Gunn walked back into the office carrying two first aid kits. He tossed one to Cordelia which she caught easily and then walked over to Spike. Angel suddenly realized this was the first time him and Cordy have been this close at all since she had gotten back. He put a smile on his face that did not go un-noticed. Cordelia smiled, "How you doing?"
Angel shrugged, "Doesn't hurt."
Cordelia put a little disinfectent on a cut and Angel winced making Cordelia's smile widen, "Really?"
They sat in silence smiling at each other after that. Something about the sight felt wrong to Spike even though it would solve his problems so he was thankful Gunn spoke up, "So what caused you two?"
Angel shot his head toward Gunn, "Your patient there started it. Walks into my office and hits me."
Spike sighed, "I had good reason."
"Besides the obvious mutual hatred why would you walk into my office and hit me?"
Spike closed his eyes hoping he didn't really say what he was about to say, "It's your fault Buffy doesn't love me." He had to make the statement sound more manly so he opened his eyes and started to yell, "It's your fault she can't love anyone."
Angel suddenly backed off and softened, "What?"
Spike saw him soften and fed off his pain, "You heard me. The slayer and I had a little chat before our violent meeting and she said she couldn't love anybody until you've moved on or until you tell her you don't love her." He stood up and accidentally knocked over Gunn while he walked towards Angel sloppily, "So make up your damn mind soon Angel because while you're living the happy life of two woman adoring you, you're killing the most important one and I for one am not going to let you."
Angel shook his head, "What the hell do you expect me to say Spike?"
Spike walked towards the door, "You don't have anything to say to me. You know, I'm at the point where I don't care if she loves me or not. I do care however that she doesn't end up alone and by keeping yourself confused all you're doing is securing her fate as one of those ladies who sit alone in front of her t.v. with a bunch of pets to talk to. Make up your god damn mind Angel or we'll just keep having rounds of violence."
Angel didn't have a chance to respond as Spike took off limping. The awkward feeling of the room got hold of Gunn as he stood and threw a piece of gauze on the ground, "While you two talk, I'm going to go find my best friend. Hopefully she won't do anything stupid."
Angel nodded and watched Gunn walk out of the room. When he was gone Angel looked into Cordelia's eyes, "What do you think?"
Cordelia stood up, "I think... I think Spike's right." Angel's head shot up to meet hers. Cordy was quick to explain her statement, "We can't hide this for Buffy's whole trip or she won't move on, ever. You and Buffy have something, you always have and we have something Angel. Buffy and I have made our decision and now all you have to do is make yours. If you choose Buffy I will finally be able to move on and so will Spike. If you choose me then Buffy will finally be able to move on and so will Spike. I hate to have to put all this on you but the truth is Angel, you have to make a life altering decision in a matter of days."
Angel leaned back in his chair as his eyes stayed connected with his seer's, "What do you think?"
Cordelia thought about it for a few seconds, "I think that, since love got you into this love will get you out."
Angel nodded, "Thanks Cordy."
Cordelia nodded but the moment was ruined when her cell phone rang. She looked at the ID and smiled at Angel, "I'll take this outside." Angel nodded and the last words he heard before Cordy walked out was, "Hey Will."
Angel was left to ponder the fact he had to choose between his two loves. He had no idea so many lives were effected by his decision. He continued to stare at the ground as his memory replayed the nights and feelings of Buffy Summers and how they compared to Cordelia Chase.
-Classy Dining Place-
Buffy and Shane were just sitting down and as Buffy looked around she felt more and more uncomfortable. She tried to fix her hair, "I am so not dressed for a place like this."
Shane smiled, "I think you look perfect."
Before Buffy could blush the waiter came up to them. Buffy asked for a glass of Wine along with Shane. Buffy was the only one to order food though, "I hope you don't mind watching me eat. I am so hungry."
"Are you kidding? It's hard to find a girl who will actually eat anything these days."
Buffy shrugged, "Well obviously, I'm not like most girls these days."
"Well, maybe that's what I like about you."
This time Buffy did blush, "If you don't lay off the compliments and lines I might just turn red permanantly."
Shane shrugged, "It wouldn't matter, I like to see you smile."
Suddenly every reason Buffy was crying earlier flew out of the window. She found herself comparing the feeling she had now to the ones she had with Angel. The feelings she had of being safe, loved and even wanted. She didn't thing the feelings were possible with another vampire and on some level she knew they wouldn't last but she had to enjoy them while she could. It's not like Angel would be sweeping her off her feet anytime soon. So she smiled into Shane's eyes and actually had a conversation without the word demon being a focus point.
-Wolfram and Hart - Wesley's Office - Hour Later-
Gunn walked in on an lesson about how the first slayer was created and interrupted with a knock. Wesley's head shot up while Fred slowly turned around to greet the worries look in Gunn's eyes, "Have you guys seen buffy? She said she wanted to be alone but I'm kind of worried."
Wesley shook his head, "Nope. There's still an hour or two left until sunset. She wouldn't be late for club night if the world was ending."
Fred shrugged, "She can take care of herself."
Gunn sighed, "Maybe, I just wish i knew where she was or what she was doing." Before an awkward silence could cover the room Gunn remembered what he interrupted, "Oh, sorry for the interruption. I'll catch you guys later."
Wesley and Fred smiled and watched him go. Fred sighed, "Now I wonder where she could be."
-Angel's Office-
Angel had to finish bandaging up the smaller cuts himself because Cordelia had yet to return from her phone call. He was now sitting at his desk swamped with the feeling he was losing both Buffy and Cordelia. Shane and William were slowly detaching both woman away from the vampire and he knew it. There were so many thoughts running through his head about Eve, about Buffy, About Cordy, About Spike and even about his future. It was defenitely a brooding evening for Angel. Unfortunately he was torn out of it by the ring of his phone which surprisingly wasn't destroyed.
He let it ring a few times before finally picking it up, "This is Angel."
The voice on the other end surprised him, "Deadboy, hows things on your end?"
Angel sighed because he was obviously not in the mood for Xander, "Fine. What do you want Xander?"
Xander didn't sound hurt as he was of course used to the straight forward Angel, "I want to talk to Buffy."
Angel leaned back in his chair, "If I knew where she was I could do that for you."
Xander didn't even sound surprised, "Sounds like drama hit you guys pretty hard. When you talk to her just make sure to tell her I called."
Angel sounded a little confused now, "You're not worried? I did just tell you no one knows where she is."
Xander's voice stayed the same, "She's a big girl Angel and since destruction of Sunnydale she's been even more in the mood to take care of herself. She's a slayer now and I know that part of her will keep her safe, especially in L.A. Now I have to take off, just tell her I phoned."
Angel nodded still kind of confused, "Okay. Bye Xander."
"Bye." The lines clicked and now Angel was left to ponder another thought of how much buffy had changed.
-Classy Dining Place - Half an Hour Before Sunset-
Buffy had cleaned her plate and had a few glasses but she knew what time it was. She looked into Shane's eyes, "I have to go train that slayer I was talking about."
Shane defenitely looked dissappointed, "Now? We were having so much fun."
Buffy nodded and smiled, "We were and I would like to continue but nothing is more important then being a slayer."
"Then why do you date vampires?"
The question caught her off guard but she had an answer ready, "A slayer is just a non-evil version of a vampire that doesn't drink blood."
Shane stood up along with buffy, "Well Buffy, I'd like to take you out again."
Buffy nodded, "Call me and we'll talk Shane."
Shane smiled and left some money on the table before walking with Buffy to the door, "I'd walk you back to Wolfram and Hart but I would like to see tomorrow."
Buffy smiled and grabbed his hand, "I had a really nice time."
Shane leaned in close for a kiss, "Then think about me when everything else is wrong." He leant in for a kiss which Buffy returned. It lasted a few seconds before he pulled away, "That will put a smile on your face."
Buffy nodded, "Goodbye Shane."
She walked out the door leaving Shane stuck there for another half an hour. The second she let go of Shane's hand reality hit Buffy instantly. She was going to have to face questions, love and her past. It was going to be a long night, at least she had that kiss to think about!
-Wolfram and Hart - Angel's Office - Sunset-
Cordelia, Gunn and Lorne had entered the office knowing the plan for tonight. Cordelia and Gunn were dressed to party already while Cordy had Fred's clothes in a bag. They made conversation while waiting for everyone else to get there. Wesley and Fred had finally arrived just in time for the sun to fully dissappear.
Fred looked around, "Where's Buffy?"
Spike walked in after them, "That would be the question of the hour wouldn't it?"
Gunn sighed, "I didn't find her."
Spike walked over to stand by Gunn, "Same here. That girl knows how to dissappear."
Cordelia spoke in her annoyed tone to Fred, "Well then, since she's not here and we have time to waste we may as well get you ready."
Fred actually looked a little scared, "Buffy said you had something for me to wear."
Cordelia started to look a little evil, "Oh yeah hunny."
Fred shook her head, "I could just wear this."
Cordelia shook her head, "No way, we're partying Fred. Plus me and Buffy went through a lot of thought to pick the perfect outfit."
Cordelia picked up the bag by Angel's desk and grabbed Fred's hand. "Let's go. Time for a make-over."
Before anyone could say anything else they were gone. Spike looked around, "Well then, what are us men going to do tonight?"
Gunn smiled, "I'm going out with the girls. Buffy knows how to pick up chicks for a guy."
Wesley smiled, "Well looks like you're up for a late night."
Gunn nodded, "Well, what are you guys going to do?"
Lorne sighed, "I have to finish making a few decisions and then an early bedtime for me."
Wesley nodded, "It has been a very long day. I never quite realized how boring training a slayer from a book is."
Gunn laughed, "Don't tell Buffy that, she'll make you apologize to her."
Spike shook his head, "Buffy was never trained from a book."
Wesley agreed, "He's right actually. Giles thought it was best to keep her restricted to physical training."
Angel realized something, "That explains her desire to train Fred so actively."
Spike shrugged, "Well, name a better way to train someone to fight."
Gunn interrupted, "Maybe showing up. Where is she?"
Spike smiled, "I say she's getting ready to make her enterence."
Angel nodded, "I second that."
Wesley sat down on the broken sofa, "Girls will be girls."
-40 minutes later-
Gunn looked at his watch, "Damn right girls will be girls."
At that moment Cordelia walked into the office, "Presenting the new and improved Winifred Burkle."
As if she was a showgirl Cordelia held her arms out just in time for fred to walk very slowly into the room. She was wearing a very tight, very short one piece black dress with a very wide open back. Her hair was all did up, her make-up looked perfect and even the shoes were new and matched the change. The guys stared open eyed at the change while Wesley fell off the couch. It made everyone smile especially Fred as Wesley stood back up.
Wesley looked her in the eye from accross the room, "You look amazing."
Fred looked at the ground while blushing, "I don't know if this is really me."
Wesley shook his head, "No, no it's very you."
Now Wesley was blushing as everyone laughed at his reaction to Fred's new beauty. Fred had to take the attention off her though so she looked at Angel, "Has Buffy shown up yet?"
He shook his head, "No, that's all we're waiting on now."
Cordelia smiled, "She's probably getting ready." She stared at fred, "Buffy's probably looking to make more of an impression then you did and with what she bought it won't be too hard."
Fred looked insulted, "She looks better then me?"
Cordelia shook her head, "Not better, just more revealing."
Spike's smile actually widened, "Well then, I can't wait."
It was then buffy made her enterence. She stared right at Spike, "Can't wait for what?"
Spike went speechless instantly. He had seen her in some of her more seductive clothes but never like she was now. Angel also was in awe by her beauty. Her clothes may have shown quite a bit more then he'd like since he wouldn't be there but she still looked amazing. Wesley on the other hand had never seen this side of buffy and was completely in shock. Gunn was the only to react to her right away by running up to her an giving her a hug.
Buffy smiled up into his eyes, "You like?"
Gunn nodded and winked, "Oh yeah. This is way better then that high school crap you used to wear."
Buffy tried to act insulted, "Excuse me, I was in high school and I was a cheerleader. My fashion statement was totally the cause of cheerleaders."
Gunn shrugged, "Hey, I liked the cheerleading part!"
Buffy giggled, "Well, I think I've gone a little more classy."
Gunn took her hand and twirled her in a circle. When she did a complete 360 he smiled, "Oh yeah."
Buffy was wearing a strapless red leather dress that went down to just below her knees and did up by a chain around her neck without a back and a slit that went pretty high up the middle. The other guys came back to reality but fred reacted first, "Buffy you look awesome."
Buffy bowed, "I have to admit I do know how to shop."
Cordelia giggled, "I think Shane knows how to shop."
Spike and Angel were instantly tuned in now. Angel stood up from his chair at his desk, "Shane picked out your clothes?"
Buffy shook her head, "No, he just approved of them before I bought them." Before either vampire could speak buffy continued, "It's not like either one of you would come shopping with me and have fun."
Then suddenly all the tense feelings and awkwardness came back into the room from earlier. Cordelia noticed and changed the subject, "Well we should get going."
Buffy ignored her and turned to fred, "You learn a lot today?"
Fred nodded, "Yeah. Kind of boring but you know me. I'm good with the book stuff."
Buffy just stared at her, "Good. I think after tonight all we have to work with is your hand to hand and weapons. Looks like I'll be done here tomorrow night."
Lorne actually smiled, "Thank god. Just in time for the club to open."
Buffy smiled, "It all works out then." She stared at Angel, "We'll actually do the whole training thing, not just party stuff, don't worry."
Angel nodded, "Good."
Buffy stared back at Fred, "Hope to god your instincts are right tonight. Let's go."
Cordelia looked at everyone staying, "Ciao boys."
Fred looked at Wesley, "I'll see you when i get back."
Wesley looked a little worried, "Good. Right. I'd like to hear everything about tonight."
Buffy looked at Spike at Angel, "Don't wait up."
Spike held Buffy's gaze as if they were silently telling each other that they were back on civil ground, that they could be normal around each other again. he then soon smiled, "We have better things to do."
Buffy winked at him and then grabbed Gunn's hand, "Onwards girls."
Cordelia and Fred walked out the door. Gunn followed to get the car but the second buffy was about to exit Angel cleared his throat, "You didn't get away with the talk, you just postponed it."
Buffy's annoyance and anger came back instantly, "There is no talk Angel. We're not dating and we're not related. My life is officially none of your business anymore, especially my past." Spike was about to interrupt until Buffy stared at him, "Same goes for you. Now I'll see you when I get back tonight for the update."
With that she walked out the door after everyone else. Spike looked at Angel and sighed, "You turned her back into the slayer, bravo job!"
Angel shook his head, "Never mind it Spike."
Spike scoffed, stood up and walked right up to the desk, "It's my business Angel, you want to know why? Because despite the fact she doesn't love me back I love that woman and all you're doing to her is hurting her. You're going to talk to her and it's going to be civil. Now, I'm going to go get me a drink and something to eat."
The second he left Angel growled. Lorne smiled, "Looks like it's time for boss man to be alone."
After Lorne left Wesley sighed, "You love who you love Angel, you can't help it."
Angel nodded, "Now all I want is for them to be back here so I can talk to one of them."
Wesley was at the door by now and he stopped exiting to say one sentence, "That person you want to talk to is probably the one you should be with." He left instantly leaving Angel to think about that alone with all of his other previous thoughts. It was going to be a very broody night for the boss vampire.