TITLE: No Matter What 4/10
AUTHOR: Goddess Isa
EMAIL: goddessisa@aol.com
SUMMARY: Buffy is just contemplating dating Riley when the unexpected happens....
SPOILER: Pangs, IWRY - Doomed and Hush both took place before Christmas and the New Year and all. You'll see my explanation below.
DISTRIBUTION: Sandee, of course - My site - http://planetslaythis.homestead.com - Crystal and Butterfly if they want it - A Soul's Redemption - Anyone else - sure, just email me & lmk where it's going - I like seeing my name in print =)
RATING: TV-14 - for now
DISCLAIMER: Characters belong to Poophead Joss. I didn't come up with that name for him, but it's *so* true. The song, 'No Matter What' is what the title is derived from and it's by Boyzone. Other song credits in this chapter go to Hole and Christina Aguilera
AUTHOR'S NOTE: This is for Ashley - thanks for the kickass challenge idea! And thank you again for sending me the story I was missing. You're the best.
AUTHOR'S NOTES2: Okie, these are the ones that explain the timeline, so you may want to read it to understand. Buffy visited Angel in Los Angeles on November 23rd. Something Blue, Hush and Doomed make up the weeks 'till Christmas, and Buffy *NEVER* kissed Riley. He asked her out but she didn't accept. And now we're at December seventeenth, when all the students are packing up to go home for the holidays.
03/15/00



//If only tears were laughter

If only night was day

If only prayers were answered

Then we would hear God say\\


Music was the only thing keeping Buffy sane as she drove to LA. She wasn't really sure where she was going but she knew she'd figure it out eventually.

"Oh, make me over," she sang along with Courtney Love. "I'm all I wanna be. Don't know the line right there....and demonology. Heeyyyyy, so glad you could make it.."

She eyed the signs and sighed. "Why are there three different exits to get into LA?" she asked herself aloud. She chose number two since she had always liked even numbers. She pulled off the freeway onto the first residential street and surprisingly recognized the area.

She pulled into a a 7-11 to buy a doughnut and some orange juice and figured she's buy a local map anyways. It couldn't hurt.

She opened the map and sipped her juice while she tried like Hell to figure out where she was and where she was trying to go. She knew the intersection she was across from, but didn't know if she knew it from the sixteen years she lived in LA or from her brief vacation in November.

Sighing, she folded the map up and decided to just drive down the street for awhile and see if she noticed anything familiar.

"It may seem stupid," she said to Mr. Gordo, who was peeking out of her duffel on the carseat next to her. "But it's the only logical thought flowing through my brain right now."

"Swing low," Courtney went on. "Swing cherry, make it awful."

"What is this, a Hole marathon?" she switched the stations until she found a Christina Aguilera song that suited her perfectly.


//They say if you love somethin

Let it go

If it comes back it shows

That's how you know

It's for keeps yeah

It's for sure

And you're ready and willing

To give me more than

What a girl wants

What a girl needs

Whatever makes me happy

Sets you free

And I'm thankin' you for knowin' exactly

What a girl wants

What a girl needs

Whatever keeps me in your arms

And I'm thankin' you

For givin' it to me\\


A mile later, she saw the sign.

Angel Investigations.

The sun is *almost* up, Buffy thought as she pulled in next to a black motorcycle she prayed didn't belong to Angel. He should be home, probably reading something ancient in the office.

She grabbed her purse and slammed the door shut, leaving her duffel behind for the time being. She was gonna have to go get it within an hour or so though, 'cause she was exhausted.

"You prolly need sleep, huh baby?" she muttered to her belly. "I know you're tired, but at least you're not nauseous."

She yawned. "I'll go to sleep as soon as I tell your--Angel the truth." she shook that emotion away quickly. Where did I get the idea that Angel was the father? she asked herself. She shrugged and opened the door to the agency, taking a deep breath as she did so.

A very stressed out looking Cordelia was sitting on *top* of Wesley on the couch. He seemed to be listening intently to whatever she'd been ranting about.

"Buffy!" she jumped off of him and hugged her. "What are you doing here?"

"I came to see Angel. Is he here?"

"Downstairs, taking a shower." she brushed her hair off her shoulder. "Why did you come to see Angel though? I mean, what's the reason?"

"Do I need a reason?" she sat on the edge of Cordy's desk and yawned.

"Well actually, under the circumstances, yes."

"How are you, Wesley?" Buffy asked. "So sorry to hear about the Council firing you. I should've sent a card."

"Yes, well, I should be getting home." he stood up and brushed his suit off. "See you later, Cordelia. Give my best to Angel."

He picked up a motorcycle helmet off the floor and put it on. Buffy cracked up.

"That's your bike?" she asked through the giggles.

"Yes, why?"

"It just doesn't fit. You and a Harley. I didn't think they allowed double-breasted suits in the biker community."

He just left and Cordelia shrugged at Buffy. "There've been some changes around here lately."

"I guess so." Buffy yawned again.

Cordelia waited until he had pulled away and then she grabbed Buffy by the hands and led her to the couch. "We *have* to talk."

"What about?" Buffy asked skeptically.

"I had a vision."

"Of?" she shifted so she was sitting with her legs stretched out in front of her. They were stiff from driving for so long.

"I'm betting you can guess for yourself. Takes place around eight or so months from now."

"You saw me pregnant?" Buffy asked.

"No, I saw you giving birth. And eew."

"Anything else?"

"Not really." she shrugged.

"Did you tell Angel?" she asked warily.

"No, I was going to but I think you should do it." 

"Thanks a lot," she said dryly.

"That's why you're here, isn't it?" Cordy reminded her.

"I don't remember you being such a good friend to me back in Sunnydale," Buffy admitted.

"I wasn't." Cordy smiled. "I've changed, but please don't tell anyone."

"Your secret's safe with me."

"He just shut the water off," Cordy said. "Go on down, surprise him."

Buffy didn't move.

"GO!" Cordy ordered.