I said I would try to update before work, so here you go! Thank you for all the reviews!

Chapter 9:

Xander opened the front door to his new home, letting his friend in, before turning back towards the living room to go back to his place on the couch. Angelus hadn't told him that Buffy was coming over, so Xander had already started playing video games for the day.

"Hey, beautiful." Angelus smiled as he walked down the stairs into the living room.

Buffy smiled at the handsome brunette. "Flattery." She noted. "What did you do in the past 7 hours for me to deserve that?"

"No flattery." He shook his head, leaning down to kiss her. "Just the truth."

"One date." Xander noted, turning to glance at his two friends as they stood in each other's arms. "One date was all it took for you two to make everyone else in the world feel bad about their relationships."

Angelus shrugged. "Or lack thereof."

Xander playfully glared at his dark-haired friend as Buffy turned around in Angelus' arms. "Well, according to his mother we are so far into our relationship that the number of dates we have been on doesn't even matter anymore."

Angelus laughed, shaking his head as Devon and Oz made their way down the stairs. "I wouldn't go THAT far."

"We are basically an old married couple." She teased, kissing him on the cheek quickly.

"As far as old married couples go…" Oz shrugged. "You're pretty cute together."

"Aww." Buffy smiled brightly turning to Angelus. "We are cute together."

Angelus smiled before kissing her softly on the lips. "I could have told you that." He whispered, before kissing her deeper, then he offered her a teasing smile. "But we are an old married couple, so you probably wouldn't have believed me."

"Yeah." Buffy nodded, smiling. "I would just start an argument with you about the cuteness." She turned towards Oz and Devon, as Angelus wrapped her arms around her waist. "Are you guys all set for tonight?"

Oz nodded. "We don't completely suck."

"Which is improvement." Devon shrugged.

Buffy shook her head. "Not true. I like your sound. Speaking of." She turned around slightly, looking at Angelus. "Cordy and Will are coming over too."

Xander burst out laughing. "Sounds that suck reminded you of Cordelia, huh?"

"If I had something to throw at you…" Buffy trailed off.

"Oh!" Angelus let go of her waist, making his way over to the coffee table quickly and picking up the television remote before handing it to her. "Now you do."

Buffy laughed as she took the remote and playfully threw it at her friend.

Xander ducked out of the way as the remote flew past him. "Are you talking about her singing voice or just her normal speaking voice? 'Cause I heard her in the talent show… of which, you yourself called the talentless show."

"That was before Snyder made us be in it." Buffy said horrified at the memory.

"Not everyone was talentless." Xander shook his head with a smile. "You were completely unenthusiastic about the whole thing and Will completely ran off stage, but me, I was awesome."

"Talent and enthusiasm isn't really something you need when doing a skit about Oedipus." The blonde pointed out. "Maybe if we were able to pick something out that we actually wanted to do then it would have been different."

"After hours of trying to come up with something to do and ending up with nada, what else were we supposed to do?" Xander asked her. "No one liked my ideas."

"I was totally for Wills playing the piano." Buffy said as Angelus took her by the hand and she started to walk towards the couch. "It was my idea that we attempted to sing, remember? Your pride and Wills stage fright got in the way."

"Probably shouldn't have stage fright if you are gonna be in a talent show." Oz commented.

Buffy smiled as she sat down, pulling Angelus down beside her. "Believe me, we wouldn't have been in the talent show if the principal hadn't forced us."

"We were only forced to be in it because SOMEONE…" Xander turned to Buffy. "… thought that afternoon classes were optional."

"Says the guy that was right next to me in the movie theater!" She pointed at her friend as Oz and Devon sat down in the chairs on both sides of the couch. "And you dragged Will with us! You know she was so scared of getting in trouble for leaving campus after that? She didn't even want to leave campus for lunch once we were allowed to!"

"What can I say?" Xander shrugged with a smile. "I'm sure senior year was really hard once I was gone, you having to repair all that damage I caused to Will."

Buffy laughed. "Jerk." She teasingly turned to Angelus. "He's your friend."

"He was yours first." Angelus laughed, putting his arm around the blonde.

"How'd you meet?" Oz wondered, looking between the two men from his place in the chair beside the couch.

"College." Xander offered.

"Xander was the first person I met when I moved here." Angelus told his high school friend.

Xander shrugged with a goofy smile. "I'm still his only friend here."

Buffy shook her head and rolled her eyes playfully. "I'm his friend."

"Hmmm." Angelus pursed his lips, narrowing his eyes at her teasingly. "Girlfriend, not just friend."

Buffy kissed him, loving that fact that he had called her his girlfriend. Before she had met him, she wanted nothing to do with having a guy in her life, but now, she couldn't imagine not having him in her life. "Can't I be both?"

Angelus smiled, leaning down to kiss her again. "Of course."

Devon raised his eyebrows at the interaction between the two before pushing himself out of the chair and making his way into the kitchen.

"Then as his friend, you should tell him not to quit his job." Xander raised his eyebrows.

Buffy looked from her friend to her boyfriend confused. "Quitting? If you quit, then how will we see each other every day?"

"He's doing it to spend more time with you." Xander pointed out, earning a smile from Buffy.

"You could come over here." Angelus shrugged. "Or we could go on lunch dates."

Buffy shook her head. "Lunch dates? They are like the kiss of death in relationships, no one goes on lunch dates."

"Old married couples go on lunch dates." Oz nodded.

Angelus laughed. "It's perfect for us then."

"He wants me to quit my job too." Xander pointed out.

Buffy frowned, turning towards her boyfriend. "Why?" then she lowered her voice as she leaned even closer to him. "Then he will always be here, and we wouldn't be alone."

Angelus raised his eyebrows at her for a second, before offering her a smirk. "We will find time."

"I can't believe you don't want me around, Buff!" Xander exclaimed.

"Classes start up in a few months, right?" Oz asked then shrugged. "Xander would be in class."

"I will also be in class though." Buffy told the shorter man. "And I feel like freshman year is going to be seriously intense."

Oz made a face at Buffy as though he was confused. "You're about to be a freshman, I thought you were older."

Buffy nodded, people often thought that she was older than she actually was if they met her at the gallery or when she was with her sister, any other time, she wasn't as responsible. "Between classes and homework and just getting the hang of college life in general… I don't see much free time. To say that I'm slightly stressed over this whole college thing is an understatement."

"You commuting?" Xander asked the same question that everyone else had been asking her.

Buffy took a deep breath and shrugged. "I don't know, it's something I should really figure out soon. I mean, I already asked for a dorm just in case, but I was told that if I change my mind to just let them know. Angelus has already freaked me out about living on campus."

"Living at home though…" Xander thought for a moment. "Yeah, it would be easier for your mom and Dawnie but it won't be easier for you. Think of all the travel time, it would be even longer if there was a car accident or something. What about having a social life? Missing all those parties. Or learning how to take care of yourself and not to mention it's all part of the college experience. I'm speaking as a guy that lived in his parent's basement all freshman year!"

The blonde looked down at the floor as she thought, a slight pout appearing on her face. She really hadn't thought about a lot of the stuff that Xander brought up, her first concern was always her mother and Dawn.

Angelus watched as Buffy pouted, he had a feeling she was torn between living on campus and living at home even more now. She deserved the normal college experience but at the same time, she was very committed to her family and wanted to be close to them if they needed anything. Without thinking, he leaned in closer to her before whispering into her ear. "You could always live here."

Buffy whipped her head around to look at Angelus as Devon came back into the living room with a bowl of cereal and a beer. Oz shook his head when he saw the beer in his bandmates hand, he thought Devon drank far too much, the other members of the band agreed but no one wanted to bring it up to the lead singer.

"Wait!" Came a female voice as the front door swung open and a tall brunette walked in like she owned the place, followed by a frazzled looking redhead. "I guess we don't knock anymore."

The brunette turned to look at the redhead. "There is no time for that! Angelus' friend is here, and I have to meet him!"

"Who is that?" The short red-haired man asked, more to himself than anyone else.

Devon leaned in closer to his friend as he looked at the two girls that just walked in. "My next one-night stand."

Oz shook his head when he heard his friend's comment, there was no way he was going to let Devon cause any pain to the small girl that he couldn't take his eyes off of.

Cordelia tossed her bag on the floor as she walked closer to the two men that she had yet to meet, Willow followed behind her, still frazzled from practically chasing Cordelia all the way from the car, the redhead didn't look down at the bag on the floor and tripped over it. Willow ungracefully tried to catch herself before she fell on her face.

"Who IS that girl?" Oz asked again as Willow pushed herself back up off the floor.

"You okay?" Buffy asked her best friend, the redhead just shrugged it off, embarrassed.

"So?" Cordelia demanded, looking towards Angelus as he turned his head even more to look at her. At this point, everyone in the room was looking at her. "Where is he? This friend of yours that you promised me?" She eyed Oz and then Devon. "Is it one of them?"

Angelus started to get up from his spot beside Buffy. "Actually, Cordelia…"

Devon cut Angelus off as he stepped forward, closer to Cordelia. "I'm Devon."

Xander turned his head towards his roommate. "He tryin' to get with Queen C?"

Dropping his face into his hands, Angelus shook his head. "She's breathing. That's Devon's only requirement." Taking a deep breath, Angelus looked back up towards Oz. "Oz and Devon, this is Willow and Cordelia."

Oz smiled admiringly at the redhead and whispered to himself. "Willow."

0o0o0

"Oh, my gosh! Buffy!" Willow gushed from beside her blonde best friend on the patio. "He's so cute!"

Buffy looked up towards where Angelus and Oz were across the yard discussing his plans for the property. "He's a cutie."

"He totally is!" Willow gushed some more before turning serious. "Wait, are you talking about Angelus or Oz?"

"Angelus, clearly." Buffy teased. "Girl, why don't you go talk to Oz?"

Willow shook her head frantically. "I can't. I… I can't do that!"

"If you want it then you have to go for it!" Buffy encouraged her, looking back towards the two men as Xander was approaching them. Xander seemed to like Oz a lot more than he liked Devon.

"Like you did with Angelus?" Willow said with a pointed look. "Besides, that's so moxie."

"That was different." Buffy shrugged. "I thought he liked Cordelia, and besides…" The blonde shook her head slightly to get her hair away from her face. "We are about to start college. Maybe College Willow will be moxie."

"You think?" The redhead asked giddily before looking towards the three men out in the yard. "You know what?" Willow nodded her head with a brave look on her face. "I'm going to go talk to him." Buffy smiled as Willow got up from the chair she was sitting in and started to make her way towards the men, she got two steps towards them before turning back towards her best friend. "But just in a friends way because we haven't started college so I'm not moxie yet."

Buffy leaned back in her chair, laughing as Willow made her way closer to the guys. Buffy shook her head as she got up to follow Willow.

"Where's Cor?" Buffy asked, coming up beside Angelus, wrapping her arms around him.

Oz looked towards the large house, nodding. "Probably with Devon."

"Those two seemed to hit it off." Willow noted.

"He's a man-whore, she's a whore." Xander smacked his lips together. "It was bound to happen."

Buffy and Willow frowned at their longtime friend before they both swotted at him.

"Maybe if Cordy and Devon hit it off then Doyle won't have to come all the way here to meet her." Buffy said, looking up at Angelus.

Angelus scrunched up his face, thinking for a moment. "How is Cordelia going to feel about Devon only having two dollars to his name?"

The two girls looked at each other before responding at the same time. "Not good."

"Considering he doesn't have an actual job and couch surfs pretty much every night, I didn't think Cordelia would be interested." He told them as he pulled Buffy a little closer to him. "Besides, Devon doesn't look for relationships."

"So, he not only couch surfs but he girl surfs?" Buffy asked.

Angelus shrugged. "Pretty much."

"You tryin' to get her with Doyle?" Oz asked his friend, earning a nod from the taller man. "I can see that, I think he would like her."

"I'm going to call him again about coming here." He told his friend. "Last time I talked to him, he said he had to get a few things sorted out at work before he could come."

"He workin' with his dad?" Oz wondered.

Angelus nodded. "He's learning how everything is done so he can take over the brewery."

"Brewery?" Willow asked. "As in beer?"

Buffy looked from her best friend to her boyfriend. "He makes beer?"

"Sort of." Angelus shrugged. "His family owns a brewery company, he's learning to take over headquarters."

"How's your dad handling that?" Oz smirked.

Angelus let out a deep breath, looking towards the sky.

"That well, huh?" Oz laughed. He remembered the long discussions Mr. Giles would have with Angelus about joining the family business and one day taking over. It wasn't something that he was interested in, but he was taking the necessary classes in college to be prepared to possibly take over. Angelus' father always pushed the importance of an education and being prepared. Mr. Doyle was the complete opposite and was supportive of his son not wanting to go to college because he felt that the best way to learn something was to get your hands in it.

Buffy looked from her best friend to the short redheaded man she had met the day before. Willow had said she was going to talk to Oz, but she hadn't really said much at all. The blonde decided to try to get the ball rolling. "So, Oz, what about you?" Buffy smiled. "Job? College?"

Oz shrugged as he turned towards Buffy. "I had planned on going to college, but Devon wanted to really push the band thing so for the past year we have just been doing gigs and I take odd jobs here and there."

"Do you…" Willow started to ask him a question but trailed off when he turned to look at her. She took a deep breath. "Do you think you will go to college?"

"Yeah, Oz." Xander smiled, lightly tapping his arm. "Sunny U could be calling your name."

Angelus smiled at the thought of having one of his closest friends in Sunnydale. "Yeah, it would be cool to have you around. You could even live here!"

"It's not like you don't have the space." Buffy laughed, looking towards the house. Maybe she shouldn't think too much into Angelus asking her to move in, she was in shock when he had asked her earlier, thinking he wanted to move to the next level in their relationship but he seemed to want everyone to move in.

Oz shrugged. "Maybe."

"Do you… have a girlfriend in Chicago?" Buffy asked fishing for information, Angelus gave her a questioning look, but she didn't turn towards him. "I just asked because if you were to go to college here then it might be hard to have a relationship with someone so far."

The shorter man shook his head. "No girlfriend."

Buffy smiled, glancing at her best friend. Now she knew that she had to get Willow and Oz talking, those two needed to spend some time together. She turned towards Angelus, smiling up at him. "We should have another date."

"We will." He smiled down at her, kissing her softly.

"How about now?" Buffy asked. "I'm hungry and you're a really good cook, sooo…."

Angelus laughed. "Okay, okay. I will cook you something."

"Great!" Buffy bounced slightly on the balls of her feet. "And Xander, you should probably go to the store and spend an obscene amount of money on food that you think we will all eat." She started to drag the two dark-haired men away before turning towards her best friend with a pointed look.

0o0o0

"Okay, Buff." Xander sighed, making his way over to the blonde sitting on the couch. "Your acting weird, weirder than usual. What's the what?"

Buffy shrugged, glancing towards the door to try to see Willow and Oz outside. The two redheads appeared to be talking but Willow was still acting shy. "Nothing."

Xander followed her eyesight before turning back towards her. "Something's up. I don't feel like it's anything that has to do with Angelus because you two are acting very couple-y. What is it?"

Sitting up straighter, the blonde brought her legs up to sit crossed legged on the couch, turning to look at her friend. "Will likes Oz." She said quietly. "I just want to help them get the ball moving and give them a chance to get to know each other without us there."

Xander nodded, looking back towards the patio doors that Buffy had been looking out. It was new to him that Willow had those types of feelings for another guy, he was used to being the only guy in Willow's life. If Willow was going to be in a relationship with someone then he was happy it was with someone like Oz. He didn't know Oz as well as he would like to, but he did like the guy so far.

Buffy's face softened at Xander's expression, she leaned closer to him, linking her arm with his. "Don't tell me that."

"What?" Xander shook his head, looking towards Buffy.

"Willow's got a thang." Buffy teased him. "and Xander's left hanging."

"Oh, that's meaningless drivel." Xander waved his hands in dismissal. "I'm not interested in Willow like that."

"Yeah." Buffy offered a teasing smile. "But you got used to being the belle of the ball."

Xander nodded. "I guess you're right about that." He pursed his lips before sitting up straight, slapping his hands on his knees. "I'm happy that if she were to be with someone then it would be Oz. Angelus has told me nothing but good things about him, but I can't say the same thing about Devon." Xander glanced around the large living room. "Cordelia and Devon are still MIA?"

Buffy nodded, she didn't want Cordelia to get hurt by Devon, but she did try to warn her over the phone the night before that Angelus had said to stay clear of Devon. Instead, Cordelia was drawn to him instantly.

"I don't like that guy, I think it's the eyes!" He pointed to his own eyes. "As much as Cordelia annoys me, she shouldn't be hanging around him. She might find herself in some shady situation." Unlinking his arm from the blonde's, Xander stood up before turning towards the staircase and shouting. "Cordelia! I'm going out and spending money that isn't mine!"

Moments later, Cordelia hurried down the stairs, fixing her hair as she walked. "No need to shout, Harris. I could have heard you perfectly fine, now, let's go!"

Xander shook his head as the tall brunette walked past him towards the door. "Works every time."

As soon as Xander had shut the front door, Devon made his way down the stairs, fixing his shirt. He smiled at Buffy. "Hey, Buffy."

"Hi." She gave him a tight smile as she got up and walked towards the kitchen. "I'm just going to go check on my boyfriend."

Before Devon could get a word out, Buffy was in the kitchen wrapping her arms around Angelus as he stirred some pasta.

0o0o0

"So…." Xander started as he drove down Crawford Street towards the store, in Angelus' car. "You and Devon, huh?"

Cordelia huffed and rolled her eyes. "Yeah, so."

"I just…" Xander shrugged his shoulders. "I just don't think it's a good idea."

"Since when is it any of your business?" The brunette asked with a slightly irritated tone.

Xander frowned. "I know we might not exactly be friends, Cordelia, but believe it or not, I do actually care about you."

Cordelia let out a sigh, she could feel her resolve cracking already which was why she was hardly ever alone with Xander Harris. Not anymore. "I don't know." She said softly. "There is just something about Devon."

"Yeah." Xander whispered. "According to Angelus, a bunch of other girls feel the same way. He isn't a good guy Cordy. Did you… did you hook up with him today?"

Cordelia stayed quiet for several minutes before answering. "No. We just made out. I haven't…"

"Good." Xander whispered with a nod. "You deserve better."

The brunette bit her lip as she turned to look at the goofy dark-haired man. "Why did we break up again?"

"You didn't want people to find out about us and keeping it a secret for a year was already getting to be too much." He reminded her.

"But we are still keeping it a secret." Cordelia whispered.

Xander nodded. "It's what you wanted, CC."

A small smile graced her lips as he used his old nickname for her. "And you always gave me what I wanted."

"Love makes you do the wacky." He said quoting her blonde friend.