FOR DISCLAIMER, SUMMARY ETC, Please see chapter one
She'd got over the nerves now, of course. After three months of acting together, it would be a bit hard for her not to. Not to mention how unprofessional it would be. He still didn't know how she felt. Which was why it hurt so much when she looked into his eyes and saw nothing but friendship. Actresses were supposed to be brave…Cordy had always been brave. But this was something completely different. All those guys she'd dated in high school…none of them had been Mr Right. Of course, at the time, little miss shallow that she was, would have completely disagreed with her future self. Every guy was THE guy. Apart from Wesley. He had been the one guy that she'd liked who she had never considered to be more than some boredom relief. Until she got to really know him. Ironic really.
She finished packing her bag, and turned to walk out of the studio. She had decided to go into the centre of LA for a little shopping. She'd been able to act a little more freely since she got this job, it gave her a steady income, and she needed to buy something new to boost her morale. She couldn't believe she found it so hard working with Wesley like this, when she'd worked day in day out with him for almost a year. She assumed it was the nature of their relationship on-set, they'd had to do more than a little kissing since they'd started. She enjoyed those scenes, and often she forgot that the cameras were there, caught up in her own little world.
"Cordelia!" She heard Wesley yell in his beautiful English accent. For a split second she thought that maybe he felt it too, but then sternly told herself that he had had a million chances to tell her how he felt, so why would today be any different. Sighing, she turned back towards him.
"Yeah?"
"Here's your script for next week. Jack just gave them to me."
"Thanks, Wes. I have to go, I, uh, have some…stuff…that I have to go do. I'll see you back at the office later?" She turned on her heel and walked out of the door and into the bright LA sunshine. Fishing around in her pocket for her shades, she put them on, and walked down the street. She was still blissfully unaware of how the public would react if they knew who she was – none of her episodes had aired yet. The first was going to be shown next week – Gunn and Angel had arranged a party for the night, everyone from Sunnydale was going to be there. It was gonna be like a reunion of the old gang – with a few added extras. Take Tara for example. She was definitely shocked when she heard about Willow being gay – but she still had a lot to thank the girl for. She'd probably still be stuck dating Xander Harris, living on the hellmouth, fighting demons (well OK so the last part was still true, but two outta three aint bad!) if it hadn't been for Willow. Since Cordy and Xander split up, they had grown to be great friends, but he definitely wasn't any Wesley.
***
Wesley twisted the key in the lock, and the door to his apartment flew open. Dumping his sports bag on the floor, he threw himself down on the sofa. After a few minutes of doing nothing at all, he reached over into his bag, and pulled out the script Jack had given him. He wasn't in the first few scenes, so he only skimmed them. As he settled down to read his scenes, his eyes opened with shock. Jack couldn't seriously be asking him to…no he must have read it wrong…he looked over it again, staring in disbelief. He had read it right. Jack wanted Gordon and Tracy to sleep together. He knew it was only acting, but…the way he felt about Cordelia, there was no way he would be able to keep himself together while filming scenes like that. He had only just managed to keep his feelings in check when he touched her arm earlier today – how was he supposed to film naked scenes? It was completely impossible…he would have to ring Jack and get him to change the script.
***
"Sorry, Wesley, no can do I'm afraid."
"What…but…why?!"
"It's a complete storyline. The scripts have all been written, we can't just *change* things at the drop of a hat!"
"Well…why not? I mean, can't you just *insinuate* that something happened between me and Cordy. I mean, surely…it's a family show, you can't…can you?"
"I'm the director, Wesley. I can do anything I like. And it's by no means the raunchiest scene we've ever had. Remember the time when we had Sonia and Hilary –"
"Yes, yes, quite. I remember. I also remember the complaints. The media were talking about it for months afterwards."
"Which is exactly what we want, Wes ma-boy."
Sighing, Wesley said goodbye and hung up. There was no way he was going to be able to get out of it…maybe he could call in sick. No, he couldn't do that. What would Cordelia think of him if he did?
***
"Jesus Cordelia, what is it with you two?" Jack exclaimed.
"What? Which two? Huh?!"
"I've already had Wesley on the phone complaining that *he* doesn't want to do the scene either. Now I'm telling you what I told him. It's all set. You have to do the scene. Cordelia, I'm counting on you. You know the ratings have been slipping since they resurrected Sunset Beach and crossed it with Beverly Hills 90210. Sunset 90210 has almost double the viewing figures. You have to do it Cordy. For me!"
"Jesus, Jack. You really do know how to wind a girl around your little finger don't you?! OK, I'll do it. Bye"
"Thanks Cordy, you're the greatest."
Hanging up, she sat down on the sofa. Dennis flicked on the TV for her, but she couldn't concentrate. Maybe she could pull a sickie. It would save both her and Wesley from any embarrassment that could make working together a problem. But no, she couldn't do that. What would Wesley think of her if she did?