Chapter 10 Poitin

It was the last night at the hotel and Angel and Buffy were sitting in the hot tub drinking the fine wine. Angel had one arm wrapped around Buffy's shoulder as she leaned up against them. They were at the beach party just an hour ago but decided to retreat back to the villa. It was one in the morning and the party was still going. Angel sipped the fine wine, it was good it went down smoothly and it was full of taste.

"How much is this?" He asked and Buffy looked up at him while sipping her glass.

"Four digits." She said smiling. "First starts with the number three."

"Three thousand dollars?" He asked and she nodded. "Well we better drink it all and not waste it then." Buffy giggled as he reached for the bottle and pour some more in his glass. She nuzzled next to him and sighed. "What are you thinking?" He asked and she shrugged.

"School to be honest kind of nervous for the new semester." She admitted and he kissed the top of her head. He knew she was nervous about something else though, Riley to be exact because he'd be around more. The best thing was to take it day by day and when the day comes to confront Riley and her mother of their relationship then he'd deal with it but today was not that day.

"Well let's toast to something." Angel said and Buffy sat up smiling.

"Too...?" She thought about it.

"The new semester and to us." Angel finished and she smiled and their glasses clicked and they sipped their wine glasses and then kissed but instead of pulling back Buffy moved a little to get a better angle. Angel set down his wine glass and so did Buffy and she then went to straddle him and he wrapped his arms around her waist as she settle on him. They kept kissing not breaking away and the kiss became deeper. Maybe it was the wine or they were getting closer because of this trip. Buffy pulled away and kissed down his neck to his broad strong chest and then back up his neck and hit a spot that made him go crazy. He went back to her lips and pulled her closer and his hand found its way to a spot under the water. Buffy gasped and closed her eyes as Angel worked his magic. Buffy took a moment to savor it and then went back to kissing him under the moonlit beach. She was happy and didn't think about what was to come.

October

Buffy sat in the sixteenth century art class taking notes. Angel was done with his lab and decided to sneak into her class to see what she was doing. He sat in the back as the room was dark and on the screen was a picture of something.

"Now class can some tell me what this is?" The woman professor asked and a student raised his hand and the professor pointed to him. "Yes Tom."

"The Sistine chapel." The student answered and the professor nodded.

"Good now can some tell me who was responsible?" The professor asked and Buffy raised her hand and Angel smiled. "Yes Buffy."

"Michelangelo was most noted for the work but a few others such as Botticelli and Pinturicchio helped." Buffy answered.

"Good Buffy." The professor said and went to change the slide. Angel smiled and felt rather proud of Buffy for answering the question. 'That's my girl' he thought and the slide changed. "Now this is the ceiling," The professor stated and Angel titled his head but had no idea what he was looking at. The professor changed the slide to closer shots of the ceiling at different parts. "The ceiling depicts nine central stories out of the book of Genesis." Angel could see Buffy writing notes in her note book. "Also you have your twelve apostles, twelve Prophets and Sibyls seated under on thrones." The professor ended while changing slides. Angel was confused but he knew this meant quite a bit to Buffy.

The class was ending as they went through each form of art work at the Sistine chapel.

"Now before I let you go remember this test is center around the chapel. Now I'm not going to hold you responsible for each piece of work but you will need to have a basic understanding of each wall and what it depicts." The professor explained and Angel saw Buffy taking down more notes. "You have a solid week to study the next class I will have an open period for you to come in and ask questions and look at the chapel ok." The class either nodded or you could low mumbles of yeses. "Ok if I don't see you in the study period I will see on test day happy studying." Everyone started to pack their stuff up and Buffy tucked her notes neatly away. Angel stood up and walked down the stairs and one row behind her and stood behind her as she shuffled through her notes. He could see quick drawings, arrows pointing to something with notes on the side and he smiled. He leaned over and placed a kiss on her cheek. She didn't jump but smiled.

"Hey," She said and he looked at her smiling. "Take it you got done early." He nodded and she packed the rest of her stuff and stood up.

"Doyle's tonight?" He asked.

"For a little bit need to study for this test." She sighed knowing it would be a doosey.

The pub was busy tonight as it was Friday. The gang all sat at a booth together; expect Anya she was away for the weekend, as an Irish band played. Buffy picked at her meal or what was left of it. She was really liking Irish foods which made Angel happier. In fact just two weeks ago she surprised Angel by making him a traditional Irish dinner and it turned out great. What Angel didn't know was back in Ireland his aunt Colleen gave Buffy a list of family recipes and she had Doyle translate. She was most defiantly worming her way into his heart more and more. Now that she cooked his home land food it was hard not to love her like he does although they haven't said to another they loved each other not yet at least. Another song ended and the costumers clapped. The band started up again as the friends all sat and talked. Also sitting with them was Doyle and he and Angel were enjoying a pint of Guinness.

As they talked and laugh Cordelia came over.

"Ay what do ya need princess?" Doyle asked her but they all saw a worried look on her face. "Cordy?"

"Riley is here." She said and Buffy sat up and looked around and saw him over at the bar. She ducked in her seat. Angel looked at the direction she looked to and saw him at the bar being served a drink.

"Man has bad taste in beers." Angel commented and Doyle looked and saw Riley sipping a Bud light.

"Yuck he needs to be educated on finer choices of hops." Doyle added but Buffy didn't find this amusing at all. Willow looked to her friend as Buffy tried to hide.

"Buffy its ok." Willow assured her.

"Why is here?" Buffy asked, he doesn't go out to bars and drink often and he just so happened to be at this place, something felt wrong. Under the table Angel squeezed her hand assuring her it was ok. Buffy tried to calm down just hoping this was an accident and he was just here for a drink.

"Want me to keep him busy?" Cordelia asked and Doyle held out his hand and she took it and sat down which indicated no.

"Let's all just enjoy our drinks." Doyle suggested and everyone nodded. The less they made a scene the better. The people in the place were clapping along to the tune as the gang got back to their earlier conversation but just as they felt better Riley spotted them and came over. Buffy looked up and her heart was racing, beating right out her chest.

"Buffy I thought you were at home?" Riley asked and Buffy forced a smile.

"Out with my friends." She answered and he nodded.

"Didn't think you would like Irish pubs?" He commented, 'I look more than just Irish pubs, oh god don't think like that.' Buffy scolded herself. "Mind if I join you all?" He asked, they wanted to say no but nodded. He scooted into the booth right next Buffy. Angel just sat there calmly, there was need to get defensive not yet at least. Doyle studied Riley for a moment, 'I don't like him.' Doyle stated in his head. Doyle liked Buffy a lot and she made his cousin happy. What really impressed him was Buffy flying half way across the world to be sure he was ok and hold him when his father passed. The way the two acted together, the way they lit up when they were in the same room, Doyle believed Angel found his other half so for Riley here he could tell he was all wrong for Buffy and the two are doomed if they did end up together. "So you guys come here often?"

"Yeah it's harder during the semester so it's a Friday night thing." Willow explained and then Riley turned to Doyle and Cordelia, he's never seen these too.

"Oh excuse me," Doyle realizing they were never introduced well not face to face. "Name's Doyle O'Brien and this is my wife Cordelia O'Brien."

"You and Angel related?" Riley asked.

"Cousins." Angel answered and Riley nodded sipping his beer. The tension was rising and Angel could Buffy was stressed. Under the tabled Angel reached his foot to Buffy's foot and stroked her leg assuring her he was here and everything was ok, she felt it and as soon as he touched her he could feel her relaxing just a little.

"So what are we talking about?" Riley asked.

"Well you can't see the big picture in fact you can't see any picture." Angel said direction his attention to Spike.

"We're talking about something primal, savagery and brutal animal instinct." Spike fired back.

"And what that wins out every time with you, you know the human race has evolved Spike." Angel said.

"Oh yeah into a bunch of nambi bambi self analyzing wankers who can never hope," Spike was cut off.

"We're smarter and plus there's a thing called teamwork not to mention your superstitious terror of aggressiveness," Angel was then cut off.

"Oh yeah you just want it to be the way you want it."

"It's not about what I want."

"Whoa did I come in at a bad time?" Riley asked and the whole table looked up at him. He felt out of place for a moment wondering what this heated discussion was about, he was hoping for politics that was something brutal and primal. You had to have guts, skill and learn the dance of lobbying. "Sounds serious."

"It was mostly," Angel paused as the table looked at him. "Theoretical we,"

"We're just working out a debate and," Xander jumped in.

"Look if cavemen and astronauts got into a fight who would win?" Spike asked crossing his arms and leaning back into his seat. Buffy wanted to burst out laughing, Riley probably thought it was some huge political debate. Everyone sat back looking at Riley, they all gave their views and Riley had just sat when it was Angel and Spike's turned to debate about it. Riley sat there looking at them. 'You serious?' He thought to himself, they were debating about this. Everyone waited for him to response and he looked to Buffy. She was a part of it she gave her thought on the subject. "Do the astronauts have weapons?"

"No." They all said at the same time. Riley sighed thinking for a moment.

The table was more relaxed but Cordelia had an idea, she could tell Buffy was still on edge. She stood up and got out of the booth.

"Come on girls let's go dance." Cordelia suggested and Willow and Buffy got up. Buffy was happy to leave. The three headed to the dance floor while the guys sat at the table. Angel kept his eye on Buffy watching her protectively.

"Beautiful isn't she?" Riley asked as he looked to Angel, Angel was going to be honest and nodded. Angel wasn't jealous not of Riley. "You two can dance to stuff?" Riley asked and Doyle and Angel nodded. "Both of you from Ireland?"

"I was," Doyle said. "He was born here but came to Ireland every Christmas and summer." Doyle explained. Angel wasn't to focus on the conversation but on Buffy and really wanted to dance with her to his music.

"And Cordelia?" Riley asked, he was asking questions to get to know them.

"High school." Angel responded.

"Yeah we all went to high school together." Xander added. "Even Doyle." Riley nodded and sipped his beer.

"Well don't get use to her coming here too much, she needs to focus on school and really shouldn't be partying." Riley stated.

"It's Friday night." Spike added. "It's not like we're getting wasted."

"Well she needs to focus even if it's just painting."

"It's a lot harder than you think." Angel added and Riley scoffed slightly.

"Well she seems to like doing mundane things." Riley stated. "Like the skating I mean I've seen some of her stuff but what's it going to amount to later? Fame like that doesn't last." Riley then finished another beer. Angel wanted to shake him, he didn't understand the importance of what she accomplished in figure skating nor could he see the true beauty in her art. But on the inside he smiled to himself because he could see it and yes Buffy was beautiful inside and out. Both Angel and Doyle could tell that Riley picked Buffy for her looks and money. But both men were raised that women could provide more than just beauty if you just loved them. Angel saw how his father treated his mother and the more love he gave her the more she return it. Buffy was just like that, he'd give her one kiss she'd give him two. Riley didn't understand he was too much involved with himself and just wanted someone beautiful to complete what he thought was a perfect family a perfect life. Doyle nudged Angel and the two got up and went to dance.

"Show ya how we Irish do it." Doyle said. "Cad is leathcheann." Doyle said to Angel and he had to fight back some laughter.

"Is maith le máthair Buffy ar dó agus mar sin ní mór dúinn póg asal go dtí go bhfuil sí déanta leis an scoil." Angel explained and the two went to the dance floor.

"What did they say?" Riley asked to Oz, Spike and Xander and they shrugged.

Angel took hold of Buffy and she smiled but her eyes were filled with concern.

"Riley," She whispered.

"Bring it." He said and she couldn't help but smile a little. "Jus follow me Buffy." He fell into his Irish brogue and her heart fluttered.

"Ok." She smiled and saw Doyle and Cordelia dancing.

"Ready muirnin?" He asked and she nodded and they started to dance. Riley smiled thinking it was cool that Buffy could somewhat dance to this. He thought he was just watching friends dance. Everyone clapped as the ones on the dance moved. Willow sat next to Oz and watched.

"You two can't dance?" Riley asked.

"One of us needs to be Irish to move." Willow informed him.

"Yeah I'm New Yorkin so won't work." Oz added. Buffy was relaxed as she spun with Angel and then saw how Riley was relaxed too. She looked up at Angel and then Cordelia and Doyle stood next to him.

"Oh good it's working." Doyle said.

"What?" Buffy asked. "What's working?"

"Oh put an extra shot or two of liquor in his drink." Doyle explained.

"What?" Buffy asked.

"It's just Poitin." Doyle added and Angle laughed.

"Wait what is that?" Buffy asked.

"A little Irish alcohol." Doyle explained.

"Yeah its home brewed moonshine, the power of it one shot equals what maybe four shots of straight schnapps?" Angel asked Doyle smiling and Buffy's went wide.

"Oh yes and I gave him two with each beer." Doyle explained and Angel giggled but Buffy wasn't. "Oh lass don't worry he doesn't look like a light weight, may have a slight headache." Angel smiled big, he's had Poitin back home once and Buffy could tell the two cousins were taking a trip down memory lane.

"You two have had it before?" Buffy asked.

"Yes." They responded at the same time.

"What happened?"

"My first time I did it what was it Doyle that dad let me have?" Angel asked.

"Oh I think he let you have two maybe three straight shots of it, out cold for a day. It was awesome." Doyle stated. "But Angel was sixteen at the time." Buffy couldn't help but laugh a little and also she thought about a sixteen year old Angel and her smile got bigger. Angel smiled now seeing her smile.

"Dad let me plus it was my first drink." Angel explained. "And it was Christmas." He defended himself. "I can hold my alcohol just fine now."

"Well your dad did say go big or go home." Doyle added.

"I went big and I went home." Angel said and the two cousins laughed.

"Good times." Doyle could remember those days. "Just wait until we get him drunk then it's a party."

"Oh please." Cordelia said and Buffy smiled, she could imagine Angel drunk, he was probably adorable. They four continued to dance.

Doyle and Cordelia saw them outside the pub as they were all heading home.

"Ok Buffy let's…go." Riley was a little wobbly.

"Hey we'll call a cab." Doyle said.

"Yeah and I'm staying the night at Willow's." Buffy added but that really meant she was staying with Angel and they all knew it. The Poitin was kicking in for Riley. Riley nodded as he was getting worse.

"I think I drank too much." He stated and Angel nodded, Riley only had three beers for Angel and Doyle that wouldn't even buzz them but they did spike it. "Well I guess I'll head that way." Riley said pointing up to the sky. Buffy tried to hold back the laughter and a cab pulled up for Riley and Buffy walked him over to the cab. He turned around and literally feel on her trying to hug her. He stood up and looked to Angel. "You should come over for dinner some time just me, Joyce, you and Buffy." Angel nodded but hoped he wouldn't remember that tomorrow. "I'll see you later." He said to Buffy and she helped him into the car and the cab drove off. Once it rounded the corner everyone broke out laughing. Buffy knew she shouldn't but still it was a little funny.

"You two are sick." Cordelia said and Doyle wrapped one arm around her waist. Buffy looked at Angel and he smiled, she shook her head and the two headed to his bike.

Buffy walked into Angel's apartment and he shut and locked the door as she headed to his room and he followed. Once in there Buffy opened a suitcase that she had. She'd been spending the night at "Willow's" quite often these days. Her mother Riley still didn't pick up on it but tonight proved it would start to get harder to hide their secret. Angel came up behind her wrapping his arms around her waist and she turned around.

"That wasn't a nice stunt Doyle pulled." Buffy stated and Angel shrugged.

"You mad at him?" He asked her as he started to pull her closer and while she tried to hide it she felt herself get hot with desire for him. She wasn't mad she just hoped there would be no consequences the next day.

"I just don't want anything to happen." She stated and he pulled her closer and she started to melt in his embrace and looking into those eyes, maybe it was a little funny. "Still don't do it again," She was about to say something else when Angel leaned forward and started to whisper in her ear in his native tongue. 'Damnit he knows I can resist,' she didn't know what he was saying but she had a pretty good idea what it was. 'Whatever.' She pulled his head away from her ear and made his lips met hers.

Angel shut off the bathroom light and then his lamp light next to the bed and crawled in next to a half sleeping Buffy. He pulled her close wrapping one arm around her waist and another one under her shoulder as she fit under him so perfectly. This little charade they were playing wouldn't play out forever but he knew to savor it while he could. He kissed the back of her head.

"Oíche maith mo ghrá." He said and closed his eyes.

So Riley is hanging around now, what's our secret couple going to do? What do you think is to come? More on the way, hope you like it so far. Comments and reviews are welcomed, thanks for reading.

Oh and your translations:

"What an idiot." Doyle

"Buffy's mother likes him and so we must kiss ass until she's done with school." Angel

Muirnin=sweetheart

"Goodnight my love" Angel to Buffy.