shriekish tone invaded the blissful moment. Dean blinked in shock as he held his eyes on Buffy. Her cheeks were a bright red, but her eyes told him he hadn't pushed too far. That shriekish female tone barked, "Uh hello..."

Dean reluctantly turned his eyes away to see Angel and that trophy hanging off his arm. She held out a manicured, painted fingernail to point at her neck, which was fashioned with an expensive necklace. As she opened her mouth to dish out what he knew was probably more self-indulgent praises, he shifted his eyes back to Buffy, who quickly wiped his mind of all thoughts. He didn't know what to say, but her eyes pleaded with him for an escape, so he leaned back toward her and gently pressed a soft kiss on her mouth.

Cordelia rolled her eyes.

Buffy was in total paradise…this was supposed to be her brother-in-law's brother… FAMILY… but right now, that meant about as much as the newest adornment Cordelia was trying to push in their face. Her communication was down and at that moment the only word that came to her lips was "WOW." But her blushing cheeks and eyes only held Dean in captivity until she couldn't think beyond how soft his lips had been and how much her virtue was going to be in serious jeopardy if kissed her like that again.